[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 18]
[House]
[Page 23773]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                         PARLIAMENTARY INQUIRY

  Mr. CARTER. Madam Speaker, parliamentary inquiry.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Ms. Edwards of Maryland). The gentleman may 
state his inquiry.
  Mr. CARTER. Clause 2(a)(2) of rule IX provides that debate on a 
question of privilege shall be divided equally between the proponent of 
the resolution and the majority leader or his designee.
  Mr. Crowley, apparently as the designee of the majority leader, moved 
the previous question on the resolution after making his motion to 
refer the measure to the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct.
  Madam Speaker, am I correct that Mr. Crowley's motion on the previous 
question had the effect of eliminating any debate on the motion to 
refer or the underlying resolution?
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The motion was to order the previous 
question on the motion to refer, not on the resolution.
  Mr. CARTER. Further parliamentary inquiry, Madam Speaker.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentleman may state his inquiry.
  Mr. CARTER. Does this thus eliminate all debate not only on the 
motion but also on the underlying resolution?
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The ordering of the previous question 
prevents further debate.
  Mr. CARTER. Thank you, Madam Speaker. Further parliamentary inquiry.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentleman may state his inquiry.
  Mr. CARTER. What is the effect of the motion to refer? Is there any 
requirement that the committee take any action on the measure referred?
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The measure is referred to the committee for 
its consideration.
  Mr. CARTER. Is there any requirement that further action be taken by 
the committee?
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. It would be up to the committee.
  Mr. CARTER. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

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