Some Republicans have started pushing for term limits, as Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas and Rep. Francis Rooney of Florida introduced a constitutional amendment that would end congressional political careers after a fixed number of terms.
“The founders never envisioned a professional political class,” said Rooney, in an appearance Saturday on Fox News.
The proposal would set members of the House to three terms and senators to two terms. Presidents are limited under the 22nd Amendment to two terms, while Supreme Court justices enjoy lifetime appointments.
“This is a much better way than having these entrenched politicians who are too aligned with special interests over a period of years. I would say 18 years is plenty of time to serve your country in,” he said, referring to the total time someone could spend in Congress if elected in both chambers under the amendment.
Thursday does not mark the first time Cruz has tackled the issue. He also put forward similar legislation in 2017.
Under their own proposal, Cruz, who has been elected twice, would have to leave the Senate at the end of his current term, while Rooney, first elected in 2016, would be eligible to seek two more years in the House.
