The Committee granted, by a voice vote, a rule providing for consideration of H.R. 6003, the “Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act of 2008,” under a structured rule.  The resolution provides for one hour of general debate equally divided and controlled by the chairman and ranking minority member of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.

The rule waives all points of order against consideration of the bill except those arising under clause 9 or 10 of rule XXI.  The rule makes in order the amendment in the nature of a substitute recommended by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure as the original bill for the purpose of further amendment and considers the committee amendment as read.  The rule waives all points of order against the committee amendment except those arising under clause 10 of rule XXI.

The rule makes in order only those amendments printed in the Rules Committee report and waives all points of order against such amendments except those arising under clause 9 or 10 of rule XXI.  The amendments made in order shall be considered as read, shall be debatable for the time specified in the Rules Committee report equally divided by the proponent and an opponent, shall not be subject to amendment, and shall not be subject to a demand for a division of the question.

The rule provides one motion to recommit with or without instructions.  Finally, notwithstanding the operation of the previous question, the Chair may postpone further consideration until a time designated by the Speaker.