THE NORRIS AMENDMENT
The Norris Amendment THE Norris Amendment to the Constitution providing for the meeting1 of the new Congress on the 2nd day of January immediately following the November election passed the Senate...
...It has the backing of the press, the American Bar Association and the public...
...The Norris Amendment THE Norris Amendment to the Constitution providing for the meeting1 of the new Congress on the 2nd day of January immediately following the November election passed the Senate on January 4th by a vote of 67 to 6. The Amendment also abolishes the short session of Congress, thus doing away with the legislative log jam which is created now at every session...
...Three times it has been reported favorably by the House Committee, but each time it has remained upon the House calendar without action...
...It is to be hoped that the pressure of public opinion will force the House "leaders' to permit the majority to register its will at this session...
...There is almost universal support for the Norris Amendment...
...The amendment has passed the Senate three times previously...
...The House rules are so autocratic that even though a majority of that body desires to vote upon a measure, it cannot do so unless the "leaders"' give their consent...
...Men repudiated at the polls by their constituents are no longer fitted to represent them in Congress, for often they are seeking appointment at the hands of the President, which makes them eager to take orders from the White House...
...There is no question in the mind of anyone familiar with the situation but what the Amendment would have passed the House in any of the three sessions, but the so-called leaders refused to permit it to come to a vote...
...Ratification by the state legislatures is practically a foregone conclusion if the House is allowed to act...
...Under the terms of the amendment each session of Congress would adjourn when its business has been concluded...
...If they have not focused their attention upon some political appointment they are frequently-making ready to become lobbyists and are seeking opportunities to perform special favors for interests from whom they have already secured, or hope to obtain, employment...
...The "lame duck" Congress, which the adoption of the Amendment will abolish, is one of the evils from which our government now suffers...
Vol. 20 • January 1928 • No. 1
