Simplified Rules of Order

Subsidiary Motions

Postpone Indefinitely

Despite its name, this motion is not one to postpone, but one to suppress or kill a pending main motion.

If an embarrassing main motion is brought before a meeting, a member can propose to dispose of the question (without bringing it to a direct vote) by moving to postpone indefinitely. Such a motion can be made at any time except when a speaker has the floor. If passed, the motion kills the matter under consideration. It requires a seconder, may be debated (including debate on the main motion), cannot be amended, can be reconsidered only if the motion is passed, and requires a majority vote. (See also "Postpone to a Certain Time".)