[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 183 (Tuesday, October 19, 2021)]
[House]
[Pages H5651-H5654]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    STRENGTHENING AMERICA'S STRATEGIC NATIONAL STOCKPILE ACT OF 2021

  Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 3635) to amend the Public Health Service Act with respect to 
the Strategic National Stockpile, and for other purposes.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                               H.R. 3635

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.

       (a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the 
     ``Strengthening America's Strategic National Stockpile Act of 
     2021''.
       (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act 
     is as follows:
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2. Reimbursable transfers.
Sec. 3. Equipment maintenance.
Sec. 4. Supply chain flexibility manufacturing pilot.
Sec. 5. GAO study on the feasibility and benefits of a user fee 
              agreement.
Sec. 6. Grants for State strategic stockpiles.
Sec. 7. Action reporting.
Sec. 8. Improved, transparent processes.
Sec. 9. Authorization of appropriations.

     SEC. 2. REIMBURSABLE TRANSFERS.

       Section 319F-2(a) of the Public Health Service Act (42 
     U.S.C. 247d-6b(a)) is amended by adding at the end the 
     following:
       ``(6) Transfers and reimbursements.--
       ``(A) In general.--Without regard to chapter 5 of title 40, 
     United States Code, the Secretary may transfer to any Federal 
     department or agency, on a reimbursable basis, any drugs, 
     vaccines and other biological products, medical devices, and 
     other supplies in the stockpile if--
       ``(i) the transferred supplies are less than one year from 
     expiry;
       ``(ii) the stockpile is able to replenish the supplies, as 
     appropriate; and
       ``(iii) the Secretary decides the transfer is in the best 
     interest of the United States Government.

[[Page H5652]]

       ``(B) Use of reimbursement.--Reimbursement derived from the 
     transfer of supplies pursuant to subparagraph (A) may, to the 
     extent and in the amounts made available in advance in 
     appropriations Acts, be used by the Secretary to carry out 
     this section. Funds made available pursuant to the preceding 
     sentence are in addition to any other funds that may be made 
     available for such purpose.
       ``(C) Rule of construction.--This paragraph shall not be 
     construed to preclude transfers of products in the stockpile 
     under other authorities.
       ``(D) Report.--Not later than September 30, 2023, the 
     Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Energy and 
     Commerce of the House of Representatives and the Committee on 
     Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate a report 
     on each transfer made under this paragraph and the amount 
     received by the Secretary in exchange for that transfer.
       ``(E) Sunset.--The authority to make transfers under this 
     paragraph shall cease to be effective on September 30, 
     2024.''.

     SEC. 3. EQUIPMENT MAINTENANCE.

       Section 319F-2 of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 
     247d-6b) is amended--
       (1) in subsection (a)(3)--
       (A) in subparagraph (I), by striking ``; and'' and 
     inserting a semicolon;
       (B) in subparagraph (J), by striking the period at the end 
     and inserting a semicolon; and
       (C) by inserting the following new subparagraph at the end:
       ``(K) ensure contents of the stockpile remain in good 
     working order and, as appropriate, conduct maintenance 
     services on contents of the stockpile; and''; and
       (2) in subsection (c)(7)(B), by adding at the end the 
     following new clause:
       ``(ix) Equipment maintenance service.--In carrying out this 
     section, the Secretary may enter into contracts for the 
     procurement of equipment maintenance services.''.

     SEC. 4. SUPPLY CHAIN FLEXIBILITY MANUFACTURING PILOT.

       (a) In General.--Section 319F-2(a)(3) of the Public Health 
     Service Act (42 U.S.C. 247d-6b(a)(3)), as amended by section 
     3, is further amended by adding at the end the following new 
     subparagraph:
       ``(L) enhance medical supply chain elasticity and establish 
     and maintain domestic reserves of critical medical supplies 
     (including personal protective equipment, ancillary medical 
     supplies, and other applicable supplies required for the 
     administration of drugs, vaccines and other biological 
     products, and other medical devices (including diagnostic 
     tests)) by--
       ``(i) increasing emergency stock of critical medical 
     supplies;
       ``(ii) geographically diversifying domestic production of 
     such medical supplies, as appropriate;
       ``(iii) entering into cooperative agreements or 
     partnerships with respect to manufacturing lines, facilities, 
     and equipment for the domestic production of such medical 
     supplies; and
       ``(iv) managing, either directly or through cooperative 
     agreements with manufacturers and distributors, domestic 
     reserves established under this subparagraph by refreshing 
     and replenishing stock of such medical supplies.''.
       (b) Reporting; Sunset.--Section 319F-2(a) of the Public 
     Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 247d-6b(a)), as amended by 
     section 2, is further amended by adding at the end the 
     following:
       ``(7) Reporting.--Not later than September 30, 2023, the 
     Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Energy and 
     Commerce of the House of Representatives and the Committee on 
     Health, Education, Labor and Pensions of the Senate a report 
     on the details of each cooperative agreement or partnership 
     entered into under paragraph (3)(L), including the amount 
     expended by the Secretary on each such cooperative agreement 
     or partnership.
       ``(8) Sunset.--The authority to enter into cooperative 
     agreements or partnerships pursuant to paragraph (3)(L) shall 
     cease to be effective on September 30, 2024.''.
       (c) Funding.--Section 319F-2(f) of the Public Health 
     Service Act (42 U.S.C. 247d-6b(f)) is amended by adding at 
     the end the following:
       ``(3) Supply chain elasticity.--
       ``(A) In general.--For the purpose of carrying out 
     subsection (a)(3)(L), there is authorized to be appropriated 
     $500,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2022 through 2024, to 
     remain available until expended.
       ``(B) Relation to other amounts.--The amount authorized to 
     be appropriated by subparagraph (A) for the purpose of 
     carrying out subsection (a)(3)(L) is in addition to any other 
     amounts available for such purpose.''.

     SEC. 5. GAO STUDY ON THE FEASIBILITY AND BENEFITS OF A USER 
                   FEE AGREEMENT.

       (a) In General.--The Comptroller General of the United 
     States shall conduct a study to investigate the feasibility 
     of establishing user fees to offset certain Federal costs 
     attributable to the procurement of single-source materials 
     for the Strategic National Stockpile under section 319F-2 of 
     the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 247d-6b) and 
     distributions of such materials from the Stockpile. In 
     conducting this study, the Comptroller General shall 
     consider, to the extent information is available--
       (1) whether entities receiving such distributions generate 
     profits from those distributions;
       (2) any Federal costs attributable to such distributions;
       (3) whether such user fees would provide the Secretary with 
     funding to potentially offset procurement costs of such 
     materials for the Strategic National Stockpile; and
       (4) any other issues the Comptroller General identifies as 
     relevant.
       (b) Report.--Not later than February 1, 2024, the 
     Comptroller General of the United States shall submit to the 
     Congress a report on the findings and conclusions of the 
     study under subsection (a).

     SEC. 6. GRANTS FOR STATE STRATEGIC STOCKPILES.

       Title III of the Public Health Service Act is amended by 
     inserting after section 319F-4 of such Act (42 U.S.C. 247d-
     6e) the following new section:

     ``SEC. 319F-5. GRANTS FOR STATE STRATEGIC STOCKPILES.

       ``(a) In General.--The Secretary may establish a pilot 
     program consisting of awarding grants to States to expand or 
     maintain a strategic stockpile of commercially available 
     drugs, devices, personal protective equipment, and other 
     products deemed by the State to be essential in the event of 
     a public health emergency.
       ``(b) Allowable Use of Funds.--
       ``(1) Uses.--A State receiving a grant under this section 
     may use the grant funds to--
       ``(A) acquire commercially available products listed 
     pursuant to paragraph (2) for inclusion in the State's 
     strategic stockpile;
       ``(B) store, maintain, and distribute products in such 
     stockpile; and
       ``(C) conduct planning in connection with such activities.
       ``(2) List.--The Secretary shall develop and publish a list 
     of the products that are eligible, as described in subsection 
     (a), for inclusion in a State's strategic stockpile using 
     funds received under this section.
       ``(3) Consultation.--In developing the list under paragraph 
     (2) and otherwise determining the allowable uses of grant 
     funds under this section, the Secretary shall consult with 
     States and relevant stakeholders, including public health 
     organizations.
       ``(c) Funding Requirement.--The Secretary may not obligate 
     or expend any funds to award grants or fund any previously 
     awarded grants under this section for a fiscal year unless 
     the total amount made available to carry out section 319F-2 
     for such fiscal year is equal to or greater than the total 
     amount of funds made available to carry out section 319F-2 
     for fiscal year 2022.
       ``(d) Matching Funds.--
       ``(1) In general.--With respect to the costs of expanding 
     and maintaining a strategic stockpile through a grant under 
     this section, as a condition on receipt of the grant, a State 
     shall make available (directly) non-Federal contributions in 
     cash toward such costs in an amount that is equal to not less 
     than the amount of Federal funds provided through the grant.
       ``(2) Waiver.--The Secretary may waive the requirement of 
     paragraph (1) with respect to a State for the first two years 
     of the State receiving a grant under this section if the 
     Secretary determines that such waiver is needed for the State 
     to establish a strategic stockpile described in subsection 
     (a).
       ``(e) Technical Assistance.--The Secretary shall provide 
     technical assistance to States in establishing, expanding, 
     and maintaining a stockpile described in subsection (a).
       ``(f) Definition.--In this section, the term `drug' has the 
     meaning given to that term in section 201 of the Federal 
     Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act.
       ``(g) Authorization of Appropriations.--To carry out this 
     section, there is authorized to be appropriated 
     $3,500,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2022 through 2024, to 
     remain available until expended.
       ``(h) Sunset.--The authority vested by this section 
     terminates at the end of fiscal year 2024.''.

     SEC. 7. ACTION REPORTING.

       (a) In General.--The Secretary of Health and Human Services 
     or the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response, in 
     consultation with the Administrator of the Federal Emergency 
     Management Agency, shall--
       (1) not later than 30 days after the date of enactment of 
     this Act, issue a report to the Committee on Energy and 
     Commerce of the House of Representatives and the Committee on 
     Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate 
     regarding all State, local, Tribal, and territorial requests 
     for supplies from the Strategic National Stockpile related to 
     COVID-19; and
       (2) not less than every 30 days thereafter through the end 
     of the emergency period (as such term is defined in section 
     1135(g)(1)(B) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1320b-
     5(g)(1)(B))), submit to such committees an updated version of 
     such report.
       (b) Reporting Period.--
       (1) Initial report.--The initial report under subsection 
     (a) shall address all requests described in such subsection 
     made during the period--
       (A) beginning on January 31, 2022; and
       (B) ending on the date that is 30 days before the date of 
     submission of the report.
       (2) Updates.--Each update to the report under subsection 
     (a) shall address all requests described in such subsection 
     made during the period--
       (A) beginning at the end of the previous reporting period 
     under this section; and
       (B) ending on the date that is 30 days before the date of 
     submission of the updated report.

[[Page H5653]]

       (c) Contents of Report.--The report under subsection (a) 
     (and updates thereto) shall include--
       (1) the details of each request described in such 
     subsection, including--
       (A) the specific medical countermeasures, devices, personal 
     protective equipment, and other materials requested; and
       (B) the amount of such materials requested; and
       (2) the outcomes of each request described in subsection 
     (a), including--
       (A) whether the request was wholly fulfilled, partially 
     fulfilled, or denied;
       (B) if the request was wholly or partially fulfilled, the 
     fulfillment amount; and
       (C) if the request was partially fulfilled or denied, a 
     rationale for such outcome.

     SEC. 8. IMPROVED, TRANSPARENT PROCESSES.

       (a) In General.--Not later than January 1, 2022, the 
     Secretary of Health and Human Services shall develop and 
     implement improved, transparent processes for the use and 
     distribution of drugs, vaccines and other biological 
     products, medical devices, and other supplies (including 
     personal protective equipment, ancillary medical supplies, 
     and other applicable supplies required for the administration 
     of drugs, vaccines and other biological products, medical 
     devices, and diagnostic tests) in the Strategic National 
     Stockpile under section 319F-2 of the Public Health Service 
     Act (42 U.S.C. 247d-6b) (in this section referred to as the 
     ``Stockpile'').
       (b) Processes.--The processes developed under subsection 
     (a) shall include--
       (1) the form and manner in which States, localities, 
     Tribes, and territories are required to submit requests for 
     supplies from the Stockpile;
       (2) the criteria used by the Secretary of Health and Human 
     Services in responding to such requests, including the 
     reasons for fulfilling or denying such requests;
       (3) what circumstances result in prioritization of 
     distribution of supplies from the Stockpile to States, 
     localities, Tribes, or territories;
       (4) clear plans for future, urgent communication between 
     the Secretary and States, localities, Tribes, and territories 
     regarding the outcome of such requests; and
       (5) any differences in the processes developed under 
     subsection (a) for geographically related emergencies, such 
     as weather events, and national emergencies, such as 
     pandemics.
       (c) Classification.--The processes developed under 
     subsection (a) shall be unclassified to the greatest extent 
     possible consistent with national security. The Secretary of 
     Health and Human Services may classify portions of such 
     processes as necessary to protect national security.
       (d) Report to Congress.--Not later than January 1, 2022, 
     the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall--
       (1) submit a report to the Committee on Energy and Commerce 
     of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Health, 
     Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate regarding the 
     improved, transparent processes developed under this section;
       (2) include in such report recommendations for 
     opportunities for communication (by telebriefing, phone 
     calls, or in-person meetings) between the Secretary and 
     States, localities, Tribes, and territories regarding such 
     improved, transparent processes; and
       (3) submit such report in unclassified form to the greatest 
     extent possible, except that the Secretary may include a 
     classified appendix if necessary to protect national 
     security.

     SEC. 9. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

       Section 319F-2(f)(1) of the Public Health Service Act (42 
     U.S.C. 247d-6b(f)(1)) is amended by striking ``$610,000,000 
     for each of fiscal years 2019 through 2023'' and inserting 
     ``$705,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2022 through 2024''.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from New 
Jersey (Mr. Pallone) and the gentleman from Kentucky (Mr. Guthrie) each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New Jersey.


                             General Leave

  Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members 
may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks 
and include extraneous material on H.R. 3635.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from New Jersey?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 3635, the 
Strengthening America's Strategic National Stockpile Act of 2021.
  This bill makes long-overdue improvements to the Strategic National 
Stockpile to ensure we have access to critical lifesaving medical 
supplies during public health emergencies. Since the beginning of the 
COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a lot of attention around the 
Strategic National Stockpile and our preparedness for this pandemic.
  The stockpile was not stocked as it should have been and this bill 
makes important improvements to correct that for the future. The bill 
will ensure that the Strategic National Stockpile, also known as SNS, 
is operating at its highest potential moving forward in order to 
continue to respond to COVID-19, and also to prepare for the next 
public health emergency.
  This bipartisan bill seeks to reduce America's dependence on foreign 
sources of critical medical supplies, including personal protective 
equipment. It does this by boosting domestic manufacturing to make 
those supplies in the United States and promoting private-public 
partnerships to ensure a coordinated response. The legislation also 
makes needed improvements to the Strategic National Stockpile to ensure 
it is fully equipped with medical supplies that are safe and in working 
order.
  Importantly, the bill also improves transparency around the readiness 
of the Strategic National Stockpile and how requests from States and 
Tribes are being managed. It also directs the Department of Health and 
Human Services to develop and implement improved, transparent processes 
for these types of requests moving forward. This will be critical for 
ensuring adequate supplies within the Strategic National Stockpile, as 
well as informing readiness efforts in the States and also at Tribal 
levels.
  As healthcare systems all across our Nation continue to be stretched 
to the limit combating the COVID-19 Delta variant, we need to continue 
to push solutions that support our public health and national security 
response capability. The improvements to the Strategic National 
Stockpile put forward in this bill are critical to protecting our 
frontline workers and patients with the supplies that they need to stay 
safe.
  Madam Speaker, I commend the bipartisan leadership of Representatives 
Slotkin and Hudson in preparing this bill. This bipartisan bill was 
passed out of the Committee on Energy and Commerce and by this House 
unanimously last Congress.
  Madam Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to once again join me in 
strong support of this important bill, and I reserve the balance of my 
time.
  Mr. GUTHRIE. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 3635, Strengthening 
America's Strategic National Stockpile Act, which was spearheaded by 
Representatives Hudson and Slotkin. This legislation includes several 
critical initiatives that will improve the Strategic National 
Stockpile, or SNS.
  First, the bill allows the SNS to transfer products between federal 
agencies and to ensure they are used before their expiration.
  Second, the bill directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services 
to examine user fee agreements, ensure the SNS products are in working 
order, and allows agreements with domestic producers to improve the 
supply chain to refresh and replenish existing stocks.
  Third, the bill directs the Federal Emergency Management Agency and 
the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to report on 
distributions from the SNS, as well as requests for supplies from 
State, local, Tribal, and territorial agencies.
  Finally, the bill authorizes a pilot program to establish State 
stockpiles. We must ensure our country is prepared to combat the next 
health crisis, no matter if it is from a disease, disaster, or 
terrorism.
  Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bipartisan 
legislation to improve and sustain the Strategic National Stockpile, 
and I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, I have no additional speakers, and I 
reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. GUTHRIE. Madam Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from 
North Carolina (Mr. Hudson), my colleague, and a primary sponsor of 
this piece of legislation.
  Mr. HUDSON. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 3635, 
Strengthening America's Strategic National Stockpile Act of 2021, a 
bill I am proud to have introduced along with Representative Slotkin.
  The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed the dangers of relying on foreign 
countries for needed medical supplies.

[[Page H5654]]

  H.R. 3635 will reduce our dependence on foreign sources of supplies 
like PPE by boosting domestic manufacturing to make these products here 
in the United States. It would also make critical improvements to our 
Strategic National Stockpile to ensure it is full and items are ready 
to be deployed when needed.
  Strengthening our stockpile of PPE and domestic manufacturing has 
never been more important for our economy and our national security. I 
urge my colleagues to support this legislation so we can be better 
prepared for the next public health emergency.
  Madam Speaker, additionally, I am proud to have introduced H.R. 4032, 
the Open RAN Outreach Act, a bill that will also be considered by this 
House today.

  The Open RAN Outreach Act will strengthen our telecommunications 
supply chains and help protect small and rural communications providers 
from Chinese-backed companies. Protecting our supply chains and pushing 
back against China are more critical than ever before, especially for 
our vulnerable telecommunications networks. Providers backed by the 
Chinese Communist Party have tried to undercut the market and expand 
their outreach, particularly in our underserved rural communities.
  By passing H.R. 4032, we can encourage a competitive market of 
trusted vendors to expand network access across our country. Just like 
H.R. 3635, this bill is also critical not just for our economy, but for 
our national security.
  Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support it as well.
  Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. GUTHRIE. Madam Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from 
Indiana (Mrs. Walorski), a member of the Committee on Ways and Means.
  Mrs. WALORSKI. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 3635, 
the Strengthening America's Strategic National Stockpile Act. A key 
lesson from the pandemic has been the absolute need to end our 
dependence on the Chinese Communist Party for the production of 
medicines, personal protective equipment, and other critical medical 
supplies.
  Now more than ever, we know that secure and resilient supply chains 
are vital to the safety and success of the American people. It is so 
critical to focus on breaking our dependency on China and move domestic 
manufacturing of PPE products back home to the U.S.
  Early on in the pandemic, the Department of Homeland Security 
concluded that China ``intentionally concealed the severity'' of this 
virus so they could hoard PPE by blocking exports and buying it up 
through its state-owned enterprises, a theory that has been confirmed 
time and time again.
  In March of 2020, the New York Times reported that factories in China 
were not authorized to export masks, and all the while bought up much 
of the world's supply first. In February of last year, Chinese 
entrepreneurs and aid groups visited pharmacies in affluent countries 
and emerging markets, buying masks in bulk to send to China.
  Similarly, the Sydney Morning Herald reported that the Greenland 
Group, a Chinese government-backed property giant, instructed its 
employees worldwide--even accountants and receptionists and their HR 
teams--to stop what they were doing and bulk buy as many medical 
supplies as they could in January and February of 2020.
  It is quite simple. We must not trust the Chinese Communist Party. 
The bipartisan legislation before us today is a strong step in the 
right direction toward strengthening American manufacturing of PPE in 
Indiana and across the rest of the country.
  Specifically, it includes the Medical Supplies for Pandemics Act I 
led with Congresswoman Dingell, that would enhance medical supply chain 
elasticity, improve the domestic production of PPE, and partner with 
private industry to refresh and replenish existing stocks of medical 
supplies.
  Our legislation takes other important measures, such as supporting 
State efforts to expand and maintain our own stockpiles, improving 
maintenance of the national stockpile to ensure it is in good working 
order and allow the transfer of stockpile items nearing their 
expiration dates to other federal agencies.
  To prepare for the next crisis and better protect frontline 
healthcare workers, we need to boost U.S. manufacturing of PPE and 
strengthen the Strategic National Stockpile.
  Madam Speaker, I urge support, and I thank my colleagues.
  Mr. GUTHRIE. Madam Speaker, I am prepared to close, and I yield 
myself such time as I may consume.
  Madam Speaker, I urge support of this piece of legislation.
  Fortunately, the last big pandemic that came across the country was 
in 1918, the flu pandemic, so over 100 years. What we learned, although 
it was well-planned and all, the Strategic National Stockpile, until 
you really face a pandemic like we have, you don't truly understand 
exactly everything you need to do, although the Strategic National 
Stockpile was there, it was drawn from, it was used. There were a lot 
of lessons learned.
  Madam Speaker, it is important that we apply these lessons. I 
appreciate my colleagues for doing this, moving forward. Hopefully, it 
will be another 100 years or more before we have to use the Strategic 
National Stockpile, but it certainly is prudent that we are ready.
  Madam Speaker, I urge the passage of this legislation, and I yield 
back the balance of my time.
  Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, I agree with my colleague that what this 
bill does is basically take the lessons that we learned from the 
pandemic about what can be done to improve the Strategic National 
Stockpile for the future.
  Madam Speaker, I ask everyone to support the bill on a bipartisan 
basis, and I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Pallone) that the House suspend the 
rules and pass the bill, H.R. 3635.
  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. GOOD of Virginia. Madam Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and 
nays.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to section 3(s) of House Resolution 
8, the yeas and nays are ordered.
  Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, further proceedings on this motion 
are postponed.

                          ____________________