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[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E728]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
SECRET, GOTCHA, MOTIONS TO RECOMMIT
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HON. BRAD SHERMAN
of california
in the house of representatives
Monday, June 10, 2019
Mr. SHERMAN. Madam Speaker, the rules of the House normally provide a
substantial amount of time between when members receive a proposed
legislative text, and when they are called upon to vote. Ordinary
process requires that before voting to add any, or subtract any
language from the statutes of the United States, that a member of
Congress should review the proposed legislative enactment, its
implications, and whether the statutory change will actually achieve
the intended purpose of the legislation.
It is not enough for a member of Congress to vote for legislation
because he or she agrees with the purposes, sentiments, and rhetoric of
its supporters. What matters is the actual effect of the statuary
language.
The minority has adopted the tactic of announcing a motion to
recommit just minutes before members are called upon to vote on it.
Even when the motion to recommit is only a few pages, it may add or
subtract a section of law that requires considerable analysis. It
cannot be presumed that the motion to recommit will achieve its stated
purpose or will not have unforeseen consequences.
If the minority is engaged in serious legislating, they would publish
their proposed motion to recommit (or even publish two possible motions
to recommit) at least 24 hours before we are expected to vote on final
passage. Of particular concern to me is proposing legislative language
and claiming that it will be helpful to strengthen the U.S.-Israel
alliance. Without a few hours to study a matter, it is difficult to
determine whether the statutory language will actually achieve that
objective and avoid unintended consequences.
Moreover, those seriously interested in improving the U.S.-Israel
alliance would share their purposed legislative texts a day or two in
advance (or perhaps a week or two ahead in advance) with the members
(in my case the co-chair) of the Israel Allies Caucus, and they would
also share it with other members who have established their dedication
to the U.S.-Israel relationship.
Pseudo-Zionists will claim to be supporting the U.S.-Israel alliance
while instead weakening that alliance through partisan tactics. On
occasion they will spring a supposedly pro-Israel measure for a vote
just minutes after it is made available even to the most pro-Israel
members in Congress.
If a measure proposed a legislative change and I have not had enough
time to review its implications, and how the statutory language would
dovetail with the existing statutory provisions--in such a case I must
vote ``no''.
I would hope that the rules of the House would be amended so that
motions to recommit must be published soon after the rule for the
consideration of the underlying legislation is published.
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