HRES936-119

What This Bill Does

This special rule packages water, securities, electricity, natural-gas, and veterans cemetery measures. 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.R. 3898 on Federal Water Pollution Control Act reforms to waters of the United States, H.R. 3383 on closed-end companies investing in private funds, H.R. 3638 on Department of Energy electricity supply-chain assessments, H.R. 3628 on State consideration of reliable generation under PURPA, H.R. 3668 on interagency coordination for Natural Gas Act authorizations, and S. 1071 requiring the VA Secretary to disinter Fernando V. Cota's remains from Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery. 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 narrower water jurisdiction, closed-end funds seeking private-fund investment authority, electricity reliability advocates, natural gas authorization applicants, and Fernando V. Cota's family benefit from protected floor access. 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 broader WOTUS protections, investor-protection advocates concerned about private-fund exposure, agencies reviewing natural gas authorizations, Members seeking open amendments, and opponents of the covered bills bear procedural burdens. 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.R. 3898 under Committee of the Whole procedures.
• Provides consideration of H.R. 3383 on closed-end company investment authority.
• Provides consideration of H.R. 3638 and H.R. 3628 on electricity reliability and supply-chain reporting.
• Provides consideration of H.R. 3668 on Natural Gas Act interagency coordination.
• Provides consideration of S. 1071 requiring VA action involving Fernando V. Cota's remains.
• Waives points of order and restricts amendments to the rule's structure.