S.jres48 - Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to limit the number of terms an individual may serve as a Member of Congress. (119th Congress)
Summary
Senate Joint Resolution 48 proposes an amendment to the United States Constitution to limit the number of terms an individual may serve as a Member of Congress. Representatives would be limited to six two-year terms, and Senators would be limited to two six-year terms. The proposed amendment would not apply retroactively to service before the 118th Congress.
Expected Effects
If ratified, this amendment would change the composition of Congress by creating more frequent turnover. It would prevent long-serving members from accumulating excessive power and potentially make elected officials more responsive to the needs of their constituents. The amendment aims to address concerns about career politicians and entrenched incumbency.
Potential Benefits
- Potentially reduces the influence of long-term incumbents.
- May increase responsiveness of elected officials to constituent needs.
- Could encourage new candidates with fresh perspectives to run for office.
- Might decrease the potential for corruption associated with long tenures.
- Could foster a more competitive political environment.
Potential Disadvantages
- Loss of experienced legislators and institutional knowledge.
- Increased influence of lobbyists and unelected staff due to high turnover.
- Potential for short-sighted policy decisions due to lack of long-term perspective.
- Disruption of established relationships and negotiation processes in Congress.
- Possible decrease in Congressional expertise on complex issues.
Constitutional Alignment
The proposed amendment aligns with Article V of the US Constitution, which outlines the process for amending the Constitution. It does not directly conflict with any existing constitutional provisions. The amendment seeks to alter the structure and composition of the legislative branch, which is within the scope of constitutional amendments.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).