By Jorge Lopez Morales
September 26, 2029
WASHINGTON, D.C. —The U.S. House of Representatives approved a bill today requiring members of Congress to retire after reaching age 75.
“We respect the wisdom and years of service from those who decided to represent their communities in this body,” said House Speaker Joe Neguse, D-Colo. “This bill simply recognizes that there are ways to continue that service outside the halls of Congress and it will ensure that future generations have their voices heard.”
The Congressional Service Reform Act is a response to the large number of members in their 70s and 80s, and the concern that longtime incumbency is unhealthy for democracy. In addition to an age limit, the law also eliminates the congressional seniority system by forbidding parties from selecting their committee leadership based on length of tenure.
The law would permit those who are older than 75, and who are elected for the first time to Congress, to serve up to six years.
Finally, to encourage members in ill health to act transparently, the bill allows ailing members to take nonvoting status until the end of their elected term. They would continue to sit on committees and introduce legislation, but a successor would be chosen immediately.
The legislation now heads to the U.S. Senate, where the average age is nearly eight years higher than that of the House. Although some senators have publicly expressed concerns, new rules adopted earlier this year require the chamber to act on the bill within 30 days and to muster a two-thirds vote to reject House-passed legislation.
Leave a comment