vote under it, it is in order to lay upon the table the
questions still before the assembly.

20. The Previous Question* [The Previous Question is a technical name
for this motion, conveying a wrong impression of its import, as it has
nothing to do with the subject previously under consideration. To
demand the previous question is equivalent in effect to moving "That
debate now cease, and the assembly immediately proceed to vote on the
questions before it," (the exceptions are stated above). The English
Previous Question is an entirely different one from ours, and is used
for a different purpose. In the English Parliament it is moved by the
enemies of a measure, who then vote in the negative, and thus prevent
for the day, the consideration of the main question, (which in this
country could be accomplished by "objecting to the consideration of the
question" [Sec. 15], if the objection were sustained). In our Congress, it
is moved by the friends of a measure, who vote in the affirmative with a
view to cutting off debate and immediately bringing the assembly to a
vote on the questions before it. The rules in the two cases are as
different as the objects of the motions. It requires only a majority
vote for its adoption in the House of Representatives, and is not
allowed in the United States Senate.] takes precedence of every debatable
question [Sec. 35], and yields to Privileged [Sec. 9] and Incidental [Sec. 8]
questions, and to the motion to Lie on the table [Sec. 19]. It is not
debatable, and cannot be amended or have any other Subsidiary

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[Sec. 7] motion applied to it. It shall require a two-thirds vote for its
adoption.

When a member calls for the previous question, and the call is seconded,
the presiding officer must immediately put the question: "Shall the
main question be now put?" If adopted, the member who introduced the
pending measure still has the right to close the debate [Sec. 34]; after
which the presiding officer, without allowing further discussion, shall
put to vote the questions before the assembly, in their order of
precedence, till the main question, with all its subsidiary and
incidental questions, is disposed of (see the exceptions below). If it
fails, the discussion continues as if this motion had not been made.

The previous question can be moved on a pending amendment, and if
adopted, debate is closed on the