EBAS - Legislative Branch (Term Limits)

A government class is learning about U.S. congressional elections and the lawmaking process. The compelling question is this :

Should there be U.S. congressional term limits?

The student has found the following sources. Use the sources to answer the questions that follow.

Background Information

Some government officials are limited in the number of terms, or length of time, that they may serve in an elected role. The president is limited to two terms in office (of four years each). However, members of Congress (the House of Representatives and the Senate) have no term limits. Fifteen states place term limits on legislative officeholders at the state level. For example, Michigan legislators cannot serve more than 6 years in the House or 8 years in the Senate. This has led to a debate over whether term limits would be appropriate at the federal level.

Which statement would the author of Source A most likely support?

What may have influenced the author of Source B's opinion regarding term limits?

Read the claim. 

Claim: Members of Congress should be allowed to serve as long as they are elected.

Which piece of information from Source C supports this claim?

Which source would best support an argument “For Term Limits” from Source D?

Which statement from Source C best corroborates the main argument made in Source A?

Assume that the information provided in the sources is credible. Complete the following extended-response question:

Should there be U.S. congressional term limits?

• A claim in response to the question.
• Cited evidence from the provided sources to support your claim.
• Use of corroboration, contextualization and synthesis
• Use of your knowledge of government