Term Limits: English v. English

As recently as last week, Congressman Phil English still denied that he had ever pledged to limit his time in Congress. At the October 8, 2008, Allegheny College debate, English said:

"I never term-limited myself, thank goodness.... Look at the record. I never said, ever, that I'd limit myself to a specific term of service."

Except for when he did.

Appearing before the Times Publishing Co. editorial board during his first campaign for Congress, English pledged that he would self limit his time in Congress:

"On specific issues, English.... Favors congressional term limits and has pledged himself to serving no more than 12 years in Congress, if elected." [Erie Times News, October 6, 1994]

Later, English repeated this pledge to the Butler Eagle, writing:

"I am strongly in favor of term limits because I feel that it is the best way we can return to citizen legislature, and remove all the career politicians. I have promised to limit my own term of service." [Butler Eagle, October 30, 1994]

Career politician Phil English's twelve years of service have already come and gone. It is time for a change.