CONGRESS FOR VOTERS

DemocratAmendment · S.Amdt. 596· Senate(119-SAMDT-596)

S.Amdt. 596

Rep. Merkley
Age: 70 years
Oregon
Introduced
2/20/2025
Sponsored by
Jeff Merkley
Cosponsors
None
Changes bill
119-SCONRES-7 — An original concurrent resolution setting forth the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2025 and setting forth the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2026 through 2034.
  1. Introduced
  2. Pending Consideration

What this amendment would do

As an analyst keeping an eye out for everyday folks, let's break down what this amendment is all about in plain English. Mr. Merkley submitted SA 596, which proposes adding a new rule to the Senate budget process.

Purpose and Changes

The main goal of this amendment is to protect American families and small businesses from having to pay more for energy. To do this, it aims to add a point of order to the Senate rules.

Here is what that change actually means for our elected officials:

  • It stops the Senate from considering any bill, resolution, motion, amendment, or conference report if the Congressional Budget Office determines it would substantially raise energy prices on families and small businesses.
  • It sets a high hurdle to bypass this rule, requiring an affirmative vote of three-fifths of the Members of the Senate to waive or suspend it.
  • It also requires that same three-fifths vote to sustain an appeal of the ruling of the Chair on this point of order.