U.S. Representative Thomas Massie has publicly criticized recent changes to House procedural rules, raising concerns about transparency and fairness in the legislative process. The new rule requiring 72-hour public disclosure of bills before a vote was bypassed by Speaker through a ‘manager’s amendment,’ significantly altering the bill’s content that same night. Additionally, Massie highlighted another rule mandating a one-day waiting period following the Rules Committee’s modification of a bill before it could be voted on. This period was suspended, resulting in the final text being released just minutes before debate began, raising questions about informed decision-making.
A prominent voice echoing Massie’s concerns is Elon Musk, who voiced similar anxieties regarding lawmakers’ lack of prior knowledge of the bill’s details until its passage. Other representatives have echoed these apprehensions, signaling a growing divide within Congress over these procedural changes.