House Rules (Congress)

Government Printing Office ^ | GPO

[djf]

OK....

The following is a direct quote from Clause 8, Rule XVI of the rules that control how Congress is to consider legislation.

Readings 8. Bills and joint resolutions are subject to readings as follows: (a) A first reading is in full when the bill or joint resolution is first considered. (b) A second reading occurs only when the bill or joint resolution is read for amendment in a Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union under clause 5 of rule XVIII. (c) A third reading precedes passage when the Speaker states the question: ‘‘Shall the bill [or joint resolution] be engrossed [when applicable] and read a third time?’’ If that question is decided in the affirmative, then the bill or joint resolution shall be read the final time by title and then the question shall be put on its passage.

So I guess I'm just wondering how far along Congress is in the first reading of the Health Care Bill. 1,018 pages.

Or the Climate bill that passed in June that was over 1,200 pages.

Or the stimulus bill that was a bit over 1,100 pages.

Or the Patriot act that was however long we're not sure because nobody was even ALLOWED to read it!!!

Seems to me if they don't even READ the stuff, all they are doing is rubber-stamping something. Is that the way our government is supposed to work?

FReeper thoughts?

[Kackikat]

Did you not see the guy Congress hired to “speed read” the bills, but it was totally incoherent, it was on news one or two times. Disgusting bunch of public servants.

[djf]

Yur kiddin?

Like the dude that reads all the warnings at the end of the Viagra commercials?

Guess he’s used to the topic, eh? Cause in both cases, somebodies gettin sc**wed!

[Kackikat]

Yeah and it’s the taxpayers, because not only do we get bills noone understands, but we pay the dude’s salary too...lol