There is growing support for imposing term limits on members of Congress, with Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, and Rep. Ralph Norman, R-S.C., leading the charge.

The two Republican lawmakers have introduced constitutional amendments in the Senate and the House to limit senators to two six-year terms and representatives to three two-year terms. The proposed amendment would not apply retroactively to current members of Congress; rather, the clock would start ticking once the amendment is enacted.

“Term limits are critical to fixing what’s wrong with Washington, D.C.,” Cruz said. “The Founding Fathers envisioned a government of citizen legislators who would serve for a few years and return home, not a government run by a small group of special interests and lifelong, permanently entrenched politicians who prey upon the brokenness of Washington to govern in a manner that is totally unaccountable to the American people.

“Term limits bring about long-overdue accountability. I urge my colleagues to advance this amendment to the states so that it may be quickly ratified and become a constitutional amendment.”

Norman agreed.

“With the evident abuse of power that has taken place in Congress the notion of term limits is basic common sense,” Norman said. “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.”

Challenges of establishing term limits

Setting term limits for Congress is difficult. The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that term limits can only be added through a constitutional amendment in U.S. Term Limits V. Thornton (1995). To become part of the Constitution, the proposed amendment would need to be approved by two-thirds of Congress and three-fourths of the states.

In addition, a group called U.S. Term Limits is working with Cruz, Norman and state legislatures to propose an amendment through a national term limits amendment convention, a power granted to the states under Article V of the U.S. Constitution.

“For too long, Congress has been dominated by career politicians who have lost touch with the needs and concerns of their constituents,” said Philip Blumel, president of U.S. Term Limits. “Term limits will ensure that fresh ideas and new perspectives are brought to the table, and that elected officials remain accountable to the American people.”

Longest-serving members of Congress

If the term limits bills were passed, it would shake up the power structure in Congress. The longest-serving members of the House and Senate would be significantly affected.

In the Senate, Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, leads with more than 44 years of service, followed by Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., with 40 years, Patty Murray, D-Wash., with 32 years, and Dick Durbin, D-Ill., with 28 years.

In the House, Hal Rogers, R-Ky., and Chris Smith, R-N.J., have each served for more than 44 years, followed by Steny Hoyer, D-Md., with 43 years, and Marcy Kaptur, D-Ohio, with 42 years. Kaptur is the longest-serving woman in the House.

How has service length changed?

The average length of service among members of Congress has increased over the years. In the past, turnover was higher, but as Congress became more professionalized — particularly after the Civil War — lawmakers began staying in office longer. The rise of the party system, redistricting and the growing importance of Congress contributed to this shift. According to the Congressional Research Service:

“Prior to the 1860s, it was common for 40% of Representatives or more not to seek reelection … After declining in the latter part of the 19th century, the rate at which Members have not sought reelection has remained relatively steady during the 20th and 21st centuries, averaging approximately 11.6% during this time period.”

Last term limits bill vote

The most recent formal vote on a congressional term limits bill was in 1997. The bill proposed limiting House members to six terms (12 years) and senators to two terms (12 years). The vote was 227-204 in favor, but the bill fell short of the two-thirds majority required to pass a constitutional amendment.

The proposal was supported by more Republicans than Democrats, with 73 Republicans and 131 Democrats voting against it. Despite the majority vote, the bill’s failure demonstrated the difficulty in passing significant reforms.