# Proposal: All laws Congress enacts should have a sunset date

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/proposal-all-laws-congress-enacts-should-have-a-sunset-date/265766>\
**Category:** Great Debates\
**Created:** [September 23, 2004, 10:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/proposal-all-laws-congress-enacts-should-have-a-sunset-date/265766 "2004-09-23T22:11:33Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 2

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**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\
**Post date:** [September 25, 2004, 5:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/proposal-all-laws-congress-enacts-should-have-a-sunset-date/265766/21 "2004-09-25T05:22:24Z")

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> [@](#):
>
> We’re talking about new laws here, not established laws.
> 
> Like, trial periods to ensure that a law is viable, helpful, not overly restricting, and all that? Surely you are in a high enough school grade to grasp that concept, yes?
> 
> Homocide has been against the law in the U.S since before 1776, and in the rest of the world since far before that.
> 
> I think the “ten-year review” is long since passed. Sorry you missed it.

Well, nobody prior to your post said we were only talking about new laws and several people have said otherwise, so I’m feeling okay with myself for missing that point.

But let’s assume you are expressing the general consensus and we’re only discussing new laws. If so, this leads to the conclusion that apparently every law passed up until now is okay. If this is correct, why are we assuming that every law that’s going to be passed from now on will be flawed?

> [@](#):
>
> I think this is a good idea but I’d add a wrinkle to avoid casual tinkering. Have all laws originally passed for ten years and every time they are reenacted exactly as they are they can remain on the books for an additional five years up to a maximum of thirty years or so. A law passed today would have to be renewed in ten years and if reenacted at that point in exactly the same form it would have to renewed in fifteen years and so on.

This would probably lead to the same problem. To use the example I gave above, both sides would propose a new homicide law that would include their favored language and both sides would want to see the existing version expire.

> [@](#):
>
> we elect new representatives and they abolish the laws.  
> Have any examples?

Of which? New representatives being elected or old laws being abolished? Both occur on a regular basis. If you don’t know this, I’d suggest you look into the subject.

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**Author:** ![Ms2001](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ms2001/32/18463_2.png) [@Ms2001](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ms2001)\
**Post date:** [September 25, 2004, 10:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/proposal-all-laws-congress-enacts-should-have-a-sunset-date/265766/22 "2004-09-25T10:40:09Z")

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Excellent idea. Apply it to existing laws too, not just new laws. And, as long as we’re making radical changes, let’s apply it to state governments too.

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