HRES354-119

What This Bill Does

This rule packages five Congressional Review Act disapproval resolutions and a legislative-day timing provision. This is a special House rule, not final enactment of the underlying policies. Its effect is to decide how the House may consider the named measures: it waives points of order, treats measures as read, sets debate time, identifies adopted committee or Rules Committee text, and preserves only the motions listed in the rule. The measures covered are H.J. Res. 60 on National Park Service motor-vehicle rules for Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, H.J. Res. 78 on Fish and Wildlife Service endangered status for the San Francisco Bay-Delta longfin smelt, H.J. Res. 87 on EPA California heavy-duty vehicle and airport shuttle waiver decisions, H.J. Res. 88 on EPA Advanced Clean Cars II waiver decisions, and H.J. Res. 89 on EPA low-NOX omnibus waiver decisions. That procedural design matters because it can move controversial disapproval resolutions or policy bills to a final vote while limiting the ability to raise procedural objections or offer amendments.

Who Benefits and How

Supporters of rolling back Glen Canyon motor-vehicle restrictions, critics of the longfin smelt endangered-species rule, vehicle and engine manufacturers opposing California waiver decisions, and House majority leadership benefit from a protected path to votes. House majority leadership benefits because the rule converts the covered measures into a controlled floor package. The House Rules Committee benefits because its report and special-rule language define the operative text and amendment process. Committee chairs benefit when they control debate time for their committee's measures. Supporters of the underlying resolutions or bills benefit because the waiver and previous-question language reduce procedural friction.

Who Bears the Burden and How

Supporters of National Park Service restrictions, Fish and Wildlife Service endangered-species protections, EPA California vehicle-emissions waiver decisions, and Members seeking open amendments bear the burden. House Members seeking amendments bear a burden because amendments are barred or limited to the Rules Committee report. House minority leadership bears a burden because debate time is capped and the previous question prevents intervening motions except those named in the rule. Opponents of the covered measures lose some procedural tools because points of order against consideration and against provisions are waived. The House Clerk and floor staff must implement the timing, reading, amendment, and message instructions.

Key Provisions

• Provides consideration of H.J. Res. 60 and H.J. Res. 78 with Natural Resources Committee debate.
• Provides consideration of H.J. Res. 87, H.J. Res. 88, and H.J. Res. 89 with Energy and Commerce Committee debate.
• Waives points of order against consideration and provisions for each disapproval resolution.
• Limits each disapproval resolution to one hour of debate and one motion to recommit.
• Provides that April 29 through September 30, 2025 do not count as legislative days for clause 7 of rule XIII.