16-Dec-09 11:00 AM CST

SPEAKER PELOSI, CANCEL YOUR FLIGHT

Today the House of Representatives is scheduled to vote on four important bills: the Department of Defense Appropriations Bill, a Continuing Resolution that will fund the federal government, a bill to yet again increase our nation’s debt limit, and a “Jobs Bill.” Late last night, around 9:30 P.M., House Democrats posted three of the four bills online then scheduled votes on these bills starting at 10:00 A.M. this morning. Why the rush? So Speaker Pelosi can catch a plane to Copenhagen.

I would ask the Speaker, what is more important, ensuring that Members of Congress and the American people have a chance to read these bills or attending a climate change conference?

Record spending bills have been passing the House all year without a chance for Members of Congress and the American people to read them. Earlier this year Rep. Brian Baird (D-WA) and I introduced H.Res. 554, a resolution requiring the House of Representatives to make bills and conference reports available online for 72 hours before they are considered by the House. This resolution will enhance public participation in our democracy and help restore the public trust in government by raising the level of openness, order and discourse. I urge the Speaker to cancel her flight so Members can stop voting blind.

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