    [Constitution, Jefferson's Manual, and the Rules of the House of Representatives, 109th Congress]
    [109th Congress]
    [House Document 108-241]
    [Rules of the House of Representatives]
    [Pages 652-672]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

                                     Rule XV

    Suspensions
                        business in order on special days

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

    [[Page 653]]

    3(d), H. Res. 5, Jan. 7, 2003, p. ----). That authority was extended by
    unanimous consent through the last Wednesday in June (Apr. 30, 2003, p.
    ----) and by resolution through the entire 108th Congress (H. Res. 297,
    June 26, 2003, p. ----). The 109th Congress amended the rule to permit
    motions to suspend the rules every Wednesday (sec. 2(e), H. Res. 5, Jan.
    4, 2005, p. ----). 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. 47).
      This provision (formerly clause 1 of rule XXVII) developed from a rule
    adopted in 1794, which provided that no rule should be rescinded without
    one day's notice. In 1822 a paragraph was added that no rule should be
    suspended except by a two-thirds vote. In 1828 it was amended to provide
    that the order of business, as established by the rules, should not be
    changed except by a two-thirds vote. Originally contemplating motions to
    suspend the rules on any day, the rule was amended in 1847 to restrict
    the motion 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 motions to suspend the rules 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). In the
    95th Congress, the rule was amended to permit such motions on every
    Monday and Tuesday (H. Res. 5, Jan. 4, 1977, 95th Cong., pp. 53-70).
    During the first session of the 108th Congress, the House authorized the
    Speaker to entertain motions that the House suspend the rules on
    Wednesdays through the second Wednesday in April as though under this
    clause (sec.

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

      Originally,  when the House was operating under the older rules for the
    order of business, the motion was used to establish a special order of
    business for the consideration of a particular measure (IV, 3152, 3162;
    V, 6852). In 1890, the House adopted rules for the order of business
    which enabled the House on any day to consider public bills on its
    calendars. About the same time, the House perfected the process of
    establishing a special order of business by a majority vote through a
    report from the Committee on Rules (IV, 3169). As a result of these
    changes, the use of the motion to suspend gradually changed from one
    that established a special order of business to one that passes or
    adopts a measure (V, 6790, 6846, 6847). The latter motion suspends 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).

      Although the normal use of the motion is to pass or adopt a
    noncontroversial measure, the motion may also be used to change or
    suspend a rule or order that is susceptible to suspension or to suspend
    the parliamentary law of Jefferson's Manual (V, 6796, 6862). 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), 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).

    [[Page 654]]

      The motion to suspend may include a series of actions, such 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 for 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
    may provide for agreeing to a conference report which has been ruled out
    of order by the Speaker (Dec. 20, 1974, p. 41860) or may provide for
    passage of a bill that consists of the text of two bills previously
    passed by the House (Sept. 19, 2000, p. 18510). One motion to suspend
    the rules having been rejected, the Speaker may recognize for a similar
    motion (Dec. 21, 1973, pp. 43270-81).

      A motion to suspend the rules may provide for the passage of a bill
    regardless of whether it has been reported by committee, referred to a
    calendar, or even previously introduced (VIII, 3421; July 16, 1996, p.
    17228). It may include an amendment without the formality of committee
    approval (June 22, 1992, p. 15617). Copies of reports on bills
    considered under suspension are not required to be available in advance.
    No advance notice to Members of bills to be called up under suspension
    of the rules is required (Mar. 20, 1978, p. 7535). However, where a
    special rule requires that the object of a motion to suspend the rules
    be announced on the floor at least one hour before the Chair's
    entertaining the motion, unanimous consent is required to permit the
    Chair to entertain the motion before that time (Sept. 28, 1996, p.
    25765, 25774).

    Sec. 886a. Consideration of the motion to suspend the
    rules.

      The  motion that the House ``suspend the rules and pass [or adopt]''
    a measure is not subject to the demand for a division of the question,
    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; Deschler, ch. 21,
    Sec. 14.6; Apr. 11, 2000, p. 5206), and the power to modify the motion
    rests with its proponent (July 18, 2005, p. ----). The motion may not be
    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. 25797), although it may be applied
    to an affirmative vote (Sept. 28, 1996, p. 25796). The motion to refer
    may not be applied to the bill that it is proposed to pass under
    suspension of the rules (V, 6860). Pursuant to clause 1(b) of rule XV,
    the Speaker may entertain one motion to adjourn pending a motion to
    suspend the rules. However, after that vote, the Speaker may not
    entertain any other motion until the vote is taken on the motion to
    suspend the rules.

      Some older precedents indicate 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), and
    in earlier instances the separate motion to suspend the rules and
    dispense with reading of pending measures was held in order (V, 5278-
    84). However, under the modern practice, only the motion to suspend the
    rules is itself read, and the Clerk reports the title of the bill only.
    Amendments included in the motion are not reported separately. Where a
    motion to suspend the rules and agree to a resolution that 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 the
    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).

    [[Page 655]]

      For a discussion of debate on the motion and the Chair's recognition
    of a Member to control time in opposition to the motion, see Sec. 891,
    infra.

    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). However, a motion to suspend the rules was in order
    to dispense with the reading of a pending measure (V, 5278). A bill
    taken up under this early practice might be amended by the House (V,
    6842, 6856) 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 even though another
    matter is pending (V, 6834), the yeas and nays are demanded on another
    privileged motion (V, 6835), or the previous question has been ordered
    or moved on another matter (V, 6827, 6831-6833; VIII, 3418; Sept. 17,
    1990, p. 24695). Earlier rulings did not permit a motion to suspend the
    rules to permit a vote to be taken in gross on a series of pending
    Senate amendments (V, 6828, 6830). 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) or when a question of privilege under rule IX is
    before the House (V, 6825, 6826; VI, 553, 565). The motion to suspend
    the rules has been held of equal privilege with the motion to instruct
    conferees under former clause 1(c) of rule XXVIII (current clause 7(c)
    of rule XXII), which 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 highly
    privileged motion to fix the day to which the House should adjourn was
    pending (IV, 2758). Although the motion is privileged, it may be
    superseded by a question of the privileges of the House (III, 2553; VI,
    565). 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).

    [[Page 656]]

    including specific authorization to include an amendment (V, 6812); but
    after the motion was seconded and debate had begun it was too late to
    raise a question as to the authorization (V, 6808). The committee could
    not present a bill which had not been referred to it (V, 6813) or was
    not within its jurisdiction (V, 6848).

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

      Before  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). 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).
    In rare instances, under earlier House practice, the Speaker called the
    committees in regular order for motions to suspend the rules, but this
    method was not required (V, 6810, 6811). The earlier practice also
    required a motion to be formally and specifically authorized by a
    committee (V, 6805-6807),

      Authorization by a committee is not required for the Speaker to
    recognize for a motion to suspend the rules (VIII, 3410), including a
    motion to suspend the rules and pass a measure ``as amended'' (June 22,
    1992, p. 15617).

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

      Before  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 (H. Res. 5, Jan. 3, 1991, p.
    39). The 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 (formerly 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. 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). However, where a quorum failed 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).

    Sec. 889a. Withdrawal of motion.

      A  motion to suspend the
    rules may be withdrawn at any time before the Chair puts the question
    and a voice vote is taken thereon (V, 6840, 6844; VIII, 3405, 3419). The
    motion may be withdrawn by unanimous consent, even after the Speaker has
    put the question on its adoption and postponed further proceedings
    (Deschler, ch 21 Sec. 13.23).

    [[Page 657]]

    tain any other motion until the vote is taken on the suspension.

    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 enter

      This provision (formerly 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.

      This provision (formerly clause 2 of rule XXVII) was adopted in 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. 47). 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 the bill, in which event some
    Member in favor is recognized for debate (VIII, 3416; Oct. 5, 2004, 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).

    [[Page 658]]

      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). 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. 19275). 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 as 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).

    Discharge motions, second and fourth Mondays
      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).

    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

          (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 has
    been referred to a standing committee for 30 legislative days.

    [[Page 659]]

      (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.

      (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,
    published with the signatures thereto in the Record, and referred to the
    Calendar of Motions to Discharge Committees.

    [[Page 660]]

    charge shall have precedence in the order of their entry on the Journal.
      (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 dis

      (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 661]]

    priate 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 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 appro

      (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.

      (2) A motion to discharge on the Calendar of Motions to Discharge
    Committees that is rendered out of order under subparagraph (1) shall be
    stricken from that calendar.

    [[Page 662]]

    resolution the House immediately voted on adoption of the resolution
    (Speaker Rayburn, Jan. 24, 1944, p. 631).
      This clause (formerly 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

      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. 121). A clerical correction was
    effected in the 107th Congress (sec. 2(x), H. Res. 5, Jan. 3, 2001, p.
    26).

      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; and a Delegate or
    the Resident Commissioner may not sign a discharge petition even by
    unanimous consent (Oct. 1, 2003, p. ----). 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. 6590).

      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 from further consideration of a resolution providing
    for an investigating committee (Apr. 23, 1934, p. 7161).

    [[Page 663]]

    also received the requisite number of signatures on the same day it was
    filed (Feb. 24, 1994, p. 2999). In the 107th Congress a petition
    received the requisite signatures to enable a motion to discharge a rule
    providing for the consideration of a measure to provide campaign finance
    reform (Jan. 24, 2002, p. ----).
      The death or resignation of a Member who has signed a motion does not
    invalidate his signature because a majority of the whole House is
    necessary for a discharge motion (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

      The right to close 20 minute debate on a motion to discharge a
    committee is reserved to the proponent 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 (formerly 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).

    Adverse report by the Committee on Rules, second and fourth Mondays
      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. 23293).

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

    [[Page 664]]

    District of Columbia business, second and fourth Mondays
      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. 47).

    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 (formerly 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. 465; H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 1999, p. 47).
    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. 47).

      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 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).

    [[Page 665]]

    Private Calendar, first and third Tuesdays
      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).

    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 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.

    [[Page 666]]

      (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.

      (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.

    [[Page 667]]

    1997, p. 11015; Nov. 17, 2003, 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 before the
    call of the Private Calendar (July 8, 1987, p. 18972).

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

      This  provision (formerly 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. 47). 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. 35354; June 17,

    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).

      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 is likewise in order in the Chair's
    discretion because no rule or precedent prohibits the motion, 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).

    [[Page 668]]

    Calendar for three days before being called therefrom (sec. 2(n), H.
    Res. 5, Jan. 3, 2001, p. 25). Before the House recodified its rules in
    the 106th Congress, the provision was found in former clause 4 of rule
    XIII (H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 1999, p. 47). The House could by unanimous
    consent direct the call of the Corrections Calendar on a day other than
    a ``corrections day'' (June 24, 1996, p. 14974). 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. 142;
    2 U.S.C. 74d; see Sec. 1124, infra). Section 106 of the Legislative
    Branch Appropriations Act, 2004, transferred the positions, and
    associated funding, of the Corrections Calendar Office to the Speaker
    and the Minority Leader (117 Stat. 1041).

    Sec. 898. Former Corrections Calendar.

      In the  109th Congress
    the Corrections Calendar (formerly clause 6 of rule XV) was abolished
    (sec. 2(f), H. Res. 5, Jan. 4, 2005, p. ----). The Corrections Calendar
    was established in the 104th Congress as a replacement for the Consent
    Calendar (H. Res. 168, June 20, 1995, p. 16574). Later in the 104th
    Congress several technical changes were effected 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 it 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. 121). In the 107th
    Congress it was amended to delete the requirement that a bill be on the
    Corrections

    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 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).

    Calendar Call of Committees, Wednesdays
      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 669]]

    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.

    900. Calendar Wednesday business.

      6. (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

      (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

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

    [[Page 670]]

      (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 clause does not apply during the last two weeks of a session
    of Congress.

      (f) The Speaker may not entertain a motion that the Speaker be
    authorized to declare a recess on a Wednesday except during the last two
    weeks of a session of Congress.

      The first portion of this rule (formerly 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). Technical
    corrections to paragraphs (e) and (f) were effected in the 109th
    Congress (sec. 2(l), H. Res. 5, Jan. 4, 2005, p. ----).

    Sec. 901. Decisions on Calendar Wednesday.

      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 before 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 671]]

    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 clause 4 of rule XIV (formerly clause 4 of rule XXIV), the morning
    hour, and another under Calendar Wednesday (VII, 944). Before the
    adoption of paragraph (c) (the second proviso of former clause 7 of rule
    XXIV), it

      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).

      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 before the Wednesday on which the committee is called (VII, 946).

    [[Page 672]]

    may be claimed by some Member who is in favor of the bill (VII, 962),
    but this principle has been questioned (VII, 961).
      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

      Clause 2(b) of rule XIII (formerly 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 (VII, 928, 929; Feb. 22, 1950,
    p. 2162; Feb. 1, 1984, p. 1193; Sept. 12, 1984, p. 25100). Before 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).