New Constitutional Amendment #31

Due to Congress being unable to police themselves and due to the arrogant and corrupt behaviour of many Congressional members, it is time for the people to put their foot down and create limits for our elected representatives. It is sad that they cannot police themselves and that their is a need for such legislation.

Being elected representatives, it is outrageous that they get a pension. They are not and should not be classified as employees. They are elected to serve the people and they have voluntarily chosen their course. Compensation should not be motivation for serving your state or country.

Members of Congress have some of the best health care in the world. They need to be invested in it. Therefore it is only reasonable to expect them to share some of the cost.

Many legislators upon leaving office, stay in Washington to peddle any influence they may have, to the highest bidder. To mitigate the potential for untoward behaviour, they need to be prevented from contact with current legislators for a reasonable period of time.

In this spirit I offer the following amendment to the Constitution of the United States.

Section 1.

No member of Congress who is elected or appointed to office after this amendment is ratified shall receive a federal pension as a result of their election or appointment.

Section 2. All members of Congress shall contribute a minimum of 50% of the cost of their health care premiums.

Section 3.

Compensated Congressional Staff shall be limited to a maximum of 2 per Representative and a maximum of 4 per Senator.

Section 4.

Any member of Congress, upon leaving office, voluntarily or otherwise, shall be prohibited from lobbying any member of Congress or their staff for a period of 3 years after leaving office.