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S.Res. 118: A resolution amending rule XXXI of the Standing Rules of the Senate, to provide for timely consideration of nominations.

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S.Res. 118: A resolution amending rule XXXI of the Standing Rules of the Senate, to provide for timely consideration of nominations.

114th Congress · introduced 2015-03-26 · Congress · Latest: Referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration. (text of measure as introduced: CR S2052)

federal

Follow this bill, step by step

  1. Where it came from: introduced 2015-03-26 · official record
  2. Who proposed it: Sen. Merkley, Jeff [D-OR] · what a sponsor is
  3. What happened next: no floor votes in our records yet. Why?
  4. Where it stands now: Referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration. (text of measure as introduced: CR S2052) 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 amending rule XXXI of the Standing Rules of the Senate, to provide for timely consideration of nominations.

Plain summary

Amends Rule XXXI (Executive Session - Proceedings on Nominations) of the Standing Rules of the Senate to make a covered nomination eligible for expedited consideration, if it has been on the Executive Calendar for more than 14 calendar days. Excludes from coverage by this resolution the nomination of an individual: to serve as a justice, including Chief Justice, of the U.S. Supreme Court, or to one of several specified positions entitled to expedited procedures under S. Res. 116 (112th Congress). Deems the covered nomination confirmed by the Senate unless at least 10 Senators have submitted written requests that it be considered by the full Senate in executive session before the end of the 14-day period. Makes a covered nomination (other than to serve as a judge or justice appointed to hold office during good behavior, or to a position at level I of the Executive Schedule [Cabinet Secretaries and certain others]) eligible for expedited consideration, under similar requirements. Requires the Senate to proceed to executive session and begin consideration of a nomination: 24 hours after the majority leader provides notice that it is eligible for expedited consideration; and 48 hours after the majority leader provides such notice of an individual to serve as a judge or justice appointed to hold office during good behavior, or to a position at level I of the Executive Schedule. Limits expedited consideration of a covered nomination to: four hours, evenly divided in the usual form, for a nomination to serve as a judge of a circuit court of the United States or a nomination to a position at level I of the Executive Schedule; and two hours, evenly divided in the usual form, for any other covered nomination.

Congressional Research Service summary (Introduced in Senate), 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 amending rule XXXI of the Standing Rules of the Senate, to provide for timely consideration of nominations.

Source: Congressional Research Service summary (Introduced in Senate)

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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. Merkley, Jeff [D-OR] · 0 cosponsors

Cost estimate: No cost estimate published yet.

Sponsor's campaign money: Sen. Merkley, Jeff [D-OR] reported raising $5.4 million (2025–2026). Details. Shown for context only; it does not mean any donor supported this bill.

No linked floor roll calls in our collected records yet. This does not mean the bill has never had a vote. Check the official bill history.

Words on this page, explained (3)
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.
Rulemaking
The process agencies use to write regulations that carry out laws passed by Congress or a legislature. Usually an agency publishes a proposed rule, takes public comments, then publishes a final rule.

Plain meanings written from linked sources. All words.

Sources

Record fed-us-cong114-sres118 · catalog fed-us-congress-bills-cong114 · updated 2026-11-15 by psicol fed-bills-cong114