Providing for Consideration of H.R. 3963, Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2007

Floor Speech

PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H.R. 3963, CHILDREN'S HEALTH INSURANCE PROGRAM REAUTHORIZATION ACT OF 2007 -- (House of Representatives - October 25, 2007)

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Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, I raise a point of order against consideration of the rule because the rule contains a waiver of all points of order against the bill and its consideration and, therefore, is in violation of section 426 of the Congressional Budget Act.

The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentleman from Texas makes a point of order that the resolution violates section 426(a) of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974.

In accordance with section 426(b)(2) of the Act, the gentleman has met the threshold burden to identify the specific language in the resolution on which the point of order is predicated.

Under section 426(b)(4) of the Act, the gentleman from Texas and the gentlewoman from New York each will control 10 minutes of debate on the question of consideration.

Pursuant to section 426(b)(3) of the Act, after the debate the Chair will put the question of consideration, to wit: ``Will the House now consider the resolution?''

The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Texas.

Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, we make a point of order with great respect to this body. We're here to do business today. We've asked this body to please consider an adjournment because we have a lot of Members who are in California. We were denied that request.

We also believe this point of order should be heard because it's important that last night a 293-page bill was brought forth to the Rules Committee, which we received only 25 to 30 minutes before that meeting took place, I believe, in violation of the regular order for legislation that Speaker Pelosi has outlined for all Members of Congress, as well as the American people, a Congress working for all Americans.

And under regular order for legislation, it states: ``Members should have at least 24 hours to examine bill and conference report text prior to floor consideration.'' Mr. Speaker, that has not happened again today. Again today we find that the legislation not following regular order is presented to this House.

Last night, as we began the discussion in the Rules Committee, we found out this is not even a House bill. No one took responsibility for the bill that was coming to the Rules Committee last night. Every person there said this is a Senate bill; this isn't a House bill.

And then we tried to discuss what was in that bill. I don't know what's in that bill. Sure, we've had some time today, but we have not digested all 293 pages. And, Mr. Speaker, we believe that what is happening here today is not only in violation of what we have seen, a Congress working for all Americans, but also the establishment of the way this House would run itself under regular order and for the best interest of all Members of Congress.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

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Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, last Congress the distinguished chairwoman of the Committee on Rules thought it was so important to require at least 24 hours before voting on any rule that she authored a rules change, H. Res. 686, cosponsored by the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Hastings), the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. McGovern), and the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Matsui), senior members of the Rules Committee. The proposed change would have prohibited calling up a report by the Committee on Rules within 24 hours of presentation to the House.

Mr. Speaker, I would refer my colleagues to H. Res. 686 of the 109th Congress.

Mr. Speaker, I wasn't really surprised when the new Democrat majority didn't actually follow through on their commitments on the opening-day package. However, I just wonder what happened to the dedication of Democratic Members who once showed the rights of preserving those things which they think are good for Members to have time to know what the heck they're voting on.

And I believe today a 293-page bill with zero cosponsors, and even the gentleman who brought the bill to the Rules Committee last night said ``not my bill, it's the Senate's bill,'' I believe we should be careful what we are doing and allow 24 hours and follow the rules of the House.

Mr. Speaker, at this time I would like to yield the balance of my time to the gentleman from California (Mr. Daniel E. Lungren).

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