How can the American people do their due diligence with legislation that is too voluminous for even the congressmen and their staff to get through? That is the question from one of our patriot participants this week. She writes:
“What about keeping up with contemporary legislation? Our Representatives – who are paid to do this – honestly cannot closely read every 1,000-page+ bill that comes up for a vote. How are we supposed to do so? What is the responsible way to be able to know what our Representatives are considering, and know how we want them to vote? After all, I have dishes and laundry to do so I don’t fit in many 1,000-page reading materials.”
Utilizing Official Resources
First, our CSCC participant wants to know how you can keep up with Congressional legislation when these bills can be over a thousand pages long.
The American citizen can’t read every line of every bill. That is the paid job of our congressional representatives and their legislative assistants. However, there are a few simple things we can do, like:
Make a habit of checking senate.gov and house.gov. There is a treasure trove of well-organized information on committee hearings, floor proceedings, calendars, art and artifacts, and more. For example, I learned that the Senate meets today at 3 p.m., and the link where I can watch the proceedings live. I discovered that the Armed Services, Appropriations (money), Homeland Security and Government Affairs, and Foreign Relations Committees will meet and the topics that will be discussed, too.
I might only be interested in seeing who shows up at 3 p.m. On the other hand, I discovered the National Institutes of Health will hold hearings to examine proposed budget estimates for fiscal year 2026. A loved one has undergone treatment at the NIH, and I’d like to know whether there will be money to continue potential long-term treatments. I am pleased to know that transcripts will be available.
The House is where it’s at this week for legislation. There is a complete, easy-to-follow guide to the twelve bills the House.gov will be considering this week, along with five additional bills that may also be added to the docket. The House website unpacks everything you wanted to know about legislation but were too overwhelmed to ask. You can find out as much or as little as you desire. It doesn’t take much for an American to watch House proceedings, even for 30 minutes, and decide what they would like to say in an email to their congressman. As the House page states, “The Office of the Clerk gives you a front -row seat” to see the hearings to help you know more about your government.
Engaging with Representatives
Next, make a habit of contacting your senators and representatives concisely and courteously via their individual websites. You need to know their first and last name. This information can be obtained easily by doing an internet search or asking your neighbors. I have it on good authority that each elected official keeps a log of what citizens want. Of course, if we let our representatives choose for us, they will do what they want, not what We the People want.
Recognizing Legislative Complexity
Lastly, understand that a bill is no longer just about one subject. It may contain “riders” about things you would never want your money spent on. That is why some elected officials vote down popular bills. The original bill is good, but they don’t want some “pork” slipped in there to saddle Americans with more debt, laws, etc.
In a Constitutional Republic, informed citizens are essential for holding representatives accountable. (Who else will if we don’t?) You can ensure that your voice is heard by engaging with legislative processes as suggested above and communicating your views. You are not “just a vote” but the employer!
This is Common Sense Civics and Citizenship. 🇺🇸
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