[Deschler's Precedents]
[From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access]
[DOCID:52093c06_txt-11]
[Page 541-542]
CHAPTER 6
Officers, Officials, and Employees
B. SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE
Sec. 10. Definition and Nature of Office
The ``Speaker pro tempore''(1) is the title of the
office (1) of the Member designated as such by the
Speaker,(2) or (2) of the Member designated by the Speaker
and approved by the House, or (3) of the person elected by the House to
act as and to assume certain of the duties, powers, and functions of
the Speaker during the Speaker's absence.(3)
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1. ``Pro tempore'' is a Latin phrase meaning ``for the moment'' or
``for a time.''
Parliamentarian's Note: The Speaker pro tempore is more
usually referred to in conversation as the ``Speaker pro tem,''
which is acceptable in conversation, though not the official
title. ``Pro tem'' has the same meaning as ``pro tempore.''
2. Or, on occasions, by a Speaker pro tempore. See Sec. Sec. 12.3,
12.4, infra.
3. Even though the Clerk sometimes assumes some of the duties, powers,
and functions of the Speaker when the Speaker is not yet
elected or is absent, he is not considered a Speaker pro
tempore. See Sec. 18, infra, for treatment of the office of
Clerk.
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The Speaker pro tempore should also be distinguished from the
Chairman or Chairman pro tempore of the Committee of the Whole. See Ch.
19, infra.
The primary rule involving the Speaker pro tempore is Rule I clause
7, House Rules and Manual Sec. 633 (1973). It states: ``He [the
Speaker] shall have the right to name any Member to perform the duties
of the Chair, but such substitution shall not extend beyond three
legislative days: Provided, however, That in the case of his [the
Speaker's] illness, he may make such appointment for a period not
exceeding ten days, with the approval of the House at the time the same
is made; and in his [the Speaker's] absence and omission to make such
appointment, the House shall proceed to elect a Speaker pro tempore to
act during his absence.''
The Speaker pro tempore is usually a Member who is a leader in the
majority party.(4) A minority party member is designated
Speaker pro tempore only on rare ceremonial occasions.(5)
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4. Party Organization generally, see Ch. 3, supra.
5. See Sec. 12.7, infra.
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Speakers pro tempore are distinguishable by whether they are
designated, designated and approved, or elected. The kinds of duties,
powers, and functions assumed by a Speaker pro tempore depend, more
often than not, on the type of Speaker pro tempore
involved.(6)
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6. See Sec. Sec. 12.8-12.16 (designated), 13.1, 13.2 (designated and
approved), and 14.8-14.16 (elected), infra.
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[[Page 542]]
It should be noted, however, that there are also situations,
usually noncontroversial ones, in which actions undertaken by a Speaker
pro tempore are not dependent on the type of Speaker pro tempore
involved. Examples of these actions are: calling the House to order in
the absence of the Speaker;(7) announcing matters involving
actions of the Speaker;(8) and designating another Speaker
pro tempore.(9)
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7. See Sec. 12.15 (designated); and the illustration under Sec. 14.12
(elected), infra.
8. See illustrations under Sec. 12.2 (designated), infra; and 109
Cong. Rec. 25591, 88th Cong. 1st Sess., Dec. 27, 1963; and 108
Cong. Rec. 12705, 87th Cong. 2d Sess., July 5, 1962 (elected).
9. See illustrations under Sec. Sec. 14.1 (designated); 12.3
(elected), infra.
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