Firstly, Legislation

This function is exercised through discussing and addressing the laws submitted by the Government to the House of Representatives, or through proposing a law by ten  MPs or more , in the case that the draft law is submitted to the House by the Government, it referred to the House Speaker who includes it on the agenda of the first sitting of the House, after that , the draft shall be read publicly in the House ,or if the House contends that its distribution to the MPs suffices. Then the House decides to accept the draft and referring it to the competent committee , or reject it and submit it to the Senate. In the case of accepting and submitting it to the competent committee, the committee addresses the draft and put the various proposals and amendments, then, the draft is discussed inside the House article by article as an original and amendment, after that, discussing the proposal of the committee and the MPs’ proposals that are not considered by the committee.

After the completion of the voting on the articles ,the opinion is taken on the draft in toto. Should the majority decides to accept the or reject the draft, it submitted to the Senate. In the case MPs propose the law, it is submitted in toto with its necessitating reasons to the competent committee for opinion. After listening to the committee’s opinion, should the House contends to accept the proposal, then the House refers it to the Government to put it into a draft law ,then, submitting it to the House in the session in which it was presented or the next session.

Secondly, Oversight

Parliamentary Oversight Directorate

The House of Representatives exercises its constitutional powers on the Executive Authority through tools that are undertaken by the House’s By-Laws as stipulated in the constitution:

1. First of All, Questions

The articles (125-132) of the House of Representatives’ By-Laws covers the provisions related to the Question in terms of definition, conditions, legal terms and extensions and including the questions on the agenda.

The question is an inquiry by the Member to the Prime Minister or the Ministers about a matter unknown to him related to an affair that falls within their competences, or his desire to verify an incidence that he has been given to know, or his inquiring about the Government’s intention regarding a certain matter.

2. Secondly, Interpellations:

The articles (133-137) of the House’s By-Laws undertake the provisions related to the interpellation. So, an interpellation is to call the Ministers or one of them to account for an action thereof related to a public affair . The Minister shall answer the House Speaker in writing to the interpellation within a period not exceeding twenty one days.

The interpellation sponsor- if not convinced with the Minister’s reply- shall express the reasons of his non conviction, and he and the other representatives may raise a motion of no confidence in the Cabinet or the Minister in adherence to the articles (53), (54) of the constitution.

3. Thirdly, General Debate

The articles (138-141) of the House’s By-Laws deals with General Debate that it is defined as an exchange of opinion and consultation between the House and the Government, and the Government may request the General Debate.

The block or parliamentary coalition or 15% of MPs may submit a request to the House for the debate of any public affair or matter. Those who requesting the general debate and the others shall have the right to raise a motion of No Confidence in the Cabinet or the Ministers after the conclusion of the general debate in adherence with the provisions of the articles (53), (54) of the constitution.

4. Fourthly, Motions

The articles (142-145) of the House’s By-Laws undertake the Motions which defined as calling the Government to perform any work of importance which falls within its competence. This motion shall be submitted by the Member in writing to the House Speaker who by his role shall refer it to the competent committee. Then, the committee shall recommend therein to refuse the or accept the motion. Should the House approve its acceptance ,the Speaker shall notify it to the Prime Minister.

5. Fifthly, Proposal of Law

The article (70) of the House’s By-Laws undertakes the proposal of law in which ten Members or more may propose laws and every proposal shall be submitted accompanied by necessitating reasons to the competent committee in the House for opinion, and after listening to the committee opinion, Should the House contends acceptance of the proposal, the House shall submit it to the Government to put it in a form of Draft Law and presenting it to the House in the same session or in the next session. 

6. Sixthly, Petitions and Complaints:

The articles (154-158) of the House’s By-Laws cover the Petitions and Complaints in which every Jordanian have the right to submit a petition to the House related to public affairs or a complaint as regard personal matters that befall him. The Speaker shall refer the petitions and complaints to the executive bureau for study which may either have them kept or referred to the competent committee , the competent Minister, or the House.

 7. “Any other Business” Item

The article (98 B) of the House’s By-Laws deals with “Any Other Business” Item in which sometimes called Oral Question that defined as raising the urgent issues. The Speaker shall allocate time to every representative who desires to speak after the registration of his name at the standing bureau.

Sittings

The articles (90-98) of the House’s By-Laws undertake the Order of Sittings in terms of preparing agendas whether legislative or oversight in addition to prepare sittings’ summary records, as well as preparation for quorum and following it up during holding the sitting.

Following-up on notification of the sittings dates in addition to implement and follow up the process of the Standing Bureau Election, and Standing Committees in the start of every ordinary session.

Memoranda

The articles (159-161) of the House’s By-Laws cover the theme of the parliamentary memorandum which is defined as an inquiry by the members on public issues or matters related to public affairs.

15% of the House Members or more, standing committees, blocs, or parliamentary coalitions may submit a written memorandum to the Speaker who shall list same on the agenda or refer it to the competent committee or to the Government.