Reconsideration of a Previous Vote on
A Legislative Action: Some Recent Examples
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Motion to Reconsider: What, When,
Who, How, and Why
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[Re]Consider This!
By Jennifer Gilroy and Sharon Eubanks
One of the most frequently invoked, but most misunderstood rules, is the rule on reconsideration. Found in the rules of both the House (HR 35) and the Senate (SR 18), the rules addressing reconsideration of questions decided on the floor and in committees of reference are used as often to provide relief from miscalculated procedural moves as they are to reflect a change of mind or misstated vote. For example, during the 2011 session the Senate Majority Leader relied on Senate Rule 18 to turn back the hands of time and correct a procedural misstep that occurred late in the session (not in the final three days) when several Senate budget “orbit” bills returning from the House were read across the Senate desk and immediately called up for consideration of House amendments, without having first been placed on the Senate calendar or in members’ files. (more…)