If the next section has been reached, the opportunity to offer an amendment to the previous section has passed. A Member needs unanimous consent to return to a section that has been completed. The special rule may provide that once adopted, the committee amendment becomes part of the base text and open for further amendment. Members are then recognized to offer individual amendments. Priority recognition from the chair is generally given to members of the committee of jurisdiction, and by seniority on that committee.
Recognition usually alternates between the parties.
Debating an Amendment Amendments are debated under the five-minute rule, with the proponent and a member opposed being recognized to speak first. Pro forma amendments are merely a device to gain five minutes of time without having to offer an actual amendment. At the end of the five minutes, the pro forma amendment is considered withdrawn. Unanimous consent is needed to speak longer than five minutes. During debate under the five-minute rule, Members may yield to other Members, but they may not specify a particular amount of time.