niversary of the ratification of the 22nd Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.
That amendment, adopted in the wake of Franklin Roosevelt’s unprecedented
four terms in office, set a firm two-term limit on the presidency and reaffirmed a foundational American principle: no one should hold power indefinitely.
It was a historic moment — but it was never meant to be the end of the story.
Seventy-five years later, the job that began with presidential term limits remains unfinished. Congress, the most powerful and least accountable branch of the federal government, still has no term limits at all.
On this National Term Limits Day, Nebraskans should celebrate the progress made — and then turn their attention to the work that remains.
Nebraska has long understood that concentrated power is dangerous. Our state is home to the only unicameral Legislature in the nation, designed to be transparent, efficient, and closer to the people. It reflects a deeply held belief that government works best when it is accountable, citizen-focused, and resistant to entrenched political machines.
Yet in Washington, D.C., we see the opposite.
Members of Congress routinely serve for decades. Some entered office before today’s young voters were even born. With time comes power — and with power comes a system increasingly shaped around incumbency, seniority, and self-preservation rather than public service.
This is not a partisan issue. Poll after poll shows that over 80% of Americans — Republicans, Democrats, and independents alike — support term limits for Congress. In an era of deep division, congressional term limits stand out as one of the few reforms that truly unite the country.
Why? Because the benefits are obvious. Term limits would curb careerism and reduce the influence of special interests that thrive on long-standing relationships with entrenched lawmakers. They would bring fresh perspectives and real-world experience into Congress. They would restore the idea that serving in Washington is a temporary responsibility — not a lifetime entitlement.
Most importantly, term limits would rebalance power back toward the people. Critics argue that voters already have the power to impose term limits at the ballot box. But that argument ignores reality. Incumbents enjoy overwhelming advantages in fundraising, name recognition, media access, and district lines often drawn to protect them. Elections alone are no longer sufficient to ensure turnover.
Congress knows this — which is precisely why it will never impose term limits on itself.
That is why the Constitution provides another path: Article V. Article V allows the states to call a convention for proposing constitutional amendments when Congress refuses to act. This is not radical. It is constitutional. It is deliberate. And it is exactly how the Founders intended the states to respond when Washington becomes unresponsive to the people.
A growing number of states have already passed resolutions calling for an Article V Convention limited specifically to congressional term limits. These resolutions are carefully written to address one issue — and one issue only.
No "runaway convention." No rewriting the Constitution. Just a focused, commonsense reform with overwhelming public support.
Nebraska should join them. Passing a resolution through the Nebraska Legislature would send a powerful message: that our state is serious about accountability, serious about reform, and serious about finishing the work started 75 years ago with the 22nd Amendment.
Nebraska has always punched above its weight when it comes to leadership and innovation in governance. From our unicameral system to our tradition of pragmatic problem-solving, we have never been afraid to do things differently when the system demands it.
National Term Limits Day should be more than a commemoration. It should be a call to action.
The presidency was limited because Americans recognized that unchecked power threatens liberty. That same logic applies to Congress today. If term limits are good enough for the highest office in the land, they are good enough for the people who write our laws, control our spending, and oversee the federal government.
On this 75th anniversary, let’s honor the spirit of the 22nd Amendment by completing its mission.
Nebraska should lead - and help finish the job.
