A request for the previous question, or a motion to order the previous question in the House brings to a vote the question of whether debate and the possibility of amending the question should end and the merits of the pending issue should be voted upon. For example, the previous question is voted upon during consideration of a rule, which sets the time limits for debate and whether or which amendments are allowed to be considered on a bill. If a member wanted an additional amendment to be considered which was not made in order by the rule, he or she could work to defeat the previous question and if successful, the rule could be amended to include the member's request. If the motion to order the previous question is approved, debate on the issue and the possibility of amendment end.
By a motion to "move the previous question," a representative seeks to end debate and bring an issue to a vote. Senators do not have this debate-limiting device.
A call to close debate and take the vote.
a motion calling for an immediate vote on the main question under discussion by a deliberative assembly
A motion to bring the debate on a question to a close and to begin taking an immediate vote on that question.
If a member seeks to cut off all further debate on a measure(s), he or she can call the previous question and force the body to vote immediately on the issue.
A motion to close debate and proceed to an immediate vote.
If a Member seeks to cut off all further debate on a measure, he or she may call the previous question to seek to compel the body to vote immediately on the issue.
(motion for) - Action to prevent additional debate on or amendment of a question, and to cause an immediate vote on the matter at issue.
A motion to closedebate and bring the pending question to animmediate vote.
In parliamentary procedure, previous question, calling for the question, calling the question, putting the question is a motion to end debate and bring the main motion to a vote. It is usually invoked by a member saying, "I call [for] the question." Under many rules of order, when a call for the question is made, a two-thirds supermajority is required to end debate.