Enabling the House of Representatives to be responsive to its membership. | ChamberLight
Bills · HRES 997
IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS
House Res.HRES 997Congress
Enabling the House of Representatives to be responsive to its membership.
INTRO JAN 14· LAST ACTION JAN 14
READING
2MIN
COSPONSORS
0
READER REACTIONS0 TOTAL
NO VOTES YET · BE THE FIRST
Non-binding
LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS
STEP 2 / 8
Introduced
In Committee
Reported
Passed House
Passed Senate
Conference
To President
Became Law
WHAT THE BILL DOES
AI-written
This bill matters because it changes fundamental rules for how the House of Representatives operates, particularly how quickly legislation can pass. The 'suspension of the rules' procedure is often used to pass non-controversial bills or to speed up action on certain measures. By restricting when this can be done and requiring a fixed debate time, the bill could slow down the legislative process, even for bills with broad support. This might mean more bills go through the regular, often more contentious, committee and debate process.
Voters should care because these changes could lead to more public debate on a wider range of bills, but also potentially to legislative gridlock if leaders lose a key tool for managing the House calendar efficiently. The emphasis on the 'spirit and letter' of conduct rules might also lead to stricter enforcement of ethical standards, which impacts public trust in elected officials. The practical impact is a shift in power dynamics within the House and a potential change in the speed and transparency of lawmaking.
KEY PROVISIONS
4AI-extracted
PROVISION 01
Changes the Code of Official Conduct to require House members and staff to 'adhere to the spirit and the letter' of House rules.
This provision re-emphasizes a strict interpretation of ethical conduct, potentially leading to more rigorous enforcement of House rules.
PROVISION 02
Limits the Speaker's ability to allow votes on suspending the rules to only Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays, and the last six days of a session.
This significantly restricts when legislation can be fast-tracked, potentially slowing down the passage of bills, even those with broad support.
PROVISION 03
Requires a 40-minute debate, evenly split between pros and cons, for any motion to suspend the rules.
This ensures that even quickly passed bills receive a minimum level of discussion on the House floor, increasing transparency and deliberation.
PROVISION 04
Mandates the placement of real-time U.S. time zone clocks in the House Chamber.
This is an administrative change intended to provide practical information to members on the floor, possibly to assist with scheduling or communication across time zones.
Referred to the Committee on House Administration, and in addition to the Committees on Rules, and Ethics, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
This bill matters because it changes fundamental rules for how the House of Representatives operates, particularly how quickly legislation can pass. The 'suspension of the rules' procedure is often used to pass non-controversial bills or to speed up action on certain measures. By restricting when this can be done and requiring a fixed debate time, the bill could slow down the legislative process, even for bills with broad support. This might mean more bills go through the regular, often more contentious, committee and debate process.
Voters should care because these changes could lead to more public debate on a wider range of bills, but also potentially to legislative gridlock if leaders lose a key tool for managing the House calendar efficiently. The emphasis on the 'spirit and letter' of conduct rules might also lead to stricter enforcement of ethical standards, which impacts public trust in elected officials. The practical impact is a shift in power dynamics within the House and a potential change in the speed and transparency of lawmaking.
KEY PROVISIONS
AI-extracted
med
Changes the Code of Official Conduct to require House members and staff to 'adhere to the spirit and the letter' of House rules.
This provision re-emphasizes a strict interpretation of ethical conduct, potentially leading to more rigorous enforcement of House rules.
high
Limits the Speaker's ability to allow votes on suspending the rules to only Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays, and the last six days of a session.
This significantly restricts when legislation can be fast-tracked, potentially slowing down the passage of bills, even those with broad support.
high
Requires a 40-minute debate, evenly split between pros and cons, for any motion to suspend the rules.
This ensures that even quickly passed bills receive a minimum level of discussion on the House floor, increasing transparency and deliberation.
low
Mandates the placement of real-time U.S. time zone clocks in the House Chamber.
This is an administrative change intended to provide practical information to members on the floor, possibly to assist with scheduling or communication across time zones.
A legislative measure that expresses the will or opinion of one or both chambers of Congress. House Resolutions (H. Res.) typically deal with matters internal to the House, such as its rules of procedure.
House of Representatives
One of the two chambers of the U.S. Congress, with membership based on state population. It has 435 voting members, plus delegates and a resident commissioner.
Code of Official Conduct
A set of ethical rules and standards that members, delegates, resident commissioners, officers, and employees of the House of Representatives must follow.
Suspension of the Rules
A procedural motion in the House of Representatives used to pass bills quickly, typically for non-controversial measures. It requires a two-thirds vote for passage and often limits debate time.
Quorum
The minimum number of members who must be present to conduct official business, typically a majority of the full membership in the House of Representatives.
Speaker
The presiding officer of the House of Representatives, typically chosen from the majority party, with significant control over the House's legislative agenda and procedures.
ACTION TIMELINE
2 EVENTS
JAN 14
Submitted in House
INTROREFERRAL
JAN 14
Referred to the Committee on House Administration, and in addition to the Committees on Rules, and Ethics, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
A non-member officer of the House of Representatives responsible for administrative duties, including keeping the official journal, certifying bills, and overseeing various House services.
