Debating Legislation – now that we’ve turned in our bills… We follow rules of procedure…aka

Parliamentary Procedure

aka Parli Pro • • • • You are a delegate in the HAD Model Congress Step 1 is you must submit a bill to the authority prior to it being introduced A bill is a congressional enactment which amends current legislation, enacts a new law, or takes action on a matter A majority vote is required to pass a bill

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No delegate may make any statement in debate without first being recognized by

• • • The Chair is the individual(s) that serve as the leader of your committee.

As always, your participation is expected and will be recorded. When you are not speaking, you are expected to be tuned in The floor belongs to one speaker. Those infringing upon that right are committing

crosstalk.

Structured Debate

• Debate begins with alternating speeches For and Against the motion (bill). • Structured debate consists of four speeches of alternating viewpoints; the first two are 4 minutes; the next two are limited to 2 minutes I wrote this bill. It’s a good bill.

This is why… I rise in favor of this bill, because… I disagree, therefore, I rise in opposition.

Here is my main concern with this piece of legislation…

Structured Debate , cont.

The first speech is the

authorship speech

. The speaker may speak for the full 4 minutes or yield the remainder of the time for questions – points of inquiry.

4 Minute Con

- The second speech of 4 minutes is given by a delegate in opposition of the bill. (If no one steps forward, a delegate will be chosen) Two more speeches (For, then Against) will be given

General Debate

• Speeches following structured debate are limited to 2 minutes, but are not restricted to a particular viewpoint – pro or con.

• Once in general debate, anyone can introduce an amendment by submitting it to the chair – an amendment considered friendly (posing no major alteration and accepted as friendly) will be put into the bill. An amendment that is not goes into it’s own structured debate • The first speech is 2 minutes by the amendment author, • Then 2 minutes by a delegate opposed before a general debate • of 2 minute speeches Finally a vote. Majority vote required to pass amendment

• • • Any speaker may yield his/her remaining time to questions, or yield the remaining time to the chair and take no questions

Ending Debate or Debate on an Amendment?

– 2/3 vote, and requires a second. May be denied by call of ‘objection’ Before we vote: the author of the main motion is entitled to a 2 minute

summation speech

Common ‘Points’

– may be raised when no one has the floor to ask a factual question related to the matter under discussion. (i.e. How much money was spent on defense last year?) Chair may refer this to a delegate.

– May be used when the chair allows – usually remaining time is yielded (“I yield my time to questions”) – to solicit the speaker’s opinion on certain matters and clarify what’s been said…