congress

A handy guide to all Congress happenings on both sides of the aisle. Thank goodness for this political body that keeps Presidential power in check.

Payroll Reduction for Congress
» KEY POINTS Congress needs a regular schedule that limits their days, times, and hours that they can work so that speech and rules cannot be used as weapons. While debating and voting, Congress should be able to use any available technology so as not to have a need to always be in Washington, DC. All non-monetary costs like housing should be covered, but pay should be reduced to Living Wage levels and aligned with fewer hours worked.
By J.P. Prag3 years ago in The Swamp
Let’s Cut The Political Crap And Do Something Productive
It’s difficult to watch the national news in the United States these days. Stories are repeated AD NAUSEAM for days in a row. We heard about the Pelosi attack over and over, even when nothing was new. We heard any lead story over and over. Do the news outlets believe we have no comprehension? It must be the case because there is no reason to repeat it over and over and over when nothing is new to report.
By Carol Labuzzetta3 years ago in The Swamp
Real Law about Onion Rings Made From Diced Onions
» KEY POINTS Before any bill passed by any legislature (State or Federal) becomes law, it should be reviewed by the Courts for Constitutionality and alignment with existing law without the need for anyone to sue. All laws should expire after 20 years so they must be re-approved by the current legislature. Existing laws older than 20 years would need to expire on a special schedule until all laws are in regular cycles.
By J.P. Prag3 years ago in The Swamp
The Definition of Insanity
Republicans won back the majority in the U.S. House of Representatives in the 2022 election. That means they get to choose the Speaker of the House. That individual then gets to appoint chairs of the committees and set the agenda. This happens at the beginning of the new session on the first Wednesday of January every two years.
By Robert Bowen3 years ago in The Swamp
TikTok is Digital Fentanyl?
The latest move for a GOP Congressman to get some limelight was to make fantastical and false claims about the mega-popular TikTok platform.
By Arlo Hennings3 years ago in The Swamp
False Start
January 3rd was the first day of the new session of Congress for 2023. In the fall elections, voters elected a majority of Republicans giving them control of the House of Representatives. As is always the case, the first order of business is to elect a Speaker. The former Speaker, Nancy Pelosi, is a Democrat and in the minority Party. Republicans must elect their own Speaker for the next two years. This is something that is almost pro forma—in the pre-Trump era at least.
By Robert Bowen3 years ago in The Swamp
Divided Government
In the 2022 elections, voters chose a divided government. Voters elected 222 Republicans to the House of Representatives and 213 Democrats giving Republicans control. They gave a one seat majority (51-49) to Democrats in the Senate. The White House remains in the hands of a Democrat, Joe Biden. The presidential election is not until 2024. The members of Congress for the next two years will be sworn in on Tuesday January 3rd.
By Robert Bowen3 years ago in The Swamp
Radical Plan: Make Congress Actually Vote!
» KEY POINTS Many Amendments to the Constitution are needed in order to force bills to be discussed and voted upon in a timely manner. The leaders of each chamber must have their power to control the legislative process severely curtailed so that minority voices can be heard. Legislation must be clean and single clause in order to avoid pork and allow each element to be reviewed and approved on its own. All Congresspeople must vote and cannot avoid their duty to do so.
By J.P. Prag3 years ago in The Swamp
How to Force Congress to Do Some Work for a Change
» KEY POINTS Legislative rules have not created an easy flow of discussion and movement of bills. Congress has instead unintentionally built weapons to be used against each other. The silence of the Constitution is hindering progress towards an effective Legislative Branch.
By J.P. Prag3 years ago in The Swamp
Nothing Says Christmas in America Like Gun Violence
The United States of America has one of the worst gun violence problems in the world, which is an understatement. Americans seem to think that violence in African countries or 'under-developed' countries is the worst. People will warn you of violence if you tell them you're going to South America or any African country.
By IwriteMywrongs3 years ago in The Swamp
The Day the Earth Fucked Off
I remember back when I was a young child, my mother’s wise advice: “MYOB.” “Mind your own business.” Usually said to me if I tattled on my younger brother, or stuck my quickly-growing nose into my parents' business when not invited to do so. It was not only wise advice but also a warning to fuck off before my dad would come after me with a belt.
By The Mouthy Renegade Writer3 years ago in The Swamp
Alaska Should Have 19 Senators
» KEY POINTS In order to balance power in the Senate, each State and Territory should receive a set of Senators in relation to their population and another set in relation to the amount of land they control. The Senate should increase in membership while the House of Representatives should shrink. All members of Congress should be elected on 4-year cycles that expire in the middle of Presidential terms, resulting in country-wide federal elections every 2 years.
By J.P. Prag3 years ago in The Swamp