Our republic needs reform. Join us in supporting a new amendment to the U.S. Constitution that will establish term limits and enhance accountability for Congress.

Introduction

We are excited to announce the launch of a grassroots effort to propose a new amendment to the U.S. Constitution. "Term Limits and Accountability for Congress : The People's Amendment." This amendment aims to establish term limits and enhance accountability for members of Congress. We believe this change is essential to advancing our country's journey toward a more perfect union.

Amendment XXVIII to the United States Constitution

Section 1: Term Limits
No person shall serve in Congress for more than two terms in total, whether it be one term in the Senate and one term in the House of Representatives, or two terms in one chamber. Partial terms served due to filling a vacancy shall count towards the term limit if the individual serves more than half of the term. Terms are considered lifetime limits. It shall be the obligation of each house of Congress to assure compliance with this section, with oversight provided by an independent, bipartisan commission established for this purpose.

Section 2: Salary Linked to Median National Income
Effective the first day of the first session of Congress after ratification of this amendment, the base pay of members of Congress shall be equal to the median national salary, calculated by the U.S. Census Bureau or a similar authoritative body. Benefits and allowances shall be equal to the median cost of benefits and allowances packages for full-time employees in the United States. Salaries and benefits will be adjusted to match these medians every two years thereafter.

Section 3: Remote Office Operations
Congress shall, upon ratification of this amendment, have five years to implement the infrastructure required for members of Congress to transition from maintaining offices in Washington, D.C., to conducting their official duties from an office located in the capital of the state they represent via a secure online infrastructure. Office expenses shall be provided based on the cost incurred by state representatives maintaining an office in the state capital, with no special allocation for travel expenses. The federal government shall ensure the provision of secure and reliable technology for remote operations, meeting stringent cybersecurity standards to protect sensitive information and communications.

Section 4: Single-Issue Legislation
No bill introduced in either house of Congress shall be accepted or considered if it relates to more than one issue. Omnibus budget bills are prohibited, and each budgetary department shall be funded by individual bills. A "single issue" is defined as a matter that has a distinct, uniform purpose and effect. This definition shall be established and periodically reviewed by a bipartisan committee.

Section 5: Balanced Budget
It is the duty of Congress to ensure that expenditures do not exceed incoming revenue in any fiscal year. An exception to this requirement may be authorized in cases of a national emergency declared by a two-thirds majority of both Houses of Congress. A comprehensive plan must be established and adhered to for the gradual reduction of the national debt over a period of 20 years, with annual benchmarks and progress reports. Should Congress fail to meet these benchmarks, automatic spending cuts and revenue adjustments will be enacted to ensure compliance.

Section 6: Campaign Finance Reform
Only individual citizens of the United States may contribute to federal election campaigns. Contributions per citizen per year to federal election campaigns shall be limited to 10% of the national median yearly salary. All campaign contributions must be disclosed in real-time and made available to the public through an online database, which includes the name of the contributor, the amount contributed, and the date of the contribution. The Federal Election Commission shall oversee the implementation and enforcement of these provisions, with strict penalties for non-compliance, including fines and disqualification from office.

Brief Explanation for Proposed Amendment Sections

Explanatory Material
Section 1: Term Limits To promote fresh ideas and prevent the entrenchment of career politicians, Amendment XXVIII imposes a lifetime limit of two terms in Congress. Whether serving one term in the Senate and one term in the House of Representatives or two terms in a single chamber, this limit ensures that no individual can dominate the political landscape for extended periods. This change will foster a more dynamic and responsive legislative body.

Section 2: Salary Linked to Median National Income The salaries of our elected representatives should reflect the economic realities faced by average Americans. This amendment ties the base pay of Congress members to the median national salary, as calculated by the U.S. Census Bureau or a similar authoritative body. Additionally, benefits and allowances will match the median cost of benefits and allowances packages for full-time employees. By aligning Congressional pay with the national median, we ensure that our representatives remain connected to the financial circumstances of their constituents.

Section 3: Remote Office Operations In an era of advanced technology, it is both feasible and desirable for members of Congress to conduct their duties from their home states. This amendment mandates the transition to remote office operations within five years, reducing the need for constant travel to Washington, D.C. and promoting stronger ties with local communities. The federal government will provide secure and reliable technology to support these remote operations, ensuring that our representatives can effectively serve their constituents from their home state capitals.

Section 4: Single-Issue Legislation Complex, omnibus bills often obscure critical issues and hinder transparency. Amendment XXVIII requires that each bill introduced in Congress addresses only a single issue. By prohibiting omnibus budget bills and ensuring that each budgetary department is funded by individual bills, this change will promote clarity, accountability, and focused legislative efforts. A bipartisan committee will establish and periodically review the definition of a "single issue" to maintain legislative integrity.

Section 5: Balanced Budget Fiscal responsibility is essential for the long-term stability of our nation. This amendment mandates that Congress ensures expenditures do not exceed incoming revenue in any fiscal year, except in cases of national emergency declared by a two-thirds majority of both Houses of Congress. A comprehensive plan will be developed to gradually reduce the national debt over 20 years, with annual benchmarks and progress reports. Should Congress fail to meet these benchmarks, automatic spending cuts and revenue adjustments will be enacted to enforce compliance.

Section 6: Campaign Finance Reform To curb the undue influence of money in politics, Amendment XXVIII restricts campaign contributions to individual citizens of the United States. Contributions are limited to 10% of the national median yearly salary per citizen per year. All contributions must be disclosed in real-time through an online database, ensuring transparency and accountability. The Federal Election Commission will oversee the implementation and enforcement of these provisions, with strict penalties for non-compliance.

Call to Action
By signing this petition, you are taking a stand for a more accountable, transparent, and fiscally responsible government. Together, we can bring about meaningful reform and ensure that our representatives truly serve the interests of the people. Join us in supporting Amendment XXVIII and help create a better future for our nation.

 

Thank you for your support!