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 | Comprehensive immigration reform, Social Security funding reform, Medicare and Medicaid funding reform, health care insurance policy regulation, housing policy and regulation, structural budget imbalances, federal primary and general election reform, and rational firearms legislation. | Sequential default in subsequent sessions ensures all issues addressed. |
| Commission — Membership | 16 members; 8 independent experts, 8 legislators (2 Democrats and 2 Republicans per chamber). | Oversight Board appoints missing members if appointing authorities fail; conflicts of interest required disclosure. |
| Commission — Vote | 9 of 16 needed for approval, including bipartisan support from each chamber. | 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 after two years with automatic renewal for two more years unless Congress votes to discontinue. | 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.
