DUMB LEGISLATORS OF THE WEEK: COLUMBIA CONGRESS
by Hazed
A Senator in the Congress in Colombia introduced a bill designed to deal with the problem of absenteeism in the chamber. Debates frequently had to be cancelled because there were not enough people attending to make any decisions made legal. Lawmakers often show up to register, then leave again.
The bill, proposed by Senator Alfredo Rangel, suggested financial salary cuts for absenteeism, and said that those saying they were too ill to attend should produce doctor’s notes.
Unfortunately, at its first reading, the bill failed – because there weren’t enough members there to make a quorum!
Senator Rangel was furious, and said, “The congressmen of the national unity are only interested in projects with which they can blackmail the government and walk away with slush funds.”
Whether the members were shamed by this ironic affair or not, the bill was put before Congress again a few days later and this time it passed. It will now go to the wider assembly. Let’s hope enough of them show up to discuss it!
Source: http://colombiareports.com/bill-punish-absent-congressman-fails-absent-congressmen/
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-36546686
