[Deschler-Brown Precedents, Volume 17, Chapters 34 - 40]
[Ch. 40. Adjournment]
[B. Adjournments for More Than Three Days to Date Certain]
[Â§ 11. Consideration of Concurrent Resolution; Privilege, Amendment, Debate, Budget Act Restrictions]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]


[Page 857-868]
 
                               CHAPTER 40
 
                              Adjournment
 
        B. Adjournments for More Than Three Days to Date Certain
 
Sec. 11. Consideration of Concurrent Resolution; Privilege, Amendment, 
    Debate, Budget Act Restrictions

    A concurrent resolution providing for an adjournment of the House 
or of the Senate, or of both Houses, is called up as privileged in the 
House,(1) even though it provides for an adjournment of the 
two Houses to different days certain.(2) Amendments of one 
House to a concurrent resolution of the other are also privileged for 
consideration.(3) An adjournment resolution remains 
privileged, despite its inclusion of additional matter, so long as such 
additional matter would be privileged in its own right, such as a 
declaration asserted as a question of the privileges of the House 
relating to the ability of the House to receive veto messages during 
the adjournment.(4) On the other hand, an adjournment 
resolution including a provision establishing an order of business for 
the following session of the Congress is not privileged.(5)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 1. House Rules and Manual Sec. 84 (2007).
 2. See Sec. Sec. 10.2-10.4, supra, and Sec. 11.1, infra.
 3. See, e.g., 128 Cong. Rec. 1472, 97th Cong. 2d Sess., Feb. 10, 1982.
 4. See Sec. 15.4, infra.
 5. See Sec. 14.13, infra.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In 1985, Sec. Sec. 309 and 310 of the Congressional Budget Act of 
1974 were amended to prohibit the consideration of concurrent 
resolutions providing adjournments during the month of July in excess 
of three days until the House had passed general annual appropriation 
bills within the jurisdictions of all the appropriations subcommittees 
for the ensuing fiscal year; and until the House had completed action 
on all reconciliation legislation for the ensuing fiscal year required 
to be reported by the final adopted concurrent resolution on the budget 
for that

[[Page 858]]

fiscal year.(6) The Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit 
Control Act repealed Sec.  310(f) of the Congressional Budget Act of 
1974 which had prevented consideration of sine die adjournment 
resolutions until Congress had completed action on the second 
concurrent resolution and reconciliation legislation required by a 
second budget resolution.(7)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 6. See House Rules and Manual Sec. 1127 (2007).
 7. Ibid.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    A concurrent resolution providing for an adjournment to a date 
certain is not debatable (except by unanimous consent or by reserving 
objection to a unanimous-consent request to dispense with 
reading)(8) and is not amendable if the previous question is 
ordered thereon.(9)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 8. Id. at Sec. 84. See also Sec. Sec. 11.3, 11.8, 11.9, 11.11, infra.
 9. See Sec. Sec. 11.2, 11.12, 
        infra.                          -------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sec. 11.1 Consideration by unanimous consent of a concurrent resolution 
    providing for adjournment of both Houses in July on motions of 
    majority leaders or their designees from alternate days to days 
    certain, subject to joint majority leadership recall.

    On June 23, 1989,(1) the following occurred in the 
House:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 1. 135 Cong. Rec. 13271, 101st Cong. 1st Sess.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

           PROVIDING CONDITIONAL RECESS OR ADJOURNMENT OF SENATE AND 
           CONDITIONAL ADJOURNMENT OF HOUSE OVER THE JULY 4TH HOLIDAY

        Mr. [Richard A.] GEPHARDT [of Missouri]. Mr. Speaker, I ask 
    unanimous consent to take from the Speaker's table the Senate 
    concurrent resolution (S. Con. Res. 50) providing for a conditional 
    recess or adjournment of the Senate and a conditional adjournment 
    of the House over the July 4th holiday, and ask for its immediate 
    consideration in the House.
        The Clerk read the title of the Senate concurrent resolution.
        The SPEAKER pro tempore.(2) Is there objection to 
    the request of the gentleman from Missouri?
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 2. Kweisi Mfume (MD).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

        There was no objection.
        The Clerk read the Senate concurrent resolution, as follows:

                                S. Con. Res. 50

            Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives 
        concurring), That when the Senate recesses or adjourns at the 
        close of business on Thursday, June 22, 1989, Friday, June 23, 
        1989, Saturday, June 24, 1989, Sunday, June 25, 1989, Monday, 
        June 26, 1989, Tuesday, June 27, 1989, Wednesday, June 28, 
        1989, Thursday, June 29, 1989, Friday, June 30, 1989, or 
        Saturday, July 1, 1989, pursuant to a motion made by the 
        Majority Leader, or his designee, in accordance with this 
        resolution, it stand recessed or adjourned until 8:30 a.m. on 
        Tuesday, July 11, 1989, or until 12 o'clock noon on the second 
        day after Members are notified to reassemble pursuant to 
        section 2 of this resolution, whichever occurs first; and that 
        when the House adjourns on Thursday, June 29, 1989,

[[Page 859]]

        or Friday, June 30, 1989, pursuant to a motion made by the 
        Majority Leader, or his designee, in accordance with this 
        resolution, it stand adjourned until 12:00 o'clock noon on 
        Monday, July 10, 1989, or until 12 o'clock noon on the second 
        day after Members are notified to reassemble pursuant to 
        section 2 of this resolution, whichever occurs first.
            Sec. 2. The Majority Leader of the Senate and the Speaker 
        of the House, acting jointly after consultation with the 
        Minority Leader of the Senate and the Minority Leader of the 
        House, shall notify the Members of the Senate and the House, 
        respectively, to reassemble whenever, in their opinion, the 
        public interest shall warrant it.

        The Senate concurrent resolution was concurred in.
        A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.(3)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 3. Parliamentarian's Note: Unanimous consent was required for 
        consideration of this resolution covering more than three days 
        in July since under Sec.  309 of the Budget Act the House had 
        not passed all general appropriation bills for the ensuing 
        fiscal year.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sec. 11.2 Although a Senate concurrent resolution providing for an 
    adjournment of more than three days to a day certain of the House 
    and Senate is not subject to amendment if the previous question is 
    ordered thereon, a motion to commit to a committee with 
    instructions to report back forthwith with an amendment may be 
    offered after the previous question is ordered.(1)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 1. See Rule XIX clause 2,  House Rules and Manual Sec. 1001 (2007).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    On Oct. 1, 1980,(2) a Senate concurrent resolution was 
laid before the House as follows:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 2. 126 Cong. Rec. 28576, 28577, 96th Cong. 2d Sess.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

        The SPEAKER laid before the House a privileged Senate 
    concurrent resolution (S. Con. Res. 126) providing for a recess of 
    the Senate and an adjournment of the House of Representatives until 
    Wednesday, November 12, 1980.
        The Clerk read the title of the Senate concurrent resolution.
        The Clerk read the Senate concurrent resolution, as follows:

                                S. Con. Res. 126

            Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives 
        concurring), That when the Senate recesses on any day beginning 
        with Tuesday, September 30, 1980, but no later than Thursday, 
        October 2, 1980, as determined by the majority leader, after 
        consultation with the minority leader, and as so moved by the 
        majority leader in accordance with this resolution, it stand in 
        recess until 11 a.m. on Wednesday, November 12, 1980, and that 
        when the House of Representatives adjourns on Thursday, October 
        2, 1980, it stand adjourned until 12 meridian on Wednesday, 
        November 12, 1980.

        The SPEAKER.(3) Without objection, the previous 
    question is ordered on the Senate concurrent resolution.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 3. Thomas P. O'Neill, Jr. (MA).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

        There was no objection.

[[Page 860]]

            motion to commit with instructions offered by mr. rhodes

        Mr. [John J.] RHODES [of Arizona]. Mr. Speaker, I offer a 
    preferential motion.
        The Clerk read as follows:

            Mr. Rhodes moves to commit Senate Concurrent Resolution 126 
        to the Committee on Rules with instructions that the Committee 
        report the resolution back to the House forthwith with the 
        following amendment:
            Strike out ``when the House of Representatives adjourns on 
        Thursday, October 2, 1980'' and insert in lieu thereof the 
        following, ``when the House of Representatives adjourns on the 
        day following the consideration by the House of a second 
        concurrent resolution on the budget for Fiscal Year 1981 
        pursuant to the provisions of section 305 of Public Law 93-
        344''.

        The SPEAKER. The question is on the motion offered by the 
    gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Rhodes).
        The question was taken; and the Speaker announced that the noes 
    appeared to have it.
        Mr. RHODES. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
        The yeas and nays were ordered.
        The vote was taken by electronic device, and there were--yeas 
    161, nays 231, not voting 40, as follows:

                                 [Roll No. 614]

    Parliamentarian's Note: While normally a concurrent resolution of 
adjournment would not be subject to an amendment making it contingent 
upon prior legislative action, in this case no germaneness point of 
order was raised against the contingency.(4)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 4. See also Sec. 10.9, supra, and Sec. 13, infra.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sec. 11.3 Although a privileged concurrent resolution providing for an 
    adjournment of the House for more than three days to a day certain 
    is not subject to debate, the Chair may entertain a parliamentary 
    inquiry pending the adoption of the resolution.

    On June 28, 1978,(1) the following privileged concurrent 
resolution was considered and agreed to:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 1. 124 Cong. Rec. 19390, 95th Cong. 2d Sess.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

         ADJOURNMENT FROM THURSDAY, JUNE 29, 1978 TO MONDAY, JULY 10, 
                                      1978

        Mr. [James C.] WRIGHT [Jr., of Texas]. Mr. Speaker, I send to 
    the desk a privileged concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 654) and 
    ask for its immediate consideration.
        The Clerk read the concurrent resolution, as follows:

                                H. Con. Res. 654

            Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate 
        concurring), That when the House adjourns on Thursday, June 29, 
        1979, it stand adjourned until 12 o'clock meridian on Monday, 
        July 10, 1978.

                             parliamentary inquiry

        Mr. [Robert E.] BAUMAN [of Maryland]. Mr. Speaker, I have a 
    parliamentary inquiry.
        The SPEAKER pro tempore.(2) The gentleman will state 
    his parliamentary inquiry.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 2. Joseph G. Minish (NJ).

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 861]]

        Mr. BAUMAN. Mr. Speaker, do I understand correctly from what 
    the majority leader said previously that the terms of this 
    resolution are such that all Members will have to return to their 
    districts to work and they are not allowed on world junkets or to 
    indulge in any taxpayer financed foreign travel; is that correct?
        The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair will state that that is not 
    a parliamentary inquiry, but that is what the majority leader 
    implied.
        Mr. BAUMAN. I thank the Chair and seriously doubt the majority 
    leader's implication although I endorse it.
        The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the concurrent 
    resolution.
        The concurrent resolution was agreed to.
        A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

Sec. 11.4 A House concurrent resolution providing for an adjournment of 
    the House to a day certain, with Senate amendments thereto, is laid 
    before the House as privileged by the Speaker.

    On May 23, 1973,(1) Speaker Carl Albert, of Oklahoma, 
laid before the House the following resolution:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 1. 119 Cong. Rec. 16804, 93d Cong. 1st Sess.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

               ADJOURNMENT OF CONGRESS OVER MEMORIAL DAY HOLIDAY

        The SPEAKER laid before the House the concurrent resolution (H. 
    Con. Res. 221) providing for an adjournment of the House from May 
    24, 1973, until May 29, 1973, together with the Senate amendments 
    thereto.
        The clerk read the Senate amendments, as follows:

            Page 1, line 4, strike out ``1973.'' and insert: ``1973, 
        and that when the Senate adjourns on Wednesday, May 23, 1973, 
        it stand adjourned until 12 o'clock meridian, Tuesday, May 29, 
        1973.''
            Amend the title so as to read: ``Concurrent resolution 
        providing for the adjournment of the two Houses of Congress 
        over the Memorial Day Holiday.''

        The Senate amendments were concurred in.
        A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

Sec. 11.5 The Speaker laid before the House as privileged a House 
    concurrent resolution with a Senate amendment thereto, providing 
    for an adjournment of the two Houses to days certain.

    On Feb. 8, 1973,(1) Speaker Carl Albert, of Oklahoma, 
laid before

[[Page 862]]

the House as privileged House Concurrent Resolution 105. The 
proceedings were as follows:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 1. 119 Cong. Rec. 3908, 93d Cong. 1st Sess.
            Parliamentarian's Note: Under the procedure prior to the 
        92d Congress, the Majority Leader offered a privileged motion 
        to take the concurrent resolution from the Speaker's table, 
        with the Senate amendment, and to concur in the Senate 
        amendment. Either procedure is appropriate, since the Senate 
        amendments are entitled to privileged consideration in the 
        House either by motion or by the Speaker putting the question 
        on their adoption.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

            ADJOURNMENT OF THE CONGRESS COMMENCING FEBRUARY 8, 1973

        The SPEAKER laid before the House the concurrent resolution (H. 
    Con. Res. 105), providing for an adjournment of the House from 
    Thursday, February 8, 1973, to Monday, February 19, 1973, together 
    with the Senate amendment thereto.
        The Clerk read the title of the concurrent resolution.
        The Clerk read the Senate amendment, as follows:

            Page 1, line 4, strike out ``1973.'' and insert: ``1973, 
        and that when the Senate adjourns on Thursday, February 8, 
        1973, it stand adjourned until 11 o'clock antemeridian, 
        Thursday, February 15, 1973.''

        The Senate amendment was concurred in. . . .
        A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

Sec. 11.6 A Senate concurrent resolution providing for an adjournment 
    of the Senate to a day certain is laid before the House by the 
    Speaker as privileged and may then be amended by motion to provide 
    for a comparable adjournment by the House.

    On Aug. 18, 1972,(1) Speaker Carl Albert, of Oklahoma, 
laid before the House the following privileged Senate concurrent 
resolution:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 1. 118 Cong. Rec. 29136, 92d Cong. 2d Sess.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

         ADJOURNMENT OF THE HOUSES FROM AUGUST 18 TO SEPTEMBER 5, 1972

        The SPEAKER laid before the House the Senate concurrent 
    resolution (S. Con. Res. 94) providing for an adjournment of the 
    two Houses from August 18, 1972, to September 5, 1972:
        Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives 
    concurring), That when the Senate adjourns on Friday, August 18, 
    1972, it stand adjourned until 10 o'clock ante meridian on Tuesday, 
    September 5, 1972.

    An amendment was then offered from the floor by the Majority 
Leader:

        Mr. [Thomas P.] O'NEILL [Jr., of Massachusetts]. Mr. Speaker I 
    offer an amendment.
        The Clerk read as follows:
        Amendment offered by Mr. O'Neill: Strike out in page 1, line 
    four, ``1972.'', and insert the following: ``1972, and that when 
    the House adjourns on Friday, August 18, 1972, it stand adjourned 
    until 12 noon on Tuesday, September 5, 1972.''
        The amendment was agreed to.
        The Senate concurrent resolution, as amended, was concurred in.

Sec. 11.7 A Senate concurrent resolution, providing for an adjournment 
    during the month

[[Page 863]]

    of July of the two Houses to a day certain, was called up as 
    privileged.

    On June 30, 1972,(1) the Senate concurrent resolution 
below was called up in the House as privileged and agreed to:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 1. 118 Cong. Rec. 23740, 92d Cong. 2d Sess.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

        Mr. [Thomas P.] O'NEILL [Jr., of Massachusetts]. Mr. Speaker, I 
    call up Senate Concurrent Resolution 88 and ask for its immediate 
    consideration.
        The Clerk read the Senate concurrent resolution as follows:

                                S. Con. Res. 88

            Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives 
        concurring), That when the two Houses adjourn on Friday, June 
        30, 1972, they stand adjourned until 12 o'clock noon on Monday, 
        July 17, 1972.

    Parliamentarian's Note: Such a concurrent resolution providing for 
a July adjournment would be liable to a point of order in the House 
under Sec. 309 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974, as amended in 
1985, if the House has not completed initial action on all general 
appropriation bills.

Sec. 11.8 While a concurrent resolution providing for an adjournment of 
    the House to a day certain is, under the precedents, not debatable, 
    debate under the ``one-minute rule'' has sometimes been allowed to 
    proceed by unanimous consent.

    On May 23, 1972,(1) Speaker Carl Albert, of Oklahoma, 
permitted a unanimous-consent request for the Majority Leader to be 
recognized for one minute while there was pending a House concurrent 
resolution providing for an adjournment:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 1. 118 Cong. Rec. 18545, 18546, 92d Cong. 2d Sess.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

        Mr. [Hale] BOGGS [of Louisiana]. Mr. Speaker, I offer a 
    privileged concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 619) and ask for its 
    immediate consideration.
        The Clerk read the concurrent resolution, as follows:
        Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate 
    concurring), That when the House adjourns on Wednesday, May 24, 
    1972, it stand adjourned until 12 o'clock meridian, Tuesday, May 
    30, 1972.
        (Mr. BOGGS asked and was given permission to address the House 
    for 1 minute.)
        Mr. [H. R.] GROSS [of Iowa]. Mr. Speaker, will the gentleman 
    yield?
        Mr. BOGGS. I yield to the gentleman from Iowa. . . .
        The SPEAKER. The question is on the concurrent resolution.
        The concurrent resolution was agreed to.

    On Nov. 6, 1969,(2) a privileged concurrent resolution 
for adjournment was called up. The Speaker

[[Page 864]]

recognized a Member by unanimous consent for one minute:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 2. 115 Cong. Rec. 33260, 91st Cong. 1st Sess.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

        Mr. [Carl] ALBERT [of Oklahoma]. Mr. Speaker, I again offer the 
    concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 441) and ask for its immediate 
    consideration.
        The Clerk read the concurrent resolution, as follows:

                                H. Con. Res. 441

            Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate 
        concurring), That when the House adjourns on Thursday, November 
        6, 1969, it stand adjourned until 12:00 meridian, Wednesday, 
        November 12, 1969.

        Mr. [Durward G.] HALL [of Missouri]. Mr. Speaker--
        The SPEAKER.(3) Does the gentleman from Missouri 
    desire to be recognized for 1 minute?
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 3. John W. McCormack (MA).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

        Mr. HALL. I do, Mr. Speaker.
        The SPEAKER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
        There was no objection.
        Mr. HALL. Mr. Speaker, the majority leader has consulted with 
    me since this joint resolution was first brought up today, but I do 
    not yet understand why we adjourned at 12:26 on Monday and why we 
    have had limited debate and bills programmed this week; and why we 
    are not going to work tomorrow but plan to work into the late hours 
    tonight in order to accomplish the completion of the aviation and 
    airport bill under two separate rules, and then we do not plan to 
    meet Monday. Now, surely no one can object to us going over on 
    Armistice Day, but this is November 7, and we approach the yearend. 
    . . .
        Mr. [H. R.] GROSS [of Iowa] . . .
        There is nothing the gentleman from Missouri or the gentleman 
    from Iowa can do that would be effective for it is not within our 
    power to schedule legislation. But we can protest and serve notice 
    that not only for the remainder of this year and certainly at the 
    beginning of next year we can insist that the legislative machinery 
    operate as the citizens of this country expect it to be operated.
        The concurrent resolution was agreed to.

Sec. 11.9 Although neither a concurrent resolution providing for an 
    adjournment to a day certain nor an amendment thereto are 
    debatable, the Majority Leader was, by unanimous consent, permitted 
    to proceed for one minute.

    On Mar. 26, 1970,(1) Speaker John W. McCormack, of 
Massachusetts, by unanimous consent, recognized the Majority Leader for 
one minute while a nondebatable proposed House amendment to a 
nondebatable House concurrent resolution was pending.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 1. 116 Cong. Rec. 9467, 9468, 91st Cong. 2d Sess.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

        Mr. [Carl] ALBERT [of Oklahoma]. Mr. Speaker, I call up Senate 
    Concurrent Resolution 59 and ask for its immediate consideration.
        The Clerk read the Senate concurrent resolution, as follows:

[[Page 865]]

                                S. Con. Res. 59

            Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives 
        concurring), That when the Senate adjourn on March 26, 1970, it 
        stand in adjournment until 12 o'clock meridian, Tuesday, March 
        31, 1970.

        Mr. ALBERT. Mr. Speaker, I offer an amendment.
        The Clerk read as follows:

            Amendment offered by Mr. Albert: On line 4, page 1, strike 
        out the period and insert: ``; and that when the House adjourns 
        on Thursday, March 26, 1970, it stand adjourned until 12 
        o'clock meridian, Tuesday, March 31, 1970.''

        (Mr. Albert asked and was given permission to address the House 
    for 1 minute.)
        Mr. ALBERT. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the amendment.

Sec. 11.10 A concurrent resolution providing for an adjournment of the 
    House may be offered as privileged and then withdrawn prior to 
    action thereon.

    On Nov. 6, 1969,(1) the following privileged resolution 
was offered in the House by the Majority Leader:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 1. 115 Cong. Rec. 33255, 91st Cong. 1st Sess.
            Parliamentarian's Note: The resolution could have been 
        withdrawn by Mr. Albert without asking unanimous consent since 
        no action had been taken on the resolution. Although a voice 
        vote had been taken, the result had not been finally announced, 
        since the Chair only announced that the ayes ``appeared to have 
        it.''See 5 Hinds' Precedents Sec. 5349, where an announced 
        division vote on a motion to adjourn was superceded by ordering 
        of tellers, thereby rendering the division vote inoperative.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                H. Con. Res. 441

        Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate 
    concurring), That when the House adjourns on Thursday, November 6, 
    1969, it stand adjourned until 12:00 meridian, Wednesday, November 
    12, 1969.
        The SPEAKER. (2) The question is on the concurrent 
    resolution.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 2. John W. McCormack (MA).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

        The question was taken; and the Speaker announced that the ayes 
    appeared to have it.
        Mr. [Durward G.] HALL [of Missouri]. Mr. Speaker, I object to 
    the vote on the ground that a quorum is not present and make the 
    point of order that a quorum is not present.
        The SPEAKER. The gentleman from Missouri objects to the vote on 
    the ground that a quorum is not present and makes the point of 
    order that a quorum is not present.
        Mr. HALL. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to withdraw the 
    point of order, provided the other request is withdrawn, until 
    other arrangements can be made.
        The SPEAKER. The gentleman can withdraw his point of order.
        Mr. [Carl] ALBERT [of Oklahoma]. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous 
    consent to withdraw the concurrent resolution temporarily.

[[Page 866]]

        The SPEAKER. Is there objection to the request of the gentleman 
    from Oklahoma?
        There was no objection.

Sec. 11.11 A concurrent resolution providing for adjournment of 
    Congress to a day certain is not debatable.

    On Aug. 28, 1967,(1) a Member attempted to debate a 
concurrent resolution providing for adjournment of Congress to a day 
certain:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 1. 113 Cong. Rec. 24201, 90th Cong. 1st Sess.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

        Mr. [Carl] ALBERT [of Oklahoma]. Mr. Speaker, I call up House 
    Concurrent Resolution 497 and ask for its immediate consideration.
        The Clerk read the concurrent resolution as follows:

                                H. Con. Res. 497

        Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate 
    concurring), That the two Houses shall adjourn on Thursday, August 
    31, 1967, and that when they adjourn on said day they stand 
    adjourned until 12 o'clock noon on Monday, September 11, 1967.
        Mr. [H. R.] GROSS [of Iowa]. Mr. Speaker, I move to strike the 
    last word.
        The SPEAKER.(2) The Chair will state that this is 
    not a debatable resolution. . . .
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 2. John W. McCormack (MA).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

        The concurrent resolution was agreed to.

Sec. 11.12 A concurrent resolution providing for an adjournment of the 
    Congress to a day certain is subject to amendment if the previous 
    question has not been ordered.

    On Sept. 22, 1950,(1) the Speaker clarified for a Member 
the circumstances under which an amendment to a concurrent resolution 
for adjournment to a day certain would be in order:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 1. 96 Cong. Rec. 15635, 81st Cong. 2d Sess.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

        Mr. [J. Percy] PRIEST [of Tennessee]. Mr. Speaker, I offer a 
    privileged resolution (H. Con. Res. 287), and ask for its immediate 
    consideration.
        The Clerk read as follows:

            Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate 
        concurring), That when the two Houses adjourn on Saturday, 
        September 23, 1950, they stand adjourned until 12 o'clock 
        meridian on Monday, November 27, 1950.

        Mr. PRIEST. Mr. Speaker, I move the previous question.
        Mr. [John W.] HESELTON [of Massachusetts]. Mr. Speaker, a 
    parliamentary inquiry.
        The SPEAKER.(2) The gentleman will state it.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 2. Sam Rayburn (TX).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

        Mr. HESELTON. Mr. Speaker, is it possible to offer an amendment 
    to the resolution at this point?
        The SPEAKER. Inasmuch as the previous question has been moved, 
    it is not in order; and, of course, if the previous question is 
    ordered, it is not in

[[Page 867]]

    order to offer amendments to the resolution.
        Mr. HESELTON. If the previous question is not ordered, then 
    would an amendment be in order?
        The SPEAKER. If the previous question is not ordered, then if 
    the gentlemen is recognized he may offer an amendment.
        The question is on the motion of the gentleman from Tennessee 
    [Mr. Priest] for the previous question.

Sec. 11.13 A concurrent resolution providing that the two Houses 
    adjourn to a day certain is not operative until agreed to by both, 
    and where the Senate amends the resolution, the amendment is 
    disposed of by privileged motion which requires a quorum for 
    adoption.

    On Mar. 30, 1944,(1) the House considered a Senate 
amendment to a House concurrent resolution adjourning Congress until 
Apr. 12, 1944:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 1. 90 Cong. Rec. 3318, 78th Cong. 2d Sess.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

        The SPEAKER pro tempore. (2) The Chair lays before 
    the House, House Concurrent Resolution No. 75, with a Senate 
    amendment, which the Clerk will report.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 2. John W. McCormack (MA).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

        The Clerk read as follows:

            Senate amendment: On page 2, line 3, strike out ``Thursday, 
        March 30'' and insert ``Saturday, April 1.''

        Amend the title so as to read: ``Concurrent resolution 
    providing for the adjournment of Congress from Saturday, April 1, 
    1944, to Wednesday, April 12, 1944.''
        The SPEAKER pro tempore. Without objection, the amendment is 
    agreed to.
        Mr. [Clare E.] HOFFMAN [of Michigan]. Mr. Speaker, reserving 
    the right to object, I make a parliamentary inquiry.
        The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentleman will state it.
        Mr. HOFFMAN. What is the procedure?
        Mr. [Robert] RAMSPECK [of Georgia]. Mr. Speaker, I move that 
    the House concur in the Senate amendment.
        Mr. HOFFMAN. Well, Mr. Speaker, I object.
        The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is the gentleman propounding a 
    parliamentary inquiry?
        Mr. HOFFMAN. Yes, Mr. Speaker.
        The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentleman will state it.
        Mr. HOFFMAN. What is the procedure on this resolution?
        The SPEAKER pro tempore. It is a privileged resolution, and the 
    procedure would be for some Member--and the gentleman from Georgia 
    [Mr. Ramspeck] has done so--to make a motion that the House concur 
    in the Senate amendment.
        Mr. HOFFMAN. And then a vote is taken on the motion?
        The SPEAKER pro tempore. That is correct.
        Mr. HOFFMAN. Does that require a quorum?
        The SPEAKER pro tempore. Any action by the House requires a 
    quorum if

[[Page 868]]

    the one who takes such step raises that question.
        Mr. [John E.] RANKIN [of Mississippi]. Mr. Speaker, a 
    parliamentary inquiry.
        The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentleman will state it.
        Mr. RANKIN. As I understand the situation, whether there is a 
    quorum present or not, unless this amendment is agreed to the 
    resolution does not become final until this amendment is disposed 
    of. That is correct, is it not?
        The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentleman is correct.
        Mr. RANKIN. And therefore we would not be in a position to 
    recess for the time mentioned until this amendment is disposed of 
    one way or the other.
        The SPEAKER pro tempore. The understanding of the Chair is the 
    same as that of the gentleman from Mississippi.
        The gentleman from Georgia moves that the House concur in the 
    Senate amendment.
        The question is on the motion of the gentleman from Georgia.
        Mr. HOFFMAN. Mr. Speaker, I make the point of order that a 
    quorum is not present.
        The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair will count.
        Mr. HOFFMAN. Mr. Speaker, I withdraw the point of no quorum for 
    the time being.
        The SPEAKER pro tempore. Without objection, further 
    consideration of the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 75) will 
    be withdrawn.
        There was no objection.

    Parliamentarian's Note: The Speaker pro tempore, having laid the 
Senate amendment before the House as privileged, could have withdrawn 
it as a matter of right without unanimous consent since no action had 
been taken thereon.