HB 24-22: Covering For Our Citizens Act (Debating)

[Mike Thick]

I think the intent here is good. Do have some questions, though:
 - How did the sponsor arrive at the 0.6% figure? Is there a specific dollar amount we can plug in there?
 - The percentages in Section 2b add up to 200%. Does the sponsor intend to fix this, and maybe specify the mechanisms for using the money a little more?
 - Regarding Section 3, Clause 1 is just a statement that doesn't appear to enact anything -- what's going on there? Clause 1a seems a little vague too. And (genuinely curious here) is there a serious concern that ICE is targeting undocumented immigrants for deportation because of COVID-19 infections?

Looking forward to hearing what the sponsor has to say.

[Mike Thick]

Mr. Speaker, I don’t mean to be rude, but it’s been several weeks since you promised to answer questions about the bill “by the end of the week.” What’s up?

[Mike Thick]

Mr. Speaker, I don’t mean to be rude, but it’s been several weeks since you promised to answer questions about the bill “by the end of the week.” What’s up?

Unfortunately, the sponsor still hasn't responded to his colleagues' questions about the legislation. While I'd love to reconsider this in the next Congress, I move to table the bill so we can clear our queue ahead of the upcoming session. Looking for a second.

[Mike Thick]

Mr. Speaker, I don’t mean to be rude, but it’s been several weeks since you promised to answer questions about the bill “by the end of the week.” What’s up?

Unfortunately, the sponsor still hasn't responded to his colleagues' questions about the legislation. While I'd love to reconsider this in the next Congress, I move to table the bill so we can clear our queue ahead of the upcoming session. Looking for a second.

I will second the motion to table.

I appreciate the second from my colleague -- however, I've looked at the rules and it isn't necessary. Since the bill has been on the floor for more than 168 hours and debate has ceased for more than 48 hours, I can invoke cloture and move to a final vote without a motion, which I will do now. As such, I withdraw my motion to table.

A final vote is now open on this bill. Representatives have no more than 72 hours to vote, and no less than 24 hours from whenever the bill has enough votes to pass or fail.

Nay.

[Mike Thick]

Yeah, to be clear, the amendment was adopted. The amended text is the version we’re voting on.

[Mike Thick]

So this is where we stand at the end of the 72-hour voting period:

Ayes:
SevenEleven
Joseph Cao

Nays:
Ted Bessell

Not Voting:
Elcaspar
Gracile
HCP
Muad'dib
Razze
Winfield

Just gonna note of this section of the House Rules:

4.) A quorum is defined as the minimum number of members of the House that must be present at any of its meetings to make the proceedings of that meeting valid, which is defined as a majority of the sitting House.

Let's not get ourselves into a legal mess here. I'm going to use my powers as presiding officer to suspend the rules and extend the vote by 24 hours so we can try and get a majority of people voting.

[Mike Thick]

A good common sense move, Mr. Deputy Speaker.

Mr. Deputy Speaker, I did not receive a notification about a final vote. Is there a Standard Operating Procedure Federally to notify Representatives when a final vote is on? I am not inferring that you have been lax in your duties, Mr. Deputy Speaker. I am just curious as to what the convention is. The Southern Chamber gets maligned as inactive and during my time as Speaker (& deputy), I tried to ensure that delegates were notified when final votes were on with a DM as it was the only way to get most of my colleagues in the chamber to actually vote. I know that can be time consuming.

Also I think a contributing factor to the low turn out for the vote is also that the title on the board still has "(Debating)" rather than "(Final Vote)". I understand is beyond your control to change as thumb21 was the original poster in the thread for this bill. So once again this is a good common sense move to extend the vote.

I get it. There's a group message on Discord which I've been using to notify members about final votes, and you aren't in it because you took office so recently. I reached out to you on Discord to add you to the GC as soon as possible, shortly after extending the voting period. If that doesn't work for you, shoot me a PM and we can figure something else out for the rest of the lame duck.

[Mike Thick]

Voting has now closed (again).

Ayes:
SevenEleven
Joseph Cao

Nays:
Gracile
HCP
Muad'dib
Ted Bessell

Not Voting:
Elcaspar
Razze
Winfield

By a vote of 2-4, this bill does not pass.