Term Limits?

[Prometheus]

Should members of the US Congress have a limitation on how many terms they can serve?

You'll notice the "Yes and No" option. That's just in case you think one house should be limited and the other should not.

After you've voted, be sure to tell us your plan for limitations and your reasoning.

[Prometheus]

I'll get this puppy rolling.

Yes, there should be limits. While I am of the opinion that public service is a noble calling, I also worry that far too many politicians at the federal level have gained too much influence and power.

Here's my idea:

Representatives:

The first part may sound a bit radical, but here goes....

1st, increase their terms from 2 years to 3 years. This will provide for representatives to spend more time focusing on legislating rather than spending half of their term focused on re-election.

It also  increases the opportunities for administrative overlap (not matching terms with the other house or the Executive), especially in large states with staggered elections.

The limit:

3 terms (9 years)

Other restrictions:

If the representative has been elected or appointed to fill a seat that has been vacated for whatever reason, that remaining time counts as a term, whether it's one day or 2 years and 11 months and 29 days or anything in between.

A former representative, regardless of the number of terms, may only serve one term as a US senator, but may serve the full two terms of POTUS.

Senators:

The limit:

2, 6-year terms.

Other restrictions:

If the senator has been elected or appointed to fill a seat that has been vacated for whatever reason, that remaining time counts as a term, whether it's one day or 5 years and 11 months and 29 days or anything in between.

A former senator, regardless of the number of terms, may only serve one term as a US Representative, but may serve the full two terms of POTUS.

Both:

No former representative or senator may ever act as a lobbyist for any group, organization, or corporation for up to 10 years after their last day in office (supposing that lobbying hasn't already been (rightly) outlawed).

This plan ensures that no federal-level politician (other than one who becomes POTUS) will serve more than 15 consecutive years and that their direct influence after that will be somewhat mitigated.

And, hopefully, it helps to attract concerned citizens to "do their civic duty" rather than a bunch of power hungry megalomaniacs.