[Deschler's Precedents, Volume 7, Chapters 22 - 25]
[Chapter 23. Motions]
[Index to Precedents]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]


[Page 4517-4524]
 
                               CHAPTER 23
 
                                Motions


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     Commentary and editing by Alan Scott Frumin, J.D.
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A. Introductory

    Sec. 1. In General
    Sec. 2. Offering, Modifying, and Withdrawing Motions; Form
    Sec. 3. Precedence of Motions
    Sec. 4. Dilatory Motions

B. Motions to Postpone

    Sec. 5. In General
    Sec. 6. When in Order
    Sec. 7. Postponement to a Day Certain
    Sec. 8. Postponement for Indefinite Period

C. Motions to Lay on the Table

    Sec. 9. In General; Application and Effect
   Sec. 10. Offering Motion
   Sec. 11. When in Order
   Sec. 12. As Related to Other Motions; Precedence
   Sec. 13. Taking From the Table

D. Motions for the Previous Question

   Sec. 14. In General
   Sec. 15. Effect of Ordering Previous Question
   Sec. 16. Offering Motion; Who May Offer
   Sec. 17. Rights of Proponent of Motion
   Sec. 18. Time for Motion
   Sec. 19. Relation to Other Matters

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   Sec. 20. Relation to Other Motions
   Sec. 21. Debate
   Sec. 22. Rejection of Motion as Permitting Further Consideration
   Sec. 23. Rejection of Motion as Affecting Recognition
   Sec. 24. Effect of Adjournment

E. Motions to Refer or Recommit

   Sec. 25. In General
   Sec. 26. Purpose and Effect
   Sec. 27. Priorities in Recognition
   Sec. 28. Offering the Motion; Procedure
   Sec. 29. Time for Motion
   Sec. 30. Debating the Motion
   Sec. 31. As Related to Other Motions; Precedence
   Sec. 32. Motions to Recommit With Instructions

F. Motions to Reconsider

   Sec. 33. In General
   Sec. 34. Purpose and Effect; Pro Forma Motion
   Sec. 35. Who May Offer; Calling Up
   Sec. 36. Withdrawing the Motion
   Sec. 37. Requirement for a Quorum
   Sec. 38. As Related to Other Motions
   Sec. 39. Scope and Application of Motion
   Sec. 40. Precedence of Motion
   Sec. 41. Debate on Motion

G. Unanimous-consent Requests

   Sec. 42. In General; Effect
   Sec. 43. Stating the Request; Withdrawal
   Sec. 44. Recognizing Members for Requests

   Sec. 45. Objecting to Requests
   Sec. 46. Reservation of Objection
   Sec. 47. Scope and Application of Request
   Sec. 48. Limitations on Requests

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                         DESCHLER'S PRECEDENTS


                           INDEX TO PRECEDENTS
                                     

Adjournment, effect of, after previous question ordered, Sec. 24.2
Adjournment, effect of, when previous question is moved on Calendar 
    Wednesday, Sec. 24.1
Adjourn sine die, resolution to, as subject to motion to table, 
    Sec. 9.10
Conference report as subject to amendment after defeat of previous 
    question, Sec. 22.15
Conference report, divisibility of motion to recommit with 
    instructions, Sec. Sec. 25.12, 32.30
Conference report, motion to recommit, after previous question, 
    Sec. 30.6
Conference report, motion to recommit as subject to amendment, 
    Sec. Sec. 22.16
Conference report, time for motion to recommit, Sec. Sec. 29.7, 29.8
Consent Calendar, bill on, as subject to motion to table, Sec. 9.13
Delay, intent to, as basis for holding motion dilatory, Sec. 4.2
Dilatory motion, discretion of Chair as to, Sec. Sec. 4.1, 4.4
Dilatory, time for point of order that a motion is, Sec. 4.8
Discharge committee, motion to, as subject to motion to table, 
    Sec. Sec. 9.15, 9.16
Discharge, resolution brought up under motion to, Sec. 14.12
Dispense with further proceedings under a call, motion to, as subject 
    to motion to table, Sec. Sec. 9.26, 12.4
Division, demand for, as dilatory, Sec. 4.7
Impeachment, resolution of, as subject to motion to table, Sec. 9.14
Inquiry, resolutions of, and the motion to table, Sec. Sec. 9.17-9.19
Instruct conferees, motion to, as subject to motion to table, 
    Sec. Sec. 9.7-9.9
Instructions, motion to recommit with
    amendment of, Sec. Sec. 32.2, 32.3
    amendment rejected in Committee of the Whole, Sec. 32.22
    committee, instructions to, Sec. Sec. 32.10, 32.11, 32.16
    conference report, Sec. Sec. 32.29-32.31
    divisibility, Sec. Sec. 25.12, 32.29
    ``forthwith,'' report back, Sec. Sec. 32.23-32.28
    germaneness, requirement of, Sec. Sec. 32.5-32.8, 32.15
    modifying amendment in the nature of a substitute, Sec. Sec. 32.20, 
        32.21
    modifying amendment previously agreed to, Sec. Sec. 32.17-32.21
    not to report back until occurrence of a condition, Sec. 32.12
    precedence, Sec. 32.1
    propriety of, determined by Speaker, Sec. 32.13
Majority, right to offer motion to reconsider, Sec. 35.1
Modifications of motions, Sec. 1
Motion to strike out last word to explain motion to recommit, 
    Sec. 25.10
Order of business, motions relating to as subject to motion to table, 
    Sec. Sec. 9.27, 9.28
Point of order against motion to recommit, time for, Sec. Sec. 25.3, 
    30.3
Point of order on amendment reported from Committee of the Whole, after 
    ordering of previous question, Sec. 15.21
Point of order, second motion to recommit after first ruled out on, 
    Sec. 32.14

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Postpone consideration of privileged resolution, unanimous consent to, 
    Sec. 47.8
Postpone indefinitely, resolution to, Sec. 8.1
Postpone, motion to
    discharge committee, motion to, Sec. 6.4
    previous question ordered, effect of, Sec. 6.1
    resolution of disapproval, Sec. 6.3
    veto message, consideration of, Sec. Sec. 6.2, 7.1-7.3
Previous question considered as ordered, as barring substitute 
    amendment, Sec. 15.15
Previous question, motion for
    administration of House oath, as related to, Sec. 19.3
    applicable in House prior to adoption of rules, Sec. 14.1
    debate, 40 minutes of, after ordering, Sec. Sec. 21.2-21.6
    debate on, not in order, Sec. 21.1
    demand for, effect of, on amendments, Sec. Sec. 15.3-15.6
    demand for, effect of, on debate, Sec. Sec. 15.1, 15.2
    divisibility of, Sec. 14.3
    effect of, Sec. Sec. 15.7, et seq.
    effect of, on amendment to resolution, Sec. Sec. 15.10, 15.11
    effect of, on amendment to special rule, Sec. 15.14
    effect of, on amendments between the Houses, Sec. 15.8
    effect of, on bills reported from Committee of the Whole, 
        Sec. Sec. 15.16, 15.17
    effect of, on motion that House resolve into Committee of the 
        Whole, Sec. 15.20
    effect of, on motion to recommit, Sec. 15.23
    effect of, on motion to reconsider, Sec. 15.9
    effect of, on motion to strike out enacting clause, Sec. 15.13
    effect of, on point of order on amendment reported from Committee 
        of the Whole, Sec. 15.21
    in Committee of the Whole, Sec. Sec. 14.8, 14.9
    in House as in Committee of the Whole, Sec. 14.10
    Member controlling debate may offer, Sec. 16.1
    Member recognized to debate amendment may not be removed from floor 
        by, Sec. 20.7
    Member yielding floor for amendment and right to move, 
        Sec. Sec. 16.2-16.4
    Member yielding floor for debate recognized to move, Sec. 16.5
    preamble of resolution, applicable to, Sec. 14.7
    precedence of, relative to amendment to motion to instruct 
        conferees, Sec. 20.5
    precedence of, relative to amendment to motion to recommit, 
        Sec. 20.4
    precedence of, relative to motion to amend, Sec. Sec. 18.3, 20.2, 
        20.3
    precedence of, relative to motion to amend Journal, Sec. 20.6
    priority of, relative to amendment to resolution, Sec. 19.2
    private bills, application to, Sec. 14.5
    rejection of motion, effect of, as permitting amendment of 
        resolution, Sec. 22.10
    rejection of motion, effect of, as subjecting concurrent resolution 
        to amendment, Sec. 22.8
    rejection of motion, effect of, on motion to concur, Sec. 22.14
    rejection of motion, effect of, on motion to instruct conferees, 
        Sec. 22.12
    rejection of motion, effect of, on motion to recede and concur with 
        amendment, Sec. 22.13

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    rejection of motion, effect of, on recognition, Sec. Sec. 23.1-23.8
    rejection of motion, effect of, on Rules Committee resolution, 
        Sec. Sec. 22.5-22.7
    rejection of motion, effect of, prior to adoption of rules, 
        Sec. Sec. 22.1, 23.3-23.5, 23.8
    rejection of motion, effect on debate of conference report, 
        Sec. 22.15
    relative to motion to table, Sec. 20.1
    renewing the motion, Sec. Sec. 14.4, 22.17
    rights of moving Member relative to question of personal privilege, 
        Sec. 17.2
    scope of motion, Sec. 14.2
    suspend the rules, motion to not subject to previous question, 
        Sec. 14.11
    time fixed for debate, offer of motion during, Sec. 18.1
    unanimous-consent request, relation to, Sec. Sec. 14.13, 14.14, 
        15.18
Privilege, motion having higher, put first, Sec. 3.1
Privileges of the House, resolution pertaining to, as subject to motion 
    to table, Sec. 9.25
Proponent of motion to recommit, yielding for amendment after debate, 
    Sec. 30.2
Recommit, motion to
    amendment of, Sec. Sec. 25.1, 25.2
    application to amendment reported in disagreement by conferees, 
        Sec. 26.19
    bill on Consent Calendar, Sec. 26.14
    conference report, motion to recommit, Sec. 30.6
    debate, time for, Sec. Sec. 30.1, 30.5
    election contest resolution, Sec. 26.3
    engrossment and third reading, time for motion after, Sec. 29.1
    floor manager of measure, recognition to offer, Sec. 27.26
    majority member opposed to measure, recognition to offer, 
        Sec. 27.25
    Member favoring measure, recognition to offer, Sec. 27.13
    member of committee reporting measure, recognition to offer, 
        Sec. Sec. 27.18-27.23
    Member opposed to measure ``in its present form,'' recognition to 
        offer, Sec. Sec. 27.8, 27.9, 27.17, 27.22
    Member opposed to some features of the measure, recognition to 
        offer, Sec. 27.7
    Member opposed without reservation, recognition to offer, 
        Sec. Sec. 27.10, 27.11
    minority opinion, expression of, relative to, Sec. 26.1
    minority preference, in recognition to offer, Sec. Sec. 27.15-
        27.20, 27.22
    modify amendment previously agreed to, Sec. Sec. 26.17, 26.18
    motion made after announcement of result of vote, Sec. 29.6
    motion made after yeas and nays ordered on passage, Sec. 29.5
    precedence as between straight motion and motion with instructions, 
        Sec. 31.2
    precedence of amendment to motion, and motion for previous 
        question, Sec. 31.1
    prerogative of Speaker in recognizing to offer, Sec. 27.1
    previous question, time for motion after, Sec. Sec. 29.4, 29.7
    privileged resolution from Committee on Rules, Sec. 25.11
    proponent of amendment to, as opposed to measure to be recommitted, 
        Sec. 27.14
    recognizing minority members in order of seniority, Sec. 27.20
    reference to committee, Sec. Sec. 25.4, 25.5
    resolution certifying contumacious conduct, Sec. 26.13

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    second motion after first motion ruled out of order, Sec. 25.7
    special order, effect of, Sec. Sec. 25.8, 25.9, 26.5
    time for motion as to conference report, Sec. Sec. 29.7, 29.8
    use of, to instruct House committee, Sec. 26.2
    written, requirement that motion be, Sec. 28.1
Recommitted by unanimous consent
    bill on Private Calendar, 026.15
Recommittal of bill improperly reported to House, Sec. Sec. 26.11, 
    26.12
Recommittal of funding resolution, Sec. 26.16
Recommitted conference report, status of, Sec. Sec. 26.8-26.10
Reconsider, motion to
    calling up, Sec. 35.5
    Committee of the Whole, not in order in, Sec. Sec. 38.6, 39.10-
        39.13
    committee, use in, Sec. Sec. 39.1, 39.2
    debate on, Sec. Sec. 38.7, 41.1, 41.2
    laid on table, Sec. Sec. 34.1, 34.2
    majority, prerogative of, Sec. 35.1
    point of order against, timeliness of, Sec. 35.4
    question of consideration, not in order on, Sec. 39.14
    quorum, when required, Sec. 37.1
    recapitulation, demand for, relative to, Sec. 40.1
    second motion after consideration of first, Sec. Sec. 39.15, 39.16
    Senate, Sec. Sec. 39.8, 39.9
    table, motion to, as related to, Sec. Sec. 38.1-38.4
    tabling of motion, as precluding second motion to reconsider, 
        Sec. 34.5
    unanimous consent to table, Sec. 34.4
    unanimous consent to vacate tabling of, Sec. 38.5
    withdrawal of, Sec. 36.1
Reconsider vote on, motion to
    conference report, Sec. 39.4
    expunging speech from Congressional Record, Sec. 39.7
    House bill, in Senate, Sec. 39.8
    motion to recommit, Sec. Sec. 39.5, 39.6
    motion to table, Sec. 39.3
Rereading of motion, Sec. Sec. 2.4, 2.5
Rerefer bill, motion to, as subject to motion to table, Sec. 9.12
Rules, Committee on, resolution from, as subject to amendment, 
    Sec. Sec. 22.5, 22.6
Rules, Committee on, resolution from, as subject to motion to table, 
    Sec. Sec. 9.21-9.24
Senate, message from, after ordering of previous question, Sec. 19.4
Senate, motion to recommit with instructions in, Sec. Sec. 32.32, 32.33
Statement of motion by Chair as governing, Sec. 2.3
Strike out enacting clause, motion to, after previous question ordered, 
    Sec. 15.13
Strike out enacting clause, motion to, pending report of committee 
    pursuant to motion to recommit, Sec. 32.26
Suspend the rules, motion to not subject to previous question, 
    Sec. 14.11
Table, motion to lay on
    appeal of decision of Chair, Sec. Sec. 9.3, 9.4
    Committee of the Whole, use in, Sec. Sec. 9.29, 9.30
    debate, before Member recognized for, Sec. Sec. 11.1, 11.2
    debate on, in Senate, Sec. 9.31
    debate on, not allowed, Sec. 9.6
    dispensing with further proceedings under a call, as related to, 
        Sec. 12.4

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    effect of, as adverse disposition of measure, Sec. 9.1
    order of business, as related to, Sec. Sec. 9.27, 9.28
    previous question, precedence of, relative to, Sec. Sec. 12.1-12.3
    question of consideration, raising, after, Sec. 9.20
    recommit, motion to, as related to, Sec. 12.5
    reorganization plan, motion to consider, not subject to motion to 
        table, Sec. 11.3
    take from table by unanimous consent, Sec. Sec. 13.1, 13.2
    unanimous consent to take from the table, Sec. Sec. 13.1, 13.2
    written, demand that motion be, timeliness of, Sec. 10.1
Unanimous-consent requests
    alternative request, Sec. 43.2
    Committee of the Whole, extension of remarks in, Sec. 48.16
    Committee of the Whole, to correct section numbers of bill in, 
        Sec. 48.15
    Consent Calendar, consideration of bills not on, Sec. 48.9
    leadership, approval of, prior to making, Sec. 44.1
    legislative business, after announcement regarding schedule of, 
        Sec. Sec. 48.6, 48.7
    motion to suspend the rules, recognition to make, pending, Sec.44.3
    multiple requests, Sec. 48.1
    Private Calendar, bills on, relation to, Sec. Sec. 48.8, 48.9
    recognition for, Speaker's discretion, Sec. Sec. 45.4, 48.3
    rerefer, motion to, to permit debate on, Sec. 47.7
    reservation of right to object and demand for regular order, 
        Sec.46.5, 46.6
    reservation of right to object to, Sec. Sec. 46.1, 46.2
    second request pending first request, Sec. 48.1
    Speaker prohibited from entertaining certain Sec. Sec. 47.5, 47.6
    statement by Chair governs, Sec. 43.1
    withdrawal of, Sec. 46.4
    yeas and nays, after ordering of, Sec. 48.14
Unanimous-consent requests, objection to
    after Chair announces that he hears none, Sec. 45.3
    before request put by Chair, Sec. 45.2
    by Chair, Sec. 45.5
    effect of, Sec. 45.6
    Member making must rise from seat, Sec. 45.1
Unanimous-consent requests, purpose of
    address House on future days, Sec. 48.12
    amend after previous question ordered, Sec. 48.13
    amend amendment, Sec. 47.3
    call up nonprivileged resolution, Sec. 47.4
    close debate on unread titles, Sec. 47.1
    committee may sit while House reads bills for amendment, Sec.48.2
    committee voting record of Member be inserted in Record, Sec.47.11
    debate motion to rerefer, Sec. 47.7
    delete words taken down, Sec. 47.10
    dispense with reading of amendment, Sec. 47.2
    extend remarks in Committee of the Whole, Sec. 48.16
    modify words taken down, Sec. 47.9
    postpone consideration of privileged resolution, Sec. 47.8
    produce committee documents, Sec. 48.4
    revoke special order, Sec. 48.11

[[Page 4524]]

    take bill with Senate amendment from Speaker's table, Sec. 44.2
    waive requirements of rules, Sec. Sec. 47.5, 47.6
Vacate proceedings, unanimous-consent request to, Sec. Sec. 38.5, 38.6
Veto message
    motion to discharge, tabling of, Sec. 9.15
    motion to postpone consideration of, Sec. Sec. 6.2, 7.1-7.3
    motion to table, Sec. 9.5
Withdrawal of motion, Sec. Sec. 1, 2.6-2.8
Withdrawal of motion after yeas and nays ordered, Sec. 2.9
Withdrawal of motion in Committee of the Whole, Sec. 2.10
Written, motions must be, upon demand of Member, Sec. 2.1

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