Rep. Chip Roy Proposes Term Limit Benefits Cutoff for Lawmakers
Republican Representative Chip Roy from Texas has introduced a proposal that aims to remove pay and reduce power for House and Senate lawmakers who have served more than 12 years in their respective chambers. The proposal suggests that a Member of Congress, including Delegates and Resident Commissioners, who reaches 12 years of cumulative service in either the House of Representatives or the Senate, would forfeit certain benefits.
According to the proposal, long-serving legislators would no longer receive pay and would be barred from serving in leadership positions or as chairs of standing or select committees in both the House and Senate.
Roy stated, “For too long, Washington has rewarded longevity with greater power, higher pay, and deeper entrenchment. If members of Congress want to serve beyond 12 years absent a constitutional amendment limiting them, they should do so without taxpayer-funded salaries and without monopolizing committee chairs and leadership positions.” He emphasized that the bill is designed to ensure public service remains about serving the people, rather than becoming a lifelong political career.
Representative Roy has been part of the U.S. House of Representatives since 2019. He recently lost the Texas attorney general Republican primary runoff to State Senator Mayes Middleton.
The text of the proposal describes these changes as exercises of the rulemaking power of the Senate and House. This means the rules can be part of each chamber’s procedures, with the possibility of future amendments or changes as each House recognizes their constitutional right to alter procedures.
The proposed restrictions would take effect with the 121st Congress, which begins in 2029. This measures aims to reestablish the 12-year service limit focus. It was noted that The U.S. Constitution allows each House to determine its procedural rules but also mandates compensation for Senators and Representatives, which is legally set and paid from the U.S. Treasury.