The
average age of a person living in the United States is
about 39 years old. Yet the average age of a person
serving in Congress is 58 years, almost two
decades older. Nineteen members of Congress
are over the age of 80.
This is especially alarming
given that so many of the most important
political issues of our time — including climate change
— disproportionately impact young
people. These groups of constituents
deserve a seat at the table, and term limits could help
with achieving that.
Other important legislative
positions, such as state Governors and the President,
have term limits. So why are Senators and
Representatives uniquely exempt, allowed to be
indefinitely re-elected?
The recent death of
90-year-old Senator Dianne Feinstein after
repeated public displays of cognitive decline, as well
as 81-year-old Senator Mitch
McConnell's several incidents of freezing —
speechless and immobile — in front of the press bring
our current system into question.
Young folks
deserve a shot to govern, too. And no term limits for
the Senate or House of Representatives make it much
harder for new, young legislators to break into office.
That's because incumbents are overwhelmingly
likely to be re-elected, even if they are not
very popular or do not have a high approval
rating.
Sign now if you believe that
the U.S. government should be more representative, and
that Congress should have term
limits!
