Get Congress Out Of Washington DC

Article I.             House of Representatives

Section 1.01     Overview

(a)      Goal is to remove legislators from the toxic environment that comes with life in DC and get them closer to the folks they represent.

(b)      Use remote conference and perhaps remote voting.

Section 1.02     Office Space

(a)      Home

                  (i)     Representative’s office will be located in the district they represent.

                 (ii)     Office costs will be covered by the representative’s salary to encourage accountability.

               (iii)     Size and location within the district is up to the representative funded by representative.

               (iv)     Staff is up to the representative. Compensation covered by the representative’s salary. 

(b)      DC

                  (i)     Limited Common office spaces will be available in DC.

                 (ii)     Large common area with conference rooms as well as a document/printing area.

               (iii)     Private offices will be for leadership only.

Section 1.03     Staff

(a)      Make up and salaries of the representative’s staff will be the responsibly of the representative.

(b)      Paid for by the representative to encourage accountability.

Section 1.04     Budget

(a)      Leadership will appropriate funds to administer House functions and common office/work areas.

(b)      Including members’ salaries.  Salaries will be used for all member’s administration costs.

Section 1.05     Travel

(a)      Expenses will be dispensed from the Speaker’s Salary.  This will encourage minimal trips to DC for voting.

(b)      Adjustments will need to be made for members that are further away.

Article II.          Senate

Section 2.01     Overview

(a)      Goal is to remove Senators from the DC environment.  Moving Senators to their own State Houses to keep them closer to the folks they represent.  Although, the 17^th amendment changed the way Senators are elected, they should still go to Washington representing the State Legislatures.

Section 2.02     Office Space

(a)      Home

                  (i)     Senator offices will be located in the State House of their State as supplied by their State Legislature to encourage cooperation with the folks they represent.

                 (ii)     Office costs will be covered by the Senator’s State to encourage accountability.

               (iii)     Size and location will be up to the State and funded by the State.

(b)      DC

                  (i)     Limited Common office spaces will be available in DC.

                 (ii)     Large common area with conference rooms as well as a document/printing area.

               (iii)     Private offices will be for leadership only.

Section 2.03     Staff

(a)      Staff is up to the Senator and their State.  Compensation covered by the Senator’s State. 

Section 2.04     Budget

(a)      Leadership will appropriate funds to administer Senate functions and common office/work areas.

Section 2.05     Travel

(a)      Expenses will be dispensed from the Majority Leader’s Salary.  This will encourage minimal trips to DC for voting.

(b)      Adjustments will need to be made for members that are further away.