[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 21 (Wednesday, March 1, 2000)]
[House]
[Pages H609-H610]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF MOTIONS TO SUSPEND THE RULES

  Mr. REYNOLDS. Mr. Speaker, by direction of the Committee on Rules, I 
call up House Resolution 425 and ask for its immediate consideration.
  The Clerk read the resolution, as follows:

                              H. Res. 425

       Resolved, That it shall be in order at any time on the 
     legislative day of Wednesday, March 8, 2000, for the Speaker 
     to entertain motions to suspend the rules. The Speaker or his 
     designee shall consult with the Minority Leader or his 
     designee on the designation of any matter for consideration 
     pursuant to this resolution.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. LaTourette). The gentleman from New York 
(Mr. Reynolds) is recognized for 1 hour.
  Mr. REYNOLDS. Mr. Speaker, for the purpose of debate only, I yield 
the customary 30 minutes to the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. 
Moakley), pending which I yield myself such time as I may consume. 
During consideration of this resolution, all time yielded is for the 
purpose of debate only.
  (Mr. REYNOLDS asked and was given permission to revise and extend his 
remarks.)
  Mr. REYNOLDS. Mr. Speaker, this rule makes in order at any time on 
Wednesday, March 8, 2000, for the Speaker to entertain motions that the 
House suspend rules. The rule further requires the Speaker or his 
designee to consult with the minority leader or his designee on the 
designation of any matter for consideration pursuant to the rule.
  As my colleagues are aware, clause 1 of House rule XXVII allows the 
Speaker to entertain motions to suspend the rules on Mondays and 
Tuesdays. Since the House will not conduct legislative business on 
either of those days, this will allow us to begin the legislative 
workweek in normal fashion.
  This is a non-controversial rule. There are no surprises, and it 
requires consultation with the minority, so I hope we can move 
expeditiously to pass this rule.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. MOAKLEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I thank my dear friend, the gentleman from New York (Mr. 
Reynolds), for yielding me the customary 30 minutes.
  Mr. Speaker, I do not object to this rule making next Wednesday a 
suspension day. Normally, the House takes up suspension bills on 
Mondays and Tuesdays; but next Tuesday is Super Tuesday, which pushes 
the House schedule back. So, Mr. Speaker, as my colleague from New York 
has explained, this rule will make next Wednesday a suspension day as 
well. That way we can quickly debate and vote out relatively non-
controversial bills.
  As long as my Republican colleagues hold the proper consultations on 
the

[[Page H610]]

suspension bills and no last minute surprises are added, I support this 
rule; and I encourage my colleagues to do so as well.
  Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back 
the balance of my time.
  Mr. REYNOLDS. Mr. Speaker, assuring the gentleman that there are no 
surprises, I yield back the balance of my time, and I move the previous 
question on the resolution.
  The previous questions was ordered.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the resolution.
  The resolution was agreed to.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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