Congressional Simulation:

Supplemental Parliamentary Procedure Materials

Compiled by David Menefee-Libey, March 2011

 

Useful Motions and Orders

(The rules that are outlined here follow Robert’s Rules of Order except where noted.)

 

Main Motion to Open Floor for Debate: The motion opens the floor for consideration of the docket. If the docket (the order of bills, amendments, etc.) is pre-arranged, the motion begins debate on the first order of business.

REQUIREMENTS: a second, and a ½ vote.

Motion to Amend: The motion takes into consideration an amendment to a bill or rule. The process here is a bit complicated.

Steps to the Amendment Process:

1.      When a motion to amend is made, the motion first REQUIRES a 1/3 second to consider the amendment. (Simulation requirement: one person to second.)

2.      If the motion receives a second, there are two options to proceed on the amendment. The chamber can decide to debate the amendment, or the chamber can rule to make a direct Move to the Previous Question (see below).

3.      If the Previous Question is called, a vote will be taken to see if the amendment carries. Amendments need simple majorities to pass.

Motion to Move to the Previous Question: The motion mandates an immediate vote on the piece of legislation, rule, or amendment. The previous question is called at the end of the amendment process, or when a piece of legislation has been duly debated.

            REQUIREMENTS: a second, and a 2/3 vote. (Simulation requirement: simple majority.)

Motion to Lay on the Table: The motion removes the piece of legislation from the floor, BUT, the chamber must vote on the piece of legislation before adjournment.

            REQUIREMENTS: a second, and a simple majority (1/2) vote.

Motion to Postpone Indefinitely: The motion does the same thing as the motion to lay on the table, but it does not require that the piece of legislation be voted on before the end of business.

            REQUIREMENTS: a second, and a simple majority (1/2) vote.

Motion to Suspend the Rules: The motion removes an existing specified rule for a certain period of time. (The time and nature of the suspension is at the discretion of the person who makes the motion.)

            REQUIREMENTS: a second, and a 2/3 vote.

Motion to Call for the Orders of the Day: The motion wraps up debate: all the pieces of legislation that are on the docket, table, or on the floor will be subject to an immediate call of the previous question.

            REQUIREMENTS: a second, and a 1/2 vote.

Motion to Adjourn: Pretty self explanatory

            REQUIREMENTS: a second, and a ½ vote.


 

Robert's Rules of Order – Glossary*

 

Adjourn, motion to: request to end the current session

Agenda: also called orders of the day, list of actions or issues to be considered

Amend: Inserting or striking out words or paragraphs, or substituting whole paragraphs or resolutions

Appeal Decision of the Chair: Ask for the assembly to override a chair’s ruling - must be made before other business is resumed; NOT debatable if relates to decorum, violation of rules or order of business.

Bill/resolution/measure: written document of action to be considered for group approval

Chair: person running the meeting in an official capacity

Commit /Refer/Recommit to Committee: Must state the committee to receive the question or resolution; if no committee yet exists, must include size of committee desired and method of selecting the members (election or appointment).

Committee of the whole: used to make the entire house a committee for informal adjustments to resolutions (See Informal Consideration)

Committee: smaller group of members, used to further consider an action

Consider by Paragraph: Adoption of resolution is held until all paragraphs are debated and amended and entire resolution is satisfactory; after all paragraphs are considered, the entire resolution is then open to amendment, and paragraphs may be further amended. Any Preamble cannot be considered until debate on the body of the resolution has ceased.

Debate: organized discussion for and against an action

Divide the Question: Divides a motion into two or more separate motions (each of which must be able to stand on its own)

Extend Debate: Applies only to the immediately pending question; extends until a certain time or for a certain period of time

Germane: relevant to the issue at hand

Informal Consideration: Move that the assembly go into "Committee of the Whole" - informal debate as if in committee; this committee may limit number or length of speeches or close debate by other means by a 2/3 vote. All votes, however, are formal.

Limit Debate: Closing debate at a certain time, or limiting to a certain period of time

Main Motion: Brings new business (the next item on the agenda) before the assembly

Member: a person attending the meeting, making a motion or voting

Motion: an instruction or request being made

Object to Consideration: Objection must be stated before discussion or another motion is stated

Orders of the Day (Agenda): A call to adhere to the agenda (a deviation from the agenda requires Suspending the Rules)

Parliamentary Inquiry: Inquire as to the correct motion - to accomplish a desired result, or raise a point of order

Point of Information: Generally applies to information desired from the speaker: "I should like to ask the (speaker) a question."

Point of Order: Asks the chair to correct an infraction of the rules, or improper decorum in speaking. Must be raised immediately after the error is made

Point of Privilege: Pertains to noise, personal comfort, etc. - may interrupt only if necessary!

Postpone Indefinitely: Kills the question/resolution for this session - exception: the motion to reconsider can be made this session

Postpone indefinitely: permanent removal from docket without final approval

Postpone to a Certain Time: State the time the motion or agenda item will be resumed

Previous Question: Closes debate if successful - may be moved to "Close Debate" if preferred

Privilege, point of: request of a personal relevance, not related to the matters at hand

Quorum: minimum number of members required to conduct business

Recess, motion to: formal request for a temporary break.  Must specify duration

Reconsider: Can be made only by one on the prevailing side who has changed position or view

Rescind: method of removing or taking back a prior action

Rules: bylaws or codification of meeting procedure

Suspend the Rules: Allows a violation of the assembly's own rules (except Constitution); the object of the suspension must be specified

Table, or Lay on the Table: Temporarily suspends further consideration/action on pending question; may be made after motion to close debate has carried or is pending

Take from the Table: Resumes consideration of item previously "laid on the table" - state the motion to take from the table

Vote: to make a final agreement on something, using all members’ opinions

Withdraw/Modify Motion: Applies only after question is stated; mover can accept an amendment without obtaining the floor

 

*Adapted from: http://www.robertsrules.org, © 1997 Beverly Kennedy


 

Table of Motions from Robert’s Rules of Order

(The ordinary motions rank as follows, the lowest in rank being at the bottom and the highest at the top of the list.  When any motion is immediately pending the motions above it in the list are in order, and those below are out of order.  Note also certain modifications made for the simulation by strikethroughs.)

 



 

Motion

Purpose

Requires second?

Debat-able?

Amend-

Able?

Required vote?

May interrupt speaker?

25

To fix time for reassembling

To arrange the time of next meeting

Yes

Yes

Yes

Majority

Yes

24

To adjourn

To dismiss the meeting

Yes

No

Yes

Majority

No

23

To recess

To dismiss the meeting for a specific length of time

Yes

Yes

Yes

Majority or decision of chair

Yes

22

Rise to a question of privilege

To make a personal request during debate

No

No

No

Decision of chair

Yes

21

Call for the orders of the day

To force consideration of a postponed motion or return to the agreed-upon agenda

No

No

No

Decision of chair

Yes

20

Point of information

To ask a question of clarification

No

No

No

Decision of chair

Yes

19

Appeal a decision of the Chair

To reverse the decision of the Chair

Yes

Yes

No

Majority

Yes

18

Rise to a point of order or parliamentary procedure

To correct parliamentary error or ask a question

No

No

No

Decision of chair

Yes

17

To call for a roll call vote or “division of the chamber”

To verify a voice vote

Yes

No

No

1/5

No

16

Object to the consideration of a question

To suppress action

No

No

No

2/3

Majority

Yes

15

To divide a motion

To consider its parts separately

Yes

Yes

Yes

Majority

No

14

Leave to modify or withdraw a motion

To modify or withdraw a motion

Yes

Yes

No

Majority

No

13

To suspend the rules

To take action contrary to standing rules

Yes

Yes

No

2/3

No

12

To rescind

To repeal the previous action

Yes

Yes

Yes

2/3

No

11

To reconsider

To consider a defeated motion again

Yes

Yes

No

Majority

No

10

To take from the table

To consider a tabled motion

Yes

Yes

No

Majority

No

9

To lay on the table

To defer action

Yes

Yes

No

Majority

No

8

Previous question

To force an immediate vote

Yes

No

No

Decision of chair, or 2/3 majority if contested

No

7

To limit or extend debate

To modify freedom of debate

Yes

Yes

Yes

2/3

No

6

To postpone to a certain time

To defer action

Yes

Yes

Yes

Majority

Yes

5

To refer to a committee

To further study, consideration or revision or a motion

Yes

Yes

No

Decision of chair

Yes

4

To amend an amendment

To modify an amendment

Yes, 1/3

Yes

No

Majority

No

3

To amend (by:

  -adding,

  -striking out, or

  -substituting)

To modify a motion

Yes, 1/3

Yes

Yes

Majority

No

2

To postpone indefinitely

To suppress action

Yes

Yes

No

Majority

No

1

Main motion

To introduce business

Yes

Yes

Yes

Majority

No

 

Adapted from www.RobertsRules.org by David Menefee-Libey, March 2006, revised 2011.