WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Senator Rick Scott and Senator Mike Braun introduced the Make Washington Work plan. The plan (comprised of 3 constitutional amendments and a bill to amend the Legislative Reorganization Act) is aimed at reforming the dysfunctional and tired ways of thinking in Washington in order to make it actually work for families across the nation – not just for career politicians in D.C.

Senator Rick Scott said, “I spent my entire career in business. I often bought failing companies and turned them around. The U.S. government is like a failing business right now. We need change.

“I’ve been a member of the United States Senate for four months, and it’s as dysfunctional as you think it is – government needs to be completely reinvented. If you were going to create a federal government system today, it sure wouldn’t be what we have now. The people of Florida deserve a government that works. Period. My Make Washington Work plan proposes real reforms, including some that I successfully pushed for as Governor. It requires a supermajority to raise taxes or fees, establishes term limits for members of Congress and institutes a line-item veto. It would also eliminate automatic pay raises for members of Congress.

“That career politicians’ gravy train needs to come to an end. It’s clear that now more than ever it will be an uphill climb, but I’m committed to fighting for the people of Florida. I won’t back down.” 

Senator Mike Braun said, “I knew Washington was dysfunctional, gummed up and not moving, but it’s worse than I ever thought. The Make Washington Work plan is a solution that will help unclog the dysfunction in Washington by creating term limits and eliminating automatic pay raises for Members of Congress.”

The Make Washington Work plan is a package of two legislative proposals that will help make Washington work more effectively and efficiently for hardworking Americans and their families.

1. S.J. Res. 21 - Joint Resolution proposing amendments to the U.S. Constitution to:
   • Require a supermajority vote to raise taxes or fees.
     Two-thirds approval of each House of Congress would be required to impose or raise any tax or fee.
   • Establish term limits for Members of Congress.
     No Member of Congress would be permitted to serve longer than 12 years in either House of Congress (6 terms in the House of Representatives, and 2 terms in the Senate). Current Members of Congress would be grandfathered in, or with term limits commencing at the beginning of the next elected term.
   • Provide a modified version of line-item veto authority for the President of the United States.

2. S. 1444 - Bill to amend the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946 to eliminate automatic pay raises for Members of Congress.

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