Introduction to Robert's Rules of Order

Robert's Rules of Order provides a structured framework for conducting

meetings, ensuring fair and efficient decision-making processes. In the US
Senate, adhering to Robert's Rules ensures orderly debates, respects minority
opinions, and facilitates productive discussions.

Delegates will be referred to as “Senators,” and should address one another

appropriately and refer to one another as “Senator [First Name] [Last
Name].”

Flow of the Senate

Pledge of Allegiance
At the beginning of each committee session, the President of the Senate will
recite the Pledge of Allegiance as follows:

“I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the
Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty
and justice for all.”

Once the Pledge of Allegiance has been recited, the chamber becomes
open for debate.

Roll Call
During roll call, senators are accounted for based on their presence or
absence:
Present: Senators have to respond with "present" when their name is
called if they are present in the Senate.
Absent: Absent Senators are noted accordingly during the roll call.

Opening Statements
Statements from the majority (Senator Charles E. Schumer (D-NY)) and
minority leaders (Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY)) for a minute.

Caucuses and Motions

They direct the flow of the committee.

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Motions
Main Motions: Within this category of motions, the senators are
expected to propose actions or decisions by stating, "I move to..."
followed by the proposed action. Note that another delegate must
second the motion for it to proceed to a vote.

Subsidiary Motions: These kinds of motions are used to modify or

delay action on the main motion. For example, when the senator states,
"I move to amend the motion on the floor", it allows for changes to the
main motion.

Incidental Motions: These motions address procedural matters that

arise during debate, such as points of order or personal privilege.

Privileged Motions: These are the motions that take precedence over
other motions because they relate to matters of immediate importance
or concern to the assembly.

Below is a table that explains these four different types of motions in a

detailed manner:

Motion Purpose Amenable Voting

Main Motions Procedural Motion yes Simple majority
Lay on the table no Simple majority
The previous question no 2/3rd majority
Limit/Extend debate yes 2/3rd majority

Subsidiary Postpone (definite timeline) yes Simple majority

Motions Refer to Committee yes Simple majority
Amend the amendment no Simple majority
Amendment yes Simple majority
Postpone indefinitely no Simple majority
Appeal no Simple majority
Object to Consideration of a Question no 2/3rd majority
Incidental
Read Papers no Simple majority
Motions
Suspend the rules no 2/3rd majority
Withdraw a motion no Simple majority
Fix the time to adjourn yes Simple majority

Privileged Adjourn no Simple majority

Motions Question of Privilege yes Simple majority
Call for order of the day no Simple majority

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Raising Motions
To raise a motion in the US Senate, senators should follow these steps:
Recognition: Senators have to gain the attention of the chair by raising
their placards and then waiting to be recognized.
State the Motion: Senators should clearly articulate the motion using the
appropriate format based on its type (main, subsidiary, etc.).
Seek a Second: Once the motion is stated, another senator must second
it to proceed to discussion and voting. Remember, a second merely implies
that the seconder agrees that the motion should come before the
assembly and not that they are in favour of the motion. If there is no
second, the motion is not placed before the committee at that particular
instant.
President’s Confirmation: If there’s a second, the chair acknowledges
the motion and proceeds further toward the voting process.
Voting on a Motion: Before the vote, the Executive Board puts the
question by saying "Those in favour of the motion say "Aye." Those
opposed say "No." Depending upon the result, the motion is either carried
or lost.

Note: The senator who raised the motion that passed has the right to go either
first in the speaker's order or be recognized later.

Establishment of Debate
Debate in the US Senate follows a structured format:
Opening Statements: Senators are supposed to present their positions or
arguments on the topic under consideration.
Questioning Period: Senators may engage in questioning or cross-
examination to clarify positions or gather information.
Rebuttals and Counter Arguments: Senators are expected to respond
to opposing viewpoints, presenting counterarguments supported by
evidence or reasoning.
Closing Statements: Senators here have to summarize their positions and
offer final remarks before proceeding to the vote.

Throughout the debate, senators must adhere to parliamentary decorum and

respect opposing viewpoints.

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Points
Senators may raise points of order to address violations of procedure or rules:
Personal Privilege: This particular point can be raised to address
personal discomfort or issues, such as temperature or noise levels.
Point of Parliamentary Inquiry: This point can be raised by the Senators
in case they have any questions about the procedural flow of the
committee.
Point of Order: This point is raised to address immediate breaches of
decorum or procedure during debate.

Caucuses
a. Moderated Caucus: This is the time when Senators raise motions to
discuss the various sub-topics of the agenda. When raising the motion for a
moderated caucus, the Senators are expected to mention the topic, the
individual speaker’s time, and the total time for which the topic should be
discussed. Once the motion gets recognized and seconded, it's put to vote.

b. Closed Doors Session: On a motion made and seconded to close the

doors of the Senate, on the discussion of any business which may, in the
opinion of a Senator, require secrecy, the Executive Board shall direct all
observers and press members to temporarily leave the committee hall, and
during the discussion of such motion the doors shall remain closed. Note that
this Session too will be moderated by the Executive Board. Such a session
shall only be encouraged when the Senators need to discuss sensitive and/or
policy issues that are too confidential for the citizens to know.

c. Unmoderated Caucus: Within this, the Senators can discuss anything

related to the flow of the committee or the agenda rather informally and can
even move around the Senate to lobby. To raise a motion for the
unmoderated caucus, the Senators must specify the total time for which the
unmoderated caucus will last.

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Formal Documentation
1. A Bill is a legislative proposal that if passed becomes public law. Bills
require a simple majority to pass.
2. Once a bill has been introduced, structured debate shall begin:
a. The structured debate consists of a 4-minute authorship speech and
a 4-minute opposition speech. Afterward, there will be a 2-minute
pro speech and a 2-minute con speech. During the structured
debate, only points of order and personal privilege are in order.
b. After the structured debate, the committee moves directly into the
general debate. During general debate, all points and motions are in
order and may be recognized at the President’s discretion. If there
are no points or motions on the floor, the President will entertain 90-
second speeches from the delegates. These speeches will alternate
between pro and con speeches for the draft bill presented.
3. Amendments: (explained later)

Bill
Bills will be processed in the same manner as Draft Resolution in General
Assemblies. However, Senators must first send a draft of their Bill to the
President for approval. Once approved, the Bill sponsors may motion to have
the Bill presented. Co-sponsors are the equivalent of signatories, and at least
ten co-sponsors are needed for the President to approve a Bill.

Note: All bills introduced on the floor should be written and compiled in their
entirety during sittings of the Senate. The use of content created before the
conference is prohibited and will not be accepted by the President.

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 Structure of a bill

S. [enter number]
[Bill Summary]
(For example: To promote economic growth, provide tailored
regulatory relief, and enhance consumer protections, and for
other purposes.)
_____________________________

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

[Date]
Name(s) of the sponsor(s) (for himself/herself, names of
cosponsors) introduced the following bill
___________________

A BILL
[Bill Summary (Repeated)]
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,

Section 1: Short Title

a. Short Title: This Act can be cited as the “[Title of the Act]”

Section 2: [Preambulatory Clauses]

Section 3: [Operative Clauses]

Section 4: This bill will take effect [____days/months] after its

passage.

Note: There can be as many sections as the Senators like.

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Amendments
There will be three readings of the bill. The first reading will include the
introduction of the bill followed by a general floor debate and a Q and A
session. The second reading will go over the amendments to the bill.

As explained earlier, amendments are some additions, deletions, or

modifications that the senators discuss for the bill. They are raised through a
motion to amend. There are two types of amendments-
1. Friendly amendments- A friendly amendment is proposed with the
agreement of the sponsor of the bill. The sponsor accepts the proposed
change willingly, considering it an improvement to the original proposal.
This amendment is incorporated without a separate vote.
2. Unfriendly amendments- An unfriendly amendment, on the other hand, is
proposed without the agreement of the sponsor of the bill. If the
amendment is unfriendly, two speakers for and two speakers against are
called. After the speakers give their speeches for a minute, all senators
vote on whether or not to include be amendment, which is decided by a
⅔ majority vote.

Voting on the Bill

Roll Call Voting: During the third reading of the bill, the voting on the bill
takes place.
When voting on a bill, the author of the Bill will be recognized for a 2-
minute summation speech immediately before the vote occurs. When the
author has completed his/her summation speech, his/her remaining time
is automatically yielded to the Chair.
Senators may only respond with Yea, Nay, or Abstain. If a Senator wishes
to Abstain, she/he must give a 45-second speech explaining her/his
reason for the same.
According to Article I, Section 3, Clause 4, of the United States
Constitution, the President of the Senate reserves the right to cast the
tie-breaking vote in a case where the voting ends in a tie.

Note: the Senate can have multiple bills but only one can be passed.

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