Arms Sales: Congressional Review Process Page: 7 of 10
10 pagesView a full description of this report.
Extracted Text
The following text was automatically extracted from the image on this page using optical character recognition software:
CRS-4
" Make the motion to proceed to consider a resolution of disapproval
privileged and preclude efforts to amend or to reconsider the vote on
such motion;
" Limit the overall time for debate on the resolution of disapproval to
10 hours and preclude efforts to amend or recommit the resolution
of disapproval;
" Limit the time (one hour) to be used in connection with any de-
batable motion or appeal; provide that a motion to further limit
debate on a resolution of disapproval, debatable motion or appeal is
not debatable.
The Senate is constitutionally empowered to amend its rules or to effect a rule
change at any time. The fact that an existing rule is in Section 601 of the International
Security Assistance and Arms Export Control Act of 1976 is not an obstacle to
changing it by Senate action alone should the Senate wish to do so.
House Floor Procedures
The House of Representatives is directed by Sections 36(b)(3) and 36(c)(3)(B)
of the Arms Export Control Act to consider a motion to proceed to the consideration
of a joint resolution disapproving an arms sale reported to it by the appropriate House
committee as "highly privileged." Generally, this means that the resolution will be
given precedence over most other legislative business of the House, and may be
called up on the floor without a special rule reported by the Rules Committee. Unlike
for the Senate, however, the AECA contains no provision for discharge of the House
committee if it does not report on the joint resolution. If reported and called up, the
measure will be considered in the Committee of the Whole, meaning that
amendments can be offered under the "five-minute rule." Nevertheless, amendments
to joint resolutions disapproving arms sales have apparently never been offered in the
House.
The Rules Committee usually sets the framework for floor consideration of
major legislation in the House of Representatives, however, and could do so for a
joint resolution of disapproval. Upon receiving a request for a rule to govern
consideration of such a resolution, the House Rules Committee could set a time limit
for debate, exclude any amendments to, and waive any points of order against the
resolution. If the House adopted the rule reported by the Committee, it would govern
the manner in which the legislation would be considered, superseding the statutory
provision.
Final Congressional Action
After a joint resolution is passed by both the House and the Senate, the measure
would next be sent to the President. Once this legislation reaches the President,
presumably he would veto it in a timely manner. Congress would then have to
Upcoming Pages
Here’s what’s next.
Search Inside
This report can be searched. Note: Results may vary based on the legibility of text within the document.
Tools / Downloads
Get a copy of this page or view the extracted text.
Citing and Sharing
Basic information for referencing this web page. We also provide extended guidance on usage rights, references, copying or embedding.
Reference the current page of this Report.
Grimmett, Richard F. Arms Sales: Congressional Review Process, report, September 12, 2007; Washington D.C.. (https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc818611/m1/7/: accessed July 17, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, UNT Digital Library, https://digital.library.unt.edu; crediting UNT Libraries Government Documents Department.