Quorum
The minimum number of members of a legislative body who must be present for the body to conduct official business or take a vote.
Explanation
A quorum is the minimum attendance requirement for a legislature to legally conduct business. Without a quorum, votes cannot be taken and proceedings are invalid. In the U.S. House of Representatives, a quorum is a majority of members (218 of 435). Quorum requirements prevent a tiny minority from conducting business while most members are absent. A common legislative tactic — "breaking quorum" — involves members deliberately absenting themselves to prevent a vote on legislation they oppose. This was used dramatically in Texas in 2003, when Democratic legislators fled the state to deny Republicans the quorum needed to pass a redistricting bill.
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