Senator Dianne Feinstein's career was filled with firsts, including first woman mayor of San Francisco and one of two of the first women elected to the U.S. Senate from California.
Sure there are plenty of capable 70 year olds, but mid to late 70s is where dramatic health changes is very short periods of time and diminished mental capacity starts to be commonplace. 65 as an age limit to run (meaning the oldest senators could be 71) makes a lot of sense.
I feel like any lower than absolutely necessary is a problem, because of how important gaining power within the Senate is. Its uncommon to become a senator before age 50 (currently 10 are under 50), and it can take 2-3 terms before you get to be head of committees. I think you could make the hard limit 75 to run, with anyone over 70 subject to some sort of yearly test both physical and mental, the results of which are public. 75 because they’ll still retire at age 80 that way. As long as they can prove competency, we should let the most experienced people take the reins.
Sure there are plenty of capable 70 year olds, but mid to late 70s is where dramatic health changes is very short periods of time and diminished mental capacity starts to be commonplace. 65 as an age limit to run (meaning the oldest senators could be 71) makes a lot of sense.
I feel like any lower than absolutely necessary is a problem, because of how important gaining power within the Senate is. Its uncommon to become a senator before age 50 (currently 10 are under 50), and it can take 2-3 terms before you get to be head of committees. I think you could make the hard limit 75 to run, with anyone over 70 subject to some sort of yearly test both physical and mental, the results of which are public. 75 because they’ll still retire at age 80 that way. As long as they can prove competency, we should let the most experienced people take the reins.