Explainer: PQ

PQ is a motion to end debate. 

“PQ” stands for “previous question.”  The motion: “I move the previous question” closes debate.  And then brings to a vote the previous motion on the floor. 

In both the House and Senate, the PQ only requires a majority vote.  But unlike the House where the PQ motion is a routine affair, in the Senate, it is a rare and “traumatic” event. 

In the Senate, the PQ motion itself must be presented in writing, and the motion must be signed by 10 senators.

Whereas the House will have several PQ motions in every legislative day.  The Senate may go two or three sessions without a PQ motion. 

One cornerstone of the Missouri Senate is each senator’s right to speak however long they want whenever they want.  So, the motion to abridge that right is seen as disrespectful.  When it occurs, it occurs at the end of session, under the assumption that the chamber will no long be able to function afterwards as the offended senators slow down the proceedings in retaliation.

Former Senator Victor Callahan used to say that almost nothing rises to the level of requiring a PQ, but also – almost nothing should rise to the level of an unrelenting filibuster.