Felt’s Parliamentary Procedure/Committee of the Whole

by Orson B. Felt

Layout 2

COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE.

67. Sometimes the question before the assembly is a complicated and important one, and the assembly is not ready for final action upon it, but desires an informal discussion to consider the question more full and with less formality. This can be done by the assembly resolving itself into a “committee of the whole,” which is simply a committee meeting of the whole body. The form is, “I move this assembly do now resolve itself into a committee of the whole to consider the question of (naming the question).” If this carries, the presiding officer appoints a member to the chair and takes his seat among the members, or if the assembly objects it may elect its own chairman.

68. As a committee of the whole, or any committee, is but a creature of the assembly, any action taken is not final or is not binding on the assembly until adopted by the assembly; therefore its report or recommendation should be submitted to the assembly at large for final action. A memorandum should be kept of the proceeding for the use of the committee and to assist the chairman in making his report; but such memorandum should not be recorded on the minutes of the assembly, only the report of the the committee is so recorded, and said report becomes a part of the proceedings of the assembly.

69. While the assembly is acting as a committee of the whole the only action in order is to recommend to the assembly at large the adoption of, or rejection of the matter under discussion, or such other recommendation of action as comes within the authority of ordinary committees, and to move that the committee rise and report. Being a dependent body it cannot make any rule for itself unless authorized by the parent body, and its decision only amounts to an informal vote on the question at issue. Each member may speak as often as he can secure recognition by the chair, and there is no limit to be placed on debate in the committee except such limit as may be made by order of the assembly. The yeas and nays cannot be ordered because it would destroy the original purpose of going into committee by having the record show how the members voted on the question. It cannot refer any matter to another committee; because if the committee of the whole should rise during the conference of such sub-committee, the sub-committee would have no body to report to. The committee of the whole may, however, recommend in their report to the assembly that the matter under discussion be referred to a committee.

70. Should the committee become disorderly the chairman of the assembly may take the chair and declare the committee dissolved, or when order is restored the presiding officer may leave the chair and the committee resumes. When the committee has finished its business a motion is made that the committee “rise and report.” If this motion is carried the committee has re-converted itself into the assembly without leaving their seats by simply agreeing to the rise—the presiding officer of the assembly resumes the chair and the chairman of the committee makes his report. This report is then before the assembly for final action.