DEBATE

debate,  n.  Parliamentary  law.  Formal  consideration  of  a  motion’s  merits  in  the  form  of

speeches  for,  against,  or  otherwise  addressing  the  motion.  See  CONSIDERATION(2).  —

debatable,adj. — debatability,n.

controlled  debate.Debate in  which  a  designated  manager,  usu.  a  partisan  leader,  leads  each

side and allots time for speeches. — Also termed controlled time.

extended  debate.Debate that continues beyond an  otherwise applicable limit. See EXTEND

floor  debate.The  legislative  process  of  debating  a  proposed  bill  before  an  entire  chamber

rather than before a committee. [Cases: States    32. C.J.S. States §§ 48–50.]

limited debate.Debate with restrictions. See LIMIT DEBATE.

pro–con  debate.A  debate  that  adheres  to  the  parliamentary  principle  that  speeches  should

alternate  between  opposing  viewpoints.  •  Sometimes  those  seeking  the  floor  on  one  side

outnumber those on the other side, in which case the chair may allow two (or more) speeches in a

row on the same side of the question.