II 112th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 1501 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES August 2, 2011 Mr. Heller (for himself, Mr. Rubio, Mr. Vitter, Mr. Lee, Ms. Ayotte, Mr. Paul, Mr. Boozman, and Mr. Johnson of Wisconsin) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration A BILL To require the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction to conduct the business of the Committee in a manner that is open to the public.

1.

Transparency

Section 401(b)(5) of the Budget Control Act of 2011 is amended— (1)in subparagraph (E)— (A)in clause (ii), by inserting and make the agenda available to the public after meeting; and (B)by adding at the end the following: (iii)

Open meetings

(I)

In general

Except as provided in subclause (II), each meeting, including a quorum of members, of the joint committee shall be— (aa)made open to the public; and (bb)made available for television coverage. (II)

Exception

The joint committee may conduct a closed meeting for the purpose of discussing classified information. ; and (2)in subparagraph (F)(ii), by adding at the end the following: (III)

Open hearings

(aa)

In general

Except as provided in item (bb), any hearing conducted by the joint committee shall be— (AA)made open to the public; and (BB)made available for television coverage. (bb)

Exception

The joint committee may conduct a closed hearing for the purpose of discussing classified information. .