Doug Bereuter: “Several years ago, my State twice passed term limits by large margins, only to have those actions invalidated by the…”

“Several years ago, my State twice passed term limits by large margins, only to have those actions invalidated by the courts. But the first legislative day after the voters of my home State expressed their support for term limits, I cosponsored legislation to institute a 12-and-12 constitutional amendment to limit terms of service for the two houses of Congress. I think it is a close call whether or not it is in the national interest and necessary to institute term limits. Nevertheless, I bowed to the views of my constituents and the people of my State. However, it is very clear to this Member that I could support a constitutional term limitation only if such limitations were in the form of an amendment to the Constitution so that the congressional delegations of all States would be equally affected, and if such limitations were reasonable in length and identical for both the House and Senate. The organization that is referred to as U.S. Term Limits has, with extraordinary funding, largely out-of-State funding, and paid circulators who frequently misinform voters, pushed their ridiculous legislation to require only a 6-year term limit for Members of the House of Representatives, while providing for a 12-year limit on the Senate.”