Slow It Down: Leader Boehner Calls for Transparency for Taxpayers

Thursday, July 22, 2010 1:33 PM by Renae Bartusch

Republican Leader John Boehner is leading the continuing effort by the House Republicans to give taxpayers a voice in Washington. Today, Leader Boehner has posted an idea calling for more transparency in the legislative process – as we have discussed before, slowing down the lightning-fast passage of bills is one way to decrease their potential for destruction. On ASO, Boehner suggests that all bills be online for three full days before a vote can be scheduled.

CFA applauds Leader Boehner for acknowledging the importance of transparency.  In his testimony to The National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility, ATR President Grover Norquist spoke about seven ideas to reduce spending in Washington.  One of the suggestions was to give the public five days to read bills before a floor vote.  As Leader Boehner points out and we have chronicled before, opening the process up to taxpayer scrutiny would prevent last-minute changes with far-reaching consequences, such as the pork-filled “stimulus” and sweetheart deals dropped into the cap-and-trade legislation.

Representatives John Culberson (R-TX) and Brian Baird (D-WA) have introduced House Resolution 544 last year that would require non-emergency legislation be posted online for three days.  While CFA believes the ideal timeframe to be five full days (with the clock restarting whenever an amendment or change is made), we are encouraged by the traction the idea is gaining and have been supportive of the resolution.. 

This legislation is an essential element for holding Congress accountable for the tax dollars being spent and what type of legislation is being passed in Washington. CFA fully supports H. Res. 544 and is hopeful that with Rep. Boehner’s leadership the resolution will get a vote on the floor. Tell your representative to sign onto the discharge petition to get the resolution to the floor, and weigh in on Leader Boehner’s idea on America Speaking Out!

 

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