[Deschler's Precedents, Volume 7, Chapters 22 - 25]
[Chapter 23. Motions]
[G. Unanimous-consent Requests]
[Â§ 42. In General; Effect]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]


[Page 4746-4747]
 
                               CHAPTER 23
 
                                Motions
 
                        F. MOTIONS TO RECONSIDER
 
Sec. 42. In General; Effect

    The unanimous-consent request is a procedural device that is 
available both in the House and Committee of the Whole.(12) 
The limitations on the application of unanimous-consent requests are 
primarily those imposed by the presiding officer in the exercise of his 
discretionary power to recognize Members.(13) However, in at 
least one circumstance the Speaker is proscribed by rule from 
entertaining certain unanimous-consent requests.(14) Also, 
unanimous
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12. See, generally, Sec. 47, infra.
13. See, generally, Sec. Sec. 44, 48, infra.
14. Rule XXXII clause 1, House Rules and Manual Sec. 919 (1981). See 
        also Sec. Sec. 47.5, 47.6, infra.
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[[Page 4747]]

consent may not be requested in the Committee of the Whole on matters 
properly recognizable only in the House.(15)
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15. Sec. Sec. 48.15, 48.16, infra.
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    When a unanimous-consent request has been made, any Member, 
including the Chair,(16) may object. The objection 
terminates the request.(17)
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16. Sec. Sec. 45.4, 45.5, infra.
17. Sec. 45.6, infra.
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    A Member may reserve the right to object to a unanimous-consent 
request and by so doing obtains the floor. However, the Chair may 
refuse to permit debate under the reservation and put the question on 
the request.(1) A Member controlling the floor under a 
reservation of the right to object loses the floor if the request is 
withdrawn.(2) The reservation of the right to object cannot 
be maintained if the regular order is demanded; in that case the 
reserving Member must either object or withdraw his 
reservation.(3)
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 1. Sec. Sec. 46.1, 46.2, infra.
 2. Sec. 46.4, infra.
 3. Sec. 46.6, infra.
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