Do you think politicians should have to read bills out loud in the chamber before voting on them?

SSG Gerhard S. — Tue, 31 Mar 2015 23:46:49 -0400

In a recent topic regarding Indiana's new bill supporting religious freedom, the arguments on both sides are inflammatory, but a reading of the bill reveals it is completely incomprehensible. Should we require legislatures to read bills out loud in the chambers before voting on them? Wouldn't this serve to make bills shorter, and more understandable to politicians, and to the citizens who have to live under these laws.

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 1 at 2015 11:45 AM

LCDR Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 01 Apr 2015 11:45:33 -0400

The survey has a flaw in that the first two choices are substantially different from the third choice. Speaking only for my time as a Congressional Fellow and not having served in state legislatures, there is far too much legislation that is voted on on a daily basis to be able to read them out loud. Let alone the length of some of the bills. There is no way to be able to read all of the bills that are voted on, especially because not all of the bills are voted on while on the floor.

Politics and personal beliefs aside, there is a massive contingent of staff who write these bills and are responsible for making sure their Member understands them while also carrying the water of their member. The bills get lengthy for a myriad of different reasons: the need to change several titles in the US Code, ensuring the 'purpose' of the bill is met, attempting to avoid loopholes, etc.

By no means is it a perfect process.

Response by CPT Zachary Brooks made Apr 1 at 2015 2:52 PM

CPT Zachary Brooks — Wed, 01 Apr 2015 14:52:15 -0400

Better yet, have the bills read aloud within a monthly meeting of the constituencies and see if they are comprehensible to the average citizen.

Obviously not a perfect process either, but our legal system is getting out of hand.

Response by SGT Jeremiah B. made Apr 1 at 2015 3:27 PM

SGT Jeremiah B. — Wed, 01 Apr 2015 15:27:47 -0400

Short bills are handy, but some things require nuance to deal with appropriately. Overly simple bills can be just as strangulating or useless as overly complicated ones.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 1 at 2015 3:32 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 01 Apr 2015 15:32:56 -0400

Great idea, in theory. But people who complain about HB's and SB's wouldn't take the time to actually read/listen. And then assume the worst because there's words in the title which may offend them, with no legitimacy.

Response by Capt Richard I P. made Apr 1 at 2015 5:52 PM

Capt Richard I P. — Wed, 01 Apr 2015 17:52:32 -0400

I like it. It's like the software approach of "Dogfood-ing"

Response by LCpl Mark Lefler made Jul 20 at 2015 12:25 AM

LCpl Mark Lefler — Mon, 20 Jul 2015 00:25:14 -0400

well as interesting as that would be, they'd get even less done then they do now.