By John Eichelberger and Andy Dinniman

Despite a history of widespread support among voters of all political affiliations, congressional term limits have not aroused the passion that so many other issues have.  Until now, that is.  A poll by Pew showed that support for congressional term limits has risen to 87%, the highest ever recorded.  To put this number in context, it rivals Harry Truman’s popularity at V-E Day.  Even more importantly, those polled said that in a contest between a candidate who supported term limits for Congress and one who did not, it would be the deciding issue for them, meaning that voter intensity for term limits is now rivaling that of various hot-button issues.

What is causing this groundswell of support and intensity for term limits?  There are many reasons.  One is the well-publicized instances of various long-term Senators publicly exhibiting what appear to be symptoms of cognitive decline.  Considered the world’s greatest deliberative body, the Senate has some members who appear to be visiting from a high-end assisted living facility.  In addition, the daily dysfunction we see in Congress and the failure to offer fundamental solutions to the issues we face have led voters to realize we must do better.

Congressional term limits are the solution.  But Congress will never term limit themselves, right?  

Probably not.  Last year, House Joint Resolution 11 by Representative Ralph Norman of South Carolina, with over 100 co-sponsors, would have set terms for the House of Representatives at 3 terms – 6 years and the Senate at 2 terms - 12 years.  The bill was defeated by a committee vote of 19-17.  In the Senate, Senate Joint Resolution 2, sponsored by Texas Senator Ted Cruz, is stalled with opposition by both Chuck Schumer and Mitch McConnell.  

It is sad that the self-interest to be elected again and again is more important to many in Congress than restoring a vibrant citizen-based democracy. If Congress is going to sit on its hands, what can be done?  One way forward is for the states to address the issue.  But how?

The answer is by calling for a convention to adopt a congressional term limits amendment.  When enough states request a convention to add a term limits amendment to the Constitution, Congress is bypassed and the amendment can be proposed by the states for ratification.

Florida, Alabama, Louisiana, Missouri, Oklahoma, Wisconsin, Tennessee, and West Virginia – have called for a limited convention to propose a congressional term limits amendment to the Constitution.  Pennsylvania could soon join this growing roster of states if the legislature will pass the resolution. 

Once passed, Pennsylvania will go on record calling for an amendment convention to discuss and, if agreed upon, adopt an amendment to set congressional term limits that would then need to be approved by three-fourths of the states.  With overwhelming support among voters, congressional term limits will become a reality. Congress can do the right thing and propose their own term limits or sit idly by and watch the states do it for them. 

Setting congressional term limits would take power away from the Washington insiders and lobbyists and put it back to where it belongs – with the citizens of the states.  For far too long, we have seen how staying in office for decades leads some of our elected officials to forget that they serve the voters, not the entrenched special interests that reside in Washington.  As Benjamin Franklin (who supported term limits) aptly said, “In free governments, the rulers are the servants, and the people their superiors…For the former to return among the latter does not degrade but promote them.”

It would lead to a Congress that is more responsive to the issues facing everyday Americans with real solutions for our nation, not the chaos we see daily in Washington.  And setting congressional term limits will be a step toward ending the polarized division in our nation.  It will restore balance in our electoral process and once again empower voters.  

Let’s put the Keystone State on record as supporting congressional term limits.  Call your state Senator and Representative today and ask for their commitment.  Let them hear from the 87% of their electorate that want action.

John Eichelberger and Andy Dinniman are former Pennsylvania State Senators and Pennsylvania State Co-Chairs for U.S. Term Limits.  U.S. Term Limits is the largest grassroots term limits advocacy group in the country. We connect term limits supporters with their legislators and work to pass term limits at all levels of government, particularly on the U.S. Congress. Find out more at termlimits.org.