History of Quorum in Timeline

A quorum represents the minimum number of members required for a group to conduct business at a meeting. Its presence ensures the validity of decisions made by the assembly. Conversely, a plenum signifies a gathering of the entire body. When a quorum is present, the body, meeting, or vote is considered 'quorate,' allowing the group to proceed with its agenda and make legally binding decisions.

November 1942: Filibuster over Civil Rights Legislation

In November 1942, Democratic Majority Leader Alben W. Barkley obtained an order to detain five Southern absentees to obtain a quorum during a filibuster over civil rights legislation. Deputy Sergeant at Arms J. Mark Trice was sent to the apartment of Democratic Senator Kenneth McKellar of Tennessee to convince him to attend the senate session.

February 1988: Last Quorum Call

In the United States Senate, the procedure was last used in the early morning hours of February 1988.

1988: Last Quorum Call

Prior to 1988, the last time the procedure had been used was during a 1942 filibuster over civil rights legislation.

1989: House of Representatives (Quorum) Act 1989

In 1989, the House of Representatives (Quorum) Act 1989 amended the quorum in the House of Representatives down to one-fifth.

1989: Tiananmen massacre motion debate

Quorum-busting is a common feature during the annual motion debate related to the 1989 Tiananmen massacre.

1991: Senate (Quorum) Act 1991

In 1991, the Senate (Quorum) Act 1991 amended the quorum in the Senate down to one-quarter.

1996: Quorum requirement abolished in New Zealand Parliament

In 1996, the New Zealand Parliament abolished its previous requirement for a quorum, which had been 15 members in a House of 99 members.

1997: Quorum of LegCo set to 30

In 1997, between 1997 and 2012 the quorum was 30, for the meetings of the Legislative Council of Hong Kong (LegCo). Prior to 1997 transfer of sovereignty over Hong Kong, the quorum was set at 20.

1997: First Quorum Busting Since 1997

Quorum-busting was used at least twice since 1997.

2001: Democratic Walkout

In 2001, Democratic members of the House of Representatives staged a five-day walkout over redistricting.

2003: Texas redistricting quorum break

In 2003, Texas House Democrats, nicknamed the "Killer Ds", fled to Oklahoma to prevent a quorum during the Texas redistricting, which would have favored Republicans.

2005: Quorum-busting incident

In 2005, some pro-democracy members paid a silent tribute to Zhao Ziyang, leading to the suspension of the meeting. Pro-Beijing members refused to return, forcing adjournment.

2007: Constitutional referendum in Turkish Parliament

In 2007, after opposition parties deadlocked the presidential election, the ruling AK party proposed a referendum to lower the quorum. Nearly seventy percent of participants supported the constitutional changes.

January 2010: Pro-Beijing members protest resignation speeches

On January 2010, pro-Beijing members left the chamber during resignation speeches by pro-democracy members. One member called for a quorum count, leading to adjournment.

2011: Oireachtas Quorum

According to the most recent standing orders, published in 2011, the quorum for the Oireachtas, the Irish parliament, for both the lower House, Dáil Éireann, and the upper House, Seanad Éireann, is 20 members.

2011: Quorum Breaks in Wisconsin and Indiana

In 2011, Democratic members of the Wisconsin Senate went to Illinois to bust the necessary 20-member quorum. Democrats in the Indiana House of Representatives did the same to block a union-related bill.

May 2012: Quorum calls during LegCo debate

On May 2012, during a LegCo debate on barring resigning legislators from by-elections, 23 quorum calls were issued, taking up to 3 hours. The LegCo was later adjourned due to lack of quorum amid a boycott.

2012: Quorum of LegCo set to 35

In 2012, the quorum for the meetings of the Legislative Council of Hong Kong (LegCo) was set to 35.

June 2015: Pro-Beijing members leave chamber during LegCo vote

On June 2015, pro-Beijing members left the LegCo chamber during a vote on amending election provisions, aiming to ensure a sick member could return. However, the resolution was still voted on and resulted in a landslide defeat.

May 2019: Republican State Senators Walkout

Beginning in May 2019, Republican state senators in Oregon made a series of walkouts in opposition to an emissions trading bill.

June 2019: Governor authorizes State Police to bring back senators

On June 2019, Gov. Kate Brown authorized the Oregon State Police to bring back the senators, who had left the Oregon State Capitol to bust the needed quorum.

May 30, 2021: Texas House Representatives leave chamber

On May 30, 2021, Democratic House Representatives in Texas left the chamber during debate on a controversial bill relating to voting rules, which caused the bill to fail.

July 2021: Texas Democrats flee to Washington D.C.

On July 2021, Democratic members fled the state to Washington D.C. to block the passage of a bill and lobby federal lawmakers.

August 2021: Quorum regained in Texas House

On August 2021, the Texas House Speaker authorized arrest warrants for legislators breaking quorum. After 38 days quorum was regained when three Democrats returned.

2021: House adopted rule changes

After the 2021 quorum breaks, the House adopted rule changes in order to place fines on members who break quorum.

2022: Oregon voters approve Measure 113

In 2022, Oregon voters approved Measure 113 which disqualified members who were absent unexcused for more than 10 legislative days from running for reelection.

2023: Another walkout by the Republican state senators

During the 2023 legislative session, there was another walkout by the Republican state senators which led to the disqualification of 10 members.

August 27, 2024: Lack of Quorum

On August 27, 2024, independent member Vehari Aurangzeb Khichi raised a point of order to a lack of quorum within the chamber. The assembly was adjourned, delaying bills affecting the judiciary.

2024: The disqualification upheld by State Supreme Court

In 2024, the disqualification was later upheld by the State Supreme Court.

August 2025: Texas State Democratic Walkout

In August 2025, Texas State Democratic members launched another walkout due to mid-decade redistricting. Texas House Speaker Dustin Burrows issued civil warrants to try and secure their return.