Rep. Johnson Pushes Bill Taking Up Perry's Part-Time Congress Proposal

Fox News ^ | January 15, 2012 | Lexi Stemple

[Cincinatus' Wife]

Texas Gov. Rick Perry's part-time Congress proposal has become the blueprint for a bill Rep. Timothy Johnson, an Illinois Republican, will introduce next week.

The Citizen Legislators Act would limit the days Congress works to five per month, or 60 business days per session.

It also would cut the salaries of representatives and senators in half. But like Perry's plan, Johnson's bill allows members to have jobs outside of Congress. The caveat is that their income cannot be earned as "a result of the privilege of their office, such as speaking tours, lobbying and consulting."

Like Perry, Johnson says he was motivated by "mounting anger over Washington spending and gridlock." He claims his bill could save up to $2 billion a year.

“The Citizen Legislator Act may not be a perfect instrument in the eyes of Washington insiders, but it is a beginning step in righting the ship,” Rep. Johnson said.

Johnson's office says the idea came from Perry's Uproot and Overhaul Washington plan.

The congressman's staff members talked with Perry's policy advisors while drafting the bill and called Perry's campaign Thursday morning to notify them of the press release about their bill.

Perry says he supports the bill. "I believe members of Congress should spend less time in Washington and more time living at home under the laws they pass with the people they represent," Perry said in a written statement.

Both use similar language about Americans being tired of "out-of-touch politicians," who spend time working on unneeded government projects.

[Cincinatus' Wife]

Rick Perry on Congressional Insider Trading [:24]

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Nov. 13, 2011: “Pelosi fires back at ‘60 Minutes’ report on ‘soft corruption’”

“Pelosi and her husband participated in an initial public offering of Visa in 2008, according to CBS. They bought 5,000 shares at the initial price of $44; two days later, shares were trading at $64, CBS said.”.......... Source

Pelosi Bashes Catholics: 'They Have This Conscience Thing'... “After having some of her behind the scenes shenanigans exposed, Nancy Pelosi has turned to her friends in the MSM to help her with damage control. The effect is something akin to watching what scrambles out after you overturn a large rock.

Pelosi sought to defend herself from allegations that she and her husband made millions from insider trading in what the Washington Post calls a wide ranging interview……..

[Cincinatus' Wife]

K-Street to Wall Street:

Carlyle Group, Bain Capital, And The Tax Treatment Of 'The Carry'

[tirednvirginia]

Wow!!! Hope this catches fire. Tea Party members should come out in droves to support this.

People here who made fun of Perry on this issue should take notice.

[Bizhvywt]

Great. Consider all the recess appointments the Zero can make.

[tirednvirginia]

Not if he is not president.

[txrangerette]

Bump!

This is one reason why Perry’s candidacy is ground breaking, and why, current horse race numbers notwithstanding, his contribution is invaluable and historic.

[Cincinatus' Wife]

U.S. judge hears Va. primary ballot case today

[I cannot think of a name]

This is not a dig at Perry, but the reason for the success in Texas is that the legislature only meets every other year. If we could get it changed to once every four years, we would rule the planet.

It is almost impossible to have too little government.

[Cincinatus' Wife]

Perry has said he would campaign for people running for office that want a balance budget and a return to states rights. It’s time to push for this and get control back to the people — local control of our affairs and our money.

WE DO NOT NEED, in fact it works AGAINST freedom, people sitting in DC working tirelessly to enact Federal laws and regulations.

[Jacquerie]

Correct.

To leave Obama home alone with zero oversight would grant him de-facto dictatorial powers.

No thanks.

[FryingPan101]

A spine is a marvelous sight to behold.

[Cincinatus' Wife]

Biggest problem is, they’ve decided to do what they’re not supposed to do, while not doing what they’re supposed to be doing.

[txrangerette]

First, this could not come to pass with Obama as President. A bill has to pass both legislative bodies and be signed by the President. At this point it won’t pass, but even if it did, O would never sign.

Second, there wouldn’t be all this recess appt. jazz, anyway...if I understand this, Congress would come and get their work done, then go home.

Like in Texas, you don’t consider our reps “in recess” between lawful sessions, because they aren’t. They are either in lawful session, or they are done until the next lawful session.

The way it is now in DC, Congress goes on breaks but is subject to call...therefore is said to be in recess.

This would be very different.

[shield]

Perry Ping....

IF you'd rather NOT be pinged FReepmail me.

IF you'd like to be added FReepmail me. Thanks.

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[mylife]

Perry’s “part time congress” notion is a good one but it has flaws.

National congress is already “part time”, the problem is that their benefits are “full time”

What Mr Perry needs to highlight is the notion that these people need to live by the same laws that they pass.
He has said as much, many times, but the message just is not being heard by the masses and its being ignored by the people in power.

I like Rick Perry, but the deck seems to be stacked against him.
That said, I still think he is just what this country needs.
I admire that he speaks from the heart.

[Jukeman]

A sixty day congress would be good for the country and maybe recess appointments could be banned.

[txrangerette]

That is not what would happen.

[mylife]

Imagine.... Bureaucrats minimized...

What a wonder that would be.

[Cincinatus' Wife]

You can recognize how the other candidates have incorporated much of Perry's platform into their talking points.

Perry: Uproot and Overhaul Washington

The Perry Plan: Energizing American Jobs and Security

The Perry Economic Plan: Cut, Balance and Grow

[txrangerette]

Recess appts wouldn’t need to be banned.

If by law a session lasted sixty days and was over until the next session, it would not be “in recess” during the between time.

Recess is when they go on breaks but are subject to the call of the Chair.

That isn’t what this is.