[Constitution, Jefferson's Manual, and the Rules of the House of Representatives, 106th Congress]
[106th Congress]
[House Document 105-358]
[Jeffersons Manual of ParliamentaryPractice]
[Pages 191-192]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



 

                             sec. xx--motion



Sec. 392. Parliamentary law as to making, withdrawing, and 
reading of motions.

    When a motion has been made, it is not to be put 
to the question or debated until it is seconded. Scob., 21.



  It is then, and not till then, in possession of the House, and can not 
be withdrawn but by leave of the House. It is to be put into writing, if 
the House or Speaker require it, and must be read to the House by the 
Speaker as often as any Member desires it for his information. 2 Hats., 
82.


  The Rules of the House (clause 1 of rule XVI) have long since 
dispensed with the requirement of a second for ordinary motions (V, 
5304). Clause 2 of rule XVI provides further that a motion may be 
withdrawn before decision or amendment; and clause 1 of the same rule 
provides that the motion shall be reduced to writing on the demand of 
any Member. In the practice of the House, when a paper on which the 
House is to vote has been read once, the reading may not be required 
again unless the House shall order it read (V, 5260).


[[Page 192]]

not. When two Members offer to speak, he who rose first is to be heard, 
and it is a breach of order in another to interrupt him, unless by 
calling him to order if he departs from it. And the question of order 
being decided, he is still to be heard through. A call for adjournment, 
or for the order of the day, or for the question, by gentlemen from 
their seats, is <> not a motion. No motion 
can be made without rising and addressing the Chair. Such calls are 
themselves breaches of order, which, though the Member who has risen may 
respect, as an expression of impatience of the House against further 
debate, yet, if he chooses, he has a right to go on.



Sec. 393. Interruptions of the Member having the 
floor.

  It  might be asked whether a motion for adjournment or for the 
orders of the day can be made by one Member while another is speaking? 
It can





  The practice of the House has modified the principle that the Member 
who rises first is to be recognized (clause 2 of rule XVII); but in 
other respects the principles of this paragraph of the law of Parliament 
are in force.