[Congressional Bills 112th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 24 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

112th CONGRESS
  1st Session
S. RES. 24

         To propose a standing order to govern extended debate.


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                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

             January 25 (legislative day, January 5), 2011

  Mr. Merkley (for himself and Mr. Udall of New Mexico) submitted the 
   following resolution; which was ordered to lie over under the rule

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
         To propose a standing order to govern extended debate.

    Resolved,

SECTION 1. STANDING ORDER FOR EXTENDED DEBATE.

    (a) Standing Order.--This section shall be a standing order of the 
Senate.
    (b) Rules for Extended Debate.--
            (1) In general.--If a question to close debate on a 
        measure, motion, or other matter is decided in the negative and 
        a majority of senators present and voting have voted to bring 
        debate to a close, the extended debate procedures under this 
        section shall be in order at any time if that measure, motion 
        or other matter has continued as the only pending business 
        subsequent to the vote against closing debate.
            (2) Closing debate.--Under the circumstances described in 
        paragraph (1), it shall be in order for the Majority Leader or 
        his designee to move to bring debate on the pending measure, 
        motion, or other matter to a close on the grounds that no 
        Senator seeks recognition to debate the matter. Immediately 
        after the motion is made and before putting the question 
        thereon, the Presiding Officer shall immediately inquire 
        whether any Senator seeks recognition for the purpose of 
        debating the matter on which the Senate had previously voted 
        against closing debate. If a Senator seeks recognition for that 
        purpose, the Presiding Officer shall announce that the Senate 
        is proceeding under extended debate and shall recognize a 
        Senator who seeks recognition for debate. After the Presiding 
        Officer's announcement under the preceding sentence the Senate 
        shall continue to proceed under extended debate subject to 
        paragraph (3).
            (3) Extended debate.--
                    (A) In general.--If the Senate enters into extended 
                debate under this paragraph, no dilatory motions, 
                motions to suspend any rule or any part thereof, nor 
                dilatory quorum calls shall be entertained.
                    (B) Conditions for ending debate.--If during 
                extended debate the proceedings described in either 
                subparagraph (C), (D), or (E) occur and unless the 
                Majority Leader or his designee withdraws the motion 
                made under paragraph (2), the Senate shall proceed 
                immediately to vote on that motion or to vote at a time 
                designated by the Majority Leader or his designee 
                within the next four calendar days of Senate session. 
                When voted on, that motion shall be decided by a 
                majority of Senators chosen and sworn.
                    (C) Debate ends.--If, at any point during extended 
                debate when no Senator is recognized, no Senator seeks 
                recognition, the Presiding Officer shall renew the 
                inquiry as to whether a Senator seeks recognition and 
                shall recognize a Senator who seeks recognition for the 
                purpose of debate. If no Senator then seeks recognition 
                (or if no Senator sought recognition in response to the 
                Presiding Officer's inquiry under paragraph (2)), the 
                Senate shall dispose of the motion of the Majority 
                Leader (or his designee) to bring debate to a close 
                pursuant to paragraph (2), in the manner specified in 
                subparagraph (B).
                    (D) Quorum calls.--
                            (i) Question.--If, at any point during 
                        extended debate, a Senator having been 
                        recognized raises a question of the presence of 
                        a quorum, the Presiding Officer shall renew the 
                        inquiry as to whether a Senator seeks 
                        recognition, and shall recognize a Senator who 
                        seeks recognition for debate.
                            (ii) Disposition.--If no Senator then seeks 
                        recognition for debate under clause (i)--
                                    (I) the Presiding Officer shall 
                                direct the Clerk to call the roll;
                                    (II) upon the establishment of a 
                                quorum, the Senate shall dispose of the 
                                motion of the Majority Leader (or his 
                                designee) to bring debate to a close 
                                pursuant to paragraph 1 in the manner 
                                specified in subparagraph (B); and
                                    (III) if the Senate adjourns for 
                                lack of a quorum, then when the Senate 
                                next convenes and the morning hour or 
                                any period for morning business is 
                                expired or is deemed to be expired, the 
                                Senate shall dispose of the motion of 
                                the Majority Leader (or his designee) 
                                made to bring debate to a close 
                                pursuant to paragraph (2) in the manner 
                                specified in subparagraph (B).
                    (E) Motions.--
                            (i) In general.--If at any point during 
                        extended debate a Senator having been 
                        recognized moves to adjourn, recess, postpone 
                        the pending matter, or proceed to other 
                        business and unless the motion is made or 
                        seconded by the Majority Leader or his 
                        designee, the Presiding Officer shall renew the 
                        inquiry as to whether a Senator seeks 
                        recognition, and shall recognize a Senator who 
                        seeks recognition for debate, and said motion 
                        shall be considered withdrawn. If no Senator 
                        then seeks recognition for debate, then the 
                        Presiding Officer shall immediately put the 
                        question on the motion offered, unless the vote 
                        is delayed as provided in clause (ii).
                            (ii) Reconvening.--If the Senate agrees to 
                        a motion to adjourn or recess it shall resume 
                        consideration of the pending measure, motion or 
                        other matter pending at the time of adjournment 
                        or recess when it first takes up business after 
                        it next reconvenes, and the Senate shall still 
                        be in a period of extended debate. Upon the 
                        negative disposition of the motion to adjourn, 
                        recess, postpone, or proceed to other business 
                        and unless such motion was made by the Majority 
                        Leader or his designee, the Senate shall 
                        dispose of the motion of the Majority Leader 
                        (or his designee) to bring debate to a close 
                        pursuant to paragraph (2) in the manner 
                        specified in subparagraph (B).
                            (iii) Delay.--During a period of extended 
                        debate, the Majority Leader or his designee may 
                        delay any vote until a designated time within 
                        the next 4 calendar days of Senate session, and 
                        any votes ordered or occurring thereafter shall 
                        likewise be delayed.
            (4) Final disposition.--If the motion of the Majority 
        Leader to bring debate to a close pursuant to paragraph (2) is 
        agreed to by a majority of Senators chosen and sworn, the 
        Presiding Officer shall announce that extended debate is ended 
        and that the measure, motion, or other matter pending before 
        the Senate shall be the unfinished business to the exclusion of 
        all other business until disposed of and further proceedings on 
        the measure, motion or other matter shall occur as if the 
        Senate had decided to invoke cloture. If the Majority Leader 
        withdraws the motion to bring debate to a close pursuant to 
        paragraph (2) or that motion is not agreed to by a majority of 
        Senators chosen and sworn the Presiding Officer shall announce 
        that extended debate is ended.
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