Several House members want committee votes posted on the committees’ Web sites within two days of the vote.
A new resolution would change language in the House rules to make all committees meet that deadline. The move would give the public a comprehensive view of legislators’ voting record, sponsors said.
“The result of each such record vote shall be made available by the committee for inspection by the public at reasonable times in its offices,” current House rules state.
The resolution would insert the following into that sentence: “and within 48 hours of such record vote on its Web site on the Internet.”
Rep. Pete Sessions (R-Texas) introduced the measure March 9. It has 37 co-sponsors.
“Information so available for public inspection shall include a description of the amendment, motion, order or other proposition; the name of each member voting for and each member voting against such amendment, motion, order or proposition; and the names of those members of the committee present but not voting,” the rule continues.
Sessions’ proposal would add “and information so available on its Web site” before “shall” in that sentence.
“Americans deserve clear and timely access to their members’ votes at every point in the legislative process,” Sessions said in a statement. “This resolution will empower constituents with a comprehensive view of every member’s full voting record.”
“The Democrat[ic] majority should implement its campaign-trail promises of providing [the Sunshine Law] and transparency in the legislative process by adopting this resolution and giving voters a timely, centralized and modern communication medium to access a member’s full voting record — not just votes taken on the House floor,” he said.
The resolution has been referred to the House Rules Committee.
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