This resolution establishes the expedited House procedures for considering the budget reconciliation bill (H.R. 1) by waiving standard procedural hurdles and limiting debate time.
Erin Houchin
Representative
IN-9
This resolution establishes the expedited procedural framework for the House of Representatives to consider H.R. 1, the budget reconciliation bill. It waives standard procedural hurdles and sets strict limits on debate time before the final vote. The House will debate a specific, pre-approved substitute text for the reconciliation bill.
| Party | Total Votes | Yes | No | Did Not Vote |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | 220 | 217 | 1 | 2 |
Democrat | 212 | 0 | 211 | 1 |
House Resolution Fast-Tracks Major Budget Bill, Limiting Debate to Two Hours
This resolution isn't about policy—it’s about procedure. Specifically, it sets the hyper-speed rules for how the House of Representatives will handle H.R. 1, the massive bill designed to enact budget reconciliation. Think of it as the majority leadership hitting the 'express lane' button on a major piece of legislation.
The core of this resolution is streamlining the process. First, it waives all procedural objections, known as “points of order,” against the bill. This means nobody can use standard House rules to slow down the debate or argue that the bill violates established procedure. Second, it automatically adopts a specific, pre-written substitute amendment (Rules Committee Print 1193) as the version to be debated, skipping the usual amendment process entirely.
The Two-Hour Rule: Legislative Speed Dating
For anyone hoping for a thorough public airing of H.R. 1, this resolution is a reality check. It limits the total debate time on this complex, budget-shaping bill to exactly two hours. That’s it. This time is split evenly and controlled exclusively by the leaders of the Budget Committee and the Ways and Means Committee. After those 120 minutes are up, the only thing left is one motion to send the bill back to committee before the final vote.
What does this mean for the average person? When a bill is this complex, two hours of debate isn't enough time to fully scrutinize the details, especially the fine print that often impacts taxpayers, small businesses, or specific industries. By severely limiting debate, the process essentially concentrates power in the hands of a few committee leaders, reducing the opportunity for other representatives—especially those in the minority—to raise concerns or force changes.
Bypassing the Spending Watchdog
Another significant provision waives Clause 5(b) of Rule XXI. This rule usually acts as a procedural guardrail, preventing certain types of spending provisions from being included in legislation. By waiving it, the resolution clears the path for H.R. 1 to include spending measures that might have otherwise been blocked on procedural grounds. While this ensures the reconciliation bill can move forward as intended, it removes an important check on the bill’s fiscal components.
In short, this resolution is a procedural tool designed to ensure the passage of H.R. 1 with minimal friction. It trades legislative deliberation for speed and certainty, prioritizing the majority’s timeline over extended debate and scrutiny of the underlying policy.