Termination of Step 4 in the processing of a motion occurs when the chair ends debate because no one else wants to speak, or with the adoption of which motion?

• A. Adjourn
• B. Postpone
• C. Table
• D. Close Debate

Answer: (D)

When a motion is being considered, debate continues until participants have spoken or until a formal action ends discussion and moves to a vote. The specific tool to stop debate on the current question and proceed to voting is to Close Debate. This motion is used to terminate discussion and bring the pending matter to a decision, and it typically requires a two-thirds vote to adopt. It’s different from adjourning (which ends the meeting), postponing (which delays the motion to a later time), or tabling (which puts the matter aside for now and can delay further consideration).