[Deschler's Precedents, Volume 7, Chapters 22 - 25]
[Chapter 23. Motions]
[E. Motions to Refer or Recommit]
[Â§ 31. As Related to Other Motions; Precedence]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]


[Page 4693-4694]
 
                               CHAPTER 23
 
                                Motions
 
                    E. MOTIONS TO REFER OR RECOMMIT
 
Sec. 31. As Related to Other Motions; Precedence

Previous Question

Sec. 31.1 The motion for the previous question on a motion to recommit 
    takes precedence over an amendment to the motion to recommit.

    On Aug. 11, 1969,(8) the House was considering H.R. 
12982, the District of Columbia Revenue Act of 1969. After Mr. Alvin E. 
O'Konski, of Wisconsin, offered a motion to recommit the bill, Mr. 
Brock Adams, of Washington, was recognized:
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 8. 115 Cong. Rec. 23143, 91st Cong. 1st Sess.
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        Mr. Adams: Mr. Speaker, I have an amendment to the motion to 
    recommit.
        Mr. [John L.] McMillan [of South Carolina]: Mr. Speaker, I move 
    the previous question on the the motion to recommit.

[[Page 4694]]

        The Speaker:(9) The question is on ordering the 
    previous question on the motion to recommit.(10)
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 9. John W. McCormack (Mass.).
10. See also 91 Cong. Rec. 2739, 79th Cong. 1st Sess., Mar. 24, 1945.
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Motion to Recommit With Instructions and ``Straight'' Motions

Sec. 31.2 A motion to recommit with instructions does not take 
    precedence over a straight motion to recommit, both motions being 
    on an equal footing

    On Mar. 29, 1954,(11) the House was considering House 
Resolution 468, relating to expenses incurred in conducting 
investigations authorized by the rules of the House. The Speaker, 
Joseph W. Martin, Jr., of Massachusetts, then recognized Mr. Augustine 
B. Kelley, of Pennsylvania:
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11. 100 Cong. Rec. 3962-67, 83d Cong. 2d Sess.
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        Mr. Kelley of Pennsylvania: Mr Speaker, I offer a motion to 
    recommit.
        The Speaker: Is the gentleman opposed to the resolution?
        Mr. Kelley of Pennsylvania: I am, Mr. Speaker.
        Mr. (Clare E.) Hoffman of Michigan: Mr. Speaker, I have a 
    motion to recommit with instructions.
        The Speaker: The Chair is obliged to say that, by reason of a 
    time-honored custom, the motion to recommit belongs to the minority 
    party if they claim the privilege, and in this instance they have 
    claimed it. Therefore, the Chair is constrained to recognize the 
    gentleman from Pennsylvania [Mr. Kelley], for that purpose.
        Mr. Hoffman of Michigan: Mr. Speaker, does not a motion to 
    recommit with instructions take precedence over a straight motion 
    to recommit?
        The Speaker: It does not. All motions to recommit are on an 
    equal footing.