[Deschler's Precedents, Volume 7, Chapters 22 - 25]
[Chapter 23. Motions]
[C. Motions to Lay on the Table]
[Â§ 10. Offering Motion]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]


[Page 4566-4567]
 
                               CHAPTER 23
 
                                Motions
 
                     C. MOTIONS TO LAY ON THE TABLE
 
Sec. 10 Offering Motion

Demand That Motion Be in Writing

Sec. 10.1 A demand that the motion to lay on the table a motion to 
    instruct conferees be in writing comes too late after the motion 
    has been stated and the Chair has responded to several 
    parliamentary inquiries.

    On Aug. 8, 1961,(1) after the House had agreed to send 
to conference H.R. 7576, authorizing appropriations for the Atomic 
Energy Commission, Mr. James E. Van Zandt, of Pennsylvania, offered a 
motion to instruct the House conferees. After one hour of debate on 
this motion, the following occurred (with Carl Albert,
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 1. 107 Cong. Rec. 14949-58, 87th Cong. 1st Sess.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 4567]]

 of Oklahoma, as the Speaker pro tempore):

        The Speaker Pro Tempore: The question is on the motion offered 
    by the gentleman from Pennsylvania [Mr. Van Zandt].
        Mr. [Clarence] Cannon [of Missouri]: Mr. Speaker, I move that 
    the motion to instruct conferees be laid on the table.
        Mr. [Charles A.] Halleck [of Indiana]: Mr. Speaker, a 
    parliamentary inquiry.
        The Speaker Pro Tempore: The gentleman will state it.
        Mr. Halleck: Under the rules of the House, is this motion to 
    table in order?
        The Speaker Pro Tempore: The motion is in order.
        Mr. Halleck: If the motion to table is voted down, will the 
    vote then come on the motion itself?
        The Speaker Pro Tempore: On ordering the previous question on 
    the motion. . . .
        Mr. [Chet] Holifield [of California]: Mr. Speaker, a 
    parliamentary inquiry.
        The Speaker Pro Tempore: The gentleman will state it.
        Mr. Holifield: Mr. Speaker, a yea vote on this motion would 
    dispose of this matter and defeat the motion offered by the 
    gentleman from Pennsylvania [Mr. Van Zandt]?
        The Speaker Pro Tempore: It would have that effect.
        Mr. Halleck: Mr. Speaker, a further parliamentary inquiry.
        The Speaker Pro Tempore: The gentleman will state it.
        Mr. Halleck: Mr. Speaker, a vote against tabling the motion 
    offered by the gentleman from Pennsylvania would give us the right 
    then to vote on the motion which has been offered by the gentleman 
    from Pennsylvania?
        The Speaker Pro Tempore: The gentleman has properly stated the 
    situation.
        Mr. Van Zandt: Mr. Speaker, is it not a rule of the House that 
    a motion must be at the Clerk's desk in writing?
        The Speaker Pro Tempore: It must be submitted in writing if a 
    Member at the time insists, but such a demand is not in order at 
    this time. . . .
        The question was taken; and there were--yeas 164, nays 235, not 
    voting 38.