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Delegates seek term limits for West Virginia’s congressional delegation

CHARLESTON — A resolution seeking term limits in Congress was introduced Thursday in the West Virginia Legislature.

House Joint Resolution 14, assigned to the House Judiciary Committee, would add West Virginia to the list of states proposing congressional term limits. West Virginia would become the 13th state seeking the constitutional convention if the resolution passes.

Representatives and senators have no term limits in West Virginia.

Fifteen states have term limits for congressmen, according to U.S. Term Limits: Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Florida, Louisiana, Maine, Michigan, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, Ohio, Oklahoma and South Dakota.

The resolution was sponsored by Delegate Jeffrey Pack, R-28th, and co-sponsored by Delegates Brandon Steele, R-Raleigh, Geoff Foster, R-Putnam, Jeff Campbell, D-Greenbrier, Joe Jeffries, R-Lincoln, Chris Phillips, R-Barbour, Evan Worrell, R-Cabell, John Mandt, R-Cabell, Chris Toney, R-Raleigh, Daniel Linville, R-Cabell, and Joshua Higginbotham. R-Putnam.

“It’s time to drain the swamp of politicians who are out of touch with hard-working West Virginians,” Pack said. “The best way to do that is by establishing term limits on Congress.”

All but one of West Virginia’s delegation to Congress are Republicans. Sen. Joe Manchin is the only Democrat.

Rep. David McKinley, R-1st, has been elected to five terms, first in 2010. Rep. Alex Mooney, R-2nd, has been elected to three terms, first in 2014. Rep. Carol Miller, R-3rd, was elected to a first term in 2018. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., represented the 2nd District for 14 years before being elected to the Senate in 2014.

Manchin was first elected in a special election in 2010 to succeed Robert Byrd, who died in office and was first elected to the Senate in 1958. Manchin won full six-year terms in 2012 and 2018.

“Delegate Pack proved that he understands the importance of term limits and its impact on the health of our nation,” said Shanna Chamblee, legislative director for U.S. Term Limits. “U.S. Term Limits looks forward to working with Delegate Pack and at least 27 members of the 2019 West Virginia Legislature who have committed to support the resolution.”

The resolution urges Congress to call a convention of the states, under the authority in Article V of the U.S. Constitution, to limit the terms of office someone may be elected to the House of Representatives and Senate.

If 34 state legislatures pass similar resolutions, a convention is called. An amendment to the Constitution is ratified upon approval by three-quarters of the states, 38.

Also, neither the West Virginia House of Delegates nor the Senate has term limits.

On Jan. 9, Delegate Mick Bates, D-Raleigh, proposed HJR 3 to amend the state Constitution and add term limits in the state Senate and the House of Delegates. The resolution would impose a term limit of three consecutive four-year terms in the Senate and six consecutive two-year terms in the House.

Any proposed amendment would be approved in an election.

HJR 3 also was referred to the Judiciary Committee.

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