y yeas and nays, and to avoid some of the resulting
inconveniences various rules and customs have been established, which
are ignored in this Manual, as according to it the yeas and nays can
only be ordered by a majority, which prevents its being made use of to
hinder business. In representative bodies it is very useful, especially
where the proceedings are published, as it enables the people to know
how their representatives voted on important measures. In some small
bodies a vote on a resolution must be taken by yeas and nays, upon the
demand of a single member.] In this method of voting the Chairman states
both sides of the question
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at once; the clerk calls the roll and each member as his name is called
rises and answers yes or no, and the clerk notes his answer. Upon the
completion of the roll call the clerk reads over the names of those who
answered the affirmative, and afterwards those in the negative, that
mistakes may be corrected; he then gives the number voting on each side
to the Chairman, who announces the result. An entry must be made in the
minutes of the names of all voting in the affirmative, and also of those
in the negative.
The form of putting a question upon which the vote has been ordered to be
taken by yeas and nays, is similar to the following: "As many as are in
favor of the adoption of these resolutions will, when their names are
called, answer yes [or aye]--those opposed will answer no." The
Chairman will then direct the clerk to call the roll. The negative
being put at the same time as the affirmative, it is too late, after the
question is put, to renew the
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debate. After the commencement of the roll call, it is too late to ask
to be excused from voting. The yeas and nays cannot be ordered in
committee of the whole [Sec. 32].
39. Motions Requiring More than a Majority Vote.* [Where no rule to the
contrary is adopted, a majority vote of the assembly, when a quorum [Sec.
43] is present, is sufficient for the adoption of any motion, except for
the suspension of a rule, which can only be done by general consent, or
unanimously. Congress requires a two-thirds vote for only the motions
to suspend and to amend the Rules, to take up business out of its proper
order, and to make a special order [see note to Sec. 37].] The following
motion
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