[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 42 (Thursday, March 13, 2014)]
[Senate]
[Page S1662]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




SENATE RESOLUTION 385--EXPRESSING THE SENSE OF THE SENATE REGARDING THE 
          USE OF ELECTRONIC DEVICES ON THE FLOOR OF THE SENATE

  Mr. WHITEHOUSE (for himself and Mr. Enzi) submitted the following 
resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Rules and 
Administration:

                              S. Res. 385

       Resolved, That it is the Sense of the Senate that--
       (1) certain uses of electronic devices by Senators on the 
     floor of the Senate are necessary and proper in the conduct 
     of official Senate business, would not distract, interrupt, 
     or inconvenience the business of Members of the Senate, and 
     should therefore be permissible, including--
       (A) delivering floor remarks from text displayed on 
     personal digital assistant devices and tablet computers;
       (B) reviewing and editing documents on personal digital 
     assistant devices and tablet computers while seated or 
     standing at a desk, except when the Senator who wishes to use 
     the device holds the floor or seeks to be recognized; and
       (C) sending email and other data communication using 
     personal digital assistant devices and tablet computers while 
     seated or standing at a desk, except when the Senator who 
     wishes to use the device holds the floor or seeks to be 
     recognized;
       (2) necessary and proper uses of electronic devices on the 
     floor of the Senate do not include--
       (A) transmitting sound for any purpose other than through 
     earphones or in such a manner as would not disturb 
     proceedings on the floor of the Senate for the purpose of 
     assisting a person with a disability;
       (B) using telephones or other devices for voice 
     communication; or
       (C) using desktop computers, laptop computers, or other 
     large devices;
       (3) the Committee on Rules and Administration should 
     consider an amendment to the Rules for the Regulation of the 
     Senate Wing consistent with the principles stated above; and
       (4) any amendment to the Rules for the Regulation of the 
     Senate Wing should take into account possible future changes 
     in technology.

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