Nickey Harvell

04/18/2015
Politics 1010
Should members of Congress (Representatives and Senators) have term limits? If not,
why not? If yes, how should they be structured?

State Representatives and Senators have no restrictions on how many terms they can stay
in the United States Congress. The average length of time in congress is 27 years. This presents a
problem. This enables habit of comfortability which allows those the American people elected to
lose sight of what theyre there to do; represent the people of their communities. Without variety
in our local, state, and national government, positive amounts of change is impossible. The
House of Representatives serve two year terms and Senators serve six year terms. Required
qualifications for House of Representatives is 25 years of age, a citizen of the United States for at
least 7 years and at the time of election, be a resident of that state. Required qualifications of a
U.S. Senate: 30 years of age, a citizen of the United States for 9 years and at the time of election,
be a resident of that state. And as long as they meet that there is no limit to how long theyre
allow to sit.
Its no secret that the government is highly based around money. And those in Congress
are financially comfortable due to consistent lengthy terms, money is a strong motivation to do
what those who are paying you wants you to do and more often than not that isnt helping the
people but helping fat cats become fatter. Inspiring speech, or strong stance on a certain issue can

only go so far. Action is required to uphold their word, and to keep the support and respect of a
community. If those in a community discontinue to like the work their state affiliated Congress
member is doing, they can vote and elect someone else.
Now there is a big issue that cant be forgotten, the people elect and reelect the so call
best person, but the best person may not have the money that returning seats have. Money and
name recognition plays a large part in who gets reelected. Many members of Congress continue
to get elected over and over, due to several factors, one of which is the lack of money to market
or promote an average member of the community. The nickname Career Politician, is used for
those who are elected into the United States Congress, and never leave like John Dingell, Jr
whos been a seated member for fifty-eight years. There are several men and women in each city
and state who could run for congress, and win, if money was not such a strong factor.
If we had a mandated term limits in place, lets say for instead a total of ten years
altogether, this would force each representative to be more responsible for their actions during
their term. They would not have a lengthy amounts of time to make the improvements their
claiming their making instead they would have to work harder to complete their goals by terms
end. And if they dont then their out. The people would see a congress focused on the current
evolution of their needs.
Those making decisions for the people of America have become so disconnected from
their communities that they do not even think about why the people want certain things in our
country. John Adams said, Without [term limits] every man in power becomes a ravenous beast
of prey. The act of those in power becoming ravenous beasts. The power and money affiliated
with Congress causes decisions to be made with no thought concerning those affected. Take a

recent interview with Ohio Representative Jim Buchy, when he was asked about his opinion on
abortion, his response was, well, Im not a woman. Now Im thinking, if I was a woman, why
would I want to get an abortion? .... Its a question Ive never even thought about.

Term limits would be a powerful force that would put Congress and the House of
Representative in their place. It would hold them accountable for the promise they made to their
constituents. According to Dan Greenberg, Its a vital political reform that would bring new
perspectives to Congress, mandate frequent legislative turnover, and diminish incentives for
wasteful election-related federal spending that currently flourish in a careerist congressional
culture. Senators and Representatives wouldnt have as much of a chance of inside trading,
(which is very much alive and kicking). There wouldnt be an inability to work together to make
this country better than any empire before it. Or fiscal irresponsibility that leaves this country in
danger of dangerous invaders. The ridiculous taxpayer-funded benefits and perks our leaders
enjoy, while the average American struggle would be shrunk. And the highly politicized capital
markets and the financiers and money men our leaders are in bed with would be faster exposed
and dealt with. This would be the first step in retuning democracy back to this great country.
Now why do members of congress need term limits? There is quite a bit you can say
about term limits but I will focus on some of the points that I found while do the research on this
topic. If there is a term limit on the House and Congress it would essentially impose a time limit
in which they have to exercise their efforts to make good on the promises they used when
campaigning, just like the president. And if they do not hold to their promises then theyre out
come next election. Voters would replace active members of inaction, self-serving and ineffectual

panderers more quickly with the election process. According to government transparency website
www.govtrack.us, there have been 28,537 bills related to term limits since 1973. Their
prognosis, or probability that the bill will be enacted, is a sincerely disheartening 0% (this is only
my guess but Im sure you would agree, that the reason it has not passed is because it would put
those so call career congress man out of a job.) Communitys needs continue to change if a
representatives average length in congress is 27 years, then the needs that were once being taken
care of are now gone and current needs are not being fulfilled. Children grow up, generations
evolve, and our youth today will be our future tomorrow. If there is lack of support in the
evolution of our nation, there will only continue to be what there always has been.

Work Citing
Saad, Lydia. Americans Call for Term Limits, End to Electoral College. Gallup.com.
Gallup, 18 Jan. 2013. Web. 25 July 2013. .
Sterling, Cam. We the People: Congressional Term Limits. Seventy One News.
Seventy One News, 26, Feb. 2013. Web. 25, July, 2013.
Arguments for Term Limits Web. 2012. restartcongress.org/revolution/arguments-forterm-limits/
Harrison, Michael. Term Limits For Congress, Part I. Independent Gazette.
Independent Cassette, 5 Mar. 2013. Web. 27 July 2013
Dan, Greenberg. Term Limits: The Only Way to Clean Up Congress August 10,
1994.
way

http://www.heritage.org/research/reports/1994/08/bg994nbsp-term-limitsnbsp-the-only-