Here is a very simple but effective way to stall or perhaps even turn back the health care debacle express. Call, email, or write your Republican Minnesota Representative!
Applaud your Representative for signing the discharge petition to force a vote on 72-Hour House Rule Bill (H. Res. 554 co-sponsored by Brian Baird, D-Wash and Greg Walden, R-Ore) that would require all bills to be posted online for 3 days before lawmakers vote on the bill. To date the petition has over 180 House signatures—almost all of the Republicans and at least five Democrats. Only a few more signatures are needed (total of 218) to force an immediate vote on the House floor
After applauding, ask your Representative to secure at least one Democrat colleague to sign the petition. Recall Nancy Pelosi’s claim that this Congress would be the most ethical and open Congress ever, and recall the President himself claiming that all bill negotiations would air live on C-Span. Our Republican Representatives could remind their colleagues of their leaders’ exhortations. Some Democrats will counter that there is already a House Rule which requires that all bills be publicly available for 72 hours before consideration but this rule is regularly violated as the meaning of “publicly available” is vague. Congressman Walz (D-MN), shown on the latest list of supporters of HR 554, has been pushing a “dear colleague” letter to praise both Pelosi and Hoyer for their transparency—a thinly veiled way to forestall HR 554. However, only the force of a bill will guarantee that the rule is followed for every bill.
“Passing the seventy-two hour rule is common sense,” said Congressman Baird [D-Wash]. “If every American contacts their Representative and encourages him or her to sign this discharge petition, I’m confident that the seventy-two hour rule will become law.” Michelle Bachman joins Baird in championing the effectiveness of contacting and encouraging their Representatives.
Of course it is most effective to contact your own Representative, but calling another Minnesota Republican Representative is helpful too, especially if you have contributed to their campaign. I intend to write to Representatives Kline (my rep), Bachman, and Paulsen.
For further reading on this bill see http://www.sunlightfoundation.com/ and http://republicanleader.house.gov/blog/?cat=53
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