Felt’s Parliamentary Procedure/Objection to Consideration
OBJECTION TO CONSIDERATION.
126. An objection may be made to the consideration of any principal motion, order of the day, conference report, or resolution, by any member, if he considers it devoid of interest, out of place, calculated to make trouble, or irrelevant to the object of the assembly or for other reasons; but the objection can be made only when the question is first presented or before debate has begun.
The question of consideration applies only to such questions as bring a subject before the assembly for consideration, and not to any strictly parliamentary motion. For example, to adjourn[1] to lay on the table, to amend, to commit, etc. It can be made when another member has the floor, or the chairman may put an objection on his own responsibility.
It does not require to be seconded, cannot be debated, or amended, or have any other motion applied to it; and upon the principle that when a motion has been made and seconded a simple majority cannot dispose of the question without debate; it require a two-thirds negative vote to suppress the question.127. The form is, “I object to the consideration of the question.” This does not require recognition from the chair, or to be seconded.
When the objection is made the chairman says, “Shall the question be considered?” and a vote is then taken. If decided in the negative (two-thirds vote), the whole matter is dismissed for that session, unless reconsidered. If the negative vote is less than two-thirds the question is before the assembly for consideration. Objection to the consideration of any question is seldom made in legislative assemblies or in assemblies of a political nature; in such assemblies the motions is not in general use, unless authorized by special rule; but in fraternal societies, in order to prevent the discussion of political questions or such questions as are peculiarly objectionable and tend to create ill-feeling among the members, the question may be profitably used and is, therefore, recommended.
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- ↑ Note.—The motion fixing the time or place to which to adjourn (if made when no question is before the assembly) would be a principal motion; but the question of consideration would not apply.