I have previously proposed that Members of Congress be made to read the bills they are voting on, initial each page, and attest to a reasonable understanding of each page - before being allowed to debate or voye on it.
Furthermore, I have suggested that sponsors of bills must read, edit, and approve in writing that the bills they are proposing accurately represents their ideas and that they attest to their ability to answer questions and verbally defend them.
This was done in response to the "hurry-and-pass" legislation like the TARP, stimulus, and Cap and Trade bills.
It seems I'm not alone in wanting this type of reform. A group out of Delaware, Let Freedom Ring, has posted on their website a pledge that they want Members of Congress to sign saying they have read the proposed Health Care bill before they vote on it.
Great idea, but (1) it needs to be made into an enforceable law or House rule - not just a private suggestion, (2) it needs to apply to all legislation - not just the upcoming Health Care bill, and (3) House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer apparently ridiculed the idea saying that if they had to read it first that hardly anyone would vote for it.
And there we have it. A Leader in Congress scoffing at the idea that they actually do what they are paid to do. Time we prepare pink slips for a whole bunch of them. Unfortunately they would still get a great parachute.
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Steve - I'm sure you know that staffers have been doing all the grunt work, reading the various bills and writing executive summaries for congressmen and senators for many many years. They then prepare position papers and talking points for their bosses. Most congressmen are too busy trying to get re-elected and chasing skirts to be bothered by doing what we elected them to do.
John,
I am very much aware of that, but this doesn't make it right. We didn't elect the staffers. If Members of Congress don't like their job requirements, they can quit. The sooner the better. :)
Steve
Steve,
I'm a Maryland resident and Steny Hoyer is a pompous a--. Did I mention a Pelosi lapdog too. What a bizarre statement coming from an elected official. With approval ratings hovering in the teens, Congress really does need to make significant changes.
Rich
Rich,
Thank you for that character reference. Amen to the changes. :)
Steve
Steve - The people said they wanted "change"... Now, they got it... and I bet they will regret it. "Change" might actually mean something if it stood for bipartisanship, tax and regulatory reform, reducing power of special interests. etc. This doesn't look like anything new. With the power consolidated in the House, Senate and Presidency - there is no checks or balances with this one-party machine steamrolling legislation through the pipeline. Looks to mean like these are page from the left's standard playbook. By today's standards, even former President Clinton is looking like a moderate and even fiscal conservate - his programs were at least tempered by the need for Republican support to pass his programs.
Steve,
We must remember that most of these politicians have never read a bill they've voted for. Its not party specific but it is along party lines. These congressman and women needed an excuse for passing a bill that doesn't make sense.
Who read the bills?
In 2006, when we first elected the Democratic Congress that now sits in power, the first order of business was to vote and go to a 4 day work week. That is why they don't have enough time, that and to many recesses...
I think they should know what the bill is about but to read every prospal and bill does not make sense if they have staff for that.
I just wish we all would take action, congress is out of control. It seems we all complain but to deaf ears. Everyone thinks it is someone else's rep not theirs.
Members of Congress don't vote for bills because of "the bill".. they vote for them because of their pet piggyback, I don't think it matters what party they belong to. Maybe it would be easier for them if these attachments to the actual bill could be outlawed... dreaming again!
Ryan,
No argument here. Can't dispute anything you said. Thanks. :)
Steve
Paul,
I had forgotten about that vote. You realize that the 2010 re-election campaigns have started for House Members and will get into full swing after Labor Day? Actually that's good becasue they won't have as much time to be in Washington. :)
Steve
How about if we cut their staffs back to one assistant.
Chuck,
I think it makes perfect sense. I you have your secretary or assistant read an important contract and they overlook something or don't call something to your attention - and you sign it - you're the one going to have to defend your actions. We didn't elect staffers, we don't know who they are, and they don't have a vote. :)
Steve
Charles,
If we all got back to the Constitution - the way it was written - we'd be a lot better off. :)
Steve
Silvia,
Agreed. This goes back to the single issue bill that many of us have discussed and suggested. :)
Steve
Hugh,
That works for me - maybe 2 - one at home and one in Washington. :)
Steve
Steve, that's a great idea-- my Dad's been saying that for a long time. Unfortunately, I don't think ANY lawmakers read any of the bills they vote on, and it's probably a physical impossibility for them to do it unless they're all mega speed-readers, because the wretched bills are all about a foot thick by the time they come out of committee, and have a hundred totally unrelated riders attached to them. They'd need also to make it a requirement that each bill can have only one purpose, and that any amendments or riders need to deal with that issue.
Laura,
We're in agreement except for one thing. I say limit the bills to one or two pages. If you can't describe it in that space, it is not clear enough to be considered. :)
Steve
Steve - it is not just the bills, but the reports that follow the bills, this is where the earmarks that will be attached to the bills as ammendments tend to be positioned because even fewer read the reports than the bills.
Mike,
There again, the type of basic reform that I have suggested would solve this. Don't look to anyone currently in Congress to propose any of this, however. It needs to come from new members and from us. :)
Steve
Downsize DC....
Hey Steve I thought you might be interested in this.
http://www.downsizedc.org/etp/campaigns/27
Keep it up my friend!!
We need you and anyone else you can bring in order to achieve our goal of having massive numbers to make our point outside every single district office in the country. Take 1 hour off of work on July 17th to show up and speak out.
Click to find a Tea Party Patriots Health Care Freedom Tea Party near you. If you are interested in volunteering for these events, you will be able to indicate your preference when you RSVP.
Click for more details about the effects of government run health care including Talking Points, Questions to Ask Your Elected Officials, Protest Sign Ideas, and more.
The 3 Core Values of Tea Party Patriots Are:Fiscal Responsibility Limited Government
Free Markets
Socialized Health Care blatantly violates every single one of these core values. Here are some examples:
Fiscal Responsibility v. Spending, Spending, Spending
The current administration has spent trillions of dollars so far and we are setting new records for debt every day. Spending in 2009 has increased in excess of 25%, which is the largest non-war government expansion since the New Deal. Government Run Healthcare is a multi-trillion dollar program, which will crush an already embattled private sector economy, while government continues to grow.
Limited Govt. v. Govt. Bureaucrat Decision Makers
Bureaucrats and politicians, not families, will control health care choices and decisions. The horror stories of long waits and denied treatment in countries with government health care systems cannot be denied. Government health care doesn't work.
Free Markets v. Public Option
When the government begins offering programs that the private sector already offers, the government becomes competition for the private sector and stifles its ability to grow. Even the White House says the President's rhetoric shouldn't be taken "literally" when he promises you won't lose your current plan. They understand private insurers will be incentivized out of markets which will no longer be "free."
There are countless other examples of how government run health care will negatively effect our core values. You can learn more about how it will effect us by reading our Health Care tab on teapartypatriots.org, attending one of our virtual, fully interactive town halls, and attending the Health Care Freedom Tea Parties on July 17th.
Well Steve, about half those people in congress are your people. So why did you single out Steny Hoyer? I'm pretty sure none on the side that voted against it read it as well.
Members of Congress continue to demonstrate an arrogance - until re-election time!
Alice,
Wow, who knew? Love that "Read The Bills Act" and the "One SUbject At A Time Act." If you know anyone in DownsizeDC, I would love for them to read some of our discussions on these issues. Thanks. :)
Steve
Alice,
Love the Tea Party idea, but the offices likely will be closed for lunch on the East Coast and no one will be there to note our protests. :)
Steve
Terry,
I didn't single out Steny Hoyer - he did. He's the one who chose to say what he did to the press. Plus, he is the Majority Leader. :)
Steve
Gary,
There are very few Members of Congress I would invite back for another term. :)
Steve