When Do Lawmakers Say When?

Press Release

When Do Lawmakers Say When?

Rasoul Makes Term Limits An Issue, Vowing A 10-Year Cap

By Jeff Mellott

This week, Democratic candidate Sam Rasoul vowed to serve no more than 10 years in Congress if elected to the seat now held by Rep. Bob Goodlatte, R-Roanoke, who is seeking his ninth two-year term as the 6th District's representative.

Rasoul's pledge is similar to one Goodlatte made when he first ran for the seat in 1992. But, in subsequent years the nationwide movement toward limiting how long lawmakers could serve waned, and, in 2002, Goodlatte said that he also had changed his mind.

Rasoul, however, is resurrecting term limits as a campaign issue, arguing that they are important because they would lessen the influence of special interests on Congress.

Increasing Or Decreasing Influence?

The system today gives members of Congress with seniority too much power in the lawmaking process, Rasoul argues. Meanwhile, it also creates an atmosphere where lobbyists have special access through their longtime relationships with lawmakers.

The power, he said, should be rotated, and those who reach the end of their "term limit" could always seek other offices.

"It becomes very difficult to pull them out of power," Rasoul said. "That holds us back as a nation."

But term limits alone would not resolve the influence of special interests, Rasoul said.

"It's got to be part of a comprehensive package if you want to see real lasting systemic reforms," he said. Those reforms, he added, must include overhauling campaign finance laws and restricting the ability to fund pet projects through a system of budget earmarks.

Taking the opposing view is Rockingham County Republican Chairman Mike Meredith, who argues that term limits will do nothing to reduce the influence of lobbyists.

Meredith, who says he's always opposed term limits, said lobbyists are strengthened, not weakened, when lawmakers are restricted in how long they can serve.

In such a system, it's the lobbyists who stay in place while those elected to serve the public are replaced, he said.

Still, Rockingham County Democratic Chairman Dan Breeden says limits remain a good idea.

Breeden noted that former Rep. Jim Olin, D-Roanoke, lived up to his promise to serve only 10 years. Olin, Breeden said, served the district well, even with the self-imposed limit.

"I don't think it's going to hurt the district that someone is going to serve 10 years," he said of Rasoul's self-imposed term limits. "The important thing about it is doing what you say."

‘Contract'

Attempts to reach Goodlatte for comment were unsuccessful. But, in explaining his position in 2002, Goodlatte said he continued to support term limits as long as everyone in Congress abided by them.

Indeed, Goodlatte signed on to the Republican legislative package called the "Contract With America," which formed the basis of the GOP's successful bid to take control of the House in 1994.

The House agreed to a measure that would have limited length of service to 12 years, but it died in the Senate.

Goodlatte, who is now the ranking Republican on the House Agriculture Committee, discounted criticism of his decision not to step down after 12 years in office.

"As you go through the process, it's perfectly appropriate to change your mind," he said in 2002. "I'm sure the Democrats will try to make an issue of it."

Do Voters Care?

As far as Goodlatte's other challenger in the race is concerned, independent Janice Lee Allen of Bridgewater said there are far more pressing matters than term limits on the minds of voters.

"The average American could care less about term limits at this juncture in time," said Allen, who nevertheless pledged to limit herself to four terms in Congress if elected. "They are concerned about housing, food, gas and not losing money in the stock market."

She said it would be a mistake to limit the service of a lawmaker who can effectively deal with the nation's many pressing problems.

"This nation is starving for a leader," Allen said. "One who has the vision, foresight and answers to the needs of this nation. I would not place term limits on a congressperson who possesses those attributes. That person is a doer, a rarity."

Congressional Forum Set For Oct. 9

The three 6th District candidates for Congress have agreed to meet in a forum sponsored by WSVA Radio on Oct. 9.

The forum, to be held from 10 a.m. until noon, will be broadcast live on 550 AM as part of a regularly scheduled program.

The forum's location in Harrisonburg has not been determined.

Rep. Bob Goodlatte, R-Roanoke, is seeking a ninth two-year term. Democrat Sam Rasoul of Blue Ridge and independent Janice Lee Allen of Bridgewater are the challengers.

The district extends from Shenandoah and Rockingham counties to Roanoke and Lynchburg.

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