Discussion: Restructuring congress and the senate

[mysteryowl]

I heard on the radio a caller felt it was restrictive and limiting that all bills must be approved for a vote by Rep. Pelosi and moscow mitch. Nothing moves without them opening the door, so to speak. How is this democracy? It needs to be opened up.

What restructuring ideas do you have?

[virgogal]

1. Term limits.

[unblock]

2. whatever the virtues of term limits may be, they have nothing to do with this particular problem.

term limits may mean a more frequent rotation in terms of *who* is house speaker or senate majority leader, but if they always have the same powers, term limits isn't really going to affect their behavior.

[mysteryowl]

3. I think so too, as long as there are provisions limiting lobbyists as well.

But what about the topic of the thread?

[Takket]

4. yes, the "one vote" to kill a bill has to stop

the leader should set the agenda but should not be allowed to kill bill with a single vote, which is basically what moscow mitch is doing.......

once a bill clears committee the leader should have 30 days to schedule floor debates and a vote.

any bill that clears one chamber should have 30 days to be voted on by the other.

the american people have a right to know where their leaders stand on issues and voting is the only way to "put it in writing". The house has passed many bill the american people support and no one in the Senate is on record opposing them because Moscow Mitch won't bring them to the floor. The also have a right to know where their president stands through signing or vetoing bills as well.

in addition, any supreme court nominee should get a hearing and vote within 60 days.

[mysteryowl]

5. I like it!

Sounds like democracy.

[mysteryowl]

6. What would the consequences be if this was not followed through with?

Could a senator or rep be suspended from work for a while?

[Takket]

7. it might not seem like it.......

but Congress does have its own rules for how the chamber operates and sets its own penalties. i'm not the smartest person here on such things but i'm sure if the rules were in place no one would simply get to "decide" not to have the vote.

[mysteryowl]

9. I know they have some rules, but they are following them and their no consequences.

How to enforce the consequences is part of it.

Moscow Mitch has violated multiple senate rules and still holds up all bills from reaching the floor for a vote.

[lindysalsagal]

8. Publicly funded elections, shorter campaigns and no commercial money.

And make health care non-profit so they stop lobbying.