Scott Rigell U.S. Congress

VIRGINIA BEACH, VA – Scott Rigell, Republican candidate for Virginia’s 2nd Congressional District, released the following statement Monday in support of Rep. Greg Walden’s bipartisan discharge petition in the U.S. House of Representatives calling for a vote on H. Res. 554, which would require the U.S. House to allow 72 hours to pass before a vote may be held on any bill:

“Few members of Congress – let alone Hampton Roads voters – had a chance to read the 1,000-plus page ‘stimulus’ bill that passed the House in January. It cost nearly a trillion dollars.

“Few members of Congress – let alone Hampton Roads voters – had a chance to read the 1,000-plus page ‘cap-and-trade’ bill that passed the House in June. It could cost families thousands of dollars per year.

“This is unacceptable. There’s simply too much taxpayer money at stake. Members of Congress and the people who elect them need an opportunity to thoroughly review what’s in these bills.

“Washington wonders why it’s held in ill-contempt – after talking with thousands of Hampton Roads voters over the last couple months, I can say for certain that this utter lack of common-sense is one reason.

“That’s why I applaud Congressman Walden for his efforts and call on Congressman Nye to immediately join him and 177 other members in signing this discharge petition.

“It’s a step in the right direction toward a more open, accountable government of the people, by the people and for the people.”

The “discharge petition” is a House rule which allows for consideration of a bill or resolution that is being blocked by House leadership.  Once signed by 218 members – a simple majority of the House – the bill automatically comes to the House floor for debate and a vote.

Discharge petition No. 0006 would discharge from the House Committee on Rules H. Res. 554, a resolution amending the Rules of the House of Representatives to require that legislation and conference reports be available on the Internet for 72 hours before consideration by the House. H. Res. 554 was referred to the Rules committee on June 17, 2009, and has 110 co-sponsors.  Currently, there are 178 members who have signed the discharge petition and Rep. Nye is not one of them.