Rep. Ralph Norman Backs Trump's Plan to Avoid Government Shutdown, Advocates for Term Limits

In an effort to stave off a looming government shutdown, President Donald Trump has floated the idea of a continuing resolution, a measure that has now garnered the backing of Rep. Ralph Norman, R-S.C., a staunch member of the House Freedom Caucus. Norman, who isn’t typically a fan of such resolutions, told Fox News Digital on Thursday that he supports the plan this time around.

Norman explained that the unusual circumstances stem from current efforts to uncover waste, fraud, and abuse in federal spending. He highlighted that Elon Musk, under Trump’s directive, has been delving into this issue, uncovering what he referred to as "excess spending." According to Norman, it will take time to separate the necessary expenditures from the wasteful ones, emphasizing, "We've never had that before."

Trump has also been vocal about this strategy, stating, "Government funding runs out next week, and Democrats are threatening to shut down the Government. But I am working with the GREAT House Republicans on a Continuing Resolution to fund the Government until September to give us some needed time to work on our Agenda." He added that the bill would serve as a springboard to cut taxes and spending while keeping this year’s expenditures effectively frozen. In classic Trump fashion, he urged, "Let’s get this Bill done!"

Meanwhile, Norman remains optimistic that the 12 appropriation bills for the 2026 budget will be passed on schedule within the next six months. The congressman, who has served in the House since 2017, is also pushing a bold Constitutional amendment to impose term limits on federal lawmakers. His proposal, reintroduced this year, would cap House members at three terms and Senators at two, though prior terms wouldn’t count toward the limit. Dozens of House Republicans and even a few Democrats have rallied behind the proposal, though it failed to clear the House Judiciary Committee in 2023 due to opposition from some Republicans.

Norman’s pitch for term limits isn’t just about cutting the tenure of career politicians. He underscored that governance isn’t "rocket science" and argued that individuals with business experience—those who have faced financial ups and downs—are better suited for public service. He didn’t hold back when criticizing long-time politicians, calling former President Joe Biden a "prime example" of someone who has "lived on the public dole for a long period of time." In Norman’s view, the Founding Fathers never intended for federal government positions to become permanent gigs.

In the Senate, the term-limit push has found a champion in Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, along with over a dozen GOP senators who are supporting the proposed amendment. Despite the uphill battle, the proposal remains a rallying cry for those wanting to curb the entrenched power of D.C.’s political elite.