Previous question
Encyclopedia
Previous question, in parliamentary procedure
(also known as calling for the question, calling the question, close debate and other terms) is a motion
to end debate, and the moving of amendments, on any debatable or amendable motion and bring that motion to an immediate vote.
and other parliamentary authorities, when a call for the question is made, a two-thirds vote is required to end debate. The motion for the previous question itself is not debatable.
criticizes the "previous question" terminology as being confusing, and instead calls this motion the motion to close debate, the motion to vote immediately, or the motion to close debate and vote immediately. Regardless of the terminology, a two-thirds vote is required to end debate.
. The number of votes required for cloture varies, for example in the United States Senate
, the vote required is three-fifths of the total number of Senators. Additionally, cloture in the U.S. Senate does not immediately end debate on the pending question, but rather imposes strict limitations on debate. It is therefore more akin to the motion to limit debate
found in Robert's Rules, than the motion for the previous question.
Parliamentary procedure
Parliamentary procedure is the body of rules, ethics, and customs governing meetings and other operations of clubs, organizations, legislative bodies, and other deliberative assemblies...
(also known as calling for the question, calling the question, close debate and other terms) is a motion
Motion (parliamentary procedure)
In parliamentary procedure, a motion is a formal proposal by a member of a deliberative assembly that the assembly take certain action. In a parliament, this is also called a parliamentary motion and includes legislative motions, budgetary motions, supplementary budgetary motions, and petitionary...
to end debate, and the moving of amendments, on any debatable or amendable motion and bring that motion to an immediate vote.
Explanation and Use
It is often invoked by a member saying, "I call [for] the question."Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised (RONR)
Under Robert's Rules of OrderRobert's Rules of Order
Robert's Rules of Order is the short title of a book containing rules of order intended to be adopted as a parliamentary authority for use by a deliberative assembly written by Brig. Gen...
and other parliamentary authorities, when a call for the question is made, a two-thirds vote is required to end debate. The motion for the previous question itself is not debatable.
The Standard Code (TSC)
The Standard Code of Parliamentary ProcedureThe Standard Code of Parliamentary Procedure
The Standard Code of Parliamentary Procedure is a book of rules of order. It is the second most popular parliamentary authority in the United States after Robert's Rules of Order. It was first published in 1950...
criticizes the "previous question" terminology as being confusing, and instead calls this motion the motion to close debate, the motion to vote immediately, or the motion to close debate and vote immediately. Regardless of the terminology, a two-thirds vote is required to end debate.
Legislative Use
In legislative bodies, this concept is frequently referred to as clotureCloture
In parliamentary procedure, cloture is a motion or process aimed at bringing debate to a quick end. It is also called closure or, informally, a guillotine. The cloture procedure originated in the French National Assembly, from which the name is taken. Clôture is French for "ending" or "conclusion"...
. The number of votes required for cloture varies, for example in the United States Senate
United States Senate
The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
, the vote required is three-fifths of the total number of Senators. Additionally, cloture in the U.S. Senate does not immediately end debate on the pending question, but rather imposes strict limitations on debate. It is therefore more akin to the motion to limit debate
Limit or extend limits of debate
-Explanation and Use:-Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised:The default norm is allowing each member of a deliberative assembly to make two ten-minute speeches, with a requirement that a member wait for other members who have not spoken on the question to speak before making his second speech.-The...
found in Robert's Rules, than the motion for the previous question.