H.R. 418, "The Real ID Act of 2005," the GOP bill that would give the Secretary of Homeland Security the authority to waive any and all laws he deemed necessary to expedite construction of border fences and roads -- without any judicial review of his decision -- is probably going to the House floor WEDNESDAY with a debate and vote. It's not clear what, if any, amendments will be allowed to be offered on the floor at this time...
But it IS clear that Rep. Sam Farr (D-CA) has offered an amendment to the Rules Committee which "strikes Section 102." That is great news, but it is not clear yet whether the Rules Committee will allow his amendment to receive a vote on the floor.
As for the debate and vote itself over HR 418, the House Rules Committee posted the following on its website:
MANAGERS: SESSIONS/HASTINGS(FL)
109th Congress
1st Session
H. RES. 71
[Report No. 109-3]
H.R. 418 - REAL ID Act of 2005
- General debate rule.
- Provides one hour and 40 minutes of general debate, with 40 minutes equally divided and controlled by the chairman and ranking minority member of the Committee on the Judiciary, 40 minutes equally divided and controlled by the chairman and ranking minority member of the Committee on Government Reform, and 20 minutes equally divided and controlled by the chairman and ranking minority member of the Committee on Homeland Security.
- Waives all points of order against consideration of the bill.
- Provides that after general debate the Committee of the Whole shall rise without motion and no further consideration of the bill shall be in order except by a subsequent order of the House.
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RESOLUTION
Resolved, That at any time after the adoption of this resolution the Speaker may, pursuant to clause 2(b) of rule XVIII, declare the House resolved into the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union for consideration of the bill (H.R. 418) to establish and rapidly implement regulations for State driver's license and identification document security standards, to prevent terrorists from abusing the asylum laws of the United States, to unify terrorism-related grounds for inadmissibility and removal, and to ensure expeditious construction of the San Diego border fence. The first reading of the bill shall be dispensed with. All points of order against consideration of the bill are waived. General debate shall be confined to the bill and shall not exceed one hour and 40 minutes, with 40 minutes equally divided and controlled by the chairman and ranking minority member of the Committee on the Judiciary; 40 minutes equally divided and controlled by the chairman and ranking minority member of the Committee on Government Reform; and 20 minutes equally divided and controlled by the chairman and ranking minority member of the Committee on Homeland Security. After general debate the Committee of the Whole shall rise without motion. No further consideration of the bill shall be in order except pursuant to a subsequent order of the House.
More info on this bill, from previous postings and comment threads, can be found here and here.