H.R.es293 - Providing for the announcement of pairs from a written list furnished to the Clerk, and for other purposes. (119th Congress)
Summary
H.Res.293 pertains to the announcement of voting pairs in the House of Representatives during the 119th Congress. It outlines a procedure where members can submit written lists of their voting pairs to the Clerk. These lists will then be announced and published in the Congressional Record.
The resolution aims to increase transparency in the voting process by formally documenting paired votes. This allows for a clearer understanding of why some members may not be directly participating in a roll call vote.
Ultimately, the resolution focuses on internal procedural rules within the House, rather than directly impacting broader policy issues.
Expected Effects
The primary effect will be a change in how voting pairs are announced and recorded in the House. The Clerk will announce pairs immediately before the vote result is announced.
This will be based on a written list provided by the member, and the list will be published in the Congressional Record. This formalizes the process and makes it more transparent.
It is unlikely to have a significant impact on the outcome of votes, but it will provide a more detailed record of voting arrangements.
Potential Benefits
- Increased transparency in the voting process by formally documenting paired votes.
- Provides a clearer understanding of why some members may not be directly participating in a roll call vote.
- Creates a more comprehensive record of voting arrangements in the Congressional Record.
- May encourage more members to utilize the pairing system, potentially increasing participation in other legislative activities.
- Could improve public trust by demonstrating a commitment to open and accessible legislative procedures.
Potential Disadvantages
- May add a slight administrative burden to the Clerk's office.
- Could potentially be used strategically to manipulate the appearance of voting records.
- The announcement process may slightly lengthen the time it takes to announce vote results.
- There is a risk that the system could be abused if members submit inaccurate or misleading pairing information.
- The impact on actual legislative outcomes is likely to be minimal, raising questions about the overall value of the change.
Constitutional Alignment
This resolution primarily concerns the internal rules and procedures of the House of Representatives. Article I, Section 5 of the US Constitution states that "Each House may determine the Rules of its Proceedings".
Therefore, H.Res.293 appears to fall within the constitutional authority of the House to govern its own internal operations. The resolution does not appear to infringe upon any specific rights or liberties guaranteed by the Constitution or its amendments.
It is focused on transparency and record-keeping, which are generally consistent with the principles of open government.
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).