A resolution providing for sufficient time for legislation to be read.
This Senate resolution, introduced by Senator Rand Paul, would require a minimum reading period before the Senate can consider any bill, resolution, message, conference report, amendment, treaty, or other measure. The reading period is based on the measure’s page count: for every 20 pages of the measure in the usual form, at least one session day must pass, plus one additional session day for any remaining pages fewer than 20. If the required time has not passed, it is not in order to move forward with consideration. A point of order can be raised to enforce this requirement, and waiving it would require a 3/5 vote and is subject to a limited debate. The resolution is framed as a procedural rule change under the Constitution’s allowance for each House to determine its own rules. In short, the bill is intended to slow or stagger consideration of legislation to ensure members have time to read and consider the text before voting, with a formal mechanism to challenge or suspend the delay if enough votes are gathered.
Key Points
- 1Reading-time formula: Before a measure can be considered, the Senate must wait 1 session day for every 20 pages in the usual form, plus 1 extra session day for any remaining pages under 20.
- 2In-order-of-consideration: A measure cannot be taken up (be in order) until the required reading-time has elapsed.
- 3Point of order enforcement: Any Senator may raise a point of order signaling that a measure is not yet in order under the reading-time rule; a motion to table that point of order is not allowed.
- 4Waiver process: The reading-time requirement can be waived only by a 3/5 affirmative vote, with debate limited to up to 3 hours, divided between the senator raising the point of order and the senator (or designees) seeking to waive.
- 5Constitutional authority: The resolution cites Article I, Section 5, Clause 2 of the Constitution as the basis for adopting these procedural rules.