Freshman Rep Wants Bills Online In 24 Hrs
Rep. Lynn Jenkins, R-Kan., introduced a resolution to change House rules and require committees to post the actual text of adopted bills and amendments online within 24 hours. She argued in a press release that House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's pledge for an open and transparent Congress has fallen short and lawmakers have failed to require transparency for one of the most powerful components of Congress -- congressional committees. "The federal government functions best when it governs in the light of day," she said.
Over the past nine months, major bills have repeatedly been drafted, filed and then changed in the dark of night or behind closed-doors, Jenkins added. The freshman lawmaker argued that it happened with the economic stimulus package, the House Energy and Commerce energy bill, and the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee's healthcare overhaul legislation. "This is only my first year in Washington, but if this is 'business as usual,' then it's time for business to change," she said.
House Minority Leader John Boehner praised Jenkins saying that "the practice of secretly adding 'phantom amendments' to major bills after they pass committee is outrageous, and it should be banned." He argued that Senate HELP Democrats quietly made more than 70 changes to the healthcare bill after it was voted on in committee. Reps. Greg Walden, R-Ore., and John Culberson, R-Texas, have petitioned to change House rules to require all bills be posted online for at least 72 hours before being brought to a vote.
Join the Discussion
The National Journal Group has the right (but not the obligation) to monitor the comments and to remove any materials it deems inappropriate.
Comments powered by Disqus