dumb question: what is a "Quorum Call"?

[EraOfResponsibility]

I'm watching cspan2

[Patsy Stone]

1. They need to see if they have enough members to call a vote

IIRC.

[Hawkeye-X]

2. quorum call is basically

a time waster waiting for someone to vote on something or discuss something.

I think it should be suspended due to national emergency. Either work on our dime, or GTFO.

Hawkeye-X

[Muttocracy]

3. taking attendance - I think it's generally to fill time gaps. "Mr. Akaka....

and then they never go further in the alphabet.

Every so often someonewill say "I suggest the absence of a quorum" - which I think means they can't do certain votes or business? "The clerk will call the roll...."

[Patsy Stone]

5. I love when they say "Mr. Akaka".

I try to beat them to the punch. :)

[janx]

8. And they always do because Mr. Akaka is always first!

;-)

[Patsy Stone]

11. And you have to say it

in that slow paced, deep Westminster Dog Show announcer's voice just like the clerk.

LOL. Okay, I think we're weird C-SPAN junkies. :)

[BattyDem]

12. "I think we're weird C-SPAN junkies"

The fact that we all know Mr. Akaka is first AND we know the sound of the voice calling the names proves it beyond a shadow of a doubt! :D

[Muttocracy]

14. today there was a guy calling the roll and I NOTICED it wasn't the usual lady

Yes, I need help!

[11 Bravo]

13. Mr. Alexander ...

[Muttocracy]

17. Akaka isn't allowed to retire until we elect another "A" Dem

Alexander or Barrasso would be first x(

[Muttocracy]

15. I always think, dude, you're always late to class! :)

[asdjrocky]

16. I thought I was the only person in the world that did that.

[Patsy Stone]

18. We are all certifiable.

:rofl:

[Muttocracy]

19. so all over the country, dozens of DUers call out "Mr. Akaka" at once

:rofl:

[asdjrocky]

21. I'm addicted to Washington Journal.

Seriously, I live in Ca and often get up at 4 in the morning just to catch it. My favorite is open phones when the real loons come out.

[bdamomma]

4. having enough members there to vote.

[Gman]

6. A quorum must be present to conduct business

I forget off hand how many members need to be present to constitute a quorum. The member suggests the absence of a quorum for different reasons including wasting/buying time but also because a quorum is not present and business cannot be conducted legally.

[underpants]

7. 50% + 1

I believe

[Jamastiene]

10. Mostly.

You are right, except for the electoral college. Then, it is 2/3 of each house.

[Jamastiene]

9. There are a certain number of elected officials that need to be present

to conduct business. That is called a quorum. If the majority are not there (quorum not reached), they have a quorum call to basically call them to get their rear ends there to do business. It's not required. It is at the discretion of whoever is the presiding officer of that government body. Members can call to suspend a quorum call or not even have one to begin with if they want, but it's still up to the presiding officer whether to have it or not. I'd say in this case, with Kennedy en route, it's important to have it.

[Phx_Dem]

20. It's not a dumb question if you don't know the answer.

:D