Do you believe that Congress should have to read the bills they pass?

Question

Do you believe that Congress should have to read the bills they pass? In other words, do you support adoption of the "Read the Bills Act"?



If so vote for that question on http://dyn.politico.com/debate/showquestions.cfm and make the Republicans answer it.

What is the Read the Bills Act?
http://www.downsizedc.org/read_the_laws.shtml

* They carelessly pass mammoth bills that none of them have read. Sometimes printed copies aren't even available when they vote!

* Often no one knows what these bills contain, or what they really do, or what they will really cost.

* Additions and deletions are made at the last minute, in secrecy.

* They combine unpopular proposals with popular measures that few in Congress want to oppose. (This practice is called “log-rolling.”)

* And votes are held with little debate or public notice.

* Oh, and once these bills are passed, and one of these unpopular proposals comes to light, they pretend to be shocked. “How did that get in there?” they say.

Underground Man: How do we do it? We pass a law that says they must do it. It's linked above and it makes great sense. It also makes sure the public is aware of what laws they are passing.

Answer 1

I do believe they should have to read the bills they pass. They should have one person stand barefoot on an uncomfortable platform and read the whole thing. If they can last (and maybe even if nobody falls asleep) it can be voted on.

I find it interesting that you choose to "make the Republicans answer it". Did you see all the junk the Democrats attached to the most recent war spending bill? And I'm not talking about the deadline.

This behavior is on both sides of the isle. Don't kid yourself.

Answer 2

Wouldn't that be refreshing. Most important is what money items are tacked onto the bills so they don't see a public hearing!

Answer 3

Sure, but how exactly are you going to enforce that? Give them all a pop quiz before voting?

Answer 4

No. Politicians are selected for thier charasima and leadership, not thier speed-reading capabilities. They have staffers to comb through the details.

I mean, seriously, do you want Congress to be /slower/?

Answer 5

Absolutely.

This would favor both informed voting by our representatives and brevity in legislation language.

Answer 6

Yes and they should be required to pass a multiple-choice test on them.

Answer 7

Wouldn't that be unique!

Answer 8

Absolutely,that's what they are paid to do!