Rule 11.13. Table of Rules Relating to Motions
The following table of rules relating to motions shall govern:
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Opens
Can be
Can be
In Order
Main
Amended
Recon-
Vote
When
Motion
Debatable
Question
by a
sidered
Required
Another
To
Substitute
(14)
(2)
Has
Debate
Motion (1)
Floor
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Adjourn, fixing day and time
No
No
Yes
No
M
No
Amend
Yes
No
No
Yes
M
No
Appeal a call to order or reprimand
No (3)
No
No
Yes (4)
ME
Yes
Appeal, all other cases
Yes (3,5)
No
No
Yes (4)
ME
Yes
Call from the calendar
No
No
No
No
M
No
Call to order
No
No
No
Yes
M (6)
Yes
Call up a bill or resolution without regard
to its numerical order
No
No
Yes
Yes
ME
No
Commit or recommit
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes (8)
M
No
Extend limits of debate
No
No
Yes
Yes
M
No
Lay on table
No
No
No
No (7)
M
No
Leave to continue speaking after indecorum
No
No
No
Yes
M
No
Limit debate
No
No
Yes
Yes
M
No
Postpone indefinitely
Yes
Yes
No
Yes
M
No
Postpone to a certain day and time
No
No
Yes
Yes
M
No
Previous question
No
No
No
Yes
M
No
Previous question on entire
subject matter (10)
No
No
No
Yes
M
No
Priority of business relating to
No
No
No
Yes
M
No
Privilege, question of
Yes
No
Yes
Yes
M
No
Proceed to executive business
No
No
Yes
Yes
M
No(14)
Reading papers
No
No
No
Yes
M
No
Reconsider a debatable question
Yes
Yes
No
No
M
(11)
Reconsider an undebatable question
No
No
No
No
M
(11)
Refer
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes (8)
M
No
Return to the calendar, subject to call
No
No
No
No
M
No
Special order, to make a
Yes
No
Yes
Yes
M
No
Suspend the rules
No
No
No
No
ME
No
Take a recess
No
No
Yes
No
M
No
Take up order of the day
No
No
No
Yes
(9)
Yes
Withdrawal of a motion
No
No
No
Yes
(12)
No
EXPLANATION OF TABLE
"Yes" shows that the rule heading the column in which it stands applies to the motion opposite to which it is placed. "No" shows that the rule does not apply. A figure shows that the rule only partially applies -- the figure referring to the note showing the limitation. Take, for example, "Lay on the Table." The table shows that it is undebatable, does not open main question, cannot be amended, an affirmative vote as shown by note No. 8 cannot be reconsidered, requires a majority vote, and is not in order when another has the floor.
NOTES TO TABLE RELATING TO MOTIONS
1. Since motions are never amended in the Senate, this heading is somewhat misleading. What is meant is that the motion can be altered in some respect by a substitute motion -- for example, the motion to lay on the table cannot be altered by a substitute motion, but the motion to fix the time and day to which to adjourn can be altered by a substitute motion by naming another day and/or time.
2. Vote required: M -- Majority of those present and voting; ME -- Majority of those elected.
3. An appeal is undebatable only when relating (a) to indecorum or (b) to transgressions of the rules of speaking or (c) to the priority of business or (d) when made while the previous question is pending. When debatable, only two speeches from each member are allowed.
4. The vote on a motion to appeal may be reconsidered, but when the subject matter upon which the appeal was taken has been disposed of, and it is impossible for the Senate to reverse its action, it is too late to move to reconsider the vote on the motion to appeal.
5. No member shall speak more than twice unless by leave of the Senate. (See Senate Rule 6.7; See also Note 3, supra.)
6. If any member, in speaking or otherwise, transgresses the rules of the Senate, the presiding officer shall, or any member may, call him to order. (Senate Rule 6.3)
7. An affirmative vote on this motion cannot be reconsidered.
8. Cannot be reconsidered when in committee. Senate Rule 13.11 sets forth procedures to effect a mandatory report by committee or discharge and recommittal.
9. A matter of right; it would require a vote equivalent to a suspension of the rules to proceed otherwise.
10. The previous question on the entire subject matter, if adopted, cuts off debate and brings the Senate to a vote on the pending questions in their order until the main question is reached, which shall be at once disposed of. But its only effect, if a motion "to postpone" is pending, is to bring the Senate to a vote upon that motion.
11. Can be moved and entered on the record when another has the floor, but cannot interrupt business then before the Senate; must be made as provided in Senate Rule 11.12.
12. A matter of right, except in the case of the motion to reconsider. (See Senate Rule 11.2)
13. A rejected motion, although it is of a class that cannot be reconsidered, nonetheless can be renewed after progress in debate or the transaction of any business, if the renewal is not dilatory.
14. Not in order more than once during debate on any one bill or resolution except with unanimous consent of those present and voting.