This resolution ensures Senators have adequate time to review legislation by requiring a minimum review period based on the length of the bill, and makes it harder to rush through legislation by requiring a supermajority to waive this rule.
Rand Paul
Senator
KY
This resolution ensures Senators have adequate time to review legislation by requiring a minimum review period based on the length of the document. It allows Senators to raise concerns if this reading period is not met and requires a supermajority to waive the rule. This resolution affirms the Senate's power to establish its own rules and procedures.
Senate Bill Mandates Reading Time: One Day Per 20 Pages, Slowing Down Hasty Votes
The Senate just dropped a new rule aimed at pumping the brakes on how quickly bills can be pushed through. Section 1 of this resolution is all about making sure Senators have enough time to actually read the legislation they're voting on.
No More Speed Reading
This rule sets a minimum review period for any bill, resolution, or other item brought to the Senate floor. Specifically, it mandates at least one full session day for every 20 pages of text. So, a 100-page bill? That's a minimum of five session days for review. And it's not just rounding up – any extra pages, even just one, tack on another full day.
Real-World Rollout
Imagine a contractor getting a massive new blueprint for a building project. This rule ensures they have time to review every detail, not just skim the highlights. It's about understanding the nuts and bolts before starting construction. For example, if a complex healthcare bill lands, Senators will have the time needed to understand how changes to Medicare reimbursement rates (as outlined in, say, Section 4, Subsection B) might impact local hospitals and clinics. This isn't just about reading; it's about having the time to ask questions, get clarifications, and really understand the impact.
The Catch (and the Safeguards)
Of course, there's always a way around rules. Any Senator can raise a point of order if they think this review period is being violated. This forces a pause. Waiving this rule requires a three-fifths vote (that's 60 Senators, assuming everyone's present). This supermajority requirement is a big deal – it means you need significant bipartisan support to fast-track anything. It's like needing approval from both the building inspector and the project manager to change the construction timeline.
Constitutional Backbone
It specifically states that this rule is based on the Constitution. Article I, Section 5, Clause 2, lets each house of Congress set its own rules. This is the Senate saying, "We set the pace here."