    [Constitution, Jefferson's Manual, and the Rules of the House of Representatives, 119th Congress]
    [119th Congress]
    [House Document 118-187]
    [Rules of the House of Representatives]
    [Pages 716-735]
    [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.

    [[Page 717]]

      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    adopted in 1794, which provided that no rule should be rescinded without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. 3(d), H. Res. 5, Jan. 7, 2003, p. 11). That authority was
    extended by unanimous consent through the last Wednesday in June (Apr.
    30, 2003, p. 10063) and by resolution through the entire 108th Congress
    (H. Res. 297, June 26, 2003, p. 16275). In the 109th Congress, the House
    amended the rule to permit motions to suspend the rules every Wednesday
    (sec. 2(e), H. Res. 5, Jan. 4, 2005, p. 43). During the 117th Congress,
    the House amended the rule to permit motions to suspend the rules on any
    day (sec. 2(b), H. Res. 1230, 117th Cong., p. _), and in the 119th
    Congress the rule was amended to return to Mondays, Tuesdays, and
    Wednesdays, but without the inclusion of the last six days of a session
    (sec. 2(i), H. Res. 5, Jan. 3, 2025, 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).

    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
    that 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). The motion is not
    available in the Committee of the Whole (May 28, 2014, p. 9122).

      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 2(b) of rule IV; V,
    7270), or the introduction of persons in the galleries (clause 7 of rule
    XVII; VI, 197).

      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 that 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).

    [[Page 718]]

    is required (Mar. 20, 1978, p. 7535; Jan. 22, 2007, p. 1895) including
    to the sponsor (July 30, 2010, p. 14822). However, if 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).
      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

    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; July 30, 2011, p. 12544), and the
    power to withdraw and modify the motion rests with its proponent (May
    10, 2006, p. 7807). The motion may not be postponed (V, 5322) or laid on
    the table (V, 5405). The motion to reconsider may be applied to an
    affirmative (Sept. 28, 1996, p. 25796) but not a negative vote on the
    motion (V, 5645, 5646; VIII, 2781; Sept. 28, 1996, p. 25797). The motion
    to refer may not be applied to the bill that it is proposed to pass
    under suspension of the rules (V, 6860).

      Some older precedents indicate that the right of a Member to have read
    the paper on which the Member 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. The Clerk reports the title of the bill and a
    motion that the measure be read in full is not in order (July 30, 2010,
    p. 14815). 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).

      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).

    [[Page 719]]

    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 en gros 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), and yields to such questions of
    privilege (III, 2553; VI, 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).
    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).
      In the later practice, if the motion includes both suspension of the
    rules and action on the subject, it is admitted even though another
    matter is

      The motion to suspend the rules can be made on days other than
    suspension days by unanimous consent (V, 6795) or by adoption of a
    resolution reported by the Committee on Rules. The motion to suspend the
    rules has been admitted at the discretion of the Speaker since 1881 (V,
    6791-6794, 6845; VIII, 3402-3404; Nov. 2, 2009, p. 26393), and no appeal
    may be taken from the Speaker's denial of recognition (II, 1425).

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

        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).

      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), 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 that had not been referred
    to it (V, 6813) or was not within its jurisdiction (V, 6848).

    [[Page 720]]

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

      For the   history of a former provision of this rule requiring certain
    motions to suspend the rules to be seconded, if demanded, by a majority
    of tellers, see Sec.  889 of the House Rules and Manual for the 115th
    Congress (H. Doc. 114-192).

    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; June
    5, 2012, p. 8302; Oct. 25, 2017, p. 16501; Sept. 23, 2020, p. _). 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; Dec. 5, 2012, p. 16257).

    Sec. 889b. En bloc motion.

      During  the 117th Congress, the
    House adopted special orders of business (e.g., sec. 6, H. Res. 380, May
    12, 2021, p. _) authorizing a single motion to suspend the rules and
    adopt or pass multiple measures which had been considered pursuant to
    individual motions to suspend the rules and on which the yeas and nays
    had been ordered and further proceedings postponed pursuant to clause 8
    of rule XX. Such special orders of business provided for the immediate
    withdrawal of the individual motions to suspend the rules upon the
    offering of the en bloc motion. Pursuant to these special orders of
    business, the House considered en bloc motions to suspend the rules
    (e.g., May 12, 2021, p. _).

    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 but may not entertain
    any other motion until the vote is taken on the suspension.

      This provision (formerly clause 8 of rule XVI) was adopted in 1868 (V,
    5743), and amended in 1911 (VIII, 2823). A technical change was effected
    in the 110th Congress (sec. 505(c), H. Res. 6, Jan. 4, 2007, p. 19
    (adopted Jan. 5, 2007)). A motion for a recess (V, 5748-5751) and for a
    call of the House when there was no doubt of the presence of a quorum
    (V, 5747) were held to be dilatory motions within the meaning of the
    rule. But where a motion to suspend the rules has been made and, after
    one motion to adjourn has been acted on, a quorum has failed, another
    motion to adjourn has been admitted (V, 5744-5746).

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

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

    [[Page 721]]

    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, pp. 20850-52, 20862).
    When the mover and the opponent divide their time with others, the
    practice as to alternation of recognition is not insisted on so rigidly
    as in other debate (II, 1442). Debate should be confined to the object
    of the motion and may not range to the merits of a bill not scheduled
    for suspension on that day (Nov. 23, 1991, p. 34189).
      This provision (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,

      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; Precedents (Wickham), ch. 3, Sec. 11.2). 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). Any
    challenge to the Member recognized to control the time in opposition to
    the motion 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
      This paragraph formerly included a provision dealing with the
    Speaker's authority to postpone further proceedings on motions to
    suspend the rules. 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)(1)  A Member
    may present to the Clerk a motion in writing to discharge--

    [[Page 722]]

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

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

    [[Page 723]]

    House shall have signed the motion, it shall be entered on the Journal,
    published with the signatories thereto in the Record, and referred to
    the Calendar of Motions to Discharge Committees.
      (b) A motion presented under paragraph (a) 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 the signatories 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

      (c)(1) A motion to discharge that has been on the calendar for at
    least seven legislative days (except during the last six days of a
    session of Congress) shall be privileged only at a time or place,
    designated by the Speaker, in the legislative schedule within two
    legislative days after the day on which a Member whose signature appears
    thereon announces to the House an intention to offer the motion. When
    such a motion is called up, the House shall proceed to its consideration
    under this paragraph without intervening motion except one motion to
    adjourn. Privileged motions to discharge shall have precedence in the
    order of their entry on the Journal.

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

    [[Page 724]]

      (d)(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 but 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.

      (2) If a motion prevails to discharge a 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 appropriate calendar, where it shall have the same status as if
    the committee from which it was discharged had duly reported it to the
    House.

      (e)(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

    [[Page 725]]

    substance to or dealing with the same subject matter, is substantially
    the same.
          (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

      (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.

      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 resolution the House immediately voted on
    adoption of the resolution (Speaker Rayburn, Jan. 24, 1944, p. 631), but
    under the current form of the rule, the proponent of the motion to
    discharge is recognized to debate the resolution under the hour rule
    (Oct. 26, 2015, p. 16530).

    [[Page 726]]

      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) and a technical correction was effected in the 110th Congress (sec.
    505(d), H. Res. 6, Jan. 4, 2007, p. 19 (adopted Jan. 5, 2007)). The
    112th Congress clarified that paragraph (c) does not require the
    disclosure of actual signatures (sec. 2(f), H. Res. 5, Jan. 5, 2011, p.
    80). The 113th Congress removed several references to a ``standing''
    committee (sec. 2(f), H. Res. 5, Jan. 3, 2013, p. 26).

      In the 116th Congress, the rule was amended to provide that a motion
    to discharge is privileged a time or place designated by the Speaker
    within two legislative days after a signatory Member provides notice of
    an intention to offer the motion (sec. 102(v), H. Res. 6, Jan. 3, 2019,
    p. _). Under the previous form of the rule, the motion was only
    privileged on the second and fourth Mondays of a month and the offering
    Member was not required to provide notice. For its text, and for a
    thorough treatment of the privilege of the motion on the second and
    fourth Mondays of a month, see Sec. 892 of the House Rules and Manual
    for the 115th Congress (H. Doc. 114-192).

      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 (Precedents (Smith), ch. 7, Sec. 2.7). The rule does
    not authorize signature of discharge motions by proxy (VII, 1014). When
    a Member withdraws a 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 death
    or resignation of a Member who has signed a motion does not invalidate
    the signature (May 31, 1934, p. 10159), but it may be withdrawn by the
    Member's 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). 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 form
    between the Chair and Members engaging in debate (Oct. 24, 1997, p.
    23293).

      The seven days that the motion must be on the calendar before it may
    be called up begin to run as of the day the motion is placed on the
    calendar (Dec. 14, 1937, p. 1517). 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).

      The right to close debate on a motion to discharge a committee is
    reserved to the proponent of the motion (VII, 1010a); and the chair 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).

    [[Page 727]]

    tions would no longer strictly apply such that the resolution would be
    subject to potential further debate or amendment (Oct. 26, 2015, p.
    16531).
      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).
    In the case of a special order of business successfully discharged from
    the Committee on Rules, the Chair advised that if the previous question
    were to be rejected, the provisions of paragraph (e)(1) prohibiting
    dilatory mo

      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).

      Where the Chair postponed proceedings pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX
    on a measure successfully discharged under this clause, the House may
    complete consideration of the measure on a non-discharge day (Oct. 27,
    2015, p. 16573).

    Adverse report by the Committee on Rules, second and fourth Mondays
      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 petition also received the requisite
    number of signatures on the same day it was filed (Feb. 24, 1994, p.
    2999). In the 103d Congress a petition received the requisite number of
    signatures to enable a motion to discharge a resolution amending this
    clause to require publication of Members signing a discharge petition
    (Sept. 8, 1993, p. 20361). In the 114th Congress a petition received the
    requisite number of signatures on the same day it was filed (Oct. 9,
    2015, pp. 16031, 16032), and the motion was subsequently adopted (Oct.
    26, 2015, p. 16530). In the 118th Congress, two petitions received the
    requisite number of signatures (May 15, 2024, p. _; Sept. 19, 2024, p.
    _).

    893. Adverse report by Committee on Rules.

      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
    the second and fourth Mondays of a month.

    [[Page 728]]

    p. 34470). A conforming change was made in the 116th Congress (sec.
    102(v)(3), H. Res. 6, Jan. 3, 2019, p. _). 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).

      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), and January 3, 1975 (H. Res.
    988, 93d Cong., Oct. 8, 1974,

      4. (Reserved.)

    Private Calendar

    Sec. 894. Former District of Columbia business.

        A former
    clause allocating fixed days for District of Columbia business was
    repealed in the 117th Congress (sec. 2(t), H. Res. 8, Jan. 4, 2021, p.
    _). For its text and history, see Sec. 894 of the House Rules and Manual
    for the 116th Congress (H. Doc. 115-177).

    895. 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 729]]

    taining 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.
      (b)(1) On any day, after the disposal of such business on the
    Speaker's table as requires reference only, the Speaker may direct the
    Clerk to call any bill or resolution that has been on the Private
    Calendar for at least seven days, but only on the second legislative day
    after the legislative day on which the Speaker or a designee announces
    to the House an intention to do so. Preference shall be given to omnibus
    bills con

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

    [[Page 730]]

    ited to five minutes in support and five minutes in opposition.

      (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 lim

    Sec. 896. Eligible days 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). In the 116th Congress, the discretionary call of the
    Private Calendar was expanded from the third Tuesday of a month to any
    day, with certain layover and notice requirements (sec. 102(w), H. Res.
    6, Jan. 3, 2019, p. _). A Member serving as an ``official objector'' for
    the Private Calendar has periodically included in the Record an
    explanation of how bills on the Private Calendar are considered (see,
    e.g., Dec. 5, 1995, p. 35354; June 17, 1997, p. 11015; Nov. 17, 2003, p.
    29279). 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 has discretion to recognize a Member to move a
    call of the House before the call of the Private Calendar (July 8, 1987,
    p. 18972). Unanimous consent is required to place the call at another
    time during the day (July 16, 1996, p. 17224; Apr. 21, 1998, p. 6184),
    including after one-minute speeches (Dec. 18, 2012, p. 17289).

    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 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).

    [[Page 731]]

      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 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 that was included therein (by unanimous
    consent) (Sept. 17, 1968, p. 27184).

      On any day except the first Tuesday of a month, the calendar is not
    called unless the Speaker so directs (Oct. 16, 1990, p. 29646); and in
    those cases, omnibus bills on the Calendar are called before individual
    bills thereon (Feb. 17, 1970, pp. 3605-13), and a motion to dispense
    with the call of the Private Calendar noticed pursuant to paragraph
    (b)(1) is likewise in order (Nov. 17, 1981, p. 27770 (sustained by
    tabling of appeal)).

    Sec. 898. Former Corrections Calendar.

      For the  former
    Corrections Calendar rule, see Sec. 898 of the House Rules and Manual
    for the 111th Congress (H. Doc. 110-162).

    Calendar Call of Committees, Wednesdays

    Sec. 899. Former Consent Calendar.

      For the  former Consent
    Calendar rule, see Sec. 899 of the House Rules and Manual for the 111th
    Congress (H. Doc. 110-162).

    900. Calendar Wednesday business.

      6. (a)  On Wednesday of
    each week, business shall not be in order before completion of the call
    of those committees (except as provided by clause 4 of rule XIV) whose
    chair, or other member authorized by the committee, has announced to the
    House a request for such call at least 72 hours in advance.

      (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.

    [[Page 732]]

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

      (d) Precedents, rulings, or procedures in effect before the One
    Hundred Eleventh Congress regarding the priority of business and the
    availability of other business on Wednesday shall be applied only to the
    extent consistent with this clause.

      This clause (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) was adopted January 18,
    1916. The clause was rewritten in the 111th Congress to provide for
    Calendar Wednesday business from a committee only upon its request (sec.
    2(e), H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 2009, p. 7). For a history of the clause as it
    existed before that Congress, and related precedents, see Sec. Sec. 900,
    901 of the House Rules and Manual for the 110th Congress (H. Doc. 109-
    157). Paragraph (d) was added in the 113th Congress (sec. 2(f), H. Res.
    5, Jan. 3, 2013, p. 26). Paragraph (a) was amended in the 118th Congress
    to require a request for a call pursuant to this clause to be made at
    least 72 hours in advance (sec. 2(d), H. Res. 5, Jan. 9, 2023, 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). The rule does not apply to amendments between
    the Houses, unreported bills, or Senate bills being held at the
    Speaker's desk (Mar. 12, 2008, p. 3854). House Calendar bills have no
    preference over Union Calendar bills (VII, 938).

      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 the 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 before
    automatically resolving into Committee of the Whole House on the state
    of the Union (VII, 952).

    [[Page 733]]

      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) when committees
    are called twice (VII, 924; Mar. 12, 2008, p. 3853).

      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 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,
    because such a question is privileged under the Constitution (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) (Mar. 28, 1984, p. 6869) and for
    one-minute speeches (Mar. 21, 1984, pp. 6187, 6188; May 7, 2008, p.
    7993) before the call of committees on Calendar Wednesday. Under a
    former rule, District of Columbia business was eligible for
    consideration on Calendar Wednesday (VII, 937). A motion to adjourn (May
    7, 2008, pp. 7996, 8000) and the administration of the oath (Precedents
    (Wickham), ch. 2, Sec. 3.22; VI, 22) may interrupt the call of
    committees. Once Calendar Wednesday proceedings are completed, other
    business may be conducted (VII, 921).

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

    [[Page 734]]

    Consensus Calendar
      Clause 2(b) of rule XIII (formerly clause 2(l)(1) of rule XI),
    requiring the chair of each committee to report or cause to be reported
    promptly measures approved by the committee and to take such necessary
    steps to bring the matter to a vote, is sufficient authority for the
    chair to call up a properly-noticed bill on Calendar Wednesday, but any
    other committee member must obtain specific authority of the 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; Apr.
    18, 2007, p. 9201). 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 its chair by a committee (IV, 3127).

    901a. Consensus Calendar.

      7. (a)(1)  At least once during
    any week in which the House convenes, the House shall consider a measure
    on the Consensus Calendar as designated by the Speaker.

      (2) This paragraph does not apply before March 1 of an odd-numbered
    year or after September 30 of an even-numbered year.

      (b)(1) The sponsor of a measure that has accumulated 290 cosponsors
    and has not been reported by the committee of primary jurisdiction may
    present to the Clerk a motion in writing to place that measure on the
    Consensus Calendar.

      (2) A proper motion presented under subparagraph (1) shall be placed
    in the custody of the Clerk, and shall appear in a portion of the
    Congressional Record designated for that purpose. The Clerk shall
    maintain a cumulative list of such motions, and shall make such list
    publicly available in electronic form.

      (3) A motion presented under subparagraph (1) shall be considered as
    withdrawn if the measure is reported by the committee of primary
    jurisdiction prior to its placement on the Consensus Calendar.

    [[Page 735]]

      (c) After a measure has maintained at least 290 cosponsors for a
    cumulative period of 25 legislative days after the presentation of a
    motion under paragraph (b)(1), the measure shall be placed on the
    Consensus Calendar. Such measure shall remain on the Consensus Calendar
    until it is--

          (1) considered in the House; or

          (2) reported by the committee of primary jurisdiction.

      This paragraph was added in the 116th Congress (sec. 102(r), H. Res.
    6, Jan. 3, 2019, p. _). The Chair announces the Speaker's designation of
    a measure pursuant to paragraph (a)(1) prior to its consideration in the
    House (July 17, 2019, p. _; Apr. 4, 2022, p. _; Sept. 14, 2022, p. _).
    The House has adopted a special order of business rendering paragraph
    (a)(1) inapplicable with respect to a specified measure (sec. 5, H. Res.
    476, July 10, 2019, p. _) or generally (sec. 2(b), H. Res. 1300, July
    29, 2022, p. _). The legislative day count under this clause is tolled
    during a designated district work period pursuant to clause 13 of rule I
    (see Sec. 639a, supra).

      In the 118th and 119th Congresses, the House required the Majority
    Leader to submit for printing in the Congressional Record any
    determination that a measure placed on the Consensus Calendar pursuant
    to this clause is not in compliance with informal legislative protocols
    (sec. 3(x), H. Res. 5, Jan. 9, 2023, p. _; sec. 3(e), H. Res. 5, Jan. 3,
    2025, p. _).