[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 10 (Tuesday, January 25, 2011)]
[Senate]
[Pages S245-S246]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 SENATE RESOLUTION 24--TO PROPOSE A STANDING ORDER TO GOVERN EXTENDED 
                                 DEBATE

  Mr. MERKLEY (for himself and Mr. Udall of New Mexico) submitted the 
following resolution; which was submitted and read:

                               S. Res. 24

       Resolved,

     SECTION 1. STANDING ORDER FOR EXTENDED DEBATE.

       (a) Standing Order.--This section shall be a standing order 
     of the Senate.
       (b) Rules for Extended Debate.--
       (1) In general.--If a question to close debate on a 
     measure, motion, or other matter is decided in the negative 
     and a majority of senators present and voting have voted to 
     bring debate to a close, the extended debate procedures under 
     this section shall be in order at any time if that measure, 
     motion or other matter has continued as the only pending 
     business subsequent to the vote against closing debate.
       (2) Closing debate.--Under the circumstances described in 
     paragraph (1), it shall be in order for the Majority Leader 
     or his designee to move to bring debate on the pending 
     measure, motion, or other matter to a close on the grounds 
     that no Senator seeks recognition to debate the matter. 
     Immediately after the motion is made and before putting the 
     question thereon, the Presiding Officer shall immediately 
     inquire whether any Senator seeks recognition for the purpose 
     of debating the matter on which the Senate had previously 
     voted against closing debate. If a Senator seeks recognition 
     for that purpose, the Presiding Officer shall announce that 
     the Senate is proceeding under extended debate and shall 
     recognize a Senator who seeks recognition for debate. After 
     the Presiding Officer's announcement under the preceding 
     sentence the Senate shall continue to proceed under extended 
     debate subject to paragraph (3).
       (3) Extended debate.--
       (A) In general.--If the Senate enters into extended debate 
     under this paragraph, no dilatory motions, motions to suspend 
     any rule or any part thereof, nor dilatory quorum calls shall 
     be entertained.
       (B) Conditions for ending debate.--If during extended 
     debate the proceedings described in either subparagraph (C), 
     (D), or (E) occur and unless the Majority Leader or his 
     designee withdraws the motion made under paragraph (2), the 
     Senate shall proceed immediately to vote on that motion or to 
     vote at a time designated by the Majority Leader or his 
     designee within the next four calendar days of Senate 
     session. When voted on, that motion shall be decided by a 
     majority of Senators chosen and sworn.
       (C) Debate ends.--If, at any point during extended debate 
     when no Senator is recognized, no Senator seeks recognition, 
     the Presiding Officer shall renew the inquiry as to whether a 
     Senator seeks recognition and shall recognize a Senator who 
     seeks recognition for the purpose of debate. If no Senator 
     then seeks recognition (or if no Senator sought recognition 
     in response to the Presiding Officer's inquiry under 
     paragraph (2), the Senate shall dispose of the motion of the 
     Majority Leader (or his designee) to bring debate to a close 
     pursuant to paragraph (2), in the manner specified in 
     subparagraph (B).
       (D) Quorum calls.--
       (i) Question.--If, at any point during extended debate, a 
     Senator having been recognized raises a question of the 
     presence of a quorum, the Presiding Officer shall renew the 
     inquiry as to whether a Senator seeks recognition, and shall 
     recognize a Senator who seeks recognition for debate.
       (ii) Disposition.--If no Senator then seeks recognition for 
     debate under clause (i)--

       (I) the Presiding Officer shall direct the Clerk to call 
     the roll;
       (II) upon the establishment of a quorum, the Senate shall 
     dispose of the motion of the Majority Leader (or his 
     designee) to bring debate to a close pursuant to paragraph 
     1in the manner specified in subparagraph (B); and
       (III) if the Senate adjourns for lack of a quorum, then 
     when the Senate next convenes and the morning hour or any 
     period for morning business is expired or is deemed to be 
     expired, the Senate shall dispose of the motion of the 
     Majority Leader (or his designee) made to bring debate to a 
     close pursuant to paragraph (2) in the manner specified in 
     subparagraph (B).

       (E) Motions.--
       (i) In general.--If at any point during extended debate a 
     Senator having been recognized moves to adjourn, recess, 
     postpone the

[[Page S246]]

     pending matter, or proceed to other business and unless the 
     motion is made or seconded by the Majority Leader or his 
     designee, the Presiding Officer shall renew the inquiry as to 
     whether a Senator seeks recognition, and shall recognize a 
     Senator who seeks recognition for debate, and said motion 
     shall be considered withdrawn. If no Senator then seeks 
     recognition for debate, then the Presiding Officer shall 
     immediately put the question on the motion offered, unless 
     the vote is delayed as provided in clause (ii).
       (ii) Reconvening.--If the Senate agrees to a motion to 
     adjourn or recess it shall resume consideration of the 
     pending measure, motion or other matter pending at the time 
     of adjournment or recess when it first takes up business 
     after it next reconvenes, and the Senate shall still be in a 
     period of extended debate. Upon the negative disposition of 
     the motion to adjourn, recess, postpone, or proceed to other 
     business and unless such motion was made by the Majority 
     Leader or his designee, the Senate shall dispose of the 
     motion of the Majority Leader (or his designee) to bring 
     debate to a close pursuant to paragraph (2) in the manner 
     specified in subparagraph (B).
       (iii) Delay.--During a period of extended debate, the 
     Majority Leader or his designee may delay any vote until a 
     designated time within the next 4 calendar days of Senate 
     session, and any votes ordered or occurring thereafter shall 
     likewise be delayed.
       (4) Final disposition.--If the motion of the Majority 
     Leader to bring debate to a close pursuant to paragraph (2) 
     is agreed to by a majority of Senators chosen and sworn, the 
     Presiding Officer shall announce that extended debate is 
     ended and that the measure, motion, or other matter pending 
     before the Senate shall be the unfinished business to the 
     exclusion of all other business until disposed of and further 
     proceedings on the measure, motion or other matter shall 
     occur as if the Senate had decided to invoke cloture. If the 
     Majority Leader withdraws the motion to bring debate to a 
     close pursuant to paragraph (2) or that motion is not agreed 
     to by a majority of Senators chosen and sworn the Presiding 
     Officer shall announce that extended debate is ended.

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