Bill Summary
The proposed resolution establishes a rule that requires a minimum waiting period before the Senate can consider any legislative measure, including bills, resolutions, treaties, or amendments. Specifically, the rule mandates that for every 20 pages of a legislative item, one session day must pass after its introduction, plus an additional session day for any remaining pages less than 20.
This provision allows any Senator to challenge the consideration of a measure on the grounds that it has not met the required waiting period. Such a challenge cannot be dismissed through a motion to table. However, the rule can be waived if at least three-fifths of the Senators vote in favor of doing so, and any debate on this waiver is limited to three hours, split equally between proponents and opponents.
The resolution is grounded in the authority granted by the U.S. Constitution to each House of Congress to determine its own rules of procedure. Overall, this legislation aims to ensure that Senators have adequate time to review proposed measures before they are debated or voted upon.
Possible Impacts
The legislation you provided aims to ensure that there is sufficient time for members of the Senate to read and understand bills before they are considered. Here are three examples of how this legislation could affect people:
1. **Increased Transparency and Informed Decision-Making**: With the mandated time for reading legislation, Senators will have more opportunity to thoroughly review bills and understand their implications. This could lead to better-informed voting and debate, which may ultimately result in more effective and responsible legislation. For the general public, this could translate to laws that are more in line with their needs and concerns, as Senators can take the time to consider constituent feedback and expert opinions.
2. **Reduction in Last-Minute Legislation**: By requiring a minimum time frame for reading bills based on their length, this legislation may deter the practice of introducing complex bills just before a vote, which often leaves little time for scrutiny. This could prevent situations where rushed legislation leads to unintended consequences or poorly drafted laws, thereby protecting citizens from hasty decisions that may adversely affect their lives.
3. **Potential Delays in Legislative Action**: While the legislation is intended to promote careful consideration, it might also lead to delays in the passage of important legislation. For example, urgent issues like public health crises or economic emergencies could be hindered by the waiting period mandated for reading bills. As a result, individuals who rely on timely government action for support and solutions may experience prolonged uncertainty or inadequate responses to pressing issues.
[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 18 Introduced in Senate (IS)]
<DOC>
119th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. RES. 18
Providing for sufficient time for legislation to be read.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
January 9, 2025
Mr. Paul submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the
Committee on Rules and Administration
_______________________________________________________________________
RESOLUTION
Providing for sufficient time for legislation to be read.
Resolved,
SECTION 1. TIME FOR READING OF LEGISLATION.
(a) In General.--It shall not be in order for the Senate to
consider any bill, resolution, message, conference report, amendment
between the Houses, amendment, treaty, or other measure or matter until
1 session day has passed since introduction for every 20 pages included
in the measure or matter in the usual form plus 1 session day for any
number of remaining pages less than 20 in the usual form.
(b) Point of Order.--
(1) In general.--Any Senator may raise a point of order
that consideration of any bill, resolution, message, conference
report, amendment, treaty, or other measure or matter is not in
order under subsection (a). A motion to table the point of
order shall not be in order.
(2) Waiver.--Paragraph (1) may be waived or suspended only
by an affirmative vote of three-fifths of the Members, duly
chosen and sworn. All motions to waive under this paragraph
shall be debatable collectively for not to exceed 3 hours
equally divided between the Senator raising the point of order
and the Senator moving to waive the point of order or their
designees. A motion to waive the point of order shall not be
amendable.
(c) Constitutional Authority.--This resolution is adopted pursuant
to the power granted to each House of Congress to determine the Rules
of its Proceedings in article I, section 5, clause 2 of the
Constitution of the United States.
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