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Vol. 105, No. 14
June 30, 1998

Gerald B.H. Solomon, Chairman

"Learn the rules and understand the precedents and procedures of the House. The congressman who knows how the House operates will soon be recognized for his parliamentary skills - and his prestige will rise among his colleagues, no matter what his party."

- House Speaker John W. McCormack of Massachusetts (1962-1971) in advising new House Members

THE PRINCIPLES OF GERMANENESS

The principle of germaneness was adopted as a rule of the House in 1789 and now can be found in clause 7 of Rule XVI of the House. An amendment must be germane to the matter it seeks to amend. If it is not, it is subject to a point of order. The Chair rules on questions of germaneness. This rule and its precedents have resulted in the following general principles of germaneness.

An amendment must relate to the subject matter under consideration.
The fundamental purpose of the amendment must be germane to the fundamental purpose of the bill, and the amendment must contemplate a method to achieve that purpose that is closely related to the method encompassed in the bill.
The amendment should be within the jurisdiction of the committee having jurisdiction of the bill.
An individual proposition may not be amended by another individual proposition even if they are of the same class.
A specific subject may not be amended by a provision general in nature.
A general subject may be amended by specific propositions of the same class.

ONE MINUTE SPEECHES

These short speeches (no more than 300 words) may be made by Members before or after legislative business each day. (If the speech given at the beginning of the day is longer than 300 words or includes extraneous materials, it will appear just prior to Special Orders in the Congressional Record) Any Member may seek recognition to make a speech on a subject of his or her choice not exceeding one minute in duration. One-minute speeches are often coordinated through the leadership "Theme Team" on each side to focus on particular topics, but the speeches are not limited to such topics. Participants in the "Theme Team" effort usually receive priority seating and recognition.

The one-minute speech period is granted at the discretion of the Speaker as are the number of such speeches -- some days one-minute speeches may be limited to ten or fifteen per side (Republican and Democrat); other days they may be unlimited. On rare occasions, this period is not allowed at the beginning of the day if the business of the House is heavy and time is short. In this case Members should keep in mind that they are permitted to address the House for one minute at the end of legislative business for the day, provided legislative business does NOT extend past midnight.

HOW TO MAKE A ONE-MINUTE SPEECH:

To give a one-minute speech, Members should go to the front row of seats on their party��s side and sit down. The Speaker will recognize Members in turn, beginning with a Member of the Majority party and alternating between the two parties. A Member stands to seek recognition and address the Chair by saying: "Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to address the House for one minute and to revise and extend my remarks." The Chair will tell the Member when his or her minute has expired at which time he or she may finish the sentence in which they are engaged, but no more.

Members are strongly recommended to read all of House Rule XIV ("Of Decorum and Debate") and especially clause 1 of that rule and Jefferson��s Manual, section XVII ("Order and Debate"), and the accompanying footnotes to both, to get an idea of what can and cannot be done or said when on the House Floor.

HOW NOT TO MAKE A ONE-MINUTE SPEECH:

Mr. X:

"Mr. Speaker and those of you viewing these proceedings on television in your office or at home...."

POINT OF ORDER:

It is not proper at any time for a Member to refer to the television audience because of Rule XIV which states that a Member must always address the Chair and only the Chair.

_______

Mr. X:

"...and those distinguished citizens of the Arlington Rotary Club who are here visiting the Capitol today and are with us in the House Gallery..."

POINT OF ORDER:

Clause 8 of Rule XIV states specifically that the Member may not introduce or otherwise make reference to people in the Visitors or Press Gallery.

_______

Mr. X:

"...I want to state my absolute disgust about the unbelievably stupid vote yesterday in the Senate of the United States...."

POINT OF ORDER:

It is acceptable to refer to actions taken by the Senate which are a matter of public record, but it is improper to characterize Senate action or inaction and to make reference to individual Members of the Senate.

______

Mr. X:

"...Mr. President, you are a hypocrite and a liar...."

POINT OF ORDER:

Not only is it inappropriate to address the President directly (Members must always address the Chair), but it is improper to refer to the President in a personally offensive manner.

NOTE: Members do not actually have to deliver a one-minute speech. A Member can simply ask unanimous consent that it be placed in the Congressional Record and yield back his or her time. The speech will be inserted at that point, but it will appear in different type to indicate that it was not delivered in person. Also, if extraneous materials are inserted with a one-minute speech, the entire speech will appear in the Congressional Record just prior to Special Orders. Another option would be for the Member to get on the list for 5 minute speeches given at the of the day.

KEY DEFINITIONS:

Journals - The constitutionally required, official, chronological record of the proceedings and votes of each house, with all the debate removed (unlike the Congressional Record).

Motion - In the House, a request by a member to effect any one of a wide array of actions. Most motions are provided for by House rules and must conform to certain procedural requirements.

Recognition - The power of recognition of a member is lodged in the Speaker of the House. However, the Speaker��s power is governed by House rules and precedents.