A recent study by the University of Maryland has discovered that five in six Americans favor a constitutional amendment to execute term limits on Members of Congress.
WHY IT MATTERS – Since 1995, there has not been a vote on term limits in Congress. Nevertheless, the issue was revived when Speaker Kevin McCarthy guaranteed a vote on congressional term limits.
THE NUMBERS – A public consultation survey of 2,700 registered voters conducted by the Program for Public Consultation (PPC) at the University of Maryland’s School of Public Policy found that passing a constitutional amendment to establish term limits in Congress is favored by registered voters nationally (83 percent). Notably:
- Republicans – 86 percent believe establishing a constitutional amendment to term limits in Congress is necessary.
- Independents – 84 percent support a constitutional amendment establishing term limits in Congress.
- Democrats – 80 percent favor constitutional amendment to establish term limits in Congress.
In 2017, the PPC conducted its first public consultation survey on term limits, which found 80 percent in support; since then, bipartisan backing for this proposal has continued.
Bipartisan majorities said there should be a four-term limit for House Representatives (60 percent), and 63 percent of voters support two terms for Senators.
- Republicans – 64 percent support four terms for House Representatives.
- Democrats – 54 percent prefer four terms for House Representatives.
- Republicans – 69 percent support two terms for Senators.
- Democrats – 56 percent are in favor of two terms for Senators.
The most popular argument favoring term limits (87 percent) said that incumbents have too much security in their seats, which shrinks their need to be receptive to their constituents.
- Republicans – 90 percent believe incumbents have an overabundance of security in their seats, thus reducing their need to be responsive to their constitutions.
- Democrats – 84 percent stated that incumbents have too much security in their seats, which reduces their need to be responsive to their constitutions.
BOTTOM LINE – Overall, constitutional amendments to establish term limits are favored by a considerable majority in red (86 percent) and blue districts (78 percent).
GO DEEPER –
Program for Public Consultation – Five-in-Six Americans Favor Constitutional Amendment on Term Limits for Members of Congress