HR 2219 – DOD Appropriations – Open Rule

Yesterday the House Rules Committee met to consider the rule for the management of the floor debate on HR 2219, the Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2012. As expected, the rule, H Res 320, provides for the same type of open rule as seen this year in other appropriations bills. During the paragraph by paragraph reading of the bill, any member may propose an amendment to that paragraph under a 5 minute rule.

This afternoon the House approved H Res 320 by a vote of 251 to 173. The first hour of general debate on the bill was held this evening just before the House concluded their regular legislative day. The reading of the bill and the associated amendment process will probably start tomorrow.

I have checked the amendments printed in yesterday’s Congressional Record (pgs H4460 thru 61) and could not find any that related to cyber security matters. More amendments will be printed in today’s Record (available early tomorrow morning) and more will continue to be filed while the debate continues. Of course, the amendments don’t have to be published in the Record prior to their being proposed, but most are.

In any case, I’ll be watching the results and will report on any cyber security related amendments considered by the House.