1.Standing order for extended
debate
(a)This section shall be a
standing order of the Senate.
(b)Rules for
extended debate
(1)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)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)
(A)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 debateIf 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)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)
(i)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)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)
(i)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)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)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)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.