House GOP reportedly considering term limits for all committee leaders

House Republicans are reportedly considering imposing term limits for all committee chairs and ranking members should the party take back the lower chamber in November, Punchbowl News reports.
Republican members are already limited (by their own doing) to three consecutive terms at the helm of any committee. But Democrats don't abide by those limitations, and any such change in the chamber rules package would "drastically alter the makeup of the House," Punchbowl News writes.
For example, should a GOP majority actually enact this plan, Democratic Reps. Maxine Waters (Calif.), Bennie Thompson (Miss.), Frank Pallone (N.J.), Adam Smith (Wash.), and Nydia Velázquez (N.Y.) would all be affected, among others for whom the change would alter future prospects. The lawmakers are the top Democrats on the Financial Services, Homeland Security, Energy and Commerce, Armed Services, and Small Business Committees, respectively.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
The Republican term limits plan would also deal a "huge blow" to the chamber's seniority system, "a bedrock of internal House politics," Punchbowl News writes. That system has been seen and utilized by Democrats as an "especially powerful tool for minority lawmakers, giving them access to committee gavels or ranking members posts."
But traditional dynamics in the House have already begun to shift — consider how Democrats kicked Rep. Majorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) off her committees over past comments, or censured and removed Rep. Paul Gosar (R-Ariz.) from his assignments after he promoted an animated video depicting violence against Democrats, including President Biden.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Brigid Kennedy worked at The Week from 2021 to 2023 as a staff writer, junior editor and then story editor, with an interest in U.S. politics, the economy and the music industry.
-
How Canadian tariffs could impact tourism to the US
In the Spotlight Canadians represent the largest group of foreign visitors to the United States. But they may soon stop visiting.
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Entitlements: DOGE goes after Social Security
Feature Elon Musk is pushing false claims about Social Security fraud
By The Week US Published
-
The Week contest: Amazon Bond
Puzzles and Quizzes
By The Week US Published
-
Rep. Sylvester Turner dies, weeks after joining House
Speed Read The former Houston mayor and longtime state legislator left behind a final message for Trump: 'Don't mess with Medicaid'
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Trump pauses Ukraine intelligence sharing
Speed Read The decision is intended to pressure Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy into peace negotiations with Vladimir Putin
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Supreme Court rules against Trump on aid freeze
Speed Read The court rejected the president's request to freeze nearly $2 billion in payments for foreign humanitarian work
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Trump touts early wins in partisan speech to Congress
Speed Read The president said he is 'just getting started' with his sweeping changes to immigration, the economy and foreign policy
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Trudeau blasts Trump's 'very dumb' trade war
Speed Read Retaliatory measures have been announced by America's largest trading partners following Trump's tariffs on Canada, Mexico and China
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Are we really getting a government shutdown this time?
Talking Points Democrats rebel against budget cuts by Trump, Musk
By Joel Mathis, The Week US Published
-
Trump pauses military aid to Ukraine after public spat
Speed Read Trump and J.D. Vance berated Volodymyr Zelenskyy for what they saw as insufficient gratitude
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Trump's Mexico and Canada tariffs begin, roiling markets
Speed Read Stocks plunged after Trump affirmed that the tariffs would take effect, sparking a likely trade war
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published