The "CLEAN Congress Act" mandates that each bill address only one subject, clearly stated in its title, and ensures that all laws apply equally to Members of Congress, eliminating special exemptions.
Brian Fitzpatrick
Representative
PA-1
The CLEAN Congress Act aims to reform congressional practices by ensuring transparency and accountability. It mandates that each bill addresses only one subject, clearly stated in its title, to prevent unrelated measures from being bundled together. Additionally, the Act requires that all laws apply equally to Members of Congress, eliminating special exemptions and ensuring they are subject to the same rules as all citizens.
CLEAN Congress Act: New Bill Bans Multi-Subject Legislation and Demands Equal Application of Laws, Starting 2025
The "CLEAN Congress Act" aims to overhaul how Congress operates by focusing on two main areas: single-subject bills and equal application of laws. Let's break down what that actually means for you.
One Thing at a Time
This bill, if passed, would prohibit Congress from lumping multiple, unrelated topics into a single piece of legislation. Think of it like this: no more sneaking in a highway funding provision into a bill about, say, healthcare reform. Each bill will have to stand on its own, dealing with one clearly defined subject, which must be spelled out in the bill's title. This is designed to make it easier for everyone – from citizens to other lawmakers – to understand what a bill is actually about. This rule kicks in with the One Hundred Nineteenth Congress, so we're looking at a 2025 start date.
For example, imagine a farmer who's trying to follow changes to agricultural subsidies. Under this rule, they wouldn't have to sift through a massive bill that also covers defense spending and education reform. They could just focus on the bill specifically addressing agricultural subsidies. (SEC. 2)
No Special Treatment
The second major part of the CLEAN Congress Act is about making sure laws apply equally to everyone, including members of Congress and their staff. Basically, no more "rules for thee, but not for me." If a law is passed, it applies to lawmakers just like it applies to the rest of us. (SEC. 3)
Now, there's a caveat: this doesn't apply to rules and laws that are necessary for lawmakers to do their jobs. Things like accessing the Capitol building or using internal procedures are exempt – they can't be held up by the same rules that, for example, apply to a construction worker on a federal project. But outside of those official duties, the idea is to level the playing field. (SEC. 3)
So, if a law restricts certain types of financial transactions, that restriction would now apply to members of Congress, too. No more special exemptions that could allow them to benefit from loopholes unavailable to, say, a small business owner or a teacher. (SEC. 3)
The Big Picture
This bill is presented as a way to clean up Congress, making it more transparent and accountable. By limiting bills to single subjects, it aims to reduce the complexity and potential for "pork barrel" spending (adding unrelated projects to secure votes). And by requiring equal application of laws, it seeks to restore public trust by ensuring that lawmakers are held to the same standards as their constituents.
However, it's worth noting that there are potential challenges. The "single subject" rule could be worked around by broadly defining what counts as a single subject. And the exemptions for "official duties" could be used to justify actions that still give lawmakers an unfair advantage. It will all come down to how these rules are interpreted and enforced. (SEC. 2, SEC. 3)