Frequently Used Parliamentary Motions
The following motions are used at almost all Congressional Debate tournaments:
Motion | Notes | Second Required | Fraction of Chamber Required |
---|---|---|---|
To open the floor to debate* | Also called the "main motion" | Yes | Majority |
To take a bill from the table | Re-opens debate on tabled legislation, which may or may not have already been debated | Yes | Majority |
To lay a bill on the table | Pauses debate on a bill. Some states typically return to vote on all tabled items before the conclusion of a tournament, but there is no rule requiring this. | Yes | Majority |
To call the previous question | To call the "previous question" ends debate on a bill and states the main motion to vote on it | Yes | 2/3 |
To recess | The time of the recess (e.g. "for ten minutes" or "until 11:30") must be specified | Yes | Majority |
To rise to a point of personal privilege | To make a personal request | No | Decision of chair |
To rise to a point of order/parliamentary procedure | To correct a parliamentary error, ask a question, or clarify a procedure | No | Decision of chair |
To amend | Modifies a pending motion or the pending bill/resolution; filled-out slip must be passed to P.O. in advance | 1/3 second triggers debate on the amendment | 2/3 majority to call the previous question to end debate, then majority to pass. |
To adjourn | Made at the end of a tournament | Yes | Majority |
These motions are allowed at some Congressional Debate tournaments, depending on the region and the style of debate:
Motion | Notes | Second Required | Fraction of Chamber Required |
---|---|---|---|
To demand a roll call vote | Used to verify a voice vote or vote by show-of-hands. | Yes | 1/5 |
To "Divide the House" | Used to verify a voice vote | No | No (demand by a single member requires a re-count) |
To modify or withdraw a motion | To change or take back a motion that has not yet passed | Yes, only if chair has already stated the motion | Majority (after motion is stated by chair), no vote required if motion has not been stated. |
To suspend the rules | To take an action against rules (such as adding an additional minute of questioning) | Yes | 2/3 |
To appeal a decision of the chair | Allows chamber to overrule the PO's ruling on a prior point of order | Yes | Majority |
To extend questioning time* | To continue asking questions of the speaker | Yes | 2/3 |
These motions were once common but are no longer allowed by the official NFL Congressional Debate guidelines (as of the 2006-07 school year):
Motion | Notes | Second Required | Fraction of Chamber Required |
---|---|---|---|
For open chambers | If open chambers is passed, representatives may move freely and even leave the house in the middle of debate. | Yes | 2/3 |
Yield to a two-part question | To ask two related questions in a row; made before questions are asked | No | Decision of speaker |
Read more about this topic: Congressional Debate
Famous quotes containing the words frequently and/or motions:
“We frequently are troublesome to others, when we think it impossible for us ever to be so.”
—François, Duc De La Rochefoucauld (16131680)
“How often our involuntary facial motions testify to the thoughts we were keeping secret, and betray us to those around!”
—Michel de Montaigne (15331592)