REPORTING AND CONSIDERING A SPECIAL RULE

Letter from Chairman of reporting committee. The letter usually requests that a hearing be scheduled, the desired type of special rule desired, the amount of debate time needed, and any waivers of House rules necessary for consideration of the bill.

Rules Committee schedules a hearing and marks up a special rule. Witnesses are limited to Members of Congress, usually the chairmen and ranking members, and Members who wish to offer amendments. The Committee, in consultation with the Majority Leadership and committee chairman, determine the type of rule to be granted, the amount of debate, the amendment process, and waivers to be granted.

Consideration in the House. After a one-day layover, special rules may be considered for an hour, managed by the Majority Member of the Rules Committee calling up the rule Out of custom, one-half of the time is yielded to a Minority Member of the Rules Committee. At the end of debate, the previous question is put to a vote in order to cut off further debate, prevent the offering of amendments to the rule, and to have a final vote.