From NPR · · 1m 30s
Senate keeps bill text secret until after votes
Open government advocates want the Senate to publish legislation online before lawmakers vote, matching House transparency standards.
In brief
Open government advocates want the Senate to publish legislation online before lawmakers vote, matching House transparency standards. Open government groups are pushing the Senate to publish bill and amendment text online before votes, saying current secrecy allows problems to slip through. Originally reported by NPR.
Senate hides bills from public view
The Senate often does not publish bill and amendment text online before lawmakers vote on them, making it hard for the public to understand what is being considered.
Advocates demand change
A crosspartisan group of open governance advocates has sent a letter to Senate leadership calling for the chamber to post bill and amendment text online as soon as it is made available to members.
Secrecy allows problems through
Daniel Schuman, executive director of the American Governance Institute, said lack of transparency means problems can sneak through and has been a mechanism for the Senate to avoid proper public scrutiny.
“problems can often sneak through”
Congressional Record comes too late
The Congressional Record publishes bill text and amendments only after the legislative day ends. When bills are voted on the same day they are offered, the public cannot see them until after the vote.
House already does this
The House of Representatives publishes draft legislative text and proposed amendments online ahead of consideration, with rare exceptions. The Senate should match this standard, advocates argue.
Senate leadership weighs response
An aide to Senator Alex Padilla, expected to become chairman of the Senate Rules committee, said the senator is open to input on the transparency measure.
At a glance
Open government groups are pushing the Senate to publish bill and amendment text online before votes, saying current secrecy allows problems to slip through.
