Felt’s Parliamentary Procedure/To Lay on the Table

by Orson B. Felt

Layout 2

TO LAY ON THE TABLE.

94. The effect of the motion is to postpone the subject then before the assembly in such a way that at any time later it can be considered. While in most cases the object of the mover in moving to lay a question on the table is to kill it by preventing further consideration and the motion is usually made by the opponents of a measure, still its effect is only to postpone until such time as the assembly decides by motion and vote to lay it on the table. Later, when a more favorable opportunity offers, they may move to take it form the table. It applies to almost all motions. The exceptions are to fix the time to which to adjourn (when privileged). To adjourn (when unqualified). To lay on the table. To take from the table. Orders of the day (except one at a time), and questions as to priority of business.

95. While the motion to lay on the table is a subsidiary motion, a motion to take from the table is practically a motion to renew a question (38), and since it is a principal motion possessing no privilege, it cannot be acted upon when another question is under consideration. The form is, “I move the question be laid on the table.”^[1] This motion take precedence of all other motions except privileged motions (80), and to suspend the rules (130). It cannot be debated or amended or have any other motion applied to it, nor can an affirmative vote be applied to it, nor can an affirmative vote on it be reconsidered, because if laid on the table the proper motions would be to take it from the table.

It is renewable after an amendment or when there had been such progress in debate or a sufficient lapse of time as to make the motion practically a new one. If decided in the affirmative it takes with it everything adhering to the subject, and carries to the table the motion to commit (104) amendments (106) postponement (102), or any question which may be pending with the following exceptions:

Exceptions to the above rules

a—An amendment to the minutes (21) being laid on the table does not carry the minutes with it.

b—An appeal (124) being laid on the table shows that the assembly approves of the decision; it has only the effect of sustaining the chair and does not carry the original question to the table.

c—The previous question (97) being laid on the table, as the object in laying the previous question on the table is that the main question may be further discussed.

d—A motion to reconsider (135) if laid on the table is only equivalent to a refusal to reconsider the question; it thereby clinches the action it is sought to reconsider for the time being and does not carry the original question to the table.

e—A question of privilege (87) does not adhere to the subject it may happen to interrupt, and if laid on the table does not carry with it the question pending when the question of privilege was raised.

A negative decision has no effect whatever.

96. When a question which has been laid on the table is again taken up it comes before the assembly as it was prior to the motion to lay on the table, with all the amendments and motions then pending.

1. Note.—Speakers opposed to a question frequently obtain the floor for the purpose of opposing the proposition and after speaking in opposition to it close their speech with a motion to “lay on the table.” This, while not strictly out of order, is a very unparliamentary proceeding, since the speaker has got his argument in and those opposed to him have no opportunity to say a word; therefore, in such cases, fair play would seem to justify the chair in refusing to entertain the motion until those opposed have had at least the same opportunity to be heard.