The Citizen Representation Amendment

Part of the Term Limits Without Limits Framework

The Citizen Representation Amendment is a constitutional reform designed to restore accountability, fairness, and integrity in American governance. It bridges the long-standing debate over term limits by offering a balanced, middle-ground approach: one that maintains public trust and accountability while allowing capable leaders to continue serving if the people choose.

By implementing tailored term limits across the legislative branch, this amendment prioritizes public service over careerism, encourages fresh perspectives, and preserves institutional stability where it matters most.

Inspired by the selflessness of George Washington, who voluntarily relinquished power for the sake of the nation’s future, this amendment ensures leadership turnover that fosters innovation, accountability, and progress.

A Test of Self-Governance: Defining Political Careers

As part of the Roundtable Revolution’s commitment to empowering the American people, this amendment serves as a cornerstone of self-governance. The newly elected officials will engage in their first collective act of leadership by determining the structure of political careers within their ranks.

This process reflects the movement’s core values of accountability, collaboration, and trust in the American people’s chosen representatives. It also ensures that the framework for governance is crafted with care, reflecting both the will of the people and the unique responsibilities of public service.

The Two Choices for Governance

Newly elected officials will choose between two proposed frameworks for term limits and accountability:

        1.        Fixed Term Limits with Mandatory Breaks

        •        Representatives will serve a maximum of three consecutive terms for the House or two for the Senate before stepping down for at least one election cycle.

        •        After completing the mandatory break, officials can run again, providing an opportunity for renewed service.

        2.        Extendable Terms with Confidence Votes

        •        Representatives can serve additional terms beyond the initial limit if they pass a confidence vote from the public during their final eligible term.

The Mandatory Break: A Time to Reflect and Regroup

The mandatory break is not just about stepping away—it’s about resetting priorities and refocusing on public service. This break allows leaders to:

        •        Reflect on their time in office and identify areas for growth.

        •        Listen to the voices of their constituents and gain a clearer understanding of their needs.

        •        Regroup and strategize on how to better serve the nation if they choose to return to public office.

The Basketball Analogy Behind the Mandatory Break

Think of a basketball game. Every player on the court has moments when they start to lose focus, rhythm, or energy. At the same time, their coach may begin to lose confidence in their ability to execute the game plan. That’s why teams have substitutes—so a player can step off the court, catch their breath, and observe the game from the sidelines.

From that new vantage point, they can analyze the flow of the game, recognize where their strategy might have faltered, and prepare to return with fresh energy and perspective. When the coach sees that they’re ready, they’re put back in for another round, stronger and more effective than before.

The mandatory break works the same way. It’s not a punishment; it’s a chance for leaders to step back, gain clarity, and return when they’re better equipped to serve the people.

Why It Matters:

        •        Promotes Renewal: Prevents stagnation by regularly introducing new voices and ideas into leadership.

        •        Maintains Institutional Knowledge: Allows experienced leaders to return after a short time away, bringing valuable experience with them.

        •        Encourages Self-Reflection: Provides a structured pause to evaluate and improve leadership skills.

Introducing the Confidence Vote: A New Standard for Accountability

The confidence vote represents a groundbreaking reform in American governance. Unlike traditional elections, which often force voters to choose between limited options, the confidence vote empowers the public to directly evaluate whether their leaders deserve the opportunity to continue serving beyond their term limits.

How the Confidence Vote Works:

        •        The confidence vote appears on the ballot during an official’s final eligible term:

        •        Do you have confidence in [Representative/Senator’s Name] to continue serving in their role beyond their current term?

        •        Yes

        •        No

Outcome:

        •        If “Yes” Wins:

        •        The official becomes eligible to run for another term. Their continued service is contingent upon reelection in the standard process.

        •        If “No” Wins:

        •        The official serves out the remainder of their current term but is not eligible to seek re-election for the same position.

The Story Behind the Confidence Vote

Election after election, voters face the same frustration: the candidate on the ballot is the one their party decided to push forward, not necessarily the one they wanted. The primaries filter out potential new voices before most voters even have a say, leaving people stuck with candidates they may not fully support.

The confidence vote changes that dynamic. It empowers voters to take control of the process, even when the primary system limits their options.

Imagine you’re at the polls, voting for your representative. Maybe you’re not thrilled with them, but they’re better than the alternative. You cast your vote, but with the confidence vote, you also have a second option:

        •        Do you think this representative should have another chance to run in the future?

If you don’t, you mark “No,” even if you voted for them this time. That lets the system know:

        •        “I don’t love you, but I don’t hate you enough to vote against you this time. Still, I don’t want to see you on the ballot again.”

What happens next? They finish their term, but they can’t run for that seat again. This opens the door for new candidates—whether they come from the party or outside of it—who might better represent your voice.

Key Benefits of the Framework

        1.        Term Limits Without Limits:

        •        Offers two distinct paths to balance continuity and renewal.

        2.        Eliminating Namesake Reelections:

        •        Encourages candidates to earn trust based on performance, not name recognition.

        3.        Empowering Voters:

        •        Gives the public meaningful control over leadership decisions.

        4.        Encouraging Fresh Leadership:

        •        Provides structured opportunities for new candidates to emerge while retaining institutional knowledge.

        5.        Preventing Burnout and Stagnation:

        •        Ensures leaders remain energized and focused on the people they serve.

Rules and Exceptions

Rules

        1.        Mutual Exclusivity of Policies:

        •        The mandatory break and confidence vote frameworks are mutually exclusive. Officials may only follow one framework during their career in a specific role to prevent overlap and potential manipulation of the system.

        2.        No Reentry Without Accountability:

        •        Officials who fail the confidence vote cannot return to their former position through special elections or appointments during the same election cycle.

        3.        Flexibility for Branches of Government:

        •        The House of Representatives and the Senate are not required to adopt the same framework. Each branch has distinct responsibilities, and their governance needs may differ. This flexibility allows the frameworks to be tailored to the unique demands of each chamber.

Exceptions

        1.        Committee and Leadership Roles:

        •        Exemptions may apply to select committee chairs or leadership roles deemed critical to national security or legislative continuity.

        •        The reasoning behind this exception is simple: removing experienced leaders from highly specialized roles could destabilize vital functions of governance. These leaders are expected to step down from their roles as soon as qualified successors are ready to assume their responsibilities.

        2.        Eligibility for Other Offices:

        •        Officials who reach term limits or fail the confidence vote remain eligible to run for other public offices. This ensures that experienced leaders can continue serving the nation in new capacities where their skills and expertise are still valuable.