Should the U.S. House have 2 or 4 year terms?

I think it would make sense, yes. American election periods go on for longer than in most countries, and with only two years in between, members of the House are constantly preparing for reelection. That said, the election that occurs in the middle of a presidential term is a useful tool, rewarding or punishing the dominant party for its policies.

Hence, I think it would be best to give the House four year terms, but stagger reelections so that half the House is up for reelection every two years.

I kind of like the midterm concept where the people can shift their politics in the midst of a presidential term, so I prefer 2. Rather than messing with the term length, I'd prefer term limits. Max 4-6 years. I'd be ok with either.

Well reading the article...a giant Windex ad swept across the page.

But 4 year terms....they'll focus less on elections.

But a 2 term limit

Two years, just the way the founders wanted it! They were brilliant in setting the terms at 2 for reps, 4 for Pres, and 6 for sen. allows for small power shifts rather than careening from left to right and back again.

There is one huge problem with Eisenhower's logic.

He equates ability to get a phone call from the district with learning about needs of the people in the district.

But they are two different things, especially when staff screens phone calls for you. You may get 100 phone calls from the district and watch your district local news 10 hours a day but know next to nothing about concerns of your voters.

With this base being false the rest of the arguments are also invalid.

Congressmen still has to be in touch and short term is needed to keep him in touch.

Why stop with just the house? I think there should be term limits for EVERYBODY in Congress, which obviously includes both the house AND the senate.

For the House of Representatives is every two years, then they have to run for reelection. Thank God! The Senate every 6 years.

Didn't thumbs down pay attention in Government class??

The idea of MIchele Bachmann or Louie Gohmert or Steve King have a 4 year term is a scary prospect. I don't think that Ike had people like them in mind, and I think he would be grateful for at least the possibility of getting rid of them every two years.

Given the freshman Senators and Representatives who don't know their a$$ from a whole in the ground and have caused so much distress for the American people because of their lunacy, I think terms should be 2 years. If they were 2 years we could get rid of the trash in Congress.

I don't know -- with modern ages and more drug use would this be a good thing to have young meat that is all drugged up or some gray haired wise person.. it's hard to say but I think a gray haired wise person might be better.