Newt Gingrich to Reps: 'Say No to a Lame Duck Session'

Earlier this week, Politico's Jonathan Martin wrote about fears of a possible lame duck session of Congress.

As Martin noted, "With dark warnings, GOP members of Congress and right-wing media figures are suggesting that the Democratic majority could use a post-election session of Congress to jam through tax increases, cap and trade, immigration reform and legislation making it easier for unions to organize workers."

So, it's not terribly surprising that former House Speaker Newt Gingrich's 'American Solutions' is encouraging citizens to urge their lawmakers to sign his 'No Lame Duck Pledge'.

As the pledge states:

I, undersigned Member of the 111th Congress, pledge to the citizens of the State of _____________ I will not participate in a Lame Duck session of Congress. I believe reconvening the Congress after the November 2nd election and prior to the seating of the new 112th Congress, smacks of the worst kind of political corruption. Attempting to pass unpopular legislation subverts the will of the American people and is an abusive power grab.

Whether or not this takes off (and it very well may), it's a clever idea.

At the time of this writing, 963 Americans have signed up -- but it's early.

Update: Gingrich gives a bit of a history lesson on the topic over at Human Events. Meanwhile, American Solution's spokesman R.C. Hammond tells me the next step is, "We're going to sort out the members of Congress who are willing to participate in a lame duck session -- and make them famous (or infamous) with their constituents back home."