By Lucy H. Anderson, Esq., PRP, CP-T
District Six Director
Is the subsidiary motion debatable or not? Following is a logical key for answering this question. Find this key in RONR (12th ed.) 43:37.
Postpone Indefinitely (D)
The adoption of this motion will kill the main motion for the session. So, because of this dire potential result, it is logical to debate both whether the main motion should be postponed and the merits of the main motion.
Amend (D)
Is the motion being amended debatable or undebatable? The amendment of a debatable motion is debatable, but the debate is limited to the merits of the amendment. The amendment of an undebatable motion is not debatable.
Refer to Committee and Postpone to a Certain Time (D*)
Notice that if either of these motions is adopted, the main motion will be further debated when the committee reports or when the later (certain) time arrives. So, these two motions are debatable only in regard to the wisdom of referring to committee, the committee members, and the instructions to the committee. Postpone is only debatable as to the wisdom of postponement and as to the date and time to which the motion will be postponed.
Limit or Extend Limits of Debate (U)
Think of it as being somewhat absurd to debate whether to limit debate. This one is not debatable.
Previous Question (U)
This is the motion to close debate. Think similarly as for limit debate. It is somewhat absurd to debate whether to close debate. Previous Question is not debatable.
Lay on the Table (U)
Since the purpose of Lay on the Table is to temporarily cease debate on the pending question because an urgent matter needs attention, debating Lay on the Table would defeat its purpose. Also, the main motion can be debated later if a majority decides to Take the motion From the Table. Lay on the Table is not debatable.
*Debatability limited.
