Call Up

[Jenn]

Technically speaking and in practice, what does it mean when a vote for  reconsideration is called up. Does it mean that the motion is recorded and added to the Orders of the Day and addressed during the session? Or does debate begin immediately? 

[Shmuel Gerber]

59 minutes ago, Jenn said:

Technically speaking and in practice, what does it mean when a vote for  reconsideration is called up. Does it mean that the motion is recorded and added to the Orders of the Day and addressed during the session? Or does debate begin immediately? 

Actually, it's not the vote for reconsideration that is called up, but only the motion to Reconsider. When the motion to Reconsider is called up, the chair states the question on it immediately, and it is open to debate (if debatable) and a vote. Only when the motion to Reconsider is adopted (if it is adopted) is the original motion then reconsidered.

See RONR, 11th ed., pp. 316-317: "c) The making of this motion [to Reconsider] has a higher rank than its consideration; that is, the motion can be made and seconded at times when it is not in order for it to come before the assembly for debate or vote. In such a case it can be taken up later, even after it would be too late to move it in the first place. If the motion to Reconsider is introduced at a time when it cannot be taken up, the chair does not state the question on it as pending, but asks the secretary to record the motion as made and seconded. This temporarily suspends any action growing out of the vote it is proposed to reconsider. While a motion to reconsider the vote on a main motion has this status, a member can bring the motion before the assembly at any time when its consideration is in order. When he does this, he is said to call up the motion to Reconsider."

And p. 323, lines 9-20: "If a motion to Reconsider that involves a main motion cannot be taken up when it is made, then . . . To call it up, a member obtains the floor and says, “Mr. President, I call up the motion to reconsider the vote on the motion … [identifying it].” No second is necessary, since the motion to Reconsider was seconded at the time it was made. When this motion is called up, the chair immediately states the question on it as pending (see Form and Example)."

And the example on p. 331, lines 16-33:

"If it is not in order to take up the motion to Reconsider when it is moved, the chair says instead:
<< CHAIR: It is moved and seconded to reconsider the vote on the resolution relating to ... The Secretary will make a note of it. >>
He then continues with the pending business.
When it is in order to call up the motion to Reconsider and a member wishes to do so, the member rises and addresses the chair:
<< MEMBER A (obtaining the floor): I call up the motion to reconsider the vote [or "votes"] on ... >>
The chair proceeds:
<< CHAIR: The motion to reconsider the vote [or "votes"] on ... is called up. The question is on the motion to reconsider ... [etc.]. >>"