WASHINGTON, D.C (AP) – On Tuesday, North Dakota voters approved a high-profile initiative that would bar people from running or serving in the U.S. House or Senate if they are to turn 81 years old during their term.
Some United States Senators questioned the constitutionality of the initiative, while others supported it.
Sen. Richard Blumenthal, (D) Connecticut, says the constitutionality is questionable.
“To set that kind of a term limit on people’s ability to run for office, without any other basis in qualification, I think there’s some constitutional questions,” Blumenthal said.
While Senator John Cornyn of Texas said “I love federalism, which means the states can pass their own rules and we can have an experiment and see if it works. So more power to them.”
Meanwhile, Sen. Josh Hawley, (R) Missouri, also questions the initiatives constitutionality, but thinks term limits would solve the issue being presented.
“Is it a good idea? I mean, I think term limits would solve this problem. And, term limits are a really good idea. So I’m all I’m all for those. So I think… we already have term limits for president obviously, we should have term limits for members of Congress. I mean, just look around. I think there’s a lot of great examples of why we should have them,” Hawley said.
While the initiative applies only to congressional seats, this election year will also feature President Joe Biden, 81, and former President Donald Trump, 77, competing in an election rematch that has drawn scrutiny of their ages and fitness.
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