Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 2548) to impose sanctions and other measures with respect to the Russian Federation if the Government of the Russian Federation refuses to negotiate a peace agreement with Ukraine, violates any such agreement, or initiates another military invasion of Ukraine, and for other purposes.
H.Res. 438 is a House rules resolution introduced by Rep. Fitzpatrick that provides for the immediate consideration of H.R. 2548, a bill to impose sanctions and other measures on the Russian Federation if Russia refuses to negotiate a peace with Ukraine, violates any negotiated agreement, or launches another invasion of Ukraine. The resolution establishes an expedited process for floor action: it waives all points of order against consideration, treats an amendment in the nature of a substitute as adopted, and allows the bill to be read and debated under a tightly controlled procedure. It sets a one-hour total debate (split equally between proponents and opponents) and permits one motion to recommit. The resolution also governs procedural specifics, including the handling of amendments and the “previous question” on passage. In short, H.Res. 438 is a procedural step designed to fast-track H.R. 2548 through the House with limited debate and specific rules for how amendments are handled and how the bill becomes law if adopted.
Key Points
- 1Provides for immediate, expedited consideration of H.R. 2548 in the House upon adoption of the resolution.
- 2Waives all points of order against consideration of the bill and against provisions in the bill, as amended.
- 3Allows an amendment in the nature of a substitute to be considered as adopted if submitted by Rep. Fitzpatrick; if more than one such amendment is submitted, only the last is considered adopted.
- 4Sets the bill, as amended, to be considered as read and limits debate to one hour (divided equally between the sponsor and an opponent); permits one motion to recommit.
- 5Modifies or clarifies certain House rules applicable to the consideration process (e.g., Sec. 2 suppresses Clause 1(c) of Rule XIX for this consideration; Sec. 3 describes the substitute amendment process and printing requirements).