"AI Overview
If the Speaker of the House makes a unilateral decision to adjourn the House until September, there are a few ways the House could potentially overrule that decision, based on House rules and constitutional provisions:
Motion to Vacate the Chair: Any member can introduce a privileged resolution to declare the Speaker's office vacant. Under the current rules, it takes nine members of the majority party to force a vote on such a resolution. If a majority of the House votes to vacate the chair, the Speaker is removed from office. A new Speaker would then need to be elected by a majority vote of those present and voting. The newly elected Speaker could then choose to reconvene the House earlier than September.
Discharge Petition: A discharge petition allows a majority of the House (218 members) to force a vote on a measure that has been stalled in committee or by leadership, according to Newsweek. While typically used for legislation, a discharge petition could potentially be used to force a vote on a resolution to reconvene the House earlier than the Speaker's proposed date. Newsweek notes that if a bipartisan group of 218 members could be gathered, they could bypass leadership altogether.
Vote to Adjourn: Although less likely to succeed if the Speaker is actively trying to prevent it, a member could make a motion to adjourn to an earlier date. This motion would need to pass by a majority vote. However, the Speaker has significant power over the House agenda and could potentially block such a motion or limit debate on it. The Speaker could also use a recess as a tactic to prevent a motion to adjourn from being voted on, notes The Washington Post.
It's important to remember that these are procedural tools, and their effectiveness depends on the specific circumstances and the political dynamics within the House. Additionally, any attempt to overrule the Speaker would likely be met with resistance and could lead to further political maneuvering."
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