If you needed one more example of why America needs term limits in Congress, here it is. The 88-year-old non-voting congressional delegate from Washington D.C., Democrat Eleanor Holmes Norton, was recently scammed out of more than four thousand dollars by a fake cleaning crew that walked straight into her home and charged her credit card for work they never performed.
Police who responded to the incident noted in their internal report that Norton appears to be in the early stages of dementia. Her office is denying that claim, yet the circumstances tell their own story. And in case you were wondering, she plans to run for re-election in 2026.
The scam was not reported by Norton herself, but by her so-called house manager, who police also described as a caretaker with power of attorney. That person was not present when the group posing as HVAC and cleaning workers arrived at Norton’s home. Norton allowed them inside and handed over her card under the belief they had been scheduled by staff. The fraudulent workers then charged $4,362 to her card for duct and fireplace cleaning that never happened. When the aide discovered the charges later, she immediately canceled the cards and called police.
BREAKING: 88-year-old Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton, who police say is suffering from dementia, was reportedly scammed out of $4,400 at home by a group claiming to be a cleaning crew.
Norton is reportedly running for reelection. pic.twitter.com/Bj92bDYqwq
— Leading Report (@LeadingReport) October 24, 2025
Norton’s office insists she does not have a caretaker, only a house manager, and claims she simply assumed the cleaning visit had been authorized by staff. But even taking that explanation at face value, the entire episode highlights a far more serious issue. An elected member of Congress, nearly 90 years old, apparently living under the oversight of a house manager, handing financial control to strangers at the door, and running again for office two years from now.
Americans do not need another congressional panel, another academic paper, or another round of excuses. We need term limits. Congress is not supposed to function as an assisted living wing for career politicians who refuse to retire. The only saving grace in this case is that Norton holds a ceremonial, non-voting position. The same cannot be said for other members of Congress whose age and condition are far worse and whose votes decide laws that govern millions of people.
At some point the country has to choose. Do we want a legislature or do we want a nursing home with microphones. Term limits now, not later.
I think we need to take a close look at the elderly members of congress. And absolutely have term limits. This working to get rich is not right. Nancy Pelosi, Maxine Waters and Bernie Sanders come to mind. Hopefully they will be beat in 2026, but I don’t know who’s up for re-election.