What is the germaneness rule?

The rule of germaneness applies to an amendment and its relationship to a bill or a pending amendment. For example, an amendment striking an exclusion is not germane if it would expand the scope of coverage of the bill to a class not already covered.

What are germaneness rules in the US House?

The germaneness rule was adopted by the House in 1789 and has remained the same since it was last changed in 1822. The purpose of the rule is to provide for the orderly consideration of amendments to bills and resolutions by requiring a relationship between the amendment and the matter being amended.

What does germaneness mean?

relevance
Germaneness means the relevance or appropriateness of amendments or motions to the item under discussion. There is no single test for determining when a proposed amendment or motion is germane.

What is a quorum in Congress?

A quorum is the minimum number of members of a deliberative assembly (a body that uses parliamentary procedure, such as a legislature) necessary to conduct the business of that group.

Does the Senate have a germaneness rule?

(The Senate generally interprets germaneness strictly, to preclude amendments that expand the scope of a bill or introduce a specific additional topic.) In all other cases, Senators may propose whatever amendments they choose on whatever subjects to whatever bill the Senate is considering.

What is a cloture rule?

That year, the Senate adopted a rule to allow a two-thirds majority to end a filibuster, a procedure known as “cloture.” In 1975 the Senate reduced the number of votes required for cloture from two-thirds of senators voting to three-fifths of all senators duly chosen and sworn, or 60 of the 100-member Senate.

What is needed for a quorum in the Senate?

Rules and practices for quorums in the Senate derive from Article I, Section 5, clause 1, of the Constitution, which states in part that “a Majority of each [chamber] shall constitute a Quorum to do Business; but a smaller Number may adjourn from day to day, and may be authorized to compel the Attendance of absent …

What is required for a quorum in the Senate?

Article I, section 5 of the Constitution requires that a quorum (51 senators) be present for the Senate to conduct business. Often, fewer than 51 senators are present on the floor, but the Senate presumes a quorum unless a roll call vote or quorum call suggests otherwise.

Is there a time limit to debate the Senate?

Under the terms of this agreement, for example, the Senate as a whole may debate each amendment for no more than one hour. There is also a two-hour time limit for debate on the bill itself (that is, “general debate”).

Where does the U.S. Senate sit?

The Senate chamber is located in the north wing of the Capitol Building in Washington, D.C.

How many senators are needed for cloture?

Are there any state constitutions that require germaneness?

No specific single subject provision is set forth by the constitutions in Arkansas, Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Ohio, Rhode Island and Vermont. In addition, over three-fourths of the state legislative chambers reported that they have rules on germaneness of amendments or motions.

What does germaneness of an amendment or motion mean?

In addition, over three-fourths of the state legislative chambers reported that they have rules on germaneness of amendments or motions. Germaneness means the relevance or appropriateness of amendments or motions to the item under discussion. What does this mean? How does one decide what is germane?

What do presiding officers need to know about germaneness?

When called upon to make a ruling on germaneness, the presiding officer or parliamentarian should: 1. Look to the state constitution, chamber rules, other chamber precedents and adopted parliamentary manual for requirements on germaneness. 2. Develop a personal checklist of test ideas.

How to determine when a motion is germane?

There is no single test for determining when a proposed amendment or motion is germane. When called upon to make a ruling on germaneness, the presiding officer or parliamentarian should: 1. Look to the state constitution, chamber rules, other chamber precedents and adopted parliamentary manual for requirements on germaneness.

What is the germaneness rule? The rule of germaneness applies to an amendment and its relationship to a bill or a pending amendment. For example, an amendment striking an exclusion is not germane if it would expand the scope of coverage of the bill to a class not already covered. What are germaneness rules in…