{"id":18,"date":"2023-02-14T01:25:11","date_gmt":"2023-02-14T01:25:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/justmyrambelings.com\/?p=18"},"modified":"2023-02-14T23:35:50","modified_gmt":"2023-02-14T23:35:50","slug":"congressional-reform","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/justmyrambelings.com\/index.php\/2023\/02\/14\/congressional-reform\/","title":{"rendered":"Congressional Reform"},"content":{"rendered":"

Congressional Reform<\/h1>\n

This idea is so simple that its implementation would saves us the time of trying to change a million other things that are really caused by this problem. Pass it along if you think it is worthwhile–<\/p>\n

Warren Buffett, in an interview with CNBC , offers one of the best quotes about the debt ceiling: Anytime there is a deficit of more than 3% of GDP , all sitting members of Congress at the time are ineligible for re-election.<\/p>\n

Congressional Reform Act: <\/strong><\/p>\n

As proposed by me, an angry American Citizen\u2026<\/p>\n

I took Warren\u2019s comments and added my own based on my perspective working for the federal government in the DC area.<\/p>\n

This is not all encompassing, but it\u2019s a good start!<\/p>\n

In addition to these items, a balanced budget amendment must be passed and implemented.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

1: Eligibility for Office: <\/strong><\/p>\n

Minimum of 28 years of age.<\/p>\n

Natural born U.S. citizen \u2013 evidence must be provided to the public and investigated by the independent congressional watchdog organization with full investigation disclosure to the public.<\/p>\n

Anytime there is a deficit of more than 3% of GDP, all sitting members of Congress are ineligible for re-election for 2 terms. All records and method of calculation must be made available to the public on demand.<\/p>\n

Member Spouses are NOT eligible to complete a member\u2019s term that dies in office or is otherwise unable to complete their term, these people were NOT elected by the constituents. If the people (constituents) want that, then the spouse should run as a \u201cdeputy\u201d to the office.<\/p>\n

Speak Fluent English as a first language.<\/p>\n

Able to pass a background investigation, obtain and hold a U.S. Federal Government Security Clearance Full, publicly available financial disclosure: This is to include four years prior to publicly held office and all years since public office was first held.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

2: Term Limits: <\/strong><\/p>\n

No member shall serve more than 3 consecutive terms. This must be followed by 3 terms out of federal\/congressional office of any type. After 3 terms out, they can come back for 2 terms and that\u2019s the end of their eligibility. They can however serve in state and local government positions during any non-congressional time-period. (Hatch Act still applies \u2013 no double dipping or conflict of office)<\/p>\n

Serving in Congress is an honor, not a career. The Founding Fathers envisioned citizen legislators, so ours should serve their term(s), then go home and back to work.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

3: Congressional Retirement: <\/strong><\/p>\n

No Tenure \/ No Federal or Congressional Pension: A Congressman\/woman collects a salary while in office and receives no pay of any type when they’re out of office.<\/p>\n

Congress (past, present & future) participates in Social Security and or all other programs instituted by the federal government. All funds in the Congressional retirement fund move to the Social Security system immediately. All future funds flow into the Social Security system, and Congress participates with the American people. It may not be used for any other purpose including loan guarantees.<\/p>\n

All changes to the public systems that effect congressional members such as Social Security shall require unanimous support by the House and Senate, then ratified by the public in general election.<\/p>\n

Congress can purchase their own retirement plan, just as all Americans do.<\/p>\n

Members may be eligible for a retirement plan as a state employee of their constituent state. That\u2019s up to their state to decide.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

4: Congressional Pay Structure: <\/strong><\/p>\n

Congress will no longer vote themselves a pay raise. Congressional pay will rise by the lower of: CPI or 3% yearly.<\/p>\n

Alternate Method #1: Congressional Pay increased should be tied to military enlisted (not officer) pay increases. The military gets X% so does Congress. Congress\u2019s pay raise may not exceed CPI, the military\u2019s may exceed CPI.<\/p>\n

Alternate Method #2: Must be voted on by the public as a separate clearly stated (with actual figures) item in a general election. If federal or military pay are treated equally to, all other fed\/mil pays. Example: If raises are frozen than so is Congress\u2019s. In such case, pay rates are frozen for a minimum of 36 months. No increase of congressional pay or benefits will be permitted during a 36 month period.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

The constituent state will pay for 100% of all congressional salaries and office expenses such as furniture, staff, supplies, etc. The States will pay for common items with the exception of those the US Federal government provides such as routine capital building maintenance.<\/p>\n

Additional considerations may be made by the constituent state to help defray or absorb the cost of leasing and maintaining a second home in the DC area, while in office.\u00a0 That home shall not exceed the median home price (appraisal) for the DC Metro area. All cost, including moving and security are the responsibility of the congressional member or their state.\u00a0 If a valid threat exists, federal protective services is available.<\/p>\n

If the member chooses to buy a home in the DC area, it’s a personal decision and expense.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

5: Healthcare: <\/strong><\/p>\n

Congress loses their current health care system and participates in the same health care system as the American people. They may be eligible for the healthcare system offered to state employees of the state they are from\/represent.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

6: Congressional Special Consideration\/Laws: <\/strong><\/p>\n

Congress members are U.S Citizens; they must participate or are in the jurisdiction of all programs, laws, regulations or acts passed by congress or any other part of the government (local, State and Federal). This means: No exceptions, no wavers, no grandfathering other than what is afforded every U.S. Citizen, no exemptions.<\/p>\n

Congress must equally abide by all laws they impose on the American people.<\/p>\n

One Exception: The existing rule of: They can\u2019t be detained while on the way to vote\u2026, which will be amended with; \u201cthey can be escorted to vote and then detained\u201d. There is a good reason for this rule and it\u2019s existed for a long time because of it.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

7: Congressional Contracts: <\/strong><\/p>\n

All contracts with past and present members are void effective 1\/1\/23. The American people did not make the contract with Congressmen\/women, Congress did this on their own.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

8: Combined Leave Time and Campaigning: <\/strong><\/p>\n

Leave will be accrued through the congress member\u2019s constituent state employee system. At the same rate and levels afforded Federal GS Employees.<\/p>\n

During election years an additional 4 weeks of campaign leave time will be afforded (this is only to be spent on their own re-election). This does not apply to campaigning for others or if the member is not or cannot run.<\/p>\n

Additional time may be extended if a \u2018statewide\u2019 or \u2018national\u2019 state of emergency is declared which directly affects the member\u2019s constituents.<\/p>\n

Travel to and from will be paid by the member or constituent state. Any time taken above the beyond this is unpaid leave.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

9: Attendance: <\/strong><\/p>\n

Other then leave time discussed in #8, the member is expected to be working in his office and available for voting.<\/p>\n

No more than 1\/3rd of the year may be spent in his constituent state office. Time in the state office shall include any “fact finding trips” directly necessary to performance of their duties.<\/p>\n

Mandatory Attendance in person for a minimum of 8 of the Monthly full sessions and 3 of the quarterly joint full sessions per year.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

10: Staffing: <\/strong><\/p>\n

No more than full time two staff members.<\/p>\n

Full time staff members should have with experience levels consummate with a Federal GS-12 or above.<\/p>\n

No unpaid consultants.<\/p>\n

No more than two paid consultants and they must be directly relating to particular committee work.<\/p>\n

No more than two part time temps (30hrs\/wk max) with a maximum of 20 weeks total per year.<\/p>\n

No more than two interns and those shall be limited to a maximum of 30 hours per week (compensated or not)<\/p>\n

One additional staff member for every major committee chaired. \u00bd for every Co-Chair.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

11: Fiscal Responsibility: <\/strong><\/p>\n

No more Congressional bank accounts or post office.<\/p>\n

Full and open office accounting available to any constituent, state or federal reviewer on demand.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

12: Lobbyist: <\/strong><\/p>\n

Members of congress are barred from becoming lobbyists for a period of no less than that of 4 terms of office, beginning on the day after their last day in office.<\/p>\n

Lobbyists must register. Unregistered Lobbyists may be liable and charged with bribery.<\/p>\n

All consideration\/gifts above $25.00 must be declared. Regardless of form. Any congressional member accepting more than $2,300.00 annually in any form of lobby considerations will be called for a review by the ethics committee in a televised session on network TV. No exceptions.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

13: Committees: <\/strong><\/p>\n

Congressional members shall not exceed membership or chair 2 committees and 2 sub committees at any given time.<\/p>\n

Establishment of new committees and sub committees must be voted on and approved by a 2\/3rds vote in Congress.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

14: Accountability: <\/strong><\/p>\n

Yearly staffing and funding audits by an independent congressional watchdog group at random, the congressional member and all staff members will make themselves available or face a publicly televised ethics committee hearing within 30 days.<\/p>\n

Readily available list of all votes submitted along with full verbiage of the balloted item and one std page reason for decision by the member. This list will be on the congressional member’s web site and posted beside the members exterior office door.<\/p>\n

Uniform score cards will be made publicly available from the congressional watchdog group throughout the year and special reports issued for elections.<\/p>\n

No insider trading. All inside information or influence from congressional activities that affect the member\u2019s wealth, position or other standing will be considered insider trading and handled as a felony.<\/p>\n

Any congressional member convicted of a felony during their term of office will be removed from office. Removal will not be pending on an appeal or potential for appeal. Reinstatement may be made if an appeal is successful. Replacement will be decided by the current election laws and their constituent state.<\/p>\n

While serving in Congress the member may not engage in any form of outside employment, paid consultant or as a paid advisor.<\/p>\n

While serving in Congress the member will relinquish all duties, titles and responsibilities in any for-profit or non-profit business or legal entity.<\/p>\n

No work on outside business interests will be done while serving in office.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

15: Travel: <\/strong><\/p>\n

Reagan National Airport, which is open because of self-serving congress members, will be closed for reasons of National Security.\u00a0 BWI and Dulles National Airports.<\/p>\n

Flight services of US Military Bases are not to be used for Congress members or staff, unless they are accompanying the President on Air Force-One or acting within instructions issues the President under national security interests.\u00a0 Abuse of Military flights may cause an ethics review.<\/p>\n

Congress members and staff members are required to attend and pass Foreign Service training by the US Dept of State and before official international travel it permitted.<\/p>\n

Travel Training will include diplomatic rules, social and professional rules of conduct and within reasonable limits of statesmanship. Members and staff who fail to conduct themselves properly forfeit the ability for travel abroad and speaking on behalf of the US.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

16: Post-Congressional Activities: <\/strong><\/p>\n

Members of congress are barred from becoming contractors\/consultants to or for any foreign government for a period of no less than that of 8 terms of office, beginning on the day after their last day in office.<\/p>\n

Members of congress are barred from becoming contractors\/consultants to or for any private or non-profit organization of any type for a period of no less than that of 4 terms of office, beginning on the day after their last day in office.<\/p>\n

This does not negate their ability to run or be employed by a private or non-profit organization, provided that entity is not primarily doing business with the U.S. federal or a foreign government.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

17: Evasion or Circumvention<\/strong>:<\/p>\n

Any congressional member, present or past who attempts to intentionally evade or circumvent these rules, by loophole or other intentional method can be removed from office, barred from future federal government post and brought up on charges of ethics violation.<\/p>\n

 <\/p><\/blockquote>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Congressional Reform This idea is so simple that its implementation would saves us the time of trying to change a million other things that are really caused by this problem. Pass it along if you think it is worthwhile– Warren Buffett, in an interview with CNBC , offers one of the best quotes about the […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[11,8],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-18","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-tics","category-usgpol"],"yoast_head":"\nCongressional Reform - Just My Rambelings<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/justmyrambelings.com\/index.php\/2023\/02\/14\/congressional-reform\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Congressional Reform - Just My Rambelings\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Congressional Reform This idea is so simple that its implementation would saves us the time of trying to change a million other things that are really caused by this problem. 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