[Constitution, Jefferson's Manual, and the Rules of the House of Representatives, 117th Congress]
[117th Congress]
[House Document 116-177]
[Jeffersons Manual of ParliamentaryPractice]
[Pages 178-203]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



                       sec. xvii--order in debate




Sec. 353. Decorum of Members as to sitting in their 
places.

    When the Speaker is seated in his chair, every member is to 
sit in his place. Scob., 6; Grey, 403.



  In the House the decorum of Members is regulated by rule XVII; and 
this provision of the parliamentary law is practically obsolete.




Sec. 354. Procedure of the Member in seeking 
recognition.

  When  any Member means to speak, he is to stand up in his 
place, uncovered, and to address himself, not to the House, or any 
particular Member, but to the Speaker, who calls him by his name, that 
the House may take notice who it is that speaks. Scob., 6; D'Ewes, 487, 
col. 1; 2 Hats., 77; 4 Grey, 66; 8 Grey, 108. But Members who are 
indisposed may be indulged to speak sitting. 2 Hats., 75, 77; 1 Grey, 
143.



  This provision has been superseded by clause 1 of rule XVII, which was 
amended in the 115th Congress to remove a requirement that a Member rise 
to seek recognition (sec. 2(e), H. Res. 5, Jan. 3, 2017, p. _). As long 
ago as 1832, at least, Members were not required to seek recognition 
from their own particular seats (V, 4979, footnote), and seats are no 
longer assigned. In addition, the Speaker calls the Member, not by name, 
but as ``the gentleman or gentlewoman from __,'' (naming the State).



[[Page 179]]




Sec. 355. Conditions under which a Member's right to the 
floor is subjected to the will of the House.

    When a Member stands up 
to speak, no question is to be put, but he is to be heard unless the 
House overrule him. 4 Grey, 390; 5 Grey, 6, 143.



  Except as provided in clause 4 of rule XVII, no question is put as to 
the right of a Member to the floor.



Sec. 356. The parliamentary law as to recognition by the 
Speaker.

  If  two or more rise to speak nearly together, the Speaker 
determines who was first up, and calls him by name, whereupon he 
proceeds, unless he voluntarily sits down and gives way to the other. 
But sometimes the House does not acquiesce in the Speaker's decision, in 
which case the question is put, ``which Member was first up?'' 2 Hats., 
76; Scob., 7; D'Ewes, 434, col. 1, 2.



  In the Senate of the United States the President's decision is without 
appeal.


  In the House recognition by the Chair is governed by clause 2 of rule 
XVII and the practice thereunder. There has been no appeal from a 
decision by the Speaker on a question of recognition since 1881, on 
which occasion Speaker Randall stated that the power of recognition is 
``just as absolute in the Chair as the judgment of the Supreme Court of 
the United States is absolute as to the interpretation of the law'' (II, 
1425-1428), and in the later practice no appeal is permitted (VIII, 
2429, 2646, 2762).



Sec. 357. Right of the Member to be heard a second 
time.

  No  man may speak more than once on the same bill on the same day; 
or even on another day, if the debate be adjourned. But if it be read 
more than once in the same day, he may speak once at every reading. Co., 
12, 115; Hakew., 148; Scob., 58; 2 Hats., 75. Even a change of opinion 
does not give a right to be heard a second time. Smyth's Comw. L., 2, c. 
3; Arcan, Parl., 17.



[[Page 180]]

morials in Hakew., 29; or to the orders of the House, if they be 
transgressed, keeping within that line, and not falling into the matter 
itself. Mem. Hakew., 30, 31.

  But he may be permitted to speak again to clear a matter of fact, 3 
Grey, 357, 416; or merely to explain himself, 2 Hats., 73, in some 
material part of his speech, Ib., 75; or to the manner or words of the 
question, keeping himself to that only, and not traveling into the 
merits of it, Me


  The House has modified the parliamentary law as to a Member's right to 
speak a second time by clause 3 of rule XVII and by permitting a Member 
controlling time in debate to yield to another more than once (Apr. 5, 
2000, p. 4497; Oct. 18, 2007, p. 27575). In ordinary practice rule XVII 
is not rigidly enforced, and Members find little difficulty in making 
such explanations as are contemplated by the parliamentary law. See 
Sec. Sec. 959, 981, infra.




Sec. 358. Participation of the Speaker in debate.

  But  if the 
Speaker rise to speak, the Member standing up ought to sit down, that he 
may be first heard. Town., col. 205; Hale Parl., 133; Mem. in Hakew., 
30, 31. Nevertheless, though the Speaker may of right speak to matters 
of order, and be first heard, he is restrained from speaking on any 
other subject, except where the House have occasion for facts within his 
knowledge; then he may, with their leave, state the matter of fact. 3 
Grey, 38.




[[Page 181]]


  This provision is usually observed in the practice of the House only 
with regard to the conduct of the Speaker when in the chair. In several 
instances the Speaker has been permitted by the House to make a 
statement from the chair, as in a case wherein his past conduct had been 
criticized (II, 1369), in a case wherein there had been unusual 
occurrences in the joint session to count the electoral vote (II, 1372; 
Jan. 6, 2021, p. _), and in a matter relating to a contest for the seat 
of the Speaker as a Member (II, 1360). In rare instances the Speaker has 
made brief explanations from the chair without asking the assent of the 
House (II, 1373, 1374). Speakers have called others to the chair and 
participated in debate, usually without asking consent of the House (II, 
1360, 1367, footnote, 1368, 1371; III, 1950), and in one case a Speaker 
on the floor debated a point of order that the Speaker pro tempore was 
to decide (V, 6097). In rare instances Speakers have left the chair to 
make motions on the floor (II, 1367, footnote). Speakers may participate 
in debate in the Committee of the Whole, although the privilege was 
rarely exercised in early practice (II, 1367, footnote).




Sec. 359. Impertinent, superfluous, or tedious 
speaking.

  No  one is to speak impertinently or beside the question, 
superfluous, or tediously. Scob., 31, 33; 2 Hats., 166, 168; Hale Parl., 
133.



  The House, by clause 1 of rule XVII, provides that remarks must be 
confined to the question under debate, but neither by rule nor practice 
has the House suppressed superfluous or tedious speaking, its hour rule 
(clause 2 of rule XVII) being a sufficient safeguard in this respect.




Sec. 360. Language reflecting on the House.

  No  person is to 
use indecent language against the proceedings of the House; no prior 
determination of which is to be reflected on by any Member, unless he 
means to conclude with a motion to rescind it. 2 Hats., 169, 170; 
Rushw., p. 3, v. 1, fol. 42. But while a proposition under consideration 
is still in fieri, though it has even been reported by a committee, 
reflections on it are no reflections on the House. 9 Grey, 508.



  In the practice of the House it has been held out of order in debate 
to cast reflections on either the House or its membership or its 
decisions, whether present or past (V, 5132-5138). A Member who had used 
offensive words against the character of the House, and who declined to 
explain, was censured (II, 1247). Words impeaching the loyalty of a 
portion of the membership have also been ruled out (V, 5139). Where a 
Member reiterated on the floor certain published charges against the 
House, action was taken, although other business had intervened, the 
question being considered one of privilege (III, 2637). It has been held 
inappropriate and not in order in debate to refer to the proceedings of 
a committee except such as have been formally reported to the House (V, 
5080-5083; VIII, 2269, 2485-2493; June 24, 1958, pp. 12120, 12122), but 
this rule does not apply to the proceedings of a committee of a previous 
Congress (Feb. 2, 1914, p. 2782), and the rationale for this limitation 
on debate is in part obsolete under the modern practice of the House 
insofar as the doctrine is applied to open committee meetings and 
hearings.


[[Page 182]]

House, or who spoke last, or on the other side of the question, &c., 
Mem. in Hakew., 3; Smyth's Comw., L. 2, c. 3; nor to digress from the 
matter to fall upon the person, Scob., 31; Hale Parl., 133; 2 Hats., 
166, by speaking reviling, nipping, or unmannerly words against a 
particular Member. Smyth's Comw., L. 2, c. 3. * * *



Sec. 361. Personalities in debate forbidden.

  No  person, in 
speaking, is to mention a Member then present by his name, but to 
describe him by his seat in the


  In the practice of the House, a Member is not permitted to refer to 
another Member by name (V, 5144; VIII, 2526, 2529, 2536), or to address 
a Member in the second person (V, 5140-5143; VI, 600; VIII, 2529; 
Speaker Boehner, Jan. 23, 2012, p. 180; Speaker Boehner, Feb. 26, 2013, 
p. 1680; Speaker Boehner, Mar. 25, 2014, p. 4783; Speaker Boehner, Feb. 
25, 2015, p. 2554; Speaker Ryan, June 23, 2017, p. _). The proper 
reference to another Member is ``the gentleman or gentlewoman from __,'' 
(naming the Member's State) (June 14, 1978, p. 17615; July 21, 1982, p. 
17314). A mere reference to a Member's voting record does not form a 
basis for a point of order against those remarks (June 13, 2002, p. 
10226, p. 10232).

  By rule of the House (clause 1 of rule XVII), as well as by 
parliamentary law, personalities are forbidden (V, 4979, 5145, 5163, 
5169), whether against the Member in the Member's capacity as 
Representative or otherwise (V, 5152, 5153), even if the references may 
be relevant to the pending question (Sept. 28, 1996, p. 25778). The 
House has censured a Member for gross personalities (II, 1251). The 
Chair may intervene to prevent improper references if it is evident that 
a particular Member is being described (Nov. 3, 1989, p. 27077).

  The Chair does not rule on the veracity of a statement made by a 
Member in debate (Apr. 9, 1997, p. 4926; Sept. 26, 2008, p. 22085). 
Although accusing another Member of deceit engages in personality, 
merely accusing another Member of making a mistake does not (V, 5157; 
Oct. 26, 2000, p. 24921).


[[Page 183]]

of another Member (Mar. 21, 2007, p. 7074); (9) labeling the remarks of 
a Member ``hypocritical and dishonest'' (Mar. 7, 2012, p. 3045).
  Clause 1 of rule XVII has been held to proscribe: (1) referring to an 
identifiable group of sitting Members as having committed a crime (e.g., 
stealing an election or obstructing justice) (Feb. 27, 1985, p. 3898; 
Speaker Wright, Mar. 21, 1989, p. 5016; May 19, 1998, p. 9738; July 15, 
2004, p. 15859); (2) referring in a personally critical manner to the 
political tactics of the Speaker or other Members (June 25, 1981, p. 
14056); (3) referring to a particular Member of the House in a 
derogatory fashion (Nov. 3, 1989, p. 27077); (4) characterizing a Member 
as ``the most impolite Member'' (June 27, 1996, p. 15915) or ``mean-
spirited'' (May 13, 1992, p. 11235); (5) questioning the integrity of a 
Member (July 25, 1996, p. 19170); (6) denouncing the spirit in which a 
Member had spoken (V, 6981); (7) using a Member's surname as though an 
adjective for a word of ridicule (June 13, 2002, p. 10232; May 13, 2008, 
p. 8923); (8) questioning the decency

  A distinction has been drawn between general language, which 
characterizes a measure or the political motivations behind a measure, 
and personalities (V, 5153, 5163, 5169). Although remarks in debate may 
not include personal attacks against a Member or an identifiable group 
of Members, they may address political motivations for legislative 
positions (Jan. 24, 1995, p. 2214; Mar. 8, 1995, pp. 7307, 7308; Nov. 
17, 1995, p. 33832; June 13, 1996, p. 14043; July 16, 2008, p. 15273). 
For example, references to ``down-in-the-dirt gutter politics'' and 
``you people are going to pay'' were held not to be personal references 
(Nov. 14, 1995, p. 32388). Similarly, characterizing a pending measure 
as a ``patently petty political terrorist tactic'' was held in order as 
a reference to the pending measure rather than to the motive or 
character of the measure's proponent (Nov. 9, 1995, p. 31413). The Chair 
also has held in order a general reference that ``big donors'' receive 
``access to leadership power and decisions'' because the reference did 
not identify a specific Member as engaging in an improper quid pro quo 
(Apr. 9, 1997, p. 4926). A general statement seeming to invoke racial 
stereotypes but not in a context so inflammatory as to constitute a 
breach of decorum, was held not unparliamentary (Apr. 9, 2003, p. 9005 
(sustained by tabling of appeal)). Likewise, a general statement linking 
politics with armed conflict in an impersonal way was held not to breach 
decorum (Oct. 18, 2007, p. 27578).

  A Member may not read in debate extraneous material critical of 
another Member that would be improper if spoken in the Member's own 
words (May 25, 1995, pp. 14436, 14437; Sept. 12, 1996, p. 22898). Thus, 
words in a telegram read in debate that repudiated the ``lies and half-
truths'' of a House committee report were ruled out of order as 
reflecting on the integrity of committee members (June 16, 1947, p. 
7065), and unparliamentary references in debate to newspaper accounts 
used in support of a Member's personal criticism of another Member were 
similarly ruled out of order (Feb. 25, 1985, p. 3346).


[[Page 184]]

as a question of the privileges of the House under rule IX does not 
render a resolution ``pending'' and thereby permit references to conduct 
of a Member proposed to be addressed therein (Sept. 19, 1996, p. 23811).
  A Member should refrain from references in debate to the official 
conduct of a Member if such conduct is not the subject then pending 
before the House by way of either a report of the Committee on Ethics or 
another question of the privileges of the House (see, e.g., July 24, 
1990, p. 18917; Mar. 19, 1992, p. 6078; May 25, 1995, pp. 14434-37; 
Sept. 19, 1995, pp. 25454, 25455; Apr. 27, 2005, p. 8049); and, although 
such references are ordinarily enforced by the Chair in response to a 
point of order, the Chair may take the initiative in order to maintain 
proper decorum (Apr. 1, 1992, p. 7899; June 17, 2004, p. 12748). This 
stricture also precludes a Member from reciting news articles discussing 
a Member's conduct (Sept. 24, 1996, p. 24318), reciting the content of a 
previously tabled resolution raising a question of the privileges of the 
House (Nov. 17, 1995, p. 33853; Sept. 19, 1996, p. 23855), or even 
referring to a Member's conduct by mere insinuation (Sept. 12, 1996, p. 
22899). Notice of an intention to offer a resolution

  The stricture against references to a Member's conduct not then 
pending before the House applies to the conduct of all sitting Members 
(Apr. 1, 1992, p. 7899), including conduct that has previously been 
resolved by the Committee on Ethics or the House (Sept. 24, 1996, pp. 
24483, 24485; Precedents (Wickham), ch. 6, Sec. 6.7). This stricture 
does not apply to the conduct of a former Member, provided the reference 
is not made in an attempt to compare the conduct of a former Member with 
the conduct of a sitting Member (Sept. 20, 1995, pp. 25825, 25826; Sept. 
12, 1996, pp. 22900, 22901).

  Debate on a pending privileged resolution recommending disciplinary 
action against a Member may necessarily involve personalities. However, 
clause 1 of rule XVII still prohibits the use of language that is 
personally abusive (see, e.g., July 31, 1979, p. 21584; Jan. 21, 1997, 
p. 393) and the Chair may take the initiative to prevent violations of 
the rule (July 24, 2002, p. 14300). Furthermore, during the actual 
pendency of such a resolution, a Member may discuss a prior case 
reported to the House by the Committee on Ethics for the purpose of 
comparing the severity of the sanction recommended in that case with the 
severity of the sanction recommended in the pending case, provided that 
the Member does not identify, or discuss the details of the past conduct 
of, a sitting Member (Dec. 18, 1987, p. 36271).

  In addition to the prohibition against addressing a Member's conduct 
when it is not actually pending before the House, the Speaker has 
advised that Members should refrain from references in debate (1) to the 
motivations of a Member who filed a complaint before the Committee on 
Standards of Official Conduct (now Ethics) (June 15, 1988, p. 14623; 
July 6, 1988, p. 16630; Mar. 22, 1989, p. 5130; May 2, 1989, p. 7735; 
Nov. 3, 1989, p. 27077); (2) to personal criticism of a member of the 
committee (Apr. 1, 1992, p. 7899; Mar. 3, 1995, p. 6715; Sept. 19, 1996, 
p. 23812; Sept. 24, 1996, p. 24317); (3) to an investigation undertaken 
by the committee, including suggestion of a course of action (Mar. 3, 
1995, p. 6715; Sept. 24, 1996, p. 24317; Sept. 28, 1996, p. 25778) or 
advocacy of an interim status report by the committee (Sept. 12, 1996, 
p. 22900; Sept. 28, 1996, p. 25778).

  For precedents applicable to references in debate to the President, 
see Sec. 370, infra, or Members of the Senate, see Sec. 371, infra.


[[Page 185]]

565). In the 104th Congress the Chair reaffirmed that it is not in order 
to speak disrespectfully of the Speaker, and that under the precedents 
the sanctions for such violations transcend the ordinary requirements 
for timeliness of challenges (II, 1248; Jan. 4, 1995, p. 552; Jan. 19, 
1995, p. 1599). It is not in order to arraign the personal conduct of 
the Speaker (Precedents (Wickham), ch. 6, Sec. 6.6; Jan. 19, 1995, p. 
1601). For example, it is not in order to charge dishonesty or disregard 
of the rules (July 11, 1985, p. 18550), to reflect on his patriotism by 
accusing him of ``kowtowing'' to persons who would desecrate the flag 
(June 20, 1990, p. 14877), to refer to him as a ``crybaby'' (Nov. 16, 
1995, p. 33394), or to refer to official conduct of the Speaker that has 
previously been resolved by the Committee on Standards of Official 
Conduct (now Ethics) or the House (Precedents (Wickham), ch. 6, 
Sec. 6.7). The Chair may take the initiative to admonish Members for 
references in debate that disparage the Speaker (June 25, 1981, p. 
14056; Mar. 22, 1996, p. 6077; May 13, 2008, p. 8923). Debate on a 
resolution authorizing the Speaker to entertain motions to suspend the 
rules may not engage in personality by discussing the official conduct 
of the Speaker, even if possibly relevant to the question of empowerment 
of the Speaker (Sept. 24, 1996, p. 24485).



Sec. 362. Criticism of the Speaker.

  Complaint  of the conduct 
of the Speaker should be presented directly for the action of the House 
and not by way of debate on other matters (V, 5188). In a case wherein a 
Member used words insulting to the Speaker the House on a subsequent 
day, and after other business had intervened, censured the offender (II, 
1248). In such a case the Speaker would ordinarily leave the chair while 
action should be taken by the House (II, 1366; V, 5188; VI,





Sec. 363. Motives of Members not to be arraigned.

  * * *  The 
consequences of a measure may be reprobated in strong terms; but to 
arraign the motives of those who propose to advocate it is a 
personality, and against order. Qui digreditur a materia ad personam, 
Mr. Speaker ought to suppress. Ord. Com., 1604, Apr. 19.



[[Page 186]]

of its proponent (Nov. 9, 1995, p. 31913). Although in debate the 
assertion of one Member may be declared untrue by another, in so doing 
an intentional misrepresentation must not be implied (V, 5157-5160), and 
if stated or implied is censurable (II, 1305). A Member in debate having 
declared the words of another ``a base lie,'' censure was inflicted by 
the House on the offender (II, 1249).

  The arraignment of the motives of Members is not permitted (V, 5147-
51; Dec. 13, 1973, p. 41270), and Speakers have intervened to prevent 
it, in the earlier practice preventing even mildest imputations (V, 
5161, 5162). However, remarks in debate may address political, but not 
personal, motivations for legislative positions (Jan. 24, 1995, p. 2214; 
Mar. 8, 1995, pp. 7307, 7308; Nov. 17, 1995, p. 33832; June 13, 1996, p. 
14043) or for committee membership (July 10, 1995, pp. 18257-59). 
Accusing another Member of hypocrisy has been held not in order (July 
24, 1979, p. 20380; Mar. 29, 1995, p. 9675; Mar. 7, 2012, p. 3045), and 
characterizing the motivation of a Member in offering an amendment as 
deceptive and hypocritical was ruled out of order (June 12, 1979, p. 
14461). A statement in debate that an amendment could only be demagogic 
or racist because only demagoguery or racism impelled such an amendment 
was ruled out of order as impugning the motives of the Member offering 
the amendment (Dec. 13, 1973, pp. 41270, 41271). However, debate 
characterizing a pending measure as a ``patently petty political 
terrorist tactic'' was held in order as directed at the pending measure 
rather than the motive or the character




Sec. 364. Disorder and interruptions during debate.

  No  one 
is to disturb another in his speech by hissing, coughing, spitting, 6 
Grey, 322; Scob., 8; D'Ewes, 332, col. 1, 640, col. 2, speaking or 
whispering to another, Scob., 6; D'Ewes, 487, col. 1; nor stand up to 
interrupt him, Town, col. 205; Mem. in Hakew., 31; nor to pass between 
the Speaker and the speaking Member, nor to go across the House, Scob., 
6, or to walk up and down it, or to take books or papers from the table, 
or write there, 2 Hats., 171, p. 170.



[[Page 187]]

Chair may require a line of Members waiting to sign a discharge petition 
to proceed to the rostrum from the far right-hand aisle and require the 
line not to form between the Chair and Members engaging in debate (Oct. 
24, 1997, p. 23293). Hissing and jeering is not proper decorum in the 
House (May 21, 1998, p. 10282). In the event of disorder in the well, 
the Chair may ask Members to uphold the dignity and decorum of the House 
so that business can be conducted in an orderly fashion (Speaker Ryan, 
Precedents (Wickham), ch. 6, Sec. 6.1) or may order that the well be 
cleared (Speaker McCormack, Dec. 9, 1963, p. 23831). For further 
discussion of interruptions in debate, see Sec. 946, infra.

  The House has, by clause 5 of rule XVII, prescribed certain rules of 
decorum differing somewhat from this provision of the parliamentary law, 
but supplemental to it rather than antagonistic. In one respect, 
however, the practice of the House differs from the apparent intent of 
the parliamentary law. In the House a Member may interrupt by addressing 
the Chair for permission of the Member speaking (V, 5006; VIII, 2465); 
but it is entirely within the discretion of the Member occupying the 
floor to determine when and by whom to be interrupted (V, 5007, 5008; 
VIII, 2463, 2465). There is no rule of the House requiring a Member 
having the floor to yield to another Member referred to during debate 
(Aug. 2, 1984, p. 22241). A Member may ask another to yield from any 
microphone in the Chamber, including those in the well, so long as not 
crossing between the Member having the floor and the Chair (June 5, 
1998, p. 11170). The Chair may take the initiative in preserving order 
when a Member declining to yield in debate continues to be interrupted 
by another Member, may order that the interrupting Member's remarks not 
appear in the Record (Precedents (Wickham), ch. 5, Sec. 22.24), and may 
admonish Members not to converse with a Member attempting to address the 
House (Feb. 21, 1984, p. 2758), because it is not in order to engage in 
disruption while another is delivering remarks in debate (June 27, 1996, 
p. 15915). On the opening day of the 103d Congress, during the customary 
announcement of policies with respect to particular aspects of the 
legislative process, the Chair elaborated on the rules of order in 
debate with a general statement concerning decorum in the House (Jan. 5, 
1993, p. 105). Under this provision, the




Sec. 365. Parliamentary method of silencing a 
tedious Member.

  Nevertheless,  if a Member finds that it is not the inclination of 
the House to hear him, and that by conversation or any other noise they 
endeavor to drown his voice, it is his most prudent way to submit to the 
pleasure of the House, and sit down; for it scarcely ever happens that 
they are guilty of this piece of ill manners without sufficient reason, 
or inattention to a Member who says anything worth their hearing. 2 
Hats., 77, 78.



  In the House, where the previous question and hour rule of debate have 
been used for many years, the parliamentary method of suppressing a 
tedious Member has never been imported into the practice (V, 5445).




Sec. 366. The parliamentary law as to naming a disorderly 
Member.

  If  repeated calls do not produce order, the Speaker may call by 
his name any Member obstinately persisting in irregularity; whereupon 
the House may require the Member to withdraw. He is then to be heard in 
exculpation, and to withdraw. Then the Speaker states the offense 
committed; and the House considers the degree of punishment they will 
inflict. 2 Hats., 167, 7, 8, 172.



[[Page 188]]

lates to the ultimate authority of the House to determine whether a 
Member ignoring repeated calls to order should be permitted to proceed 
in order.

  This provision of parliamentary law should be read in conjunction with 
clause 4 of rule XVII, Sec. Sec. 960-961, infra, particularly as this 
provision re




Sec. 367. Proceedings in cases of assaults and 
affrays.

  For  instances of assaults and affrays in the House of Commons, 
and the proceedings thereon, see 1 Pet. Misc., 82; 3 Grey, 128; 4 Grey, 
328; 5 Grey, 382; 6 Grey, 254; 10 Grey, 8. Whenever warm words or an 
assault have passed between Members, the House, for the protection of 
their Members, requires them to declare in their places not to prosecute 
any quarrel, 3 Grey, 128, 293; 5 Grey, 280; or orders them to attend the 
Speaker, who is to accommodate their differences, and report to the 
House, 3 Grey, 419; and they are put under restraint if they refuse, or 
until they do. 9 Grey, 234, 312.



  In several instances assaults and affrays have occurred on the floor 
of the House. Sometimes the House has allowed these affairs to pass 
without notice, the Members concerned making apologies either personally 
or through other Members (II, 1658-1662). In other cases the House has 
exacted apologies (II, 1646-1651, 1657), or required the offending 
Members to pledge themselves before the House to keep the peace (II, 
1643). In case of an aggravated assault by one Member on another on the 
portico of the Capitol for words spoken in debate, the House censured 
the assailant and three other Members who had been present, armed, to 
prevent interference (II, 1655, 1656). Assaults or affrays in the 
Committee of the Whole are dealt with by the House (II, 1648-1651).


[[Page 189]]

orders the Clerk to take them down, as stated by the objecting Member. 
They are then a part of his minutes, and when read to the offending 
Member, he may deny they were his words, and the House must then decide 
by a question whether they are his words or not. Then the Member may 
justify them, or explain the sense in which he used them, or apologize. 
If the House is satisfied, no further proceeding is necessary. But if 
two Members still insist to take the sense of the House, the Member must 
withdraw before that question is stated, and then the sense of the House 
is to be taken. 2 Hats., 199; 4 Grey, 170; 6 Grey, 59. When any Member 
has spoken, or other business intervened, after offensive words spoken, 
they can not be taken notice of for censure. And this is for the common 
security of all, and to prevent mistakes which must happen if words are 
not taken down immediately. Formerly they might be taken down at any 
time the same day. 2 Hats., 196; Mem. in Hakew., 71; 3 Grey, 48; 9 Grey, 
514.



Sec. 368. Parliamentary law as to taking down 
disorderly words.

  Disorderly  words are not to be noticed till the Member has 
finished his speech. 5 Grey, 356; 6 Grey, 60. Then the person objecting 
to them, and desiring them to be taken down by the Clerk at the table, 
must repeat them. The Speaker then may direct the Clerk to take them 
down in his minutes; but if he thinks them not disorderly, he delays the 
direction. If the call becomes pretty general, he



  The House has, by clause 4 of rule XVII, provided a method of 
procedure in cases of disorderly words. The House permits and requires 
them to be noticed as soon as uttered, and has not insisted that the 
offending Member withdraw while the House is deciding as to its course 
of action.




Sec. 369. Disorderly words taken down and reported 
from Committee of the Whole.

  Disorderly  words spoken in a committee must be 
written down as in the House; but the committee can only report them to 
the House for animadversion. 6 Grey, 46.



[[Page 190]]

XI, which incorporates the provisions of rule XVII where applicable). 
The House has censured a Member for disorderly words spoken in the 
Committee of the Whole and reported therefrom (II, 1259).

  This provision of the parliamentary law has been applied to the 
Committee of the Whole, rather than to select or standing committees, 
which are separately empowered to enforce rules of decorum (clause 1(a) 
of rule




Sec. 370. References in debate to the 
Executive.

  In  Parliament, to speak irreverently or seditiously against 
the King is against order. Smyth's Comw., L. 2, c. 3; 2 Hats., 170.


  This provision of the parliamentary law is manifestly inapplicable to 
the House (V, 5086); and it has been held in order in debate to refer to 
the President of the United States or his opinions, either with approval 
or criticism, provided that such reference be relevant to the subject 
under discussion and otherwise conformable to the Rules of the House (V, 
5087-5091; VIII, 2500). Under this standard the following references are 
in order: (1) a reference to the probable action of the President (V, 
5092); (2) an adjuration to the President to keep his word (although an 
improper form of address) (Dec. 19, 1995, p. 37601); (3) an accusation 
that the President ``frivolously vetoed'' a bill (Nov. 8, 1995, p. 
31785).

  Personal abuse, innuendo, or ridicule of the President is not 
permitted (VIII, 2497; Aug. 12, 1986, p. 21078; Oct. 21, 1987, pp. 
28857, 28858; Sept. 21, 1994, p. 25147; Sept. 7, 2006, pp. 17381, 17382; 
Oct. 24, 2017, p. _). The standards applicable to references regarding 
the President applies also to the President-elect (e.g., Nov. 14, 2016, 
p. _). In the 102d Congress, the Speaker enunciated a minimal standard 
of propriety for all debate concerning nominated candidates for the 
Presidency, based on the traditional proscription against personally 
offensive references to the President even in the capacity as a 
candidate (Speaker Foley, Sept. 24, 1992, p. 27344). This policy has 
been extended to a presumptive major-party nominee for President (e.g., 
Apr. 22, 2004, pp. 7401, 7402) (although references to the past 
statements or views of such nominee are not necessarily unparliamentary 
(May 6, 2004, p. 8554)). The House has adopted a special order of 
business permitting Members to engage in personalities toward the 
President during debate on certain specified measures (sec. 2, H. Res. 
38, Jan. 12, 2021, p. _).


[[Page 191]]

cency'' (Sept. 13, 2018, p. _) or a ``loathsome human'' (Dec. 14, 2017, 
p. _); (5) a personal ``dark side'' (Mar. 1, 2017, p. _), ruthless (May 
8, 2019, p. _) or ``sinister'' (Dec. 20, 2018, p. _); (6) that such 
person is deserving of shame (May 24, 2016, p. _) or is ``shameful'' 
(e.g., Dec. 8, 2016, p. _) (although an accusation of ``shameful 
opposition'' to a legislative proposal is not necessarily out of order 
(Deschler, ch. 29, Sec.  58.7)); (7) not ``a large enough person'' to 
apologize (Mar. 11, 2004, p. 4086); (8) ``arrogant'' (e.g., Jan. 11, 
2007, p. 998); (9) ``mean-spirited'' (e.g., July 15, 2008, p. 15061), 
``mean'' (July 28, 2017, p. _), or vicious (Sept. 25, 2017, p. _); 
vengeful (June 3, 2013, p. 7783), ``cruel'' (e.g., Nov. 15, 2013, p. 
17166), heartless (e.g., July 25, 2017, p. _), callous (e.g., Sept. 27, 
2017, p. _), a ``jerk'' (Nov. 15, 2018, p. _), or accusations of 
demeaning and denigrating others (Oct. 26, 2017, p. _); (10) ill-
tempered or lacking temperament (e.g., Sept. 7, 2016, p. _), 
``infantile'' (June 15, 2016, p. _) or ``petulant'' (e.g., Jan. 18, 
2018, p. _); (11) a ``hissy fit'' (e.g., Oct. 27, 2011, pp. 16239, 
16245) or ``temper tantrum'' (e.g., Mar. 19, 2018, p. _); (12) was 
``rooting against,'' or was turning one's back on, the American people 
(e.g., Mar. 16, 2016, p. 3317), intentionally hurting the public (Oct. 
3, 2013, p. 15069), or ``bilking'' the taxpayer (Apr. 22, 2015, p. 
5374); (13) that such person had engaged in insults (e.g., May 13, 2015, 
p. 6583), ``attacks women'' (July 16, 2018, p. _) or protected classes 
(Oct. 26, 2017, p. _), or ``says ugly things about women'' (Nov. 21, 
2019, p. _); (14) accusing such person of being ``delusional'' (e.g., 
Dec. 9, 2015, pp. 19794, 19795), ``paranoid'' (Dec. 14, 2017, p. _), or 
``erratic and impetuous'' (Jan. 24, 2019, p. _); (15) commenting 
derogatorily on physical attributes (May 24, 2016, p. _); (16) accusing 
such person of engaging in ``character assassination'' or a ``smear 
campaign'' against others (Jan. 10, 2018, p. _); (17) alleging that such 
person mocked disabled individuals (Feb. 14, 2018, p. _); (18) referring 
to such person as a ``moron'' (Mar. 22, 2018, p. _) or an ``idiot'' 
(Dec. 20, 2017), or of doing or saying stupid things (Oct. 26, 2017, p. 
_); (19) referring to such person as ``greedy'' (Apr. 17, 2018, p. _); 
(20) accusing such person of threats against public officials (Apr. 25, 
2018, p. _); (21) questioning such person's ``reckless'' and 
``negligent'' personal conduct (May 24, 2018, p. _), doubting such 
person's faithfulness to a spouse (e.g., June 13, 2018, p. _), accusing 
such person of ``using women'' (June 28, 2018, p. _), or alleging that 
such person has a ``sex tape'' (July 18, 2018, p. _); (22) ``soulless'' 
(June 21, 2018, p. _) or ``immoral'' (e.g., Sept. 25, 2017, p. _); (23) 
a ``drama queen'' (Dec. 20, 2018, p. _); (24) insinuating that such 
person acts according to his ego (Oct. 10, 2017, p. _), has a fragile 
ego (Nov. 29, 2017, p. _), or is ``making the American people suffer for 
the sake of his ego'' (Jan. 9, 2019, p. _); (25) accusing such person of 
``spreading evil'' (Dec. 1, 2017, p. _); (26) accusing such person of 
vanity (July 11, 2019, p. _).
  Under this standard, the following remarks regarding personal conduct, 
demeanor, or attributes have been held out of order as unparliamentary 
references: (1) discussing personal conduct even as a point of reference 
or comparison (July 16, 1998, p. 15784; Sept. 9, 1998, p. 19735); (2) 
``cowardly,'' ``cowardice'' (e.g., Oct. 25, 1989, p. 25817), lacking 
personal courage (Mar. 26, 2014, p. 4875), ``dastardly'' (July 25, 2017, 
p. _), or lacking a backbone (July 16, 2018, p. _); (3) ``a little 
bugger'' (Nov. 18, 1995, p. 33974); (4) ``disgusting'' and 
``despicable'' (Mar. 11, 2004, p. 4033; Jan. 15, 2019, p. _), 
``disgraceful'' (e.g., June 20, 2012, pp. 9462, 9463) or a disgrace 
(e.g., Sept. 25, 2017, p. _), ``disgusting and indecent rhetoric'' (Mar. 
27, 2017, p. _), ``vile'' (June 15, 2018, p. _), incapable of ``basic 
human de


[[Page 192]]

sented the truth, attempted to obstruct justice, and encouraged others 
to perjure themselves (Feb. 25, 1998, p. 2621); (2) dishonesty (e.g., 
July 13, 2004, p. 15275), failing to be honest (Apr. 14, 2011, p. 6198), 
making a ``dishonest argument'' (Sept. 12, 2006, p. 17851), or intent to 
be intellectually dishonest (May 9, 1990, p. 9828) or issue a false 
statement (Dec. 20, 2017, p. _), or stating that many were convinced 
such person had ``not been honest'' (Mar. 5, 1998, p. 2620), or stating 
that such person had ``fallen quite short when it comes to fairness or 
honesty'' (June 12, 2017, p. _); (3) ``raping'' the truth (Apr. 24, 
1996, p. 8807), ``contempt for the truth'' (June 24, 2019, p. _), not 
telling the truth (e.g., Oct. 29, 2003, p. 26363), distorting the truth 
(Sept. 9, 2003, pp. 21570-73), having only a ``nodding acquaintance'' 
with the truth (Mar. 1, 2017, p. _), or asserting that such person's 
``relationship with the truth is complicated at best'' (June 22, 2017, 
p. _); (4) not being ``straight with us'' (e.g., Nov. 19, 2003, p. 
29811) or ``spoke out of the other side of his mouth'' (Jan. 31, 2012, 
p. 525); (5) attributing ``hypocrisy'' (e.g., Sept. 25, 1992, p. 27674); 
(6) ``deceit'' (Nov. 17, 2014, p. 15809), ``deception'' (e.g., Sept. 28, 
2016, p. _), being deceptive (e.g., Mar. 29, 2004, pp. 5523, 5524), 
using ``deceptive rhetoric'' (Oct. 17, 2007, pp. 27534, 27538), or 
engaging in a ``massive campaign of deception'' (July 11, 2018, p. _); 
(7) making promises while having ``no intention of living up to his 
promises'' (Mar. 27, 2017, p. _) or stating that such person went back 
on (Dec. 20, 2018, p. _) or ``personally reneged on'' (Jan. 18, 2018, p. 
_) his word; (8) acting in a ``duplicitous'' manner (June 11, 2015, p. 
9358); (9) acting in a ``disingenuous'' manner (Mar. 1, 2017, p. _); 
(10) fabricating an issue (e.g., July 6, 2004, pp. 14313, 14314), 
engaging in ``scams'' (May 22, 2019, p. _), or intending to mislead 
(e.g., Oct. 6, 2004, p. 21053), such as stating ``blatant falsehoods'' 
(Jan. 30, 2017, p. _); (11) engaging in ``elaborate attempts to conceal 
information'' (Dec. 14, 2017, p. _); (12) engaging in ``defamation'' 
(Dec. 14, 2017, p. _); (13) intentional mischaracterization, although 
mischaracterization without intent to deceive is not necessarily out of 
order (July 19, 2005, p. 16525); (14) cheating in an election (Aug. 22, 
2020, p. _).
  It is not in order to call the President a ``liar'' or accuse such 
person of ``lying'' (e.g., June 26, 1985, p. 17394). Indeed, any 
suggestion of mendacity is out of order, such as: (1) suggesting that 
such person misrepre


[[Page 193]]

having ``no conscience'' (May 21, 2018, p. _); (5) referring to such 
person as having financial conflicts of interest (Dec. 11, 2018, p. _).
  It is not in order to cast aspersions on the ethical behavior of the 
President, including: (1) alluding to unethical behavior or corruption 
(e.g., June 20, 1996, p. 14829), such as implying a cause-and-effect 
relationship between political contributions and his actions as 
President (e.g., May 22, 2001, p. 9028), including an accusation that 
the President had ``lined the pockets'' of his ``political cronies'' and 
filled ``campaign coffers'' (Sept. 14, 2005, pp. 20238, 20239); (2) 
using the Presidency for personal benefit (e.g., Jan. 11, 2017, p. _) or 
``self-enrichment'' (e.g., Apr. 17, 2018, p. _), or accusing the 
President of the ``appearance of wrongdoing'' and of ``profiting 
illegally'' from the office (Mar. 15, 2018, p. _); (3) questioning 
whether the President can ``live up to the ethical requirements'' of the 
office (Jan. 24, 2017, p. _); (4) calling such person ``amoral'' or 
lacking in morality (June 3, 2013, p. 7783; Nov. 16, 2016, p. _), or 
accusing such person of


[[Page 194]]

gangster'' (June 11, 2019, p. _) or a ``mob boss'' (June 11, 2019, p. 
_); (18) accusing such person of blackmailing a foreign leader (Sept. 
24, 2019, p. _).
  Accusations that the President has committed a crime, or even that the 
President has done something illegal, are unparliamentary. The following 
allegations are not in order: (1) ``draft-dodger'' (e.g., Apr. 24, 1996, 
pp. 8807, 8808), unexcused absences from military service (May 5, 2004, 
pp. 8417, 8418), such as being ``A.W.O.L.'' (Sept. 22, 2004, p. 18953), 
dereliction of duty as Commander-in-Chief (e.g., Oct. 22, 2015, pp. 
16385, 16389), or of ``abdication of duty'' (Oct. 12, 2017, p. _); (2) 
discussing ``charges'' leveled at the President or under investigation 
(e.g., Mar. 19, 1998, p. 4094), including alluding to ``fund-raising 
abuses'' (Mar. 14, 2000, p. 2716), speculating that the Vice President 
might someday pardon the President for certain charges (Apr. 12, 2000, 
p. 5419), or invoking a finding of personal liability by a court (May 
24, 2016, p. _); (3) ``crook'' (e.g., Mar. 1, 2017, p. _), ``come 
clean'' (Sept. 21, 2016, p. _), ``fess up'' (Feb. 6, 2017, p. _), or an 
allegation that the President has engaged in a ``coverup'' (May 22, 
2019, p. _); (4) suggesting censure or impeachment (e.g., Feb. 2, 2017, 
p. _); (5) discussing alleged criminal conduct (e.g., Sept. 10, 1998, p. 
19976), including an assertion that the President led a vast criminal 
enterprise for decades (Sept. 5, 2018, p. _); (6) obstruction of justice 
(e.g., May 17, 2017, p. _) or speculation that a hypothetical action by 
the President would constitute obstruction of justice (Jan. 29, 2018, p. 
_); (7) accusations of ``illegal'' activity or actions taken with the 
knowledge that they were not in accordance with the law (e.g., June 20, 
2006, p. 11935); (8) ``above the law'' (e.g., June 18, 2012, p. 9191), 
``lawless'' (e.g., Aug. 1, 2014, p. 14017), violating the law (e.g., 
July 29, 2014, p. 13385), breaking the law (Sept. 9, 2014, p. 14290), 
abusing the law (Feb. 27, 2015, p. 2907), assaulting the rule of law 
(May 16, 2017, p. _), disrespecting the rule of law (Sept. 27, 2018, p. 
_), or ``beyond justice'' (Apr. 11, 2018, p. _); (9) suggesting 
collusion with a foreign country to violate the integrity of a U.S. 
election (Mar. 29, 2017, p. _); (10) ``shredding'' (Apr. 19, 2016, p. 
_), having contempt for (e.g., July 17, 2013, pp. 11608, 11609), having 
disrespect for (Feb. 3, 2014, p. 2389), decimating (Apr. 11, 2018, p. 
_), trampling upon (e.g., Apr. 26, 2018, p. _), or raping (Feb. 26, 
2019, p. _) the Constitution; (11) ``con man'' or ``con artist'' (e.g., 
June 9, 2016, p. _); (12) alluding to alleged sexual misconduct (e.g., 
May 10, 1994, p. 9697), labeling such person a sexual predator (Nov. 16, 
2016, p. _), or accusing such person of bragging about sexual assault 
(May 16, 2018, p. _); (13) referring to such person as a ``grifter'' 
(Apr. 11, 2018, p. _); (14) alleging that such person is holding 
``innocent babies'' hostage and referencing their placement in cages 
(June 19, 2018, p. _) or generally referring to such person's 
``disregard for the well-being of children'' (May 9, 2019, p. _); (15) 
accusing such person of child abuse (July 18, 2018, p. _) or encouraging 
others to commit assault (June 27, 2018, p. _); (16) accusing such 
person of treason (Dec. 14, 2017, p. _) or of potentially ``treasonous'' 
behavior (e.g., July 16, 2018, p. _); (17) referring to such person as a 
``mobster, con man,

  References to racial or other discrimination on the part of the 
President are not in order. As such, remarks may not refer to the 
President as: (1) a racist (e.g., June 9, 2016, p. _); (2) having made 
``racial slurs'' or ``racial epithets'' (e.g., Jan. 9, 2017, p. _); (3) 
telling a ``racist lie'' (e.g., Jan. 9, 2017, p. _); (4) a bigot (e.g., 
June 9, 2016, p. _), including by referring to bigotry emanating from 
the Presidency (e.g., Jan. 16, 2019, p. _); (5) having made a bigoted or 
racist statement (e.g., June 7, 2016, p. _); (6) having taken a bigoted 
action (Jan. 30, 2017, p. _) or ``putting his bigotry into policy'' 
(June 27, 2018, p. _); (7) not caring about black people (Sept. 8, 2005, 
p. 19797); (8) a misogynist (June 9, 2016, p. _) or a homophobe (Sept. 
5, 2018, p. _); (9) having run a prejudiced campaign (Jan. 12, 2017, p. 
_); (10) having engaged in ``racist rhetoric'' (Jan. 17, 2018, p. _), 
racist stereotyping (Oct. 23, 2017, p. _), or a ``racist rant'' (Feb. 6, 
2018, p. _); (11) having ``racist intentions'' (Jan. 17, 2018, p. _) or 
``inciting racism'' (Nov. 8, 2017, p. _); (12) normalizing bigotry (Jan. 
30, 2018, p. _); (13) exhibiting ``hatred for immigrants'' (Feb. 27, 
2018, p. _), demonizing immigrants (e.g., Feb. 8, 2018, p. _), ``hate 
peddling'' (June 21, 2018, p. _) or having engaged in ``hateful 
rhetoric'' (Sept. 6, 2018, p. _), ``hateful policies'' (Feb. 26, 2019, 
p. _), condoning hate groups (June 11, 2019, p. _), ``stoking the 
flames'' of hate (July 24, 2019, p. _), ``inhuman'' behavior (Mar. 7, 
2019, p. _) or fearmongering (Jan. 9, 2019, p. _; Jan. 10, 2019, p. _) 
with respect to immigrants; (14) holding the view that ``crime and the 
skin color of a person are synonymous'' (May 16, 2018, p. _); (15) 
``uniting hatred'' (Sept. 25, 2017, p. _); (16) engaging in ``xenophobic 
threats'' (June 4, 2019, p. _); (17) having a ``white nationalist 
agenda'' (July 22, 2020, p. _).


[[Page 195]]

  Language impugning the patriotism or loyalty of the President is not 
in order, such as: (1) directly questioning patriotism (Sept. 9, 2016, 
p. _); (2) labeling the President as un-American or having an ``un-
American ideology'' (e.g., June 7, 2016, p. _) or ``subverting 
democracy'' (Apr. 17, 2018, p. _); (3) accusing the President of giving 
``aid and comfort to the enemy'' (e.g., Jan. 25, 1995, p. 2352), 
``aiding and abetting the enemy'' (Apr. 22, 2004, pp. 7401, 7402), 
``aiding and abetting a terroristic regime'' (Sept. 10, 2015, p. 13976), 
or ``sucking up to dictators'' (June 7, 2018, p. _); (4) accusing the 
President of ``spying'' on Congress (e.g., Jan. 7, 2016, p. 128); (5) 
equating the President's decisions with regard to armed conflict to his 
having ``slaughtered'' thousands (Mar. 8, 2007, p. 5815) or that a 
soldier's death was for his ``amusement'' (Oct. 18, 2007, pp. 27569, 
27570); (6) accusing the President of having ``hurt'' Americans ``out of 
spite'' (July 28, 2017, p. _), of torturing the American people (Jan. 
23, 2019, p. _), or of inflicting harm upon Americans (July 9, 2019, p. 
_); (7) alleging that the President ``puts himself above his country'' 
(July 17, 2018, p. _); (8) referring to the President's ``voter fraud 
playbook'' (Dec. 11, 2018, p. _).

  Personally disparaging the manner in which the President carries out 
the duties of the office can constitute a personality, such as when the 
remarks suggest that the President is an undemocratic leader akin to a 
dictator. Remarks that have been held to be unparliamentary include: (1) 
an accusation of ``abuse of power'' or ``abuse of the office'' (e.g., 
Sept. 9, 2014, p. 14314) or ``abuse of executive privilege'' (Apr. 27, 
2016, p. _); (2) an accusation that the President ``disrespected the 
office'' (Mar. 27, 2017, p. _) or took an action ``beneath the dignity 
of the office'' (May 3, 2017, p. _); (3) an accusation of violating the 
oath of office (e.g., Dec. 3, 2013, p. 18074); (4) likening the 
President to a ``ruler'' (e.g., July 8, 2013, p. 10964), ``king'' (e.g., 
July 17, 2013, p. 11622), ``monarch'' (Jan. 15, 2013, p. 218), 
``emperor'' (Dec. 2, 2014, p. 16380), ``modern-day pharoah'' (Jan. 23, 
2019, p. _), a dictator (e.g., Feb. 6, 2018, p. _), or accusing the 
President of ``quasi-monarchical'' behavior or of ``royal pageantry'' 
(July 11, 2019, p. _); (5) an accusation of ``tyranny'' (Mar. 16, 2016, 
p. 3317) or of admiring tyrants (Feb. 26, 2019, p. _); (6) an accusation 
of ``demagoguery'' or of being a demagogue (e.g., Jan. 23, 1996, p. 
1144); (7) referring to the President as a ``Manchurian President'' 
(July 24, 2017, p. _); (8) an accusation that the President has brought 
shame upon the office (Dec. 1, 2017, p. _) or the nation (Dec. 12, 2017, 
p. _), ``diminished'' the office by turning it into a ``Theatre of the 
Absurd'' (Jan. 19, 2018, p. _), or is a ``reality-show President'' (Jan. 
17, 2019, p. _); (9) an accusation of ``authoritarian'' behavior (Feb. 
14, 2018, p. _); (10) accusing the President of ``boot-licking'' foreign 
leaders (July 18, 2018, p. _); referring to the President as a bully 
(Jan. 15, 2019, p. _) or a ``billionaire bully'' (Jan. 9, 2019, p. _).

  The Chair may admonish Members transgressing this stricture even after 
other debate has intervened (Jan. 23, 1996, p. 1144; Apr. 27, 2016, p. 
_).

  A Member may not read in debate extraneous material personally abusive 
of the President that would be improper if spoken in the Member's own 
words (Mar. 3, 1993, p. 3958; Nov. 15, 1995, p. 32587; May 2, 1996, p. 
10010; Mar. 17, 1998, p. 3799; July 15, 2003, p. 18170; Sept. 16, 2003, 
pp. 22151, 22152; Oct. 17, 2007, p. 27538; Oct. 5, 2013, p. 15297; Sept. 
28, 2015, p. 14945; Apr. 19, 2016, p. _; June 29, 2017, p. _; Jan. 17, 
2018, p. _; July 12, 2018, p. _), such as material labeling the 
President's statement a lie (Sept. 10, 2014, p. 14416). This prohibition 
includes the recitation of another Member's criticism of the President 
made off the floor (even if recited as a rebuttal to such criticism) 
(Dec. 17, 1998, p. 27775; Apr. 18, 2016, p. _; Oct. 24, 2017, p. _).


[[Page 196]]

to evidence of alleged impeachable offenses by the President contained 
in a communication from an independent counsel pending before a House 
committee (Sept. 14, 1998, p. 20171; Sept. 17, 1998, p. 20758), although 
they may refer to the communication, itself, within the confines of 
proper decorum in debate (Oct. 6, 1998, p. 23841), and may not otherwise 
suggest that the President has done something worthy of censure or 
impeachment (e.g., Feb. 2, 2017, p. _), including by reciting the vote 
totals on an impeachment resolution that had been previously laid on the 
table by the House (Dec. 7, 2017, p. _) or by urging the Senate to 
convict the President during a trial following his impeachment by the 
House (Jan. 29, 2020, p. _).
  Although wide latitude is permitted in debate on a proposition to 
impeach the President (V, 5093), Members must abstain from language 
personally offensive (V, 5094; Dec. 18, 1998, p. 27829); and Members 
must abstain from comparisons to the personal conduct of sitting Members 
of the House or Senate (Dec. 18, 1998, p. 27829). Furthermore, when 
impeachment is not the pending business on the floor, Members may not 
refer

  References in debate to former Presidents are not governed by these 
standards (Nov. 15, 1945, p. 10735; June 27, 2002, pp. 11844, 11845), 
nor are references to members of the President's Cabinet (Mar. 14, 2019, 
p. _).

  The Chair has advised that the protections afforded by Jefferson's 
Manual and the precedents against unparliamentary references to the 
President, personally, do not necessarily extend to members of his 
family (Speaker Foley, July 12, 1990, p. 17206).

  For discussion of the stricture against addressing remarks in debate 
to the President, as in the second person, see Sec. 945, infra.

  On January 27, 1909 (VIII, 2497), the House adopted a report of a 
committee appointed to investigate the question, which report in part 
stated:

  ``The freedom of speech in debate in the House should never be denied 
or abridged, but freedom of speech in debate does not mean license to 
indulge in personal abuses or ridicule. The right of Members of the two 
Houses of Congress to criticize the official acts of the President and 
other executive officers is beyond question, but this right is subject 
to proper rules requiring decorum in debate. Such right of criticism is 
inherent upon legislative authority. The right to legislate involves the 
right to consider conditions as they are and to contrast present 
conditions with those of the past or those desired in the future. The 
right to correct abuses by legislation carries the right to consider and 
discuss abuses which exist or which are feared.


  ``It is, however, the duty of the House to require its Members in 
speech or debate to preserve that proper restraint which will permit the 
House to conduct its business in an orderly manner and without 
unnecessarily and unduly exciting animosity among its Members or 
antagonism from those other branches of the Government with which the 
House is correlated.''


[[Page 197]]

there; because the opinion of each House should be left to its own 
independency, not to be influenced by the proceedings of the other; and 
the quoting them might beget reflections leading to a misunderstanding 
between the two Houses. 8 Grey, 22.



Sec. 371. References in debate to the other House and its 
Members.

  It  is a breach of order in debate to notice what has been said 
on the same subject in the other House, or the particular votes or 
majorities on it


  Until former clause 1 of rule XIV (currently clause 1 of rule XVII) 
was amended in the 100th and 101st Congresses (H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 1987, 
p. 6; H. Res. 5, Jan. 3, 1989, p. 72), this principle of comity and 
parliamentary law as described by Jefferson governed debate in the House 
to the full extent of its provisions (see generally, V, 5095-5130; VIII, 
2501-21; July 31, 1984, p. 21670; Deschler-Brown, ch. 29, Sec. 44). From 
the 101st Congress through the 108th Congress, clause 1 of rule XVII 
permitted some factual references that were a matter of public record, 
references to the pendency or sponsorship in the Senate of certain 
measures, factual descriptions concerning a measure under debate in the 
House, and quotations from Senate proceedings relevant to the making of 
legislative history on a pending measure. In the 109th Congress clause 1 
was amended to permit debate to include references to the Senate or its 
Members but within the general stricture that requires Members to avoid 
personality (sec. 2(g), H. Res. 5, Jan. 4, 2005, p. 43). Under the new 
standard, remarks may urge the Senate to take a particular action (Mar. 
21, 2010, p. 4105). For a recitation of precedents under the former 
rule, see Sec. 371 of the House Rules and Manual for the 108th Congress 
(H. Doc. 107-284).


[[Page 198]]

a Senator of being prejudiced, racist, or of making a racist comment 
(Jan. 12, 2017, p. _); (14) accusing several Senators of an abuse of 
power (Nov. 2, 2017, p. _); (15) accusing a Senator of criminal conduct 
or harassment (Nov. 16, 2017, p. _); (15) referring to a Senator as a 
``lightweight'' (Dec. 12, 2017, p. _) or an ``idiot'' (Dec. 20, 2017, p. 
_).
  Since the adoption of the new rule, the following references to the 
Senate or its Members have been held unparliamentary: (1) insinuating 
that a Senator or the Majority Leader lied (Dec. 20, 2011, pp. 21444, 
21446; Sept. 28, 2018, p. _); (2) accusing Senate Republicans of 
hypocrisy (May 16, 2005, p. 9757); (3) accusing a Senator of making 
slanderous statements (June 17, 2005, p. 13009; June 21, 2005, p. 
13408); (4) attributing to a Senator a list of offenses under 
investigation by the Securities and Exchange Commission (Oct. 18, 2005, 
p. 22987); (5) accusing a Senator of corruption (Oct. 13, 2009, p. 
24720), taking bribes (Jan. 19, 2010, p. 209), or being unethical (Aug. 
2, 2012, p. 13256); (6) accusing the Republican leadership of 
``hijacking justice'' (Feb. 1, 2017, p. _); (7) accusing a Senator of 
giving ``aid and comfort'' to the enemy (Dec. 13, 2005, p. 28162); (8) 
referring to a Senator as ``disgraceful'' (Oct. 2, 2013, p. 14985) or a 
Senate action as a ``disgrace'' (Apr. 18, 2013, p. 5539), or 
sarcastically as ``courageous'' (July 22, 2011, p. 11831-33); (9) 
referring to Senate Democrats (May 18, 2005, p. 10136) or liberals in 
the Senate (July 30, 2011, p. 12531) as ``cowardly''; (10) stating a 
``low opinion'' of the Senate (Apr. 1, 2011, p. 4966); (11) stating that 
the Majority Leader ``has a high opinion of himself'' (Dec. 20, 2011, p. 
21392); (12) accusing a Senator of ``taunting'' (May 22, 2014, p. 8972) 
or of childish behavior (Jan. 24, 2019, p. _); (13) accusing

  It remains the duty of the Chair to call to order a Member who engages 
in personality with respect to a Senator (see Sec. 374, infra), and the 
Chair may admonish a Member for unparliamentary references even after 
intervening recognition (Oct. 12, 1999, p. 24954; Nov. 15, 2001, p. 
22596). Although the Chair is under a duty to caution Members against 
unparliamentary references, the Chair will not advise Members on how to 
construct their remarks to avoid improper references (Feb. 25, 2004, pp. 
2409-15). A Member may not read in debate extraneous material regarding 
a Senator that would be improper if spoken in the Member's own words 
(Nov. 16, 2017, p. _; Dec. 12, 2017, p. _; Sept. 28, 2018, p. _).

  The prohibition against improper references to Senators includes (1) a 
reference not explicitly naming the Senator (VIII, 2512; Feb. 23, 1994, 
p. 2658; June 30, 1995, p. 18153; Feb. 27, 1997, pp. 2768, 2769); (2) 
the reading of a paper making criticisms of a Senator (V, 5127); (3) a 
reference to another person's criticism of a Senator (Aug. 4, 1983, p. 
23145). Similarly, the Chair has consistently held that if references to 
the Senate are appropriate, the Member delivering them is not required 
to use the term ``the other body,'' (Oct. 4, 1984, p. 30047) and, by the 
same token, references to ``the other body'' will not cure 
unparliamentary references directed to the Senate (e.g., Oct. 2, 2002, 
p. 18913; Apr. 2, 2004, pp. 6394, 6395).

  Under the earlier form of the rule, the Chair held that remarks in 
debate during the pendency of an impeachment resolution may not include 
comparisons to the personal conduct of sitting Members of the House or 
Senate (Dec. 18, 1998, p. 27829) and remarks in debate may not criticize 
words spoken in the Senate by one not a Member of that body in the 
course of an impeachment trial (V, 5106). After examination by a 
committee under the earlier form of the rule, a speech reflecting on the 
character of the Senate was ordered to be stricken from the Record on 
the ground that it tended to create ``unfriendly conditions between the 
two bodies * * * obstructive of wise legislation and little short of a 
public calamity'' (V, 5129). Under the earlier form of the rule, where a 
Member had been assailed in the Senate, he was permitted to explain his 
own conduct and motives without bringing the whole controversy into 
discussion or assailing the Senator (V, 5123-5126). Propositions 
relating to breaches of these principles were entertained as a matter of 
privilege (V, 5129, 6980).

  The precise standard in former clause 1 of rule XIV for references to 
``individual Members of the Senate'' did not apply to references to 
former Senators (Dec. 14, 1995, p. 36968).


[[Page 199]]

Sept. 29, 1988, p. 26683), but references attacking the character or 
integrity of a Senator in that context are not in order (Oct. 30, 1979, 
p. 30150).
  The official policies, actions, and opinions of a Senator who is a 
candidate for President or Vice President (as, in modern practice, with 
one who is not) may be criticized in terms not personally offensive 
(Speaker Wright,

  References in debate to the Vice President (as President of the 
Senate) are governed by the standards of reference permitted toward the 
President, as under the earlier form of the rule. As such, a Member may 
criticize in debate the policies, or candidacy, of the Vice President 
but may not engage in personality (Dec. 14, 1995, p. 36968; July 14, 
1998, p. 15314; Sept. 20, 2000, p. 18639). For example, it is not in 
order to allude to ``wrongdoings [including] fund-raising telephone 
calls by the Vice President'' (Mar. 14, 2000, p. 2716); to attribute to 
him a list of offenses under investigation by a special prosecutor (Oct. 
18, 2005, p. 22987); to suggest that the House should investigate him in 
connection with government contracts awarded to his former employer 
(June 15, 2006, p. 11480); to speculate that he might someday pardon the 
President (Apr. 12, 2000, p. 5419); to accuse him of lying (Sept. 20, 
2000, p. 18639; Sept. 21, 2000, p. 18789; Feb. 16, 2006, p. 1960; Mar. 
6, 2007, p. 5412); to suggest ``he has a problem with the truth'' (Oct. 
5, 2000, p. 21014); to allege ``unethical behavior'' or ``corruption'' 
(see, e.g., Oct. 29, 2003, pp. 26400-402; Nov. 4, 2003, pp. 27070, 
27071), including innuendo suggesting policy choices were made on the 
basis of personal pecuniary gain (July 7, 2004, p. 14582; Sept. 13, 
2005, pp. 20238, 20239) or accusations of abuse of power (July 14, 2004, 
p. 15501); to describe him as ``arrogant'' (June 28, 2007, p. 17926; 
Sept. 25, 2008, p. 21781); to question the patriotism of a major-party 
nominee for the office (Sept. 9, 2016, p. _). The rule also precludes 
the insertion in the Record of a paper making improper references to the 
Vice President (Sept. 19, 2000, p. 18580).


   A Member may not read in debate extraneous material regarding the 
Vice President that would be improper if spoken in the Member's own 
words (Feb. 16, 2006, p. 1960).




Sec. 373. Complaint by one House of conduct of a 
Member of the other.

  Neither  House can exercise any authority over a Member or 
officer of the other, but should complain to the House of which he is, 
and leave the punishment to them.



[[Page 200]]

the vote of a Senator in an impeachment trial, the House declined to 
consider the matter as a breach of privilege (III, 2657). Although on 
one occasion it was held that a resolution offered in the House 
requesting the Senate to expunge from the Record statements in criticism 
of a Member of the House did not constitute a question of privilege, 
being in violation of the rule prohibiting references to the Senate in 
debate (VIII, 2519), a properly drafted resolution referring to language 
published in the Record of Senate proceedings as constituting a breach 
of privilege and requesting the Senate to take appropriate action 
concerning the subject has been held to present a question of the 
privileges of the House (VIII, 2516).

  In a notable instance, wherein a Member of the House had assaulted a 
Senator in the Senate Chamber for words spoken in debate, the Senate 
examined the breach of privilege and transmitted its report to the 
House, which punished the Member (II, 1622). A Senator having assailed a 
House Member in debate, the House messaged to the Senate a resolution 
declaring the language a breach of privilege and requested the Senate to 
take appropriate action (Sept. 27, 1951, p. 12270). The Senator 
subsequently asked unanimous consent to correct his remarks in the 
permanent Congressional Record, but objection was raised (Sept. 28, 
1951, p. 12383). But where certain Members of the House, in a published 
letter, sought to influence




Sec. 374. Duty of the Speaker to prevent expressions 
offensive to the other House.

  * * *  Where the complaint is of words 
disrespectfully spoken by a Member of another House, it is difficult to 
obtain punishment, because of the rules supposed necessary to be 
observed (as to the immediate noting down of words) for the security of 
Members. Therefore it is the duty of the House, and more particularly of 
the Speaker, to interfere immediately, and not to permit expressions to 
go unnoticed which may give a ground of complaint to the other House, 
and introduce proceedings and mutual accusations between the two Houses, 
which can hardly be terminated without difficulty and disorder. 3 Hats., 
51.


  A rule of comity prohibiting most references in debate to the Senate 
was first enunciated in Jefferson's Manual and was strictly enforced in 
the House through the 108th Congress (albeit with certain exceptions 
adopted in the 100th and 101st Congresses in the former clause 1(b) of 
rule XVII) (Sec. 371, supra and Sec. 945, infra). In the 109th Congress 
clause 1 was amended to permit references to the Senate or its Members, 
even critical references, so long as avoiding personality (sec. 2(g), H. 
Res. 5, Jan. 4, 2005, p. 43). Nevertheless, it remains the duty of the 
Chair to call to order a Member who violates the rule in debate or 
through an insertion in the Record.


[[Page 201]]

normally takes initiative (Feb. 27, 1997, pp. 2778, 2779). The Chair may 
admonish Members to avoid unparliamentary references to the Senate even 
after intervening recognition (Oct. 12, 1999, p. 24954). Pending 
consideration of a measure relating to the Senate, the Speaker announced 
his intention to strictly enforce this provision of Jefferson's Manual 
prohibiting improper references to the Senate, and to deny recognition 
to Members violating the prohibition, subject to permission of the House 
to proceed in order (Speaker O'Neill, June 16, 1982, p. 13843). Under 
the earlier form of clause 1 of rule XVII, the Chair refused to respond 
to hypothetical questions as to the propriety of possible 
characterizations of Senate actions before their use in debate (Oct. 24, 
1985, p. 28819). For a further discussion of the Speaker's duties 
regarding unparliamentary debate, see Sec. Sec. 960-961, infra.

  The Chair has distinguished between engaging in personality toward 
another Member of the House, as to which the Chair normally awaits a 
point of order from the floor, and improper references to Members of the 
Senate, which violate comity between the Houses, as to which the Chair




Sec. 375. Course of the Member when business concerning 
that Member is under debate.

  No  Member may be present when a bill or any 
business concerning himself is debating; nor is any Member to speak to 
the merits of it till he withdraws. 2 Hats., 219. The rule is that if a 
charge against a Member arise out of a report of a committee, or 
examination of witnesses in the House, as the Member knows from that to 
what points he is to direct his exculpation, he may be heard to those 
points before any question is moved or stated against him. He is then to 
be heard, and withdraw before any question is moved. But if the question 
itself is the charge, as for breach of order or matter arising in the 
debate, then the charge must be stated (that is, the question must be 
moved), himself heard, and then to withdraw. 2 Hats., 121, 122.



[[Page 202]]

not permitted to depute another Member to speak in his behalf (II, 
1273). In modern practice the Member has been permitted to speak in his 
own behalf, both in censure (June 10, 1980, pp. 13802-11) and expulsion 
proceedings (Oct. 2, 1980, pp. 28953-78; July 24, 2002, pp. 14299, 
14309). A Member-elect has been permitted to participate in debate on a 
resolution relating to his right to take the oath (Jan. 10, 1967, p. 
23).

  In 1832, during proceedings for the censure of a Member, the Speaker 
informed the Member that he should withdraw (II, 1366); but this seems 
to be an exceptional instance of the enforcement of the law of 
Parliament. In other cases, after the proposition for censure or 
expulsion has been proposed, Members have been heard in debate, either 
as a matter of right (II, 1286), as a matter of course (II, 1246, 1253), 
by express provision (II, 1273), and in writing (II, 1273), or by 
unanimous consent (II, 1275). A Member against whom a resolution of 
censure was pending was asked by the Speaker if he desired to be heard 
(VI, 236). But a Member was




Sec. 376. Disqualifying personal interest of a 
Member.

  Where  the private interests of a Member are concerned in a bill or 
question he is to withdraw. And where such an interest has appeared, his 
voice has been disallowed, even after a division. In a case so contrary, 
not only to the laws of decency, but to the fundamental principle of the 
social compact, which denies to any man to be a judge in his own cause, 
it is for the honor of the House that this rule of immemorial observance 
should be strictly adhered to. 2 Hats., 119, 121; 6 Grey, 368.



  In the House it has not been usual for the Member to withdraw from 
debate when the Member's private interests are concerned in a pending 
measure, although clause 1 of rule III addresses voting in such a 
contingency. In one instance the Senate disallowed a vote given by a 
Senator on a question relating to his own right to a seat; but the House 
has never had occasion to proceed so far (V, 5959).




Sec. 377. Wearing of hats by Members.

  No  Member is to come 
into the House with his head covered, nor to remove from one place to 
another with his hat on, nor is to put on his hat in coming in or 
removing, until he be set down in his place. Scob., 6.



[[Page 203]]

  In 1837 the parliamentary practice of wearing hats during the session 
was abolished by adoption of current clause 5 of rule XVII. In its 
current form, the rule specifies that religious headdress is not 
prohibited. See Sec. 962, infra. In the 116th Congress, the Speaker 
announced that discretion would be applied in enforcing the prohibition 
with respect to hats or other head coverings worn out of medical 
necessity (Jan. 3, 2019, p. _).




Sec. 378. Adjournment of questions of order.

    A question of 
order may be adjourned to give time to look into precedents. 2 Hats., 
118.



  As described in Sec. Sec. 628 and 628a, infra, the Speaker has 
declined, on a difficult question of order, to rule until taking time 
for examination (III, 2725; VI, 432; VII, 2106; VIII, 2174, 2396, 3475), 
and may take a parliamentary inquiry under advisement, especially if not 
related to the pending proceedings (VIII, 2174; Apr. 7, 1992, p. 8274). 
However, it is conceivable that a case might arise wherein this 
privilege of the Chair would require approval of the majority of the 
House to prevent arbitrary obstruction of the pending business by the 
Chair. The law of Parliament evidently contemplates that the adjournment 
of a question of order shall be controlled by the House. On occasion, 
the Chair has reversed as erroneous a decision previously made (VI, 639; 
VII, 849; VIII, 2794, 3435).




Sec. 379. House's control over question of the Speaker.

    In 
Parliament, all decisions of the Speaker may be controlled by the House. 
3 Grey, 319.





  The Speaker's decision on a question of order is subject to appeal by 
any Member (clause 5 of rule I).