Impose term limits on Members of Congress
Currently members of the House of Representatives can run for re-election every 2 years and Senators every 6 years, without any limit on how many times. A proposal would impose term limits, allowing members to serve only a limited number of terms.
Arguments For & Against
Pro Argument
Incumbents accumulate massive advantages — name recognition, fundraising networks, gerrymandered districts — so that they win re-election over 90% of the time. Better qualified candidates never get a chance to serve. Term limits level the playing field and bring in fresh perspectives.
Con Argument
Term limits are undemocratic — they take away voters' freedom to elect the representative they believe is best for their district. If voters want to keep re-electing someone, that is their right.
Source document: TermLimits_Quaire_0123.pdf
| Type | Organization | Date | Nat | Rep | Dem | Gap | Metric |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New PPC Survey (2026) | Program for Public Consultation | February 2026 | 82% | 85% | 83% | 2% | favor |
| Deliberative Survey | Program for Public Consultation | February 2023 | 83% | 86% | 80% | 6% | favor |
| Deliberative Survey | Program for Public Consultation | February 2023 | 60% | 64% | 54% | 10% | other |
Program for Public Consultation — February 2026
Limit how many terms a member of the House or Senate may stay in office, by passing a new Constitutional amendment that says House Members are limited to four two-year terms, and Senators are limited to three six-year terms?
Program for Public Consultation — February 2023
An amendment to the US Constitution to limit the number of terms that a Senator or House Member can serve.
Program for Public Consultation — February 2023
House members should be limited to:
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