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H.Res.688 / 109th Congress

Amending the Rules of the House of Representatives to require that legislation and conference reports be available on the Internet for 72 hours before consideration by the House, and for other purposes.

Referred to the House Committee on Rules.

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in House · Feb 16, 2006

Amends rule XIII (Calendars and Committee Reports) of the Rules of the House of Representatives to make it out of order, with certain exceptions, for the House to consider a measure or matter until 72 hours after its text (and any accompanying reports) have been made available to Members and the general public (excluding Saturdays, Sunday and holidays when the House is not in session).

Requires such text to be posted continuously, during the 72 hours, on the Internet in an accessible, searchable format.

Prohibits the House from considering a general appropriations bill, with certain exceptions, until at least 72 hours (currently, three calendar days) after the printed hearings of the Committee on Appropriations related to it have been available to Members.

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Requires privileged reports to be made available to the general public before their consideration in the House.

Amends rule XXII (House and Senate Relations) to require, before House consideration, the same 72 hour availability to Members and the general public, including Internet accessibility, of the text of conference reports, accompanying joint explanatory statements, and Senate amendments reported by a conference committee in disagreement.

Declares that nothing in this resolution shall be interpreted to require or permit the declassification or posting on the Internet of classified information. Requires such classified information to be made available to Members in a timely manner.

Expresses the sense of the House that the House Committee on Rules should develop standardized policies and procedures to require that proposed amendments major in size, scope, or cost (except those offered under an open rule) be posted on the Internet for an appropriate number of hours.

Read the summary on Congress.gov
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Who introduced it

Rep. Baird, Brian [D-WA-3] · D–WA

Committees

  • Rules Committee
36 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Actions

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  1. Referred to the House Committee on Rules.

  2. Introduced in House

  3. Introduced in House

Bill text & related measures

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Related bills identified by Congress.gov

No related bills are listed in this snapshot. This does not establish whether the proposal has appeared in earlier Congresses.

Source last updated: Apr 7, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

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Neutral evidence review

Objective

Analyze H.Res.688 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

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Fairness and public impact

Progressive lens

Examine H.Res.688 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

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Institutions and government scope

Conservative lens

Examine H.Res.688 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

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Individual rights and government power

Liberty lens

Examine H.Res.688 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.

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