What This Bill Does
H.R. 9230, the Statutory Term Limits on Congressional Pay and Power Act, would bar a Member of Congress from receiving congressional pay and from serving in certain leadership roles after 12 cumulative years in the House or Senate. It applies to Members, Delegates, and the Resident Commissioner once they reach that service threshold in their respective chamber. The bill specifically targets compensation under section 601(a) of the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946 and service as a committee chair, ranking minority member, or specified House and Senate leadership positions. Its changes would take effect starting with the 121st Congress.
- Bars Members with 12 or more cumulative years from congressional pay under 2 U.S.C. 4501.
- Blocks service as a committee chair or ranking minority member after 12 years.
- Defines covered leadership to include House leadership offices and Senate leaders such as the Majority and Minority Leader and Whips.
- Applies to Members, Delegates, and the Resident Commissioner.
- Takes effect starting with the 121st Congress.
Who This Bill Affects
For a typical member of the public, this bill would not change taxes, benefits, or services directly. Its effect would be indirect: after 12 years of service, a Member of Congress could no longer receive congressional pay under section 601(a) or hold certain committee and leadership posts, which could change who runs Congress and how much institutional power long-serving lawmakers have. That could matter to constituents if it alters committee priorities, leadership turnover, or the experience level of the people representing them in Congress.
See how this bill affects you — sign in for a personalized analysisWho Supports & Opposes This
- Term-limit advocates They would argue the bill reduces entrenched power by preventing long-serving Members from monopolizing leadership posts. Supporters may say forced turnover can make Congress more responsive and less dominated by seniority.
- Reform-minded voters They may see the measure as a check on career politicians and a way to open committee leadership to newer Members. The bill’s 12-year threshold gives a clear, easy-to-understand rule.
- Anti-establishment conservatives and good-government reformers They could support the bill as a structural reform that limits congressional insiders’ control over pay and power. The inclusion of committee chairs and leadership offices makes the change more than symbolic.
- Long-serving Members and congressional leadership They may argue that leadership and committee roles should be based on expertise, trust, and election by colleagues, not an arbitrary service cutoff. Removing experienced Members could weaken institutional memory and legislative effectiveness.
- Constituents who value seniority-based influence They may worry that the bill would reduce the clout of districts represented by experienced lawmakers, especially in complex policy areas where senior Members often secure committee influence. That could make it harder to advance local priorities.
- House and Senate institutionalists They may object that the bill interferes with each chamber’s internal organization and could create instability in leadership selection. Even though section 2(d) invokes rulemaking power, critics may still see it as an overreach into chamber autonomy.
Key Implications
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““may not… be eligible for any covered benefit””
This is the core enforcement language. Once a Member reaches 12 years in the relevant chamber, the bill would cut off the listed pay and leadership-related benefits.
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““Any payment… for the compensation of the Member””
The bill ties the restriction to congressional compensation under 2 U.S.C. 4501. In practice, that means the measure is not just about titles; it also affects pay eligibility.
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““serving as the chair or ranking minority member””
This would bar long-serving Members from some of the most influential committee posts, which are central to shaping legislation and oversight.
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““House or Senate leadership position””
The definition reaches beyond committee roles to top leadership offices, including House leadership offices and Senate leaders such as the Majority and Minority Leader and Whips.
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““apply with respect to the One Hundred Twenty-First Congress””
The bill would not take effect immediately upon enactment. Its operative date is set for a future Congress, giving time for the rule to phase in.
Latest Status
June 9, 2026
Referred to the Committee on House Administration, and in addition to the Committees on Oversight and Government Reform, and Rules, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
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Ask AI about this billData sourced from api.congress.gov.