[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 142 (Tuesday, October 4, 1994)]
[House]
[Page H]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: October 4, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                        PARLIAMENTARY INQUIRIES

  Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Speaker, is it appropriate to have a 
parliamentary inquiry at this moment?
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Skaggs) The gentleman will state his 
parliamentary inquiry.
  Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I presume it is appropriate to 
make an inquiry about our procedure as it relates to conference 
reports.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair is not able to hear the gentleman.
  Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I presume it is appropriate to 
ask information of the Chair as to the procedure as it relates to 
conference meetings, conferences of the House.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentleman must state a parliamentary 
inquiry, and it should relate to the pending business.
  Mr. LEWIS of California. My parliamentary inquiry, Mr. Speaker, is do 
Members of the House in majority forum have to be present for a 
conference to take place?

                              {time}  1910

  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Skaggs). The Chair would advise the 
gentleman from California [Mr. Lewis] that there is no quorum 
requirement for meeting of the conference beyond the requirement for a 
majority of signatures.
  Mr. LEWIS of California. They do have to meet; is that correct?
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. There needs to be a public meeting of the 
conference.
  Mr. LEWIS of California. A public meeting of the conference, and I 
presume that the conferees at least should have an opportunity to be 
there. Is that correct?
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair has responded to the gentleman's 
inquiry.
  Mr. WALKER. Mr. Speaker, I have a parliamentary inquiry.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentleman will state his parliamentary 
inquiry.
  Mr. WALKER. Mr. Speaker, is it appropriate to hold conference 
committee meetings during 5-minute votes of the House?
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair would advise the gentleman from 
Pennsylvania [Mr. Walker] that there is no rule prohibiting a meeting 
of a conference during 5-minute votes of the House.
  Mr. LEWIS of California. I have a parliamentary inquiry, Mr. Speaker:
  Is it appropriate to hope to begin a conference where Members are in 
the middle of votes and there are no Republican Members present?
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair does not believe the gentleman has 
stated a parliamentary inquiry.

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