[Deschler's Precedents]
[From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access]
[DOCID:52093c24_txt-11]
[Page 4883-4885]
CHAPTER 24
Bills, Resolutions, Petitions, and Memorials
A. INTRODUCTORY; VARIOUS TYPES OF BILLS, RESOLUTIONS, AND OTHER
MECHANISMS FOR ACTION
Sec. 10. Petitions and Memorials
A petition is a plea to the Congress to take some action, or
refrain from action, on a subject of legislative concern. The term ``me
[[Page 4884]]
morial'' is ordinarily used to describe a petition from a state
legislature.(6)
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6. See House Rules and Manual Sec. Sec. 389, 849 (1981).
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Petitions and memorials, when brought to the attention of the House
by a Member or the Speaker, are referred to the committees having
appropriate jurisdiction. They are not legislative measures, but may
provide the initiative for legislative action. Thus, they are not
reported from committee and voted on in the House in the manner of
bills and resolutions.(7)
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7. The introduction and reference of petitions and memorials is
governed by Rule XXII clauses 1, 3, 4, House Rules and Manual
Sec. Sec. 849, 853, 854
(1981). -------------------
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Introduction by Request
Sec. 10.1 When a citizens' petition is introduced ``by request'' under
Rule XXII, these words are entered on the Journal and printed in
the Record following the name of the Member who introduces the
petition.
On Apr. 13, 1961,(8) the following was recorded in the
Record:
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8. 107 Cong. Rec. 5900, 87th Cong. 1st Sess.
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Under clause 1 of rule XXII, petitions and papers were laid on
the Clerks' desk and referred as follows:
118. By Mr. [Perkins] Bass of New Hampshire (by request):
Petition of 67 faculty members of Dartmouth College seeking the
elimination of the House Committee on Un-American Activities as a
standing committee; to the Committee on Rules.
Presentation by Petitioners
Sec. 10.2 The Speaker declined to entertain a unanimous-consent request
that certain petitioners be permitted to present a petition on the
floor of the House.
On May 24, 1972,(9) the following proceedings took
place:
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9. 118 Cong. Rec. 18679-81, 92d Cong. 2d Sess.
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Mrs. [Bella] Abzug [of New York]: Mr. Speaker, we have
petitioning us today outstanding citizens of this country, social
leaders, leaders of the arts, sciences, and professions. They have
come here to petition us to act immediately to cut off funds for
the war and end our military activity in Indochina. . . .
Mr. Speaker, I renew my request in the form of asking unanimous
consent that a representative of those citizens come in and have
the opportunity to present a petition and that we hear what those
people, who are the conscience of this country and who represent a
majority of the American people, have to say. . . .
The Speaker: (10) The time of the gentlewoman from
New York has expired.
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10. Carl Albert (Okla.).
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The gentlewoman's request is not in order.
Parliamentarian's Note: Under Rule XXXII clause 1, the Speaker does
not have the authority to entertain a request to waive the rule
pertaining to the privilege of admission to the floor.