[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 14 (Tuesday, February 24, 1998)]
[House]
[Page H543]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               REQUEST FOR REINSTATEMENT OF SPECIAL ORDER

  Mrs. MALONEY of New York. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to 
reclaim my time and to address the House for 5 minutes.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mrs. Northup). Is there objection to the 
request of the gentlewoman from New York?
  Ms. WATERS. Madam Speaker, for purposes of trying to understand how 
the rules work, I object.
  What happens under the 5-minute rule? Do we entertain 5-minute 
presentations for as long as unanimous consent is not objected to?
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. That is correct. It takes unanimous consent 
to address the House for 5 minutes.
  Ms. WATERS. Is there a possibility of all of those who keep coming 
with their 5 minutes to do it following the time that I have reserved 
on the floor?
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentlewoman from New York was already on 
the 5-minute list. She came back to reclaim her time. Unanimous consent 
is required for anyone to reclaim or to add their name to the list.
  Ms. WATERS. Madam Speaker, I do not want to interfere with the 
gentlewoman being able to address the House, but I need to know how 
long this can go on tonight if I do not object to unanimous consent. 
How many more could come? I have been here for almost 40 minutes.
  So is the Chair saying that if I never object, people could keep 
coming and doing this?
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. By the Rules of the House, as long as 
unanimous consent is obtained, a member may speak for 5 minutes.
  Ms. WATERS. If I do object, do they have the opportunity to do it 
following my reserved 1 hour?
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Yes, they could come back later tonight.
  Ms. WATERS. Then, Madam Speaker, I must proceed, and those who have 
not been here must know I have to get out of here.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Objection is heard.

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