We need to restore Congress to its original form and function

October 13, 2026

A big topic on both sides of the political aisle today is the US Congress. Currently, the good guys have a very thin majority, and the Democrats on the other side are running at all levels of government on the platform of “fundamentally transforming the United States of America.” Former President Barack Obama is no doubt thrilled to see that his horrible idea is still alive and well.

But whatever happens in November, the Congress will still have some issues that need to be dealt with. One of those is the “career in Congress” idea.

When the Founders of our country and the Framers of its Constitution were working to establish the country, their concept of the Congress included the idea of a bicameral body where citizens came to represent their state, district, and citizens for a while, and then returned home and went back to work. Their idea was not to change their job for one in Washington for the rest of their productive lives. We would have “citizen legislators,” people who would come to government for a few years, then go back home to their previous life.

Through the years, that concept has fallen by the wayside, and today being in the House of Representatives or the Senate has become a career field. Many of those serving today have been there a long time. And some of them have become quite wealthy, as they represented their district and state.

For some, perhaps many, that wealth may have resulted from what they knew and did as public servants that they used for their own personal gain.

And we need to recognize that neither the Congressional career aspect, nor the millionaire Representatives and Senators achievement are anything even remotely like what the Founders and Framers had in mind for their country.

Here’s a sample of what has occurred. According to Quorum Analytics, LLC, the longest-serving members of Congress are:

Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) — 50 years (1975 – present)

Sen. Ed Markey (D-MA) — 48 years (1977 – present)

Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR) — 44 years (1981 – present)

Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) — 44 years (1981 – present)

Rep. Hal Rogers (R-KY-5) — 44 years (1981 – present)

Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ-4) — 44 years (1981 – present)

Rep. Steny Hoyer (D-MD-5) — 44 years (1981 – present)

Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) — 42 years (1983 – present)

Rep. Marcy Kaptur (D-OH-9) — 42 years (1983 – present)

Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY) — 40 years (1985 – present)

Some of them served in both houses. Some of them have been in Congress longer than some of the newer members have been alive.

And notice that they all began their long tenure in Congress within the last six decades. That latter point shows that this trend has mostly developed, or at least greatly expanded, fairly recently.

And that situation has produced the desire for term limits and age ceilings for Congress among many Americans.

There have been complaints about some of the older members no longer being up to the job. And sometimes, as we grow older, some of us have serious issues that would interfere with our ability to do our job. Like former President Joe Biden, who was truly not able to serve out his tenure.

But not every old person suffers this decline. President Donald Trump, at 80, shows no signs of elderly decline. So, this is a person-by-person situation, and it might be unfair to apply it to everyone.

Term limits, on the other hand, would be a step toward restoring the original concept of citizen legislators. They would prevent people from becoming too powerful in Congress and allow new faces to appear there. And that is desired by a majority of Americans.

Term limits would also help with the age ceiling issue. As people age into their 70s and 80s, they most often do not look for something to do, like serve in Congress. But some might.

The national survey research and strategic services company, McLaughlin and Associates, tell us that an overwhelming average of 82 percent of Americans support a Term Limits Amendment for Congress, crossing party lines with 89 percent Republican, 83 percent Independent, and 76 percent Democrat.

Of course, the question is: what would the limits be?

Trump, in calling for congressional term limits, has suggested limiting House members to three 2-year terms, or 6 years of service, and Senate members to two 6-year terms, or 12 years of service.

But why should senators have 12 years in government, and representatives have only 6 years in government? And, what about someone who serves one or two terms in the House, and then runs for a Senate seat?

And there is also the idea of the citizens being able to elect who they prefer to serve them and their state in Congress. It isn’t an easy problem to solve.

However, in working to restore our constitutional republic to its original, superior form, Congressional term limits are a must.