[House Practice: A Guide to the Rules, Precedents and Procedures of the House] [Chapter 38. Postponement] [From the U.S. Government Printing Office, www.gpo.gov] [[Page 675]] CHAPTER 38 - POSTPONEMENT HOUSE PRACTICE Sec. 1. Postponement Generally Sec. 2. Motion to Postpone to a Day Certain Sec. 3. -- Precedence Sec. 4. -- Application to Particular Propositions Sec. 5. -- Debate and Amendment Sec. 6. Motion to Postpone Indefinitely Sec. 7. -- Precedence; Application to Other Motions Sec. 8. -- Debate and Amendment Research References 5 Hinds Sec. Sec. 5306-5318 8 Cannon Sec. Sec. 2613-2617 Deschler Ch 23 Manual Sec. Sec. 443-453, 911, 915, 998, 1030 Sec. 1 . Postponement Generally Authority for Motion or Declaration Under rule XVI clause 4, a matter under debate may be postponed to a future day (or indefinitely) pursuant to a motion by any Member. Manual Sec. Sec. 911, 915. A matter also may be postponed pursuant to the provisions of a special order of business. Deschler Ch 23 Sec. 8.1. For example, a special order may order the previous question to final passage without intervening motion but also permit the Speaker to postpone further consideration within a specified time notwithstanding the operation of the previous question. 107-2, H. Res. 574, Oct. 8, 2002, p ____. In some instances the postponement of the consideration of a particular class of legislation has been recognized in statutes that reserve to the Congress the right to review certain executive branch actions. See Manual Sec. 1130; e.g., the Trade Act of 1974 (19 USC Sec. 2192). For postponement relating to voting, see Voting. Postponement Motions In the House there are two motions to postpone: (1) the motion to postpone to a day certain and (2) the motion to postpone a matter indefinitely. [[Page 676]] Both types of motions are provided for by House rule XVI clause 4. Under that rule the motion to postpone to a day certain takes precedence over the motion to postpone indefinitely. The rule further provides that, once decided, neither motion may be made again on the same day at the same stage of the question. Manual Sec. 911. The two motions are distinguishable in several respects:The motion to postpone to a day certain takes precedence over various secondary motions in rule XVI clause 4, including the motions to refer or to amend (Sec. 3, infra), whereas the motion to postpone indefinitely yields to all those secondary motions (Sec. 7, infra). The motion to postpone to a day certain is debatable only within narrow limits (Sec. 5, infra), whereas debate on the motion to postpone indefinitely may be extended even to the merits of the pending proposition (Sec. 8, infra). The motion to postpone to a day certain merely suspends consideration of the pending measure until the date specified (Sec. 2, infra), whereas the motion to postpone indefinitely has the effect of finally disposing of the pending matter adversely (Sec. 6, infra). Postponement of Measures in Committee of the Whole The motion to postpone, either to a day certain or indefinitely, is not in order in the Committee of the Whole. Manual Sec. 915; Deschler Ch 23 Sec. 5. It is not in order in the House to move to postpone a bill where the bill is still being considered in the Committee. 4 Hinds Sec. 4915; 8 Cannon Sec. 2436. Disposition of unfinished matters, see Unfinished Business. Sec. 2 . Motion to Postpone to a Day Certain When in Order When a question is under debate, the motion to postpone to a particular day is provided for by rule XVI clause 4. Manual Sec. Sec. 911, 915. The motion is in order in the House and when the House is sitting as in the Committee of the Whole. 95-1, Nov. 1, 1977, p 36351. The motion is in order following the reading of the pending proposition and may be offered before the manager of the proposition has been recognized for debate. Deschler Ch 23 Sec. 6.2; Deschler- Brown Ch 29 Sec. 68.53. It is not in order after the previous question has been ordered on the pending matter. 5 Hinds Sec. Sec. 5319-5321; 8 Cannon Sec. Sec. 2616, 2617; Deschler Ch 23 Sec. 6.1. A motion to postpone to ``the next legislative day'' is construed as a motion to postpone to a day certain. 8 Cannon Sec. 2657. The motion to postpone to a day certain may not specify a particular hour. 5 Hinds Sec. 5307; Deschler Ch 23 Sec. 5. It is not in order to move to postpone consideration [[Page 677]] of business to a day certain if that day is Calendar Wednesday, except by unanimous consent. 7 Cannon Sec. 970; 8 Cannon Sec. 2614. Form Member: Mr. Speaker, I move that the [further] consideration of __________ [the proposition] be postponed until Friday next. Effect of Motion When the House adopts a motion to postpone a measure to a day certain, the effect is to suspend consideration of the measure until the day specified in the motion. 8 Cannon Sec. 2614. A subsequent motion providing for an earlier consideration of the matter is not in order. 5 Hinds Sec. 5308. Application of Motion to Table The motion to postpone to a day certain is subject to the motion to lay on the table. Manual Sec. 914. The adoption of the motion to table carries only the motion to postpone--not the underlying measure--to the table. 8 Cannon Sec. 2657. Voting A motion to postpone a proposition to a day certain may be determined by a simple majority vote, even though the proposition itself may require a two-thirds vote for passage. 7 Cannon Sec. 1112. A bill that comes before the House on the day scheduled for it by a special rule likewise may be postponed by a majority vote. 4 Hinds Sec. 3177. The vote on a motion to postpone a measure to a day certain is subject to a motion to reconsider. 5 Hinds Sec. 5643. Sec. 3 . -- Precedence Rule XVI clause 4 lists the motion to postpone to a day certain fourth among those motions available when a question is under debate. It follows the motions to adjourn and to lay on the table and the motion for the previous question, and thus the motion to postpone must yield to these more preferential motions. 5 Hinds Sec. 5301; 8 Cannon Sec. 2609. However, the motion to postpone to a day certain enjoys precedence over the motions to refer, to amend, and to postpone indefinitely. Manual Sec. 911; 5 Hinds Sec. 5301. The motion also takes precedence over the question of passing a bill vetoed by the President. Deschler Ch 23 Sec. 7.1. [[Page 678]] Sec. 4 . -- Application to Particular Propositions The motion to postpone to a day certain has been applied to a wide variety of measures and questions, it being reasoned that otherwise the majority of the House could not exercise its will over the consideration of its business. 8 Cannon Sec. 2613. However, the motion must be applied to the entire pending proposition, and not merely to a part thereof. 5 Hinds Sec. 5306. The motion to postpone consideration of a matter to a day certain is applicable to such propositions as: A bill coming before the House pursuant to a special rule assigning the day for its consideration. 4 Hinds Sec. 3177. A veto message, notwithstanding the constitutional mandate that the House ``shall proceed to reconsider'' a vetoed bill. 4 Hinds Sec. Sec. 3542-3547; 7 Cannon Sec. Sec. 1101, 1105, 1112; Deschler Ch 23 Sec. 7.1. A resolution of disapproval under certain statutes. Deschler Ch 23 Sec. 6.3. A resolution of censure reported from the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct. Deschler-Brown Ch 29 Sec. 68.53. An appeal from the decision of the Chair. 8 Cannon Sec. 2613. The motion to postpone to a day certain is not applicable to: A motion to discharge a committee under rule XV clause 2. Deschler Ch 23 Sec. 6.4. A special rule from the Committee on Rules unless the previous question is rejected. Manual Sec. 858; 5 Hinds Sec. 4958. Sec. 5 . -- Debate and Amendment The motion to postpone to a day certain is subject to amendment. 5 Hinds Sec. 5754; 8 Cannon Sec. 2824. It is debatable within narrow limits. 5 Hinds Sec. 5309. Debate is limited to the advisability of postponement only and may not go to the merits of the proposition to be postponed. 5 Hinds Sec. Sec. 5310-5315; 8 Cannon Sec. 2372; Deschler Ch 23 Sec. 5. In the House a motion to postpone to a day certain is debatable for one hour controlled by the Member offering the motion. Deschler- Brown Ch 29 Sec. 68.56. He may move the previous question on the motion and thereby terminate debate and preclude amendment. Deschler Ch 23 Sec. 7.2. If a motion to table the motion is agreed to, debate on and amendments to the motion to postpone are precluded. 8 Cannon Sec. 2654. [[Page 679]] Sec. 6 . Motion to Postpone Indefinitely Authorization and Effect The motion to postpone indefinitely is provided for by rule XVI clause 4. Manual Sec. Sec. 911, 915. Adoption by the House of a motion to postpone a measure indefinitely constitutes final adverse disposition of that measure. Deschler Ch 23 Sec. 5. Application The motion to postpone indefinitely has been held not to apply to a veto message from the President, a ruling that would appear to be reinforced by the constitutional mandate that the House must ``proceed to reconsider'' the measure. U.S. Const. art. I, Sec. 7; 4 Hinds Sec. 3548. However, the motion has been applied to various other legislative propositions, including: A House bill with Senate amendment. 5 Hinds Sec. 6200. A Senate bill with House amendment. 5 Hinds Sec. 6199. A resolution of disapproval of executive actions under certain statutes. Deschler Ch 23 Sec. 6.3. A resolution relating to the election of House officers. 5 Hinds Sec. 5318. The motion to postpone indefinitely must be applied to the entire pending proposition and not merely to a part thereof. 5 Hinds Sec. 5306. Form Member: Mr. Speaker, I move that the [further] consideration of ________ be postponed indefinitely. Sec. 7 . -- Precedence; Application to Other Motions In 1822 the House amended rule XVI clause 4 to change the precedence of the motion to postpone indefinitely from its former place--immediately after the motion for the previous question--to the end of the list, where it remains to this day. Manual Sec. 911. Accordingly, the motion to postpone indefinitely enjoys no precedence over the other secondary motions and must yield to the motions to adjourn, to lay on the table, for the previous question, to postpone to a day certain, to refer, and to amend. 5 Hinds Sec. 5301; Deschler Ch 23 Sec. 8.1 (note). Because of its less preferential status, the motion is seldom used in the modern practice. It has been held specifically inapplicable to: A motion to refer. 5 Hinds Sec. 5317. A motion to suspend the rules. 5 Hinds Sec. 5322. [[Page 680]] A motion to resolve into Committee of the Whole, except under a statute providing for consideration of a resolution of disapproval that specifically allows the motion to postpone. Manual Sec. 915; 6 Cannon Sec. 726. A motion to discharge a committee under rule XV clause 2. Deschler Ch 23 Sec. 6.4. Sec. 8 . -- Debate and Amendment The motion to postpone indefinitely is not amendable. Deschler Ch 23 Sec. 8.1 (note). However, the motion is debatable, including debate on the merits of the pending proposition. 5 Hinds Sec. 5316. Debate on the motion may be precluded by statute with respect to a particular class of legislation. See, e.g., the Trade Act of 1974, Sec. 152(d)(3) (19 USC Sec. 2192(d)(3)). Notwithstanding such a statute, the House may permit debate on the motion by unanimous consent. 98-1, Aug. 1, 1983, pp 21899, 21900.