[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 37 (Friday, March 27, 1998)]
[House]
[Page H1685]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         PARLIAMENTARY INQUIRY

  Mr. FARR of California. Mr. Speaker, parliamentary inquiry.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentleman will state his parliamentary 
inquiry.
  Mr. FARR of California. Mr. Speaker, I am inquiring regarding the 
Suspension Calendar. It is my understanding, Mr. Speaker, the 
Suspension Calendar requires a two-thirds vote; is that correct?
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentleman is correct for passage of 
measures under suspension of the rules.
  Mr. FARR of California. Mr. Speaker, is my understanding that the 
Suspension Calendar is done usually on a travel day when most of the 
Members are in the process of getting to Congress, and that is why the 
vote is not scheduled until 6 o'clock? Is that correct?
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. That is not a parliamentary inquiry. That is 
a matter of scheduling.
  Mr. FARR of California. Mr. Speaker, is it my understanding that 
under suspension----
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is the gentleman stating another 
parliamentary inquiry?
  Mr. FARR of California. Yes, Mr. Speaker, the parliamentary inquiry 
is that the debate is limited to 20 minutes?
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. That is the Chair's understanding, 20 
minutes on each side.
  Mr. FARR of California. Mr. Speaker, and it is my understanding that 
this is----
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is the gentleman stating another 
parliamentary inquiry?
  Mr. FARR of California. Mr. Speaker, parliamentary inquiry.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentleman may state his parliamentary 
inquiry.
  Mr. FARR of California. Mr. Speaker, is this how the House normally 
debates substantive legislation?
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under the standing rules of the House, at 
the Speaker's discretion motions to suspend the rules are in order on 
Mondays and Tuesdays.
  Mr. FARR of California. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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