A Republican candidate in the U.S. Senate race argues there are too many career politicians in Washington D.C. and federal lawmakers should impose term limits for future members.
Former Congressman Mark Neumann says he wants to see federal legislation passed that would limit elected officials to serving 12 years in a single office. Neumann says he believes term limits are needed because “our founding fathers did not intend for this nation to be run by career politicians.”
Neumann, who served two terms in the U.S. House, says term limits would allow people with new ideas to take office. He points to Senator Ron Johnson (R-WI), who had little political experience before running for office in 2010, as an example of how someone outside of the established political structure can bring a new perspective.
Most of Wisconsin’s current Congressional delegation has been in office for more than 12 years. Neumann says he is open to grandfathering in existing members, even if he thinks it may be best for them to step aside. He notes that his proposal would not prevent them from running for a different office, such as moving from the U.S. House to the Senate.
Neumann on Monday also announced a proposal that would require retired members of Congress who go on to work for lobbying firms or special interests to forfeit their federal pensions and benefits. Neumann says taxpayers should not have to supplement the incomes of those making millions of dollars trying to influence the government.
Neumann is running in a four-way primary for the GOP Senate nomination.
AUDIO: Andrew Beckett reports (1:09)
