RALEIGH - This week, North Carolina House Speaker Tim Moore introduced House Joint Resolution 151, which proposes adding Congressional term limits to the U.S. Constitution. The proposal is co-sponsored by Representatives Lowery, Fontenot, Chesser, and Moss.

In a statement, House Speaker Tim Moore expressed his long-standing support for term limits in Congress, citing widespread support among Americans for this measure of accountability. "We need to shift power from special interests back to the people, where it belongs, and term limits would do just that," he said.

Moore also argued that term limits would have a positive impact on elections, making them more competitive and allowing for fresh ideas and perspectives to enter Congress. "Term limits would benefit both Congress and the rest of the country by paving the way for more competitive elections," he stated.

The proposal comes at a time when there is increasing frustration with the gridlock and partisanship that has characterized Congress in recent years. Supporters of term limits argue that it would help to break this deadlock by bringing in new faces and ideas on a regular basis.

If passed, the proposed amendment to the Constitution would limit members of the House of Representatives to three terms (six years) and members of the Senate to two terms (12 years). This would apply both to future and current members of Congress, although it would not be retroactive.

While the proposal has garnered support from some lawmakers, there are also concerns about the impact that term limits could have on the effectiveness and institutional knowledge of Congress. Opponents argue that it takes time to develop the skills and knowledge needed to be an effective legislator and that term limits could hinder this process.

The proposal will now be considered by the North Carolina General Assembly, where it will need to be passed by a two-thirds majority in both chambers before being sent to Congress for consideration. Whether it will gain the necessary support remains to be seen, but it is clear that the debate over term limits in Congress is far from over.