Poll: 80% of Americans Back Age Caps and Term Limits for Congress
"The poll reflects a bipartisan consensus for age and term limits, though neither policy is under serious consideration in Congress."
A recent NPR/PBS News/Marist poll has revealed that approximately 80% of Americans support both age caps and term limits for members of Congress. The survey, which polled 1,322 respondents from April 27 to April 30, carries a margin of error of +/- 3.1 percentage points.
Support by Party
Democrats:
- 78% supported both age caps and term limits.
Republicans:
- 83% supported maximum age limits.
- Nearly 90% of Republicans supported term limits.
Generational Differences
The poll found minimal differences across age groups, with older voters just as likely as younger voters to support these measures.
- Gen X (ages late 40s to early 60s) showed the highest levels of support.
- No significant generational divide was detected.
Context: An Aging Congress
The current Congress is the third oldest in U.S. history.
- Median age in the House: 58
- Median age in the Senate: 65
- Five members have died since March 2024, all aged 65 or older.
Despite this broad, bipartisan consensus, neither age caps nor term limits are under serious consideration in Congress.