1. In session 200 days every calendar year. This would most certainly require more 5 day work weeks and fewer recess weeks.
2. After 12 years of service in the House and/or Senate, reduce compensation to daily per diem when in session. Those who live in or represent the DC area only get reimbursed for mileage to and from the Capitol. (This would include, for example, Jamie Raskin (D-MD) and Don Beyer (D-VA)
3. Also after 12 years of service, members should be ineligible to serve in a leadership position, committee chair or ranking member.
4. Senate Judiciary Committee ends blue slips. This is a tactic used to block nominees to serve as a judge, US Attorney or US Marshal from the nominee’s home state.
5. Senate confirms all nominees within 30 days. It is not uncommon for nominees in critical positions to wait weeks or months for a vote.
6. No August recess unless all appropriations bills are passed and the Senate confirms all nominees by July 31
7. Eliminate earmarks. Billions of dollars are spent every year despite being $40 trillion in debt.
8. Declare seats vacant after an unexplained absence more than 10 days. Tom Kean (R-NJ), Mitch McConnell (R-KY) missed extended time. Two years ago, Kay Granger (R-TX) stopped showing up and no one noticed until months later when she was discovered in a memory care home.
9. End Senate filibuster. It was eliminated for most nominees in 2015 and Supreme Court nominees two years later. This would reduce the risk of government shutdowns.
10. Pass constitutional amendments providing congressional term limits, line item veto, forfeiture of pay during government shutdowns and the ability for governors to make temporary appointments to fill House vacancies.