WHAT? A method of seeking information about a unanimous consent request. Allows the reservation holder to ask questions about the requester's purpose or intent. If you are satisfied by the requester's response the reservation may be withdrawn.

HOW? Assert your reservation immediately after the unanimous consent request is made by standing and saying:

Reserving the right to object, would the gentleman/woman please explain...

NOTE--A request for regular order may be used to demand that a reservation holder either insist on his objection or that the objection be withdrawn. However, it remains within the Chair's discretion to determine how long a reservation may be held.

POINTS OF ORDER

WHAT? An objection that the pending proposal or proceeding (bill/amendment/motion) is in violation of a rule of the House.

WHEN? The objection must be raised as soon as the offending bill/amendment/motion is offered or the offending provision is read.

HOW? Rise to seek recognition and say:

Point of order, Mr. Speaker/Chairman. The bill/amendment/motion violates clause__ of House Rule__, which... (The Member may only address the Chair, not other colleagues. Discussion is limited to the question of order; the merits of the underlying legislation may not be discussed).

NOTE--While an objection must be timely raised, it is in order for a Member to reserve a point of order pending an explanation of the questioned matter. Calls for regular order are NOT appropriately used to raise points of order.

WHAT? A question to the Chair regarding the current proceedings.

HOW? Rise to seek recognition and begin:

Parliamentary inquiry, Mr. Speaker... (Then state your inquiry. NOTE--A Member need not yield for a parliamentary inquiry. He may decline to yield for that purpose).

QUESTIONS OF PRIVILEGE

WHAT? A matter which affects the safety, dignity, or integrity of the House; or which affects the rights, reputation, or conduct of an individual Member acting as a Representative.

WHEN? A question of privilege takes precedence over all motions except the motion to adjourn.

HOW? Questions of the privilege of the House are brought through resolutions in the House. After a Member (other than the Majority or Minority Leader) has notified the House of an intent to bring a question of the privilege of the House, the Speaker must schedule its consideration within two legislative days. The resolution is subject to one hour of debate, split between the proponent and the Majority or Minority Leader, or his designee. Questions of Personal Privilege are raised by a Member from the floor (not by resolution) in the House.

WHY? Used to respond to actions which damage the integrity of the House or to public allegations of improper official conduct by its Members. Resolutions raising the privileges of the House may also direct action to restore its integrity. Questions affecting individual Members are used to rebut public allegations.

NOTE--"Privileged Questions" relate to the order of legislative business.

MEMBERS SHALL:

· Address their remarks solely and directly to the Chair. They may not address other Members, individuals in the gallery, or persons who might be observing through the media.

· Refer to other Members by state, not by name.

· Avoid characterizing another Member's intent or motives and discussing personalities.

· Refrain from referring to the official conduct of Members where such conduct is not under consideration by way of a report of the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct or as a question or the privilege of the House.

· Refrain from referring to individual members of the Senate, characterizing Senate action or inaction, or quoting Senate proceedings, except to make legislative history on a measure then under debate.

· Refrain from using profane or vulgar language.

· Refrain from speaking disrespectfully of the Speaker, other Members, the President or Vice President.

· Avoid walking in the well when a Member is speaking.

· Refrain from eating, smoking or using electronic equipment, including cellular phones or lap top computers, on the floor.

· Wear appropriate business attire. Hats and overcoats are not permitted on the floor.

· All handouts distributed on the floor or adjacent rooms must comport with the rules of propriety for spoken words and must bear the name of the authorizing Member.

NOTE--Debate which violates the rules of decorum may result in a Member's words being taken down.

POCKET GUIDE

OF FLOOR PROCEDURE

IN THE

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Prepared by

The House Committee on Rules, Majority

Parliamentary Outreach Program

January 16, 2001

DAVID DREIER

Chairman