The recent spending bill, which narrowly avoided a government shutdown, serves as yet another reminder of Congress’s inability—or perhaps unwillingness—to tackle the nation’s underlying fiscal problems.
For conservatives, it’s just another letdown from House Speaker Mike Johnson, whose leadership has done little to inspire confidence among those who hoped for a bold, MAGA-style agenda. Sure, his defenders will blame the razor-thin GOP majority, but the dysfunction in Washington runs far deeper than party politics or parliamentary math.
Let’s talk about the elephant in the room—Congress itself. It’s not just broken; it’s aged, tired, and teetering on irrelevance. Take Congresswoman Kay Granger, for example. She’s been MIA since July, reportedly residing in an assisted living facility. That’s right—an entire Texas district has been left without representation during key votes. And Granger isn’t alone. Senator Mitch McConnell’s now-famous “freezes” and former Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s health challenges paint a bleak picture of a legislative branch struggling under the weight of its own outdated structures.
This isn’t just about a few octogenarians overstaying their welcome. It’s about a system that practically guarantees lawmakers a lifetime gig, regardless of their effectiveness. Look at the stats: in 2024, incumbents had a jaw-dropping 98.5% re-election rate. That’s not democracy; that’s a rigged system where lobbyists and special interests thrive while constituents are left scratching their heads and wondering why nothing ever changes.
Congress will never vote on something that’ll put them outta work, that should be left to us
Fact is; The longer politicians stay in office, the more likely they are to be corrupted..
We need Term Limits to be put on the ballot …. let the American people decide pic.twitter.com/nnsoeiFoi7
— @Chicago1Ray 🇺🇸 (@Chicago1Ray) December 23, 2024
The solution isn’t rocket science: congressional term limits. It’s a simple reform with massive support—87% of Americans, according to Pew Research, are on board. And why wouldn’t they be? Term limits would inject new energy, fresh perspectives, and maybe, just maybe, some accountability into a system that has been circling the drain for decades. Even the Founding Fathers knew the dangers of politicians getting too comfortable in their seats. James Madison himself warned about career politicians becoming “masters of the public business.” Sound familiar?
How is it possible that a member of Congress has been MIA for six months, and we’re just now finding out where she was?
She hasn’t cast a single vote since JULY 24th.
Term. Limits. https://t.co/XgjMT7RduW
— Riley Gaines (@Riley_Gaines_) December 21, 2024
Of course, passing term limits would be a heavy lift. A constitutional amendment would require two-thirds support in Congress or a convention of 34 states, plus ratification by 38 states. But hard doesn’t mean impossible. President Trump threw his weight behind the idea in 2018, and public pressure has a way of making the so-called impossible suddenly very doable.
This isn’t just about politics; it’s about the future of representative democracy. Without term limits, Congress will continue to spiral into irrelevance, a playground for entrenched interests and aging lawmakers who’ve long forgotten what it means to serve the people. It’s time for a seismic shift in governance—one that puts power back in the hands of the voters.
Because if we don’t fix this now, when will we? How many more crises, shutdown threats, and pointless spending battles do Americans need to endure before enough is finally enough? Term limits aren’t just a good idea; they’re the lifeline our democracy desperately needs.
