Bennet Introduces Ambitious Plan to Fix the Broken Washington System

Washington -- Michael Bennet unveiled an ambitious reform package this morning to fix the broken Washington system and end the political games that have brought progress in the Senate to a standstill.

"The United States Senate needs a big dose of Colorado common sense. But Washington can't get out of its own way, much less our way," said Bennet. "That is why I'm introducing a bill that will end lobbyist abuses, reform the ways of the Senate, stop the outsized influence of special interests, and put Washington to work for the American people."

Bennet's "Plan for Washington Reform" offers bold changes to help fix some of the worst parts of a broken Washington by:

• Banning Members of Congress from ever becoming lobbyists.
• Cracking down on earmark abuse by banning earmarks to private, for-profit companies and institutions, forcing transparency on earmark requests and increasing accountability.
• Eliminating special perks for Members of Congress, removing the health care subsidy for Members of Congress until health care reform passes, and freezing congressional pay until the economy recovers.
• Reforming the filibuster with new rules that encourage bipartisan solutions, make it easier to move legislation, and require filibuster supporters to actually show up and vote.
• Requiring Senators to answer to their constituents by eliminating the anonymous holds that too frequently stop Senate business.

Michael discussed the need to reform how business is done in Washington on The Rachel Maddow Show last night. Watch a clip from his appearance below: