Republican Rep. Chip Roy of Texas has introduced legislation that would cut off pay and strip committee leadership power from House and Senate members who have served 12 or more cumulative years in their respective chamber.
The proposal, titled as a proposed rule change to congressional procedures, states that long-serving lawmakers "may not, on and after the date that the Member reaches 12 years of service... be eligible for any covered benefit." Those benefits include taxpayer-funded salaries and eligibility to serve in leadership posts or as chair or ranking member of standing committees. Roy announced the measure this week in a press release.
What the Right Is Saying
Conservative supporters say the measure aligns with the populist anti-establishment movement that drove much of the Republican Party's recent electoral success. Roy's office frames the proposal as an effort to ensure "public service remains exactly that: service to the people, not a lifelong career in politics."
The Texas congressman has long advocated for limiting federal government power and reducing congressional entrenchment. His office argues that 12 years represents two full Senate terms or six House terms, sufficient time to gain expertise while preventing the accumulation of unchecked institutional power. Some conservative commentators have praised the proposal as a direct challenge to what they describe as an out-of-touch political class.
What the Left Is Saying
Democratic critics argue the proposal would disproportionately affect representation from minority communities and rural states, where experienced legislators often build the relationships needed to secure resources for underserved districts. Some progressive groups contend that term limits proposals historically favor incumbents with name recognition while creating barriers for new candidates without personal wealth or establishment backing.
Advocates for congressional reform on the left have suggested alternative approaches, including mandatory financial disclosure enhancements and stricter ethics enforcement, as more targeted ways to address concerns about career politicians without restricting voter choice. A coalition of good-government groups has noted that voters already have the power to limit tenure through elections.
What the Numbers Show
The average tenure for current House members is approximately 8.6 years, according to statistics from Congress.gov. Roughly 40% of the 118th Congress had served three terms or fewer. About 22 sitting senators have served more than 12 years in that chamber, as have roughly 150 House members.
Congressional salaries currently stand at $174,000 annually for rank-and-file members, with leadership positions receiving additional compensation up to $223,500 for the speaker of the House. Committee chairs receive a $10,000 annual boost beyond base salary. These figures are set by law and subject to adjustment through the legislative process.
The Constitution stipulates that "Each House may determine the Rules of its Proceedings," but also specifies that "Senators and Representatives shall receive a Compensation for their Services, to be ascertained by Law." Constitutional scholars have noted this creates potential tension between self-governance rules and compensation requirements.
The Bottom Line
The proposal faces significant procedural and constitutional hurdles before becoming reality. It would need to pass both chambers as a rule change or be enacted through separate legislation subject to presidential signature. Legal experts say any measure affecting congressional pay must navigate the compensation clause of the Constitution.
The timing noted in the bill text specifies it "shall apply with respect to the One Hundred Twenty-First Congress and each succeeding Congress," meaning the earliest practical implementation would be 2029. This allows current members time to plan transitions while giving proponents opportunity to build support.
Roy, who has served since 2019 and recently lost the Texas attorney general Republican primary to state Sen. Mayes Middleton, has positioned himself as a reformer willing to challenge institutional norms within his own party. Whether this proposal gains traction among colleagues from both parties will depend on broader debates about congressional reform that have persisted across multiple election cycles.