Mandate Vote on Every Bill Before Adjournment Sine Die
Introduction
The legislative process is fundamental to the functioning of democracy, ensuring all voices are heard and every proposed law is considered. However, the current system allows for numerous bills to remain unaddressed in committee, often resulting in valuable legislation dying without a vote. This policy paper advocates for a reform to mandate every bill submitted in a session of Congress to be voted on before the session can be declared adjournment sine die. This will end the majority from preventing the minority from submitting good legislation that is allowed to die in committee not because it wouldn’t be a good law, but for political reasons.
Proposed Policy
Key Provisions
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Mandatory Voting on All Bills: Every bill submitted during a session of Congress must be brought to a vote before the session can be adjourned sine die.
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Extended Session Hours: If necessary, Congress will operate around the clock in 24-hour sessions, consisting of 1/3 starting a 16 hour shift every eight hours with an optional 8-hour break for rest. This would allow two thirds present at all times and a third resting and available for short notice call for a vote and will continue for as many days as required to ensure all bills are read and voted on.
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Recorded Votes: All members present for a vote must have their positions recorded as aye, nay, abstained, or absent. This information will be made publicly available on Congress.gov for each bill.
Benefits of the Proposed Policy
1. Ensures Legislative Accountability
By mandating a vote on every bill, this policy increases accountability among legislators. It prevents legislative leaders from selectively allowing bills to die in committee, ensuring all proposed legislation receives fair consideration.
2. Promotes Comprehensive Review of Legislation
Extended session hours allow for thorough discussion and evaluation of all bills, ensuring legislators can adequately review and debate each proposal. This approach enhances the quality of legislative decisions and fosters informed voting.
3. Reduces Legislative Backlog
Many worthwhile bills fail to progress due to time constraints and strategic delays. This policy eliminates the backlog by ensuring all bills are addressed, thereby increasing the overall productivity of Congress.
4. Enhances Public Trust
Transparency in the voting process fosters public trust in the legislative system. By posting recorded votes alongside each bill, constituents can easily see how their representatives voted, promoting greater engagement and accountability.
5. Facilitates Legislative Innovation
With all bills receiving a vote, innovative ideas that may have been overlooked or dismissed can gain traction. This encourages a more democratic dynamic legislative environment where new proposals can be explored and debated.
Implementation Strategy
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Scheduling: The Speaker of the House and Senate Majority Leader shall develop a detailed schedule for extended sessions, ensuring all members are aware of their commitments.
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Rest Facilities: Congress will allocate space for sleeping and resting areas to accommodate members during extended sessions, ensuring they can remain alert and engaged.
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Voting Technology: Congress.gov will be updated to facilitate near real-time posting of recorded votes, ensuring transparency and accessibility for the public.
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Training and Support: Provide training for congressional staff and members on the new voting protocols and use of technology for real-time updates.
Conclusion
The proposed policy to require a vote on every bill before adjournment sine die is a crucial step toward enhancing the democratic legislative process in Congress. It promotes accountability, reduces backlog, and ensures all voices are heard. By implementing this policy, Congress can foster a more effective, transparent, and responsive legislative environment to better serve the American people.
This reform will not only help to ensure good bills do not die in committee but will also enhance the overall integrity of the democratic legislative process.