Debate and Motions on the House Floor: Allocation of Time

^Pr^ep^ar^{ed f}^o^r^M^e^m^b^ers^an^d^Com^mⁱ^t^t^ees^of^C^ong^r^e^ss

One of the most defining aspects of consideration of measures in the House and Committee of the
Whole is that time is always controlled. There is virtually no circumstance under which a
Member speaks on the floor without first knowing in advance how long has been allocated.
Ranging from one minute or less to 60 minutes, debate limitations exist on all aspects of floor
consideration.
This report, one of a series on legislative process, addresses time limitations associated with
selected House floor procedures. Actions that are not debatable, such as the motion to adjourn and
the motion to rise, are not included.

Table 1. Debate Limitations in the House and Committee of the Whole........................................1
Author Contact Information............................................................................................................2

ne of the most defining aspects of consideration of measures in the House and Committee
of the Whole is that time is always controlled. There is virtually no circumstance under
which a Member speaks on the floor without first knowing in advance how long has been O

allocated. Ranging from one minute or less to 60 minutes, debate limitations exist on all aspects
of floor consideration.
This report, one of a series on legislative process, addresses time limitations associated with
selected House floor procedures. Actions that are not debatable, such as the motion to adjourn and
the motion to rise, are not included.
Table 1. Debate Limitations in the House and Committee of the Whole
^{Parliamentary Situation}^{Time Allocated}^Comments
^{Suspension of t}^{he r}^ules^{40 min}^{utes ma}^{ximum, e}^qually^{If ran}^{king committee Mem}^ber^su^{pports t}^he
^{divided between majority and}^{measure, anot}^her^Membe^{r who}^{opposes it}
^{minority Membe}^rs^{can claim control of half time}
^{Special rule}^{60 min}^{utes ma}^ximum,^unless^{30 min}^{utes c}^{ustomarily yielded to minority}
^{previous q}^uestion^{not ordered}^{floor manager for debate}^only
^{Motion to discharge a measu}^re^{20 min}^{utes, eq}^{ually divided}
^{between propon}^ent^a^nd
^opponent
^Conference^report^{60 min}^{utes, eq}^{ually divided}^{If minority floor manager s}^u^p^port^{s the}
^{between propon}^ent^a^nd^{report, anothe}^{r Mem}^ber^{may claim time,}
^opponent^divid^{ing it 20 min}^{utes eac}^{h for t}^h^{ose two}
^{and the majority floor manager}
^{Motion to instruct con}^ferees^{60 min}^{utes, eq}^{ually divided}^{Prerogative of minority party}^Me^{mber; if}
^{between propon}^ent^a^nd^{committee chair and ra}^{nking me}^mber
^opponent^sup^{port the}^{motion, another Me}^{mber ma}^y
^{control one-third of time}
^{Motion to recommit}^{10 min}^{utes, u}^{nless majority floor}^{Time equally divided between pr}^oponent
^{manager ask}^{s that time}^be^{and oppone}^nt
^{extended to one}^hour
^Amendments^{offered in}^{5 minute}^{s, unless}^{special rule}^{Time cannot be}^reserved
^{Committee of the Whole}^{allocates differently}
^{(including pro forma}
^amendments)
^{Questions of p}^{ersonal p}^rivilege^{60 min}^utes
^{Questions of p}^{rivileges of the}^{60 min}^{utes, eq}^{ually divided}
^House^{between propon}^ent^a^nd
^opponent
^{Special orders}^{5 minute}^{s u}^{ntil midnight; 60}^{Total time l}^{imited to 2 hours for}^majority
^minutes^{until midnight on}^{and minority}
^{Tuesday, or midnight (whichever}
^{comes first) on other days}
^{Morning Hou}^{r debate}^{30 min}^utes^{per side; eac}^h
^Membe^{r rese}^rves^{up to}⁵
^minutes
^{Point of order/Parliamentary}^Membe^rs^{may be heard}^at^{May be}^{made in House}^{or Comm}^{ittee of}
^inquiry^{discretion of, and time controlled}^{the Whole}
^{by, presiding officer}

^Ju^dy^S^c^hn^ei^der
^Specialis^{t on}^t^h^{e C}^oⁿ^g^r^es^s
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