1. Reforming Congress

2. If Congress is “broken,” how can it be FIXED?
Term limits
Curbing Pork Barrel spending and earmarks
Abolishing or further limiting the franking privilege
Making Congress follow their own rules
Having zero tolerance for ethics violations
Closing the revolving door

3. Limiting Congressional Tenure
Several attempts by states to impose term limits—UNCONSTITUTIONAL
Several states pushed for a constitutional amendment (similar to 22nd Amendment)
Pro/Con of each position?

4. Reducing Earmarks/Pork Barrel Legislation
Define the above terms. The same?
Pork barrel legislation is the appropriation of government spending for localized projects secured solely or primarily to bring money to a representative's district.
An Earmark is a congressional directive that funds should be spent on a specific project.
Give several relevant examples.
CH Lighthouse move, Bridge to Nowhere
Are all pork projects frivolous?

5. Trimming the Fat from the Budget
How do so many of these items get passed?
Reciprocity/Logrolling
Senate Rules
Committee Power
Why fewer earmarks?
Public outcry over national debt
Special interest/watchdog scrutiny Pig Book
Congressional moratorium
Pro/Con?

6. Fencing the Frank Redefine the term. Advantages of the perk?
Free mailing privilege
Advantages of the perk?
Inform constituents
Others?
Disadvantages of the perk?
Huge expense
Political advantage for incumbents

7. Following their own laws
Why not follow some laws?
Upset checks & balances (Increase executive authority over Congress)
Examples of exemptions
Social Security
STOCK Act
Congressional Accountability Act of 1995
Created Office of Compliance to solve the issues of separation of powers
Pro/Con?

8. Keeping Ethical Practices
What happens when members of Congress act illegally or unethically?
Investigation
Resignation
Stripped of power (chairmanship)
Fines
Reprimand
Censure
Expulsion

9. Closing the Revolving Door
Define: Lawmaker leave government work for a business that lobbies the government and vice versa. Revolving Door
Is there a conflict of working for Congress then leaving to work as a lobbyist for an company that you wrote legislation about?
Ethic rules are loose and have gaping loopholes.
Pro/Con?