Sample Testimony from Montana #8

Written Testimony graciously provided by the COS Montana Team

Attachment: 4712/COS_Testimony_2023-8_Term_Limits.pdf

Testimony-8 Term Limits

Mr. Chairman, Senators, Fellow Montanans

The case for Term Limits for Congress and Federal Officials has never been more popular. In
multiple polls and surveys, Americans in every corner of our country are making their voice
heard.  They are fed up with politicians that make Congress a career.

The re-election rate in Congress is well over 90 percent, meaning incumbents are almost
unbeatable!   Unless a seat is open, conventional wisdom dictates that race will lack serious
challengers.  This is not what the founders envisioned.  What we have today is

not

a citizen

legislature, but rather a professional ruling class that lives and works in Washington DC.

Term limits would reverse this trend by ensuring that open seat races are held on a regular
basis.

Term limits would also address the top-down power structure in Washington.   This means
Congress would get a fresh infusion of talent, and members would be empowered to be more
involved.  That would be a major win for “we the people.”

With   term   limits,   legislators   will   be   motivated   to   enact   meaningful   legislation   rather   than
“kicking the can down the road” as is so often the case now.   Lack of term limits not only
results   in   legislative   inaction,   but   also   delegates   more   power   into   the   hands   of   unelected
bureaucrats.

One of the loudest arguments against Term Limits goes something like this.  “Lobbyists love
term limits because it gives them more influence.”  Let’s consider that logic for a minute.

If you were a lobbyist what would be your preference?  Working with a group that you knew
well and whose members you had relationships with, or a group where there was constant
turnover?  Building relationships takes time and our lobbyist friends know that, that is why they
oppose term limits.

Please allow me to quote former mega lobbyist (and convicted felon) Jack Abramoff confirming
this.   “Like most every lobbyist I knew, I didn’t want to have to build relationships with new
members   constantly.

A   representative   who   stayed   in   office   for   decades,   and   was   a

friend, was worth his weight in gold

. (I’m continuing to quote) But permitting people to rule

for decades is a

recipe for disaster

.   Is there really any difference between a permanent

Congress and a President for life?” End quote.

Please support SJ 2, please return our government to “we the people!”

Thank you

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Created:	2025-05-30 21:28 GMT
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