The Term Limit Debate
ALIGN CONGRESS WITH
MODERN DAY AMERICAN VALUES
THROUGH TERM LIMITS
Current Rules for Congress
Congressional Elections:
U.S. House of Representatives:
To run for the U.S. House of Representatives, a candidate must be at least 25 years old, be a U.S. citizen for at least seven years, and be a resident of the state they wish to represent at the time of the election. Members of the U.S. House of Representatives are elected to two-year terms. Each state is divided into congressional districts, and each district elects one representative.
U.S. Senate:
To run for the U.S. Senate, a candidate must be at least 30 years old, be a U.S. citizen for at least nine years, and be a resident of the state they wish to represent at the time of the election. Senators are elected to six-year terms. Each state has two senators, and their terms are staggered so that approximately one-third of the Senate is up for election every two years.
Current Term Limits:
There are no term limits for members of Congress mandated by the U.S. Constitution. This means that members of the House of Representatives and the Senate can theoretically be re-elected indefinitely, as long as they continue to win elections in their respective states or districts.
Some states have imposed term limits on their own congressional delegations through state-level legislation or ballot initiatives. However, these term limits only apply to state-level elections and do not impact members of Congress at the federal level.
Pros:
Promotes Fresh Ideas and Perspective: Term limits can bring new faces, ideas, and perspectives to government. Limiting the number of terms a person can serve will encourage a more dynamic and diverse representation.
Prevents Entrenched Incumbency: Term limits will prevent politicians from becoming too entrenched in their positions, reducing the power of incumbency. This, in turn, may lead to a more competitive political landscape.
Reduces Influence of Special Interests: Limiting the time politicians spend in office will reduce susceptibility to lobbying and special interest groups, as they won't be as reliant on these interests for continued re-election.
Encourages Citizen Legislators: Term limits will foster a system where individuals serve in Congress temporarily while maintaining their ties to their communities and professions. This idea aligns with the concept of a "citizen legislature."
Lessen the Divide: There’s an incentive to vilify the opposing party and maintain strict party loyalty, which can contribute to political polarization and gridlock. Term limits can reduce this kind of partisanship.
Cons:
Loss of Experience and Expertise: Opponents argue that term limits could lead to a loss of experienced and knowledgeable legislators. Building expertise in complex policy areas takes time, and term limits might prevent lawmakers from gaining the necessary depth of knowledge.
Reduced Accountability: Some critics assert that term limits may reduce the accountability of elected officials to their constituents. If legislators know they won't be able to seek re-election, they might be less responsive to the concerns of their constituents.
Potential for Lame Duck Behavior: Legislators approaching the end of their term limit might be perceived as "lame ducks" with less motivation to effectively serve their constituents or address long-term issues.
Shifts Power to Bureaucracy and Lobbyists: Critics argue that with inexperienced legislators, the power vacuum could be filled by unelected bureaucrats and lobbyists who have more institutional knowledge and experience.
Election Already Serves as a Limit: Opponents contend that the current electoral process serves as an effective term limit. If voters are dissatisfied with an incumbent, they have the option to vote for a new candidate.
The 28th Amendment
There are two ways to propose this amendment:
1: Congressional Proposal
2: Constitutional Convention
After a proposal is approved, 38 out of 50 State Legislatures need to Ratify the amendment before the amendment becomes law.
Upcoming Discussions
We will start to host discussions on the feasibility of a term limit amendment, pros and cons of such amendment, and a plan of action on how to create real change in our political system.