House Committee Markups: Commonly Used Motions and Requests Page: 4 of 5
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CRS-4
After initial debate on an amendment, a Member may say, "Mr. Chairman, I move the
previous question on the amendment and all amendments thereto."
The chair puts the question, "The motion is in order and is not debatable. As many
as are in favor..."
If the motion is successful, then the chair puts the question on the pending
amendment [s]. "The previous question having been ordered, the question is on the
amendment offered by.... As many as are in favor..."
Question of Consideration: The question of consideration, which literally means, Does
the committee/subcommittee want to consider this bill?, may be raised before debate has
begun. The motion is not debatable and may not be tabled. If made in a timely manner,
the chair puts the question without debate, "Does the committee wish to consider..." A
majority vote is needed. If the question is defeated, it does not prevent the measure from
being brought up again. If the question is agreed to, the vote is subject to reconsideration
Quorum: A quorum is required at all times during a markup. Any member may make a
point of order that a quorum is not present. The chair will then count. If a quorum is not
present, the chair will direct the clerk to call the roll. When a quorum is present, the chair
announces that the committee will resume its business. The chair's count of a quorum is
conclusive and not subject to appeal.
Reading of the Bill: A member can request the reading of an entire bill or an amendment.
The first reading of a bill may be dispensed with by unanimous consent or by motion, the
latter only if printed copies are available. The motion is not debatable and may not be
tabled. The reading of an amendment can be dispensed with only by unanimous consent.
Reconsider, Motion to: Any member who voted on the prevailing side of a record vote
may move to reconsider the vote. The request to reconsider does not have to be made
immediately after the result of the vote is announced. It can be made at the same meeting
of the committee at which the vote was taken to which the motion applies, or at a
subsequent meeting on the same or next day thereafter on which the committee convenes
with a quorum present. A motion to reconsider is debatable if the question to which it
relates was debatable at the time the committee voted on it. If a motion to reconsider is
adopted, the vote is taken again without debate. The motion to reconsider is subject to
a motion to table (kill).
Regular Order: Any member has the right to "demand the regular order," thereby
demanding the execution of a rule or order of the House. The chair is required to return
to the pending business when regular order is demanded.
Report, Motion to: It is the duty of the committee chair "promptly" to report to the
House measures approved by the committee. If the report is not filed by the chairman, a
majority of the committee members may file a written request for the filing of the report.
Within seven calendar days (exclusive of the days the House is not in session), after the
filing of the request, the report itself is to be filed. Pursuant to precedent, the motion to
report must be authorized by the committee acting together at a formal meeting of the
committee with a majority of the committee physically present.
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Schneider, Judy. House Committee Markups: Commonly Used Motions and Requests, report, August 19, 1999; Washington D.C.. (https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc808089/m1/4/: accessed April 23, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, UNT Digital Library, https://digital.library.unt.edu; crediting UNT Libraries Government Documents Department.