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These tables are taken from a 17-page document prepared by the Congressional Research Service of the Library of Congress. It is a very handy reference source and can be downloaded from the following website: http://www.house.gov/rules/97-270.htm. |
Table 1. Scheduling and Raising Measures:
Comparison of House and Senate Procedures
| House | Senate |
| Five calendars (Union, House, Corrections, Private, Discharge) | Two calendars (Legislative and Executive) |
| Special days for raising measures | No special days |
| Scheduling by Speaker and majority party leadership in consultation with only selected Representatives | Scheduling by majority party leadership in broad consultation with minority party leaders and interested Senators |
| No practice of "holds" | Individual Senators can place "holds" on the raising of measures |
| Powerful role of Rules Committee | No committee with equivalent role |
| Special rules (approved by majority vote) govern floor consideration of most major legislation | Complex unanimous consent agreements (approved by unanimous consent) govern floor consideration of major measures |
| Non-controversial measures usually approved under suspension of the rules procedure | Non-controversial measures approved by unanimous consent |
| Difficult to circumvent committee consideration of measures | Easier to circumvent committee consideration of measures |
Table 2. Floor Consideration:
Comparison of House and Senate Procedures
| House | Senate |
| Presiding officer has considerable discretion in recognizing Members | Presiding officer has little discretion in recognizing Senators |
| Rulings of presiding officer seldom challenged | Rulings of presiding officer frequently challenged |
| Debate time always restricted | Unlimited debate; individual Senators can filibuster |
| Debate ends by majority vote in the House and in the Committee of the Whole | Super-majority vote required to invoke cloture; up to 30 hours of post-cloture debate allowed |
| Most major measures considered in Committee of the Whole | No Committee of the Whole |
| Number and type of amendments often limited by special rule; bills amended by section or title | Unlimited amendments; bills generally open to amendment at any point |
| Germaneness of amendments required (unless requirement is waived by special rule) | Germaneness of amendments not required (except in four instances) |
| Quorum calls usually permitted only in connection with roll call votes | Quorum calls in order almost any time; often used for purposes of constructive delay |
| Roll call votes by electronic device; can be requested only after voice or division vote is completed | No electronic voting system; roll call votes can be requested almost any time |
| House routinely adjourns at end of each legislative day | Senate often recesses instead of adjourning; legislative days can continue for several calendar days |