Previous question: Difference between revisions

In US [[parliamentary procedure]], the '''previous question''' (also known as "calling for the question", "calling the question", "close [[Debate (parliamentary procedure)|debate]]", "calling for a vote", "vote now", or other similar forms) is generally used as a [[motion (parliamentary procedure)|motion]] to end debate on a pending proposal and bring it to an immediate vote. The meaning of this specialized motion has nothing to do with any question previously considered by the assembly.

In the [[United States Senate]] and inCommonwealth [[parliament]]sparliaments, a motion for "[[cloture]]", or "closure", is used instead to end debate. In those bodies, the "previous question" has a different use and is rarely used or not used at all.

The first instance of the "previous question" was initiallybeing used in the [[Parliament of England|BritishEnglish Parliament]] indates back to 25 May 1604.<ref name=":6">{{Cite web|title = A perpetual disturbance? The history of the previous question|url = https://thehistoryofparliament.wordpress.com/2014/11/12/a-perpetual-disturbance-the-history-of-the-previous-question/|website = The History of Parliament|accessdateaccess-date = 2016-01-10|date = November 12, 2014|first = Paul|last = Seaward}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite book|title = Pocket Manual of Rules of Order for Deliberative Assemblies|last = Robert|first = Henry M.|publisher = Scott, Foresman and Company|year = 1907|location = Chicago|pages = 60–62|url = https://books.google.com/books?id=pTs9AAAAYAAJ&dqq=pocket%20manual%20of%20rules%20of%20order%20for%20deliberative%20assemblies&pg=PA60#v=onepage&q&f=false|edition = "Robert's Rules of Order 3rd"}}</ref> At that time, use of this motion was intended not to end debate, but to suppress the main question for the rest of the sessionsitting (similar to an [[objection to the consideration of a question]]).<ref name=":0" /> It could be debated and when put to a vote, an affirmative vote on the previous question would put the [[main motion]] to aan immediate vote, while a negative vote on the previous question would end consideration of the main motion altogether for the day.<ref name=":0" /> Although rarely used, this same form of the motion still exists in parliament.<ref name=":6" />

To end debate, a motion for the previous question could be adopted. It is often proposed by a member saying, "I call [for] the question", although the formal wording is, "I move the previous question."<ref name=":2">{{Cite book|title = Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised|last = Robert|first = Henry M.|publisher = Da Capo Press|year = 2011|isbn = 978-0-306-82020-5|location = Philadelphia, PA|pages = 207|edition = 11th|ref = harv|display-authors = et al.|url = https://books.google.com/books?id=O8zExFMa0SkC&lpg=PP1&pg=PA201#v=onepage&q&f=false}}</ref> The motion for the "previous question" has nothing to do with the last question previously considered by the assembly.<ref name=":3">{{Harvard citation no brackets|Robert|2011|p = 198}}</ref>

=== ''Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised'' (RONR) ===

Under [[Robert's Rules of Order|''Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised'']] (the book used by most organizations in the United States), when a motion for the previous question is made (whether formally or in a nonstandard form such as "calling the question", "close debate", or "calling for a vote"), a two-thirds vote (or [[unanimous consent]]) is required to end debate.<ref name=":4">{{Harvard citation no brackets|Robert|2011|pp = 200–201}}</ref> A single member cannot force the end of debate.<ref name=":5">{{Cite web|url = http://www.robertsrules.com/faq.html#11|title = Frequently Asked Questions about RONR (Question 11)|access-date = |accessdate = 2015-11-05|website = The Official Robert's Rules of Order Web Site|publisher = The Robert's Rules Association|last = |first = }}</ref> Also, interrupting someone by yelling out "Question!" or "Call the question!" is not appropriate (it has to be made by obtaining the floor like other motions).<ref name=":5" />

=== ''Mason's Manual of Legislative Procedure'' ===

Most state legislatures in the United States use ''[[Mason's Manual of Legislative Procedure]]''. This book also provides for the motion of the previous question.<ref>{{Cite book|title = Mason's Manual of Legislative Procedure|last = Mason|first = Paul|publisher = National Conference of State Legislatures|year = 2010|isbn = 9781580246101|location = Denver, CO|pages = 239|url = http://www.ncsl.org/documents/pubs/2010masonsmanualcontents.pdf|ref = harv}}</ref>

== ''The Standard Code of Parliamentary Procedure'' ==

''[[The Standard Code of Parliamentary Procedure]]'' does not have the "previous question". Instead this book has the motion to "close debate", the motion to "vote immediately", or the motion to "close debate and vote immediately".<ref>{{cite book |title = The Standard Code of Parliamentary Procedure|last = Sturgis|edition = 4th|year = 2001|page = 235|url = https://books.google.com/books?id=clk1qO-dWp4C&lpg=PP1&dqq=standard%20code%20of%20parliamentary%20procedure&pg=PP1#v=onepage&q&f=false|first = Alice|others = Revised by the American Institute of Parliamentarians|publisher = McGraw-Hill|location = New York|isbn = 978-0-07-136513-0}}</ref> Regardless of the terminology, a two-thirds vote is required to end debate.

InThe theprevious [[Unitedquestion Statesmay House]],be mostused majorto legislationend comesdebate toon the floorproposal under a special rule approvedconsideration byat the [[United States House Committee on Rules|Rules Committee]], and thentime the House,motion whichis defines the terms and limits of debate for that resolutionmade. After debate has begun, the previous question may be used to end debate<ref>{{Cite web|title = Glossary (p)|url = https://www.congress.gov/help/legislative-glossary#p|website = www.congress.gov|accessdateaccess-date = 2016-01-08|publisher = Library of Congress|quote = previous question - Non-debatable motion, available in the House and its legislative committees, which, when agreed to, cuts off further debate, prevents the offering of additional amendments, and brings the pending matter to an immediate vote.}}</ref> (whichIf requiresany onlyMember moves the previous question, the Speaker must immediately put the question on such motion. If a [[Majority#Majority vote|simple majority]] of Members present and voting Membersvotes in favour of the previous question, the main motion is immediately put up to pass)a vote.

Instead of a motion for the previous question, the [[United States Senate]] uses a [[Limit or extend limits of debate|motion to limit debate]], called [[cloture]].<ref>{{Cite web|title = U.S. Senate: Reference Home > Virtual Reference Desk > Cloture|url = https://www.senate.gov/reference/reference_index_subjects/Cloture_vrd.htm|website = www.senate.gov|accessdateaccess-date = 2016-01-08}}</ref> This requires three-fifths of the total number of Senators. It does not immediately end debate on the pending question, but rather imposes strict limitations on debate.

== Use in parliamentsother legislative bodies ==

In the [[House of Commons of the United Kingdom]], in the use[[Senate of Australia]] and in the [[Parliament of Canada]], the previous question is theused samefor asits wasoriginal originally developedpurpose (bythat suppressingis, theto questionpostpone insteadconsideration of closingthe debatequestion), althoughwhile itsmotions usewhich inhave thisthe regardaim isof veryimmediately rareending debate are called closure motions.<ref name=":6" /><ref>See dictionary definition of "previous question" at [http://thelawdictionary.org/previous-question/ Black's Law Dictionary], [https://web.archive.org/web/20150923170052/http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/us/definition/american_english/previous-question Oxford Dictionaries], and [http://www.thefreedictionary.com/previous+question thefreedictionary.com].</ref><ref>{{Cite Theweb|title Chair= respondsClosure tomotions a- Glossary page|url = http://www.parliament.uk/site-information/glossary/closure-motion/|website for= theUK previousParliament|access-date question= with2016-01-08}}</ref><ref>{{Cite "Theweb|title Question= is,Chapter That16 the- QuestionPrevious bequestion|url not= nowhttp://www.aph.gov.au/About_Parliament/Senate/Powers_practice_n_procedures/aso/so094|website put= www."<refaph.gov.au|access-date name=":6" 2016-01-09|language = en-AU|publisher = Parliament of Australia}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web|title = HouseChapter of Commons31 - ModernisationConduct of theSenators Houseand rules of Commons - Fourth Reportdebate|url = httpshttp://publicationswww.parliamentaph.ukgov.au/paAbout_Parliament/cm199798Senate/cmselectPowers_practice_n_procedures/cmmodernaso/600iv/md0405.htmso199|website = www.publicationsaph.parliamentgov.ukau|accessdateaccess-date = 2016-01-0809|language = en-AU|publisher = Parliament of Australia}}</ref><ref>{{Cite Theweb|title [[Select= CommitteeChapter on14 the- ModernisationControl ofand the Houseconduct of Commons]]debate|url criticized= thishttp://www.aph.gov.au/About_Parliament/House_of_Representatives/Powers_practice_and_procedure/practice/chapter14#clos|website procedure= aswww.aph.gov.au|access-date "totally= incomprehensible",2016-10-04|language and= proposeden-AU|publisher in= itsParliament placeof aAustralia}}</ref><ref>{{Cite simplifiedbook|title motion= toThe "proceedAustralian Guide to theChairing nextMeetings|last business".<ref= Puregger|first name=":1" />Marjorie|publisher Instead= University of theQueensland previousPress|year question,= a1998|isbn closure= motion0-7022-3010-3|location is= usedQueensland, toAustralia|pages end= debate58|url = https://books.google.com/books?id=n-1xNhCQvMoC&pg=PA58}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title = ClosureThe motionsCurtailment of Debate - GlossaryThe pagePrevious Question|url = httphttps://www.parliamentourcommons.ukca/siteprocedure/procedure-informationand-practice-3/glossarych_14_1-e.html|website = www.ourcommons.ca|access-date = 2022-11-27|publisher = House of Commons of Canada}}</closureref><ref>{{Cite web|title = The Curtailment of Debate -motion Closure|url = https://www.ourcommons.ca/procedure/procedure-and-practice-3/ch_14_2-e.html|website = UK Parliamentwww.ourcommons.ca|accessdateaccess-date = 20162022-0111-0827|publisher = House of Commons of Canada}}</ref>