Title: The Full-Time Representation Act
Purpose:
To realign the working schedule of the United States Congress with the expectations and labor standards of the American workforce by imposing limits on recess duration, enforcing minimum working session days, and requiring public justification for extended breaks.
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Section 1: Minimum Legislative Session Requirements
Congress must remain in active legislative session for no fewer than 46 weeks per year, matching the average full-time worker’s schedule minus standard vacation time.
•House and Senate must each convene for a minimum of 4 days per week during active weeks.
•All session calendars must be published in advance and cannot be reduced without a joint vote and public notice.
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Section 2: Recess Limitations
•Congressional recess shall be limited to no more than 6 total weeks per calendar year, including district work periods.
•No single recess period may exceed 10 consecutive days, excluding national emergencies or declared disasters.
•Recess extensions require a two-thirds vote in both chambers and a written public justification posted on the Congressional Record.
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Section 3: Attendance and Accountability
•Members must be physically present or officially voting remotely (if approved) at least 90% of all working session days unless excused for verified medical or emergency reasons.
•Failure to meet attendance minimums without valid cause will trigger a pay reduction proportional to missed days, with automatic public reporting.
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Section 4: No Work, No Pay Clause
•Congressional salaries will be withheld for any pay period in which the body fails to meet its minimum days in session, barring national emergencies.
•This includes failure to pass a federal budget or key appropriations bills before deadlines.
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Section 5: Oversight and Enforcement
•A bipartisan Congressional Work Review Commission will be established to audit compliance and publish quarterly reports on session days, attendance, and recess usage.
•These reports will be made publicly accessible and included in each Member’s reelection disclosures.
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This bill should be framed as a labor fairness measure. The messaging is simple:
If you get paid six figures to represent the people, you should work like the people. No more extended vacations on the taxpayer’s dime.
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