Make Congress read every word of every bill they create before they vote on it.
Reading laws before voting to pass them is a simple act of responsibility. Congress has failed to meet even this most basic duty to you for a long time.
To counter this trend, DownsizeDC.org has created the "Read the Bills Act" (RTBA), which requires, among other things, that all bills must be read in their entirety before a vote is taken. Populist Party columnist Steve Osborn recently took action on this, and wrote a powerful letter to his members of Congress demanding that they introduce and vote for the RTBA.
We strongly urge you to take action on this.
Learn more and contact your reps here:
http://www.populistamerica.com/no_pork_no_side_issues_and_no_riders
We've all heard the true story of how Congress passed the Patriot Act without even reading that massive legislation. Sadly, this is not the exception to the rule, but the norm in Washington D.C.
They've passed massive bills without even reading them. They make secret additions and deletions at the last minute. They add unpopular proposals to the popular ones to get them passed. On top of all this, they vote on these laws without much public notice or debate.
The Populist Party takes the position that those in Congress who pass bills they haven't even read are not representing you. They are doing just the opposite.
Steve, in his article and letter, summed it up quite well:
"The Read the Bills Act merely restores what the original duty of Congress was. Somewhere along the line, as I understand it, the House and Senate yawned and unanimously voted that they no longer had to read any of these boring, convoluted bills prepared by staff and lobbyists, but merely needed the title read and a vote taken. I presume this included periodically yawning and voting for another end of session tax supported pay increase for the August Body."
The time has come for this madness to end!
The effects of this legislation will be far-reaching. Congress will slow down, bills will shrink, secret clauses will no longer exist, and all bills will be posted on the Congressional websites for the public to review for 7 days before a vote is taken!
Take Action Now. Read About the RTBA and contact Congress today!
http://www.populistamerica.com/no_pork_no_side_issues_and_no_riders
The need for this reform is quite self-evident, and we strongly support its passing. You can help pass the Read the Bills Act. Simply click the link here, read the legislation, and contact Congress.
"It does not require a majority to prevail, but rather an irate, tireless minority keen to set brush fires in people's minds."
-Samuel Adams
In Liberty,
Michael Boldin
Populist Party of America
P.S. Our Readers are our primary source of funding. Make a donation today to help the Populist Party grow and stay active!
http://www.populistamerica.com/contribute
