NRT briefing
Advocates Urge Senate to Post Bill and Amendment Texts Online Before Votes
Based on reporting by NPR.
The Brief
A crosspartisan group of open governance advocates, including the American Governance Institute and the Foundation for American Innovation, has sent a letter to Senate leadership calling for the public online posting of bill and amendment texts as soon as they are made available to members.
The letter, first obtained by NPR, argues that the current practice of not always sharing texts before votes leaves the press, public, and support agencies like the Congressional Research Service in the dark, creating unequal access.
Daniel Schuman of the American Governance Institute noted that this lack of transparency can allow problems to sneak through, citing the 2013 quiet repeal of insider trading law provisions. The House already publishes texts ahead of consideration. The advocates hope for action in the new Congress in January; an aide to Sen. Alex Padilla, expected to chair the Rules Committee, said he is open to input, while Senate Republican leader John Thune did not respond.
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