[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 1 (Wednesday, January 6, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E8]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       LIMIT CONGRESSIONAL TERMS

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                             HON. BOB STUMP

                               of arizona

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, January 6, 1999

  Mr. STUMP. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to again introduce a proposed 
amendment to the U.S. Constitution to limit the terms of Members of the 
House of Representatives. I do so on the first day of the 106th 
Congress to underscore my belief that this legislation is one of the 
most important reforms the new Congress can pursue.
  My legislation would limit Members of the House to three four-year 
terms. I have long maintained that the current system of unlimited two-
year terms frustrates our ability to advance legislation that is in the 
Nation's best interest. We have seen first-hand that reelection 
pressures can paralyze Members. All too often, Members succumb to 
special interests and cast their votes in favor of parochial causes, 
instead of what is best for the country. Under the system of nation-
wide term limits that I am proposing, Members would have a new 
perspective on governing. They would have a sense of independence in 
knowing that they will be in Washington for a limited time and would no 
longer be beholden to special interest and contributors.
  Mr. Speaker, I also believe that term limits must be enacted 
nationally to be truly effective. Some of my colleagues, who I admire 
and respect, have chosen to abide by self-imposed term limits. While 
their actions are clearly well-intentioned, I believe they are placing 
their states and districts at a disadvantage. Under a system of 
piecemeal term limits, unaffected states will build an inordinate 
amount of seniority and power.
  Mr. Speaker, the courts have ruled that nothing short of a 
constitutional amendment can limit congressional terms. Last Congress, 
we failed to agree on term limit language to send to the 50 states for 
ratification. We should not repeat this mistake in the 106th Congress. 
I strongly urge all of my reform-minded colleagues to cosponsor my 
proposed amendment.

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