Bring Sunshine To House Proceedings

Press Release

U.S. Rep. Lynn Westmoreland today endorsed a transparency initiative, calling on Speaker Nancy Pelosi to reform the House procedures to prevent future secret negotiations such have occurred with the closed-door health care talks.

The House GOP congressional transparency initiative includes "read the bill" reform that would ensure all bills are posted online at least 72 hours before coming to a vote, a ban on "phantom amendments" being added to bills in secret after they pass committee, a resolution requiring the upcoming House-Senate health care negotiations to be open to the public, and other critical reforms.

"The secretive health care negotiations, which will directly affect the lives of each and every person in this country and take over 17 percent of our economy, outraged many Americans and opened their eyes to the hypocrisy of congressional leadership when it comes to open, honest and ethical government," Westmoreland said. "The internet gives U.S. citizens the opportunity to follow and take part in their government in a way that was never before possible. We need to change the way we do business so that Americans have a chance to know how we conduct THEIR business."

Westmoreland has called for the adoption of the following reforms:

House GOP Transparency Initiative

READ THE BILL

Put all bills online for at least 72 hours before they come to a vote.

(H. Res. 554, Reps. John Culberson, R-TX & Brian Baird, D-WA; Discharge Petition by Rep. Greg Walden, R-OR)

BAN "PHANTOM AMENDMENTS"

Require committees to post bill text online within 24 hours of adoption.

(H. Res. 835, Rep. Lynn Jenkins, R-KS)

SHOW THE VOTES

Post Members' committee votes online within 48 hours.

(H. Res. 874, Rep. Dave Reichert, R-WA)

OPEN HEALTH CARE NEGOTIATIONS TO THE PUBLIC

Prevent secret deals behind closed doors and ensure a full and open debate.

(H. Res. 847, Rep. Vern Buchanan, R-FL)

BRING SUNLIGHT TO THE RULES COMMITTEE

Allow cameras in the secretive Rules Committee, which decides which bills come to a vote.

(H. Res. 869, Rep. Charlie Dent, R-PA)

Source