[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 30 (Thursday, March 17, 1994)]
[House]
[Page H]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: March 17, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                        PARLIAMENTARY INQUIRIES

  Mr. SENSENBRENNER. Mr. Speaker, I have a parliamentary inquiry.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentlemen will state his parliamentary 
inquiry.
  Mr. SENSENBRENNER. Mr. Speaker, was the motion to reconsider the vote 
by which the rule was adopted laid on the table?
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. It was, without objection.
  Mr. SENSENBRENNER. Mr. Speaker, the gentleman from New Jersey [Mr. 
Smith] was on his feet to object to that, and because there was such 
pandemonium in the House, Mr. Speaker, I believe that no one could hear 
what was going on. I think that the gentleman from New Jersey has been 
significantly prejudiced, and I would request that the Speaker reput 
the question since he was on his feet during the tumult that was going 
on in the Chamber.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair will make two observations:
  First of all, if the Chair indeed missed the gentleman from New 
Jersey [Mr. Smith], he apologizes. It was not his intention to do so. 
There was a great deal of commotion in the Chamber.
  Second, the Chair must inform the gentleman that such a request must 
be made by unanimous consent.
  Mr. SENSENBRENNER. I have a further parliamentary inquiry, Mr. 
Speaker.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentleman will state his parliamentary 
inquiry.
  Mr. SENSENBRENNER. Is it not the duty of the Chair to maintain order 
so that the Members can hear the motions that are being put?
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. It is both the duty of the Chair and that of 
the Members.
  Mr. SENSENBRENNER. Was not the Chair somewhat negligent in not 
banging the gavel at that time?
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. That is more of a philosophical question 
than a parliamentary inquiry.

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