Bills of Congress by U.S. Congress

H.R.es134 - Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 185) to advance responsible policies. (119th Congress)

Summary

H.Res. 134 is a resolution providing for the consideration of H.R. 185, a bill intended to advance responsible policies. The resolution outlines the procedures for debating and amending H.R. 185 in the House of Representatives, including waiving points of order and setting time limits for debate.

The resolution specifies that an amendment submitted by the ranking minority member of the Rules Committee will be considered as adopted. It also ensures the bill, as amended, will be considered as read and that the House will transmit the passed bill to the Senate within a week.

Essentially, this resolution is a procedural step to expedite the consideration of H.R. 185, streamlining the legislative process in the House.

Expected Effects

The primary effect of H.Res. 134 is to expedite the House's consideration of H.R. 185. By waiving certain points of order and setting debate parameters, the House can move more quickly to a vote on the bill.

This procedural efficiency could lead to faster implementation of the policies outlined in H.R. 185, whatever those may be. The expedited process may also limit opportunities for detailed scrutiny and amendment from all members.

Potential Benefits

  • Streamlines the legislative process for H.R. 185, potentially leading to quicker action on important issues.
  • Allows for consideration of an amendment from the minority party, ensuring some level of bipartisan input.
  • Sets a clear timeline for transmitting the bill to the Senate, promoting efficient communication between legislative bodies.
  • Waiving points of order can prevent procedural delays that might stall or derail the bill.
  • Focuses debate, ensuring key issues are addressed within a specific timeframe.

Potential Disadvantages

  • Waiving points of order could bypass important procedural safeguards, potentially leading to unintended consequences.
  • Limited debate time might restrict thorough examination of the bill's provisions.
  • The expedited process could reduce opportunities for input from all members of the House, potentially marginalizing some voices.
  • The focus on speed could lead to less careful consideration of potential drawbacks or unintended consequences of the bill.
  • The resolution gives special consideration to amendments from the ranking minority member of the Rules Committee, potentially sidelining other members' proposed changes.

Constitutional Alignment

The resolution itself is a procedural matter within the powers granted to the House of Representatives under Article I, Section 5, which states that "Each House may determine the Rules of its Proceedings." The Constitution grants each chamber the power to set its own rules for conducting business.

The resolution's provisions for waiving points of order and setting debate limits are consistent with this constitutional authority. However, the underlying bill (H.R. 185) would need to be assessed separately for its constitutional alignment.

There is nothing in the resolution that appears to violate the Constitution.

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).