This page has been archived and commenting is disabled.
79 Members Of Congress Have Been In Office For At Least 20 Years
Submitted by Michael Snyder via The End of The American Dream blog,
No wonder Washington never changes – 79 members of Congress have been there since Bill Clinton’s first term in the White House. This list includes names such as Reid, Feinstein, McConnell, McCain, Pelosi, Boehner, Rangel and Boxer.
In this article, I am going to share with you a complete list of the members of Congress that have been “serving” us for at least 20 years. They believe that they are “serving” us well, but without a doubt most Americans very much wish that true “change” would come to Washington. In fact, right now Congress has a 15 percent approval rating with the American people, and that approval rating has been consistently below 20 percent since mid-2011. So of course we took advantage of the 2014 mid-term election to dump as many of those Congress critters out of office as we possibly could, right? Wrong. Sadly, incumbents were re-elected at a 95 percent rate in 2014. This just shows how broken and how corrupt our system has become. The American people absolutely hate the job that Congress is doing, and yet the same clowns just keep getting sent back to Washington again and again.
Our founders never intended for service in Congress to become a career, but that is precisely what it has become for many of our “public servants”. As of this moment, there are 79 members of Congress that have been in office for at least 20 years, and there are 16 members of Congress that have been in office for at least 30 years.
No wonder so many Americans are advocating term limits these days. When there are dozens of members of Congress that know that they are going to be sent back to Washington over and over again no matter how the American people feel about things, that can cause them to become extremely callous toward the will of the people. Instead, often these politicians become increasingly responsive to the needs of their big donors, because it takes big money to win campaign after campaign. I am sure that if George Washington, John Adams and Thomas Jefferson were running around today, they would be absolutely disgusted by how our system has evolved.
The following is a list from rollcall.com of the Republicans in the U.S. Senate that have served for at least 20 years and the dates when they first took office…
- Orrin G. Hatch, Utah Jan. 4, 1977
- Thad Cochran, Miss. Dec. 27, 1978
- Charles E. Grassley, Iowa Jan. 5, 1981
- Mitch McConnell, Ky. Jan. 3, 1985
- Richard C. Shelby, Ala. Jan. 6, 1987
- John McCain, Ariz. Jan. 6, 1987
- James M. Inhofe, Okla. Nov. 30, 1994
The following is a list from rollcall.com of the Democrats in the U.S. Senate that have served for at least 20 years and the dates when they first took office…
- Patrick J. Leahy, Vt. Jan. 14, 1975
- Barbara A. Mikulski, Md. Jan. 6, 1987
- Harry Reid, Nev. Jan. 6, 1987
- Dianne Feinstein, Calif. Nov. 4, 1992
- Barbara Boxer, Calif. Jan. 5, 1993
- Patty Murray, Wash. Jan. 5, 1993
The following is a list from rollcall.com of the Republicans in the U.S. House of Representatives that have served for at least 20 years and the dates when they first took office…
- Don Young, Alaska March 6, 1973
- Jim Sensenbrenner, Wis. Jan. 15, 1979
- Harold Rogers, Ky. Jan. 5, 1981
- Christopher H. Smith, N.J. Jan. 5, 1981
- Joe L. Barton, Texas Jan. 3, 1985
- Lamar Smith, Texas Jan. 6, 1987
- Fred Upton, Mich. Jan. 6, 1987
- John J. Duncan Jr., Tenn. Nov. 8, 1988
- Dana Rohrabacher, Calif. Jan. 3, 1989
- Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, Fla. Aug. 29, 1989
- John A. Boehner, Ohio Jan. 3, 1991
- Sam Johnson, Texas May 18, 1991
- Ken Calvert, Calif. Jan. 5, 1993
- Robert W. Goodlatte, Va. Jan. 5, 1993
- Peter T. King, N.Y. Jan. 5, 1993
- John L. Mica, Fla. Jan. 5, 1993
- Ed Royce, Calif. Jan. 5, 1993
- Frank D. Lucas, Okla. May 10, 1994
- Rodney Frelinghuysen, N.J. Jan. 4, 1995
- Walter B. Jones, N.C. Jan. 4, 1995
- Frank A. LoBiondo, N.J. Jan. 4, 1995
- Mac Thornberry, Texas Jan. 4, 1995
- Edward Whitfield, Ky. Jan. 4, 1995
The following is a list from rollcall.com of the Democrats in the U.S. House of Representatives that have served for at least 20 years and the dates when they first took office…
- John Conyers Jr., Mich. Jan. 4, 1965
- Charles B. Rangel, N.Y. Jan. 21, 1971
- Steny H. Hoyer, Md. May 19, 1981
- Marcy Kaptur, Ohio Jan. 3, 1983
- Sander M. Levin, Mich. Jan. 3, 1983
- Peter J. Visclosky, Ind. Jan. 3, 1985
- Peter A. DeFazio, Ore. Jan. 6, 1987
- John Lewis, Ga. Jan. 6, 1987
- Louise M. Slaughter, N.Y. Jan. 6, 1987
- Nancy Pelosi, Calif. June 2, 1987
- Frank Pallone Jr., N.J. Nov. 8, 1988
- Eliot L. Engel, N.Y. Jan. 3, 1989
- Nita M. Lowey, N.Y. Jan. 3, 1989
- Jim McDermott, Wash. Jan. 3, 1989
- Richard E. Neal, Mass. Jan. 3, 1989
- José E. Serrano, N.Y. March 20, 1990
- David E. Price, N.C. Jan. 7, 1997 Also served 1987-95
- Rosa DeLauro, Conn. Jan. 3, 1991
- Collin C. Peterson, Minn. Jan. 3, 1991
- Maxine Waters, Calif. Jan. 3, 1991
- Jerrold Nadler, N.Y. Nov. 3, 1992
- Jim Cooper, Tenn. Jan. 7, 2003 Also served 1983-95
- Xavier Becerra, Calif. Jan. 5, 1993
- Sanford D. Bishop Jr., Ga. Jan. 5, 1993
- Corrine Brown, Fla. Jan. 5, 1993
- James E. Clyburn, S.C. Jan. 5, 1993
- Anna G. Eshoo, Calif. Jan. 5, 1993
- Gene Green, Texas Jan. 5, 1993
- Luis V. Gutierrez, Ill. Jan. 5, 1993
- Alcee L. Hastings, Fla. Jan. 5, 1993
- Eddie Bernice Johnson, Texas Jan. 5, 1993
- Carolyn B. Maloney, N.Y. Jan. 5, 1993
- Lucille Roybal-Allard, Calif. Jan. 5, 1993
- Bobby L. Rush, Ill. Jan. 5, 1993
- Robert C. Scott, Va. Jan. 5, 1993
- Nydia M. Velázquez, N.Y. Jan. 5, 1993
- Bennie Thompson, Miss. April 13, 1993
- Sam Farr, Calif. June 8, 1993
- Lloyd Doggett, Texas Jan. 4, 1995
- Mike Doyle, Pa. Jan. 4, 1995
- Chaka Fattah, Pa. Jan. 4, 1995
- Sheila Jackson Lee, Texas Jan. 4, 1995
- Zoe Lofgren, Calif. Jan. 4, 1995
As you looked over those lists, you probably noticed that they contain many of the members of Congress that Americans complain about the most.
Unfortunately, because the vast majority of these individuals come from states or congressional districts that are basically a lock to vote a certain way, there is very little hope of ever removing them. That means that most of these Congress critters are going to get to keep coming back for as long as they want.
No matter which political party you prefer, this should greatly disturb you.
Our founders certainly never intended for a permanent class of elitists to rule over us.
But that is what we have.
We are supposed to have a government of the people, by the people and for the people, but instead we have a government of the elite, by the elite and for the elite. Most people do not realize this, but today most members of Congress are actually millionaires. The disconnect between members of Congress and average Americans has never been greater than it is right now, and I think that is a very troubling sign for the future of this nation.
So is there a solution to this problem?
- 12491 reads
- Printer-friendly version
- Send to friend
- advertisements -


Time to throw the bums out.
https://youtu.be/qBR0oNp9A7c
Who's more hated? Who does more damage? Who commits more crimes? Who creates the money as debt with interest out of nothing and gets to foreclose on houses by way of the scam? And gets us to bail them after? With its implant the Fed? Which the government has no say in what it does?
https://youtu.be/llbzUyv1CLU
Billy Mack
was a detective down in Texas
You kno he knows just exactly
What the facts is
He ain't gonna let those 2 escape justice...
HE MAKE HIS LIVING OFF OF THE PEOPLES TAXES...
~~~
Go on... TAKE THE MONEY & RUN!
well, with voting being legit....i guess the machines show us who we want....fucking dumb ass sheep...im married to 1 who knows but just doesnt want to let go of her dreams....me...i save the gas...
Term limits (2? 3?) and limits on election expenditure.
You can't have professional members of the Free Shit Army (welfare, disability) have voting rights. There is too much of a conflict of interest there.
I hoping these voting rights will be more thoughtfully distributed after the coming Revolution.
I can think of a sure fire more thoughtfull distribution of voting rights, but I'll likely be arrested if suggested;0
My last pay check was $9500 working 12 hours a week online. My sisters friend has been averaging 15k for months now and she works about 20 hours a week. I can't believe how easy it was once I tried it out. This is what I do... www.jobs-review.com
Diebold had help.
Term limits needed for Congress.
Congressman Hank Johnson
Rep. Hank Johnson said he feared that stationing 8,000 Marines on Guam would cause the island to "become so overly populated that it will tip over and capsize."
5 years later and he is still in office.
Pretty much everyone used to laugh at me when I said if voting made a difference it would be illegal. Now? Most to be sure, but an increaing number have seen the truth.
nothing like a career elite plutocrat for massive incompetence, makes the corporatocray look valid or real ? nothing is for sale in DC or your state capital thats for sure !
John Conyers Jr., Mich. Jan. 4, 1965
This must be a typo. If not then we should seriously think of hiring some young butty to have sex with them so they die from a heart attack. Money well spent.
John McPain's date is missing a 'BC' next to it.
He was a rep before he acquired his Senate Lordship.
https://vimeo.com/63904433
For Mitch McConnell and his Dragon Lady.
The war on drugs has been successful for the politician.
The more military bases with landing strips, the more successful they are.
Too bad Rand Paul openly endorsed and campaigned for that miserable phuck.
A short rope, a long drop, and a sharp kick.
Yup. You're the man.
The Gunpowder Plot was a more efficient plan.
Corruption pays...very well! I am sure that there are some folks who really represent the people but they don't work in Congress.
War profiteering bank stooges. Did I call it or what?
Jay: [after he and Silent Bob join a gang and the Golgothan poop monster is heading towards them] Smoke that motherfucker like it aint no thang! - Dogma
In them we place our continuing trust.
I had a friend who was a lobbyist for several years in DC. He would come home for a few weeks and then go back. One time he stayed home for a bit longer and I asked him if he was finished there and he said yes. I asked him why he stopped and he got this far away look in his eyes and said, "They need a hanging, every last one of them."
Thank you, thank you, thank you for pointing out why it's so important to vote out incumbents in every primary, and to vote for the least-finaced representative of your choice. It will eliminate the build-up of these power bases, quickly!
An informed citizenry is the safeguard against this shit. These bastards don't elect themselves......
One wouldn't even have to be necessarily informed...common sense (jmo) dictates that incumbents shouldn't be. Even if some good ones bit the dirt, that would be a small minority.
What does this say about the "citezenry"? Rhetorical question.
Well they certainly do their best to keep everyone un-informed, no dobt about that...lol.
So with that said, here's a bit of marketing nonsense from "our brothers" across the pond...
"In doing so, we'll be exploring some of the key themes of Magna Carta, the rights of subjects, (Edit: He said with a straight face...lol) the limits on the power of monarchy, and the meaning of the rule of law."
The Rule of Law!...surely some of the brightest judicial minds from all of Britannia will preside over this mock affair of "law", the subjugation of the people and the power of a monarch ruling at will by fiat!
Yes?
"The trial will be judged by Lord Neuberger, President of the UK Supreme Court (allegiance to the queen); Dame Sian Elisa, Chief justice of New Zealand (a vassal state of the queen) and the Hon. Stephen Breyer, Associate Justice of the US Supreme Court (an aspirant to the court of kings & queens)."
ROTFL!!!...hamburgers, hotdogs & fish-n-chips to all ;-)
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/culturenews/11610060/Treason-Magna-Carta-barons-face-trial-800-years-on.html
I wrote an E-mail to my local congressman that simply said "YOU FUCKER".
Last time I wrote mine a few months ago, it was about foreign aid. Congressman Meadows of NC. His staff's reply was about abortion. I let them have it and wrote that the Congressman's Chief of Staff needs to clean up such incompetence. I got a phone call from his office apologizing. Otherwise, Congressman Meadows was one of the few that voted to remove Boehner as Speaker, and he's voted against Boehner on budgetary issues as well.
The problem is not the criminals in DC- they do what they are supposed to do - lie, cheat and steal - that is their M.O.
The probem is Americans are morons. They should collectively walk in the closet of their bedrooms and close the door and blow out their brains in the interest of advancing Civilization !
congress should have term limits ... 2 years.
You willfully deliver yourselves up to your masters, continually enable them to enslave you by every means, refuse to accept any responsibility for the outcome, yet marvel that you are 'victimized'........
Throw the bums out? Good luck. You aren't allowed to. You think you have "elections?"
Wake. Up.
It's rigged. It's all rigged. There are no elections.
I'm as mad as hell, and I'm not going to take this anymore!
Don't be silly Arthur......
After I talk to all my relatives, my friends, and my neighbors, and have talked about why we should be mad as hell and we shouldn't take this anymore, I'll come back here and we will discuss silliness.
Congress having a low approval rating is actually a good thing. If people in San Fransisco approved of my congress critter that would mean I would hate where I live. But where Nancy Pelosi is they seem to like the job she's doing.
I tend to correlate Nancy Pelosi with heaving after too many beers.
Please stop posting her name. Thank you.
Q: How can you tell if Nancy Pelosi will be tight-lipped about a hot button issue?
A: Because she will also be tight-foreheaded and tight-eyelided!
After being elected the new House minority leader, Nancy Pelosi was smiling from ear to ear which is pretty impressive considering how far her ears have been pulled back.
If Nancy Pelosi and Barbara Boxer were on a sinking ship, who would be saved? Middle class Americans!
Term limits are anti-freedom
Seems to me it’s the people’s that reelects incumbents.
As long as the establishment decides who's on the ballot, term limits are one of those "feel good" do-nothing laws that are important to the human cattle.
Electronic voting cannot be trusted. The only real solution is term limits, as there will be no "establishment".
All Yooz are jealous 'cause Senile McStain's a Fucking War HERO.
Many of the black congressional caucas are on the list. They do represent their constitutents. For instance:
The only Federal Judge to be impeached, yet his peeps love this Marion Barry of the House.
correction: Impeached and convicted. BJ Clinton was impeached, but not convicted.
15% approval rating and all re-elected...wait, could TV be lying to me about "free elections?"
And yet morons continue to file into voting booths on [s]election day.
Low voter turnout, maybe 30 percent even during general elections. The party primaries is where the action is at. And with 15% or less particpating on average, that is why the worst are reelected time after time. McConnell had a decent party challenge, but turnout was so 'who gives a fuck,' that that filthy corrupt GOProg made it easily in the primary and beat the DemPerv Alison Grimes in the general election.
Too bad Rand Paul supported McConnell. I think Paul has been punked out by the Party, and I'm pretty suspcious of him now.
If he fillibusters the Freedom Act, I may change my opinion of him.Otherwise hes totally
sold out to the dark side.
The Progressive Core needs to go.
Mitch McConnell and the Chinese`Connection directly into Obama's Lap!?!
http://www.opensecrets.org/politicians/summary.php?cid=N00003389
The solution is for idiotic Americans to stop voting period.
And they, along with Obama are responsible for destroying America. No blame go beyond this.
No, the people behind these are to blame.
But my clown's not a clown!
Congress and the Presidential candidates should be allocated so-much[MAX.$] for election campaigning 'strickly, under the sole authority', of the US Gov't Election Cmte.
No moar buying elections,... Period!
http://www.opensecrets.org/politicians/index.php
Note: Nav. Bar : Summary-- plug in Candidate and PAC totals combined contributions
96 percent incumbent re election rate and single digit congressional approvals through 4 administrations of both persuasions.
Obviously, the polls are rigged.
I've never voted for the incumbent - I always go for the "change" candidate
And you got Obama...
Just run the elections like referendums. No opposing candidates on the ballet, simple yes or no. If the majority votes no, then you go through the selection process again and same voting process until you get a yes.
It removes most of the diversionary tactics used by all political parties when done in this manner. Forces the voters to focus on the candidate and only the candidate. Even the most short attention spanned of the voting populace can focus on a single thing.
Remember this denial is not just a river in Egypt, the people that vote these clowns in over and over have the it is bad everywhere but my backyard syndrome unless they are personally suffering. It is a knock on their ego and admitting of weakness if they change. People have been carefully programmed to believe this. This is why nothing changes because people have been emotionally conquered and controlled by propaganda (of all forms).
Y'all bitchez still vote???
Jerrymandering should be abolished. Citizens United can get a referendum on the 2016 ballot for the entire country to vote on
The 10 year census is a fucking rigged joke. Redistricting is a neo-plutocratic fickle`canard?
Arrest them. Try them for treason. Exile them to Somalia.
"Fool me once...shame on...them.... Fool me twice...shame on... uh... YOU..... Fool me thrice... shame on... uh... Fuck it...Let`s bomb Texas!"
Jeddediah Arbusto
Bushmaster
Chairman of The Senate Committee on Armed Services and Member of The Senate Committee of Homeland Security . . . . Now as the BIGGEST single loose cannon in Vichy DC with the biggest vested interest . Like Leonard Zelig the human chameleon in the woody allen film Zelig showing up in half a dozen countries as someone else.
With Al Nusrah on the Turkish border and to squeeze Uncle Bulgaria re pipeline transit etc etc
He's doing the bidding for MIC/Cabal and is Vlad's biggest critic. Losing the battle he's a wounded animal and should be pastured out before long with Kerry & Cookie Nuland in Moscow.
JOHN McCAIN
P.S I would arrest Nuland for War Crimes , Mr Putin
Why you no vote for Jeff Johnson? He's the name you know!
Who is Jeff Johnson?
"The American people absolutely hate the job that Congress is doing, and yet the same clowns just keep getting sent back to Washington again and again."
There is nothing stopping anyone from voting against their incumbent.
I never vote for someone just because they spent more money than someone else.
But you might vote for them if their money pays for a message that resonates with you - even though the candidate will renounce such message as 'just politics' once they take office.
Pulp Fiction - Brett death scene.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eg8-dii9Ma0 (2:20)
The author nor any comments draw connection to 17th amendment. The founding fathers never intended Senate to be popularly elected. Only the house is supposed to be populist.
So there is your answer. Repeal 17th. Restore State sovereignty and hence reassert Federalism.
All of Progressive era reforms such as 16,17, federal reserve act, IRS are against spirit of constituton. Of course if one digs we find the usual suspects. Our Zionist Jewish banking friends who maneuvered the election of 1912 in order to gain money power control of US and to start World wars.
Defund the illuminists
Sovereignmoney.EU
The only way these voters will ever stop voting for these people is if the stupid repeat voters die. No, wait. That doesn't work anymore, either!
"No wonder so many Americans are"....considered apathetic.
Finally a simple article showing the reality that is.... considered leadership in this country, often referred to as the new normal. With thousands more career politicians filtered into 'the rest of system called government be it local/state/or federal' from judges, to mayor of Chicago, to governors, Secretary of State...bla, bla, bla.
The elections are consistently fraudulent, whether you can admit it, or not. How rediculous can these election be, I realized this years ago, while watching the latter years of Strom Thurman, or Byrd, absolutely disgusting.
I was actually thrilled the day Kucinich got out of the way, even tho I agreed with over 80% of his political positions.
Give the kids a shot at it, it is a proven fact that all the experienced in Washington DC have done EVERYTHING to reduce the red, white, and blue flag to stand for death, greed, & domination.
The author of the article concludes and asks for a solution, simple solution~~~stop all the seniority based preferences, and any state that sends the same representative/senator for more than 8 years should be cut off, as if they sent NO representative at all, and that should include their corrupted children that follow in 'Daddy's footsteps'.
wwxx
The 'experienced in Washington DC' were for the most part 'kids' when they entered service. Look what these 'kids' have done to our country.
It is not a matter of 'kids' v older folks - it is a matter of getting money out of politics and preventing career politicians.
Ok, Victor999 your point is taken about the bought off politicians and the longevity of it.
However I respectfully disagree about the "'kids' v older folks", I would rather cast my vote anyday, in support of someone that is 18 yrs. old~~verses anyone of the baby boomer generation, or ANYONE of the generation before that, my FULL contempt is for those 2 generations specifically and what they by and large have stood for, demanded, taught, & devised unto this very day.
We are living the new normal because of these leaders, the lists of names and longevity within the article, only confirms my utter disappointment of their leadership. To read these names, I am only saddened, and to be blunt, these names are the Fathers and Mothers of why this country was sold out, given away for the sake of death, greed, and domination.
It is quite obvious to all, that these 2 graying generations absolutely refuse to lead with courage, or common sense, truth becomes absent as they gleefully sting with guilt & deception. There is no judgement within these 2 generations, so I therefore would rather support any kid, that will make mistakes, but also might have the inclination to do something right about it.
I believe the baby boomer generation is now empowered, their well known mantra {BE AFRAID, BE VERY AFRAID} causes my nausea of an additional 25 or more years of the same old crap~~~ (that we have endured during the last 45 years)~~~ is simply pointless, get out of the way, let a kid have a shot at it!
Trust a kid to do things as best they can, and quite possibly much different than the old timers direction.
wwxx
"So is there a solution to this problem?"
NO.
Some simple changes would make a world of difference, which means they'll never happen:
1. If you work in the public sector, you can't vote.
2. If you work for a company whose primary revenue comes from government contracts, you can't vote.
3. If you receive one dollar of welfare relief one year before the election, you can't vote.
4. You must be a legal resident of the country for 5 years before voting and must present proof of this at the ballot box.
5. All voting must be handled by written ballot - subject to recount by an independent party.
We also need to recognize the corruption inherent in the two party system. Until the Red/Blue Team bullshit ends, we'll never have real reform.
The Congressional Black Caucus has a lock on being elected for life.
Repeal the Civil Rights Act would be a good first step in changing Congress.
Jaded Helmet time!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LWdxezzDHKo
With the Empire of Chao$ looking more tattered by the day, Pox Amerikana infesting every nook and cranny of the collapsing "Homeland", Merca's ruling cla$$ have no class left as the geriatric gone-to-seed farts implode one after the other.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Xz88K9YJOE
Just get a Chris Kyle wannabee to get rid of the lot of them,
I bet 3/4 of Americans don't even know what congress does. The approval rating is so low in part because Barry has told them so.
Not that I'm standing up for those parasitic leaches. They should all be fired, or possibly hung...in some cases.
The court has ruled term limits unconstitutional. Supposedly, term limits infringe on the public's right to vote for these guys. Uruguay has an interesting way of preventing politicians from becoming careerists. After serving a term (or two) they must leave office. After sitting out a term, they can run again, but without the advantage of incumbency.
TERM LIMITS!!! Thus NO retirements that really are entitlements. Hourly work,(no work no pay filibusters included), no paid vacations. Modest temporary housing allowed. The same health care we all have to have. Hard temporary work. This would end many problems.
In the voters view the problem with Congress rarely rests with the individual that they elected to represent their congressional district or their state; it is with the other 99 Senators or 434 Representatives that do not represent their district or state.
Its a big club, and its real cozy in there.
Some of these fucks seem to be living FOREVER. Just imagine if transhumanism becomes reality. Hope we had cleared the house of the criminals first.
Hey, if it ain't broke....
Three simple words:
Campaign Finance Reform.
Unfortunately, given the nature of your current Supremes, it will take a constitutional amendment. Good luck with that.
You are right on the money Frank. You could also put an end to a lot of this by killing the 501(c)3, 501(c)4 provisions in the IRC as well as any other "non-profit" loop holes.