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Proposal Details

Proposal ID822
Proposal2016 Platform Amendment Proposal: Legislative-Executive Linkage
PresenterPlatform Committee, sponsored by South Carolina Green Party
Floor ManagerJan Martell
PhaseClosed - Failed
Discussion04-18-2016 - 05-01-2016
Voting05-02-2016 - 05-08-2016
Presens QuorumTwo Thirds of Active Accredited States/Caucuses
Consens QuorumTwo Thirds of Yes and No Votes

Background

The American government, through our constitution, provides for an absolute separation of powers. Under Section Six of Article One, no member of the Congress may serve in any office whatever in the executive branch. Similarly, of course, no officer in the executive branch may serve in the United States Congress. As long ago as 1879, citizens such as then Prof. Woodrow Wilson suggested that cabinet members should be seated as members of the legislative body. In an attempt to build a bridge between the two political branches of the government, which scholars and political figures alike have frequently argued would enhance the efficiency of the federal government, along with the accountability of those who serve in the government, this amendment would delete Section Six of Article One of the Constitution and permit simultaneous service in the executive and legislative branches.

Proposal

To create a new, numbered plank within:
Chapter 1. Democracy
A. Political Reform
1. Electoral Reform

q. US Constitutional Reform
We endorse the following changes to Article One of the US Constitution:
Delete Article One, Section 6, Paragraph Two: "No senator or representative shall, during the time for which he was elected, be appointed to any civil office under the authority of the United States, which shall have been created, or the emoluments whereof shall have been increased during such time; and no person holding any office under the United States, shall be a member of either house during his continuance in office."

Resources

Approval of this proposal will amend the 2016 Draft Platform, which will be approved by the GPUS 2016 Presidential Nominating Convention and published on the GPUS website in or before September, 2016.

References

CONTACT:
Platform Committee
Bruce Hinkforth, co-chair, bhinkforth@milwpc.com, 262-569-1370
Budd Dickinson, co-chair, budd.dickinson@gmail.com, 650-773-0438
Bill Kreml, author and state contact, billkreml@gmail.com, 803-467-7759
Sue Edward, state contact, bflosue2337@gmail.com, 541-482-1381


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