Term Limits in Congress?

From time to time, someone in Congress asks that the Constitution to be changed so that Presidents could be elected to more than two terms, thus repealing the 22nd Amendment. What about calling for term limits on members of Congress?

Fifteen state legislatures have term limits.  Thirty-six governors are limited as well.  Why not Congress? After the 1994 Republican Revolution in Congress, where the GOP won both houses of Congress for the first time in 40 years, reform-minded Congressmen put term limits to a vote.  The vote was in the form of a Constitutional Amendment in 1995.  It failed.  Then three other versions of term limit legislation failed in the House.  After all, it would very difficult to pass a bill in the House, where you are asking the members themselves to support something that would put them out of work.

Some believe that term limits would bring a new face and new vision to the legislative body.  With that new vision comes new ideas.  Others say that term limits would unfairly limit the terms of those Congressmen and Senators who are doing a decent job for their constituents.  It is sort of like saying that you wouldn’t want to throw out the good with the bad.

What are your thoughts on limiting the amount of terms a Congressman or Senator can serve?  How many terms would you limit them to?

Term Limits

The President of the United States is limited to two four-year terms according to the 22nd Amendment.  After two terms, that President can no longer run again.  There are no term limits for members of Congress.  You can stay in office for as long as you are re-elected to that seat.  (Yes, I know.  Members of Congress can also resign, die, or be expelled from the House and Senate.)

The 22nd Amendment

In 1944, Thomas Dewey, the Republican nominee for President, has this to say about a multi-term President:

“Four terms, or sixteen years, is the most dangerous threat to our freedom ever proposed.” (1)

Dewey was referring to Democrat Franklin D. Roosevelt’s bid for a fourth term for President.  FDR ended up winning in ’44, but he died early in the first year of that term.  The support that Dewey and others gave to term limiting the President did not go unnoticed.  Limiting the President to two terms passed both houses of Congress in 1947.  In 1951, the 22nd Amendment was ratified by enough states for its official passage.  Since FDR, no President (with the exception of Harry Truman who was exempt from the Amendment) has been able to serve for more than two terms.

What do you think?  Should there be term limits on a President?  

— (1) For more information about the Election of 1944, you can find it here.

Term Limits in Congress?

From time to time, someone in Congress asks that the Constitution to be changed so that Presidents could be elected to more than two terms, thus repealing the 22nd Amendment.  This is recently exemplified by Congressman Jose Serrano (D-NY) who did the very thing early in January.  He actually has good experience in calling for such a proposal.

What about calling for term limits on members of Congress? As of today, nine Congressmen have been in office for over 36 years.  Congressman John Dingell (D-MI) (pictured) has been in office for over 57 years.  Two Senators have been in office for over 36 years as well.  Congressmen and Senators can serve in office for unlimited elected terms.  Congressmen serve two year terms, while Senators serve six year terms.

Fifteen state legislatures have term limits.  Thirty-six governors are limited as well.  Why not Congress? After the 1994 Republican Revolution in Congress, where the GOP won both houses of Congress for the first time in 40 years, reform-minded Congressmen put term limits to a vote.  The vote was in the form of a Constitutional Amendment in 1995.  It failed.  Then three other versions of term limit legislation failed in the House.  After all, it would very difficult to pass a bill in the House, where you are asking the members themselves to support something that would put them out of work.

Some believe that term limits would bring a new face and new vision to the legislative body.  With that new vision comes new ideas.  Others say that term limits would unfairly limit the terms of those Congressmen and Senators who are doing a decent job for their constituents.  It is sort of like saying that you wouldn’t want to throw out the good with the bad.

As for Congressman Serrano?  He has been in office since 1993.

What are your thoughts on limiting the amount of terms a Congressman or Senator can serve?  How many terms would you limit them to?