H.R.5121: Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 2003

The House Committee on Appropriations reported an original measure, H. Rept. 107-576, by Mr. Taylor (NC).

Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 346.

Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 489 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 5121 with 1 hour of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit with or without instructions. Provides that the bill shall be considered as read through page 61, line 16 and waives points of order against provisions in the bill for failure to comply with clause 2 of rule XXI (prohibiting unauthorized appropriations or legislative provisions in an appropriations bill), except as specified in the resolution. Provides that where points of order are waived against part of a paragraph, points of order against a provision in another part of that paragraph may be made only against that provision and not against the entire paragraph. Provides that no amendment shall be in order except the amendment printed in H. Rept. 107-586 and except pro forma amendments offered at any time by the chairman or ranking minori...

Rule H. Res. 489 passed House.

Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 489.

Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 5121 with 1 hour of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit with or without instructions. Provides that the bill shall be considered as read through page 61, line 16 and waives points of order against provisions in the bill for failure to comply with clause 2 of rule XXI (prohibiting unauthorized appropriations or legislative provisions in an appropriations bill), except as specified in the resolution. Provides that where points of order are waived against part of a paragraph, points of order against a provision in another part of that paragraph may be made only against that provision and not against the entire paragraph. Provides that no amendment shall be in order except the amendment printed in H. Rept. 107-586 and except pro forma amendments offered at any time by the chairman or ranking minori...

House resolved itself into the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union pursuant to H. Res. 489 and Rule XXIII.

The Speaker designated the Honorable James V. Hansen to act as Chairman of the Committee.

GENERAL DEBATE - The Committee of the Whole proceeded with one hour of general debate on H.R. 5121.

Mr. Ney raised a point of order against the content of the measure. Mr. Ney stated that the text of section 110 sought to change existing law and as such, constituted legislation in an appropriation bill. Section 110 provides for transfer of disbursing functions as they relate to the Capitol Police. The Chair sustained the point of order.

Mr. Herger raised a point of order against the content of the measure. Mr. Herger stated that the language in the proviso on page 11, beginning on line 4 and extending through line 9 on page 11, constituted legislation in an appropriation bill. The proviso restricts availability of $590,000 intended for salaries and expenses of the Joint Committee on Taxation pending a report on tax evasion. The Chair sustained the point of order.

DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 489, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 20 minutes of debate on the Moran (VA) amendment.

The House rose from the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union to report H.R. 5121.

The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.

On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 365 - 49 (Roll no. 321).

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

Received in the Senate. Read twice. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 504.

Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent.

Senate struck portions of the text of the bill and inserted the language of S. 2720.

Passed Senate with amendments by Yea-Nay Vote. 85 - 14. Record Vote Number: 191.

Senate insists on its amendments, asks for a conference, appoints conferees Durbin; Johnson; Reed; Byrd; Bennett; Stevens; Cochran.

Message on Senate action sent to the House.