Ryan to block surprise amendments after gay rights flap

House Speaker Paul Ryan of Wis. faces reporters at Republican National Committee headquarters on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, May 24, 2016, following a closed-door caucus. On the cusp of the Memorial Day weekend, Ryan called the recent remarks of Veterans Affairs Secretary Robert McDonald as "disgusting" after comparing wait times to receive VA health care to the lines people wait in for rides at Disney theme parks. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) House Speaker Paul Ryan of Wis. faces reporters at Republican National Committee headquarters on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, May 24, 2016, following a closed-door caucus. On the cusp of the Memorial Day weekend, Ryan called the recent remarks of Veterans Affairs Secretary Robert McDonald as "disgusting" after comparing wait times to receive VA health care to the lines people wait in for rides at Disney theme parks. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

By Associated Press May 24, 2016 2 min read

WASHINGTON (AP) – Speaker Paul Ryan is taking steps to bring greater order to the House floor after a Democrat-authored gay rights amendment caused chaos last week.

Ryan told House Republicans Tuesday that in the future, such amendments will have to be printed ahead of time. Current rules can allow amendments to be written and voted on in real time when spending bills are up for debate.

It’s a procedural change that could allow the GOP majority to better manage politically problematic votes.

“You don’t like to have surprises,” said Rep. Phil Roe, R-Tenn., as he exited the closed-door GOP meeting where Ryan announced the planned change. “If you want to play tricks and games that’s fine. If you’re interested in doing legislation you ought to have thought it through.”

Last week Democratic Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney offered a gay rights amendment that was about to pass, before seven Republicans changed their votes under pressure from House GOP leaders, and the amendment failed.