Governing Authorities

Morning hour debates are not provided for in the rules of the House. The House convenes for Monday morning hour debates 90 minutes earlier than the time established for that day's session. When Monday and Tuesday morning hour debates are completed, the House recesses until the meeting hour established for that day's session. Recognition Practices

The joint leadership unanimous consent agreement requires that the majority and minority leaders give the Speaker a list showing how each party's time for morning hour debates will be allocated among its Members. The chair follows this list in recognizing Members for morning hour debates. Various Uses of Morning Hour Debates

Individual Members often use the morning hour debate period to deliver speeches on subjects unrelated to legislation before the House.
On Mondays and Tuesdays, the House of Representatives meets earlier than the hour established for that day's session for a period called "morning hour debates" (also known as "morning hour speeches"). This period provides a rare opportunity for non-legislative debate in the House; remarks in the House are usually limited to pending legislative business. During morning hour debates, individual Members deliver speeches on topics of their choice for up to five minutes. The majority and minority leaders give the Speaker a list showing how each party's time for morning hour debates will be allocated among its Members. The chair follows this list in recognizing Members for morning hour debates. At the conclusion of morning hour debates, the House recesses until the starting time for that day's session. This report examines current House practices for morning hour debates and how these debates are used. It will be updated if rules and procedures change.