The House of Representatives has 160 Rules, the Senate 52, and the Joint Rules of the House and Senate, regulating their intercourse with each other, number 22. Whatever of difference exists between them is unimportant after due allowance is made for the different character and constitution of the two bodies. The principles on which they are founded are identical.
STANDING RULES AND ORDERS FOR CONDUCTING BUSINESS IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE UNITED STATES.
THE DUTY OF THE SPEAKER.
1. He shall take the chair every day precisely at the hour to which the House shall have adjourned on the preceding day; shall immediately call the members to order; and, on the appearance of a quorum, shall cause the journal of the preceding day to be read.
2. He shall preserve order and decorum; may speak to points of order in preference to other members, rising from his seat for that purpose; and shall decide questions of order, subject to an appeal to the House by any two members—on which appeal no member shall speak more than once, unless by leave of the House.
3. He shall rise to put a question, but may state it sitting.
4. Questions shall be distinctly put in this form, to wit: “As many as are of opinion that (as the question may be) say Aye;” and after the affirmative voice is expressed, “As many as are of the contrary opinion say No.” If the Speaker doubt, or a division be called for, the House shall divide; those in the affirmative of the question shall first rise from their seats, and afterwards those in the negative. If the Speaker still doubt, or a count be required by at least one-fifth of the quorum of the members, the Speaker shall name two members, one from each side, to tell the members in the affirmative and negative—which being reported, he shall rise and state the decision to the House.
5. The Speaker shall examine and correct the journal before it is read. He shall have a general direction of the hall, and the unappropriated rooms in that part of the capitol assigned to the House shall be subject to his order and disposal until the further order of the House. He shall have a right to name any member to perform the duties of the chair, but such substitution shall not extend beyond an adjournment.
6. No person shall be permitted to perform divine service in the chamber occupied by the House of Representatives, unless with the consent of the Speaker.
7. In all cases of ballot by the House, the Speaker shall vote; in other cases he shall not be required to vote, unless the House be equally divided, or unless his vote, if given to the minority, will make the division equal; and in case of such equal division, the question shall be lost.