Congress is a service, not a job: Being a member of Congress should not become the office-holder’s lifetime career. With that in mind, how do so many people stay in this civilian job for over half a century?
According to Gallup in 2013 and Rasmussen in 2016, about 75% of voters support congressional term limits. The twenty-second Amendment to the Constitution was ratified on February 27, 1951, establishing presidential term limits. Congress proposed the amendment on the heels of Franklin D. Roosevelt’s death, after he won a fourth term in the Oval Office. But even then, term limits were not a new idea to the republic. The Articles of Confederation imposed term limits on both Congress and the president.
And while the United States Constitution requires Senators to be at least 30 years of age, it does not set a mandatory retirement age. As of April 1, 2021, 13 senators in the Upper Chamber are in their 80s, 27 are in their 70s, and 34 are in their 60s.
- The median age of currently serving Senators is 67 years, 189 days.
- The median age of taking office for currently serving Senators is 51 years, 75 days.
- The median length of their Senate terms to date is 12 years, 88 days.
In the US Senate, sixty-five percent are at least 65 years old, but in the House, nearly twice as many Democratic members are at least 65 years old, compared to House Republicans. In the current chamber, 141 out of 345 Representatives are over the age of 65. Democratic leaders in the House are two decades older than Republican leaders.
Why do I stress age in Congress? I have nothing against the elderly. I am an elder myself. However, according to NIH, serious cognitive impairment in humans progressively worsens after age 60, which includes 65% of the upper chamber and 40% of the lower chamber. How scary is that? We have a legislative body making rules for our country that studies show are progressively becoming impaired.
What Is Cognitive Impairment In The Elderly?
Cognitive impairment in the elderly has a number of causes ranging from medication side effects to depression and neurodegenerative disorders. There is no consensus regarding the age of onset of cognitive decline. While some studies show that we experience a decline in cognitive skills after the age of 60, there is also evidence showing that women can show signs of cognitive decline after 50.
“The number of Americans over the age of 65 is projected to more than double in the next years, increasing from 40.2 million in 2010 to 88.5 million in 2050. It will become increasingly important to understand the cognitive changes that accompany aging, both normal and pathologic. Although dementia and mild cognitive impairment are both common, even those who do not experience these conditions may experience subtle cognitive changes associated with aging. These normal cognitive changes are important to understand because, first, they can affect an older adult’s day to day function and, second, they can help us distinguish normal from disease states.”
Cognitive impairment in the elderly has a number of signs and symptoms. Learning to recognize them allows you to address these problems effectively and prevent or delay more severe problems. It is important for the elderly to consult a healthcare provider when they experience symptoms of cognitive decline and adhere to doctor’s instructions. Here are 10 symptoms to remember:
1. Decreased Brain Processing Speed
2. Problems With Attention and the Ability To Focus
3. Memory Problems
4. Difficulty Finding “Right Words” To Express Oneself
5. Losing Things
6. Losing "Train Of Thought"
7. Social Withdrawal and Easily Angered
8. Getting Easily Overwhelmed When Making Decisions
9. Missing Social Engagements and Appointments
10. Difficulty Accepting Change
If a family member, let alone a politician, shows such symptoms, it's time to seek help, or at least inform yourself and find out what's going on.
I am not saying that we cannot put or trust the elderly in Congress. However, when 65 years of age is associated with rapid cognitive decline in our seniors, and with over half our legislators over 65 years of age, it’s a concern responsible citizens should take seriously.
Term limits will not prevent the elderly from being our representatives, but it will prevent people who come into politics in their 30s and stay into their 80s. The era of people spending half a century in congress is over; fresh blood brings fresh ideas!
We've got to have term limits if we're ever going to hold the federal government to account. There is no other way to hold this government accountable. We've got to say to them, "You're our servants. Americans won’t tolerate it the other way around."
WE WANT FRESH BLOOD IN BOTH CHAMBERS NOW!
Citizens that are concerned for the future of our nation--under a federal government that's increasingly bloated, corrupt, reckless, and invasive--have a constitutional option. We can call an Article V Convention of States to bring power back to the states and the people, where it belongs. Join us and sign the petition at Convention of States Action Petition.
Join the over 2 million Americans who have already signed our petition for change. Be a Patriot!
FOR LIBERTY!
