Washington, D.C. - Rep. Brian Baird, ReadtheBill.org, the American Library Association (ALA), and Families USA joined forces today to urge support for Rep. Baird’s “72 Hour” bill, H. Res. 688.  Rep. Baird’s bill will modernize and strengthen the existing, but frequently waived, “three-day rule” in the U.S. House of Representatives, and ensure legislation is posted online and available to both Members of Congress and the public for at least 72 hours before being brought up for a vote. 

“This is a common sense proposal about the fundamental principles of our democracy,” said Rep. Baird.  “Our votes have consequences.  My congressional colleagues and I owe it to both our constituents and to this institution to know what it is we are voting for.”  

Rep. Baird and the three organizations launched a drive to encourage House Members to support Baird’s “72 Hour” bill and ReadtheBill.org’s national “72 Online” campaign to get organizations, businesses, and prominent individuals to endorse the 72 hour online concept.

“Members of Congress had mere hours to pour through the complex Medicare bill before casting votes that would have life or death consequences for many seniors.  Years later, we are seeing the effects of that disastrous vote -- hundreds of thousands of Medicare beneficiaries have had difficulty obtaining their drugs, and many have been overcharged or flat out turned away,” said Congressman Baird.  “The overly complicated and confusing Medicare plan, written to meet the needs of drug companies and private insurers, has failed beneficiaries.  And Congress has failed beneficiaries because this could have been prevented.”

Today’s “72 Online” event fell in the middle of Sunshine Week, a time for increasing awareness about public access to government information.

In addition to Baird, speakers at today’s press conference included Rafael DeGennaro, founder of ReadtheBill.org; Emily Sheketoff, Executive Director of the American Library Association’s Washington, D.C. Office; and Ron Pollack, Executive Director of Families USA.

Rep. Baird championed the 72 hour rule at the start of the 109th Congress.  However, his attempts to amend House rules to include the 72 hour provision were thwarted by the Rules Committee.  With public pressure for greater government transparency mounting, Rep. Baird believes the time is ripe for passage of his common sense “72 Hour” bill. 

For more information on the “72 Online” campaign visit www.ReadtheBill.org.

Rep. Baird hoisting the enormous 1,645 page 2004 Omnibus Appropriations Act that Members of Congress had 16 hours to read.  Rep. Baird is flanked by Raphael DeGennaro of ReadtheBill.org (left) and Emily Sheketoff of ALA (right).   

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