Recess (motion)
Inparliamentary procedure,arecessrefers to a short intermission in a meeting of adeliberative assembly.The members may leave the meeting room, but are expected to remain nearby. A recess may be simply to allow a break (e.g. for lunch) or it may be related to the meeting (e.g. to allow time for vote-counting).
| Class | Privileged motion |
|---|---|
| In order when another has the floor? | No |
| Requires second? | Yes |
| Debatable? | No |
| May be reconsidered? | No |
| Amendable? | Yes |
| Vote required | Majority |
Sometimes the line between a recess and anadjournmentcan be fine.[1]A break for lunch can be more in the nature of a recess or an adjournment depending on the time and the extent of dispersion of the members required for them to be served.[1]But at the resumption of business after a recess, there are never any "opening" proceedings such as reading of minutes; business picks up right where it left off.[1]The distinction of whether the assembly recesses or adjourns has implications related to the admissibility of a motion to reconsider and enter on the minutes and the renewability of the motion tosuspend the rules.[1]
UnderRobert's Rules of OrderNewly Revised,amotionto recess may not be called when another person has the floor, is not reconsiderable, and requires a second and a majority vote.[2]When adopted, it has immediate effect.
If made when business is pending, it is an undebatable, privileged motion.[2]It can be modified only by amendment of the length of the break.[2]
Stand at ease
[edit]Stand at easeis a brief pause without a recess in which the members remain in place but may converse while waiting for the meeting to resume.[3]
Use by legislatures
[edit]Brazil
[edit]In theNational Congress of Brazil,a recess is a break in congressional activities. During every year-long session, the congress has two scheduled recess periods: a mid-winter break between 17 July and 1 August, and a summer break between 22 December and 2 February of the following year.[4][5]
United States Congress
[edit]In theUnited States Congress,a recess could mean a temporary interruption or it could mean a longer break, such as one for the holidays or for the summer.[6][7]
References
[edit]- ^abcdRobert, Henry M.; et al. (2011).Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised(11th ed.). Philadelphia, PA: Da Capo Press. p. 85.ISBN978-0-306-82020-5.
- ^abcRobert 2011,p. 231
- ^Robert 2011,p. 82
- ^"Brazil - The legislature".Encyclopedia Britannica.Retrieved2020-01-09.
- ^"The National Congress".Portal da Câmara dos Deputados(in Brazilian Portuguese).Retrieved2020-01-09.
- ^"recess glossary term".Senate.gov.RetrievedFebruary 22,2016.
- ^Bolton, Alexander (August 3, 2014)."Five things to know as Congress takes a five-week summer recess".The Hill.RetrievedFebruary 22,2016.