As the House prepares to vote (most likely) today on the stimulus package, many Americans are questioning why the legislation text was not made available online until late last night when they would only have hours to read the massive document prior to the House vote. Earlier this week, the Sunlight Foundation urged Congress to post the stimulus legislation online for at least 72 hours before it goes to vote.

It is impossible for lawmakers to read, much less fully evaluate, any complex legislation that is hundreds of pages long in the few short hours they often have between the time they first see a bill until final consideration. Worse, citizens may not have access to legislation until after it has been voted on, too late for them to have a meaningful response to legislation that may directly affect their lives.

Online access to legislation for at least 72 hours before consideration should be universally adopted by both chambers of Congress. Legislation of such magnitude needs the scrutiny of both legislators and American citizens.

Although House rules typically require that all conference reports (like the stimulus bill) be made available publicly for 48 hours before going to a vote, the House Rules Committee waived that requirement in order to bring the bill to the floor more quickly.

Do you think Congress should be required to honor a reasonable period of disclosure before voting on legislation?