WASHINGTON, D.C. — Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Tex.) and Rep. Francis Rooney (R-Fla.) introduced a joint resolution this week that would amend the U.S. Constitution to impose term limits on members of Congress. The amendment would limit U.S. Senators to two six-year terms and U.S. House members to three two-year terms.
“For too long, members of Congress have abused their power and ignored the will of the American people,” said Cruz. “Term limits on members of Congress offer a solution to the brokenness we see in Washington, D.C. It is long past time for Congress to hold itself accountable. I urge my colleagues to submit this constitutional amendment to the states for speedy ratification.”
Rooney, a second-term Representative from Florida’s 19th District, is a member of the conservative Republican Study Committee. David Perdue (R-Ga.) joined Rooney as a co-sponsor of the resolution in the House.
“The American people support term limits by an overwhelming margin. I believe that as lawmakers, we should follow the example of our founding fathers, Presidents George Washington and Thomas Jefferson, who refused to consider public service as a career,” said Rooney. “Our history is replete with examples of leaders who served their country for a time and returned to private life, or who went on to serve in a different way.”
The amendment was also co-sponsored by Sens. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), Mike Lee (R-Utah).
If the resolution passes the House and Senate, the amendment would be sent to the states for ratification which requires the affirmative vote of three-fourths of the state legislatures within seven years. Cruz introduced a similar amendment in January of 2017.
