Posted on 06/09/2008 12:54:20 AM PDT by gogov
34. To Postpone Indefinitely takes precedence of nothing except the main motion to which it is applied, and yields to all privileged [14], incidental [13], and other subsidiary [12] motions. It cannot be amended or have any other subsidiary motion applied to it except the previous question and motions limiting or extending the limits of debate. It is debatable and opens the main question to debate. It can be applied to nothing but main questions, which include questions of privilege and orders of the day after they are before the assembly for consideration. An affirmative vote on it may be reconsidered, but not a negative vote. If lost it cannot be renewed. It is simply a motion to reject the main question. If a main motion is referred to a committee while to postpone indefinitely is pending, the latter motion is ignored and does not go to the committee. The Object of this motion is not to postpone, but to reject, the main motion without incurring the risk of a direct vote on it, and it is made only by the enemies of the main motion when they are in doubt as to their being in the majority. The Effect of making this motion is to enable members who have exhausted their right of debate on the main question, to speak again, as technically, the question before the assembly is different, while, as far as the subject of discussion is concerned, there is no difference caused by changing the question from adopting to rejecting the measure, because the merits of the main question are open to debate in either case. If adopted, its effect is to suppress the main motion for that session, unless the vote is reconsidered. As this motion does not suppress the debate on the main question, its only useful effect is to give the opponents of the pending measure a chance of killing the main motion without risking its adoption in case of failure. For, if they carry the indefinite postponement, the main question is suppressed for the session; if they fail, they still have a vote on the main question, and, having learned their strength by the vote taken, they can form an opinion of the advisability of continuing the struggle.
Why do you ask a parliamentary question?
First, spell INDEFINITELY correctly in the minutes. Then Robert’s Rules of Order says that the effect of the motion, if adopted, is not to “postpone” the main motion, but rather to prevent action on it for the duration of the current session. The motion to postpone indefinitely is the lowest-ranking of all motions other than the main motion, and therefore it cannot be made while any other subsidiary, privileged or incidental motion is pending.
Because debate on the motion to postpone indefinitely may go into the merits of the pending main motion, it may provide members of the assembly with additional opportunities to debate the main motion beyond the number of speeches normally permitted by the rules. It can also be used by opponents of a main motion to test whether they have the votes needed to defeat the main motion, without risking a direct vote. If the motion to postpone indefinitely is defeated, direct consideration of the main motion is resumed, and opponents of the motion may then determine whether to continue in their effort to defeat the main motion. From wikipedia, so consider the source. When faced with this recently, my suggestion was to outright defeat the measure that being the safest course.
"Parliamentary inquiry" must be recognized.
yitbos
Yes, I would imagine they are asleep. The reason for the question is to see what options exist for either delaying or reversing a vote already taken.
Example: A motion has been made and passed. New information surfaces leading some to seek a second vote or to kill the previous vote.
In the alternative, allowing more time before the previous vote takes effect might be all that is needed.
The question becomes, what are the parlimentary options for accomplishing either of those two objectives.
Thinking that those asleep or those still awake might enjoy working it through.
We will have to talk to the authors of the website where the word was copied and pasted from but I have taken note for the next time my keyboard attempts it.
In retrospect, I would wait to see what other, much more educated minds, in this forum would say. I would hate for you to follow my advice and it be wrong. Give it a day.
Why not just introduce a new motion to amend the original (if not finally passed) or one to postpone the action?
Motion to reconsider. Must be made by a majority member. Usually made by a minority member who switches his vote and votes with the affirmative in cases where new information which would nullify the vote on the main question is expected. Not sure if this would be relevant or not, but perhaps.
Relevant.
A motion is already passed on the issue. So what I think is needed is a motion to delay the action, so the motion will not go into effect or something that would open it up after it has been passed to a new vote and reversal.
Bootsy Collins, bass player for George Clinton’s Parliament Funkadelic (P-Funk All Stars)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parliament-Funkadelic
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.