Pursuant to Clause 2 of Rule XI of the Rules of the House, on January 12, 2007 the Committee on Rules adopted by voice vote, a quorum being present, the following rules:
RULES OF THE COMMITTEE ON RULES
U.S. House of Representative
110th Congress
RULE 1 -- GENERAL PROVISIONS
(a) The rules of the House are the rules of the Committee and its subcommittees
so far as applicable, except that a motion to recess from day to day, and
a motion to dispense with the first reading (in full) of a bill or resolution,
if printed copies are available, are non-debatable privileged motions in
the Committee. A proposed investigative or oversight report shall be considered
as read if it has been available to the members of the Committee for at least
24 hours (excluding Saturdays, Sundays, or legal holidays except when the
House is in session on such day).
(b) Each subcommittee is a part of the Committee, and is subject to the
authority and direction of the Committee and to its rules so far as applicable.
(c) The provisions of clause 2 of rule XI of the rules of the House are
incorporated by reference as the rules of the Committee to the extent applicable.
(d) The Committee's rules shall be published in the Congressional Record
not later than 30 days after the Committee is elected in each odd-numbered
year.
RULE 2 -- REGULAR, ADDITIONAL, AND SPECIAL MEETINGS
REGULAR MEETINGS
(a)(1) The Committee shall regularly meet at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday of each
week when the House is in session.
(2) A regular meeting of the Committee may be dispensed with if, in the
judgment of the Chairman of the Committee (hereafter in these rules referred
to as the "Chair"), there is no need for the meeting.
(3) Additional regular meetings and hearings of the Committee may be called
by the Chair.
NOTICE FOR REGULAR MEETINGS
(b) The Chair shall notify in electronic or written form each member of the Committee of the agenda of
each regular meeting of the Committee at least 48 hours before the time of
the meeting and shall provide to each member of the Committee, at least 24
hours before the time of each regular meeting.
(1) for each bill or resolution scheduled on the agenda for consideration
of a rule, a copy of—
(A) the bill or resolution;
(B) any committee reports thereon; and
(C) any letter requesting a rule for the bill or resolution; and
(2) for each other bill, resolution, report, or other matter on the agenda
a copy of—
(A) the bill, resolution, report, or materials relating to the other matter
in question; and
(B) any report on the bill, resolution, report, or any other matter made
by any subcommittee of the Committee.
EMERGENCY MEETINGS
(c)(1) The Chair may call an emergency meeting of the Committee at any
time on any measure or matter which the Chair determines to be of an emergency
nature; provided, however, that the Chair has made an effort to consult the
ranking minority member, or, in such member's absence, the next ranking minority
party member of the Committee.
(2) As soon as possible after calling an emergency meeting of the Committee,
the Chair shall notify each member of the Committee of the time and location
of the meeting.
(3) To the extent feasible, the notice provided under paragraph (2) shall
include the agenda for the emergency meeting and copies of available materials
which would otherwise have been provided under subsection (b) if the emergency
meeting was a regular meeting.
SPECIAL MEETINGS
(d) Special meetings shall be called and convened as provided in clause
2(c)(2) of rule XI of the Rules of the House.
RULE 3 -- MEETING AND HEARING PROCEDURES
IN GENERAL
(a)(1) Meetings and hearings of the Committee shall be called to order
and presided over by the Chair or, in the Chair's absence, by the member
designated by the Chair as the Vice Chair of the Committee, or by the ranking
majority member of the Committee present as Acting Chair.
(2) Meetings and hearings of the committee shall be open to the public
unless closed in accordance with clause 2(g) of rule XI of the Rules of the
House of Representatives.
(3) Any meeting or hearing of the Committee that is open to the public
shall be open to coverage by television, radio, and still photography in
accordance with the provisions of clause 4 of rule XI of the rules of the
House (which are incorporated by reference as part of these rules).
(4) When a recommendation is made as to the kind of rule which should be
granted for consideration of a bill or resolution, a copy of the language
recommended shall be furnished to each member of the Committee at the beginning
of the Committee meeting at which the rule is to be considered or as soon
thereafter as the proposed language becomes available.
QUORUM
(b)(1) For the purpose of hearing testimony on requests for rules, five
members of the Committee shall constitute a quorum.
(2) For the purpose of taking testimony and receiving evidence on measures
or matters of original jurisdiction before the Committee, three members of
the Committee shall constitute a quorum.
(3) A majority of the members of the Committee shall constitute a quorum
for the purposes of reporting any measure or matter, of authorizing a subpoena,
of closing a meeting or hearing pursuant to clause 2(g) of rule XI of the
Rules of the House (except as provided in clause 2(g)(2)(A) and (B), or of
taking any other action.
VOTING
(c)(1) No vote may be conducted on any measure or motion pending before
the Committee unless a majority of the members of the Committee is actually
present for such purpose.
(2) A record vote of the Committee shall be provided on any question before
the Committee upon the request of any member.
(3) No vote by any member of the Committee on any measure or matter may
be cast by proxy.
(4) A record of the vote of each Member of the Committee on each record
vote on any matter before the Committee shall be available for public inspection
at the offices of the Committee, and with respect to any record vote on any
motion to amend or report, shall be included in the report of the Committee
showing the total number of votes cast for and against and the names of those
members voting for and against.
HEARING PROCEDURES
(d)(1) With regard to hearings on matters of original jurisdiction, to
the greatest extent practicable:
(A) each witness who is to appear before the Committee shall file with
the committee at least 24 hours in advance of the appearance a statement
of proposed testimony in written and electronic form and shall limit the
oral presentation to the Committee to a brief summary thereof; and
(B) each witness appearing in a non-governmental capacity shall include
with the statement of proposed testimony provided in written and electronic
form a curriculum vitae and a disclosure of the amount and source (by agency
and program) of any Federal grant (or subgrant thereof) or contract (or subcontract
thereof) received during the current fiscal year or either of the two preceding
fiscal years.
(2) The five-minute rule shall be observed in the interrogation of each
witness before the Committee until each member of the Committee has had an
opportunity to question the witness.
(3) The provisions of clause 2(k) of rule XI of the rules of the House
shall apply to any hearing conducted by the committee.
SUBPOENAS AND OATHS
(e)(1) Pursuant to clause 2(m) of rule XI of the rules of the House of
Representatives, a subpoena may be authorized and issued by the Committee
or a subcommittee in the conduct of any investigation or series of investigations
or activities, only when authorized by a majority of the members voting,
a majority being present.
(2) The Chair may authorize and issue subpoenas under such clause during
any period in which the House has adjourned for a period of longer than three
days.
(3) Authorized subpoenas shall be signed by the Chair or by any member
designated by the Committee, and may be served by any person designated by
the Chair or such member.
(4) The Chair, or any member of the Committee designated by the Chair,
may administer oaths to witnesses before the Committee.
RULE 4 -- GENERAL OVERSIGHT RESPONSIBILITIES
(a) The Committee shall review and study, on a continuing basis, the application,
administration, execution, and effectiveness of those laws, or parts of laws,
the subject matter of which is within its jurisdiction.
(b) Not later than February 15 of the first session of a Congress, the
committee shall meet in open session, with a quorum present, to adopt its
oversight plans for that Congress for submission to the Committee on House
Administration and the Committee on Government Reform, in accordance with
the provisions of clause 2(d) of House rule X.
RULE 5 -- SUBCOMMITTEES
ESTABLISHMENT AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF SUBCOMMITTEES
(a)(1) There shall be two subcommittees of the Committee as follows:
(A) Subcommittee on Legislative and Budget Process, which shall
have general responsibility for measures or matters related to relations
between the Congress and the Executive Branch.
(B) Subcommittee on Rules and Organization of the House, which
shall have general responsibility for measures or matters related to process
and procedures of the House, relations between the two Houses of Congress,
relations between the Congress and the Judiciary, and internal operations
of the House.
(2) In addition, each such subcommittee shall have specific responsibility
for such other measures or matters as the Chair refers to it.
(3) Each subcommittee of the Committee shall review and study, on a continuing
basis, the application, administration, execution, and effectiveness of those
laws, or parts of laws, the subject matter of which is within its general
responsibility.
REFERRAL OF MEASURES AND MATTERS TO SUBCOMMITTEES
(b)(1) In view of the unique procedural responsibilities of the Committee,
no special order providing for the consideration of any bill or resolution
shall be referred to a subcommittee of the Committee.
(2) The Chair shall refer to a subcommittee such measures or matters of
original jurisdiction as the Chair deems appropriate given its jurisdiction
and responsibilities.
(3) All other measures or matters of original jurisdiction shall be subject
to consideration by the full Committee.
(4) In referring any measure or matter of original jurisdiction to a subcommittee,
the Chair may specify a date by which the subcommittee shall report thereon
to the Committee.
(5) The Committee by motion may discharge a subcommittee from consideration
of any measure or matter referred to a subcommittee of the Committee.
COMPOSITION OF SUBCOMMITTEES
(c) The size and ratio of each subcommittee shall be determined by the
Committee and members shall be elected to each subcommittee, and to the positions
of chairman and ranking minority member thereof, in accordance with the rules
of the respective party caucuses. The Chair of the full committee shall designate
a member of the majority party on each subcommittee as its vice chairman.
SUBCOMMITTEE MEETINGS AND HEARINGS
(d)(1) Each subcommittee of the Committee is authorized to meet, hold hearings,
receive testimony, mark up legislation, and report to the full Committee
on any measure or matter referred to it.
(2) No subcommittee of the Committee may meet or hold a hearing at the
same time as a meeting or hearing of the full Committee is being held.
(3) The chairman of each subcommittee shall schedule meetings and hearings
of the subcommittee only after consultation with the Chair.
QUORUM
(e)(1) For the purpose of taking testimony, two members of the subcommittee
shall constitute a quorum.
(2) For all other purposes, a quorum shall consist of a majority of the
members of a subcommittee.
EFFECT OF A VACANCY
(f) Any vacancy in the membership of a subcommittee shall not affect the
power of the remaining members to execute the functions of the subcommittee.
RECORDS
(g) Each subcommittee of the Committee shall provide the full Committee
with copies of such records of votes taken in the subcommittee and such other
records with respect to the subcommittee necessary for the Committee to comply
with all rules and regulations of the House.
RULE 6 -- STAFF
IN GENERAL
(a)(1) Except as provided in paragraphs (2) and (3), the professional and
other staff of the Committee shall be appointed, by the Chair, and shall
work under the general supervision and direction of the Chair.
(2) All professional, and other staff provided to the minority party members
of the Committee shall be appointed, by the ranking minority member of the
Committee, and shall work under the general supervision and direction of
such member.
(3) The appointment of all professional staff shall be subject to the approval
of the Committee as provided by, and subject to the provisions of, clause
9 of rule X of the Rules of the House.
ASSOCIATE STAFF
(b) Associate staff for members of the Committee may be appointed only
at the discretion of the Chair (in consultation with the ranking minority
member regarding any minority party associate staff), after taking into account
any staff ceilings and budgetary constraints in effect at the time, and any
terms, limits, or conditions established by the Committee on House Administration
under clause 9 of rule X of the rules of the House.
SUBCOMMITTEE STAFF
(c) From funds made available for the appointment of staff, the Chair of
the Committee shall, pursuant to clause 6(d) of rule X of the rules of the
House, ensure that sufficient staff is made available to each subcommittee
to carry out its responsibilities under the rules of the Committee, and,
after consultation with the ranking minority member of the Committee, that
the minority party of the Committee is treated fairly in the appointment
of such staff.
COMPENSATION OF STAFF
(d) The Chair shall fix the compensation of all professional and other
staff of the Committee, after consultation with the ranking minority member
regarding any minority party staff.
CERTIFICATION OF STAFF
(e)(1) To the extent any staff member of the Committee or any of its subcommittees
does not work under the direct supervision and direction of the Chair, the
Member of the Committee who supervises and directs the staff member's work
shall file with the Chief of Staff of the Committee (not later than the tenth
day of each month) a certification regarding the staff member's work for
that member for the preceding calendar month.
(2) The certification required by paragraph (1) shall be in such form as
the Chair may prescribe, shall identify each staff member by name, and shall
state that the work engaged in by the staff member and the duties assigned
to the staff member for the member of the Committee with respect to the month
in question met the requirements of clause 9 of rule X of the rules of the
House.
(3) Any certification of staff of the Committee, or any of its subcommittees,
made by the Chair in compliance with any provision of law or regulation shall
be made—
(A) on the basis of the certifications filed under paragraph (1) to the
extent the staff is not under the Chair's supervision and direction, and
(B) on his own responsibility to the extent the staff is under the Chair's
direct supervision and direction.
RULE 7 -- BUDGET, TRAVEL, PAY OF WITNESSES
BUDGET
(a) The Chair, in consultation with other members of the Committee, shall
prepare for each Congress a budget providing amounts for staff, necessary
travel, investigation, and other expenses of the Committee and its subcommittees.
TRAVEL
(b)(1) The Chair may authorize travel for any member and any staff member
of the Committee in connection with activities or subject matters under the
general jurisdiction of the Committee. Before such authorization is granted,
there shall be submitted to the Chair in writing the following:
(A) The purpose of the travel.
(B) The dates during which the travel is to occur.
(C) The names of the States or countries to be visited and the length of
time to be spent in each.
(D) The names of members and staff of the Committee for whom the authorization
is sought.
(2) Members and staff of the Committee shall make a written report to the
Chair on any travel they have conducted under this subsection, including
a description of their itinerary, expenses, and activities, and of pertinent
information gained as a result of such travel. (3) Members and staff of the
Committee performing authorized travel on official business shall be governed
by applicable laws, resolutions, and regulations of the House and of the
Committee on House Administration.
PAY OF WITNESSES
(c) Witnesses may be paid from funds made available to the Committee in
its expense resolution subject to the provisions of clause 5 of rule XI of
the rules of the House.
RULE 8 -- COMMITTEE ADMINISTRATION
REPORTING
(a) Whenever the Committee authorizes the favorable reporting of a bill
or resolution from the Committee—
(1) the Chair or acting Chair shall report it to the House or designate
a member of the Committee to do so, and
(2) in the case of a bill or resolution in which the Committee has original
jurisdiction, the Chair shall allow, to the extent that the anticipated floor
schedule permits, any member of the Committee a reasonable amount of time
to submit views for inclusion in the Committee report on the bill or resolution.
Any such report shall contain all matters required by the rules of the
House of Representatives (or by any provision of law enacted as an exercise
of the rulemaking power of the House) and such other information as the Chair
deems appropriate.
RECORDS
(b)(1) There shall be a transcript made of each regular meeting and hearing
of the Committee, and the transcript may be printed if the Chair decides
it is appropriate or if a majority of the Members of the Committee requests
such printing. Any such transcripts shall be a substantially verbatim account
of remarks actually made during the proceedings, subject only to technical,
grammatical, and typographical corrections authorized by the person making
the remarks. Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to require that
all such transcripts be subject to correction and publication.
(2) The Committee shall keep a record of all actions of the Committee and
of its subcommittees. The record shall contain all information required by
clause 2(e)(1) of rule XI of the rules of the House of Representatives and
shall be available for public inspection at reasonable times in the offices
of the Committee.
(3) All Committee hearings, records, data, charts, and files shall be kept
separate and distinct from the congressional office records of the Chair,
shall be the property of the House, and all Members of the House shall have
access thereto as provided in clause 2(e)(2) of rule XI of the Rules of the
House.
(4) The records of the Committee at the National Archives and Records Administration
shall be made available for public use in accordance with rule VII of the
rules of the House. The Chair shall notify the ranking minority member of
any decision, pursuant to clause 3(b)(3) or clause 4(b) of the rule, to withhold
a record otherwise available, and the matter shall be presented to the Committee
for a determination on written request of any member of the Committee.
COMMITTEE PUBLICATIONS ON THE INTERNET
(c) To the maximum extent feasible, the Committee shall makes its publications
available in electronic form.
CALENDARS
(d)(1) The Committee shall maintain a Committee Calendar, which shall include
all bills, resolutions, and other matters referred to or reported by the
Committee and all bills, resolutions, and other matters reported by any other
committee on which a rule has been granted or formally requested, and such
other matters as the Chair shall direct. The Calendar shall be published
periodically, but in no case less often than once in each session of Congress.
(2) The staff of the Committee shall furnish each member of the Committee
with a list of all bills or resolutions (A) reported from the Committee but
not yet considered by the House, and (B) on which a rule has been formally
requested but not yet granted. The list shall be updated each week when the
House is in session.
(3) For purposes of paragraphs (1) and (2), a rule is considered as formally
requested when the Chairman of a committee which has reported a bill or resolution
(or a member of such committee authorized to act on the Chairman's behalf):
(A) has requested, in writing to the Chair, that a hearing be scheduled
on a rule for the consideration of the bill or resolution, and
(B) has supplied the Committee with an adequate number of copies of the
bill or resolution, as reported, together with the final printed committee
report thereon.
OTHER PROCEDURES
(e) The Chair may establish such other Committee procedures and take such
actions as may be necessary to carry out these rules or to facilitate the
effective operation of the Committee and its subcommittees in a manner consistent
with these rules.
RULE 9 -- AMENDMENTS TO COMMITTEE RULES
The rules of the Committee may be modified, amended or repealed, in the
same manner and method as prescribed for the adoption of committee rules
in clause 2 of rule XI of the Rules of the House, but only if written notice
of the proposed change has been provided to each such Member at least 48
hours before the time of the meeting at which the vote on the change occurs.
Any such change in the rules of the Committee shall be published in the Congressional
Record within 30 calendar days after their approval.
