In amendment hierarchy, what is the Primary Amendment?

In amendment hierarchy, what is the Primary Amendment?

• A. The first amendment to the main motion
• B. The second amendment
• C. An amendment to an amendment
• D. A motion to postpone

Answer: (A)

The main idea is that when you have a main motion, the first change you propose to it is called the primary amendment. It directly alters the language of the main motion itself. If this first amendment is adopted, the main motion changes to reflect that amendment. If it’s defeated, you can still modify the main motion with other amendments, or you could offer an amendment to the amendment (a secondary amendment) to change the language of the primary amendment. The term “second amendment” would refer to an amendment to the primary amendment. A motion to postpone, on the other hand, is a separate type of motion and isn’t part of the amendment hierarchy.

The main idea is that when you have a main motion, the first change you propose to it is called the primary amendment. It directly alters the language of the main motion itself. If this first amendment is adopted, the main motion changes to reflect that amendment. If it’s defeated, you can still modify the main motion with other amendments, or you could offer an amendment to the amendment (a secondary amendment) to change the language of the primary amendment. The term “second amendment” would refer to an amendment to the primary amendment. A motion to postpone, on the other hand, is a separate type of motion and isn’t part of the amendment hierarchy.