Read the Bills Act

The Read the Bills Act proposes significant changes to how Congress introduces and votes on legislation. Under this bill, every piece of legislation would be required to cite the specific constitutional authority that allows Congress to enact it. Additionally, any bill that seeks to change existing law would have to clearly show the current text alongside the proposed modifications, making it easier for both lawmakers and the public to understand exactly what is being changed.

To ensure transparency and deliberation, the bill would prohibit a final vote on any measure unless the full text has been available online for at least seven days. Furthermore, the entire text of a bill would have to be read aloud to the House or Senate before a vote could occur. Members of Congress who wish to vote in favor of a bill would be required to sign an affidavit swearing that they either read the entire bill themselves or were present for the full duration of the oral reading.

If enacted, this bill would allow citizens to file lawsuits if they believe Congress has bypassed these requirements. The goal of the proposal is to prevent the passage of massive, complex pieces of legislation before lawmakers or the public have had sufficient time to review the contents and legal implications of the proposed laws.