United States Congress peer M3 discussion Reply

Thinking about congressional service, consider the possible effect of term limits. For example, would members be better able to carry out their legislative duties if their time in office was limited? Would constituents be harmed or benefit from such a change? Would limits reduce the influence of ‘big money’ in the election process? Would you favor “citizen legislators,” representatives who take time out from their regular employment to serve a limited number of terms in Congress? Why or why not?

Please post a response of at least 275 words, and a short response (approx. 125 words) to one of your fellow students.

ANSWER

Term Limits in Congressional Services

Since the beginning of the United States, term limits have existed for the state executive branch, state governors and high constitutional offices. However, the U.S congress is not limited to electoral limits. The fact that the members of the congress are lack term limits, the concerns of the Americans have fallen by the way side leaving the country with unsolved problems and national debts. Congressional term limits are important since they offer the legislature new people with fresh ideas and enable them to focus on serving the interest of the constituents during the short period they are in congress (Davidson, Oleszek, Lee and Schickler, 2019). Term limits allow for greater fiscal responsibility and reduced taxes. The longer politicians spend in their offices, the more tax payer dollars they spend. The term limits allow for an open government with new and fresh people with new ideas to solve the problems in the country.

The constituents will benefit from the term limits since this will limit people from becoming too powerful in the congress and better focus on serving the will of the people. The ordinary people will have a chance of running the office as well as eliminate big money politics which leads to corruption and misuse of taxpayers’ money.  Big money politics is one of the most pressing issues since it influences the basic relation between the constituents and elected representatives (Krutz and Waskiewicz, 2019).

Term limits will prevent political spending and special interest groups in politics. For instance, Congress members spend most of their time raising money for re-election and running for the office rather than focusing on the significant issues of the day. Citizen legislators who take time out of their regular employment to service a limited term in congress are more effective leaders with real world experience. These will better represent the nation and bring solutions to the need of the people.  Therefore, term limits should be imposed to eliminate the intense focus on politics and place it back and policy implementation.

References

Davidson, R. H., Oleszek, W. J., Lee, F. E., & Schickler, E. (2019). Congress and its members. cq Press.

Krutz, G., & Waskiewicz, S. (2019). The Institutional Design of Congress. American Government 2e.