There's been growing momentum for a rule that would require legislation to be posted online for a reasonable length of time for public comment before it is passed. Via the Sunlight Foundation, here's a good example of why this rule is needed:
Last week, Congress spent $1.1 trillion tax dollars by combining six pieces of appropriations (”spending”) legislation into one 1,000+ page “minibus” bill and passing it with almost no public disclosure or debate. In fact, the bill was available to the public online for less than 24 hours. … Last week, as Congress dropped and passed the minibus appropriations bill, the ridiculousness of not making the bill available was frustrating and disappointing. Even for the team here at the Sunlight Foundation, who were watching very closely, the $1.1 trillion minibus bill had passed before we could do so much as send an email alert!
