GOP urges 72 hour window so Congress and public can read bills before a vote

A reader recently quibbled with a column I wrote about HR 5297, the Small Business Jobs and Credit Act of 2010. I called the bill a legislative boondoggle because it is. I read most of it, but I doubt most supporters in Congress have. The reader seemed blasé about my position that members of Congress should read bills they pass, taking the position that members rarely do read them (“a basic fact of political life”).  I also believe the public should have the same opportunity.

A bipartisan effort has regained momentum to force a vote on Resolution 554 to make sure congressmen and the public have a chance to read bills before a vote is taken. Republicans and Democrats have been vocal about the issue, but a Democrat was key in getting the ball rolling.

GOP leader Rep. John Boehner (Ohio) and Rep. John Culberson (Texas) are pushing a discharge position to force a vote on H Res 554. The Washington Times said this latest effort is called the Boehner-Culberson initiative.

Sunlight explains: “H. Res. 554 would help ensure that rushed bills become a thing of the past. A discharge petition may be the only way this bill comes to the floor for a vote, and if that is the case, we will gladly watch the bill become law. But a more thoughtful and deliberative method of getting a vote on this bill would be preferable. After all, one point of H. Res. 554 is to ensure there is time for legislation to be improved.”

Sunlight credits Washington legislator Brian Baird, a Democrat, for introducing H Res 504 several years ago. Congress did not pass such a resolution when Democrats or Republicans had control. H Res 554 is sponsored by Baird and co-sponsors comprise more than 200 congressional members from both major parties.

It seems to me that anyone who would not want to support this resolution is sorely lacking in common sense, a condition we see all too frequently in politics and governance.

You might ask yourself how, if members haven’t read a bill, the bill could be written by Congress in the first place. Who really writes the bills?

Republicans created a website America Speaking Out to provide an opportunity for the public to voice opinions on issues related to government. The private nonpartisan organization The Sunlight Foundation provides a petition you can sign to urge a vote on H Res 554.

[Commentary by Kay B. Day/Sept. 6, 2010]

Please use the 'Share' link below to help spread the word about H Res 554.

Comments

[Dirty Hippie]

You're clearly a fake. A paid agitator. I'm going to start a blog calling you out.

[Dirty Hippie]

You might ask yourself how, if members haven’t read a bill, the bill could be written by Congress in the first place. Who really writes the bills?

Communists. Counsel stupid!

[Kay B. Day, Editor]

Dirty Hippie or whoever, not a single comment or for that matter your email this morning, have contributed a single worthwhile thought to any conversation.

Calling people names is really childish, by the way. And we don't elect 'counsel stupid.' We vote for and pay congressmen to do these jobs.

Personal attacks contribute nothing. And if you want to 'call me out' go right ahead. This is America, at least for right now it is.

Are you getting paid to troll sites?