Steyer calls for Senate term limits to pass gun control legislation

Democratic presidential candidate Tom Steyer is calling for Senate term limits to help pass gun control legislation. 

“If we want real change, we need new and different people in charge. We need it,” Steyer said Monday during a CNN town hall late Monday.

“And, you know, look, the six-word argument for term limits: Mitch McConnell, Lindsey Graham, Ted Cruz,” he added, referring the to Republican Senate majority leader from Kentucky and Republican senators from South Carolina and Texas, respectively.

Steyer is proposing a range of measures, including licensing gun owners, registering guns, banning the sale of assault weapons and passing so-called red flag laws. 

“So in order for us to pass this legislation, we actually have to take back this government, because the Senate of the United States under Mitch McConnell won’t consider any of those things, even though 90 percent of Americans want some of them,” Steyer said. 

“The six-word argument for term limits: Mitch McConnell, Lindsey Graham, Ted Cruz.”

Tom Steyer argues that term limits for lawmakers will help get gun legislation passed. “If we want real change, we need new and different people in charge.” #CNNTownHall https://t.co/HM6NHQTJ6i pic.twitter.com/WE3pgjFGYV

— CNN Politics (@CNNPolitics) February 25, 2020

Steyer called for 12-year term limits for senators and members of congress. 

Two of Steyer’s opponents in the Democratic presidential primary race, Sens. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), have been in the Senate longer than 12 years. 

Former Vice President Joe Biden, another Democratic White House hopeful, had served more than 30 years in the Senate before serving in the Obama administration. 

Steyer has been trailing his top opponents in the first few voting states, but the billionaire philanthropist has focused much of his campaign’s organizing and efforts on South Carolina, which holds its primary Saturday.