Dictionary Definition
reconsider
Verb
1 consider again; give new consideration to;
usually with a view to changing; "Won't you reconsider your
decision?"
2 consider again (a bill) that had been voted
upon before, in legislation
User Contributed Dictionary
English
Verb
Translations
To consider a matter thought already to have
been decided
- Finnish: harkita uudelleen
- Italian: riconsiderare
Related terms
Extensive Definition
Reconsider, in parliamentary
law, is a motion to bring back for further consideration a
motion that has already been voted on. The motion originated in the
United States.
Explanation and Use
Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised (RONR)
The motion to reconsider may only be made within a limited time after the action on the original motion -- usually at the same meeting, or in the case of a multi-day session or convention, on the next day within the session or convention in which business is conducted. Until the motion to reconsider is disposed of, or lapses, the effect of the original vote is suspended and no action may be taken to implement it. This is in contrast to the motion to rescind, which may be made at any later meeting, but until passed, has no effect on the original decision.Under Robert's Rules of Order and some other
authorities, the motion to reconsider may be made only by a member
who voted on the prevailing side in the original vote. If another
member disputes an assertion by the maker of the motion to
reconsider that he voted on the prevailing side, the member moving
to reconsider is given the benefit of the doubt, unless his account
is contradicted by the record of a roll call vote. The Standard
Code of Parliamentary Procedure, however, permits the motion to be
made by any member, explaining that this removes the incentive for
a member to "switch sides" in order to be eligible to move for
reconsideration, and also preserves the secrecy of a ballot
vote.
Under Robert's Rules, the motion to reconsider is
debatable to the extent that the motion being reconsidered is
debatable. Under the Standard Code, the motion is debatable only as
to the reasons for reconsideration, and the original motion is
opened for debate only if the motion for reconsideration
passes.
The making of the motion to reconsider takes
precedence over all other motions and yields to nothing. It is not,
however, considered at the time it is made if other business is
pending, and the timing of its consideration depends on the ranking
of the motion that led to the vote to be reconsidered.
A special form of reconsider is the motion to
reconsider and enter on the minutes, whose intended use is to
prevent a temporary minority from taking action that would be
opposed by the majority. Demeter's Manual, but not The Standard
Code of Parliamentary Procedure, also support the use of this form
of the motion.
The Standard Code of Parliamentary Procedure (TSC)
The Standard Code, the second-leading parliamentary authority in the United States after Robert's Rules of Order, treats this motion differently in a number of ways. In addition to the differences noted earlier:- Only votes on main motions may be reconsidered; under Robert's, votes on a variety of secondary (subsidiary, incidental and privileged) motions may be reconsidered. Under TSC, the chair has discretion (subject to appeal and reversal by the assembly) to permit renewal of secondary motions, which replaces the function of the motion for reconsideration regarding these motions.
- If made while other business is pending, the motion to reconsider is taken up as soon as the other business is disposed of; under Robert's, if the motion to reconsider is made at a time when it cannot be considered immediately, the motion must be "called up" by a member, and if not called up before the close of the next meeting (if held within a quarterly time interval), the motion for reconsideration lapses.
- The special form under Robert's, Reconsider and Enter on the Minutes, is omitted and expressly disapproved under TSC. Instead, a successful main motion may be subject to a motion to rescind at a later meeting, and an unsuccessful main motion may be renewed.
Other Authorities
Under RONR, Demeter, and Riddick, the making of
the motion to reconsider suspends all action that depends on the
result of the vote proposed to be reconsidered. If reconsideration
is moved at a time that the initial motion would be in order, then
the motion is taken up immediately. Otherwise, it can be called up
later by a member announcing, "I call up the motion to reconsider
the vote on the motion..." The making of the motion to reconsider
and the taking up of the motion need not take place at the same
meeting.
Legislative Use
In American legislative bodies, there is a strong
tradition of affirming the right to reconsider with almost no
restrictions. Mason's
Legislative Manual notes: However, reconsideration is typically
not allowed if another motion (e.g. to take from the table) would
accomplish the result more directly (e.g. than reconsidering the
motion to lay on
the table). It is also not possible to reconsider if, for
instance, vested rights have been acquired as a result of the
action, or the subject is otherwise beyond the control or out of
reach of the body taking the original action. Mason's Manual states
further: California
Senate Rule No. 43 and New York
Senate Rule No. 30 provide that any member can make the motion
to reconsider, not just someone who voted on the prevailing
side.
Mason's Manual permits a member to give notice of
the motion to reconsider.
In the U.S. House of Representatives, following a
vote, the Speaker typically announces that, "without objection, a
motion to reconsider is laid on the table." Although no motion to
reconsider (or to table) have actually been made, the making of
this statement (unless there is objection) precludes the making of
a future motion for reconsideration and makes the vote final.