[Deschler's Precedents, Volume 6, Chapter 21]
[Chapter 21. Order of Business; Special Orders]
[B. Motions to Suspend the Rules]
[Â§ 11. Recognition to Offer]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]


[Page 3940-3952]
 
                               CHAPTER 21
 
                   Order of Business; Special Orders
 
                    B. MOTIONS TO SUSPEND THE RULES
 
Sec. 11. Recognition to Offer

    The Speaker is authorized but not required to recognize for motions 
to suspend the rules on eligible days, and recognition for such motions 
is entirely within the discretion of the Speaker.(18) The re
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
18. See Sec. Sec. 11.3-11.7, infra. For discussion of the Speaker's 
        power of recognition in relation to any business before the 
        House, see Ch. 29, infra.
            The Speaker has like discretion as to recognition where he 
        has been authorized to recognize for motions to suspend the 
        rules on a day which is not a regular day for suspension 
        motions (see Sec. 11.3, infra).
            For recognition for the demand for a second on the motion, 
        see Sec. 12, infra.
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[[Page 3941]]

jection of a motion to suspend the rules does not preclude the Speaker 
from exercising his discretion to recognize for a similar 
motion.(19)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
19. See Sec. 11.9, infra.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Prior to the 93d Congress, preference was given to ``individual'' 
motions on the first Monday and to ``committee'' motions on the third 
Monday; the rule was amended in the 93d Congress to eliminate such 
distinction (and to provide for additional days on which the motion 
would be in order).(20)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
20. See Sec. 11.1. infra.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    As discussed in Sec. 10, supra, motions to suspend the rules which 
will be entertained on a given day are generally programed in advance 
and announced to the membership of the House. Bills and resolutions 
listed for suspension are cleared with the leadership, and the Speaker 
may decline recognition for a motion which does not have the approval 
of the Majority Leader.(1) But the Speaker may recognize for 
motions to suspend the rules, to pass emergency legislation or for 
other purposes, which have not been scheduled in advance. For example, 
on one occasion the Speaker recognized for a motion to suspend the 
rules and pass emergency legislation immediately after a joint session 
to hear the President where the President urged the immediate passage 
of such legislation.(2)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 1. See Sec. 11.6, infra.
 2. See Sec. 9.22, supra.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Many motions to suspend the rules and pass bills and resolutions 
are offered by the chairman of the committee having jurisdiction over 
the subject matter of the proposition.(3)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 3. See Sec. Sec. 11.10-11.13, infra. The chairman of the committee 
        does not require authorization from the committee (see 
        Sec. 11.11, 
        infra).                          -------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Recognition Generally

Sec. 11.1 The 93d Congress adopted rules with an amendment to Rule 
    XXVII clause 1 to eliminate the distinction between committee 
    motions and motions by individual Members (and to authorize 
    recognition by the Speaker for such motions on the first and third 
    Mondays of each

[[Page 3942]]

    month and on the Tuesdays immediately following those Mondays).

    On Jan. 3, 1973,(4) 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:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 4. 119 Cong. Rec. 17-27, 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.''

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

Sec. 11.2 Three quorum calls and two record votes on dispensing with 
    further proceedings under quorum calls interrupted the reading of 
    the Journal and delayed the Speaker's recognition of a Member to 
    move to suspend the rules and pass a Senate joint resolution 
    proposing a constitutional amendment to abolish use of a poll tax 
    as a qualification for voting in elections of federal officials.

    Aug. 27, 1962, was a day on which motions to suspend the rules were 
in order, and Speaker John W. McCormack, of Massachusetts, intended to 
recognize Mr. Emanuel Celler, of New York, to move to suspend the rules 
and pass Senate Joint Resolution 29, proposing an amendment to the 
Constitution of the United States to abolish the use of a poll tax as a 
qualification for voting in elections of federal officials.
    After the offering of the prayer, a demand was made that the 
Journal be read in full. The reading was interrupted by three quorum 
calls and two recorded votes on dispensing with further proceedings 
under such calls, before the suspension motion was brought up. The 
House adopted the motion.(5)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 5. 108 Cong. Rec. 17651-55, 87th Cong. 2d Sess.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Parliamentarian's Note: Rule I was amended in the 92d Congress

[[Page 3943]]

to provide that the Journal be read only by motion instead of by demand 
of any Member.

Sec. 11.3 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,(6) 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. Emanual 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) pursuant 
to a previous unanimous-consent 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:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 6. 108 Cong. Rec. 17654-70, 87th Cong. 2d Sess.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

        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

[[Page 3944]]

    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. . . .
        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.

Speaker's Power of Recognition

Sec. 11.4 Recognition for motions to suspend the rules is within the 
    discretion of the Chair.

    On Feb. 17, 1936,(7) Speaker Joseph W. Byrns, of 
Tennessee, recognized for a motion to suspend the rules and indicated 
such recognition was within his discretion:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 7. 80 Cong. Rec. 2239, 2240, 74th Cong. 2d Sess.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

        Mr. [Sam D.] McReynolds [of Tennessee]: Mr. Speaker, I move to 
    suspend the rules and pass the joint resolution (H.J. Res. 491) 
    extending and amending the joint resolution (Public Res. No. 67, 
    74th Cong.), approved August 31, 1935.
        The Clerk read the joint resolution, as follows: . . .
        The Speaker: Is a second demanded?
        Mr. [Hamilton] Fish [Jr., of New York]: Mr. Speaker, I demand a 
    second.
        Mr. [Maury] Maverick [of Texas]: Mr. Speaker, a point of order.
        The Speaker: The gentleman will state it.
        Mr. Maverick: Mr. Speaker, I am informed that no specific 
    authority to request a suspension of the rules has been given by 
    the committee. May I ask the chairman if specific authority has 
    been granted by his committee on this particular bill? In other 
    words, has specific authority been given the gentleman by the 
    committee to ask for a suspension of the rules?
        Mr. McReynolds: Yes; twice.
        Mr. Maverick: On this particular bill?
        Mr. McReynolds: Yes.
        The Speaker: The Chair may say to the gentleman that it is 
    within the discretion of the Chair to recognize the gentleman's 
    move to suspend the rules.

Sec. 11.5 Recognition for motions to suspend the rules is entirely 
    within the discretion of the Speaker.

    On June 16, 1952,(8) Speaker Sam Rayburn, of Texas, 
recog
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 8. 98 Cong. Rec. 7287 7288, 82d Cong. 2d Sess.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 3945]]

nized a Member to move to suspend the rules and pass a bill with an 
amendment. In overruling a point of order against the motion, the 
Speaker discussed his power of recognition:

        The Speaker: The Chair is ready to rule again.
        Suspension of the rules is a matter that can come up only twice 
    a month, either on the first and third Mondays, or the last 6 days 
    of the session if an adjournment date has been fixed. There can be 
    no amendment offered to the motion to suspend the rules and pass a 
    bill, but it is entirely in order for the Speaker to recognize a 
    Member to move to suspend the rules and pass a bill with amendments 
    and recognition for that is entirely within the discretion of the 
    Chair. The Chair can recognize a Member to move to suspend the 
    rules on the proper day and pass a bill with an amendment that has 
    been authorized by a committee, or if the Chair so desires he can 
    recognize a Member to move to suspend the rules and pass a bill 
    with his own amendment.
        The Chair overrules the point of order made by the gentleman 
    from Nebraska.
        Mr. [Carl T.] Curtis of Nebraska: Mr. Speaker, a further 
    parliamentary inquiry. Would it be possible to offer a substitute 
    motion to suspend the rules in reference to the motion now before 
    the Chair?
        The Speaker: Well, the Chair would not recognize the gentleman 
    for that purpose.
        Mr. Curtis of Nebraska: Perhaps I could induce another Member 
    to offer the amendment.
        The Speaker: The Chair would not recognize any other Member to 
    make that motion.

    On Mar. 16, 1964,(9) Speaker John W. McCormack, of 
Massachusetts, answered a parliamentary inquiry on recognition for 
motions to suspend the rules (in relation to a Senate bill not on the 
suspension list):
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 9. 110 Cong. Rec. 5291, 88th Cong. 2d Sess.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

        Mr. [Chet] Holifield [of California]: Mr. Speaker, the bill 
    H.R. 9711, to amend the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, is on the 
    suspension calendar for today. However, a similar bill, S. 2448, 
    has been passed by the other body. Therefore, in lieu of calling up 
    H.R. 9711, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill S. 2448
        The Clerk read as follows:

            Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
        the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the 
        second sentence of section 202 of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 
        is hereby amended to read as follows: ``During the first ninety 
        days of each session of the Congress, the Joint Committee may 
        conduct hearings in either open or executive session for the 
        purpose of receiving information concerning the development, 
        growth, and state of the atomic energy industry.''

        The Speaker: Is a second demanded?
        Mr. [John P.] Saylor [of Pennsylvania]: Mr. Speaker, a 
    parliamentary inquiry.
        The Speaker: The gentleman will state the parliamentary 
    inquiry.

[[Page 3946]]

        Mr. Saylor: Mr. Speaker, the House Calendar lists a bill to 
    come up under suspension and it is a House bill. Does it not 
    require unanimous consent to suspend the rules and take up a Senate 
    bill?
        The Speaker: The Chair will advise the gentleman from 
    Pennsylvania, under the rules of the House, the Speaker may 
    recognize a Member on a motion to suspend the rules.
        Is a second demanded?
        Mr. [Craig] Hosmer [of California]: Mr. Speaker, I demand a 
    second.
        The Speaker: Without objection, a second will be considered as 
    ordered.
        There was no objection.

Sec. 11.6 On ``suspension days,'' the motion to suspend the rules is 
    admitted at the discretion of the Speaker, and he may decline to 
    entertain such motions unless they have the approval of the 
    Majority Leader.

    On Aug. 2, 1948,(10) Speaker Joseph W. Martin, Jr., of 
Massachusetts, declined to recognize for a motion to suspend the rules 
and discussed his power of recognition in relation to such motions:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
10. 94 Cong. Rec. 9639, 80th Cong. 2d Sess.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

        Mrs. [Helen Gahagan] Douglas [of California]: Mr. Speaker, I 
    move to suspend the rules and discharge the Committee on Banking 
    and Currency from further consideration of S. 866.
        The Speaker: The Chair does not recognize the gentlewoman for 
    that purpose. The majority leader has already stated that there 
    will be no suspensions today; and, under the practice of the House, 
    suspensions must be cleared through the majority leader. The 
    gentlewoman is not recognized for that purpose.
        Mrs. Douglas: Mr. Speaker, a parliamentary inquiry.
        The Speaker: The gentlewoman will state it.
        Mrs. Douglas: Under paragraph 1 of rule XXVII it is in order, 
    is it not, for the Speaker to entertain a motion to suspend the 
    rules?
        The Speaker: Yes, it is within the discretion of the Speaker, 
    and the Speaker states that he will not recognize any Member for 
    that purpose without clearing it through the majority leader, and 
    using that discretion merely refuses to recognize the gentlewoman 
    from California.
        Mrs. Douglas: Mr. Speaker, a further parliamentary inquiry.
        The Speaker: The gentlewoman will state it.
        Mrs. Douglas: Today is the first Monday in August, and under 
    the aforementioned rule individual Members may move to suspend the 
    rules and pass important legislation. Do I understand clearly then 
    that the Chair is exercising his discretion in dening the House to 
    vote on the so-called TaftEllender-Wagner bill, even under the 
    procedure requiring a two-thirds vote of the Members present?
        The Speaker: The Chair will state that the rule has existed for 
    more than 50 years, and in accordance with the procedure which has 
    been followed by not only the present Speaker but every other 
    Speaker, the Chair does not rec

[[Page 3947]]

    ognize the gentlewoman from California for that purpose.
        Mrs. Douglas: Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent for the 
    present consideration of S. 866.
        The Speaker: The Chair does not recognize the gentlewoman for 
    that purpose.

Sec. 11.7 The Speaker stated, in recognizing a Member for a unanimous-
    consent request to consider a bill, that if any amendments were 
    offered he would ask the Member to withdraw the request and to move 
    to suspend the rules and pass the bill because of the vital 
    importance that the bill pass immediately and without amendment

    On July 5, 1943,(11) Speaker Sam Rayburn, of Texas, 
recognized a Member for a unanimous-consent request:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
11. 89 Cong. Rec. 7213, 7214, 78th Cong. 1st Sess.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

        The Speaker: The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Michigan 
    [Mr. Dingell].
        Mr. [John D.] Dingell: Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent for 
    the immediate consideration of the bill (S. 35) to authorize the 
    use for war purposes of silver held or owned by the United States.
        The Clerk read the title of the bill.

    The House discussed the bill under the reservation of the right to 
object, and the Speaker then answered a parliamentary inquiry as 
follows:

        Mr. [Frederick C.] Smith of Ohio: Mr. Speaker, a parliamentary 
    inquiry.
        The Speaker: The gentleman will state it.
        Mr. Smith of Ohio: It is my understanding this bill will be 
    read and will be subject to amendment, providing there is no 
    objection to its consideration under the unanimous-consent request.
        The Speaker: The gentleman is correct, it would be subject to 
    amendment, but the Chair is going to be very frank with the 
    gentleman. If there are going to be amendments offered to this bill 
    the Chair will request the gentleman from Michigan to withdraw his 
    request, and then the Chair will recognize the gentleman from 
    Michigan to move to suspend the rules and pass the bill. The Chair 
    thinks it vitally important that this bill pass immediately, and he 
    thinks it should be passed without amendment. The Chair will accept 
    the responsibility if it is put up to the Chair.

Sec. 11.8 The Majority Leader was recognized to offer a motion to 
    suspend the rules and agree to a resolution authorizing the Speaker 
    to declare recesses for the remainder of the session.

    On Dec. 21, 1970,(12) the Majority Leader was recognized 
for a motion to suspend the rules (a
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
12. 116 Cong. Rec. 43069, 91st Cong. 2d Sess.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 3948]]

unanimous-consent request having been objected to):

        Mr. [Carl] Albert [of Oklahoma]: Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous 
    consent that it shall be in order during the remainder of this 
    session for the Speaker to declare a recess at any time subject to 
    the call of the Chair.
        The Speaker: (l3) Is there objection to the request 
    of the gentleman from Oklahoma?
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
13. John W. McCormack (Mass.).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

        Mr. [H. R.] Gross [of Iowa]: Mr. Speaker, I object.
        The Speaker: Objection is heard.
        Mr. Albert: Mr. Speaker, I offer a resolution and move to 
    suspend the rules and adopt the resolution (H. Res. 1317), making 
    it in order for the Speaker to declare a recess at any time, 
    subject to the call of the Chair.
        The Clerk read as follows:

                                  H. Res. 1317

            Resolved, That during the remainder of this session it 
        shall be in order for the Speaker to declare a recess at any 
        time, subject to the call of the Chair.

        The Speaker: Is a second demanded?
        Mr. Gross: Mr. Speaker, I demand a second, and I make a point 
    of order that a quorum is not present.
        The Speaker: Without objection, a second will be considered as 
    ordered.
        Mr. Albert: Mr. Speaker, I withdraw the resolution until a 
    later time in the day.
        The Speaker: The gentleman from Oklahoma withdraws his 
    resolution at the present time.
        Mr. Gross: Mr. Speaker, I withdraw the point of order.

    Parliamentarian's Note: Once a second has been ordered (or 
considered as ordered by unanimous consent) on a motion to suspend the 
rules, unanimous consent is required to withdraw the motion.

Reoffering Motion

Sec. 11.9 Rejection of a motion to suspend the rules and agree to a 
    resolution does not preclude the Speaker from exercising his 
    discretionary authority to recognize a Member to offer a similar 
    resolution under suspension of the rules.

    On Dec. 21, 1973,(14) Speaker Carl Albert, of Oklahoma, 
overruled a point of order against recognition for a motion to suspend 
the rules:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
14. 119 Cong. Rec. 43271, 93d Cong. 1st Sess.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

        Mr. [Harley O.] Staggers [of West Virginia]: Mr. Speaker, I 
    move to suspend the rules and agree to the House Resolution (H. 
    Res. 760) to take from the Speaker's table the Senate bill S. 921, 
    to amend the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, with a Senate amendment to 
    the House amendment thereto, and agree to the Senate amendment to 
    the House amendment with an amendment.
        The Clerk read as follows:

                                  H. Res. 760

            Resolved, That immediately upon the adoption of this 
        resolution the

[[Page 3949]]

        bill S. 921, with the Senate amendment to the House amendment 
        thereto, be, and the same is hereby, taken from the Speaker's 
        table to the end that the Senate amendment to the House 
        amendment be, and the same is hereby, agreed to with an 
        amendment as follows:
            In lieu of the matter proposed to be inserted by the Senate 
        amendment, insert the text of the bill H.R. 12129.

    The House rejected the motion.
    Parliamentarian's Note: The House had earlier rejected a motion to 
suspend the rules (offered by Mr. Staggers) and agree to a resolution 
to take the same bill with the Senate amendment from the table and 
agree to the Senate amendments with an amendment. The second motion 
offered by Mr. Staggers proposed a different amendment (text of another 
House bill) to the Senate amendment.

Recognition of Committee Chairman

Sec. 11.10 The Speaker may recognize the chairman of a committee to 
    move to suspend the rules and agree to a resolution submitted from 
    the floor, providing for the disposal of business on the Speaker's 
    table.

    On Sept. 17, 1962,(15) Speaker pro tempore Carl Albert, 
of Oklahoma, recognized the Chairman of the Committee on Ways and Means 
for a motion to suspend the rules and pass a resolution submitted from 
the floor (not introduced and referred to committee):
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
15. 108 Cong. Rec. 19610, 87th Cong. 2d Sess.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

        Mr. [Wilbur D.] Mills [of Arkansas]: Mr. Speaker, I move to 
    suspend the rules and agree to the House Resolution 800.
        The Clerk read the resolution, as follows:

            Resolved, That immediately upon the adoption of this 
        resolution the bill H.R. 7431, with the Senate amendments 
        thereto, be, and the same hereby is, taken from the Speaker's 
        table, to the end that the Senate amndments be, and the same 
        are hereby agreed to. . . .

        The Speaker Pro Tempore: Without objection, a second will be 
    considered as ordered.
        There was no objection.

    On Aug. 27, 1962,(16) the Chairman of the Committee on 
Interstate and Foreign Commerce was recognized for a motion to suspend 
the rules and pass a resolution submitted from the floor:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
16. 108 Cong Rec. 17671, 87th Cong. 2d Sess.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

        Mr. [Oren] Harris [of Arkansas]: Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend 
    the rules and agree to House Resolution 769.
        The Clerk read the resolution as follows:

            Resolved, That immediately upon the adoption of this 
        resolution the

[[Page 3950]]

        bill H.R. 11040, with the Senate amendment thereto, be, and the 
        same is hereby, taken from the Speaker's table, to the end that 
        the Senate amendment be, and the same is hereby, agreed to.

    A similar resolution was brought up under suspension of the rules 
by the Chairman of the Committee on Banking and Currency on Oct. 14, 
1972: (17)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
17. 118 Cong. Rec. 36408, 92d Cong. 2d Sess.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

        Mr. [Wright] Patman [of Texas]: Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend 
    the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 1165) to extend the 
    authority of the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development with 
    respect to the insurance of loans and mortgages under the National 
    Housing Act.
        The Clerk read as follows:

                                  H. Res. 1165

            Resolved, That immediately upon the adoption of this 
        resolution the joint resolution (H.J. Res. 1301) to extend the 
        authority of the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development 
        with respect to the insurance of loans and mortgages under the 
        National Housing Act, together with the Senate amendment 
        thereto, be and the same is hereby, taken from the Speaker's 
        table to the end that the Senate amendment be, and the same is 
        hereby, agreed to.

    Parliamentarian's Note: Disposal of Senate amendments to a House 
bill on the Speaker's table before the stage of disagreement must be 
accomplished by unanimous consent, by suspension of the rules, or by a 
resolution from the Committee on Rules if the Senate amendments require 
consideration in Committee of the Whole; but if authorized by the 
committee with jurisdiction, a motion under Rule XX clause 1 may be 
made to send the bill to conference if entertained by the Speaker in 
his discretion.
    Thus a motion to suspend the rules may be used to adopt a 
resolution drafted to accomplish the disposal of such Senate 
amendments. The resolution is submitted directly from the floor, and is 
numbered when presented under a motion to suspend the rules, since 
prior introduction would require its reference to the Committee on 
Rules.

Sec. 11.11 The chairman of a committee is not required to have 
    authorization of his committee to move to suspend the rules and 
    pass a bill in the House.

    On Aug. 5, 1948,(18) Speaker Joseph W. Martin, Jr., of 
Massachusetts, recognized Charles A. Eaton, Chairman of the Committee 
on Foreign Affairs, to move to suspend the rules and pass a bill within 
the committee's jurisdiction. The Speaker overruled a
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
18. 94 Cong. Rec. 9890, 9891, 80th Cong. 2d Sess.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 3951]]

point of order against recognition for the motion:

        Mr. [Frederick C.] Smith of Ohio: Mr. Speaker, I make a point 
    of order against the motion.
        The Speaker: The gentleman will state his point of order.
        Mr. Smith of Ohio: Mr. Speaker, I am informed by members of the 
    Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House that this motion has not 
    been formally and specifically authorized by the committee.
        The Speaker: The Chair may say, in order to clairfy the 
    situation, that it is possible for the chairman of a committee to 
    offer the motion on his own responsibility and if he does the Chair 
    will recognize him.

Sec. 11.12 The Speaker recognized the Chairman of the Committee on 
    Interstate and Foreign Commerce to offer a resolution, under 
    suspension of the rules, which provided for taking a Senate bill 
    with a nongermame Senate amendment to a House amendment from the 
    Speaker's table and concurring in the Senate amendment with a 
    further amendment (the text of an introduced bill).

    On Dec. 21, 1973,(19) the Chairman of the Committee on 
Interstate and Foreign Commerce offered a motion to suspend the rules:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
19. 119 Cong. Rec. 43251, 93d Cong. 1st Sess.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

        Mr. [Harley O.] Staggers [of West Virginia]: Mr. Speaker, I 
    move to suspend the rules and agree to the House resolution (H. 
    Res. 759) to take from the Speaker's table the Senate bill S. 921, 
    to amend the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, with a Senate amendment to 
    the House amendment thereto, and agree to the Senate amendment to 
    the House amendment with an amendment. The Clerk read as follows:

                                  H. Res. 759

            Resolved, That immediately upon the adoption of this 
        resolution the bill S. 921, with the Senate amendment to the 
        House amendment thereto, be, and the same is hereby, taken from 
        the Speaker's table to the end that the Senate amendment to the 
        House amendment be, and the same is hereby, agreed to with an 
        amendment as follows:
            In lieu of the matter proposed to be inserted by the Senate 
        amendment, insert the text of the bill H.R. 12128.

    Mr. Craig Hosmer, of California, demanded a second on the motion, 
and the House ordered a second (on an automatic roll call vote when a 
quorum failed to vote by tellers on ordering a second). The motion to 
suspend the rules was, however, defeated.
    Parliamentarian's Note: The bill which was the subject of the 
motion, S. 921, was a bill to amend the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act. In 
the Senate, action had been postponed on a conference report on

[[Page 3952]]

the Energy Emergency Act (S. 2589), and the Senate had attached a 
nongermane amendment (consisting of a compromise version of that 
conference report) to the House amendment to S. 921. It was determined 
in the House therefore to seek to move to suspend the rules to amend 
that nongermane Senate amendment with the text of another version of 
the Energy Act (H.R. 12128). If the motion had been adopted, S. 921, 
with the House amendment to the Senate amendment to the House 
amendment, would have been returned to the Senate for an up-or-down 
vote, any further Senate amendment being in the third degree and not in 
order.

Sec. 11.13 The Speaker was authorized, by unanimous consent, to 
    recognize the chairman of one of the standing committees to move to 
    suspend the rules and pass a particular bill on a day other than a 
    suspension day.

    On Dec. 12, 1967,(20) the House agreed to a unanimous-
consent request relating to recognition for a motion to suspend the 
rules:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
20. 113 Cong. Rec. 35946, 90th Cong. 1st Sess.
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        Mr. [Carl] Albert [of Oklahoma]: Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous 
    consent that it may be in order on Friday next for the Speaker to 
    recognize the gentleman from Texas [Mr. Teague], to call the 
    veterans bill (H.R. 12555) under suspension of the rules.
        The Speaker: (1) Is there objection to the request 
    of the gentleman from Oklahoma?
        There was no objection.
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 1. John W. McCormack (Mass.).
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