HB 23-15: Federal Assault Weapon and Automatic Weapon Ban Act (At Final Vote)

[Pericles]

I object to this final vote. How do we go from a bill that was just posted to a final vote without debate?

If I have to vote, Nay. No way. No how. Out of my cold dead hands!

This bill was passed by the House previously, so the rules state that this time it goes straight to a final vote.

4.) Whenever either house shall vote to pass a bill, order, or resolution that shall have originated in the other, having previously made amendment to the same, the President of the Congress shall immediately call the amended bill to a vote in the house in which it originated. If the original house should then vote to pass the amended bill, it shall proceed to the President; otherwise, the President of the Congress shall instruct the other house either to pass the bill as it stood prior to its amendment by that house, or else reject it entirely.

link

You can of course try to amend this rule. Personally, I think that would be unwise as it is hard enough to pass legislation as is.

[Pericles]

I object to this final vote. How do we go from a bill that was just posted to a final vote without debate?

If I have to vote, Nay. No way. No how. Out of my cold dead hands!

This bill was passed by the House previously, so the rules state that this time it goes straight to a final vote.

4.) Whenever either house shall vote to pass a bill, order, or resolution that shall have originated in the other, having previously made amendment to the same, the President of the Congress shall immediately call the amended bill to a vote in the house in which it originated. If the original house should then vote to pass the amended bill, it shall proceed to the President; otherwise, the President of the Congress shall instruct the other house either to pass the bill as it stood prior to its amendment by that house, or else reject it entirely.

link

You can of course try to amend this rule. Personally, I think that would be unwise as it is hard enough to pass legislation as is.

At the very least I think it would be fair to allow at least 24 hours for reading the amended bill and input/debate from members, even if no new amendments can be introduced.  I plan to introduce an amendment to the Senate rules to that effect later this evening.

Doesn't the 72 hour voting period already serve that purpose? People can of course change their votes too, so I don't see how adding another day makes much difference.