Providing for consideration of the joint resolution (H.J. Res. 4) proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to provide that debate upon legislation pending before the Senate may not be brought to a close without the concurrence of a minimum of three-fifths of the Senators.
Summary
H.Res. 730 proposes a rule for the House of Representatives to consider H.J. Res. 4, a joint resolution aiming to amend the Constitution. The proposed amendment would require a three-fifths majority in the Senate to invoke cloture, effectively ending debate on legislation. This resolution streamlines the process for the House to debate and vote on this proposed constitutional amendment.
Expected Effects
If adopted, H.Res. 730 would allow the House to quickly consider H.J. Res. 4, potentially leading to a vote on the proposed constitutional amendment. A successful vote in the House would then send the proposed amendment to the Senate for consideration. Ultimately, this could change the Senate's rules regarding ending debate, making it more difficult to pass legislation.
Potential Benefits
- Potentially strengthens minority party rights in the Senate by making it harder to end debate.
- Could lead to more thorough debate and consideration of legislation.
- May prevent the passage of bills without broad bipartisan support.
- Could ensure that all voices are heard before a vote is taken.
- May promote greater compromise and consensus-building in the Senate.
Potential Disadvantages
- Could lead to legislative gridlock and make it harder to pass laws.
- May empower a minority of Senators to obstruct the will of the majority.
- Could increase the influence of special interests and lobbyists.
- May make it more difficult to address urgent national problems.
- Could lead to government shutdowns and other crises.
Constitutional Alignment
The resolution itself is procedurally aligned with the Constitution, as it governs the internal rules of the House of Representatives (Article I, Section 5). The proposed constitutional amendment touches on the Senate's power to determine its own rules for proceedings. While Article V outlines the amendment process, the substance of the amendment regarding Senate procedure is a matter of constitutional interpretation and debate.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).