This right here, if we accomplish anything, this is the biggest concern I’ve had for a LONG TIME! This is an absolute must
4 Likes
This is essential. Also, as sad as it seems, we should REQUIRE voting members to actually read it. The text should be accessible to the public to allow a period of response to the voting member. The text should be clear and free from legalese.
One more thing: we elect voting members to actually vote, not abstain.
9 Likes
This should be a federal law
3 Likes
I agree but the bills will likely need a slightly more realistic length limit. No single issue bill shall be longer than 5 pages, all bills must be provided to all members written exactly as is to be voted on AT LEAST 1 calendar week in advance and either house of Congress shall not vote on more than 16 bills in a single day (30 minutes per bill, 2 per hour, 8 hours a day)
5 Likes
There should also be a requirement that the name of the bill reflects what’s actually included in the bill. A bill labeled as “Health Funding” shouldn’t include funding for a new sports stadium.
14 Likes
Yes, this is 100% needed.
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Single issue is a must.
Suggest also that laws should expire after three years, and need to be re-voted-on to continue. If it’s good enough to approve once, it’s good enough to approve again.
This would have the effect of minimizing the body of laws to a quantity that the average man could understand.
5 Likes
100% Agree. I think this would solve a LOT of problems and possibly cut down on corruption!
1 Like
I believe also that any bill should be cross-referenced to see what is already on the books that may be either not enforced or in need of modification. Over time bills on top of bills on top of bills creates too much room for interpretation, overlap, and an unwillingness to enforce.
11 Likes
There should be a full research of existing law that apply to the subject of a bill or that would be impacted by the bill, which should be included in the proposed bill. Otherwise I agree!
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I fully support the idea of requiring all bills in Congress to be single-subject and concise, ideally no more than a page, to ensure transparency and accountability in the legislative process. The current practice of passing massive, multi-thousand-page bills, often filled with hidden provisions and unrelated “pork” items, erodes public trust and makes it nearly impossible for representatives to fully grasp the impact of what they’re voting on.
Implementing single-subject bills would bring several benefits. First, it would prevent lawmakers from attaching controversial or unpopular measures to otherwise essential legislation, a tactic often used to sneak through items that would never pass on their own. It would force each issue to be debated and voted on its own merits, encouraging clarity and focus in the legislative process.
Second, by limiting the length of bills or requiring a clear, one-page summary in plain English, it ensures that every lawmaker, and the public, can easily understand what is being proposed. This not only makes the legislative process more transparent but also reduces the chance of special interest groups slipping in loopholes or provisions that the average citizen might miss.
That said, there are some areas where I see potential challenges and opportunities for improvement. While limiting bills to a single subject and shortening their length is a positive step, there are legitimate concerns that a strict one-page rule could inadvertently hinder the ability to address complex issues. For instance, topics like national security, healthcare, and energy policy often require more nuanced explanations, detailed frameworks, and safeguards to ensure they are implemented correctly. In these cases, a well-structured, longer document may actually help avoid ambiguity and unintended consequences.
To address this, I suggest incorporating the one-page rule as a guideline rather than a strict requirement. This could be combined with the mandatory inclusion of a plain-English summary for more detailed bills that outlines the main goals, key provisions, and expected outcomes. By doing so, we would maintain transparency while still allowing lawmakers to address multifaceted issues thoroughly.
Additionally, implementing these changes would require Congress to show a high degree of discipline and commitment to meaningful reform. Naming bills based on their content, rather than using misleading titles, would be essential. For instance, it’s not enough to simply pass a “Transparency and Efficiency Act” if it’s filled with unrelated items. Enforcing a clear and honest naming convention would prevent confusion and make it easier for voters to hold their representatives accountable.
Finally, while in-person attendance and reading bills aloud sound like commonsense reforms, they could become impractical for a Congress that already struggles to reach consensus. Instead, a digital platform could be established for members to review, annotate, and verify their understanding of each bill before casting their vote. This would bring more efficiency to the process without sacrificing the goal of ensuring every legislator fully understands what they are voting on.
By implementing these reforms thoughtfully, we can restore accountability, reduce wasteful spending, and ensure that our government truly serves the people, not special interests. Simplifying the legislative process would not only make Congress more effective but also more accessible and understandable to the American people. However, a balance between brevity and clarity is key to crafting legislation that is both transparent and effective.
17 Likes
1000% agreed
I have been talking about this for years with friends and anyone who would listen.
4 Likes
Single subject bills, 100% agree. Common English would be best- but legal precedent /legalese might be able to subvert the law’s common English intent.
To keep short- must be published for as many days in advance of voting, as there are pages. Also must be read outloud before voting.
Would like requirement that must be present for reading to vote, however that may handicap those with multiple duties in Congress.
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Bills should be read aloud to the sitting body. If you’re not there for the reading you can’t vote on the bill.
4 Likes
This is a top priority!
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Strongly agree. We cannot expect our representatives to have any kind of honest debate or deliberation about bills if the bills have hundreds of items and run for thousands of pages.
3 Likes
Yes 
%
1 Like
I fully support this!! That “border bill” had very little to do with the actual border crisis and has everything to do with billions to other countries. I cannot understand how this is allowed! I hope everyone can agree this needs to be mandated.
6 Likes
This is needed ASAP!! Time to end the bills filled with pork that only help special interests and not the people of the United States of America.
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This makes so much sense for the people that you can guarantee it will never happen!
1 Like