Need for strict term limits exposed by man’s new record for time in Congress: In office since 1955

Democracy, elections and voting at Democracy Chronicles

A Congressional Milestone Highlights Need for Term Limits

Today, Our Generation, a nonpartisan advocacy group, that supports term limits for elected officials responded to Congressman John Dingell Jr.’s milestone as being the longest serving member in Congressional history. Rep. John Dingell who represents Michigan’s 12th Congressional District has been a member of Congress since December 13, 1955, after being elected to replace his father.

“This milestone heightens the need for term limits,” said MacMillin Slobodien, Executive Director of Our Generation. “Having career politicians like Rep. Dingell is not what the framers of the Constitution envisioned. Furthermore, having the same person occupy a position for more than half a century limits the opportunity to bring in new politicians with fresh ideas that may solve our nation’s most pressing problems. ”

One issue that has not improved overall under Rep. Dingell’s watch is our national debt. Debt to GDP ratio is often looked upon as an indicator of a country’s economic health. The public debt was approximately 57 percent of our GDP in the mid-1950s, during Rep. Dingell’s first term. Today, during his 30th term, public debt is more than 100 percent of our GDP.

Aside from bringing in new ideas, term limits stimulate political participation by encouraging competition in elections and also spread power among more members of a legislative branch. They also create legislative bodies that are more responsive to the needs of their citizens, which foster an environment where politicians are less concerned with re-election and not beholden to special interests.

A recent Gallup poll showed that the American public strongly support Congressional term limits, by a 71-21 margin. In addition, a Rasmussen poll conducted this past week showed that only six percent of likely U.S. voters think Congress is doing a good or excellent job. With the passage of this milestone, Congress should not delay in considering a Constitutional Amendment that would create term limits.

Our Generation is a nonprofit, nonpartisan advocacy organization founded in 2009 to research, educate and promote long-term free market solutions to today’s public policy concerns.

Contact: MacMillin Slobodien
732-689-4169

SOURCE Our Generation