Alan Grayson: “Well, I have to say, Mr. Chair, that in doing so, you, yourself, at this point---- The SPEAKER pro tempore. The…”

“Well, I have to say, Mr. Chair, that in doing so, you, yourself, at this point---- The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentleman is not recognized. The resolution alleges that a lapse in appropriations impairs the dignity of the House. It further expresses a sense of the House concerning action it might take on an appropriation measure. The gentleman from Florida casts this proposal as a statement. As the Chair ruled on recent occasions such as October 2 and October 3, 2002; March 11, 2008; and December 13, 2011--in each case consistent with a principle enunciated by Speaker Gillett in his landmark ruling of May 6, 1921--a resolution expressing a legislative sentiment ordinarily does not give rise to a question of the privileges of the House under rule IX. The precedent of March 11, 2008, is particularly illustrative. On that occasion, a resolution alleged that legislative inaction had brought discredit upon the House, and declared that the House should consider a motion to concur in a specified Senate amendment. The Chair held that the resolution did not present a question affecting the rights of the House collectively, its safety, its dignity or the integrity of its proceedings as required under rule IX. These precedents are annotated in sections 702 and 706 of the House Rules and Manual.…”