House Practice

The House Practice: A Guide to the Rules, Precedents and Procedures of the House is a reference source for information about contemporary procedure in the House of Representatives. It is prepared by the Office of the Parliamentarian and its subsidiary, the Office of Compilation of Precedents. "Periodic preparation by the House Parliamentarian of condensed and amplified versions of House precedents" is required by Public Law 91-510.

The House Practice is organized into chapters covering fifty-nine subjects of House procedure, including "Appeals," "Calendars," and "Veto Procedure." There is also a chapter called 'Budget Process" covering rules and precedents governing House consideration of budgetary-related legislation. Chapters are listed alphabetically, and each one opens with an outline of the chapter’s main topics and their House Practice section numbers.

The House Practice is a summary review of selected precedents and not an exhaustive survey of all applicable rulings. The House Rules and Manual and the published volumes of House precedents remain the primary sources for in-depth analysis and authoritative citations. As required by law, the House Practice is a concordance or quick reference guide to those works.