Legislation recently reintroduced by U.S. Rep. Tom Marino (R-PA) would ensure that the government operates for the benefit of American citizens through term limits, single-subject legislation and guaranteed consideration of committee-approved bills.
Marino said he has introduced three pieces of legislation at the beginning of each term because the American people are “fed up with business as usual and career politicians” in Washington.
“Too many hardworking taxpayers felt forgotten by our government and they came out in historical numbers to elect an outsider as president of the United States,” Marino said. “These bills help return our government to one truly for the people, by the people. It is well past time we get Washington back to work for the American people.”
H.J. Res. 24, a constitutional amendment, would cap the amount of time that representatives and senators could serve in Congress at 12 years.
“I have long said that if you cannot accomplish what you set out to do in 12 years, then you should not be in office,” Marino said. “Members of Congress should be afforded sufficient time to make real change, but also be limited so new blood with new ideas can come to Washington. The era of the career politician is over and it is time our electoral process and our Congress reflect that.”
H.J. Res. 25, another constitutional amendment, would limit each law enacted by Congress to one subject, and the subject would have to be clearly and descriptively expressed in the title.
“Today’s legislation becomes so bogged down with added amendments and agendas that the original intent of the bill is often lost entirely,” Marino said. “If members of Congress can barely keep up with the ever-changing additions, it can only be assumed their constituents are being deprived of the information they need. We must simplify our legislative process and offer clear, transparent solutions to better serve the American people.”
The third piece of legislation, an amendment to House Rules, would require that all committee-approved bills and joint resolutions be considered in the House within 60 calendar days.
“Too often, quality bills pass committee, but then with little explanation or reason, never make it to the House floor,” Marino said. “We cannot continue to let commonsense legislation fall through the cracks as our economy and the American people suffer. This legislation ensures government operates as it should and that each bill has an opportunity to come before the people’s representatives in Congress.”