MAKE LAWMAKERS LIVE BY LAWS

Citizens across the nation were enraged by the House banking scandal last year, assuming members of Congress held themselves above the laws the rest of us have to live by. In fact, Congress routinely approves laws in which the legislative branch of government is exempt. A bill is pending now that will change that. It is a bill we believe most Americans approve of and that Congress should act on.

The so-called Swett-Shays bill, authored by a Democrat and a Republican and co-sponsored by 230 members of the House, would subject Congress to all laws affecting the private sector.

As a driving force for adoption of the bill, there is this: The law now denies employees of the House the right to take their job grievances to court. Such complaints must be taken before an internal review board run by Congress; in other words, if a House employee has a complaint about leadership of the House, the worker must seek redress from, essentially, that leadership. That's a tough court.

On all matters, though, Americans would feel better if laws passed by Congress are applied evenly, with lawmakers held accountable like everyone else. This legislation is a step in that direction.