9:50 am
Congress convenes with Speaker of the House Rep. Nancy Johnson of Connecticut (Andrea Shavers) presiding. The Clerk of the House (Julie Thacker) calls roll (alphabetically by Members' name) to determine if a quorum exists for business.
9:55 am to 10:35 am
House debate on H.R. 3005, Bipartisan Trade Promotion Authority Act [as amended in Conference Committee with Senate approved H.R. 3009. Speaker yield gavel to Majority Leader Rep. J.C. Watts of Oklahoma (Michael Smith). The Chair of the Committee on Ways & Means (Rep. Shavers) will serve as Republican floor leader. The Ranking Minority Member of the Ways & Means Committee, Rep. Diana DeGette of California (Rebecca Brock), will serve as floor leader for the Minority member of the Committee.
The Rules Committee limited speakers to 2 minutes each, allocated by the floor leaders alternatively between proponents and opponents of the measure who serve on the Ways & Means Committee. No floor amendments permitted. Any remaining time will be granted (l minute each speaker) to Members not serving on the Ways & Means Committee. The Clerk of the House will notify speakers when their time expires.
10:35 am to 10:40 am
Roll call vote on H.R. 3005, as reported from Conference Committee. (Alphabetical by Members last name). Clerk will provide the presiding officer with the number of aye and nay votes. Presiding officer will announce if the bill passes or fails, announcing the vote. [Floor leaders should keep their own vote tallies.]
10:40 am to 11:20 am
House debate on H.R. 476, Child Custody Protection Act. Speaker Shavers presides. The Chair of the Judiciary Committee, Rep. J.C. Watts (Michael Smith) will serve as floor leader. The Ranking Minority Member, Rep. Carolyn McCarthy of New York (Renee Mathews), will serve as floor leader for the Democratic committee members.
The Rules Committee limited speakers to 2 minutes each, allocated by the floor leaders alternatively between proponents and opponents of the measure who serve on the Ways & Means Committee. No floor amendments permitted. Any remaining time will be granted (l minute each speaker) to Members not serving on the Ways & Means Committee. The Clerk of the House will notify speakers when their time expires.
11:20 am to 11:25 am
Roll call vote on H.R. 476. Clerk will announce the number of aye and nay votes. Presiding officer will announce if the bill passes or fails. Clerk will provide the presiding officer with the number of aye and nay votes. Presiding officer will announce if the bill passes or fails, announcing the vote. [Floor leaders should keep their own vote tallies.]
10:30 am
The Second Session of the 107th Congress will adjourn.
1. Proper legislative courtesies shall be observed in addressing the House:
* Address assembly as "Mr./Madam Speaker, My Distinguished Colleagues."
* When recognizing committee members to speak for/against the bill, floor leader or ranking minority member may say, "I yield two minutes to the Gentleman/Gentlelady from New York."
* Keep in mind that legislative courtesy reduces the inevitable conflicts between the parties and clashing ideologies. Being respectful and civil also constitutes good politics! You may want their vote on the next bill before the House.
2. Because of the size (435 members) of the House of the Representatives, the House Rules Committee (dominated by Majority Party members--9 Republicans to 4 Democrats--usually controlled by the Speaker) determines the agenda on what items will be brought to the floor, when they will be placed on the floor, whether amendments may be offered and how much total time will be allocated for the debate. NOTE: Since the Rules Committee has reported the bill to the floor for consideration, we will not need a motion and second to discuss the measure.
3. Whip Notices before a bill reaches the floor (prepared by the respective party leadership with guidance from the committee chairs and ranking minority members) should cogently provide party members with key information about the bill: a synopsis of the bill, key features, groups supporting and opposing, and why party recommends passage or defeat. Limit to one typed, single-spaced sheet.
4. The presiding chair will cast a recorded vote for each bill in this simulated House session, but will not debate from the podium. If he/she wants to address the House on a measure, the gavel must be relinquished to another majority party leader.
5. Dress appropriately for your debate before the American people. C-SPAN television coverage will transmit the floor debate so constituents back home will watch your performance in representing their interests. Make them proud! Also, your mother may tune in....
6. You will address the House of Representatives from the "well," the podium in front of where you usually see the Speaker and Vice President during presidential addresses. No Powerpoint slides or transparencies are permitted. Occasionally, a Member may display a chart on an easel. Your knowledge, persuasiveness, legislative reputation and passion must influence your colleagues. THREE KEYS TO A OUTSTANDING FLOOR PRESENTATION: PRACTICE, PRACTICE AND PRACTICE!
7. Legislative strategies may influence the success of your committee's actions on the floor. Determine prior to the floor debate: what key points you want to underscore about the bill, what arguments/facts particularly support your party's position and what arguments undermine your opponent's case. Perhaps assign someone to summarize your party's position, either at the beginning or end of the committee members' speeches. The chairperson may assign a committee member the task of rebutting anticipated specific arguments advanced by the opposing committee members.
REMEMBER, YOU WILL WORK WITH THESE COMMITTEE COLLEAGUES FOR MANY YEARS AND YOUR MAJORITY OR MINORITY POSITIONS COULD BE REVERSED AT ANY TIME! ASK THE SENATE REPUBLICAN LEADERS AFTER SEN. JIM JEFFORDS SHIFT TO BECOME AN INDEPENDENT. COOPERATE AND RESPECT ONE ANOTHER.
8. Some party members may decide to "vote their district," a stance that may irritate party leaders and members in safe districts that share their liberal or conservative views. Colleagues may also embrace long-held personal beliefs on an issue that appear out of "synch" with their more liberal Democratic Party Caucus or more conservative Republican Conference. Party leaders should recognize that the party needs their support on the next issue(s) as well. Persuade but keep in mind that your party colleagues represent different sections of the nation, with different needs and concerns.
9. Have fun and don't let wielding all this power inflict you with Potomic Fever--a common malady in Washington--often politically fatal.