Term Limits

[WheatShock]

Senator Ted Cruz & Rep Ron DeSantis proposed a constitutional amendment for term limits on Congress. The text of the proposed amendment is linked in the article.

http://www.theblaze.com/news/2017/01/04/ted-cruz-and-ron-desantis-officially-propose-term-limits-amendment/

[Aargh]

Proposing term limits in Congress is generally just a political move to impress the voters by appearing to do something when there is no intention of actually doing anything.

It is an absolute certainty that 2/3 of both the House and the Senate will NEVER approve an amendment to eliminate their jobs and power base. Introducing a bill to do that looks good to the voters back home, but it's just a wink and a nod in Congress. If it even gets to the point of getting a vote, that would mean politicians in Washington would have to go on record with the vote, which would not be a politically sound move.

I predict this will die in committee because "it didn't have the votes to pass". The bills sponsors get to look good to their constituents, and no one has to take a hit for going on record as opposing it. I hate these kinds of stunts. It's just publicity and politicking with no intention of doing anything. It's a bit like the Kansas legislature passing their annual abortion bill that has no chance of making it through the court system. It delivers votes at the next election and only costs the State about a million a year in legal fees.

When getting elected again becomes more important than serving the country, I'm skeptical of Congress imposing term limits on themselves. Have Cruz start working at the State level if he actually wants term limits.

[pogo]

Thats pretty pessimistic in light of how these hard working public servants have done so much to help themselves.

[WheatShock]

Proposing term limits in Congress is generally just a political move to impress the voters by appearing to do something when there is no intention of actually doing anything.

It is an absolute certainty that 2/3 of both the House and the Senate will NEVER approve an amendment to eliminate their jobs and power base. Introducing a bill to do that looks good to the voters back home, but it's just a wink and a nod in Congress. If it even gets to the point of getting a vote, that would mean politicians in Washington would have to go on record with the vote, which would not be a politically sound move.

I predict this will die in committee because "it didn't have the votes to pass". The bills sponsors get to look good to their constituents, and no one has to take a hit for going on record as opposing it. I hate these kinds of stunts. It's just publicity and politicking with no intention of doing anything. It's a bit like the Kansas legislature passing their annual abortion bill that has no chance of making it through the court system. It delivers votes at the next election and only costs the State about a million a year in legal fees.

When getting elected again becomes more important than serving the country, I'm skeptical of Congress imposing term limits on themselves. Have Cruz start working at the State level if he actually wants term limits.

I hope your wrong but I fear you're right.

I think Cruz really is serious about this but you're almost certainly right about the rest of congress. The thing that gives me a little bit of hope on this is that I don't think there has ever been more support for term limits among the general public than right now. Its something just about everyone can get behind regardless of their political philosophy. Here's hoping enough folks contact their representatives and demand they support this.

[im4wsu]

If it ever happens, it will not be through Congress, but through a Convention of the States.

[1979Shocker]

Does anyone know why they actually decided to have a two-term limit for the Presidency? Who was in control of Congress when Franklin Roosevelt started his third term?

[jdshock]

Does anyone know why they actually decided to have a two-term limit for the Presidency? Who was in control of Congress when Franklin Roosevelt started his third term?

I believe it was actually proposed during FDR's fourth term, after he already died. Republicans had a majority at the time.

[WheatShock]

It was proposed in 1947 and ratified in 1951.