The "Read the Bills Act" seeks to restore constitutional legislative practices and ensure greater accountability and transparency in the enactment of laws. Citing constitutional authority from Article I, Sections 5 and 7, regarding congressional rules and the process for bills becoming law, it also establishes standing for aggrieved parties under Article III, Section 2. The bill's findings highlight a historical departure from practices outlined in Jefferson's Manual, which mandated full, verbatim readings of bills. It asserts that current practices, such as limiting readings to titles and passing unprinted legislation, have led to excessively long, incomprehensible laws, deprived the public and members of a fair opportunity to examine text, and undermined confidence in the legislative process. Key provisions introduce new requirements for bills and resolutions. They must now include a specific citation of their constitutional authority, and any bill amending existing law must explicitly set forth the current text, the proposed amendments, and the resulting modified text. Failure to comply with these requirements means a bill cannot be accepted by clerks, nor can it be submitted for a final vote, and these provisions cannot be waived. Furthermore, the bill mandates significant procedural changes before a final vote. The full text of a bill must be published on an official internet website at least seven days prior to a vote, with public notice of the voting week posted six days in advance. Crucially, the full text of the bill must be read verbatim to a physically assembled House or Senate, with a quorum present, before a final vote can occur. To ensure individual accountability, Senators and Representatives must sign an affidavit, under penalty of perjury, attesting that they either listened attentively to the full reading or personally read the entire bill before voting for its passage (unless voting against). The bill includes a strong enforcement clause , declaring that any Act of Congress failing to comply with these new requirements shall have no force or effect. It also establishes a cause of action for aggrieved persons or Members of Congress to seek relief, including injunctions, against the enforcement of non-compliant laws.