New House rules end official commendations

[Geee]

Washington Times:

With little fanfare earlier this month, the House passed a commending resolution recognizing the University of Wisconsin's football team for making it to the Rose Bowl. But if the team wins, it's likely to have to go without a pat on the back from the country's 435 House members — at least as far as official recognition goes.

House Republicans, who take control of the chamber in January, are planning a rules change that would end most commending resolutions, and in the process could slice down much of the chamber's workload — with the goal, the GOP said, of letting lawmakers focus on the big issues during the key work hours.

"These are not negative things. These are great people, great institutions, but if indeed you're after better time management and you want to compress votes … it is important you take away this kind of stuff," said Rep. Rob Bishop, Utah Republican, who served as chairman of a working group on new rules for the House and the Republican Conference.

Out would be legislation such as H. Res. 1767, the official name for the measure that congratulated the Wisconsin Badgers on their 11-1 season and Rose Bowl bid. Also on the chopping block would be commendations for the 100th anniversary of Catholic Charities or the 175th birthday of Mark Twain — both of which passed just hours before the Wisconsin football resolution, which was the last to pass under the old rules.

The changes are part of a new schedule incoming House Majority Leader Eric Cantor, Virginia Republican, designed to return power to rank-and-file members and streamline legislative business to make it more predictable — and meaningful.

[clearvision]

About time.