[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 32 (Monday, February 29, 2016)]
[House]
[Pages H1028-H1031]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
EDWARD ``TED'' KAUFMAN AND MICHAEL LEAVITT PRESIDENTIAL TRANSITIONS
IMPROVEMENTS ACT OF 2015
Mr. JODY B. HICE of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules
and pass the bill (S. 1172) to improve the process of presidential
transition, as amended.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
S. 1172
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Edward `Ted' Kaufman and
Michael Leavitt Presidential Transitions Improvements Act of
2015''.
SEC. 2. PRESIDENTIAL TRANSITION IMPROVEMENTS.
(a) In General.--The Presidential Transition Act of 1963 (3
U.S.C. 102 note) is amended--
(1) by redesignating sections 4, 5, and 6 as sections 5, 6,
and 7, respectively; and
(2) by inserting after section 3 the following:
``SEC. 4. TRANSITION SERVICES AND ACTIVITIES BEFORE ELECTION.
``(a) Definitions.--In this section--
``(1) the term `Administrator' means the Administrator of
General Services;
``(2) the term `agency' means an Executive agency, as
defined in section 105 of title 5, United States Code;
``(3) the term `eligible candidate' has the meaning given
that term in section 3(h)(4); and
``(4) the term `Presidential election' means a general
election held to determine the electors of President and Vice
President under section 1 or 2 of title 3, United States
Code.
``(b) General Duties.--The President shall take such
actions as the President determines necessary and appropriate
to plan and coordinate activities by the Executive branch of
the Federal Government to facilitate an efficient transfer of
power to a successor President, including by--
``(1) establishing and operating a White House transition
coordinating council in accordance with subsection (d); and
``(2) establishing and operating an agency transition
directors council in accordance with subsection (e).
``(c) Federal Transition Coordinator.--The Administrator
shall designate an employee of the General Services
Administration who is a senior career appointee to--
``(1) carry out the duties and authorities of the General
Services Administration relating to Presidential transitions
under this Act or any other provision of law;
``(2) serve as the Federal Transition Coordinator with
responsibility for coordinating transition planning across
agencies, including through the agency transition directors
council established under subsection (e);
``(3) ensure agencies comply with all statutory
requirements relating to transition planning and reporting;
and
``(4) act as a liaison to eligible candidates.
``(d) White House Transition Coordinating Council.--
``(1) Establishment.--Not later than 6 months before the
date of a Presidential election, the President shall
establish a White House transition coordinating council for
purposes of facilitating the Presidential transition.
``(2) Duties.--The White House transition coordinating
council shall--
``(A) provide guidance to agencies and the Federal
Transition Coordinator regarding preparations for the
Presidential transition, including succession planning and
preparation of briefing materials;
``(B) facilitate communication and information sharing
between the transition representatives of eligible candidates
and senior employees in agencies and the Executive Office of
the President; and
``(C) prepare and host interagency emergency preparedness
and response exercises.
``(3) Membership.--The members of the White House
transition coordinating council shall include--
[[Page H1029]]
``(A) senior employees of the Executive branch selected by
the President, which may include the Chief of Staff to the
President, any Cabinet officer, the Director of the Office of
Management and Budget, the Administrator, the Director of the
Office of Personnel Management, the Director of the Office of
Government Ethics, and the Archivist of the United States;
``(B) the Federal Transition Coordinator;
``(C) the transition representative for each eligible
candidate, who shall serve in an advisory capacity; and
``(D) any other individual the President determines
appropriate.
``(4) Chairperson.--The Chairperson of the White House
transition coordinating council shall be a senior employee in
the Executive Office of the President, designated by the
President.
``(e) Agency Transition Directors Council.--
``(1) In general.--The President shall establish and
operate an agency transition directors council, which shall--
``(A) ensure the Federal Government has an integrated
strategy for addressing interagency challenges and
responsibilities around Presidential transitions and turnover
of noncareer appointees;
``(B) coordinate transition activities between the
Executive Office of the President, agencies, and the
transition team of eligible candidates and the President-
elect and Vice-President-elect; and
``(C) draw on guidance provided by the White House
transition coordinating council and lessons learned from
previous Presidential transitions in carrying out its duties.
``(2) Duties.--As part of carrying out the responsibilities
under paragraph (1), the agency transition directors council
shall--
``(A) assist the Federal Transition Coordinator in
identifying and carrying out the responsibilities of the
Federal Transition Coordinator relating to a Presidential
transition;
``(B) provide guidance to agencies in gathering briefing
materials and information relating to the Presidential
transition that may be requested by eligible candidates;
``(C) ensure materials and information described in
subparagraph (B) are prepared not later than November 1 of a
year during which a Presidential election is held;
``(D) ensure agencies adequately prepare career employees
who are designated to fill non-career positions under
subsection (f) during a Presidential transition; and
``(E) consult with the President's Management Council, or
any successor thereto, in carrying out the duties of the
agency transition directors council.
``(3) Membership.--The members of the agency transition
directors council shall include--
``(A) the Federal Transition Coordinator and the Deputy
Director for Management of the Office of Management and
Budget, who shall serve as Co-Chairpersons of the agency
transition directors council;
``(B) other senior employees serving in the Executive
Office of the President, as determined by the President;
``(C) a senior representative from each agency described in
section 901(b)(1) of title 31, United States Code, the Office
of Personnel Management, the Office of Government Ethics, and
the National Archives and Records Administration whose
responsibilities include leading Presidential transition
efforts within the agency;
``(D) a senior representative from any other agency
determined by the Co-Chairpersons to be an agency that has
significant responsibilities relating to the Presidential
transition process; and
``(E) during a year during which a Presidential election
will be held, a transition representative for each eligible
candidate, who shall serve in an advisory capacity.
``(4) Meetings.--The agency transition directors council
shall meet--
``(A) subject to subparagraph (B), not less than once per
year; and
``(B) during the period beginning on the date that is 6
months before a Presidential election and ending on the date
on which the President-elect is inaugurated, on a regular
basis as necessary to carry out the duties and authorities of
the agency transition directors council.
``(f) Interim Agency Leadership for Transitions.--
``(1) Oversight and implementation of transition.--Not
later than 6 months before the date of a Presidential
election, the head of each agency shall designate a senior
career employee of the agency and a senior career employee of
each major component and subcomponent of the agency to
oversee and implement the activities of the agency,
component, or subcomponent relating to the Presidential
transition.
``(2) Acting officers.--Not later than September 15 of a
year during which a Presidential election occurs, and in
accordance with subchapter III of chapter 33 of title 5,
United States Code, for each noncareer position in an agency
that the head of the agency determines is critical, the head
of the agency shall designate a qualified career employee to
serve in the position in an acting capacity if the position
becomes vacant.
``(g) Memorandums of Understanding.--
``(1) In general.--Not later than November 1 of a year
during which a Presidential election occurs, the President
(acting through the Federal Transition Coordinator) shall, to
the maximum extent practicable, negotiate a memorandum of
understanding with the transition representative of each
eligible candidate, which shall include, at a minimum, the
conditions of access to employees, facilities, and documents
of agencies by transition staff.
``(2) Existing resources.--To the maximum extent
practicable, the memorandums of understanding negotiated
under paragraph (1) shall be based on memorandums of
understanding from previous Presidential transitions.
``(h) Equity in Assistance.--Any information or other
assistance provided to eligible candidates under this section
shall be offered on an equal basis and without regard to
political affiliation.
``(i) Reports.--
``(1) In general.--The President, acting through the
Federal Transition Coordinator, shall submit to the Committee
on Oversight and Government Reform of the House of
Representatives and the Committee on Homeland Security and
Governmental Affairs of the Senate reports describing the
activities undertaken by the President and agencies to
prepare for the transfer of power to a new President.
``(2) Timing.--The reports under paragraph (1) shall be
provided 6 months and 3 months before the date of a
Presidential election.''.
(b) Other Improvements.--Section 3 of the Presidential
Transition Act of 1963 (3 U.S.C. 102 note) is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)--
(A) in paragraph (8)--
(i) in subparagraph (A)(i)--
(I) by inserting ``and during the term of a President''
after ``during the transition''; and
(II) by striking ``after inauguration''; and
(ii) in subparagraph (B), by inserting ``or Executive
agencies (as defined in section 105 of title 5, United States
Code)'' before the period; and
(B) in paragraph (10), by inserting ``including, to the
greatest extent practicable, human resource management system
software compatible with the software used by the incumbent
President and likely to be used by the President-elect and
Vice President-elect'' before the period;
(2) in subsection (b)(2), by striking ``30 days'' and
inserting ``180 days'';
(3) in subsection (g), by inserting ``except for activities
under subsection (a)(8)(A),'' before ``there shall be no'';
and
(4) in subsection (h)(2), by adding at the end the
following:
``(D) An eligible candidate shall have a right to the
services and facilities described in this paragraph until the
date on which the Administrator is able to determine the
apparent successful candidates for the office of President
and Vice President.''.
(c) Technical and Conforming Amendments.--
(1) Section 3 of the Pre-Election Presidential Transition
Act of 2010 (3 U.S.C. 102 note) is repealed.
(2) The Presidential Transition Act of 1963 (3 U.S.C. 102
note) is amended--
(A) in section 3--
(i) in subsection (a)(4)(B), by striking ``section 6'' and
inserting ``section 7'';
(ii) in subsection (b), in the matter preceding paragraph
(1), by striking ``section 3 of this Act'' and inserting
``this section''; and
(iii) in subsection (h)(3)(B)(iii), by striking ``section
5'' each place it appears and inserting ``section 6'';
(B) in section 6, as redesignated by subsection (a) of this
section, by striking ``section 6(a)(1)'' each place it
appears and inserting ``section 7(a)(1)''; and
(C) in section 7(a)(2), as redesignated by subsection (a)
of this section, by striking ``section 4'' and inserting
``section 5''.
(3) Section 8331(1)(K) of title 5, United States Code, is
amended by striking ``section 4'' and inserting ``section
5''.
(4) Section 8701(a)(10) of title 5, United States Code, is
amended by striking ``section 4'' and inserting ``section
5''.
(5) Section 8901(1)(I) of title 5, United States Code, is
amended by striking ``section 4'' and inserting ``section
5''.
SEC. 3. NATIONAL ARCHIVES PRESIDENTIAL TRANSITION.
Section 2203(g) of title 44, United States Code, is
amended--
(1) by redesignating paragraph (3) as paragraph (4); and
(2) by inserting after paragraph (2) the following:
``(3) When the President considers it practicable and in
the public interest, the President shall include in the
President's budget transmitted to Congress, for each fiscal
year in which the term of office of the President will
expire, such funds as may be necessary for carrying out the
authorities of this subsection.''.
SEC. 4. REPORTS ON POLITICAL APPOINTEES APPOINTED TO
NONPOLITICAL PERMANENT POSITIONS.
(a) Definitions.--In this section--
(1) the term ``agency'' has the meaning given the term
``Executive agency'' in section 105 of title 5, United States
Code;
(2) the term ``covered civil service position'' means a
position in the civil service (as defined in section 2101 of
title 5, United States Code) that is not--
(A) a temporary position; or
(B) a political position;
(3) the term ``former political appointee'' means an
individual who--
(A) is not serving in an appointment to a political
position; and
(B) served as a political appointee during the 5-year
period ending on the date of the request for an appointment
to a covered civil service position in any agency;
(4) the term ``political appointee'' means an individual
serving in an appointment to a political position; and
(5) the term ``political position'' means--
(A) a position described under sections 5312 through 5316
of title 5, United States Code (relating to the Executive
Schedule);
(B) a noncareer appointment in the Senior Executive
Service, as defined under paragraph (7) of section 3132(a) of
title 5, United States Code; or
(C) a position in the executive branch of the Government of
a confidential or policy-determining character under schedule
C of subpart C
[[Page H1030]]
of part 213 of title 5, Code of Federal Regulations.
(b) Reporting on Current or Recent Political Appointees
Appointed to Covered Civil Service Positions.--
(1) Annual report.--Except as provided in paragraph (2),
the Director of the Office of Personnel Management shall
submit to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental
Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Oversight and
Government Reform of the House of Representatives an annual
report regarding requests by agencies to appoint political
appointees or former political appointees to covered civil
service positions. Each report shall cover one calendar year
and shall--
(A) for each request by an agency that a political
appointee be appointed to a covered civil service position
during the period covered by the report, provide--
(i) the date on which the request was received by the
Office of Personnel Management;
(ii) subject to subsection (c), the name of the individual
and the political position held by the individual, including
title, office, and agency;
(iii) the date on which the individual was first appointed
to a political position in the agency in which the individual
is serving as a political appointee;
(iv) the grade and rate of basic pay for the individual as
a political appointee;
(v) the proposed covered civil service position, including
title, office, and agency, and the proposed grade and rate of
basic pay for the individual;
(vi) whether the Office of Personnel Management approved or
denied the request; and
(vii) the date on which the individual was appointed to a
covered civil service position, if applicable; and
(B) for each request by an agency that a former political
appointee be appointed to a covered civil service position
during the period covered by the report, provide--
(i) the date on which the request was received by the
Office of Personnel Management;
(ii) subject to subsection (c), the name of the individual
and the political position held by the individual, including
title, office, and agency;
(iii) the date on which the individual was first appointed
to any political position;
(iv) the grade and rate of basic pay for the individual as
a political appointee;
(v) the date on which the individual ceased to serve in a
political position;
(vi) the proposed covered civil service position, including
title, office, and agency, and the proposed grade and rate of
basic pay for the individual;
(vii) whether the Office of Personnel Management approved
or denied the request; and
(viii) the date on which the individual was first appointed
to a covered civil service position, if applicable.
(2) Quarterly report in certain years.--In the last year of
the term of a President, or, if applicable, the last year of
the second consecutive term of a President, the report
required under paragraph (1) shall be submitted quarterly and
shall cover each quarter of the year, except that the last
quarterly report shall also cover January 1 through 20 of the
following year.
(c) Names and Titles of Certain Appointees.--If determined
appropriate by the Director of the Office of Personnel
Management, a report submitted under subsection (b) may
exclude the name or title of a political appointee or former
political appointee--
(1) who--
(A) was requested to be appointed to a covered civil
service position; and
(B) was not appointed to a covered civil service position;
or
(2) relating to whom a request to be appointed to a covered
civil service position is pending at the end of the period
covered by that report.
SEC. 5. REPORT ON REGULATIONS PROMULGATED NEAR THE END OF
PRESIDENTIAL TERMS.
(a) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) The term ``covered presidential transition period''
means each of the following:
(A) The 120-day period ending on January 20, 2001.
(B) The 120-day period ending on January 20, 2009.
(C) The 120-day period ending on January 20, 2017.
(2) The term ``covered regulation'' means a final
significant regulatory action promulgated by an Executive
department.
(3) The term ``significant regulatory action'' means any
regulatory action that is likely to result in a rule that
may--
(A) have an annual effect on the economy of $100,000,000 or
more or adversely affect in a material way the economy, a
sector of the economy, productivity, competition, jobs, the
environment, public health or safety, or State, local, or
tribal governments or communities;
(B) create a serious inconsistency or otherwise interfere
with an action taken or planned by another agency;
(C) materially alter the budgetary impact of entitlements,
grants, user fees, or loan programs or the rights and
obligations of recipients thereof; or
(D) raise novel legal or policy issues.
(4) The term ``Executive department'' has the meaning given
that term under section 101 of title 5, United States Code.
(b) Report.--
(1) In general.--The Comptroller General of the United
States shall submit to the Committee on Homeland Security and
Governmental Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on
Oversight and Government Reform of the House of
Representatives a report regarding covered regulations
promulgated during each covered presidential transition
period.
(2) Contents of report.--The report required under
paragraph (1) shall, to the extent feasible, for each covered
presidential transition period--
(A) compare the number, scope, and impact of, and type of
rulemaking procedure used for, covered regulations
promulgated during the covered presidential transition period
to the number, scope, and impact of, and type of rulemaking
procedure used for, covered regulations promulgated during
the 120-day periods ending on January 20 of each year after
1996, other than 2001, 2009, and 2017;
(B) determine the statistical significance of any
differences identified under subparagraph (A) and whether and
to what extent such differences indicate any patterns;
(C) evaluate the size, scope, and effect of the covered
regulations promulgated during the covered presidential
transition period; and
(D) assess the extent to which the regularly required
processes for the promulgation of covered regulations were
followed during the covered presidential transition period,
including compliance with the requirements under--
(i) chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code (commonly
known as the ``Congressional Review Act'');
(ii) the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act
of 1996 (5 U.S.C. 601 note);
(iii) sections 202, 203, 204, and 205 of the Unfunded
Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (2 U.S.C. 1532-1535);
(iv) chapter 6 of title 5, United States Code (commonly
known as the ``Regulatory Flexibility Act''); and
(v) chapter 35 of title 44, United States Code (commonly
known as the ``Paperwork Reduction Act'').
SEC. 6. ANALYSIS OF THREATS AND VULNERABILITIES.
(a) In General.--Not later than February 15, 2016, the
Secretary of Homeland Security shall submit to the Committee
on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate
and the Committees on Oversight and Government Reform and
Homeland Security of the House of Representatives a report
analyzing the threats and vulnerabilities facing the United
States during a presidential transition, which--
(1) shall identify and discuss vulnerabilities related to
border security and threats related to terrorism, including
from weapons of mass destruction;
(2) shall identify steps being taken to address the threats
and vulnerabilities during a presidential transition; and
(3) may include recommendations for actions by components
and agencies within the Department of Homeland Security.
(b) Form.--The report submitted under subsection (a) shall
be prepared in unclassified form, but may contain a
classified annex.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Georgia (Mr. Jody B. Hice) and the gentlewoman from Illinois (Ms.
Kelly) each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Georgia.
General Leave
Mr. JODY B. HICE of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent
that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and
extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the bill under
consideration.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Georgia?
There was no objection.
Mr. JODY B. HICE of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as
I may consume.
I rise today in support of S. 1172, the Edward ``Ted'' Kaufman and
Michael Leavitt Presidential Transitions Improvements Act of 2015,
introduced by Senator Thomas Carper of Delaware.
By building on the Pre-Presidential Transaction Act of 2010, S. 1172
improves the process of Presidential transition by mandating several
processes that have been effective in past Presidential transitions.
The bill promotes early planning and supports communication by
codifying the working groups put in place for the 2010 transition,
which was one of the smoothest in our Nation's history.
S. 1172 directs the White House to establish a transition council. It
requires the General Services Administration to designate a Federal
transition coordinator, and it ensures agencies designate staff to
manage their internal transition activities needed to support the
process of transitioning from one Presidential administration to
another.
The bill requires that the transition teams be in place no later than
6 months before election day, and it authorizes GSA to provide services
for the incoming administration up to 6 months after inauguration.
{time} 1800
S. 1172 also requires a report to Congress on national security
threats related to terrorism and border security during a transition.
The bill further requires the Office of Personnel Management to provide
quarterly reports to
[[Page H1031]]
Congress detailing requests by agencies to appoint political appointees
and former political appointees to nonpolitical civil service
positions.
Mr. Speaker, S. 1172 will help ensure the incoming President has the
information necessary to oversee our complex government. Together,
these commonsense steps will support future Presidents as they prepare
to govern immediately after inauguration. Regardless of party, key
management actions must be taken during transitions to support the
smooth operation of government.
Mr. Speaker, this bill was also referred to the Committee on Homeland
Security, and we deeply appreciate their cooperation in getting this
bill to the floor.
I also would like to thank Senators Johnson and Carper for their work
to ensure the upcoming transition remains nonpartisan and supports the
continuance of essential government operations.
Mr. Speaker, as we prepare for an upcoming Presidential transition, I
urge my colleagues to support this important bipartisan legislation.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
House of Representatives, Committee on Oversight and
Government Reform,
Washington, DC, December 11, 2015.
Hon. Michael T. McCaul,
Chairman, Committee on Homeland Security,
Washington, DC.
Dear Mr. Chairman: On October 9, 2015, the Committee on
Oversight and Government Reform ordered reported with an
amendment S. 1172, the Edward ``Ted'' Kaufman and Michael
Leavitt Presidential Transitions Improvements Act of 2015, by
unanimous consent. The bill was referred primarily to the
Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, with an
additional referral to the Committee on Homeland Security.
I ask that you allow the Homeland Security Committee to be
discharged from further consideration of the bill so that it
may be scheduled by the Majority Leader. This discharge in no
way affects your jurisdiction over the subject matter of the
bill, and it will not serve as precedent for future
referrals. In addition, should a conference on the bill be
necessary, I would support your request to have the Committee
on Homeland Security represented on the conference committee.
Finally, I would be pleased to include this letter and any
response in the bill report filed by the Committee on
Oversight and Government Reform, as well as in the
Congressional Record during floor consideration, to
memorialize our understanding.
Thank you for your consideration of my request.
Sincerely,
Jason Chaffetz,
Chairman.
____
House of Representatives,
Committee on Homeland Security,
Washington, DC, December 11, 2015.
Hon. Jason Chaffetz,
Chairman, Committee on Oversight and Government Reform,
Washington, DC.
Dear Chairman Chaffetz: Thank you for letter regarding S.
1172, the ``Edward `Ted' Kaufman and Michael Leavitt
Presidential Transitions and Improvements Act of 2015.'' As a
result of your having consulted with us on provisions in S.
1172 that fall within the Rule X jurisdiction of the
Committee on Homeland Security, I agree to discharge our
Committee from further consideration of this bill so that it
may proceed expeditiously to the House floor for
consideration.
The Committee on Homeland Security takes this action with
our mutual understanding that by forgoing consideration of S.
1172 at this time, we do not waive any jurisdiction over
subject matter contained in this or similar legislation, and
that our Committee will be appropriately consulted and
involved as this bill or similar legislation moves forward so
that we may address any remaining issues in our jurisdiction.
Our Committee also reserves the right to seek appointment of
an appropriate number of conferees to any House-Senate
conference involving this or similar legislation, and I ask
that your support any such request.
To memorialize our understanding, please include a copy of
this letter exchange in the report filed by the Committee on
Oversight and Government Reform, as well as in the
Congressional Record during floor consideration.
Sincerely,
Michael T. McCaul,
Chairman.
Ms. KELLY of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this legislation. I appreciate the
leadership of Senator Tom Carper in advocating for this bill which
would improve the transition process for Presidential administrations.
When a new President takes office, it can take months for the new
administration to put people in place. This bill would ensure that the
Federal Government can continue its important functions during this
transition and allow the head of an agency to put career employees in
noncareer positions temporarily if necessary.
Under this legislation, a senior-level interagency transition council
would be established to help develop an effective strategy for each
Presidential transition. The General Services Administration would also
be required to designate a Federal transition coordinator, and agencies
would be required to designate senior career officials to oversee
transition activities.
This bill would also help the National Archives carry out its mission
by authorizing the President to include funds for the Archives to
efficiently receive records from the outgoing administration.
Several changes were made to this legislation during consideration by
the Oversight and Government Reform Committee to address concerns
raised by Ranking Member Cummings. For example, the Senate version of
this bill would have required the Office of Personnel Management to
report every quarter on requests for political appointees to convert to
career employees. The bill before us today would still require OPM to
report this information, but it would only be on an annual basis during
nonelection years.
This bill will help future Presidents have a smooth and productive
transition. I support this bill, and I have no additional speakers.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. JODY B. HICE of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I urge adoption of this
bill.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Jody B. Hice) that the House suspend the
rules and pass the bill, S. 1172, as amended.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the
rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
____________________