Congressman Salmon Introduces Term Limits Bill

U.S. Rep. Matt Salmon says he is reintroducing legislation to limit congressional terms.

U.S. Rep. Matt Salmon, R-Ariz.

Office of Rep. Salmon

Salmon, R-Ariz., first proposed a term-limits amendment to the Constitution in the 1990s, when he served three terms in Congress. He pointed out in a press release Monday that he did not seek reelection in 2000 at the end of his third term to keep a pledge he had made when first elected.

His proposal would limit senators to two six-year terms and House members to three two-year terms.

Salmon last week started his second consecutive term in the House and fifth term overall.

“Since the day I first took office, I have advocated for universal congressional term limits," Salmon said in the press release. "Now more than ever, citizens need to see accountability and responsibility from their elected representatives at all levels of government."

Salmon's proposal would require two-thirds approval in both the U.S. House and the U.S. Senate and ratification by the legislatures of three-fourths, or 38, of the 50 states.

Arizona's congressional delegation and current tenure:

• Sen. John McCain, in his fifth, six-year term after two, two-year terms in the U.S. House. He said last week he may seek a sixth term in 2016.
  
• Sen. Jeff Flake, in his first, six-year term after six, two-year terms in the U.S. House.
  
• Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick, CD1, in her second consecutive two-year term and third overall.
  
• Rep. Martha McSally, CD2, in her first, two-year term.
  
• Rep. Raúl Grijalva, CD3, in his seventh, two-year term.
  
• Rep. Paul Gosar, CD4, in his third, two-year term.
  
• Rep. Matt Salmon, CD5, in his second consecutive two-year term and fifth overall.
  
• Rep. David Schweikert, CD6, in his third, two-year term.
  
• Rep. Ruben Gallego, CD7, in his first, two-year term.
  
• Rep. Trent Franks, CD8, in his seventh, two-year term.
  
• Rep. Kyrsten Sinema, CD9, in her second, two-year term.