[Deschler's Precedents, Volume 6, Chapter 21]
[Chapter 21. Order of Business; Special Orders]
[B. Motions to Suspend the Rules]
[Â§ 10. When in Order]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]


[Page 3928-3940]
 
                               CHAPTER 21
 
                   Order of Business; Special Orders
 
                    B. MOTIONS TO SUSPEND THE RULES
 
Sec. 10. When in Order

    Rule XXVII clause 1(15) specifies the days on which 
motions to suspend the rules are in order:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
15. House Rules and Manual Sec. 902 (1979).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 3929]]

        No rule shall be suspended except by a vote of two-thirds of 
    the Members voting, a quorum being present; nor shall the Speaker 
    entertain a motion to suspend the rules except on Mondays and 
    Tuesdays, and during the last six days of a session.(16)
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16. The rule was amended in the 93d and 95th Congresses to afford 
        additional days of the month for motions to suspend the rules 
        (see Sec. 10.1 infra).
            The ``last six days of a session'' cannot be determined 
        unless a concurrent resolution for adjournment ``sine die'' has 
        been adopted or unless the House is within six days of the time 
        that Congress expires pursuant to the 20th amendment to the 
        Constitution (see Sec. Sec. 10.8-10.10, infra).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The House may, however, vary the order of business (by unanimous 
consent, resolution, or suspension of the rules) in order to authorize 
the Speaker to recognize for motions to suspend the rules on days not 
specified in the rule.(17) And where such a request is 
agreed to, the consideration of a motion to suspend the rules on the 
day designated, if the Speaker recognizes for that purpose, is 
privileged.(18)
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17. See Sec. Sec. 10.2-10.7, infra. The request may either authorize 
        the Speaker to recognize for any motion to suspend the rules, 
        or may designate a certain bill or bills to be affected.
18. See Sec. 10.7, infra. For recognition in relation to motions to 
        suspend the rules, see Sec. 11, infra.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In the absence of an extraordinary request, the further 
consideration of a motion to suspend the rules which is unfinished at 
adjournment is in order on the next day on which motions to suspend the 
rules are in order.(19) However, that regular order may be 
varied. For example the further consideration of a motion to suspend 
the rules may be made in order on a day to which all roll call votes 
have been postponed.(20) Or a special order may provide that 
a motion to suspend the rules remain the unfinished business until 
disposed of.(1)
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19. See Sec. Sec. 10.11, 10.12, infra.
20. See Sec. 10.13, infra.
 1. See Sec. 10.14, infra.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Regular Suspension Days

Sec. 10.1 The 93d Congress adopted rules with an amendment of Rule 
    XXVII clause 1 to authorize the Speaker to recognize for motions to 
    suspend the rules on the first and third Mondays of each month and 
    on the Tuesdays immediately following those Mandays (and 
    eliminating the distinction between committee motions and motions 
    by Members). Further amendments were adopted in the 95th Congress.

[[Page 3930]]

    On Jan. 3, 1973,(2) the House adopted House Resolution 
6, adopting the rules of the 92d Congress with certain amendments as 
the rules of the 93d Congress. One of the amendments changed Rule XXVII 
clause 1, on motions to suspend the rules:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 2. 119 Cong. Rec. 17-26, 93d Cong. 1st Sess.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

        In Rule XXVII, clause 1 is amended to read as follows:

        ``No rule shall be suspended except by a vote of two-thirds of 
    the Members voting, a quorum being present; nor shall the Speaker 
    entertain a motion to suspend the rules except on the first and 
    third Mondays of each month, and on the Tuesdays immediately 
    following those days, and during the last six days of a session.'' 
    (3)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 3. House Rules and Manual Sec. 902 (1973).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Prior to the adoption of the resolution, the Majority Leader 
discussed, in answer to opposition from the minority, the reason for 
the change in the suspension rule:

        Mr. [Thomas P.] O'Neill [Jr., of Massachusetts]: Mr. Speaker, I 
    am truly amazed that there is so much opposition from the other 
    side. I thought if there were really going to be any debate on this 
    floor today, it would probably be on the policy of the war. I did 
    not think we would debate a matter of this type.
        We are discussing two bills. One is whether or not we would 
    have 2 extra suspension days in the month. Why did we offer this 
    particular rules change? We offered it because we thought it was 
    good reform. This change is no secret to the Members assembled here 
    today. The newspapers have been writing about it; various 
    organizations who want to reform the Congress have also been 
    discussing the proposal. They have complained because on one day we 
    had 46 suspension bills, which made for a long night session.
        Is this a way to legislate? Why should we not have quit at 8 
    o'clock that night and brought up the remaining suspensions the 
    next day'?
        That is what we have in mind. That is what we would like to do. 
    We do not want to go until 2 or 3 o'clock in the morning.
        How does a bill get on the Suspension Calendar, the gentleman 
    from New Hampshire wants to know. I am sure the minority leader 
    knows. Although the chairman of the committee goes to the Speaker, 
    he always clears the legislation with the minority member of the 
    committee.(4)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 4. 119 Cong. Rec. 21, 93d Cong. 1st Sess.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Parliamentarian's Note: Prior to its amendment in the 93d Congress, 
Rule XXVII clause 1 read as follows:

        No rule shall be suspended except by a vote of two-thirds of 
    the Members voting, a quorum being present; nor shall the Speaker 
    entertain a motion to suspend the rules except on the first and 
    third Mondays of each month, preference being given on the first 
    Monday to individuals and on the third

[[Page 3931]]

    Monday to committees, and during the last six days of a session.

    This clause of the rule was further amended in the 95th Congress to 
authorize the Speaker to recognize for motions to suspend the rules on 
every Monday and Tuesday. H. Res. 5, 95th Cong. 1st Sess., Jan. 4, 
1977.

Sec. 10.2 The applicable rule (Rule XXVII clause l) specifies the days 
    of the month on which the motion is in order; however, by unanimous 
    consent, it may be made in order for the Speaker to recognize a 
    Member or Members on any given day to move to suspend the rules and 
    pass a bill or bills.

    On July 28, 1959,(5) the House agreed to a request 
making in order a motion to suspend the rules:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 5. 105 Cong. Rec. 14475, 86th Cong. 1st Sess.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

        Mr. [Clarence] Cannon [of Missouri]: Mr. Speaker, I ask 
    unanimous consent that it may be in order tomorrow for the Chair to 
    recognize me to move to suspend the rules and pass a joint 
    resolution making temporary appropriations for the month of August.
        The Speaker:(6) Is there objection to the request of 
    the gentleman from Missouri?
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 6. Sam Rayburn (Tex.).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

        There was no objection.

    On Feb. 7, 1966,(7) a similar unanimous-consent request 
was agreed to:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 7. 112 Cong. Rec. 2292, 89th Cong. 2d Sess.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

        Mr. [Carl Albert of Oklahoma]: Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous 
    consent that it may be in order on any day this week other than 
    today for the Speaker to recognize a motion to suspend the rules 
    and pass the bill (H.R. 12563) to provide for participation of the 
    United States in the Asian Development Bank, a bill which has been 
    unanimously reported by the Committee on Banking and Currency.
        The Speaker: (8) Is there objection to the request 
    of the gentleman from Oklahoma?
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 8. John W. McCormack (Mass.).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

        Mr. [H. R.] Gross [of Iowa]: Mr. Speaker, reserving the right 
    to object, do I understand that granting this unanimous-consent 
    request would enable the House to take up under suspension of the 
    rules perhaps tomorrow a bill to create a brand new international 
    bank to go along with the existing multiplicity of international 
    banks and other lending agencies? I am one of those Members of the 
    House who has never seen a copy of the bill. I have had no 
    opportunity to read the hearings or to know anything about the 
    bill. Yet the bill would embark the United States upon the 
    expenditure of perhaps billions of dollars.
        Mr. Albert: This, of course, would not preclude the gentleman 
    from reading the bill or the report, because I have specifically 
    requested that consideration of the bill not be made in order until 
    tomorrow or some later day in the week.

[[Page 3932]]

    A similar request was agreed to on April 10, 1967: (9)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 9. 113 Cong. Rec. 8729, 90th Cong. 1st Sess.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

        Mr. [Carl] Albert [of Oklahoma]: Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous 
    consent that it may be in order on tomorrow or Wednesday for the 
    Speaker to recognize, under suspension of rules, a motion or joint 
    resolution covering the subject matter of extending the period for 
    making no change in conditions under section 10 of the Railway 
    Labor Act applicable in the current dispute between the railroad 
    carriers represented by the National Railway Labor Conference and 
    certain of their employees.
        The Speaker: (10) Is there objection to the request 
    of the gentleman from Oklahoma?
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
10. John W. McCormack (Mass.).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

        Mr. Gerald R. Ford [of Michigan]: Mr. Speaker, reserving the 
    right to object, and I do not intend to object, as I understand it, 
    the need and necessity for such action is predicated on the 
    possibility that if such action is not taken affirmatively, the 
    Nation could be faced with a very critical and very serious rail 
    strike beginning 1 minute after midnight this coming Wednesday. Is 
    that correct?
        Mr. Albert: The gentleman is correct.
        Mr. Gerald R. Ford: Mr. Speaker, I withdraw my reservation of 
    objection.
        The Speaker: Is there objection to the request of the gentleman 
    from Oklahoma?
        There was no objection.

    Another such request was made on Aug. 9, 1972: (11)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
11. 118 Cong. Rec. 27532, 92d Cong. 2d Sess.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

        Mr. [John J.] McFall [of California]: Mr. Speaker, I ask 
    unanimous consent that notwithstanding the provisions of clause 1, 
    rule XXVII, it shall be in order for the Speaker to entertain 
    motions to suspend the rules on Monday, August 14, 1972.
        The Speaker: (12) Is there objection to the request 
    of the gentleman from California?
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
12. Carl Albert (Okla.).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

        There was no objection.

Varying Suspension Days

Sec. 10.3 The House by resolution may authorize the Speaker to 
    recognize for motions to suspend the rules on a day other than that 
    provided by Rule XXVII.

    On Aug. 21, 1961,(13) objection was made to a unanimous-
consent request relating to the order of business, and the same 
objective was therefore accomplished by the adoption of a resolution 
(under suspension of the rules):
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
13. 107 Cong. Rec. 16562, 87th Cong. 1st Sess.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

        Mr. [John W.] McCormack [of Massachusetts]: Mr. Speaker, I ask 
    unanimous consent that it be in order at any time on Tuesday, 
    August 22, 1961, for the Speaker to entertain motions to suspend 
    the rules.
        In making this unanimous-consent request I might say that Nos. 
    17 and 19 on today's program will not be subject to that unanimous-
    consent request.

[[Page 3933]]

        The Speaker Pro Tempore: (14) Is there objection to 
    the request of the gentleman from Massachusetts? . . .
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
14. Carl Albert (Okla.).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

        Objection is heard.
        Mr. McCormack: Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and 
    agree to House Resolution 422.
        The Clerk read the resolution, as follows:

            Resolved, That it shall be in order for the Speaker at any 
        time on Tuesday, August 22, 1961, to entertain motions to 
        suspend the rules.

        The Speaker Pro Tempore: The question is, Will the House 
    suspend the rules and agree to the resolution?

Sec. 10.4 The Speaker has been authorized to recognize for suspensions 
    during the remainder of the session.

    On Sept. 11, 1959,(15) the House agreed to a unanimous-
consent request relating to the order of business for the remainder of 
the session:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
15. 105 Cong. Rec. 19128, 86th Cong. 1st Sess.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

        Mr. [John W.] McCormack [of Massachusetts]: Mr. Speaker, I ask 
    unanimous consent that it shall be in order during the remainder of 
    this session of Congress to consider conference reports the same 
    day reported, notwithstanding the provisions of clause 2 of rule 
    XXVIII; that reports from the Committee on Rules may be considered 
    at any time, notwithstanding the provisions of clause 22 of rule 
    XI; for the Speaker to declare recesses subject to the call of the 
    Chair; and for the Speaker to recognize Members to move to suspend 
    the rules, notwithstanding the provisions of clause 1, rule XXVII.

Sec. 10.5 By unanimous consent, the Speaker was given authority to 
    recognize for motions to suspend the rules and pass certain bills 
    on a date to be agreed upon by himself and the Majority and 
    Minority Leaders.

    On Aug. 17, 1964,(16) the House agreed to a unanimous-
consent request made by the Majority Leader:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
16. 110 Cong. Rec. 19943, 19944, 88th Cong. 2d Sess.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

        Mr. [Carl] Albert [of Oklahoma]: Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous 
    consent that it shall be in order for the Speaker to recognize for 
    motions to suspend the rules and pass the bills remaining 
    undisposed of on the whip notice today on a day to be agreed upon 
    by the Speaker, the majority leader, and the minority leader.
        The Speaker:(17) Is there objection to the request 
    of the gentleman from Oklahoma? . . .
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
17. John W. McCormack (Mass.).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

        There was no objection.
        The Speaker: The Chair will state that if arrangements can be 
    worked out on this or any other bill, through a unanimous-consent 
    request, where the matter has been carefully screened, the Chair 
    will be glad to recognize for that purpose. That does not mean 
    today. It means sometime this week, if it is

[[Page 3934]]

    carefully screened through the leader ship. Members are protected 
    in the knowledge that the screening has taken place.

Sec. 10.6 The Speaker has been authorized, by unanimous consent, to 
    recognize for motions to suspend the rules and pass certain bills 
    listed on the whip notice but not reached on the regular suspension 
    day.

    On Dec. 15, 1969,(18) the House agreed to a unanimous-
consent request put by the Majority Leader:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
18. 115 Cong. Rec. 39046, 91st Cong. 1st Sess.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

        Mr. [Carl] Albert [of Oklahoma]: Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous 
    consent that it may be in order on Tuesday, December 16, 1969-that 
    is tomorrow-for the Speaker to recognize motions to suspend the 
    rules and pass the bills beginning with No. 11 listed on the whip 
    notice of December 12, 1969.
        The Speaker: (19) Is there objection to the request 
    of the gentleman from Oklahoma?
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
19. John W. McCormack (Mass.).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

        Mr. [H. R.] Gross [of Iowa]: Mr. Speaker, reserving the right 
    to object, do I understand that there would be no additions of any 
    nature to the list of suspensions?
        Mr. Albert: Mr. Speaker, if the gentleman will yield, the 
    gentleman is correct; it means No. 11 through No. 22 printed on the 
    whip's notice.
        Mr. Gross: Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman, and I withdraw 
    my reservation of objection.
        The Speaker: Is there objection to the request of the gentleman 
    from Oklahoma?
        There was no objection.

Sec. 10.7 Where a Member sought recognition to call up District of 
    Columbia business on the fourth Monday (privileged under Rule XXIV 
    clause 8) and another Member sought recognition to move to suspend 
    the rules and agree to a joint resolution amending the Constitution 
    (privileged pursuant to a unanimous-consent agreement making it in 
    order on the fourth Monday for the Speaker to recognize Members to 
    move suspension and passage of bills), the Speaker recognized for 
    the motion to suspend the rules, the matters being of equal 
    privilege.

    On Aug. 27, 1962,(20) which was the fourth Monday of the 
month and therefore a day eligible for District of Columbia business, 
under Rule XXIV clause 8, Speaker John W. McCormack, of Massachusetts, 
recognized Mr. Emanuel Celler, of New York, to move to suspend the 
rules and pass a joint resolution (to amend the Constitution to 
prohibit the use of a poll tax as a qualification for voting)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
20. 108 Cong. Rec 17654, 176.55, 87th Cong. 2d Sess.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 3935]]

pursuant to a previous unanimousconsent request making in order on that 
day motions to suspend the rules. The Speaker overruled a point of 
order against prior recognition for the motion to suspend the rules:

        Mr. Celler: Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass 
    Senate Joint Resolution 29, proposing an amendment to the 
    Constitution of the United States relating to qualifications of 
    electors.
        Mr. [Thomas G.] Abernethy [of Mississippi]: Mr. Speaker, a 
    point of order.
        The Speaker: The gentleman will state his point of order.
        Mr. Abernethy: Mr. Speaker, I make the point of order that this 
    is District Day, that there are District bills on the calendar, and 
    as a member of the Committee on the District of Columbia I 
    respectfully demand recognition so that these bills may be 
    considered.
        Mr. [Carl] Albert [of Oklahoma]: Mr. Speaker, may I be heard on 
    the point of order?
        The Speaker: The Chair is prepared to rule, but the gentleman 
    may be heard.
        Mr. Albert: Mr. Speaker, by unanimous consent, suspensions were 
    transferred to this day, and under the rules the Speaker has power 
    of recognition at his own discretion.
        Mr. Abernethy: Mr. Speaker, I respectfully call the attention 
    of the chairman to clause 8, rule XXIV, page 432 of the House 
    Manual. . . .
        Mr. Speaker, I submit that rule is clear that when the time is 
    claimed and the opportunity is claimed the Chair shall permit those 
    bills to be considered.
        Therefore, Mr. Speaker, I respectfully submit my point of order 
    is well taken, and that I should be permitted to call up bills 
    which are now pending on the calendar from the Committee on the 
    District of Columbia.
        Mr. [Howard W.] Smith of Virginia: Mr. Speaker, I should like 
    to be heard on the point of order.
        The Speaker: The Chair will hear the gentleman.
        Mr. Smith of Virginia: Mr. Speaker, the rules of the House on 
    some things are very clear, and the rules of the House either mean 
    something or they do not mean anything.
        Mr. Speaker, the gentleman from Mississippi [Mr. Abernethy], 
    has just called to the Chair's attention clause 8 of rule XXIV. 
    Nothing could be clearer; nothing could be more mandatory. I want 
    to repeat it because I hope the Chair will not fall into an error 
    on this proposition:

            The second and fourth Mondays in each month, after the 
        disposition of motions to discharge committees and after the 
        disposal of such business on the Speaker's table as requires 
        reference only--

        And that is all; that is all that you can consider--disposition 
    of motions to discharge committees--

            and after the disposal of such business on the Speaker's 
        table as requires reference only--

        That is all that the Chair is permitted to consider.

        Mr. Speaker, after that is done the day--
        shall when claimed by the Committee on the District of 
        Columbia,

[[Page 3936]]

        be set apart for the consideration of such business as may be 
        presented by said committee.

        Mr. Speaker, I know that the majority leader bases his defense 
    upon the theory that the House having given unanimous consent to 
    hear suspensions on this Monday instead of last Monday when they 
    should have been heard--and I doubt if very many Members were here 
    when that consent order was made and I am quite sure that a great 
    number of them had no notice that it was going to be made, and 
    certainly I did not--now the majority leader undertakes to say that 
    having gotten unanimous consent to consider this motion on this day 
    to suspend the rules, therefore, it gives the Speaker carte blanche 
    authority to do away with the rule which gives first consideration 
    to District of Columbia matters.
        Mr. Speaker, there was no waiver of the rule on the District of 
    Columbia. That consent did not dispose or dispense with the 
    business on the District of Columbia day. The rule is completely 
    mandatory. The rule says that on the second and fourth Mondays, if 
    the District of Columbia claims the time, that the Speaker shall 
    recognize them for such dispositions as they desire to call.
        The Speaker: The Chair is prepared to rule.
        Several days ago on August 14 unanimous consent was obtained to 
    transfer the consideration of business under suspension of the 
    rules on Monday last until today. That does not prohibit the 
    consideration of a privileged motion and a motion to suspend the 
    rules today is a privileged motion. The matter is within the 
    discretion of the Chair as to the matter of recognition.

Last Six Days of Session

Sec. 10.8 Pursuant to Rule XXVII clause 1, it is in order during the 
    last six days of a session for the Speaker to recognize for motions 
    to suspend the rules.

    On Dec. 30, 1970,(1) Speaker John W. McCormack, of 
Massachusetts, recognized a Member to move to suspend the rules and 
pass a bill; the House agreed to the motion. Although Dec. 30 was not a 
first or third Monday of the month under Rule XXVII clause 1, it was 
within six days of the end of the session and motions to suspend the 
rules were therefore in order.(2)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 1. 116 Cong. Rec. 44170, 91st Cong. 2d Sess.
 2. Rule XXVII Clause 1, House Rules and Manual Sec. 902 (1979).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Parliamentarian's Note: Although a resolution providing for 
adjournment sine die had not yet been adopted, the term of a session of 
Congress automatically expires at noon on Jan. 3 pursuant to section 1 
of the 20th amendment to the U. S. Constitution

Sec. 10.9 The provisions of Rule XXVII clause 1, which confer authority 
    upon the Speaker

[[Page 3937]]

    to entertain motions to suspend the rules during the last six days 
    of a session, are not applicable until both Houses have agreed to a 
    concurrent resolution fixing a sine die adjournment date for the 
    Congress (or until the final six days of a session under the 
    Constitution).

    On Oct. 3, 1972,(3) Speaker Carl Albert, of Oklahoma, 
indicated in response to a parliamentary inquiry that the last six days 
of a session, during which suspension motions are in order, cannot be 
determined until an adjournment resolution is passed:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 3. 118 Cong. Rec. 33501, 92d Cong. 2d Sess.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

        Mr. Gerald R. Ford [of Michigan]: Mr. Speaker, a parliamentary 
    inquiry.
        The Speaker: The gentleman will state it.
        Mr. Gerald R. Ford: Is it not within the prerogative of the 
    House to pass a resolution with a date certain and send it to the 
    other body?
        The Speaker: It is in the prerogative of the House to pass a 
    resolution setting a date certain, but it is not within the 
    prerogative of the Speaker to recognize for suspensions of rules 
    until that sine die resolution passes the other body.
        Mr. Gerald R. Ford: Mr. Speaker, a further parliamentary 
    inquiry.
        The Speaker: The gentleman will state it.
        Mr. Gerald R. Ford: To clarify, the House can pass such a 
    resolution with a date certain?
        The Speaker: Yes, the House could; but it would not be operable 
    until agreed to by the Senate.

Sec. 10.10 The Speaker was authorized to recognize for suspensions from 
    a Wednesday for the remainder of that week (just prior to 
    adjournment sine die).

    On Aug. 26, 1957,(4) a unanimous-consent request was 
agreed to:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 4. 103 Cong. Rec. 15968, 85th Cong. 1st Sess.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

        Mr. [John W.] McCormack [of Massachusetts]: Mr. Speaker, I ask 
    unanimous consent that it be in order for the Consent Calendar to 
    be called on Wednesday next, and that it also be in order for the 
    Speaker to recognize on Wednesday next and the balance of the week 
    for suspension of the rules.
        The Speaker: (5) Is there objection to the request 
    of the gentleman from Massachusetts?
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 5. Sam Rayburn (Tex.).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

        There was no objection.

Unfinished Business

Sec. 10.11 A motion to suspend the rules remaining undisposed of at 
    adjournment, after the conclusion of debate on one suspension day, 
    goes over as unfinished business to the next suspension day.

[[Page 3938]]

    On Aug. 5, 1935,(6) Speaker Joseph W. Byrns, of 
Tennessee, announced, on a suspension day, the order of business as to 
an unfinished motion to suspend the rules coming over from a previous 
suspension day:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 6. 79 Cong. Rec. 12506, 74th Cong. 1st Sess. the rules coming over 
        from a previous suspension day:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

        The Speaker: When the House adjourned on the last suspension 
    day there was under consideration the bill (S. 2865) to amend the 
    joint resolution establishing the George Rogers Clark 
    Sesquicentennial Commission, approved May 23, 1928. The question is 
    on the motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill. This motion 
    is, therefore, the unfinished business, as the Chair understands 
    debate was concluded on the measure.

    On Feb. 8, 1931, the House ordered a second on a motion to suspend 
the rules and then adjourned before concluding debate on the motion. 
The motion was resumed as unfinished business on the next day, Feb. 9, 
which was an eligible day for suspensions under Rule XXVII, the House 
being within the last six days of the session. (7)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 7. 74 Cong. Rec. 6577, 71st Cong. 3d Sess.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Parliamentarian's Note: Where a portion of the 40 minutes of debate 
(20 minutes for each side) has been used on a motion to suspend the 
rules, and the House then adjourns, debate is resumed where it left off 
when the motion comes up as unfinished business.(8)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 8. See Sec. 13.2, infra.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sec. 10.12 A motion to suspend the rules on which a second had been 
    ordered, remaining undisposed of at adjournment as the unfinished 
    business, was, on the next day when such motion was again in order, 
    withdrawn by unanimous consent.

    On May 5, 1958,(9) which was a day when motions to 
suspend the rules were in order, Mr. Oren Harris, of Arkansas, asked 
unanimous consent to vacate the proceedings under suspension of the 
rules held two weeks prior on H.R. 11414, to amend the Public Health 
Service Act (on the prior occasion, a second had been ordered on the 
bill but the House had adjourned before completing its consideration). 
The unanimous-consent request was agreed to, and Mr. Harris moved to 
suspend the rules and pass the same bill with amendments.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 9. 104 Cong. Rec. 8004, 85th Cong. 2d Sess.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sec. 10.13 Pursuant to a special order postponing roll calls

[[Page 3939]]

    until the following Thursday, consideration of the vote on a bill 
    called up under suspension of the rules was postponed and made the 
    unfinished business on the day when roll calls would again be in 
    order.

    On Oct. 5, 1965,(10) Mr. Clement J. Zablocki, of 
Wisconsin, moved to suspend the rules and pass a bill; when Speaker 
John W. McCormack, of Massachusetts, put the question on the motion, 
Mr. H. R. Gross, of Iowa, objected to the vote on the ground that a 
quorum was not present. The Speaker then stated as follows:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
10. 111 Cong. Rec. 25944, 89th Cong. 1st Sess.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

        The Speaker: Pursuant to the order of the House of October 1, 
    further proceedings on the Senate joint resolution will go over 
    until Thursday, October 7.

    The postponement of the vote on the motion to suspend the rules was 
carried as follows in the House Journal:

        On a division, demanded by Mr Gross, there appeared--yeas 55, 
    nays 12.
        Mr. Gross objected to the vote on the ground that a quorum was 
    not present and not voting and made the point of order that a 
    quorum was not present.

     Order of Business--Further Consideration of the Motion to Suspend 
    the Rules and Pass the Joint Resolution of the Senate S.J. Res. 106

        Pursuant to the unanimous-consent agreement of October 1, 1965, 
    further consideration of the motion to suspend the rules and pass 
    the joint resolution of the Senate, S.J. Res. 106 was postponed 
    until Thursday, October 7, 1965.
        Mr. Gross then withdrew his point of no quorum.(11)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
11. H. Jour. 1256, 1257, 89th Cong. 1st Sess., Oct. 5, 1965.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Parliamentarian's Note: On Oct. 1, the House had agreed to a 
unanimous-consent request that all roll call votes, other than on 
matters of procedure, which might arise on Oct. 5 or 6, be put over 
until Oct. 7.(12)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
12. 111 Cong. Rec. 25796, 25797, 89th Cong. 1st Sess.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sec. 10.14 The House, under a motion to suspend the rules, passed a 
    resolution extending the time for debate on a motion to suspend the 
    rules, and making said motion the unfinished business until 
    disposed of.

    On Sept. 20, 1943,(13) a resolution providing for the 
consideration of a motion to suspend the rules was itself brought up 
and
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13. 89 Cong. Rec. 7646-55, 78th Cong. 1st Sess.
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[[Page 3940]]

passed under suspension of the rules:

        Mr. [John W.] McCormack [of Massachusetts]: Mr. Speaker, I move 
    to suspend the rules and pass the resolution (H. Res. 302), which I 
    send to the Clerk's desk.
        The Clerk read as follows:

            Resolved, That the time for debate on a motion to suspend 
        the rules and pass House Concurrent Resolution 25 shall be 
        extended to 4 hours, such time to be equally divided and 
        controlled by the chairman and ranking minority member of the 
        Committee on Foreign Affairs; and said motion to suspend the 
        rules shall be the continuing order of business of the House 
        until finally disposed of.

Varying Suspension Days by Special Order

Sec. 10.15 Form of unanimous-consent request that the Speaker may 
    recognize Members to move to suspend the rules at any time until an 
    adjournment to a day certain.

    On July 2, 1943,(14) a unanimous-consent request was 
made, as follows:
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14. 89 Cong. Rec. 7038, 78th Cong. 1st Sess.
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        Mr. [John W.] McCormack: [of Massachusetts]: Mr. Speaker, I ask 
    unanimous consent that the Speaker be authorized to recognize 
    Members to move to suspend the rules at any time between now and 
    the time that the House takes its recess.
        The Speaker: (15) Is there objection to the request 
    of the gentleman from Massachusetts?
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15. Sam Rayburn (Tex.).
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        There was no objection.

Sec. 10.16 Form of resolution providing that at any time on a certain 
    day it shall be in order for the Speaker to entertain motions to 
    suspend the rules notwithstanding Rule XXVII clause 1.

    On May 25, 1946,(16~) the following resolution reported 
from the Committee on Rules was called up for consideration and adopted 
by the House:
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16. 92 Cong. Rec. 5746, 79th Cong. 2d Sess.
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            Resolved, That at any time on Saturday, May 25, 1946, or 
        Monday, May 27, 1946, it shall be in order for the Speaker to 
        entertain motions to suspend the rules notwithstanding the 
        provisions of clause 1, rule XXVII.(17)
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17. House Rules and Manual Sec. 902 (1979).
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