How To Stop Republican Leader Power Grab

"To all Tea Partiers, 9-12ers, libertarians, C4L’ ers, and patriots everywhere,

This past weekend, we had the pleasure of meeting in the Ronald Reagan Building at the expense of Tea Party Patriots. We heard a call for unity from the dean of Conservatism, former Attorney General Ed Meese, and now of the Heritage Foundation. We also heard from the Hon. Ernest Istook, also of the Heritage Foundation. Tea Party Patriots invited all newly elected congress people. About 30 showed. Some did not give the courtesy of a response and no one from Pennsylvania showed! All those who did show up were impressed and pleased at what we were doing.

The purpose of this letter is to outline what Cong. Istook and the Heritage Foundation recommends and what the entire group of 200 local coordinators unanimously adopted.

Congressman Istook told us how the “game” is played in DC. He showed us how power hungry leaders over the past few decades took power away from rank and file members. It wasn’t always this way. The power grab occurs with both Republican and Democrat leaders. That’s how Pelosi dictatorially disallowed amendments and debate on Obamacare and Cap and Tax.

Istook urged us to change all this. However, it must be done this week!

You see, each party adopts its own rules. Currently, both parties control everything two ways:

1. The speaker gets to appoint a majority of the steering committee which appoints all the chairmen and gets to decide who gets what secretaries and staff, parking spaces, office spaces…you get the picture.

2. All legislation must go to the rules committee. This is where they can pack in earmarks, prohibit amendments and even prohibit debate! The speaker and leadership make all the appointments.

Here is what we and Cong. Istook recommend.

1. Each party's steering committee—not party leaders—should select all committee members and chairpersons. This includes Rules, House Administration, select and joint committees, in addition to standing committees.

2. The members of the steering committee should be elected by the rank and file members. Party leaders should not have a majority of the votes nor indirect control of the votes. Party leaders should not be allowed to run or dominate the steering committee.

3. The speaker and all leadership positions and committee chairpersons should be subject to term limits.

4. There should be a limit on the size of committees, not to exceed 50 members.

We need you to call your newly elected and returning congress people, Republican first and then Democrat. You must do it NOW because they will adopt these rules Wednesday or Thursday.

If you have any questions or reservations, now is the time to tell us about it so that we can address your concerns. Remember: next week will be too late.

Via Billy