#4 is even more complicated than that. Leaders PREFER to choose between a "special rule" [which is actually standard practice, not a special thing] and suspension of the rules. Yet House Rules clearly spell out procedures for considering legislation without the controlled sequence "on ordering the previous question" to set up the vote on the simple resolution that's a "special rule" for considering the substantive bill. Floor practices are set out generally in House Rules XIV through XXI, but the entire Rules package shapes the process. Or it does to the extent that it's followed instead of supplanted by "special" rules. Voting down the motion to order the previous question could let this play out, but that would be a much bigger deal than voting down the rule, so it doesn't happen.
#4 is even more complicated than that. Leaders PREFER to choose between a "special rule" [which is actually standard practice, not a special thing] and suspension of the rules. Yet House Rules clearly spell out procedures for considering legislation without the controlled sequence "on ordering the previous question" to set up the vote on the simple resolution that's a "special rule" for considering the substantive bill. Floor practices are set out generally in House Rules XIV through XXI, but the entire Rules package shapes the process. Or it does to the extent that it's followed instead of supplanted by "special" rules. Voting down the motion to order the previous question could let this play out, but that would be a much bigger deal than voting down the rule, so it doesn't happen.
Good primer.