[House Practice: A Guide to the Rules, Precedents and Procedures of the House]
[Chapter 47. Reconsideration]
[From the U.S. Government Printing Office, www.gpo.gov]
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CHAPTER 47 - RECONSIDERATION
HOUSE PRACTICE
Sec. 1. Generally; Use of Motion
Sec. 2. Pro Forma Motions Distinguished
Sec. 3. Effect of Motion
Sec. 4. Who May Offer Motion
Sec. 5. When Motion Is In Order
Sec. 6. Use in Standing Committees
Sec. 7. Forms
Sec. 8. Precedence and Privilege of Motion
Sec. 9. Quorum Requirements
Sec. 10. Debate and Voting; Withdrawal
Sec. 11. Application to Particular Propositions
Sec. 12. -- Other Motions and Requests
Sec. 13. -- Bills and Resolutions; Amendments
Sec. 14. -- Amendments Between the Houses; Conference Reports
Sec. 15. -- Measures Sent to the Senate or the President
Research References
5 Hinds Sec. Sec. 5605-5705
8 Cannon Sec. Sec. 2774-2795
Deschler Ch 23 Sec. Sec. 33-41
Manual Sec. Sec. 1003-1011
Sec. 1 . Generally; Use of Motion
In General
By long tradition, the vote of the House on a proposition usually
is not final and conclusive until there has been an opportunity to
reconsider it. A proposition is not regarded as passed until a motion
to reconsider it is disposed of or precluded. The motion to reconsider
under rule XIX clause 3 is the procedural device that permits the
House to review its action on a given proposal. Its purpose is to
allow the House to reflect on the wisdom of its action on the
proposition. Deschler Ch 23 Sec. 33.
Historical Background
Although not mentioned in the first rules of the House, adopted in
1789, the motion to reconsider was at that time well known in
parliamentary
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practice. 5 Hinds Sec. 5605. The motion was used in the Continental
Congress and in the House from its first organization. It was made the
subject of a rule of the House in 1802. Manual Sec. 1003. In 1811, the
rule was modified by limiting the time during which the motion might
be offered to ``the same or succeeding day'' as the vote to be
reconsidered. The rule was further revised in 1880, but has existed in
the rules since then with only minor changes. 5 Hinds Sec. 5605.
Use in Committee of the Whole
The motion to reconsider is in order in the House and in the House
as in the Committee of the Whole but not in the Committee of the
Whole. 4 Hinds Sec. Sec. 4716-4718; 8 Cannon Sec. Sec. 2324, 2325,
2793; Deschler Ch 23 Sec. Sec. 33, 39.10. Indeed, a request to
reconsider a vote is not in order in the Committee even by unanimous
consent. Deschler Ch 23 Sec. 39.12. However, on occasion, in lieu of a
motion to reconsider, the Chairman has allowed a unanimous-consent
request to vacate the proceedings whereby an amendment had been
adopted. Deschler Ch 23 Sec. 39.13.
Entering and Calling Up Distinguished
A distinction should be made at the outset between entering the
motion and offering or calling up the motion. Entering the motion and
offering the motion can be separate events. 8 Cannon Sec. 2785. One
Member may enter the motion, and another Member may call up the
motion. Sec. 4, infra. In the modern practice, the motion is rarely
entered but rather is considered as pending when offered. The motion
must be offered within the two-day period allowed by the rule, but a
motion merely entered during that time may remain pending
indefinitely. Sec. Sec. 5, 8, infra.
Sec. 2 . Pro Forma Motions Distinguished
Normally, the Speaker declares, after the announcement of a vote,
``without objection, a motion to reconsider is laid on the table.''
Deschler Ch 23 Sec. 34. The effect of this declaration is to preclude
a subsequent motion to reconsider, and it is the accepted
parliamentary mode of making the vote in question final. Deschler Ch
23 Sec. 34.5. Thereafter, the proposition may be taken up again only
by special rule, unanimous consent, or suspension of the rules. 5
Hinds Sec. 5640; see also Deschler Ch 23 Sec. 38.5. A Member who is
opposed to the tabling of the motion to reconsider must object to the
Speaker's declaration in a timely manner and is well advised to notify
the Speaker in advance of his intention to seek genuine
reconsideration. Deschler Ch 23 Sec. 34. If such objection is made,
one Member may move to reconsider and another Member may immediately
move to table that motion. 5
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Hinds Sec. 5637. Disposition of the motion to reconsider is permitted
while the previous question is operating. 8 Cannon Sec. 2784.
Sec. 3 . Effect of Motion
Effect When Motion Is Entered
After the House has voted on a proposition and a motion to
reconsider it is entered, the effect is to suspend the proposition.
Manual Sec. 1007; 5 Hinds Sec. 5704; Deschler Ch 23 Sec. 33. The
motion is thereafter considered as pending and, if not acted on, will
remain pending, even in succeeding sessions of the same Congress. 5
Hinds Sec. 5684. However, when a Congress expires without the House
having acted on the motion, the motion fails, and the original
proposition stands or falls according to the original vote. 5 Hinds
Sec. 5704 (footnote).
A motion to reconsider a bill having been entered, the Speaker
will normally decline to sign its enrollment until the motion is
disposed of. 5 Hinds Sec. 5705. However, where a bill has been signed
by the Speaker and the Vice President and has received the approval of
the President, it cannot be impeached on the ground that a motion to
reconsider it is still pending. 5 Hinds Sec. 5705 (note).
Effect of Agreement to Motion
When a motion to reconsider is adopted, the question immediately
recurs on the proposition to be reconsidered. 5 Hinds Sec. 5703;
Deschler Ch 23 Sec. 33. Thus, when the House agrees to a motion to
reconsider a vote on an amendment, the amendment is again pending and
the Chair may put it to a vote de novo. 5 Hinds Sec. 5704. Likewise,
when the House agrees to reconsider a vote ordering the yeas and nays
(by majority vote), the question immediately recurs on ordering the
yeas and nays (by one-fifth of those present). Manual Sec. 1007; 5
Hinds Sec. Sec. 5689-5691. However, if the proposition originally
voted on was a motion for the previous question, that motion may be
withdrawn after the House has voted to reconsider it, on the theory
that the action of the House has effectively ``nullified'' the vote on
the previous question. 5 Hinds Sec. 5357. For further discussion of
the effect of the motion to reconsider, see Manual Sec. 1007.
As Precluding Repetition of Motion
When a motion to reconsider has been offered and acted upon, a
second motion to reconsider is not ordinarily in order. Deschler Ch 23
Sec. 39.16. Otherwise, it is reasoned, motions to reconsider could be
offered interminably. Thus, a vote ordering the previous question may
be reconsidered only once. Manual Sec. 1006; 5 Hinds Sec. 5655. One
motion to reconsider the yeas and nays
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having been acted on, another motion to reconsider is not in order. 5
Hinds Sec. 6037. Similarly, the motion to reconsider a vote on a
proposition having been adopted, and that vote having again been
taken, a second motion to reconsider may not be offered unless the
nature of the proposition has been changed by amendment. Manual
Sec. 1006; 5 Hinds Sec. Sec. 5685-5688; 8 Cannon Sec. 2788; Deschler
Ch 23 Sec. 33. The general rule that precludes the repetition of the
motion is applied even where the House rejects the first motion by
laying it on the table. 5 Hinds Sec. 5632; Deschler Ch 23 Sec. 39.15.
However, the tabling of a motion to reconsider the vote whereby the
House has amended a Senate amendment does not preclude the House from
acting on a subsequent Senate amendment to the same proposition or
considering any other proper motion to dispose of an amendment that
might remain in disagreement after further Senate action. Manual
Sec. 1006.
Sec. 4 . Who May Offer Motion
Rule XIX clause 3 requires the Member entering the motion to be
``on the prevailing side'' but permits the motion to be called up by
``any Member.'' Manual Sec. Sec. 1003, 1004. Under this rule, the
entering of the motion and the offering of the motion are regarded as
separate events. 8 Cannon Sec. 2785. However, under the modern
practice the motion rarely is ``entered'' but is considered pending
when offered. Thus, the Member offering a motion not previously
entered must qualify as being on the prevailing side of the issue to
be reconsidered. Manual Sec. 1004; 2 Hinds Sec. 1454. Those voting
with the losing side do not qualify. Manual Sec. 1004.
With respect to pro forma motions to reconsider (see Sec. 2,
supra), any Member may object to the Chair's statement that ``without
objection'' a motion to reconsider a vote just taken be laid on the
table and need not have voted on the prevailing side to make such an
objection. However, if objection is made, only a Member who voted on
the prevailing side on a record vote may offer the motion to
reconsider the vote. Manual Sec. 1004.
Likewise ineligible to move the reconsideration of a record vote
are Members who were absent at the time of the vote (5 Hinds
Sec. 5619), who failed to vote (8 Cannon Sec. 2774), or who were
paired on the vote with another Member (5 Hinds Sec. 5614).
In the case of a tie vote (a tie vote resulting in the defeat of
the proposition), a Member voting in the negative qualifies as voting
on the prevailing side. 5 Hinds Sec. 5616. In the case of a
proposition that did not receive a requisite two-thirds vote for
approval, a Member voting in the negative qualifies. 5 Hinds
Sec. Sec. 5617, 5618.
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When a vote is not recorded, any Member, regardless of how he
voted, may enter the motion. Manual Sec. 1002b; 8 Cannon Sec. 2775;
Deschler Ch 23 Sec. 33. Any point of order relating to the eligibility
of the Member to offer the motion should be raised before the ordering
of the vote on the motion. Deschler Ch 23 Sec. 35.4. The Chair, having
voted on the prevailing side, may offer the motion to reconsider by
stating the pendency of the motion. A Delegate or the Resident
Commissioner may not offer the motion to reconsider. Manual Sec. 1004.
Sec. 5 . When Motion Is In Order
During the Continental Congress, there was no time limit on when
the motion to reconsider could be offered, and the Congress often
reconsidered matters passed on a preceding day or even several days or
months before. 5 Hinds Sec. 5605. Today rule XIX clause 3 provides
that the motion is in order ``on the same or succeeding day'' as that
vote; and, once entered, may be called up by any Member. This means
that the motion to reconsider may be offered or entered at any time
during the day on which the vote sought to be reconsidered is taken (5
Hinds Sec. 5674) or on the next legislative day after the question to
be reconsidered was voted on (Deschler Ch 23 Sec. 35.5). The entry of
the motion during the two days prescribed by the rule is in order,
even after the previous question is ordered or when a question of the
highest privilege is pending. 5 Hinds Sec. 5673; 8 Cannon Sec. 2785.
Once the motion has been entered within the two-day period, it
remains pending indefinitely, even into a succeeding session of the
same Congress. 5 Hinds Sec. 5684; 8 Cannon Sec. 2787. When a motion to
reconsider relates to a bill belonging to a particular class of
business, the consideration of the motion is in order only when that
class of business is again in order. 5 Hinds Sec. 5677; 8 Cannon
Sec. Sec. 2785, 2786. For example, a motion to reconsider the vote on
a bill on the Private Calendar properly entered may be taken up for
consideration only on a Private Calendar day. 8 Cannon Sec. 2786.
In accordance with the general rule that the motion to reconsider
is in order at any time during the two days prescribed by the rule,
the motion has been held in order:
After a demand for the previous question on a related matter
(5 Hinds Sec. 5656) or while the previous question is operating
(5 Hinds Sec. Sec. 5657-5672).
Pending a motion to go into the Committee of the Whole. 8
Cannon Sec. 2785.
At a time set apart for other business if the matter sought to
be reconsidered is entertained during such time by unanimous
consent. 5 Hinds Sec. 5683.
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After a bill to be reconsidered has gone to the Senate. 5
Hinds Sec. Sec. 5666, 5667.
After the Senate has been informed of agreement by the House
to a Senate amendment. 5 Hinds Sec. 5672.
After a bill has gone to the President. 5 Hinds Sec. 5668.
However, an entered motion is not in order:
While another Member has the floor or while another question
is pending before the House. 5 Hinds Sec. 5673; 8 Cannon
Sec. 2785.
While the House is dividing on a motion. 8 Cannon Sec. 2791.
In Committee of the Whole. Sec. 1, supra.
See also Sec. Sec. 8, 12, infra.
Sec. 6 . Use in Standing Committees
The motion to reconsider is in order in the procedure of standing
committees; and in the absence of a committee rule governing the
motion, the committee will be governed by the analogous House rule. 8
Cannon Sec. 2213. Thus, the motion to reconsider may be entered in a
committee on the same day as the vote to be reconsidered, or on the
next day the committee convenes with a quorum present at which
business of that class is in order. Manual Sec. Sec. 416, 1005;
Deschler Ch 23 Sec. 33. Sometimes the motion must be applied to a
series of propositions seriatim to achieve a desired result. In a
committee, reconsideration of an amendment may require that the motion
to report first be reconsidered, and then the ordering of the previous
question on the measure, before a motion can be offered to reconsider
the amendment. Cf. 8 Cannon Sec. 2789.
A motion to reconsider is sometimes used in a committee, when it
has obtained a quorum, to order reports on bills approved earlier in
the day in the absence of a quorum. Deschler Ch 23 Sec. 39.1.
Sec. 7 . Forms
Following are the forms for entering the motion to reconsider, for
subsequently calling it up and bringing it to a vote, and for offering
the so-called pro forma motion.
Entering the Motion
Member: I enter a motion to reconsider the vote by which the bill
H.R. ____ was passed [or rejected].
Offering the Motion
Member: I move to reconsider the vote by which the bill H.R. ____
was passed [or rejected].
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Speaker: The gentleman moves to reconsider the vote on H.R. ____.
As many as are in favor of the motion say ``aye.''
Pro Forma Motion--By the Speaker
Speaker: Without objection, a motion to reconsider is laid on the
table.
Note: Any Member may object to the Chair's statement that
``without objection'' a motion to reconsider a vote just taken be laid
on the table (the Member need not be on the prevailing side). However,
if objection is heard, only a qualified Member may call for
reconsideration of the vote, and another Member may move to lay that
motion to reconsider on the table. Manual Sec. 1004.
Sec. 8 . Precedence and Privilege of Motion
Under rule XIX clause 3, when no other question is pending, the
motion to reconsider takes precedence of all other questions except
the consideration of a conference report or a motion to adjourn.
Manual Sec. Sec. 1003, 1005; 8 Cannon Sec. 2787. For example, the
motion to reconsider takes precedence of a motion to go into the
Committee of the Whole. 8 Cannon Sec. 2785. However, the motion is
subject to the question of consideration (8 Cannon Sec. 2437) and the
motion to lay on the table (8 Cannon Sec. 2652), unless the Chair has
put the question on the motion to reconsider (Manual Sec. 1009). The
precedence given the motion by the rule permits it to be offered, even
after the previous question has been moved or while it is operating. 5
Hinds Sec. Sec. 5656-5662; 8 Cannon Sec. 2784. A motion to reconsider
a secondary motion (such as a motion to postpone) that was rejected is
highly privileged and may be entertained by the Chair even after the
manager of the main proposition has yielded time to another Member and
before that Member has begun his remarks. 96-2, May 29, 1980, p 12663.
Sec. 9 . Quorum Requirements
In general, the motion to reconsider cannot be agreed to in the
House in the absence of a quorum when the vote to be reconsidered
requires a quorum. 5 Hinds Sec. 5606; Deschler Ch 23 Sec. 33. A quorum
is not necessary on a motion to reconsider the vote whereby the yeas
and nays were ordered because the yeas and nays may be ordered by one-
fifth of the Members present. 5 Hinds Sec. 5693.
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Sec. 10 . Debate and Voting; Withdrawal
Debate
The motion to reconsider is debatable for one hour. Deschler Ch 23
Sec. 41.1. Debate is under the control of the Member offering the
motion if the proposition proposed to be reconsidered was debatable. 5
Hinds Sec. 5696; 8 Cannon Sec. 2792. If the proposition proposed to be
reconsidered was not debatable, then the motion calling for
reconsideration is itself not debatable. 5 Hinds Sec. Sec. 5694, 5695,
5698; Deschler Ch 23 Sec. 33. Thus, the motion to reconsider a vote
ordering the previous question is not debatable. Manual Sec. 1010.
An earlier view was that a motion to reconsider a vote may be
debatable even if the previous question was operating at the time of
such vote, on the theory that the vote of the House ``exhausted the
previous question so as to open up the motion to debate.'' 5 Hinds
Sec. 5494. However, the current view is that, if the proposition to be
reconsidered was voted on under the operation of the previous
question, the motion to reconsider is not debatable because a primary
function of the previous question is to terminate debate. Manual
Sec. 1010; 5 Hinds Sec. Sec. 5656, 5701; Deschler Ch 23 Sec. 38.7;
Deschler-Brown Ch 29 Sec. 6.49 (note). If the motion is agreed to, and
if that proposition is again taken up, it is voted on without debate
unless the ordering of the previous question itself is reconsidered.
Deschler-Brown Ch 29 Sec. 6.49.
Voting
A simple majority vote is sufficient to adopt a motion to
reconsider, even when the vote reconsidered requires two-thirds for
affirmative action. Manual Sec. 1008; 5 Hinds Sec. Sec. 5617, 5618; 8
Cannon Sec. 2795. A majority vote also is required to reconsider a
vote ordering the yeas and nays, although one-fifth is sufficient to
order the yeas and nays. 5 Hinds Sec. Sec. 5689-5692; 8 Cannon
Sec. 2790. If the House votes to reconsider, the yeas and nays may be
ordered again by one-fifth. 5 Hinds Sec. 5689.
Withdrawal of Motion
The motion to reconsider having been entered within the time
specified by the rules--that is, on the same or succeeding day as the
vote on the proposition to be reconsidered--it may not be withdrawn
without the consent of the House thereafter. Manual Sec. 1003.
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Sec. 11 . Application to Particular Propositions
Generally
Rule XIX clause 3 applies whenever ``a motion has been carried or
lost. . . .'' Manual Sec. 1003. The term ``motion'' in this rule has
been construed so as to permit reconsideration of a wide variety of
propositions. See Sec. Sec. 12-14, infra. The motion is applicable
whether the passage of the proposition required a simple majority or a
two-thirds vote. 8 Cannon Sec. 2778. However, the motion is not in
order when dilatory and manifestly for the purpose of delay. 5 Hinds
Sec. Sec. 5731-5733, 5735, 5739; 8 Cannon Sec. Sec. 2797, 2815, 2822.
House Orders
The motion to reconsider applies to the vote on a House order,
although the execution of that order has begun. 3 Hinds Sec. 2028; 5
Hinds Sec. 5665. The motion may be applied to a vote ordering the yeas
and nays (5 Hinds Sec. Sec. 5689-5691; 6029; 8 Cannon Sec. 2790) or to
a vote refusing the yeas and nays (5 Hinds Sec. 5692) or to the vote
by which the House refuses to order a third reading of a bill (8
Cannon Sec. 2777). The motion to reconsider also may be used to reopen
the proceedings whereby the House has voted to expunge certain matter
from the Congressional Record. Deschler Ch 23 Sec. 39.7.
The motion may not be applied to the vote by which the House has
decided a question of parliamentary procedure submitted by the Speaker
for the decision of the House. Manual Sec. 1006; 8 Cannon Sec. 2776;
Deschler Ch 23 Sec. 33. However, the motion may be applied to a vote
laying an appeal on the table. Compare 5 Hinds Sec. 5630 with 5 Hinds
Sec. 5631.
Referrals
Under rule XIX clause 4, measures referred to a committee may not
be brought back into the House on a motion to reconsider. Manual
Sec. 1011. This rule, which was adopted in its present form in 1880,
was intended to prevent a Member from bringing back into the House, on
a motion to reconsider, any matter that he had obtained unanimous
consent to introduce or submit for reference. 5 Hinds Sec. 5647. The
rule was intended to apply to the initial formal reference to a
committee and not to a motion to recommit. Deschler Ch 23 Sec. 39.6.
However, it is too late to reconsider a vote by which a measure was
recommitted to committee after the committee report has been made. 5
Hinds Sec. 5651.
In Relation to Previous Question
The motion to reconsider may be applied only once to a vote
ordering the previous question. 5 Hinds Sec. 5655; 8 Cannon Sec. 2790.
It may not be ap
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plied to a vote ordering the previous question that has been partially
executed. For example, if the previous question has been ordered on a
bill and an amendment thereto, and the amendment has been disposed of,
the vote upon which the previous question was ordered is not subject
to reconsideration. 5 Hinds Sec. Sec. 5653, 5654. Furthermore, if the
special order governing consideration of a measure orders the previous
question on the measure, and on any amendment thereto, to final
adoption or passage without intervening motion except one motion to
recommit (which is the modern practice), the vote upon which an
amendment was disposed of is not subject to reconsideration. 4 Hinds
Sec. 3203.
Sec. 12 . -- Other Motions and Requests
Generally
The motion to reconsider is applied to permit the House to review
its vote on certain motions, including:
An affirmative vote on a motion for the previous question,
unless the previous question has been partially executed, as by
a vote on certain amendments. 5 Hinds Sec. Sec. 5653-5655;
Deschler Ch 23 Sec. 33.
A vote on the motion to lay on the table, whether decided in
the affirmative or in the negative. 5 Hinds Sec. Sec. 5628,
5629, 5695, 6288; 8 Cannon Sec. 2785; Deschler Ch 23 Sec. 38.1.
An affirmative vote on a motion to go into the Committee of
the Whole. 5 Hinds Sec. 5641; Deschler Ch 23 Sec. 33.
An affirmative vote on the question of consideration. Manual
Sec. 907.
An agreement by the House to a unanimous-consent request. 8
Cannon Sec. 2794; Deschler Ch 23 Sec. 33.
An affirmative vote on a motion to suspend the rules. Manual
Sec. 886.
When Not Applicable
The motion to reconsider may not be applied to votes rejecting
certain motions, such as:
A vote rejecting a motion to go into the Committee of the
Whole. 5 Hinds Sec. 5641.
A vote rejecting the question of consideration. 5 Hinds
Sec. Sec. 5626, 5627; Deschler Ch 23 Sec. 39.14.
A vote rejecting the motion to suspend the rules. Manual
Sec. 886; 5 Hinds Sec. 5645; 8 Cannon Sec. 2781; Deschler Ch 23
Sec. 33.
A vote rejecting a motion to recess. 5 Hinds Sec. 5625.
A vote rejecting a motion to adjourn. 5 Hinds Sec. Sec. 5620-
5622.
A vote rejecting a motion to fix the day to which the House
would adjourn. 5 Hinds Sec. 5624. But see 5 Hinds Sec. 5623.
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Certain motions or questions are not subject to the motion to
reconsider because of the adoption of ``expedited procedures''
prescribed by statute and intended to bring a legislative matter to a
final conclusion without all the procedural protections normally
accorded. See Manual Sec. 1130 for examples of such laws. One such
example is found in section 305(a) of the Congressional Budget Act of
1974, which precludes the motion to reconsider the vote by which a
concurrent resolution on the budget is agreed to or disagreed to and
the vote on adoption of a conference report on the same.
Sec. 13 . -- Bills and Resolutions; Amendments
The motion to reconsider may be applied to the vote by which a
bill or joint resolution was passed (5 Hinds Sec. 5666), including a
private bill (4 Hinds Sec. Sec. 3468, 3469); to a vote on the
engrossment of the bill (5 Hinds Sec. 5663); to a vote refusing to
order a third reading of the bill (8 Cannon Sec. 2777); and to a vote
by which a measure was recommitted to committee (Deschler Ch 23
Sec. 39.6). The motion also is applied to permit reconsideration of a
vote on a resolution. 5 Hinds Sec. 5609.
The motion to reconsider may be applied to permit reconsideration
of a vote on an amendment; however, if the motion is not offered until
after the passage of the amended bill, such reconsideration can be
secured only after a successful motion to reconsider the vote on the
passage of the bill. Cf. 8 Cannon Sec. 2789. Similarly, to entertain a
motion to reconsider a vote on an amendment to an amendment, it is
first necessary to vote to reconsider the vote by which the original
amendment, as amended, was disposed of. Deschler Ch 23 Sec. 33.
Sec. 14 . -- Amendments Between the Houses; Conference Reports
A motion to reconsider may be applied to a vote on a Senate
amendment to a House bill. The fact that the House has informed the
Senate that it has voted to agree to such an amendment does not
prevent a motion to reconsider that vote. 5 Hinds Sec. 5672. However,
such a motion must be timely offered. After a conference has been
agreed to and the managers for the House appointed, it is too late to
move to reconsider the vote whereby the House acted on an amendment in
disagreement. 5 Hinds Sec. 5664.
The motion to reconsider may be applied to a vote on a conference
report or to a vote recommitting a conference report. Deschler Ch 23
Sec. Sec. 39.4, 39.5. After disposition of a conference report and
amendments reported therefrom in disagreement, it is in order to move
to reconsider the vote on a motion disposing of one of the amendments.
Manual Sec. 1006.
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Tabling a motion to reconsider ordinarily prevents the House from
reconsideration of the vote in question. However, the laying on the
table of a motion to reconsider the vote whereby the House has amended
a Senate amendment does not preclude the House from acting on a
subsequent Senate amendment to the same proposition or considering any
other proper motion to dispose of an amendment that might remain in
disagreement after further Senate action. Manual Sec. 1006.
Sec. 15 . -- Measures Sent to the Senate or the President
The motion to reconsider may be applied to a measure that has been
sent to the Senate. If that motion is agreed to, a motion to recall
the measure is privileged. 5 Hinds Sec. Sec. 5666, 5667, 5669.
Reconsideration of the vote on the measure may be permitted even if
the measure has passed both Houses and even if the measure has been
sent to the President. 4 Hinds Sec. Sec. 3466-3469; 5 Hinds Sec. 5668.
It would appear, however, that once the bill has been signed by the
President, it cannot be called into question pursuant to a pending
motion to reconsider the measure. 5 Hinds Sec. 5704 (note). If the
President returns the bill to the House with his objections, and the
House votes on the passage of the bill notwithstanding the objections
of the President, that vote is not subject to the motion to reconsider
because the Constitution expressly provides for that vote as one in
the nature of reconsideration. U.S. Const. art. I, Sec. 7, cl. 2;
Manual Sec. 109; 5 Hinds Sec. 5644; 8 Cannon Sec. 2778.