Definition

Noun: A formal regulation or procedure adopted by a legislative or deliberative assembly that imposes limits on or terminates discussion and debate on a particular matter or motion.

Usage

A gag rule is a parliamentary tool used to control the flow of debate. It is typically proposed and voted on by the members of the body itself to bring a question to an immediate vote, thereby preventing further speeches, amendments, or procedural delays.

Examples

• Noun:
  • The committee chairman invoked a gag rule to cut off further discussion and force a vote on the controversial bill.
  • Opponents of the measure criticized the gag rule as an undemocratic suppression of free speech within the council.

Advanced Usage

• "to impose a gag rule": To formally apply such a rule to a debate.
  • The leadership moved to impose a gag rule, arguing that the issue had been debated exhaustively.
• "to be under a gag rule": To be subject to such a rule, preventing one from speaking.
  • The senators were under a gag rule and could not offer any more amendments to the proposal.

Variants and Related Words

• Closure (n): Also known as "clôture," a specific parliamentary procedure for ending debate and taking a vote. It is a common type of gag rule.
• Guillotine (n): In some parliamentary systems (e.g., the UK), a procedure for allocating a fixed amount of time for debate on different parts of a bill, effectively acting as a gag rule on sections when time expires.
• Previous Question (n): A motion in parliamentary procedure that, if passed, immediately ends debate and forces a vote on the main question. This is the standard "gag rule" motion in many bodies like the U.S. House of Representatives.

Synonyms

• Clôture: The formal term for closure.
• Debate limitation: A descriptive phrase for the rule's function.
• Guillotine motion: A specific, time-based variant.

Related Phrases

• "to move the previous question": To formally propose ending debate and proceeding to a vote, which is the procedural mechanism for enacting a gag rule in many assemblies.
  • Frustrated by the filibuster, the representative stood up to move the previous question.

Noun

1. a rule for limiting or ending debate in a deliberative body