All laws the House and/or Senate passes shall apply to them equally as they do the American people. No congressman will be able to circumvent the law, nor exempt themselves when passing a bill/law.
Amen.
23 Likes
Thanks @RHarg. I fully agree. Are there specific examples you had in mind? Alleged insider trading for instance?
13 Likes
I like this… proposal 
A BILL
To ensure that all federal laws apply equally to Members of Congress, federal officials, and their staff as they do to other citizens of the United States, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the “Equal Application of Laws Act.”
SEC. 2. FINDINGS AND PURPOSES.
(a) Findings.
Congress finds the following:
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Equality Before the Law: The principle of equality before the law is a cornerstone of American democracy, enshrined in the Constitution of the United States.
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Representation and Accountability: Members of Congress are elected to represent the people and should be subject to the same laws, obligations, and penalties as all other citizens.
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Public Confidence: Exemptions for Members of Congress or federal officials from certain laws undermine public confidence in the legislative process.
(b) Purposes.
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Affirming Equality: To affirm that no person is above the law by ensuring all federal laws apply equally to Members of Congress, federal officials, and their staff.
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Restoring Trust: To restore public trust in the federal government by eliminating special exemptions or privileges not equally available to all citizens.
SEC. 3. EQUAL APPLICATION OF FEDERAL LAWS.
(a) General Provisions.
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Equal Applicability: Notwithstanding any other provision of law, all federal statutes and regulations shall apply to Members of Congress, federal officials, and their staff in the same manner and to the same extent as they apply to other citizens of the United States.
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Prohibition on Exemptions: Congress shall not enact any law that exempts Members of Congress, federal officials, or their staff from the application of any federal statute or regulation, unless such exemption is explicitly required by the Constitution.
(b) No Special Privileges.
- Prohibition on Special Treatment: Members of Congress and federal officials shall not receive any special legal privileges, waivers, or exemptions not available to other citizens, except as explicitly provided by the Constitution.
(c) Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Compliance.
- Application of FOIA: Congress shall be considered an agency for purposes of the Freedom of Information Act (5 U.S.C. § 552), and all records, documents, and communications shall be subject to disclosure under FOIA, except for records that are classified or otherwise exempt under FOIA.
(d) Conflict of Interest and Ethics.
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Enhanced Disclosure Requirements: Members of Congress and federal officials shall publicly disclose any financial interests, including those of immediate family members, that may conflict with their official duties.
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Recusal Requirements: Such individuals shall recuse themselves from any legislative action, decision, or vote that directly affects their disclosed financial interests.
SEC. 4. REVIEW AND REPEAL OF EXISTING EXEMPTIONS AND PRIVILEGES.
(a) Review of Existing Laws.
- Comprehensive Review: Within one year after the enactment of this Act, all existing federal statutes and regulations shall be reviewed to identify any exemptions, privileges, or immunities applicable to Members of Congress, federal officials, or their staff that are not equally available to other citizens.
(b) Repeal of Unjustified Exemptions.
- Legislative Action: Congress shall enact legislation to repeal any identified exemptions, privileges, or immunities unless they are explicitly required by the Constitution or are necessary for the functioning of government as determined by a joint resolution.
SEC. 5. ENFORCEMENT AND PENALTIES.
(a) Enforcement Authority.
- Designation of Enforcement Agencies: The Office of Government Ethics (OGE) and the Department of Justice (DOJ) shall have the authority to enforce compliance with this Act.
(b) Penalties for Violations.
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Civil and Criminal Penalties: Any Member of Congress, federal official, or staff member who knowingly violates any provision of this Act shall be subject to the same civil and criminal penalties applicable to other citizens under the relevant federal statutes.
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Removal from Office: In addition to other penalties, a Member of Congress or federal official found guilty of such violations may be subject to removal from office in accordance with constitutional procedures.
(c) Independent Ethics Oversight.
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Establishment of Independent Commission: An independent ethics commission shall be established to investigate and adjudicate allegations of ethical misconduct by Members of Congress and federal officials.
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Composition and Authority: The commission shall be composed of non-partisan members appointed by the Chief Justice of the United States and shall have the authority to recommend disciplinary actions, including censure, fines, and referral for criminal prosecution.
SEC. 6. WHISTLEBLOWER PROTECTIONS AND TRANSPARENCY.
(a) Whistleblower Protections.
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Equal Protections: Congressional staff and federal employees shall be afforded the same whistleblower protections as other federal employees under the Whistleblower Protection Act (5 U.S.C. § 2302(b)(8)-(9)).
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Access to Reporting Mechanisms: Such individuals shall have access to independent agencies or authorities to report misconduct without fear of retaliation.
(b) Annual Compliance Report.
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Report Requirement: The independent ethics commission shall publish an annual report detailing compliance with this Act by Members of Congress and federal officials.
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Public Accessibility: The report shall be made publicly available on an official government website and submitted to the President and the Judiciary Committees of both the House of Representatives and the Senate.
SEC. 7. PENSIONS AND BENEFITS.
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Alignment with Federal Employees: Congressional pension and retirement benefits shall be aligned with those provided to other federal employees under the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS).
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Prohibition on Special Programs: No special retirement programs shall be available to Members of Congress, federal officials, or their staff that are not equally available to other federal employees or the general public.
SEC. 8. SEVERABILITY.
If any provision of this Act, or the application thereof to any person or circumstance, is held invalid, the remainder of this Act, and the application of such provision to other persons or circumstances, shall not be affected thereby.
SEC. 9. EFFECTIVE DATE.
This Act shall take effect on the date of its enactment. All existing statutes and regulations inconsistent with this Act shall be amended or repealed to conform with the provisions of this Act within one year of its enactment.
End of Bill
44 Likes
And no immunity!
22 Likes
While on the subject of laws passed by congress, I would like to see some way that any law passed has an automatic expiration date set no farther than 4 years, no exceptions.
7 Likes
The Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, including the Bill of Rights, are miracles. Yet the Constitution has one glaring hole – it lacks teeth. Freedom of speech, like any gift from God, is a beautiful and cherished thing, but what is the current penalty for someone or some entity violating it? I know of none. The same goes for all our other God-given rights, but especially those enumerated in our governing document. What those punishments should be for infringing upon our rights, I know not. As a parent, I know the punishment has to
- fit the crime
- hit the offender where it hurts
- teach a lesson to the offender
- serve as a stern warning to those who would contemplate violating a citizen’s God-given rights in a similar manner.
7 Likes
I believe that all laws made should apply to every federal worker along with the Representative or Senator.
7 Likes
Wow, that looks fantastic. Did you do all that? I’m still trying to figure out this sight.
4 Likes
YES. No special healthcare or pensions or ability to engage in insider trading.
12 Likes
They excluded themselves from being required to take the Covid vaccine.
3 Likes
Member of Congress, federal official, or staff members need to be required to use the VA medical.
6 Likes
Since Congress probably doesn’t want this for themselves, this might need to be written so current members are exempt but it will apply to all new members.
Congress should neither write laws excluding themselves but also not write laws specifically for themselves ie dodge Obanacare because of Cadillac insurance plans for serving.
6 Likes
I think this is great, However we should consider using a variable system based on how large of a majority a law is passed by so if it passes by a slim majority say one vote it automatically expires in 6 months the larger the consensus the longer the law can stay in effect before requiring review and renewal.
This should be coupled with all laws being instituted be required to include a explicitly defined goal and measurable metrics by which success is defined.
Similarly any opposition to the law can attach an explanation for their opposition and the negative consequences which they believe will be brought about by the law and proposed metrics to consider when the law is to be reviewed
When the law comes up for renewal those metrics must be reviewed as part of the discussion of that law and both sets of metrics must be addressed
1 Like
This could be added as a part of the Term Limit Law.
1 Like
If you want Teeth given to the Constitution, then you should support the Titles of Nobility Amendment, aka the Original 13th Amendment…
1 Like
Part of the problem is Govt (House & Senate) reps make decisions where they are in no way negatively impacted… Allowing them to give themselves more favorable rules is insane.
4 Likes
If Congress can bypass its own rules by simply modifying those rules, why does Congress even have rules?
Don’t waste our taxpayer dollars voting on rules Congress isn’t going to follow anyway.
There absolutely needs to be a equal application of the law. Laws for thee not more me has gone on way too long in Washington.
6 Likes