RESEARCH LINKS
Issue 1: 2024 U.S. Presidential Election
ESTABLISHING CONGRESSIONAL TERM LIMITS through a new constitutional amendment is no small task. Since 1787, just 27 amendments have been added to the U.S. Constitution.
Trump Campaign Website: Donald J. Trump on the Issues (full list)
Harris Campaign Website: Kamala Harris on the Issues (full list)
Ballotpedia.org: “Presidential Candidates 2024”
Allsides.com: “Election Resource Center”
270towin.com: “2024 Presidential Election Interactive Map”
ProCon.org: “Presidential Candidates Comparison Chart on the Issues”
Issue 2: Congressional Term Limits
Congress.gov: H.J. Res. 11 – Congressional Term Limits
Constitutioncenter.org: “Why Term Limits for Congress Face Challenging Path”
Heritage Foundation: “Term Limits, the Only Way to Clean Up Congress”
NPR.org: “Term Limits for Congress…Why Experts Say They’d Be a Bad Idea”
U.S. Term Limits: “Why Term Limits?”
Senate.gov: “Sen. Cruz Introduces Constitutional Amendment – Term Limits”
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
Issue 1: 2024 U.S. Presidential Election
- Read the presidential candidates “on the issues” (pp. 2-3 of the newsletter). For an unabridged list, visit each candidate’s campaign website (links above). Which issues are the most important to you personally? Why?
- After looking at the candidates’ positions on the issues, what do you see as at stake in this election—for yourself, your generation, your community, your country, and the world? Which candidate do you feel is the best choice for our next U.S. president—Trump, Harris, or “other?” Why?
- When did you first become aware of having political opinions? Who or what do you think shaped them? Did your parents or family members influence you—or was it more your friends, a teacher, or your church that played a crucial role? Have your opinions changed over time? How so?
- Whether in school, with family and friends, or online, what experiences have you had in talking to people who may not agree with you? What has been helpful? What has been hard? Why do these conversations matter?
- What are you optimistic about? What might your generation do better than those who came before it?
Issue 2: Congressional Term Limits
- Should members of congress be subject to term limits? How many terms should they be allowed to run for?
- Currently, the Constitution requires representatives to be at least 25 years old and senators to be at least 30. Some have suggested imposing a mandatory retirement age for members of Congress or a maximum age of election. Do you agree? Why or why not?
- The 22nd Amendment to the U.S. Constitution prohibits the president from serving more than two four-year terms. Does it make sense to have term limits for the executive branch of government (the president and his or her administration) but not for the legislative branch (members of congress)? Why or why not?
- Summarize the “for” and “against” arguments for setting congressional term limits. Which position do you agree with? Why?
- Proponents of congressional term limits say longtime members of congress have an “incumbency advantage,” making them practically unbeatable and less likely to listen to their constituents. Do you think the incumbent advantage presents a problem for true representation in congress? Would term limits solve this problem? What other changes might make races more competitive?