The role of Rules

its bipartisan design. Republicans may enjoy a majority now, but since there are still millions of voters who elected Democrats into the Senate, their voices must be heard in this process as well. That is why I make sure that the Senate does not vote exclusively on Republican bills. In the Georgia Senate, we all share a positive and friendly working relationship regardless of party affiliation.

Some would argue that try as we might, politics finds its way into the Rules meetings anyway. However, they would only be half right. Yes, the members of this committee will often push for bills that represent their party’s interests, but that is not the primary factor that determines which bills make it to the Senate floor this week. The most important thing that we have to consider at this point is a bill’s ability to pass before midnight on Sine Die. If a bill or resolution is too controversial or needs any improvement, we’re not going to waste precious floor time on it. So, when we determine the final calendars of the session, our priority are passable bills that can make time for other passable bills.

This week, the Rules Committee will convene for our final meeting for the 2017 Legislative Session. We will soon determine the general calendars for Day 39 and Day 40, Sine Die. It will be a long and arduous meeting, I’ll admit. But I’m confident that we can work together to put out calendars that will satisfy legislators and voters alike. When the calendar comes out, please reach out to my office if there are any bills you’d like to see next year that didn’t make the cut this year.