Number of Signatures: 37

Background: The United States Congress was established under Article 1 of the Constitution of the United States. It is the critical branch of government responsible for making laws. The organizational structure for both the House and Senate were clearly defined in the Constitution. The House (in 1899) and the Senate (in 1920) significantly altered the organizational structure based on party politics which has led to a usurpation of the reins of the legislative branch by the Democratic and Republican Parties.

The Senate Organization Chart clearly shows leadership positions such as the Majority and Minority Leader which are not included in the Constitution according to the Senate’s own history of these positions. These positions were gradually introduced and are not elected by the people but by the parties. The history and tradition has reached such a level the Senate website states a person holding title “has the right to be called upon first if several senators are seeking recognition by the presiding officer, which enables him to offer motions or amendments before any other senator.” This ‘right’ usurps the Constitutional right of all other elected representatives of the people. The House Organization Chart and history also is filled with party positions elected by secret ballot among the party members. The duties and responsibilities of these positions are determined by history and tradition, according to the Office of the Clerk’s website, not Article 1 of the Constitution. With no authorization to form these positions of power and authority the Democrat and Republican Parties have, in fact, usurped authority from the people and transferred it to the parties. This usurpation of power must be corrected.

The Petition States: To: The United States Congress in Whole,

As a citizen of the United States I am incensed at the current organizational structure of both the Senate and the House of Representatives. Specifically, the leadership positions known as the Majority and Minority Leader, Majority and Minority Whips, and all associated staff and positions are unconstitutional. History and tradition are not proper authorizations for creating or maintaining these positions. These positions are not elected by the people and represent a subversion of the power of the people and a usurpation of power by the Democrat and Republican Parties.

I call on you to immediately end the practice of electing Senators and Representatives to these positions. I am also requiring an immediate end to the funding of all staff and budgets associated with any and all of these offices. It is imperative the organization of the U.S. Congress be immediately restored to the U.S. Constitutional structure as prescribed by Article 1 and the power be restored to the citizens of the United States of America.