SB55, titled the “Read the Bills Act,” would impose new procedural requirements on Congress before a bill or resolution can be accepted, considered on the floor, or voted on for final passage. The bill requires each introduced measure to include a citation to the specific constitutional powers authorizing it, and for any measure amending existing law to set out the current law text, the proposed amendments, and the resulting revised text. It also requires that the full text of a bill or resolution be posted online at least seven days before a final vote, with public notice of the scheduled vote week posted at least six days in advance.
The bill further requires a verbatim reading of the full text of legislation before final passage, along with signed affidavits from members attesting that they were present for and listened to the reading, or personally read the measure, before voting in favor. It directs each chamber’s journal to record compliance with these requirements and bars waiver or suspension of the rules by either chamber or by Congress jointly. The bill also excludes private bills from some of the reading and affidavit requirements and provides special handling for enrolled bills and amendments.
Impact
If enacted, SB55 would amend title 1 of the U.S. Code by adding new sections 105a through 105d, creating enforceable statutory rules for congressional drafting, publication, reading, and voting procedures. It would affect the internal legislative process of both the House and Senate, the clerks and secretaries who receive bills, and members of Congress who would have to certify compliance before supporting final passage. The bill also creates a private right of action and authorizes injunctive relief against enforcement of laws enacted without compliance, which could expose enacted federal laws to judicial challenges based on procedural defects.
Sentiment
The bill’s stated purpose and findings reflect a strongly reform-oriented, transparency-focused sentiment, emphasizing accountability, constitutional limits, and the need for members and the public to have time to read legislation before passage. Based on the bill text and the absence of recorded committee debate or votes in the provided context, there is no documented opposition or support from hearings or roll calls here. The overall tone of the measure is critical of current congressional practice and aimed at restoring stricter legislative procedures.
Contention
The main points of contention are likely to be the bill’s rigidity and enforceability. Requiring constitutional authority statements, verbatim readings, seven-day online posting, and sworn affidavits would significantly constrain congressional procedure, and the no-waiver language would prevent routine unanimous-consent or special-rule exceptions. Another likely dispute is the enforcement mechanism: the bill would allow courts to invalidate laws and entertain suits by aggrieved members of Congress or affected residents, raising separation-of-powers concerns and questions about judicial review of internal legislative procedures. Supporters would likely view these provisions as necessary transparency safeguards, while critics may see them as impractical, disruptive, or constitutionally problematic.
Applying to the Congress of the United States to call a convention under Article V of the United States Constitution for the limited purpose of proposing one or more amendments to the constitution to impose fiscal restraints on the federal government, to limit the power and jurisdiction of the federal government, and to limit the terms of office of federal officials and members of Congress.
Applying to the Congress of the United States to call a convention under Article V of the United States Constitution for the limited purpose of proposing one or more amendments to the constitution to impose fiscal restraints on the federal government, to limit the power and jurisdiction of the federal government, and to limit the terms of office of federal officials and members of Congress.
Write the Laws ActThis bill prohibits an act of Congress from containing any delegation of legislative powers, whether to any component within the legislative branch, the President or any other member of the executive branch, the judicial branch, any agency or quasi-public agency, any state or state instrumentality, or any other organization or individual.The Government Accountability Office must identify to Congress all statutes enacted before the date that is 90 days after this bill's enactment that contain any delegation of legislative power.Any act of Congress, presidential directive, adjudicative decision, rule, or regulation that is enacted 90 days or more after this bill's enactment and is noncompliant with this bill shall have no force or effect.
Ratifying A Proposed Amendment To The Constitution Of The United States Giving The Congress Of The United States Power To Limit, Regulate, And Prohibit The Labor Of Persons Under Eighteen Years Of Age.