Baird Honored For 72-Hour Rule

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    U.S. Rep. Brian Baird was honored for commitment to transparency in government by the nonpartisan Sunlight Foundation Wednesday. 

    Baird and Congressman John Culberson, R-Texas, were both presented with the Sunlight on the Hill Award for legislative action relative to passing Baird’s proposed 72-hour rule. 

    If passed, it would give lawmakers, the public, and the media 72 hours to read legislation prior to any vote. The bill would require that legislation be posted on the Internet before coming to the floor for a vote.



    “People should know what’s in legislation before it becomes law, not after,” said Congressman Baird. “The more important the bill, the more complicated it is, and the more money it spends, the less time anyone is given to review it. That is simply wrong.”

    In September, Baird joined with Oregon Congressman Greg Walden to launch a discharge petition that would force a vote on the resolution. That petition currently has been signed by 182 members of Congress.