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Parliamentary Procedure

Parliamentary Procedure

Parliamentary Law Procedure

Introduction to Parliamentary Procedure

Business is brought before an assembly by a motion, or proposal, of a member or by the presentation of a resolution. When the motion has been stated, the question of its adoption is considered pending. While this question or matter is before the assembly, no other business of a different nature can intervene. A motion to adjourn the meeting, however, is always in order, and questions of higher privilege may sometimes intervene. Questions subsidiary to the main question are also in order when they aid in, or result in, the disposition of the main question. Thus, motions to table, postpone to a later time, refer to committee, amend, or postpone indefinitely may be offered, and have precedence in the order listed. Debate on a specific question or issue is in order after that question has been stated by the chair. When debate has ended, or has been closed by motion and vote of the members present, the presiding officer rises and puts the debated question to a vote.

The rules of the U.S. House of Representatives require those favoring the motion to indicate their preference by saying together “aye,” and those opposing it to say together “no.” If the presiding officer is in doubt as to the result of the voice vote, or at the request of any member, a so-called division, or standing, vote is in order-that is, a vote whereby those in favor of and those opposed to the proposition are alternately asked to stand and be counted. The presiding officer may also appoint tellers to make the count and report the results; House rules also provide that one-fifth of a quorum may order that tellers be appointed to make such a count. A specified percentage of the minority of the membership, a figure normally stated in the constitution or bylaws, may order the roll to be called. In such a case the presiding officer directs the secretary or clerk to call the roll, and the vote of each member is recorded and tallied as each name is called. To ensure secrecy, a vote by ballot may be held if supported by a majority. In the case of a tie vote, under any voting procedure, the proposition fails.” (1)

Resources

Notes and References

Information about Parliamentary Procedure in the Encarta Online Encyclopedia

Guide to Parliamentary Procedure

Hierarchical Display of Parliamentary procedure

Politics > Parliamentary proceedings
Politics > Parliament > Powers of parliament
Law > Sources and branches of the law > Legal science > Constitutional law