[Congressional Bills 108th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 474 Laid on Table in House (LTH)]

  1st Session
H. RES. 474

         Relating to a question of the privileges of the House.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                            December 8, 2003

 Ms. Pelosi submitted the following resolution; which was laid on the 
                                 table

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
         Relating to a question of the privileges of the House.

Whereas on November 22, the Republican leadership held open the vote on rollcall 
        No. 669 on H.R. 1, the Prescription Drug Conference Report, for nearly 
        three hours, the longest period of time in the history of electronic 
        voting in the U.S. House of Representatives;
Whereas the normal period of time for a recorded vote is 15 minutes, and the 
        Speaker of the House reiterated that policy on January 7, 2003, saying 
        ``The Chair wishes to enunciate a clear policy with respect to the 
        conduct of electronic votes * * *. The Chair announced, and then 
        strictly enforced, a policy of closing electronic votes as soon as 
        possible after the guaranteed period of 15 minutes'', and in addition 
        the Speaker pro tempore on November 22 announced prior to the vote on 
        Prescription Drugs that it would be a 15-minute vote;
Whereas the amount of time for the vote on H.R. 1 went far beyond any time 
        considered reasonable under established House practices and customs, and 
        was a deliberate attempt to undermine the will of the House;
Whereas the opponents of H.R. 1, both Republicans and Democrats, were on the 
        prevailing side for more than two and one-half hours and proponents 
        never once held the lead during this period of time, and the sole 
        purpose of holding this vote open was to reverse the position that a 
        majority of the House of Representatives had already taken;
Whereas, according to press reports, a Member of Congress who is retiring was 
        told on the House floor during this extended vote that ``business 
        interests would give his son (who seeks to replace him) $100,000 in 
        return for his father's vote. When he still declined, fellow Republican 
        House Members told him they would make sure Brad Smith never came to 
        Congress'', and such an act is in violation of section 201 of title 18 
        of the United States Code, which prohibits bribery of public officials; 
        and
Whereas these actions impugn the dignity and integrity of House proceedings, 
        bring dishonor on Members of Congress, and were a gross violation of the 
        rights of Members who opposed this legislation: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House denounces this action in the strongest 
terms possible, rejects the practice of holding votes open beyond a 
reasonable time for the sole purpose of circumventing the will of the 
House, and directs the Speaker to take such steps as necessary to 
prevent any further abuse.
                                 <all>