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Electeds should always read bills

I agree with Chris Donnellan’s Feb. 19 letter “Electeds must review stimulus package before passing it.”

Why did Congress need to pass a $787 billion stimulus bill in the dead of night Feb. 13? President Barack Obama was out of town and not available to sign any bill until Feb. 17. Members of Congress, the media, government watchdog groups and ordinary citizens have had no time to go over the 1,071−page bill.

Who knows what last−minute treats totaling billions of dollars politicians added to this bill on behalf of their constituents? Only the Washington pay−for−play contributors, unions, K Street lobbyists and other special interest groups know what surprises are in store for taxpayers when everyone finally has time to read the fine print.

Congress normally takes months to review smaller federal agency appropriation bills before adoption.

Larry Penner

Great Neck, L.I.