Under Robert’s Rules of Order, the motion to lay on the table sets a pending motion aside for a time. Robert’s Rules For Dummies explains: “If the motion laid on the table isn’t taken from the table by the next regular meeting, the motion dies.” The guide adds: “It’s never in order to use the motion to lay on the table to kill a motion or to delay its consideration.”
In the US Congress, the same motion works differently. The Senate glossary says that, “if adopted a motion to table permanently kills a pending matter.”