Point of Order - Legislative Use

Legislative Use

In the United States Senate, the chair's ruling may be appealed by any Senator. The Senate votes on the appeal and the chair has been frequently overturned. Points of order with regard to the Budget Act or annual budget resolution may be waived by 3/5 of the Senate's entire membership. Rule XVI, which prohibits normal legislation in appropriations legislation, may be waived by 2/3 of the Senate.

In the United States House of Representatives tradition, appeals are also possible, but rarely entered and almost never succeed.

In the Irish Oireachtas (parliament) a point of order is "a submission to the chair in respect of a decision he has not yet taken with a view to influencing that decision by presenting certain facts or arguments." This cannot arise in relation to a decision already taken and must relate to a procedural item in the House or on the Standing Orders. A point of information cannot be raised when the Chair (Ceann Comhairle or Cathaoirleach) is:

1. dealing with disorder
2. putting a question
3. addressing the House or
4. dealing with an order of the house.

These rules come mainly from precedent and common practice, as there is no provision in the official Standing Orders for Points of Order. They are, however, usually dealt with in the standing orders as motions.