A procedure for requiring the attendance of absent members.

a procedure used to compel attendance of unexcused senators in the chamber. Any senator may move for a call of the house, and a majority of senators voting is required to place the house under call.

All members must be in their seats, quiet and voting. Any absent members will be sent for and must return to the Chamber and cast their vote.

On motion from the Floor, the presiding officer directs the Sergeant-at-Arms to lock the chambers and bring in the absent members (by arrest, if necessary) to vote on a measure under consideration. No action is taken on an item under call until the call is lifted, at which time it must be immediately voted on.

A request that all members of the legislative house be present for action on a pending motion. While a call is on, no member of the legislative body may leave the chamber, and the sergeant-at-arms are requested to bring absent members back to the chamber. A call may be raised by a majority of those members present in the chamber.

A procedure used to compel attendance of members for the consideration of any specific item of legislative business.

A procedureused to compel attendance of members for theconsideration of any specific item of legislativebusiness.

A call of the house is a motion which can be adopted by a deliberative assembly that has the authority to compel the attendance of its members in the absence of a quorum. The effect of the adoption of this motion is that the president of the assembly makes out arrest warrants which authorize the sergeant-at-arms to arrest any or all absent members and bring them to the meeting hall so that a quorum may be present. This motion is usually seen in houses of legislatures, such as the United States House of Representatives, since no normal voluntary associations have coercive power.