[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 137 (Monday, September 12, 2016)]
[House]
[Pages H5305-H5308]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  1815
          ADVANCED NUCLEAR TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT ACT OF 2016

  Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 4979) to foster civilian research and development of 
advanced nuclear energy technologies and enhance the licensing and 
commercial deployment of such technologies, as amended.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                               H.R. 4979

       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 ``Advanced Nuclear Technology 
     Development Act of 2016''.

     SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

       Congress finds the following:
       (1) Nuclear energy generates approximately 20 percent of 
     the total electricity and approximately 60 percent of the 
     carbon-free electricity of the United States.
       (2) Nuclear power plants operate consistently at a 90 
     percent capacity factor, and provide consumers and businesses 
     with reliable and affordable electricity.
       (3) Nuclear power plants generate billions of dollars in 
     national economic activity through nationwide procurements 
     and provide thousands of Americans with high paying jobs 
     contributing substantially to the local economies in 
     communities where they operate.
       (4) The United States commercial nuclear industry must 
     continue to lead the international civilian nuclear 
     marketplace, because it is one of our most powerful national 
     security tools, guaranteeing the safe, secure, and 
     exclusively peaceful use of nuclear energy.
       (5) Maintaining the Nation's nuclear fleet of commercial 
     light water reactors and expanding the use of new advanced 
     reactor designs would support continued production of 
     reliable baseload electricity and maintain United States 
     global leadership in nuclear power.
       (6) Nuclear fusion technology also has the potential to 
     generate electricity with significantly increased safety 
     performance and no radioactive waste.

[[Page H5306]]

       (7) The development of advanced reactor designs would 
     benefit from a performance-based, risk-informed, efficient, 
     and cost-effective regulatory framework with defined 
     milestones and the opportunity for applicants to demonstrate 
     progress through Nuclear Regulatory Commission approval.

     SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.

       In this Act:
       (1) Advanced nuclear reactor.--The term ``advanced nuclear 
     reactor'' means--
       (A) a nuclear fission reactor with significant improvements 
     over the most recent generation of nuclear fission reactors, 
     which may include inherent safety features, lower waste 
     yields, greater fuel utilization, superior reliability, 
     resistance to proliferation, and increased thermal 
     efficiency; or
       (B) a nuclear fusion reactor.
       (2) Department.--The term ``Department'' means the 
     Department of Energy.
       (3) Licensing.--The term ``licensing'' means NRC activities 
     related to reviewing applications for licenses, permits, and 
     design certifications, and requests for any other regulatory 
     approval for nuclear reactors within the responsibilities of 
     the NRC under the Atomic Energy Act of 1954.
       (4) National laboratory.--The term ``National Laboratory'' 
     has the meaning given that term in section 2 of the Energy 
     Policy Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 15801).
       (5) NRC.--The term ``NRC'' means the Nuclear Regulatory 
     Commission.
       (6) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
     of Energy.

     SEC. 4. AGENCY COORDINATION.

       The NRC and the Department shall enter into the a 
     memorandum of understanding regarding the following topics:
       (1) Technical expertise.--Ensuring that the Department has 
     sufficient technical expertise to support the civilian 
     nuclear industry's timely research, development, 
     demonstration, and commercial application of safe, innovative 
     advanced reactor technology and the NRC has sufficient 
     technical expertise to support the evaluation of applications 
     for licenses, permits, and design certifications, and other 
     requests for regulatory approval for advanced reactors.
       (2) Modeling and simulation.--The use of computers and 
     software codes to calculate the behavior and performance of 
     advanced reactors based on mathematical models of their 
     physical behavior.
       (3) Facilities.--Ensuring that the Department maintains and 
     develops the facilities to enable the civilian nuclear 
     industry's timely research, development, demonstration, and 
     commercial application of safe, innovative reactor technology 
     and ensuring that the NRC has access to such facilities, as 
     needed.

     SEC. 5. REPORTING TO CONGRESS.

       (a) In General.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
     enactment of this Act, the Secretary, in consultation with 
     the National Laboratories, relevant Federal agencies, and 
     other stakeholders, shall submit to the Committee on Energy 
     and Commerce and the Committee on Science, Space, and 
     Technology of the House of Representatives and the Committee 
     on Environment and Public Works and the Committee Energy and 
     Natural Resources of the Senate a report assessing the 
     capabilities of the Department to authorize, host, and 
     oversee privately proposed and funded experimental reactors.
       (b) Contents.--Such report shall address--
       (1) the safety review and oversight capabilities of the 
     Department, including options to leverage expertise from the 
     NRC and the National Laboratories;
       (2) options to regulate Department hosted, privately 
     proposed and funded experimental reactors;
       (3) potential sites capable of hosting the activities 
     described in subsection (a);
       (4) the efficacy of the available contractual mechanisms of 
     the Department to partner with the private sector and other 
     Federal agencies, including cooperative research and 
     development agreements, strategic partnership projects, and 
     agreements for commercializing technology;
       (5) the Federal Government's liability with respect to the 
     disposal of low-level radioactive waste, spent nuclear fuel, 
     or high-level radioactive waste, as defined by section 2 of 
     the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982 (42 U.S.C. 10101);
       (6) the impact on the Nation's aggregate inventory of low-
     level radioactive waste, spent nuclear fuel, or high-level 
     radioactive waste;
       (7) potential cost structures relating to physical 
     security, decommissioning, liability, and other long-term 
     project costs; and
       (8) other challenges or considerations identified by the 
     Secretary.
       (c) Updates.--The Secretary shall update relevant 
     provisions of the report submitted under subsection (a) every 
     2 years and submit that update to the Committee on Energy and 
     Commerce and the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology 
     of the House of Representatives and the Committee on 
     Environment and Public Works and the Committee Energy and 
     Natural Resources of the Senate.

     SEC. 6. ADVANCED REACTOR REGULATORY FRAMEWORK.

       (a) Plan Required.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
     enactment of this Act, the NRC shall transmit to the 
     Committee on Energy and Commerce and the Committee on 
     Science, Space, and Technology of the House of 
     Representatives and the Committee on Environment and Public 
     Works of the Senate a plan for developing an efficient, risk-
     informed, technology-neutral framework for advanced reactor 
     licensing. The plan shall evaluate the following subjects, 
     consistent with the NRC's role in protecting public health 
     and safety and common defense and security:
       (1) The unique aspects of advanced reactor licensing and 
     any associated legal, regulatory, and policy issues the NRC 
     will need to address to develop a framework for licensing 
     advanced reactors.
       (2) Options for licensing advanced reactors under existing 
     NRC regulations in title 10 of the Code of Federal 
     Regulations, a proposed new regulatory framework, or a 
     combination of these approaches.
       (3) Options to expedite and streamline the licensing of 
     advanced reactors, including opportunities to minimize the 
     time from application submittal to final NRC licensing 
     decision and minimize the delays that may result from any 
     necessary amendments or supplements to applications.
       (4) Options to expand the incorporation of consensus-based 
     codes and standards into the advanced reactor regulatory 
     framework to minimize time to completion and provide 
     flexibility in implementation.
       (5) Options to make the advanced reactor licensing 
     framework more predictable. This evaluation should consider 
     opportunities to improve the process by which application 
     review milestones are established and maintained.
       (6) Options to allow applicants to use phased review 
     processes under which the NRC issues approvals that do not 
     require the NRC to re-review previously approved information. 
     This evaluation shall consider the NRC's ability to review 
     and conditionally approve partial applications, early design 
     information, and submittals that contain design criteria and 
     processes to be used to develop information to support a 
     later phase of the design review.
       (7) The extent to which NRC action or modification of 
     policy is needed to implement any part of the plan required 
     by this subsection.
       (8) The role of licensing advanced reactors within NRC 
     long-term strategic resource planning, staffing, and funding 
     levels.
       (9) Options to provide cost-sharing financial structures 
     for license applicants in a phased licensing process.
       (b) Coordination and Stakeholder Input Required.--In 
     developing the plan required by subsection (a), the NRC shall 
     seek input from the Department, the nuclear industry, and 
     other public stakeholders.
       (c) Cost and Schedule Estimate.--The plan required by 
     subsection (a) shall include proposed cost estimates, 
     budgets, and specific milestones for implementing the 
     advanced reactor regulatory framework by September 30, 2019.
       (d) Design Certification Status.--In the NRC's first budget 
     request after the acceptance of any design certification 
     application for an advanced nuclear reactor, and annually 
     thereafter, the NRC shall provide the status of performance 
     metrics and milestone schedules. The budget request shall 
     include a plan to correct or recover from any milestone 
     schedule delays, including delays because of NRC's inability 
     to commit resources for its review of the design 
     certification applications.

     SEC. 7. USER FEES AND ANNUAL CHARGES.

       Section 6101(c)(2)(A) of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation 
     Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 2214(c)(2)(A)) is amended--
       (1) by striking ``and'' at the end of clause (iii);
       (2) by striking the period at the end of clause (iv) and 
     inserting ``; and''; and
       (3) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(v) for fiscal years ending before October 1, 2020, 
     amounts appropriated to the Commission for activities related 
     to the development of regulatory infrastructure for advanced 
     nuclear reactor technologies.''.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Texas (Mr. Burgess) and the gentleman from New York (Mr. Tonko) each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Texas.


                             General Leave

  Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members 
may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks 
and insert extraneous materials into the Record on the bill.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Texas?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the 
gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Latta).
  Mr. LATTA. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding.
  I rise today in support of H.R. 4979, the Advanced Nuclear Technology 
Development Act of 2016, which I introduced with Congressman McNerney 
earlier this year. We are very excited the bill received unanimous 
support of the full Energy and Commerce Committee.
  The next generation of the nuclear industry needs to start now, with 
Congress ensuring that the Nuclear Regulatory Commission is able to 
provide

[[Page H5307]]

the certainty that the private sector needs to invest in innovative 
technologies. Nuclear power is currently 20 percent of our national 
energy portfolio, and it must remain a vital part of our energy mix. As 
the United States looks to the future, more energy will be needed, and 
nuclear power provides a reliable, clean baseload power option, 
currently providing approximately 63 percent of total carbon-free 
energy.
  It is imperative that we develop the right regulatory framework so 
advanced nuclear technologies can be developed, licensed, and 
constructed here in the United States. If we miss the opportunity to 
establish a safe, predictable regulatory framework for these 
technologies, private innovators and entrepreneurs will take their 
investment and scientists to our competitors in the global market.
  H.R. 4979 requires that NRC establish a regulatory framework for 
issuing licenses for advanced nuclear reactor technology and also 
requires that NRC submit a schedule for implementation of the framework 
by 2019. Safety in nuclear is the number one goal, and this regulatory 
framework ensures that NRC has the opportunity to develop a framework 
to safely regulate the future technologies of the nuclear industry.
  H.R. 4979 also requires that the Department of Energy and the NRC 
collaborate in developing new nuclear technology. DOE and its National 
Laboratories provide opportunities to test new private sector nuclear 
technologies. This bill would direct DOE to look at options for public-
private partnerships between the DOE and the private sector companies 
interested in investing in the future of nuclear. There is also a role 
for NRC in this space because these testing opportunities may allow for 
demonstration of technologies that NRC has not commercially licensed 
for over the last 40 years.
  Investment in new technologies is already happening, with 
approximately 50 companies in this country investing over $1 billion to 
develop the next generation of nuclear power. That is why we introduced 
H.R. 4979. It is time for Congress to ensure that NRC provides a 
framework so that innovators and investors can prepare to apply for 
licensing technologies. Passing this legislation is key to ensure that 
the United States remains a leader in the nuclear industry, which is 
vital for both our electricity mix and our national security.
  I want to thank all of the cosponsors of this bill, as well as 
Chairman Upton and Congressman McNerney and all of the staff and 
stakeholders for their work on this important legislation.
  I urge full support from my colleagues for H.R. 4979.
  Mr. TONKO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  I rise in support of H.R. 4979, the Advanced Nuclear Technology 
Development Act of 2016, introduced by our colleagues Mr. Latta of Ohio 
and Mr. McNerney of California. As subcommittee ranker of Environment 
and the Economy that reports to the standing committee of Energy and 
Commerce, I am proud to support this legislation.
  H.R. 4979 would require the Department of Energy and the Nuclear 
Regulatory Commission to enter into a memorandum of understanding to 
ensure technical expertise is maintained to assist in the development 
of advanced nuclear technology. The legislation would also require the 
NRC to establish a framework for issuing licenses for advanced reactor 
technology.
  Nuclear technology has been largely unchanged for decades. Having our 
experts coordinate is the best way to support the private sector's 
development of new technology that may advance the industry in terms of 
waste, in terms of efficiency, and in terms of safety.
  Regardless of Members' position on nuclear energy, I believe there is 
unanimous agreement that there is no compromising when it comes to 
safety. We need high standards for safety, and I believe and hope that 
the enhanced cooperation between DOE and NRC required by this bill will 
help put safety front and center for the development of advanced 
nuclear technology.
  I congratulate Mr. Latta and Mr. McNerney for their work on this 
bill.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the 
gentleman from Texas (Mr. Smith), the chairman of the Science, Space, 
and Technology Committee.
  Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Speaker, first of all, let me thank my friend 
and colleague from Texas, Chairman Burgess, for yielding me time.
  H.R. 4979, the Advanced Nuclear Technology Development Act of 2016, 
gives direction to cooperative civilian nuclear energy R&D and provides 
regulatory changes to advance commercial innovation in the American 
nuclear power industry.
  I thank the chairman of the committee on Energy and Commerce, my good 
friend, Fred Upton, for his leadership and for working with me on this 
shared legislation.
  I am encouraged by the strong bipartisan support that has emerged for 
nuclear energy innovation, beginning with the Science, Space, and 
Technology Committee's House-passed Nuclear Energy Innovation 
Capabilities Act, H.R. 4084. That bill is part of both the energy 
policy and NDAA conferences going on right now.
  H.R. 4084, sponsored by the Science, Space, and Technology 
Subcommittee on Energy Chairman Randy Weber and the Committee on 
Science, Space, and Technology Ranking Member Eddie Bernice Johnson, 
already has passed the House this Congress with strong bipartisan 
support. The reinforcing legislation we consider today continues this 
bipartisan work. I thank the sponsors of today's bill, Representatives 
Bob Latta and Jerry McNerney, for their initiative on this issue.
  Advanced nuclear energy technology provides an opportunity to make 
reliable, emission-free electricity available throughout the modern and 
developing world. The Science, Space, and Technology Committee has held 
many hearings and worked steadily on nuclear innovation since December 
2014.
  I thank Chairman Upton, in particular, for being willing to 
incorporate important provisions in today's bill that were developed by 
the Science, Space, and Technology Committee through our continued work 
on nuclear R&D in our jurisdiction. I also appreciate Chairman Upton's 
acceptance of language to ensure that the Department of Energy focuses 
on research and development that enables private sector 
commercialization efforts.
  Nuclear power has been a proven source of safe and emission-free 
electricity for over half a century. America's strategic investments in 
advanced nuclear reactor technology can help create economic growth 
here and an improved quality of life around the globe.
  Unfortunately, government red tape has stalled the ability to move 
innovative technology to the market. This legislation requires the 
Nuclear Regulatory Commission to provide a plan for developing a more 
efficient way to regulate new nuclear technology.
  In July 2015, the chairman of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission 
testified before the Science, Space, and Technology Committee on this 
very issue. Congress must take action to ensure that the NRC reviews, 
assists, and approves advanced reactor technologies. If not, the United 
States will be forced to import nuclear technologies from overseas. 
America must lead the world in nuclear technology for our energy 
security and national security.
  I thank the sponsors for their work on this bill, and I encourage my 
colleagues to support it.
  Mr. TONKO. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the 
gentleman from California (Mr. McNerney), a friend, colleague, and 
fellow engineer on the Energy and Commerce Committee.
  Mr. McNERNEY. Mr. Speaker, I thank the ranking member for that 
introduction. I also want to thank Mr. Latta for his work on this. He 
moved forward and asked me to participate. I thought it was a good 
plan, so I did.
  As our country works to mitigate the effects of climate change and 
prepare for the energy challenges of the future, we must now move to 
develop low- and zero-carbon energy sources. This means making 
investments into R&D, training the scientists, engineers, and 
mathematicians of tomorrow, and ensuring there is an appropriate 
regulatory and investment framework that will foster growth as new 
technologies become commercially viable.

[[Page H5308]]

  Nuclear energy has been a reliable source of energy, producing a 
significant amount of our Nation's energy supply, and it will likely do 
so into the future. But building plants and developing new technologies 
takes time, and we need to take steps to ensure the regulatory tools, 
including safety and reliability, are in place to meet potential 
increases in nuclear power capacity.
  H.R. 4979 is a commonsense approach that provides a pathway for the 
Nuclear Regulatory Commission to establish the proper regulatory 
framework to facilitate, verify, and permit advanced reactor 
technologies. This bill also fosters increased collaborations between 
the NRC and the National Laboratories to provide opportunities to test 
new nuclear energy technologies and bolster public-private 
partnerships.
  The provisions in this bill are aligned with the NRC's fiscal year 
2017 budget request.
  As we move forward toward a low-carbon sustainable energy economy, 
nuclear energy has the potential to play an instrumental role in 
meeting both State and national goals. Our current nuclear reactors use 
light water reactor technology, but there are advances that move toward 
completely different technology, including small modular reactors that 
can increase efficiency and safety while reducing the permitting and 
construction requirements that have hampered the development of new 
nuclear plants in recent years.
  The bill passed unanimously out of the Energy and Commerce Committee 
and has support from nearly a dozen organizations, and I urge its 
passage.
  Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from 
Georgia (Mr. Carter).
  Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for 
yielding.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 4979, the Advanced 
Nuclear Technology Development Act of 2016, to talk about what it means 
for our Nation's energy infrastructure needs.
  Energy independence is a critical goal for the United States as the 
sources of energy available in this country grow and become safer. It 
has been proven that nuclear energy is an extremely safe and viable 
option with the only new nuclear plant in 30 years being built just up 
the river from my district. There has been a considerable amount of 
research and development that has gone in to nuclear energy, and it 
accounts for 60 percent of the clean energy produced in the United 
States.
  Under this bill, those hurdles to design and development will be 
lowered to ensure that the option to produce clean, viable energy that 
is stable and sustainable remains a possibility.
  Growing a closer partnership between the Department of Energy and the 
Nuclear Regulatory Commission will help to chart an energy-independent 
path for our Nation as we seek new possibilities and alternatives to 
power our way to a better future. This legislation will knock down 
those walls to innovation and will provide an opportunity to develop 
advanced reactor designs that could be vital to our energy 
infrastructure.
  I applaud my good friend, Mr. Latta, for his work on this issue and 
the work of the Energy and Commerce Committee to address these reforms 
to the nuclear energy field and energy independence.
  I urge passage of this important legislation.

                              {time}  1830

  Mr. TONKO. Mr. Speaker, I will just again reinforce what I think is a 
strong benefit here: bringing into the industry the efforts for 
resourcefulness, for efficiency, and for safety, all very key elements 
to this sector of the energy economy. The bill bears great benefits for 
the consumers of this country. I strongly support this measure.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.
  Mr. Speaker, I look forward to the passage of this bill and the 
future of our nuclear technology industry. I urge an ``aye'' vote.

         House of Representatives, Committee on Science, Space, 
           and Technology,
                                Washington, DC, September 8, 2016.
     Hon. Fred Upton,
     Chairman, Committee on Energy and Commerce, Washington, DC.
       Dear Mr. Chairman: I am writing concerning H.R. 4979, the 
     ``Advanced Nuclear Technology Development Act of 2016,'' 
     which your Committee ordered reported on May 18, 2016.
       H.R. 4979 contains provisions within the Committee on 
     Science, Space, and Technology's Rule X jurisdiction. As a 
     result of your having consulted with the Committee and in 
     order to expedite this bill for floor consideration, the 
     Committee on Science, Space, and Technology will forego 
     action on the bill. This is being done on the basis of our 
     mutual understanding that doing so will in no way diminish or 
     alter the jurisdiction of the Committee on Science, Space, 
     and Technology with respect to the appointment of conferees, 
     or to any future jurisdictional claim over the subject 
     matters contained in the bill or similar legislation.
       I would appreciate your response to this letter confirming 
     this understanding, and would request that you include a copy 
     of this letter and your response in the Congressional Record 
     during the floor consideration of this bill. Thank you in 
     advance for your cooperation.
           Sincerely,
                                                      Lamar Smith,
     Chairman.
                                  ____

                                         House of Representatives,


                             Committee on Energy and Commerce,

                                Washington, DC, September 8, 2016.
     Hon. Lamar Smith,
     Chairman, Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, 
         Washington, DC.
       Dear Chairman Smith: Thank you for your letter concerning 
     H.R. 4979, the ``Advanced Nuclear Technology Development Act 
     of 2016.''
       As you noted, H.R. 4979 contains provisions within the 
     Committee on Science, Space, and Technology's Rule X 
     jurisdiction. I appreciate your willingness to forgo action 
     on the bill in order to expedite this bill for floor 
     consideration, and I agree that doing so will in no way 
     diminish or alter the jurisdiction of the Committee on 
     Science, Space, and Technology with respect to the 
     appointment of conferees, or to any future jurisdictional 
     claim over the subject matters contained in the bill or 
     similar legislation.
       I will include a copy of your letter and this response in 
     the Congressional Record during the floor consideration of 
     this bill.
           Sincerely,
                                                       Fred Upton,
                                                         Chairman.

  Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 
4979, the Advanced Nuclear Technology Development Act, and to talk 
about what it means for our nation's energy infrastructure needs.
  Energy independence is a critical goal for the United States as the 
sources of energy available in this country grow and become safer.
  It's been proven that nuclear energy is an extremely safe and viable 
option with the only new nuclear plant in 30 years being built just up 
the river from my district.
  There has been a considerable amount of research and development that 
has gone in to the nuclear energy and it accounts for 60 percent of the 
clean energy produced in the United States.
  Under this bill, those hurdles to design and development will be 
lowered to ensure that the option to produce clean, viable energy that 
is stable and sustainable remains a possibility.
  Growing a closer partnership between the Department of Energy and the 
Nuclear Regulatory Commission will help to chart an energy independence 
path for our nation as we seek new possibilities and alternatives to 
power our way to a better future.
  This legislation will knock down those walls to innovation and will 
provide an opportunity to develop advanced reactor designs that could 
be vital to our energy infrastructure.
  I applaud my good friend Mr. Latta for his work on this issue and the 
work of the Energy and Commerce Committee to address these reforms to 
the nuclear energy field and energy independence and I urge passage of 
this important legislation.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Texas (Mr. Burgess) that the House suspend the rules and 
pass the bill, H.R. 4979, as amended.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

                          ____________________