[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 51 (Thursday, March 26, 2015)]
[Senate]
[Page S2052]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




SENATE RESOLUTION 118--AMENDING RULE XXXI OF THE STANDING RULES FOR THE 
       SENATE, TO PROVIDE FOR TIMELY CONSIDERATION OF NOMINATIONS

  Mr. MERKLEY submitted the following resolution; which was referred to 
the Committee on Rules and Administration:

                              S. Res. 118

       Resolved,

     SECTION 1. TIMELY CONSIDERATION OF NOMINATIONS.

       Rule XXXI of the Standing Rules of the Senate is amended--
       (1) by redesignating paragraphs 3 through 7 as paragraphs 4 
     through 8, respectively; and
       (2) by inserting after paragraph 2 the following:
       ``3.(a) In this paragraph, the term `covered nomination' 
     means a nomination other than a nomination--
       ``(1) of an individual to serve as a justice of the Supreme 
     Court of the United States or as Chief Justice of the United 
     States; or
       ``(2) to a position entitled to expedited procedures under 
     S. Res. 116 (112th Congress).
       ``(b) Subject to subparagraph (c), if a covered nomination 
     has been on the Executive Calendar for more than 14 calendar 
     days, the covered nomination shall be eligible for expedited 
     consideration in accordance with subparagraph (d).
       ``(c)(1) For a covered nomination described in clause (3), 
     unless not less than 10 Senators have submitted written 
     requests for the record that the covered nomination be 
     considered by the full Senate in executive session before the 
     end of the 14 calendar day period described in subparagraph 
     (b)--
       ``(A) the nomination shall be deemed to be confirmed by the 
     Senate; and
       ``(B) the Secretary shall send to the President a 
     notification of the confirmation.
       ``(2) If not less than 10 Senators submit a written request 
     in accordance with clause (1) with respect to a covered 
     nomination described in clause (3), the covered nomination 
     shall be eligible for expedited consideration in accordance 
     with subparagraph (d).
       ``(3) A covered nomination described in this clause is a 
     covered nomination other than the nomination of an 
     individual--
       ``(A) to serve as a judge or justice appointed to hold 
     office during good behavior; or
       ``(B) to a position at level I of the Executive Schedule 
     under section 5312 of title 5, United States Code.
       ``(d)(1) The majority leader may provide notice that a 
     covered nomination that is eligible for expedited 
     consideration in accordance with this subparagraph shall be 
     considered on an expedited basis.
       ``(2) Except as provided in clauses (3) and (4), 24 hours 
     after the majority leader provides notice under clause (1) 
     with respect to a covered nomination, the Senate shall 
     proceed to executive session and begin consideration of the 
     covered nomination.
       ``(3) Forty-eight hours after the majority leader provides 
     notice under clause (1) with respect to a covered nomination 
     to serve as a judge appointed to hold office during good 
     behavior or a nomination to a position at level I of the 
     Executive Schedule under section 5312 of title 5, United 
     States Code, the Senate shall proceed to executive session 
     and begin consideration of the nomination.
       ``(4) If the majority leader provides notice with respect 
     to more than 1 covered nomination during any 24 hour period, 
     the covered nominations shall be considered in accordance 
     with clause (5) in the order in which notice was provided.
       ``(5) Notwithstanding rule XXII, expedited consideration of 
     a covered nomination under this subparagraph, including 
     consideration of any debatable motion or appeal in connection 
     therewith--
       ``(A) shall be limited to 4 hours, evenly divided in the 
     usual form, in the case of a nomination to serve as a judge 
     of a circuit court of the United States or a nomination to a 
     position at level I of the Executive Schedule under section 
     5312 of title 5, United States Code; and
       ``(B) shall be limited to 2 hours, evenly divided in the 
     usual form, in the case of any other covered nomination.''.

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