#68: CIVICS 101: The Legislative Branch
Q&A #68: Are there time limitations on debate in Congress?
Our American Government
Our American Government is a small book published by the House of Representatives for citizens and those who seek a greater understanding of the American interpretation of democracy. It follows a question-and-answer format and covers a broad range of topics dealing with the three branches of our Government, the electoral process, and the role of political parties.
The Savvy Citizen is reproducing the 169 questions-and-answers through a series of posts called Civics 101. Each post will contain the Q&A as well as some additional commentary to add historical context, fun facts, or anything we believe will add to our collective understanding of these topics.
Think of it as your adult Civics class but without the test!
Let’s keep at it.
SECTION: The Legislative Branch: The Congress
Congressional Rules and Procedures
Q&A #68: Are there time limitations on debate in Congress?
Yes!
In the House, no matter is subject to more than one hour of debate, usually equally divided between the majority and the minority, without unanimous consent. Moreover, the majority can call for the ‘‘previous question,’’ and bring the pending matter to an immediate vote. Nonlegislative debate is limited to one minute per Member at the beginning of the day and up to one hour per Member at the end of the day.
In the Committee of the Whole, the period of time spent in general debate is determined and apportioned in advance. Amendments are subject to the five-minute per side rule, but can extend beyond 10 minutes of debate per amendment when unanimous consent is granted or when ‘‘pro forma’’ amendments are offered to gain additional time on the pending amendment. A nondebatable motion to close debate is in order to end debate on any specific amendment and bring it to a vote.
In the Senate, debate is normally without restriction, unless time limits are agreed to by unanimous consent. The ability to extend debate at will, to ‘‘filibuster,’’ enables a Senator to delay the final vote on a measure, or even to prevent it altogether.
Filibusters can be broken only by negotiation or through the use of a formal procedure known as ‘‘cloture.’’ A successful cloture motion requires at least a 3⁄5 vote, or 60 Senators. If cloture is invoked, the filibuster comes to a gradual end. Thirty hours of further debate are permitted in the post-cloture period prior to the vote on final passage. However, Senators do not usually extend debate after a successful cloture vote.
My Thoughts
We’ve been watching this process play out over the last 2.5 months as Congress has considered multiple funding bills and the Senate has been engaging in its Constitutional role of advise and consent to the President’s choice of cabinet members. The process will continue apace for the hundreds of subcabinet members who also require Senate confirmation.
Recall that the President’s Cabinet consists of 15 officials/agency Administrators and Secretaries. You can read about President Trump’s cabinet on the White House’s website here.
Back next time with Q&A #69: How do Members obtain permission to speak?
Meanwhile, don’t forget that we’re organizing the post links on a single page available here.
xo,
Kelley for the Savvy Citizen Team
March 25, 2025