Washminster

Washminster
Washminster

Wednesday 7 May 2008

The Battle Continues

My apologies for this late posting (already Thursday in the UK, but late Wednesday evening in Washington).

The results of the North Carolina and Indiana Primaries have, as expected, been the main topic of discussion. What do you think should happen next? Please share your comments on Washminster.

I've been spending my time working towards completion of a paper on attendance of Labour Peers at votes in the House of Lords; interviewing whips in the House of Representatives; and this evening sitting in the gallery of the House of Representatives. As much as I love C-Span, you can't beat watching the chamber live. So much happens off camera. Tonight was a real feast for the procedural-nerd (which I must confess I am).

This is what I witnessed (in reverse time order)

7:45 Announcement: motion to adjourn Failed by recorded vote: 140 - 264 (Roll no. 291).
7:27 Mr. Walsh (NY) moved that the House do now adjourn.

7:27 Announcement: motion to table the motion to reconsider the vote Agreed to by recorded vote: 212 - 183 (Roll no. 290).

7:20 Mr. Welch (VT) moved to table the motion to reconsider the vote
7:20 Mrs. Emerson moved to reconsider the vote.

7:20 Announcement: agreeing to the resolution Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 223 - 192 (Roll no. 289).
7:12 Announcement: motion to table the motion to reconsider the vote Agreed to by recorded vote: 226 - 186
(Roll no. 288).
7:01 Mr. Hastings (FL) moved to table the motion to reconsider the vote
7:01 Mr. Simpson moved to reconsider the vote.

7:01 Announcement: motion ordering the previous question Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 220 - 187 (Roll no. 287).

7:01 Announcement: motion to adjourn Failed by recorded vote: 143 - 272
(Roll no. 286).
6:33 Mr. Kingston moved that the House do now adjourn.

Speeches about use of procedures

6:17 Announcement: motion to adjourn Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 111 - 311 (Roll no. 285).
5:48 Mr. Price (GA) moved that the House do now adjourn.

Very procedural! British readers should note that in Congress a motion to table means the opposite to its meaning in Britain. In the US if a motion is tabled, it is effectively killed off (in the UK you introduce a motion by tabling it!)