There is a powerful, undeniable consensus sweeping across the United States: Americans are ready to structural reform how Washington works.
According to the latest NPR/PBS News/Marist Poll, an overwhelming majority of national adults are demanding both constitutional term limits and maximum age limits for members of the United States House of Representatives and Senate. In an era often defined by political division, the desire to bring fresh faces and new perspectives to Capitol Hill has united citizens across every demographic and political boundary.
Overwhelming Bipartisan Support for Congressional Term Limits
The momentum for rotation in office has never been clearer. The Marist Poll reveals that 83% of national adults support or strongly support term limits for members of Congress, putting a definitive cap on the number of times they can run for office. Only 17% of respondents expressed opposition.
What makes these findings so profound is that support for term limits completely transcends the traditional partisan divide. It is not a Republican issue or a Democratic issue—it is an American issue.
Term Limits Support by Party Identification
The desire to end the era of permanent career politicians is shared universally across the political spectrum:
| Party Identification | Support / Strongly Support | Oppose / Strongly Oppose | Unsure |
| Democrats | 78% | 22% | 0% |
| Republicans | 89% | 10% | 0% |
| Independents | 84% | 16% | 0% |
(Source: NPR/PBS News/Marist Poll Cross-Tabulations)
Whether looking at grassroots voters or independent moderns, the mandate is clear: the American electorate wants a legislative branch that answers to the people, not to seniority.
Americans Draw the Line on Aging Leaders: The Call for Age Limits
While the U.S. Constitution sets a mandatory minimum age requirement to serve in Congress (25 for the House, 30 for the Senate), it remains completely silent on a maximum age limit. The American public believes it is time to change that.
Mirroring the exact intensity of the term limits movement, 80% of Americans support or strongly support setting a maximum age limit for congressional candidates. Just 20% oppose the measure.
Just like term limits, this reform is heavily backed by a multi-partisan coalition:
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- 78% of Democrats favor implementing an age cap.
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- 83% of Republicans agree it is a necessary restriction.
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- 79% of Independents strongly back the change.
The Takeaway: The American people recognize that navigating the complex, rapidly evolving challenges of the 21st century requires a governing body that is energetic, forward-looking, and closely connected to the modern workforce.
The Mandate for Reform
The data from this comprehensive national survey—which carries a margin of error of just 3.1 percentage points—presents an undeniable reality. The American public is tired of gridlock, tired of political careerism, and deeply invested in restoring the citizen-legislature envisioned by our nation’s founders.
At U.S. Term Limits, we hear this message loud and clear. It’s time for Congress to listen to the 83%+ of Americans who are demanding a more accountable, dynamic, and truly representative government. Let’s pass term limits and return power back to the people!
About the Poll: This NPR/PBS News/Marist Poll surveyed 1,322 national adults between April 27th and April 30th, 2026, utilizing a multi-mode design including live phone interviews, text, and online responses.
