Mick Mulvaney

Mr. MULVANEY

Mr. MULVANEY. The reason I am confused is, I do so often hear that introduction, the MTRs won't kill; it won't send it to committee; it will proceed immediately forthwith to the House for a vote. So here is my question on a parliamentary inquiry basis. If the MTR is passed, I understand from your previous ruling that the bill goes back to committee. Is it amendable in committee? Or does it immediately return forthwith to the House for a vote?

Mr. MULVANEY. And the committee has full control over that piece of legislation?

Mr. MULVANEY

Mr. MULVANEY. Mr. Speaker, point of order.

Mr. MULVANEY. Mr. Speaker, pursuant to rule XV, section 2(d)(1), I make a point of order that this motion is not timely brought. The rule specifically says that, ``On the second and fourth Mondays of a month,'' which is what we are today, ``immediately after the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag, a motion to discharge that has been brought on the calendar for at least seven legislative days shall be privileged if called up by a Member whose signature appears thereon.'' We had the pledge and the prayer earlier today. We also then had intervening activity in the House, and this motion is no longer timely.

Mr. MULVANEY. I would point out, Mr. Speaker, that we took up 1- minute speeches; we received a message from the Senate; and you, yourself, approved the Journal.

Mr. MULVANEY. Mr. Speaker, while you are continuing, I would like you to consider one thing.

Mr. MULVANEY. I'm sorry, and Mr. Speaker, when you were giving your decision before, I was reading the rule. Would you please restate the basis for your decision.

Mr. MULVANEY. Mr. Speaker, you did not address, then, my issue on receiving a message from the Senate or approving the Journal.

Mr. MULVANEY. Mr. Speaker, parliamentary inquiry.

Mr. MULVANEY. Would the decision have been different if we had not made 1-minute speeches?

Mr. MULVANEY. Mr. Speaker, parliamentary inquiry.

Mr. MULVANEY. A few minutes ago, in reference to a question raised by the gentleman from Texas, you indicated that the amendments would be in order if the motion for the previous question failed. My question is: Are motions to amend in order before the motion for the previous question comes to the floor?

Mr. MULVANEY. Mr. Speaker, I have an amendment at the desk. I would like to have it heard now.

Mr. MULVANEY. No, it hasn't.

Mr. MULVANEY. Mr. Speaker, parliamentary inquiry. Who moved the previous question?

Mr. MULVANEY. Was that seconded?

Mr. MULVANEY. Mr. Speaker, I have an amendment at the desk. I would simply like to ask what rule the Chair is relying on in denying me the ability to bring that amendment now.

Mr. MULVANEY. The rule is very explicit. The rule does not say that we may not take--the rule says that we must proceed immediately. I recognize the fact that on occasion 1-minute speeches are not considered business of the House, that receiving messages from the Senate are not considered business of the House, and, on occasion, a Journal is not considered business of the House even though, from time to time, we do vote on it. The rule does not say that we cannot do other business. The rule says we can't do anything, that we must proceed immediately after the Pledge of Allegiance, and that if the motion is brought at any other time it is untimely.

Mr. MULVANEY. Mr. Speaker, parliamentary inquiry.

Mr. MULVANEY. Does the language of section 2(d)(1) not specifically say ``shall be privileged if called up''? It is not ``may.'' It is ``shall . . . if. . . . ''

Mr. MULVANEY. Parliamentary inquiry, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. MULVANEY. If 2(d)(1) says that it shall be in order if brought up at this particular time but the Chair is ruling that it may be in order at other times, what rule is the Chair relying on for that determination?

Mr. MULVANEY. Further point, Mr. Speaker. The only way that it is privileged is that if it was brought up immediately after the pledge.

Mr. MULVANEY. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Texas. I want to pick up on where my friend from Arizona left off regarding the comments about my good friend and colleague from Washington regarding regular order. It is not regular order. If we have regular order, we have amendments. I have an amendment that would protect small business. I don't get a chance to do that. We would under regular order. But let's not forget, there is not just one committee that is getting rolled here. Rules Committee is getting rolled. And if this was to follow regular order and go to rules, every single one of you would be able to offer amendments in that committee. They would probably get shot down, as mine have since I have been here, but at least you could offer them. Furthermore, if it went to Rules Committee, you could have debate; you could participate and debate on the issues. What is getting ready to happen here in a few minutes is Mr. Fincher will control 1 hour of debate, he will speak for 5, and then yield back, denying every single one of you in this Chamber the opportunity to speak for at least half an hour each side on this particular issue. This is not regular order, Mr. Speaker. This is shoving something down the American people's throats. Let's have regular order. Let's have the amendments. I have got some ones you might actually enjoy. Let's have the debate. But let's not kid ourselves into thinking this is regular order because it is not.

Mr. MULVANEY

Mr. MULVANEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Winthrop University and the 50th anniversary of the National Collegiate Honors Council. Winthrop University is a coeducational, comprehensive university that teaches students to live, learn, and lead for a lifetime. Their Honors Program is designed to enrich the college experience for highly talented and motivated students and create a community of scholars that promote the pursuit of knowledge for intellectual and personal growth. The Honors Program was founded in 1960 and is one of the oldest in the nation. Over the years, the program has flourished by adapting when needed and now enrolls around 350 students from each of the academic colleges at the university. Winthrop University honors students who exemplify the kind of leadership, knowledge and experience we look for in future leaders of our global society. I also want to recognize and express my gratitude to the National Collegiate Honors Council as they celebrate their 50th anniversary. The National Collegiate Honors Council serves Winthrop and more than 800 other colleges and universities across the country. These institutions share a commitment to achieving excellence in diverse subject and curriculum areas to accomplish professional career goals. With the help of universities like Winthrop and professional organizations like the National Collegiate Honors Council, I am confident our nation will continue to produce the workforce necessary to lead us successfully through the 21st century.