US LAW: The US should implement term limits for all members of Congress

How long should one person hold the reins of power? Decades? A lifetime? Imagine a workplace where someone stays in the same position for over 50 years. Would that foster the innovation and insights someone can only get with really understanding the workplace or stifle fresh ideas that could be generated by a new perspective of a new employee? In the United States Congress, this isn’t hypothetical—it’s reality.

Welcome to your Dinner Table Debates Daily Deep Dive, where we explore real topics from our decks and give you everything you need to debate in under 10 minutes. Today’s topic is “The US should implement term limits for all members of Congress” and comes from our Full Size Essentials Collection deck. Let’s dig in.

Congress is divided into the House of Representatives and the Senate. Currently, members of Congress can serve an unlimited number of terms if re-elected. For example, Representative John Dingell from Michigan served for nearly 60 years, holding office from 1955 to 2015. Similarly, Senator Strom Thurmond of South Carolina served for almost 48 years, from 1954 to 2003. Efforts to introduce term limits have been debated for decades. The 22nd Amendment limits the president to two terms, but no such restrictions exist for Congress. According to the Congressional Research Service, 33 states have enacted term limits for their state legislatures, showing there is precedent for this kind of reform at other levels of government.

This debate isn’t just about lawmakers—it’s about representation. Would term limits ensure that Congress better reflects the will of the people, or would it rob the institution of seasoned leaders? With growing polarization and declining trust in government, this issue has real implications for democracy and accountability. Now, let’s debate.

Promoting fresh ideas and innovation is a key argument for term limits. Long tenures often lead to stagnation, and term limits would bring new voices and perspectives to Congress, fostering creative solutions to modern problems. For example, younger legislators might prioritize emerging issues like cybersecurity and climate change and better represent the people who voted them into office. A 2020 Gallup poll found that 75% of Americans support term limits, reflecting widespread frustration with perceived inaction by career politicians.

Reducing corruption and entrenched power is another point in favor of term limits. Career politicians are more likely to form entrenched relationships with lobbyists and special interest groups, meaning they could be more likely to be bought. In 2005, Congressman Randy "Duke" Cunningham resigned after being convicted of accepting over $2.4 million in bribes, highlighting how prolonged tenure can create opportunities for corruption.

Ensuring representation aligns with evolving public values is also critical. The needs and demographics of districts change over time, and term limits would ensure lawmakers don’t become out of touch with their constituents. Term limits could also allow new faces the opportunity to run and represent their community, as voters often choose familiar names even when they haven’t spent time learning about other candidates. For example, Representative Don Young of Alaska served for nearly 50 years, during which his state’s population and economic priorities shifted significantly, raising questions about whether long-term incumbents truly represent current needs.

On the other hand, experience is invaluable in policymaking. Crafting legislation is complex and requires institutional knowledge, and long-serving members are better equipped to navigate these challenges. For example, Senator Robert Byrd of West Virginia served for 51 years and was known for his expertise in parliamentary procedure, which he used to secure resources for his state.

Voters already have the power to impose limits. Elections provide a natural mechanism for removing ineffective legislators. If constituents want change, they can vote out incumbents. Term limits unfairly restrict voter choice, forcing out representatives who may still have strong support from their districts.

Term limits could also empower unelected officials. Bureaucrats, staffers, and lobbyists often hold significant influence, and with inexperienced lawmakers cycling in and out, these unelected individuals could wield more power, taking advantage of these newbies. A 2017 study by the Brookings Institution found that term limits in state legislatures often shifted power to lobbyists, as incoming legislators relied heavily on them for policy guidance.

Rebutting the argument that term limits reduce corruption, critics point out that term limits wouldn’t eliminate corruption; instead, they might incentivize short-term thinking, as lawmakers seek quick wins before their terms end. This could lead to more reckless policymaking. Conversely, while experience is important, no individual is indispensable. Term limits could encourage mentoring and succession planning, ensuring institutional knowledge is passed down.

Recent discussions about term limits have gained traction. In 2023, Senator Josh Hawley introduced a bill proposing a two-term limit for senators and a three-term limit for representatives. While the bill hasn’t advanced, it reflects growing bipartisan interest in addressing concerns about congressional stagnation.

Want to dig into this topic even more? When you’re playing Dinner Table Debates at home, you can have Agree set the stage and choose how to define the debate. This means they can outline the terms, context, and interpretation, creating a unique and dynamic conversation every time. Here are some ways that Agree could redefine this debate topic:

• Term limits should only apply to leadership positions in Congress. How would limiting the tenure of speakers or committee chairs impact governance?
• Congressional term limits should be paired with lobbying restrictions. What measures would ensure term limits don’t increase lobbyist influence?
• Term limits should include age restrictions instead of tenure caps. Would age-based limits address the same concerns as term limits while preserving experience?

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