Press Releases

Washington, D.C. – On Monday, Rep. Ralph Norman (R-SC), Rep. Jared Golden (D-ME), and an additional 43 co-sponsors introduced H.J. Res. 11, an amendment to the U.S. Constitution to limit the number of terms someone may serve.

This amendment, if ratified, would limit the number of terms a Member of Congress may serve. Those serving in the House of Representatives would be limited to serving three (3) terms, and those serving in the Senate would be limited to two (2) terms. Should someone be elected during a special election to fill a vacancy, his proposed amendment defines the length of a "qualifying term" as at least one year in the House of Representatives and at least three years in the Senate. It also starts the term limit counter after ratification, such that terms which began prior to that date would not be taken into consideration.

Statements

“With the evident abuse of power that has taken place in Congress the notion of term limits is basic common sense," said Congressman Norman. "Many of my colleagues have drifted so far from the reality of the people they serve by turning 'representative of the people' into a lifelong career. Members must be willing to not only enact laws, but return to their respective districts to live under them."

"The House of Representatives was never intended at its inception to be a place where someone served for 30 years,” said Congressman Golden. “Mainers voted in support of term limits in a large part because they don’t believe elected office should be a long-term career. Instead, they want fresh ideas and new leadership. Terms limits will go a long way towards delivering those ideas and leadership in Washington."