Democrats Propose New House Rules

Democrats Propose New House Rules

[Editor's Note: I have no connection or relationship with the organization No Labels or with the Problem Solvers caucus. This post is simply meant to provide a benchmark on what's happening in D.C. regarding proposed rule changes attempting to make the U.S. House more functional.]


The Washington Post obtained a copy of House Democratic leadership’s plan to reform the rules in Congress. It’s called “New Congress New Rules” and it's touted as a plan that would “restore Congress for the people.” The bipartisan Congressional reform group No Labels say they read the proposals and stated, “It’s a start, but it doesn’t come close to addressing the root causes of the current gridlock and partisanship in Washington.” Instead, No Labels is supporting another set of rule changes released on July 25, 2018 (see release), by the Problem Solvers Caucus, a bipartisan group of 48 House members, in their Break the Gridlock reform package which is designed to make the legislative process more transparent, efficient, and bipartisan. 

The following is the Executive Summary of the Democrat’s proposal, followed by a link to the complete draft and an overview of the No Labels campaign known as The Speaker Project.

New Congress – New Rules

DRAFT RULES PROPOSALS

Executive Summary

During the 115th Congress, the Republican Majority set the record for the most closed Congress in our nation’s history. By shutting down regular order, the legislative process, and the voices of a majority of Members and the people they represent, the GOP has abdicated its duties. Furthermore, we are in the midst of an Administration that has flaunted its conflicts of interest and a Republican Congress that has turned a blind eye to its constitutional duty to investigate and conduct oversight. Our Democratic rules package will take a strong first step in tackling many of the pressing issues facing our nation.

I.                   RESTORE THE PEOPLE’S VOICE Our rules package will restore the American people’s voice by emphasizing our Democratic priorities, protecting middle class taxpayers, establishing Member Day hearings so all Members can publicly present their ideas to committees, and strengthening congressional representation.

II.                RESTORE THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS This proposal will create a more accommodating process for ideas to be considered. The proposal restores regular order, provides Members more time to read bills, establishes a select committee to improve the operation of Congress, modernizes the discharge petition, and reforms the motion to vacate the chair.

III.             RESTORE OVERSIGHT & ETHICS The legislative branch can reassert itself as a coequal branch of government, restore ethics, and hold the federal government accountable. The Democratic rules package will include reforms that amend the rules to protect whistleblowers, strengthen investigative powers, and prevent conflicts of interest.

IV.             RESTORE BUDGET RULES Since Republicans took control of the House, we have continuously seen them use fuzzy math to justify their lopsided priorities of enriching corporations and the wealthy at the expense of low- and middle-income Americans. Through this rules package we can return to fiscal sanity by eliminating dynamic scoring, eliminating CUTGO, restoring the Gephardt Rule, and ending the public lands giveaway.

V.                RESTORE INCLUSION & DIVERSITY This Democratic rules package emphasizes diversity and provides an opportunity for all Americans to be included in this institution. We will accomplish these goals by creating an independent diversity office, amending the rules to ban discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity, and ensuring Members and staff are permitted religious expression.

No Labels is encouraging interested persons to send message directly to leadership indicating that they fail to directly address the Problem Solvers most meaningful ideas. "It’s just not enough to make real change." Persons may comment by posting on the Facebook page of incoming House Rules Committee Chairman Rep. Jim McGovern (D-MA).

No Labels is proposing a campaign known as The Speaker Project suggesting that on the first day of the new Congress, January 2019, members elect a new House speaker and adopt a package of rules to guide House procedures for the next two years.

They indicate that this is the moment when No Labels and the Problem Solvers Caucus could have more leverage than at any time in our history. Because the Speaker nominee needs majority support (218 votes) to get the job, a small group of united members has significant power. These members could commit that they will not vote for any speaker nominee who does not support the Break The Gridlock reform package. If this group of reformers hangs together, a speaker nominee will have to meet their demands to get the necessary 218 votes to be elected.

Access the complete Democrat proposal (click here).