Suspension votes

The Suspension Calendar of the United States House of Representatives is a procedure whereby non-controversial legislation is considered and normally passed by large margins. Under the Procedures of the United States House of Representatives a two-thirds majority vote of the House is required for passage and all points of order, procedural requirements for considering legislation, are waived. The bill is unamendable as called up by the proponent, and debateable for 40 minutes equally divided between minority and majority Members, but a bill doesn't normally qualify for the suspension calendar if there is significant opposition.

These votes, under the rules, may only take place on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays. Under special circumstances, suspension votes may take place on Thursdays or Fridays, or other days, but that happens rarely and requires a separate vote of the House as to whether that should occur.

Recently the 2007 U.S. Farm Bill was considered using such a procedure. Due to a procedural glitch, the bill was inproperly sent to the President and in an unusual attempt to solve the problem, the House passed it again as USBill|110|H.R.|6124. Hence the House Leadership used the suspension calendar to do so.

Other examples of suspension bills in the 110th United States Congress:

*USBill|110|H.Con.Res.|300 - Recognizing the necessity for the United States to maintain its significant leadership role in improving the health and promoting the resiliency of coral reef ecosystems, and for other purposes (Rep. Bordallo – Natural Resources)

*USBill|110|S.J.Res.|17 - A joint resolution directing the United States to initiate international discussions and take necessary steps with other Nations to negotiate an agreement for managing migratory and transboundary fish stocks in the Arctic Ocean (Sen. Stevens (AK) – Natural Resources)

*USBill|110|H.Con.Res.|325 - Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the Mackinac Island State Park Commission's Historical Preservation and Museum Program, which began on June 15, 1958 (Rep. Stupak – Natural Recourses)

*USBill|110|H.Res.|1074 - Honoring the 60th anniversary of the commencement of the carving of the Crazy Horse Memorial (Rep. Herseth–Sandlin – Natural Resources)

*USBill|110|H.R.|1464 - To assist in the conservation of rare felids and rare canids by supporting and providing financial resources for the conservation programs of nations within the range of rare felid and rare canid populations and projects of persons with demonstrated expertise in the conservation of rare felid and rare canid populations (Rep. Udall (NM) – Natural Resources)

ee also

*United States House Committee on Rules

External links

* [http://www.rules.house.gov/ruleprec/110th.pdf Rules of the House of Representatives]
* [http://www.congress.gov/erp/rs/html/RS20067.html Congressional Research Service Guide To House Floor]