WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Representative Walter B. Jones (R-NC) has become a cosponsor of H. Res. 554, legislation that would change House rules to require that members of Congress and the public have at least 72 hours to read bills before they come up for a vote on the House floor. All major bills would have to be posted online for three days to give the public a chance to review the legislation and express their opinions to their representatives. This week Congressman Jones also joined House Minority Leader John Boehner in signing a discharge petition on H.Res. 554. If a majority of House members sign the petition, the House would then be required to take up the bill for immediate consideration.

“There’s a disturbing trend in Congress to craft massive bills in the dead of night behind closed doors and then try to ram them through before members and the public can read and understand them,” said Jones. The nearly $1 trillion stimulus package passed earlier this year – which I strongly opposed – is a great example of that. I fear that the pending health care reform bill may be handled the same way. This is the wrong way to run a government.”

“I share the concern of many Americans that there appears to be a concerted effort by those who control the White House and the Congress to overload the legislative system in order to advance as much of their agenda as possible. When this happens, nobody wins except the special interests,” Jones continued.

“This is a common-sense bill that should be supported by all sides. When it comes to spending taxpayers’ money or enacting major legislative changes, members of Congress need to have adequate time to read the bills they’re voting on and to receive input from their constituents.”