[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 17 (Friday, January 27, 1995)]
[House]
[Page H810]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                TERM LIMITS: AN IDEA WHOSE TIME HAS COME

  (Mr. DEAL of Georgia asked and was given permission to address the 
House for 1 minute.)
  Mr. DEAL of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, term limits for Members of Congress 
is an idea whose time has come. We have seen 22 States attempt to limit 
the membership in this body by statutory law within their States. Those 
limitations have ranged from 6 years to 12 years, with variations in 
between.

                              {time}  1050

  We have seen constitutional amendments proposed in this body that 
likewise range from 6 years to 12 years with variations in between.
  Today, Mr. Speaker, I, along with the gentleman from Minnesota [Mr. 
Minge], the gentleman from Massachusetts [Mr. Meehan], and the 
gentleman from Georgia [Mr. Kingston], have introduced a proposed 
constitutional amendment that would set an outward boundary of 12 years 
for membership in both this body and the body across the way. But it 
also has the unique provision of allowing States the authority by 
statute to set any limitation less than that that they choose.
  I say to my colleagues: If you believe in States rights, if you 
believe in federalism, if you believe in term limits that allow States 
flexibility, I would urge you to join with us in cosponsoring this 
constitutional amendment.

                          ____________________