[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 175 (Tuesday, November 13, 2007)]
[House]
[Pages H13554-H13557]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
911 MODERNIZATION AND PUBLIC SAFETY ACT OF 2007
Mr. MARKEY. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the
bill (H.R. 3403) to promote and enhance public safety by facilitating
the rapid deployment of IP-enabled 911 and E-911 services, encouraging
the nation's transition to a national IP-enabled emergency network and
improve 911 and E-911 access to those with disabilities, as amended.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
H.R. 3403
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``911 Modernization and Public
Safety Act of 2007''.
TITLE I--911 SERVICES AND IP-ENABLED VOICE SERVICE PROVIDERS
SEC. 101. DUTY TO PROVIDE 911 AND E-911 SERVICE.
The Wireless Communications and Public Safety Act of 1999
is amended--
(1) by redesignating section 6 (47 U.S.C. 615b) as section
7;
(2) by inserting after section 5 the following new section:
``SEC. 6. DUTY TO PROVIDE 911 AND E-911 SERVICE.
``(a) Duties.--It shall be the duty of each IP-enabled
voice service provider to provide 911 service and E-911
service to its subscribers in accordance with the
requirements of the Federal Communications Commission (in
this section referred to as the `Commission'), as in effect
on the date of enactment of the 911 Modernization and Public
Safety Act of 2007 and as such requirements may be modified
by the Commission from time to time.
``(b) Parity for IP-Enabled Voice Service Providers.--An
IP-enabled voice service provider that seeks capabilities
from an entity with ownership or control over such
capabilities to comply with its obligations under subsection
(a) shall, for the exclusive purpose of complying with such
obligations, have the same rights, including rights of
interconnection, and on the same rates, terms, and
conditions, as apply to a provider of commercial mobile
service (as such term is defined in section 332(d) of the
Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 332(d))), subject to
such regulations as the Commission prescribes under
subsection (c).
``(c) Regulations.--The Commission--
``(1) within 90 days after the date of enactment of the 911
Modernization and Public Safety Act of 2007, shall issue
regulations implementing such Act, including regulations
that--
``(A) ensure that IP-enabled voice service providers have
the ability to exercise their rights under subsection (b);
``(B) take into account any technical, network security, or
information privacy requirements that are specific to IP-
enabled voice services; and
``(C) provide, with respect to any capabilities that are
not required to be made available to a commercial mobile
service provider but that the Commission determines under
subparagraph (B) of this paragraph or paragraph (2) are
necessary for an IP-enabled voice service provider to comply
with its obligations under subsection (a), that such
capabilities shall be available at the same rates, terms, and
conditions as would apply if such capabilities were made
available to a commercial mobile service provider; and
``(2) may modify such regulations from time to time, as
necessitated by changes in the market or technology, to
ensure the ability of an IP-enabled voice service provider to
comply with its obligations under subsection (a) and to
exercise its rights under subsection (b).
``(d) Delegation of Enforcement to State Commissions.--The
Commission may delegate authority to enforce the regulations
issued under subsection (c) to State commissions or other
State agencies or programs with jurisdiction over emergency
communications. Nothing in this section is intended to alter
the authority of State commissions or other State agencies
with jurisdiction over emergency communications, provided
that the exercise of such authority is not inconsistent with
Federal law or Commission requirements.
``(e) Implementation.--
``(1) Limitation.--Nothing in this section shall be
construed to permit the Commission to issue regulations that
require or impose a specific technology or technology
standard.
``(2) Enforcement.--The Commission shall enforce this
section as if this section was a part of the Communications
Act of 1934. For purposes of this section, any violations of
this section, or any regulations promulgated under this
section, shall be considered to be a violation of the
Communications Act of 1934 or a regulation promulgated under
that Act, respectively.
``(f) State Authority Over Fees.--
``(1) Authority.--Nothing in this Act, the Communications
Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 151 et seq.), the 911 Modernization
and Public Safety Act of 2007, or any Commission regulation
or order shall prevent the imposition and collection of a fee
or charge applicable to commercial mobile services or IP-
enabled voice services specifically designated by a State,
political subdivision thereof, or Indian tribe for the
support or implementation of 911 or E-911 services, provided
that the fee or charge is obligated or expended only in
support of 911 and E-911 services, or enhancements of such
services, as specified in the provision of State or local law
adopting the fee or charge. For each class of subscribers to
IP-enabled voice services, the fee or charge may not exceed
the amount of any such fee or charge applicable to the same
class of subscribers to telecommunications services.
``(2) Fee accountability report.--To ensure efficiency,
transparency, and accountability in the collection and
expenditure of fees for the support or implementation of 911
or E-911 services, the Commission shall submit a report
within 1 year after the date of enactment of the 911
Modernization and Public Safety Act of 2007, and annually
thereafter, to the Committee on Commerce, Science and
Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Energy and
Commerce of the House of Representatives detailing the status
in each State of the collection and distribution of 911 fees,
and including findings on the amount of revenues obligated or
expended by each State or political subdivision thereof for
any purpose other than the purpose for which any fee or
charges are presented.
``(g) Availability of PSAP Information.--The Commission may
compile a list of public safety answering point contact
information, contact information for providers of selective
routers, testing procedures, classes and types of services
supported by public safety answering points, and other
information concerning 911 elements, for the purpose of
assisting IP-enabled voice service providers in complying
with this section, and may make any portion of such
information available to telecommunications carriers,
wireless carriers, IP-enabled voice service providers, other
emergency service providers, or the vendors to or agents of
any such carriers or providers, if such availability would
improve public safety.
``(h) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in the 911
Modernization and Public Safety Act of 2007 shall be
construed as altering, delaying, or otherwise limiting the
ability of the Commission to enforce the rules adopted in the
Commission's First Report and Order in WC Docket Nos. 04-36
and 05-196, as in effect on the date of enactment of the 911
Modernization and Public Safety Act of 2007, except as such
rules may be modified by the Commission from time to time.'';
and
(3) in section 7 (as redesignated by paragraph (1) of this
section) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
``(8) IP-enabled voice service.--The term `IP-enabled voice
service' has the meaning given the term `interconnected VoIP
service' by section 9.3 of the Federal Communications
Commission's regulations (47 CFR 9.3).''.
SEC. 102. MIGRATION TO IP-ENABLED EMERGENCY NETWORK.
Section 158 of the National Telecommunications and
Information Administration Organization Act (47 U.S.C. 942)
is amended--
(1) in subsection (b)(1), by inserting before the period at
the end the following: ``and for migration to an IP-enabled
emergency network'';
(2) by redesignating subsections (d) and (e) as subsections
(e) and (f), respectively; and
(3) by inserting after subsection (c) the following new
subsection:
``(d) Migration Plan Required.--
``(1) National plan required.--No more than 270 days after
the date of the enactment of the 911 Modernization and Public
Safety Act of 2007, the Office shall develop and report to
Congress on a national plan for migrating to a national IP-
enabled emergency network capable of receiving and responding
to all citizen-activated emergency communications and
improving information sharing among all emergency response
entities.
``(2) Contents of plan.--The plan required by paragraph (1)
shall--
``(A) outline the potential benefits of such a migration;
``(B) identify barriers that must be overcome and funding
mechanisms to address those barriers;
``(C) include a proposed timetable, an outline of costs,
and potential savings;
``(D) provide specific legislative language, if necessary,
for achieving the plan;
``(E) provide recommendations on any legislative changes,
including updating definitions, to facilitate a national IP-
enabled emergency network;
``(F) assess, collect, and analyze the experiences of the
public safety answering points and related public safety
authorities who are conducting trial deployments of IP-
enabled emergency networks as of the date of enactment of the
911 Modernization and Public Safety Act of 2007;
``(G) identify solutions for providing 911 and E-911 access
to those with disabilities
[[Page H13555]]
and needed steps to implement such solutions, including a
recommended timeline; and
``(H) analyze efforts to provide automatic location for E-
911 purposes and recommendations on regulatory or legislative
changes that are necessary to achieve automatic location for
E-911 purposes.
``(3) Consultation.--In developing the plan required by
paragraph (1), the Office shall consult with representatives
of the public safety community, groups representing those
with disabilities, technology and telecommunications
providers, IP-enabled voice service providers,
Telecommunications Relay Service providers, and other
emergency communications providers and others it deems
appropriate.''.
SEC. 103. TECHNICAL AMENDMENTS.
Section 3011(b) of the Digital Television Transition and
Public Safety Act of 2005 (Public Law 109-171; 47 U.S.C. 309
note), and section 158(b)(4) of the National
Telecommunications and Information Administration
Organization Act (47 U.S.C. 942(b)(4)) are each amended by
striking ``the 911 Modernization Act'' and inserting ``the
911 Modernization and Public Safety Act of 2007''.
TITLE II--PARITY OF PROTECTION
SEC. 201. LIABILITY.
(a) Amendments.--Section 4 of the Wireless Communications
and Public Safety Act of 1999 (47 U.S.C. 615a) is amended--
(1) by striking ``PARITY OF PROTECTION FOR PROVISION OR USE
OF WIRELESS SERVICE'' in the section heading and inserting
``SERVICE PROVIDER PARITY OF PROTECTION'';
(2) in subsection (a)--
(A) by striking ``wireless carrier,'' and inserting
``wireless carrier, IP-enabled voice service provider, or
other emergency communications provider,'';
(B) by striking ``its officers'' the first place it appears
and inserting ``their officers'';
(C) by striking ``emergency calls or emergency services''
and inserting ``emergency calls, emergency services, or other
emergency communications services'';
(3) in subsection (b)--
(A) by striking ``using wireless 9-1-1 service shall'' and
inserting ``using wireless 9-1-1 service, or making 9-1-1
communications via IP-enabled voice service or other
emergency communications service, shall''; and
(B) by striking ``that is not wireless'' and inserting
``that is not via wireless 9-1-1 service, IP-enabled voice
service, or other emergency communications service''; and
(4) in subsection (c)--
(A) by striking ``wireless 9-1-1 communications, a PSAP''
and inserting ``9-1-1 communications via wireless 9-1-1
service, IP-enabled voice service, or other emergency
communications service, a PSAP''; and
(B) by striking ``that are not wireless'' and inserting
``that are not via wireless 9-1-1 service, IP-enabled voice
service, or other emergency communications service''.
(b) Definition.--Section 7 of the Wireless Communications
and Public Safety Act of 1999 (as redesignated by section
101(1) of this Act) is further amended by adding at the end
the following new paragraphs:
``(9) Other emergency communications service.--The term
`other emergency communications service' means the provision
of emergency information to a public safety answering point
via wire or radio communications, and may include 911 and
enhanced 911 services.
``(10) Other emergency communications service provider.--
The term `other emergency communications service provider'
means--
``(A) an entity other than a local exchange carrier,
wireless carrier, or an IP-enabled voice service provider
that is required by the Federal Communications Commission
consistent with the Commission's authority under the
Communications Act of 1934 to provide other emergency
communications services; or
``(B) in the absence of a Commission requirement as
described in subparagraph (A), an entity that voluntarily
elects to provide other emergency communications services and
is specifically authorized by the appropriate local or State
911 governing authority to provide other emergency
communications services.''.
TITLE III--AUTHORITY TO PROVIDE CUSTOMER INFORMATION FOR 911 PURPOSES
SEC. 301. AUTHORITY TO PROVIDE CUSTOMER INFORMATION.
Section 222 of the Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C.
222) is amended--
(1) by inserting ``or the user of an IP-enabled voice
service (as such term is defined in section 7 of the Wireless
Communications and Public Safety Act of 1999 (47 U.S.C.
615b))'' after ``section 332(d))'' each place it appears in
subsections (d)(4) and (f)(1);
(2) by striking ``Wireless'' in the heading of subsection
(f); and
(3) in subsection (g)--
(A) by inserting ``or a provider of IP-enabled voice
service (as such term is defined in section 7 of the Wireless
Communications and Public Safety Act of 1999 (47 U.S.C.
615b))'' after ``telephone exchange service'';
(B) by striking ``Notwithstanding subsections (b)'' and
inserting the following:
``(1) In general.--Notwithstanding subsections (b)''; and
(C) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
``(2) Prohibited use of location information databases.--No
administrator of any database used for the purpose of
facilitating the provision of emergency services may use for
any competitive purpose data obtained from unaffiliated
telecommunications carriers or IP-enabled voice service
providers in the course of maintaining and operating that
database. Nothing in this section is intended to prohibit
government agencies otherwise authorized under law from
requesting information contained in any such database.''.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Massachusetts (Mr. Markey) and the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Upton)
each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Massachusetts.
Mr. MARKEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, H.R. 3403, introduced by Representative Bart Gordon, is
designed to ensure that a consumer calling 911 in an emergency from an
Internet phone, using so-called ``Voice over Internet Protocol,'' or
VoIP service, can do so with a degree of confidence matching that of
traditional phone service and wireless service.
The bill seeks to achieve this goal through two key provisions: The
first provision extends liability protections to VoIP service
providers. The Federal Communications Commission lacks authority to
grant liability protection to VoIP service providers, and, therefore,
Congress must take action to achieve this policy objective. This is
similar to action this subcommittee took in 1999 when such liability
protection was accorded to wireless providers.
The second key provision in the bill establishes the right of VoIP
providers to access the parts of the 911 infrastructure they need in
order to complete 911 calls for consumers. This is an important
provision because while the FCC has acted to require VoIP providers to
meet enhanced 911 service obligations, the commission did not order
that such VoIP providers had a legal right to the components of the 911
infrastructure they would need to fulfill their E-911 obligations under
the commission's own rules.
{time} 1445
I want to commend Representative Gordon for his excellent work and
leadership on this bill. We have endeavored, over the last several
months, to work on a bipartisan basis through several issues, and the
bill we bring to the House floor this afternoon reflects the results of
these discussions. It is an excellent step forward.
I also want to salute Ms. Eshoo, Mr. Shimkus and Mr. Pickering for
their work on this legislation and, as always, to commend the chairman
of the full committee, Mr. Dingell; the ranking member of the full
committee, Mr. Barton; and my good friend, the gentleman from Michigan
(Mr. Upton) for their excellent efforts as well.
At this point, Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. UPTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself as much time as I may consume.
I want to take particular time to thank Mr. Markey, my good friend,
Mr. Dingell, as well as Mr. Gordon, the bill's sponsor, as well as Mr.
Shimkus and Ms. Eshoo for their really outstanding leadership on this
issue.
This is a good bill. All of us here know stories, many of us can
relate personally to stories, using 911. This goes a bit further when
we talk about E-911.
There is a recent news story that highlighted the importance of this
service. A mother in Washington State was playing with her 2-year-old
daughter, Alana, one night when suddenly a migraine hit her. She
collapsed, she took a few painkillers, she felt dizzy, collapsed to the
floor, and yet the 2-year-old daughter, Alana, watching her mom
collapse, walked over to the coffee table, picked up the phone, and
dialed 911.
While she was on the phone, all she said was ``mommy, ouch.'' Those
two words alone were enough to send the paramedics to their home.
Inside they found the mom on the floor and the daughter in the other
room getting a blanket for her mom who was shivering. Thankfully, she
was released the very next day. But without that technology, who knows
how the situation, or many others like it, would end up.
Our 911 system continues to evolve. We've made a lot of progress on
enhanced 911 deployment, but E-911 can provide the actual phone number
and location of a caller, which can be essential in reaching people who
need the
[[Page H13556]]
help, especially if they're having trouble communicating.
The FCC helped move the ball forward in June of 2005 by requiring
that VoIP providers offer 911 services to their customers. And while
technologically it is more complicated for VoIP providers to provide
the service, it certainly is of equal importance.
We've all heard the horror stories in the past of people trying
unsuccessfully to use 911 from their homes or mobile phones, and I'm
hopeful that with the leaps taken so far, along with this legislation,
all consumers, regardless of the phone service or their location, will
be better served in an emergency.
This bill, H.R. 3403, the 911 Modernization and Public Safety Act of
2007, is certainly a significant public safety bill. I would urge my
colleagues to vote for it. And, again, I want to thank the bipartisan
cooperation that we've seen every step along the way, not only in this
body, but in the Senate as well.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. MARKEY. Mr. Speaker, I would, once again, like to commend the
bill to the Members. I also want to thank the staff, Mark Seifert, Amy
Levine, David Vogel, Courtney Reinhard, and Dana Lichtenberg on the
Democrat and Republican staffs for their excellent work on this
legislation.
Mr. BARTON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 3403, the
``911 Modernization and Public Safety Act of 2007.''
Each time a new communications technology arrives on the market, we
must adapt our 911 system and our laws to accommodate it. In 1999,
Congress passed the Wireless Communications and Public Safety Act to
ensure that emergency 911 calls made from wireless phones would go to
the nearest Public Safety Answering Point or ``PSAP''.
Today, Voice-over-Internet-Protocol is revolutionizing the way we
communicate by adding the flexibility and innovation of the Internet to
the traditional phone call. However, unlike wireless carriers, VoIP
providers have no rights to interconnect with the 911 infrastructure
and only a handful of 911 centers were prepared to receive VoIP calls,
until recently. This left VoIP providers with no easy way to deliver
911 or E-911 service to their subscribers.
After people using VoIP phones were unable to call 911 when they
needed help, the FCC responded in June 2005 by requiring VoIP providers
to incorporate E-911 capability into their service. While this forced
VoIP providers to deploy E-911 access to almost all of their
subscribers through commercial agreements with third parties, the FCC
did not have the authority to address all of the important issues.
That is why the House Energy and Commerce Committee passed H.R. 3403.
This bill seeks to better ensure that consumers using VoIP service can
access enhanced 911 emergency services. It puts VoIP providers on the
same legal footing as wireless carriers and gives providers the same
access as wireless, at the same rates, terms and conditions. It gives
VoIP carriers and PSAPs receiving the VoIP 911 calls the same liability
protection that is afforded to wireless calls. The bill allows VoIP
providers to join wireless carriers in a narrow exemption from the
Customer Proprietary Network Information Laws, so that they can
transmit customer name and location information during an emergency
call. The bill also allows the FCC to delegate to states enforcement of
regulations implementing VoIP 911, without disrupting the interstate
nature of VoIP service.
In addition to ensuring the success of VoIP E-911, H.R. 3403 takes
strong steps to improve our 911 system going forward. First, the bill
will stop states from raiding their 911 funds by prohibiting states
from spending the 911 line-item fee they collect on phone bills for any
purpose other than improvements to the 911 system. Second, the bill
directs the E-911 Coordination and Implementation Office to develop a
nationwide migration plan to an IP-enabled network. An Internet-based
emergency network will enhance public safety by allowing for greater
flexibility in the types and amount of information that may be
transmitted to emergency service providers. Finally, H.R. 3403 alters
an existing grant program to allow PSAPs to obtain federal funding for
IP-enabled emergency networks.
H.R. 3403, the ``911 Modernization and Public Safety Act of 2007'' is
about public safety. I want to praise the work of the bill's sponsor,
Congressman Bart Gordon, who has provided strong leadership in
addressing the VoIP E-911 challenge. I also commend the House co-chairs
of the Congressional E-911 Caucus: Congresswoman Eshoo and Congressman
Shimkus, for their determined work to advance all 911 issues. I would
also like to thank the Telecommunications Subcommittee Chairman Mr. Ed
Markey and the chairman of the full committee, Mr. John Dingell, and
their staffs, for their leadership and commitment to working with our
side in a bipartisan fashion on this bill.
H.R. 3403 is an important piece of legislation and I urge my
colleagues to vote for it to become law.
Mr. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 3403, the ``911
Modernization and Public Safety Act of 2007''.
This legislation ensures that consumers using Voice over Internet
Protocol or VoIP technology can access the 911 system. It also requires
the development of a national plan to ensure that the 911 system
continues to evolve.
Consumers expect that when they place a call to 911 using a wireline
phone, wireless phone, or any other type of technology, the emergency
operator who answers will send the right type of first responder to the
correct location in the shortest time possible. The ability to dial 911
and reach an emergency operator is so integral to our daily lives that
we teach our children from the earliest moment how to dial 911.
As our communications system has evolved, so too has the 911 system.
We have seen this before with the introduction of wireless phone
service. As more consumers began using cell phones, Congress passed
legislation to ensure that the 911 system could accommodate emergency
calls made over the wireless network.
Over the last few years, VoIP technology has provided a new way for
consumers to make calls using the Internet. H.R. 3404 ensures that
consumers using VoIP service are able to access 911 as easily as
consumers using wireline or wireless services. H.R. 3403 will give VoIP
providers access to the components they need to provide 911 service and
will extend the liability protections afforded to wireline and wireless
carriers today to VoIP providers, public safety officials, and end
users in relation to VoIP 911 calls.
The constantly evolving nature of technology can present a challenge
to legislators. H.R. 3403 meets that challenge by ensuring that our 911
system continues to adapt. It requires the development of a national
plan to migrate to an Internet Protocol-enabled 911 system. It also
amends an existing grant program to allow funding for public safety
answering points that are moving to an IP-enabled system.
As technology evolves, it is important that public safety
communications also evolve. Too often public safety is left behind,
burdened by yesterday's technology and yesterday's network. H.R. 3403
therefore requires that public safety representatives participate in
the formation of the national plan. This will help ensure that public
safety has access to the communications platform of the future.
Moving to an IP-enabled 911 system will also benefit consumers with
disabilities. H.R. 3403 requires that the national plan address
solutions for providing 911 and enhanced 911 services to members of the
disabilities community who may not be able to speak to or hear an
emergency operator. By including those representing the disabilities
community in the formation of the national plan, we will ensure that
all consumers are able to access emergency services.
Because consumers rely on 911, Congress must ensure that the 911
system is reliable. H.R. 3403 fulfills this duty by addressing the
addition of VoIP service to the marketplace and by establishing a
pathway to the future of the 911 system. This important measure has
strong bipartisan support, including the support of the Committee on
Energy and Commerce Ranking Member, Representative Barton, and the
Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Telecommunications and Internet,
Representative Upton.
I commend Representative Gordon for his excellent work on this
legislation. I also thank the other members of the 911 Caucus, and
Representatives Eshoo, Shimkus, and Pickering for their important and
ongoing work in the area of Emergency communications.
I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 3403.
Ms. ESHOO. Mr. Speaker, I've been working on 911 issues for over a
decade. We've come a long way during this time, and this bill is
another step toward full interoperability. It is essential for our
constituents to have access to emergency services whether they're using
a mobile phone or using a VOIP service. Confidence that our network
will be able to access emergency services when they are needed is
fundamental.
My thanks to Representative Gordon and the Energy and Commerce
Committee for their work on this 911 legislation which I'm a cosponsor
of. The bill places a duty on VOIP services to provide 911 for their
customers. This gives customers a guarantee that they will have
emergency services when they need it. Importantly, this legislation
requires that carriers allow VOIP providers to interconnect with
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their facilities. In return, carriers will be compensated at the same
rate that wireless carries pay to interconnect. This interconnection
mandate is necessary so that consumers will have timely access to 911
services.
This legislation will connect the 98 million Americans that live in
areas where VOIP providers do not yet have access to the 911 network
and are unable to receive reliable VOIP 911 services.
My colleague Mr. Shimkus and I are co-chairs of the E-911 Caucus and
I thank him for his terrific work on this issue. We've worked closely
together and passed legislation to provide federal grants to enhance
our emergency communications system. So far no funding has been
appropriated for this purpose but we were successful in passing an
amendment to the Commerce, Justice, Science Appropriations that added
$5 million for this grant program. The funding ``plants the seed'' for
advanced E-911 equipment so necessary in our communities.
This is a good bill and I strongly support it and urge Members to
vote for it.
Mr. MARKEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Markey) that the House suspend the
rules and pass the bill, H.R. 3403, as amended.
The question was taken.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
Mr. GOHMERT. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
The yeas and nays were ordered.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be
postponed.
____________________