This was a vote generated by one of a series of procedural moves by the Republican minority, which were designed to protest the decision of the Democratic majority to limit the number of amendments that could be offered to H.R. 2847, the fiscal year 2010 appropriations for the Departments of Commerce and Justice and for federal science and other programs.

The Bordallo (D-Guam) Amendment, which had passed overwhelmingly, was intended to insure at least $500,000 would be awarded for Western Pacific fishery projects. It is common practice in the House, after any vote, for the Speaker to declare, “without objection, the motion to reconsider is laid upon the table”. According to the House Floor Procedural Manual: “(I)f no objection is raised, this has the parliamentary effect of ending any possibility that another vote . . . can take place.”  The Manual also notes that objection is often raised, and a motion is made to reconsider the previous vote, “when Members (usually minority Members) determine there is a need to slow down the legislative process.” That is what occurred here.

The vote was 172-239 on an almost straight party line vote. One hundred and sixty-nine Republicans and three Democrats voted “aye”. Two hundred and thirty-six Democrats and three Republicans voted “nay”. As a result, the motion to reconsider the vote approving the Bordallo Amendment was defeated, the language to insure that $500,000 would be awarded for Western Pacific Fisheries projects was retained in the bill, and the legislative process was delayed for a few minutes.