WASHINGTON – Senator Braun released the following statement after the Indiana House of Representatives approved a resolution endorsing a Convention of States to be held to add a Congressional term limits amendment to the U.S. Constitution.

Senator Mike Braun signed the Term Limits Pledge before being elected to the Senate, and introduced the bill in the Senate to limit Senators and Congressmen to 2 terms and 3 terms, respectively.

Senator Mike Braun has called for a Convention of States to pass constitutional amendments for Congressional term limits and a balanced budget. Braun authored an amendment in 2022 that would direct the Archivist of the United States to collect petitions from states and send an official message to Congress to call a Convention of States when 34 states – the two-thirds required by the Constitution – had passed petitions, citing that career politicians have relied on the lack of a formal system for these petitions to avoid term limits and spending accountability that would likely result from a Convention of States.

“The American people want term limits in Congress. I signed the Term Limits Pledge and introduced the bill to term limit Senators and House Reps in the U.S. Senate, and I applaud the Indiana House of Representatives for taking strong action on this solution that Hoosiers from all 92 counties tell me we need.” – SENATOR MIKE BRAUN

Article V of the Constitution lays out the two processes for amending the Constitution: through Congress, or through a Convention of States.

A Convention of States is not a “Constitutional Convention” like the one convened in 1787 to write the U.S. Constitution: amendments need to be passed by the Convention of States and then ratified by three-quarters (38) of all states.

Some commentators have incorrectly claimed that a Convention of States would become a “free-for-all” after convening. Indiana’s resolution, authored by Rep. Dave Hall, specifically calls for a Convention of States for applying term limits to Congress. Nineteen states have passed Convention of States resolutions calling for a Convention explicitly to “limit the power and jurisdiction of the federal government, impose fiscal restraints, and place term limits on federal officials,” with 7 states having passed this resolution in one chamber but awaiting action in the other, and 16 further states considering this resolution.

A Convention of States, convened under the authority of Article V of the Constitution, passing amendments ratified by 38 out of 50 states, would be exactly how the Constitution is supposed to work.

And considering that any constitutional amendments passed by a Convention of States would also need to be ratified by 38 states, measures with overwhelming support among the public and state legislatures but limited support among career politicians in Washington, D.C. – like term limits for Congress and a balanced budget – are the likely candidates for successful amendments.

Term limits for Congress is perhaps the most popular political idea in the United States, with support crossing all party and demographic lines: “A 2021 poll conducted for U.S. Term Limits, which advocates for congressional term limits, found that of 1,000 “general election voters nationwide,” 80% said they would “strongly” or “somewhat” approve of a constitutional amendment limiting congressional terms.” (Congressional Research Service, 2023)

Holding a Convention of States for these amendments is extremely popular. In July 2022, an opinion poll by Trafalgar found that 65% of likely voters would support a Convention of States to propose amendments focusing on term limits for Congress, federal spending restraints, and limiting the federal government to its constitutionally-mandated authority. The party breakdown on the poll meant that 81% of Republicans, 63% of independents, and 50% of Democrats want a Convention of States for these purposes.

Letter from Board of Commissioners to Mayor Terry – Area Plan Commission 01.31.2024

STATEHOUSE (Sept. 18, 2023) – Vanderburgh County lawmakers encourage local high school students who want to pursue work-based learning and credentials outside the classroom to apply for the state’s newly launched Career Scholarship Account program.

State Rep. Matt Hostettler (R-Patoka) said Hoosier students in 10th, 11th and 12th grades at a state accredited public or private school can receive up to $5,000 to access qualified training opportunities. About 1,000 spots are available for the 2023-2024 school year and students can apply for a Career Scholarship Account until the Oct. 1 deadline.

“High school sophomores, juniors and seniors are quickly approaching graduation, and many of them will go immediately into the workforce,” Hostettler said. “This program gives students the opportunity to learn about their desired occupation and be ready for a career upon earning their high school degree.”

State Rep. Wendy McNamara (R-Evansville) said Career Scholarship Accounts are available to high school students who are enrolled in a course or educational experience approved by the Indiana Department of Education. Eligible students may also be enrolled in an apprenticeship, applied learning experience, work-based learning and/or credential attainment experience approved by the Indiana Commission for Higher Education.

“Getting students prepared for life after high school no matter what path they choose is critical,” said McNamara, who also serves as a school administrator. “Whether their plans are to enter college or the workforce, the training made possible through Career Scholarship Accounts can help set them up for a bright future.”

Approved students will receive $5,000 over four disbursements and can use the money toward certain qualified expenses:

• Expenses to enroll in and attend sequences, courses, apprenticeships, or programs of study;
• Career coaching and navigation services;
• Postsecondary education and training;
• Transportation and equipment;
• Certification and credentialing examinations; and
• Any other expenses approved by the Treasurer of the State.

According to State Rep. Tim O’Brien (R-Evansville), approved courses and classes, which are listed on the online application, can be in accounting, cybersecurity, information technology, software development, veterinary science and more.

“These trades are increasingly in demand for employers in a variety of industries,” O’Brien said. “This opportunity provides talented students with on-the-job training that can help build toward careers.”

The State Board of Education is also reviewing high school diploma requirements to provide more flexibility in a student’s schedule, so they can pursue work-based learning and apprenticeship experiences.