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 |
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 |
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.
