[Thinks]
Yeah. Make 'em read the bills TWICE.
While making them read the bills before the vote would be a definate improvement ....
It would be far better if:
1. The bills introduced were comprehensible, and
2. Our legislators actually UNTERSTAND what they read!
Take for example, this excerpt from the “GIVE” Act:
SEC. 1101. PURPOSES; SENSE OF CONGRESS.
(a) Purposes- Section 2(b) (42 U.S.C. 12501(b)) is amended—
(1) in paragraph (2), by striking `community throughout’ and inserting `community and service throughout the varied and diverse communities of’;
(2) in paragraph (4), by inserting after `income,’ the following: `geographic location,’;
(3) in paragraph (6), by inserting after `existing’ the following: `national’;
(4) in paragraph (7)—
(A) by striking `programs and agencies’ and inserting `programs, agencies, and communities’; and
(B) by striking `and’ at the end;
(5) in paragraph (8), by striking the period and inserting a semicolon; and
(6) by adding at the end the following:
`(9) recognize and increase the impact of social entrepreneurs and other nonprofit community organizations in addressing national and local challenges;
`(10) increase public and private investment in nonprofit community organizations that are effectively addressing national and local challenges and to encourage such organizations to replicate and expand successful initiatives;
`(11) leverage Federal investments to increase State, local, business, and philanthropic resources to address national and local challenges;
`(12) encourage national service efforts to address pressing national challenges, such as improving education for low-income students, increasing energy conservation, and improving the health, well-being, and economic opportunities of the neediest individuals in the Nation;
`(13) expand and strengthen service-learning programs through year-round opportunities, including during the summer months, to improve the education of children and youth and to maximize the benefits of national and community service, in order to renew the ethic of civic responsibility and the spirit of community to children and youth throughout the United States;
`(14) assist in coordinating and strengthening Federal and other service opportunities, including opportunities for participation in emergency and disaster preparedness, relief, and recovery;
`(15) increase service opportunities for our Nation’s retiring professionals, including such opportunities for those retiring from the science, technical, engineering, and mathematics professions to improve the education of our Nation’s youth and keep America competitive in the global knowledge economy, and to further utilize the experience, knowledge, and skills of older Americans;
`(16) encourage the continued service of the alumni of the national service programs, including service in times of national need;
`(17) support institutions of higher education that engage students in community service activities, provide service-learning courses, and encourage or assist graduates to pursue careers in public service in the nonprofit or government sector; and
`(18) encourage members of the Baby Boom generation to partake in service opportunities.’.
Without actually geting a copy of 42 U.S.C. 12501(b) and checking each and every change - NOBODY can really say what this bill is actually allowing!
AND
Considering that these types of changes are myriad throughout the bill - it is no small effort to actually KNOW what the bill is allowing/disallowing, etc...
Add to that, that almost every bill introduced contains these type of changes, it is nigh IMPOSSIBLE to know what our representatives are planing!
Better yet make them summit a report on it which is required to be posted on their website till the next election.
Yes! Read twice and submit an outline showing they know the major points!