Motion to Table
Short Definition
A non-debatable motion in the House and Senate (and in their committees) by which a simple majority may agree to.
Long Explanation
Why it matters: the phrase gives visitors a clue about which institution, power, deadline, document, or public process they are dealing with. Understanding Motion to Table helps a reader move from a headline or form label to the branch, office, rule, or record that actually controls the issue.
How to use it: when this term appears, identify who has authority, what action is being taken, and where the public record can be checked. Good starting points usually include Congress.gov, committee pages, chamber rules, bill text, or official vote records.
In practice, Motion to Table is useful because it helps a visitor connect a word or phrase to law making, committee work, oversight, votes, or congressional records. When you see the term in an official source, ask which office has authority, what decision is being made, which deadline or rule matters, and where the public record can be checked.
Examples
Common Misconception
A common mistake is treating Motion to Table as a complete explanation of what Congress did. The term is usually a starting point. To know what happened, check the bill text, committee action, chamber record, and vote information where available.
Related Terms
CongressCongress CommitteesHouseLegislationLegislative BranchLegislative ProcessSenate
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