Relating to a question of the privileges of the House.

        [Congressional Bills 108th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 474 Laid on Table in House (LTH)]

1st Session
H. RES. 474

Relating to a question of the privileges of the House.

_______________________________________________________________________

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

December 8, 2003

Ms. Pelosi submitted the following resolution; which was laid on the
table

_______________________________________________________________________

RESOLUTION

Relating to a question of the privileges of the House.

Whereas on November 22, the Republican leadership held open the vote on rollcall
No. 669 on H.R. 1, the Prescription Drug Conference Report, for nearly
three hours, the longest period of time in the history of electronic
voting in the U.S. House of Representatives;
Whereas the normal period of time for a recorded vote is 15 minutes, and the
Speaker of the House reiterated that policy on January 7, 2003, saying
``The Chair wishes to enunciate a clear policy with respect to the
conduct of electronic votes * * *. The Chair announced, and then
strictly enforced, a policy of closing electronic votes as soon as
possible after the guaranteed period of 15 minutes'', and in addition
the Speaker pro tempore on November 22 announced prior to the vote on
Prescription Drugs that it would be a 15-minute vote;
Whereas the amount of time for the vote on H.R. 1 went far beyond any time
considered reasonable under established House practices and customs, and
was a deliberate attempt to undermine the will of the House;
Whereas the opponents of H.R. 1, both Republicans and Democrats, were on the
prevailing side for more than two and one-half hours and proponents
never once held the lead during this period of time, and the sole
purpose of holding this vote open was to reverse the position that a
majority of the House of Representatives had already taken;
Whereas, according to press reports, a Member of Congress who is retiring was
told on the House floor during this extended vote that ``business
interests would give his son (who seeks to replace him) $100,000 in
return for his father's vote. When he still declined, fellow Republican
House Members told him they would make sure Brad Smith never came to
Congress'', and such an act is in violation of section 201 of title 18
of the United States Code, which prohibits bribery of public officials;
and
Whereas these actions impugn the dignity and integrity of House proceedings,
bring dishonor on Members of Congress, and were a gross violation of the
rights of Members who opposed this legislation: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House denounces this action in the strongest
terms possible, rejects the practice of holding votes open beyond a
reasonable time for the sole purpose of circumventing the will of the
House, and directs the Speaker to take such steps as necessary to
prevent any further abuse.
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