JOHN LINDER: “Mr. Speaker, I appreciate being given the time to speak on the important issue of term limits for committee chairmen. It…”

“Mr. Speaker, I appreciate being given the time to speak on the important issue of term limits for committee chairmen. It is an issue in which I have been involved for over 2 years and am pleased that we now have the opportunity to consider and pass this fundamental and much-needed reform. The current system of unlimited terms for committee chairmen created an unjust situation in Congress, for up until the recent elections, power had become far too concentrated and entrenched. A handful of Members were able to dictate the legislative agenda, frequently based on efforts to protect committee turf or consolidate power of chairmen. Consequently, the committee structure became mired in a stagnant existence completely out of touch with the American people. Republicans have long recognized the problems with unlimited terms for committee chairmen. In December 1992 I introduced a rule to the Republican rules package to limit the ranking minority members to three terms as ranking member of a committee. The rule was adopted by the Republican Conference and was called by the New York Times and the Washington Post the Linder rule. Now the Republicans have gained the majority in the House of Representatives. It is time for the whole House to adopt this rule and limit the terms of all committee chairmen to three consecutive terms.”