CALL OF THE HOUSE Meaning and
Definition
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The term "call of the house" refers to a specific parliamentary procedure commonly used in legislative bodies. It typically describes the act of summoning lawmakers to the chamber to establish the presence or attendance of members during important proceedings. The call of the house aims to ensure that an adequate number of legislators are present to conduct official business or vote on key issues.
During a call of the house, a roll call or electronic system is often employed to systematically call out the names of each member. Members are required to respond to their name by indicating whether they are present or not. The purpose behind this procedure is to determine if there is a quorum, which is the minimum number of lawmakers needed for the legislative body to conduct its business. If a quorum is not established, the proceedings may be halted until enough members are present.
In some jurisdictions, the call of the house can be utilized strategically to stall or delay legislation. Lawmakers may intentionally be absent during a call to prevent the advancement of specific bills. It can also be employed to highlight the absence of members, signaling a lack of interest or participation in legislative affairs.
Overall, the call of the house is an essential parliamentary tool that ensures the proper functioning and legitimacy of legislative procedures by confirming the presence or absence of lawmakers during significant proceedings.
