Number: 98-712
Title: "Holds" in the Senate
Authors: Walter J. Oleszek, Government and Finance Division 
Abstract: Nowhere mentioned in Senate rules or precedents, holds are an informal device unique to the upper body. They permit a single Senator or any number of Senators to stop--sometimes temporarily, sometimes permanently--floor consideration of measures or matters that are available to be scheduled by the Senate. A hold, in brief, is a request by a Senator to his or her party leader to delay floor action on a measure or matter. It is up to the majority leader to decide whether, or for how long, he will honor a colleague's hold. Scheduling the business of the Senate is the fundamental prerogative of the majority leader, and it is done in consultation with the minority leader.
Pages: 2
Date: May 19, 2008