Since 2009, almost on a yearly basis, there’s been a viral post circulating in one form or another that President Donald Trump or the US Congress has proposed or endorsed a supposed “Congressional Reform Act”.

While many so-called “Fact-Checking” websites have deemed that post and its’ versions as misleading, inaccurate, and not originating from Trump or Congress, there’s no reason why the points it raises shouldn’t be considered, improved, modified, and even implemented.

So, let’s consider the latest version of that viral post, as modified and amplified by Yours Truly:

The Perennial Congressional Reform Act  

1. No Tenure & No Pension.

Currently, members of Congress receive a lifelong pension whose amount is based on years of service and yearly salary history, just like ordinary Americans. However, the vast majority of NON-UNION Americans don’t receive a pension but rather a Defined Contribution Plan (i.e.: 401K, Roth, etc.) A member of Congress would now collect a salary while in office and receive no pension – only a Defined Contribution Plan – once they leave office. And other than perhaps temporary security protection none of their lucrative Congressional perks leave with them.

2. Congress participates in Social Security.

Since 1984 members of Congress must pay Social Security taxes (FICA), just like people in the private sector.

The real, fundamental, and persistent problem is with the Social Security System itself, which many believe is a Government Ponzi Scheme destined to go broke unless substantive reforms are made.

3. Congress must purchase their own retirement plan.

They would buy into a Defined Contribution Plan, Just as almost all NON-UNION Americans in the private sector do. (See” Number 1, above)

4. Congress can no longer vote themselves a pay raise.

Under the Government’s Ethics Reform Act of 1989 (Public Law 101-194), lawmakers automatically receive an annual adjustment in pay based on the Cost Of Living Adjustment (COLA) for monthly Social Security recipients.

The opportunity for reform here would be to penalize Congress during any year where the budget passed by Congress includes increasing the budget deficit, or for other conditions (such as failing to pass a budget, walkouts, etc.). Such reform could even include reducing their yearly salary depending on the number of conditions Congress failed to meet.

5. Congress loses their current healthcare system.

Currently, Congress participates in a custom “Glod-plated” ObamaCare health plan structured specifically for them. Instead, they would have to select from the same or similar healthcare plans (Obamacare / Medicare / Medicaid) available to the American people, specifically, those living in Washington D.C.

6. Congress must equally abide by all laws they impose on the American people.

Despite America’s Charter Documents stressing Equality under the Law the US Congress is exempt from a number of laws their constituents must obey. And, in some cases the requirements Congress is held to are less stringent, enforced weaker, or are more forgiving than those they’ve legislated for the people they serve.

7. All self-defined contracts with past and present members of Congress are void.

Contracts made between and among members of Congress while serving in Congress shouldn’t be allowed. Rather, only contracts made with Congress by the will and consent of The People.

8. Term Limits.

Some have proposed members of Congress should be limited to 2 terms (consecutive or non-consecutive), in keeping with the 2-Term limit Congress imposed upon the President of the United States by the 22nd Amendment. Or, the limit could be 2 terms plus any partial term served under an interim appointment as a result of a vacancy (for example, as vice presidents currently enjoy).

Others prefer the more difficult but more correct path of eliminating gerrymandering, contributions by Political Action Committees, unconstested seats, voter fraud, early voting, write-in voting, etc. in order to let The People limit the terms of their elected representatives using fair, open, honest, and transparent elections.

Note that serving in Congress is an honor and privilege, NOT a career.

The Founding Fathers envisioned citizen legislators should serve their term(s), then go home and go back to work … not enrich themselves by voting themselves all kinds of freebies at taxpayer expense.

Thanks for Reading!