[Deschler-Brown Precedents, Volume 12 (Sections 1-34), Volume 13 (Sections 35-end, plus index)]
[Chapter 29. Consideration and Debate]
[D. Control and Distribution of Time for Debate]
[§ 24. In General; Role of Manager]
[From the U.S. Government Printing Office, www.gpo.gov]
[Page 10188-10226]
CHAPTER 29
Consideration and Debate
D. CONTROL AND DISTRIBUTION OF TIME FOR DEBATE
Sec. 24. In General; Role of Manager
In the practice of the House, one or more designated Members manage
a measure during its consideration on the floor of the House. The
manager of the measure has prior right to recognition unless he
surrenders or loses control or unless a preferential motion is offered
which is within the province of those who oppose the
bill.(3)
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3. For prior rights to recognition of the Member in control, see
Sec. Sec. 24.1, 24.2, infra. An example of a motion within the
province of the opposition (with priority of recognition to the
minority party) is the motion to recommit (see Ch. 23, supra).
For the surrendering or losing of control, see Sec. 33, infra.
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The manager is generally designated by the committee reporting the
bill or resolution and is normally the chairman of the full committee
or of the relevant subcommittee. Where a proposition is considered
pursuant to a special order from the Committee on Rules, the special
order typically provides that debate be controlled by the chairman and
ranking minority member of the committee which has applied to the
Committee on Rules for such an order.(4)
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4. For management by the reporting committee, see Sec. 26, infra. The
effect and forms of special orders are discussed in Sec. 28,
infra.
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If a measure is considered un-der the hour rule in the House, the
Member calling it up is normally entitled to one hour of debate, which
he may in his discretion yield to other Members. He may at any time
move the previous question, thereby bringing the matter to a vote and
terminating further debate.(5) On conference reports and
amendments reported in disagreement from conference, the hour is
equally divided between the majority and minority
parties.(6) Where a bill is called up in the House under
suspension of the rules, debate continues for forty minutes, equally
divided (see Chapter 21, supra).
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5. For further discussion of the hour rule, see Sec. 68, infra. For
the previous question, see Sec. 24.21, infra.
6. See Ch. 33 (House-Senate Conferences), infra. See also Sec. 26,
infra, for the requirement that one-third of debate time be
allotted to one opposed.
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If a matter is to be considered in the Committee of the Whole,
general debate therein is controlled and divided by the Members in
charge. When the bill is read for amendment in the Committee, the
managers have prior right to recognition for debate and to move to
limit debate or to move that the Committee rise.(7)
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7. For priority of recognition to move that the Committee rise, see
Sec. 24.15, infra. For priority of recognition to move to close
debate, see Sec. 24.16, infra.
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[[Page 10189]]
During consideration in the House as in the Committee of the Whole,
only five-minute debate is conducted, with priority of recognition to
members of the reporting committee for debate or to move the previous
question or to limit debate.
Cross References
Calling up and passing bills and resolutions generally, see Ch. 24,
supra.
Committee procedure as to management of bills, see Ch. 17, supra.
Management of bills called up under suspension of the rules, see Ch.
21, supra.
Management of bills on the various calendars, see Ch. 22, supra.
Management of resolutions of impeachment, see Ch. 14,
supra. -------------------
Manager's Prior Right to Recognition
Sec. 24.1 Where more than one Member seeks recognition, the Speaker
recognizes the Member in charge of the bill or resolution if he
seeks recognition.
On Sept. 11, 1945,(8) Mr. Robert F. Rich, of
Pennsylvania, and Mr. Adolph J. Sabath, of New York, arose at the same
time seeking recognition on a bill being handled by Mr. Sabath. Speaker
Sam Rayburn, of Texas, recognized Mr. Sabath since he had priority of
recognition as the Member in charge and then answered parliamentary
inquiries on the order of recognition:
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8. 91 Cong. Rec. 8510, 79th Cong. 1st Sess.
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Mr. Rich: After the reading of section 4 of the bill which
contained subsections (a), (b), and (c), could not a Member have
risen to strike out the last word and have been recognized?
The Speaker: The gentleman did not state for what purpose he
rose. The gentleman from Illinois who is in charge of the
resolution was on his feet at the same time. The Chair recognized
the gentleman from Illinois, and the gentleman from Illinois made a
preferential motion.
Mr. [Clare E.] Hoffman [of Michigan]: Mr. Speaker, a
parliamentary inquiry.
The Speaker: The gentleman will state it.
Mr. Hoffman: Must a Member on the floor addressing the Speaker
state the purpose for which he addresses the Speaker before he may
be recognized?
The Speaker: Two Members rose. The Speaker always has the right
to recognize whichever Member he desires. The Chair recognized the
gentleman from Illinois who was in charge of the resolution. The
gentleman from Illinois made a preferential motion; the Chair put
the motion and it was adopted.(9)
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9. For more extensive discussion of the priority of recognition for
the Member in control, see Sec. 14, supra.
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[[Page 10190]]
Sec. 24.2 Where the Member handling a bill on the floor and a minority
Member both seek recognition, the Chair gives preference to the
former.
On Nov. 15, 1967,(10) the Committee of the Whole was
considering H.R. 2388, economic opportunity amendments, reported by the
Committee on Education and Labor (chaired by Carl D. Perkins [Ky.]).
Mr. Edward J. Gurney, of Florida, sought recognition to offer an
amendment, but Chairman John J. Rooney, of New York, recognized Mr.
Perkins to submit
a unanimous-consent request (to close debate at a certain hour).
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10. 113 Cong. Rec. 32655, 90th Cong. 1st Sess.
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Mr. Gurney made a point of order against recognition of Mr.
Perkins, and the Chairman overruled the point of order:
Mr. Gurney: Mr. Chairman, I am a member of the committee. I was
on my feet. The Chair recognized me, and I did not yield for a
unanimous-consent request on the other side.
The Chairman: The Chair asked the gentleman for what purpose he
rose.
Mr. Gurney: And I said to offer an amendment, and I was
recognized for that purpose.
The Chairman: The Chair had not recognized the gentleman from
Florida at that point.
The Chair now recognizes the gentleman from Florida.
Manager's Right To Open and Control Debate
Sec. 24.3 A Member calling up a measure or offering a motion in the
House is recognized to open and to control debate
thereon.(11)
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11. See, for example, 114 Cong. Rec. 30217, 90th Cong. 2d Sess., Oct.
8, 1968 (special order from Committee on Rules); 113 Cong. Rec.
14, 90th Cong. 1st Sess., Jan. 10, 1967 (prior to adoption of
rules); 111 Cong. Rec. 23608, 89th Cong. 1st Sess., Sept. 13,
1965 (motion to reconsider); 105 Cong. Rec. 11599, 86th Cong.
1st Sess., June 23, 1959 (conference report); 96 Cong. Rec.
1514, 81st Cong. 2d Sess., Feb. 6, 1950 (question of
privilege); 89 Cong. Rec. 7051, 78th Cong. 1st Sess., July 2,
1943 (override of veto); 87 Cong. Rec. 3917, 77th Cong. 1st
Sess., May 12, 1941 (District of Columbia bills); 80 Cong. Rec.
7025-27, 74th Cong. 2d Sess., May 11, 1936 (motion to discharge
a committee); and 78 Cong. Rec. 4931, 73d Cong. 2d Sess., Mar.
20, 1934 (unanimous-consent consideration of bill).
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Control of Time Where Manager Is Opposed
Sec. 24.4 The senior manager on the part of the House at a conference
called up for consideration and managed the debate on the
conference report, although he had not signed the report and was
opposed to it.
[[Page 10191]]
On Dec. 6, 1967,(12) William R. Poage, of Texas,
Chairman of the Committee on Agriculture and senior manager for the
House in conference on H.R. 12144, the Federal Meat Inspection Act of
1967, called up the conference report on that bill and managed the
debate thereon. Mr. Poage delivered the following remarks when calling
up the report:
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12. 113 Cong. Rec. 35144-55, 90th Cong. 1st Sess.
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Mr. Speaker, I yield myself 5 minutes.
Mr. Speaker, today I find myself in the same position which I
occupied when we sent this bill to conference. I have no desire to
interfere with or delay consideration of the bill. I full well
recognize the very proper desire of every Member of this House to
secure and maintain the very best possible meat inspection program
for the United States. I join in that desire. The conference report
which our committee brings you is intended to achieve that result.
I hope it will.
This report is signed by all of the conferees on the part of
the Senate and all but two of the conferees on the part of the
House. I am one of those two.(13)
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13. For occasions where the manager of a bill relinquished control by
reason of his opposition thereto, see Sec. Sec. 26.7, 26.8,
infra.
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Manager Recognized in Opposition to Amendment
Sec. 24.5 Where a special rule
limits debate on designated amendments and allocates time between
the proponent and an opponent, the manager of the bill will be
recognized to control debate in opposition to the amendment if he
qualifies as opposed.
On Dec. 1, 1982,(14) during consideration of H.R. 6995
(Federal Trade Commission Authorization Act) in the Committee of the
Whole, the Chair responded to an inquiry regarding debate, as indicated
below:
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14. 128 Cong. Rec. 28235, 97th Cong. 2d Sess.
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Mr. [James T.] Broyhill [of North Carolina]: Mr. Chairman, I
have a parliamentary inquiry with respect to the procedure followed
here.
It is my understanding that the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr.
Florio) [the manager of the bill] will control the time in
opposition to the Luken amendment; is that correct?
The Chairman: (15) If the gentleman is opposed to
the amendment.
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15. George E. Brown, Jr. (Calif.).
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Mr. [James J.] Florio [of New Jersey]: I am, Mr. Chairman.
The Chairman: The gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Florio) will
therefore be recognized to control the time in opposition to the
amendment offered by the gentleman from Ohio.
Sec. 24.6 Where a special rule adopted by the House limits debate on an
amendment to be controlled by the propo
[[Page 10192]]
nent and an opponent, and prohibits amendments thereto, the Chair
may in his discretion recognize the manager of the bill if opposed
and there is no requirement for recognition of the minority party.
The following proceedings occurred in the Committee of the Whole on
June 18, 1986,(16) during consideration of H.R. 4868 (Anti-
Apartheid Act of 1986):
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16. 132 Cong. Rec. 14275, 14276, 99th Cong. 2d Sess.
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The Chairman: (17) Under the rule, the gentleman
from California (Mr. Dellums) will be recognized for 30 minutes,
and a Member opposed to the amendment will be recognized for 30
minutes.
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17. Bob Traxler (Mich.).
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Will those gentlemen who are opposed to the Dellums amendment
kindly stand so the Chair can designate?
Is the gentleman from Washington (Mr. Bonker) opposed to the
amendment?
Mr. [Don] Bonker [of Washington]: I advise the Chair that I
oppose the amendment.
The Chairman: Then the Chair will recognize the gentleman from
Washington (Mr. Bonker) for 30 minutes in opposition to the Dellums
amendment.
Does the gentleman from Washington wish to yield any of his
time or share any of his time?
Mr. Bonker: Mr. Chairman, I would yield half the allotted time,
15 minutes, to the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Siljander).
The Chairman: The time in opposition will be equally divided
between the gentleman from Washington (Mr. Bonker) and the
gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Siljander). . . .
Mr. [Robert S.] Walker [of Pennsylvania]: Mr. Chairman, do I
understand that the process that has just taken place has given the
minority side one-quarter of the time.
The Chairman: The Chair would counsel the gentleman from
Pennsylvania in regard to his inquiry that the rule provides that a
Member will be recognized in opposition. The gentleman from
Washington (Mr. Bonker) was recognized in opposition, and he shared
his time with your side.
Mr. Walker: In other words, the minority, though, was not
recognized for the purposes of opposition. Is that correct?
The Chairman: The Chair would state that the procedures of the
House are governed by its rules, but more importantly in this
instance, by the rule adopted by the House as reported from the
Committee.
Manager's Right To Make Essential Motion
Sec. 24.7 The Speaker recognized the manager of a special rule, pending
when a recess had been declared to await the copy of an engrossed
bill, to withdraw the special rule from consideration.
On Apr. 8, 1964,(18) the House was considering a special
rule (H.
[[Page 10193]]
Res. 665), offered by Mr. Richard Bolling, of Missouri, from the
Committee on Rules, providing for taking a bill from the Speaker's
table and agreeing to Senate amendments thereto. Before a vote was had
on the resolution, Speaker John W. McCormack, of Massachusetts,
declared a recess pending the receipt of an engrossed bill, H.R. 10222,
the Food Stamp Act of 1964. When the House reconvened, the Speaker
announced that the unfinished business was the reading of the latter
bill. Mr. Oliver P. Bolton, of Ohio, made a parliamentary inquiry as to
the status of the resolution pending at the recess and the Speaker,
without responding to the inquiry, recognized Mr. Bolling, the manager
of the resolution, who then withdrew the resolution from consideration.
In answer to further parliamentary inquiries, the Speaker stated that
the withdrawal of the resolution terminated the reason for the
parliamentary inquiry.
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18. 110 Cong. Rec. 7302-04, 88th Cong. 2d Sess.
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Parliamentarian's Note: The rules no longer permit a Member to
demand the reading of an engrossed bill.
Manager's Right To Withdraw Resolution; Effect on Debate
Sec. 24.8 A Member calling up
a privileged resolution from the Committee on Rules is recognized
for a full hour notwithstanding the fact that as manager he has
previously called up the resolution and withdrawn it after debate.
On Apr. 8, 1964,(19) Mr. Richard Bolling, of Missouri,
called up at the direction of the Committee on Rules House Resolution
665, making in order the consideration of
a bill. As noted above (Sec. 24.7, supra), Mr. Bolling withdrew this
resolution in order that the engrossed copy of a bill could be taken up
as unfinished business. In response to a parliamentary
inquiry, the Speaker, John W.
McCormack, of Massachusetts,
stated that when the Committee
on Rules resolution was again brought up, the Member calling
it up would be recognized for a
full hour despite the fact that it
had already been brought up and withdrawn:
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19. 110 Cong. Rec. 7303-08, 88th Cong. 2d Sess.
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Mr. [Charles A.] Halleck [of Indiana]: Mr. Speaker, in view of
the withdrawal of the resolution by the gentleman from Missouri
[Mr. Bolling] do I understand that we start all over again on the
consideration of the rule for the wheat-cotton bill?
The Speaker: When the gentleman calls it up, the understanding
of the gentleman is correct.
[[Page 10194]]
Mr. Halleck: We will start all over again with 30 minutes on a
side?
The Speaker: That is correct.
Manager's Right To Offer and Debate Amendments
Sec. 24.9 Recognition to offer amendments is first extended to the
manager of a bill, and the fact that the Committee of the Whole has
just completed consideration of one amendment offered by the
manager does not preclude his being recognized to offer another.
On Apr. 6, 1967,(20) Robert W. Kastenmeier, of
Wisconsin, was the Member in charge of H.R. 2512, being considered for
amendment in the Committee of the Whole. Mr. Kastenmeier had offered an
amendment, which was adopted by the Committee. He then immediately
offered another amendment. Mr. Byron G. Rogers, of Colorado, made a
point of order against recognition for that purpose, and Chairman John
H. Dent, of Pennsylvania, overruled the point of order:
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20. 113 Cong. Rec. 8617, 8618, 90th Cong. 1st Sess.
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Mr. Rogers of Colorado: The gentleman from Wisconsin just
offered an amendment, and certainly I as a member of the committee
ought to have the privilege of offering an amendment.
The Chairman: The gentleman from Wisconsin is manager of the
bill. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Wisconsin.
Sec. 24.10 In the Committee of the Whole, the Member in charge of the
bill may speak again on an amendment where debate under the five-
minute rule is limited (and the remaining time is allocated by the
Chair).
On June 25, 1952,(1) during consideration of amendments
to a bill in the Committee of the Whole, a motion was agreed to to
close debate on a pending amendment and all amendments thereto at a
certain time. Chairman Wilbur D. Mills, of Arkansas, answered a
parliamentary inquiry as to the right to be recognized, under the
limitation, of the Member in charge of the bill:
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1. 98 Cong. Rec. 8028, 82d Cong. 2d Sess.
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Mr. [Clare E.] Hoffman of Michigan: Under this limitation is
the chairman of the committee, who has already spoken once on this
amendment, entitled to be heard again under the rule?
The Chairman: The chairman of the committee could rise in
opposition to a pro forma amendment and be recognized again.
Mr. Hoffman of Michigan: Under the limitation?
The Chairman: Yes; under the limitation.
[[Page 10195]]
Extension of Debate Time
Sec. 24.11 Although the manager of a bill has control of time for
general debate in the Committee of the Whole, he may not consume
more than one hour except by unanimous consent.
For example, on June 22, 1958,(2) Mr. Clarence Cannon,
of Missouri, was in control of time for debate on an appropriation
bill. Chairman James J. Delaney, of New York, advised him that he had
consumed one hour. When Mr. Cannon indicated he needed more time, the
Chairman asked whether there was objection to Mr. Cannon's proceeding
for one additional minute. Mr. Donald W. Nicholson, of Massachusetts,
objected to the request.
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2. 104 Cong. Rec. 14647, 85th Cong. 2d Sess.
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Likewise, on Mar. 6, 1962,(3) Mr. J. Vaughan Gary, of
Virginia, was in control of time for general debate on an appropriation
bill. When Chairman W. Homer Thornberry, of Texas, advised him that he
had consumed one hour of his time, he asked and was given permission by
unanimous consent to proceed for five additional minutes.(4)
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3. 108 Cong. Rec. 3484-89, 87th Cong. 2d Sess.
4. See also 115 Cong. Rec. 21174-78, 91st Cong. 1st Sess., July 29,
1969; and 111 Cong. Rec. 26258, 89th Cong. 1st Sess., Oct. 7,
1965.
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Yielding Time to Self
Sec. 24.12 Under the five-minute rule in the Committee of the Whole the
Member handling a bill has preference in recognition for debate but
the power of recognition remains with the Chair and the Member
cannot ``yield'' himself time for debate.
On Mar. 26, 1965,(5) Adam C. Powell, of New York, was
the Member in charge of debate on H.R. 2362, the Elementary and
Secondary Education Act of 1965, which was being considered for
amendment under the five-minute rule in the Committee of the Whole. Mr.
Powell arose and stated ``I yield myself 5 minutes.'' Chairman Richard
Bolling, of Missouri, stated as follows:
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5. 111 Cong. Rec. 6113, 89th Cong. 1st Sess.
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The gentleman cannot yield himself 5 minutes. The Chair assumes
he moves to strike out the last word.
Mr. Melvin R. Laird, of Wisconsin, objected that Mr. Powell had not
moved to strike out the last word, and so moved himself. The Chairman
first recognized Mr. Powell for the pro forma amendment, as manager of
the bill and chairman on the Committee on Education and Labor.
[[Page 10196]]
Manager Allotting Time to Others; Effect on Allotted Time Where Manager
Loses Floor
Sec. 24.13 A Member in control as manager of the time for debate under
the hour rule may allot portions of his time to other Members; but
if he loses the floor (by yielding for an amendment), Members who
have been promised time by him also lose the right of recognition.
On Nov. 29, 1967,(6) Mr. William R. Anderson, of
Tennessee, called up by direction of the Committee on Rules House
Resolution 960, authorizing travel by members of the Committee on
Education and Labor for investigatory purposes. Mr. Anderson yielded to
Mr. Durward G. Hall, of Missouri, to offer an amendment, thereby
surrendering control of the resolution to Mr. Hall. When Speaker Pro
Tempore Carl Albert, of Oklahoma, stated that the question was on the
resolution, a parliamentary inquiry was raised:
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6. 113 Cong. Rec. 34136-38, 90th Cong. 1st Sess.
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Mr. [H. Allen] Smith of California: Mr. Speaker, a
parliamentary inquiry.
The Speaker Pro Tempore: The gentleman will state the
parliamentary inquiry.
Mr. Smith of California: I was yielded 30 minutes a while ago
by the gentleman from Tennessee [Mr. Anderson]. Do I not have that
time?
The Speaker Pro Tempore: When the gentleman from Tennessee [Mr.
Anderson] yielded to the gentleman from Missouri [Mr. Hall] for the
purpose of offering an amendment, he surrendered all his time, and
the Chair
so informed the gentleman from Tennessee.
Mr. Smith of California: If the gentleman has agreed to yield
30 minutes to me, I lose it?
The Speaker Pro Tempore: When the gentleman yielded for the
purpose of amendment.
Motion To Postpone
Sec. 24.14 A motion to postpone further consideration of a privileged
resolution (to censure a Member) may be offered before the manager
of the resolution has been recognized for debate, and is debatable
for one hour controlled by the Member offering the motion.
On May 29, 1980,(7) the following proceedings occurred
in the House:
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7. 126 Cong. Rec. 12649, 12650, 96th Cong. 2d Sess.
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Mr. [Charles E.] Bennett [of Florida]: Mr. Speaker, by
direction of the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct, I call
up a privileged resolution (H. Res. 660) in the matter of Rep
[[Page 10197]]
resentative Charles H. Wilson, and ask for its immediate
consideration.
The Clerk read the resolution, as follows:
H. Res. 660
Resolved,
(1) That Representative Charles H. Wilson be censured; . .
.
(4) That the House of Representatives adopt the report of
the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct dated May 8,
1980, in the matter of Representative Charles H. Wilson.
Mr. [John H.] Rousselot [of California]: Mr. Speaker, I offer a
motion.
The Clerk read as follows:
Mr. Rousselot moves to postpone further consideration of
House Resolution 660 until June 10, 1980.
The Speaker: (8) The Chair recognizes the gentleman
from California (Mr. Rousselot) for 1 hour.
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8. Thomas P. O'Neill, Jr. (Mass.).
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Manager's Discretion as to Motion To Rise
Sec. 24.15 The motion that the Committee of the Whole rise (thereby
cutting off debate) is within the discretion of the Member handling
the bill before the Committee.
On June 16, 1948,(9) Mr. Walter G. Andrews, of New York,
was handling the consideration of H.R. 6401 in the Committee of the
Whole. He moved that the Committee rise, and Chairman Francis H. Case,
of South Dakota, ruled that the motion was within Mr. Andrews'
discretion:
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9. 94 Cong. Rec. 8521, 80th Cong. 2d Sess.
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Mr. Andrews of New York: Mr. Chairman, in view of the fact that
two or three Members who have time are not here, I move that the
Committee do now rise.
The Chairman: The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from New York [Mr. Andrews].
Mr. [George A.] Smathers [of Florida]: Mr. Chairman, I would
like to be heard on that.
The Chairman: That is not a debatable motion. It is always
within the discretion of the gentleman handling the bill to move
that the Committee rise.
Manager's Discretion in Moving To Close Debate
Sec. 24.16 During five-minute debate in the Committee of the Whole, the
Member managing the bill is entitled to prior recognition to move
to close debate on a pending amendment, over other Members who
desire to debate
the amendment or to offer amendments thereto.
On Nov. 25, 1970,(10) the Committee of the Whole was
conducting five-minute debate on H.R. 19504, which was being han
[[Page 10198]]
dled by Mr. John C. Kluczynski, of Illinois. Mr. Kluczynski was
recognized by Chairman Chet Holifield, of California, to move that all
debate on the pending amendment immediately close. The motion was
adopted; Mr. Jonathan B. Bingham, of New York, attempted to offer an
amendment and Mr. Andrew Jacobs, Jr., of Indiana, attempted to debate
the amendment on which debate had been closed. The Chairman stated:
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10. 116 Cong. Rec. 38990, 91st Cong. 2d Sess.
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The Chair had not recognized the gentleman from New York or the
gentleman from Indiana. The Chair had recognized the gentleman from
Illinois (Mr. Kluczynski). The gentleman from Indiana misunderstood
the Chair had recognized him. The Chair had to recognize the
gentleman from Illinois as the chairman of the subcommittee.
Closing Debate
Sec. 24.17 The proponents of a bill before the House have the right to
conclude debate thereon.
On Nov. 13, 1941,(11) the House discussed the division
of time for debate on a pending bill; Speaker Pro Tempore Jere Cooper,
of Tennessee, stated in response to a parliamentary inquiry that the
proponents of a bill had the right to close debate:
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11. 87 Cong. Rec. 8880, 8881, 77th Cong. 1st Sess.
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Mr. [Hamilton] Fish [Jr., of New York]: Mr. Speaker, we have
two speakers on our side in opposition to this important measure. I
am informed there are two speakers on the other side. I recognize,
of course, that the chairman of the Committee on Foreign Affairs
has the right to close the debate, but I insist on the right of the
minority that the opposition should be given the next to the last
speech on this important measure.
My inquiry is, if I have not correctly stated the situation?
The Speaker Pro Tempore: The Chair will state in response to
the parliamentary inquiry that under the rules of the House the
gentleman from New York [Mr. Bloom], chairman of the committee in
charge of the bill, is entitled to close the debate. With reference
to recognition of Members prior to close of debate, of course, that
is under the control of the gentleman in charge of the time.
Mr. [Earl C.] Michener [of Michigan]: Mr. Speaker, a further
parliamentary inquiry.
The Speaker Pro Tempore: The gentleman will state it.
Mr. Michener: With all due respect to the Speaker pro tempore,
may I call his attention to the fact that if his ruling is
construed literally it will permit the chairman of the committee
controlling the time----
Mr. [Sol] Bloom [of New York]: Mr. Speaker, I shall yield to
the gentleman from New York, and will put on a speaker, then he can
put on a speaker.
Mr. Michener: May I finish my parliamentary inquiry?
The Speaker Pro Tempore: The gentleman is entitled to complete
his parliamentary inquiry.
Mr. Michener: Reverting to my question before I was interrupted
by
[[Page 10199]]
the gentleman from New York: If the chairman of the committee
controlling the time is permitted to close the debate and is not
limited to one speaker in closing the debate, would it not be
possible for such a chairman to open the debate, for instance, and
then compel the opposition to use all of its time before the
proponent used any more time?
The Speaker Pro Tempore: The gentleman is correct.
Mr. Michener: That right to close debate means one speech. If
it meant two, it might mean three, and if it meant three it might
mean four. It might be within the power of the proponents of any
bill to compel the other side to put on all their speakers, then
wind up with only the speeches of the proponents. Such a precedent
should not be set. Am I correct?
The Speaker Pro Tempore: The gentleman is correct in the
statement that the proponents of the bill have the right to close
debate. That has been the holding of the Chair and it is in line
with an unbroken line of precedents of the House. The Chair has no
way of knowing how many different Members the gentlemen in charge
of the time on the two sides may desire to yield time to. The Chair
holds that the proponents of the bill are entitled to close
debate.(12)
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12. See also Sec. 7.13, supra (while the Member who demands a second on
a motion to suspend the rules is recognized for 20 minutes of
debate, it is customary for the Speaker to recognize the Member
making the motion to conclude the debate).
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Sec. 24.18 The manager of a bill in the Committee of the Whole, and not
the proponent of the pending amendment, is entitled to close debate
on the amendment.
On July 9, 1965,(13) the Committee of the Whole was
considering H.R. 6400, the Voting Rights
Act of 1965, under the terms of
a unanimous-consent agreement providing two hours' debate on an
amendment, to be divided and controlled by Chairman Emanuel Celler, of
New York, and the ranking minority member, Mr. William M. McCulloch, of
Ohio, of the Committee on the Judiciary, which had reported the bill.
Chairman Richard Bolling, of Missouri, ruled that Mr. Celler, as
manager of the bill, and not Mr. McCulloch, the proponent of the
pending amendment, had the right to close debate on the amendment:
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13. 111 Cong. Rec. 16228, 89th Cong. 1st Sess.
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Mr. Celler: Mr. Chairman, may I ask how much time remains on
this side?
The Chairman: The gentleman from New York has 4 minutes
remaining and the gentleman from Ohio 1 minute.
Mr. Celler: Mr. Chairman, will the gentleman from Ohio yield me
1 minute he has remaining so that we can close debate on this side?
Mr. McCulloch: Mr. Chairman, a parliamentary inquiry.
[[Page 10200]]
The Chairman: The gentleman will state the parliamentary
inquiry.
Mr. McCulloch: Mr. Chairman, since the debate at this time is
on the substitute amendment, pursuant to the rule, would not the
privilege of closing debate come to this side of the aisle?
The Chairman: The closing of debate, the Chair will inform the
gentleman from Ohio, would be in the hands of the manager of the
bill.
Sec. 24.19 The manager of a bill is entitled to close general debate,
and the minority Member controlling one-half the time must consume
it or yield it back prior to closing of debate.
On Mar. 2, 1976,(14) the Committee of the Whole having
under consideration H.R. 10760 (Black Lung Benefits Reform Act of
1976), the following exchange occurred:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
14. 122 Cong. Rec. 4979, 94th Cong. 2d Sess.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mr. [John H.] Dent [of Pennsylvania]: Mr. Chairman, does the
gentleman from Illinois have any further requests for time?
Mr. [John N.] Erlenborn [of Illinois]: Mr. Chairman, I have no
further requests for time and reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. Dent: Mr. Chairman, I yield myself the balance of the time
remaining, which is around 3 minutes, I think.
The Chairman Pro Tempore: (15) The gentleman from
Pennsylvania [manager of the bill] is recognized for 4 minutes.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
15. Jim Lloyd (Calif.).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Chair will ask now whether the gentleman from Illinois (Mr.
Erlenborn) yields back the balance of his time?
Mr. Erlenborn: Is that required, Mr. Chairman? I said I would
reserve the balance of my time.
The Chairman Pro Tempore: The gentleman from Pennsylvania is
entitled to close the debate.
Mr. Erlenborn: Well, I do not intend to upstage the gentleman.
I do not intend to use my time. If the gentleman is finished and
has no further time, then I will yield back the balance of my time.
The Chairman Pro Tempore: The gentleman from Pennsylvania has 4
minutes.
Sec. 24.20 The manager from the committee reporting a bill has the
right to close debate on an amendment under the five-minute rule,
and not the sponsor of the amendment.
On July 29, 1982,(16) during consideration of H.R. 6030
(military procurement authorization for fiscal year 1983) in the
Committee of the Whole, the Chair responded to a parliamentary inquiry
regarding the conclusion of debate, as follows:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
16. 128 Cong. Rec. 18582, 97th Cong. 2d Sess.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mr. [Edward J.] Markey [of Massachusetts]: Mr. Chairman, I have
a parliamentary inquiry.
[[Page 10201]]
The Chairman: (17) The gentleman will state it.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
17. Les AuCoin (Oreg.).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mr. Markey: Mr. Chairman, is it not my right as the maker of
the amendment to make the concluding statement on the pending
amendment?
The Chairman: The Committee has the right to close.
Moving Previous Question
Sec. 24.21 The Member calling up a proposition in the House may move
the previous question and cut off further debate.
On Jan. 4, 1965,(18) at the convening of the 89th
Congress and before the adoption of rules, Mr. Carl Albert, of
Oklahoma, offered a resolution and, after some debate, moved the
previous question:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
18. 111 Cong. Rec. 20, 89th Cong. 1st Sess.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mr. Albert: Mr. Speaker, I offer a resolution (H. Res. 2) and
ask for its immediate consideration.
The Clerk read as follows:
H. Res. 2
Resolved, That the Speaker is hereby authorized and
directed to administer the oath of office to the gentleman from
New York, Mr. Richard L. Ottinger.
Mr. Albert: Mr. Speaker, again this is a resolution involving a
Member whose certificate of election in due form is on file in the
Office of the Clerk. I ask for the adoption of the resolution.
Mr. [James C.] Cleveland [of New Hampshire]: Mr. Speaker, will
the gentleman yield for a parliamentary inquiry?
Mr. Albert: I yield for a parliamentary inquiry.
Mr. Cleveland: If this resolution is adopted, will it be
impossible for me to offer my own resolution pertaining to the same
subject matter, either as an amendment or a substitute?
The Speaker: (19) If the resolution is agreed to, it
will not be in order for the gentleman to offer a substitute
resolution or an amendment, particularly if the previous question
is ordered.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
19. John W. McCormack (Mass.).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mr. Cleveland: Is it now in order, Mr. Speaker?
The Speaker: Not unless the gentleman from Oklahoma yields to
the gentleman for that purpose.
Mr. Cleveland: Mr. Speaker, will the gentleman yield?
Mr. Albert: The gentleman from Oklahoma does not yield for that
purpose.
Mr. Cleveland: Mr. Speaker, a parliamentary inquiry. Will there
be any opportunity to discuss the merits of this case prior to a
vote on the resolution offered by the gentleman from Oklahoma?
The Speaker: The gentleman from Oklahoma has control over the
time. Not unless the gentleman from Oklahoma yields for that
purpose.
Mr. Cleveland: Will the gentleman from Oklahoma yield for that
purpose?
Mr. Albert: Mr. Speaker, I yield for a question and a very
brief statement. I do not yield for a speech.
[[Page 10202]]
Mr. Cleveland: May I inquire if the gentleman will yield so
that I may ask for unanimous consent that certain remarks of mine
pertaining to this matter be incorporated in the Record?
Mr. Albert: No. Mr. Speaker, I move the previous question.
Mr. [Thomas G.] Abernethy [of Mississippi]: Mr. Speaker, a
parliamentary inquiry.
The Speaker: Does the gentleman from Oklahoma yield to the
gentleman from Mississippi for the purpose of submitting a
parliamentary inquiry?
Mr. Albert: Mr. Speaker, I move the previous question on the
resolution.
The Speaker: The question is on the motion.
The previous question was ordered.
The resolution was agreed to.
On Mar. 11, 1941,(20) the House was considering House
Resolution 131 under the terms of a unanimous-consent request providing
for two hours of debate and dividing control of debate between Mr. Sol
Bloom, of New York, and Mr. Hamilton Fish, Jr., of New York. Mr. Bloom
moved the previous question prior to the expiration
of the two hours' time, and Mr.
Martin J. Kennedy, of New York,
objected on the ground that
the unanimous-consent agreement was not being complied with
in that the previous question
had been demanded prematurely. Speaker Sam Rayburn, of Texas, ruled
that the previous question could be moved at any time in the discretion
of the Members controlling debate on the resolution.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
20. 87 Cong. Rec. 2177, 2178, 77th Cong. 1st Sess.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sec. 24.22 A Member calling up
a bill or joint resolution in
the House pursuant to a special order controls one hour
of debate thereon and may offer an amendment thereto and move the
previous question on the amendment and on the bill or joint
resolution.
On Nov. 3, 1977,(1) the proceedings relating to
consideration of House Joint Resolution 643 (continuing appropriations)
in the House were as follows:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. 123 Cong. Rec. 36970, 36971, 95th Cong. 1st Sess.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mr. [George H.] Mahon [of Texas]: Mr. Speaker, pursuant to the
rule
just adopted, I call up the joint resolution (H.J. Res. 643) making
further
continuing appropriations for the fis-cal year 1978, and for other
purposes. . . .
The Clerk read the joint resolution, as follows:
H.J. Res. 643
Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled, That the
following sums are appropriated out of any money in the
Treasury not otherwise appropriated, and out of applicable
corporate or
[[Page 10203]]
other revenues, receipts, and funds, for the several
departments, agencies, corporations, and other organizational
units of the Government for the fiscal year 1978, namely:
Sec. 101. Such amounts as may be necessary for continuing
projects or activities which were conducted in the fiscal year
1977, and for which appropriations, funds, or other authority
would be available in the District of Columbia Appropriations
Act, 1978 (H.R. 9005) as passed the House of Representatives or
the Senate. . . .
The Speaker: (2) The gentleman from Texas (Mr.
Mahon) is recognized for 1 hour.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
2. Thomas P. O'Neill, Jr. (Mass.).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mr. Mahon: Mr. Speaker, Members need to understand what our
problem is at the moment. In view of the fact that final action has
not been taken on the District of Columbia appropriation bill and
on the Labor-Health, Education, and Welfare bill, we have to have a
continuing resolution. . . .
Mr. Speaker, I offer an amendment.
The Clerk read as follows:
Amendment offered by Mr. Mahon: On page 2, line 6, strike
the period and insert the following: ``: Provided further, That
the rate of operations for the Disaster Loan Fund of the Small
Business Administration contained in said Act shall be the rate
as passed the Senate. . . .
Mr. Mahon: It is absolutely urgent that we find a way to get
this continuing resolution acted upon by the Congress tomorrow,
since we cannot do it tonight. It is imperative that we get through
the Congress a continuing resolution on tomorrow and send it to the
President. Otherwise, there will be some very serious problems.
Mr. Speaker, I move the previous question on the amendment and
the joint resolution to final passage.
The previous question was ordered.
The amendment was agreed to.
The joint resolution was ordered to be engrossed and read a
third time, was read the third time, and passed, and a motion to
reconsider was laid on the table.
--Previous Question as Terminating Debate Time Previously Yielded
Sec. 24.23 The Member recognized to control one hour of debate in the
House may, by moving the previous question, terminate utilization
of debate time he has previously yielded to the minority.
On Mar. 9, 1977,(3) it was demonstrated that a Member
calling up a privileged resolution in the House may move the previous
question at any time, notwithstanding his prior allocation of debate
time to another Member:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
3. 123 Cong. Rec. 6816, 95th Cong. 1st Sess.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Speaker: (4) The gentleman from Missouri (Mr.
Bolling) is recognized for 1 hour.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
4. Thomas P. O'Neill, Jr. (Mass.).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mr. [Richard] Bolling [of Missouri]: Mr. Speaker, I yield 30
minutes to the gentleman from Illinois (Mr.
Anderson), for the minority, pending which I yield myself 5
minutes. . . .
[[Page 10204]]
Mr. Speaker, the other amendment that the gentleman offers
proposes to give the House the opportunity to vote up or down in a
certain period of time regulations proposed by the select
committee. What that does, and it really demonstrates an almost
total lack of understanding of the rules, is to upgrade regulations
into rules. The Members of the House will have the opportunity to
deal with all laws and
rules. That is provided in the resolution. . . .
Mr. Speaker, I move the previous question on the resolution. .
. .
Mr. [John B.] Anderson of Illinois: I have time remaining. Do I
not have a right to respond to the gentleman from Missouri?
The Speaker: Not if the previous question has been moved, and
it has been moved.
Mr. Anderson of Illinois: Even though the gentleman mentioned
my name and made numerous references to me for the last 10 minutes?
The Speaker: The Chair is aware of that.
The question is on ordering the previous question.
Bill Called Up in House by Unanimous Consent
Sec. 24.24 Where the House has agreed to consider in the House a bill
called up
by unanimous consent, the Member calling up the bill is recognized
for one hour, and amendments may not be offered by other Members
unless the Member in charge yields for that purpose.
On Oct. 5, 1962,(5) Mr. Francis E. Walter, of
Pennsylvania, obtained unanimous consent for the consideration of a
bill, but before he began speaking, Mr. Arch A. Moore, Jr., of West
Virginia, a minority Member, offered an amendment. After Mr. Walter was
recognized to control the time (one hour) on the bill, Speaker John W.
McCormack, of Massachusetts, asked Mr. Walter whether he was willing to
accept the amendment, and Mr. Walter answered in the affirmative.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
5. 108 Cong. Rec. 22606-09, 87th Cong. 2d Sess.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sec. 24.25 When a bill is called
up by unanimous consent for consideration in the House, the Member
making the request is recognized for one hour.
On Mar. 12, 1963,(6) Mr. Emanuel Celler, of New York,
asked unanimous consent for the immediate consideration in the House of
private bill H.R. 4374, to proclaim Sir Winston Churchill an honorary
citizen of the United States. Speaker John W. McCormack, of
Massachusetts, answered parliamentary inquiries on the control and time
for debate:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
6. 109 Cong. Rec. 3993, 88th Cong. 1st Sess.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mr. [H. R.] Gross [of Iowa]: Mr. Speaker, under what
circumstances
[[Page 10205]]
will this resolution be considered? Will there be any time for
discussion of the resolution, if unanimous consent is given?
The Speaker: In response to the parliamentary inquiry of the
gentleman from Iowa, if consent is granted for the present
consideration of the bill, the gentleman from New York [Mr. Celler]
will be recognized for 1 hour and the gentleman from New York may
yield to such Members as he desires to yield to before moving the
previous question.
Mr. Gross: Mr. Speaker, further reserving the right to object,
is some time to be allocated to this side of the aisle?
Mr. Celler: I intend to allocate half of the time to the other
side.
Mr. Gross: Mr. Speaker, I withdraw my reservation of objection.
Member Calling Up Privileged Resolution
Sec. 24.26 A Member recognized to call up a privileged resolution by
direction of the Committee on Rules controls one hour of debate
thereon and may offer one or more amendments thereto, and unanimous
consent is not required for such purpose.
The proceedings of July 29, 1977,(7) relating to House
consideration of House Resolution 727 (providing for consideration of
H.R. 8444, the National Energy Act of 1977) were as follows:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
7. 123 Cong. Rec. 25653-55, 25663, 25664, 95th Cong. 1st Sess.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mr. [Richard] Bolling [of Missouri]: Mr. Speaker, by direction
of the Committee on Rules, I call up House Resolution 727 and ask
for its immediate consideration.
The Clerk read the resolution, as follows:
H. Res. 727
Resolved, That upon the adoption of this resolution it
shall be in order to move . . . that the House resolve itself
into the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union
for the consideration of the bill (H.R. 8444) to establish a
comprehensive national energy policy. . . .
The Speaker: (8) The gentleman from Missouri (Mr.
Bolling) is recognized for 1 hour.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
8. Thomas P. O'Neill, Jr. (Mass.).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mr. Bolling: Mr. Speaker, I yield 30 minutes to the gentleman
from Illinois (Mr. Anderson), and pending that, I yield myself such
time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I am soon going to ask unanimous consent to
correct some errors in language. . . .
Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that on page 4, line 7, to
strike ``July 28'' and insert ``July 29''.
The Speaker: Is there objection to the request of the gentleman
from Missouri?
Mr. [Clifford R.] Allen [of Tennessee]: Mr. Speaker, I object.
. . .
Mr. Bolling: Mr. Speaker, I offer an amendment.
The Clerk read as follows:
[[Page 10206]]
Amendment offered by Mr. Bolling: On page 4, line 7, strike
out July 28 and insert July 29.
The Speaker: The question is on the amendment offered by the
gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Bolling).
The amendment was agreed to. . . .
Mr. [Garry] Brown of Michigan: . . . Mr. Speaker, what was the
order of business at the time the gentleman offered the amendment
to the rule? . . .
I was not sure whether or not the Chair had decided to take up
the rule at that time because the gentleman's unanimous-consent
request was made after we started consideration of the rule. Is
that correct?
The Speaker: The rule is pending at the present time. The
gentleman has asked unanimous consent for a couple of technical
amendments, which the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Allen) objected
to.
The gentleman from Missouri then offered an amendment, which he
has authority to do as manager of the resolution and the House has
agreed to the first of those.
Sec. 24.27 The Member calling up a privileged resolution from the
Committee on Rules controls one hour of debate in the House, and
the resolution is not subject to amendment unless the Member in
charge yields for that purpose.
On Feb. 26, 1976,(9) the following proceedings occurred
in the House relative to calling up a resolution from the Committee on
Rules:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
9. 122 Cong. Rec. 4625, 4626, 94th Cong. 2d Sess.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mr. [Claude] Pepper [of Florida]: Mr. Speaker, by direction of
the Committee on Rules, I call up House Resolution 868 and ask for
its immediate consideration.
The Clerk read the resolution, as follows:
H. Res. 868
Resolved, That Rule XI of the Rules of the House of
Representatives is amended by adding at the end thereof the
following new clause:
``7. It shall not be in order to consider any report of a
committee unless copies or reproductions of such report have
been available to the Members on the floor for at least two
hours before the beginning of such consideration. . . .
Mr. [Robert E.] Bauman [of Maryland]: Mr. Speaker, I have a
parliamentary inquiry.
The Speaker: (10) The gentleman will state it.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
10. Carl Albert (Okla.).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mr. Bauman: Mr. Speaker, this resolution is to be considered in
the House which would preclude an amendment from being offered by
any Member.
The Speaker: It is a rule that comes from the Committee on
Rules. It is under the charge of the gentleman handling the
resolution.
Mr. Bauman: So unless the gentleman yields for the purpose of
an amendment, none would be in order?
The Speaker: The gentleman is correct.
Mr. Bauman: Mr. Speaker, what unanimous-consent request might
be entertained in order to allow amend
[[Page 10207]]
ments to be offered generally? Would it be a request to consider it
in the House as in the Committee of the Whole?
The Speaker: No. The gentleman from Florida controls the floor
under the 1-hour rule in the House because this is a change in the
rules brought to the floor by the Committee on Rules as privileged.
Rules changes can be considered in the House.
Member Offering Privileged Resolution Prior to Adoption of Rules
Sec. 24.28 Prior to the adoption of the rules, a Member offering a
privileged resolution on the seating of a Member-elect is entitled
to one hour of debate.
On Jan. 10, 1967, prior to the adoption of rules, Mr. Morris K.
Udall, of Arizona, offered as privileged House Resolution 1,
authorizing the Speaker to administer the oath of office to challenged
Member-elect Adam C. Powell, of New York, and referring the question of
his final right to a seat to a select committee. Speaker John W.
McCormack, of Massachusetts, ruled that Mr. Udall was entitled to
recognition for one hour.(11)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
11. 113 Cong. Rec. 14, 15, 90th Cong. 1st Sess.
For the privilege and disposition of resolutions before the
adoption of rules, see Ch. 1, supra.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Limitation on Amendment--Chair May Allocate Time Between Proponent and
Opponent
Sec. 24.29 The Chair has discretion to allocate time under a limitation
on an amendment between the proponent and an opponent thereof, to
be yielded by them.
On Aug. 5, 1982,(12) the Committee of the Whole had
under consideration House Joint Resolution 521 (nuclear freeze
amendment), when the following exchange occurred:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
12. 128 Cong. Rec. 17758, 97th Cong. 2d Sess.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mr. [Albert A.] Gore [Jr., of Tennessee]: Mr. Chairman, I ask
unanimous consent that debate on all of the perfecting amendments
to the resolution end at 6:30 p.m., and that debate on the
Broomfield substitute be limited to 1 hour, a half hour allocated
to each side. . . .
The Chairman: (13) The Chair will state the
unanimous-consent request as understood by the Chair.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
13. Matthew F. McHugh (N.Y.).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
The gentleman from Tennessee has asked unanimous consent that
all debate on perfecting amendments to the resolution cease at 6:30
and that thereafter there will be 1 hour of debate
on the Broomfield substitute and all amendments thereto, the time
to be equally divided.
Is there objection to the request of the gentleman from
Tennessee?
[[Page 10208]]
There was no objection. . . .
The Chair will inquire if there are other perfecting amendments
to the resolution.
If not, under the previous agreement, by unanimous consent, the
gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Broomfield) will be afforded the
opportunity to offer his amendment in the nature of a substitute.
There will be an hour of debate on that substitute and all
amendments thereto. The time will be equally divided between the
gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Zablocki) and the gentleman from
Michigan (Mr. Broomfield).
Five-minute Debate May Not Be Reserved
Sec. 24.30 The Member recognized for five minutes in support of her
motion to recommit with instructions must use or yield back all of
that time, and may not reserve a portion thereof.
On June 26, 1981,(14) during consideration of H.R. 3982,
the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act, in the House, the following
exchange occurred:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
14. 127 Cong. Rec. 14740, 14792, 97th Cong. 1st Sess.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mrs. [Claudine] Schneider [of Rhode Island]: Mr. Speaker, I
offer a motion to recommit.
The Speaker: (15) Is the gentlewoman opposed to the
bill?
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
15. Thomas P. O'Neill, Jr. (Mass.).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mrs. Schneider: I am, Mr. Speaker, in its present form.
The Speaker: The Clerk will report the motion to recommit.
The Clerk read as follows:
Mrs. Schneider moves to recommit the bill, H.R. 3982, to
the Committee on the Budget with instructions to report the
bill back forthwith with the following amendments: . . .
The Speaker: The gentlewoman from Rhode Island (Mrs. Schneider)
is recognized for 5 minutes. . . .
Mrs. Schneider: Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
The Speaker: The Chair will state that the gentlewoman from
Rhode Island (Mrs. Schneider) cannot reserve her time. She must use
all of it now.
Mrs. Schneider: Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my
time.
The Speaker: The gentlewoman from Rhode Island (Mrs. Schneider)
has yielded back her time.
Remaining Time Allocated Between Proponents of Two Amendments; Manager
Closes
Sec. 24.31 Where debate in Committee of the Whole on a pending
amendment and amendment thereto has been limited to a time certain,
the Chair may in his discretion allocate the remaining time between
the proponents of the two amendments, one of whom being the manager
of the bill, has the right to close debate.
The following proceedings occurred in the Committee of the
[[Page 10209]]
Whole on Mar. 16, 1983,(16) during consideration of House
Joint Resolution 13 (nuclear freeze resolution):
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
16. 129 Cong. Rec. 5792, 5793, 98th Cong. 1st Sess.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mr. [Clement J.] Zablocki [of Wisconsin]: Mr. Chairman, I move
that all debate on the pending amendment and amendment thereto end
at 9:15 p.m.(17)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
17. Mr. Zablocki was the manager of the bill and the proponent of the
amendment to the amendment.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Chairman: (18) The question is on the motion
offered by the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Zablocki). . . .
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
18. Matthew F. McHugh (N.Y.).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
So the motion was agreed to. . . .
The Chairman: Under the motion just agreed to, debate has been
limited to 9:15. The Chair will exercise discretion and apportion
the remaining time.
The Chair will recognize the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr.
Zablocki) for 3 minutes, and the gentleman from New York (Mr.
Stratton) for 3 minutes. Each of those gentlemen may apportion
their 3 minutes as they wish. . . .
The Chair will inquire, does the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr.
Zablocki) wish to exercise his right to allot time?
Mr. Zablocki: The gentleman from Wisconsin reserves his time. I
reserve the balance of my time.
The Chairman: The gentleman from Wisconsin has the right to
terminate debate.
Unallocated Time
Sec. 24.32 Where by unanimous consent debate on a pending amendment in
Committee of the Whole has been equally divided between the
proponent and an opponent of the amendment, those Members control
all the remaining time and the Chair does not divide the time among
Members standing.
During consideration of the military procurement authorization for
fiscal year 1983 (H.R. 6030) in the Committee of the Whole on July 21,
1982,(19) the Chair responded to inquiries regarding
recognition for debate time. The proceedings were as follows:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
19. 128 Cong. Rec. 17345, 97th Cong. 2d Sess.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mr. [Samuel S.] Stratton [of New York]: Mr. Chairman, I asked
the gentleman to yield for a unanimous-consent request. After
consultation with the gentleman from Washington (Mr. Dicks) and
with Members on our side, I would like to ask unanimous consent
that we agree to vote on the Dicks amendment and all amendments
thereto at 7 o'clock, with 1 hour of debate to be controlled by the
gentleman from Washington and 1 hour of debate to be controlled by
the Member from New York representing the committee.
The Chairman Pro Tempore: (20) The request is for 2
hours of debate time equally divided between the gentleman from
Washington (Mr. Dicks) and the gentleman from New York (Mr.
Stratton)?
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
20. Les AuCoin (Oreg.).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mr. Stratton: That is correct.
[[Page 10210]]
The Chairman Pro Tempore: Is there objection to the request of
the gentleman from New York?
There was no objection.
Mr. Stratton: Mr. Chairman, I have a parliamentary inquiry. . .
.
[I]f time is to be controlled by the gentleman from Washington
and by myself, is it required that those who wish to participate
should stand at this time?
The Chairman Pro Tempore: The recognition of Members is totally
at the discretion of the managers of the time.
Mr. [Robert E.] Badham [of California]: Mr. Chairman, I have a
parliamentary inquiry. . . .
Am I given to understand that on this side we have no time; we
are not able to have any time? . . .
[T]he gentleman from Washington has 1 hour and the gentleman
from New York has 1 hour. I was inquiring as to what time this side
had.
The Chairman Pro Tempore: Under the unanimous-consent request
the gentleman from Washington (Mr. Dicks) is recognized for 1 hour,
and under the same unanimous-consent request the gentleman from New
York (Mr. Stratton) is recognized for 1 hour.
Both managers of time may yield to members of the minority or
members of the majority.
Amendment Offered for Which Time Was Not Allocated
Sec. 24.33 By unanimous consent, the Committee of the Whole agreed at
the beginning of general debate to limit and divide control of time
for
debate on any amendments
to be offered by designated Members to certain paragraphs (or to
amendments thereto); and where total time for debate on any
amendments to be offered by two Members had been limited and
control in favor thereof given to one of those Members by unanimous
consent, time consumed on the first amendment offered was deducted
from the total time and a third Member offering an amendment was
required to obtain debate time from the Member in control.
The following proceedings occurred in the Committee of the Whole on
July 23, 1981,(1) during consideration of the energy and
water development appropriation bill (H.R. 4144):
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. 127 Cong. Rec. 16983, 16997, 16998, 17014, 97th Cong. 1st Sess.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mr. [Tom] Bevill [of Alabama]: Mr. Chairman, I ask unanimous
consent that the debate on the amendments by the gentleman from
Washington (Mr. Pritchard) and the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr.
Edgar) in title I to the paragraph entitled ``Construction,
General'' on page 2, be limited to 2 hours, one-half of the time to
be controlled equally by the gentleman from Washington and one-half
by myself.
The Chairman: (2) Is there objection to the request
of the gentleman from Alabama?
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
2. Anthony C. Beilenson (Calif.).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
[[Page 10211]]
There was no objection. . . .
Mr. [John T.] Myers [of Indiana]: Mr. Chairman, I offer an
amendment.
The Clerk read as follows:
Amendment offered by Mr. Myers: On page 3, line 1, strike
out ``$1,509,941,000'' and insert in lieu thereof
``$1,518,941,000''. . . .
Mr. [Joel] Pritchard [of Washington]: Mr. Chairman, I offer an
amendment to the amendment.
The Clerk read as follows:
Amendment offered by Mr. Pritchard to the amendment offered
by Mr. Myers: In the proposed amendment strike the sum
``$1,518,941,000'' and insert ``$1,320,941,000''. . . .
The Chairman: The Chair would remind the Members, if the
gentleman would suspend, that the gentleman from Washington, under
the unanimous-consent agreement, has 55 minutes remaining under his
control of the time on this particular amendment or on any
subsequent amendment he or the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr.
Edgar) may offer to the pending paragraph.
The gentleman from Alabama has 60 minutes remaining under his
control
of time on this or such subsequent amendment.
The Chair now recognizes the gentleman from Washington (Mr.
Pritchard) for such further time as he may consume. . . .
Mr. [Bob] Edgar [of Pennsylvania]: Mr. Chairman, I offer an
amendment to the amendment.
The Clerk read as follows:
Amendment offered by Mr. Edgar to the amendment offered by
Mr. Myers: In the Myers amendment, strike out
``$1,518,941,000'' and insert in lieu thereof
``$1,429,941,000''.
The Chairman: The Chair should point out that under the
unanimous-consent agreement, there are 11 minutes remaining under
the control of
the gentleman from Washington (Mr. Pritchard), and there are 4
minutes remaining under the control of the gentleman from Alabama
(Mr. Bevill).
The Chair now recognizes the gentleman from Washington (Mr.
Pritchard) to yield such time as he desires.
Mr. Pritchard: Mr. Chairman, I yield such time as he may
consume to the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Edgar).
Division of Time on Disciplinary Resolution
Sec. 24.34 The manager of a disciplinary resolution divided his one
hour of debate equally among himself, the ranking minority member
of the committee, and the Member charged.
On Dec. 18, 1987,(3) after calling up a privileged
resolution (H. Res. 335) for consideration in the House, the manager of
the resolution divided his one hour of debate time, as indicated below:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
3. 133 Cong. Rec. 36266, 100th Cong. 1st Sess.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mr. [Julian C.] Dixon [of California]: Mr. Speaker, I call up a
privileged reoslution (H. Res. 335) in the matter of Representative
Austin J. Murphy, and ask for its immediate consideration.
The Clerk read the resolution, as follows:
[[Page 10212]]
H. Res. 335
Resolved, That the House of Representatives adopt the
report by the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct dated
December 16, 1987, in the matter of Representative Austin J.
Murphy of Pennsylvania.
The Speaker Pro Tempore: (4) The gentleman from
California [Mr. Dixon] is recognized for 1 hour. . . .
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
4. Dave McCurdy (Okla.).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mr. Dixon: Mr. Speaker, I yield 20 minutes to the gentleman
from Indiana [Mr. Myers], 20 minutes to the gentleman from
Pennsylvania, Mr. Austin J. Murphy, and I will retain 20 minutes
for myself. I wish to state that the yielding of such time is for
purposes of debate only.
Appropriation Bills--Control Where Time Not Fixed
Sec. 24.35 When the House resolves itself into the Committee of the
Whole for the consideration of an appropriation bill without fixing
the time for general debate by unanimous consent, the majority
Member first recognized is entitled to an hour and may yield such
portions of that time as he desires, and after that hour, a
minority Member may be recognized for an hour.
On Mar. 24, 1947,(5) Mr. Frank B. Keefe, of Wisconsin,
moved that the House resolve itself into the Committee of the Whole for
the consideration of H.R. 2700, an appropriation bill. He proposed a
unanimous-consent agreement for time for general debate on the bill,
and Mr. John J. Rooney, of New York, objected to the request.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
5. 93 Cong. Rec. 2464, 2465, 80th Cong. 1st Sess.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Speaker Joseph W. Martin, Jr., of Massachusetts, then answered a
parliamentary inquiry on recognition and time for debate in the
Committee of the Whole, where the time and control of debate had not
been fixed:
Mr. Keefe: Mr. Speaker, do I understand that on the adoption of
the motion to go into the Committee of the Whole House on the State
of the Union that there will be 1 hour for general debate for each
side?
The Speaker: Under the rule, whoever is first recognized is
entitled to 1 hour and, of course, the Member can yield such
portions of that time as he wishes. . . .
Mr. Rooney: Mr. Speaker, is it understood that the minority is
to have an equal division of the time for debate this afternoon?
The Speaker: After the first hour has been used by the
majority, the minority then can have 1 hour under the
rule.(6)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
6. Since appropriation bills reported by the Committee on
Appropriations are privileged for consideration (see Rule XI
clause 4(a), House Rules and Manual Sec. 726 [1995]), they are
normally considered without a special order from the Committee
on Rules. See, generally, Ch. 25, supra.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
[[Page 10213]]
--Debate Controlled by Three Members
Sec. 24.36 On one occasion, time in general debate on an appropriation
bill in the Committee of the Whole was controlled by three Members:
the chairman of the Committee on Appropriations and the chairman
and ranking minority member of the Appropriations Subcommittee on
the Department of the Interior and Related Agencies.
On Feb. 18, 1958,(7) Mr. Michael J. Kirwan, of Ohio,
made a unanimous-consent request on the control of time for debate on
an appropriation bill:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
7. 104 Cong. Rec. 2298, 85th Cong. 2d Sess.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mr. Speaker, I move that the House resolve itself into the
Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union for the
consideration of the bill (H.R. 10746) making appropriations for
the Department of the Interior and related agencies for the fiscal
year ending June 30, 1959, and for other purposes; and pending that
motion, Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that general debate be
limited to 2 hours, 1 hour to be controlled by the gentleman from
Missouri [Mr. Cannon] and 1 hour to be equally divided and
controlled by the gentleman from Iowa [Mr. Jensen] and myself.
The Speaker: (8) Is there objection to the request
of the gentleman from Ohio?
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
8. Sam Rayburn (Tex.).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
There was no objection.
Parliamentarian's Note: Mr. Kirwan was the chairman of the
Subcommittee on Appropriations for the Department of the Interior and
Related Agencies; Mr. Ben F. Jensen, of Iowa, was the ranking minority
member of that subcommittee; and Clarence Cannon, of Missouri, was the
chairman of the full Committee on Appropriations.
--Legislative Provisions
Sec. 24.37 The Chairman ruled that while members of the Committee on
Appropriations are ordinarily entitled to recognition in debate on
a general appropriation bill, where a rule was adopted waiving
points of order against legislative provisions in the bill,
recognition under the five-minute rule would be divided between
members of the committee and other Members interested in the bill.
On Mar. 5 and 6, 1941,(9) the Committee of the Whole was
considering H.R. 3737, a general appropriation bill, pursuant to House
Resolution 126, waiving all points of order against the bill.
[[Page 10214]]
The Committee discussed and Chairman John E. Rankin, of Mississippi,
ruled on the procedure for distribution of time, which departed from
normal practice:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
9. 87 Cong. Rec. 1846, 1921, 1922, 77th Cong. 1st Sess.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
The gentleman from Georgia [Mr. Pace] has been seeking
recognition. The Chair realizes that this is an appropriation bill,
and that ordinarily members of that committee would be entitled to
preference, but under the rule adopted yesterday we made this part
of it a legislative bill by making certain legislation in order.
The Chair is going to divide the time between the members of the
Appropriations Committee and the other Members of the House who are
vitally interested in this proposition. . . .
The Chair may say to the gentleman from Missouri [Mr. Cannon]
that there is no written rule on this subject, but within the last
two or three decades appropriations have been taken away from other
committees and concentrated in the hands of one committee. The
Chair is not speaking any more with reference to the Committee on
Appropriations than any other committee. It is perfectly fair for a
committee to have charge of general debate and probably debate
under the 5-minute rule to a large extent, but the Chair does not
think it is fair--especially under conditions such as we have here,
where a rule has been adopted making legislation that ordinarily
comes from the Committee on Agriculture and from other committees
of the House in order on the bill--the Chair does think it fair to
the rest of the membership of the House to recognize members of the
Committee on Appropriations under the 5-minute rule to the
exclusion of the other Members of the House.
So far as the present occupant of the chair individually is
concerned, if the time should come when that matter is presented,
the Chair might go a step further and apply it to all measures
coming before the House and considered under the 5-minute rule. If
we are going to have legislation by the entire Congress we will
have to come to that decision ultimately.
Parliamentarian's Note: The Chairman indicated that his ruling on
recognition and distribution of time on the appropriation bill was not
to be taken as a precedent, differing as it did from normal practice.
--Unanimous-consent Agreement
Sec. 24.38 In the consideration of a general appropriation bill,
containing all the annual appropriations for the various agencies
of the government, it was agreed by unanimous consent that: (1)
general debate would run without limit to be equally divided
between the chairman and the ranking minority member of the
Committee on Appropriations; (2) following the reading of the first
chapter of the bill for amendment, not to exceed two hours' gen
[[Page 10215]]
eral debate would be had before the reading of each subsequent
chapter, one-half to be controlled by the chairman and one-half by
the ranking minority member of the subcommittee in charge of the
chapter (to be followed by operation of the five-minute rule on
each chapter).
On Apr. 3, 1950,(10) the House was considering H.R. 7786
(the general appropriation bill for 1951). Clarence Cannon, of
Missouri, Chairman of the Committee on Appropriations, made the
following unanimous-consent request on the control of time for debate,
which was agreed to by the House:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
10. 96 Cong. Rec. 4614, 4615, 81st Cong. 2d Sess.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mr. Speaker, I move that the House resolve itself into the
Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union for the
consideration of the bill (H.R. 7786) making appropriations for the
support of the Government for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1951,
and for other purposes; and pending that I ask unanimous consent
that time for general debate be equally divided, one-half to be
controlled by the gentleman from New York [Mr. Taber] and one-half
by myself; that debate be confined to the bill; and that following
the reading of the first chapter of the bill, not to exceed 2 hours
general debate be had before the reading of each subsequent
chapter, one-half to be controlled by the chairman and one-half by
the ranking minority member of the subcommittee in charge of the
chapter.
--Amendments to Appropriation Bill: General Priorities
Sec. 24.39 On one occasion, the Chairman of the Committee of the Whole
announced that in recognizing Members under the five-minute rule
for amendments to an appropriation bill, he would alternate
recognition between the majority and minority sides of the aisle
and would follow these priorities: first, members of the
subcommittee handling the bill; second, members of the full
Committee on Appropriations; and finally, other Members of the
House.
On July 30, 1969,(11) Chairman Chet Holifield, of
California, made an announcement on the order of recognition during
consideration under the five-minute rule of H.R. 13111, appropriations
for the Departments of Labor and Health, Education, and Welfare:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
11. 115 Cong. Rec. 21420, 91st Cong. 1st Sess.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Chair might state, under the procedures of the House, he is
trying to recognize first members of the subcommittee on
appropriations handling
[[Page 10216]]
the bill and second general members of the Committee on
Appropriations. It is his intention to go back and forth to each
side of the aisle to recognize Members who have been standing and
seeking recognition the longest. The gentlewoman from Hawaii sought
recognition all yesterday afternoon, and the Chair was unable to
recognize her because of the procedures of the House, having to
recognize Members on both sides of the aisle who are members of the
committee. I wish the Members to know that the Chair will recognize
them under the normal procedures.
Parliamentarian's Note: Normally subcommittee membership does not
accord a priority in recognition, full committee seniority being the
determining factor.
Motion To Instruct Conferees
Sec. 24.40 Under a former practice, a Member recognized to offer a
motion to instruct conferees managed its consideration under the
hour-rule and was not required to divide the hour or to yield time
for debate.
The following proceedings occurred in the House on June 15,
1988,(12) during consideration of a motion to instruct
conferees on H.R. 3051, the Airline Passenger Protection Act:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
12. 134 Cong. Rec. 14621, 100th Cong. 2d Sess.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mr. [E. Clay] Shaw [Jr., of Florida]: Mr. Speaker, pursuant to
rule XXVIII, clause 1(b), I offer a privileged motion.
The Speaker Pro Tempore: (13) The Clerk will report
the motion.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
13. Thomas S. Foley (Wash.).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Clerk read as follows:
Mr. Shaw moves that the managers on the part of the House
at the conference on H.R. 3051 and the Senate amendments
thereto be instructed to agree to section 4 of the Senate
amendment. . . .
Mr. Shaw: Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time. I
yield back the balance of my time, and I move the previous question
on the motion.
Mr. [Henry B.] Gonzalez [of Tex-as]: Mr. Speaker, I have a
parliamentary inquiry.
The Speaker Pro Tempore: The gentleman from Florida will
withhold the motion for the previous question.
The gentleman from Texas will state his parliamentary inquiry.
Mr. Gonzalez: Mr. Speaker, at this point, is it not still the
rule that an allotted time be permitted to this side of the House
inasmuch as the privileged resolution entitles the author of the
resolution to 1 hour? I understood the rules provide for some
opportunity to discuss this.
The Speaker Pro Tempore: The Chair would advise the gentleman
from Texas that the gentleman from Florida may, if he wishes, yield
time, but he is not required under the rule to divide the time or
to yield.
Parliamentarian's Note: The debate on a motion to instruct is now
divided according to Rule XXVIII clause (1)(b), House Rules and Manual
Sec. 909a (1995).
[[Page 10217]]
Control of Debate on Conference Report
Sec. 24.41 Pursuant to Rule XXVIII, clause 2(a) (as amended in the 92d
Congress, 1st Session), one hour of debate, equally divided and
controlled by the majority and minority parties, is permitted on a
conference report.
On Jan. 19, 1972,(14) Mr. Wayne L. Hays, of Ohio, called
up the conference report on S. 382, Federal Elections Campaign Act of
1972. Speaker Carl Albert, of Oklahoma, stated in response to a
parliamentary inquiry that the total time for debate on the report was
limited to one hour, ``30 minutes to each side'' (the majority and
minority). Mr. Hays controlled 30 minutes of debate and Mr. William
Springer, of Illinois, controlled the 30 minutes of debate for the
minority.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
14. 118 Cong. Rec. 319-24, 92d Cong. 2d Sess.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Parliamentarian's Note: Prior to the 1971 revision of clause 2 of
Rule XXVIII, a conference report was debatable under the hour rule,
with the entire time under the control of the Member calling up the
report. See, for example, the statement of Speaker Sam Rayburn, on June
23, 1959,(15) that Mr. Albert Rains, of Alabama, would
control one hour of debate on a conference report he had called up.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
15. 105 Cong. Rec. 11599, 86th Cong. 1st Sess. See also 115 Cong. Rec.
40451, 91st Cong. 1st Sess., Dec. 20, 1969.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
In the 99th Congress, the pertinent rule governing conference
report debate [Rule XXVIII, clause (b)(1)] was amended to provide for a
three-way division of the hour. If both the majority and minority are
in favor of the report, a Member opposed is entitled to 20 minutes.
Amendments in Disagreement
Sec. 24.42 Following rejection of a conference report, debate on a
motion to dispose of the Senate amendment in disagreement is
equally divided between the majority and minority (under the
rationale contained in Rule XXVIII clause 2(b) for division of time
on a motion to dispose of an amendment reported from conference in
disagreement); and, the Member recognized to offer the motion
controls the floor and may move the previous question on his
motion.
During consideration of the conference report on H.R. 5262
(relating to international financial
[[Page 10218]]
institutions) in the House on Sept. 16, 1977,(16) the
following occurred:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
16. 123 Cong. Rec. 29597, 29599, 29601, 95th Cong. 1st Sess.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
So the conference report was rejected.
The result of the vote was announced as above recorded.
Mr. [Tom] Harkin [of Iowa]: Madam Speaker, I offer a
preferential motion.
The Clerk read as follows:
Mr. Harkin moves that the House recede from its
disagreement to the amendment of the Senate to the text of the
bill (H.R. 5262) to provide for increased participation by the
United States in the International Bank for Reconstruction and
Development, the International Development Association, the
International Finance Corporation, the Asian Development Bank
and the Asian Development Funds, and for other purposes, and
agree to the same with an amendment as follows:
In lieu of the matter proposed to be inserted by the Senate
amendment insert the following: . . .
The Speaker Pro Tempore: (17) The gentleman from
Iowa (Mr. Harkin) will be recognized for 30 minutes in support of
his motion, and the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Stanton) will be
recognized for 30 minutes.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
17. Barbara Jordan (Tex.).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Iowa (Mr. Harkin). . .
.
Mr. Harkin: Madam Speaker, I move the previous question on the
preferential motion.
The previous question was ordered.
The Speaker Pro Tempore: The question is on the preferential
motion offered by the gentleman from Iowa (Mr. Harkin).
The preferential motion was agreed to.
Sec. 24.43 The stage of disagreement having been reached on a Senate
amendment to a House amendment to a Senate amendment to a House
bill, the motion to concur in the Senate amendment takes precedence
over a motion to disagree and request a conference, but the Member
offering the preferential motion does not thereby obtain control of
the time which is controlled by the manager of the bill and is
equally divided between the majority and minority.
On Oct. 13, 1977,(18) the House had under consideration
H.R. 7555 (Departments of Labor and Health, Education, and Welfare
appropriation bill for fiscal 1978) when the following proceedings
occurred:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
18. 123 Cong. Rec. 33688, 33689, 33693, 95th Cong. 1st Sess.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mr. [Daniel J.] Flood [of Pennsylvania]: Mr. Speaker, I move to
take from the Speaker's table the bill (H.R. 7555) making
appropriations for the Departments of Labor, and Health, Education,
and Welfare, and related agencies for the fiscal year ending
September 30, 1978, and for other pur
[[Page 10219]]
poses, with a Senate amendment to the House amendment to Senate
amendment numbered 82, disagree to the amendment of the Senate, and
request a conference with the Senate on the disagreeing votes of
the two Houses.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The Speaker: (19) The Clerk will report the motion.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
19. Thomas P. O'Neill, Jr. (Mass.).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Clerk read as follows:
motion offered by mr. flood
Mr. Flood moves to take from the Speaker's table the bill
H.R. 7555, making appropriations for the Departments of Labor,
and Health, Education, and Welfare, and related agencies for
the fiscal year ending September 30, 1978, and for other
purposes, with a Senate amendment to the House amendment to
Senate amendment numbered 82, disagree to the amendment of the
Senate, and request a conference with the Senate on the
disagreeing votes of the two Houses.
Mr. [Newton I.] Steers [Jr., of Maryland]: Mr. Speaker, I offer
a preferential motion.
The Clerk read as follows:
Mr. Steers of Maryland moves that the House concur in the
Senate Amendment to the House Amendment to the Senate Amendment
No. 82.
The Speaker: The gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Flood) is in
control of the time, and the gentleman is recognized for 30
minutes.
Mr. [John J.] Rhodes [of Arizona]: Mr. Speaker, I have a
parliamentary inquiry.
The Speaker: The gentleman will state it.
Mr. Rhodes: Mr. Speaker, since the gentleman from Maryland (Mr.
Steers) made the motion which is being considered by the House,
does the gentleman from Maryland not have control of the time?
The Speaker: In response to the parliamentary inquiry, the
preferential motion made by the gentleman from Maryland (Mr.
Steers) does not take the time from the gentleman from
Pennsylvania, the chairman of the committee, who previously had the
time under his original motion. The motion was in order. The vote
will come first on the preferential motion.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr.
Flood).
Sec. 24.44 While the manager of
a conference report controls the majority time on all motions with
respect to an amendment in disagreement where he has offered an
initial motion and sought recognition to control time for debate,
he does not necessarily control the majority time on a motion to
concur with an amendment offered after the House has voted to
recede (a motion to recede and concur having been divided), if: (1)
the manager's original motion was to insist, which has been
preempted by adoption of the motion to recede, and (2) the manager
did not seek recognition to control debate time on the
[[Page 10220]]
motion to recede and concur when it was offered, but allowed the
Chair to immediately put the question on receding; in such case,
the proponent of the preferential motion to concur with an
amendment may be recognized to control one-half the time and a
Member of the other party one-half the time under the hour rule as
required by Rule XXVIII, clause 2(b).
The following proceedings occurred in the House on Oct. 1,
1982,(20) during consideration of House Joint Resolution 599
(continuing appropriations for fiscal year 1983):
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
20. 128 Cong. Rec. 27295-97, 97th Cong. 2d Sess.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Speaker Pro Tempore: (1) The Clerk will
designate the next amendment in disagreement.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. Norman Y. Mineta (Calif.).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
The amendment reads as follows:
Senate amendment No. 83: Page 19, after line 2, insert:
Sec. 151. (a) Section 4109 of title 5, United States Code
is amended by adding at the end thereof the following new
subsection:
``(c) Notwithstanding subsection (a)(1) of this section,
the Administrator, Federal Aviation Administration, may pay an
individual training to be an air traffic controller . . . at
the applicable rate of basic pay for the hours of training
officially ordered or approved in excess of forty hours in an
administrative workweek.''. . . .
Mr. [Jamie L.] Whitten [of Mississippi]: Mr. Speaker, I offer a
motion.
The Clerk read as follows:
Mr. Whitten moves that the House insist on its disagreement
to the amendment of the Senate numbered 83.
Mr. [Lawrence] Coughlin [of Pennsylvania]: Mr. Speaker, I offer
a preferential motion.
The Clerk read as follows:
Mr. Coughlin moves that the House recede from its
disagreement to the amendment of the Senate numbered 83 and
concur therein.
Mr. [William D.] Ford of Michigan: Mr. Speaker, I demand a
division of the question.
The Speaker Pro Tempore: The question will be divided.
The Chair will state that the gentleman from Mississippi (Mr.
Whitten) has the time. Does the gentleman wish to use his time for
debate now?
Mr. Whitten: Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from
Pennsylvania (Mr. Coughlin).
The Speaker Pro Tempore: If the gentleman from Mississippi does
not seek to control debate time, the Chair will put the question on
receding.
The question is, will the House recede from its disagreement to
Senate amendment No. 83?
The House receded from its disagreement to Senate amendment No.
83.
The Speaker Pro Tempore: For what purpose does the gentleman
from Michigan (Mr. Ford) seek recognition?
Mr. Ford of Michigan: Mr. Speaker, I offer a preferential
motion.
[[Page 10221]]
The Clerk read as follows:
Mr. Ford moves that the House concur in Senate amendment
numbered 83 with an amendment as follows: In lieu of the matter
proposed to be inserted by the Senate amendment, insert the
following: . . .
The Speaker Pro Tempore: Since the House has receded, the
gentleman from Mississippi's original motion has been preempted and
he did not seek to control time therefore the gentleman from
Michigan (Mr. Ford) will be recognized for 30 minutes, and the
gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Coughlin) will be recognized for
30 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Ford).
Concur in Senate Amendment
Sec. 24.45 A Member making a unanimous-consent request to concur in
Senate amendments is not entitled to recognition to control debate
on the request; another Member who reserved the right to object to
the request should be recognized.
The following proceedings occurred in the House on Oct. 11,
1984,(2) during consideration of H.R. 5386 (payment rates
for routine home care and other services included in hospice rates).
The chairman of the Committee on Ways and Means asked unanimous consent
to take the House bill with the Senate amendment from the Speaker's
table and concur in the amendment.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
2. 130 Cong. Rec. 32304, 32305, 98th Cong. 2d Sess.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mr. Conable, the ranking member, reserved the right to object, but
before entertaining the reservation, the Speaker Pro Tempore
(3) directed the reading of the Senate amendment.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
3. Frank Harrison (Pa.).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Clerk proceeded to read as follows:
Amendment: Page 2, after line 14, insert:
``public pension offset provisions.''
Mr. [Dan] Rostenkowski [of Illinois] (during the reading): Mr.
Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate amendment be
considered as read and printed in the Record.
The Speaker Pro Tempore: Is there objection to the request of
the gentleman from Illinois?
There was no objection.
The Speaker Pro Tempore: The gentleman from Illinois (Mr.
Rostenkowski) is recognized.
Mr. Rostenkowski: Mr. Speaker, H.R. 5386 passed the House of
Representatives unanimously on October 1, 1984. . . .
Mr. [Barber B.] Conable [Jr., of New York]: Mr. Speaker, I have
a parliamentary inquiry. . . .
Mr. Speaker, under what procedure is the chairman now
proceeding? Has he been recognized for a specific period of time? .
. .
The Speaker Pro Tempore: The gentleman from Illinois asked
unani
[[Page 10222]]
mous consent to have the Senate amendment considered as read and
printed in the Record. The Chair put the unanimous-consent request
and at that point heard no reservation and in error recognized the
gentleman from Illinois but the Chair should recognize the
gentleman from New York under his reservation to the original
request.
Sec. 24.46 A motion to concur in
a Senate amendment to a House amendment to a Senate amendment to a
House measure, the stage of disagreement having been reached, is
debatable for one hour equally divided between the majority and
minority parties.
The proceedings of Nov. 6, 1985,(4) illustrate the
principle that a motion to concur in a
Senate amendment to a House amendment to a Senate amendment to a House
measure, the stage of disagreement having been reached, is debatable
for one hour equally divided between majority and minority parties
(pursuant to rule XXVIII, clause 2).(5) This precedent in
effect overrules that of Jan. 27, 1976,(6) which had
indicated that the Member offering a preferential motion controls the
entire hour where the amendment is not reported from conference in
disagreement. The proceedings of Nov. 6, 1985, relating to House Joint
Resolution 372, to increase the public debt limit, were as follows:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
4. 131 Cong. Rec. 30852, 30853, 30863, 30864, 99th Cong. 1st Sess.
5. House Rules and Manual Sec. 912a et seq. (1995).
6. See 122 Cong. Rec. 1035-1057, 94th Cong. 2d Sess. (conference
report on H.R. 9861).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
A message from the Senate by Mr. Sparrow, one of its clerks,
announced that the Senate agrees to the report of the committee of
conference on the disagreeing votes of the two Houses on the
amendments of the Senate to the joint resolution (H.J. Res. 372)
entitled ``Joint resolution increasing the statutory limit on the
public debt.''
The message also announced that the Senate concurs in first
House amendment to Senate amendment No. 1.
The message also announced that the Senate concurs in second
House amendment to Senate amendment No. 1, with an amendment.
The message also announced that the Senate concurs in House
amendment to Senate amendment No. 2, with an amendment.
Mr. [Richard A.] Gephardt [of Missouri]: Mr. Speaker, I ask
unanimous consent that when the House considers the Senate
amendments to the House amendments to the Senate amendments to
House Joint Resolution 372, it first consider motions to dispose of
the Senate amendment to the House amendment to Senate amendment No.
2.
The Speaker: (7) Is there objection to the request
of the gentleman from Missouri?
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
7. Thomas P. O'Neill, Jr. (Mass.).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
[[Page 10223]]
There was no objection.
preferential motion offered by mr. mack
Mr. [Connie] Mack [III, of Florida]: Mr. Speaker, I offer a
preferential motion.
The Clerk read as follows:
Mr. Mack moves to take from the Speaker's table House Joint
Resolution 372, with the Senate amendment to the House
amendment to Senate amendment No. 2 and to concur in the Senate
amendment as follows:
Senate amendment to House amendment to Senate amendment No.
2.
In lieu of the matter proposed to be inserted by the
amendment of the House of Representatives, insert:
TITLE II--DEFICIT REDUCTION PROCEDURES
sec. 201. short title and table of contents.
(a) Short Title.--This title may be cited as the ``Balanced
Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985''. . . .
The Speaker: The gentleman from Florida (Mr. Mack) will be
recognized for 30 minutes and the gentleman from Missouri (Mr.
Gephardt) will be recognized for 30 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Mack). . .
.
Mr. Mack: Mr. Speaker, I have a parliamentary inquiry.
The Speaker: The gentleman will state his parliamentary
inquiry.
Mr. Mack: Mr. Speaker, the purpose of my question is to find
out whether the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Gephardt) has 30
minutes, as I do, or do I control the hour?
The Speaker: The gentleman from Florida (Mr. Mack) has 30
minutes, and the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Gephardt) has 30
minutes.
Parliamentarian's Note: The motion in this instance, to concur in a
Senate amendment to a House amendment to a Senate amendment to a House
measure, the stage of disagreement having been reached, is preferential
to a motion to disagree and request a conference. When the above
message was received from the Senate, the Speaker was obliged to
recognize Mr. Mack, a minority member with the most preferential motion
to dispose of the Senate amendment to the House amendment to the Senate
amendment, although he could have first recognized Mr. Gephardt, to
move to disagree and request a conference, subject to recognition of
Mr. Mack with an immediate preferential motion to concur.
Sec. 24.47 Debate on a motion to dispose of an amendment reported from
conference in disagreement is equally divided between the majority
and minority parties under Rule XXVIII clause 2(b), and where the
manager of the conference report making the motion does not
immediately seek recognition for debate, the Chair neverthe
[[Page 10224]]
less allocates 30 minutes to him and may recognize a minority
Member at that time for 30 minutes.
The House having under consideration the bill H.R. 7797 (relating
to foreign assistance appropriations for fiscal year 1978) on Oct. 18,
1977,(8) the following proceedings occurred:
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8. 123 Cong. Rec. 34112, 95th Cong. 1st Sess.
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Mr. [Clarence D.] Long of Maryland: Mr. Speaker, I offer a
motion.
The Clerk read as follows:
Mr. Long of Maryland moves that the House recede from its
disagreement to the amendment of the Senate numbered 74 and
concur therein with an amendment, as follows: Restore the
matter stricken by said amendment, amended to read as follows:
``Sec. 503C. Of the funds appropriated or made available
pursuant to this Act, not more than $18,100,000 shall be used
for military assistance, not more than $1,850,000 shall be used
for foreign military credit sales, and not more than $700,000
shall be used for international military education and training
to the Government of the Philippines.''. . .
The Speaker Pro Tempore: (9) . . . Does the
gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Long) seek recognition?
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9. William H. Natcher (Ky.).
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Mr. Long of Maryland: Mr. Speaker, I do not, at this time.
The Speaker Pro Tempore: Does the gentleman from Florida (Mr.
Young) desire to be recognized.
Mr. [C. W.] Young of Florida: Mr. Speaker, I do.
The Speaker Pro Tempore: The gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Long)
and the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Young) will be recognized for
30 minutes each.
Sec. 24.48 Prior to the amendment to Rule XXVIII, clause 2(b) in the
92d Congress (providing that debate on an amendment in disagreement
be divided between the majority and minority parties), debate on an
amendment reported from conference in disagreement was under the
hour rule and the Member calling up the conference report was in
control of the debate on motions disposing of each amendment.
On Aug. 1, 1962,(10) Mr. John E. Fogarty, of Rhode
Island, called up a conference report with Senate amendments in
disagreement. During consideration of the amendment, Speaker Pro
Tempore Carl Albert, of Oklahoma, answered a parliamentary inquiry put
by Mr. H. R. Gross, of Iowa:
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10. 108 Cong. Rec. 15294, 87th Cong. 2d Sess.
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Mr. Gross: Is the gentleman from Rhode Island [Mr. Fogarty]
going to explain any of these amendments?
The Speaker Pro Tempore: That is within the discretion of the
gentleman.
[[Page 10225]]
Mr. Gross: A further parliamentary inquiry. Does not the
gentleman have an hour on each of these amendments?
The Speaker Pro Tempore: The gentleman has if he desires to use
it.(11)
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11. See also 108 Cong. Rec. 23432-43, 87th Cong. 2d Sess., Oct. 12,
1962.
For a discussion of propositions and motions considered
under the hour rule, see Sec. 68, infra.
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Parliamentarian's Note: House Resolution 1153, which was adopted on
Oct. 13, 1972, 92d Cong. 2d Sess., to become effective at the end of
the 92d Congress, amended Rule XXVIII by requiring that
debate on amendments reported from conference in disagreement be
equally divided and controlled by the majority and minority parties.
Sec. 24.49 As each amendment in disagreement between the House and
Senate is reported, the Chair recognizes the Member handling the
conference report to offer a motion relating to that amendment; and
even though another Member offers a preferential motion relating to
that amendment which is considered by the House, the Member
offering the initial motion remains in control of the debate under
the hour rule.
On Oct. 24, 1967,(12) Mr. Joseph L. Evins, of Tennessee,
was handling a conference report being considered by the House on H.R.
9960, the independent offices appropriation for fiscal 1968. As each
amendment in disagreement was reported, Speaker John W. McCormack, of
Massachusetts, recognized Mr. Evins to make a motion in regard to that
amendment. On amendments 58 and 59, Mr. Evins moved that the House
insist on its disagreement. Mr. Robert N. Giaimo, of Connecticut, then
made the preferential motion that the House recede and concur in those
amendments. The House rejected Mr. Giaimo's motion and the Speaker
again recognized Mr. Evins as the Member in control of the report.
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12. 113 Cong. Rec. 29837, 29838, 29842, 90th Cong. 1st Sess.
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Parliamentarian's Note: Pursuant to Rule XXVIII, clause 2(b), as
amended in the 92d and 99th Congresses, the hour of debate would under
current practice be divided and controlled by the majority (the Member
calling up the report) and the minority, and, perhaps, by a Member
opposed, if both the majority and minority are in agreement.
Sec. 24.50 Where the proponent of a motion to recede and con
[[Page 10226]]
cur in a Senate amendment failed to seek recognition to debate the
motion, the Chair recognized the Member handling the conference
report (no other motion being pending).
On May 14, 1963,(13) the House was considering a
conference report and Senate amendments in disagreement, called up and
managed by Mr. Albert Thomas, of Texas. Mr. Robert R. Barry, of New
York, offered a preferential motion that the House recede and concur in
a certain amendment in disagreement. A division of the question was
demanded and Speaker John W. McCormack, of Massachusetts, stated that
the question was on receding from disagreement.
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13. 109 Cong. Rec. 8506, 88th Cong. 1st Sess.
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Mr. Thomas then raised a parliamentary inquiry:
Mr. Speaker, is it in order for the chairman of the House
conferees to make a short statement at this time on it?
The Speaker answered that the motion was debatable, and since Mr.
Barry did not seek recognition, the Speaker recognized Mr. Thomas on
the motion. In answer to a parliamentary inquiry by Mr. Barry, the
proponent of the motion, the Speaker stated that Mr. Thomas had control
of time on the motion since he had been recognized.
Parliamentarian's Note: In this case, Mr. Thomas had offered an
initial motion (to recede and concur with an amendment) which was ruled
out of order. Usually, the manager will offer an initial motion which
remains pending if a preferential motion is offered, and the manager
controls the majority time on the preferential motion.