America needs a Congress that represents ordinary citizens, not career politicians. This petition demands implementation of the American Congressional Reform Act using STAR Voting and a citizen-legislator lottery system.

STAR Voting allows voters to rate candidates 0-5 stars. The two highest-scoring candidates advance to an automatic runoff where your vote goes to whichever finalist you rated higher. This eliminates vote-splitting, reduces strategic voting, and ensures majority-preferred winners without the spoiler effect that plagues current elections.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES SELECTION: Each district conducts a lottery 18 months before elections. Ten citizens selected: 5 civilians and 5 military veterans. Requirements include 4 years voter registration, 3 years tax payment, passing a basic civics competency test, and no felony convictions in 10 years. Current House members under 3 terms, state legislators, and governors automatically qualify. Campaign spending capped at $500,000. No corporate donations. Individual donations limited to $1,000. Public matching funds of $200,000 available for candidates raising $50,000 in small donations.

SENATE SELECTION: Only current House members, sitting senators under 3 terms, and governors eligible. House members must transition to Senate before completing 6 years in House or become permanently ineligible. This creates natural up-or-out pressure. Campaign spending capped at $2 million. Minimum 8 statewide debates required. $500,000 in public matching funds available.

TERM LIMITS: House maximum 6 years. Senate maximum 18 years. Total congressional service capped at 25 years absolute maximum. No more 40-year swamp creatures.

CONGRESS ACCOUNTABILITY: Members receive no pay, no travel funds, no office budgets, not even coffee money until a balanced federal budget is passed and funded. No exceptions. No backpay ever. When you fail to do your job, you work for free. Congressional healthcare eliminated. Members use VA hospitals or VA healthcare with 50% service-connected disability equivalent coverage. If it's good enough for veterans, it's good enough for Congress.

CITIZEN SUPPORT: Six-month Congressional Orientation Academy for lottery winners. Ongoing policy briefings. Staff budgets increased 50% to support citizen-legislators. Mentorship pairing with experienced legislators. Guaranteed return to equivalent or better employment positions. Federal employment protection laws with penalties for violations. Family relocation assistance. Housing allowance covering DC costs. Salary set at 150% of district median income.

TRANSPARENCY REQUIREMENTS: Annual public report cards on voting records. Mandatory quarterly town halls. Public database tracking all lobbyist meetings. Real-time campaign contribution disclosure.

IMPLEMENTATION: State-level pilots begin immediately. Interstate compact reaches critical mass. Article V convention proposes constitutional amendment when 34 states join. Ratification by 38 states makes it law nationwide.

This eliminates career politicians, empowers ordinary citizens and veterans to serve, maintains institutional knowledge through experienced state politicians, reduces corruption through term limits and spending caps, and increases accountability through transparency. Lottery registration is voluntary. Selected citizens can decline within 30 days without penalty.

We demand Congress pass this reform or we demand states begin pilot programs immediately. The current system serves politicians and special interests. This system serves the American people.