On the recordOctober 21, 1997
Mr. Speaker, the majority argues that our attempt to defeat the previous question is futile because our proposed amendment is not germane. The fact of the matter is that the Chair has not made a ruling nor heard our arguments as to the germaneness of our amendment. The only way to make that determination is to allow us to offer the amendment by defeating the previous question. This vote, the vote on whether to order the previous question on a special rule, is not merely a procedural vote. A vote against ordering the previous question is a vote against the Republican majority agenda and a vote to allow the opposition, at least for the moment, to offer an alternative plan. It is a vote about what the House should be debating. The vote on the previous question on a rule does have substantive policy implications. It is one of the only available tools for those who oppose the Republican majority's agenda to offer an alternative plan.
Source
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