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S.Res. 15: A resolution to improve procedures for the consideration of legislation and nominations in the Senate.

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S.Res. 15: A resolution to improve procedures for the consideration of legislation and nominations in the Senate.

113th Congress · introduced 2013-01-24 · Congress · Latest: Resolution agreed to in Senate, under the order of 1/24/2012, having achieved 60 votes in the affirmative, without amendment by Yea-Nay Vote. 78 - 16. Record Vote Number: 1. (text: CR S272)

federal

Follow this bill, step by step

  1. Where it came from: introduced 2013-01-24 · official record
  2. Who proposed it: Sen. Reid, Harry [D-NV] · what a sponsor is
  3. What happened next: 1 recorded vote in our records. Latest: Senate vote 1 (2013): On the Resolution, SRES15 (2013-01-24), Resolution Agreed to. See all
  4. Where it stands now: Resolution agreed to in Senate, under the order of 1/24/2012, having achieved 60 votes in the affirmative, without amendment by Yea-Nay Vote. 78 - 16. Record Vote Number: 1. (text: CR S272) Not final yet: this can still change. We check for updates every day.
  5. If it becomes law and spends money: follow the money to money laws, then agencies and contracts and grants.

What does this mean?

Official title

A resolution to improve procedures for the consideration of legislation and nominations in the Senate.

Plain summary

(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.) Limits to four hours any debate on a motion to proceed to the consideration of a measure or matter. Applies the following conditions on the proposal of amendments if the motion to proceed is agreed to: the first amendments in order shall be one first-degree amendment each offered by the minority, the majority, the minority, and the majority (with forfeiture of the right to offer an amendment if it is not offered in its designated order); makes it out of order, if a cloture motion has been filed, for: (1) the minority to propose its first amendment unless it has been submitted to the Senate Journal Clerk by 1:00 p.m. on the day following the filing of the cloture motion, (2) the majority to propose its first amendment unless it has been submitted by 3:00 p.m. on such day, (3) the minority to propose its second amendment unless it has been submitted by 5:00 p.m on such day, or (4) the majority to propose its second amendment unless it has been submitted by 7:00 p.m. on such day; forfeiture of the right to offer any amendment that is not timely submitted; disposal of the first-degree amendment offered must occur before the next first-degree amendment in order may be offered; an amendment is not divisible or subject to amendment while pending; a first-degree amendment, if adopted, shall be considered original text for the purpose of further amendment; no points of order shall be waived by virtue of this resolution; and no motion to commit or recommit shall be in order during the pendency of any first-degree amendment. Declares that if cloture is invoked on a measure or matter before all first-degree amendments are disposed of: (1) any such amendment in order but not actually pending upon the expiration of post-cloture time may be offered and may be debated for up to one hour, equally divided in the usual form; and (2) any such amendment ruled non-germane on a point of order shall not fall upon that ruling, but instead remain pending and require 60 affirmative votes to be adopted. Limits post-cloture consideration to: (1) eight hours for any nomination except one to a position at level I of the Executive Schedule or to serve as a federal judge or justice appointed to hold office during good behavior, and (2) two hours for any U.S. district court nominations. Requires consideration of legislation and of nominations to be equally divided in the usual form.

Congressional Research Service summary (Passed Senate without amendment), quoted unchanged (nonpartisan). Read the source.

What a vote does

A “Yea” vote

A Yea supports adopting this resolution.

A “Nay” vote

If it is not passed, current law stays as it is.

PSI Sci description of the legislative step (not an opinion).

What does this mean? (plain words)

Official text

A resolution to improve procedures for the consideration of legislation and nominations in the Senate.

Source: Congressional Research Service summary (Passed Senate without amendment)

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The strongest published arguments

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Alternatives

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How did my representative vote? · This bill's floor votes

Officials and money

Sponsor: Sen. Reid, Harry [D-NV] · 2 cosponsors

Cost estimate: No cost estimate published yet.

Cosponsors on this site

Recorded votes

Words on this page, explained (3)
Cloture
A U.S. Senate vote to end debate on a measure, which usually needs 60 votes. It is how the Senate ends a filibuster.
Resolution
A formal statement or decision by a legislative body. Simple resolutions often only express an opinion or set rules for one chamber; they do not become law.
Roll-call vote
A vote where each member's position is recorded by name, so the public can see how every member voted. "Yea" means yes, "Nay" means no, "Present" means the member was there but did not take a side.

Plain meanings written from linked sources. All words.

Sources

Record fed-us-cong113-sres15 · catalog fed-us-congress-bills-cong113 · updated 2026-11-15 by psicol fed-bills-cong113