Members of the United States legislature can present as having a conflict of interest in many ways.
Stock purchases that may be impacted by legislative decisions
Future employment opportunities that may be more open to friendly legislators
Voting to raise their own wages
The Solution:
A bill to make all members of congress (the House and Senate) employees of their respective states instead of being employed by the Federal government. This would include any members of their staff who receive a salary from the government. State legislatures who live in and talk to a higher percentage of their constituents could set the salaries, conflict of interest, and non-compete rules the citizens deem appropriate for an accountable federal legislature.
Bill to Establish State Employment of Congressional Legislators, Representatives, and Staff
Title: State Employment and Oversight of Congressional Act
Purpose: To redefine the employment status of members of Congress and their staff, ensuring they are primarily accountable to their respective states and citizens. State legislatures will be responsible for their compensation, entitlements, benefits, and ethical standards. States shall also ensure appropriate Social Security and FICA payments are made for all covered members.
Section 1: Employment Status of Congressional Members
Definition of Employment:
All members of the United States Congress (both the House of Representatives and the Senate, including their support staff) shall be considered employees of their respective states.
This employment status extends to all paid members of their staff, including those in their home states and in Washington, D.C.
Oversight of Unpaid Interns:
Unpaid interns working for congressional members shall also be subject to state oversight and control.
Section 2: State Legislative Responsibilities
Financial Support:
State legislatures shall be responsible for determining and providing all financial support for the salaries, entitlements, and benefits of their congressional representatives and staff.
State legislatures shall be responsible for determining which of these employees need to travel under FTR coverage and which should not need travel entitlements.
Ethics and Conflict of Interest:
State legislatures shall have the authority to legislate specific ethics standards and clarify conflict of interest regulations applicable to their representatives in Congress. This does not replace federal ethics standards but shall be in addition to them.
Non-Compete Rules:
States may establish non-compete rules deemed appropriate to ensure accountability and integrity within their federal staff. All states shall prohibit political staff from lobbying for two years after service and shall prohibit employment in commercial business providing services to or for the federal government for two years after their service.
Section 3: Compensation and Benefits
Publication of Compensation:
Each state shall publish the salaries, benefits, and entitlements of their congressional representatives and staff by position not name to ensure transparency and accessibility to the public.
Housing Standards:
States shall be responsible for renting, leasing, purchasing, and maintaining appropriate housing for their representatives and staff while they serve in Washington, D.C.
Review Committee Establishment:
Each state shall establish a review committee to:
Assess the local average income of state citizens to inform the compensation structure of their representatives and staff.
Suggest the inclusion of a state locality pay entitlement based on the federal geographic-based percentage added to the base pay of civil service employees in Washington, D.C. Locality pay as determined by:
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics conducting surveys to assess pay levels for non-federal workers in each locality pay area.
Comparisons to private sector salary rates, not cost of living.
Calculating locality pay by increasing an employee’s base pay by the locality pay percentage for the area where their official worksite is located.
Examine compensation, benefits, and entitlements for congressional representatives in other states to ensure competitiveness.
Minimum Compensation Standards:
Compensation for congressional representatives and their staff must be set above the U.S. poverty line, ensuring they can serve their constituents without undue financial hardship.
Section 4: Federal Government is responsible for providing representative staff
Support under the Federal Travel Regulation(FTR) which is the regulation contained in 41 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Chapters 300 through 304, that implements statutory requirements and Executive branch policies for travel by federal civilian employees and others authorized to travel at government expense .
Section 5: Implementation and Compliance
Effective Date:
This Act shall take effect on [insert date], allowing states sufficient time to establish the necessary structures and processes.
Compliance and Reporting:
States shall report annually to the Department of Justice on compliance with the provisions of this Act, including compensation structures and adherence to ethical standards.
Section 6: Severability Clause
If any provision of this Act is found to be unconstitutional or otherwise invalid, the remaining provisions shall continue in full force and effect.
Conclusion:
This bill aims to enhance the accountability of congressional representatives to their states and citizens, ensuring that they operate with transparency, integrity, and a commitment to the welfare of their constituents.