Eleanor Finch
The length of terms for members of Congress has been a topic of debate since the drafting of the US Constitution. The Constitution's Article 1, Section 2 outlines the requirements for election to Congress, including age and citizenship, but it does not specify term limits. The topic of term limits has been discussed over the years, with some arguing for stability and independence from public opinion with longer terms, while others emphasize the need for public service and preventing members from becoming masters of the public business. While there have been proposals for term limits, they face constitutional challenges. The Supreme Court has ruled against additional qualifications beyond what is stated in the Constitution, and amending the Constitution is a complex process. As of 2023, members of the House of Representatives serve two-year terms, while senators serve six-year terms, with one-third of the Senate up for reelection every two years.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Length of term for members of the House of Representatives | 2 years |
| Length of term for senators | 6 years |
| Requirements to be elected to the House of Representatives | 25 years old, a citizen of the United States for at least 7 years, and an inhabitant of the state they represent |
| Requirements to be elected to the Senate | 30 years old, a citizen of the United States for at least 9 years, and an inhabitant of the state they represent |
| Number of senators per state | 2 |
| Number of members in the Senate | 100 |
| Number of members in the House of Representatives | 435 |
| Salary of members of Congress | $174,000 |
| Salary of the speaker of the House and majority and minority leaders | $223,500 for the speaker, $193,400 for party leaders |
| Public support for term limits for members of Congress | 87% in a September 2023 Pew Research Center survey |
| Proposed term limits in Congress | 6 years in the House, 12 years in the Senate |
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What You'll Learn
Senators are elected for six-year terms
The U.S. Constitution, Article 1, Section 3 (as amended) states that senators from each state are elected for six-year terms. This is in contrast to the House of Representatives, where all members must stand for election every two years. The longer, overlapping Senate terms provide Congress with stability and continuity and lessen the immediate pressure of public opinion on senators.
The six-year term for senators was adopted by the delegates of the Constitutional Convention with a 7-4 vote. James Madison defended this duration, arguing that it would have a stabilizing effect on the new national government. Long terms, he claimed, would reduce turnover in the legislature, allow senators to take responsibility for measures over time, and make senators largely independent of public opinion. Madison's view was supported by Randolph, who, along with Madison, initially proposed seven-year terms for senators, citing Maryland's system, where senators had five-year terms. They argued that longer terms would create stability in the Senate and provide an effective check on the more democratic House of Representatives.
While some delegates, such as Alexander Hamilton, proposed even longer terms or life tenure, others worried that long terms would create too much independence for senators. The debate over term limits for Congress continues today, with some proposing constitutional amendments to limit the terms of service for members of Congress. However, making changes to the Constitution is challenging, and despite popular support for term limits, converting these ideas into amendments is a difficult task.
The length of terms for senators has been a topic of discussion since the drafting of the Constitution. The Virginia Plan, which set the initial terms of debate for the Constitutional Convention, did not specify a length of term for either house of Congress. It only proposed that senators "hold their offices for a term sufficient to ensure their independency." In deciding the term lengths, delegates considered the practices of state governments, with the majority setting one-year terms for both houses of their legislatures, while a few states established longer terms for upper house members.
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Representatives must be at least 25 years old
The United States Constitution sets out specific requirements for those seeking to become members of the House of Representatives. One of the key requirements pertains to the age of the candidates, stipulating that representatives must be at least 25 years old to serve in the House. This age requirement is outlined in Article 1, Section 2 of the Constitution, which also addresses the minimum and maximum sizes of the House.
The age criterion for representatives is part of a broader set of qualifications that individuals must meet to be eligible for election to the House. In addition to being at least 25 years old, candidates must fulfil certain citizenship and residency requirements. Specifically, they must have been citizens of the United States for a minimum of seven years and be residents of the state they aim to represent. These qualifications are essential for ensuring that representatives have a strong understanding of, and connection to, the people and interests of their respective states.
The age requirement of 25 years for representatives is noteworthy when compared to the age criteria for other political offices in the United States. For instance, the Constitution stipulates that senators must be at least 30 years old, reflecting an expectation of greater experience and wisdom for this role. The age requirement for the presidency is even higher, with the Constitution specifying that an individual must be at least 35 years old to be eligible to serve as President of the United States.
The age of 25 years as a qualification for representatives is intended to strike a balance between youth and experience. On the one hand, it sets a threshold for maturity and a minimum level of life experience deemed necessary for effectively representing constituents and navigating the complexities of legislative work. On the other hand, it also recognises the value of youthful energy, new ideas, and diverse perspectives in the legislative process. This balance is a critical aspect of democratic representation, ensuring that the interests and viewpoints of all generations are considered in policymaking.
The age requirement for representatives, as enshrined in the Constitution, contributes to shaping the overall composition and dynamics of the House of Representatives. It helps to ensure that the House benefits from a blend of seasoned lawmakers and younger, emerging leaders. This mix of ages and experiences fosters a vibrant and diverse legislative environment, where collaboration and exchange of ideas across generations can lead to more informed and responsive policymaking. Ultimately, the age qualification of 25 years for representatives plays a vital role in shaping the character and effectiveness of the House as a whole.
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The House represents citizens based on district populations
The United States Constitution, which rarely changes, does not specify a length of term for either house of Congress. The Constitution does, however, outline that the House represents citizens based on district populations, while the Senate represents citizens on an equal state basis. This agreement was part of what is called The Great Compromise, which, in turn, led to the Permanent Seat of Government Act that established the nation's federal capital in Washington, DC.
The number of voting representatives is currently set at 435, with each member of the House representing a set number of constituents. There are an additional five delegates to the House of Representatives. They represent the District of Columbia and the territories of American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Puerto Rico also elects a resident commissioner every four years. Since 1789, when the United States Congress first convened under the Constitution, the number of citizens per congressional district has risen from an average of 33,000 in 1790 to over 700,000 as of 2018.
In deciding term lengths, Convention delegates turned to the practices of state governments. Although the majority of states set one-year terms for both houses of their legislatures, five state constitutions established longer terms for upper-house members. For example, South Carolina’s senators served two-year terms, while senators in Delaware served three-year terms with one-third of the senate’s nine members up for reelection each year. New York and Virginia implemented a similar system but with four-year terms instead of three. Only Maryland’s senate, whose members were not directly elected by the people, featured five-year terms.
In recent years, several ideas have gained some popular support, including an amendment to force the government to balance its budget, and to revive the Equal Rights Amendment. Another idea that has gained popularity is an amendment limiting how long members of Congress can serve in office. In a September 2023 Pew Research Center survey, 87 percent of respondents supported term limits for members of Congress. In March 2023, a University of Maryland study found that 83 percent of respondents favored a constitutional amendment to establish congressional term limits.
In September 2023, Rep. Ralph Norman and Sen. Ted Cruz proposed a congressional term limits amendment in Congress. The proposal limited the terms to six years in the House and 12 years in the Senate. The House Judiciary committee voted down the resolution in a 19-17 vote.
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The Senate represents citizens on an equal state basis
The length of congressional terms has been a topic of debate in the United States for decades. While the Constitution does not specify term limits for members of Congress, there have been various proposals and efforts to impose such limits. The Constitution does, however, specify the minimum age and citizenship requirements for serving in Congress.
The delegates to the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia in 1787, also known as the framers, played a crucial role in shaping the structure and powers of Congress. They envisioned a Congress consisting of two houses, one of which would embody the "democratic principle of government." James Madison of Virginia proposed the creation of a second house, the Senate, which would be small, deliberative, and independent from the larger, more democratic house. The characteristics of the Senate, including the basis of representation, were the subject of intense debate and compromise.
The Senate is composed of two Senators from each state, and each Senator holds a single vote. The term length for Senators was also a topic of discussion, with some arguing for longer terms to provide stability and independence, while others worried about too much independence. Ultimately, the delegates adopted six-year terms for Senators, citing the need for stability and independence from public opinion.
In recent years, there has been growing support for imposing term limits on members of Congress. Various proposals have been made, including state-level efforts and a congressional term limits amendment proposed by Rep. Ralph Norman and Sen. Ted Cruz. However, implementing these ideas as constitutional amendments faces significant challenges due to the rarity of changes to the Constitution.
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The House has the sole authority to impeach federal officials
The length of congressional terms has been a topic of debate since the drafting of the US Constitution. The Constitution of the United States is rarely amended, but there has been speculation about implementing term limits for Congress. While several states have attempted to impose their own term limits on members of Congress, the Supreme Court ruled in US Term Limits v. Thornton that states cannot add qualifications for congressional office beyond what is stated in the Constitution.
The Constitution does not specify a term length for either house of Congress. The Virginia Plan, which set the terms of debate for the Constitutional Convention, proposed that senators “hold their offices for a term sufficient to ensure their independence." The delegates eventually agreed on six-year terms for senators, citing the need for stability and independence from public opinion.
There have been recent proposals to amend the Constitution to limit congressional terms to six years in the House and 12 years in the Senate. However, this proposal was voted down by the House Judiciary Committee, and amending the Constitution through a convention of states, as outlined in Article V, has never been done before and presents several challenges.
Now, regarding the role of the House in impeaching federal officials, the US Constitution grants the House of Representatives the sole authority to initiate impeachment proceedings against federal officials. Any member of the House can introduce impeachment charges, and if a simple majority of the House adopts articles of impeachment, the official is considered impeached. The House has initiated impeachment proceedings more than 60 times, but there have only been 21 impeachments, including three presidents.
After an official is impeached by the House, the Senate conducts an impeachment trial, acting as a High Court of Impeachment to consider evidence, hear witnesses, and vote to acquit or convict. A two-thirds vote of the Senate is required to convict and remove an official from office. The Constitution outlines that impeachment is a check against "treason, bribery, or other high crimes and misdemeanors," though the definition of "high crimes and misdemeanors" has been debated.
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Frequently asked questions
Members of the House of Representatives serve a fixed term of two years. Senators, on the other hand, are elected for six-year terms.
To be elected as a representative, a person must be at least 25 years old, have been a US citizen for at least seven years, and be an inhabitant of the state they represent.
Yes, under the Fourteenth Amendment, a federal or state officer who takes an oath to support the Constitution but later engages in rebellion or aids enemies of the US is disqualified from becoming a representative.
Elections for representatives are held every even-numbered year, on Election Day, which is the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November.
Yes, there have been proposals to amend the Constitution and impose term limits on members of Congress. In 2023, Rep. Ralph Norman and Sen. Ted Cruz proposed limiting terms to six years in the House and 12 years in the Senate. However, this resolution was voted down by the House Judiciary committee.
