The Previous Question* [The Previous Question is a technical name for this motion, conveying a wrong impression of its import, as it has nothing to do with the subject previously under consideration. To demand the previous question is equivalent in effect to moving "That debate now cease, and the assembly immediately proceed to vote on the questions before it," (the exceptions are stated above). The English Previous Question is an entirely different one from ours, and is used for a different purpose. In the English Parliament it is moved by the enemies of a measure, who then vote in the negative, and thus prevent for the day, the consideration of the main question, (which in this country could be accomplished by "objecting to the consideration of the question" [§ 15], if the objection were sustained). In our Congress, it is moved by the friends of a measure, who vote in the affirmative with a view to cutting off debate and immediately bringing the assembly to a vote on the questions before it. The rules in the two cases are as different as the objects of the motions. It requires only a majority vote for its adoption in the House of Representatives, and is not allowed in the United States Senate.] takes precedence of every debatable question [§ 35], and yields to Privileged [§ 9] and Incidental [§ 8] questions, and to the motion to Lie on the table [§ 19]. It is not debatable, and cannot be amended or have any other Subsidiary [§ 7] motion applied to it. It shall require a two-thirds vote for its adoption.
When a member calls for the previous question, and the call is seconded, the presiding officer must immediately put the question: "Shall the main question be now put?" If adopted, the member who introduced the pending measure still has the right to close the debate [§ 34]; after which the presiding officer, without allowing further discussion, shall put to vote the questions before the assembly, in their order of precedence, till the main question, with all its subsidiary and incidental questions, is disposed of (see the exceptions below). If it fails, the discussion continues as if this motion had not been made.
The previous question can be moved on a pending amendment, and if adopted, debate is closed on the amendment only. After the amendment is voted on, the main question is again open to debate and amendments. [In this case the form of the question would be similar to this : "Shall the amendment be now put to the question?"]
The Object of this motion is to bring the assembly to a vote on the question before it without further debate. In ordinary assemblies it is rarely expedient to deprive a large minority of the right of debate, and yet two-thirds of the members should have the right to close the debate when they think it best.
It applies to questions of privilege [§ 12] as well as any other debatable questions. It is allowable for a member to submit a resolution and at the same time move the previous question thereon.
To illustrate the Effect of this motion, suppose it is adopted when we have before the assembly, (a) the main question; (b) an amendment; (c) a motion to commit; (d) a motion to amend the last motion by giving the committee instructions. The previous question being carried, the presiding officer would immediately put the question on the last motion (d); then on the motion to commit, (c); and if this is adopted, of course the subject is referred to the committee and disposed of for the present; but if it fails, the amendment (b) is put, and finally the main question.
Exceptions: If the Previous Question is carried while a motion to Postpone is pending, its effect is only to bring the assembly to a vote on that motion; if it is voted not to postpone, the subject is again open for debate. So if an Appeal [§ 14] or a motion to Reconsider [§ 27] is pending when the Previous Question is ordered, it applies only to them and is exhausted by the vote on them.
An affirmative vote on the motion to Commit [§ 22] exhausts the Previous
Question, and if the vote is reconsidered, it is divested of the Previous
Question.
Original Main Motion: Requires Second, Debatable, Amendable, Majority
Postpone Indefinitely: Requires Second, Debatable, Majority
Amend: Requires Second, Debatable, Amendable, Majority
Refer to Committee: Requires Second, Debatable, Amendable, Majority
Postpone to a Certain Time (Postpone Definitely): Requires Second, Debatable, Amendable, Majority
Limit or Extend Limits of Debate: Requires Second, Amendable, 2/3
Previous Question (Close Debate): Requires Second, 2/3
Lay on the Table: Requires Second, Majority
Call for Orders of the Day: Can Interrupt speaker, -
Raise a Question of Privilege: Can Interrupt speaker, -
Take a Recess: Requires Second, Amendable, Majority
Adjourn: Requires Second, Majority
Fix the Time to Which to Adjourn: Requires Second, Amendable, Majority
Point of Order: Can Interrupt speaker, -
Appeal: Can Interrupt speaker, Requires Second, Debatable, Majority
Questions or Points of Information: Can Interrupt speaker, -
Suspend the Rules: Requires Second, 2/3
Object to Consideration: Can Interrupt speaker, 2/3
Division of a Question: Requires Second, Amendable, Majority
Consideration by Paragraph-Seriatim: Requires Second, Amendable, Majority
Division of the Assembly: Can Interrupt speaker, -
Rescind: Requires Second, Debatable, Amendable, 2/3
Reconsider: Requires Second, Debatable, Amendable, 2/3