Washington, D.C. – The debate over congressional term limits continues to gain momentum as a contentious topic in American politics. Congressional term limits, a concept that has been proposed as a constitutional amendment, seek to limit the number of terms that members of Congress can serve. While members of the U.S. House of Representatives currently serve two-year terms and U.S. Senators serve six-year terms, they are eligible for re-election indefinitely. As of 2023, U.S. Representatives served an average of 8.5 years, while U.S. Senators averaged 11.2 years in office.
The push for congressional term limits has reached new heights, with recent efforts led by several Republican lawmakers. In 2024, Representative Ralph Norman introduced a resolution to amend the Constitution, proposing a three-term limit for Representatives and a two-term limit for Senators. However, the resolution died in committee, failing to advance. In January 2025, Senators Ted Cruz and Katie Britt introduced a similar resolution that garnered support from 17 Republican co-sponsors. Despite these efforts, the constitutional amendment process requires either a two-thirds vote in both chambers of Congress or a constitutional convention called by two-thirds of all states, making it a challenging endeavor.
Supporters of congressional term limits argue that the policy would incentivize lawmakers to focus on effective policy-making rather than re-election campaigns. They claim that term limits could eliminate the incumbent funding advantage and reduce careerism in politics, thereby attracting more candidates with real-world expertise. Proponents point to widespread public support for term limits, citing a 2023 Pew Research Center study indicating that 87% of Americans favor limiting the number of terms a person can serve in Congress. This sentiment transcends party lines, with strong support from Republicans, Democrats, and Independents alike.
On the other hand, opponents of term limits argue that such measures fail to address political corruption and could undermine the value of incumbency and institutional knowledge. Critics warn that term limits would lead to increased reliance on lobbyists and special interest groups by inexperienced lawmakers. They also express concern that frequent congressional turnover would shift power away from the legislative branch, empowering the executive and private sectors. Moreover, opponents emphasize the importance of experienced legislators in maintaining legislative efficiency and fostering bipartisan collaboration.
The ongoing debate highlights the complexities and challenges associated with implementing congressional term limits. As the discussion continues, questions arise about the value of incumbency, the influence of money in politics, and the overall representativeness of the legislature. Ultimately, the decision on whether to impose term limits on Congress remains a topic of significant debate and consideration among lawmakers and the public alike.
The article "Pros and Cons of Congressional Term Limits" was originally published by The Alliance for Citizen Engagement and is republished with permission. Thomas Mosher, the author, is a current junior at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire.
