A resolution to improve Senate procedures.

passedUnited States· United States Congress· EN

Introduced

3 January 1985

Last action

27 February 1986 · Vote

Status

Resolution agreed to in Senate with an amendment by Yea-Nay Vote. 67-21. Record Vote No: 24.

Summary

Directs that proceedings in the Senate Chamber be broadcast by radio and television in accordance with provisions of this resolution, including: (1) continuous coverage at such times as agreed by the Majority and Minority Leaders (except when a closed door meeting is ordered); and (2) equal time divided between the majority and minority parties. Requires that broadcasts be supervised and operated by the Senate and made available on a live basis and free of charge to specified entities. Requires the television broadcasts to follow the Presiding Officer and Senators who are recognized to speak. Directs the Architect of the Capitol to provide for the construction and acquisition of broadcasting facilities and equipment. Sets forth duties of the Sergeant at Arms and Doorkeeper of the Senate with respect to the operation and maintenance of such equipment and the disposition of audio and video tape recordings. Directs the Librarian of Congress and the Archivist of the United States to receive, store, and make such recordings available to the public at no cost for viewing or listening on the premises. Authorizes the charging of a fee equal to the cost involved through distribution of taped copies. Provides for a test period of Senate broadcasting equipment. Prohibits the use of tape duplications of broadcast coverage for political or commercial purposes. Requires that changes in regulations made by this resolution be made only by Senate resolution. Authorizes expenditures, limited to a specified amount, to carry out this resolution. Amends rule XXVI of the Standing Rules of the Senate to prohibit the reporting of legislative measures from committees by polling (committee members not physically present for committee vote). Amends rule XXX to revise the method of considering treaties. Amends rule XII to revise the voting procedure by authorizing the Majority Leader, in concurrence with the Minority Leader, to determine when a roll call shall be by electronic device. Sets forth requirements for Senators upon such determination. Amends rule XVI to provide that if a point of order is made against an amendment to a general appropriations bill on certain grounds, then it shall not be in order to raise the defense of germaneness unless there is House legislative language on that subject contained in the bill. Amends rule VIII to limit to two hours debate on motions to proceed to consideration of any matter, other than Rules amendments, if such motions are made at times other than the morning hour. Amends rule XVII to change from three days to two days the time that reported measures must be available to members prior to consideration. Amends rule XV to set forth the procedure for imposing a germaneness requirement on floor amendments. Requires a three-fifths vote of Senators present and voting to ban the consideration of non-germane amendments to a particular bill or resolution for the remainder of a calendar day. Requires a two-thirds vote of Senators present and voting to overturn the Presiding Officer's decision on a question of germaneness or to hold an amendment germane. Declares that no amendment proposing sense of the Senate (or Congress) language that does not directly relate to the pending matter shall be considered germane. Amends rule XXII to expedite cloture activities, including: (1) a requirement that Senators be present and voting; and (2) a reduction from 100 hours to 20 hours the length of a filibuster before cloture can be invoked.

This text is taken from the official record. PoliticalRepo does not editorialize.

Timeline

3 January 1985
Introduced
Referred to the Committee on Rules.
Source: IntroReferral
3 January 1985
Introduced
Introduced in Senate
Source: IntroReferral
28 October 1985
Floor
Star Print ordered s.res.28.
Source: Floor
29 October 1985
Reported
Committee on Rules. Ordered to be reported in lieu of S.RES. 245, S.RES. 81, S.RES. 29 with amendments favorably.
Source: Committee
19 November 1985
Calendars
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 420.
Source: Calendars
19 November 1985
Reported
Committee on Rules. Reported to Senate by Senator Mathias with amendments. With written report No. 99-190.
Source: Committee
19 November 1985
Reported
Committee on Rules. Reported to Senate by Senator Mathias with amendments. With written report No. 99-190.
Source: Committee
3 February 1986
Floor
Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent.
Source: Floor
4 February 1986
Floor
Considered by Senate.
Source: Floor
5 February 1986
Floor
Considered by Senate.
Source: Floor
7 February 1986
Floor
Considered by Senate.
Source: Floor
19 February 1986
Floor
Considered by Senate.
Source: Floor
20 February 1986
Reported
Committee on Rules. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
Source: Committee
20 February 1986
Floor
Considered by Senate.
Source: Floor
20 February 1986
Calendars
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 517.
Source: Calendars
20 February 1986
Reported
Committee on Rules. Reported to Senate by Senator Dole with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
Source: Committee
25 February 1986
Floor
Considered by Senate.
Source: Floor
26 February 1986
Floor
Considered by Senate.
Source: Floor
27 February 1986
Floor
Considered by Senate.
Source: Floor
27 February 1986
Vote
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Resolution agreed to in Senate with an amendment by Yea-Nay Vote. 67-21. Record Vote No: 24.
Source: Floor

Votes

· Official source

Yes 0 · No 0 · Abstain — · Absent/not voting 0

Versions

No version snapshots stored. Document URLs remain at the source.

Documents

2 official files

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Passed Senate amended
summary · EN · 27 February 1986
Open at official source
Introduced in Senate
summary · EN · 3 January 1985
Open at official source
Leesvertaling
Vertaal dit document naar jouw taal. PoliticalRepo bewaart geen aparte kopie per EU-taal.
Vertaal naar
Documentvertaling op verzoek met downloadbare PDF (logo + link naar de officiële bron). Het bronbestand blijft leidend.

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amends ← SAMDT 1590
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Showing 11 of 18 related records.

Sources

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Official source: https://www.congress.gov/bill/99th-congress/senate-resolution/28
Open data entity: https://api.congress.gov/v3/bill/99/sres/28
us · 99-sres-28 · source updated 14 January 2025