Rules of Parliamentary Procedure

Introduction

The rules about how senators and representatives act in Congress are specifically designed to ensure that each member is treated fairly and gets a chance to speak and introduce bills. Before you arrive at HMCA, make sure you have read through this introduction to parliamentary procedure. Of course, we understand that these rules can be confusing for some delegates, and we will review them again at the conference.

Each committee is led by a Chairperson (often referred to as “the Chair”). The Chairperson has complete control over the committee and enforces the rules. The Chair will not vote, except in the case of a tie. One note about the rules: Senators will be addressed as “the Senator from [State]”; Representatives as “the Congressman (or Congresswoman) from [State]."

A congressional committee takes a certain action when a member of the committee makes a motion, or a formal request that the chairperson take a specific action. When a member of the committee wishes to make a motion, he or she stands and says “I move to” and then says the specific motion that he or she wishes the committee to undertake (however, with some motions you must wait to be called upon first—this will be described below).

In order to be considered, every motion must be seconded, or immediately approved by another member of the committee, who says “I second that motion,” or simply, “Second.” After a motion has been proposed and seconded, it goes through a process of approval that varies depending upon which motion it is. Below is a list of all the motions used at HMCA, as well as a brief explanation. In addition, members of Congress can also use points, which are motions that apply to only one individual. If a member has a question, for example, he or she stands and says “Point of Information” and then asks the chair his or her question when recognized.

 
Points

Name: Point of Personal Privilege:

When: At any time; always takes preference
Why: To ask to leave the room, chance the room’s temperature, get a glass of water, etc.
Approval: At the discretion of the Chair.

Name: Point of Information

When: At any time.
Why: To ask a question about the rules of the committee or the issue you are discussing
Approval: The Chair will answer the question.

Motions

Name: Motion to Rise 

Why: To go to full session
Approval: Majority vote

Name: Motion to Recess

Why: To end committee session for the day; to take a break.
Approval: Majority vote

Name: Motion to Caucus

Why: To split up based on party lines to discuss bills
Approval: Majority
Note: Moderated Caucuses are discussions that are led by the chair but are more informal than normal committee session; un-moderated caucuses are not led by the chair. The motion must specify which type of caucus and for how long.

Name: Motion to Suspend a Rule

Why: If changing a rule would facilitate debate.
Approval: Requires ½ of the committee as a second, followed by a speech in favor and a speech against, followed by the final vote—requires a two-thirds majority to pass, in addition to the approval of the chair.

Name: Motion for Testimony

Why: To have an expert, government official, or witness testify to the committee to provide information about the issue being discussed.
Approval: One-third majority

Name: Motion to Lay on the Table 

Why: To stop discussing a bill without voting on it.
Approval: Majority

Name: Motion to Take from the Table

Why: To debate a bill that had been tabled.
Approval: Majority

Name: Motion for Previous Question 

Why: To stop debate and vote on a bill
Approval: Requires a two-thirds majority.
Note: Before a committee can vote on a bill, which requires a majority to pass, two-thirds of the committee must agree that it is time to stop debate. This motion addresses the decision of whether to stop debate, not whether a delegate approves or disapproves of the bill.

Name: Motion to Introduce and Amendment 

Why: To introduce an amendment to a bill
Approval: Second
Note: In order for the chair to accept an amendment, it needs a total of four sponsors in a House committee or two sponsors in the Senate.

Name: Motion to Introduce a Bill 

Why: To introduce a bill
Approval: Requires a one-thirds vote
Note: After the motion and second, the committee will hear one speech in favor of introducing the bill and one opposed to its introduction, and then there will be a vote. Also note that in order for the Chair to accept a bill, it requires 10 sponsors in a House committee or 6 in a Senate committee.

Debate

1. Speakers’ List: When a Member desires to speak on any question, he submits his State (and District number in the House, or rank in the Senate) to the Chair to be entered on the Speakers’ List for that question. This is done by raising a placard and waiting to be recognized by a staff member.

2. Yielding: A speaker who has remaining time at the end of his speech has three options:

• Yield his time to the Chair, after which his time is ended and the floor is open for motions.

• Yield his time to questions, so that other members of the committee can ask the speaker questions.

• Yield his time to another Member, who may then speak to the committee. Note: if a person has been yielded time by another delegate, the recipient of the time may not yield time to a third individual.