I care deeply about the stability, effectiveness, and future of our country. I want leaders who can consistently show up, engage fully, and meet the demands of the job without risking their health or the nation’s continuity. Setting age limits is a practical way to honor public service while ensuring responsible governance for everyone.

Establishing a reasonable age eligibility limit of 70 for federally elected offices is an essential step to ensuring our leaders can consistently meet the physical, mental, and practical demands of governing. While experience and continuity matter significantly in leadership roles, the challenges associated with age-related health and stamina concerns have increasingly affected officials who continue to serve well past the typical retirement age.

Currently, there is no upper age limit for elected federal positions in the United States. This lack of regulation can lead to scenarios where officials may find it challenging to cope with the rigorous demands of their role over time. The proposal to institute a maximum age of 70 is rooted in the understanding that, while wisdom and experience are invaluable, the physical and cognitive requirements of governance must also be prioritized.

Elected office is a job, and like any job of national importance, it requires consistent presence, stamina, and reliability. These officials are chosen by voters to serve all Americans, not just those who elected them, and the role demands full engagement in deliberation, decision-making, and crisis response. In recent years, voters and lawmakers alike have raised concerns when medical, physical, or cognitive health issues have limited some officials’ ability to fully meet those demands.

In nearly every other professional context, such limitations would prompt retirement handled with respect and care. However, the United States has no clear guardrails that account for age as a known risk factor in ensuring reliable performance in national office. Establishing a clear age eligibility standard ensures accountability while applying the same thoughtful expectations we use elsewhere. It also provides an honorable transition that supports the transfer of knowledge, responsibility, and leadership to incoming and continuing elected officials.

Implementing this age limit does not diminish the achievements and contributions of senior officials; rather, it honors their service by ensuring that the rigors of leadership do not compromise their well-being nor the effectiveness of governance. Moreover, it ensures that capable new leaders can come forward to represent the interests and futures of all Americans.

In countries across the globe, similar age-based regulations are enacted to balance the benefits of experience with the imperative of energetic and responsive leadership. Our nation must also adapt to ensure that we uphold the highest standards of governance and stewardship of public office.

Join me in advocating for responsible and sustainable leadership. By signing this petition, you will help call for action to set a federal age limit for elected offices, creating a more dynamic and resilient political landscape for our nation. Let's work together to ensure effective governance that honors the contributions of the past while safeguarding the future.