Congressional Debate Robert's Rules and Motions

Match Like Terms with their Examples:

• Main Motion

• • - "I move to open debate on a bill to support Alaskan drilling"
    - The motion used to bring any bill or resolution to the floor for debate.
    - The process repeated after legislation is tabled or brought to the previous question.
    - The order of legislative debate is determined by the docket unless the rules are suspended
    

• Amendments

• • - Examples:- "I move to amend the resolution by inserting the word 'very' before theword 'good;'" - "I move to insert 'very' before 'good.'"
    - The full text of an amendment must be submitted to the P.O. before the motion to amend is made.
    - Clearly identify what words should be removed replaced or added.
    - Motions to amend require a 1\3 second to open debate on an amendment.

• Previous Question

• • - Example: “I move to previous question.”
    - When the motion passes the legislation is then voted on
    - requires a verbal second and a 2/3 vote

• Suspending the Rules

• • - Example: “I move to table this piece of legislation”
    - It requires a verbal second and a majority vote.
    - To take legislation off the table one must move to reconsider the tabled legislation. This should be executed just like a main motion.
    - To remove a bill from the table you need a verbal second and a majority vote.

• Tabling or Table the Bill

• • - Examples:-“I move to suspend the rules and consider legislation in the order thischamber sees fit”- “I move to suspend the rules to allow a one minute question and answer period after each non authorship three minute speech.”
    - Should not be done lightly
    - Common uses are to abandon the docket and bring legislation to the floor early, and to extend question periods.
    - Requires a verbal second and a 2\3 majority of the chamber to pas

In a Congressional Debate chamber, a "Main Motion..."

• Introduces business to the chamber

• Means to bring to a vote. It is the vote to close the debate.

• allows the chamber to move forward with other business without bringing the legislation to an immediate vote.

• changes some standing rule of the congress.

• changes some important aspect of the bill/legislation

In Congressional Debate, "I motion/move to Previous Question.."

• introduces business to the chamber

• means to bring to a vote. It is the vote to close debate.

• allows the chamber to move forward with other business without bringing the legislation to an immediate vote.

• changes some standing rule of the congress.

• changes some important aspect of a bill/legislation/resolution.

In Congressional Debate, "I motion/move to table.." or "Tabling"

• introduces business to the chamber

• means to bring to a vote. It is the vote to close debate.

• allows the chamber to move forward with other business without bringing the legislation to an immediate vote.

• changes some standing rule of the congress.

• changes some important aspect of a bill/legislation/resolution.

In Congressional Debate, "I motion/move to suspend the rules." or "Suspending the Rules"

• introduces business to the chamber

• means to bring to a vote. It is the vote to close debate.

• allows the chamber to move forward with other business without bringing the legislation to an immediate vote.

• changes some standing rule of the congress.

• changes some important aspect of a bill/legislation/resolution.

In Congressional Debate, "I motion/move to amend the resolution/bill..." or "Amendments"

• introduces business to the chamber

• means to bring to a vote. It is the vote to close debate.

• allows the chamber to move forward with other business without bringing the legislation to an immediate vote.

• changes some standing rule of the congress.

• changes some important aspect of a bill/legislation/resolution.

In Student Congress, what term refers to the system used to ensure that speakers who have spoken less or not at all are given priority to speak?

• Amendment

• Precedence

• Docket

• Authorship Speech

In NSDA Student Congress, what term refers to the system that gives priority to speakers who have spoken least recently during a session?

• Adjournment

• Resolution

• Precedence

• Recency

In a Congressional Debate, what is the purpose of a Point of Order?

• To introduce new business to the chamber

• To correct a procedural error

• To bring a motion to a vote

• To amend a bill or resolution

In NSDA Student Congress, what is the term for a speech given by the author of a bill or resolution?

• Authorship Speech

• Amendment Speech

• Closing Speech

• Rebuttal Speech