    [Constitution, Jefferson's Manual, and the Rules of the House of Representatives, 106th Congress]
    [106th Congress]
    [House Document 105-358]
    [Rules of the House of Representatives]
    [Pages 620-641]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

    Suspensions, Mondays and Tuesdays
                  Rule XV.--BUSINESS IN ORDER ON SPECIAL DAYS

    [[Page 621]]

    and Tuesdays and during the last six days of a session of Congress.

    885. Motions to suspend the rules.

      1. (a)  A rule may not be
    suspended except by a vote of two-thirds of the Members voting, a quorum
    being present. The Speaker may not entertain a motion that the House
    suspend the rules except on Mondays

      This provision (former clause 1 of rule XXVII) has been built up
    gradually on an old rule of 1794, which provided that no rule should be
    rescinded without one day's notice. In 1822 a clause was added that no
    rule should be suspended except by a two-thirds vote; and in 1828 it was
    provided that the order of business, as established by the rules, should
    not be changed except by a two-thirds vote. This provision marks the
    great purpose of the motion, which was to give a means of getting
    consideration for bills which could not get forward under the rule for
    the order of business. Originally in order on any day, the motion was,
    in 1847, restricted to Mondays of each week, and, in 1880, to the first
    and third Mondays of each month. In 1874 the old limit of 10 days at the
    end of the session was reduced to six days. In the 93d Congress, the
    rule was amended to permit the Speaker to recognize for such motions on
    the first and third Mondays and on the Tuesdays immediately following
    those days and to eliminate the distinction between days on which
    committees and individuals had preference (H. Res. 6, Jan. 3, 1973, pp.
    26, 27); and in the 95th Congress, the rule was amended to permit the
    Speaker to recognize for such motions on every Monday and Tuesday (H.
    Res. 5, Jan. 4, 1977, 95th Cong., pp. 53-70). Before the House
    recodified its rules in the 106th Congress, this provision was found in
    former clause 1 of rule XXVII (H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 1999, p. ----).
    Originally of great use in establishing the order of business, when the
    older and more defective rules for the order of business existed, the
    use of the motion has changed since the House in 1890 adopted rules for
    the order of business which enables the House on any day to go to any
    public bills on its calendars. About the same time the perfection of the
    process of getting bills before the House out of order by a majority
    vote through a report from the Committee on Rules further diminished the
    importance of the motion to suspend the rules (V, 6790).

    [[Page 622]]

    as well as to the other rules of the House (V, 6796), and may even be
    used to deny the right to have read a paper on which the House is to
    vote (V, 5278-5284). While it has been held that the right of a Member
    to have read the paper on which he is called to vote is not changed by
    the fact that the procedure is by suspension of the rules (V, 5277;
    VIII, 3400), the precedents are not uniform in this regard, and in
    earlier instances the separate motion to suspend the rules and dispense
    with reading of pendings bills, amendments, and Senate amendments was
    held in order (V, 5278-84). Under the modern practice, only the motion
    ``to suspend the rules and pass'' is itself read and is held to suspend
    all rules inconsistent with its purposes, including a rule requiring
    that a recess be taken (V, 5752), or that a quorum be present when a
    bill is reported from committee (Sept. 22, 1992, p. 26932). Thus only
    the title of the bill is normally read by the Clerk, and amendments
    included in the motion are not reported separately, but the Chair may,
    in his discretion, where objection is made to that procedure, require
    the reading of an amendment which is not printed or otherwise available
    (July 17, 1950, p. 10448). Where a motion to suspend the rules and agree
    to a resolution which provided for concurring in a Senate amendment with
    an amendment consisting of the text of a bill introduced in the House,
    the Speaker ruled that reading of the resolution itself was sufficient
    and that it could be re-read to the House only by unanimous consent
    (Dec. 21, 1973, pp. 43251-63). It may be used also to change a rule (V,
    6862), or to make a new rule, as was more frequently done in the earlier
    years of the House when it was the only way for making a special order
    except by unanimous consent (IV, 3152-3162). In the later practice
    special orders may still be made by motion to suspend the rules (IV,
    3154); but usually they are made by majority vote of the House on a
    report from the Committee on Rules (IV, 3169). The motion to suspend may
    include a series of actions, as the discharge of a committee from
    consideration of a bill and the passage of it (V, 6850), the
    reconsideration of the vote passing a bill, amendment of it, and passage
    again (V, 6849), the permission to a committee to report several bills
    (V, 6857), an order to the Clerk to incorporate in the engrossment of a
    general appropriation bill a provision not otherwise in order (IV,
    3845), an authorization to the House to entertain a specified motion to
    suspend the rules on a future day, not a suspension day (IV, 3845), a
    motion to take a bill (V, 6288; VIII, 3425), or a motion to reconsider,
    from the table (V, 5640). A motion to suspend the rules may provide for
    the passage of a bill regardless of whether it has been reported or
    referred to any calendar or even previously introduced (VIII, 3421; July
    16, 1996, p. 17228), may include an amendment without the formality of
    committee approval (June 22, 1992, p. 15617), and may provide for
    agreeing to a conference report which has been ruled out of order by the
    Speaker (Dec. 20, 1974, p. 41860). One motion to suspend the rules
    having been rejected, the Speaker may recognize for a similar motion
    (Dec. 21, 1973, pp. 43270-81).

    [[Page 623]]

    Sec. 886. Nature of the motion to suspend the
    rules.

      While originally  the motion was used to suspend the rule on the order of
    business in order to consider a particular bill (V, 6852, 6853), in the
    later practice it is more usual to move ``to suspend the rules and
    pass'' the bill (V, 6846, 6847), and a division of the question may not
    be demanded, either as to the two branches of the motion or as to
    distinct substantive propositions in the subject of the motion (V, 6141-
    6143). The motion may not be amended (V, 5322, 5405, 6858; Dec. 21,
    1973, pp. 43251-63; June 4, 1985, pp. 13983, 13986, 13989), postponed
    (V, 5322), or laid on the table (V, 5405). The motion to reconsider may
    not be applied to a negative vote on the motion (V, 5645, 5646; VIII,
    2781; Sept. 28, 1996, p. ----), although it may be applied to an
    affirmative vote (Sept. 28, 1996, p. ----). The motion to refer may not
    be applied to the bill which it is proposed to pass under suspension of
    the rules (V, 6860). The motion to suspend the rules applied to the
    parliamentary law of Jefferson's Manual

    [[Page 624]]

    the use of the Hall of the House (clause 1 of rule IV; V, 7270) or
    prohibiting the introduction of persons in the galleries (clause 7 of
    rule XVII; VI, 197). Where a special rule requires that the object of a
    motion to suspend the rules be announced on the floor at least one hour
    prior to the Chair's entertaining the motion, unanimous consent is
    required to permit the Chair to entertain the motion prior to that time
    (Sept. 28, 1996, p. ----).

    Sec. 887. Precedence of the motion to suspend the
    rules.

      In the  early practice, when the motion to suspend the rules was used
    to enable a matter to be taken up for consideration out of order, it was
    not admitted when a subject was already before the House (V, 5278, 6836,
    6837, 6852, 6853). A bill taken up under this early practice might be
    amended (V, 6842, 6856) by the House, or withdrawn by the mover, in
    which case another Member might not present it (V, 6854, 6855). In the
    later practice, where the motion includes both suspension of the rules
    and action on the subject it is admitted, although another matter be
    pending (V, 6834), although the yeas and nays may have been demanded on
    another highly privileged motion (V, 6835), or although the previous
    question may have been ordered or moved on another matter (V, 6827; see
    also Sept. 17, 1990, p. 24695; V, 6831-6833; VIII, 3418). Earlier
    rulings, however, did not, while a series of Senate amendments were
    pending, permit a motion to suspend the rules in order to permit a vote
    to be taken on the amendments in gross (V, 6828, 6830). But in the
    earlier practice, while a matter was pending, a motion to suspend the
    rules in order to dispense with the reading otherwise required was
    admitted (V, 5278). The motion to suspend the rules has been ruled out
    of order when the House is considering a bill under a special order (V,
    6838); and when a question of high privilege under rule IX is before the
    House a motion to suspend the rules and consider another matter is not
    in order (V, 6825, 6826; VI, 553, 565). But the motion to suspend the
    rules has been held of equal privilege with the motion to instruct
    conferees after 20 days of conference, which under former clause 1(c) of
    rule XXVIII (current clause 7(c) of rule XXII) is of the highest
    privilege (Mar. 1, 1988, pp. 2749, 2751, 2754). A motion to suspend the
    rules and approve the Journal was held in order, although the Journal
    had not been read and the then highly privileged motion to fix the day
    to which the House should adjourn was pending (IV, 2758). While the
    motion is of high privilege, it may be superseded by a question of the
    privilege of the House (III, 2553; VI, 565). Pursuant to clause 1(b) of
    rule XV the Speaker may entertain one motion to adjourn pending a motion
    to suspend the rules, but after that vote shall not entertain any other
    motion until the vote is taken on the motion to suspend the rules.
    Moreover, in the absence of a motion to suspend, the ordinary motions
    relating to business of the House may be made on suspension days as on
    other days (IV, 3080). The motion to suspend the rules may be made on
    days other than suspension days by unanimous consent (V, 6795) or by
    adoption of a resolution reported by the Rules Committee. On suspension
    days the motion to suspend the rules has been admitted at the discretion
    of the Speaker since 1881 (V, 6791-6794, 6845; VIII, 3402-3404), and no
    appeal may be taken from the Speaker's denial of recognition (II, 1425),
    and no advance notice to Members of bills to be called up under
    suspension of the rules is required (Mar. 20, 1978, p. 7535), but the
    rules forbid the Speaker to entertain a motion to suspend the rules
    relating to the privilege of the floor (clause 2(b) of rule IV; V, 7283;
    VIII, 3634),

    Sec. 888. Individual and committee motions to suspend
    the rules.

      Prior to  the 93d Congress, the rule gave to individuals preference
    on the first Monday of the month for making motions to suspend the
    rules, and preference on the third Mondays for committees to make the
    motion (V, 6790). In rare instances the Speaker has called the
    committees in regular order for motions to suspend the rules, but this
    method is not required (V, 6810, 6811). In the earlier practice the
    committee motion must have been formally and specifically authorized by
    the committee (V, 6805-6807); but after the motion was seconded and
    debate had begun it was too late to raise a question as to the
    authorization (V, 6808). Under the later practice authorization by a
    committee is not required (VIII, 3410). The committee may not present a
    bill which has not been referred to it (V, 6813) and is not within its
    jurisdiction (V, 6848). A bill offered on a committee suspension day, in
    the early practice, could carry with it only such amendments as were
    authorized by a committee (V, 6812), but in the modern practice the
    formality of committee approval is not required (June 22, 1992, p.
    15617). If on a committee day an individual motion was made and
    seconded, it was then too late to make a point of order (V, 6809).

    [[Page 625]]

    on the vote for a second, under clause 6 of rule XX the yeas and nays
    were ordered (IV, 3053-3055; Dec. 21, 1973, pp. 43251-63). Where the
    Chair allocates the time in opposition to the motion to the ranking
    minority member of the reporting committee, a challenge that that member
    does not qualify by being opposed, in order to control such time, must
    be made when the time is allocated by the Chair (May 15, 1984, p. 12215;
    Speaker Wright, June 2, 1987, p. 14223). The motion to suspend the rules
    may be withdrawn at any time before the Chair puts the question and a
    voice vote is taken thereon (July 27, 1981, p. 17563; July 16, 1996, p.
    17228).

    Sec. 889. The second of the motion to suspend the
    rules.

      Prior to  the 102d Congress, certain motions to suspend the rules were
    required to be seconded, if demanded, by a majority by tellers, but this
    requirement was eliminated from the rule in the 102d Congress (H. Res.
    5, Jan. 3, 1991, p. 39). This requirement for a second was adopted in
    1874, was rescinded two years later, but was again adopted in 1880. The
    object of it was to prevent consumption of the time of the House by
    forcing consideration of undesirable propositions (V, 6797). The
    requirement (former clause 2 of rule XXVII) was amended in the 96th
    Congress (H. Res. 5, Jan. 15, 1979, pp. 7-16) so that a second was not
    required where printed copies of the proposed measure were available.
    Copies of reports on bills considered under suspension are not required
    to be available in advance. The constitutional right of a Member to
    demand the yeas and nays, or the right of a Member under clause 1(b) of
    rule XX to demand a recorded vote, did not exist on the question of
    ordering a second under the former clause 2 of rule XXVII, which only
    permitted the ordering of a second by tellers if a quorum was present
    (V, 6032-6036; VIII, 3109; Dec. 16, 1981, p. 31851). The fact that a
    majority of the Members of the House did not pass between the tellers on
    the question of ordering a second did not conclusively show that a
    quorum was not present in the Chamber, and the Speaker could count the
    House to determine whether a quorum was actually present (Dec. 16, 1981,
    p. 31851). But where a quorum failed

    Sec. 890. Dilatory motions pending motions to suspend
    rules.

      (b)  Pending a motion that the House suspend the rules, the Speaker
    may entertain one motion that the House adjourn. After the result of
    such a motion is announced, the Speaker may not entertain any other
    motion until the vote is taken on the suspension.

      This provision (former clause 8 of rule XVI) was adopted in 1868 (V,
    5743), and amended in 1911 (VIII, 2823). A motion for a recess (V, 5748-
    5751) and for a call of the House when there was no doubt of the
    presence of a quorum (V, 5747) were held to be dilatory motions within
    the meaning of the rule. But where a motion to suspend the rules has
    been made and, after one motion to adjourn has been acted on, a quorum
    has failed, another motion to adjourn has been admitted (V, 5744-5746).

    Sec. 891. The 40 minutes of debate on motion to suspend
    the rules.

      (c)  A motion that the House suspend the rules is debatable for
    40 minutes, one-half in favor of the motion and one-half in opposition
    thereto.

    [[Page 626]]

    the bill, in which event some Member in favor is recognized for debate
    (VIII, 3416). Where recognition for the 20 minutes in opposition is
    contested, the Speaker will accord priority first on the basis of true
    opposition, then on the basis of committee membership, and only then on
    the basis of party affiliation, the latter preference inuring to the
    minority party (VIII, 3415; Nov. 18, 1991, p. 32510; Sept. 27, 1996, p.
    ----). The Chair will not examine the degree of opposition to the motion
    by a member of the committee who seeks the time in opposition (Aug. 3,
    1999, p. ----). When the mover and the opponent divide their time with
    others, the practice as to alternation of recognitions is not insisted
    on so rigidly as in other debate (II, 1442). Debate should be confined
    to the object of the motion and may not range to the merits of a bill
    not scheduled for suspension on that day (Nov. 23, 1991, p. 34189).
      This provision (former clause 2 of rule XXVII) was adopted 1880 (V,
    6821). It was amended and redesignated from clause 3 to clause 2 of rule
    XXVII in the 102d Congress to conform to the repeal of the former clause
    2, relating to the requirement of a second (H. Res. 5, Jan. 3, 1991, p.
    39). Before the House recodified its rules in the 106th Congress, this
    provision was found in former clause 2 of rule XXVII. Former clause 2
    consisted of paragraph (b) and another provision currently found in
    clause 1(a) of rule XIX permitting 40 minutes debate on an otherwise
    debatable question on which the previous question has been ordered
    without debate (H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 1999, p. ----). Before the adoption
    of this provision in 1880 (V, 6821) the motion to suspend the rules was
    not debatable (V, 5405, 6820). The 40 minutes of debate is divided
    between the mover and a Member opposed to the bill, unless it develops
    that the mover is opposed to

      This paragraph formerly included a provision dealing with the
    Speaker's authority to postpone further proceedings on motions to
    suspend the rules and pass bills or resolutions. It was added in the 93d
    Congress (H. Res. 998, Apr. 9, 1974, pp. 10195-99), amended in the 95th
    Congress (H. Res. 5, Jan. 4, 1977, pp. 53-70), and amended further in
    the 96th Congress (H. Res. 5, Jan. 15, 1979, pp. 7-16). It was deleted
    entirely in the 97th Congress (H. Res. 5, Jan. 5, 1981, pp. 98-113) when
    all of the Speaker's postponing authorities were consolidated into
    clause 5 of rule I (current clause 8 of rule XX).

                                                           Rule XV, clause 2
    Rule XV, clause 2
    Discharge motions, second and fourth Mondays

    892. Motion to discharge a committee.

      2. (a)  Motions to
    discharge committees shall be in order on the second and fourth Mondays
    of a month.

      (b)(1) A Member may present to the Clerk a motion in writing to
    discharge--

          (A) a committee from consideration of a public bill or public
    resolution that has been referred to it for 30 legislative days; or

    [[Page 627]]

    has been referred to a standing committee for 30 legislative days.
          (B) the Committee on Rules from consideration of a resolution that
    has been referred to it for seven legislative days and that proposes a
    special order of business for the consideration of a public bill or
    public resolution that has been reported by a standing committee or

      (2) Only one motion may be presented for a bill or resolution. A
    Member may not file a motion to discharge the Committee on Rules from
    consideration of a resolution providing for the consideration of more
    than one public bill or public resolution or admitting or effecting a
    nongermane amendment to a public bill or public resolution.

    [[Page 628]]

      (c) A motion presented under paragraph (b) shall be placed in the
    custody of the Clerk, who shall arrange a convenient place for the
    signatures of Members. A signature may be withdrawn by a Member in
    writing at any time before a motion is entered on the Journal. The Clerk
    shall make signatures a matter of public record, causing the names of
    the Members who have signed a discharge motion during a week to be
    published in a portion of the Congressional Record designated for that
    purpose on the last legislative day of the week and making cumulative
    lists of such names available each day for public inspection in an
    appropriate office of the House. The Clerk shall devise a means for
    making such lists available to offices of the House and to the public in
    electronic form. When a majority of the total membership of the House
    shall have signed the motion, it shall be entered on the Journal,
    printed with the signatures thereto in the Record, and referred to the
    Calendar of Motions to Discharge Committees.

      (d)(1) On the second and fourth Mondays of a month (except during the
    last six days of a session of Congress), immediately after the Pledge of
    Allegiance to the Flag, a motion to discharge that has been on the
    calendar for at least seven legislative days shall be privileged if
    called up by a Member whose signature appears thereon. When such a
    motion is called up, the House shall proceed to its consideration under
    this paragraph without intervening motion except one motion to adjourn.
    Privileged motions to discharge shall have precedence in the order of
    their entry on the Journal.

      (2) When a motion to discharge is called up, the bill or resolution to
    which it relates shall be read by title only. The motion is debatable
    for 20 minutes, one-half in favor of the motion and one-half in
    opposition thereto.

      (e)(1) If a motion prevails to discharge the Committee on Rules from
    consideration of a resolution, the House shall immediately consider the
    resolution, pending which the Speaker may entertain one motion that the
    House adjourn. After the result of such a motion to adjourn is
    announced, the Speaker may not entertain any other dilatory motion until
    the resolution has been disposed of. If the resolution is adopted, the
    House shall immediately proceed to its execution.

    [[Page 629]]

    bill or resolution shall be privileged if offered by a Member whose
    signature appeared on the motion to discharge. The motion to proceed is
    not debatable. If the motion to proceed is adopted, the bill or
    resolution shall be considered immediately under the general rules of
    the House. If unfinished before adjournment of the day on which it is
    called up, the bill or resolution shall remain the unfinished business
    until it is disposed of. If the motion to proceed is rejected, the bill
    or resolution shall be referred to the appropriate calendar, where it
    shall have the same status as if the committee from which it was
    discharged had duly reported it to the House.
      (2) If a motion prevails to discharge a standing committee from
    consideration of a public bill or public resolution, a motion that the
    House proceed to the immediate consideration of such

      (f)(1) When a motion to discharge originated under this clause has
    once been acted on by the House, it shall not be in order to entertain
    during the same session of Congress--

          (A) a motion to discharge a committee from consideration of that
    bill or resolution or of any other bill or resolution that, by relating
    in substance to or dealing with the same subject matter, is
    substantially the same; or

          (B) a motion to discharge the Committee on Rules from
    consideration of a resolution providing a special order of business for
    the consideration of that bill or resolution or of any other bill or
    resolution that, by relating in substance to or dealing with the same
    subject matter, is substantially the same.

    [[Page 630]]

    dered out of order under subparagraph (1) shall be stricken from that
    calendar.

      (2) A motion to discharge on the Calendar of Motions to Discharge
    Committees that is ren

      This clause (former clause 3 of rule XXVII) was adopted December 8,
    1931 and amended January 3, 1935 (VII, 1007). It displaced a rule
    providing for a motion to instruct a committee to report a public bill
    or resolution. The first discharge rule was adopted in the 61st Congress
    (June 17, 1910, pp. 8439, 8445). It was amended during the 62d Congress
    (Apr. 4-5, 1911, pp. 18, 80). It was further amended in the 62d Congress
    (H. Res. 407, Feb. 3, 1912, p. 1685), the 68th Congress (H. Res. 146,
    Jan. 18, 1924, p. 1143), and the 69th Congress (H. Res. 6, Dec. 7, 1925,
    p. 383). This provision was redesignated from clause 4 to clause 3 in
    the 102d Congress to conform to the repeal of the former clause 2 of
    rule XXVII, relating to the requirement of a second; it was at the same
    time amended to enable debate on a resolution discharged from the
    Committee on Rules (H. Res. 5, Jan. 3, 1991, p. 39). Under the previous
    form of the rule, where the Committee on Rules was discharged from
    further consideration of a resolution the House immediately voted on
    adoption of the resolution (Speaker Rayburn, Jan. 24, 1944, p. 631).

      In the 103d Congress, after a successful petition under this clause
    placed on the calendar a motion to discharge the Committee on Rules from
    further consideration of a resolution to require publication of the
    names of Members who had signed pending discharge petitions, the clause
    was so amended (H. Res. 134, Sept. 28, 1993, p. 22698). In the 104th
    Congress the clause was amended to ensure the periodic publication of
    such names (sec. 219, H. Res. 6, Jan. 4, 1995, p. 468). Before the 103d
    Congress signatures on a motion to discharge a committee were not made
    public until the requisite number had signed the motion (VII, 1008; Apr.
    12, 1934, p. 6489). In the 105th Congress the clause was amended to
    clarify that, to be a proper object of a discharge petition, a
    resolution providing a special rule must address the consideration of
    only one measure and must not propose to admit or effect a nongermane
    amendment (H. Res. 5, Jan. 7, 1997, p. ----).

      The phrase ``a majority of the total membership of the House'' was
    construed to mean 218 Members (Speaker Byrns, Apr. 15, 1936, p. 5509),
    not including Delegates or the Resident Commissioner. The word ``days''
    has been construed to mean ``legislative days'' (Speaker Bankhead, Dec.
    10, 1937, p. 1300). The rule does not authorize signature of discharge
    motions by proxy (VII, 1014). When a Member withdraws his signature from
    a discharge petition at any time before it garners 218 signatures and is
    entered on the Journal, the withdrawal is printed in the Record (Apr.
    23, 1998, p. ----).

    [[Page 631]]

    from further consideration of a resolution providing for an
    investigating committee (Apr. 23, 1934, p. 7161).
      The rule does not apply to a bill that has been reported by a
    committee during the interval between the placing of a motion to
    discharge on the calendar and the day when such motion is called up for
    action in the House (Apr. 23, 1934, p. 7156). The Committee on Rules may
    not be discharged

      The death or resignation of a Member who has signed a motion does not
    invalidate his signature (May 31, 1934, p. 10159). It may be withdrawn
    by his successor (Dec. 7, 1943, p. 10388; Jan. 17, 1946, p. 96; Mar. 5,
    1946, p. 1968; July 30, 1946, pp. 10464, 10491; Mar. 2, 1948, pp. 1993,
    2001; Jan. 16, 1950, p. 436). The seven days that the motion must be on
    the calendar before it may be called up begins to run as of the day the
    motion is placed on the calendar (Dec. 14, 1937, p. 1517). A discharge
    petition in the 102d Congress received the requisite number of
    signatures on the same day it was filed (May 20, 1992, p. 12222), and
    subsequently by unanimous consent the House dispensed with the motion to
    discharge and agreed to consider the object of the petition (a special
    order of business resolution) on a date certain under the same terms as
    if discharged by motion (June 4, 1992, p. 13618). In the 103d Congress a
    discharge petition also received the requisite number of signatures on
    the same day it was filed (Feb. 24, 1994, p. 2999).

      The right to close 20 minute debate on a motion to discharge a
    committee is reserved to the proponents of the motion (VII, 1010a); and
    the chairman of the committee being discharged, if opposed to the
    motion, has been recognized to control the 10 minutes in opposition
    (Aug. 10, 1970, p. 27999).

      Where a measure not requiring consideration in the Committee of the
    Whole House on the state of the Union is brought before the House by a
    successful motion to discharge, the Member moving its consideration is
    recognized in the House under the hour rule (Aug. 10, 1970, p. 28004).

      The point of order provided in clause 4 of rule XXI (former clause
    5(a) of rule XXI) does not apply to an appropriation in a bill taken
    away from a committee by the motion to discharge (VII, 1019a).

      Under Jefferson's Manual (Sec. 364, supra) a line of Members waiting
    to sign a discharge petition should proceed to the rostrum from the far
    right-hand aisle and should not stand between the Chair and Members
    engaging in debate (Oct. 24, 1997, p. ----).

                                                           Rule XV, clause 3
    Rule XV, clause 3
    Adverse report by the Committee on Rules, second and fourth Mondays

    [[Page 632]]

    it is in order to consider a motion to discharge committees under clause
    2.

    893. Adverse report by Rules Committee.

      3. An  adverse
    report by the Committee on Rules on a resolution proposing a special
    order of business for the consideration of a public bill or public joint
    resolution may be called up under clause 6(e) of rule XIII as a
    privileged question by a Member, Delegate, or Resident Commissioner on a
    day when

      This provision was initially adopted January 18, 1924, amended
    December 8, 1931 (VIII, 2268), January 3, 1949 (p. 16), January 3, 1951
    (p. 18), January 4, 1965 (p. 24) (inserting the so-called ``21-day
    rule''), January 10, 1967 (H. Res. 7, p. 28) (deleting the ``21-day
    rule'' in effect in the 89th Congress), January 3, 1975 (H. Res. 988,
    93d Cong., Oct. 8, 1974, p. 34470). Before the House recodified its
    rules in the 106th Congress, this provision was found only in former
    clause 4(c) of rule XI. It is currently found in both this provision and
    clause 6(e) of rule XIII (H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 1999, p. ----).

                                                           Rule XV, clause 4
    Rule XV, clause 4
    District of Columbia business, second and fourth Mondays

    894. District of Columbia.

      4.  The second and fourth Mondays
    of a month shall be set apart for the consideration of such District of
    Columbia business as may be called up by the Committee on Government
    Reform after the disposition of motions to discharge committees and
    after the disposal of such business on the Speaker's table as requires
    reference only.

      The first rule allocating a fixed day for District of Columbia
    business was adopted in 1870. In 1890 the rule (former clause 8 of rule
    XXIV) was amended (IV, 3304). It was again amended December 8, 1931
    (VII, 872). In the 104th Congress it was amended to reflect that the
    jurisdiction of the former Committee on the District of Columbia had
    been subsumed within the amalgamated jurisdiction of the newly
    designated Committee on Government Reform and Oversight (and in the
    106th Congress to reflect a change in the name of a committee) (sec.
    202, H. Res. 6, Jan. 4, 1995, p. ----; H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 1999, p. ----
    ). Before the House recodified its rules in the 106th Congress, this
    provision was found in former clause 8 of rule XXIV (H. Res. 5, Jan. 6,
    1999, p. ----).

    [[Page 633]]

    unless called up (IV, 3307; VII, 879, 880). The question of
    consideration may not be demanded against District business generally,
    but may be demanded against any bill as it is presented (IV, 3308,
    3309).
      The Committee on Government Reform and Oversight (now Government
    Reform) may not, on a District day, call up a bill reported from another
    committee (IV, 3311). If certain of the committee's bills are on one of
    the calendars of the Committees of the Whole, a motion to go into
    committee to consider them is in order (IV, 3310). Bills reported from
    the District Committee (now Government Reform) are not so privileged as
    to prevent their being taken up under call of committees on Wednesday
    (VII, 937). Business unfinished on one District day does not come up on
    the next

      On District days it is in order to go into the Committee of the Whole
    to consider revenue or general appropriation bills (VI, 716-718; VII,
    876, 1123). Consideration of conference reports is in order on District
    Monday (VIII, 3202). District of Columbia business is in order on the
    second and fourth Mondays of the month before or after other business
    (such as motions to suspend the rules), and the fact that the House has
    considered some District of Columbia business before motions to suspend
    the rules does not affect the eligibility of further such business after
    suspensions have been completed (Sept. 17, 1984, p. 25523).

                                                           Rule XV, clause 5
    Rule XV, clause 5
    Private Calendar, first and third Tuesdays

    [[Page 634]]

    or more Members, Delegates, or the Resident Commissioner object to the
    consideration of a bill or resolution so called, it shall be recommitted
    to the committee that reported it. No other business shall be in order
    before completion of the call of the Private Calendar on this day unless
    two-thirds of the Members voting, a quorum being present, agree to a
    motion that the House dispense with the call.

    895. Interruption of the regular order on Tuesdays for
    consideration of the Private Calendar.

      5. (a)  On the first Tuesday of a
    month, the Speaker shall direct the Clerk to call the bills and
    resolutions on the Private Calendar after disposal of such business on
    the Speaker's table as requires reference only. If two

      (b)(1) On the third Tuesday of a month, after the disposal of such
    business on the Speaker's table as requires reference only, the Speaker
    may direct the Clerk to call the bills and resolutions on the Private
    Calendar. Preference shall be given to omnibus bills containing the
    texts of bills or resolutions that have previously been objected to on a
    call of the Private Calendar. If two or more Members, Delegates, or the
    Resident Commissioner object to the consideration of a bill or
    resolution so called (other than an omnibus bill), it shall be
    recommitted to the committee that reported it. Two-thirds of the Members
    voting, a quorum being present, may adopt a motion that the House
    dispense with the call on this day.

      (2) Omnibus bills shall be read for amendment by paragraph. No
    amendment shall be in order except to strike or to reduce amounts of
    money or to provide limitations. An item or matter stricken from an
    omnibus bill may not thereafter during the same session of Congress be
    included in an omnibus bill. Upon passage such an omnibus bill shall be
    resolved into the several bills and resolutions of which it is composed.
    The several bills and resolutions, with any amendments adopted by the
    House, shall be engrossed, when necessary, and otherwise considered as
    passed severally by the House as distinct bills and resolutions.

    [[Page 635]]

      (c) The Speaker may not entertain a reservation of the right to object
    to the consideration of a bill or resolution under this clause. A bill
    or resolution considered under this clause shall be considered in the
    House as in the Committee of the Whole. A motion to dispense with the
    call of the Private Calendar under this clause shall be privileged.
    Debate on such a motion shall be limited to five minutes in support and
    five minutes in opposition.

    Sec. 896. Tuesday as a day for private
    business.

      This  provision (former clause 6 of rule XXIV) was adopted in the
    62d Congress in lieu of special orders under which pension and private
    business formerly had been considered. The rule was amended on April 23,
    1932 (VII, 846) and was adopted in its present form on March 27, 1935
    (pp. 4480-89, 4538). When the House recodified its rules in the 106th
    Congress, this provision was transferred from former clause 6 of rule
    XXIV and the archaic reference to the ``Calendar of the Committee of the
    Whole House'' was changed to the ``Private Calendar'' (H. Res. 5, Jan.
    6, 1999, p. ----). A Member serving as an ``official objector'' for the
    Private Calendar has periodically included in the Record an explanation
    of how bills on the Private Calendar are considered (see, e.g., Dec. 5,
    1995, p. ----; June 17, 1997, p. ----). Clause 4 of rule XII prohibits
    consideration of certain private bills. Under former clause 6(e)(2) of
    rule XV (current clause 7(b) of rule XX), the Speaker may in his
    discretion recognize a Member to move a call of the House prior to the
    call of the Private Calendar (July 8, 1987, p. 18972).

    Sec. 897. Methods of considering omnibus
    bills.

      During the  consideration of omnibus bills the Chair declines to recognize
    Members for unanimous-consent requests to address the House (May 7,
    1935, p. 7100); motions to strike out the last word are not in order,
    and requests for extension of time under the five-minute rule are not
    entertained (Speaker Byrns, Mar. 17, 1936, pp. 3890, 3894).

      An omnibus private bill is normally passed over by the Clerk when the
    Private Calendar is called on the first Tuesday of the month, but the
    House may prescribe, by special order, that such omnibus bills shall be
    passed over (June 27, 1968, p. 19106). During the consideration of the
    First Omnibus Bill of 1968, seven roll calls occurred and seven of the
    15 bills carried therein were stricken by motion (Sept. 17, 1968, pp.
    27165-84). Amendments to the bill were strictly limited by the rule to
    those striking out or reducing amounts of money carried in the bill or
    to provide limitations, and debate on those permissible motions was
    under the five-minute rule. After the passage of an omnibus bill, it is
    resolved into the various private bills of which it is composed and each
    is engrossed and messaged to the Senate as if individually passed; thus
    it is possible, after passage of the omnibus bill, to lay on the table a
    private House or Senate bill which was included therein (by unanimous
    consent) (Sept. 17, 1968, p. 27184).

    [[Page 636]]

    tion and it is consistent with the discretionary authority of the Chair
    to dispense with the call of the entire Calendar (appeal from the
    Chair's ruling laid on the table) (Nov. 17, 1981, p. 27770).

      On the third Tuesday of the month, the calendar is not called unless
    the Speaker so directs (Oct. 16, 1990, p. 29646); and when he does
    direct the Clerk to call the Private Calendar, omnibus bills on the
    Calendar are called before individual bills thereon (Feb. 17, 1970, pp.
    3605-13). A motion to dispense with the call of the Private Calendar on
    the third Tuesday of each month, when the call of the Calendar is within
    the discretion of the Chair, is likewise in order in the Chair's
    discretion (although this clause only specifically provides for a motion
    to dispense with the call on the first Tuesday of each month), since no
    rule or precedent prohibits the mo

                                                           Rule XV, clause 6
    Rule XV, clause 6
    Corrections Calendar, second and fourth Tuesdays

    898. Corrections Calendar.

      6. (a)  After a bill has been
    favorably reported and placed on either the Union or House Calendar, the
    Speaker, after consultation with the Minority Leader, may direct the
    Clerk also to place the bill on the ``Corrections Calendar.'' At any
    time on the second and fourth Tuesdays of a month, the Speaker may
    direct the Clerk to call a bill that has been on the Corrections
    Calendar for three legislative days.

      (b) A bill called from the Corrections Calendar shall be considered in
    the House, is debatable for one hour equally divided and controlled by
    the chairman and ranking minority member of the primary committee of
    jurisdiction, and shall not be subject to amendment except those
    recommended by the primary committee of jurisdiction or offered by the
    chairman of the primary committee or a designee. The previous question
    shall be considered as ordered on the bill and any amendments thereto to
    final passage without intervening motion except one motion to recommit
    with or without instructions.

    [[Page 637]]

    against its consideration, does not cause its removal from the Calendar
    to which it was originally referred.

      (c) The approval of three-fifths of the Members voting, a quorum being
    present, shall be required to pass a bill called from the Corrections
    Calendar. The rejection of a bill so called, or the sustaining of a
    point of order against it or

      This clause (former clause 4 of rule XIII) was amended in the 104th
    Congress to abolish the Consent Calendar and establish in its place a
    Corrections Calendar (H. Res. 168, June 20, 1995, p. 16574). Later in
    the 104th Congress several technical changes were effected, and
    paragraph (b) was amended to admit amendments by a designee of the
    chairman of the primary committee (H. Res. 254, Nov. 30, 1995, p.
    14974). In the 105th Congress paragraph (a) was amended to permit bills
    to be called from the Calendar at any time on a ``corrections day'' and
    in any order (H. Res. 5, Jan. 7, 1997, p. ----). Before the House
    recodified its rules in the 106th Congress, this provision was found in
    former clause 4 of rule XIII (H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 1999, p. ----). The
    Speaker may discharge a bill from the Corrections Calendar at any time
    (June 24, 1996, p. ----). In the 105th Congress the House established a
    Corrections Calendar Office to assist the Speaker in management of the
    Calendar (H. Res. 7, Jan. 7, 1997, p. ----).

    Sec. 899. Former Consent Calendar.

      The  original form of
    former clause 4 of rule XIII, providing for the former Consent Calendar,
    was adopted March 15, 1909, amended January 18, 1924; December 7, 1925;
    December 8, 1931; and April 23, 1932 (VII, 972). Bills must have been on
    the printed calendar three legislative working days in order to be
    eligible for consideration (VII, 992, 994). When a House bill was on the
    Consent Calendar, by unanimous consent the House committee could have
    been discharged from the consideration of a Senate bill on the same
    subject, and the Senate bill considered in lieu of the House bill (VII,
    1004). The status of bills on the Consent Calendar was not affected by
    their consideration from another calendar and such bills could have been
    called up for consideration from the Consent Calendar while pending as
    unfinished business in the House or Committee of the Whole (VII, 1006).

      The former rule did not preclude the Speaker from recognizing Members
    to suspend the rules before completion of the Consent Calendar (decided
    by the House, VIII, 3405; also held by Speaker Clark, Oct. 5, 1914, p.
    16182, and by Speaker Gillett, Sept. 4, 1919, p. 5128). Recognition to
    suspend the rules did not preclude the continuation of the call of the
    calendar later in the day (VII, 991). The call of the Consent Calendar
    on days devoted to its consideration took precedence of the motion to go
    into the Committee of the Whole to consider revenue or appropriation
    bills (VII, 986), and a contested-election case could not supplant the
    call of the Calendar (VII, 988), but the Speaker could recognize a
    Member to call up a conference report before directing the call of the
    Consent Calendar (May 4, 1970, pp. 13991-95).

    [[Page 638]]

    Calendar Call of Committees, Wednesdays
                                                           Rule XV, clause 7
    Rule XV, clause 7

    900. Calendar Wednesday business.

      7. (a)  On Wednesday of
    each week, business shall not be in order before completion of the call
    of the committees (except as provided by clause 4 of rule XIV) unless
    two-thirds of the Members voting, a quorum being present, agree to a
    motion that the House dispense with the call. Such a motion shall be
    privileged. Debate on such a motion shall be limited to five minutes in
    support and five minutes in opposition.

      (b) A bill or resolution on either the House or the Union Calendar,
    except bills or resolutions that are privileged under the Rules of the
    House, may be called under this clause. A bill or resolution called up
    from the Union Calendar shall be considered in the Committee of the
    Whole House on the state of the Union without motion, subject to clause
    3 of rule XVI. General debate on a measure considered under this clause
    shall be confined to the measure and may not exceed two hours equally
    divided between a proponent and an opponent.

      (c) When a committee has occupied the call under this clause on one
    Wednesday, it shall not be in order on a succeeding Wednesday to
    consider unfinished business previously called up by that committee
    until the other committees have been called in their turn unless--

          (1) the previous question has been ordered on such unfinished
    business; or

    [[Page 639]]

          (2) the House adopts a motion to dispense with the call under
    paragraph (a).

      (d) If any committee has not been called under this clause during a
    session of a Congress, then at the next session of that Congress the
    call shall resume where it left off at the end of the preceding session.

      (e) This rule does not apply during the last two weeks of a session of
    Congress.

      (f) The Speaker may not entertain a motion for a recess on a Wednesday
    except during the last two weeks of a session of Congress.

    Sec. 901. Decisions on Calendar Wednesday.

      The first  portion
    of this rule (former clause 7 of rule XXIV) was adopted March 1, 1909,
    and amended March 15, 1909. The last sentence of paragraph (b) (first
    proviso of former clause 7 of rule XXIV) and paragraph (c) (second
    proviso of former clause 7 of rule XXIV) were adopted January 18, 1916.
    Paragraph (d) (the last proviso of former clause 7 of rule XXIV) was
    adopted December 8, 1931 (VII, 881), and was amended in the 102d
    Congress to specify that the alphabetical call of the committees under
    Calendar Wednesday resumes where left off between sessions within a
    Congress (H. Res. 5, Jan. 3, 1991, p. 39). The rule applies to
    unprivileged bills only, and when a bill otherwise unprivileged is given
    a privileged status by unanimous consent or by rule it is automatically
    rendered ineligible for consideration on Calendar Wednesday (VII, 932-
    935). House Calendar bills have no preference over Union Calendar bills
    (VII, 938). The motion to dispense with a call of committees under this
    rule is privileged and may be made prior to the consideration of
    District of Columbia business under clause 4 of this rule (June 11,
    1973, pp. 19028-30).

      When a bill on the Union Calendar is called up on Calendar Wednesday
    the House automatically resolves itself into the Committee of the Whole
    House on the state of the Union (VII, 939; Jan. 25, 1984, p. 358), and
    when a Union Calendar bill is the unfinished business the Speaker
    declares the House in Committee of the Whole without motion (VII, 940,
    942).

      The question of consideration may be raised on a bill on the House
    Calendar on Calendar Wednesday, even after one Wednesday has been
    devoted to its consideration (VIII, 2447), and the question of
    consideration is properly raised on Union Calendar bills in the House
    before automatically going into Committee of the Whole House on the
    state of the Union (VII, 952).

    [[Page 640]]

    clause 4 of rule XIV (former clause 4 of rule XXIV), the morning hour,
    and another under Calendar Wednesday (VII, 944). Prior to the adoption
    of paragraph (c) (the second proviso of former clause 7 of rule XXIV),
    it was held that one committee could not occupy more than two Calendar
    Wednesdays (except for unfinished business) until other committees were
    called, notwithstanding the fact that the call rested on said committee
    (VII, 944), but the adoption of the second proviso of the rule has
    defined the status of debate and unfinished business more explicitly. It
    was formerly held that a bill undisposed of on Calendar Wednesday became
    the unfinished business on the following Calendar Wednesday (VII, 965),
    but since the adoption of paragraph (c) (the second proviso of former
    clause 7 of rule XXIV), one committee can occupy but one Calendar
    Wednesday for the consideration of its business (unless the House by
    two-thirds vote shall otherwise determine).
      During the 61st and 62d Congresses it was held that the call of
    committees rested where the call left off on the preceding day, whether
    the last call was on a Wednesday or during the morning hour on another
    day, thus making but one committee call under the two rules. But under
    the later practice there have been two distinct calls of committees, one
    under

      The same rule of debate applies to House Calendar bills called up on
    Calendar Wednesday as on other days, and the Member in charge of the
    bill may move the previous question at any time (VII, 955).

      The previous question having been ordered on a bill undisposed of when
    the House adjourns Tuesday, the bill goes over as unfinished business
    until Thursday, and is not in order for consideration on Calendar
    Wednesday (VII, 890-894). The previous question having been ordered on a
    bill on Calendar Wednesday, the bill becomes the unfinished business on
    Thursday (VII, 895, 967).

      It is in order to consider a vetoed bill on Calendar Wednesday, since
    such a question is privileged under the Constitution of the United
    States (VII, 912), but a bill privileged by reason of the Rules of the
    House cannot be called up on Calendar Wednesday (VII, 932); for example,
    a general appropriation bill (VII, 904), or a bill under consideration
    by reason of a special order, unless the special order expressly sets
    aside Calendar Wednesday (VII, 773), or a conference report (VII, 899).
    A motion to reconsider an action taken on a bill on Tuesday may be
    entered, but may not be considered on Calendar Wednesday (VII, 905).
    Privileged bills may be reported but not considered on Calendar
    Wednesday (VII, 907), except by unanimous consent (Jan. 25, 1984, p.
    357). The Speaker has entertained a unanimous-consent request for
    business (to send a bill to conference) before the call of committees on
    Calendar Wednesday (Mar. 28, 1984, p. 6869). District of Columbia
    business is eligible for consideration on Calendar Wednesday (VII, 937).
    Once the call of committees on Calendar Wednesday is completed, other
    business may be conducted (VII, 921).

    [[Page 641]]

      The Committee on Rules cannot report a rule which is aimed strictly or
    directly toward setting aside Calendar Wednesday, but the committee is
    not thereby prevented from reporting a resolution couched in general
    terms which may indirectly accomplish that ultimate result, such as a
    resolution providing for six days' suspension of the rules (VIII, 2267).

      The motion to grant a committee an additional Wednesday under
    paragraph (c) (the second proviso of former clause 7 of rule XXIV) is in
    order prior to the Wednesday on which the committee is called (VII,
    946).

      It has been held that if no Member opposed to the bill desires to
    claim the hour specified in the rule for general debate against the
    bill, the time may be claimed by some Member who is in favor of the bill
    (VII, 962), but this principle has been questioned (VII, 961).

      Clause 2(b) of rule XIII (former clause 2(l)(1) of rule XI), requiring
    the chairman of each committee to report or cause to be reported
    promptly measures approved by his committee and to take such necessary
    steps to bring the matter to a vote, is sufficient authority for the
    chairman to call up a bill on Calendar Wednesday, but any other
    committee member must obtain specific authority of his committee to call
    up a reported bill on Calendar Wednesday (IV, 3128; VII, 928, 929; Feb.
    22, 1950, p. 2162; Feb. 1, 1984, p. 1193; Sept. 12, 1984, p. 25100).
    Prior to the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946 and the subsequent
    adoption of former clause 2(l)(1)(A) of rule XI, authority to call up a
    bill on Calendar Wednesday must have been given to a chairman by his
    committee (IV, 3127). A Member not authorized to do so may not call up
    such bill under the Calendar Wednesday rule (IV, 3128; VII, 928, 929).