H.R. 2446 – Afghanistan Freedom and Security Support Act of 2007

1. Structured rule.
2. Provides one hour of general debate equally divided and controlled by the Chairman and Ranking Minority Member of the Committee on Foreign Affairs.
3. Waives all points of order against consideration of the bill except for clauses 9 and 10 of Rule XXI.
4. Provides that the bill shall be considered as read.
5. No amendments shall be in order except those amendments printed in the Rules Committee report accompanying the resolution.
6. Provides that the amendments made in order in the report may be offered only in the order printed in the report, may be offered only by a Member designated in the report, shall be considered as read, shall be debatable for the time specified in the report equally divided and controlled by the proponent and an opponent, shall not be subject to amendment, and shall not be subject to a demand for division of the question in the House or in the Committee of the Whole.
7. Waives all points of order against the amendments printed in the report except for clauses 9 and 10 of Rule XXI.
8. Provides one motion to recommit with or without instructions.
9. Provides that, notwithstanding the operation of the previous question, the Chair may postpone further consideration of the bill to a time designated by the Speaker.

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. 2446) to reauthorize the Afghanistan Freedom Support Act of 2002, and for other purposes.  The first reading of the bill shall be dispensed with.  All points of order against consideration of the bill are waived except those arising under clause 9 or 10 of rule XXI.  General debate shall be confined to the bill and shall not exceed one hour equally divided and controlled by the chairman and ranking minority member of the Committee on Foreign Affairs.  After general debate the bill shall be considered for amendment under the five-minute rule.  The bill shall be considered as read.  Notwithstanding clause 11 of rule XVIII, no amendment to the bill shall be in order except those printed in the report of the Committee on Rules accompanying this resolution.  Each such amendment may be offered only in the order printed in the report, may be offered only by a Member designated in the report, shall be considered as read, shall be debatable for the time specified in the report equally divided and controlled by the proponent and an opponent, shall not be subject to amendment, and shall not be subject to a demand for division of the question in the House or in the Committee of the Whole.  All points of order against such amendments are waived except those arising under clause 9 or 10 of rule XXI.  At the conclusion of consideration of the bill for amendment the Committee shall rise and report the bill to the House with such amendments as may have been adopted.  The previous question shall be considered as ordered on the bill and amendments thereto to final passage without intervening motion except one motion to recommit with or without instructions.

          Sec. 2.  During consideration in the House of H.R. 2446 pursuant to this resolution, notwithstanding the operation of the previous question, the Chair may postpone further consideration of the bill to such time as may be designated by the Speaker.     

SUMMARY OF AMENDMENTS TO BE MADE IN ORDER

(summaries derived from information provided by sponsors)  

1. Lantos (CA): Manager's Amendment. The amendment makes a number of technical, clarifying, and clerical changes to several provisions of H.R. 2446 as reported by the Committee on Foreign Affairs.  ,  (10 minutes)

2. Ackerman (NY): The amendment adds language to section 302 of the bill to ensure that the Presidential report required by that section includes an assessment of the quality of governance in each province of Afghanistan focusing in particular on the implementation of the rule of law, the impact of any human rights abuses by Afghan government forces on overall counterinsurgency efforts, and the ability of the courts and judicial system to provide an effective justice system.,  (10 minutes)

3. Costa (CA): The amendment seeks to enhance the Offices of the Inspector General at the Department of State and the U.S. Agency for International Development by requiring that permanent in-country staff be deployed to audit, investigate and oversee the programs authorized in Title I of the Afghanistan Freedom and Support Act of 2002, and bolsters the authorization of funds for this purpose.,  (10 minutes)

4. Franks (AZ): The amendment adds a congressional finding stating that the U.S. Armed Forces in Afghanistan recently intercepted a shipment of Iranian-made weapons intended for the Taliban in Afghanistan, and establishes a reporting requirement on Iranian-made weapons being sold to or used by the Taliban in Afghanistan.,  (10 minutes)

5. Jackson-Lee (TX): The amendment states that technical assistance should be provided to train national, provincial, and local governmental personnel for capacity-building purposes as it relates to education, health care, human rights (particularly women’s rights), and political participation.  This amendment also seeks to ensure girls complete secondary education so they are prepared and have the ability to pursue post-secondary education.,  (10 minutes)

6. Jackson-Lee (TX): The amendment seeks to bolster women's political participation by protecting women legislators when they return to the provinces they represent.  It states that it is the sense of Congress that assistance provided to foreign countries and international organizations under this provision should be used, in part, to protect these female legislators.,  (10 minutes)

7. Kirk (IL): The amendment allows the Secretary of State, at her discretion, to make payments from the Rewards for Justice Program to officers or employees of the Afghan or Pakistani government who provide information leading to the capture of exceptional and high-profile terrorists committing acts in Afghanistan.,  (10 minutes)

8. Kucinich (OH): The amendment diverts $500,000 in authorization authority for the United States contribution to the Post-Operations Humanitarian Relief Fund of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF).,  (10 minutes)

9. Terry (NE): The amendment states that the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) should give priority in awarding grants to non-governmental organizations to aid in the revitalization of Afghanistan to organizations based in the United States that have an established and cost-effective record of developing and administering such programs within Afghanistan, including teaching the people of Afghanistan how to create and sustain quality economic and educational systems.,  (10 minutes)

10. Van Hollen (MD): The amendment promotes the empowerment of citizens at the local level in the reconstruction and economic development decision-making process and creates an environment conducive to Afghan small business development.,  (10 minutes)

11. Souder (IN): The amendment specifies that logistical support activities for counter narcotics missions in Afghanistan include force protection and in extremis support. ,  (10 minutes)

SUMMARY OF AMENDMENTS TO BE MADE IN ORDER

(summaries derived from information provided by sponsors)  

1. Lantos (CA): Manager's Amendment.

2. Ackerman (NY):

3. Costa (CA):

4. Franks (AZ):

5. Jackson-Lee (TX):

6. Jackson-Lee (TX):

7. Kirk (IL):

8. Kucinich (OH):

9. Terry (NE):

10. Van Hollen (MD):

11. Souder (IN):