What is required to limit or extend the limits of debate?

To limit or extend the limits of debate within a meeting or legislative body, a two-thirds vote is required. This is because altering procedural norms, such as the amount of time allocated for discussion or the total number of times a member can speak, significantly impacts how the body conducts its business.

The two-thirds majority ensures that a substantial consensus exists among members to agree on such a significant procedural change. This requirement reflects a careful balance between allowing sufficient discussion on important issues and avoiding undue delays that could hinder the decision-making process.

In many parliamentary procedures, requiring a higher threshold, like a two-thirds vote, serves to protect the minority's ability to express dissenting opinions while still enabling the majority to move forward with its agenda when there is strong support for doing so.