This vote was yet another in a series of procedural motions offered by Republicans to protest the way the Democratic majority was conducting the business of the House. This motion was offered by Rep. Steve Buyer (R-Ind.).

A motion to rise is similar to a motion to adjourn. The only substantive difference between the two motions is that a motion to rise is offered while the House is meeting in the Committee of the Whole during considerations of amendments.

The Committee of the Whole is used to expedite the business of the House and utilizes a lower quorum threshold, restricted time for debate and limits on the kinds of parliamentary maneuvers allowed. (A quorum is the minimum number of lawmakers required to conduct business. In the full House a quorum is 218 Members whereas a quorum in the Committee of the Whole is only 100.)

If a motion to rise is adopted, it terminates the debate on a pending matter. It is a disruptive action usually employed by the minority party.

The motion was offered during debate of a bill to authorize $648.6 billion for Defense programs for fiscal 2008. Republicans were irritated because Democrats prevented many of their proposed amendments to fiscal 2008 Defense authorization bill from coming to the House floor for debate. (See also Roll Call 352, 353, 357, 359 and 363.)

There was no debate on the motion. All Democrats present but one voted against the motion to rise, and all Republicans present but four voted for it. The motion thus lost by a vote of 178 to 217 and the House continued with the business at hand, which was amendments to the fiscal 2008 Defense authorization bill.