Term Limits In Congress Essay

Mera Feygin
POLSC 110-04
Essay 2, Question 2

It is often difficult for congress to deliberate and produce laws that are in the interest of national majority. Although the House and senate are representatives of all the citizens of the United States, they don’t necessarily represent the people in terms of demographics. Since the establishment of the US government, white males have predominated all political decisions made in congress. Although their numbers have been on a rise, women and people of racial minorities, such as blacks and Hispanics, have a small percentage of seats in congress. Gay and bisexual members make up an even less percentage, with only seven openly gay or bisexual members, all belonging to the Democratic Party (Kernel, 252). Because of this underrepresentation, the benefit of many of the citizens isn’t considered when laws are being deliberated. Although these citizens can vote for people of their race, gender and sexual orientation, they often do not because they would not have

However, it’s the lack of them that is undemocratical. Citizens are given an unfair choice of candidates. They can either cote for a new member, who would have nearly no say in the production of laws, or they can vote for one that has little to no interest in pleasing the people, but is experienced, and has power and influence. Limiting the reelection of current house members would give a clear choice of candidates to the voters.
This has been a long time debated issue in the U.S., but it is clearly of national interest. In a five year period, twenty three states have passed laws enforcing term limits on congressional representatives and senators. The Supreme Court deemed them unconstitutional, and struck them down in 1995 (U.S. Term Limits, Inc. v. Thornton) (Sabato, 46), yet term limitations on a state level have shown