Page:Felt’s Parliamentary Procedure Upload 2.pdf/75

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§ 67
Committee of the Whole.
71

COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE.

67. Sometimes the question before the assembly is a complicated and important one, and the assembly is not ready for final action upon it, but desires an informal discussion to consider the question more full and with less formality. This can be done by the assembly resolving itself into a “committee of the whole,” which is simply a committee meeting of the whole body. The form is, “I move this assembly do now resolve itself into a committee of the whole to consider the question of (naming the question).” If this carries, the presiding officer appoints a member to the chair and takes his seat among the members, or if the assembly objects it may elect its own chairman.

68. As a committee of the whole, or any committee, is but a creature of the assembly, any action taken is not final or is not binding on the assembly until adopted by the assembly; therefore its report or recommendation should be submitted to the assembly at large for final action. A mem-