Nov. 1--U.S. Rep. Brett Guthrie, R-Bowling Green, is trying to increase public transparency for Congressional legislation.

Guthrie wants legislation posted online for 72 hours before Congress votes on it and is co-sponsoring HR 554, which was filed earlier this year.

"It's common sense," Guthrie said. "The American people and members of Congress should be given time to read major bills before they come to a vote. Rushing through costly legislation that will have devastating consequences for America's families that no member of Congress has read is not the way to do business."

As evidence of the need for such transparency, Guthrie cites the passage of stimulus legislation, the details of which are still unfolding for the public. Much the same is expected to happen with health care legislation under consideration now.

"The 1,073-page, trillion-dollar stimulus bill was posted online at 10 p.m. the night before it came up for a vote," Guthrie said. "That's like someone giving you a copy of 'Moby Dick' at 10 p.m. and saying they need a full report by first thing in the morning.

"A 300-page amendment was tacked on to the 1,200-page national energy tax bill at 3 a.m. the morning it came up for a vote."

State Rep. Jim DeCesare, R-Bowling Green, tried to pass similar legislation in Kentucky in regard to the state's budget, but wasn't successful.

Guthrie's spokeswoman, Courtney Norris, said Guthrie wants his support known for the bill.

"Reforming our health care system affects every single American and could have a huge affect on our economy," Norris said. "The congressman and his fellow members want to make sure that what happened (previously), does not happen again when it comes to health care legislation or any future pieces of legislation. Even though it was introduced months ago, leadership has not brought it up for a vote. The American people should be demanding this."

Scott Lasley, a Western Kentucky University political science professor, said the bill has been languishing in committee and lawmakers are trying to get enough support to discharge the bill to bring it up for a vote.

"Absent of a groundswell of public support to put lawmakers in the middle, I think it's going to be a challenge," Lasley said. "However, there are almost 40 Democrats that are co-sponsors of the bill as well. So that would at least make it a possibility of passing. But even with all the co-sponsors, they are going to have to find a way to get at least 10 votes.

"The best chance of passage is if some folks feel vulnerable."

The bill's primary sponsor is Democrat Brian Baird of West Virginia.

"It is something he has advocated for the last couple of years and had little success of getting widespread support," Lasley said. "Whether or not he does this time will really depend on whether or not enough people feel vulnerable and want to insulate themselves from public opinion."

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