We have just wrapped up the Standing Rules Amendments. Of the six proposed amendments, only one passed. Amendment No. 5 allows candidate speeches to be a part of the 50% of each session devoted to "business". Prior to this amendment, "business" included Constitution and Bylaws amendments,New Business Items, and Resolutions. The purpose of the original amendment is to keep the necessary business that needs to be done at RA the central focus; half of the time is devoted to this business and the other half is devoted to reports, speeches, special recognition, etc. Now, candidate speeches will be a part of this business, as these are, indeed part of the necessary business or the RA.