Recess (motion)

In parliamentary procedure, a recess refers to a short intermission in a meeting of a deliberative assembly. The members may leave the meeting room, but are expected to remain nearby. A recess may be simply to allow a break (e.g. for lunch) or it may be related to the meeting (e.g. to allow time for vote-counting).

Sometimes the line between a recess and an adjournment can be fine.^[1] A break for lunch can be more in the nature of a recess or an adjournment depending on the time and the extent of dispersion of the members required for them to be served.^[1] But at the resumption of business after a recess, there are never any "opening" proceedings such as reading of minutes; business picks up right where it left off.^[1] The distinction of whether the assembly recesses or adjourns has implications related to the admissibility of a motion to reconsider and enter on the minutes and the renewability of the motion to suspend the rules.^[1]

Under Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised, a motion to recess may not be called when another person has the floor, is not reconsiderable, and requires a second and a majority vote.^[2] When adopted, it has immediate effect.

If made when business is pending, it is an undebatable, privileged motion.^[2] It can be modified only by amendment of the length of the break.^[2]

Stand at ease is a brief pause without a recess in which the members remain in place but may converse while waiting for the meeting to resume.^[3]

In the National Congress of Brazil, a recess is a break in congressional activities. During every year-long session, the congress has two scheduled recess periods: a mid-winter break between 17 July and 1 August, and a summer break between 22 December and 2 February of the following year.^[4][5]

In the United States Congress, a recess could mean a temporary interruption or it could mean a longer break, such as one for the holidays or for the summer.^[6][7]