Get Informed and Fight "Don't Read, Just Vote" Bills

The rushed 3 a.m. June 26 vote on the wide-ranging energy bill is under fire from both ends of the political spectrum - and in between.

On the right, global warming deniers worry the cap-and-trade provisions will be costly and dangerous for both American businesses and families. On the left, some environmental groups worry the bill is too watered down and has too many breaks and exemptions for unsustainable coal and agriculture interests. I agree with the overall goals of the energy bill, but have several problems with the details.

Both ends, however, can agree their representatives should have read and debated the full bill and all its amendments before the June 26 vote.

It was virtually impossible for any representative to read the 1,200-page energy bill before the vote, particularly given that the final 300 pages were added at the last minute. Here is the full text. Put on a pot of coffee and find out what the House approved without discussion.

For some perspective, the American Clean Energy and Security Act is more than three times longer than the long and far-reaching PATRIOT Act. The energy bill is roughly the same length as "War and Peace." It is also rumored that only one copy of the bill could be found on the House floor during the late-night discussion and vote.


It seems Reps. Lloyd Doggett and Dennis Kucinich are among the only congressmen who read even portions the bill. Doggett voted for the bill, but at least offered strong arguments against key provisions in the bill. Kucinich continued to buck his party and uphold his progressive principles. He voted against the bill and opposes the exemptions and provisions for coal companies.

The problem is not unique to the energy bill. Many of the same conservatives making a fuss about the energy bill didn't raise a fuss in 2001 when the PATRIOT Act was passed without reading or discussion. Voters on both ends of the spectrum and even those who agree with the energy bill should fight to change the federal system that allows these massive bills to reach the full House or Senate without being read.

It seems to me the best way to fight long, complex bills is with public engagement. Every time somebody complains about the power of lobbyists, tell them to talk to their representatives about it. Special interests aren't as special when issues generate massive public input and anger.

Likewise, voters need to tell their representatives they will oppose their re-election if they vote for ANY bill without reading it or at least reading an aide's summary.

Representatives get away with voting for this type of legislation because politics is dumbed down and citizens are not engaged. Democrats are reluctant to oppose the energy bill because they don't want to subject themselves to simplified, one-sentence attacks - "Mr. Smith voted against protection your family from breathing poisonous air."

Don't let these attacks influence your vote. Get informed.