Rep. Chip Roy Proposes Pay Cut and Power Restrictions for Long-Serving Congress Members

Republican Representative Chip Roy from Texas has introduced a proposal aimed at limiting the influence of lawmakers in Congress who have served for 12 or more years. The plan involves cutting off salary and leadership privileges for long-serving members in both the House and Senate.

The proposal specifies that any Member of Congress, whether in the House of Representatives or Senate, who reaches 12 cumulative years of service, would lose eligibility for certain benefits. These members would not receive pay or be allowed to hold leadership roles or positions such as chair or ranking member of committees.

“For too long, Washington has rewarded longevity with greater power, higher pay, and deeper entrenchment,” Roy stated in a press release. “If members of Congress want to serve beyond 12 years without a constitutional amendment limiting them, they should do so without taxpayer-funded salaries and without monopolizing committee chairs and leadership positions.”

Roy, who has been in the House since 2019, emphasized the need for public service to focus on serving the people rather than being a prolonged career in politics. This statement follows his recent loss to State Senator Mayes Middleton in the Texas attorney general Republican primary runoff.

The restrictions in Roy’s proposal would become a part of congressional rules under the rulemaking powers of both legislative chambers. While recognizing each House’s constitutional right to change their rules, the proposal indicates these measures would apply starting from the 121st Congress in early 2029.

The U.S. Constitution allows each House to determine its procedural rules. It also states that “The Senators and Representatives shall receive a Compensation for their Services,” an aspect addressed by law and funded by the Treasury.