Republican Representative Chip Roy from Texas has introduced a proposal aimed at limiting the pay and influence of long-serving members of Congress. Under the new plan, lawmakers who have accumulated 12 or more years in either the House of Representatives or the Senate would lose eligibility for certain benefits.
The proposal specifies that such legislators would no longer receive pay and would be barred from holding leadership roles or serving as chairpersons or ranking members of committees in both legislative chambers.
A Member of Congress… who has served 12 or more cumulative years… may not, on and after the date that the Member reaches 12 years of service… be eligible for any covered benefit.The proposal outlines these stringent restrictions.
According to a press release, Roy emphasized the proposal’s intent to curb the accumulation of power and entrenchment that arises from long tenure.
“For too long, Washington has rewarded longevity with greater power, higher pay, and deeper entrenchment,” Roy stated. “If members of Congress want to serve beyond 12 years absent a constitutional amendment limiting them, they should do so without taxpayer-funded salaries and without monopolizing committee chairs and leadership positions.”
Roy, who started his tenure in the House in 2019, was recently defeated in Texas’ attorney general Republican primary runoff by Sen. Mayes Middleton.
The proposal will apply starting with the 121st Congress, set to begin in early 2029, and acknowledges the constitutional authority for each house of Congress to govern their own proceedings.
The U.S. Constitution stipulates that each chamber can set its rules, though it also ensures lawmakers receive compensation for their services, as determined by law and paid from the U.S. Treasury.
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