FT 2-06: Amendments to Standing Orders (Passed)

[Barnes]

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2. Insert the following text after Standing Order III (3):

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[/quote]

Order! I call Mr Barnes.

[Unconditional Surrender Truman]

For reference, the current text of III(3):

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[Barnes]

I thank the Prime Minister for posting the current text to compare.

These amendments would grant the Speaker a rather broad power to keep debate moving in the House and allow him or her the ability to bring legislation to a final vote in a proactive way instead of waiting for large periods of silence to allow for a vote to happen.

We should all always strive for robust and meaningful debate in this place, but eventually the opinion of he House must be put through a definitive vote. For example, if a particularly contentious bill dominated debate in the House and it had become clear that neither side would be willing to accept amendments or compromise, I would be in the interests of the Speaker to end the debate and put the question.

Of course, the Speaker only posses as much power as the House chooses to give him, and any such ruling would be open for objection. Furthermore, the power of the Prime Minister to move a cloture motion remains as another method to end debate.

The secondary amendment is designed to allow votes on such things as amendments which have already been proposed to still take place before a final vote is called. I realize the text here might be a bit construed, and would be happy to hear suggestions.

 With that, I commend these amendments to the House.

[Unconditional Surrender Truman]

These strike me as prudent additions to the Standing Orders, and I will vote for passage. Having spent most of my political career presiding over various legislative bodies (whether the Mideast Assembly, the Constitutional Convention, the old Senate, or this very house), I can testify to the supreme importance of stoic parliamentary leadership; more recently, the ordeal of our brethren in the Southern Chamber of Delegates serves as a cautionary tale of what may befall a legislature whose speaker is powerless to maintain order.

[Barnes]

I move that the question be now put. Members shall have twenty-four hours to object to a final vote on passage.

[Barnes]

The motion is agreed to. The question is now that the motion be agreed to.

As many as are of that opinion, say Aye; those opposed, No. division!

[RFayette]

Aye

[SUSAN CRUSHBONE]

aye

[Barnes]

Aye!

[Unconditional Surrender Truman]

AYE

[anthonyjg]

aye

[Barnes]

Order! The motion has been agreed to.