Sen. Ted Cruz has authored a constitutional amendment that would cap senators at two terms and House members at three — a direct challenge to the career politicians who’ve dominated Washington for decades.
The Texas Republican’s push comes as questions about age and health in Congress returned to the spotlight following the recent death of Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., at 71, and prolonged absences by Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., 84, and Rep. Tom Kean Jr., R-N.J., 57.
“I’ve authored a constitutional amendment that would limit all senators to two terms and limit all House members to three terms. An overwhelming majority of Americans support that, and that would solve the problem effectively because you wouldn’t have people staying here forever.”
Cruz framed term limits as the solution to entrenched power in Washington.
“I’d like to see limits on everybody. And the best limit would be term limits and that’s what we should pass,” Cruz told Fox News Digital.
Sen. Roger Marshall, R-Kan., echoed Cruz’s position, arguing that career politicians undermine the Founders’ vision.
“I’ve been in favor of term limits before I came to Congress. I think the last thing that we need are professional politicians up here. I don’t think that the founding fathers ever meant for it to be that way. Too much power invested in one person — absolute power corrupts absolutely,” Marshall said.
But the proposal faces resistance from lawmakers who argue term limits would strip voters of their right to choose representatives.
Sen. Tim Sheehy, R-Mont., pushed back on the idea.
“The voters will decide who they want. We have term limits, and we have age limits and that is the voter. And if they decide they want to elect an 80-year-old or 100-year-old that’s up to the voters,” Sheehy said.
Rep. Glen Grothman, R-Wisc., agreed, pointing to Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, the oldest serving member of Congress at 92 years old.
“I think the voters — when they’re electing, if they want to elect Grassley, you shouldn’t take that right away from them,” Grothman said.
Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., said lawmakers should recognize their own limits but stopped short of endorsing blanket term limits.
“People ought to know when it’s time to step aside,” Warner said. “I’ve never been a big supporter of legislative term limits. I’ve served two terms in every position I’ve held until this one. I’m in my third term, but I’ve kind of limited myself before because I feel like you should make opportunities for others.”
The debate hinges on whether term limits would protect institutional expertise or simply give voters the power to clean house when Washington fails them.
Cruz’s amendment would require a two-thirds vote in both chambers and ratification by three-fourths of state legislatures — a steep climb, but one backed by what he described as “an overwhelming majority of Americans.”
