Bunning Introduces Transparency Resolution
Statement
U.S. Senator Jim Bunning today introduced legislation calling for a Senate rule change to enact a 72-hour waiting period and a Congressional Budget Office (CBO) score before considering any legislation in the United States Senate and all of its committees.
U.S. Senator Jim Bunning today introduced legislation calling for a Senate rule change to enact a 72-hour waiting period and a Congressional Budget Office (CBO) score before considering any legislation in the United States Senate and all of its committees.
"As members of the United States Senate we have the great responsibility to oversee the spending of the taxpayers' money. Quite frankly, we have failed the American people over the years during both Republican and Democrat administrations in spending their money wisely. Current estimates show that America is nearly $12 trillion in debt. This number is staggering and will sap American wealth for generations to come.
"The health care legislation currently working its way through the Senate will affect one-sixth of our economy and have an impact on every single American. When we are considering legislation of this magnitude it defies common sense to force a vote on a bill without knowing exactly what is in it. This simple rule change will shed some light on the legislative process so the taxpayers can see where their hard earned money is going and how much the bill really costs.
"According to a recent poll, eighty-three percent of voters say legislation should be posted online in final form. In a sharply divided country having eighty-three percent of the electorate supporting transparency is a clear signal for the Senate to act.
"I call on President Obama who came into office on a platform of transparency in government to urge his former colleague Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid to immediately take up this legislation. The American people want it, and as we wade into the health care debate, passage of this commonsense resolution will be critical."
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