“For too long, members of Congress have abused their power and ignored the will of the American people. Term limits on members of Congress offer a solution to the brokenness we see in Washington, D.C. It is long past time for Congress to hold itself accountable,” said Senator Ted Cruz.
On the very first day that the One-Hundred-Sixteenth United States Congress was in session, Senator Ted Cruz and Representative Francis Rooney proposed an amendment to the United States Constitution that would impose term limits on both the Senate and the House of Representatives. Senators Marco Rubio, Mike Lee, and David Perdue also co-sponsored the bill, which would limit senators to serving two six-year terms and members of the House to three two-year terms. Senator Cruz proposed a similar Constitutional amendment at the beginning of 2017.
While all the sponsors of this bill are elected Republicans, the idea of term limits has found some favor in the Democratic Party, to include Beto O’Rourke, a supposed rising star in the DNC (despite his loss to Ted Cruz in the last election). President Donald Trump has also gone on record supporting the concept of term limits for those serving in Congress, which may lead to some Democrats opposing the effort out of pure reactionary politics rather than any actual disagreement with the proposal.
While one of the main benefits of term limits is clearly reducing the corruption of elected officials who gain power and influence just by holding onto their position, it also has second- and third-order effects of reducing the pressure to endlessly fundraise for re-election rather than doing their actual job, while also reducing the buying power of special interest groups and lobbyists. It has long been argued that the Founding Fathers of our nation never envisioned a world in which someone would be a career legislator, building a base of power, earning a pension, and collecting a consistent and substantial paycheck.
The idea of term limits has always been extremely popular with the American public and it is periodically stylish for legislators to champion it (usually during an election campaign). However, the idea is never actually paid much more than lip service. More than likely, it is wishful thinking to hope that Senator Cruz’s proposal actually moves the issue forward. However, if there is one thing that we are still learning from the 2016 election, it is that the American people will no longer tolerate “politics as usual.” Maybe it is time we stand up and demand this Constitutional Amendment to the states so it can actually be brought to fruition. If we can shut the government down to force Congress’ hand on border security, maybe anything is possible. The only question is how we force them into action, because we know they’ll promise us whatever we want to hear when they are on the campaign trail. In all honesty, I put any congressperson who opposes or obstructs this proposal firmly in the camp of those corrupt members of Congress who seek only to serve themselves.
We need to continue to voice our support for Senator Cruz so this proposed change doesn’t just end up as another pretty talking point.
