[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 140 (Thursday, October 9, 1997)]
[House]
[Page H8808]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         PARLIAMENTARY INQUIRY

  Mr. THOMAS. Parliamentary inquiry, Mr. Speaker.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentleman will state it.
  Mr. THOMAS. Is it my understanding that the Chair has ruled that 
notwithstanding that the ranking minority member has agreed that the 
procedure is appropriate and proper, the Democratic leadership wishes 
to override those people who are otherwise in positions of 
responsibility to mindlessly object to everything? Is that my 
understanding?
  Mr. WISE. Regular order, Mr. Speaker.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Being aware of the pending situation, the 
Chair is honoring the position communicated by the minority leader.
  Mr. THOMAS. Mr. Speaker, so the minority leader----
  Mr. WISE. Regular order, Mr. Speaker.
  Mr. THOMAS. Parliamentary inquiry, Mr. Speaker. The Chair's response 
to Members on this side who request unanimous-consent requests, 
notwithstanding the appropriate minority member agreeing that it is 
appropriate, cannot be honored because the minority leader says it is 
not to be honored?
  Is that the way the rule works, Mr. Speaker?
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair can tell the gentleman from 
California only that, at this point, the Chair has not recognized the 
gentleman from Missouri [Mr. Talent].

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