Short version, house assumes a quorum exists (enough people to do business) always unless called out on it. Requirements for quorum are continually dropping through legalese, but currently you can at least revoke quorum when attendance is low (<100 I think) by calling for a roll call vote. This prevents votes and proceedings with a skeleton crew of house members in attendance and requires more people to actually show up.
Wow, I thought I understood this stuff but I think I need an explanation...
Forcing Roll Call Votes prevents legislation from being passed?
Short version, house assumes a quorum exists (enough people to do business) always unless called out on it. Requirements for quorum are continually dropping through legalese, but currently you can at least revoke quorum when attendance is low (<100 I think) by calling for a roll call vote. This prevents votes and proceedings with a skeleton crew of house members in attendance and requires more people to actually show up.
For further reading, try this document.
Crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/RL/98‐988