Pillar 05
Trust Requires Turnover
No Senator or Representative should serve more than two consecutive terms unbroken. If you want to come back later — win again. But no one gets to camp in power. We believe in public service, not permanent incumbency.
Core Proposal
No Senator or Representative may serve more than two consecutive terms in the same office without a full term break.
Companion Reforms
5-year waiting period for all former members of Congress before lobbying federal agencies or holding paid political influence roles.
Cycle resets after each two-term exit; individuals leaving Congress cannot accept PAC or campaign donations for at least one year.
Candidates opting into public campaign funding receive bonus matching for rejecting corporate PACs.
Political Positioning
Reduces unpredictability caused by policy capture; opens channels for civic entrepreneurs.
Resets the cost of influence; ensures donors don't have to endlessly up the ante.
Rebuilds faith in institutions by demonstrating humility, rotation, and fairness.
Cultural Reframing
"Public service isn't a career, it's a contribution."
"We honor experience, not incumbency."
"If you're great, come back — but leave the seat better than you found it."
Frequently Asked Questions
No. After a term break, they can run again. This ensures fresh perspective without losing institutional knowledge entirely.
They can come back after a break. Excellence should be proven again, not assumed permanently.
No — the 5-year cooling-off period prevents revolving door corruption. Term limits reduce long-term capture.
Yes — it would require a constitutional amendment, which has broad public support across party lines.
Pillar 5 unlocks the structural trust mechanisms needed to support all other reforms — from taxation and healthcare to immigration and education.
It rebalances power and gives the public regular chances to reset the system without burning it down.
Serve two. Step out. Come back stronger.