Olszewski to Introduce “Direct Democracy” Constitutional Amendment to Create National Referendum Process for American Public

(Washington, DC) - Congressman Johnny Olszewski (MD-02) tomorrow will introduce a constitutional amendment that would establish a national "direct democracy" process, giving Americans a new way to propose and enact federal laws when Congress fails to advance issues with broad public support.

Across the country, Americans agree on more than our politics often suggests. For example, overwhelming majorities support banning members of Congress from trading individual stocks, requiring insurance to cover fertility treatment and requiring police officers to wear body cameras. Yet even when most Americans agree on an issue, turning that consensus into federal action can take years - if it ever happens at all.

Olszewski's amendment would empower citizens with a constitutional avenue to pass or repeal laws when an increasingly politicized Congress refuses to take action on issues that enjoy overwhelming consensus.

"As a former social studies teacher, I believe deeply in representative democracy - but I also believe democracy works best when people have a meaningful voice in their government," Congressman Olszewski said. "Too many Americans feel that policy change is too slow and that it is too heavily influenced by entrenched interests. My amendment reimagines and reinvigorates our American democracy to turn consensus into action."

Under Olszewski's proposal, citizens could propose a new federal law or repeal an existing federal statute by:

• Gathering signatures equal to at least 5 percent of voters who participated in the most recent presidential election nationwide in at least 25 states;
• Completing the signature-gathering process within an 18 month window;
• Having the signatures independently verified;
• Placing the proposal on the ballot at the next eligible national election; and
• Securing approval from at least 60 percent of voters nationwide.

If approved by voters, the measure would automatically become federal law - or repeal an existing federal law - without requiring Congressional action or the President's signature.

The ambitious criteria ensures that the process is reserved for proposals with significant and geographically widespread support, rather than narrow or fleeting public interests.

"The goal isn't to replace Congress - it's to give the American people a constitutional backstop to a paralyzed Washington," Olszewski said. "If Americans across the country organize, meet a rigorous threshold, and also vote by a supermajority to enact a law, their voice should matter."

The amendment would require a two-thirds vote in Congress and ratification by three-fourths of the states before taking effect.

This is the third constitutional amendment proposed by Congressman Olszewski to promote accountability and strengthen the checks and balances foundational to our democracy. His ROBE Act would create 18-year term limits for Supreme County justices and his Pardon Integrity Act would enable Congress to override egregious presidential pardons.