# Understanding the CLEAN Congress Act

This bill takes aim at two practices that its supporters believe undermine good government. The first part tackles what's called "omnibus bills"—those massive pieces of legislation that bundle together dozens of unrelated topics into a single package. Under this bill, Congress would no longer be allowed to do this. Instead, every bill sent to the President would have to focus on just one subject, and that subject would need to be clearly stated in the bill's title. So if Congress wanted to pass something about healthcare, it couldn't sneak in provisions about highway funding or environmental rules in the same bill. Each topic would need its own separate vote.

The second part of the bill aims to eliminate special exemptions that Congress members currently enjoy under various laws. Right now, there are certain rules and regulations that don't apply to members of Congress or their staff—things like workplace safety rules, labor laws, or other protections that apply to regular Americans. This bill would wipe out those exemptions, meaning Congress members would have to follow the same laws as everyone else. However, the bill does carve out an exception: Congress members can still have special access to Capitol buildings and facilities they need to do their jobs as lawmakers.

The practical effect would be significant. First, it would force Congress to be more transparent about what it's voting on, since each bill would have a single, clear purpose. Second, it would eliminate what some see as a two-tiered system where Congress members get special treatment under the law. Supporters argue this makes government more accountable and honest, while critics might worry it could make passing legislation more complicated or time-consuming since everything would need separate votes.

CLEAN Congress Act

Fitzpatrick, Brian K.

Citizen Legislature Anti-Corruption Reform of Congress Act or the CLEAN Congress Act This bill (1) requires bills, orders, resolutions, or votes submitted by Congress to the President to include only one subject that is clearly and descriptively expressed in the measure's title; and (2) makes ineffective any provision of law that excludes its application to a Member of Congress or to an employee in a Member's office.