Republican legislators, led by U.S. Senator Ted Cruz, R-Texas, introduced a joint resolution in Congress aimed at instituting term limits for members of the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives this week. This proposal, announced on Tuesday, January 7th, seeks to establish a constitutional amendment that restricts senators to two six-year terms and House members to three two-year terms.
The two-page resolution outlines that if Congress and the states approve the amendment, it will take effect within seven years. Specifically, members of the House who have served three terms will be barred from reelection, while senators who have completed two terms will be ineligible for re-election or appointment to the Senate. Senator Cruz argued that imposing term limits is vital for restoring accountability in Washington, stating, “The Founding Fathers envisioned a government of citizen legislators…not a government run by a small group of special interests.”
The resolution has garnered support from several Republican senators, including Mike Lee of Utah, Rick Scott of Florida, Rand Paul of Kentucky, and Katie Britt of Alabama, among others. In the House, U.S. Representative Ralph Norman, R-S.C., introduced a companion resolution. Norman echoed Cruz’s sentiments, emphasizing that elected positions should represent a temporary opportunity to serve rather than a long-term career. He said, “Those of us in Congress ought to serve for a reasonable period of time and then return home to live under the laws we enacted.”
This is not Cruz’s first attempt to introduce term limits. He previously filed similar resolutions in 2017, 2019, 2021, and 2023, but they failed to advance. Additionally, Cruz has been a vocal advocate for other constitutional changes, including ending birthright citizenship.
Amending the U.S. Constitution remains a complex and demanding process. It requires approval by a two-thirds majority in both chambers of Congress, followed by ratification from three-fourths of the states. Alternatively, a constitutional convention could be convened if two-thirds of state legislatures request it—a method never used in U.S. history. To date, all 27 constitutional amendments have been passed by Congress and ratified by the states, with the most recent amendment occurring in 1992.
Cruz’s call for term limits underscores ongoing concerns about career politicians and a desire to promote fresh leadership in Washington.
