Table (parliamentary procedure)

In parliamentary procedure, the verb to table has the opposite meaning in the United States from that of the rest of the world: Motions which use the word "table" have specific meanings and functions, depending on the parliamentary authority used.

The British meaning is based on the idea of parliamentarians gathering around a table with the bill laid upon so that all may point to sections for discussion.

The American sense draws on the image of taking a paper that one is holding in ones hand and laying it aside, ending any discussion about it.

The British and Commonwealth meaning of to "table" is to begin consideration of a proposal.

To make the intent clear internationally, the Congressional Quarterly and its associated CQ publications usually follow the word "table" (as used in Congress) with the word "kill" in parentheses in reporting congressional votes.

[18] In TSC, the motion to take from the table must be made prior to the end of the current session, unlike RONR, which permits the motion to be made prior to the end of the following session if it is held within a quarterly time interval.

It ranks as the highest subsidiary motion and is not debatable, amendable, or eligible for reconsideration.

[2][3][4] In his book (The Second World War, Volume III, The Grand Alliance), Winston Churchill relates the confusion that arose between American and British military leaders during the Second World War:[25] The enjoyment of a common language was of course a supreme advantage in all British and American discussions.

To the American Staff "tabling" a paper meant putting it away in a drawer and forgetting it.

A long and even acrimonious argument ensued before both parties realized that they were agreed on the merits and wanted the same thing.The Canadian meaning of to "table" in a parliamentary context is the British meaning to begin consideration of a proposal.