Mr. Speaker, pursuant to clause 2(a)(1) of rule IX, I hereby notify the House of my intention to offer a resolution as a question of the privileges of the House. The form of my resolution is as…
Mr. Speaker, pursuant to clause 2(a)(1) of rule IX, I hereby notify the House of my intention to offer a resolution as a question of the privileges of the House.
The form of my resolution is as follows:
Whereas at least three members of the House Democratic
Leadership have endorsed a procedural tactic for the sole
purpose of avoiding an up-or-down vote, by the yeas and nays,
on the Senate-passed health care bill;
Whereas on Tuesday, March 16, 2010 Representative James
Clyburn, the House Majority Whip, stated, ``We will deem
passed the Senate bill. . .'';
Whereas on Tuesday, March 16, The Washington Post reported,
``After laying the groundwork for a decisive vote this week
on the Senate's health-care bill, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi
suggested Monday that she might attempt to pass the measure
without having members vote on it. Instead, Pelosi (D-Calif.)
would rely on a procedural sleight of hand. . .'';
Whereas in the same Washington Post article, the Speaker
declared, ``. . . I like it because people don't have to vote
on the Senate bill.'';
Whereas on Tuesday, March 16, McClatchy Newspapers reported
Representative John Larson, chairman of the House Democratic
Caucus, stated, ``Many of our members would prefer not to
have voted for the Senate bill.'';
Whereas on Tuesday, March 9, U.S. News and World Report
reported, ``Pelosi gaffed, telling the local elected
officials assembled `that Congress [has] to pass the bill so
you can find out what's in it, away from the fog of
controversy.' '';
Whereas on Tuesday, March 16, The Washington Post
editorialized, ``. . . what is intended as a final sprint
threatens to turn
into something unseemly and, more important, contrary to
Democrats' promises of transparency and time for
deliberation. . . . [I]t strikes us as a dodgy way to reform
the health-care system. Democrats who vote for the package
will be tagged with supporting the Senate bill in any
event.''
Announcement By the Speaker Pro Tempore
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
The form of the remainder of the resolution is as follows:
Whereas on Tuesday, March 16, the Cincinnati Enquirer
editorialized, ``This disgusting process, which Democrats
brazenly wish to bring to conclusion this week, is being done
with little regard for the opinions of a clear majority of
Americans who, while they may believe health care reform is
necessary, think this particular approach will take our
nation down the wrong economic path.'';
Whereas bipartisan members of the House and Senate have
expressed their opposition to using the Slaughter Solution;
Whereas on Wednesday, March 10, Representative Joe Donnelly
released the following statement, ``The process over the past
few months has been frustrating, including the cutting of
unacceptable special deals to assure a few senators'
votes.'';
Whereas Representative Jason Altmire of Pennsylvania has
characterized the exploitation of the Slaughter Solution by
Democratic Leadership as ``wrong'' and unpopular among his
constituents;
Whereas on Friday, March 12, POLITICO reported on a memo
sent from Representative Chris Van Hollen, chairman of the
Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, to freshman and
sophomore House Democrats that stated, ``At this point, we
have to just rip the band-aid off. . . Things like
reconciliation and what the rules committee does is INSIDE
Mr. Speaker, I seek to offer the resolution.
Parliamentary Inquiry
Mr. Speaker, I demand a recorded vote.
