• Used for non-controversial measures which have been pre-approved by the Majority and Minority Leaders and with the full and subcommittee chairmen and ranking minority members of the committee(s) of jurisdiction. The Speaker will refuse to recognize a Member for a unanimous consent request that has not been pre-approved.
• Requests should be submitted to the Majority Leader in writing one week prior to floor consideration.
• Considered in the House at an appropriate time, generally at the end of the legislative day.
• Any Member may object to a unanimous consent request. If an objection is heard, the request fails and floor consideration must proceed by another method.
• A Member (usually a minority committee member) may “reserve the right to object” for the purpose of inquiring about the unanimous consent request. An opportunity to discuss the measure is often brought about in this manner until a Member calls for the “regular order” or the reservation is withdrawn. At that point all further discussion under the reservation ends.

B. Suspension of the Rules (clause 1 of rule XV) - Scheduled by the Majority Leader.

• Used for relatively non-controversial measures.
• Requests from the chairman of the committee of jurisdiction should be submitted to the Majority Leader in writing two weeks prior to floor consideration.
• In order on Mondays and Tuesdays and requires a 2/3rds vote for passage.
• Measures estimated to cost more than $100 million are prohibited from consideration by the rules of the Republican Conference. This rule may be waived by the Majority Leadership.
• Non-amendable, except the manager may incorporate an amendment into the motion to suspend the rules and pass the measure. No separate vote on the incorporated amendment may be ordered.
• Considered in the House with 40 minutes of debate divided between the Manager and an opponent.

C. Special Rules - Reported by the Rules Committee at request of another committee.

• Special rules set guidelines for the floor consideration of controversial measures, measures in violation of standing House rules, or measures requiring a special debate or amendment structure.
• Must be adopted by a simple majority in order to govern the floor consideration of the bill.
• Once adopted, the rule may govern debate time, the amendments permitted, or waive points of order.
• Rules are not amendable unless the Majority manager offers an amendment, the Majority manager yields for the purpose of amendment or the previous question on the rule is defeated.

D. Corrections Calendar (clause 6 of rule XV) - After a measure has been favorably reported and placed on the Union or House Calendar the Speaker, in consultation with the Minority Leader and the Bipartisan Corrections Advisory Group, may file notice with the Clerk that the measure may also be placed on the Corrections Calendar. Items on the Corrections Calendar are scheduled by the Speaker’s Floor Office.

• Used to consider measures recommended by the Corrections Advisory Group to correct or repeal existing laws, rules and federal regulations that are considered obsolete, duplicative, or burdensome.
• In order on the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month and after the corrections measure has been pending on the Corrections Calendar for 3 legislative days and requires a 3/5ths vote for passage.
• Considered in the House with one hour of debate divided between the chairman and ranking minority member; amendable only by committee approved amendments offered by the Chairman or his designee; allows for one motion to recommit, with or without instructions.

E. Private Calendar (clause 5 of rule XV) - For specific procedures, consult the Extension of Remarks on page E713 in the April 21, 1999 Congressional Record.

• Used for measures involving relief for a specific individual or entity.
• In order on the first and third Tuesdays of every month.

F. Calendar of Motions to Discharge Committees (clause 2 of rule XV) - A Member may file a motion with the Clerk to discharge a committee from consideration of any measure which has been pending for 30 legislative days or the Rules Committee from consideration of a special rule providing for that measure if the special rule has been pending before the Rules Committee for 7 legislative days.

• May cover only a single bill, and special rules resolutions may not permit non-germane amendments.
• In order on the second and fourth Mondays of each month.
• To be placed on the Discharge Calendar, 218 Members’ signatures are required.
• Must be pending on that Calendar for seven legislative days to be eligible for consideration.
• Discharge motions are considered in the House with 20 minutes of debate equally divided between one proponent and one opponent and the only available intervening motion is one motion to adjourn.

Key Parliamentary Term