Should Members Of Congress Have Term Limits? (H. Joint Res. 108)
Do you support or oppose this bill?
What is H. Joint Res. 108?
(Updated December 21, 2019)
Currently, Members of Congress do not have term limits. While they must be re-elected to their positions – every two years in the House and every six years in the Senate – they may continue to serve in Congress for as long as they are reelected.
If passed, this joint resolution would amend the United States Constitution such that a member of Congress could serve no more than 12 years in the House and no more than 12 years in the Senate, meaning no lawmaker could serve in Congress longer than 24 years. Because this is a joint resolution to amend the Constitution, it would not require approval from the President.
As states cannot impose Congressional term limits on their officials, only a resolution amending the United States Constitution could ensure term limits.
Argument in favor
Allowing Members of Congress to serve without term limits has hindered Congress’ efficiency and taken power away from voters. No one likes a career politician.
Argument opposed
According the Constitution, Americans vote their elected officials into office. Voters should use their ballots to choose how long Members of Congress serve, not Congress itself.
Impact
Members of Congress, politicians running for Congress, voters.
Cost of H. Joint Res. 108
A CBO cost estimate is unavailable.
Additional Info
Of Note:
Historically, over 100 members of Congress served for over 24 years. Currently, the longest-running member of Congress is Rep. John Dingell (D-MI), who served in the House since 1955 (though he is set to retire).
Sponsoring Rep. Mick Mulvaney (R-SC) believes 24 years is “more than enough time to serve in Washington.” But Rep. Mulvaney knows that asking his colleagues to give up job security might not be easy. “Now the question becomes,” he admits in the Resolution’s press release, “how can we convince enough Members of Congress that they are the problem?” In fact, the resolution’s proposed term limit of 24 years is a compromise – Rep. Mulvaney originally wanted shorter term limits, but potential co-sponsors did not. Because of the opposition the Resolution is facing in Congress, it is not expected to pass.
Nevertheless, Congress’ approval ratings have reached record lows. According to Philip Bulmel, president of the advocacy group U.S. Term Limits, “The American people are fed up with career politicians in Washington and are strongly embracing term limits as a remedy.”
Media:
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