Post by Speaker Hastert on Dec 11, 2005 11:55:40 GMT -5
The following are an editted version of the Real House rules. More will be added as necessary, and as the House gains more players. For rules not mentioned here, please ask me here in my office. Thank you.
RULES OF THE HOUSE
I. MOTIONS
Every motion entertained by the Speaker shall be reduced to writing on the demand of a Member, Delegate, or Resident Commissioner and, unless it is withdrawn the same day, shall be entered on the Journal with the name of the Member, Delegate, or Resident Commissioner offering it. A dilatory motion may not be entertained by the Speaker.
A. In order of Precedence
(1) To adjourn.
(2) Overrule the Chair
(3) To lay on the table.
(4) To refer.
(5) To amend.
(6) To postpone indefinitely.
A motion to adjourn, or to lay on the table shall be decided without debate. A motion to postpone to refer, or to postpone indefinitely, being decided, may not be allowed again on the same day at the same stage of the question.
B. Amendments
When an amendable proposition is under consideration, members, excluding the Leaders must receive a second within 12 hours, and then 24 hours to vote on the motion. The Speaker may extend time at his pleasure.
C. Germaneness
No motion or proposition on a subject different from that under consideration shall be admitted under color of amendment
D. Withdrawal
When a motion is entertained, the Speaker shall state it or cause it to be read aloud by the Clerk before it is debated. The motion then shall be in the possession of the House but may be withdrawn at any time before a decision or amendment thereon.
II. The Speaker
The Speaker of the House shall have final authority on all rules, unless overruled by a majority of the House.
III. Consideration
The Majority Leader shall bring to the floor only 5 bills for consideration at one time. 1 of those bills must be co-sponsored by a member of the minority.
Debate
The Speaker shall assign a length of time for Debate, but no less than 24 hours.
Testimony
A member may call for testimony on any bill, with consent from the Speaker (or Chair, if in committee).
Investigation
A member may call for an investigation on any matter, with consent from the Speaker (or Chair, if in committee). The Speaker (or Chair) shall compile an appropriate investigatory panel. A panel must have members from the majority and minority, and the Speaker (or Chair) shall appoint a Chair who shall be responsible for reporting all matters.
Voting
A. The Majority Leader is recognized as first to speak. Therefore, he needs no second to call any motion. After 12 hours of debate, the Majority Leader may call for the previous question without a vote.
B. The Minority Leader is recognized as second to speak. Therefore, he needs no second to call a motion unless the Majority Leader objects before the motion is recognized by the Speaker. After 12 hours of debate, the Minority Leader may call for the previous question without a vote, unless the Majority Leader objects which immediately begins a vote to call the question.
C.Others' motions must be seconded within 12 hours.
D. For motions and amendments, the Speaker shall assign at least 24 hours.
E. For final voting, the Speaker shall assign at least 48 hours. The Speaker may extend voting time, but no longer than 72 hours.
F. When a motion for Unanimous consent is called for, there must be 24 hours given for objection. If no objection, the bill passes unanimously.
G. A member may change their vote until the Speaker closing voting. Then no member may change their vote.
RULES OF THE HOUSE
I. MOTIONS
Every motion entertained by the Speaker shall be reduced to writing on the demand of a Member, Delegate, or Resident Commissioner and, unless it is withdrawn the same day, shall be entered on the Journal with the name of the Member, Delegate, or Resident Commissioner offering it. A dilatory motion may not be entertained by the Speaker.
A. In order of Precedence
(1) To adjourn.
(2) Overrule the Chair
(3) To lay on the table.
(4) To refer.
(5) To amend.
(6) To postpone indefinitely.
A motion to adjourn, or to lay on the table shall be decided without debate. A motion to postpone to refer, or to postpone indefinitely, being decided, may not be allowed again on the same day at the same stage of the question.
B. Amendments
When an amendable proposition is under consideration, members, excluding the Leaders must receive a second within 12 hours, and then 24 hours to vote on the motion. The Speaker may extend time at his pleasure.
C. Germaneness
No motion or proposition on a subject different from that under consideration shall be admitted under color of amendment
D. Withdrawal
When a motion is entertained, the Speaker shall state it or cause it to be read aloud by the Clerk before it is debated. The motion then shall be in the possession of the House but may be withdrawn at any time before a decision or amendment thereon.
II. The Speaker
The Speaker of the House shall have final authority on all rules, unless overruled by a majority of the House.
III. Consideration
The Majority Leader shall bring to the floor only 5 bills for consideration at one time. 1 of those bills must be co-sponsored by a member of the minority.
Debate
The Speaker shall assign a length of time for Debate, but no less than 24 hours.
Testimony
A member may call for testimony on any bill, with consent from the Speaker (or Chair, if in committee).
Investigation
A member may call for an investigation on any matter, with consent from the Speaker (or Chair, if in committee). The Speaker (or Chair) shall compile an appropriate investigatory panel. A panel must have members from the majority and minority, and the Speaker (or Chair) shall appoint a Chair who shall be responsible for reporting all matters.
Voting
A. The Majority Leader is recognized as first to speak. Therefore, he needs no second to call any motion. After 12 hours of debate, the Majority Leader may call for the previous question without a vote.
B. The Minority Leader is recognized as second to speak. Therefore, he needs no second to call a motion unless the Majority Leader objects before the motion is recognized by the Speaker. After 12 hours of debate, the Minority Leader may call for the previous question without a vote, unless the Majority Leader objects which immediately begins a vote to call the question.
C.Others' motions must be seconded within 12 hours.
D. For motions and amendments, the Speaker shall assign at least 24 hours.
E. For final voting, the Speaker shall assign at least 48 hours. The Speaker may extend voting time, but no longer than 72 hours.
F. When a motion for Unanimous consent is called for, there must be 24 hours given for objection. If no objection, the bill passes unanimously.
G. A member may change their vote until the Speaker closing voting. Then no member may change their vote.