Since, well, for as long as anyone can remember, there have been calls made for greater transparency within our federal government. It’s why a number of conspiracies exist about things like Roswell, New Mexico, or what really happened to Jeffrey Epstein in prison.
And such questions have led at least one congress member to believe that something should be done and soon to restore America’s faith in our government.
Enter Arizona’s GOP Representative Paul Gosar.
On Tuesday, he introduced legislation that would require members of Congress or at least those in leadership positions to wear body cameras while on official business so that the truth of their words and actions can better be seen by the American people.
I’ve introduced legislation requiring House of Representatives leadership to lead a program where members of Congress wear body cameras & share the footage with the public: pic.twitter.com/P2zNcoadjR
— Rep. Paul Gosar, DDS (@RepGosar) September 14, 2021
According to Gosar, the action would help to prevent both untrue statements from and about members of Congress from being made. You know, much like it has done with members of law enforcement in recent years.
Gosar points out that in the years since police officers have been required to wear body cams, “valuable evidence defending police officers from otherwise false and frivolous accusations” has been made available. Additionally, when a police officer is in the wrong, it proves that too.
The congressman also makes note that the idea of body cams or at least cameras, in general, has been introduced to the classroom in certain locations. And, as it is with law enforcement, it is beginning to prove invaluable, as both teacher and student can now have evidence to prove or disprove their side of anything incident. As Gosar says, “Too often what is really happening in our schools is hidden from parents.”
And so, it is with much practicality that the Arizona lawmaker has suggested that the same level of transparency be added to Congress.
Gosar explains that several things have happened or accusations made that have had little to no witnesses in congressional houses in the past.
You know, such as the allegations by some Democratic members of the House that “reconnaissance tours” were given by other members of Congress just prior to the January 6 incursion of the Capitol complex. Then, of course, there is the “harrowing tale,” as Gosar calls it, given by New York Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez that she was literally chased and forced into hiding lest she be raped.
Body-worn cameras would either confirm or prove these allegations to be false. If someone did actually chase AOC through the halls of Congress, cameras would make it easier to 1) confirm her story and 2) identify the suspect and bring them to justice.
Just as easily, it could also prove her and others who are believed to have exaggerated their experiences on January 6 to be nothing but liars.
Now, of course, there will be members of Congress who likely won’t like this idea.
And that’s why Gosar has suggested it first be attempted with a ‘pilot program,’ in which only those in leadership in the House of Representatives or is the head of a House leadership office would be required to wear the cameras. And, of course, only during official business. The footage would then be made available to the American public.
If all goes well, then it can be expanded to include all House members and those in the Senate possibly.
I have to say, I think it’s a tremendously good idea. I mean, what better way to both keep Congress accountable and to prevent attacks from being made on them than by giving America an inside view of what really goes on in our federal government?
As Gosar mentioned upon introducing his bill, the public has lost much faith in our leaders in recent months and years. And the only way to restore that faith and trust is to let us know what’s really going on, to see the daily happenings, to receive complete transparency.
Naturally, there will be times when national security or classified information may require some secrecy. But as Gosar says, “Less secrecy from our leaders is a good place to start.”
