The proposed model legislation on comprehensive immigration reform, social security reform, health care reform, and federal election redistricting draws directly from the Op-Ed’s framework. Each proposal provides a one-time exception to the Senate’s Filibuster Rule (Rule XXII)
| Category | Key Provisions / Timeline | Failsafe / Oversight Mechanism |
|---|---|---|
| Priority Issue Selection | 1–2 issues per 2-year session; selected within 60 days of session start. | Automatic designation of first unaddressed priority issue if Congress fails; Oversight Board certifies designation. |
| Priority Issues | Immigration reform, Social Security, Medicare/Medicaid, health care, Fiscal responsibility, federal election reform, Gun safety. | Sequential default in subsequent sessions ensures all issues addressed. |
| Commission — Membership | 12 members: 8 independent experts, 4 legislators (1 Democrat & 1 Republican per chamber). | Oversight Board appoints missing members if appointing authorities fail; conflicts of interest required disclosure. |
| Commission — Vote | 7 of 12 votes needed for approval, including bipartisan support. | Tie-breaking by Oversight Board chair; minority views documented in report; minority-favored proposals included. |
| Timeline for Commission Draft | 10 months from first meeting. | Oversight Board drafts condensed bill if Commission fails to submit. |
| Public Hearings & Comment | ≥3 hearings; 60-day comment period. | Oversight Board convenes hearings if Commission fails to do so within 120 days. |
| Amendment Window | 10 days for Congress to submit amendments. | Oversight Board opens/administers window if Commission fails; amendments must be consistent with Commission findings. |
| House Floor Procedures | Automatic introduction; committee ≤30 days; debate ≤20 hours; only Commission-approved amendments; simple majority vote. | Oversight Board transmits bill if clerks/officials fail. |
| Senate Floor Procedures (Nuclear Option) | Debate ≤20 hours; Commission-approved amendments only; simple majority; Rule XXII suspended for selected issues. | Applies only to selected issues for the session. |
| Fallback Mechanism | If Commission fails within 10 months, House: 25 Members (≥1 per party); Senate: 10 Senators (≥1 per party) may fast-track bill. | Fallback bills must be based on legislative proposals in Commission report; Oversight Board certifies eligibility if clerks fail. |
| Oversight Board | 5 members; independent, staggered 6-year terms; max 3 per party. | Monitors all deadlines, procedures, hearings, amendment windows; can perform Commission functions; issues binding directives; public compliance reports within 72 hours; refers obstruction to ethics. |
| Minority Report Requirement | All Commission proposals must include minority views & minority-favored legislative proposals. | Ensures bipartisan input is preserved. |
| Sunset Authority | Expires 7 years post-enactment. | Existing implementing bills continue under expedited procedures. |
16 members, evenly appointed by congressional leadership of both parties
Draft legislation with supermajority approval (¾ of members).
Limited debate, no amendments, up-or-down vote within five days.
Eliminates the Filibuster Rule for the proposed type of bipartisan legislation.
