[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 77 (Wednesday, May 26, 1999)]
[House]
[Pages H3656-H3657]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        PARLIAMENTARY INQUIRIES

  Mr. CONYERS. Mr. Speaker, a parliamentary inquiry.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. LaTourette). The gentleman will state 
his inquiry.
  Mr. CONYERS. Mr. Speaker, I understand that S. 254, the Juvenile 
Justice and Gun Violence bill is at the desk. How would a Member seek 
to get its immediate consideration?
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The answer to the gentleman's parliamentary 
inquiry is by demonstration of proper clearance from both sides of the 
aisle, the floor and committee leadership of the House under guidelines 
of the Speaker.
  Mr. CONYERS. Mr. Speaker, could I make a unanimous consent request 
that S. 254, dealing with juvenile justice and gun violence, be brought 
up for immediate consideration?
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under the Speaker's guidelines, as indicated 
on page 562 of the Manual, the Chair must decline recognition under 
unanimous consent for that purpose.
  Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I have a parliamentary 
inquiry.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentlewoman will state her inquiry.
  Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, is there not precedent for

[[Page H3657]]

holding a bill at the desk such as S. 254 and bringing it up on the 
floor in the nature or in the case of a national emergency or crisis?
  We are presently told by parents all over the Nation that school 
violence, youth violence, is a national crisis, and S. 254 will respond 
to that.
  Is it possible, Mr. Speaker, then that we would bring this in the 
name of a national crisis and an emergency?
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentlewoman has failed to state an 
appropriate parliamentary inquiry.
  The answer, however, is, Senate bills may be held at the desk until 
such time as there is appropriate clearance within the House, which is 
not the case at the moment, and the Chair is constrained to decline 
recognition for that purpose.

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