Ch. 23 § 9 DESCHLER’S PRECEDENTS

Senate Debate on Motion is, Shall the decision of the Chair stand as the decision of the Senate? § 9.31 In the Senate, the mo- ... tion to lay an appeal on the MR. [KENNETH S.] WHERRY [of Ne- braska]: Mr. President, I propound the table is not debatable. following inquiry: If a motion is made On Aug. 2, 1948,(19) 22 Senators to lay the appeal on the table, is that signed a petition against a motion subject to debate? motion to take up the bill H.R. 29, THE PRESIDENT PRO TEMPORE: No motion to table is ever subject to de- the anti-poll tax bill. Senator bate.(20) Richard B. Russell, of Georgia, submitted a against the cloture petition on the § 10 Offering Motion grounds that the Senate rules pro- hibited the use of the cloture peti- Demand That Motion Be in tion against a motion to take up a Writing bill. The President pro tempore, Arthur H. Vandenberg, of Michi- § 10.1 A demand that the mo- gan, sustained the point of order, tion to lay on the table a mo- although he stated that his per- tion to instruct conferees be sonal feelings were at variance in writing comes too late therewith, and he invited the Sen- after the motion has been ate to appeal his ruling. stated and the Chair has re- MR. [ROBERT A.] TAFT [of Ohio]: Mr. sponded to several par- President, I appeal from the decision of liamentary inquiries. the Chair chiefly, of course, because it On Aug. 8, 1961,(1) after the leaves the Senate in an almost impos- sible situation. A motion to take up is House had agreed to send to con- subject to debate and against it under ference H.R. 7576, authorizing ap- the Chair’s decision, a cloture petition propriations for the Atomic En- cannot lie. Consequently there is no ergy Commission, Mr. James E. way by which this situation can be Van Zandt, of Pennsylvania, of- changed, except by physical exhaus- fered a motion to instruct the tion, by keeping the Senate in session day in and day out, which I hope will House conferees. After one hour of not be necessary, although we shall debate on this motion, the fol- have to get to it next year unless this lowing occurred (with Carl Albert, proposed change is made. . . . THE PRESIDENT PRO TEMPORE: The 20. See also 95 CONG. REC. 2273–75. Senator from Ohio has appealed from 81st Cong. 1st Sess., Mar. 11, 1949. the decision of the Chair. Therefore, 1. 107 CONG. REC. 14949–58, 87th the pending question before the Senate Cong. 1st Sess.

4566 MOTIONS Ch. 23 § 11 of Oklahoma, as the pro the gentleman from Pennsylvania tempore): would give us the right then to vote on the motion which has been offered by THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: The the gentleman from Pennsylvania? question is on the motion offered by THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: The the gentleman from Pennsylvania [Mr. gentleman has properly stated the sit- Van Zandt]. uation. MR. [CLARENCE] CANNON [of Mis- MR. VAN ZANDT: Mr. Speaker, is it souri]: Mr. Speaker, I move that the not a rule of the House that a motion motion to instruct conferees be laid on must be at the Clerk’s desk in writing? the table. THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: It must MR. [CHARLES A.] HALLECK [of Indi- be submitted in writing if a Member at ana]: Mr. Speaker, a parliamentary in- the time insists, but such a demand is quiry. not in order at this time. . . . THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: The The question was taken; and there gentleman will state it. were—yeas 164, nays 235, not MR. HALLECK: Under the rules of the 38. House, is this motion to table in order? THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: The motion is in order. MR. HALLECK: If the motion to table § 11. When in Order is voted down, will the vote then come on the motion itself? Offering Motion to Table Prior THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: On or- to Debate dering the on the motion. . . . § 11.1 The motion to lay a reso- MR. [CHET] HOLIFIELD [of Cali- lution on the table may be fornia]: Mr. Speaker, a parliamentary made when the resolution is inquiry. under consideration but be- THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: The fore the Member entitled to gentleman will state it. MR. HOLIFIELD: Mr. Speaker, a yea recognition on the resolution vote on this motion would dispose of has obtained the for de- this matter and defeat the motion of- bate. fered by the gentleman from Pennsyl- On Jan. 17, 1933,(2) Mr. Louis vania [Mr. Van Zandt]? T. McFadden, of Pennsylvania, of- THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: It would have that effect. fered a resolution proposing an in- MR. HALLECK: Mr. Speaker, a fur- vestigation into the possible im- ther parliamentary inquiry. peachment of President Herbert THE SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE: The Hoover. After the reading of the gentleman will state it. MR. HALLECK: Mr. Speaker, a vote 2. 76 CONG. REC. 1965–68, 72d Cong. against tabling the motion offered by 2d Sess.

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