Questions tagged [procedure]

Questions related to a government body taking a specific action within its normal course of operations. Use with the relevant body and country tags

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Could opposition parties in the Netherlands form a coalition against Geert Wilders?

Geert Wilders' PVV party appears to have taken the largest number of seats in the Dutch election. However, thirty seven seats is far short of the 76 needed for a majority in the 150 seat parliament, ...
Dave Gremlin's user avatar
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0 votes
0 answers
58 views

Were there lobbyists in the closed-door meeting the night before the floor vote electing the new US Speaker? To whom is Rep. Tim Burchett referring?

In CNN's October 25, 2023 GOP lawmaker says colleagues need to 'get off their butts and get to work (an apparently tired) US representative Tim Burchett discusses the closed door meeting that took ...
uhoh's user avatar
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9 votes
2 answers
3k views

Why don't members of the minority party in the U.S. House of Representative ever force a vote to vacate the Speakership?

My understanding is that the current rules of the U.S. House of Representatives allow any member of the House - including members of the minority party - to offer a motion to vacate the office of ...
Very Tiny Brain's user avatar
1 vote
1 answer
62 views

Why have the UNSC rules of procedure remained provisional?

The UN website tells us that Article 30 of the Charter provides that the Security Council shall adopt its own rules of procedure. Since the adoption of the provisional rules of procedure at its first ...
Fizz's user avatar
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1 vote
1 answer
62 views

What does it entail when the UNSC votes to amend a draft resolution that was (previously) not adopted?

See for example S/2023/776 (let's call it S/B henceforth) which tried to amend S/2023/773 (henceforth S/A). The latter, S/A had not been adopted when S/B was proposed, because it failed a previous ...
Fizz's user avatar
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5 votes
1 answer
3k views

Origin & purpose of the "magic minute" floor speech in the US House and why would Minority Leader Hakim Jeffries use one to delay the vote by an hour?

In ABC News' October 1 2023 Rep. Bowman says triggering fire alarm ahead of House spending bill vote was 'innocent mistake' there is an embedded short video of House vote-related background material. ...
uhoh's user avatar
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7 votes
0 answers
184 views

Have Prime Ministers ever removed people from Honours Lists

PMQs again see Rishi Sunak pushed on the state of Johnson's resignation honours list and why he is allowing Johnson's nominations to the Lord's to go forward. https://twitter.com/Haggis_UK/status/...
Jontia's user avatar
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11 votes
2 answers
4k views

Why did members who wanted to raise a point of order during a division have to wear a top hat while talking in the House of Commons in the UK?

I read on https://notesfromtheuk.com/2019/07/05/hats-and-the-house-of-commons/: Anyone who wanted to raise a point of order during a division (which in the normal world would be called a vote) had to ...
Franck Dernoncourt's user avatar
7 votes
3 answers
410 views

Who limits what sensitive/secret information is shared with the US House Armed Services Committee? Can they get whatever they want for "oversight"?

Background; elected officials considered "vetted" by election and receive no formal background check before receiving sensitive/secret information Politico's January 5, 2023 Speaker debacle ...
uhoh's user avatar
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1 vote
1 answer
107 views

If Kevin McCarthy becomes Speaker of the US House of Representatives, can he be removed later? [duplicate]

At present (January 6th 2023) Kevin McCarthy is trying to be elected as Speaker of the House. As there is a majority of Republicans in the new house, you might expect this to be straightforward, but ...
John Dallman's user avatar
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7 votes
1 answer
211 views

What is the procedure for electing a Speaker of the House by plurality vote?

In 1849 and 1856, the US House of Representatives elected a speaker by plurality vote after repeated failures to elect one by majority vote (62 failed ballots in 1849, 132 in 1855-1856). What is the ...
Mark's user avatar
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7 votes
0 answers
258 views

What is the origin of the 'no photography' rule in the House of Commons?

While reading through Hansard to research a separate question, I came across the following exchange: Mr Speaker: Order. Someone has flashed a camera. It is quite serious to take photographs in the ...
CDJB's user avatar
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31 votes
3 answers
6k views

Why would voting for a US House Speaker candidate from a majority party be "taboo" and punishable if you're a member of a minority party?

If I'm a US House representative and a member of the numerical minority party, and the majority party is struggling to get consensus on a candidate for House Speaker that I find particularly ...
uhoh's user avatar
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3 votes
2 answers
330 views

I don't understand the current Harry Dunn/Anne Sacoolas situation, and why the virtual court appearance?

I think I am missing something about this case (particularly the criminal case), because I don't understand the current situation and legally/politically, how it got there and where it's at. My ...
Stilez's user avatar
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-3 votes
2 answers
3k views

What is the implicit meaning of abstaining from voting at the UN? [closed]

Recently, India abstained from voting against China regarding the Uyghur persecution question. What does it imply when a country abstains from voting at any of the UN councils? In the case of the UNSC,...
user366312's user avatar
6 votes
1 answer
301 views

What are the advantages for the Government of presenting policy in a general debate rather than as a ministerial statement?

The i news this morning says that Liz Truss plans to unveil her plan to attempt to tackle the energy crisis in Britain: Liz Truss will outline the Government’s plan to save households and businesses ...
Silver Fox's user avatar
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4 votes
1 answer
155 views

What kind of US house vote was it that first upheld then struck down the Casey Amendment to Title IX? Can the Speaker always call for a revote?

Notes to the June 24, 2022 New York Times video MINK! — My Mom Fought For Title IX, but It Almost Didn’t Happen | Op-Docs end with: ...Wendy Mink narrates her mother’s groundbreaking rise to power ...
uhoh's user avatar
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11 votes
2 answers
3k views

What does "Boris Johnson has a hundred and sixty MPs on his payroll anyway who were going to vote for him because they're within the government" mean?

Moments after the vote of confidence on British Prime Minister Boris Johnson results were announced live on CNN, MP David Lammy (Labor) listed results of previous (recent) votes of confidence saying ...
uhoh's user avatar
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1 vote
3 answers
148 views

Origin of bill "urgency" in the Philippines, how does it work and how widespread is it in other democracies?

From the Philippine News Agency's December 30, 2021 article Duterte signs law creating Department of Migrant Workers The creation and establishment of the Department of Migrant Workers is one of ...
uhoh's user avatar
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21 votes
3 answers
4k views

"motion to reconsider is considered made and laid upon the table" & "Madam president... I note the absence of a quorum" What do these mean? Why funny?

In CNN's April 8, 2022 Applause erupts in Senate chamber after Brown Jackson is confirmed there is this little vignette between US Vice President Kamala Harris and the Senate Majority Leader Chuck ...
uhoh's user avatar
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12 votes
2 answers
2k views

Does US Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts have recusal power over another Justice if they don't do it themself? (e.g. Clarence Thomas)

In the 2022-03-27 ABC News video Ginni Thomas texts to Meadows is a 'textbook' case for recusal: Sen. Klobuchar | ABC News after 03:24 ABC's Jonathan Karl quotes two text messages from Ginni Thomas, ...
uhoh's user avatar
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1 vote
1 answer
129 views

What/when are the filing deadlines after which Alice Stewart predicts Republican congress members will start saying Let's stop talking about the past?

Political commentator Alice Stewart has made an interesting prediction; Republican politicians will begin to say "Let's stop focusing on the past" (Donald Trump's loss in 2020 and associated ...
uhoh's user avatar
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3 votes
2 answers
432 views

Do coalition partners in German parliament always sit next to each other?

The political parties in German parliament sit in a half circle, traditionally arranged from left wing to right conservative. It is not always clear which party is left or right of which others so the ...
quarague's user avatar
  • 7,022
19 votes
1 answer
4k views

First day a 2022 US congress could vote to shut down Jan 6th commission? How quickly after could the commission be effectively curtailed or shut down?

After about 02:36 in the CNN video Retired generals warn an insurrection could succeed next time, Seung Min Kim, Washington Post White House reporter says (my transcription): ...and obviously this ...
uhoh's user avatar
  • 16.5k
22 votes
2 answers
3k views

How might Lindsay Hoyle, Speaker of the UK House of Commons "play hardball"?

In a statement to the House of Commons on the 13th December 2021, the Speaker expressed frustration at the Prime Minister's failure to appear in the chamber, following a televised statement the ...
mikado's user avatar
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15 votes
3 answers
4k views

How would the Crown change New Zealand's name to Aotearoa in order to help restore the status the Māori language?

CNN's Māori Party campaigns to change New Zealand's name to Aotearoa links to Maoriparty.org's petition Change our official name to Aotearoa. The Crown is mentioned in two paragraphs of the petition's ...
uhoh's user avatar
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27 votes
2 answers
7k views

Was Speaker Nancy Pelosi's rejection of Republican representatives Jordan and Banks "unprecedented"?

Democratic Speaker Nancy Pelosi decided to block two Republican House members from the house select committee formed to investigate on January 6th. The Republican House Leader Kevin McCarthy has ...
Burt_Harris's user avatar
  • 7,967
6 votes
1 answer
217 views

Has it already been discussed in Congress about what to do with the Confederate statues at the Gettysburg National Military Park?

I would like to know if it has already been discussed in Congress about what to do with the Confederate statues located at the Gettysburg National Military Park, or if there is a future date that has ...
user57467's user avatar
  • 519
5 votes
3 answers
2k views

What are the motivations of holding closed-door negotiations or talks?

WASHINGTON — The United States is initiating a closed-door negotiation that could open up new areas to whale hunting for the first time in decades, part of an attempt to end a long-standing impasse ...
Sayaman's user avatar
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19 votes
2 answers
2k views

House of Commons clarification on clapping

From my current understanding, MP's are not allowed to clap in the House of Commons. Instead, they say (or shout) "hear" to express themselves. However, after having watched this video, I've ...
MyNameIsAres's user avatar
4 votes
2 answers
328 views

What was the original purpose of the reading aloud of a bill in the US Senate before voting; were there rules requiring anyone to listen?

Forbes' Senate Chamber Empties As Reading Of 628-Page Relief Bill Gets Underway begins Senators vanished from the U.S. Senate chamber on Thursday as clerks begin reading the upper chamber’s 628-page ...
uhoh's user avatar
  • 16.5k
7 votes
2 answers
538 views

Did Jackie Weaver have the legal authority to remove the chairman of the parish council during a meeting?

During a meeting of the Handforth parish council on December the 10th seen here, the chairman of the council was removed from a Zoom meeting by the Zoom meeting host. The recording of this meeting has ...
Hamish Gibson's user avatar
1 vote
1 answer
146 views

Which aspects of US Senate structure 18th and 19th century can be seen as “concessions to the planter class” and to slavery?

From the recent interview of Adam Jentleson, former deputy chief of staff to Democratic Sen. Harry Reid by NPR reporter Audie Cornish Former Senator's Staffer On What Senate Might Do In Response To ...
uhoh's user avatar
  • 16.5k
15 votes
1 answer
733 views

Why are there so few polling sites in New York?

Early voting is open in many places, including New York City. The New York Times reports long lines at the polling stations with waiting times of several hours, sometimes deterring voters. It reports ...
Peter - Reinstate Monica's user avatar
-2 votes
1 answer
232 views

To what extent will Canada's prime minister and its governor general coordinate the upcoming Throne Speech with the queen?

After seeing Al Jazeera's Canada’s COVID-19 recovery plan to dominate Trudeau throne speech Justin Trudeau is set to unveil ‘broad’ plan that includes healthcare and job support when Parliament ...
uhoh's user avatar
  • 16.5k
5 votes
1 answer
262 views

How does a "delivery of military aid" play out in practice?

I am referring to the episode regarding the Ukraine conflict, where there was security assistance supposed to be paid by the United States to Ukraine. How does this "release of aid" actually play out?...
Thomas Hirsch's user avatar
3 votes
3 answers
298 views

Are there any legislature that has a seat-switch system similar to the NI Assembly?

The Northern Ireland Assembly has a "seat-switch system" (co-option) that allows for MLAs to be replaced without holding by-elections. As the BBC explains: Co-option is the only option when ...
Panda's user avatar
  • 46.5k
6 votes
1 answer
312 views

What does it mean for a document to be added into the Congressional Record during a committee hearing?

While watching the impeachment hearing with Ambassador Taylor, I sometimes heard committee members ask to enter articles (e.g. opinion articles from the New York times or an article from Politco) into ...
JJJ's user avatar
  • 38.9k
18 votes
3 answers
1k views

Did past presidential impeachment inquiries have basic defendant's rights?

In a recent letter on behalf of the president to the House committees on impeachment, the president's counsel Pat A. Cipollone wrote: I write on behalf of President Donald J. Trump in response to ...
JJJ's user avatar
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19 votes
4 answers
5k views

Does the US require a House vote to begin an impeachment inquiry?

Does the US require a House vote to begin an impeachment inquiry? News sources such as this CNN article seem to show a disagreement between the White House saying that a House vote is required, while ...
Anemoi's user avatar
  • 193
6 votes
1 answer
158 views

How does the Privy Council produce advice?

The Meeting of Parliament Act 1797 and the Prorogation Act 1867 both grant the monarch powers "by and with the advice of the Privy Council". What is the process by which the Privy Council decides what ...
VortixDev's user avatar
  • 225
1 vote
0 answers
43 views

Can the senate majority leader postpone a vote on impeachment? [duplicate]

In an infamous column in the Washington Post entitled Mitch McConnell is a Russian asset, it's argued that the senate majority leader repeatedly has postponed bills with bipartisan support so they ...
JJJ's user avatar
  • 38.9k
9 votes
1 answer
393 views

Is it ever possible to suspend the PM from the House of Commons?

From this Wikipedia page, it states that Members of Parliament (MPs) can be suspended from sitting in the House of Commons by the Speaker for "disorderly conduct". The Speaker can order that an MP ...
TheSimpliFire's user avatar
6 votes
2 answers
338 views

What are the US House of Representatives rules on holding a non-cooperating witness in contempt of Congress?

From The Washington Post's ‘We’ve been very weak’: House Democrats decry their oversight of Trump, push Pelosi on impeachment: Several Democrats on the panel privately pressed House Judiciary ...
uhoh's user avatar
  • 16.5k
4 votes
1 answer
330 views

Is May’s deal still on the table?

These last weeks have been a firework of Brexit news in the UK and among others led to at least one politician (Michael Gove) admitting he would vote for May’s deal if it returned to parliament (I ...
Jan's user avatar
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10 votes
1 answer
957 views

What is the latest date a general election in the UK can prevent a no-deal Brexit

Under the assumption that Boris Johnson becomes PM and intends to carry out a no-deal Brexit on the 31st of October, Dominic Grieve has said a number of MPs would be willing to bring down the ...
Jontia's user avatar
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13 votes
5 answers
2k views

What European countries have secret voting within the Legislature?

Most, if not all, democratic countries in Europe elect representatives to the national legislature by some form of secret ballot. For example the UK uses secret election on the first-past-the-post ...
James K's user avatar
  • 115k
7 votes
1 answer
193 views

Are there recesses during the U.N. Security Council?

Are there recesses during the U.N. Security Council? I have watched a dozen of UNSC meetings and none of them had recesses. Is it because most meetings only last a few hours like 3-4 maximum? What ...
Sayaman's user avatar
  • 30.5k
1 vote
1 answer
204 views

What is the role of the president of the UN Security Council?

What is the role of the president of the UN Security Council? More specifically, is he who decides which countries will speak and in which order? What happens if a representative of a country ...
Sayaman's user avatar
  • 30.5k
0 votes
1 answer
69 views

How does someone in Australia get access to a list of Politicians meetings?

In the report "Who is in the room? Access and influence in Australian Politics" the report talks about numbers of meetings with ministers which implies that the list of meetings is somehow accessible. ...
user1605665's user avatar
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