Letter: Mica -- Never signed term-limits pledge

Letter: Mica -- Never signed term-limits pledge



U.S. Rep. John L. Mica
Washington, D.C.
Publication Date: 10/31/08


Editor: It is important to respond to several inaccurate statements made in one of your recent letters to the editor.

First, when seeking office and throughout my service, I have never signed any pledge to support term limits for members of Congress.

The U.S. Constitution provides a two-year term as set forth in Article I that only a Constitutional Amendment can alter. Furthermore, the pledge contained in the Contract with America, which I supported, placed six-year term limits for the U.S. House committee chairmen and leadership positions. In compliance, I served for six years as chairman of Aviation, four years as chairman of Civil Service and two years as chairman of Criminal Justice and Drug Policy. Republicans placed six-year term limits on leadership positions because only an amendment to the U.S. Constitution can change congressional terms.

The writer should be aware of this provision and also be aware that, in fact, Democrat members do not impose similar leadership term limits.

In 1995, I voted for a constitutional amendment that, if passed by two-thirds votes of Congress and the states, would impose 12-year term limits. Democrats blocked that measure so we currently retain two-year terms.

U.S. Rep. John L. Mica

Washington, D.C.


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