C’mon, Speaker Pelosi’s office, you can do better than this. Mostly, just by letting the committees do their jobs. Devolution!

As of 11:00 am Monday, Feb. 12, 2007, the text of the Iraq resolution was not on the website of the House Rules Committee (confirmed with their staff by telephone). There was no mention of the text on the front page of the websites of the Democratic Leader or Whip, nor on the front page of the Speaker’s website. So, I phoned the Speaker’s office and asked if the text were available. Yes, the person said. Go to the Speaker’s website, then click on “Current Legislation”. Then click on “Iraq”. You’ll see the text of the resolution. There are three problems with this:

The House Democratic majority will bring up on Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2007 an Iraq War resolution. Congress Daily reports the text will be released on Monday morning. That is approximately 24 hours before debate begins. House Rules Committee Democratic staff said the resolution would be available on their web site when the text is released.

This isn’t good enough. What harm would have been done by releasing the text on Friday, Feb. 9?

Democrats are falling into bad habits. Sure, it’s easier to pass a bill when people have less time to read it. But then it’s tempting to pass bad bills because you know people won’t have time to read them.

Summary:
MYSTERY BILL. The bill and report became available online on Mon., June 5 after 9:10 pm. Therefore, it is a mystery bill if it is considered before Thur., June 8 at 9:10 pm.