If you've ever wondered why the same politicians seem to stay in Washington for decades — collecting power, perks, and pensions while regular families struggle — you're not alone. "Why are there no term limits for Congress?" is one of the most-searched political questions in America, and for good reason.
The short answer: Congress hasn't imposed term limits on itself because doing so would require members of Congress to vote away their own jobs. Career politicians protecting career politicians.
Here's what you need to know — and why I'm running for Florida's 16th Congressional District to change it.
Does Congress Have Term Limits?
No. Members of the U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate serve unlimited terms. There is no federal law or constitutional provision capping how long a member of Congress can serve.
By contrast, the President is limited to two terms by the 22nd Amendment (ratified in 1951). Yet Congress — despite having enormous power over Americans' lives — faces no such limit.
Some states have tried to impose term limits on their federal representatives, but the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in U.S. Term Limits, Inc. v. Thornton (1995) that states cannot add qualifications for federal office. Only a constitutional amendment can impose congressional term limits.
Who Voted Against Term Limits for Congress?
In 1995, the House voted on the Congressional Term Limits Amendment. It failed to get the required two-thirds majority. Of the "nay" votes, the vast majority came from members who had been in office for 10+ years — exactly the career politicians who stood to lose the most.
More recently, in 2023, multiple term limits bills were introduced in both chambers. They barely received committee hearings, let alone floor votes.
The pattern is consistent: the longer someone has been in Washington, the less likely they are to support term limits. The system protects itself.
What Would It Take to Put Term Limits on Congress?
To impose term limits on Congress, one of two things must happen:
Option 1: A Constitutional Amendment (Article V, Method 1)
Congress must pass an amendment by two-thirds majority in both chambers, then three-fourths of states (38 states) must ratify it. Given that incumbents would be voting to limit their own power, this path is extremely difficult.
Option 2: A Constitutional Convention (Article V, Method 2)
If two-thirds of state legislatures (34 states) call for a constitutional convention, delegates could propose a term limits amendment directly — bypassing Congress entirely. As of 2026, a growing movement of states is pursuing this path.
The bottom line: term limits will only happen when the American people elect representatives who are committed to passing them — including cosponsoring the amendment and supporting the convention of states process.
Why Term Limits Matter for Florida's 16th District
Florida's 16th District — covering communities from Bradenton and Lakewood Ranch to Brandon, Riverview, and Sun City Center — is full of hardworking families who feel like Washington doesn't listen to them.
That feeling has a cause. When the same members of Congress serve 20, 30, or 40 years, they stop representing their constituents and start representing their own interests — fundraising networks, lobbyists, and party leadership.
Term limits would:
- Force fresh perspectives into Washington on a regular basis
- Reduce the power of special interests that depend on long-serving members for favors
- Create accountability — members who know they can't serve forever focus on results, not reelection
- Encourage citizen legislators who come from real careers, not political machines
My Commitment to Term Limits
I'm running for Congress in Florida's 16th District because I believe in citizen service — not career politics. I'm a businessman, not a politician. I've run a company, made payroll, managed costs, and solved problems. I bring that same practical mindset to Washington.
As your Congressman, I will:
- Cosponsor the Congressional Term Limits Amendment on day one
- Support the Convention of States to bypass Congress if necessary
- Pledge to serve no more than three terms (six years) in the House — and keep that pledge
- Publicly name every member of Congress who votes against term limits
The American people overwhelmingly support term limits — polling consistently shows 70–80% support across party lines. The only people who don't? The career politicians whose jobs are at stake.
It's time to send someone to Washington who is there to serve — not to stay.
John Peters is the Republican candidate for U.S. Congress in Florida's 16th District. Learn more at johnpetersforcongress.com or donate to the campaign today.
Read more about my positions on my complete platform or support the campaign.