A resolution providing for sufficient time for legislation to be read.
- Bill Number
- S.Res. 18
- Origin Chamber
- Senate
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Congress
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-01-09: Referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration. (text: CR S80)
- Last Updated
- 2025-05-27T14:12:53Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
This Senate resolution aims to ensure that senators and the public have adequate time to review legislation before it is considered, by imposing a mandatory waiting period based on the document's length. It seeks to prevent rushed passage of complex or lengthy bills.
Key Provisions
- Reading Time Requirement: The Senate cannot consider any bill, resolution, message, conference report, amendment, treaty, or other measure until at least one full session day (a day when the Senate is in session) has passed for every 20 pages of the document in its standard printed form. An additional session day is required for any remaining pages fewer than 20.
- Point of Order Process: Any senator can raise a point of order (a formal objection) claiming the waiting period has not been met. Such a point cannot be dismissed via a motion to table (a procedural move to set aside the objection).
- Waiver Procedure: The waiting period rule can only be overridden by a vote of three-fifths (60%) of all duly elected and sworn senators. Any debate on a waiver motion is limited to 3 hours total, split equally between the objecting senator and the one proposing the waiver (or their representatives), and the motion itself cannot be amended.
- Authority: The resolution is enacted under the U.S. Constitution's grant to each congressional chamber to set its own internal rules (Article I, Section 5, Clause 2).
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This resolution introduces a new procedural rule in the Senate, which previously had no such standardized waiting period tied to document length. It adds enforceable delays and supermajority requirements for bypassing them, altering how quickly the Senate can advance or vote on legislation compared to current flexible practices.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: Minimal direct impact, but could delay implementation of new laws or policies if Senate consideration is slowed, affecting agencies' timelines for regulatory changes.
- On Citizens: May increase transparency by giving more time for public and media scrutiny of bills, potentially leading to better-informed legislation; however, it could also prolong debates on urgent issues like disaster relief or economic measures.
- On International Relations: Indirect effects possible if treaties or foreign policy bills are delayed, potentially slowing U.S. responses to global events, though waivers allow flexibility in emergencies.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Senators and Senate Staff: Directly impacted, as the rule enforces review time and limits fast-tracking, requiring more preparation and potentially extending session lengths.
- Legislative Committees: The Committee on Rules and Administration, to which the resolution was referred, would oversee its implementation; other committees may face delays in advancing their bills.
- The Public and Advocacy Groups: Benefit from enhanced readability of legislation but could see slowed progress on issues like civil rights, environmental protections, or healthcare reforms.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal/Constitutional: Firmly grounded in the Constitution's allowance for each house of Congress to self-regulate procedures, making it unlikely to face successful legal challenges. It promotes internal accountability without altering broader federal law.
- Political: Could reduce instances of "midnight" or rushed legislating, fostering bipartisanship through extended debate, but might frustrate majority parties seeking quick passage of priorities. As a simple resolution, it requires only a Senate majority to adopt (if it advances from committee) and does not need House or presidential approval, highlighting internal Senate dynamics.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Recent Actions
- 2025-01-09: Referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration. (text: CR S80)
- 2025-01-09: Introduced in Senate
Bill Versions
- Providing for sufficient time for legislation to be read. — issued 2025-01-09 — PDF (2 pages)