AKRON, Ohio, July 23, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- "Congress can't claim to represent us if they don't read the bills they pass," declares Jim Babka, President of DownsizeDC.org, Inc. "That's why we wrote the 'Read the Bills Act.' It prohibits courts from holding citizens accountable for any bill Congress passes without having signed an affidavit swearing that they've either read the bill, or heard it read."

"You can't claim ignorance of the law as a defense in court," Babka continues. "So there shouldn't be any excuse for politicians to pass huge bills they haven't read. It's unforgivable for politicians to say, as Nancy Pelosi infamously did, 'We have to pass this bill to find out what's in it.'"

By introducing the Read the Bills Act (RTBA, S. 3360), Senator Paul fulfills a campaign promise. Paul stated, "When lawmakers don't take the time to read the bills, the American people suffer. Sweeping regulations and detrimental laws are all too often a product of this. Providing ample time for the public and lawmakers alike to consider the contents of legislation before it goes to a vote is the due diligence Congress owes the citizens it represents."

RTBA also requires the bill to be posted online for seven days before the final vote.

This simple act is hard for members of Congress to accept. But Americans love it. Grover Norquist, in his book, Leave Us Alone, called the bill an essential reform for transparency, applauding the fact that it prohibits sneaking in last minute deals.

Babka commends Senator Paul for keeping his word. "It's a rare politician that honors his promises."

http://www.DownsizeDC.org

SOURCE DownsizeDC.org