[House Prints 115-35]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
115th Congress } { RCP 115-35
COMMITTEE PRINT
1st Session } {
_______________________________________________________________________
RULES ADOPTED BY THE COMMITTEES
OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
----------
115th Congress
2017-2018
----------
compiled by the
COMMITTEE ON RULES
[GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]
Printed for the use of the Committee on Rules
115th Congress } { RCP 115-35
COMMITTEE PRINT
1st Session } {
_______________________________________________________________________
RULES ADOPTED BY THE COMMITTEES
OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
__________
115th Congress
2017-2018
__________
compiled by the
COMMITTEE ON RULES
[GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]
Printed for the use of the Committee on Rules
______
U.S. GOVERNMENT PUBLISHING OFFICE
27-270 WASHINGTON : 2017
COMMITTEE ON RULES
PETE SESSIONS, Texas, Chairman
TOM COLE, Oklahoma LOUISE McINTOSH SLAUGHTER, New
ROB WOODALL, Georgia York, Ranking Member
MICHAEL C. BURGESS, Texas JAMES P. McGOVERN, Massachusetts
DOUG COLLINS, Georgia ALCEE L. HASTINGS, Florida
BRADLEY BYRNE, Alabama JARED POLIS, Colorado
DAN NEWHOUSE, Washington
KEN BUCK, Colorado
LIZ CHENEY, Wyoming
Stephen M. Cote, Staff Director
Don Sisson, Minority Staff Director
------
Subcommittee on Legislative and Budget Process
ROB WOODALL, Georgia, Chairman
MICHAEL C. BURGESS, Texas ALCEE L. HASTINGS, Florida,
BRADLEY BYRNE, Alabma Ranking Member
DAN NEWHOUSE, Washington JARED POLIS, Colorado
KEN BUCK, Colorado
Janet Rossi, Staff Director
Lale Mamaux, Minority Staff Director
------
Subcommittee on Rules and Organization of the House
DOUG COLLINS, Georgia, Chairman
BRADLEY BYRNE, Alabama LOUISE McINTOSH SLAUGHTER, New
DAN NEWHOUSE, Washington York, Ranking Member
LIZ CHENEY, Wyoming JAMES P. McGOVERN, Massachusetts
PETE SESSIONS, Texas
Sally Rose Larson, Staff Director
Liz Pardue, Minority Staff Director
C O N T E N T S
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Part I--Standing Committees of the House
Page
Committee on Agriculture......................................... 3
Committee on Appropriations...................................... 25
Committee on Armed Services...................................... 37
Committee on the Budget.......................................... 51
Committee on Education and the Workforce......................... 61
Committee on Energy and Commerce................................. 79
Committee on Ethics.............................................. 89
Committee on Financial Services.................................. 117
Committee on Foreign Affairs..................................... 131
Committee on Homeland Security................................... 151
Committee on House Administration................................ 163
Committee on the Judiciary....................................... 173
Committee on Natural Resources................................... 179
Committee on Oversight and Government Reform..................... 193
Committee on Rules............................................... 205
Committee on Science, Space and Technology....................... 215
Committee on Small Business...................................... 225
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure................... 239
Committee on Veterans' Affairs................................... 257
Committee on Ways and Means...................................... 269
Part II--Permanent Select Committee of the House
Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence....................... 281
Part III--Congressional Joint Committees
Joint Economic Committee......................................... 303
Joint Committee on the Library................................... 307
Joint Committee on Printing...................................... 311
Joint Committee on Taxation...................................... 317
Appendix
Rule X. Organization of Committees............................... 320
Rule XI. Procedures of Committees and Unfinished Business........ 346
Rule XII. Calendars and Committee Reports........................ 369
=======================================================================
PART I--STANDING COMMITTEES OF THE HOUSE
=======================================================================
Committee on Agriculture
K. MICHAEL CONAWAY, Texas,
Chairman
COLLIN C. PETERSON, Minnesota GLENN THOMPSON, Pennsylvania
DAVID SCOTT, Georgia Vice Chairman
JIM COSTA, California BOB GOODLATTE, Virginia
TIMOTHY J. WALZ, Minnesota FRANK D. LUCAS, Oklahoma
MARCIA L. FUDGE, Ohio STEVE KING, Iowa
JAMES P. MCGOVERN, Massachusetts MIKE ROGERS, Alabama
FILEMON VELA, Texas BOB GIBBS, Ohio
MICHELLE LUJAN GRISHAM, New Mexico AUSTIN SCOTT, Georgia
ANN M. KUSTER, New Hampshire ERIC A. ``RICK'' CRAWFORD,
RICHARD M. NOLAN, Minnesota Arkansas
CHERI BUSTOS, Illinois SCOTT DESJARLAIS, Tennessee
SEAN PATRICK MALONEY, New York VICKY HARTZLER, Missouri
STACEY E. PLASKETT, Virgin Islands JEFF DENHAM, California
ALMA S. ADAMS, North Carolina DOUG LAMALFA, California
DWIGHT EVANS, Pennsylvania RODNEY DAVIS, Illinois
AL LAWSON Jr., Florida TED S. YOHO, Florida
JIMMY PANETTA, California RICK W. ALLEN, Georgia
TOM O'HALLERAN, Arizona MIKE BOST, Illinois
DARREN SOTO, Florida DAVID ROUZER, North Carolina
LISA BLUNT ROCHESTER, Delaware RALPH LEE ABRAHAM, Louisiana
TRENT KELLY, Mississippi
JAMES COMER, Kentucky
ROGER MARSHALL, Kansas
DON BACON, Nebraska
JOHN FASO, New York
NEAL DUNN, Florida
JODEY ARRINGTON, Texas
(As adopted February 1, 2017)
RULES OF THE COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE 115TH CONGRESS
Rule I.--General Provisions
(a) Applicability of House Rules.--(1) The Rules of the
House shall govern the procedure of the Committee and its
subcommittees, and the Rules of the Committee on Agriculture so
far as applicable shall be interpreted in accordance with the
Rules of the House, 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 and its
subcommittees. (See Appendix A for the applicable Rules of the
U.S. House of Representatives.)
(2) As provided in clause 1(a)(1) of House Rule XI, each
Subcommittee is part of the Committee and is subject to the
authority and direction of the Committee and its Rules so far
as applicable. (See also Committee rules III, IV, V, VI, VII,
VIII and XI, infra.)
(b) Authority to Conduct Investigations.--The Committee and
its subcommittees, after consultation with the Chairman of the
Committee, may conduct such investigations and studies as they
may consider necessary or appropriate in the exercise of their
responsibilities under Rule X of the Rules of the House and in
accordance with clause 2(m) of House Rule XI.
(c) Authority to Print.--The Committee is authorized by the
Rules of the House to have printed and bound testimony and
other data presented at hearings held by the Committee and its
subcommittees. All costs of stenographic services and
transcripts in connection with any meeting or hearing of the
Committee and its subcommittees shall be paid from applicable
accounts of the House described in clause 1(k)(1) of House Rule
X in accordance with clause 1(c) of House Rule XI. (See also
paragraphs (d), (e) and (f) of Committee rule IX.)
(d) Vice Chairman.--The Member of the majority party on the
Committee or Subcommittee designated by the Chairman of the
full Committee shall be the vice chairman of the Committee or
Subcommittee in accordance with clause 2(d) of House Rule XI.
(e) Presiding Member.--If the Chairman of the Committee or
Subcommittee is not present at any Committee or Subcommittee
meeting or hearing, the vice chairman shall preside. If the
Chairman and vice chairman of the Committee or Subcommittee are
not present at a Committee or Subcommittee meeting or hearing
the ranking Member of the majority party who is present shall
preside in accordance with clause 2(d) of House Rule XI.
(f) Publication of Rules.--The Committee's Rules shall be
publicly available in electronic form and published in the
Congressional Record not later than 30 days after the Chair is
elected in each odd-numbered year as provided in clause 2(a) of
House Rule XI.
(g) Joint Committee Reports of Investigation or Study.--A
report of an investigation or study conducted jointly by more
than one committee may be filed jointly, provided that each of
the committees complies independently with all requirements for
approval and filing of the report.
Rule II.--Committee Business Meetings--Regular, Additional and Special
(a) Regular Meetings.--Regular meetings of the Committee,
in accordance with clause 2(b) of House Rule XI, shall be held
on the first Wednesday of every month to transact its business
if notice is given pursuant to clause 2(g)(3) of House Rule XI.
The Chairman shall provide each Member of the Committee, as far
in advance of the day of the regular meeting as practicable, a
written agenda of such meeting. Items may be placed on the
agenda by the Chairman or a majority of the Committee. (See
paragraph (f) of Committee rule XI for provisions that apply to
meetings of subcommittees.)
(b) Additional Meetings.--(1) The Chairman may call and
convene, as he or she considers necessary, which may not
commence earlier than the third day on which Members have
notice thereof after consultation with the Ranking Minority
Member of the Committee or after concurrence with the Ranking
Minority Member, additional meetings of the Committee for the
consideration of any bill or resolution pending before the
Committee or for the conduct of other Committee business. The
Committee shall meet for such additional meetings pursuant to
the notice from the Chairman.
(2) A hearing or meeting may begin sooner than specified in
clause (1) (in which case, the chair shall make the
announcement specified at the earliest possible time) if the
Committee so determines by majority vote in the presence of the
number of Members required under the Rules of the Committee for
the transaction of business.
(3) At least 24 hours prior to the commencement of a
meeting for the markup of a measure or matter the Chair shall
cause the text of such measure or matter to be made publicly
available in electronic form.
(c) Special Meetings.--If at least three Members of the
Committee desire that a special meeting of the Committee be
called by the Chairman, those Members may file in the offices
of the Committee their written request to the Chairman for such
special meeting. Such request shall specify the measure or
matters to be considered. Immediately upon the filing of the
request, the Majority Staff Director (serving as the clerk of
the Committee for such purpose) shall notify the Chairman of
the filing of the request. If, within 3 calendar days after the
filing of the request, the Chairman does not call the requested
special meeting to be held within 7 calendar days after the
filing of the request, a majority of the Members of the
Committee may file in the offices of the Committee their
written notice that a special meeting of the Committee will be
held, specifying the date and hour thereof, and the measures or
matter to be considered at that special meeting in accordance
with clause 2(c)(2) of House Rule XI. The Committee shall meet
on that date and hour. Immediately upon the filing of the
notice, the Majority Staff Director (serving as the clerk) of
the Committee shall notify all Members of the Committee that
such meeting will be held and inform them of its date and hour
and the measure or matter to be considered, and only the
measure or matter specified in that notice may be considered at
that special meeting.
Rule III.--Open Meetings and Hearings; Broadcasting
(a) Open Meetings and Hearings.--Each meeting for the
transaction of business, including the markup of legislation,
and each hearing by the Committee or a Subcommittee shall be
open to the public unless closed in accordance with clause 2(g)
of House Rule XI.
(b) Broadcasting and Photography.--Whenever a Committee or
Subcommittee meeting for the transaction of business, including
the markup of legislation, or a hearing is open to the public,
that meeting or hearing shall:
(1) To the maximum extent practicable the Committee
shall provide audio and video coverage of each hearing
or meeting for the transaction of business in a manner
that allows the public to easily listen to and view the
proceedings and shall maintain the recordings of such
coverage in a manner that is easily accessible to the
public.
(2) Be open to coverage by television, radio, and
still photography in accordance with clause 4 of House
Rule XI. When such audio and visual coverage is
conducted in the Committee or Subcommittee, written
notice to that effect shall be provided to each Member.
The Chairman of the Committee or Subcommittee shall not
limit the number of television or still cameras
permitted in a hearing or meeting room to fewer than
two representatives from each medium (except for
legitimate space or safety considerations, in which
case pool coverage shall be authorized).
(c) Closed Meetings--Attendees.--No person other than
Members of the Committee or Subcommittee and such congressional
staff and departmental representatives as the Committee or
Subcommittee may authorize shall be present at any business or
markup session that has been closed to the public as provided
in clause 2(g)(1) of House Rule XI.
(d) Addressing the Committee.--A Committee Member may
address the Committee or a Subcommittee on any bill, motion, or
other matter under consideration (See Committee rule VIII (e)
relating to questioning a witness at a hearing). The time a
Member may address the Committee or Subcommittee for any such
purpose shall be limited to 5 minutes, except that this time
limit may be waived by unanimous consent. A Member shall also
be limited in his or her remarks to the subject matter under
consideration, unless the Member receives unanimous consent to
extend his or her remarks beyond such subject.
(e) Meetings to Begin Promptly.--Subject to the presence of
a quorum, each meeting or hearing of the Committee and its
subcommittees shall begin promptly at the time so stipulated in
the public announcement of the meeting or hearing.
(f) Prohibition on Proxy Voting.--No vote by any Member of
the Committee or Subcommittee with respect to any measure or
matter may be cast by proxy.
(g) Location of Persons at Meetings.--No person other than
the Committee or Subcommittee Members and Committee or
Subcommittee staff may be seated in the rostrum area during a
meeting of the Committee or Subcommittee unless by unanimous
consent of Committee or Subcommittee.
(h) Consideration of Amendments and Motions.--A Member,
upon request, shall be recognized by the Chairman to address
the Committee or Subcommittee at a meeting for a period limited
to 5 minutes on behalf of an amendment or motion offered by the
Member or another Member, or upon any other matter under
consideration, unless the Member receives unanimous consent to
extend the time limit. Every amendment or motion made in
Committee or Subcommittee shall, upon the demand of any Member
present, be reduced to writing, and a copy thereof shall be
made available to all Members present. Such amendment or motion
shall not be pending before the Committee or Subcommittee or
voted on until the requirements of this paragraph have been
met.
(i) Demanding Record Vote.--(1) A record vote of the
Committee or Subcommittee on a question or action shall be
ordered on a demand by one-fifth of the Members present.
(2) The Chairman of the Committee or Subcommittee may
postpone further proceedings when a record vote is ordered on
the question of approving a measure or matter or on adopting an
amendment. If the Chairman postpones further proceedings:
(A) the Chairman may resume such postponed
proceedings, after giving Members adequate notice, at a
time chosen in consultation with the Ranking Minority
Member; and
(B) notwithstanding any intervening order for the
previous question, the underlying proposition on which
proceedings were postponed shall remain subject to
further debate or amendment to the same extent as when
the question was postponed.
(j) Submission of Motions or Amendments In Advance of
Business Meetings.--The Committee and Subcommittee Chairman may
request and Committee and Subcommittee Members should, insofar
as practicable, cooperate in providing copies of proposed
amendments or motions to the Chairman and the Ranking Minority
Member of the Committee or the Subcommittee twenty-four hours
before a Committee or Subcommittee business meeting.
(k) Points of Order.--No point of order against the hearing
or meeting procedures of the Committee or Subcommittee shall be
entertained unless it is made in a timely fashion.
(l) Limitation on Committee Sittings.--The Committee or
subcommittees may not sit during a joint session of the House
and Senate or during a recess when a joint meeting of the House
and Senate is in progress.
(m) Prohibition of Wireless Telephones.--Use of wireless
phones during a Committee or Subcommittee hearing or meeting is
prohibited.
Rule IV.--Quorums
(a) Working Quorum.--One-third of the Members of the
Committee or Subcommittee shall constitute a quorum for taking
any action, other than as noted in paragraphs (b) and (c).
(b) Majority Quorum.--A majority of the Members of the
Committee or Subcommittee shall constitute a quorum for:
(1) the reporting of a bill, resolution, or other
measure (See clause 2(h)(1) of House Rule XI, and
Committee Rule IX);
(2) the closing of a meeting or hearing to the public
pursuant to clauses 2(g), 2(k)(5), and 2(k)(7) of House
Rule XI;
(3) the authorizing of a subpoena as provided in
clause 2(m)(3) of House Rule XI (See also Committee
Rule VII); and
(4) as where required by a Rule of the House.
(c) Quorum for Taking Testimony.--Two Members of the
Committee or Subcommittee shall constitute a quorum for the
purpose of taking testimony and receiving evidence.
Rule V.--Records
(a) Maintenance of Records.--The Committee shall keep a
complete record of all Committee and Subcommittee action which
shall include:
(1) in the case of any meeting or hearing
transcripts, 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
involved, and
(2) written minutes, which shall include a record of
all Committee and Subcommittee action, a record of all
votes on any question, and a tally on all record votes.
The result of each such record vote shall be made available by
the Committee for inspection by the public at reasonable times
in the offices of the Committee and by telephone request and
also made publicly available in electronic form within 48 hours
of such record vote. Not later than 24 hours after adoption of
an amendment to a measure or matter, the chair of the Committee
shall cause the text of such amendment adopted thereto to be
made publicly available in electronic form. Information so
available for public inspection shall include a description of
the amendment, motion, order, or other proposition; the name of
each Member voting for and each Member voting against such
amendment, motion, order, or other proposition; and the names
of those Members present but not voting.
(b) Access to and Correction of Records.--Any public
witness, or person authorized by such witness, during Committee
office hours in the Committee offices and within 10 calendar
days of the close of hearings, may obtain a transcript copy of
that public witness's testimony and make such technical,
grammatical, and typographical corrections as authorized by the
person making the remarks involved as will not alter the nature
of testimony given. There shall be prompt return of such
corrected copy of the transcript to the Committee. Members of
the Committee or Subcommittee shall receive copies of
transcripts for their prompt review and correction and prompt
return to the Committee. The Committee or Subcommittee may
order the printing of a hearing record without the corrections
of any Member or witness if it determines that such Member or
witness has been afforded a reasonable time in which to make
such corrections and further delay would seriously impede the
consideration of the legislative action that is the subject of
the hearing. The record of a hearing shall be closed 10
calendar days after the last oral testimony, unless the
Committee or Subcommittee determines otherwise. Any person
requesting to file a statement for the record of a hearing must
so request before the hearing concludes and must file the
statement before the record is closed, unless the Committee or
Subcommittee determines otherwise. The Committee or
Subcommittee may reject any statement in light of its length or
its tendency to defame, degrade, or incriminate any person.
(c) Property of the House.--All Committee and Subcommittee
records (including hearings data, charts, and files) shall be
kept separate and distinct from the congressional office
records of the Members serving as Chairman. Such records shall
be the property of the House, and all Members of the House
shall have access thereto. The Majority Staff Director shall
promptly notify the Chairman and the Ranking Minority Member of
any request for access to such records.
(d) Availability of Archived Records.--The records of the
Committee at the National Archives and Records Administration
shall be made available for public use in accordance with House
Rule VII. The Chairman shall notify the Ranking Minority Member
of the Committee of the need for a Committee order pursuant to
clause 3(b)(3) or clause 4(b) of such House Rule, to withhold a
record otherwise available.
(e) Special Rules for Certain Records and Proceedings.--A
stenographic record of a business meeting of the Committee or
Subcommittee may be kept, and thereafter may be published, if
the Chairman of the Committee, after consultation with the
Ranking Minority Member, determines there is need for such a
record. The proceedings of the Committee or Subcommittee in a
closed meeting, evidence or testimony in such meeting, shall
not be divulged unless otherwise determined by a majority of
the Committee or Subcommittee.
(f) Electronic Availability of Committee Publications.--To
the maximum extent feasible, the Committee shall make its
publications available in electronic form.
Rule VI.--Power To Sit and Act
For the purpose of carrying out any of its functions and
duties under House Rules X and XI, the Committee and each of
its subcommittees is authorized to sit and act at such times
and places within the United States whether the House is in
session, has recessed, or has adjourned and to hold such
hearings.
Rule VII.--Subpoenas and Oaths
(a) Issuance of Subpoenas.--In accordance with clause 2(m)
of House Rule XI, a subpoena may be authorized and issued by a
majority of the Committee or by the Chairman in consultation
with the Ranking Minority Member. Such consultation shall occur
at least 48 hours in advance of a subpoena being issued under
such authority. Authorized subpoenas shall be signed by the
Chairman of the Committee or by any Member designated by the
Committee.
(b) Oaths.--The Chairman of the Committee, or any member of
the Committee designated by the Chairman, may administer oaths
to any witnesses.
Rule VIII.--Hearing Procedures
(a) Power to Hear.--For the purpose of carrying out any of
its functions and duties under House Rules X and XI, the
Committee and its subcommittees are authorized to sit and hold
hearings at any time or place within the United States whether
the House is in session, has recessed, or has adjourned. (See
Committee Rule VI and paragraph (f) of Committee rule XI for
provisions relating to Subcommittee hearings and meetings.)
(b) Announcement.--The Chairman of the Committee shall,
after consultation with the Ranking Minority Member of the
Committee, make a public announcement of the date, place, and
subject matter of any Committee hearing at least 1 week before
the commencement of the hearing. The Chairman of a Subcommittee
shall schedule a hearing only after consultation with the
Chairman of the Committee and the Ranking Minority Member of
the Subcommittee. After such consultation, the Chairman of the
Subcommittee shall consult the Chairmen of the other
subcommittees and shall request the Majority Staff Director to
make a public announcement of the date, place, and subject
matter of such hearing at least 1 week before the hearing. If
the Chairman of the Committee or the Subcommittee, with
concurrence of the Ranking Minority Member of the Committee or
Subcommittee, determines there is good cause to begin the
hearing sooner, or if the Committee or Subcommittee so
determines by majority vote, a quorum being present for the
transaction of business, the Chairman of the Committee or
Subcommittee, as appropriate, shall request the Majority Staff
Director to make such public announcement at the earliest
possible date. The clerk of the Committee shall promptly notify
the Daily Digest Clerk of the Congressional Record and shall
promptly enter the appropriate information into the Committee
scheduling service of the House Information Systems as soon as
possible after such public announcement is made.
(c) Scheduling of Witnesses.--Except as otherwise provided
in this rule, the scheduling of witnesses and determination of
the time allowed for the presentation of testimony at hearings
shall be at the discretion of the Chairman of the Committee or
Subcommittee, unless a majority of the Committee or
Subcommittee determines otherwise.
(d) Written Statement; Oral Testimony.--(1) Each witness
who is to appear before the Committee or a Subcommittee, shall
insofar as practicable file with the Majority Staff Director of
the Committee, at least 2 working days before the day of his or
her appearance, a written statement of proposed testimony.
Witnesses shall provide sufficient copies of their statement
for distribution to Committee or Subcommittee Members, staff,
and the news media. Insofar as practicable, the Committee or
Subcommittee staff shall distribute such written statements to
all Members of the Committee or Subcommittee as soon as they
are received, as well as any official reports from departments
and agencies on such subject matter. All witnesses may be
limited in their oral presentations to brief summaries of their
statements within the time allotted to them at the discretion
of the Chairman of the Committee or Subcommittee, in light of
the nature of the testimony and the length of time available.
(2) As noted in paragraph (b) of Committee Rule VII, the
Chairman of the Committee, or any Member designated by the
Chairman, may administer an oath to any witness.
(3) To the greatest extent practicable, each witness
appearing in a non-governmental capacity shall include with the
written statement of proposed testimony:
(i) a curriculum vitae;
(ii) 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 calendar year or either of the 2 preceding
calendar years by the witness or by an entity
represented by the witness; and
(iii) disclosure of the amount and country of origin
of any payment or contract related to the subject
matter of the hearing originating with a foreign
government received during the current calendar year or
either of the 2 preceding calendar years by the witness
or by an entity represented by the witness.
Such statements, with appropriate redactions to protect the
privacy of witnesses, shall be made publicly available in
electronic form not later than 1 day after the witness appears.
(e) Questioning of Witnesses.--Committee or Subcommittee
Members may question witnesses only when they have been
recognized by the Chairman of the Committee or Subcommittee for
that purpose. Each Member so recognized shall be limited to
questioning a witness for 5 minutes until such time as each
Member of the Committee or Subcommittee who so desires has had
an opportunity to question the witness for 5 minutes; and
thereafter the Chairman of the Committee or Subcommittee may
limit the time of a further round of questioning after giving
due consideration to the importance of the subject matter and
the length of time available. All questions put to witnesses
shall be germane to the measure or matter under consideration.
Unless a majority of the Committee or Subcommittee determines
otherwise, no Committee or Subcommittee staff shall interrogate
witnesses.
(f) Extended Questioning for Designated Members.--
Notwithstanding paragraph (e), the Chairman and Ranking
Minority Member may designate an equal number of Members from
each party to question a witness for a period not longer than
60 minutes.
(g) Witnesses for the Minority.--When any hearing is
conducted by the Committee or any Subcommittee upon any measure
or matter, the minority party Members on the Committee or
Subcommittee shall be entitled, upon request to the Chairman by
a majority of those minority Members before the completion of
such hearing, to call witnesses selected by the minority to
testify with respect to that measure or matter during at least
1 day of hearing thereon as provided in clause 2(j)(1) of House
Rule XI.
(h) Summary of Subject Matter.--Upon announcement of a
hearing, to the extent practicable, the Committee shall make
available immediately to all Members of the Committee a concise
summary of the subject matter (including legislative reports
and other material) under consideration. In addition, upon
announcement of a hearing and subsequently as they are
received, the Chairman of the Committee or Subcommittee shall,
to the extent practicable, make available to the Members of the
Committee any official reports from departments and agencies on
such matter. (See paragraph (f) of Committee Rule XI.)
(i) Open Hearings.--Each hearing conducted by the Committee
or Subcommittee shall be open to the public, including radio,
television, and still photography coverage, except as provided
in clause 4 of House Rule XI (See also paragraph (b) of
Committee Rule III.). In any event, no Member of the House may
be excluded from nonparticipatory attendance at any hearing
unless the House by majority vote shall authorize the Committee
or Subcommittee, for purposes of a particular series of
hearings on a particular bill or resolution or on a particular
subject of investigation, to close its hearings to Members by
means of the above procedure.
(j) Hearings and Reports.--(1)(i) The Chairman of the
Committee or Subcommittee at a hearing shall announce in an
opening statement the subject of the investigation. A copy of
the Committee Rules (and the applicable provisions of clause 2
of House Rule XI, regarding hearing procedures, an excerpt of
which appears in Appendix A thereto) shall be made available to
each witness upon request. Witnesses at hearings may be
accompanied by their own counsel for the purpose of advising
them concerning their constitutional rights. The Chairman of
the Committee or Subcommittee may punish breaches of order and
decorum, and of professional ethics on the part of counsel, by
censure and exclusion from the hearings; but only the full
Committee may cite the offender to the House for contempt.
(ii) Whenever it is asserted by a Member of the Committee
that the evidence or testimony at a hearing may tend to defame,
degrade, or incriminate any person, or it is asserted by a
witness that the evidence or testimony that the witness would
give at a hearing may tend to defame, degrade, or incriminate
the witness, such testimony or evidence shall be presented in
executive session, notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph
(i) of this rule, if by a majority of those present, there
being in attendance the requisite number required under the
Rules of the Committee to be present for the purpose of taking
testimony, the Committee or Subcommittee determines that such
evidence or testimony may tend to defame, degrade, or
incriminate any person. The Committee or Subcommittee shall
afford a person an opportunity voluntarily to appear as a
witness; and the Committee or Subcommittee shall receive and
shall dispose of requests from such person to subpoena
additional witnesses.
(iii) No evidence or testimony taken in executive session
may be released or used in public sessions without the consent
of the Committee or Subcommittee. In the discretion of the
Committee or Subcommittee, witnesses may submit brief and
pertinent statements in writing for inclusion in the record.
The Committee or Subcommittee is the sole judge of the
pertinence of testimony and evidence adduced at its hearings. A
witness may obtain a transcribed copy of his or her testimony
given at a public session. If given at an executive session, a
transcribed copy of testimony may be obtained when authorized
by the Committee or Subcommittee. (See paragraph (c) of
Committee Rule V.)
(2) 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) in advance of their consideration.
Rule IX.--The Reporting of Bills and Resolutions
(a) Filing of Reports.--The Chairman shall report or cause
to be reported promptly to the House any bill, resolution, or
other measure approved by the Committee and shall take or cause
to be taken all necessary steps to bring such bill, resolution,
or other measure to a vote. No bill, resolution, or measure
shall be reported from the Committee unless a majority of the
Committee is actually present. A Committee report on any bill,
resolution, or other measure approved by the Committee shall be
filed within 7 calendar days (not counting days on which the
House is not in session) after the day on which there has been
filed with the Majority Staff Director of the Committee a
written request, signed by a majority of the Committee, for the
reporting of that bill or resolution. The Majority Staff
Director of the Committee shall notify the Chairman immediately
when such a request is filed.
(b) Content of Reports.--Each Committee report on any bill
or resolution approved by the Committee shall include as
separately identified sections:
(1) a statement of the intent or purpose of the bill
or resolution;
(2) a statement describing the need for such bill or
resolution;
(3) a statement of Committee and Subcommittee
consideration of the measure, including a summary of
amendments and motions offered and the actions taken
thereon;
(4) the results of each record vote on any amendment
in the Committee and Subcommittee and on the motion to
report the measure or matter, including the total
number of votes cast for and against, and the names of
Members voting for and against such amendment or motion
(See clause 3(b) of House Rule XIII);
(5) the oversight findings and recommendations of the
Committee with respect to the subject matter of the
bill or resolution, as required pursuant to clause
3(c)(1) of House Rule XIII and clause 2(b)(1) of House
Rule X;
(6) the detailed statement described in House Rule
XIII clause 3(c)(2) and section 308(a) of the
Congressional Budget Act of 1974 if the bill or
resolution provides new budget authority (other than
continuing appropriations), new spending authority
described in section 401(c)(2) of such Act, new credit
authority, or an increase or decrease in revenues or
tax expenditures, except that the estimates with
respect to new budget authority shall include, when
practicable, a comparison of the total estimated
funding level for the relevant program (or programs) to
the appropriate levels under current law;
(7) the estimate of costs and comparison of such
estimates, if any, prepared by the Director of the
Congressional Budget Office in connection with such
bill or resolution pursuant to section 402 of the
Congressional Budget Act of 1974 if submitted in timely
fashion to the Committee;
(8) a statement of general performance goals and
objectives, including outcome-related goals and
objectives, for which the measure authorizes funding;
(9) an estimate by the Committee of the costs that
would be incurred in carrying out the bill or joint
resolution in the fiscal year in which it is reported
and in each of the five fiscal years following that
fiscal year (or for the authorized duration of any
program authorized by the bill or joint resolution if
less than five years) (see clause 3(d)(1) of House Rule
XIII), together with--(i) a comparison of these
estimates with those made and submitted to the
Committee by any Government agency when practicable and
(ii) a comparison of the total estimated funding level
for the relevant program (or programs) with appropriate
levels under current law (The provisions of this clause
do not apply if a cost estimate and comparison prepared
by the Director of the Congressional Budget Office
under section 402 of the Congressional Budget Act of
1974 has been timely submitted prior to the filing of
the report and included in the report);
(10) a list of congressional earmarks, limited tax
benefits, and limited tariff benefits in the bill or in
the report (and the name of any Member, Delegate, or
Resident Commissioner who submitted a request to the
Committee for each respective item included in such
list) or a statement that the proposition contains no
congressional earmarks, limited tax benefits, or
limited tariff benefits;
(11) the changes in existing law (if any) shown in
accordance with clause 3 of House Rule XIII;
(12) the determination required pursuant to section
5(b) of P.L. 92-463, if the legislation reported
establishes or authorizes the establishment of an
advisory committee;
(13) the information on Federal and intergovernmental
mandates required by section 423(c) and (d) of the
Congressional Budget Act of 1974, as added by the
Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (P.L. 104-4);
(14) a statement regarding the applicability of
section 102(b)(3) of the Congressional Accountability
Act (P.L. 104-1);
(15) a statement indicating whether any provision of
the measure establishes or reauthorizes a program of
the Federal Government known to be duplicative of
another Federal program. The Statement shall at a
minimum explain whether--
(A) any such program was included in any
report from the Government Accountability
Office to Congress pursuant to section 21 of
P.L. 111-139; or
(B) the most recent catalog of Federal
Domestic Assistance, published pursuant to the
Federal Program Information Act (P.L. 95-220,
as amended by P.L. 98-169), identified other
programs related to the program established or
reauthorized by the measure; and
(16) a statement estimating the number of directed
rule makings required by the measure.
(c) Supplemental, Minority, Additional, or Dissenting
Views.--If, at the time of approval of any measure or matter by
the Committee, any Member of the Committee gives notice of
intention to file supplemental, minority, additional, or
dissenting views, all Members shall be entitled to not less
than 2 subsequent calendar days (excluding Saturdays, Sundays,
and legal holidays except when the House is in session on such
date) in which to file such writing and signed views with the
Majority Staff Director of the Committee. When time guaranteed
by this paragraph has expired (or, if sooner, when all separate
views have been received), the Committee may arrange to file
its report with the Clerk of the House not later than 1 hour
after the expiration of such time. All such views (in
accordance with clause 2(l) of House Rule XI and clause 3(a)(1)
of House Rule XIII), as filed by one or more Members of the
Committee, shall be included within and made a part of the
report filed by the Committee with respect to that bill or
resolution.
(d) Printing of Reports.--The report of the Committee on
the measure or matter noted in paragraph (a) above shall be
printed in a single volume, which shall:
(1) include all supplemental, minority, additional,
or dissenting views that have been submitted by the
time of the filing of the report; and (2) bear on its
cover a recital that any such supplemental, minority,
additional, or dissenting views (and any material
submitted under clause 3(a)(1) of House Rule XII) are
included as part of the report.
(e) Immediate Printing; Supplemental Reports.-- Nothing in
this rule shall preclude--
(1) the immediate filing or printing of a Committee
report unless timely request for the opportunity to
file supplemental, minority, additional, or dissenting
views has been made as provided by paragraph (c); or
(2) the filing by the Committee of any supplemental
report on any bill or resolution that may be required
for the correction of any technical error in a previous
report made by the Committee on that bill or
resolution.
(f) Availability of Printed Hearing Records.--If hearings
have been held on any reported bill or resolution, the
Committee shall make every reasonable effort to have the record
of such hearings printed and available for distribution to the
Members of the House prior to the consideration of such bill or
resolution by the House. Each printed hearing of the Committee
or any of its subcommittees shall include a record of the
attendance of the Members.
(g) Committee Prints.--All Committee or Subcommittee prints
or other Committee or Subcommittee documents, other than
reports or prints of bills, that are prepared for public
distribution shall be approved by the Chairman of the Committee
or the Committee prior to public distribution.
(h) Post Adjournment Filing of Committee Reports.--(1)
After an adjournment of the last regular session of a Congress
sine die, an investigative or oversight report approved by the
Committee may be filed with the Clerk at any time, provided
that if a Member gives notice at the time of approval of
intention to file supplemental, minority, additional, or
dissenting views, that Member shall be entitled to not less
than 7 calendar days in which to submit such views for
inclusion with the report.
(2) After an adjournment of the last regular session of a
Congress sine die, the Chairman of the Committee may file at
any time with the Clerk the Committee's activity report for
that Congress pursuant to clause 1(d)(1) of House Rule XI
without the approval of the Committee, provided that a copy of
the report has been available to each Member of the Committee
for at least 7 calendar days and the report includes any
supplemental, minority, additional, or dissenting views
submitted by a Member of the Committee.
(i) Conference.--The Chairman is directed to offer a motion
under clause 1 of House Rule XXII whenever the Chairman
considers it appropriate.
Rule X.--Other Committee Activities
(a) Authorization and Oversight Plan.--(1) Not later than
February 15 of the first session of a Congress, the Chairman
shall convene the Committee in a meeting that is open to the
public to adopt its authorization and oversight plan for that
Congress. Such plan shall be submitted simultaneously to the
Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, to the Committee
on House Administration, and the Committee on Appropriations.
(2) Each such plan shall include, with respect to programs
and agencies within the committee's jurisdiction, and to the
maximum extent practicable--
(A) a list of such programs or agencies with lapsed
authorizations that received funding in the prior
fiscal year or, in the case of a program or agency with
a permanent authorization, which has not been subject
to a comprehensive review by the Committee in the prior
three Congresses;
(B) a description of each such program or agency to
be authorized in the current Congress;
(C) a description of each such program or agency to
be authorized in the next Congress, if applicable;
(D) a description of any oversight to support the
authorization of each such program or agency in the
current Congress; and
(E) recommendations for changes to existing law for
moving such programs or agencies from mandatory funding
to discretionary appropriations, where appropriate.
(3) Each such plan may include, with respect to the
programs and agencies within the Committee's jurisdiction,--
(A) recommendations for the consolidation or
termination of such programs or agencies that are
duplicative, unnecessary, or inconsistent with the
appropriate roles and responsibilities of the Federal
Government;
(B) recommendations for changes to existing law
related to Federal rules, regulations, statutes, and
court decisions affecting such programs and agencies
that are inconsistent with the authorities of the
Congress under Article I of the Constitution; and
(C) a description of such other oversight activities
as the Committee may consider necessary.
(4) In the development of such plan, the Chairman of the
Committee shall coordinate with other committees of
jurisdiction to ensure that programs and agencies are subject
to routine, comprehensive authorization efforts.
The Committee and its appropriate subcommittees shall
review and study, on a continuing basis, the impact or probable
impact of tax policies affecting subjects within its
jurisdiction as provided in clause 2(c) of House Rule X. The
Committee shall include in the report filed pursuant to clause
1(d) of House Rule XI separate sections summarizing the
legislative and oversight activities of the Committee under
House Rule X and House Rule XI, a summary of the authorization
and oversight plan submitted by the Committee under clause 2(d)
of House Rule X, a summary of actions taken and recommendations
made with respect to the oversight and authorization plan, and
a summary of any additional oversight activities undertaken by
the Committee and any recommendations made or actions taken
thereon.
(b) Annual Appropriations.--The Committee shall, in its
consideration of all bills and joint resolutions of a public
character within its jurisdiction, ensure that appropriations
for continuing programs and activities of the Federal
government and the District of Columbia government will be made
annually to the maximum extent feasible and consistent with the
nature, requirements, and objectives of the programs and
activities involved. The Committee shall review, from time to
time, each continuing program within its jurisdiction for which
appropriations are not made annually in order to ascertain
whether such program could be modified so that appropriations
therefor would be made annually.
(c) Budget Act Compliance: Views and Estimates (See
Appendix B).--Not later than 6 weeks after the President
submits his budget under section 1105(a) of Title 31, United
States Code, or at such time as the Committee on the Budget may
request, the Committee shall, submit to the Committee on the
Budget (1) its views and estimates with respect to all matters
to be set forth in the concurrent resolution on the budget for
the ensuing fiscal year (under section 301 of the Congressional
Budget Act of 1974) that are within its jurisdiction or
functions; and (2) an estimate of the total amounts of new
budget authority, and budget outlays resulting therefrom, to be
provided or authorized in all bills and resolutions within its
jurisdiction that it intends to be effective during that fiscal
year.
(d) Budget Act Compliance: Recommended Changes.--Whenever
the Committee is directed in a concurrent resolution on the
budget to determine and recommend changes in laws, bills, or
resolutions under the reconciliation process, it shall promptly
make such determination and recommendations and report a
reconciliation bill or resolution (or both) to the House or
submit such recommendations to the Committee on the Budget, in
accordance with the Congressional Budget Act of 1974.
(e) Conference Committees.--Whenever in the legislative
process it becomes necessary to appoint conferees, the Chairman
shall, after consultation with the Ranking Minority Member,
determine the number of conferees the Chairman deems most
suitable and then recommend to the Speaker as conferees, in
keeping with the number to be appointed by the Speaker as
provided in clause 11 of House Rule I, the names of those
Members of the Committee of not less than a majority who
generally supported the House position and who were primarily
responsible for the legislation. The Chairman shall, to the
fullest extent feasible, include those Members of the Committee
who were the principal proponents of the major provisions of
the bill as it passed the House and such other Committee
Members of the majority party as the Chairman may designate in
consultation with the Members of the majority party. Such
recommendations shall provide a ratio of majority party Members
to minority party Members no less favorable to the majority
party than the ratio of majority party Members to minority
party Members on the Committee. In making recommendations of
Minority Party Members as conferees, the Chairman shall consult
with the Ranking Minority Member of the Committee.
(f) Hearing on Waste, Fraud, and Abuse.--(1) The Committee,
or a Subcommittee, shall hold at least one hearing during each
120-day period following the establishment of the Committee on
the topic of waste, fraud, abuse, or mismanagement in
Government programs which the Committee may authorize.
(2) A hearing described in subparagraph (1) shall include a
focus on the most egregious instances of waste, fraud, abuse,
or mismanagement as documented by any report the Committee has
received from a Federal Office of the Inspector General or the
Comptroller General of the United States.
(g) Hearing on Agency Financial Statements.--The Committee
or a Subcommittee, shall hold at least one hearing in any
session in which the Committee has received disclaimers of
agency financial statements from auditors of any Federal agency
that the Committee may authorize to hear testimony on such
disclaimers from representatives of any such agency.
(h) Hearing on GAO High-Risk-List.--The Committee or a
Subcommittee, shall hold at least one hearing on issues raised
by reports issued by the Comptroller General of the United
States indicating that Federal programs or operations that the
Committee may authorize are at high risk for waste, fraud, and
mismanagement, known as the `high-risk-list' or the `high-risk
series'.
(i) Activities Report.--(1) Not later than January 2 of
each odd-numbered year, the Committee shall submit to the House
a report on the activities of the Committee. After adjournment
sine die of the last regular session of a Congress, or after
December 15 of an even-numbered year, whichever occurs first,
the Chair may file the report, a copy of which shall be made
available to each Member of the Committee for at least 7
calendar days, with the Clerk of the House at any time.
(2) Such report shall include separate sections summarizing
the legislative and oversight activities of the Committee
during that Congress.
(3) The oversight section of such report shall include a
summary of the oversight plans submitted by the Committee
pursuant to clause 2(d) of House Rule X, a summary of the
actions taken and recommendations made with respect to each
such plan, and a summary of any additional oversight activities
undertaken by the Committee, and any recommendations made or
actions taken with respect thereto.
Rule XI.--Subcommittees
(a) Number and Composition.--There shall be such
subcommittees as specified in paragraph (c) of this rule. Each
of such subcommittees shall be composed of the number of
Members set forth in paragraph (c) of this rule, including ex
officio Members.\1\ The Chairman may create additional
subcommittees of an ad hoc nature as the Chairman determines to
be appropriate, subject to any limitations provided for in the
House Rules.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ The Chairman and Ranking Minority Member of the Committee serve
as ex officio Members of the Subcommittees. (See paragraph (e) of this
Rule).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
(b) Ratios.--On each Subcommittee, there shall be a ratio
of majority party Members to minority party Members which shall
be consistent with the ratio on the full Committee. In
calculating the ratio of majority party Members to minority
party Members, there shall be included the ex officio Members
of the subcommittees and ratios below reflect that fact.
(c) Jurisdiction.--Each Subcommittee shall have the
following general jurisdiction and number of Members:
General Farm Commodities and Risk Management (23 members, 13 majority
and 10 minority)
Policies, statutes, and markets relating to commodities
including barley, cotton, cottonseed, corn, grain sorghum,
honey, mohair, oats, other oilseeds, peanuts, pulse crops,
rice, soybeans, sugar, wheat, and wool; the Commodity Credit
Corporation; risk management policies and statutes, including
Federal Crop Insurance; producer data and privacy issues.
Commodity Exchanges, Energy, and Credit (16 members, 9 majority and 7
minority)
Policies, statutes, and markets relating to commodity
exchanges; agricultural credit; rural development; energy;
rural electrification.
Conservation and Forestry (16 members, 9 majority and 7 minority)
Policies and statutes relating to resource conservation,
forestry, and all forests under the jurisdiction of the
Committee on Agriculture.
Nutrition (23 members, 13 majority and 10 minority)
Policies and statutes relating to nutrition, including the
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and domestic
commodity distribution and consumer initiatives.
Biotechnology, Horticulture, and Research (16 members, 9 majority and 7
minority)
Policies, statutes, and markets relating to horticulture,
including fruits, vegetables, nuts, and ornamentals; bees; and
organic agriculture; policies and statutes relating to
marketing and promotion orders; pest and disease management;
bioterrorism; adulteration and quarantine matters; research,
education, and extension; and biotechnology.
Livestock and Foreign Agriculture (16 members, 9 majority and 7
minority)
Policies, statutes, and markets relating to all livestock,
poultry, dairy, and seafood, including all products thereof;
the inspection, marketing, and promotion of such commodities
and products; aquaculture; animal welfare; grazing; foreign
agricultural assistance and trade promotion.
(d) Referral of Legislation.--(1)(a) In General.--All
bills, resolutions, and other matters referred to the Committee
shall be referred to all subcommittees of appropriate
jurisdiction within 2 weeks after being referred to the
Committee. After consultation with the Ranking Minority Member,
the Chairman may determine that the Committee will consider
certain bills, resolutions, or other matters.
(b) Trade Matters.--Unless action is otherwise taken under
subparagraph (3), bills, resolutions, and other matters
referred to the Committee relating to foreign agriculture,
foreign food or commodity assistance, and foreign trade and
marketing issues will be considered by the Committee.
(2) The Chairman, by a majority vote of the Committee, may
discharge a Subcommittee from further consideration of any
bill, resolution, or other matter referred to the Subcommittee
and have such bill, resolution, or other matter considered by
the Committee. The Committee having referred a bill,
resolution, or other matter to a Subcommittee in accordance
with this rule may discharge such Subcommittee from further
consideration thereof at any time by a vote of the majority
Members of the Committee for the Committee's direct
consideration or for reference to another Subcommittee.
(3) Unless the Committee, a quorum being present, decides
otherwise by a majority vote, the Chairman may refer bills,
resolutions, legislation, or other matters not specifically
within the jurisdiction of a Subcommittee, or that is within
the jurisdiction of more than one Subcommittee, jointly or
exclusively as the Chairman deems appropriate, including
concurrently to the subcommittees with jurisdiction,
sequentially to the subcommittees with jurisdiction (subject to
any time limits deemed appropriate), divided by subject matter
among the subcommittees with jurisdiction, or to an ad hoc
subcommittee appointed by the Chairman for the purpose of
considering the matter and reporting to the Committee thereon,
or make such other provisions deemed appropriate.
(e) Participation and Service of Committee Members on
Subcommittees.--(1) The Chairman and the Ranking Minority
Member shall serve as ex officio Members of all subcommittees
and shall have the right to vote on all matters before the
subcommittees. The Chairman and the Ranking Minority Member may
not be counted for the purpose of establishing a quorum.
(2) Any Member of the Committee who is not a Member of the
Subcommittee may have the privilege of sitting and
nonparticipatory attendance at Subcommittee hearings or
meetings in accordance with clause 2(g)(2) of House Rule XI.
Such Member may not:
(i) vote on any matter;
(ii) be counted for the purpose of a establishing a
quorum;
(iii) participate in questioning a witness under the
5-Minute Rule, unless permitted to do so by the
Subcommittee Chairman in consultation with the Ranking
Minority Member or a majority of the Subcommittee, a
quorum being present;
(iv) raise points of order; or
(v) offer amendments or motions.
(f) Subcommittee Hearings and Meetings.--(1) Each
Subcommittee is authorized to meet, hold hearings, receive
evidence, and make recommendations to the Committee on all
matters referred to it or under its jurisdiction after
consultation by the Subcommittee Chairman with the Committee
Chairman. (See Committee Rule VIII.)
(2) After consultation with the Committee Chairman,
Subcommittee Chairmen shall set dates for hearings and meetings
of their subcommittees and shall request the Majority Staff
Director to make any announcement relating thereto. (See
paragraph (b) of Committee Rule VIII.) In setting the dates,
the Committee Chairman and Subcommittee Chairman shall consult
with other Subcommittee Chairmen and relevant Committee and
Subcommittee Ranking Minority Members in an effort to avoid
simultaneously scheduling Committee and Subcommittee meetings
or hearings to the extent practicable.
(3) Notice of all Subcommittee meetings shall be provided
to the Chairman and the Ranking Minority Member of the
Committee by the Majority Staff Director.
(4) Subcommittees may hold meetings or hearings outside of
the House if the Chairman of the Committee and other
Subcommittee Chairmen and the Ranking Minority Member of the
Subcommittee is consulted in advance to ensure that there is no
scheduling problem. However, the majority of the Committee may
authorize such meeting or hearing.
(5) The provisions regarding notice and the agenda of
Committee meetings under paragraph (a) of Committee Rule II and
special or additional meetings under paragraph (b) of Committee
Rule II shall apply to Subcommittee meetings.
(6) If a vacancy occurs in a Subcommittee chairmanship, the
Chairman may set the dates for hearings and meetings of the
Subcommittee during the period of vacancy. The Chairman may
also appoint an acting Subcommittee Chairman until the vacancy
is filled.
(g) Subcommittee Action.--(1) Any bill, resolution,
recommendation, or other matter forwarded to the Committee by a
Subcommittee shall be promptly forwarded by the Subcommittee
Chairman or any Subcommittee Member authorized to do so by the
Subcommittee.
(2) Upon receipt of such recommendation, the Majority Staff
Director of the Committee shall promptly advise all Members of
the Committee of the Subcommittee action.
(3) The Committee shall not consider any matters
recommended by subcommittees until 2 calendar days have elapsed
from the date of action, unless the Chairman or a majority of
the Committee determines otherwise.
(h) Subcommittee Investigations.--No investigation shall be
initiated by a Subcommittee without prior consultation with the
Chairman of the Committee or a majority of the Committee.
Rule XII.--Committee Budget, Staff, and Travel
(a) Committee Budget.--The Chairman, in consultation with
the majority Members of the Committee and the minority Members
of the Committee, shall prepare a preliminary budget for each
session of the Congress. Such budget shall include necessary
amounts for staff personnel, travel, investigation, and other
expenses of the Committee and subcommittees. After consultation
with the Ranking Minority Member, the Chairman shall include an
amount budgeted to minority Members for staff under their
direction and supervision. Thereafter, the Chairman shall
combine such proposals into a consolidated Committee budget and
shall take whatever action is necessary to have such budget
duly authorized by the House.
(b) Committee Staff.--(1) The Chairman shall appoint and
determine the remuneration of, and may remove, the professional
and clerical employees of the Committee not assigned to the
minority. The professional and clerical staff of the Committee
not assigned to the minority shall be under the general
supervision and direction of the Chairman, who shall establish
and assign the duties and responsibilities of such staff
members and delegate such authority as he or she determines
appropriate. (See clause 9 of House Rule X.)
(2) The Ranking Minority Member of the Committee shall
appoint and determine the remuneration of, and may remove, the
professional and clerical staff assigned to the minority within
the budget approved for such purposes. The professional and
clerical staff assigned to the minority shall be under the
general supervision and direction of the Ranking Minority
Member of the Committee who may delegate such authority as he
or she determines appropriate.
(3) From the funds made available for the appointment of
Committee staff pursuant to any primary or additional expense
resolution, the Chairman shall ensure that each Subcommittee is
adequately funded and staffed to discharge its responsibilities
and that the minority party is fairly treated in the
appointment of such staff (See clause 6(d) of House Rule X).
(c) Committee Travel.--(1) Consistent with the primary
expense resolution and such additional expense resolution as
may have been approved, the provisions of this rule shall
govern official travel of Committee Members and Committee staff
regarding domestic and foreign travel (See clause 8 of House
Rule X). Official travel for any Member or any Committee staff
member shall be paid only upon the prior authorization of the
Chairman. Official travel may be authorized by the Chairman for
any Committee Member and any Committee staff member in
connection with the attendance of hearings conducted by the
Committee and its subcommittees and meetings, conferences,
facility inspections, and investigations which involve
activities or subject matter relevant to the general
jurisdiction of the Committee. Before such authorization is
given there shall be submitted to the Chairman in writing the
following:
(i) The purpose of the official travel;
(ii) The dates during which the official travel is to
be made and the date or dates of the event for which
the official travel is being made;
(iii) The location of the event for which the
official travel is to be made; and
(iv) The names of Members and Committee staff seeking
authorization.
(2) In the case of official travel of Members and staff of
a Subcommittee to hearings, meetings, conferences, facility
inspections, and investigations involving activities or subject
matter under the jurisdiction of such Subcommittee to be paid
for out of funds allocated to the Committee, prior
authorization must be obtained from the Subcommittee Chairman
and the full Committee Chairman. Such prior authorization shall
be given by the Chairman only upon the representation by the
applicable Subcommittee Chairman in writing setting forth those
items enumerated in clause (1).
(3) Within 60 days of the conclusion of any official travel
authorized under this rule, there shall be submitted to the
Committee Chairman a written report covering the information
gained as a result of the hearing, meeting, conference,
facility inspection, or investigation attended pursuant to such
official travel.
(4) Local currencies owned by the United States shall be
made available to the Committee and its employees engaged in
carrying out their official duties outside the United States,
its territories or possessions. No appropriated funds shall be
expended for the purpose of defraying expenses of Members of
the Committee or its employees in any country where local
currencies are available for this purpose, and the following
conditions shall apply with respect to their use of such
currencies;
(i) No Member or employee of the Committee shall
receive or expend local currencies for subsistence in
any country at a rate in excess of the maximum per diem
rate set forth in applicable Federal law; and
(ii) Each Member or employee of the Committee shall
make an itemized report to the Chairman within 60 days
following the completion of travel showing the dates
each country was visited, the amount of per diem
furnished, the cost of transportation furnished, and
any funds expended for any other official purpose, and
shall summarize in these categories the total foreign
currencies and appropriated funds expended. All such
individual reports shall be filed by the Chairman with
the Committee on House Administration and shall be open
to public inspection.
Rule XIII.--Amendment of Rules
These Rules may be amended by a majority vote of the
Committee. A proposed change in these Rules shall not be
considered by the Committee as provided in clause 2 of House
Rule XI, unless written notice of the proposed change has been
provided to each Committee Member 2 legislative days in advance
of the date on which the matter is to be considered. Any such
change in the Rules of the Committee shall be published in the
Congressional Record within 30 calendar days after its
approval.
Committee on Appropriations
RODNEY P. FRELINGHUYSEN, New
Jersey, Chairman
NITA M. LOWEY, New York HAROLD ROGERS, Kentucky
MARCY KAPTUR, Ohio ROBERT B. ADERHOLT, Alabama
PETER J. VISCLOSKY, Indiana KAY GRANGER, Texas
JOSE E. SERRANO, New York MICHAEL K. SIMPSON, Idaho
ROSA L. DeLAURO, Connecticut JOHN ABNEY CULBERSON, Texas
DAVID E. PRICE, North Carolina JOHN R. CARTER, Texas
LUCILLE ROYBAL-ALLARD, California KEN CALVERT, California
SANFORD D. BISHOP, Jr., Georgia TOM COLE, Oklahoma
BARBARA LEE, California MARIO DIAZ-BALART, Florida
BETTY McCOLLUM, Minnesota CHARLES W. DENT, Pennsylvania
TIM RYAN, Ohio TOM GRAVES, Georgia
C. A. DUTCH RUPPERSBERGER, Maryland KEVIN YODER, Kansas
DEBBIE WASSERMAN SCHULTZ, Florida STEVE WOMACK, Arkansas
HENRY CUELLAR, Texas JEFF FORTENBERRY, Nebraska
CHELLIE PINGREE, Maine THOMAS J. ROONEY, Florida
MIKE QUIGLEY, Illinois CHARLES J. ``CHUCK'' FLEISCHMANN,
DEREK KILMER, Washington Tennessee
MATT CARTWRIGHT, Pennsylvania JAIME HERRERA BEUTLER, Washington
GRACE MENG, New York DAVID P. JOYCE, Ohio
MARK POCAN, Wisconsin DAVID G. VALADAO, California
ANDY HARRIS, Maryland MARTHA ROBY, Alabama
KATHERINE CLARK, Massachusetts MARK E. AMODEI, Nevada
PETE AGUILAR, California CHRIS STEWART, Utah
DAVID YOUNG, Iowa
EVAN H. JENKINS, West Virginia
STEVEN M. PALAZZO, Mississippi
DAN NEWHOUSE, Washington
JOHN MOOLENAAR, Michigan
SCOTT TAYLOR, Virginia
(As adopted January 24, 2017)
RULES OF THE COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS 115TH CONGRESS
RESOLVED, That the rules and practices of the Committee on
Appropriations, House of Representatives, in the One Hundred
Fourteenth Congress, except as otherwise provided hereinafter,
shall be and are hereby adopted as the rules and practices of
the Committee on Appropriations in the One Hundred Fifteenth
Congress.
The foregoing resolution adopts the following rules:
Sec. 1: Power To Sit and Act
(a) For the purpose of carrying out any of its functions
and duties under rules X and XI of the Rules of the House of
Representatives, the Committee and each of its subcommittees is
authorized:
(1) To sit and act at such times and places within
the United States whether the House is in session, has
recessed, or has adjourned, and to hold such hearings
as it deems necessary; and
(2) To require, by subpoena or otherwise, the
attendance and testimony of such witnesses and the
production of such books, reports, correspondence,
memorandums, papers, and documents as it deems
necessary.
(b) The Chairman, or any Member designated by the Chairman,
may administer oaths to any witness.
(c) A subpoena may be authorized and issued by the
Committee or its subcommittees under subsection (a)(2) in the
conduct of any investigation or activity or series of
investigations or activities, only when authorized by a
majority of the Members of the Committee voting, a majority
being present. The power to authorize and issue subpoenas under
subsection (a)(2) may be delegated to the Chairman pursuant to
such rules and under such limitations as the Committee may
prescribe. Authorized subpoenas shall be signed by the Chairman
or by any Member designated by the Committee.
(d) Compliance with any subpoena issued by the Committee or
its subcommittees may be enforced only as authorized or
directed by the House.
Sec. 2: Subcommittees
(a) The Majority Caucus of the Committee shall establish
the number of subcommittees and shall determine the
jurisdiction of each subcommittee.
(b) Each subcommittee is authorized to meet, hold hearings,
receive evidence, and report to the Committee all matters
referred to it.
(c) All legislation and other matters referred to the
Committee shall be referred to the subcommittee of appropriate
jurisdiction within two weeks unless, by majority vote of the
Majority Members of the full Committee, consideration is to be
by the full Committee.
(d) The Majority Caucus of the Committee shall determine an
appropriate ratio of Majority to Minority Members for each
subcommittee. The Chairman is authorized to negotiate that
ratio with the Minority; Provided, however, That party
representation in each subcommittee, including ex-officio
members, shall be no less favorable to the Majority than the
ratio for the full Committee.
(e) The Chairman and Ranking Minority Member of the full
Committee are each authorized to sit as a member of all
subcommittees and to participate, including voting, in all of
the work of the subcommittees.
Sec. 3: Staffing
(a) Committee Staff.--The Chairman is authorized to appoint
the staff of the Committee, and make adjustments in the job
titles and compensation thereof subject to the maximum rates
and conditions established in clause 9(c) of rule X of the
Rules of the House of Representatives. In addition, he is
authorized, in his discretion, to arrange for their specialized
training. The Chairman is also authorized to employ additional
personnel as necessary.
(b) Assistants to Members.--
(1) Each chairman and ranking minority member of a
subcommittee or the full Committee, including a
Chairman Emeritus, may select and designate one staff
member who shall serve at the pleasure of that Member.
(2) Notwithstanding (b)(1), the Chairman may
prescribe such terms and conditions necessary to
achieve a reduction in the number of Assistants to
Members previously designated by a Member of the
Committee prior to the adoption of the Rules of the
House establishing the Committee for the 112th
Congress.
(3) Staff members designated under this subsection
shall be compensated at a rate, determined by the
Member, not to exceed 75 per centum of the maximum
established in clause 9(c) of Rule X of the Rules of
the House of Representatives.
(4) Members designating staff members under this
subsection must specifically certify by letter to the
Chairman that the employees are needed and will be
utilized for Committee work.
Sec. 4: Committee Meetings
(a) Regular Meeting Day.--The regular meeting day of the
Committee shall be the first Wednesday of each month while the
House is in session if notice is given pursuant to paragraph
(d)(3).
(b) Additional and Special Meetings.--
(1) The Chairman may call and convene, as he
considers necessary, additional meetings of the
Committee for the consideration of any bill or
resolution pending before the Committee or for the
conduct of other Committee business. The Committee
shall meet for such purpose pursuant to that call of
the Chairman.
(2) If at least three Committee Members desire that a
special meeting of the Committee be called by the
Chairman, those Members may file in the Committee
Offices a written request to the Chairman for that
special meeting. Such request shall specify the measure
or matter to be considered. Upon the filing of the
request, the Committee Clerk shall notify the Chairman.
(3) If within three calendar days after the filing of
the request, the Chairman does not call the requested
special meeting to be held within seven calendar days
after the filing of the request, a majority of the
Committee Members may file in the Committee Offices
their written notice that a special meeting will be
held, specifying the date and hour of such meeting, and
the measure or matter to be considered. The Committee
shall meet on that date and hour.
(4) Immediately upon the filing of the notice, the
Committee Clerk shall notify all Committee Members that
such special meeting will be held and inform them of
its date and hour and the measure or matter to be
considered. Such notice shall also be made publicly
available in electronic form and shall be deemed to
satisfy paragraph (d)(3). Only the measure or matter
specified in that notice may be considered at the
special meeting.
(c) Vice Chairman To Preside in Absence of Chairman.--A
member of the majority party on the Committee or subcommittee
thereof designated by the chairman of the full Committee shall
be vice chairman of the Committee or subcommittee, as the case
may be, and shall preside at any meeting during the temporary
absence of the chairman. If the chairman and vice chairman of
the Committee or subcommittee are not present at any meeting of
the Committee or subcommittee, the ranking member of the
majority party who is present shall preside at that meeting.
(d) Business Meetings.--
(1) Each meeting for the transaction of business,
including the markup of legislation, of the Committee
and its subcommittees shall be open to the public
except when the Committee or the subcommittee
concerned, in open session and with a majority present,
determines by roll call vote that all or part of the
remainder of the meeting on that day shall be closed.
(2) No person other than Committee Members and such
congressional staff and departmental representatives as
they may authorize shall be present at any business or
markup session which has been closed.
(3) The Chairman shall announce the date, place, and
subject matter of each committee meeting for the
transaction of business, which may not commence earlier
than the third day on which members have notice
thereof, unless the Chairman, with the concurrence of
the Ranking Minority Member, or the Committee by
majority vote with a quorum present for the transaction
of business, determines there is good cause to begin
the meeting sooner, in which case the Chairman shall
make the announcement at the earliest possible date. An
announcement shall be published promptly in the Daily
Digest and made publicly available in electronic form.
(4) At least 24 hours prior to the commencement of a
meeting for the markup of a bill or resolution, or at
the time an announcement is made pursuant to the
preceding subparagraph within 24 hours before such
meeting, the Chairman shall cause the text of such bill
or resolution to be made publicly available in
electronic form.
(e) Committee Records.--
(1) The Committee shall keep a complete record of all
Committee action, including a record of the votes on
any question on which a roll call is taken. The result
of each roll call vote shall be available for
inspection by the public during regular business hours
in the Committee Offices and also made available in
electronic form within 48 hours of such record vote.
The information made available for public inspection
shall include a description of the amendment, motion,
or other proposition, and the name of each Member
voting for and each Member voting against, and the
names of those Members present but not voting.
(2) Committee records (including hearings, data,
charts, and files) shall be kept separate and distinct
from the congressional office records of the Chairman
of the Committee. Such records shall be the property of
the House, and all Members of the House shall have
access thereto.
(3) The records of the Committee at the National
Archives and Records Administration shall be made
available in accordance with rule VII of the Rules of
the House, except that the Committee authorizes use of
any record to which clause 3 (b)(4) of rule VII of the
Rules of the House would otherwise apply after such
record has been in existence for 20 years. The Chairman
shall notify the Ranking Minority Member of any
decision, pursuant to clause 3 (b)(3) or clause 4 (b)
of rule VII of the Rules of the House, to withhold a
record otherwise available, and the matter shall be
presented to the Committee for a determination upon the
written request of any Member of the Committee.
(f) Availability of Amendments Adopted--Not later
than 24 hours after the adoption of an amendment to a
bill or resolution, the Chairman shall cause the text
of any amendment adopted thereto to be made publicly
available in electronic form.
Sec. 5: Committee and Subcommittee Hearings
(a) Overall Budget Hearings.--Overall budget hearings by
the Committee, including the hearing required by section 242
(c) of the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1970 and clause 4
(a)(1) of rule X of the Rules of the House of Representatives,
shall be conducted in open session except when the Committee in
open session and with a majority present, determines by roll
call vote that the testimony to be taken at that hearing on
that day may be related to a matter of national security;
except that the Committee may by the same procedure close one
subsequent day of hearing. A transcript of all such hearings
shall be printed and a copy furnished to each Member, Delegate,
and the Resident Commissioner from Puerto Rico.
(b) Other Hearings.--
(1) All other hearings conducted by the Committee or
its subcommittees shall be open to the public except
when the Committee or subcommittee in open session and
with a majority present determines by roll call vote
that all or part of the remainder of that hearing on
that day shall be closed to the public because
disclosure of testimony, evidence, or other matters to
be considered would endanger the national security or
would violate any law or Rule of the House of
Representatives. Notwithstanding the requirements of
the preceding sentence, a majority of those present at
a hearing conducted by the Committee or any of its
subcommittees, there being in attendance the number
required under section 5 (c) of these rules to be
present for the purpose of taking testimony, (1) may
vote to close the hearing for the sole purpose of
discussing whether testimony or evidence to be received
would endanger the national security or violate clause
2 (k)(5) of rule XI of the Rules of the House of
Representatives or (2) may vote to close the hearing,
as provided in clause 2 (k)(5) of such rule. No Member
of the House of Representatives may be excluded from
nonparticipatory attendance at any hearing of the
Committee or its subcommittees unless the House of
Representatives shall by majority vote authorize the
Committee or any of its subcommittees, for purposes of
a particular series of hearings on a particular article
of legislation or on a particular subject of
investigation, to close its hearings to Members by the
same procedures designated in this subsection for
closing hearings to the public; Provided, however, That
the Committee or its subcommittees may by the same
procedure vote to close five subsequent days of
hearings.
(2) Subcommittee chairmen shall coordinate the
development of schedules for meetings or hearings after
consultation with the Chairman and other subcommittee
chairmen with a view toward avoiding simultaneous
scheduling of Committee and subcommittee meetings or
hearings.
(3) Each witness who is to appear before the
Committee or any of its subcommittees as the case may
be, insofar as is practicable, shall file in advance of
such appearance, a written statement of the proposed
testimony and shall limit the oral presentation at such
appearance to a brief summary, except that this
provision shall not apply to any witness appearing
before the Committee in the overall budget hearings.
(4) Each witness appearing in a nongovernmental
capacity before the Committee, or any of its
subcommittees as the case may be, shall to the greatest
extent practicable, submit a written statement
including 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), or contracts or payments
originating from a foreign government, received during
the current fiscal year or either of the two previous
fiscal years by the witness or by an entity represented
by the witness and related to the subject matter of the
hearing. Such statements, with appropriate redactions
to protect the privacy of witnesses, shall be made
publicly available in electronic form not later than
one day after the witness appears. The disclosure
referred to in this paragraph shall include the amount
and source of each Federal grant (or subgrant thereof)
or contract (or subcontract thereof) related to the
subject matter of the hearing, and the amount and
country of origin of any payment or contract related to
the subject matter of the hearing originating with a
foreign government.
(c) Quorum for Taking Testimony.--The number of Members of
the Committee which shall constitute a quorum for taking
testimony and receiving evidence in any hearing of the
Committee shall be two.
(d) Calling and Interrogation of Witnesses.--
(1) The Minority Members of the Committee or its
subcommittees shall be entitled, upon request to the
Chairman or subcommittee chairman, by a majority of
them before completion of any hearing, to call
witnesses selected by the Minority to testify with
respect to the matter under consideration during at
least one day of hearings thereon.
(2) The Committee and its subcommittees shall observe
the five-minute rule during the interrogation of
witnesses until such time as each Member of the
Committee or subcommittee who so desires has had an
opportunity to question the witness.
(e) Broadcasting and Photographing of Committee Meetings
and Hearings.--Whenever a hearing or meeting conducted by the
full Committee or any of its subcommittees is open to the
public, those proceedings shall be open to coverage by
television, radio, and still photography, and shall be
conducted in accordance with the requirements set forth in
clause (4)(f) of rule XI of the Rules of the House of
Representatives. Neither the full Committee Chairman or
subcommittee chairman shall limit the number of television or
still cameras to fewer than two representatives from each
medium (except for legitimate space or safety, in which case
pool coverage shall be authorized). To the maximum practicable,
the Committee shall provide audio and video coverage of each
hearing or meeting for the transaction of business in a manner
that allows the public to easily listen to and view the
proceedings and shall maintain the recordings of such coverage
in a manner that is easily accessible to the public.
(f) Subcommittee Meetings.--No subcommittee shall sit while
the House is reading an appropriation measure for amendment
under the five-minute rule or while the Committee is in
session.
(g) Public Notice of Committee Hearings.--The Chairman of
the Committee shall make public announcement of the date,
place, and subject matter of any Committee or subcommittee
hearing at least one week before the commencement of the
hearing. If the Chairman of the Committee or subcommittee, with
the concurrence of the ranking minority member of the Committee
or respective subcommittee, determines there is good cause to
begin the hearing sooner, or if the Committee or subcommittee
so determines by majority vote, a quorum being present for the
transaction of business, the Chairman or subcommittee chairman
shall make the announcement at the earliest possible date. Any
announcement made under this subsection shall be promptly
published in the Daily Digest and made publicly available in
electronic form.
Sec. 6: Procedures for Reporting Bills and Resolutions
(a) Prompt Reporting Requirement.--
(1) It shall be the duty of the Chairman to report,
or cause to be reported promptly to the House any bill
or resolution approved by the Committee and to take or
cause to be taken necessary steps to bring the matter
to a vote.
(2) In any event, a report on a bill or resolution
which the Committee has approved shall be filed within
seven calendar days (exclusive of days in which the
House is not in session) after the day on which there
has been filed with the Committee Clerk a written
request, signed by a majority of Committee Members, for
the reporting of such bill or resolution. Upon the
filing of any such request, the Committee Clerk shall
notify the Chairman immediately of the filing of the
request. This subsection does not apply to the
reporting of a regular appropriation bill or to the
reporting of a resolution of inquiry addressed to the
head of an executive department.
(b) Presence of Committee Majority.--No measure or
recommendation shall be reported from the Committee unless a
majority of the Committee was actually present.
(c) Roll Call Votes.--With respect to each roll call vote
on a motion to report any measure or matter of a public
character, and on any amendment offered to the measure of
matter, the total number of votes cast for and against, and the
names of those Members voting for and against, shall be
included in the Committee report on the measure or matter.
(d) Compliance With Congressional Budget Act.--A Committee
report on a bill or resolution which has been approved by the
Committee shall include the statement required by section
308(a) of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974, separately set
out and clearly identified, if the bill or resolution provides
new budget authority.
(e) Changes in Existing Law.--Each Committee report on a
general appropriation bill shall contain a concise statement
describing fully the effect of any provision of the bill which
directly or indirectly changes the application of existing law.
(f) Rescissions and Transfers.--Each bill or resolution
reported by the Committee shall include separate headings for
rescissions and transfers of unexpended balances with all
proposed rescissions and transfers listed therein. The report
of the Committee accompanying such a bill or resolution shall
include a separate section with respect to such rescissions or
transfers.
(g) Listing of Unauthorized Appropriations.--Each Committee
report on a general appropriation bill shall contain a list of
all appropriations contained in the bill for any expenditure
not currently authorized by law for the period concerned
(except for classified intelligence or national security
programs, projects, or activities) along with a statement of
the last year for which such expenditures were authorized, the
level of expenditures authorized for that year, the actual
level of expenditures for that year, and the level of
appropriations in the bill for such expenditures.
(h) Duplicative Programs.--Each Committee report on a bill
or joint resolution that establishes or reauthorizes a Federal
program shall contain a statement indicating whether such
program is known to be duplicative of another program, pursuant
to clause 3(c)(5) of rule XIII of the Rules of the House of
Representatives.
(i) Supplemental or Minority Views.--
(1) If, at the time the Committee approves any
measure or matter, any Committee Member gives notice of
intention to file supplemental, minority, additional,
or dissenting views, all Members shall be entitled to
not less than two additional calendar days after the
day of such notice (excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and
legal holidays) in which to file such views in writing
and signed by the Member, with the Clerk of the
Committee. All such views so filed shall be included in
and shall be a part of the report filed by the
Committee with respect to that measure or matter.
(2) The Committee report on that measure or matter
shall be printed in a single volume which--
(i) shall include all supplemental, minority,
additional, or dissenting views which have been
submitted by the time of the filing of the
report, and
(ii) shall have on its cover a recital that
any such supplemental, minority, additional, or
dissenting views are included as part of the
report.
(3) This subsection does not preclude--
(i) the immediate filing or printing of a
Committee report unless timely request for the
opportunity to file supplemental, minority,
additional, or dissenting views has been made
as provided by such subsection; or
(ii) the filing by the Committee of a
supplemental report on a measure or matter
which may be required for correction of any
technical error in a previous report made by
the Committee on that measure or matter.
(4) If, at the time a subcommittee approves any
measure or matter for recommendation to the full
Committee, any Member of that subcommittee who gives
notice of intention to offer supplemental, minority,
additional, or dissenting views shall be entitled,
insofar as is practicable and in accordance with the
printing requirements as determined by the
subcommittee, to include such views in the Committee
Print with respect to that measure or matter.
(j) Availability of Reports.--A copy of each bill,
resolution, or report shall be made available to each Member of
the Committee at least three calendar days (excluding
Saturdays, Sundays, and legal holidays) in advance of the date
on which the Committee is to consider each bill, resolution, or
report; Provided, That this subsection may be waived by
agreement between the Chairman and the Ranking Minority Member
of the full Committee.
(k) Performance Goals and Objectives.--Each Committee
report shall contain a statement of general performance goals
and objectives, including outcome-related goals and objectives,
for which the measure authorizes funding.
(l) Motion to go to Conference.--The Chairman is directed
to offer a motion under clause 1 of rule XXII of the Rules of
the House whenever the Chairman considers it appropriate.
Sec. 7: Voting
(a) No vote by any Member of the Committee or any of its
subcommittees with respect to any measure or matter may be cast
by proxy.
(b) The vote on any question before the Committee shall be
taken by the yeas and nays on the demand of one-fifth of the
Members present.
(c) The Chairman of the Committee or the chairman of any of
its subcommittees may--
(1) postpone further proceedings when a record vote
is ordered on the question of approving a measure or
matter or on adopting an amendment;
(2) resume proceedings on a postponed question at any
time after reasonable notice.
When proceedings resume on a postponed question,
notwithstanding any intervening order for the previous
question, an underlying proposition shall remain subject to
further debate or amendment to the same extent as when the
question was postponed.
Sec. 8: Studies and Examinations
The following procedure shall be applicable with respect to
the conduct of studies and examinations of the organization and
operation of Executive Agencies under authority contained in
section 202 (b) of the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946
and in clause (3)(a) of rule X of the Rules of the House of
Representatives:
(a) The Chairman is authorized to appoint such staff and,
in his discretion, arrange for the procurement of temporary
services of consultants, as from time to time may be required.
(b) Studies and examinations will be initiated upon the
written request of a subcommittee which shall be reasonably
specific and definite in character, and shall be initiated only
by a majority vote of the subcommittee, with the chairman of
the subcommittee and the ranking minority member thereof
participating as part of such majority vote. When so initiated
such request shall be filed with the Clerk of the Committee for
submission to the Chairman and the Ranking Minority Member and
their approval shall be required to make the same effective.
Notwithstanding any action taken on such request by the
chairman and ranking minority member of the subcommittee, a
request may be approved by a majority of the Committee.
(c) Any request approved as provided under subsection (b)
shall be immediately turned over to the staff appointed for
action.
(d) Any information obtained by such staff shall be
reported to the chairman of the subcommittee requesting such
study and examination and to the Chairman and Ranking Minority
Member, shall be made available to the members of the
subcommittee concerned, and shall not be released for
publication until the subcommittee so determines.
(e) Any hearings or investigations which may be desired,
aside from the regular hearings on appropriation items, when
approved by the Committee, shall be conducted by the
subcommittee having jurisdiction over the matter.
Sec. 9: Temporary Investigative Task Forces
(a) The Chairman of the full Committee, in consultation
with the Ranking Member of the full Committee, may establish
and appoint members to serve on task forces of the Committee,
to examine specific activities for a limited period of time in
accordance with clause 5(b)2(C) of rule X of the Rules of the
House.
(b) The Chairman of the full Committee shall issue a
written directive, in consultation with the Ranking Member of
the full Committee, delineating the specific activities to be
reviewed by a task force constituted pursuant to the preceding
paragraph.
(c) A task force constituted under this section shall
provide a written report of its findings and recommendations to
the full Committee Chairman and Ranking Member and members of
the relevant subcommittees having jurisdiction over the matters
reviewed. Such report shall be approved by a majority vote of
the task force and shall include any supplemental, minority,
additional, or dissenting views submitted by a Member of the
task force or a member of a subcommittee having jurisdiction
over the matter reviewed.
(d) Any information obtained during the course of such
investigation, and any report produced by, a task force
pursuant to this section, shall not be released until the
Chairman of the full Committee has authorized such release.
(e) The Chairman is authorized to appoint such staff, and,
in his discretion, arrange for the procurement of temporary
services, as from time to time may be required.
Sec. 10: Official Travel
(a) The chairman of a subcommittee shall approve requests
for travel by subcommittee members and staff for official
business within the jurisdiction of that subcommittee. The
ranking minority member of a subcommittee shall concur in such
travel requests by minority members of that subcommittee and
the Ranking Minority Member shall concur in such travel
requests for Minority Members of the Committee. Requests in
writing covering the purpose, itinerary, and dates of proposed
travel shall be submitted for final approval to the Chairman.
Specific approval shall be required for each and every trip.
(b) The Chairman is authorized during the recess of the
Congress to approve travel authorizations for Committee Members
and staff, including travel outside the United States.
(c) As soon as practicable, the Chairman shall direct the
head of each Government agency concerned to honor requests of
subcommittees, individual Members, or staff for travel, the
direct or indirect expenses of which are to be defrayed from an
executive appropriation, only upon request from the Chairman.
(d) In accordance with clause 8 of rule X of the Rules of
the House of Representatives and section 502 (b) of the Mutual
Security Act of 1954, as amended, local currencies owned by the
United States shall be available to Committee Members and staff
engaged in carrying out their official duties outside the
United States, its territories, or possessions. No Committee
Member or staff member shall receive or expend local currencies
for subsistence in any country at a rate in excess of the
maximum per diem rate set forth in applicable Federal law.
(e) Travel Reports.--
(1) Members or staff shall make a report to the
Chairman on their travel, covering the purpose,
results, itinerary, expenses, and other pertinent
comments.
(2) With respect to travel outside the United States
or its territories or possessions, the report shall
include: (1) an itemized list showing the dates each
country was visited, the amount of per diem furnished,
the cost of transportation furnished, and any funds
expended for any other official purpose; and (2) a
summary in these categories of the total foreign
currencies and/or appropriated funds expended. All such
individual reports on foreign travel shall be filed
with the Chairman no later than 60 days following
completion of the travel for use in complying with
reporting requirements in applicable Federal law, and
shall be open for public inspection.
(3) Each Member or employee performing such travel
shall be solely responsible for supporting the amounts
reported by the Member or employee.
(4) No report or statement as to any trip shall be
publicized making any recommendations on behalf of the
Committee without the authorization of a majority of
the Committee.
(f) Members and staff of the Committee performing
authorized travel on official business pertaining to the
jurisdiction of the Committee shall be governed by applicable
laws or regulations of the House and of the Committee on House
Administration pertaining to such travel, and as promulgated
from time to time by the Chairman.
Sec. 11. Activities Reports
(a) Not later than January 2 of each odd-numbered year, the
Committee shall submit to the House a report on the activities
of the Committee.
(b) After adjournment sine die of a regular session of
Congress, or after December 15, whichever occurs first, the
Chairman may file the report with the Clerk of the House at any
time and without the approval of the Committee, provided that a
copy of the report has been available to each Member of the
Committee for at least seven calendar days and the report
includes any supplemental, minority, additional, or dissenting
views submitted by a Member of the Committee.
Committee on Armed Services
MAC THORNBERRY, Texas, Chairman
ADAM SMITH, Washington WALTER B. JONES, North Carolina
ROBERT A. BRADY, Pennsylvania JOE WILSON, South Carolina
SUSAN A. DAVIS, California FRANK A. LoBIONDO, New Jersey
JAMES R. LANGEVIN, Rhode Island ROB BISHOP, Utah
RICK LARSEN, Washington MICHAEL R. TURNER, Ohio
JIM COOPER, Tennessee MIKE ROGERS, Alabama
MADELEINE Z. BORDALLO, Guam TENT FRANKS, Arizona
JOE COURTNEY, Connecticut BILL SHUSTER, Pennsylvania
NIKI TSONGAS, Massachusetts K. MICHAEL CONAWAY, Texas
JOHN GARAMENDI, California DOUG LAMBORN, Colorado
JACKIE SPEIER, California ROBERT J. WITTMAN, Virginia
TAMMY DUCKWORTH, Illinois DUNCAN HUNTER, California
MARC A. VEASEY, Texas MIKE COFFMAN, Colorado
TULSI GABBARD, Hawaii VICKY HARTZLER, Missouri
BETO O'ROURKE, Texas AUSTIN SCOTT, Georgia
DONALD NORCROSS, New Jersey MO BROOKS, Alabama
RUBEN GALLEGO, Arizona PAUL COOK, California
SETH MOULTON, Massachusetts JIM BRIDENSTINE, Oklahoma
COLLEEN HANABUSA, Hawaii BRAD R. WENSTRUP, Ohio
CAROL SHEA-PORTER, New Hampshire BRADLEY BYRNE, Alabama
JACKY ROSEN, Nevada SAM GRAVES, Missouri
A. McEACHIN, Virginia ELISE M. STEFANIK, New York
SALUD CARBAJAL, California MARTHA McSALLY, Arizona
ANTHONY BROWN, Maryland STEPHEN KNIGHT, California
STEPHANIE MURPHY, Florida STEVE RUSSELL, Oklahoma
RO KHANNA, California SCOTT DesJARLAIS, Tennessee
TOM O'HALLERAN, Arizona RALPH ABRAHAM, Louisiana
THOMAS SUOZZI, New York TRENT FRANKS, Mississippi
Vacancy MIKE GALLAGHER, Wisconsin
MATT GAETZ, Florida
DON BACON, Nebraska
JIM BANKS, Indiana
LIZ CHENEY, Wyoming
RULES OF THE COMMITTEE ON ARMED SERVICES 115TH CONGRESS
Rule 1.--General Provisions
(a) The Rules of the House of Representatives are the rules
of the Committee on Armed Services (hereinafter referred to in
these rules as the ``Committee'') and its subcommittees so far
as applicable.
(b) Pursuant to clause 2(a)(2) of rule XI of the Rules of
the House of Representatives, the Committee's rules shall be
publicly available in electronic form and published in the
Congressional Record not later than 30 days after the chair of
the committee is elected in each odd-numbered year.
Rule 2.--Full Committee Meeting Date
(a) The Committee shall meet every Wednesday at 10:00 a.m.,
when the House of Representatives is in session, and at such
other times as may be fixed by the Chairman of the Committee
(hereinafter referred to as the ``Chairman''), or by written
request of members of the Committee pursuant to clause 2(c) of
rule XI of the Rules of the House of Representatives.
(b) A Wednesday meeting of the Committee may be dispensed
with by the Chairman, but such action may be reversed by a
written request of a majority of the members of the Committee.
Rule 3.--Subcommittee Meeting Dates
Each subcommittee is authorized to meet, hold hearings,
receive evidence, and report to the Committee on all matters
referred to it. Insofar as possible, meetings of the Committee
and its subcommittees shall not conflict. A subcommittee
Chairman shall set meeting dates after consultation with the
Chairman, other subcommittee Chairmen, and the Ranking Minority
Member of the subcommittee with a view toward avoiding,
whenever possible, simultaneous scheduling of Committee and
subcommittee meetings or hearings.
Rule 4.--Jurisdiction and Membership of Committee and Subcommittees
(a) Jurisdiction.--
(1) The Committee retains jurisdiction of all
subjects listed in clause 1(c) and clause 3(b) of rule
X of the Rules of the House of Representatives and
retains exclusive jurisdiction for: Defense policy
generally, ongoing military operations, the
organization and reform of the Department of Defense
and Department of Energy, counter-drug programs,
security and humanitarian assistance (except special
operations-related activities) of the Department of
Defense, acquisition and industrial base policy,
technology transfer and export controls, joint
interoperability, detainee affairs and policy, force
protection policy and inter-agency reform as it
pertains to the Department of Defense and the nuclear
weapons programs of the Department of Energy. In
addition the committee will be responsible for
intelligence policy (including coordination of military
intelligence programs), national intelligence programs,
and Department of Defense elements that are part of the
Intelligence Community. While subcommittees are
provided jurisdictional responsibilities in
subparagraph (2), the Committee retains the right to
exercise oversight and legislative jurisdiction over
all subjects within its purview under rule X of the
Rules of the House of Representatives.
(2) The Committee shall be organized to consist of
seven standing subcommittees with the following
jurisdictions:
Subcommittee on Tactical Air and Land Forces:
All Army, Air Force and Marine Corps
acquisition programs (except Marine Corps
amphibious assault vehicle programs, strategic
missiles, space, lift programs, special
operations, science and technology programs,
and information technology accounts) and the
associated weapons systems sustainment. In
addition, the subcommittee will be responsible
for Navy and Marine Corps aviation programs and
the associated weapons systems sustainment,
National Guard and Army, Air Force and Marine
Corps Reserve modernization, and ammunition
programs.
Subcommittee on Military Personnel: Military
personnel policy, Reserve Component integration
and employment issues, military health care,
military education, and POW/MIA issues. In
addition, the subcommittee will be responsible
for Morale, Welfare and Recreation issues and
programs.
Subcommittee on Readiness: Military
readiness, training, logistics and maintenance
issues and programs. In addition, the
subcommittee will be responsible for all
military construction, depot policy, civilian
personnel policy, environmental policy,
installations and family housing issues,
including the base closure process, and energy
policy and programs of the Department of
Defense.
Subcommittee on Seapower and Projection
Forces: Navy acquisition programs, Naval
Reserve equipment, and Marine Corps amphibious
assault vehicle programs (except strategic
weapons, space, special operations, science and
technology programs, and information technology
programs), deep strike bombers and related
systems, lift programs, seaborne unmanned
aerial systems and the associated weapons
systems sustainment. In addition, the
subcommittee will be responsible for Maritime
programs under the jurisdiction of the
Committee as delineated in paragraphs 5 and 9
of clause 1(c) of rule X of the Rules of the
House of Representatives.
Subcommittee on Strategic Forces: Strategic
weapons (except deep strike bombers and related
systems), space programs (including national
intelligence space programs), ballistic missile
defense, the associated weapons systems
sustainment, and Department of Energy national
security programs.
Subcommittee on Emerging Threats and
Capabilities: Defense-wide and joint enabling
activities and programs to include: Special
Operations Forces; counter-proliferation and
counter-terrorism programs and initiatives;
science and technology policy and programs;
information technology programs; homeland
defense and Department of Defense related
consequence management programs; related
intelligence support; and other enabling
programs and activities to include cyber
operations, strategic communications, and
information operations; and the Cooperative
Threat Reduction program.
Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations:
Any matter within the jurisdiction of the
Committee, subject to the concurrence of the
Chairman of the Committee and, as appropriate,
affected subcommittee chairmen. The
subcommittee shall have no legislative
jurisdiction.
(b) Membership of the Subcommittees.--
(1) Subcommittee memberships, with the exception of
membership on the Subcommittee on Oversight and
Investigations, shall be filled in accordance with the
rules of the Majority party's conference and the
Minority party's caucus, respectively.
(2) The Chairman and Ranking Minority Member of the
Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations shall be
filled in accordance with the rules of the Majority
party's conference and the Minority party's caucus,
respectively. Consistent with the party ratios
established by the Majority party, all other Majority
members of the subcommittee shall be appointed by the
Chairman of the Committee, and all other Minority
members shall be appointed by the Ranking Minority
Member of the Committee.
(3) The Chairman of the Committee and Ranking
Minority Member thereof may sit as ex officio members
of all subcommittees. Ex officio members shall not vote
in subcommittee hearings or meetings or be taken into
consideration for the purpose of determining the ratio
of the subcommittees or establishing a quorum at
subcommittee hearings or meetings.
(4) A member of the Committee who is not a member of
a particular subcommittee may sit with the subcommittee
and participate during any of its hearings but shall
not have authority to vote, cannot be counted for the
purpose of achieving a quorum, and cannot raise a point
of order at the hearing.
Rule 5.--Committee Panels and Task Forces
(a) Committee Panels.--
(1) The Chairman may designate a panel of the
Committee consisting of members of the Committee to
inquire into and take testimony on a matter or matters
that fall within the jurisdiction of more than one
subcommittee and to report to the Committee.
(2) No panel appointed by the Chairman shall continue
in existence for more than six months after the
appointment. A panel so appointed may, upon the
expiration of six months, be reappointed by the
Chairman for a period of time which is not to exceed
six months.
(3) Consistent with the party ratios established by
the Majority party, all Majority members of the panels
shall be appointed by the Chairman of the Committee,
and all Minority members shall be appointed by the
Ranking Minority Member of the Committee. The Chairman
of the Committee shall choose one of the Majority
members so appointed who does not currently chair
another subcommittee of the Committee to serve as
Chairman of the panel. The Ranking Minority Member of
the Committee shall similarly choose the Ranking
Minority Member of the panel.
(4) No panel shall have legislative jurisdiction.
(b) Committee and Subcommittee Task Forces.--
(1) The Chairman of the Committee, or a Chairman of a
subcommittee with the concurrence of the Chairman of
the Committee, may designate a task force to inquire
into and take testimony on a matter that falls within
the jurisdiction of the Committee or subcommittee,
respectively. The Chairman and Ranking Minority Member
of the Committee or subcommittee shall each appoint an
equal number of members to the task force. The Chairman
of the Committee or subcommittee shall choose one of
the members so appointed, who does not currently chair
another subcommittee of the Committee, to serve as
Chairman of the task force. The Ranking Minority Member
of the Committee or subcommittee shall similarly
appoint the Ranking Minority Member of the task force.
(2) No task force appointed by the Chairman of the
Committee or subcommittee shall continue in existence
for more than three months. A task force may only be
reappointed for an additional three months with the
written concurrence of the Chairman and Ranking
Minority Member of the Committee or subcommittee whose
Chairman appointed the task force.
(3) No task force shall have legislative
jurisdiction.
Rule 6.--Reference and Consideration of Legislation
(a) The Chairman shall refer legislation and other matters
to the appropriate subcommittee or to the full Committee.
(b) Legislation shall be taken up for a hearing or markup
only when called by the Chairman of the Committee or
subcommittee, as appropriate, or by a majority of the Committee
or subcommittee, as appropriate.
(c) The Chairman, with approval of a majority vote of a
quorum of the Committee, shall have authority to discharge a
subcommittee from consideration of any measure or matter
referred thereto and have such measure or matter considered by
the Committee.
(d) Reports and recommendations of a subcommittee may not
be considered by the Committee until after the intervention of
three calendar days from the time the report is approved by the
subcommittee and available to the members of the Committee,
except that this rule may be waived by a majority vote of a
quorum of the Committee.
(e) The Chairman, in consultation with the Ranking Minority
Member, shall establish criteria for recommending legislation
and other matters to be considered by the House of
Representatives, pursuant to clause 1 of rule XV of the Rules
of the House of Representatives. Such criteria shall not
conflict with the Rules of the House of Representatives and
other applicable rules.
Rule 7.--Public Announcement of Hearings and Meetings
(a) Pursuant to clause 2(g)(3) of rule XI of the Rules of
the House of Representatives, the Chairman of the Committee, or
of any subcommittee, panel, or task force, shall make a public
announcement of the date, place, and subject matter of any
hearing or meeting before that body at least one week before
the commencement of a hearing and at least three days before
the commencement of a meeting. However, if the Chairman of the
Committee, or of any subcommittee, panel, or task force, with
the concurrence of the respective Ranking Minority Member,
determines that there is good cause to begin the hearing or
meeting sooner, or if the Committee, subcommittee, panel, or
task force so determines by majority vote, a quorum being
present for the transaction of business, such chairman shall
make the announcement at the earliest possible date. Any
announcement made under this rule shall be promptly published
in the Daily Digest, promptly entered into the committee
scheduling service of the House Information Resources, and
promptly made publicly available in electronic form.
(b) At least 24 hours prior to the commencement of a
meeting for the markup of legislation, or at the time of an
announcement under paragraph (a) made within 24 hours before
such meeting, the Chairman of the Committee, or of any
subcommittee, panel, or task force shall cause the text of such
measure or matter to be made publicly available in electronic
form as provided in clause 2(g)(4) of rule XI of the Rules of
the House of Representatives.
Rule 8.--Broadcasting of Committee Hearings and Meetings
(a) Pursuant to clause 2(e)(5) of rule XI of the Rules of
the House of Representatives, the Committee shall, to the
maximum extent practicable, provide audio and video coverage of
each hearing or meeting for the transaction of business in a
manner that allows the public to easily listen to and view the
proceedings. The Committee shall maintain the recordings of
such coverage in a manner that is easily accessible to the
public.
(b) Clause 4 of rule XI of the Rules of the House of
Representatives shall apply to the Committee.
Rule 9.--Meetings and Hearings Open to the Public
(a) Each hearing and meeting for the transaction of
business, including the markup of legislation, conducted by the
Committee, or any subcommittee, panel, or task force, to the
extent that the respective body is authorized to conduct
markups, shall be open to the public except when the Committee,
subcommittee, panel, or task force in open session and with a
majority being present, determines by record vote that all or
part of the remainder of that hearing or meeting on that day
shall be in executive session because disclosure of testimony,
evidence, or other matters to be considered would endanger the
national security, would compromise sensitive law enforcement
information, or would violate any law or rule of the House of
Representatives. Notwithstanding the requirements of the
preceding sentence, a majority of those present, there being in
attendance no fewer than two members of the Committee,
subcommittee, panel, or task force may vote to close a hearing
or meeting for the sole purpose of discussing whether testimony
or evidence to be received would endanger the national
security, would compromise sensitive law enforcement
information, or would violate any law or rule of the House of
Representatives. If the decision is to proceed in executive
session, the vote must be by record vote and in open session, a
majority of the Committee, subcommittee, panel, or task force
being present.
(b) Whenever it is asserted by a member of the Committee or
subcommittee that the evidence or testimony at a hearing may
tend to defame, degrade, or incriminate any person, or it is
asserted by a witness that the evidence or testimony that the
witness would give at a hearing may tend to defame, degrade, or
incriminate the witness, notwithstanding the requirements of
(a) and the provisions of clause 2(g)(2) of rule XI of the
Rules of the House of Representatives, such evidence or
testimony shall be presented in executive session, if by a
majority vote of those present, there being in attendance no
fewer than two members of the Committee or subcommittee, the
Committee or subcommittee determines that such evidence may
tend to defame, degrade, or incriminate any person. A majority
of those present, there being in attendance no fewer than two
members of the Committee or subcommittee may also vote to close
the hearing or meeting for the sole purpose of discussing
whether evidence or testimony to be received would tend to
defame, degrade, or incriminate any person. The Committee or
subcommittee shall proceed to receive such testimony in open
session only if the Committee or subcommittee, a majority being
present, determines that such evidence or testimony will not
tend to defame, degrade, or incriminate any person.
(c) Notwithstanding the foregoing, and with the approval of
the Chairman, each member of the Committee may designate by
letter to the Chairman, one member of that member's personal
staff, and an alternate, which may include fellows, with Top
Secret security clearance to attend hearings of the Committee,
or that member's subcommittee(s), panel(s), or task force(s)
(excluding briefings or meetings held under the provisions of
committee rule 9(a)), which have been closed under the
provisions of rule 9(a) above for national security purposes
for the taking of testimony. The attendance of such a staff
member or fellow at such hearings is subject to the approval of
the Committee, subcommittee, panel, or task force as dictated
by national security requirements at that time. The attainment
of any required security clearances is the responsibility of
individual members of the Committee.
(d) Pursuant to clause 2(g)(2) of rule XI of the Rules of
the House of Representatives, no Member, Delegate, or Resident
Commissioner may be excluded from nonparticipatory attendance
at any hearing of the Committee or a subcommittee, unless the
House of Representatives shall by majority vote authorize the
Committee or subcommittee, for purposes of a particular series
of hearings on a particular article of legislation or on a
particular subject of investigation, to close its hearings to
Members, Delegates, and the Resident Commissioner by the same
procedures designated in this rule for closing hearings to the
public.
(e) The Committee or the subcommittee may vote, by the same
procedure, to meet in executive session for up to five
additional consecutive days of hearings.
Rule 10.--Quorum
(a) For purposes of taking testimony and receiving
evidence, two members shall constitute a quorum.
(b) One-third of the members of the Committee or
subcommittee shall constitute a quorum for taking any action,
with the following exceptions, in which case a majority of the
Committee or subcommittee shall constitute a quorum:
(1) Reporting a measure or recommendation;
(2) Closing Committee or subcommittee meetings and
hearings to the public;
(3) Authorizing the issuance of subpoenas;
(4) Authorizing the use of executive session
material; and
(5) Voting to proceed in open session after voting to
close to discuss whether evidence or testimony to be
received would tend to defame, degrade, or incriminate
any person.
(c) No measure or recommendation shall be reported to the
House of Representatives unless a majority of the Committee is
actually present.
Rule 11.--The Five-Minute Rule
(a) Subject to rule 15, the time any one member may address
the Committee or subcommittee on any measure or matter under
consideration shall not exceed five minutes and then only when
the member has been recognized by the Chairman or subcommittee
chairman, as appropriate, except that this time limit may be
exceeded by unanimous consent. Any member, upon request, shall
be recognized for not more than five minutes to address the
Committee or subcommittee on behalf of an amendment which the
member has offered to any pending bill or resolution. The five-
minute limitation shall not apply to the Chairman and Ranking
Minority Member of the Committee or subcommittee.
(b)(1) Members who are present at a hearing of the
Committee or subcommittee when a hearing is originally convened
shall be recognized by the Chairman or subcommittee chairman,
as appropriate, in order of seniority. Those members arriving
subsequently shall be recognized in order of their arrival.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Chairman and the Ranking
Minority Member will take precedence upon their arrival. In
recognizing members to question witnesses in this fashion, the
Chairman shall take into consideration the ratio of the
Majority to Minority members present and shall establish the
order of recognition for questioning in such a manner as not to
disadvantage the members of either party.
(2) Pursuant to rule 4 and subject to rule 15, a member of
the Committee who is not a member of a subcommittee may be
recognized by a subcommittee chairman in order of their arrival
and after all present subcommittee members have been
recognized.
(3) The Chairman of the Committee or a subcommittee, with
the concurrence of the respective Ranking Minority Member, may
depart with the regular order for questioning which is
specified in paragraphs (a) and (b) of this rule provided that
such a decision is announced prior to the hearing or prior to
the opening statements of the witnesses and that any such
departure applies equally to the Majority and the Minority.
(c) No person other than a Member, Delegate, or Resident
Commissioner of Congress and committee staff may be seated in
or behind the dais area during Committee, subcommittee, panel,
or task force hearings and meetings.
Rule 12.--Power To Sit and Act; Subpoena Power
(a) For the purpose of carrying out any of its functions
and duties under rules X and XI of the Rules of the House of
Representatives, the Committee and any subcommittee is
authorized (subject to subparagraph (b)(1) of this paragraph):
(1) to sit and act at such times and places within
the United States, whether the House is in session, has
recessed, or has adjourned, and to hold hearings, and
(2) to require by subpoena, or otherwise, the
attendance and testimony of such witnesses and the
production of such books, records, correspondence,
memorandums, papers and documents, including, but not
limited to, those in electronic form, as it considers
necessary.
(b)(1) A subpoena may be authorized and issued by the
Committee, or any subcommittee with the concurrence of the full
Committee Chairman and after consultation with the Ranking
Minority Member of the Committee, under subparagraph (a)(2) in
the conduct of any investigation, or series of investigations
or activities, only when authorized by a majority of the
members voting, a majority of the Committee or subcommittee
being present. Authorized subpoenas shall be signed only by the
Chairman, or by any member designated by the Committee.
(2) Pursuant to clause 2(m) of rule XI of the Rules of the
House of Representatives, compliance with any subpoena issued
by the Committee or any subcommittee under subparagraph (a)(2)
may be enforced only as authorized or directed by the House of
Representatives.
Rule 13.--Witness Statements
(a) Any prepared statement to be presented by a witness to
the Committee or a subcommittee shall be submitted to the
Committee or subcommittee at least 48 hours in advance of
presentation and shall be distributed to all members of the
Committee or subcommittee as soon as practicable but not less
than 24 hours in advance of presentation. A copy of any such
prepared statement shall also be submitted to the Committee in
electronic form. If a prepared statement contains national
security information bearing a classification of Confidential
or higher, the statement shall be made available in the
Committee rooms to all members of the Committee or subcommittee
as soon as practicable but not less than 24 hours in advance of
presentation; however, no such statement shall be removed from
the Committee offices. The requirement of this rule may be
waived by a majority vote of the Committee or subcommittee, a
quorum being present. In cases where a witness does not submit
a statement by the time required under this rule, the Chairman
of the Committee or subcommittee, as appropriate, with the
concurrence of the respective Ranking Minority Member, may
elect to exclude the witness from the hearing.
(b) The Committee and each subcommittee shall require each
witness who is to appear before it to file with the Committee
in advance of his or her appearance a written statement of the
proposed testimony and to limit the oral presentation at such
appearance to a brief summary of the submitted written
statement.
(c) Pursuant to clause 2(g)(5) of rule XI of the Rules of
the House of Representatives, written witness statements, with
appropriate redactions to protect the privacy of the witness,
shall be made publicly available in electronic form not later
than one day after the witness appears.
Rule 14.--Administering Oaths to Witnesses
(a) The Chairman, or any member designated by the Chairman,
may administer oaths to any witness.
(b) Witnesses, when sworn, shall subscribe to the following
oath: ``Do you solemnly swear (or affirm) that the testimony
you will give before this Committee (or subcommittee) in the
matters now under consideration will be the truth, the whole
truth, and nothing but the truth, so help you God?''
Rule 15.--Questioning of Witnesses
(a) When a witness is before the Committee or a
subcommittee, members of the Committee or subcommittee may put
questions to the witness only when recognized by the Chairman
or subcommittee chairman, as appropriate, for that purpose
according to rule 11 of the Committee.
(b) Members of the Committee or subcommittee who so desire
shall have not more than five minutes to question each witness
or panel of witnesses, the responses of the witness or
witnesses being included in the five-minute period, until such
time as each member has had an opportunity to question each
witness or panel of witnesses. Thereafter, additional rounds
for questioning witnesses by members are within the discretion
of the Chairman or subcommittee chairman, as appropriate.
(c) Questions put to witnesses before the Committee or
subcommittee shall be pertinent to the measure or matter that
may be before the Committee or subcommittee for consideration.
Rule 16.--Publication of Committee Hearings and Markups
The transcripts of those hearings conducted by the
Committee, subcommittee, or panel will be published officially
in substantially verbatim form, with the material requested for
the record inserted at that place requested, or at the end of
the record, as appropriate. The transcripts of markups
conducted by the Committee or any subcommittee may be published
officially in verbatim form. Any requests to correct any
errors, other than those in transcription, will be appended to
the record, and the appropriate place where the change is
requested will be footnoted. Any transcript published under
this rule shall include the results of record votes conducted
in the session covered by the transcript and shall also include
materials that have been submitted for the record and are
covered under rule 19. The handling and safekeeping of these
materials shall fully satisfy the requirements of rule 20. No
transcript of an executive session conducted under rule 9 shall
be published under this rule.
Rule 17.--Voting and Rollcalls
(a) Voting on a measure or matter may be by record vote,
division vote, voice vote, or unanimous consent.
(b) A record vote shall be ordered upon the request of one-
fifth of those members present.
(c) No vote by any member of the Committee or a
subcommittee with respect to any measure or matter shall be
cast by proxy.
(d) In the event of a vote or votes, when a member is in
attendance at any other committee, subcommittee, or conference
committee meeting during that time, the necessary absence of
that member shall be so noted in the record vote record, upon
timely notification to the Chairman by that member.
(e) The Chairman of the Committee or a subcommittee, as
appropriate, with the concurrence of the Ranking Minority
Member or the most senior Minority member who is present at the
time, may elect to postpone requested record votes until such
time or point at a markup as is mutually decided. When
proceedings resume on a postponed question, notwithstanding any
intervening order for the previous question, the underlying
proposition shall remain subject to further debate or amendment
to the same extent as when the question was postponed.
Rule 18.--Committee Reports
(a) If, at the time of approval of any measure or matter by
the Committee, any member of the Committee gives timely notice
of intention to file supplemental, Minority, additional or
dissenting views, all members shall be entitled to not less
than two calendar days (excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and legal
holidays except when the House is in session on such days) in
which to file such written and signed views with the Staff
Director of the Committee, or the Staff Director's designee.
All such views so filed by one or more members of the Committee
shall be included within, and shall be a part of, the report
filed by the Committee with respect to that measure or matter.
(b) With respect to each record vote on a motion to report
any measure or matter, and on any amendment offered to the
measure or matter, the total number of votes cast for and
against, the names of those voting for and against, and a brief
description of the question, shall be included in the Committee
report on the measure or matter.
(c) Not later than 24 hours after the adoption of any
amendment to a measure or matter considered by the Committee,
the Chairman shall cause the text of each such amendment to be
made publicly available in electronic form as provided in
clause 2(e)(6) of rule XI of the Rules of the House of
Representatives.
Rule 19.--Public Inspection of Committee Rollcalls
The result of each record vote in any meeting of the
Committee shall be made available by the Committee for
inspection by the public at reasonable times in the offices of
the Committee and also made publicly available in electronic
form within 48 hours of such record vote pursuant to clause
2(e)(1)(B)(i) of rule XI of the Rules of the House of
Representatives. Information so available shall include a
description of the amendment, motion, order, or other
proposition and the name of each member voting for and each
member voting against such amendment, motion, order, or
proposition and the names of those members present but not
voting.
Rule 20.--Protection of National Security and Other Information
(a) Except as provided in clause 2(g) of rule XI of the
Rules of the House of Representatives, all national security
information bearing a classification of Confidential or higher
which has been received by the Committee or a subcommittee
shall be deemed to have been received in executive session and
shall be given appropriate safekeeping.
(b) The Chairman of the Committee shall, with the approval
of a majority of the Committee, establish such procedures as in
his judgment may be necessary to prevent the unauthorized
disclosure of any national security information that is
received which is classified as Confidential or higher. Such
procedures shall, however, ensure access to this information by
any member of the Committee or any other Member, Delegate, or
Resident Commissioner of the House of Representatives, staff of
the Committee, or staff designated under rule 9(c) who have the
appropriate security clearances and the need to know, who has
requested the opportunity to review such material.
(c) The Chairman of the Committee shall, in consultation
with the Ranking Minority Member, establish such procedures as
in his judgment may be necessary to prevent the unauthorized
disclosure of any proprietary information that is received by
the Committee, subcommittee, panel, or task force. Such
procedures shall be consistent with the Rules of the House of
Representatives and applicable law.
Rule 21.--Committee Staffing
The staffing of the Committee, the standing subcommittees,
and any panel or task force designated by the Chairman or
chairmen of the subcommittees shall be subject to the Rules of
the House of Representatives.
Rule 22.--Committee Records
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 of
Representatives. The Chairman shall notify the Ranking Minority
Member of any decision, pursuant to clause 3(b)(3) or clause
4(b) of rule VII, to withhold a record otherwise available, and
the matter shall be presented to the Committee for a
determination on the written request of any member of the
Committee.
Rule 23.--Hearing Procedures
Clause 2(k) of rule XI of the Rules of the House of
Representatives shall apply to the Committee.
Rule 24.--Committee Activity Reports
Not later than January 2nd of each odd-numbered year the
Committee shall submit to the House a report on its activities,
pursuant to clause 1(d) of rule XI of the Rules of the House of
Representatives.
Committee on the Budget
DIANE BLACK, Tennessee, Chairman
JOHN A. YARMUTH, Kentucky TODD ROKITA, Indiana, Vice
BARBARA LEE, California Chairman
MICHELLE LUJAN GRISHAM, New Mexico MARIO DIAZ-BALART, Florida
SETH MOULTON, Massachusetts TOM COLE, Oklahoma
HAKEEM JEFFRIES, New York TOM McCLINTOCK, California
BRIAN HIGGINS, New York, ROB WOODALL, Georgia
SUZAN DelBENE, Washington MARK SANFORD, South Carolina
DEBBIE WASSERMAN SCHULTZ, Florida STEVE WOMACK, Arkansas
BRENDAN BOYLE, Pennsylvania DAVE BRAT, Virginia
RO KHANNA, California GLENN GROTHMAN, Wisconsin
PRAMILA JAYAPAL, Washington GARY J. PALMER, Alabama
SALUD CARBAJAL, California BRUCE WESTERMAN, Arkansas
SHEILA JACKSON LEE, Texas JIM RENACCI, Ohio
JANICE SCHAKOWSKY, Illinois BILL JOHNSON, Ohio
JASON SMITH, Missouri
JASON LEWIS, Minnesota
JACK BERGMAN, Michigan
JOHN FASO, New York
LLOYD SMUCKER, Pennsylvania
MATT GAETZ, Florida
JODEY ARRINGTON, Texas
DREW FERGUSON, Georgia
(As adopted January 24, 2017)
RULES OF THE COMMITTEE ON THE BUDGET FOR THE 115TH CONGRESS
Rule 1.--Applicability of House Rules
(a) Except as otherwise specified herein, the Rules of the
House of Representatives are the rules of the Committee so far
as applicable, except that a motion to recess from day to day,
or a motion to recess subject to the call of the Chair (within
24 hours), or a motion to dispense with the first reading (in
full) of a bill or resolution, if printed copies are available,
is a non-debatable motion of privilege 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) The Committee's rules shall be publicly available in
electronic form and published in the Congressional Record not
later than 30 days after the Chair of the Committee is elected
in each odd-numbered year.
MEETINGS
Rule 2.--Regular Meetings
(a) The regular meeting day of the Committee shall be the
second Wednesday of each month at 11 a.m., while the House is
in session, if notice is given pursuant to paragraph (c) and
paragraph (g)(3) of clause 2(g)(3) of Rule XI of the Rules of
the House of Representatives.
(b) Regular meetings shall be canceled when they conflict
with meetings of either party's caucus or conference.
(c) The Chair shall give written notice of the date, place,
and subject matter of any Committee meeting, which may not
commence earlier than the third day on which members have
notice thereof, unless the Chair, with the concurrence of the
Ranking Minority Member, or the Committee by majority vote with
a quorum present for the transaction of business, determines
there is good cause to begin the hearing sooner, in which case
the Chair shall make the announcement at the earliest possible
date. An announcement shall be published promptly in the Daily
Digest and made publicly available in electronic form.
Rule 3.--Additional and Special Meetings
(a) The Chair may call and convene additional meetings of
the Committee as the Chair considers necessary or special
meetings at the request of a majority of the members of the
Committee in accordance with clause 2(c) of Rule XI of the
Rules of the House of Representatives.
(b) In the absence of exceptional circumstances, the Chair
shall provide public electronic notice of additional meetings
to the office of each member at least 24 hours in advance while
Congress is in session, and at least three days in advance when
Congress is not in session.
Rule 4.--Open Business Meetings
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.
(a) Each meeting for the transaction of Committee business,
including the markup of measures, shall be open to the public
except when the Committee, in open session and with a quorum
present, determines by roll call vote that all or part of the
remainder of the meeting on that day shall be closed to the
public in accordance with clause 2(g)(1) of Rule XI of the
Rules of the House of Representatives.
(b) No person, other than members of the Committee and such
congressional staff and departmental representatives as the
Committee may authorize, shall be present at any business or
markup session which has been closed to the public.
(c) Not later than 24 hours after commencing a meeting to
consider a measure or matter, the Chair of the Committee shall
cause the text of such measure or matter and any amendment
adopted thereto to be made publicly available in electronic
form.
Rule 5.--Quorums
(a) A majority of the Committee shall constitute a quorum.
No business shall be transacted and no measure or
recommendation shall be reported unless a quorum is actually
present.
Rule 6.--Recognition
(a) Any member, when recognized by the Chair, may address
the Committee on any bill, motion, or other matter under
consideration before the Committee. The time of such member
shall be limited to 5 minutes until all members present have
been afforded an opportunity to comment.
Rule 7.--Consideration of Business
(a) Measures or matters may be placed before the Committee,
for its consideration, by the Chair or by a majority vote of
the Committee members, a quorum being present.
Rule 8.--Availability of Legislation
(a) The Committee shall consider no bill, joint resolution,
or concurrent resolution unless copies of the measure have been
made available to all Committee members at least 24 hours prior
to the time at which such measure is to be considered. When
considering concurrent resolutions on the budget, this
requirement shall be satisfied by making available copies of
the complete Chairman's mark (or such material as will provide
the basis for Committee consideration). The provisions of this
rule may be suspended with the concurrence of the Chair and
Ranking Minority Member.
(b) At least 24 hours prior to the commencement of a
meeting for the markup of legislation, the Chair shall cause
the text of such legislation to be made publicly available in
electronic form.
Rule 9.--Procedure for Consideration of Budget Resolution
(a) It shall be the policy of the Committee that the
starting point for any deliberations on a concurrent resolution
on the budget should be the estimated or actual levels for the
fiscal year preceding the budget year.
In the consideration of a concurrent resolution on the
budget, the Committee shall first proceed, unless otherwise
determined by the Committee, to consider budget aggregates,
functional categories, and other appropriate matters on a
tentative basis, with the document before the Committee open to
amendment. Subsequent amendments may be offered to aggregates,
functional categories, or other appropriate matters, which have
already been amended in their entirety.
(b) Following adoption of the aggregates, functional
categories, and other matters, the text of a concurrent
resolution on the budget incorporating such aggregates,
functional categories, and other appropriate matters shall be
considered for amendment and a final vote.
Rule 10.--Roll Call Votes
(a) A roll call of the members may be had upon the request
of at least one-fifth of those present. In the apparent absence
of a quorum, a roll call may be had on the request of any
member.
(b) No vote may be conducted on any measure or motion
pending before the Committee unless a quorum is present for
such purpose.
(c) No vote by any member of the Committee on any measure
or matter may be cast by proxy.
(d) In accordance with clause 2(e)(1)(B) of Rule XI of the
Rules of the House of Representatives, a record of the vote of
each Committee member on each recorded vote shall be available
for public inspection at the offices of the Committee and also
made publicly available in electronic form within 48 hours of
such record vote, and, with respect to any roll call 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.
HEARINGS
Rule 11.--Announcement of Hearings
(a) The Chair shall make a public announcement of the date,
place, and subject matter of any Committee hearing at least one
week before the hearing, beginning with the day in which the
announcement is made and ending the day preceding the scheduled
hearing unless the Chair, with the concurrence of the Ranking
Minority Member, or the Committee by majority vote with a
quorum present for the transaction of business, determines
there is good cause to begin the hearing sooner, in which case
the Chair shall make the announcement at the earliest possible
date. Such announcement shall be published promptly in the
Daily Digest and made publicly available in electronic form.
Rule 12.--Open Hearings
(a) Each hearing conducted by the Committee or any of its
task forces shall be open to the public except when the
Committee or task force, in open session and with a quorum
present, determines by roll call vote that all or part of the
remainder of that hearing on that day shall be closed to the
public because disclosure of testimony, evidence, or other
matters to be considered would endanger the national security,
or would compromise sensitive law enforcement information, or
would tend to defame, degrade, or incriminate any person, or
would violate any law or rule of the House of Representatives.
The Committee or task forces may by the same procedure vote to
close one subsequent day of hearing.
(b) For the purposes clause 2(g)(2) of Rule XI of the Rules
of the House of Representatives, the task forces of the
Committee are considered to be subcommittees.
Rule 13.--Quorums
(a) For the purpose of hearing testimony, not less than two
members of the Committee shall constitute a quorum.
Rule 14.--Questioning Witnesses
(a) Questioning of witnesses will be conducted under the 5-
minute rule unless the Committee adopts a motion pursuant to
clause 2(j) of Rule XI of the Rules of the House of
Representatives.
(b) In questioning witnesses under the 5-minute rule:
(1) First, the Chair and the Ranking Minority Member
shall be recognized;
(2) Next, the Committee members present at the time
the hearing is called to order shall be recognized in
order of seniority; and
(3) Finally, the Committee members not present at the
time the hearing is called to order may be recognized
in the order of their arrival at the hearing.
(c) In recognizing Committee members to question witnesses,
the Chair may take into consideration the ratio of majority
members to minority members and the number of majority and
minority members present and shall apportion the recognition
for questioning in such a manner as not to disadvantage the
members of the majority.
(d) Notwithstanding the provisions of subparagraph (A), the
Chair and Ranking Minority Member may designate an equal number
of members from each party to question a witness for a period
not longer than 30 minutes, or may designate staff from each
party to question a witness for a period not longer than 30
minutes.
Rule 15.--Subpoenas and Oaths
(a) In accordance with clause 2(m) of Rule XI of the Rules
of the House of Representatives, subpoenas authorized by a
majority of the Committee or by the Chair (pursuant to such
rules and limitations as the Committee may prescribe) may be
issued over the signature of the Chair or of any member of the
Committee designated by him, and may be served by any person
designated by the Chair or such member.
(b) The Chair, or any member of the Committee designated by
the Chair, may administer oaths to witnesses.
Rule 16.--Witnesses' Statements
(a) So far as practicable, any prepared statement to be
presented by a witness shall be submitted to the Committee at
least 24 hours in advance of presentation, and shall be
distributed to all members of the Committee in advance of
presentation.
(b) To the greatest extent possible, each witness appearing
in a nongovernmental capacity shall include with the written
statement of proposed testimony a curriculum vitae and a
disclosure of the amount and source (by agency and program) of
any Federal grant (or sub-grant thereof) or contract (or
subcontract thereof) received during the current fiscal year or
either of the two preceding fiscal years.
(c) Such statements, with appropriate redactions to protect
the privacy of witnesses, shall be made publicly available in
electronic form not later than one day after the witness
appears.
PRINTS AND PUBLICATIONS
Rule 17.--Committee Prints
(a) All Committee prints and other materials prepared for
public distribution shall be approved by the Committee prior to
any distribution, unless such print or other material shows
clearly on its face that it has not been approved by the
Committee.
Rule 18.--Committee Publications on the Internet
(a) To the maximum extent feasible, the Committee shall
make its publications available in electronic form.
STAFF
Rule 19.--Committee Staff
(a) Subject to approval by the Committee and to the
provisions of the following paragraphs, the professional and
clerical staff of the Committee shall be appointed, and may be
removed, by the Chair.
(b) Committee staff shall not be assigned any duties other
than those pertaining to Committee business, and shall be
selected without regard to race, creed, gender, or age, and
solely on the basis of fitness to perform the duties of their
respective positions.
(c) All Committee staff shall be entitled to equitable
treatment, including comparable salaries, facilities, access to
official Committee records, leave, and hours of work.
(d) Notwithstanding paragraphs (a), (b), and (c), staff
shall be employed in compliance with House rules, the
Employment and Accountability Act, the Fair Labor Standards Act
of 1938, and any other applicable Federal statutes.
Rule 20.--Staff Supervision
(a) Staff shall be under the general supervision and
direction of the Chair, who shall establish and assign their
duties and responsibilities, delegate such authority as he
deems appropriate, fix and adjust staff salaries (in accordance
with Rule X, clause 9(c) of the Rules of the House of
Representatives) and job titles, and, at his discretion,
arrange for their specialized training.
(b) Staff assigned to the minority shall be under the
general supervision and direction of the minority members of
the Committee, who may delegate such authority, as they deem
appropriate.
RECORDS
Rule 21.--Preparation and Maintenance of Committee Records
(a) A substantially verbatim account of remarks actually
made during the proceedings shall be made of all hearings and
business meetings subject only to technical, grammatical, and
typographical corrections.
(b) The proceedings of the Committee shall be recorded in a
journal, which shall among other things, include a record of
the votes on any question on which a record vote is taken.
(c) Members of the Committee shall correct and return
transcripts of hearings as soon as practicable after receipt
thereof, except that any changes shall be limited to technical,
grammatical, and typographical corrections.
(d) Any witness may examine the transcript of his own
testimony and make grammatical, technical, and typographical
corrections.
(e) The Chair may order the printing of a hearing record
without the corrections of any member or witness if he
determines that such member or witness has been afforded a
reasonable time for correction, and that further delay would
seriously impede the Committee's responsibility for meeting its
deadlines under the Congressional Budget Act of 1974.
(f) Transcripts of hearings and meetings may be printed if
the Chair decides it is appropriate, or if a majority of the
members so request.
Rule 22.--Access to Committee Records
(a)(1) The Chair shall promulgate regulations to provide
for public inspection of roll call votes and to provide access
by members to Committee records (in accordance with clause 2(e)
of Rule XI of the Rules of the House of Representatives).
(b) Access to classified testimony and information shall be
limited to Members of Congress and to House Budget Committee
staff and staff of the Office of Official Reporters who have
appropriate security clearance.
(c) Notice of the receipt of such information shall be sent
to the Committee members. Such information shall be kept in the
Committee safe, and shall be available to members in the
Committee office.
(d) 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 of
Representatives. 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 the written request of any member of the
Committee.
OVERSIGHT
Rule 23.--General Oversight
(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 of
which is within its jurisdiction.
(b) The Committee is authorized at any time to conduct such
investigations and studies as it may consider necessary or
appropriate in the exercise of its responsibilities under
clause (1)(d) of Rule X of the Rules of the House of
Representatives, and, subject to the adoption of expense
resolutions as required by clause 6 of rule X of the House
Rules, to incur expenses (including travel expenses) in
connection therewith.
(c) 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, the
Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, and the Committee
on Appropriations in accordance with the provisions of clause
(2)(d) of Rule X of the Rules of the House of Representatives.
REPORTS
Rule 24.--Availability Before Filing
(a) Any report accompanying any bill or resolution ordered
reported to the House by the Committee shall be available to
all Committee members at least 36 hours prior to filing with
the House.
(b) No material change shall be made in any report made
available to members pursuant to section (a) without the
concurrence of the Ranking Minority Member or by a majority
vote of the Committee.
(c) Notwithstanding any other rule of the Committee, either
or both subsections (a) and (b) may be waived by the Chair or
with a majority vote by the Committee.
Rule 25.--Report on the Budget Resolution
(a) The report of the Committee to accompany a concurrent
resolution on the budget shall include a comparison of the
estimated or actual levels for the year preceding the budget
year with the proposed spending and revenue levels for the
budget year and each outyear along with the appropriate
percentage increase or decrease for each budget function and
aggregate. The report shall include any roll call vote on any
motion to amend or report any measure.
Rule 26.--Parliamentarian's Status Report and Section 302 Status Report
(a)(1) In order to carry out its duty under sections 311
and 312 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 to advise the
House of Representatives as to the current level of spending
and revenues as compared to the levels set forth in the latest
agreed-upon concurrent resolution on the budget, the Committee
shall advise the Speaker on at least a monthly basis when the
House is in session as to its estimate of the current level of
spending and revenue. Such estimates shall be prepared by the
staff of the Committee, transmitted to the Speaker in the form
of a Parliamentarian's Status Report, and printed in the
Congressional Record.
(2) The Committee authorizes the Chair, in consultation
with the Ranking Minority Member, to transmit to the Speaker
the Parliamentarian's Status Report described above.
(b)(1) In order to carry out its duty under sections 302
and 312 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 to advise the
House of Representatives as to the current level of spending
within the jurisdiction of Committees as compared to the
appropriate allocations made pursuant to the Budget Act in
conformity with the latest agreed-upon concurrent resolution on
the budget, the Committee shall, as necessary, advise the
Speaker as to its estimate of the current level of spending
within the jurisdiction of appropriate Committees. Such
estimates shall be prepared by the staff of the Committee and
transmitted to the Speaker in the form of a Section 302 Status
Report.
(2) The Committee authorizes the Chair, in consultation
with the Ranking Minority Member, to transmit to the Speaker
the Section 302 Status Report described above.
Rule 27.--Activity Report
(a) After an adjournment sine die of a regular session of a
Congress or after December 15 of an even- numbered year, the
chair of the Committee may file any time with the Clerk the
Committee's activity report for that Congress pursuant to
clause (1)(d)(1) of Rule XI of the Rules of the House of
Representatives without the approval of the Committee, if a
copy of the report has been available to each member of the
Committee for at least seven calendar days and the report
includes any supplemental, minority, or additional views
submitted by a member of the Committee.
(b) Such report shall include separate sections summarizing
the legislative and oversight activities of the Committee; a
summary of the actions taken and recommendations made; a
summary of any additional oversight activities undertaken by
the Committee, and any recommendations made or actions taken
thereon; and a delineation of any hearings held.
MISCELLANEOUS
Rule 28.--Broadcasting of Meetings and Hearings
(a) It shall be the policy of the Committee to give all
news media access to open hearings of the Committee, subject to
the requirements and limitations set forth in clause 4 of Rule
XI of the Rules of the House of Representatives.
(b) Whenever any Committee business meeting is open to the
public, that meeting may be covered, in whole or in part, by
television broadcast, radio broadcast, still photography, or by
any of such methods of coverage, in accordance with clause 4 of
Rule XI of the Rules of the House of Representatives.
Rule 29.--Appointment of Conferees
(a) Majority party members recommended to the Speaker as
conferees shall be recommended by the Chair subject to the
approval of the majority party members of the Committee.
(b) The Chair shall recommend such minority party members
as conferees as shall be determined by the minority party; the
recommended party representation shall be in approximately the
same proportion as that in the Committee.
Rule 30.--Waivers
(a) When a reported bill or joint resolution, conference
report, or anticipated floor amendment violates any provision
of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974, the Chair may, if
practical, consult with the Committee members on whether the
Chair should recommend, in writing, that the Committee on Rules
report a special rule that enforces the Act by not waiving the
applicable points of order during the consideration of such
measure.
Committee on Education and the Workforce
VIRGINIA FOXX, North Carolina,
Chairman
ROBERT C. ``BOBBY'' SCOTT, Virginia JOE WILSON, South Carolina,
SUSAN A. DAVIS, California Vice Chairman
RAUL M. GRIJALVA, Arizona DUNCAN HUNTER, California
JOE COURTNEY, Connecticut DAVID P. ROE, Tennessee
MARCIA L. FUDGE, Ohio GLENN THOMPSON, Pennsylvania
JARED POLIS, Colorado TIM WALBERG, Michigan
GREGORIO KILILI CAMACHO SABLAN, Northern Mariana Islandsucky
FREDERICA S. WILSON, Florida TODD ROKITA, Indiana
SUZANNE BONAMICI, Oregon LOU BARLETTA, Pennsylvania
MARK TAKANO, California LUKE MESSER, Indiana
ALMA S. ADAMS, North Carolina BRADLEY BYRNE, Alabama
MARK DesAULNIER, California DAVE BRAT, Virginia
DONALD NORCROSS, New Jersey GLENN GROTHMAN, Wisconsin
LISA BLUNT ROCHESTER, Delaware ELISE M. STEFANIK, New York
RAJA KRISHNAMOORTHI, Illinois RICK W. ALLEN, Georgia
CAROL SHEA-PORTER, New Hampshire JASON LEWIS, Minnesota
ADRIANO ESPAILLAT, New York FRANCIS ROONEY, Florida
PAUL MITCHELL, Michigan
TOM GARRETT, Jr., Virginia
LLOYD SMUCKER, Pennsylvania
DREW FERGUSON, Georgia
RON ESTES, Kansas
Vacancy
(As adopted January 24, 2017)
RULES OF THE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION AND THE WORKFORCE FOR THE 115TH
CONGRESS
Rule 1.--Regular, Additional, and Special Meetings
(a) Regular meetings of the Committee shall be held on the
second Wednesday of each month at 10:00 a.m., while the House
is in session. The Committee shall meet for the consideration
of a bill or resolution pending before the Committee or the
transaction of other committee business on regular meeting days
fixed by the Committee if notice is given in accordance with
paragraph (g)(3) of Rule XI of the Rules of the House of
Representatives.
(b) The Chair may call and convene, as he or she considers
necessary, additional meetings of the Committee for the
consideration of any bill or resolution pending before the
Committee or for the conduct of other Committee business.
(c) If at least three members of the Committee desire that
a special meeting of the Committee be called by the Chair,
those members may file in the offices of the Committee their
written request to the Chair for that special meeting.
Immediately upon the filing of the request, the staff director
of the Committee shall notify the Chair of the filing of the
request. If, within three calendar days after the filing of the
request, the Chair does not call the requested special meeting
to be held within seven calendar days after the filing of the
request, a majority of the members of the Committee may file in
the offices of the Committee their written notice that a
special meeting of the Committee will be held, specifying the
date and hour thereof, and the measure or matter to be
considered at that special meeting. Immediately upon the filing
of the notice, the staff director of the Committee shall notify
all members of the Committee that such meeting will be held and
inform them of its date and hour and the measure or matter to
be considered. Such notice shall also be made publicly
available in electronic form and shall satisfy the notice
requirements in clause (g)(3)(A)(ii) of Rule XI of the Rules of
the House of Representatives. The Committee shall meet on that
date and hour and only the measure or matter specified in that
notice may be considered at that special meeting.
(d) Legislative meetings of the Committee and its
subcommittees shall be open to the public, including radio,
television, and still photography coverage, unless such
meetings are closed pursuant to the requirements of the Rules
of the House of Representatives. No business meeting of the
Committee, other than regularly scheduled meetings, may be held
without each member being given reasonable notice.
(e) The Chair of the Committee or of a subcommittee, as
appropriate, shall preside at meetings or hearings. In the
absence of the Chair of the Committee or of a subcommittee,
members shall preside as provided in clause 2(d) of Rule XI of
the Rules of the House of Representatives. No person other than
a Member of Congress or Congressional staff may walk in, stand
in, or be seated at the rostrum area during a meeting or
hearing of the Committee or subcommittee unless authorized by
the Chair.
Rule 2.--Standing Subcommittees and Jurisdiction
(a) There shall be four standing subcommittees. In addition
to conducting oversight in the area of their respective
jurisdictions as required in clause 2 of Rule X of the Rules of
the House of Representatives, each subcommittee shall have the
following jurisdiction:
Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary
Education.--Education from early learning through the high
school level, including but not limited to elementary and
secondary education, special education, homeless education, and
migrant education; overseas dependent schools; career and
technical education; school safety and alcohol and drug abuse
prevention; school lunch and child nutrition programs;
educational research and improvement including the Institute of
Education Sciences; environmental education; pre-service and
in-service teacher professional development including Title II
of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act and Title II of
the Higher Education Act; early care and education programs
including the Head Start Act and the Child Care and Development
Block Grant Act; adolescent development programs, including but
not limited to those providing for the care and treatment of
certain at-risk youth, including the Juvenile Justice and
Delinquency Prevention Act and the Runaway and Homeless Youth
Act; and all matters dealing with child abuse and domestic
violence, including the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment
Act and child adoption.
Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce
Development.--Education and workforce development beyond the
high school level, including but not limited to higher
education generally, postsecondary student assistance and
employment services, and the Higher Education Act; Title IX of
the Education Amendments of 1972; all domestic volunteer
programs; all programs related to the arts and humanities,
museum and library services, and arts and artifacts indemnity;
postsecondary career and technical education, apprenticeship
programs, and workforce development, including the Workforce
Innovation and Opportunity Act, vocational rehabilitation, and
workforce development programs from immigration funding;
science and technology programs; adult basic education (family
literacy); all welfare reform programs, including work
incentive programs and welfare-to-work requirements; poverty
programs, including the Community Services Block Grant Act and
the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP); the
Native American Programs Act; the Institute of Peace; and all
matters dealing with programs and services for the elderly
including nutrition programs and the Older Americans Act.
Subcommittee on Workforce Protections.--Wages and hours of
workers, including but not limited to the Davis-Bacon Act, the
Walsh-Healey Act, the Service Contract Act, and the Fair Labor
Standards Act; workers' compensation including the Federal
Employees' Compensation Act, the Longshore and Harbor Workers'
Compensation Act, and the Black Lung Benefits Act; the Migrant
and Seasonal Agricultural Worker Protection Act; the Family and
Medical Leave Act; the Worker Adjustment and Retraining
Notification Act; the Employee Polygraph Protection Act of
1988; trade and immigration issues as they affect employers and
workers; workers' safety and health, including but not limited
to occupational safety and health, mine safety and health, and
migrant and agricultural worker safety and health; and all
matters related to equal employment opportunity and civil
rights in employment.
Subcommittee on Health, Employment, Labor, and Pensions.--
All matters dealing with relationships between employers and
employees, including but not limited to the National Labor
Relations Act, the Labor-Management Relations Act, and the
Labor-Management Reporting and Disclosure Act; the Bureau of
Labor Statistics; and employment-related health and retirement
security, including pension, health, and other employee
benefits and the Employee Retirement Income Security Act
(ERISA).
(b) The majority party members of the Committee may provide
for such temporary, ad hoc subcommittees as determined to be
appropriate.
Rule 3.--Ex Officio Membership
The Chair of the Committee and the ranking minority party
member (``Ranking Member'') shall be ex officio members, but
not voting members, of each subcommittee to which such Chair or
Ranking Member has not been assigned.
Rule 4.--Subcommittee Scheduling
(a) Subcommittee chair shall set meeting or hearing dates
after consultation with the Chair and other subcommittee chair
with a view toward avoiding simultaneous scheduling of
Committee and subcommittee meetings or hearings, wherever
possible. No such meetings or hearings, however, shall be held
outside of Washington, D.C., or during a recess or adjournment
of the House of Representatives without the prior authorization
of the Committee Chair. Where practicable, 14 days' notice will
be given of such meeting or hearing.
(b) Available dates for subcommittee meetings during the
session shall be assigned by the Chair to the subcommittees as
nearly as practicable in rotation and in accordance with their
workloads. As far as practicable, the Chair shall not schedule
simultaneous subcommittee markups, a subcommittee markup during
a full Committee markup, or any hearing during a markup.
Rule 5.--Subcommittee Rules
The rules of the Committee shall be the rules of its
subcommittees.
Rule 6.--Special Assignment of Members
To facilitate the oversight and other legislative and
investigative activities of the Committee, the Chair of the
Committee may, at the request of a subcommittee chair, make a
temporary assignment of any member of the Committee to such
subcommittee for the purpose of constituting a quorum and of
enabling such member to participate in any public hearing,
investigation, or study by such subcommittee to be held outside
of Washington, D.C. Any member of the Committee may attend
public hearings of any subcommittee and any member of the
Committee may question witnesses only when they have been
recognized by the Chair for that purpose.
Rule 7.--Hearing Procedure
(a) The Chair, in the case of hearings to be conducted by
the Committee, and the appropriate subcommittee chair, in the
case of hearings to be conducted by a subcommittee, shall make
public announcement of the date, place, and subject matter of
any hearing to be conducted on any measure or matter at least
one week before the commencement of that hearing unless the
Chair of the Committee, with the concurrence of the Ranking
Member, determines that there is good cause to begin such
hearing at an earlier date or the Committee so determines by
majority vote in the presence of the number of members required
under the rules of the Committee for the transaction of
business. In the latter event, the Chair or the subcommittee
chair, as the case may be, shall have such an announcement
promptly published in the Daily Digest and made publicly
available in electronic form. To the extent practicable, the
Chair or the subcommittee chair shall make public announcement
of the final list of witnesses scheduled to testify at least 48
hours before the commencement of the hearing. The staff
director of the Committee shall promptly notify the Daily
Digest Clerk of the Congressional Record as soon as practicable
after such public announcement is made.
(b) Subcommittees are authorized to hold hearings, receive
exhibits, hear witnesses, and report to the Committee for final
action, together with such recommendations as may be agreed
upon by the subcommittee.
(c) All opening statements at hearings conducted by the
Committee or any subcommittee will be made part of the
permanent written record. Opening statements by members may not
be presented orally, unless the Chair of the Committee or any
subcommittee determines that one statement from the Chair or a
designee will be presented, in which case the Ranking Member or
a designee may also make a statement. If a witness scheduled to
testify at any hearing of the Committee or any subcommittee is
a constituent of a member of the Committee or subcommittee,
such member shall be entitled to briefly introduce such witness
at the hearing.
(d) To the extent practicable, witnesses who are to appear
before the Committee or a subcommittee shall file with the
staff director of the Committee, at least 48 hours in advance
of their appearance, a written statement of their proposed
testimony, together with a brief summary thereof, and shall
limit their oral presentation to a summary thereof. The staff
director of the Committee shall promptly furnish to the staff
director of the minority a copy of such testimony submitted to
the Committee pursuant to this rule. The Chair of the
Committee, or a member designated by the Chair, may administer
oaths to witnesses.
(e) When any hearing is conducted by the Committee or any
subcommittee upon any measure or matter, the minority party
members on the Committee shall be entitled, upon request to the
Chair by a majority of those minority party members before the
completion of such hearing, to call witnesses selected by the
minority to testify with respect to that measure or matter
during at least one day of hearing thereon. The minority party
may waive this right by calling at least one witness during a
Committee hearing or subcommittee hearing.
(f) In the conduct of hearings of subcommittees sitting
jointly, the rules otherwise applicable to all subcommittees
shall likewise apply to joint subcommittee hearings for
purposes of such shared consideration.
Rule 8.--Questioning of Hearing Witnesses
(a) Subject to clauses (b), (c), and (d), a Committee
member may question hearing witnesses only when the member has
been recognized by the Chair for that purpose, and only for a
five-minute period until all members present have had an
opportunity to question a witness. The questioning of witnesses
in both Committee and subcommittee hearings shall be initiated
by the Chair, followed by the Ranking Member and all other
members alternating between the majority and minority party.
The Chair shall exercise discretion in determining the order in
which members will be recognized. In recognizing members to
question witnesses in this fashion, the Chair shall take into
consideration the ratio of the majority to minority party
members present and shall establish the order of recognition
for questioning in such a manner as not to place the members of
the majority party in a disadvantageous position.
(b) The Chair may permit a specified number of members to
question a witness for longer than five minutes. The time for
extended questioning of a witness under this clause shall be
equal for the majority party and the minority party and may not
exceed one hour in the aggregate.
(c) The Chair may permit Committee staff for the majority
and the minority party members to question a witness for equal
specified periods. The time for extended questioning of a
witness under this clause shall be equal for the majority party
and the minority party and may not exceed one hour in the
aggregate.
(d) In an investigative hearing or in an executive session,
the Chair's authority to extend questioning under subsection
(b) and (c) of this rule shall be equal for the majority and
the minority party and may not exceed one hour in the
aggregate, and shall only be conducted by counsel for the
majority and the minority party when authorized under
subsection (c) of this rule.
Rule 9.--Subpoena Authority
The power to authorize and issue subpoenas is delegated to
the Chair of the full Committee, as provided for under clause
2(m)(3)(A)(i) of Rule XI of the Rules of the House of
Representatives. The Chair shall notify the Ranking Member
prior to issuing any subpoena under such authority. To the
extent practicable, the Chair shall consult with the Ranking
Member at least 24 hours in advance of a subpoena being issued
under such authority, excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and federal
holidays. As soon as practicable after issuing any subpoena
under such authority, the Chair shall notify in writing all
members of the Committee of the issuance of the subpoena.
Rule 10.--Deposition Procedure
(a) In accordance with the Committee receiving
authorization by the House of Representatives for the taking of
depositions in furtherance of a Committee investigation, the
Chair, upon consultation with the Ranking Member, may order the
taking of depositions pursuant to notice or subpoena as
contemplated by this rule.
(b) The Chair or majority staff shall consult with the
Ranking Member or minority staff no less than three business
days before any notice or subpoena for a deposition is issued.
After such consultation, all members shall receive written
notice that a notice or subpoena for a deposition will be
issued.
(c) A notice or subpoena issued under this rule shall
specify the date, time, and place of the deposition and the
method or methods by which the deposition will be recorded.
Prior to testifying, a deponent shall be provided with a copy
of the Committee's rules, the House Resolution authorizing the
taking of the deposition, and Rule X of the Rules of the House
of Representatives.
(d)(1) A deposition shall be conducted by one or more
members or Committee counsel as designated by the Chair or
Ranking Member.
(2) A deposition shall be taken under oath or affirmation
administered by a member or a person otherwise authorized to
administer oaths and affirmations.
(3) A deposition shall be, unless waived by the deponent,
attended by a member of the Committee.
(e) A deponent may be accompanied at a deposition by
counsel to advise the deponent of the deponent's rights. Only
members and Committee counsel, however, may examine the
deponent. No one may be present at a deposition other than
members, Committee staff designated by the Chair or Ranking
Member, such individuals as may be required to administer the
oath or affirmation and transcribe or record the proceedings,
the deponent, and the deponent's counsel (including personal
counsel and counsel for the entity employing the deponent if
the scope of the deposition is expected to cover actions taken
as part of the deponent's employment). Observers or counsel for
other persons or entities may not attend.
(f)(1) Unless the majority, minority, and deponent agree
otherwise, questions in a deposition shall be propounded in
rounds, alternating between the majority and minority. A single
round shall not exceed 60 minutes per side, unless the members
or counsel conducting the deposition agree to a different
length of questioning. In each round, a member or Committee
counsel designated by the Chair shall ask questions first, and
the member or Committee counsel designated by the Ranking
Member shall ask questions second.
(2) Any objection made during a deposition must be stated
concisely and in a non-argumentative and non-suggestive manner.
Deponent may refuse to answer a question only to preserve a
privilege. When the deponent has objected and refused to answer
a question to preserve a privilege, the Chair may rule on any
such objection after the deposition has adjourned. If the Chair
overrules any such objection and thereby orders a deponent to
answer any question to which a privilege objection was lodged,
such ruling shall be filed with the clerk of the Committee and
shall be provided to members and the deponent no less than
three days before the ruling is enforced at a reconvened
deposition. If a member of the Committee appeals in writing the
ruling of the Chair, the appeal shall be preserved for
Committee consideration. A deponent who refuses to answer a
question after being directed to answer by the Chair in writing
may be subject to sanction, except that no sanctions may be
imposed if the ruling of the Chair is reversed on appeal. In
all cases, when deposition testimony for which an objection has
been made is offered for admission in evidence before the
Committee, all properly lodged objections then made shall be
timely and shall be considered by the Committee prior to
admission in evidence before the Committee.
(g) Deposition testimony shall be transcribed by
stenographic means and may also be video recorded. The clerk of
the Committee shall receive the transcript and any video
recording and promptly forward such to minority staff at the
same time the clerk distributes such to other majority staff.
(h) The individual administering the oath shall certify on
the transcript that the deponent was duly sworn. The
transcriber shall certify that the transcript is a true,
verbatim record of the testimony, and the transcript and any
exhibits shall be filed, as shall any video recording, with the
clerk of the Committee. In no case shall any video recording be
considered the official transcript of a deposition or otherwise
supersede the certified written transcript.
(i) After receiving the transcript, majority staff shall
make available the transcript for review by the deponent or
deponent's counsel. No later than ten business days thereafter,
the deponent may submit suggested changes to the Chair.
Committee majority staff may direct the clerk of the Committee
to note any typographical errors, including any requested by
the deponent or minority staff, via an errata sheet appended to
the transcript. Any proposed substantive changes,
modifications, clarifications, or amendments to the deposition
testimony must be submitted by the deponent as an affidavit
that includes the deponent's reasons therefore. Any substantive
changes, modifications, clarifications, or amendments shall be
included as an appendix to the transcript, a copy of which
shall be promptly forwarded to minority staff.
(j) The Chair and Ranking Member shall consult regarding
the release of deposition transcript or electronic recordings.
If either objects in writing to a proposed release of a
deposition transcript or electronic recording or a portion
thereof, the matter shall be promptly referred to the Committee
for resolution.
Rule 11.--Quorums
One-third of the members of the Committee or subcommittee
shall constitute a quorum for taking any action other than
amending Committee rules, closing a meeting from the public,
reporting a measure or recommendation, or in the case of the
Committee or a subcommittee authorizing a subpoena. For the
enumerated actions, a majority of the Committee or subcommittee
shall constitute a quorum. Any two members shall constitute a
quorum for the purpose of taking testimony and receiving
evidence.
Rule 12.--Referral of Bills, Resolutions, and Other Matters
(a) The Chair shall consult with subcommittee chair
regarding referral to the appropriate subcommittees of such
bills, resolutions, and other matters that have been referred
to the Committee. Once copies of a bill, resolution, or other
matter are available to the Committee, the Chair shall, within
three weeks of such availability, provide notice of referral,
if any, to the appropriate subcommittee.
(b) Referral to a subcommittee shall not be made until
three days have elapsed after written notification of such
proposed referral to all subcommittee chair, at which time such
proposed referral shall be made unless one or more subcommittee
chair shall have given written notice to the Chair of the full
Committee and to the chair of each subcommittee that he or she
intends to question such proposed referral at the next
regularly scheduled meeting of the Committee, or at a special
meeting of the Committee called for that purpose, at which time
referral shall be made by the majority members of the
Committee. All bills shall be referred under this rule to the
subcommittee of proper jurisdiction without regard to whether
the author is or is not a member of the subcommittee. Upon a
majority vote of the Committee, a bill, resolution, or other
matter referred to a subcommittee in accordance with this rule
may be recalled at any time for the Committee's direct
consideration or for reference to another subcommittee.
(c) The Chair shall announce the date, place, and subject
matter of a Committee meeting, which may not commence earlier
than the third day on which members have notice thereof; but
this requirement may be waived if the Chair of the Committee,
with the concurrence of the Ranking Member, determines that
there is good cause or the Committee so determines by majority
vote in the presence of the number of members required under
the rules of the Committee for the transaction of such
business.
(d) When a bill or resolution is being considered by the
Committee or a subcommittee, members shall provide the clerk in
a timely manner a sufficient number of written copies of any
amendment offered, so as to enable each member present to
receive a copy thereof prior to taking action. A point of order
may be made against any amendment not reduced to writing. A
copy of each such amendment shall be maintained in the public
records of the Committee or subcommittee, as the case may be.
(e) In determining the order in which amendments to a
matter pending before the Committee or a subcommittee will be
considered, the Chair may give priority to:
(1) The Chair's mark, and
(2) Amendments, otherwise in order, that have been
filed with the Committee at least 24 hours prior to the
Committee or subcommittee business meeting on said
measure or matter.
(f) The Chair shall provide, in a timely manner,
electronically or in paper form to the Ranking Member a copy of
each report received by the Chair that is authorized by statute
to be transmitted to Congress and addressed by Rule II, section
2(b) of the Rules of the House of Representative, unless such
report has been specifically marked as already having been sent
to the Ranking Member or Minority Committee staff.
(g) The Chair shall provide to the Ranking Member a copy of
any Committee letter exchanged with another committee waiving
Committee consideration of a bill referred to the Committee
within 24 hours of issuing such a letter and shall notify the
Ranking Member upon issuance of such a letter.
Rule 13.--Votes
(a) With respect to each roll call vote on a motion to
report any bill, resolution, or matter of a public character,
and on any amendment offered thereto, the total number of votes
cast for and against, and the names of those members voting for
and against, shall be included in the Committee report on the
measure or matter.
(b) In accordance with clause 2(h) of Rule XI of the Rules
of the House of Representatives, the Chair of the Committee or
a subcommittee is authorized to postpone further proceedings
when a record vote is ordered on the question of approving a
measure or matter or on adopting an amendment. Such Chair may
resume proceedings on a postponed request at any time after
reasonable notice. When proceedings resume on a postponed
question, notwithstanding any intervening order for the
previous question, an underlying proposition shall remain
subject to further debate or amendment to the same extent as
when the question was postponed.
Rule 14.--Records and Rollcalls
(a) Written records shall be kept of the proceedings of the
Committee and of each subcommittee, including a record of the
votes on any question on which a roll call is demanded. The
result of each such roll call vote shall be made available by
the Committee or subcommittee for inspection by the public at
reasonable times in the offices of the Committee or
subcommittee and shall be made available on the Committee's
website within 48 hours of such record vote. Information so
available for public inspection and on the Committee's website
shall include a description of the amendment, motion, order, or
other proposition; the name of each member voting for and each
member voting against such amendment, motion, order, or
proposition; and the names of those members present but not
voting. The text of an amendment offered to a measure or matter
considered in Committee shall be made publicly available in
electronic form not later than 24 hours after its final
disposition in Committee. A record vote may be demanded by one-
fifth of the members present or, in the apparent absence of a
quorum, by any one member.
(b) In accordance with Rule VII of the Rules of the House
of Representatives, any official permanent record of the
Committee (including any record of a legislative, oversight, or
other activity of the Committee or any subcommittee) shall be
made available for public use if such record has been in
existence for 30 years, except that--
(1) any record that the Committee (or a subcommittee)
makes available for public use before such record is
delivered to the Archivist under clause 2 of Rule VII
of the Rules of the House of Representatives shall be
made available immediately, including any record
described in subsection (a) of this Rule;
(2) any investigative record that contains personal
data relating to a specific living individual (the
disclosure of which would be an unwarranted invasion of
personal privacy), any administrative record with
respect to personnel, and any record with respect to a
hearing closed pursuant to clause 2(g)(2) of Rule XI of
the Rules of the House of Representatives shall be
available if such record has been in existence for 50
years; or
(3) except as otherwise provided by order of the
House of Representatives, any record of the Committee
for which a time, schedule, or condition for
availability is specified by order of the Committee
(entered during the Congress in which the record is
made or acquired by the Committee) shall be made
available in accordance with the order of the
Committee.
(c) The official permanent records of the Committee include
noncurrent records of the Committee (including subcommittees)
delivered by the Clerk of the House of Representatives to the
Archivist of the United States for preservation at the National
Archives and Records Administration, which are the property of
and remain subject to the rules and orders of the House of
Representatives.
(d)(1) Any order of the Committee with respect to any
matter described in paragraph (2) of this subsection shall be
adopted only if the notice requirements of Committee Rule 12(c)
have been met, a quorum consisting of a majority of the members
of the Committee is present at the time of the vote, and a
majority of those present and voting approve the adoption of
the order, which shall be submitted to the Clerk of the House
of Representatives, together with any accompanying report.
(2) This subsection applies to any order of the Committee
which--
(A) provides for the non-availability of any record
subject to subsection (b) of this rule for a period
longer than the period otherwise applicable; or
(B) is subsequent to, and constitutes a later order
under clause 4(b) of Rule VII of the Rules of the House
of Representatives, regarding a determination of the
Clerk of the House of Representatives with respect to
authorizing the Archivist of the United States to make
available for public use the records delivered to the
Archivist under clause 2 of Rule VII of the Rules of
the House of Representatives; or
(C) specifies a time, schedule, or condition for
availability pursuant to subsection (b) (3) of this
Rule.
Rule 15.--Reports
(a) Reports of the Committee.--All Committee reports on
bills or resolutions shall comply with the provisions of clause
2 of Rule XI and clauses 2, 3, and 4 of Rule XIII of the Rules
of the House of Representatives.
(1) No such report shall be filed until copies of the
proposed report have been available to all members at
least 36 hours prior to such filing in the House of
Representatives. No material change shall be made in
the report distributed to members unless agreed to by
the Ranking Member; but any member or members of the
Committee may file, as part of the printed report,
individual, minority, or dissenting views, without
regard to the preceding provisions of this rule.
(2) Such 36-hour period shall not conclude earlier
than the end of the period provided under clause 4 of
Rule XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives
after the Committee approves a measure or matter if a
member, at the time of such approval, gives notice of
intention to file supplemental, minority, or additional
views for inclusion as part of the printed report.
(3) To the extent practicable, any report prepared
pursuant to a Committee or subcommittee study or
investigation shall be available to members no later
than 48 hours prior to consideration of any such report
by the Committee or subcommittee, as the case may be.
(b) Disclaimers.--
(1) A report on activities of the Committee required
under clause 1 of Rule XI of the Rules of the House of
Representatives shall include the following disclaimer
in the document transmitting the report to the Clerk of
the House of Representatives:
This report has not been officially adopted by the
Committee on Education and the Workforce or any
subcommittee thereof and therefore may not necessarily
reflect the views of its members.
Such disclaimer need not be included if the report
was circulated to all members of the Committee at least
seven days prior to its submission to the House of
Representatives and provision is made for the filing by
any member, as part of the printed report, of
individual, minority, or dissenting views.
(2) All Committee or subcommittee reports printed
pursuant to legislative study or investigation and not
approved by a majority vote of the Committee or
subcommittee, as appropriate, shall contain the
following disclaimer on the cover of such report:
This report has not been officially adopted by the
Committee on Education and the Workforce (or pertinent
subcommittee thereof) and therefore may not necessarily
reflect the views of its members.
The minority party members of the Committee or
subcommittee shall have three calendar days, excluding
weekends and holidays, to file, as part of the printed
report, supplemental, minority, or additional views.
(c) Reports of Subcommittees.--Whenever a subcommittee has
ordered a bill, resolution, or other matter to be reported to
the Committee, the chair of the subcommittee reporting the
bill, resolution, or matter to the Committee, or any member
authorized by the subcommittee to do so, may report such bill,
resolution, or matter to the Committee. It shall be the duty of
the chair of the subcommittee to report or cause to be reported
promptly such bill, resolution, or matter, and to take or cause
to be taken the necessary steps to bring such bill, resolution,
or matter to a vote.
(1) In any event, the report, described in the
proviso in subsection (c)(2) of this rule, of any
subcommittee on a measure which has been approved by
the subcommittee shall be filed within seven calendar
days (exclusive of days on which the House is not in
session) after the day on which there has been filed
with the staff director of the Committee a written
request, signed by a majority of the members of the
subcommittee, for the reporting of that measure. Upon
the filing of any such request, the staff director of
the Committee shall transmit immediately to the chair
of the subcommittee a notice of the filing of that
request.
(2) Bills, resolutions, or other matters favorably
reported by a subcommittee shall automatically be
placed upon the agenda of the Committee as of the time
they are reported. No bill or resolution or other
matter reported by a subcommittee shall be considered
by the full Committee unless it has been delivered or
electronically sent to all members and notice of its
prior transmission has been in the hands of all members
at least 48 hours prior to such consideration. A member
of the Committee shall receive, upon his or her
request, a paper copy of such bill, resolution, or
other matter reported. When a bill is reported from a
subcommittee, such measure shall be accompanied by a
section-by-section analysis; and, if the Chair of the
Committee so requires (in response to a request from
the Ranking Member of the Committee or for other
reasons), a comparison showing proposed changes in
existing law.
Rule 16.--Appointment of Conferees, Notice of Conference Meetings, and
Conference Motion
(a) Whenever in the legislative process it becomes
necessary to appoint conferees, the Chair shall recommend to
the Speaker as conferees the names of those members of the
subcommittee which handled the legislation in the order of
their seniority upon such subcommittee and such other Committee
members as the Chair may designate with the approval of the
majority party members. Recommendations of the Chair to the
Speaker shall provide a ratio of majority party members to
minority party members no less favorable to the majority party
than the ratio of majority members to minority party members on
the full Committee. In making assignments of minority party
members as conferees, the Chair shall consult with the Ranking
Member of the Committee.
(b) After the appointment of conferees pursuant to clause
11 of Rule I of the Rules of the House of Representatives for
matters within the jurisdiction of the Committee, the Chair
shall notify all members appointed to the conference of
meetings at least 48 hours before the commencement of the
meeting. If such notice is not possible, then notice shall be
given as soon as possible.
(c) The Chair is directed to offer a motion under clause 1
of Rule XXII of the Rules of the House of Representatives
whenever the Chair considers it appropriate.
Rule 17.--Measures To Be Considered Under Suspension
A member of the Committee may not seek to suspend the Rules
of the House of Representatives on any bill, resolution, or
other matter which has been modified after such measure is
ordered reported, unless notice of such action has been given
to the Chair and Ranking Member of the full Committee.
Rule 18.--Broadcasting of Committee Hearings and Meetings
(a) Television, Radio and Still Photography.--
(1) Whenever a hearing or meeting conducted by the
Committee or any subcommittee is open to the public,
those proceedings shall be open to coverage by
television, radio, and still photography subject to the
requirements of clause 4 of Rule XI of the Rules of the
House of Representatives and except when the hearing or
meeting is closed pursuant to the Rules of the House of
Representatives and of the Committee. The coverage of
any hearing or meeting of the Committee or any
subcommittee thereof by television, radio, or still
photography shall be under the direct supervision of
the Chair of the Committee, the subcommittee chair, or
other member of the Committee presiding at such hearing
or meeting and may be terminated by such member in
accordance with the Rules of the House of
Representatives.
(2) Personnel providing coverage by the television
and radio media shall be then currently accredited to
the Radio and Television Correspondents' Galleries.
(3) Personnel providing coverage by still photography
shall be then accredited to the Press Photographers'
Gallery.
(b) Audio and Video Coverage of Committee Hearings and
Meetings.--To the maximum extent practicable, the Committee
shall provide audio and video coverage of each hearing or
meeting for the transaction of business in a manner that allows
the public to easily listen to and view the proceedings and
shall maintain the recordings of such coverage in a manner that
is easily accessible to the public. Such coverage shall be fair
and nonpartisan in accordance with clause 4(b) of Rule XI of
the Rules of the House of Representatives and other applicable
rules of the House of Representatives and of the Committee.
Personnel providing such coverage shall be employees of the
House of Representatives or currently accredited to the Radio
and Television Correspondents' Galleries.
Rule 19.--Committee Staff
(a) The employees of the Committee shall be appointed by
the Chair in consultation with subcommittee chair and other
majority party members of the Committee within the budget
approved for such purposes by the Committee.
(b) The staff appointed by the minority shall have their
remuneration determined in such manner as the minority party
members of the Committee shall determine within the budget
approved for such purposes by the Committee.
Rule 20.--Supervision and Duties of Committee Staff
The staff of the Committee shall be under the general
supervision and direction of the Chair, who shall establish and
assign the duties and responsibilities of such staff members
and delegate authority as he or she determines appropriate. The
staff appointed by the minority shall be under the general
supervision and direction of the minority party members of the
Committee, who may delegate such authority as they determine
appropriate. All Committee staff shall be assigned to Committee
business and no other duties may be assigned to them.
Rule 21.--Authorization for Travel
(a) Consistent with the primary expense resolution and such
additional expense resolutions as may have been approved, the
provisions of this rule shall govern travel of Committee
members and staff. Travel to be paid from funds set aside for
the full Committee for any member or any staff member shall be
paid only upon the prior authorization of the Chair. Travel may
be authorized by the Chair for any member and any staff member
in connection with the attendance of hearings conducted by the
Committee or any subcommittee thereof and meetings,
conferences, and investigations that involve activities or
subject matter under the general jurisdiction of the Committee.
The Chair shall review travel requests to assure the validity
to Committee business. Before such authorization is given,
there shall be submitted to the Chair in writing the following:
(1) The purpose of the travel;
(2) The dates during which the travel is to be made
and the date or dates of the event for which the travel
is being made;
(3) The location of the event for which the travel is
to be made; and
(4) The names of members and staff seeking
authorization.
(b)(1) In the case of travel outside the United States of
members and staff of the Committee for the purpose of
conducting hearings, investigations, studies, or attending
meetings and conferences involving activities or subject matter
under the legislative assignment of the Committee or pertinent
subcommittees, prior authorization must be obtained from the
Chair, or, in the case of a subcommittee, from the subcommittee
chair and the Chair. Before such authorization is given, there
shall be submitted to the Chair, in writing, a request for such
authorization. Each request, which shall be filed in a manner
that allows for a reasonable period of time for review before
such travel is scheduled to begin, shall include the following:
(A) The purpose of travel;
(B) The dates during which the travel will occur;
(C) The names of the countries to be visited and the
length of time to be spent in each;
(D) an agenda of anticipated activities for each
country for which travel is authorized together with a
description of the purpose to be served and the areas
of Committee jurisdiction involved; and
(E) The names of members and staff for whom
authorization is sought.
(2) Requests for travel outside the United States may be
initiated by the Chair or the chair of a subcommittee (except
that individuals may submit a request to the Chair for the
purpose of attending a conference or meeting) and shall be
limited to members and permanent employees of the Committee.
(3) The Chair shall not approve a request involving travel
outside the United States while the House is in session (except
in the case of attendance at meetings and conferences or where
circumstances warrant an exception).
(4) At the conclusion of any hearing, investigation,
study, meeting, or conference for which travel outside
the United States has been authorized pursuant to this
rule, each subcommittee (or members and staff attending
meetings or conferences) shall submit a written report
to the Chair covering the activities of the
subcommittee and containing the results of these
activities and other pertinent observations or
information gained as a result of such travel.
(c) Members and staff of the Committee performing
authorized travel on official business shall be governed by
applicable laws, resolutions, or regulations of the House of
Representatives and of the Committee on House Administration
pertaining to such travel, including rules, procedures, and
limitations prescribed by the Committee on House Administration
with respect to domestic and foreign expense allowances.
(d) Prior to the Chair's authorization for any
travel, the Ranking Member shall be given a copy of the
written request therefor.
Rule 22.--Budget and Expenses
(a) The Chair, in consultation with the majority party
members of the Committee, shall prepare a preliminary budget.
Such budget shall include necessary amounts for staff
personnel, for necessary travel, investigation, and other
expenses of the Committee; and, after consultation with the
minority party membership, the Chair shall include amounts
budgeted to the minority party members for staff personnel to
be under the direction and supervision of the minority party,
travel expenses of minority party members and staff, and
minority party office expenses. All travel expenses of minority
party members and staff shall be paid for out of the amounts so
set aside and budgeted. The Chair shall take whatever action is
necessary to have the budget as finally approved by the
Committee duly authorized by the House of Representatives.
After such budget shall have been adopted, no change shall be
made in such budget unless approved by the Committee. The Chair
or the chair of any standing subcommittee may initiate
necessary travel requests as provided in Committee Rule 21
within the limits of their portion of the consolidated budget
as approved by the House, and the Chair may execute necessary
vouchers therefor.
(b) Subject to the Rules of the House of Representatives
and procedures prescribed by the Committee on House
Administration, and with the prior authorization of the Chair
of the Committee in each case, there may be expended in any one
session of Congress for necessary travel expenses of witnesses
attending hearings in Washington, D.C.:
(1) Out of funds budgeted and set aside for each
subcommittee, not to exceed $5,000 for expenses of
witnesses attending hearings of each such subcommittee;
(2) Out of funds budgeted for the full Committee
majority, not to exceed $5,000 for expenses of
witnesses attending full Committee hearings; and
(3) Out of funds set aside to the minority party
members, (A) Not to exceed, for each of the
subcommittees, $5,000 for expenses of witnesses
attending subcommittee hearings, and (B) Not to exceed
$5,000 for expenses of witnesses attending full
Committee hearings.
(c) A full and detailed monthly report accounting for all
expenditures of Committee funds shall be maintained in the
Committee office, where it shall be available to each member of
the Committee. Such report shall show the amount and purpose of
each expenditure, and the budget to which such expenditure is
attributed.
Rule 23.--Changes in Committee Rules
The Committee shall not consider a proposed change in these
rules unless the text of such change has been delivered or
electronically sent to all members and notice of its prior
transmission has been in the hands of all members at least 48
hours prior to such consideration; a member of the Committee
shall receive, upon his or her request, a paper copy of the
proposed change.
Committee on Energy and Commerce
GREG WALDEN, Oregon, Chairman
FRANK PALLONE, Jr., New Jersey JOE BARTON, Texas, Vice Chairman
BOBBY L. RUSH, Illinois FRED UPTON, Michigan
ANNA G. ESHOO, California JOHN SHIMKUS, Illinois
ELIOT L. ENGEL, New York TIM MURPHY, Pennsylvania
GENE GREEN, Texas MICHAEL C. BURGESS, Texas
DIANA DeGETTE, Colorado MARSHA BLACKBURN, Tennessee
MICHAEL F. DOYLE, Pennsylvania STEVE SCALISE, Louisiana
JANICE D. SCHAKOWSKY, Illinois ROBERT E. LATTA, Ohio
G. K. BUTTERFIELD, North Carolina CATHY McMORRIS RODGERS, Washington
DORIS O. MATSUI, California GREGG HARPER, Mississippi
KATHY CASTOR, Florida LEONARD LANCE, New Jersey
JOHN P. SARBANES, Maryland BRETT GUTHRIE, Kentucky
JERRY McNERNEY, California PETE OLSON, Texas
PETER WELCH, Vermont DAVID B. McKINLEY, West Virginia
BEN RAY LUJAN, New Mexico ADAM KINZINGER, Illinois
PAUL TONKO, New York H. MORGAN GRIFFITH, Virginia
YVETTE D. CLARKE, New York GUS M. BILIRAKIS, Florida
DAVID LOEBSACK, Iowa BILL JOHNSON, Ohio
KURT SCHRADER, Oregon BILLY LONG, Missouri
JOSEPH P. KENNEDY, III, MassachusettsLARRY BUCSHON, Indiana
TONY CARDENAS, California BILL FLORES, Texas
RAUL RUIZ, California SUSAN W. BROOKS, Indiana
SCOTT PETERS, California MARKWAYNE MULLIN, Oklahoma
DEBBIE DINGELL, Michigan RICHARD HUDSON, North Carolina
CHRIS COLLINS, New York
KEVIN CRAMER, North Dakota
TIM WALBERG, Michigan
MIMI WALTERS, California
RYAN COSTELLO, Pennsylvania
EARL L. ``BUDDY'' CARTER, Georgia
(As adopted January 25, 2017)
RULES OF THE COMMITTEE ON ENERGY AND COMMERCE FOR THE 115TH CONGRESS
Rule 1.--General Provisions
(a) Rules of the Committee.--The Rules of the House are the
rules of the Committee on Energy and Commerce (the
``Committee'') and its subcommittees so far as is applicable.
(b) Rules of the Subcommittees.--Each subcommittee of the
Committee is part of the Committee and is subject to the
authority and direction of the Committee and to its rules so
far as is applicable. Written rules adopted by the Committee,
not inconsistent with the Rules of the House, shall be binding
on each subcommittee of the Committee.
Rule 2.--Meetings
(a) Regular Meeting Days.--The Committee shall meet on the
fourth Tuesday of each month at 10 a.m., for the consideration
of bills, resolutions, and other business, if the House is in
session on that day. If the House is not in session on that day
and the Committee has not met during such month, the Committee
shall meet at the earliest practicable opportunity when the
House is again in session. The chairman of the Committee may,
at his discretion, cancel, delay, or defer any meeting required
under this section, after consultation with the ranking
minority member.
(b) Additional Meetings.--The chairman may call and
convene, as he considers necessary, additional meetings of the
Committee for the consideration of any bill or resolution
pending before the Committee or for the conduct of other
Committee business. The Committee shall meet for such purposes
pursuant to that call of the chairman.
(c) Notice.--The date, time, place, and subject matter of
any meeting of the Committee scheduled on a Tuesday, Wednesday,
or Thursday when the House will be in session shall be
announced at least 36 hours (exclusive of Saturdays, Sundays,
and legal holidays except when the House is in session on such
days) in advance of the commencement of such meeting. The date,
time, place, and subject matter of other meetings when the
House is in session shall be announced to allow Members to have
at least three days notice (exclusive of Saturdays, Sundays,
and legal holidays except when the House is in session on such
days) of such meeting. The date, time, place, and subject
matter of all other meetings shall be announced at least 72
hours in advance of the commencement of such meeting.
(d) Agenda.--The agenda for each Committee meeting, setting
out all items of business to be considered, shall be provided
to each member of the Committee at least 36 hours in advance of
such meeting.
(e) Availability of Texts.--No bill, recommendation, or
other matter shall be considered by the Committee unless the
text of the matter, together with an explanation, has been
available to members of the Committee for three days (or 24
hours in the case of a substitute for introduced legislation).
Such explanation shall include a summary of the major
provisions of the legislation, an explanation of the
relationship of the matter to present law, and a summary of the
need for the legislation.
(f) Waiver.--The requirements of subsections (c), (d), and
(e) may be waived by a majority of those present and voting (a
majority being present) of the Committee or by the chairman
with the concurrence of the ranking member, as the case may be.
Rule 3.--Hearings
(a) Notice.--The date, time, place, and subject matter of
any hearing of the Committee shall be announced at least one
week in advance of the commencement of such hearing, unless a
determination is made in accordance with clause 2(g)(3) of Rule
XI of the Rules of the House that there is good cause to begin
the hearing sooner.
(b) Memorandum.--Each member of the Committee shall be
provided, except in the case of unusual circumstances, with a
memorandum at least 48 hours before each hearing explaining (1)
the purpose of the hearing and (2) the names of any witnesses.
(c) Witnesses.--
(1) Each witness who is to appear before the
Committee shall file with the clerk of the Committee,
at least two working days in advance of his or her
appearance, sufficient copies, as determined by the
chairman of the Committee of a written statement of his
or her proposed testimony to provide to members and
staff of the Committee, the news media, and the general
public. Each witness shall, to the greatest extent
practicable, also provide a copy of such written
testimony in an electronic format prescribed by the
chairman. Each witness shall limit his or her oral
presentation to a brief summary of the argument. The
chairman of the Committee or the presiding member may
waive the requirements of this paragraph or any part
thereof.
(2) To the greatest extent practicable, the written
testimony of each witness appearing in a
nongovernmental capacity shall include a curriculum
vitae and a disclosure of any federal grant or contract
or foreign government contracts and payments related to
the subject matter of the hearing received during the
current calendar year or either of the two preceding
calendar years by the witness or by an entity
represented by the witness. The disclosure shall
include (i) the amount and source of each Federal grant
(or subgrant thereof) or contract (or subcontract
thereof) related to the subject matter of the hearing;
and (ii) the amount and country of origin of any
payment or contract related to the subject matter of
the hearing originating with a foreign government.
(d) Questioning.--
(1) The right to interrogate the witnesses before the
Committee shall alternate between majority and minority
members. Each member shall be limited to 5 minutes in
the interrogation of witnesses until such time as each
member who so desires has had an opportunity to
question witnesses. No member shall be recognized for a
second period of 5 minutes to interrogate a witness
until each member of the Committee present has been
recognized once for that purpose. The chairman shall
recognize in order of appearance members who were not
present when the meeting was called to order after all
members who were present when the meeting was called to
order have been recognized in the order of seniority on
the Committee.
(2) The chairman, with the concurrence of the ranking
minority member, or the Committee by motion, may permit
an equal number of majority and minority members to
question a witness for a specified, total period that
is equal for each side and not longer than thirty
minutes for each side. The chairman with the
concurrence of the ranking minority member, or the
Committee by motion, may also permit committee staff of
the majority and minority to question a witness for a
specified, total period that is equal for each side and
not longer than thirty minutes for each side.
(3) Each member may submit to the chairman of the
Committee additional questions for the record, to be
answered by the witnesses who have appeared. Each
member shall provide a copy of the questions in an
electronic format to the clerk of the Committee no
later than ten business days following a hearing. The
chairman shall transmit all questions received from
members of the Committee to the appropriate witness and
include the transmittal letter and the responses from
the witnesses in the hearing record. After consultation
with the ranking minority member, the chairman is
authorized to close the hearing record no earlier than
120 days from the date the questions were transmitted
to the appropriate witness.
Rule 4.--Vice Chairmen; Presiding Member
The chairman shall designate a member of the majority party
to serve as vice chairman of the Committee, and shall designate
a majority member of each subcommittee to serve as vice
chairman of each subcommittee. The vice chairman of the
Committee or subcommittee, as the case may be, shall preside at
any meeting or hearing during the temporary absence of the
chairman. If the chairman and vice chairman of the Committee or
subcommittee are not present at any meeting or hearing, the
ranking member of the majority party who is present shall
preside at the meeting or hearing.
Rule 5.--Open Proceedings
Except as provided by the Rules of the House, each meeting
and hearing of the Committee for the transaction of business,
including the markup of legislation, and each hearing, shall be
open to the public, including to radio, television, and still
photography coverage, consistent with the provisions of Rule XI
of the Rules of the House.
Rule 6.--Quorum
Testimony may be taken and evidence received at any hearing
at which there are present not fewer than two members of the
Committee in question. A majority of the members of the
Committee shall constitute a quorum for those actions for which
the House Rules require a majority quorum. For the purposes of
taking any other action, one-third of the members of the
Committee shall constitute a quorum.
Rule 7.--Official Committee Records
(a)(1) Documents reflecting the proceedings of the
Committee shall be made publicly available in electronic form
on the Committee's website and in the Committee office for
inspection by the public, as provided in Rule XI, clause 2(e)
of the Rules of the House not more than 24 hours after each
meeting has adjourned, including a record showing those present
at each meeting; and a record of the vote on any question on
which a record vote is demanded, including a description of the
amendment, motion, order, or other proposition, the name of
each member voting for and each member voting against such
amendment, motion, order, or proposition, and the names of
those members of the committee present but not voting.
(2) Record Votes.--A record vote may be demanded by one-
fifth of the members present or, in the apparent absence of a
quorum, by any one member. No demand for a record vote shall be
made or obtained except for the purpose of procuring a record
vote or in the apparent absence of a quorum.
(b) Postponement of Votes.--In accordance with clause
2(h)(4) of Rule XI of the Rules of the House, the Chairman of
the Committee or a subcommittee, after consultation with the
ranking minority member of the Committee or subcommittee, may
(A) postpone further proceedings when a record vote is ordered
on the question of approving a measure or matter or on adopting
an amendment; and (B) resume proceedings on a postponed
question at any time after reasonable notice.
(c) Archived Records.--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 chairman 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 the written request of any member of the
Committee. The chairman shall consult with the ranking minority
member on any communication from the Archivist of the United
States or the Clerk of the House concerning the disposition of
noncurrent records pursuant to clause 3(b) of the Rule.
Rule 8.--Subcommittees
(a) Establishment.--There shall be such standing
subcommittees with such jurisdiction and size as determined by
the majority party caucus of the Committee. The jurisdiction,
number, and size of the subcommittees shall be determined by
the majority party caucus prior to the start of the process for
establishing subcommittee chairmanships and assignments.
(b) Powers and Duties.--Each subcommittee is authorized to
meet, hold hearings, receive testimony, mark up legislation,
and report to the Committee on all matters referred to it.
Subcommittee chairmen shall set hearing and meeting dates only
with the approval of the chairman of the Committee with a view
toward assuring the availability of meeting rooms and avoiding
simultaneous scheduling of Committee and subcommittee meetings
or hearings whenever possible.
(c) Ratio of Subcommittees.--The majority caucus of the
Committee shall determine an appropriate ratio of majority to
minority party members for each subcommittee and the chairman
shall negotiate that ratio with the minority party, provided
that the ratio of party members on each subcommittee shall be
no less favorable to the majority than that of the full
Committee, nor shall such ratio provide for a majority of less
than two majority members.
(d) Selection of Subcommittee Members.--Prior to any
organizational meeting held by the Committee, the majority and
minority caucuses shall select their respective members of the
standing subcommittees.
(e) Ex Officio Members.--The chairman and ranking minority
member of the Committee shall be ex officio members with voting
privileges of each subcommittee of which they are not assigned
as members and may be counted for purposes of establishing a
quorum in such subcommittees.
Rule 9.--Opening Statements
(a) Written Statements.--All written opening statements at
hearings and business meetings conducted by the committee shall
be made part of the permanent record.
(b) Length.--
(1) At full committee hearings, the chairman and
ranking minority member shall be limited to 5 minutes
each for an opening statement, and may designate
another member to give an opening statement of not more
than 5 minutes. At subcommittee hearings, the
subcommittee chairman and ranking minority member of
the subcommittee shall be limited to 5 minutes each for
an opening statement. In addition, the full committee
chairman and ranking minority member shall each be
allocated 5 minutes for an opening statement for
themselves or their designees.
(2) At any business meeting of the Committee,
statements shall be limited to 5 minutes each for the
chairman and ranking minority member (or their
respective designee) of the Committee or subcommittee,
as applicable, and 3 minutes each for all other
members. The chairman may further limit opening
statements for Members (including, at the discretion of
the Chairman, the chairman and ranking minority member)
to one minute.
Rule 10.--Reference of Legislation and Other Matters
All legislation and other matters referred to the Committee
shall be referred to the subcommittee of appropriate
jurisdiction within two weeks of the date of receipt by the
Committee unless action is taken by the full Committee within
those two weeks, or by majority vote of the members of the
Committee, consideration is to be by the full Committee. In the
case of legislation or other matter within the jurisdiction of
more than one subcommittee, the chairman of the Committee may,
in his discretion, refer the matter simultaneously to two or
more subcommittees for concurrent consideration, or may
designate a subcommittee of primary jurisdiction and also refer
the matter to one or more additional subcommittees for
consideration in sequence (subject to appropriate time
limitations), either on its initial referral or after the
matter has been reported by the subcommittee of primary
jurisdiction. Such authority shall include the authority to
refer such legislation or matter to an ad hoc subcommittee
appointed by the chairman, with the approval of the Committee,
from the members of the subcommittees having legislative or
oversight jurisdiction.
Rule 11.--Managing Legislation on the House Floor
The chairman, in his discretion, shall designate which
member shall manage legislation reported by the Committee to
the House.
Rule 12.--Committee Professional and Clerical Staff Appointments
(a) Delegation of Staff.--Whenever the chairman of the
Committee determines that any professional staff member
appointed pursuant to the provisions of clause 9 of Rule X of
the House of Representatives, who is assigned to such chairman
and not to the ranking minority member, by reason of such
professional staff member's expertise or qualifications will be
of assistance to one or more subcommittees in carrying out
their assigned responsibilities, he may delegate such member to
such subcommittees for such purpose. A delegation of a member
of the professional staff pursuant to this subsection shall be
made after consultation with subcommittee chairmen and with the
approval of the subcommittee chairman or chairmen involved.
(b) Minority Professional Staff.--Professional staff
members appointed pursuant to clause 9 of Rule X of the House
of Representatives, who are assigned to the ranking minority
member of the Committee and not to the chairman of the
Committee, shall be assigned to such Committee business as the
minority party members of the Committee consider advisable.
(c) Additional Staff Appointments.--In addition to the
professional staff appointed pursuant to clause 9 of Rule X of
the House of Representatives, the chairman of the Committee
shall be entitled to make such appointments to the professional
and clerical staff of the Committee as may be provided within
the budget approved for such purposes by the Committee. Such
appointee shall be assigned to such business of the full
Committee as the chairman of the Committee considers advisable.
(d) Sufficient Staff.--The chairman shall ensure that
sufficient staff is made available to each subcommittee to
carry out its responsibilities under the rules of the
Committee.
(e) Fair Treatment of Minority Members in Appointment of
Committee Staff.--The chairman shall ensure that the minority
members of the Committee are treated fairly in appointment of
Committee staff.
(f) Contracts for Temporary or Intermittent Services.--Any
contract for the temporary services or intermittent service of
individual consultants or organizations to make studies or
advise the Committee or its subcommittees with respect to any
matter within their jurisdiction shall be deemed to have been
approved by a majority of the members of the Committee if
approved by the chairman and ranking minority member of the
Committee. Such approval shall not be deemed to have been given
if at least one-third of the members of the Committee request
in writing that the Committee formally act on such a contract,
if the request is made within 10 days after the latest date on
which such chairman or chairmen, and such ranking minority
member or members, approve such contract.
Rule 13.--Supervision, Duties of Staff
(a) Supervision of Majority Staff.--The professional and
clerical staff of the Committee not assigned to the minority
shall be under the supervision and direction of the chairman
who, in consultation with the chairmen of the subcommittees,
shall establish and assign the duties and responsibilities of
such staff members and delegate such authority as he determines
appropriate.
(b) Supervision of Minority Staff.--The professional and
clerical staff assigned to the minority shall be under the
supervision and direction of the minority members of the
Committee, who may delegate such authority as they determine
appropriate.
Rule 14.--Committee Budget
(a) Administration of Committee Budget.--The chairman of
the Committee, in consultation with the ranking minority
member, shall for the 114th Congress attempt to ensure that the
Committee receives necessary amounts for professional and
clerical staff, travel, investigations, equipment and
miscellaneous expenses of the Committee and the subcommittees,
which shall be adequate to fully discharge the Committee's
responsibilities for legislation and oversight.
(b) Monthly Expenditures Report.--Committee members shall
be furnished a copy of each monthly report, prepared by the
chairman for the Committee on House Administration, which shows
expenditures made during the reporting period and cumulative
for the year by the Committee and subcommittees, anticipated
expenditures for the projected Committee program, and detailed
information on travel.
Rule 15.--Broadcasting of Committee Hearings
Any meeting or hearing that is open to the public may be
covered in whole or in part by radio or television or still
photography, subject to the requirements of clause 4 of Rule XI
of the Rules of the House. The coverage of any hearing or other
proceeding of the Committee or any subcommittee thereof by
television, radio, or still photography shall be under the
direct supervision of the chairman of the Committee, the
subcommittee chairman, or other member of the Committee
presiding at such hearing or other proceeding and may be
terminated by such member in accordance with the Rules of the
House.
Rule 16.--Subpoena Power
The power to authorize and issue subpoenas is delegated to
the Chair of the full Committee, as provided for under clause
2(m)(3)(A)(i) of Rule XI of the Rules of the House of
Representatives. The Chair shall notify the ranking minority
member prior to issuing any subpoena under such authority. To
the extent practicable, the Chair shall consult with the
ranking minority member at least 72 hours in advance of a
subpoena being issued under such authority. The chairman shall
report to the members of the Committee on the issuance of a
subpoena as soon as practicable but in no event later than one
week after issuance of such subpoena.
Rule 17.--Travel of Members and Staff
(a) Approval of Travel.--Consistent with the primary
expense resolution and such additional expense resolutions as
may have been approved, travel to be reimbursed from funds set
aside for the Committee for any member or any staff member
shall be paid only upon the prior authorization of the
chairman. Travel may be authorized by the chairman for any
member and any staff member in connection with the attendance
of hearings conducted by the Committee or any subcommittee
thereof and meetings, conferences, and investigations which
involve activities or subject matter under the general
jurisdiction of the Committee. Before such authorization is
given there shall be submitted to the chairman in writing the
following: (1) the purpose of the travel; (2) the dates during
which the travel is to be made and the date or dates of the
event for which the travel is being made; (3) the location of
the event for which the travel is to be made; and (4) the names
of members and staff seeking authorization.
(b) Approval of Travel by Minority Members and Staff.--In
the case of travel by minority party members and minority party
professional staff for the purpose set out in (a), the prior
approval, not only of the chairman but also of the ranking
minority member, shall be required. Such prior authorization
shall be given by the chairman only upon the representation by
the ranking minority member in writing setting forth those
items enumerated in (1), (2), (3), and (4) of paragraph (a).
Rule 18.--Website
The chairman shall maintain an official Committee website
for the purposes of furthering the Committee's legislative and
oversight responsibilities, including communicating information
about the Committee's activities to Committee members and other
members of the House. The ranking minority member may maintain
an official website for the purpose of carrying out official
responsibilities, including communicating information about the
activities of the minority members of the Committee to
Committee members and other members of the House.
Rule 19.--Conferences
The chairman of the Committee is directed to offer a motion
under clause 1 of Rule XXII of the Rules of the House whenever
the chairman considers it appropriate.
Committee on Ethics
SUSAN W BROOKS, Indiana,
Chairwoman
THEODORE E. DEUTCH, Florida PATRICK MEEHAN, Pennsylvania
YVETTE D. CLARKE, New York TREY GOWDY, South Carolina
JARED POLIS, Colorado KENNY MARCHANT, Texas
ANTHONY BROWN, Maryland LEONARD LANCE, New Jersey
STEVE COHEN, Tennessee
(As adopted by the Committee on March 22, 2017)
RULES OF THE COMMITTEE ON ETHICS FOR THE 115TH CONGRESS
FOREWORD
The Committee on Ethics is unique in the House of
Representatives. Consistent with the duty to carry out its
advisory and enforcement responsibilities in an impartial
manner, the Committee is the only standing committee of the
House of Representatives the membership of which is divided
evenly by party. These rules are intended to provide a fair
procedural framework for the conduct of the Committee's
activities and to help ensure that the Committee serves well
the people of the United States, the House of Representatives,
and the Members, officers, and employees of the House of
Representatives.
PART I--GENERAL COMMITTEE RULES
Rule 1.--General Provisions
(a) So far as applicable, these rules and the Rules of the
House of Representatives shall be the rules of the Committee
and any subcommittee. The Committee adopts these rules under
the authority of clause 2(a)(1) of Rule XI of the Rules of the
House of Representatives, 115th Congress.
(b) The rules of the Committee may be modified, amended, or
repealed by a vote of a majority of the Committee.
(c) When the interests of justice so require, the
Committee, by a majority vote of its members, may adopt any
special procedures, not inconsistent with these rules, deemed
necessary to resolve a particular matter before it. Copies of
such special procedures shall be furnished to all parties in
the matter.
(d) The Chair and Ranking Minority Member shall have access
to such information that they request as necessary to conduct
Committee business.
Rule 2.--Definitions
(a) ``Committee'' means the Committee on Ethics.
(b) ``Complaint'' means a written allegation of improper
conduct against a Member, officer, or employee of the House of
Representatives filed with the Committee with the intent to
initiate an inquiry.
(c) ``Inquiry'' means an investigation by an investigative
subcommittee into allegations against a Member, officer, or
employee of the House of Representatives.
(d) ``Investigate,'' ``Investigating,'' and/or
``Investigation'' mean review of the conduct of a Member,
officer, or employee of the House of Representatives that is
conducted or authorized by the Committee, an investigative
subcommittee, or the Chair and Ranking Minority Member of the
Committee.
(e) ``Board'' means the Board of the Office of
Congressional Ethics.
(f) ``Referral'' means a report sent to the Committee from
the Board pursuant to House Rules and all applicable House
Resolutions regarding the conduct of a House Member, officer,
or employee, including any accompanying findings or other
supporting documentation.
(g) ``Investigative Subcommittee'' means a subcommittee
designated pursuant to Rule 19(a) to conduct an inquiry to
determine if a Statement of Alleged Violation should be issued.
(h) ``Statement of Alleged Violation'' means a formal
charging document filed by an investigative subcommittee with
the Committee containing specific allegations against a Member,
officer, or employee of the House of Representatives of a
violation of the Code of Official Conduct, or of a law, rule,
regulation, or other standard of conduct applicable to the
performance of official duties or the discharge of official
responsibilities.
(i) ``Adjudicatory Subcommittee'' means a subcommittee
designated pursuant to Rule 23(a) that holds an adjudicatory
hearing and determines whether the counts in a Statement of
Alleged Violation are proved by clear and convincing evidence.
(j) ``Sanction Hearing'' means a Committee hearing to
determine what sanction, if any, to adopt or to recommend to
the House of Representatives.
(k) ``Respondent'' means a Member, officer, or employee of
the House of Representatives who is the subject of a complaint
filed with the Committee or who is the subject of an inquiry or
a Statement of Alleged Violation.
(l) ``Office of Advice and Education'' refers to the Office
established by section 803(i) of the Ethics Reform Act of 1989.
The Office handles inquiries; prepares written opinions in
response to specific requests; develops general guidance; and
organizes seminars, workshops, and briefings for the benefit of
the House of Representatives.
(m) ``Member'' means a Representative in, or a Delegate to,
or the Resident Commissioner to, the U.S. House of
Representatives.
Rule 3.--Advisory Opinions and Waivers
(a) The Office of Advice and Education shall handle
inquiries; prepare written opinions providing specific advice,
including reviews of requests for privately-sponsored travel
pursuant to the Committee's travel regulations; develop general
guidance; and organize seminars, workshops, and briefings for
the benefit of the House of Representatives.
(b) Any Member, officer, or employee of the House of
Representatives may request a written opinion with respect to
the propriety of any current or proposed conduct of such
Member, officer, or employee.
(c) The Office of Advice and Education may provide
information and guidance regarding laws, rules, regulations,
and other standards of conduct applicable to Members, officers,
and employees in the performance of their duties or the
discharge of their responsibilities.
(d) In general, the Committee shall provide a written
opinion to an individual only in response to a written request,
and the written opinion shall address the conduct only of the
inquiring individual, or of persons for whom the inquiring
individual is responsible as employing authority.
(e) A written request for an opinion shall be addressed to
the Chair of the Committee and shall include a complete and
accurate statement of the relevant facts. A request shall be
signed by the requester or the requester's authorized
representative or employing authority. A representative shall
disclose to the Committee the identity of the principal on
whose behalf advice is being sought.
(f) Requests for privately-sponsored travel shall be
treated like any other request for a written opinion for
purposes of paragraphs (g) through (1).
(1) The Committee's Travel Guidelines and Regulations
shall govern the request submission and Committee
approval process for privately-sponsored travel
consistent with House Rules.
(2) A request for privately-sponsored travel of a
Member, officer, or employee shall include a completed
and signed Traveler Form that attaches the Private
Sponsor Certification Form and includes all information
required by the Committee's travel regulations. A
private sponsor offering officially-connected travel to
a Member, officer, or employee must complete and sign a
Private Sponsor Certification Form, and provide a copy
of that form to the invitee(s).
(3) Any individual who knowingly and willfully
falsifies, or who knowingly and willfully fails to
file, a Traveler Form or Private Sponsor Certification
Form may be subject to civil penalties and criminal
sanctions pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Sec. 1001.
(g) The Office of Advice and Education shall prepare for
the Committee a response to each written request for an opinion
from a Member, officer, or employee. Each response shall
discuss all applicable laws, rules, regulations, or other
standards.
(h) Where a request is unclear or incomplete, the Office of
Advice and Education may seek additional information from the
requester.
(i) The Chair and Ranking Minority Member are authorized to
take action on behalf of the Committee on any proposed written
opinion that they determine does not require consideration by
the Committee. If the Chair or Ranking Minority Member requests
a written opinion, or seeks a waiver, extension, or approval
pursuant to Rules 3(m), 4(c), 4(e), or 4(h), the next ranking
member of the requester's party is authorized to act in lieu of
the requester.
(j) The Committee shall keep confidential any request for
advice from a Member, officer, or employee, as well as any
response thereto. Upon request of any Member, officer, or
employee who has submitted a written request for an opinion or
submitted a request for privately-sponsored travel, the
Committee may release to the requesting individual a copy of
their own written request for advice or submitted travel forms,
any subsequent written communications between such individual
and Committee staff regarding the request, and any Committee
advisory opinion or travel letter issued to that individual in
response. The Committee shall not release any internal
Committee staff work product, communications, or notes in
response to such a request, except as authorized by the
Committee.
(k) The Committee may take no adverse action in regard to
any conduct that has been undertaken in reliance on a written
opinion if the conduct conforms to the specific facts addressed
in the opinion.
(l) Information provided to the Committee by a Member,
officer, or employee seeking advice regarding prospective
conduct may not be used as the basis for initiating an
investigation under clause 3(a)(2) or clause 3(b) of Rule XI of
the Rules of the House of Representatives, if such Member,
officer, or employee acts in good faith in accordance with the
written advice of the Committee.
(m) A written request for a waiver of clause 5 of House
Rule XX (the House gift rule), or for any other waiver or
approval, shall be treated in all respects like any other
request for a written opinion.
(n) A written request for a waiver of clause 5 of House
Rule XXV (the House gift rule) shall specify the nature of the
waiver being sought and the specific circumstances justifying
the waiver.
(o) An employee seeking a waiver of time limits applicable
to travel paid for by a private source shall include with the
request evidence that the employing authority is aware of the
request. In any other instance where proposed employee conduct
may reflect on the performance of official duties, the
Committee may require that the requester submit evidence that
the employing authority knows of the conduct.
Rule 4.--Financial Disclosure
(a) In matters relating to Title I of the Ethics in
Government Act of 1978, the Committee shall coordinate with the
Clerk of the House of Representatives, Legislative Resource
Center, to assure that appropriate individuals are notified of
their obligation to file reports required to be filed under
Title I of the Ethics in Government Act and that such
individuals are provided in a timely fashion with filing
instructions and forms developed by the Committee.
(b) The Committee shall coordinate with the Legislative
Resource Center to assure that information that the Ethics in
Government Act requires to be placed on the public record is
made public.
(c) Any reports required to be filed under Title I of the
Ethics in Government Act filed by Members of the Board of the
Office of Congressional Ethics that are forwarded to the
Committee by the Clerk shall not be subject to paragraphs (d)
through (q) of this Rule. The Office of Congressional Ethics
retains jurisdiction over review of the timeliness and
completeness of filings by Members of the Board as the Board's
supervising ethics office.
(d) The Chair and Ranking Minority Member are authorized to
grant on behalf of the Committee requests for reasonable
extensions of time for the filing of Financial Disclosure
Statements. Any such request must be received by the Committee
no later than the date on which the Statement in question is
due. A request received after such date may be granted by the
Committee only in extraordinary circumstances. Such extensions
for one individual in a calendar year shall not exceed a total
of 90 days. No extension shall be granted authorizing a
nonincumbent candidate to file a statement later than 30 days
prior to a primary or general election in which the candidate
is participating.
(e) An individual who takes legally sufficient action to
withdraw as a candidate before the date on which that
individual's Financial Disclosure Statement is due under the
Ethics in Government Act shall not be required to file a
Statement. An individual shall not be excused from filing a
Financial Disclosure Statement when withdrawal as a candidate
occurs after the date on which such Statement was due.
(f) Any individual who files a report required to be filed
under Title I of the Ethics in Government Act more than 30 days
after the later of--
(1) the date such report is required to be filed, or
(2) if a filing extension is granted to such
individual, the last day of the filing extension
period, is required by such Act to pay a late filing
fee of $200. The Chair and Ranking Minority Member are
authorized to approve requests that the fee be waived
based on extraordinary circumstances.
(g) Any late report that is submitted without a required
filing fee shall be deemed procedurally deficient and not
properly filed.
(h) The Chair and Ranking Minority Member are authorized to
approve requests for waivers of the aggregation and reporting
of gifts as provided by section 102(a)(2)(C) of the Ethics in
Government Act. If such a request is approved, both the
incoming request and the Committee response shall be forwarded
to the Legislative Resource Center for placement on the public
record.
(i) The Chair and Ranking Minority Member are authorized to
approve blind trusts as qualifying under section 102(f)(3) of
the Ethics in Government Act. The correspondence relating to
formal approval of a blind trust, the trust document, the list
of assets transferred to the trust, and any other documents
required by law to be made public, shall be forwarded to the
Legislative Resource Center for such purpose.
(j) The Committee shall designate staff who shall review
reports required to be filed under Title I of the Ethics in
Government Act and, based upon information contained therein,
indicate in a form and manner prescribed by the Committee
whether the Statement appears substantially accurate and
complete and the filer appears to be in compliance with
applicable laws and rules.
(k) Each report required to be filed under Title I of the
Ethics in Government Act shall be reviewed within 60 days after
the date of filing.
(l) If the reviewing staff believes that additional
information is required because (1) the report required to be
filed under Title I of the Ethics in Government Act appears not
substantially accurate or complete, or (2) the filer may not be
in compliance with applicable laws or rules, then the reporting
individual shall be notified in writing of the additional
information believed to be required, or of the law or rule with
which the reporting individual does not appear to be in
compliance. Such notice shall also state the time within which
a response is to be submitted. Any such notice shall remain
confidential.
(m) Within the time specified, including any extension
granted in accordance with clause (d), a reporting individual
who concurs with the Committee's notification that the report
required to be filed under Title I of the Ethics in Government
Act is not complete, or that other action is required, shall
submit the necessary information or take appropriate action.
Any amendment may be in the form of a revised report required
to be filed under Title I of the Ethics in Government Act or an
explanatory letter addressed to the Clerk of the House of
Representatives.
(n) Any amendment shall be placed on the public record in
the same manner as other reports required to be filed under
Title I of the Ethics in Government Act. The individual
designated by the Committee to review the original report
required to be filed under Title I of the Ethics in Government
Act shall review any amendment thereto.
(o) Within the time specified, including any extension
granted in accordance with clause (d), a reporting individual
who does not agree with the Committee that the report required
to be filed under Title I of the Ethics in Government Act is
deficient or that other action is required, shall be provided
an opportunity to respond orally or in writing. If the
explanation is accepted, a copy of the response, if written, or
a note summarizing an oral response, shall be retained in
Committee files with the original report.
(p) The Committee shall be the final arbiter of whether any
report required to be filed under Title I of the Ethics in
Government Act requires clarification or amendment.
(q) If the Committee determines, by vote of a majority of
its members, that there is reason to believe that an individual
has willfully failed to file a report required to be filed
under Title I of the Ethics in Government Act or has willfully
falsified or willfully failed to file information required to
be reported, then the Committee shall refer the name of the
individual, together with the evidence supporting its finding,
to the Attorney General pursuant to section 104(b) of the
Ethics in Government Act. Such referral shall not preclude the
Committee from initiating such other action as may be
authorized by other provisions of law or the Rules of the House
of Representatives.
Rule 5.--Meetings
(a) The regular meeting day of the Committee shall be the
second Tuesday of each month, except when the House of
Representatives is not meeting on that day. When the Committee
Chair determines that there is sufficient reason, meetings may
be called on additional days. A regularly scheduled meeting
need not be held when the Chair determines there is no business
to be considered.
(b) The Chair shall establish the agenda for meetings of
the Committee, and the Ranking Minority Member may place
additional items on the agenda.
(c) All meetings of the Committee or any subcommittee shall
occur in executive session unless the Committee or
subcommittee, by an affirmative vote of a majority of its
members, opens the meeting to the public.
(d) Any hearing held by an adjudicatory subcommittee, or
any sanction hearing held by the Committee, shall be open to
the public unless the Committee or subcommittee, by an
affirmative vote of a majority of its members, closes the
hearing to the public.
(e) A subcommittee shall meet at the discretion of its
Chair.
(f) Insofar as practicable, notice for any Committee or
subcommittee meeting shall be provided at least seven days in
advance of the meeting. The Chair of the Committee or
subcommittee may waive such time period for good cause.
Rule 6.--Committee Staff
(a) The staff is to be assembled and retained as a
professional, nonpartisan staff.
(b) Each member of the staff shall be professional and
demonstrably qualified for the position for which the
individual is hired.
(c) The staff as a whole and each individual member of the
staff shall perform all official duties in a nonpartisan
manner.
(d) No member of the staff shall engage in any partisan
political activity directly affecting any congressional or
presidential election.
(e) No member of the staff or outside counsel may accept
public speaking engagements or write for publication on any
subject that is in any way related to the employment or duties
with the Committee of such individual without specific prior
approval from the Chair and Ranking Minority Member.
(f) All staff members shall be appointed by an affirmative
vote of a majority of the members of the Committee. Such vote
shall occur at the first meeting of the membership of the
Committee during each Congress and as necessary during the
Congress.
(g) Subject to the approval of the Committee on House
Administration, the Committee may retain counsel not employed
by the House of Representatives whenever the Committee
determines, by an affirmative vote of a majority of the members
of the Committee, that the retention of outside counsel is
necessary and appropriate.
(h) If the Committee determines that it is necessary to
retain staff members for the purpose of a particular
investigation or other proceeding, then such staff shall be
retained only for the duration of that particular investigation
or proceeding.
(i) Outside counsel may be dismissed prior to the end of a
contract between the Committee and such counsel only by a
majority vote of the members of the Committee.
(j) In addition to any other staff provided for by law,
rule, or other authority, with respect to the Committee, the
Chair and Ranking Minority Member each may appoint one
individual as a shared staff member from the respective
personal staff of the Chair or Ranking Minority Member to
perform service for the Committee. Such shared staff may assist
the Chair or Ranking Minority Member on any subcommittee on
which the Chair or Ranking Minority Member serves. Only
paragraphs (c) and (e) of this Rule and Rule 7(b) shall apply
to shared staff.
Rule 7.--Confidentiality
(a) Before any Member or employee of the Committee,
including members of an investigative subcommittee selected
under clause 5(a)(4) of Rule X of the House of Representatives
and shared staff designated pursuant to Committee Rule 6(j),
may have access to information that is confidential under the
rules of the Committee, the following oath (or affirmation)
shall be executed in writing:
``I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will not disclose,
to any person or entity outside the Committee on Ethics, any
information received in the course of my service with the
Committee, except as authorized by the Committee or in
accordance with its rules.''
Copies of the executed oath shall be provided to the Clerk
of the House as part of the records of the House. Breaches of
confidentiality shall be investigated by the Committee and
appropriate action shall be taken.
(b) No member of the staff or outside counsel may make
public, unless approved by an affirmative vote of a majority of
the members of the Committee, any information, document, or
other material that is confidential, derived from executive
session, or classified and that is obtained during the course
of employment with the Committee.
(c) Committee members and staff shall not disclose any
evidence relating to an investigation to any person or
organization outside the Committee unless authorized by the
Committee.
(d) Members and staff of the Committee shall not disclose
to any person or organization outside the Committee, unless
authorized by the Committee, any information regarding the
Committee's or a subcommittee's investigative, adjudicatory, or
other proceedings, including but not limited to: (i) the fact
or nature of any complaints; (ii) executive session
proceedings; (iii) information pertaining to or copies of any
Committee or subcommittee report, study or other document which
purports to express the views, findings, conclusions or
recommendations of the Committee or subcommittee in connection
with any of its activities or proceedings; or (iv) any other
information or allegation respecting the conduct of a Member,
officer, or employee of the House. This rule shall not prohibit
the Chair or Ranking Minority Member from disclosing to the
Board of the Office of Congressional Ethics the existence of a
Committee investigation, the name of the Member, officer or
employee of the House who is the subject of that investigation,
and a brief statement of the scope of that investigation in a
written request for referral pursuant to Rule 17A(k). Such
disclosures will only be made subject to written confirmation
from the Board that the information provided by the Chair or
Ranking Minority Member will be kept confidential by the Board.
(e) Except as otherwise specifically authorized by the
Committee, no Committee member or staff member shall disclose
to any person outside the Committee the name of any witness
subpoenaed to testify or to produce evidence.
(f) Except as provided in Rule 17A, the Committee shall not
disclose to any person or organization outside the Committee
any information concerning the conduct of a respondent until it
has transmitted a Statement of Alleged Violation to such
respondent and the respondent has been given full opportunity
to respond pursuant to Rule 22. The Statement of Alleged
Violation and any written response thereto shall be made public
at the first meeting or hearing on the matter that is open to
the public after such opportunity has been provided. Any other
materials in the possession of the Committee regarding such
statement may be made public as authorized by the Committee to
the extent consistent with the Rules of the House of
Representatives. If no public hearing is held on the matter,
the Statement of Alleged Violation and any written response
thereto shall be included in the Committee's final report on
the matter to the House of Representatives.
(g) Unless otherwise determined by a vote of the Committee,
only the Chair or Ranking Minority Member of the Committee,
after consultation with each other, may make public statements
regarding matters before the Committee or any subcommittee.
(h) The Committee may establish procedures necessary to
prevent the unauthorized disclosure of any testimony or other
information received by the Committee or its staff.
Rule 8.--Subcommittees--General Policy and Structure
(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of these Rules, the
Chair and Ranking Minority Member of the Committee may consult
with an investigative subcommittee either on their own
initiative or on the initiative of the subcommittee, shall have
access to evidence and information before a subcommittee with
whom they so consult, and shall not thereby be precluded from
serving as full, voting members of any adjudicatory
subcommittee. Except for the Chair and Ranking Minority Member
of the Committee pursuant to this paragraph, evidence in the
possession of an investigative subcommittee shall not be
disclosed to other Committee members except by a vote of the
subcommittee.
(b) The Committee may establish other noninvestigative and
nonadjudicatory subcommittees and may assign to them such
functions as it may deem appropriate. The membership of each
subcommittee shall provide equal representation for the
majority and minority parties.
(c) The Chair may refer any bill, resolution, or other
matter before the Committee to an appropriate subcommittee for
consideration. Any such bill, resolution, or other matter may
be discharged from the subcommittee to which it was referred by
a majority vote of the Committee.
(d) Any member of the Committee may sit with any
noninvestigative or nonadjudicatory subcommittee, but only
regular members of such subcommittee may vote on any matter
before that subcommittee.
Rule 9.--Quorums and Member Disqualification
(a) The quorum for the Committee or an investigative
subcommittee to take testimony and to receive evidence shall be
two members, unless otherwise authorized by the House of
Representatives.
(b) The quorum for an adjudicatory subcommittee to take
testimony, receive evidence, or conduct business shall consist
of a majority plus one of the members of the adjudicatory
subcommittee.
(c) Except as stated in clauses (a) and (b) of this rule, a
quorum for the purpose of conducting business consists of a
majority of the members of the Committee or subcommittee.
(d) A member of the Committee shall be ineligible to
participate in any Committee or subcommittee proceeding in
which such Member is the respondent.
(e) A member of the Committee may seek disqualification
from participating in any investigation of the conduct of a
Member, officer, or employee of the House of Representatives
upon the submission in writing and under oath of an affidavit
of disqualification stating that the member cannot render an
impartial and unbiased decision. If the Committee approves and
accepts such affidavit of disqualification, the Chair shall so
notify the Speaker and ask the Speaker to designate a Member of
the House of Representatives from the same political party as
the disqualified member of the Committee to act as a member of
the Committee in any Committee proceeding relating to such
investigation.
Rule 10.--Vote Requirements
(a) The following actions shall be taken only upon an
affirmative vote of a majority of the members of the Committee
or subcommittee, as appropriate:
(1) Issuing a subpoena.
(2) Adopting a full Committee motion to create an
investigative subcommittee.
(3) Adopting or amending of a Statement of Alleged
Violation.
(4) Finding that a count in a Statement of Alleged
Violation has been proved by clear and convincing
evidence.
(5) Sending a letter of reproval.
(6) Adopting a recommendation to the House of
Representatives that a sanction be imposed.
(7) Adopting a report relating to the conduct of a
Member, officer, or employee.
(8) Issuing an advisory opinion of general
applicability establishing new policy.
(b) Except as stated in clause (a), action may be taken by
the Committee or any subcommittee thereof by a simple majority,
a quorum being present.
(c) No motion made to take any of the actions enumerated in
clause (a) of this Rule may be entertained by the Chair unless
a quorum of the Committee is present when such motion is made.
Rule 11.--Committee Records
(a) All communications and all pleadings pursuant to these
rules shall be filed with the Committee at the Committee's
office or such other place as designated by the Committee.
(b) All records of the Committee which have been delivered
to the Archivist of the United States shall be made available
to the public in accordance with Rule VII of the Rules of the
House of Representatives.
Rule 12.--Broadcasts of Committee and Subcommittee Proceedings
(a) Television or radio coverage of a Committee or
subcommittee hearing or meeting shall be without commercial
sponsorship.
(b) Not more than four television cameras, operating from
fixed positions, shall be permitted in a hearing or meeting
room. The Committee may allocate the positions of permitted
television cameras among the television media in consultation
with the Executive Committee of the Radio and Television
Correspondents' Galleries.
(c) Television cameras shall be placed so as not to
obstruct in any way the space between any witness giving
evidence or testimony and any member of the Committee, or the
visibility of that witness and that member to each other.
(d) Television cameras shall not be placed in positions
that unnecessarily obstruct the coverage of the hearing or
meeting by the other media.
PART II--INVESTIGATIVE AUTHORITY
Rule 13.--House Resolution
Whenever the House of Representatives, by resolution,
authorizes or directs the Committee to undertake an inquiry or
investigation, the provisions of the resolution, in conjunction
with these Rules, shall govern. To the extent the provisions of
the resolution differ from these Rules, the resolution shall
control.
Rule 14.--Committee Authority to Investigate--General Policy
(a) Pursuant to clause 3(b) of Rule XI of the Rules of the
House of Representatives, the Committee may exercise its
investigative authority when:
(1) information offered as a complaint by a Member of
the House of Representatives is transmitted directly to
the Committee;
(2) information offered as a complaint by an
individual not a Member of the House is transmitted to
the Committee, provided that a Member of the House
certifies in writing that such Member believes the
information is submitted in good faith and warrants the
review and consideration of the Committee;
(3) the Committee, on its own initiative, undertakes
an investigation;
(4) a Member, officer, or employee is convicted in a
Federal, State, or local court of a felony;
(5) the House of Representatives, by resolution,
authorizes or directs the Committee to undertake an
inquiry or investigation; or
(6) a referral from the Board is transmitted to the
Committee.
(b) The Committee also has investigatory authority over:
(1) certain unauthorized disclosures of intelligence-
related information, pursuant to House Rule X, clauses
11(g)(4) and (g)(5); and
(2) reports received from the Office of the Inspector
General pursuant to House Rule II, clause 6(c)(5).
Rule 15.--Complaints
(a) A complaint submitted to the Committee shall be in
writing, dated, and properly verified (a document will be
considered properly verified where a notary executes it with
the language, ``Signed and sworn to (or affirmed) before me on
(date) by (the name of the person))'' setting forth in simple,
concise, and direct statements--
(1) the name and legal address of the party filing
the complaint (hereinafter referred to as the
``complainant'');
(2) the name and position or title of the respondent;
(3) the nature of the alleged violation of the Code
of Official Conduct or of other law, rule, regulation,
or other standard of conduct applicable to the
performance of duties or discharge of responsibilities;
and
(4) the facts alleged to give rise to the violation.
The complaint shall not contain innuendo, speculative
assertions, or conclusory statements.
(b) Any documents in the possession of the complainant that
relate to the allegations may be submitted with the complaint.
(c) Information offered as a complaint by a Member of the
House of Representatives may be transmitted directly to the
Committee.
(d) Information offered as a complaint by an individual not
a Member of the House may be transmitted to the Committee,
provided that a Member of the House certifies in writing that
such Member believes the information is submitted in good faith
and warrants the review and consideration of the Committee.
(e) A complaint must be accompanied by a certification,
which may be unsworn, that the complainant has provided an
exact copy of the filed complaint and all attachments to the
respondent.
(f) The Committee may defer action on a complaint against a
Member, officer, or employee of the House of Representatives
when the complaint alleges conduct that the Committee has
reason to believe is being reviewed by appropriate law
enforcement or regulatory authorities, or when the Committee
determines that it is appropriate for the conduct alleged in
the complaint to be reviewed initially by law enforcement or
regulatory authorities.
(g) A complaint may not be amended without leave of the
Committee. Otherwise, any new allegations of improper conduct
must be submitted in a new complaint that independently meets
the procedural requirements of the Rules of the House of
Representatives and the Committee's Rules.
(h) The Committee shall not accept, and shall return to the
complainant, any complaint submitted within the 60 days prior
to an election in which the subject of the complaint is a
candidate.
(i) The Committee shall not consider a complaint, nor shall
any investigation be undertaken by the Committee, of any
alleged violation which occurred before the third previous
Congress unless the Committee determines that the alleged
violation is directly related to an alleged violation which
occurred in a more recent Congress.
Rule 16.--Duties of Committee Chair and Ranking Minority Member
(a) Whenever information offered as a complaint is
submitted to the Committee, the Chair and Ranking Minority
Member shall have 14 calendar days or 5 legislative days,
whichever occurs first, to determine whether the information
meets the requirements of the Committee's rules for what
constitutes a complaint.
(b) Whenever the Chair and Ranking Minority Member jointly
determine that information submitted to the Committee meets the
requirements of the Committee's rules for what constitutes a
complaint, they shall have 45 calendar days or 5 legislative
days, whichever is later, after the date that the Chair and
Ranking Minority Member determine that information filed meets
the requirements of the Committee's rules for what constitutes
a complaint, unless the Committee by an affirmative vote of a
majority of its members votes otherwise, to--
(1) recommend to the Committee that it dispose of the
complaint, or any portion thereof, in any manner that
does not require action by the House, which may include
dismissal of the complaint or resolution of the
complaint by a letter to the Member, officer, or
employee of the House against whom the complaint is
made;
(2) establish an investigative subcommittee; or
(3) request that the Committee extend the applicable
45-calendar day period when they determine more time is
necessary in order to make a recommendation under
paragraph (1) or (2) of Rule 16(b).
(c) The Chair and Ranking Minority Member may jointly
gather additional information concerning alleged conduct which
is the basis of a complaint or of information offered as a
complaint until they have established an investigative
subcommittee or the Chair or Ranking Minority Member has placed
on the agenda the issue of whether to establish an
investigative subcommittee.
(d) If the Chair and Ranking Minority Member jointly
determine that information submitted to the Committee meets the
requirements of the Committee rules for what constitutes a
complaint, and the complaint is not disposed of within 45
calendar days or 5 legislative days, whichever is later, and no
additional 45-day extension is made, then they shall establish
an investigative subcommittee and forward the complaint, or any
portion thereof, to that subcommittee for its consideration. If
at any time during the time period either the Chair or Ranking
Minority Member places on the agenda the issue of whether to
establish an investigative subcommittee, then an investigative
subcommittee may be established only by an affirmative vote of
a majority of the members of the Committee.
(e) Whenever the Chair and Ranking Minority Member jointly
determine that information submitted to the Committee does not
meet the requirements for what constitutes a complaint set
forth in the Committee rules, they may (1) return the
information to the complainant with a statement that it fails
to meet the requirements for what constitutes a complaint set
forth in the Committee's rules; or (2) recommend to the
Committee that it authorize the establishment of an
investigative subcommittee.
Rule 17.--Processing of Complaints
(a) If a complaint is in compliance with House and
Committee Rules, a copy of the complaint and the Committee
Rules shall be forwarded to the respondent within 5 days with
notice that the complaint conforms to the applicable rules.
(b) The respondent may, within 30 days of the Committee's
notification, provide to the Committee any information relevant
to a complaint filed with the Committee. The respondent may
submit a written statement in response to the complaint. Such a
statement shall be signed by the respondent. If the statement
is prepared by counsel for the respondent, the respondent shall
sign a representation that the respondent has reviewed the
response and agrees with the factual assertions contained
therein.
(c) The Committee staff may request information from the
respondent or obtain additional information relevant to the
case from other sources prior to the establishment of an
investigative subcommittee only when so directed by the Chair
and Ranking Minority Member.
(d) The respondent shall be notified in writing regarding
the Committee's decision either to dismiss the complaint or to
create an investigative subcommittee.
Rule 17A.--Referrals From the Board of the Office of Congressional
Ethics
(a) The Committee has exclusive jurisdiction over the
interpretation, administration, and enforcement of the Code of
Official Conduct pursuant to clause 1(g) of House Rule X.
Receipt of referrals from the Board under this rule does not
limit the Committee's discretion to address referrals in any
way through the appropriate procedures authorized by Committee
Rules. The Committee shall review the report and findings
transmitted by the Board without prejudice or presumptions as
to the merit of the allegations.
(b)(1) Whenever the Committee receives either (A) a
referral containing a written report and any findings and
supporting documentation from the Board; or (B) a referral from
the Board pursuant to a request under Rule 17A(k), the Chair
shall have 45 calendar days or 5 legislative days after the
date the referral is received, whichever is later, to make
public the report and findings of the Board unless the Chair
and Ranking Minority Member jointly decide, or the Committee
votes, to withhold such information for not more than one
additional 45-day period.
(2) At least one calendar day before the Committee makes
public any report and findings of the Board, the Chair shall
notify in writing the Board and the Member, officer, or
employee who is the subject of the referral of the impending
public release of these documents. At the same time, the Chair
shall transmit a copy of any public statement on the
Committee's disposition of the matter and any accompanying
Committee report to the individual who is the subject of the
referral.
(3) All public statements and reports and findings of the
Board that are required to be made public under this Rule shall
be posted on the Committee's website.
(c) If the OCE report and findings are withheld for an
additional 45-day period pursuant to paragraph (b)(1), the
Chair shall--
(1) make a public statement on the day of such
decision or vote that the matter referred from the
Board has been extended; and
(2) make public the written report and findings
pursuant to paragraph (b) upon the termination of such
additional period.
(d) If the Board transmits a report with a recommendation
to dismiss or noting a matter as unresolved due to a tie vote,
and the matter is extended for an additional period as provided
in paragraph (b), the Committee is not required to make a
public statement that the matter has been extended pursuant to
paragraph (b)(1).
(e) If the Committee votes to dismiss a matter referred
from the Board, the Committee is not required to make public
the written report and findings of the Board pursuant. to
paragraph (c) unless the Committee's vote is inconsistent with
the recommendation of the Board. A vote by the Committee to
dismiss a matter is not considered inconsistent with a report
from the Board that the matter is unresolved by the Board due
to a tie vote.
(f) Except as provided by paragraph (g):
(1) If the Committee establishes an investigative
subcommittee respecting any matter referred by the
Board, then the report and findings of the Board shall
not be made public until the conclusion of the
investigative subcommittee process. The Committee shall
issue a public statement noting the establishment of an
investigative subcommittee, which shall include the
name of the Member, officer, or employee who is the
subject of the inquiry, and shall set forth the alleged
violation.
(2) If any such investigative subcommittee does not
conclude its review within one year after the Board's
referral, then the Committee shall make public the
report of the Board no later than one year after the
referral. If the investigative subcommittee does not
conclude its review before the end of the Congress in
which the report of the Board is made public, the
Committee shall make public any findings of the Board
on the last day of that Congress.
(g) If the vote of the Committee is a tie or the Committee
fails to act by the close of any applicable period(s) under
this rule, the report and the findings of the Board shall be
made public by the Committee, along with a public statement by
the Chair explaining the status of the matter.
(h)(1) If the Committee agrees to a request from an
appropriate law enforcement or regulatory authority to defer
taking action on a matter referred by the Board under paragraph
(b)--
(A) The Committee is not required to make public the
written report and findings of the Board pursuant to
paragraph (c), except that if the recommendation of the
Board is that the matter requires further review, the
Committee shall make public the written report of the
Board but not the findings; and
(B) The Committee shall make a public statement that
it is deferring taking action on the matter at the
request of such law enforcement or regulatory authority
within one day (excluding weekends and public holidays)
of the day that the Committee agrees to the request.
(2) If the Committee has not acted on the matter within one
year of the date the public statement described in paragraph
(h)(1)(B) is released, the Committee shall make a public
statement that it continues to defer taking action on the
matter. The Committee shall make a new statement upon the
expiration of each succeeding one-year period during which the
Committee has not acted on the matter.
(i) The Committee shall not accept, and shall return to the
Board, any referral from the Board within 60 days before a
Federal, State, or local election in which the subject of the
referral is a candidate.
(j) The Committee may postpone any reporting requirement
under this rule that falls within that 60-day period until
after the date of the election in which the subject of the
referral is a candidate. For purposes of calculating any
applicable period under this Rule, any days within the 60-day
period before such an election shall not be counted.
(k)(1) At any time after the Committee receives written
notification from the Board of the Office of Congressional
Ethics that the Board is undertaking a review of alleged
conduct of any Member, officer, or employee of the House at a
time when the Committee is investigating, or has completed an
investigation of the same matter, the Committee may so notify
the Board in writing and request that the Board cease its
review and refer the matter to the Committee for its
consideration immediately. The Committee shall also notify the
Board in writing if the Committee has not reached a final
resolution of the matter or has not referred the matter to the
appropriate Federal or State authorities by the end of any
applicable time period specified in Rule 17A (including any
permissible extension).
(2) The Committee may not request a second referral of the
matter from the Board if the Committee has notified the Board
that it is unable to resolve the matter previously requested
pursuant to this section. The Board may subsequently send a
referral regarding a matter previously requested and returned
by the Committee after the conclusion of the Board's review
process.
Rule 18.--Committee-Initiated Inquiry or Investigation
(a) Notwithstanding the absence of a filed complaint, the
Committee may consider any information in its possession
indicating that a Member, officer, or employee may have
committed a violation of the Code of Official Conduct or any
law, rule, regulation, or other standard of conduct applicable
to the conduct of such Member, officer, or employee in the
performance of the duties or the discharge of the
responsibilities of such individual. The Chair and Ranking
Minority Member may jointly gather additional information
concerning such an alleged violation by a Member, officer, or
employee unless and until an investigative subcommittee has
been established. The Chair and Ranking Minority Member may
also jointly take appropriate action consistent with Committee
Rules to resolve the matter.
(b) If the Committee votes to establish an investigative
subcommittee, the Committee shall proceed in accordance with
Rule 19.
(c) Any written request by a Member, officer, or employee
of the House of Representatives that the Committee conduct an
investigation into such person's own conduct shall be
considered in accordance with subsection (a) of this Rule.
(d) An inquiry shall not be undertaken regarding any
alleged violation that occurred before the third previous
Congress unless a majority of the Committee determines that the
alleged violation is directly related to an alleged violation
that occurred in a more recent Congress.
(e)(1) An inquiry shall be undertaken by an investigative
subcommittee with regard to any felony conviction of a Member,
officer, or employee of the House of Representatives in a
Federal, State, or local court who has been sentenced.
Notwithstanding this provision, the Committee has the
discretion to initiate an inquiry upon an affirmative vote of a
majority of the members of the Committee at any time prior to
conviction or sentencing.
(2) Not later than 30 days after a Member of the House is
indicted or otherwise formally charged with criminal conduct in
any Federal, State, or local court, the Committee shall either
initiate an inquiry upon a majority vote of the members of the
Committee or submit a report to the House describing its
reasons for not initiating an inquiry and describing the
actions, if any, that the Committee has taken in response to
the allegations.
Rule 19.--Investigative Subcommittee
(a)(1) Upon the establishment of an investigative
subcommittee, the Chair and Ranking Minority Member of the
Committee shall designate four members (with equal
representation from the majority and minority parties) to serve
as an investigative subcommittee to undertake an inquiry.
Members of the Committee and Members of the House selected
pursuant to clause 5(a)(4)(A) of Rule X of the House of
Representatives are eligible for appointment to an
investigative subcommittee, as determined by the Chair and
Ranking Minority Member of the Committee. At the time of
appointment, the Chair shall designate one member of the
subcommittee to serve as the Chair and the Ranking Minority
Member shall designate one member of the subcommittee to serve
as the ranking minority member of the investigative
subcommittee. The Chair and Ranking Minority Member of the
Committee may serve as members of an investigative
subcommittee, but may not serve as non-voting, ex-officio
members.
(2) The respondent shall be notified of the membership of
the investigative subcommittee and shall have 10 days after
such notice is transmitted to object to the participation of
any subcommittee member. Such objection shall be in writing and
must be on the grounds that the subcommittee member cannot
render an impartial and unbiased decision. The members of the
Committee shall engage in a collegial discussion regarding such
objection. The subcommittee member against whom the objection
is made shall be the sole judge of any disqualification and may
choose to seek disqualification from participating in the
inquiry pursuant to Rule 9(e).
(b) In an inquiry undertaken by an investigative
subcommittee--
(1) All proceedings, including the taking of
testimony, shall be conducted in executive session and
all testimony taken by deposition or things produced
pursuant to subpoena or otherwise shall be deemed to
have been taken or produced in executive session.
(2) The Chair of the investigative subcommittee shall
ask the respondent and all witnesses whether they
intend to be represented by counsel. If so, the
respondent or witnesses or their legal representatives
shall provide written designation of counsel. A
respondent or witness who is represented by counsel
shall not be questioned in the absence of counsel
unless an explicit waiver is obtained.
(3) The subcommittee shall provide the respondent an
opportunity to present, orally or in writing, a
statement, which must be under oath or affirmation,
regarding the allegations and any other relevant
questions arising out of the inquiry.
(4) The staff may interview witnesses, examine
documents and other evidence, and request that
submitted statements be under oath or affirmation and
that documents be certified as to their authenticity
and accuracy.
(5) The subcommittee, by a majority vote of its
members, may require, by subpoena or otherwise, the
attendance and testimony of witnesses and the
production of such books, records, correspondence,
memoranda, papers, documents, and other items as it
deems necessary to the conduct of the inquiry. Unless
the Committee otherwise provides, the subpoena power
shall rest in the Chair and Ranking Minority Member of
the Committee and a subpoena shall be issued upon the
request of the investigative subcommittee.
(6) The subcommittee shall require that testimony be
given under oath or affirmation. The form of the oath
or affirmation shall be: ``Do you solemnly swear (or
affirm) that the testimony you will give before this
subcommittee in the matter now under consideration will
be the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the
truth (so help you God)?'' The oath or affirmation
shall be administered by the Chair or subcommittee
member designated by the Chair to administer oaths.
(c) During the inquiry, the procedure respecting the
admissibility of evidence and rulings shall be as follows:
(1) Any relevant evidence shall be admissible unless
the evidence is privileged under the precedents of the
House of Representatives.
(2) The Chair of the subcommittee or other presiding
member at any investigative subcommittee proceeding
shall rule upon any question of admissibility or
relevance of evidence, motion, procedure, or any other
matter, and may direct any witness to answer any
question under penalty of contempt. A witness, witness
counsel, or a member of the subcommittee may appeal any
rulings to the members present at that proceeding. A
majority vote of the members present at such proceeding
on such appeal shall govern the question of
admissibility, and no appeal shall lie to the
Committee.
(3) Whenever a person is determined by a majority
vote to be in contempt of the subcommittee, the matter
may be referred to the Committee to determine whether
to refer the matter to the House of Representatives for
consideration.
(4) Committee counsel may, subject to subcommittee
approval, enter into stipulations with the respondent
and/or the respondent's counsel as to facts that are
not in dispute.
(d) Upon an affirmative vote of a majority of the
subcommittee members, and an affirmative vote of a majority of
the full Committee, an investigative subcommittee may expand
the scope of its inquiry.
(e) Upon completion of the inquiry, the staff shall draft
for the investigative subcommittee a report that shall contain
a comprehensive summary of the information received regarding
the alleged violations.
(f) Upon completion of the inquiry, an investigative
subcommittee, by a majority vote of its members, may adopt a
Statement of Alleged Violation if it determines that there is
substantial reason to believe that a violation of the Code of
Official Conduct, or of a law, rule, regulation, or other
standard of conduct applicable to the performance of official
duties or the discharge of official responsibilities by a
Member, officer, or employee of the House of Representatives
has occurred. If more than one violation is alleged, such
Statement shall be divided into separate counts. Each count
shall relate to a separate violation, shall contain a plain and
concise statement of the alleged facts of such violation, and
shall include a reference to the provision of the Code of
Official Conduct or law, rule, regulation, or other applicable
standard of conduct governing the performance of duties or
discharge of responsibilities alleged to have been violated. A
copy of such Statement shall be transmitted to the respondent
and the respondent's counsel.
(g) If the investigative subcommittee does not adopt a
Statement of Alleged Violation, it shall transmit to the
Committee a report containing a summary of the information
received in the inquiry, its conclusions and reasons therefore,
and any appropriate recommendation.
Rule 20.--Amendments to Statements of Alleged Violation
(a) An investigative subcommittee may, upon an affirmative
vote of a majority of its members, amend its Statement of
Alleged Violation anytime before the Statement of Alleged
Violation is transmitted to the Committee; and
(b) If an investigative subcommittee amends its Statement
of Alleged Violation, the respondent shall be notified in
writing and shall have 30 calendar days from the date of that
notification to file an answer to the amended Statement of
Alleged Violation.
Rule 21.--Committee Reporting Requirements
(a) Whenever an investigative subcommittee does not adopt a
Statement of Alleged Violation and transmits a report to that
effect to the Committee, the Committee may by an affirmative
vote of a majority of its members transmit such report to the
House of Representatives;
(b) Whenever an investigative subcommittee adopts a
Statement of Alleged Violation but recommends that no further
action be taken, it shall transmit a report to the Committee
regarding the Statement of Alleged Violation; and
(c) Whenever an investigative subcommittee adopts a
Statement of Alleged Violation, the respondent admits to the
violations set forth in such Statement, the respondent waives
the right to an adjudicatory hearing, and the respondent's
waiver is approved by the Committee--
(1) the subcommittee shall prepare a report for
transmittal to the Committee, a final draft of which
shall be provided to the respondent not less than 15
calendar days before the subcommittee votes on whether
to adopt the report;
(2) the respondent may submit views in writing
regarding the final draft to the subcommittee within 7
calendar days of receipt of that draft;
(3) the subcommittee shall transmit a report to the
Committee regarding the Statement of Alleged Violation
together with any views submitted by the respondent
pursuant to subparagraph (2), and the Committee shall
make the report, together with the respondent's views,
available to the public before the commencement of any
sanction hearing; and
(4) the Committee shall by an affirmative vote of a
majority of its members issue a report and transmit
such report to the House of Representatives, together
with the respondent's views previously submitted
pursuant to subparagraph (2) and any additional views
respondent may submit for attachment to the final
report; and
(d) Members of the Committee shall have not less than 72
hours to review any report transmitted to the Committee by an
investigative subcommittee before both the commencement of a
sanction hearing and the Committee vote on whether to adopt the
report.
Rule 22.--Respondent's Answer
(a)(1) Within 30 days from the date of transmittal of a
Statement of Alleged Violation, the respondent shall file with
the investigative subcommittee an answer, in writing and under
oath, signed by respondent and respondent's counsel. Failure to
file an answer within the time prescribed shall be considered
by the Committee as a denial of each count.
(2) The answer shall contain an admission to or denial of
each count set forth in the Statement of Alleged Violation and
may include negative, affirmative, or alternative defenses and
any supporting evidence or other relevant information.
(b) The respondent may file a Motion for a Bill of
Particulars within 10 days of the date of transmittal of the
Statement of Alleged Violation. If a Motion for a Bill of
Particulars is filed, the respondent shall not be required to
file an answer until 20 days after the subcommittee has replied
to such motion.
(c)(1) The respondent may file a Motion to Dismiss within
10 days of the date of transmittal of the Statement of Alleged
Violation or, if a Motion for a Bill of Particulars has been
filed, within 10 days of the date of the subcommittee's reply
to the Motion for a Bill of Particulars. If a Motion to Dismiss
is filed, the respondent shall not be required to file an
answer until 20 days after the subcommittee has replied to the
Motion to Dismiss, unless the respondent previously filed a
Motion for a Bill of Particulars, in which case the respondent
shall not be required to file an answer until 10 days after the
subcommittee has replied to the Motion to Dismiss. The
investigative subcommittee shall rule upon any motion to
dismiss filed during the period between the establishment of
the subcommittee and the subcommittee's transmittal of a report
or Statement of Alleged Violation to the Committee or to the
Chair and Ranking Minority Member at the conclusion of an
inquiry, and no appeal of the subcommittee's ruling shall lie
to the Committee.
(2) A Motion to Dismiss may be made on the grounds that the
Statement of Alleged Violation fails to state facts that
constitute a violation of the Code of Official Conduct or other
applicable law, rule, regulation, or standard of conduct, or on
the grounds that the Committee lacks jurisdiction to consider
the allegations contained in the Statement.
(d) Any motion filed with the subcommittee pursuant to this
rule shall be accompanied by a Memorandum of Points and
Authorities.
(e)(1) The Chair of the investigative subcommittee, for
good cause shown, may permit the respondent to file an answer
or motion after the day prescribed above.
(2) If the ability of the respondent to present an adequate
defense is not adversely affected and special circumstances so
require, the Chair of the investigative subcommittee may direct
the respondent to file an answer or motion prior to the day
prescribed above.
(f) If the day on which any answer, motion, reply, or other
pleading must be filed falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or holiday,
such filing shall be made on the first business day thereafter.
(g) As soon as practicable after an answer has been filed
or the time for such filing has expired, the Statement of
Alleged Violation and any answer, motion, reply, or other
pleading connected therewith shall be transmitted by the Chair
of the investigative subcommittee to the Chair and Ranking
Minority Member of the Committee.
Rule 23.--Adjudicatory Hearings
(a) If a Statement of Alleged Violation is transmitted to
the Chair and Ranking Minority Member pursuant to Rule 22, and
no waiver pursuant to Rule 26(b) has occurred, the Chair shall
designate the members of the Committee who did not serve on the
investigative subcommittee to serve on an adjudicatory
subcommittee. The Chair and Ranking Minority Member of the
Committee shall be the Chair and Ranking Minority Member of the
adjudicatory subcommittee unless they served on the
investigative subcommittee. The respondent shall be notified of
the designation of the adjudicatory subcommittee and shall have
10 days after such notice is transmitted to object to the
participation of any subcommittee member. Such objection shall
be in writing and shall be on the grounds that the member
cannot render an impartial and unbiased decision. The members
of the Committee shall engage in a collegial discussion
regarding such objection. The member against whom the objection
is made shall be the sole judge of any disqualification and may
choose to seek disqualification from serving on the
subcommittee pursuant to Rule 9(e).
(b) A majority of the adjudicatory subcommittee membership
plus one must be present at all times for the conduct of any
business pursuant to this rule.
(c) The adjudicatory subcommittee shall hold a hearing to
determine whether any counts in the Statement of Alleged
Violation have been proved by clear and convincing evidence and
shall make findings of fact, except where such violations have
been admitted by respondent.
(d) The subcommittee may require, by subpoena or otherwise,
the attendance and testimony of such witnesses and production
of such books, records, correspondence, memoranda, papers,
documents, and other items as it deems necessary. A subpoena
for documents may specify terms of return other than at a
meeting or hearing of the subcommittee. Depositions,
interrogatories, and sworn statements taken under any
investigative subcommittee direction may be accepted into the
hearing record.
(e) The procedures set forth in clause 2(g)(1)-(4), (6)-(7)
and (k) of Rule XI of the Rules of the House of Representatives
shall apply to adjudicatory hearings. All such hearings shall
be open to the public unless the adjudicatory subcommittee,
pursuant to such clause, determines that the hearings or any
part thereof should be closed.
(f)(1) The adjudicatory subcommittee shall, in writing,
notify the respondent that the respondent and respondent's
counsel have the right to inspect, review, copy, or photograph
books, papers, documents, photographs, or other tangible
objects that committee counsel intends to use as evidence
against the respondent in an adjudicatory hearing. The
respondent shall be given access to such evidence, and shall be
provided the names of witnesses committee counsel intends to
call, and a summary of their expected testimony, no less than
15 calendar days prior to any such hearing. Except in
extraordinary circumstances, no evidence may be introduced or
witness called in an adjudicatory hearing unless the respondent
has been afforded a prior opportunity to review such evidence
or has been provided the name of the witness.
(2) After a witness has testified on direct examination at
an adjudicatory hearing, the Committee, at the request of the
respondent, shall make available to the respondent any
statement of the witness in the possession of the Committee
which relates to the subject matter as to which the witness has
testified.
(3) Any other testimony, statement, or documentary evidence
in the possession of the Committee which is material to the
respondent's defense shall, upon request, be made available to
the respondent.
(g) No less than 5 days prior to the hearing, the
respondent or counsel shall provide the adjudicatory
subcommittee with the names of witnesses expected to be called,
summaries of their expected testimony, and copies of any
documents or other evidence proposed to be introduced.
(h) The respondent or counsel may apply to the subcommittee
for the issuance of subpoenas for the appearance of witnesses
or the production of evidence. The application shall be granted
upon a showing by the respondent that the proposed testimony or
evidence is relevant and not otherwise available to respondent.
The application may be denied if not made at a reasonable time
or if the testimony or evidence would be merely cumulative.
(i) No later than two weeks or 5 legislative days after the
Chair of the Committee designates members to serve on an
adjudicatory subcommittee, whichever is later, the Chair of the
adjudicatory subcommittee shall establish a schedule and
procedure for the hearing and for prehearing matters. The
procedures may be changed either by the Chair of the
adjudicatory subcommittee or a by a majority vote of the
members of the subcommittee. If the Chair makes prehearing
rulings upon any question of admissibility or relevance of
evidence, motion, procedure, or any other matter, the Chair
shall make available those rulings to all subcommittee members
at the time of the ruling.
(j) The procedures regarding the admissibility of evidence
and rulings shall be as follows:
(1) Any relevant evidence shall be admissible unless
the evidence is privileged under the precedents of the
House of Representatives.
(2) The Chair of the subcommittee or other presiding
member at an adjudicatory subcommittee hearing shall
rule upon any question of admissibility or relevance of
evidence, motion, procedure, or any other matter, and
may direct any witness to answer any question under
penalty of contempt. A witness, witness counsel, or a
member of the subcommittee may appeal any ruling to the
members present at that proceeding. A majority vote of
the members present at such proceeding on such an
appeal shall govern the question of admissibility and
no appeal shall lie to the Committee.
(3) Whenever a witness is deemed by a Chair or other
presiding member to be in contempt of the subcommittee,
the matter may be referred to the Committee to
determine whether to refer the matter to the House of
Representatives for consideration.
(4) Committee counsel may, subject to subcommittee
approval, enter into stipulations with the respondent
and/or the respondent's counsel as to facts that are
not in dispute.
(k) Unless otherwise provided, the order of an adjudicatory
hearing shall be as follows:
(1) The Chair and Ranking Minority Member of the
subcommittee shall open the hearing with equal time and
during which time, the Chair shall state the
adjudicatory subcommittee's authority to conduct the
hearing and the purpose of the hearing.
(2) The Chair shall then recognize Committee counsel
and the respondent's counsel, in turn, for the purpose
of giving opening statements.
(3) Testimony from witnesses and other relevant
evidence shall be received in the following order
whenever possible:
(i) witnesses (deposition transcripts and
affidavits obtained during the inquiry may be
used in lieu of live witnesses) and other
evidence offered by the Committee counsel,
(ii) witnesses and other evidence offered by
the respondent,
(iii) rebuttal witnesses, as permitted by the
Chair.
(4) Witnesses at a hearing shall be examined first by
counsel calling such witness. The opposing counsel may
then cross-examine the witness. Redirect examination
and recross examination by counsel may be permitted at
the Chair's discretion. Subcommittee members may then
question witnesses. Unless otherwise directed by the
Chair, questions by Subcommittee members shall be
conducted under the five-minute rule.
(5) The Chair shall then recognize Committee counsel
and respondent's counsel, in turn, for the purpose of
giving closing arguments. Committee counsel may reserve
time for rebuttal argument, as permitted by the Chair.
(l) A subpoena to a witness to appear at a hearing shall be
served sufficiently in advance of that witness' scheduled
appearance to allow the witness a reasonable period of time, as
determined by the Chair of the adjudicatory subcommittee, to
prepare for the hearing and to employ counsel.
(m) Each witness appearing before the subcommittee shall be
furnished a printed copy of the Committee rules, the relevant
provisions of the Rules of the House of Representatives
applicable to the rights of witnesses, and a copy of the
Statement of Alleged Violation.
(n) Testimony of all witnesses shall be taken under oath or
affirmation. The form of the oath or affirmation shall be: ``Do
you solemnly swear (or affirm) that the testimony you will give
before this subcommittee in the matter now under consideration
will be the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth
(so help you God)?'' The oath or affirmation shall be
administered by the Chair or Committee member designated by the
Chair to administer oaths.
(o) At an adjudicatory hearing, the burden of proof rests
on Committee counsel to establish the facts alleged in the
Statement of Alleged Violation by clear and convincing
evidence. However, Committee counsel need not present any
evidence regarding any count that is admitted by the respondent
or any fact stipulated. Committee counsel or respondent's
counsel may move the adjudicatory subcommittee to make a
finding that there is no material fact at issue. If the
adjudicatory subcommittee finds that there is no material fact
at issue, the burden of proof will be deemed satisfied.
(p) As soon as practicable after all testimony and evidence
have been presented, the subcommittee shall consider each count
contained in the Statement of Alleged Violation and shall
determine by a majority vote of its members whether each count
has been proved. If a majority of the subcommittee does not
vote that a count has been proved, a motion to reconsider that
vote may be made only by a member who voted that the count was
not proved. A count that is not proved shall be considered as
dismissed by the subcommittee.
(q) The findings of the adjudicatory subcommittee shall be
reported to the Committee.
Rule 24.--Sanction Hearing and Consideration of Sanctions or Other
Recommendations
(a) If no count in a Statement of Alleged Violation is
proved, the Committee shall prepare a report to the House of
Representatives, based upon the report of the adjudicatory
subcommittee.
(b) If an adjudicatory subcommittee completes an
adjudicatory hearing pursuant to Rule 23 and reports that any
count of the Statement of Alleged Violation has been proved, a
hearing before the Committee shall be held to receive oral and/
or written submissions by counsel for the Committee and counsel
for the respondent as to the sanction the Committee should
recommend to the House of Representatives with respect to such
violations. Testimony by witnesses shall not be heard except by
written request and vote of a majority of the Committee.
(c) Upon completion of any proceeding held pursuant to
clause (b), the Committee shall consider and vote on a motion
to recommend to the House of Representatives that the House
take disciplinary action. If a majority of the Committee does
not vote in favor of the recommendation that the House of
Representatives take action, a motion to reconsider that vote
may be made only by a member who voted against the
recommendation. The Committee may also, by majority vote, adopt
a motion to issue a Letter of Reproval or take other
appropriate Committee action.
(d) If the Committee determines a Letter of Reproval
constitutes sufficient action, the Committee shall include any
such letter as a part of its report to the House of
Representatives.
(e) With respect to any proved counts against a Member of
the House of Representatives, the Committee may recommend to
the House one or more of the following sanctions:
(1) Expulsion from the House of Representatives.
(2) Censure.
(3) Reprimand.
(4) Fine.
(5) Denial or limitation of any right, power,
privilege, or immunity of the Member if under the
Constitution the House of Representatives may impose
such denial or limitation.
(6) Any other sanction determined by the Committee to
be appropriate.
(f) With respect to any proved counts against an officer or
employee of the House of Representatives, the Committee may
recommend to the House one or more of the following sanctions:
(1) Dismissal from employment.
(2) Reprimand.
(3) Fine.
(4) Any other sanction determined by the Committee to
be appropriate.
(g) With respect to the sanctions that the Committee may
recommend, reprimand is appropriate for serious violations,
censure is appropriate for more serious violations, and
expulsion of a Member or dismissal of an officer or employee is
appropriate for the most serious violations. A recommendation
of a fine is appropriate in a case in which it is likely that
the violation was committed to secure a personal financial
benefit; and a recommendation of a denial or limitation of a
right, power, privilege, or immunity of a Member is appropriate
when the violation bears upon the exercise or holding of such
right, power, privilege, or immunity. This clause sets forth
general guidelines and does not limit the authority of the
Committee to recommend other sanctions.
(h) The Committee report shall contain an appropriate
statement of the evidence supporting the Committee's findings
and a statement of the Committee's reasons for the recommended
sanction.
Rule 25.--Disclosure of Exculpatory Information to Respondent
If the Committee, or any investigative or adjudicatory
subcommittee at any time receives any exculpatory information
respecting a Complaint or Statement of Alleged Violation
concerning a Member, officer, or employee of the House of
Representatives, it shall make such information known and
available to the Member, officer, or employee as soon as
practicable, but in no event later than the transmittal of
evidence supporting a proposed Statement of Alleged Violation
pursuant to Rule 26(c). If an investigative subcommittee does
not adopt a Statement of Alleged Violation, it shall identify
any exculpatory information in its possession at the conclusion
of its inquiry and shall include such information, if any, in
the subcommittee's final report to the Committee regarding its
inquiry. For purposes of this rule, exculpatory evidence shall
be any evidence or information that is substantially favorable
to the respondent with respect to the allegations or charges
before an investigative or adjudicatory subcommittee.
Rule 26.--Rights of Respondents and Witnesses
(a) A respondent shall be informed of the right to be
represented by counsel, to be provided at the respondent's own
expense.
(b) A respondent may seek to waive any procedural rights or
steps in the disciplinary process. A request for waiver must be
in writing, signed by the respondent, and must detail what
procedural steps the respondent seeks to waive. Any such
request shall be subject to the acceptance of the Committee or
subcommittee, as appropriate.
(c) Not less than 10 calendar days before a scheduled vote
by an investigative subcommittee on a Statement of Alleged
Violation, the subcommittee shall provide the respondent with a
copy of the Statement of Alleged Violation it intends to adopt
together with all evidence it intends to use to prove those
charges which it intends to adopt, including documentary
evidence, witness testimony, memoranda of witness interviews,
and physical evidence, unless the subcommittee by an
affirmative vote of a majority of its members decides to
withhold certain evidence in order to protect a witness, but if
such evidence is withheld, the subcommittee shall inform the
respondent that evidence is being withheld and of the count to
which such evidence relates.
(d) Neither the respondent nor respondent's counsel shall,
directly or indirectly, contact the subcommittee or any member
thereof during the period of time set forth in paragraph (c)
except for the sole purpose of settlement discussions where
counsels for the respondent and the subcommittee are present.
(e) If, at any time after the issuance of a Statement of
Alleged Violation, the Committee or any subcommittee thereof
determines that it intends to use evidence not provided to a
respondent under paragraph (c) to prove the charges contained
in the Statement of Alleged Violation (or any amendment
thereof), such evidence shall be made immediately available to
the respondent, and it may be used in any further proceeding
under the Committee's rules.
(f) Evidence provided pursuant to paragraph (c) or (e)
shall be made available to the respondent and respondent's
counsel only after each agrees, in writing, that no document,
information, or other materials obtained pursuant to that
paragraph shall be made public until--
(1) such time as a Statement of Alleged Violation is
made public by the Committee if the respondent has
waived the adjudicatory hearing; or
(2) the commencement of an adjudicatory hearing if
the respondent has not waived an adjudicatory hearing;
but the failure of respondent and respondent's counsel
to so agree in writing, and therefore not receive the
evidence, shall not preclude the issuance of a
Statement of Alleged Violation at the end of the period
referenced in (c).
(g) A respondent shall receive written notice whenever--
(1) the Chair and Ranking Minority Member determine
that information the Committee has received constitutes
a complaint;
(2) a complaint or allegation is transmitted to an
investigative subcommittee;
(3) that subcommittee votes to authorize its first
subpoena or to take testimony under oath, whichever
occurs first; or
(4) that subcommittee or the Committee votes to
expand the scope of the inquiry of the investigative
subcommittee.
(h) Whenever an investigative subcommittee adopts a
Statement of Alleged Violation and a respondent enters into an
agreement with that subcommittee to settle a complaint on which
the Statement is based, that agreement, unless the respondent
requests otherwise, shall be in writing and signed by the
respondent and the respondent's counsel, the Chair and Ranking
Minority Member of the subcommittee, and outside counsel, if
any.
(i) Statements or information derived solely from a
respondent or respondent's counsel during any settlement
discussions between the Committee or a subcommittee thereof and
the respondent shall not be included in any report of the
subcommittee or the Committee or otherwise publicly disclosed
without the consent of the respondent.
(j) Whenever a motion to establish an investigative
subcommittee does not prevail, the Committee shall promptly
send a letter to the respondent informing the respondent of
such vote.
(k) Witnesses shall be afforded a reasonable period of
time, as determined by the Committee or subcommittee, to
prepare for an appearance before an investigative subcommittee
or for an adjudicatory hearing and to obtain counsel.
(l) Prior to their testimony, witnesses shall be furnished
a printed copy of the Committee's Rules of Procedure and the
provisions of the Rules of the House of Representatives
applicable to the rights of witnesses.
(m) Witnesses may be accompanied by their own counsel for
the purpose of advising them concerning their constitutional
rights. The Chair may punish breaches of order and decorum, and
of professional responsibility on the part of counsel, by
censure and exclusion from the hearings; and the Committee may
cite the offender to the House of Representatives for contempt.
(n) Each witness subpoenaed to provide testimony or other
evidence shall be provided the same per diem rate as
established, authorized, and regulated by the Committee on
House Administration for Members, officers and employees of the
House, and, as the Chair considers appropriate, actual expenses
of travel to or from the place of examination. No compensation
shall be authorized for attorney's fees or for a witness' lost
earnings. Such per diem may not be paid if a witness had been
summoned at the place of examination.
(o) With the approval of the Committee, a witness, upon
request, may be provided with a transcript of the witness' own
deposition or other testimony taken in executive session, or,
with the approval of the Chair and Ranking Minority Member, may
be permitted to examine such transcript in the office of the
Committee. Any such request shall be in writing and shall
include a statement that the witness, and counsel, agree to
maintain the confidentiality of all executive session
proceedings covered by such transcript.
Rule 27.--Frivolous Filings
If a complaint or information offered as a complaint is
deemed frivolous by an affirmative vote of a majority of the
members of the Committee, the Committee may take such action as
it, by an affirmative vote of a majority, deems appropriate in
the circumstances.
Rule 28.--Referrals to Federal or State Authorities
Referrals made under clause 3(a)(3) of Rule XI of the Rules
of the House of Representatives may be made by an affirmative
vote of two-thirds of the members of the Committee.
Committee on Financial Services
JEB HENSARLING, Texas, Chairman
MAXINE WATERS, California PETER KING, New York
CAROLYN MALONEY, New York EDWARD ROYCE, California
NYDIA VELAZQUEZ, New York FRANK LUCAS, Oklahoma
BRAD SHERMAN, California PATRICK McHENRY, North Carolina
GREGORY MEEKS, New York STEVAN PEARCE, New Mexico
MICHAEL CAPUANO, Massachusetts BILL POSEY, Florida
WM. LACY CLAY, Missouri BLAINE LUETKEMEYER, Missouri
STEPHEN LYNCH, Massachusetts BILL HUIZENGA, Michigan
DAVID SCOTT, Georgia SEAN DUFFY, Wisconsin
AL GREEN, Texas STEVE STIVERS, Ohio
EMANUEL CLEAVER, Missouri RANDY HULTGREN, Illinois
GWEN MOORE, Wisconsin DENNIS ROSS, Florida
KEITH ELLISON, Minnesota ROBERT PITTENGER, North Carolina
ED PERLMUTTER, Colorado ANN WAGNER, Missouri
JAMES HIMES, Connecticut ANDY BARR, Kentucky
BILL FOSTER, Illinois KEITH ROTHFUS, Pennsylvania
DANIEL KILDEE, Michigan LUKE MESSER, Indiana
JOHN DELANEY, Maryland SCOTT TIPTON, Colorado
KYRSTEN SINEMA, Arizona ROGER WILLIAMS, Texas
JOYCE BEATTY, Ohio BRUCE POLIQUIN, Maine
DENNY HECK, Washington MIA LOVE, Utah
JUAN VARGAS, California FRENCH HILL, Arkansas
JOSH GOTTHEIMER, New Jersey TOM EMMER, Minnesota
VICENTE GONZALES, Texas LEE ZELDIN, New York
CHARLIE CRIST, Florida DAVID TROTT, Michigan
RUBEN KIHUEN, Nevada BARRY LOUDERMILK, Georgia
ALEXANDER MOONEY, West Virginia
THOMAS MacARTHUR, New Jersey
WARREN DAVIDSON, Ohio
TED BUDD, North Carolina
DAVID KUSTOFF, Tennessee
CLAUDIA TENNEY, New York
TREY HOLLINGSWORTH, Indiana
(As adopted on February 2, 2017)
RULES OF THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCIAL SERVICES FOR THE 115TH CONGRESS
Rule 1.--General Provisions
(a) The rules of the House are the rules of the Committee
on Financial Services (hereinafter in these rules referred to
as 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 privileged
motions in the Committee and shall be considered without
debate. 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.
Rule 2.--Meetings
(a) Calling of Meetings.--
(1) The Committee shall regularly meet on the first
Tuesday of each month 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 (hereinafter 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, in accordance
with clause 2(g)(3) of rule XI of the rules of the
House.
(4) Special meetings shall be called and convened by
the Chair as provided in clause 2(c)(2) of rule XI of
the Rules of the House.
(b) Notice for Meetings.--
(1) The Chair shall notify each member of the
Committee of the agenda of each regular meeting of the
Committee at least three calendar days (excluding
Saturdays, Sundays, and legal holidays except when the
House is in session on any such day) before the time of
the meeting.
(2) The Chair shall provide to each member of the
Committee, at least three calendar days (excluding
Saturdays, Sundays, and legal holidays except when the
House is in session on any such day) before the time of
each regular meeting for each measure or matter on the
agenda a copy of--
(A) the measure or materials relating to the
matter in question; and
(B) an explanation of the measure or matter
to be considered, which, in the case of an
explanation of a bill, resolution, or similar
measure, shall include a summary of the major
provisions of the legislation, an explanation
of the relationship of the measure to present
law, and a summary of the need for the
legislation.
(3) At least 24 hours prior to the commencement of a
meeting for the markup of legislation, the Chair shall
cause the text of such legislation to be made publicly
available in electronic form.
(4) The provisions of this subsection may be waived
by a two- thirds vote of the Committee or by the Chair
with the concurrence of the ranking minority member.
Rule 3.--Meeting and Hearing Procedures
(a) In General.--
(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 a member designated by the
Chair to carry out such duties.
(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.
(3) Any meeting or hearing of the Committee that is
open to the public shall be open to coverage by
television broadcast, radio broadcast, 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).
Operation and use of any Committee operated broadcast
system shall be fair and nonpartisan and in accordance
with clause 4(b) of rule XI and all other applicable
rules of the Committee and the House.
(4) To the extent feasible, members and witnesses may
use the Committee equipment for the purpose of
presenting information electronically during a meeting
or hearing, provided the information is transmitted to
the appropriate Committee staff in an appropriate
electronic format at least one business day before the
meeting or hearing so as to ensure display capacity and
quality. The content of all materials must relate to
the pending business of the Committee and conform to
the rules of the House. The confidentiality of the
material will be maintained by the technical staff
until its official presentation to the Committee
members. For the purposes of maintaining the official
records of the committee, printed copies of all
materials presented, to the extent practicable, must
accompany the presentations.
(5) No person, other than a Member of Congress,
Committee staff, or an employee of a Member when that
Member has an amendment under consideration, may stand
in or be seated at the rostrum area of the Committee
rooms unless the Chair determines otherwise.
(b) Quorum.--
(1) For the purpose of taking testimony and receiving
evidence, two members of the Committee shall constitute
a quorum.
(2) 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 (other
than a subpoena authorized and issued by the Chair
pursuant to subsection (e)(1)), 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 releasing executive session material
pursuant to clause 2(k)(7) of rule XI of the Rules of
the House.
(3) For the purpose of taking any action other than
those specified in paragraph (2) one-third of the
members of the Committee shall constitute a quorum.
(c) Voting.--
(1) No vote may be conducted on any measure or matter
pending before the Committee unless the requisite
number of 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 one-fifth of the members present.
(3) No vote by any member of the Committee on any
measure or matter may be cast by proxy.
(4) In addition to any other requirement of these
rules or the Rules of the House, including clause
2(e)(1)(B) of rule XI, the Chair shall make the record
of the votes on any question on which a record vote is
demanded publicly available for inspection at the
offices of the Committee and in electronic form on the
Committee's Web site not later than one business day
after such vote is taken. Such record shall include in
electronic form the text of the amendment, motion,
order, or other proposition, the name of each member
voting for and each member voting against such
amendment, motion, order, or proposition, and the names
of those members of the Committee present but not
voting. With respect to any record vote on any motion
to report or record vote on any amendment, a record of
such votes 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 of the
committee present but not voting.
(5) Postponed Record Votes.--(A) Subject to
subparagraph (B), the Chairman may postpone further
proceedings when a record vote is ordered on the
question of approving any measure or matter or adopting
an amendment. The Chairman may resume proceedings on a
postponed request at any time, but no later than the
next meeting day.
(B) In exercising postponement authority under
subparagraph (A), the Chairman shall take all
reasonable steps necessary to notify members on the
resumption of proceedings on any postponed record vote.
(C) When proceedings resume on a postponed question,
notwithstanding any intervening order for the previous
question, an underlying proposition shall remain
subject to further debate or amendment to the same
extent as when the question was postponed.
(D) The Chair's authority to postpone recorded votes
will not be used to prejudice a member with regard to
the offering of another amendment. In the application
of this rule, the Chair will consult regularly with the
ranking minority member regarding the scheduling of the
resumption of postponed votes.
(d) Hearing Procedures.--
(1)(A) The Chair shall make public announcement of
the date, place, and subject matter of any committee
hearing at least one week before the commencement of
the hearing, unless the Chair, with the concurrence of
the ranking minority member, or the Committee by
majority vote with a quorum present for the transaction
of business, determines there is good cause to begin
the hearing sooner, in which case the Chair shall make
the announcement at the earliest possible date.
(B) Not less than three days before the commencement
of a hearing (excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and legal
holidays except when the House is in session on any
such day) announced under this paragraph, the Chair
shall provide to the members of the Committee a concise
summary of the subject of the hearing, or, in the case
of a hearing on a measure or matter, a copy of the
measure or materials relating to the matter in question
and a concise explanation of the measure or matter to
be considered. At the same time the Chair provides the
information required by the preceding sentence, the
Chair shall also provide to the members of the
Committee a list of the witnesses expected to appear
before the Committee at that hearing. The witness list
may not be modified within 24 hours of a hearing,
unless the Chair, with the concurrence of the ranking
minority member, determines there is good cause for
such modification.
(2) To the greatest extent practicable--
(A) each witness who is to appear before the
Committee shall file with the Committee two
business days in advance of the appearance
sufficient copies (including a copy in
electronic form), as determined by the Chair,
of a written statement of proposed testimony
and shall limit the oral presentation to the
Committee to brief summary thereof; and
(B) each witness appearing in a non-
governmental capacity shall include with the
written statement of proposed testimony 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. Such disclosure
statements, with appropriate redactions to
protect the privacy of the witness, shall be
made publicly available in electronic form not
later than one day after the witness appears.
(3) The requirements of paragraph (2)(A) may be
modified or waived by the Chair when the Chair
determines it to be in the best interest of the
Committee.
(4)(A) Subject to subparagraph (B), the five-minute
rule shall be observed in the interrogation of
witnesses before the Committee or any of its
subcommittees until each present member thereof has had
an opportunity to question the witnesses. No member
shall be recognized for a second period of five minutes
to interrogate witnesses until each present member of
the Committee or such subcommittee has been recognized
once for that purpose.
(B) The Chair may permit a specified number of
members to question one or more witnesses for a
specified period of time not to exceed 60 minutes in
the aggregate, equally divided between and controlled
by the Chair and the ranking minority member.
(5) Whenever any hearing is conducted by the
Committee on any measure or matter, the minority party
members of the Committee shall be entitled, upon the
request of a majority of them before the completion of
the hearing, to call witnesses with respect to that
measure or matter during at least one day of hearing
thereon. The Chair, with the concurrence of the ranking
minority member, will determine the date, time, and
place of such hearing.
(6) At any hearing of the Committee, opening
statements by members of the Committee shall be limited
to 10 minutes in the aggregate. The Chair shall control
five minutes and recognize members in the Chair's sole
discretion. The ranking minority member shall control
five minutes; the Chair shall recognize members for
such five minutes according to the direction of the
ranking minority member as communicated to the Chair.
(7) Notwithstanding any member's oral delivery of an
opening statement, written opening statements by any
member of the Committee submitted to the Chair within 5
legislative days after the adjournment of a hearing
shall be made a part of the official hearing record
thereof.
(e) Subpoenas and Oaths.--
(1) The power to authorize and issue subpoenas is
delegated to the Chair. The Chair will provide written
notice to the ranking minority member at least 48 hours
in advance of the authorization and issuance of a
subpoena, except when exigent circumstances exist that
do not permit such amount of notice, in which case the
Chair shall provide such notice as soon as possible.
(2) 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.
(3) The Chair, or any member of the Committee
designated by the Chair, may administer oaths to
witnesses before the Committee.
Rule 4.--Procedures for Reporting Measures or Matters
(a) No measure or matter shall be reported from the
Committee unless a majority of the Committee is actually
present.
(b) The Chair of the Committee shall report or cause to be
reported promptly to the House any measure approved by the
Committee and take necessary steps to bring a matter to a vote.
(c) The report of the Committee on a measure which has been
approved by the Committee shall be filed within seven calendar
days (exclusive of days on which the House is not in session)
after the day on which there has been filed with the clerk of
the Committee a written request, signed by a majority of the
members of the Committee, for the reporting of that measure
pursuant to the provisions of clause 2(b)(2) of rule XIII of
the Rules of the House.
(d) All reports printed by the Committee pursuant to a
legislative study or investigation and not approved by a
majority vote of the Committee shall contain the following
disclaimer on the cover of such report: ``This report has not
been officially adopted by the Committee on Financial Services
and may not necessarily reflect the views of its Members.''
(e) The Chair is directed to offer a motion under clause 1
of rule XXII of the Rules of the House whenever the Chair
considers it appropriate.
Rule 5.--Subcommittees
(a) Establishment and Responsibilities of Subcommittees.--
(1) There shall be six subcommittees of the Committee
as follows:
(A) Subcommittee on Capital Markets,
Securities, and Investment.--The jurisdiction
of the Subcommittee on Capital Markets,
Securities, and Investment includes--
(i) securities, exchanges, and
finance;
(ii) capital markets activities,
including securitization, business
capital formation, securities lending,
and repurchase agreements;
(iii) investment companies and
advisers to private funds;
(iv) activities involving accounting
and auditing;
(v) activities involving futures,
forwards, options, and other types of
derivative instruments;
(vi) the Securities and Exchange
Commission;
(vii) the Financial Accounting
Standards Board;
(viii) the Municipal Securities
Rulemaking Board;
(ix) the Public Company Accounting
Oversight Board;
(x) the Securities Investor
Protection Corporation; and
(xi) self-regulatory organizations
registered with the Securities and
Exchange Commission.
(B) Subcommittee on Financial Institutions
and Consumer Credit.--The jurisdiction of the
Subcommittee on Financial Institutions and
Consumer Credit includes--
(i) all agencies, including the
Office of the Comptroller of the
Currency, the Federal Deposit Insurance
Corporation, the Board of Governors of
the Federal Reserve System and the
Federal Reserve System, and the
National Credit Union Administration,
which directly or indirectly exercise
supervisory or regulatory authority in
connection with, or provide deposit
insurance for, financial institutions,
and the establishment of interest rate
ceilings on deposits;
(ii) all matters related to the
Bureau of Consumer Financial
Protection;
(iii) the chartering, branching,
merger, acquisition, consolidation, or
conversion of financial institutions;
(iv) consumer credit, including the
provision of consumer credit by
insurance companies, and further
including those matters in the Consumer
Credit Protection Act dealing with
truth in lending, extortionate credit
transactions, restrictions on
garnishments, fair credit reporting and
the use of credit information by credit
bureaus and credit providers, equal
credit opportunity, debt collection
practices, and electronic funds
transfers, including consumer
transactions using mobile devices;
(v) creditor remedies and debtor
defenses, Federal aspects of the
Uniform Consumer Credit Code, credit
and debit cards, and the preemption of
State usury laws;
(vi) consumer access to financial
services, including the Home Mortgage
Disclosure Act and the Community
Reinvestment Act;
(vii) the terms and rules of
disclosure of financial services,
including the advertisement, promotion
and pricing of financial services, and
availability of government check
cashing services;
(viii) deposit insurance; and
(ix) consumer access to savings
accounts and checking accounts in
financial institutions, including
lifeline banking and other consumer
accounts.
(C) Subcommittee on Housing and Insurance.--
The jurisdiction of the Subcommittee on Housing
and Insurance includes--
(i) insurance generally; terrorism
risk insurance; private mortgage
insurance; government sponsored
insurance programs, including those
offering protection against crime,
fire, flood (and related land use
controls), earthquake and other natural
hazards; the Federal Insurance Office;
(ii) housing (except programs
administered by the Department of
Veterans Affairs), including mortgage
and loan insurance pursuant to the
National Housing Act; rural housing;
housing and homeless assistance
programs; all activities of the
Government National Mortgage
Association; secondary market
organizations for home mortgages,
including the Federal National Mortgage
Association, the Federal Home Loan
Mortgage Corporation, and the Federal
Agricultural Mortgage Corporation; the
Federal Housing Finance Agency; the
Federal Home Loan Banks; housing
construction and design and safety
standards; housing-related energy
conservation; housing research and
demonstration programs; financial and
technical assistance for nonprofit
housing sponsors; housing counseling
and technical assistance; regulation of
the housing industry (including
landlord/tenant relations); and real
estate lending including regulation of
settlement procedures;
(iii) community development and
community and neighborhood planning,
training and research; national urban
growth policies; urban/rural research
and technologies; and regulation of
interstate land sales; and,
(iv) the qualifications for and
designation of Empowerment Zones and
Enterprise Communities (other than
matters relating to tax benefits).
(D) Subcommittee on Monetary Policy and
Trade.--The jurisdiction of the Subcommittee on
Monetary Policy and Trade includes--
(i) financial aid to all sectors and
elements within the economy;
(ii) economic growth and
stabilization;
(iii) defense production matters as
contained in the Defense Production Act
of 1950, as amended;
(iv) domestic monetary policy, and
agencies which directly or indirectly
affect domestic monetary policy,
including the effect of such policy and
other financial actions on interest
rates, the allocation of credit, and
the structure and functioning of
domestic financial institutions;
(v) coins, coinage, currency, and
medals, including commemorative coins
and medals, proof and mint sets and
other special coins, the Coinage Act of
1965, gold and silver, including the
coinage thereof (but not the par value
of gold), gold medals, counterfeiting,
currency denominations and design, the
distribution of coins, and the
operations of the Bureau of the Mint
and the Bureau of Engraving and
Printing;
(vi) development of new or
alternative forms of currency;
(vii) multilateral development
lending institutions, including
activities of the National Advisory
Council on International Monetary and
Financial Policies as related thereto,
and monetary and financial developments
as they relate to the activities and
objectives of such institutions;
(viii) international trade, including
but not limited to the activities of
the Export-Import Bank;
(ix) the International Monetary Fund,
its permanent and temporary agencies,
and all matters related thereto; and
(x) international investment
policies, both as they relate to United
States investments for trade purposes
by citizens of the United States and
investments made by all foreign
entities in the United States.
(E) Subcommittee on Terrorism and Illicit
Finance.--The jurisdiction of the Subcommittee
on Terrorism and Illicit Finance includes--
(i) financial support networks of
national security threats, including
matters related to terrorist financing,
money laundering, drug sale proceeds,
and alternative remittance systems;
(ii) methods to detect and inhibit
terrorism and illicit finance,
including matters related to anti-money
laundering and combating the financing
of terrorism (AML/CFT) standards, asset
forfeiture, and financial sanctions, as
well as programs related to such
matters administered by agencies or
subunits thereof, including activities
of the Office of Terrorism and
Financial Intelligence and the
Financial Crimes Enforcement Network;
and
(iii) Inter-governmental initiatives
to detect and inhibit terrorism and
illicit finance, including the
Financial Action Task Force.
(F) Subcommittee on Oversight and
Investigations.--The jurisdiction of the
Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations
includes--
(i) the oversight of all agencies,
departments, programs, and matters
within the jurisdiction of the
Committee, including the development of
recommendations with regard to the
necessity or desirability of enacting,
changing, or repealing any legislation
within the jurisdiction of the
Committee, and for conducting
investigations within such
jurisdiction; and
(ii) research and analysis regarding
matters within the jurisdiction of the
Committee, including the impact or
probable impact of tax policies
affecting matters within the
jurisdiction of the Committee.
(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.
(b) Referral of Measures and Matters to Subcommittees.--
(1) The Chair shall regularly refer to one or more
subcommittees such measures and matters as the Chair
deems appropriate given its jurisdiction and
responsibilities. In making such a referral, the Chair
may designate a subcommittee of primary jurisdiction
and subcommittees of additional or sequential
jurisdiction.
(2) All other measures or matters shall be subject to
consideration by the full Committee.
(3) In referring any measure or matter to a
subcommittee, the Chair may specify a date by which the
subcommittee shall report thereon to the Committee.
(4) The Chair, in his or her sole discretion, may
discharge a subcommittee from consideration of any
measure or matter referred to a subcommittee of the
Committee.
(c) Composition of Subcommittees.--
(1) Members shall be elected to each subcommittee and
to the positions of chair and ranking minority member
thereof, in accordance with the rules of the respective
party caucuses. The Chair of the Committee shall
designate a member of the majority party on each
subcommittee as its vice chair. The Chair may designate
one member of the Committee who previously has served
as the chairman of the Committee as the Chairman
Emeritus.
(2) The Chair and ranking minority member of the
Committee shall be ex officio members with voting
privileges of each subcommittee of which they are not
assigned as members and may be counted for purposes of
establishing a quorum in such subcommittees. The
Chairman Emeritus shall be an ex officio member without
voting privileges of each subcommittee to which he or
she is not assigned and shall not count for purposes of
establishing a quorum in such subcommittees.
(3) The subcommittees shall be comprised as follows:
(A) Subcommittee on Capital Markets,
Securities, and Investment shall be comprised
of 28 members, 16 elected by the majority
caucus and 12 elected by the minority caucus.
(B) Subcommittee on Financial Institutions
and Consumer Credit shall be comprised of 26
members, 15 elected by the majority caucus and
11 elected by the minority caucus.
(C) Subcommittee on Housing and Insurance
shall be comprised of 23 members, 13 elected by
the majority caucus and 10 elected by the
minority caucus.
(D) Subcommittee on Monetary Policy and Trade
shall be comprised of 21 members, 12 elected by
the majority caucus and 9 elected by the
minority caucus.
(E) Subcommittee on Terrorism and Illicit
Finance shall be comprised of 25 members, 14
elected by the majority caucus and 11 elected
by the minority caucus.
(F) Subcommittee on Oversight and
Investigations shall be comprised of 21
members, 12 elected by the majority caucus and
9 elected by the minority caucus.
(d) Subcommittee Meetings and Hearings.--
(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, consistent with
subsection (a).
(2) No subcommittee of the Committee may meet or hold
a hearing at the same time as a meeting or hearing of
the Committee.
(3) The chair of each subcommittee shall set hearing
and meeting dates only with the approval of the Chair
with a view toward assuring the availability of meeting
rooms and avoiding simultaneous scheduling of Committee
and subcommittee meetings or hearings.
(e) Effect of a Vacancy.--
Any vacancy in the membership of a subcommittee shall
not affect the power of the remaining members to
execute the functions of the subcommittee as long as
the required quorum is present.
(f) Records.--
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 as the Chair deems
necessary for the Committee to comply with all rules
and regulations of the House.
Rule 6.--Staff
(a) In General.--
(1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), the
professional and other staff of the Committee shall be
appointed, and may be removed 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, and may be removed, by the ranking minority
member of the Committee, and shall work under the
general supervision and direction of such member.
(3) It is intended that the skills and experience of
all members of the Committee staff be available to all
members of the Committee.
(b) Subcommittee Staff.--
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 so that each
subcommittee can carry out its responsibilities under
the rules of the Committee and that the minority party
is treated fairly in the appointment of such staff.
(c) Compensation of Staff.--
(1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), the Chair
shall fix the compensation of all professional and
other staff of the Committee.
(2) The ranking minority member shall fix the
compensation of all professional and other staff
provided to the minority party members of the
Committee.
Rule 7.--Budget and Travel
(a) Budget.--
(1) 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.
(2) From the amount provided to the Committee in the
primary expense resolution adopted by the House of
Representatives, the Chair, after consultation with the
ranking minority member, shall designate an amount to
be under the direction of the ranking minority member
for the compensation of the minority staff, travel
expenses of minority members and staff, and minority
office expenses. All expenses of minority members and
staff shall be paid for out of the amount so set aside.
(b) Travel.--
(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.
Rule 8.--Committee Administration
(a) Records.--
(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 and shall
be available in electronic form and 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 of Representatives. 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.
(b) Committee Publications on the Internet.--
The Chair shall maintain an official Committee
website for the purpose of carrying out the official
responsibilities of the Committee, including
communicating information about the Committee's
activities. The ranking minority member may maintain an
official website. To the maximum extent feasible, the
Committee shall make its publications available in
electronic form on the official Committee website
maintained by the Chair.
(c) Audio and Video Coverage of Committee Hearings and
Meetings.--
(1) To the maximum extent feasible, the Committee
shall provide audio and video coverage of each hearing
or meeting for the transaction of business in a manner
that allows the public to easily listen to and view the
proceedings; and,
(2) maintain the recordings of such coverage in a
manner that is easily accessible to the public.
Committee on the Foreign Affairs
EDWARD R. ROYCE, California,
Chairman
ELIOT L. ENGEL, New York CHRISTOPHER H. SMITH, New Jersey
BRAD SHERMAN, California ILEANA ROS-LEHTINEN, Florida
GREGORY W. MEEKS, New York DANA ROHRABACHER, California
ALBIO SIRES, New Jersey STEVE CHABOT, Ohio
GERALD E. CONNOLLY, Virginia JOE WILSON, South Carolina
THEODORE E. DEUTCH, Florida MICHAEL T. McCAUL, Texas
KAREN BASS, California TED POE, Texas
WILLIAM R. KEATING, Massachusetts DARRELL E. ISSA, California
DAVID N. CICILLINE, Rhode Island TOM MARINO, Pennsylvania
AMI BERA, California JEFF DUNCAN, South Carolina
LOIS FRANKEL, Florida MO BROOKS, Alabama
TULSI GABBARD, Hawaii PAUL COOK, California
JOAQUIN CASTRO, Texas SCOTT PERRY, Pennsylvania
ROBIN L. KELLY, Illinois RON DeSANTIS, Florida
BRENDAN F. BOYLE, Pennsylvania MARK MEADOWS, North Carolina
DINA TITUS, Nevada TED S. YOHO, Florida
NORMA TORRES, California ADAM KINZINGER, Illinois
BRADLEY SCHNEIDER, Illinois LEE M. ZELDIN, New York
THOMAS SUOZZI, New York DANIEL M. DONOVAN, Jr., New York
ADRIANO ESPAILLAT, New York F. JAMES SENSENBRENNER, Wisconsin
TED LIEU, California ANN WAGNER, Missouri
BRIAN MAST, Florida
FRANCIS ROONEY, Florida
BRIAN FITZPATRICK, Pennsylvania
TOM GARRETT, Jr, Virginia
(As adopted by the Committee on January 24, 2017)
RULES OF THE COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN AFFAIRS FOR THE 115TH CONGRESS
Rule 1.--General Provisions
(a) The Rules of the House of Representatives, and in
particular, the committee rules enumerated in clause 2 of rule
XI, are the rules of the Committee on Foreign Affairs
(hereafter referred to as the ``Committee''), to the extent
applicable.
(b) A motion to recess and a motion to dispense with the
first reading (in full) of a bill or resolution, if printed
copies are available, are privileged non-debatable motions in
Committee.
(c) The Chairman of the Committee on Foreign Affairs shall
consult the Ranking Minority Member to the extent possible with
respect to the business of the Committee. Each subcommittee of
the Committee is a part of the Committee and is subject to the
authority and direction of the Committee and to its rules, to
the extent applicable.
Rule 2.--Date of Meeting
The regular meeting date of the Committee shall be the
first Tuesday of every month when the House of Representatives
is in session pursuant to clause 2(b) of rule XI of the House
of Representatives. Additional meetings may be called by the
Chairman as the Chairman may deem necessary or at the request
of a majority of the Members of the Committee in accordance
with clause 2(c) of rule XI of the House of Representatives.
The determination of the business to be considered at each
meeting shall be made by the Chairman subject to clause 2(c) of
rule XI of the House of Representatives. A regularly scheduled
meeting need not be held if, in the judgment of the Chairman,
there is no business to be considered.
Rule 3.--Quorum
For purposes of taking testimony and receiving evidence,
two Members shall constitute a quorum, and the Chairman of the
full Committee or a subcommittee shall make every effort to
ensure that the relevant Ranking Minority Member or another
Minority Member is present at the time a hearing is convened.
One-third of the Members of the Committee or subcommittee shall
constitute a quorum for taking any action, except: (1)
reporting a measure or recommendation; (2) closing Committee
meetings and hearings to the public; (3) authorizing the
issuance of subpoenas; and (4) any other action for which an
actual majority quorum is required by any rule of the House of
Representatives or by law. No measure or recommendation shall
be reported to the House of Representatives unless a majority
of the Committee is actually present. No measure or
recommendation shall be reported to the full Committee by a
subcommittee unless half of the subcommittee is actually
present. A record vote may be demanded by one-fifth of the
Members present or, in the apparent absence of a quorum, by any
one Member.
Rule 4.--Meetings and Hearings Open to the Public
(a) Meetings.--
(1) Each meeting for the transaction of business,
including the markup of legislation, of the Committee
or a subcommittee shall be open to the public except
when the Committee or subcommittee, in open session and
with a majority present, determines by record vote that
all or part of the remainder of the meeting on that day
shall be closed to the public, because disclosure of
matters to be considered would endanger national
security, would compromise sensitive law enforcement
information, or would tend to defame, degrade or
incriminate any person or otherwise violate any labor
rule of the House of Representatives. No person other
than Members of the Committee and such congressional
staff and departmental representatives as the Committee
or subcommittee may authorize shall be present at any
business or markup session which has been closed to the
public. This subsection does not apply to open
Committee hearings which are provided for by subsection
(b) of this rule.
(2) The Chairman of the full Committee or a
subcommittee may postpone further proceedings when a
record vote is ordered on the question of approving any
measure or matter, or adopting an amendment. The
relevant Chairman may resume proceedings on a postponed
request at any time. When exercising postponement
authority, the relevant Chairman shall take all
reasonable steps necessary to notify Members on the
resumption of proceedings on any postponed record vote.
When proceedings resume on a postponed question,
notwithstanding any intervening order for the previous
question, an underlying proposition shall remain
subject to further debate or amendment to the same
extent as when the question was postponed.
(b) Hearings.--
(1) Each hearing conducted by the Committee or a
subcommittee shall be open to the public except when
the Committee or subcommittee, in open session and with
a majority present, determines by record vote that all
or part of the remainder of that hearing on that day
should be closed to the public because disclosure of
testimony, evidence or other matters to be considered
would endanger the national security, would compromise
sensitive law enforcement information, or otherwise
would violate any law or rule of the House of
Representatives. Notwithstanding the preceding
sentence, a majority of those present, there being in
attendance the requisite number required under the
rules of the Committee to be present for the purpose of
taking testimony--
(A) may vote to close the hearing for the
sole purpose of discussing whether testimony or
evidence to be received would endanger the
national security, would compromise sensitive
law enforcement information, or violate
paragraph (2) of this subsection; or
(B) may vote to close the hearing, as
provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection.
(2) Whenever it is asserted by a Member of the
Committee that the evidence or testimony at a hearing
may tend to defame, degrade, or incriminate any person,
or it is asserted by a witness that the evidence or
testimony that the witness would give at a hearing may
tend to defame, degrade, or incriminate the witness--
(A) such testimony or evidence shall be
presented in executive session, notwithstanding
the provisions of paragraph (1) of this
subsection, if by a majority of those present,
there being in attendance the requisite number
required under the rules of the Committee to be
present for the purpose of taking testimony,
the Committee or subcommittee determines that
such evidence or testimony may tend to defame,
degrade, or incriminate any person; and
(B) the Committee or subcommittee shall
proceed to receive such testimony in open
session only if the Committee, a majority being
present, determines that such evidence or
testimony will not tend to defame, degrade, or
incriminate any person.
(3) No Member of the House of Representatives may be
excluded from non-participatory attendance at any
hearing of the Committee or a subcommittee unless the
House of Representatives has by majority vote
authorized the Committee or subcommittee, for purposes
of a particular series of hearings, on a particular
article of legislation or on a particular subject of
investigation, to close its hearings to Members by the
same procedures designated in this subsection for
closing hearings to the public.
(4) A Member of the House of Representatives who is
not a Member of the Committee may not be recognized to
participate in a Committee or Subcommittee hearing
except by the unanimous consent of Committee Members
present at such hearing. Participatory recognition of a
non-Committee Member shall occur only after all
Committee Members seeking recognition, both majority
and minority, have had their opportunity to participate
and question any witnesses.
(5) The Committee or a subcommittee may by the
procedure designated in this subsection vote to close
one (1) subsequent day of hearing.
(6) No congressional staff shall be present at any
meeting or hearing of the Committee or a subcommittee
that has been closed to the public, and at which
classified information will be involved, unless such
person is authorized access to such classified
information in accordance with rule XX of the House of
Representatives.
Rule 5.--Convening Hearings and Markups
(a) Hearings.--Public announcement shall be made of the
date, place, and subject matter of any hearing to be conducted
by the Committee or a subcommittee at the earliest possible
date, and in any event at least one (1) week before the
commencement of that hearing. If the Chairman of the full
Committee or a subcommittee, with the concurrence of the
relevant Ranking Minority Member, determines that there is good
cause to begin a hearing sooner, or if the Committee or
subcommittee so determines by majority vote in the presence of
the number of members required under the rules of the Committee
for the taking of action, the Chairman of the full Committee,
if concurring, shall make the announcement at the earliest
possible date. No change shall be made to a publicly announced
hearing title until after consultation with the relevant
Ranking Minority Member and notice to previously announced
witnesses.
(b) Markups and Other Meetings to Transact Business.--
(1) Convening.--The Chairman of the full Committee or
a subcommittee may call or convene, as the relevant
Chairman considers necessary, meetings of the Committee
or subcommittee for the consideration of a bill or
resolution pending before the Committee or
subcommittee, as the case may be, or for the conduct of
other Committee or subcommittee business.
(2) Notice.--Public announcement shall be made by the
Chairman of the full Committee of the date, place, and
subject matter of any markup or other meeting to
conduct business at the earliest possible date, and in
any event at least one (1) week before the commencement
of such markup or meeting, unless the relevant Chairman
determines, in consultation with the relevant Ranking
Minority Member, that there is good cause to begin such
a markup or meeting on an earlier date. If such
determination is made, the Chairman of the full
Committee, if concurring in that determination, shall
make the announcement at the earliest possible date.
(3) Agenda and Texts.--The relevant Chairman shall
provide to all Committee or subcommittee Members an
agenda for each Committee and subcommittee markup or
other meeting to transact business, setting out all
items of business to be considered, including whenever
possible a copy of any measure scheduled for markup, at
least 48 hours (excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and legal
holidays) before the meeting.
Bills on subjects not listed on such agenda shall be
subject to a point of order unless their consideration
is agreed to by a two-thirds vote of the Committee or
subcommittee, or by the Chairman of the full Committee
with the concurrence of the Ranking Minority Member.
The text of any measure to be marked up shall be made
publicly available in electronic form at least 24 hours
prior to the commencement of the markup meeting, or at
the time of an announcement under subparagraph (b)(2)
made within 24 hours before such meeting.
(c) Publication.--Public announcement of all hearings and
markups shall be published in the Daily Digest portion of the
Congressional Record and made publicly available in electronic
form. Members shall be notified by the Staff Director of all
meetings (including markups and hearings) and briefings of
subcommittees and of the full Committee.
(d) Member Seating.--During Committee and subcommittee
hearings and markups, chairs on the dais are for Members. No
staff member other than a Committee or subcommittee staff
director, counsel, or professional staff member may occupy a
chair on the dais, unless authorized by the Chairman of the
full Committee, after consultation with the Ranking Member of
the Full Committee. Only one staff member each from the
majority and the minority may occupy chairs on the dais at any
time during a hearing or markup.
Rule 6.--Witnesses
(a) Interrogation of Witnesses.--
(1) In so far as practicable, witnesses shall be
permitted to present their oral statements without
interruption subject to reasonable time constraints
imposed by the Chairman of the full Committee or a
subcommittee, with questioning by the Committee Members
taking place afterward. Members should refrain from
questions until such statements are completed.
(2) In recognizing Members, the relevant Chairman
shall, to the extent practicable, give preference to
the Members on the basis of their arrival at the
hearing, taking into consideration the majority and
minority ratio of the Members actually present. A
Member desiring to speak or ask a question shall
address the relevant Chairman and not the witness.
(3) Subject to paragraph (4), each Member may
interrogate the witness for 5 minutes, the reply of the
witness being included in the 5-minute period. After
all Members have had an opportunity to ask questions,
the round shall begin again under the 5-minute rule.
(4) Notwithstanding paragraph (3), the relevant
Chairman, with the concurrence of the Ranking Minority
Member, may permit one (1) or more majority Members of
the Committee designated by the relevant Chairman to
question a witness for a specified period of not longer
than 30 minutes. On such occasions, an equal number of
minority Members of the Committee designated by the
Ranking Minority Member shall be permitted to question
the same witness for the same period of time. Committee
staff may be permitted to question a witness for equal
specified periods either with the concurrence of the
Chairman and Ranking Minority Member of the full
Committee or by motion. However, in no case may
questioning by Committee staff proceed before each
Member of the Committee who wishes to speak under the
5-minute rule has had one opportunity to do so.
(b) Testimony of Witnesses.--
(1) Advance Filing Requirement.--Each witness who is
to appear before the Committee or a subcommittee is
required to file testimony with the Committee or
subcommittee at least two (2) business days in advance
of that appearance. For purposes of this subsection,
testimony includes the written statement of a witness,
as well as any video, photographs, audio-visual matter,
posters, or other supporting materials that the witness
intends to present or display before the Committee.
Such testimony should be provided in electronic form to
the extent practicable. The Committee or subcommittee
shall notify Members at least two business days in
advance of a hearing of the availability of testimony
submitted by witnesses. In addition, each witness shall
provide sufficient copies, as determined by the
Chairman of the full Committee or a subcommittee, of
his or her proposed written statement to be provided to
Members and staff of the Committee or subcommittee, the
news media, and the general public. The text of the
written statement provided pursuant to this paragraph
shall be considered final, and may not be revised by
the witness after the Committee meeting at which the
witness appears.
(2) Witness Preclusion and Waiver.--The requirements
of paragraph (1) or any part thereof may be waived by
the Chairman of the full Committee or a subcommittee,
or the presiding Member, or the Ranking Member of the
Committee or subcommittee as it relates to witnesses
who are called by the minority to testify, provided
that the witness or the relevant Chairman or Ranking
Minority Member has submitted, prior to the witness's
appearance, a written explanation to the reasons
testimony has not been made available to the Committee
or subcommittee. If a witness who is not an official of
the U.S. Government has not submitted testimony as
required by paragraph (1) and no such written
explanation has been submitted, the witness shall be
released from testifying unless a majority of the
Committee or subcommittee votes to accept his or her
testimony.
(3) Remote Witness Participation.--The Chairman of
the full Committee or a subcommittee shall promptly,
and not later than 48 hours beforehand if possible,
notify the relevant Ranking Member of any witness who
is likely to present testimony other than in person,
such as by videoconference. A witness may not testify
via telephone or other audio-only medium without the
concurrence of the Chairman and Ranking Member of the
Committee or subcommittee. The relevant Chairman shall
make reasonable efforts to verify the identity of any
witness participating remotely.
(4) `Truth In Testimony' Disclosure.--In the case of
a witness appearing in a nongovernmental capacity, a
written statement of proposed testimony shall, to the
extent practicable, include: a curriculum vitae; a
disclosure of the amount and source of any Federal
grant (or subgrant thereof) or contract (or subcontract
thereof), or of any contract or payment originating
with a foreign government, received during the current
fiscal year or either of the two previous fiscal years
by the witness or by an entity represented by the
witness, to the extent that such information is
relevant to the subject matter of, and the witness'
representational capacity at, the hearing; and a
disclosure of whether the witness is an active
registrant under the Foreign Agents Registration Act
(FARA). Such statements, with appropriate redactions to
protect the privacy, safety, or security of the
witness, shall be made publicly available in electronic
form not later than one day after the witness appears.
(5) Witness Presentation.--A witness shall limit his
or her oral presentation to a brief summary of his or
her written statement.
(6) Translation.--A witness requiring an interpreter
or translator should include in the testimony provided
pursuant to paragraph (1) the identity of the
interpreter or translator that the witness intends to
use. Unless properly noticed as a separate witness, an
interpreter or translator appearing before the
Committee should not present views or statements other
than those expressed by the witness.
(c) Oaths.--The Chairman of the full Committee or a
subcommittee, or any Member of the Committee designated by the
relevant Chairman, may administer oaths to any witness
appearing before the Committee.
Rule 7.--Preparation and Maintenance of Committee Records
An accurate stenographic record shall be made of all
hearings and markup sessions. Members of the Committee and any
witness may examine the transcript of his or her own remarks
and may make any grammatical or technical changes that do not
substantively alter the record. Any such Member or witness
shall return the transcript to the Committee offices within
seven (7) calendar days (not including Saturdays, Sundays, and
legal holidays) after receipt of the transcript, or as soon
thereafter as is practicable.
Any information supplied for the record at the request of a
Member of the Committee shall be provided to the Member when
received by the Committee.
Transcripts of hearings and markup sessions (except for the
record of a meeting or hearing which is closed to the public)
shall be printed as soon as is practicable after receipt of the
corrected versions, except that the Chairman may order the
transcript of a hearing to be printed without the corrections
of a Member or witness if the Chairman determines that such
Member or witness has been afforded a reasonable time to
correct such transcript and such transcript has not been
returned within such time.
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 House of Representatives.
The Chairman 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 the
written request of any Member of the Committee.
The Committee shall, to the maximum extent feasible, make
its publications available in electronic form.
Rule 8.--Extraneous Materials in Committee Hearings Prints
No extraneous material shall be printed in either the body
or appendices of any Committee or subcommittee hearing, except
matter which has been accepted for inclusion in the record
during the hearing or by agreement of the Chairman of the full
Committee or a subcommittee and Ranking Minority Member of the
Committee or subcommittee within five (5) calendar days of the
hearing. Copies of bills and other legislation under
consideration and responses to written questions submitted by
Members shall not be considered extraneous material.
Extraneous material in either the body or appendices of any
hearing to be printed which would be in excess of eight (8)
printed pages (for any one submission) shall be accompanied by
a written request to the relevant Chairman. Such written
request shall contain an estimate in writing from the Public
Printer of the probable cost of publishing such material.
Rule 9.--Information on Committee Action
(a) Record Votes.--The result of each record vote in any
meeting of the Committee outside of executive session shall be
made publicly available in electronic form within 48 hours of
such record vote. Such result shall include a description of
the amendment, motion, order, or other proposition, the name of
each Member voting for and against, and the Members present but
not voting.
(b) Adopted Amendments.--Not later than 24 hours after the
adoption of any amendment to a measure or matter considered by
the Committee, the text of each such amendment shall be made
publicly available in electronic form.
(c) Hearing and Markup Attendance.--Member attendance at
each Committee hearing and markup shall be recorded and
included in the Committee print of the transcript of that
hearing or markup.
Rule 10.--Proxies
Proxy voting is not permitted in the Committee or in
subcommittees.
Rule 11.--Reports
(a) Reports on Bills and Resolutions.--To the extent
practicable, not later than 24 hours before a report is to be
filed with the Clerk of the House on a measure that has been
ordered reported by the Committee, the Chairman shall make
available for inspection by all Members of the Committee a copy
of the draft Committee report in order to afford Members
adequate information and the opportunity to draft and file any
supplemental, minority or additional views which they may deem
appropriate.
With respect to each record vote on a motion to report any
measure or matter of a public character, and on any amendment
offered to the measure or matter, the total number of votes
cast for and against, and the names of those Members voting for
and against, shall be included in any Committee report on the
measure or matter.
(b) Prior Approval of Certain Reports.--No Committee,
subcommittee, or staff report, study, or other document which
purports to express publicly the views, findings, conclusions,
or recommendations of the Committee or a subcommittee may be
released to the public or filed with the Clerk of the House
unless approved by a majority of the Committee or subcommittee,
as appropriate. A proposed investigative or oversight report
shall be considered as read if it has been available to Members
of the Committee for at least 24 hours (excluding Saturdays,
Sundays, or legal holidays except when the House is in session
on such a day). In any case in which clause 2(l) of rule XI and
clause 3(a)(1) of rule XIII of the House of Representatives
does not apply, each Member of the Committee or subcommittee
shall be given an opportunity to have views or a disclaimer
included as part of the material filed or released, as the case
may be.
(c) Foreign Travel Reports.--At the same time that the
report required by clause 8(b)(3) of rule X of the House of
Representatives, regarding foreign travel reports, is submitted
to the Chairman, Members and employees of the Committee shall
provide a report to the Chairman listing all official meetings,
interviews, inspection tours and other official functions in
which the individual participated, by country and date. Under
extraordinary circumstances, the Chairman may waive the listing
in such report of an official meeting, interview, inspection
tour, or other official function. The report shall be
maintained in the Committee offices and shall be available for
public inspection during normal business hours. Except in
extraordinary circumstances, no Member or employee of the
Committee will be authorized for additional Committee travel
until the reports described in this subsection have been
submitted to the Chairman for that person's prior Committee
travel.
Rule 12.--Reporting Bills and Resolutions
Except in extraordinary circumstances, bills and
resolutions will not be considered by the Committee unless and
until the appropriate subcommittee has recommended the bill or
resolution for Committee action, and will not be taken to the
House of Representatives for action unless and until the
Committee or a relevant subcommittee has ordered reported such
bill or resolution, a quorum being present.
Except in extraordinary circumstances, a bill or resolution
originating in the House of Representatives that contains
exclusively findings and policy declarations or expressions of
the sense of the House of Representatives or the sense of the
Congress shall not be considered by the Committee or a
subcommittee unless such bill or resolution has at least 25
House co-sponsors, at least 10 of whom are Members of the
Committee.
For purposes of this rule, extraordinary circumstances will
be determined by the Chairman, after consultation with the
Ranking Minority Member and such other Members of the Committee
as the Chairman deems appropriate.
The Committee or a subcommittee shall not consider a bill
or resolution originating in the House of Representatives that
expresses appreciation, commends, congratulates, celebrates,
recognizes the accomplishments of, or celebrates the
anniversary of, an entity, event, group, individual,
institution, team, or government program, or that acknowledges
or recognizes a period of time for such purposes, except in
circumstances determined by the Chairman with the concurrence
of the Ranking Minority Member.
The Chairman is directed to offer a motion under clause 1
of rule XXII of the Rules of the House whenever the Chairman
considers it appropriate.
Rule 13.--Staff Services
The Committee staff shall be selected and organized so that
it can provide a comprehensive range of professional services
in the field of foreign affairs to the Committee, the
subcommittees, and all its Members. The staff shall include
persons with training and experience in foreign affairs, making
available to the Committee individuals with knowledge of major
countries, areas, and U.S. overseas programs and operations.
Subject to clause 9 of rule X of the House of
Representatives, the staff of the Committee, except as provided
in paragraph (c), shall be appointed, and may be removed, by
the Chairman with the approval of the majority of the Members
in the majority party of the Committee. Their remuneration
shall be fixed by the Chairman, and they shall work under the
general supervision and direction of the Chairman. Staff
assignments are to be authorized by the Chairman or by the
Staff Director under the direction of the Chairman.
Subject to clause 9 of rule X of the House of
Representatives, the staff of the Committee assigned to the
minority shall be appointed, their remuneration determined, and
may be removed, by the Ranking Minority Member with the
approval of the majority of the minority party Members of the
Committee. Such staff shall work under the general supervision
and direction of the Ranking Minority Member with the approval
or consultation of the minority Members of the Committee.
The Chairman shall ensure that sufficient staff is made
available to each subcommittee to carry out its
responsibilities under the rules of the Committee. The Chairman
shall ensure that the minority party is fairly treated in the
appointment of such staff.
Rule 14.--Number and Jurisdiction of Subcommittees
(a) Full Committee.--The full Committee will be responsible
for oversight and legislation relating to: foreign assistance
(including development assistance, Millennium Challenge
Corporation, the Millennium Challenge Account, HIV/AIDS in
foreign countries, security assistance, and Public Law 480
programs abroad); national security developments affecting
foreign policy; strategic planning and agreements; war powers,
treaties, executive agreements, and the deployment and use of
United States Armed Forces; peacekeeping, peace enforcement,
and enforcement of United Nations or other international
sanctions; arms control and disarmament issues; the United
States Agency for International Development; activities and
policies of the State, Commerce, and Defense Departments and
other agencies related to the Arms Export Control Act and the
Foreign Assistance Act, including export and licensing policy
for munitions items and technology and dual-use equipment and
technology; international law; promotion of democracy;
international law enforcement issues, including narcotics
control programs and activities; Broadcasting Board of
Governors; embassy security; international broadcasting; public
diplomacy, including international communication and
information policy, and international education and exchange
programs; and all other matters not specifically assigned to a
subcommittee. The full Committee will have jurisdiction over
legislation with respect to the administration of the Export
Administration Act, including the export and licensing of dual-
use equipment and technology and other matters related to
international economic policy and trade not otherwise assigned
to a subcommittee, and with respect to the United Nations, its
affiliated agencies, and other international organizations,
including assessed and voluntary contributions to such
organizations. The full Committee may conduct oversight and
investigations with respect to any matter within the
jurisdiction of the Committee as defined in the Rules of the
House of Representatives.
(b) Subcommittees.--There shall be six (6) standing
subcommittees. The names and jurisdiction of those
subcommittees shall be as follows:
(1) Functional Subcommittee.--There shall be one
subcommittee with functional jurisdiction:
Subcommittee on Terrorism, Nonproliferation,
and Trade.--Oversight and legislative
responsibilities over the United States'
efforts to manage and coordinate international
programs to combat terrorism as coordinated by
the Department of State and other agencies, and
efforts to bring international terrorists to
justice. With the concurrence of the Chairman
of the full Committee, oversight of, and
legislation pertaining to, nonproliferation
matters involving nuclear, chemical, biological
and other weapons of mass destruction, except
for legislation involving the Foreign
Assistance Act, the Arms Export Control Act,
the Export Administration Act, and sanctions
laws pertaining to individual countries and the
provision of foreign assistance (which is
reserved to the full Committee). Oversight of
matters relating to international economic and
trade policy; commerce with foreign countries;
international investment policy; the Overseas
Private Investment Corporation and the Trade
and Development Agency; commodity agreements;
and special oversight of international
financial and monetary institutions; the
Export-Import Bank, and customs. With the
concurrence of the Chairman of the full
Committee, legislative jurisdiction over
measures related to export promotion and
measures related to the Overseas Private
Investment Corporation and the Trade and
Development Agency.
(2) Regional Subcommittees.--There shall be five
subcommittees with regional jurisdiction:
Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, Global
Human Rights, and International Organizations;
the Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific; the
Subcommittee on Europe, Eurasia, and Emerging
Threats; the Subcommittee on the Middle East
and North Africa; and the Subcommittee on the
Western Hemisphere. As detailed below, two of
the regional subcommittees also shall have
functional jurisdiction.
The regional subcommittees shall have
jurisdiction over the following within their
respective regions:
(1) Matters affecting the political
relations between the United States and
other countries and regions, including
resolutions or other legislative
measures directed to such relations.
(2) Legislation with respect to
disaster assistance outside the Foreign
Assistance Act, boundary issues, and
international claims.
(3) Legislation with respect to
region- or country-specific loans or
other financial relations outside the
Foreign Assistance Act.
(4) Legislation and oversight
regarding human rights practices in
particular countries.
(5) Oversight of regional lending
institutions.
(6) Oversight of matters related to
the regional activities of the United
Nations, of its affiliated agencies,
and of other multilateral institutions.
(7) Identification and development of
options for meeting future problems and
issues relating to U.S. interests in
the region.
(8) Oversight of base rights and
other facilities access agreements and
regional security pacts.
(9) Concurrent oversight jurisdiction
with respect to matters assigned to the
functional subcommittees insofar as
they may affect the region.
(10) Oversight of foreign assistance
activities affecting the region, with
the concurrence of the Chairman of the
full Committee.
(11) Such other matters as the
Chairman of the full Committee may
determine.
The Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health,
Global Human Rights, and International
Organizations.--In addition to its regional
jurisdiction, oversight of: international
health issues, including transboundary
infectious diseases, maternal health and child
survival, and programs related to the global
ability to address health issues; population
issues; the United Nations and its affiliated
agencies (excluding peacekeeping and
enforcement of United Nations or other
international sanctions); the American Red
Cross; and the Peace Corps. In addition,
legislation and oversight pertaining to:
implementation of the Universal Declaration of
Human Rights; other matters relating to
internationally-recognized human rights,
including legislation aimed at the promotion of
human rights and democracy generally; and the
Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of
International Child Abduction, and related
issues.
The Subcommittee on Europe, Eurasia, and
Emerging Threats: In addition to its regional
jurisdiction, with the concurrence of the
Chairman of the full Committee, oversight
related to emerging foreign threats to the
national security and interests of the United
States.
Rule 15.--Powers and Duties of Subcommittees
(a) In General.--Each subcommittee is authorized to meet,
hold hearings, receive evidence, and report to the full
Committee on all matters referred to it.
(b) Scheduling.--Subcommittee chairmen shall set meeting
dates after consultation with the Chairman, other subcommittee
chairmen, the relevant Ranking Minority Member and other
appropriate Members, with a view toward minimizing scheduling
conflicts. Subcommittee meetings shall not be scheduled to
occur simultaneously with meetings of the full Committee.
Hearings shall not be scheduled to occur prior to the first
vote or subsequent to the last vote of a legislative week, or
outside of Washington, D.C., without prior consultation with
the relevant Ranking Minority Member. In order to ensure
orderly administration and fair assignment of hearing and
meeting rooms, the subject, time, and location of hearings and
meetings shall be arranged in advance with the Chairman through
the Staff Director of the Committee.
(c) Vice Chairman.--The Chairman of the Full Committee
shall designate a Member of the majority party on each
subcommittee as its vice chairman.
(d) Participation.--The Chairman of the full Committee and
the Ranking Minority Member may attend the meetings and
participate in the activities of all subcommittees of which
they are not Members, except that they may not vote or be
counted for a quorum in such subcommittees.
(e) Required Oversight Hearings.--During each 180-day
period following organization of the Committee, each
subcommittee shall hold at least one hearing on oversight of
U.S. Government activities.
Rule 16.--Referral of Bills by Chairman
In accordance with rule 14 of the Committee and to the
extent practicable, all legislation and other matters referred
to the Committee shall be referred by the Chairman to a
subcommittee of primary jurisdiction within two (2) weeks. In
accordance with rule 14 of the Committee, legislation may also
be referred to additional subcommittees for consideration.
Unless otherwise directed by the Chairman, such subcommittees
shall act on or be discharged from consideration of legislation
that has been approved by the subcommittee of primary
jurisdiction within two (2) weeks of such action. In referring
any legislation to a subcommittee, the Chairman may specify a
date by which the subcommittee shall report thereon to the full
Committee.
Subcommittees with regional jurisdiction shall have joint
jurisdiction with the Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health,
Global Human Rights, and International Organizations over
legislation regarding human rights practices in particular
countries within their regions.
The Chairman may designate a subcommittee Chairman or other
Member to take responsibility as manager of a bill or
resolution during its consideration in the House of
Representatives.
Rule 17.--Party Ratios on Subcommittees and Conference Committees
The majority party caucus of the Committee shall determine
an appropriate ratio of majority to minority party Members for
each subcommittee. Party representation on each subcommittee or
conference committee shall be no less favorable to the majority
party than the ratio for the full Committee. The Chairman and
the Ranking Minority Member are authorized to negotiate matters
affecting such ratios including the size of subcommittees and
conference committees.
Rule 18.--Subcommittee Funding and Records
Each subcommittee shall have adequate funds to discharge
its responsibility for legislation and oversight.
In order to facilitate Committee compliance with clause
2(e)(1) of rule XI of the House of Representatives, each
subcommittee shall keep a complete record of all subcommittee
actions which shall include a record of the votes on any
question on which a record vote is demanded. The result of each
record vote shall be promptly made available to the full
Committee for inspection by the public in accordance with rule
9 of the Committee.
All subcommittee hearings, records, data, charts, and files
shall be kept distinct from the congressional office records of
the Member serving as Chairman of the subcommittee.
Subcommittee records shall be coordinated with the records of
the full Committee, shall be the property of the House, and all
Members of the House shall have access thereto.
Rule 19.--Meetings of Subcommittee Chairmen
The Chairman shall call a meeting of the subcommittee
chairmen on a regular basis not less frequently than once a
month. Such a meeting need not be held if there is no business
to conduct. It shall be the practice at such meetings to review
the current agenda and activities of each of the subcommittees.
Rule 20.--Access to Classified Information
(a) Authorized Persons.--In accordance with the
stipulations of the Rules of the House of Representatives, all
Members of the House who have executed the oath required by
clause 13 of rule XXIII of the House of Representatives shall
be authorized to have access to classified information within
the possession of the Committee.
Members of the Committee staff shall be considered
authorized to have access to classified information within the
possession of the Committee when they have the proper security
clearances, when they have executed the oath required by clause
13 of rule XXIII of the House of Representatives, and when they
have a demonstrable need to know. The decision on whether a
given staff member has a need to know will be made on the
following basis:
(1) In the case of the full Committee majority staff,
by the Chairman, acting through the Staff Director;
(2) In the case of the full Committee minority staff,
by the Ranking Minority Member of the Committee, acting
through the Minority Staff Director;
(3) In the case of subcommittee majority staff, by
the chairman of the subcommittee;
(4) In the case of the subcommittee minority staff,
by the Ranking Minority Member of the subcommittee.
No other individuals shall be considered authorized
persons, unless so designated by the Chairman of the full
Committee.
(b) Designated Persons.--Each Committee Member is permitted
to designate one member of his or her staff as having the right
of access to information classified Confidential. Such
designated persons must have the proper security clearance,
have executed the oath required by clause 13 of rule XXIII of
the House of Representatives, and have a need to know as
determined by his or her principal. Upon request of a Committee
Member in specific instances, a designated person also shall be
permitted access to information classified Secret which has
been furnished to the Committee pursuant to section 36 of the
Arms Export Control Act, as amended. Upon the written request
of a Committee Member and with the approval of the Chairman in
specific instances, a designated person may be permitted access
to other classified materials. Designation of a staff person
shall be by letter from the Committee Member to the Chairman.
(c) Location.--Classified information will be stored in
secure safes in the Office of the Security Officer and in the
Office of the Minority Staff Director. All materials classified
Top Secret or higher must be stored in a Secure
Compartmentalized Information Facility (SCIF).
(d) Handling.--Materials classified Confidential or Secret
may be taken from Committee offices to other Committee offices
and hearing rooms by Members of the Committee and authorized
Committee staff in connection with hearings and briefings of
the Committee or its subcommittees for which such information
is deemed to be essential. Removal of such information from the
Committee offices shall be only with the permission of the
Chairman under procedures designed to ensure the safe handling
and storage of such information at all times. Except as
provided in this paragraph, Top Secret materials may not be
taken from approved storage areas for any purpose, except that
such materials may be taken to hearings and other meetings that
are being conducted at the Top Secret level when necessary.
Materials classified Top Secret may otherwise be used under
conditions approved by the Chairman after consultation with the
Ranking Minority Member.
(e) Notice.--Appropriate notice of the receipt of
classified documents received by the Committee from the
Executive Branch will be sent promptly to Committee Members
through the Survey of Activities or by other means.
(f) Access.--Except as provided for above, access to
materials classified Top Secret or otherwise restricted held by
the Committee will be in approved Committee spaces. The
following procedures will be observed:
(1) Authorized persons will be permitted access to
classified documents after inquiring of the Staff
Director or an assigned staff member. Access to the
SCIF will be afforded during regular Committee hours.
(2) Authorized persons will be required to identify
themselves, to identify the documents or information
they wish to view, and to sign the Classified Materials
Log, which is kept with the classified information.
(3) The assigned staff member will be responsible for
maintaining a log which identifies: (1) authorized
persons seeking access, (2) the classified information
requested, and (3) the time of arrival and departure of
such persons. The assigned staff member will also
assure that the classified materials are returned to
the proper location.
(g) Divulgence.--Classified information provided to the
Committee by the Executive Branch shall be handled in
accordance with the procedures that apply within the Executive
Branch for the protection of such information. Any classified
information to which access has been gained through the
Committee may not be divulged to any unauthorized person.
Classified material shall not be photocopied or otherwise
reproduced. In no event shall classified information be
discussed in a non-secure environment. Apparent violations of
this rule should be reported as promptly as possible to the
Chairman for appropriate action.
(h) Other Regulations.--The Chairman, after consultation
with the Ranking Minority Member, may establish such additional
regulations and procedures as in his judgment may be necessary
to safeguard classified information under the control of the
Committee. Members of the Committee will be given notice of any
such regulations and procedures promptly. They may be modified
or waived in any or all particulars by a majority vote of the
full Committee.
Rule 21.--Broadcasting of Committee Hearings and Meetings
All Committee and subcommittee meetings or hearings which
are open to the public may be covered, in whole or in part, by
television broadcast, radio broadcast, and still photography,
or by any such methods of coverage in accordance with the
provisions of clause 3 of House rule XI.
The Chairman of the full Committee or a subcommittee shall
determine, in his or her discretion, the number of television
and still cameras permitted in a hearing or meeting room, but
shall not limit the number of television or still cameras to
fewer than two (2) representatives from each medium.
Such coverage shall be in accordance with the following
requirements contained in section 116(b) of the Legislative
Reorganization Act of 1970, and clause 4 of XI of the Rules of
the House of Representatives:
(a) If the television, Internet or radio coverage of
the hearing or meeting is to be presented to the public
as live coverage, that coverage shall be conducted and
presented without commercial sponsorship.
(b) No witness served with a subpoena by the
Committee shall be required against his will to be
photographed at any hearing or to give evidence or
testimony while the broadcasting of that hearing, by
radio or television is being conducted. At the request
of any such witness who does not wish to be subjected
to radio, television, Internet or still photography
coverage, all lenses shall be covered and all
microphones used for coverage turned off. This
subparagraph is supplementary to clause 2(k)(5) of rule
XI of the Rules of the House of Representatives
relating to the protection of the rights of witnesses.
(c) The allocation among cameras permitted by the
Chairman of the full Committee or a subcommittee in a
hearing room shall be in accordance with fair and
equitable procedures devised by the Executive Committee
of the Radio and Television Correspondents' Galleries.
(d) Television cameras shall be placed so as not to
obstruct in any way the space between any witness
giving evidence or testimony and Member of the
Committee or its subcommittees or the visibility of
that witness and that Member to each other.
(e) Television cameras shall operate from fixed
positions but shall not be placed in positions which
obstruct unnecessarily the coverage of the hearing by
the other media.
(f) Equipment necessary for coverage by the
television and radio media shall not be installed in,
or removed from, the hearing or meeting room while the
Committee or subcommittee is in session.
(g) Floodlights, spotlights, strobe lights, and
flashguns shall not be used in providing any method of
coverage of the hearing or meeting, except that the
television media may install additional lighting in the
hearing room, without cost to the Government, in order
to raise the ambient lighting level in the hearing room
to the lowest level necessary to provide adequate
television coverage of the hearing or meeting at the
current state-of-the-art level of television coverage.
(h) In the allocation of the number of still
photographers permitted by the Chairman of the full
Committee or a subcommittee in a hearing or meeting
room, preference shall be given to photographers from
Associated Press Photos, United Press International
News pictures, and Reuters. If requests are made by
more of the media than will be permitted by the
Chairman of the full Committee or a subcommittee for
coverage of the hearing or meeting by still
photography, that coverage shall be made on the basis
of a fair and equitable pool arrangement devised by the
Standing Committee of Press Photographers.
(i) Photographers shall not position themselves, at
any time during the course of the hearing or meeting,
between the witness table and the Members of the
Committee or its subcommittees.
(j) Photographers shall not place themselves in
positions which obstruct unnecessarily the coverage of
the hearing by the other media.
(k) Personnel providing coverage by the television
and radio media shall be currently accredited to the
Radio and Television Correspondents' Galleries.
(l) Personnel providing coverage by still photography
shall be currently accredited to the Press
Photographers' Gallery Committee of Press
Photographers.
(m) Personnel providing coverage by the television
and radio media and by still photography shall conduct
themselves and their coverage activities in an orderly
and unobtrusive manner.
Rule 22.--Subpoena Powers
A subpoena may be authorized and issued by the Chairman, in
accordance with clause 2(m) of rule XI of the House of
Representatives, in the conduct of any investigation or
activity or series of investigations or activities within the
jurisdiction of the Committee, following consultation with the
Ranking Minority Member.
In addition, a subpoena may be authorized and issued by the
Committee or its subcommittees in accordance with clause 2(m)
of rule XI of the House of Representatives, in the conduct of
any investigation or activity or series of investigations or
activities, when authorized by a majority of the Members
voting, a majority of the Committee or subcommittee being
present.
Authorized subpoenas shall be signed by the Chairman or by
any Member designated by the Committee.
Rule 23.--Recommendation for Appointment of Conferees
Whenever the Speaker is to appoint a conference committee,
the Chairman shall recommend to the Speaker as conferees those
Members of the Committee who are primarily responsible for the
legislation (including to the full extent practicable the
principal proponents of the major provisions of the bill as it
passed the House), who have actively participated in the
Committee or subcommittee consideration of the legislation, and
who agree to attend the meetings of the conference. With regard
to the appointment of minority Members, the Chairman shall
consult with the Ranking Minority Member.
Rule 24.--General Oversight
Not later than February 15th 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 Oversight and Government Reform, in accordance
with the provisions of clause 2(d) of rule X of the House of
Representatives.
In accordance with the provisions of clause 2(n) of rule XI
of the House of Representatives, the Committee or a
subcommittee thereof shall hold at least one hearing during
each 120-day period following its establishment on the topic of
waste, fraud, abuse, or mismanagement in programs within its
jurisdiction, as documented in reports received from a Federal
Office of the Inspector General or the Comptroller General of
the United States that have been provided to the Ranking
Minority Member prior to the notice of the hearing pursuant to
Committee rule 5.
Rule 25.--Other Procedures and Regulations
The Chairman, in consultation with the Ranking Minority
Member, may establish such other procedures and take such
actions as may be necessary to carry out the foregoing rules or
to facilitate the effective operation of the Committee. Any
additional procedures or regulations may be modified or
rescinded in any or all particulars by a majority vote of the
full Committee.
Committee on Homeland Security
MICHAEL T. McCAUL, Texas, Chairman
BENNIE G. THOMPSON, Mississippi LAMAR SMITH, Texas
SHEILA JACKSON LEE, Texas PETER T. KING, New York
JAMES R. LANGEVIN, Rhode Island MIKE ROGERS, Alabama
CEDRIC L. RICHMOND, Louisiana JEFF DUNCAN, South Carolina
WILLIAM R. KEATING, Massachusetts TOM MARINO, Pennsylvania
DONALD M. PAYNE, Jr., New Jersey LOU BARLETTA, Pennsylvania
FILEMON VELA, Texas SCOTT PERRY, Pennsylvania
BONNIE WATSON COLEMAN, New Jersey JOHN KATKO, New York
KATHLEEN M. RICE, New York WILL HURD, Texas
J. LUIS CORREA, California MARTHA McSALLY, Arizona
VAL BUTLER DEMINGS, Florida JOHN RATCLIFFE, Texas
NANETTE DIAZ BARRAGAN, California DANIEL M. DONOVAN, Jr., New York
MIKE GALLAGHER, Wisconsin
CLAY HIGGINS, Louisiana
JOHN H. RUTHERFORD, Florida
THOMAS A. GARRET, Jr., Virginia
BRIAN K. FITZPATRICK, Pennsylvania
(As adopted by the Committee on February 1, 2017)
RULES OF THE COMMITTEE ON HOMELAND SECURITY FOR THE 115TH CONGRESS
Rule 1.--General Provisions
(A) Applicability of the Rules of the U.S. House of
Representatives.--The Rules of the U.S. House of
Representatives (the ``House'') are the rules of the Committee
on Homeland Security (the ``Committee'') and its subcommittees
insofar as applicable.
(B) Applicability to Subcommittees.--Except where the terms
``Full Committee'' and ``subcommittee'' are specifically
mentioned, the following rules shall apply to the Committee's
subcommittees and their respective Chairmen and Ranking
Minority Members to the same extent as they apply to the Full
Committee and its Chairman and Ranking Minority Member.
(C) Appointments by the Chairman.--Clause 2(d) of Rule XI
of the House shall govern the designation of a Vice Chairman of
the Full Committee.
(D) Conferences.--The Chairman is authorized to offer a
motion under clause 1 of Rule XXII of the Rules of the House
whenever the Chairman considers it appropriate.
(E) Committee Website.--The Chairman shall maintain an
official Committee web site for the purposes of furthering the
Committee's legislative and oversight responsibilities,
including communicating information about the Committee's
activities to Committee Members, other Members, and the public
at large. The Ranking Minority Member may maintain a similar
web site for the same purposes. The official Committee web site
shall display a link on its home page to the web site
maintained by the Ranking Minority Member.
(F) Activity Report.-- The Committee shall submit a report
to the House on the activities of the Committee in accordance
with House rule XI 1(d).
Rule 2.--Subcommittees
(A) Generally.--The Full Committee shall be organized into
the following six standing subcommittees and each shall have
specific responsibility for such measures or matters as the
Chairman refers to it:
(1) Subcommittee on Counterterrorism and
Intelligence;
(2) Subcommittee on Border and Maritime Security;
(3) Subcommittee on Cybersecurity and Infrastructure
Protection;
(4) Subcommittee on Oversight and Management
Efficiency;
(5) Subcommittee on Transportation and Protective
Security; and
(6) Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness, Response
and Communications.
(B) Selection and Ratio of Subcommittee Members.--The
Chairman and Ranking Minority Member of the Full Committee
shall select their respective Members of each subcommittee. The
ratio of Majority to Minority Members shall be comparable to
the Full Committee, consistent with the party ratios
established by the Majority party, except that each
subcommittee shall have at least two more Majority Members than
Minority Members.
(C) Ex Officio Members.--The Chairman and Ranking Minority
Member of the Full Committee shall be ex officio members of
each subcommittee but are not authorized to vote on matters
that arise before each subcommittee. The Chairman and Ranking
Minority Member of the Full Committee shall only be counted to
satisfy the quorum requirement for the purpose of taking
testimony and receiving evidence.
(D) Powers and Duties of Subcommittees.--Except as
otherwise directed by the Chairman of the Full Committee, each
subcommittee is authorized to meet, hold hearings, receive
testimony, mark up legislation, and report to the Full
Committee on all matters within its purview. Subcommittee
Chairmen shall set hearing and meeting dates only with the
approval of the Chairman of the Full Committee. To the greatest
extent practicable, no more than one meeting and hearing should
be scheduled for a given time.
Rule 3.--Special Committee Panels
(A) Designation.--The Chairman of the Full Committee may
designate a special panel of the Committee consisting of
Members of the Committee to inquire into and take testimony on
a matter or matters that warrant enhanced consideration, and to
report to the Committee.
(B) Party Ratios and Appointment.--The chairman of a
special panel shall be appointed by the Chairman of the Full
Committee. The Ranking Minority Member of the Full Committee
may select a ranking minority member for a special panel and
may appoint additional minority members, consistent with the
ratio of the full committee. The Chairman and Ranking Minority
Member may serve as ex officio members.
(C) Duration.--No special panel shall continue in existence
for more than six months.
(D) Jurisdiction.--No panel shall have legislative
jurisdiction.
Rule 4.--Regular Meetings
(A) Regular Meeting Date.--The regular meeting date and
time for the transaction of business of the Full Committee
shall be at 10:00 a.m. on the first Wednesday that the House is
in Session each month, unless otherwise directed by the
Chairman.
(B) Additional Meetings.--At the discretion of the
Chairman, additional meetings of the Committee may be scheduled
for the consideration of any legislation or other matters
pending before the Committee, or to conduct other Committee
business. The Committee shall meet for such purposes pursuant
to the call of the Chairman.
(C) Consideration.--Except in the case of a special meeting
held under clause 2(c)(2) of House Rule XI, the determination
of the business to be considered at each meeting of the
Committee shall be made by the Chairman.
Rule 5.--Notice and Publication
(A) Notice.--
(1) Hearings.--(a) Pursuant to clause 2(g)(3) of rule
XI of the Rules of the House of Representatives, the
Chairman of the Committee shall make public
announcement of the date, place, and subject matter of
any hearing before the Full Committee or subcommittee,
which may not commence earlier than one week after such
notice.
(b) However, a hearing may begin sooner than
specified in (a) if the Chairman of the Committee, with
the concurrence of the Ranking Minority Member,
determines that there is good cause to begin such
hearing sooner, or if the Committee so determines by
majority vote, a quorum being present for the
transaction of business. If such a determination is
made, the Chairman shall make the announcement required
under (a) at the earliest possible date. To the extent
practicable, the names of all witnesses scheduled to
appear at such hearing shall be provided to Members no
later than 48 hours prior to the commencement of such
hearing.
(2) Meetings.--The Chair shall announce the date,
time, place and subject matter of any meeting, which
may not commence earlier than the third day on which
Members have notice thereof except in the case of a
special meeting called under clause 2(c)(2) of House
Rule XI. These notice requirements may be waived if the
Chairman with the concurrence of the Ranking Minority
Member, determines that there is good cause to begin
the meeting sooner or if the Committee so determines by
majority vote, a quorum being present for the
transaction of business.
(a) At least 48 hours prior to the
commencement of a meeting for the markup of
legislation, or at the time of announcement of
the meeting, if less than 48 hours under Rule
V(A)(2), the text of such legislation to be
marked up shall be provided to the Members,
made publicly available in electronic form, and
posted on the official Committee web site.
(b) Not later than 24 hours after concluding
a meeting to consider legislation, the text of
such legislation as ordered forwarded or
reported, including any amendments adopted or
defeated, shall be made publicly available in
electronic form.
(3) Briefings.--The Chairman shall provide notice of
the date, time, place, and subject matter of a Member
briefing. To the extent practicable, a Member briefing
shall not commence earlier than the third day on which
Members have notice thereof.
(4) Publication.--House Rule XI 2(g)(3)(C) is hereby
incorporated by reference.
Rule 6.--Open Meetings and Hearings; Broadcasting
(A) Open Meetings.--
(1) All meetings and hearings of the Committee shall
be open to the public including to radio, television,
and still photography coverage, except as provided by
Rule XI of the Rules of the House or when the
Committee, in open session and with a majority present,
determines by recorded vote that all or part of the
remainder of that hearing on that day shall be closed
to the public because disclosure of testimony,
evidence, or other matters to be considered would
endanger the national security, compromise sensitive
law enforcement information, tend to defame, degrade or
incriminate a witness, or violate any law or rule of
the House of Representatives.
(2) The Committee or Subcommittee may meet in
executive session for up to five additional consecutive
days of hearings if agreed to by the same procedure.
(B) Broadcasting.--Whenever any hearing or meeting
conducted by the Committee is open to the public, the Committee
shall permit that hearing or meeting to be covered by
television broadcast, internet broadcast, print media, and
still photography, or by any of such methods of coverage, in
accordance with the provisions of clause 4 of Rule XI of the
Rules of the House. Operation and use of any Committee operated
broadcast system shall be fair and nonpartisan and in
accordance with clause 4(b) of Rule XI and all other applicable
rules of the Committee and the House. Priority shall be given
by the Committee to members of the Press Galleries. Pursuant to
clause 2(e) of rule XI of the Rules of the House of
Representatives, the Committee shall, to the greatest extent
practicable, provide audio and video coverage of each hearing
or meeting in a manner that allows the public to easily listen
to and view the proceedings and shall maintain the recordings
of such coverage in a manner that is easily accessible to the
public.
(C) Transcripts.--A transcript shall be made of the
testimony of each witness appearing before the Committee during
a Committee hearing. All transcripts of meetings or hearings
that are open to the public shall be made available.
Rule 7.--Procedures for Meetings and Hearings
(A) Opening Statements.--At any meeting of the Committee,
the Chairman and Ranking Minority Member shall be entitled to
present oral opening statements of five minutes each. Other
Members may submit written opening statements for the record.
The Chairman presiding over the meeting may permit additional
opening statements by other Members of the Full Committee or of
that subcommittee, with the concurrence of the Ranking Minority
Member.
(B) The Five-Minute Rule.--The time any one Member may
address the Committee on any bill, motion, or other matter
under consideration by the Committee shall not exceed five
minutes, and then only when the Member has been recognized by
the Chairman, except that this time limit may be extended when
permitted by unanimous consent.
(C) Postponement of Vote.--The Chairman may postpone
further proceedings when a record vote is ordered on the
question of approving any measure or matter or adopting an
amendment and may resume proceedings on a postponed vote at any
time after reasonable notice to Members by the Clerk or other
designee of the Chairman. When proceedings resume on a
postponed question, notwithstanding any intervening order for
the previous question, an underlying proposition shall remain
subject to further debate or amendment to the same extent as
when the question was postponed.
(D) Record.--Members may have 10 business days to submit to
the Chief Clerk of the Committee their statements for the
record, and, in the case of a hearing, additional questions for
the hearing record to be directed towards a witness at the
hearing.
Rule 8.--Witnesses
(A) Questioning of Witnesses.--
(1) Questioning of witnesses by Members will be
conducted under the five-minute rule unless the
Committee adopts a motion permitted by clause 2(j)(2)
of House Rule XI.
(2) In questioning witnesses under the five-minute
rule, the Chairman and the Ranking Minority Member
shall first be recognized. In a subcommittee meeting or
hearing, the Chairman and Ranking Minority Member of
the Full Committee are then recognized. All other
Members who are present before the commencement of the
meeting or hearing will be recognized in the order of
seniority on the Committee, alternating between
Majority and Minority Members. Committee Members
arriving after the commencement of the hearing shall be
recognized in order of appearance, alternating between
Majority and Minority Members, after all Members
present at the beginning of the hearing have been
recognized. To the extent practicable, each Member
shall be recognized at least once before any Member is
given a second opportunity to question a witness.
(3) The Chairman, in consultation with the Ranking
Minority Member, or the Committee by motion, may permit
a specified number of Members to question a witness for
a period longer than five minutes, but the time
allotted must be equally apportioned to the Majority
party and the Minority and may not exceed one hour in
the aggregate.
(4) The Chairman, in consultation with the Ranking
Minority Member, or the Committee by motion, may permit
Committee staff of the Majority and Minority to
question a witness for a specified period of time, but
the time allotted must be equally apportioned to the
Majority and Minority staff and may not exceed one hour
in the aggregate.
(B) Minority Witnesses.--House Rule XI 2(j)(1) is hereby
incorporated by reference.
(C) Oath or Affirmation.--The Chairman of the Committee or
any Member designated by the Chairman, may administer an oath
to any witness.
(D) Statements by Witnesses.--
(1) Consistent with the notice given, and to the
greatest extent practicable, witnesses shall submit a
prepared or written statement for the record of the
proceedings (including, where practicable, an
electronic copy) with the Clerk of the Committee no
less than 48 hours in advance of the witness's
appearance before the Committee.
(2) In the case of a witness appearing in a non-
governmental capacity, a written statement of proposed
testimony shall include a curriculum vita and a
disclosure of any Federal grants or contracts, or
contracts or payments originating with a foreign
government, received during the current calendar year
or either of the two preceding calendar years by the
witness or by an entity represented by the witness and
related to the subject matter of the hearing. Such
disclosures shall include the amount and source of each
Federal grant (or subgrant thereof) or contract (or
subcontract thereof) related to the subject matter of
the hearing, and the amount and country of origin of
any payment or contract related to the subject matter
jurisdiction of the hearing originating with a foreign
government. Such statements, with the appropriate
redactions to protect the privacy or security of the
witness, shall be made publicly available in electronic
form not later than one day after the witness appears.
Rule 9.--Quorum
Quorum Requirements.--Two Members shall constitute a quorum
for purposes of taking testimony and receiving evidence. One-
third of the Members of the Committee shall constitute a quorum
for conducting business, except for (1) reporting a measure or
recommendation; (2) closing Committee meetings to the public,
pursuant to Committee Rule IV; (3) any other action for which
an actual majority quorum is required by any rule of the House
of Representatives or by law. The Chairman's staff shall
consult with the Ranking Minority Member's staff when
scheduling meetings and hearings, to ensure that a quorum for
any purpose will include at least one Minority Member of the
Committee.
Rule 10.--Decorum
(A) Breaches of Decorum.--The Chairman may punish breaches
of order and decorum, by censure and exclusion from a hearing
or meeting; and the Committee may cite the offender to the
House for contempt.
(B) Access to Dais.--Access to the dais before, during, and
after a hearing, markup, or other meeting of the Committee
shall be limited to Members and staff of the Committee. Subject
to availability of space on the dais, Committee Members'
personal staff may be present on the dais during a hearing if
their employing Member is seated on the dais and during a
markup or other meeting if their employing Member is the author
of a measure or amendment under consideration by the Committee,
but only during the time that the measure or amendment is under
active consideration by the Committee, or otherwise at the
discretion of the Chairman, or of the Ranking Minority Member
for personal staff employed by a Minority Member.
(C) Wireless Communications Use Prohibited.--During a
hearing, mark-up, or other meeting of the Committee, ringing or
audible sounds or conversational use of cellular telephones or
other electronic devices is prohibited in the Committee room.
Rule 11.--Referrals to Subcommittees
Referral of Bills and Other Matters by Chairman.--Except
for bills and other matters retained by the Chairman for Full
Committee consideration, each bill or other matter referred to
the Full Committee shall be referred by the Chairman to one or
more subcommittees within two weeks of receipt by the
Committee. In referring any measure or matter to a
subcommittee, the Chair may specify a date by which the
subcommittee shall report thereon to the Full Committee. Bills
or other matters referred to subcommittees may be reassigned or
discharged by the Chairman.
Rule 12.--Subpoenas; Counsel
(A) Authorization.--The power to authorize and issue
subpoenas is delegated to the Chairman of the Full Committee,
as provided for under clause 2(m)(3)(A)(i) of Rule XI of the
Rules of the House of Representatives. The Chairman shall
notify the Ranking Minority Member prior to issuing any
subpoena under such authority. To the extent practicable, the
Chairman shall consult with the Ranking Minority Member at
least 24 hours in advance of a subpoena being issued under such
authority, excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and Federal holidays.
The Chairman of the Full Committee shall notify Members of the
Committee of the authorization and issuance of a subpoena under
this rule as soon as practicable, but in no event later than
one week after service of such subpoena.
(B) Disclosure.--Provisions may be included in a subpoena
with the concurrence of the Chairman and the Ranking Minority
Member of the Full Committee, or by the Committee, to prevent
the disclosure of the Full Committee's demands for information
when deemed necessary for the security of information or the
progress of an investigation, including but not limited to
prohibiting the revelation by witnesses and their counsel of
Full Committee's inquiries.
(C) Subpoena duces tecum.--A subpoena duces tecum may be
issued whose return to the Committee Clerk shall occur at a
time and place other than that of a regularly scheduled
meeting.
(D) Counsel.--When representing a witness or entity before
the Committee in response to a document request, request for
transcribed interview, or subpoena from the Committee, or in
connection with testimony before the Committee at a hearing,
counsel for the witness or entity must promptly submit to the
Committee a notice of appearance specifying the following: (a)
counsel's name, firm or organization, and contact information;
and (b) each client represented by the counsel in connection
with the proceeding. Submission of a notice of appearance
constitutes acknowledgement that counsel is authorized to
accept service of process by the Committee on behalf of such
client(s), and that counsel is bound by and agrees to comply
with all applicable House and Committee rules and regulations.
Rule 13.--Committee Staff
(A) Generally.--Committee staff members are subject to the
provisions of clause 9 of House Rule X and must be eligible to
be considered for routine access to classified information.
(B) Staff Assignments.--For purposes of these rules,
Committee staff means the employees of the Committee,
detailees, fellows, or any other person engaged by contract or
otherwise to perform services for, or at the request of, the
Committee. All such persons shall be either Majority, Minority,
or shared staff. The Chairman shall appoint, supervise, where
applicable determine remuneration of, and may remove Majority
staff. The Ranking Minority Member shall appoint, supervise,
where applicable determine remuneration of, and may remove
Minority staff. In consultation with the Ranking Minority
Member, the Chairman may appoint, supervise, determine
remuneration of and may remove shared staff that is assigned to
service of the Committee. The Chairman shall certify Committee
staff appointments, including appointments by the Ranking
Minority Member, as required.
(C) Divulgence of Information.--Prior to the public
acknowledgement by the Chairman or the Committee of a decision
to initiate an investigation of a particular person, entity, or
subject, no member of the Committee staff shall knowingly
divulge to any person any information, including non-classified
information, which comes into his or her possession by virtue
of his or her status as a member of the Committee staff, if the
member of the Committee staff has a reasonable expectation that
such information may alert the subject of a Committee
investigation to the existence, nature, or substance of such
investigation, unless authorized to do so by the Chairman or
the Committee.
Rule 14.--Classified and Controlled Unclassified Information
(A) Security Precautions.--Committee staff offices,
including Majority and Minority offices, shall operate under
strict security precautions administered by the Security
Officer of the Committee. A security officer shall be on duty
at all times during normal office hours. Classified documents
and controlled unclassified information (CUI)--formerly known
as sensitive but unclassified (SBU) information--may be
destroyed, discussed, examined, handled, reviewed, stored,
transported and used only in an appropriately secure manner in
accordance with all applicable laws, executive orders, and
other governing authorities. Such documents may be removed from
the Committee's offices only in furtherance of official
Committee business. Appropriate security procedures, as
determined by the Chairman in consultation with the Ranking
Minority Member, shall govern the handling of such documents
removed from the Committee's offices.
(B) Temporary Custody of Executive Branch Material.--
Executive branch documents or other materials containing
classified information in any form that were not made part of
the record of a Committee hearing, did not originate in the
Committee or the House, and are not otherwise records of the
Committee shall, while in the custody of the Committee, be
segregated and maintained by the Committee in the same manner
as Committee records that are classified. Such documents and
other materials shall be returned to the Executive branch
agency from which they were obtained at the earliest
practicable time.
(C) Access by Committee Staff.--Access to classified
information supplied to the Committee shall be limited to
Committee staff members with appropriate security clearances
and a need-to-know, as determined by the Chairman or Ranking
Minority Member, and under the direction of the Majority or
Minority Staff Directors.
(D) Maintaining Confidentiality.--No Committee Member or
Committee staff shall disclose, in whole or in part or by way
of summary, to any person who is not a Committee Member or
authorized Committee staff for any purpose or in connection
with any proceeding, judicial or otherwise, any testimony given
before the Committee in executive session except for purposes
of obtaining an official classification of such testimony.
Classified information and controlled unclassified information
(CUI) shall be handled in accordance with all applicable laws,
executive orders, and other governing authorities and
consistently with the provisions of these rules and Committee
procedures.
(E) Oath.--Before a Committee Member or Committee staff may
have access to classified information, the following oath (or
affirmation) shall be executed:
I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will not
disclose any classified information received in the
course of my service on the Committee on Homeland
Security, except as authorized by the Committee or the
House of Representatives or in accordance with the
Rules of such Committee or the Rules of the House.
Copies of the executed oath (or affirmation) shall be
retained by the Clerk of the Committee as part of the records
of the Committee.
(F) Disciplinary Action.--The Chairman shall immediately
consider disciplinary action in the event any Committee Member
or Committee staff member fails to conform to the provisions of
these rules governing the disclosure of classified or
unclassified information. Such disciplinary action may include,
but shall not be limited to, immediate dismissal from the
Committee staff, criminal referral to the Justice Department,
and notification of the Speaker of the House. With respect to
Minority staff, the Chairman shall consider such disciplinary
action in consultation with the Ranking Minority Member.
Rule 15.--Committee Records
(A) Committee Records.-- House Rule XI 2(e) is hereby
incorporated by reference.
(B) Legislative Calendar.--The Clerk of the Committee shall
maintain a printed calendar for the information of each
Committee Member showing any procedural or legislative measures
considered or scheduled to be considered by the Committee, and
the status of such measures and such other matters as the
Committee determines shall be included. The calendar shall be
revised from time to time to show pertinent changes. A copy of
such revisions shall be made available to each Member of the
Committee upon request.
(C) Members Right To Access.--Members of the Committee and
of the House shall have access to all official Committee
Records. Access to Committee files shall be limited to
examination within the Committee offices at reasonable times.
Access to Committee Records that contain classified information
shall be provided in a manner consistent with these rules.
(D) Removal of Committee Records.--Files and records of the
Committee are not to be removed from the Committee offices. No
Committee files or records that are not made publicly available
shall be photocopied by any Member.
(E) Executive Session Records.--Evidence or testimony
received by the Committee in executive session shall not be
released or made available to the public unless authorized by
the Committee, a majority being present. Such information may
be made available to appropriate government personnel for
purposes of classification. Members may examine the Committee's
executive session records, but may not make copies of, or take
personal notes from, such records.
(F) Availability of Committee Records.--The Committee shall
keep a complete record of all Committee action including
recorded votes and attendance at hearings and meetings.
Information so available for public inspection shall include a
description of each amendment, motion, order, or other
proposition, including the name of the Member who offered the
amendment, motion, order, or other proposition, and the name of
each Member voting for and each Member voting against each such
amendment, motion, order, or proposition, as well as the names
of those Members present but not voting. Such record shall be
made available to the public at reasonable times within the
Committee offices and also made publicly available in
electronic form and posted on the official Committee web site
within 48 hours of such record vote.
(G) Separate and Distinct.--All Committee records and files
must be kept separate and distinct from the office records of
the Members serving as Chairman and Ranking Minority Member.
Records and files of Members' personal offices shall not be
considered records or files of the Committee.
(H) Disposition of Committee Records.--At the conclusion of
each Congress, non-current records of the Committee shall be
delivered to the Archivist of the United States in accordance
with Rule VII of the Rules of the House.
(I) Archived Records.--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 Chairman 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 the written request of any member of the
Committee. The Chairman shall consult with the Ranking Minority
Member on any communication from the Archivist of the United
States or the Clerk of the House concerning the disposition of
noncurrent records pursuant to clause 3(b) of the Rule.
Rule 16. --Committee Rules
(A) Availability of Committee Rules in Electronic Form.--
House Rule XI 2(a) is hereby incorporated by reference.
(B) Changes to Committee Rules.--These rules may be
modified, amended, or repealed by the Full Committee provided
that a notice in writing of the proposed change has been given
to each Member at least 48 hours prior to the meeting at which
action thereon is to be taken and such changes are not
inconsistent with the Rules of the House of Representatives.
Committee on House Administration
GREGG HARPER, Mississippi,
Chairman
ROBERT BRADY, Pennsylvania RODNEY DAVIS, Illinois, Vice
ZOE LOFGREN, California Chairman
JAMIE RASKIN, Maryland BARBARA COMSTOCK, Virginia
MARK WALKER, North Carolina
ADRIAN SMITH, Nebraska
BARRY LOUDERMILK, Georgia
(As adopted January 11, 2017)
RULES OF THE COMMITTEE ON HOUSE ADMINISTRATION FOR THE 115TH CONGRESS
Rule 1.--General Provisions
(a) The Rules of the House are the rules of the Committee
so far as applicable, except that a motion to recess from day
to day is a privileged motion in the Committee.
(b) The Committee is authorized at any time to conduct such
investigations and studies as it may consider necessary or
appropriate in the exercise of its responsibilities under House
Rule X and, subject to the adoption of expense resolutions as
required by House Rule X, clause 6, to incur expenses
(including travel expenses) in connection therewith.
(c) The Committee is authorized to have printed and bound
testimony and other data presented at hearings held by the
Committee, and to make such information available to the
public. All costs of stenographic services and transcripts in
connection with any meeting or hearing of the Committee shall
be paid from the appropriate House account.
(d) The Committee shall submit to the House, not later than
January 2 of each odd-numbered year, a report on the activities
of the committee under House Rules X and XI.
(e) The Committee's rules shall be made publicly available
in electronic form and published in the Congressional Record
not later than 30 days after the Committee is elected in each
odd-numbered year.
Rule 2.--Regular and Special Meetings
(a) The regular meeting date of the Committee on House
Administration shall be the second Wednesday of every month
when the House is in session in accordance with Clause 2(b) of
House Rule XI. If the House is not in session on the second
Wednesday of a month, the regular meeting date shall be the
third Wednesday of that month. Additional meetings may be
called by the Chair of the Committee as she or he may deem
necessary or at the request of a majority of the members of the
Committee in accordance with Clause 2(c) of House Rule XI. The
determination of the business to be considered at each meeting
shall be made by the Chair subject to Clause 2(c) of House Rule
XI. A regularly scheduled meeting may be dispensed with if, in
the judgment of the Chair, there is no need for the meeting.
(b) If the Chair is not present at any meeting of the
Committee, the ranking member of the majority party who is
present shall preside at the meeting.
(c) The Chair, in the case of meetings to be conducted by
the Committee shall make public announcement of the date,
place, and subject matter of any meeting to be conducted on any
measure or matter. Such meeting shall not commence earlier than
the third day on which members have notice thereof. If the
Chair, with the concurrence of the ranking minority member,
determines that there is good cause to begin the meeting
sooner, or if the Committee so determines by majority vote, a
quorum being present, the Chair shall make the announcement at
the earliest possible date. The announcement shall promptly be
made publicly available in electronic form and published in the
Daily Digest.
(d) The Chair, in the case of meetings to be conducted by
the Committee shall make available on the Committee's web site
the text of any legislation to be marked up at a meeting at
least 24 hours before such meeting (or at the time of an
announcement made within 24 hours of such meeting). This
requirement shall also apply to any resolution or regulation to
be considered at a meeting.
Rule 3.--Open Meetings
As required by Clause 2(g), of House Rule XI, each meeting
for the transaction of business, including the markup of
legislation of the Committee shall be open to the public except
when the Committee in open session and with a quorum present
determines by record vote that all or part of the remainder of
the meeting on that day shall be closed to the public because
disclosure of matters to be considered would endanger national
security, would compromise sensitive law enforcement
information, or would tend to defame, degrade or incriminate
any person, or otherwise would violate any law or rule of the
House. Provided, however, that no person other than members of
the Committee, and such congressional staff and such other
persons as the Committee may authorize, shall be present in any
business or markup session which has been closed to the public.
To the maximum extent practicable, the Chair shall cause to be
provided audio and video coverage of each hearing or meeting
that allows the public to easily listen to and view the
proceedings and maintain the recordings of such coverage in a
manner that is easily accessible to the public.
Rule 4.--Records and Rollcalls
(a)(1) A record vote shall be held if requested by any
member of the Committee.
(2) The result of each record vote in any meeting of the
Committee shall be made available for inspection by the public
at reasonable times at the Committee offices, including a
description of the amendment, motion, order or other
proposition; the name of each member voting for and against;
and the members present but not voting.
(3) The Chairman shall make the record of the votes on any
question on which a record vote is demanded available on the
Committee's website not later than 48 hours after such vote is
taken (excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and legal holidays). Such
record shall include a description of the amendment, motion,
order, or other proposition, the name of each member voting for
and each member voting against such amendment, motion, order,
or proposition, and the names of those members of the Committee
present but not voting.
(4) The Chairman shall make available on the Committee's
website not later than 24 hours (excluding Saturdays, Sundays,
and legal holidays) after the adoption of any amendment to a
measure or matter the text of such amendment.
(b)(1) Subject to subparagraph (2), the Chairman may
postpone further proceedings when a record vote is ordered on
the question of approving any measure or matter or adopting an
amendment. The Chair may resume proceedings on a postponed
request at any time.
(2) In exercising postponement authority under subparagraph
(1), the Chairman shall take all reasonable steps necessary to
notify members on the resumption of proceedings on any
postponed record vote.
(3) When proceedings resume on a postponed question,
notwithstanding any intervening order for the previous
question, an underlying proposition shall remain subject to
further debate or amendment to the same extent as when the
question was postponed.
(c) All Committee hearings, records, data, charts, and
files shall be kept separate and distinct from the
congressional office records of the member serving as Chair;
and such records shall be the property of the House and all
members of the House shall have access thereto.
(d) House records of the Committee which are at the
National Archives shall be made available pursuant to House
Rule VII. The Chairman shall notify the ranking minority member
of any decision to withhold a record pursuant to the rule, and
shall present the matter to the Committee upon written request
of any Committee member.
(e) To the maximum extent feasible, the Committee shall
make its publications available in electronic form.
Rule 5.--Proxies
No vote by any member in the Committee may be cast by
proxy.
Rule 6.--Power To Sit and Act; Subpoena Power
(a) For the purpose of carrying out any of its functions
and duties under House Rules X and XI, the Committee is
authorized (subject to subparagraph (b)(1) of this paragraph)--
(1) to sit and act at such times and places within
the United States, whether the House is in session, has
recessed, or has adjourned, and to hold such hearings;
and
(2) to require, by subpoena or otherwise, the
attendance and testimony of such witnesses and the
production of such books, records, correspondence,
memorandums, papers, documents and other materials as
it deems necessary, including materials in electronic
form. The Chair, or any member designated by the Chair,
may administer oaths to any witness.
(b)(1) A subpoena may be authorized and issued by the
Committee 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. The
power to authorize and issue subpoenas under subparagraph
(a)(2) may be delegated to the Chair pursuant to such rules and
under such limitations as the Committee may prescribe.
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.
(2) Compliance with any subpoena issued by the Committee
may be enforced only as authorized or directed by the House.
Rule 7.--Quorums
No measure or recommendation shall be reported to the House
unless a majority of the Committee is actually present. For the
purposes of taking any action other than reporting any measure,
issuance of a subpoena, closing meetings, promulgating
Committee orders, or changing the rules of the Committee, one-
third of the members of the Committee shall constitute a
quorum. For purposes of taking testimony and receiving
evidence, two members shall constitute a quorum.
Rule 8.--Amendments
Any amendment offered to any pending legislation before the
Committee must be made available in written form when requested
by any member of the Committee. If such amendment is not
available in written form when requested, the Chair will allow
an appropriate period of time for the provision thereof.
Rule 9.--Hearing Procedures
(a) The Chair, in the case of hearings to be conducted by
the Committee shall make public announcement of the date,
place, and subject matter of any hearing to be conducted on any
measure or matter at least one (1) week before the commencement
of that hearing. If the Chair, with the concurrence of the
ranking minority member, determines that there is good cause to
begin the hearing sooner, or if the Committee so determines by
majority vote, a quorum being present, the Chair shall make the
announcement at the earliest possible date. The clerk of the
Committee shall promptly notify the Daily Digest Clerk of the
Congressional Record as soon as possible after such public
announcement is made.
(b) Unless excused by the Chair, each witness who is to
appear before the Committee shall file with the clerk of the
Committee, at least 48 hours in advance of his or her
appearance, a written statement of his or her proposed
testimony and shall limit his or her oral presentation to a
summary of his or her statement.
(c) When any hearing is conducted by the Committee upon any
measure or matter, the minority party members on the Committee
shall be entitled, upon request to the Chair by a majority of
those minority members before the completion of such hearing,
to call witnesses selected by the minority to testify with
respect to that measure or matter during at least one day of
hearings thereon.
(d) Reserved.
(e) Committee members may question witnesses only when they
have been recognized by the Chair for that purpose, and only
for a 5-minute period until all members present have had an
opportunity to question a witness. The 5-minute period for
questioning a witness by any one member can be extended as
provided by House Rules. The questioning of a witness in
Committee hearings shall be initiated by the Chair, followed by
the ranking minority member and all other members alternating
between the majority and minority. In recognizing members to
question witnesses in this fashion, the Chair shall take into
consideration the ratio of the majority to minority members
present and shall establish the order of recognition for
questioning in such a manner as not to disadvantage the members
of the majority. The Chair may accomplish this by recognizing
two majority members for each minority member recognized.
(f) The following additional rules shall apply to hearings
of the Committee as applicable:
(1) The Chair at a hearing shall announce in an
opening statement the subject of the investigation.
(2) A copy of the Committee rules and this clause
shall be made available to each witness as provided by
clause 2(k)(2) of Rule XI.
(3) Witnesses at hearings may be accompanied by their
own counsel for the purpose of advising them concerning
their constitutional rights.
(4) The Chair may punish breaches of order and
decorum, and of professional ethics on the part of
counsel, by censure and exclusion from the hearings;
and the Committee may cite the offender to the House
for contempt.
(5) If the Committee determines that evidence or
testimony at a hearing may tend to defame, degrade, or
incriminate any person, it shall--
(A) afford such person an opportunity
voluntarily to appear as a witness;
(B) receive such evidence or testimony in
executive session; and
(C) receive and dispose of requests from such
person to subpoena additional witnesses.
(6) Except as provided in subparagraph (f)(5), the
Chair shall receive and the Committee shall dispose of
requests to subpoena additional witnesses.
(7) No evidence or testimony taken in executive
session may be released or used in public sessions
without the consent of the Committee.
(8) In the discretion of the Committee, witnesses may
submit brief and pertinent sworn statements in writing
for inclusion in the record. The Committee is the sole
judge of the pertinence of testimony and evidence
adduced at its hearing.
(9) A witness may obtain a transcript copy of his
testimony given at a public session or, if given at an
executive session, when authorized by the Committee.
Rule 10.--Procedures for Reporting Measures or Matters
(a)(1) It shall be the duty of the Chair to report or cause
to be reported promptly to the House any measure approved by
the Committee and to take or cause to be taken necessary steps
to bring the matter to a vote.
(2) In any event, the report of the Committee on a measure
which has been approved by the Committee shall be filed within
7 calendar days (exclusive of days on which the House is not in
session) after the day on which there has been filed with the
clerk of the Committee a written request, signed by a majority
of the members of the Committee, for the reporting of that
measure. Upon the filing of any such request, the clerk of the
Committee shall transmit immediately to the Chair notice of the
filing of that request.
(b)(1) No measure or recommendation shall be reported to
the House unless a majority of the Committee is actually
present.
(2) With respect to each record vote on a motion to
report any measure or matter of a public character, and on any
amendment offered to the measure or matter, the total number of
votes cast for and against, and the names of those members
voting for and against, shall be included in the Committee
report on the measure or matter.
(c) The report of the Committee on a measure or matter
which has been approved by the Committee shall include the
matters required by Clause 3(c) of Rule XIII of the Rules of
the House.
(d) If, at the time any measure or matter is ordered
reported by the Committee, any member of the Committee gives
notice of intention to file supplemental, minority, additional,
or dissenting views, that member shall be entitled to not less
than two additional calendar days after the day of such notice,
commencing on the day on which the measure or matter(s) was
approved, excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and legal holidays, in
which to file such views, in writing and signed by that member,
with the clerk of the Committee. All such views so filed by one
or more members of the Committee shall be included within, and
shall be a part of, the report filed by the Committee with
respect to that measure or matter. The report of the Committee
upon that measure or matter shall be printed in a single volume
which--
(1) shall include all supplemental, minority,
additional or dissenting views, in the form submitted,
by the time of the filing of the report, and
(2) shall bear upon its cover a recital that any such
supplemental, minority, additional, or dissenting views
(and any material submitted under subparagraph (c)) are
included as part of the report. This subparagraph does
not preclude--
(A) the immediate filing or printing of a
Committee report unless timely request for the
opportunity to file supplemental, minority,
additional, or dissenting views has been made
as provided by paragraph (c); or
(B) the filing of any supplemental report
upon any measure or matter which may be
required for the correction of any technical
error in a previous report made by the
Committee upon that measure or matter.
(3) shall, when appropriate, contain the documents
required by Clause 3(e) of Rule XIII of the Rules of
the House.
(e) The Chair, following consultation with the ranking
minority member, is directed to offer a motion under clause 1
of Rule XXII of the Rules of the House, relating to going to
conference with the Senate, whenever the Chair considers it
appropriate.
(f) If hearings have been held on any such measure or
matter so reported, the Committee shall make every reasonable
effort to have such hearings published and available to the
members of the House prior to the consideration of such measure
or matter in the House.
(g) The Chair may designate any majority member of the
Committee to act as ``floor manager'' of a bill or resolution
during its consideration in the House.
Rule 11.--Committee Oversight
The Committee shall conduct oversight of matters within the
jurisdiction of the Committee in accordance with House Rule X,
clause 2 and clause 4. Not later than February 15 of the first
session of a Congress, the Committee shall, in a meeting that
is open to the public and with a quorum present, adopt its
authorization and oversight plan for that Congress in
accordance with House Rule X, clause 2(d).
Rule 12.--Review of Continuing Programs; Budget Act Provisions
(a) The Committee shall, in its consideration of all bills
and joint resolutions of a public character within its
jurisdiction, ensure that appropriation for continuing programs
and activities of the Federal Government will be made annually
to the maximum extent feasible and consistent with the nature,
requirement, and objectives of the programs and activities
involved. For the purposes of this paragraph a Government
agency includes the organizational units of government listed
in Clause 4(e) of Rule X of House Rules.
(b) The Committee shall review, from time to time, each
continuing program within its jurisdiction for which
appropriations are not made annually in order to ascertain
whether such program could be modified so that appropriations
therefore would be made annually.
(c) The Committee shall, on or before February 25 of each
year, submit to the Committee on the Budget (1) its views and
estimates with respect to all matters to be set forth in the
concurrent resolution on the budget for the ensuing fiscal year
which are within its jurisdiction or functions, and (2) an
estimate of the total amounts of new budget authority, and
budget outlays resulting there from, to be provided or
authorized in all bills and resolutions within its jurisdiction
which it intends to be effective during that fiscal year.
(d) As soon as practicable after a concurrent resolution on
the budget for any fiscal year is agreed to, the Committee
(after consulting with the appropriate committee or committees
of the Senate) shall subdivide any allocation made to it in the
joint explanatory statement accompanying the conference report
on such resolution, and promptly report such subdivisions to
the House, in the manner provided by section 302 of the
Congressional Budget Act of 1974.
(e) Whenever the Committee is directed in a concurrent
resolution on the budget to determine and recommend changes in
laws, bills, or resolutions under the reconciliation process it
shall promptly make such determination and recommendations, and
report a reconciliation bill or resolution (or both) to the
House or submit such recommendations to the Committee on the
Budget, in accordance with the Congressional Budget Act of
1974.
Rule 13.--Broadcasting of Committee Hearings and Meetings
Whenever any hearing or meeting conducted by the Committee
is open to the public, those proceedings shall be open to
coverage by television, radio, and still photography, as
provided in Clause 4 of House Rule XI, subject to the
limitations therein. Operation and use of any Committee
Internet broadcast system shall be fair and nonpartisan and in
accordance with Clause 4(b) of rule XI and all other applicable
rules of the Committee and the House.
Rule 14.--Committee Staff
The staff of the Committee on House Administration shall be
appointed as follows:
(a) The staff shall be appointed by the Chair except as
provided in paragraph (b), and may be removed by the Chair, and
shall work under the general supervision and direction of the
Chair;
(b) All staff provided to the minority party members of the
Committee shall be appointed by the ranking minority member,
and may be removed by the ranking minority member of the
Committee, and shall work under the general supervision and
direction of such member;
(c) 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;
(d) The Chair shall fix the compensation of all staff of
the Committee, after consultation with the ranking minority
member regarding any minority party staff, within the budget
approved for such purposes for the Committee.
Rule 15.--Travel of Members and Staff
(a) Consistent with the primary expense resolution and such
additional expense resolutions as may have been approved, the
provisions of this rule shall govern travel of Committee
members and staff. Travel for any member or any staff member
shall be paid only upon the prior authorization of the Chair or
her or his designee. Travel may be authorized by the Chair for
any member and any staff member in connection with the
attendance at hearings conducted by the Committee and meetings,
conferences, and investigations which involve activities or
subject matter under the general jurisdiction of the Committee.
Before such authorization is given there shall be submitted to
the Chair in writing the following:
(1) The purpose of the travel;
(2) The dates during which the travel will occur;
(3) The locations to be visited and the length of
time to be spent in each; and
(4) The names of members and staff seeking
authorization.
(b)(1) In the case of travel outside the United States of
members and staff of the Committee for the purpose of
conducting hearings, investigations, studies, or attending
meetings and conferences involving activities or subject matter
under the legislative assignment of the committee, prior
authorization must be obtained from the Chair. Before such
authorization is given, there shall be submitted to the Chair,
in writing, a request for such authorization. Each request,
which shall be filed in a manner that allows for a reasonable
period of time for review before such travel is scheduled to
begin, shall include the following:
(A) the purpose of the travel;
(B) the dates during which the travel will occur;
(C) the names of the countries to be visited and the
length of time to be spent in each;
(D) an agenda of anticipated activities for each
country for which travel is authorized together with a
description of the purpose to be served and the areas
of committee jurisdiction involved; and
(E) the names of members and staff for whom
authorization is sought.
(2) At the conclusion of any hearing, investigation, study,
meeting or conference for which travel outside the United
States has been authorized pursuant to this rule, members and
staff attending meetings or conferences shall submit a written
report to the Chair covering the activities and other pertinent
observations or information gained as a result of such travel.
(c) Members and staff of the Committee performing
authorized travel on official business shall be governed by
applicable laws, resolutions, or regulations of the House and
of the Committee on House Administration pertaining to such
travel.
Rule 16.
Reserved.
Rule 17.
Reserved.
Rule 18.--Other Procedures and Regulations
The Chair may establish such other procedures and take such
actions as may be necessary to carry out the foregoing rules or
to facilitate the effective operation of the committee.
Rule 19.--Designation of Clerk of the Committee
For the purposes of these rules and the Rules of the House
of Representatives, the staff director of the Committee shall
act as the clerk of the Committee.
Committee on the Judiciary
BOB GOODLATTE, Virginia, Chairman
JOHN CONYERS, Jr., Michigan F. JAMES SENSENBRENNER,
JERROLD NADLER, New York Jr.,Wisconsin
ZOE LOFGREN, California LAMAR SMITH, Texas
SHEILA JACKSON LEE, Texas STEVE CHABOT, Ohio
STEVE COHEN, Tennessee DARRELL ISSA, California
HENRY C. ``HANK'' JOHNSON, Jr., GeorgiaEVE KING, Iowa
THEODORE DEUTCH, Florida TRENT FRANKS, Arizona
LUIS GUTIERREZ, Illinois LOUIE GOHMERT, Texas
KAREN BASS, California JIM JORDAN, Ohio
CEDRIC RICHMOND, Louisiana TED POE, Texas
HAKEEM JEFFRIES, New York TOM MARINO, Pennsylvania
DAVID CICILLINE, Rhode Island TREY GOWDY, South Carolina
ERIC SWALWELL, California RAUL LABRADOR, Idaho
TED LIEU, California BLAKE FARENTHOLD, Texas
JAMIE RASKIN, Maryland DOUG COLLINS, Georgia
PRAMILA JAYAPAL, Washington RON DESANTIS, Florida
BRADLEY SCOTT SCHNEIDER, Illinois KEN BUCK, Colorado
JOHN RATCLIFFE, Texas
MARTHA ROBY, Alabama
MATT GAETZ, Florida
MIKE JOHNSON, Louisiana
ANDY BIGGS, Arizona
JOHN RUTHERFORD, Florida
KAREN HANDEL, Georgia
(As adopted by the Committee on January 24, 2017)
Rules of the Committee on the Judiciary for the 115th Congress
Rule 1.--General
The Rules of the House of Representatives are the rules of
the Committee on the Judiciary and its Subcommittees with the
following specific additions thereto.
Rule 2.--Committee Meetings
(a) The regular meeting day of the Committee on the
Judiciary for the conduct of its business shall be on Wednesday
of each week while the House is in session.
(b) Additional meetings may be called by the Chairman and a
regular meeting of the Committee may be dispensed with when, in
the judgment of the Chairman, there is no need therefor.
(c) The Chairman shall furnish each Member of the Committee
or Subcommittee with the date, place, and a list of bills and
subjects to be considered at a Committee or Subcommittee
meeting, which may not commence earlier than the third day on
which Members have notice thereof (excluding Saturdays, Sundays
and legal holidays when the House is not in session).
(d) At least 48 hours prior to the commencement of a
meeting for the markup of legislation, the text of such
legislation shall be made publicly available in electronic
form.
(e) In an emergency that does not reasonably allow for the
notice as requirements in (c) and (d), the Chairman may waive
the notice requirements with the concurrence of the Ranking
Minority Member.
(f) To the maximum extent practicable, amendments to a
measure or matter shall be submitted in writing or
electronically to the designee of both the Chairman and Ranking
Member at least 24 hours prior to the consideration of the
measure or matter. The Chairman may use his discretion to give
priority to amendments submitted in advance.
(g) Committee and Subcommittee meetings for the transaction
of business, i.e. meetings other than those held for the
purpose of taking testimony, shall be open to the public except
when the Committee or Subcommittee determines by majority vote
to close the meeting because disclosure of matters to be
considered would endanger national security, would compromise
sensitive law enforcement information, or would tend to defame,
degrade or incriminate any person or otherwise would violate
any law or rule of the House.
(h) Every motion made to the Committee and entertained by
the Chairman shall be reduced to writing upon demand of any
Member, and a copy made available to each Member present.
(i) For purposes of taking any action at a meeting of the
full Committee or any Subcommittee thereof for which a majority
is not required, a quorum shall be constituted by the presence
of not less than one-third of the Members of the Committee or
Subcommittee, respectively.
(j)(1) Subject to subparagraph (2), the Chairman may
postpone further proceedings when a record vote is ordered on
the question of approving any measure or matter or adopting an
amendment. The Chairman may resume proceedings on a postponed
request at any time.
(2) In exercising postponement authority under subparagraph
(1), the Chairman shall take all reasonable steps necessary to
notify Members on the resumption of proceedings on any
postponed record vote.
(3) When proceedings resume on a postponed question,
notwithstanding any intervening order for the previous
question, an underlying proposition shall remain subject to
further debate or amendment to the same extent as when the
question was postponed.
(k) Transcripts of markups shall be recorded and may be
published in the same manner as hearings before the Committee.
(l) Without further action of the Committee, the Chairman
is directed to offer a motion under clause 1 of rule XXII of
the Rules of the House of Representatives whenever the Chairman
considers it appropriate.
Rule 3.--Hearings
(a) The Committee Chairman or any Subcommittee Chairman
shall make public announcement of the date, place, and subject
matter of any hearing to be conducted by it on any measure or
matter at least one week before the commencement of that
hearing. If the Chairman of the Committee, or Subcommittee,
with the concurrence of the Ranking Minority Member, determines
there is good cause to begin the hearing sooner, or if the
Committee or Subcommittee so determines by majority vote, a
quorum being present for the transaction of business, the
Chairman or Subcommittee Chairman shall make the announcement
at the earliest possible date.
(b) Committee and Subcommittee hearings shall be open to
the public except when the Committee or Subcommittee determines
by majority vote to close the meeting because disclosure of
matters to be considered would endanger national security,
would compromise sensitive law enforcement information, or
would tend to defame, degrade or incriminate any person or
otherwise would violate any law or rule of the House.
(c) For purposes of taking testimony and receiving evidence
before the Committee or any Subcommittee, a quorum shall be
constituted by the presence of two Members.
(d) In the course of any hearing each Member shall be
allowed five minutes for the interrogation of a witness until
such time as each Member who so desires has had an opportunity
to question the witness.
(e) The transcripts of those hearings conducted by the
Committee which are decided to be printed shall be published in
verbatim form, with the material requested for the record
inserted at that place requested, or at the end of the record,
as appropriate. Individuals, including Members of Congress,
whose comments are to be published as part of a Committee
document shall be given the opportunity to verify the accuracy
of the transcription in advance of publication. Any requests by
those Members, staff or witnesses to correct any errors other
than errors in the transcription, or disputed errors in
transcription, shall be appended to the record, and the
appropriate place where the change is requested will be
footnoted. Prior to approval by the Chairman of hearings
conducted jointly with another congressional Committee, a
memorandum of understanding shall be prepared which
incorporates an agreement for the publication of the verbatim
transcript.
Rule 4.--Subpoenas
(a) A subpoena may be authorized and issued by the
Chairman, in accordance with clause 2(m) of rule XI of the
House of Representatives, in the conduct of any investigation
or activity or series of investigations or activities within
the jurisdiction of the Committee, following consultation with
the Ranking Minority Member.
(b) In addition, a subpoena may be authorized and issued by
the Committee or its Subcommittees in accordance with clause
2(m) of rule XI of the House of Representatives, in the conduct
of any investigation or activity or series of investigations or
activities, when authorized by a majority of the Members
voting, a majority of the Committee or Subcommittee being
present. Authorized subpoenas shall be signed by the Chairman
or by any Member designated by the Committee.
(c) At least two business days before issuing any subpoena
pursuant to subsection (a), the Chair shall consult with the
Ranking Member regarding the authorization and issuance of such
subpoena, and the Chair shall provide a full copy of the
proposed subpoena, including any proposed document schedule, at
that time.
(d) The requirements of subsection (c) may be waived in the
event of an emergency that does not reasonably allow for
advance written notice.
Rule 5.--Broadcasting
Whenever a hearing or meeting conducted by the Committee or
any Subcommittee is open to the public, those proceedings shall
be open to coverage by television, radio and still photography
subject to the requirements of clause 4 of Rule XI of the Rules
of the House of Representatives.
Rule 6.--Standing Subcommittees
(a) The full Committee shall have jurisdiction over:
copyright, and other such matters as determined by the
Chairman, and relevant oversight.
(b) There shall be five standing Subcommittees of the
Committee on the Judiciary, with jurisdictions as follows:
1. Subcommittee on the Constitution and Civil Justice
shall have jurisdiction over the following subject
matters: constitutional amendments, constitutional
rights, Federal civil rights, claims against the United
States, non-immigration private claims bills, ethics in
government, tort liability, including medical
malpractice and product liability, legal reform
generally, other appropriate matters as referred by the
Chairman, and relevant oversight.
2. Subcommittee on Courts, Intellectual Property, and
the Internet shall have jurisdiction over the following
subject matters: Administration of U.S. Courts, Federal
Rules of Evidence, Civil and Appellate Procedure,
judicial ethics, patent and trademark law, information
technology, other appropriate matters as referred to by
the Chairman, and relevant oversight.
3. Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, Homeland
Security, and Investigations shall have jurisdiction
over the following subject matters: Federal Criminal
Code, drug enforcement, sentencing, parole and pardons,
internal and homeland security, Federal Rules of
Criminal Procedure, prisons, criminal law enforcement,
and other appropriate matters as referred by the
Chairman, and relevant oversight.
4. Subcommittee on Immigration and Border Security
shall have jurisdiction over the following subject
matters: immigration and naturalization, border
security, admission of refugees, treaties, conventions
and international agreements, Federal charters of
incorporation, private immigration bills, non-border
immigration enforcement, other appropriate matters as
referred by the Chairman, and relevant oversight.
5. Subcommittee on Regulatory Reform, Commercial and
Antitrust Law shall have jurisdiction over the
following subject matters: bankruptcy and commercial
law, bankruptcy judgeships, administrative law,
independent counsel, state taxation affecting
interstate commerce, interstate compacts, antitrust
matters, other appropriate matters as referred by the
Chairman, and relevant oversight.
(c) The Chairman of the Committee and Ranking Minority
Member thereof shall be ex officio Members, but not voting
Members, of each Subcommittee to which such Chairman or Ranking
Minority Member has not been assigned by resolution of the
Committee. Ex officio Members shall not be counted as present
for purposes of constituting a quorum at any hearing or meeting
of such Subcommittee.
Rule 7.--Powers and Duties of Subcommittees
Each Subcommittee is authorized to meet, hold hearings,
receive evidence, and report to the full Committee on all
matters referred to it or under its jurisdiction. Subcommittee
chairmen shall set dates for hearings and meetings of their
respective Subcommittees after consultation with the Chairman
and other Subcommittee chairmen with a view toward avoiding
simultaneous scheduling of full Committee and Subcommittee
meetings or hearings whenever possible.
Rule 8.--Non-Legislative Reports
No report of the Committee or Subcommittee which does not
accompany a measure or matter for consideration by the House
shall be published unless all Members of the Committee or
Subcommittee issuing the report shall have been apprised of
such report and given the opportunity to give notice of
intention to file supplemental, additional, or dissenting views
as part of the report. In no case shall the time in which to
file such views be less than three calendar days (excluding
Saturdays, Sundays and legal holidays when the House is not in
session).
Rule 9.--Committee Records
The records of the Committee at the National Archives and
Records Administration shall be made available for public use
according to the Rules of the House. The Chairman shall notify
the Ranking Minority Member of any decision to withhold a
record otherwise available, and the matter shall be presented
to the Committee for a determination on the written request of
any Member of the Committee.
Rule 10.--Official Committee Website
(a) The Chairman shall maintain an official website on
behalf of the Committee for the purpose of furthering the
Committee's legislative and oversight responsibilities,
including communicating information about the Committee's
activities to Committee Members and other Members of the House.
(b) The Chairman shall make the record of the votes on any
question on which a record vote is demanded in the full
Committee available on the Committee's official website not
later than 48 hours after such vote is taken. Such record shall
identify or describe the amendment, motion, order, or other
proposition, the name of each Member voting for and each Member
voting against such amendment, motion, order, or proposition,
and the names of the Members voting present.
(c) Not later than 24 hours after the adoption of any
amendment to a measure or matter considered by the Committee or
its Subcommittees, the Chairman shall make the text of each
such amendment publicly available in electronic form.
(d) Not later than 3 days after the conclusion of a
Committee meeting, the transcript of such meeting and the text
of all amendments offered shall be made available on the
Committee website.
(e) The Ranking Member is authorized to maintain a similar
official website on behalf of the Committee Minority for the
same purpose, including communicating information about the
activities of the Minority to Committee Members and other
Members of the House.
Committee on Natural Resources
ROB BISHOP, Utah, Chairman
RAUL M. GRIJALVA, Arizona DON YOUNG, Alaska
GRACE F. NAPOLITANO, California LOUIE GOHMERT, Texas
MADELEINE Z. BORDALLO, Guam DOUG LAMBORN, Colorado
JIM COSTA, California ROBERT J. WITTMAN, Virginia
GREGORIO KILILI CAMACHO SABLAN, Northern Mariana Islandsifornia
NIKI TSONGAS, Massachusetts STEVE PEARCE, New Mexico
JARED HUFFMAN, California GLENN THOMPSON, Pennsylvania
ALAN S. LOWENTHAL, California PAUL A. GOSAR, Arizona
DONALD S. BEYER, Jr., Virginia RAUL R. LABRADOR, Idaho
NORMA J. TORRES, California SCOTT TIPTON, Colorado
RUBEN GALLEGO, Arizona DOUG LaMALFA, California
COLLEEN HANABUSA, Hawaii JEFF DENHAM, California
NANETTE BARRAGAN, California PAUL COOK, California
DARREN SOTO, Florida BRUCE WESTERMAN, Arkansas
JIMMY PANETTA, California GARRET GRAVES, Louisiana
A. DONALD McEACHIN, Virginia JODY B. HICE, Georgia
ANTHONY BROWN, Maryland AUMUA AMATA COLEMAN RADEWAGEN,
WM. LACY CLAY, Missouri American Samoa
DARIN LaHOOD, Illinois
DANIEL WEBSTER, Florida
DAVID ROUZER, North Carolina
JACK BERGMAN, Michigan
LIZ CHENEY, Wyoming
MIKE JOHNSON, Louisiana
JENNIFFER GONZALEZ-COLON,
Puerto Rico
(As adopted by the Committee on February 7, 2017)
RULES OF THE COMMITTEE ON NATRUAL RESOURCES FOR THE 115TH CONGRESS
Rule 1.--Rules of the House; Vice Chairmen
(a) Applicability of House Rules.--
(1) The Rules of the House of Representatives, so far
as they are applicable, are the rules of the Committee
on Natural Resources (hereinafter in these rules
referred to as the ``Committee'') and its
Subcommittees.
(2) Each Subcommittee is part of the Committee and is
subject to the authority, direction and rules of the
Committee. References in these rules to ``Committee''
and ``Chairman'' shall apply to each Subcommittee and
its Chairman wherever applicable.
(3) House Rule XI is incorporated and made a part of
the rules of the Committee to the extent applicable.
(b) Vice Chairmen.--Unless inconsistent with other rules,
the Chairman shall appoint Vice Chairmen of the Committee and
the Subcommittees. If the Chairman of the Committee or
Subcommittee is not present at any meeting of the Committee or
Subcommittee, as the case may be, the Vice Chairman shall
preside. If the Vice Chairman is not present, the Ranking
Member of the Majority party on the Committee or Subcommittee
who is present shall preside at that meeting.
Rule 2.--Meetings in General
(a) Scheduled Meetings.--The Committee shall meet at 10
a.m. the first Wednesday of each month when the House is in
session if so noticed by the Chairman under Committee Rule
3(a). The Committee shall also meet at the call of the Chairman
subject to advance notice to all Members of the Committee.
Special meetings shall be called and convened by the Chairman
as provided in clause 2(c)(1) of House Rule XI. Any Committee
meeting or hearing that conflicts with a party caucus,
conference, or similar party meeting shall be rescheduled at
the discretion of the Chairman, in consultation with the
Ranking Minority Member. The Committee may not sit during a
joint session of the House and Senate or during a recess when a
joint meeting of the House and Senate is in progress.
(b) Open Meetings.--Each meeting for the transaction of
business, including the markup of legislation, and each hearing
of the Committee or a Subcommittee shall be open to the public,
except as provided by clause 2(g) and clause 2(k) of House Rule
XI.
(c) Broadcasting.--Whenever a meeting for the transaction
of business, including the markup of legislation, or a hearing
is open to the public, that meeting or hearing shall be open to
coverage by television, radio, and still photography in
accordance with clauses 2(a)(1) and 4 of House Rule XI. The
provisions of clause 4(f) of House Rule XI are specifically
made part of these rules by reference. To the maximum extent
practicable, the Committee shall provide audio and visual
coverage of each hearing or meeting for the transaction of
business in a manner that allows the public to easily listen to
and view the proceedings, and maintain the recordings of such
coverage in a manner that is easily accessible to the public.
Operation and use of any Committee Internet broadcast system
shall be fair and nonpartisan and in accordance with clause
4(b) of House Rule XI and all other applicable rules of the
Committee and the House.
(d) Authorization and Oversight Plan.--No later than
February 15 of the first session of each Congress, the
Committee shall adopt its authorization and oversight plan for
that Congress in accordance with clause 2(d) of House Rule X.
Rule 3.--Meeting and Hearing Procedures in General
(a) Notice and Information for Members and the Public.--
(1) The Chairman shall publicly announce the date,
place and subject matter of a Committee hearing or
meeting in accordance with clause 2(g)(3) of House Rule
XI.
(2) A hearing or meeting may begin sooner if the
Chairman, with the concurrence of the Ranking Minority
Member, determines that there is good cause to begin
the meeting or hearing sooner, or if the Committee so
determines by majority vote. In these cases, the
Chairman shall publicly announce the meeting or hearing
at the earliest possible time. The Committee shall
promptly notify the Daily Digest Clerk of the
Congressional Record and shall promptly make publicly
available in electronic form the appropriate
information as soon as possible after the public
announcement is made.
(3) To the extent practicable, a background
memorandum prepared by the Majority staff summarizing
the major provisions of any bill being considered by
the Committee, including the need for the bill and its
effect on current law, will be available for the
Members of the Committee and the public no later than
48 hours before the meeting.
(b) Public Availability of Markup Text.--At least 24 hours
prior to the markup of any legislation (or at the time of an
announcement under paragraph (a)(2) above made within 24 hours
before such meeting), the Chairman shall cause the text of such
legislation to be made publicly available in electronic form.
(c) Meetings and Hearings to Begin Promptly.--Each meeting
or hearing of the Committee shall begin promptly at the time
stipulated in the public announcement of the meeting or
hearing.
(d) Addressing the Committee.--A Committee Member may
address the Committee or a Subcommittee on any bill, motion, or
other matter under consideration or may question a witness at a
hearing only when recognized by the Chairman for that purpose.
The time a Member may address the Committee or Subcommittee for
any purpose or to question a witness shall be limited to five
minutes, except as provided in Committee Rule 4(f). A Member
shall limit his remarks to the subject matter under
consideration. The Chairman shall enforce the preceding
provision.
(e) Quorums.--
(1) A majority of the Members of the Committee shall
constitute a quorum for the reporting of any measure or
recommendation, the authorizing of a subpoena, the
closing of any meeting or hearing to the public under
clause 2(g)(1), clause 2(g)(2)(A) and clause 2(k)(5)(B)
of House Rule XI, and the releasing of executive
session materials under clause 2(k)(7) of House Rule X.
Testimony and evidence may be received at any hearing
at which there are at least two Members of the
Committee present. For the purpose of transacting all
other business of the Committee, one-third of the
Members shall constitute a quorum.
(2) When a call of the roll is required to ascertain
the presence of a quorum, the offices of all Members
shall be notified and the Members shall have not less
than 15 minutes to prove their attendance. The Chairman
shall have the discretion to waive this requirement
when a quorum is actually present or whenever a quorum
is secured and may direct the relevant Committee Staff
to note the names of all Members present within the 15-
minute period.
(f) Participation of Members in Committee and
Subcommittees.--Any Member of the Committee may sit with any
Subcommittee during any meeting or hearing, and by unanimous
consent of the Members of the Subcommittee, may participate in
such meeting or hearing, except that a former Chairman or
former Ranking Member of the Full Committee may participate
without unanimous consent. However, a Member who is not a
Member of the Subcommittee (including former Full Committee
Chairmen or Full Committee Ranking Members) may not vote on any
matter before the Subcommittee, be counted for purposes of
establishing a quorum or raise points of order.
(g) Proxies.--No vote in the Committee or its Subcommittees
may be cast by proxy.
(h) Record Votes.--Record votes shall be ordered on the
demand of one-fifth of the Members present, or by any Member in
the apparent absence of a quorum.
(i) Postponed Record Votes.--
(1) Subject to paragraph (2), the Chairman may, after
consultation with the Ranking Minority Member, postpone
further proceedings when a record vote is ordered on
the question of approving any measure or matter or
adopting an amendment. The Chairman shall resume
proceedings on a postponed request at any time after
reasonable notice, but no later than the next meeting
day.
(2) Notwithstanding any intervening order for the
previous question, when proceedings resume on a
postponed question under paragraph (1), an underlying
proposition shall remain subject to further debate or
amendment to the same extent as when the question was
postponed.
(3) This rule shall apply to Subcommittee
proceedings.
(j) Privileged Motions.--A motion to recess from day to
day, a motion to recess subject to the call of the Chairman
(within 24 hours), and a motion to dispense with the first
reading (in full) of a bill or resolution if printed copies are
available, are nondebatable motions of high privilege.
(k) Layover and Copy of Bill.--No measure or recommendation
reported by a Subcommittee shall be considered by the Committee
until two calendar days from the time of Subcommittee action.
No bill shall be considered by the Committee unless a copy has
been delivered to the office of each Member of the Committee
requesting a copy. These requirements may be waived by a
majority vote of the Committee at the time of consideration of
the measure or recommendation.
(l) Access to Dais and Conference Room.--Access to the
hearing rooms' daises (and to the conference rooms adjacent to
the Committee hearing rooms) shall be limited to Members of
Congress and employees of the Committee during a meeting or
hearing of the Committee, except that Committee Members'
personal staff may be present on the daises if their employing
Member is the author of a bill or amendment under consideration
by the Committee, but only during the time that the bill or
amendment is under active consideration by the Committee.
Access to the conference rooms adjacent to the Committee
hearing rooms shall be limited to Members of Congress and
employees of Congress during a meeting or hearing of the
Committee.
(m) Cellular Telephones.--The use of cellular telephones is
prohibited on the Committee dais or in the Committee hearing
rooms during a meeting or hearing of the Committee.
(n) Motion to go to Conference with the Senate.--The
Chairman may offer a motion under clause 1 of Rule XXII
whenever the Chairman considers it appropriate.
(o) Materials for Record.--Other than witness questions for
the hearing record, materials must be submitted within 10
business days following the last day of the hearing or meeting.
Witness questions for the hearing record must be submitted to
the relevant Full Committee Staff or Subcommittee Clerk within
3 business days following the last day of the hearing. The
materials submitted must address the subject matter of the
hearing or meeting. Only a Member of the Committee or an
invited witness may submit materials for inclusion in the
hearing or meeting record.
Rule 4.--Hearing Procedures
(a) Written Statement; Oral Testimony.--Each witness who is
to appear before the Committee or a Subcommittee shall file
with the relevant Full Committee Staff or Subcommittee Clerk,
at least two working days before the day of his or her
appearance, a written statement of their proposed testimony.
Each witness shall limit his or her oral presentation to a
five-minute summary of the written statement, unless the
Chairman, in consultation with the Ranking Minority Member,
extends this time period. Subject to the approval of the
Committee, the Chairman may waive oral testimony of any witness
who has submitted written testimony for the record. In
addition, a witness appearing in a nongovernmental capacity
shall include a curriculum vitae and a disclosure of any
Federal grants or contracts, or contracts or payments
originating with a foreign government, received during the
current calendar year or either of the previous two calendar
years by the witness or by the entity represented by the
witness and related to the subject matter of the hearing. The
disclosure shall include the amount and source of each Federal
grant (or subgrant thereof) or contract (or subcontract
thereof) related to the subject matter of the hearing and the
amount and country of origin of any payment or contract related
to the subject matter of the hearing originating with a foreign
government. Failure to comply with these disclosure
requirements may result in the exclusion of the written
testimony from the hearing record and/or the barring of an oral
presentation of the testimony.
(b) Minority Witnesses.--When any hearing is conducted by
the Committee or any Subcommittee upon any measure or matter,
the Minority party Members on the Committee or Subcommittee
shall be entitled, upon request to the Chairman by a majority
of those Minority Members before the completion of the hearing,
to call witnesses selected by the Minority to testify with
respect to that measure or matter during at least one day of
hearings thereon.
(c) Information for Members.--After announcement of a
hearing, the Committee shall make available as soon as
practicable to all Members of the Committee a tentative witness
list and to the extent practicable the Majority staff shall
make publicly available a memorandum explaining the subject
matter of the hearing (including relevant legislative reports
and other necessary material). In addition, the Chairman shall
make available to the Members of the Committee any official
reports from departments and agencies on the subject matter as
they are received.
(d) Subpoenas.--The Committee or a Subcommittee may
authorize and issue a subpoena under clause 2(m) of House Rule
XI if authorized by a majority of the Members voting. In
addition, the Chairman of the Committee may authorize and issue
subpoenas during any period of time in which the House of
Representatives has adjourned for more than three days.
Subpoenas shall be signed only by the Chairman of the
Committee, or any Member of the Committee authorized by the
Committee, and may be served by any person designated by the
Chairman or Member.
(e) Oaths.--The Chairman of the Committee, the Chairmen of
the Subcommittees or any Member designated by the Chairman may
administer oaths to any witness before the Committee. All
witnesses appearing in hearings may be administered the
following oath by the Chairman or his designee prior to
receiving the testimony: ``Do you solemnly swear or affirm that
the testimony that you are about to give is the truth, the
whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help you God?''
(f) Opening Statements; Questioning of Witnesses.--
(1) Opening statements may be made by the Chairman,
Ranking Member, Vice Chair, and Vice Ranking Member
only. If a witness scheduled to testify at any hearing
of the Committee is a constituent of a Member of the
Committee, that Member may be recognized for up to 30
seconds to briefly introduce the witness at the
hearing.
(2) The questioning of witnesses in Committee and
Subcommittee hearings shall be initiated by the
Chairman, followed by the Ranking Minority Member and
all other Members alternating between the Majority and
Minority parties. In recognizing Members to question
witnesses, the Chairman shall take into consideration
the ratio of the Majority to Minority Members present
and shall establish the order of recognition for
questioning in a manner so as not to disadvantage the
Members of the Majority or the Members of the Minority.
A motion is in order to allow designated Majority and
Minority party Members to question a witness for a
specified period to be equally divided between the
Majority and Minority parties. This period shall not
exceed one hour in the aggregate.
(g) Claims of Privilege.--Claims of common-law privileges
made by witnesses in hearings, or by interviewees or deponents
in investigations or inquiries, are applicable only at the
discretion of the Chairman, subject to appeal to the Committee.
Rule 5.--Filing of Committee Reports
(a) Duty of Chairman.--Whenever the Committee authorizes
the favorable reporting of a measure from the Committee, the
Chairman or his designee shall report the same to the House of
Representatives and shall take all steps necessary to secure
its passage without any additional authority needing to be set
forth in the motion to report each individual measure. In
appropriate cases, the authority set forth in this rule shall
extend to moving in accordance with the Rules of the House of
Representatives that the House be resolved into the Committee
of the Whole House on the State of the Union for the
consideration of the measure; and to moving in accordance with
the Rules of the House of Representatives for the disposition
of a Senate measure that is substantially the same as the House
measure as reported.
(b) Filing.--A report on a measure which has been approved
by the Committee shall be filed within seven calendar days
(exclusive of days on which the House of Representatives is not
in session) after the day on which there has been filed with
the relevant Full Committee Staff a written request, signed by
a majority of the Members of the Committee, for the reporting
of that measure. Upon the filing with the relevant Full
Committee Staff of this request, the Staff shall transmit
immediately to the Chairman notice of the filing of that
request.
(c) Supplemental, Additional, Dissenting or Minority
Views.--Any Member may, if notice is given by any Member at the
time a measure or matter is approved by the Committee, file
supplemental, additional, dissenting or minority views. These
views must be in writing and signed by each Member joining
therein and be filed with the Committee Chief Counsel not less
than two additional calendar days (excluding Saturdays, Sundays
and legal holidays except when the House is in session on those
days) of the time the bill or resolution is approved by the
Committee. This paragraph shall not preclude the filing of any
supplemental report on any measure or matter that may be
required for the correction of any technical error in a
previous report made by the Committee on that bill or
resolution.
(d) Review by Members.--Each Member of the Committee shall
be given an opportunity to review each proposed Committee
report before it is filed with the Clerk of the House of
Representatives. Nothing in this paragraph extends the time
allowed for filing supplemental, additional or minority views
under paragraph (c).
(e) Disclaimer.--All Committee or Subcommittee reports
printed and not approved by a majority vote of the Committee or
Subcommittee, as appropriate, shall contain the following
disclaimer on the cover of the report:
``This report has not been officially adopted by the
(Committee on Natural Resources) (Subcommittee) and may not
therefore necessarily reflect the views of its Members.''
Rule 6.--Establishment of Subcommittees; Full Committee Jurisdiction;
Bill Referrals
(a) Subcommittees.--There shall be five standing
Subcommittees of the Committee, with the following jurisdiction
and responsibilities:
1. Subcommittee on Federal Lands.--
(1) Measures and matters related to the
National Park System and its units, including
Federal reserved water rights.
(2) The National Wilderness Preservation
System.
(3) Wild and Scenic Rivers System, National
Trails System, national heritage areas and
other national units established for
protection, conservation, preservation or
recreational development, other than coastal
barriers.
(4) Military parks and battlefields, national
cemeteries administered by the Secretary of the
Interior, parks in and within the vicinity of
the District of Columbia and the erection of
monuments to the memory of individuals.
(5) Federal and non-Federal outdoor
recreation plans, programs and administration
including the Land and Water Conservation Fund
Act of 1965 and the Outdoor Recreation Act of
1963.
(6) Preservation of prehistoric ruins and
objects of interest on the public domain and
other historic preservation programs and
activities, including national monuments,
historic sites and programs for international
cooperation in the field of historic
preservation.
(7) Matters concerning the following agencies
and programs: Urban Parks and Recreation
Recovery Program, Historic American Buildings
Survey, Historic American Engineering Record,
and U.S. Holocaust Memorial.
(8) Public lands generally, including
measures or matters relating to entry,
easements, withdrawals, grazing and Federal
reserved water rights.
(9) Forfeiture of land grants and alien
ownership, including alien ownership of mineral
lands.
(10) Cooperative efforts to encourage,
enhance and improve international programs for
the protection of the environment and the
conservation of natural resources otherwise
within the jurisdiction of the Subcommittee.
(11) Forest reservations, including
management thereof, created from the public
domain.
(12) Public forest lands generally, including
measures or matters related to entry,
easements, withdrawals, grazing and Federal
reserved water rights.
(13) Wildlife resources, including research,
restoration, refuges and conservation, and
National Wildlife Refuges.
2. Subcommittee on Water, Power and Oceans.--
(1) Generation and marketing of electric
power from Federal water projects by Federally
chartered or Federal regional power marketing
authorities.
(2) All measures and matters concerning water
resources planning conducted pursuant to the
Water Resources Planning Act, water resource
research and development programs and saline
water research and development.
(3) Compacts relating to the use and
apportionment of interstate waters, water
rights and major interbasin water or power
movement programs.
(4) All measures and matters pertaining to
irrigation and reclamation projects and other
water resources development and recycling
programs, including policies and procedures.
(5) Indian water rights and settlements.
(6) Rights of way over public lands for
energy-related transmission.
(7) Fisheries management and fisheries
research generally, including the management of
all commercial and recreational fisheries
(including the reauthorization of the Magnuson
Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management
Act), interjurisdictional fisheries,
international fisheries agreements,
aquaculture, seafood safety, and fisheries
promotion.
(8) All matters pertaining to the protection
of coastal and marine environments, estuarine
protection, and coastal barriers (except
coastal zone management).
(9) Oceanography.
(10) Ocean engineering, including materials,
technology and systems.
(11) Marine sanctuaries.
(12) U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea.
(13) All matters regarding Antarctica within
the Committee's jurisdiction.
(14) Sea Grant programs and marine extension
services.
(15) Cooperative efforts to encourage,
enhance and improve international programs for
the protection of the environment and the
conservation of natural resources otherwise
within the jurisdiction of the Subcommittee.
3. Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources.--
(1) All measures and matters concerning the
U.S. Geological Survey, except for the
activities and programs of the Water Resources
Division or its successor.
(2) All measures and matters affecting
geothermal resources.
(3) Conservation of United States uranium
supply.
(4) Mining interests generally, including all
matters involving mining regulation and
enforcement, including the reclamation of mined
lands, the environmental effects of mining, and
the management of mineral receipts, mineral
land laws and claims, long-range mineral
programs and deep seabed mining.
(5) Mining schools, experimental stations and
long-range mineral programs.
(6) Mineral resources on public lands.
(7) Conservation and development of oil and
gas resources of the Outer Continental Shelf.
(8) Petroleum conservation on the public
lands and conservation of the radium supply in
the United States.
(9) Measures and matters concerning the
transportation of natural gas from or within
Alaska and disposition of oil transported by
the trans-Alaska oil pipeline.
(10) Cooperative efforts to encourage,
enhance and improve international programs for
the protection of the environment and the
conservation of natural resources otherwise
within the jurisdiction of the Subcommittee.
(11) Coastal zone management.
4. Subcommittee on Indian, Insular and Alaska Native
Affairs.--
(1) Measures relating to the welfare of
Native Americans, including management of
Indian lands in general and special measures
relating to claims which are paid out of Indian
funds.
(2) All matters regarding the relations of
the United States with Native Americans and
Native American tribes, including special
oversight functions under House Rule X.
(3) All matters regarding Native Alaskans.
(4) All matters related to the Federal trust
responsibility to Native Americans and the
sovereignty of Native Americans.
(5) All matters regarding insular areas of
the United States.
(6) All measures or matters regarding the
Freely Associated States.
(7) All matters regarding Native Hawaiians.
5. Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations.--
(1) Primary and general oversight and
investigative authority on all activities,
policies and programs within the jurisdiction
of the Committee under House Rule X.
(b) Full Committee.--The following measures and matters
shall be retained at the Full Committee:
(1) Environmental and habitat measures of general
applicability, including the National Environmental
Policy Act and the Endangered Species Act.
(2) Cooperative efforts to encourage, enhance and
improve international programs for the protection of
the environment and the conservation of natural
resources otherwise within the jurisdiction of the Full
Committee under this paragraph.
(3) All other measures and matters retained by the
Full Committee, including those retained under
Committee Rule 6(e).
(4) General and continuing oversight and
investigative authority over activities, policies and
programs within the jurisdiction of the Full Committee.
(c) Ex-officio Members.--The Chairman and Ranking Minority
Member of the Committee may serve as ex-officio Members of each
standing Subcommittee to which the Chairman or the Ranking
Minority Member have not been assigned. Ex-officio Members
shall have the right to fully participate in Subcommittee
activities but may not vote and may not be counted in
establishing a quorum.
(d) Powers and Duties of Subcommittees.--Each Subcommittee
is authorized to meet, hold hearings, receive evidence and
report to the Committee on all matters within its jurisdiction.
Each Subcommittee shall review and study, on a continuing
basis, the application, administration, execution and
effectiveness of those statutes, or parts of statutes, the
subject matter of which is within that Subcommittee's
jurisdiction; and the organization, operation, and regulations
of any Federal agency or entity having responsibilities in or
for the administration of such statutes, to determine whether
these statutes are being implemented and carried out in
accordance with the intent of Congress. Each Subcommittee shall
review and study any conditions or circumstances indicating the
need of enacting new or supplemental legislation within the
jurisdiction of the Subcommittee. Each Subcommittee shall have
general and continuing oversight and investigative authority
over activities, policies and programs within the jurisdiction
of the Subcommittee.
(e) Referral to Subcommittees; Recall.--
(1) Except as provided in paragraph (2) and for those
measures or matters retained at the Full Committee,
every legislative measure or other matter referred to
the Committee shall be referred to the maximum extent
possible to the Subcommittee of jurisdiction within two
weeks of the date of its referral to the Committee. If
any measure or matter is within or affects the
jurisdiction of one or more Subcommittees, the Chairman
may refer that measure or matter simultaneously to two
or more Subcommittees for concurrent consideration or
for consideration in sequence subject to appropriate
time limits, or divide the matter into two or more
parts and refer each part to a Subcommittee.
(2) The Chairman, with the approval of a majority of
the Majority Members of the Committee, may refer a
legislative measure or other matter to a select or
special Subcommittee. A legislative measure or other
matter referred by the Chairman to a Subcommittee may
be recalled from the Subcommittee for direct
consideration by the Full Committee, or for referral to
another Subcommittee, provided Members of the Committee
receive one week written notice of the recall and a
majority of the Members of the Committee do not object.
In addition, a legislative measure or other matter
referred by the Chairman to a Subcommittee may be
recalled from the Subcommittee at any time by majority
vote of the Committee for direct consideration by the
Full Committee or for referral to another Subcommittee.
(f) Consultation.--Each Subcommittee Chairman shall consult
with the Chairman of the Full Committee prior to setting dates
for Subcommittee meetings and hearings with a view towards
avoiding whenever possible conflicting Committee and
Subcommittee meetings and hearings.
(g) Vacancy.--A vacancy in the membership of a Subcommittee
shall not affect the power of the remaining Members to execute
the functions of the Subcommittee.
Rule 7.--Task Forces, Special or Select Subcommittees
(a) Appointment.--The Chairman of the Committee is
authorized, after consultation with the Ranking Minority
Member, to appoint Task Forces, or special or select
Subcommittees, to carry out the duties and functions of the
Committee.
(b) Ex-officio Members.--The Chairman and Ranking Minority
Member of the Committee may serve as ex-officio Members of each
Task Force, or special or select Subcommittee if they are not
otherwise members. Ex-officio Members shall have the right to
fully participate in activities but may not vote and may not be
counted in establishing a quorum.
(c) Party Ratios.--The ratio of Majority Members to
Minority Members, excluding ex-officio Members, on each Task
Force, special or select Subcommittee shall be as close as
practicable to the ratio on the Full Committee.
(d) Temporary Resignation.--A Member can temporarily resign
his or her position on a Subcommittee to serve on a Task Force,
special or select Subcommittee without prejudice to the
Member's seniority on the Subcommittee.
(e) Chairman and Ranking Minority Member.--The Chairman of
any Task Force, or special or select Subcommittee shall be
appointed by the Chairman of the Committee. The Ranking
Minority Member shall select a Ranking Minority Member for each
Task Force, or standing, special or select Subcommittee.
Rule 8.--Recommendation of Conferees
Whenever it becomes necessary to appoint conferees on a
particular measure, the Chairman shall recommend to the Speaker
as conferees those Majority Members, as well as those Minority
Members recommended to the Chairman by the Ranking Minority
Member, primarily responsible for the measure. The ratio of
Majority Members to Minority Members recommended for
conferences shall be no greater than the ratio on the
Committee.
Rule 9.--Committee Records
(a) Segregation of Records.--All Committee records shall be
kept separate and distinct from the office records of
individual Committee Members serving as Chairmen or Ranking
Minority Members. These records shall be the property of the
House and all Members shall have access to them in accordance
with clause 2(e)(2) of House Rule XI.
(b) Availability.--The Committee shall make available to
the public for review at reasonable times in the Committee
office transcripts of public meetings and hearings, except
those that are unrevised or unedited and intended solely for
the use of the Committee.
(c) Archived Records.--Records of the Committee which are
deposited with the National Archives shall be made available
for public use pursuant to House Rule VII. The Chairman of the
Committee shall notify the Ranking Minority Member of any
decision, pursuant to clause 3(b)(3) or clause 4(b) of House
Rule VII, to withhold, or to provide a time, schedule or
condition for availability of any record otherwise available.
At the written request of any Member of the Committee, the
matter shall be presented to the Committee for a determination
and shall be subject to the same notice and quorum requirements
for the conduct of business under Committee Rule 3.
(d) Records of Closed Meetings.--Notwithstanding the other
provisions of this rule, no records of Committee meetings or
hearings which were closed to the public pursuant to the Rules
of the House of Representatives shall be released to the public
unless the Committee votes to release those records in
accordance with the procedure used to close the Committee
meeting.
(e) Classified Materials.--All classified materials shall
be maintained in an appropriately secured location and shall be
released only to authorized persons for review, who shall not
remove the material from the Committee offices without the
written permission of the Chairman.
(f) Committee Information Available for the Public.--In
addition to any other requirement of these rules or the Rules
of the House of Representatives, the Chairman shall cause to be
made available publicly in electronic form the following:
(1) a record of the votes on any question on which a
recorded vote is taken which shall be posted no later
than 24 hours after the vote is taken that shall
include:
(i) a copy of the amendment or a detailed
description of the motion, order or other
proposition; and
(ii) the name of each Member voting for and
each Member voting against such amendment,
motion, order, or proposition, the names of
those Members voting present, and the names of
any Member not present.
(2) copies of all amendments adopted in Committee by
voice vote or unanimous consent within 24 hours of the
adoption of the amendment.
(3) the rules of the Committee, once adopted, and any
amendments thereto, in accordance with clause 2(a)(2)
of House Rule XI.
(4) the statements required under the second sentence
of clause 2(g)(5) of House Rule XI, with appropriate
redactions to protect the privacy of the witness, which
shall be posted no later than one day after the witness
appears before the Committee.
Rule 10.--Committee Budget and Expenses
(a) Budget.--At the beginning of each Congress, after
consultation with the Chairman of each Subcommittee and the
Ranking Minority Member, the Chairman shall present to the
Committee for its approval a budget covering the funding
required for staff, travel, and miscellaneous expenses.
(b) Expense Resolution.--Upon approval by the Committee of
each budget, the Chairman, acting pursuant to clause 6 of House
Rule X, shall prepare and introduce in the House a supporting
expense resolution, and take all action necessary to bring
about its approval by the Committee on House Administration and
by the House of Representatives.
(c) Amendments.--The Chairman shall report to the Committee
any amendments to each expense resolution and any related
changes in the budget.
(d) Additional Expenses.--Authorization for the payment of
additional or unforeseen Committee expenses may be procured by
one or more additional expense resolutions processed in the
same manner as set out under this rule.
(e) Monthly Reports.--Copies of each monthly report,
prepared by the Chairman for the Committee on House
Administration, which shows expenditures made during the
reporting period and cumulative for the year, anticipated
expenditures for the projected Committee program, and detailed
information on travel, shall be available to each Member.
Rule 11.--Committee Staff
(a) Rules and Policies.--Committee staff members are
subject to the provisions of clause 9 of House Rule X, as well
as any written personnel policies the Committee may from time
to time adopt.
(b) Majority and Nonpartisan Staff.--The Chairman shall
appoint, determine the remuneration of, and may remove, the
legislative and administrative employees of the Committee not
assigned to the Minority. The legislative and administrative
staff of the Committee not assigned to the Minority shall be
under the general supervision and direction of the Chairman,
who shall establish and assign the duties and responsibilities
of these staff members and delegate any authority he determines
appropriate.
(c) Minority Staff.--The Ranking Minority Member of the
Committee shall appoint, determine the remuneration of, and may
remove, the legislative and administrative staff assigned to
the Minority within the budget approved for those purposes. The
legislative and administrative staff assigned to the Minority
shall be under the general supervision and direction of the
Ranking Minority Member of the Committee who may delegate any
authority the Ranking Member determines appropriate.
(d) Availability.--The skills and services of all Committee
staff shall be available to all Members of the Committee.
Rule 12.--Committee Travel
In addition to any written travel policies the Committee
may from time to time adopt, all travel of Members and staff of
the Committee or its Subcommittees, to hearings, meetings,
conferences and investigations, including all foreign travel,
must be authorized by the Full Committee Chairman prior to any
public notice of the travel and prior to the actual travel. In
the case of Minority staff, all travel shall first be approved
by the Ranking Minority Member. Funds authorized for the
Committee under clauses 6 and 7 of House Rule X are for
expenses incurred in the Committee's activities within the
United States.
Rule 13.--Changes to Committee Rules
The rules of the Committee may be modified, amended, or
repealed, by a majority vote of the Committee, provided that
written notice of the proposed change has been provided each
Member of the Committee prior to the meeting date on which the
changes are to be discussed and voted on consistent with
Committee Rule 3(a). A change to the rules of the Committee
shall be published in the Congressional Record no later than 30
days after its approval and made publicly available in
electronic form.
Rule 14.--Other Procedures
The Chairman may establish procedures and take actions as
may be necessary to carry out the rules of the Committee or to
facilitate the effective administration of the Committee, in
accordance with the rules of the Committee and the Rules of the
House of Representatives.
Committee on Oversight and Government Reform
TREY GOWDY, South Carolina,
Chairman
ELIJAH E. CUMMINGS, Maryland JOHN J. DUNCAN, Jr., Tennessee
CAROLYN B. MALONEY, New York DARRELL ISSA, California
ELEANOR HOLMES NORTON, District of ColumbiaRDAN, Ohio
WM. LACY CLAY, Missouri MARK SANFORD, South Carolina
STEPHEN F. LYNCH, Massachusetts JUSTIN AMASH, Michigan
JIM COOPER, Tennessee PAUL A. GOSAR, Arizona
GERALD E. CONNOLLY, Virginia SCOTT DesJARLAIS, Tennessee
ROBIN L. KELLY, Illinois BLAKE FARENTHOLD, Texas
BRENDA L. LAWRENCE, Michigan VIRGINIA FOXX, North Carolina
BONNIE WATSON COLEMAN, New Jersey THOMAS MASSIE, Kentucky
STACEY E. PLASKETT, Virgin Islands MARK MEADOWS, North Carolina
VAL BUTLER DEMINGS, Florida RON DeSANTIS, Florida
RAJA KRISHNAMOORTHI, Illinois DENNIS ROSS, Florida
JAMIE RASKIN, Maryland MARK WALKER, North Carolina
PETER WELCH, Vermont ROD BLUM, Iowa
MATT CARTWRIGHT, Pennsylvania JODY HICE, Georgia
MARK DeSAULNIER, California STEVE RUSSELL, Oklahoma
JIMMY GOMEZ, California GLENN GROTHMAN, Wisconsin
WILL HURD, Texas
GARY J. PALMER, Alabama
JAMES COMER, Kentucky
PAUL MITCHELL, Michigan
GREG GIANFORTE, Montana
(As adopted by the Committee on January 21, 2017)
RULES OF THE COMMITTEE ON OVERSIGHT AND GOVERNMENT REFORM FOR THE 115TH
CONGRESS
Rule 1.--General Provisions
(a) Rules of the House.--The Rules of the House are the
rules of the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform
(``the Committee'') and its subcommittees so far as applicable.
(b) Application of the Rules.--Except where the terms ``the
Committee'' and ``subcommittee'' are specifically referred to,
the following rules shall apply to the Committee and its
subcommittees as well as to their respective chairs, ranking
minority members, members, and staff.
Rule 2.--Meetings
(a) Regular Meetings.--The regular meetings of the
Committee shall be held on the second Thursday of each month at
10 a.m., when the House is in session. The Chair of the
Committee is authorized to dispense with a regular meeting or
to change the date thereof when circumstances warrant.
(b) Additional and Special Meetings.--The Chair of the
Committee may call and convene additional meetings, when
circumstances warrant. A special meeting of the Committee may
be requested by members of the Committee pursuant to the
provisions of House Rule XI, clause 2(c)(2).
(c) Subcommittee Meetings.--Each subcommittee shall meet at
the call of its chair, subject to Rule 7.
(d) Presiding Member.--The chair of the Committee or a
subcommittee shall preside over each meeting and hearing
thereof (``the presiding member''). If the chair of the
Committee or a subcommittee is not present during a meeting or
hearing thereof, the Vice Chair of the Committee or
subcommittee, designated pursuant to House Rule XI, clause
2(d), shall serve as the presiding member during the absence of
the chair. If the chair and vice chair of the Committee or a
subcommittee are not present during a meeting or hearing
thereof, the ranking member of the majority party on the
Committee or subcommittee who is present shall serve as the
presiding member during the absence of the chair and vice
chair.
(e) Notice.--The chair of the Committee or a subcommittee
shall announce the date, place, and subject matter of a meeting
or hearing pursuant to House Rule XI, clause 2(g)(3)(A).
(f) Agenda.--Every member of the Committee, unless
prevented by unusual circumstances, shall be provided with a
memorandum at least 72 hours before each meeting or hearing
explaining: (1) the purpose of the meeting or hearing; and (2)
the names, titles, background and reasons for appearance of any
witnesses. The ranking minority member shall be responsible for
providing the same information on witnesses whom the minority
may request.
(g) Availability of Text.--To the maximum extent
practicable, amendments to a measure or matter shall be
submitted in writing or electronically to the designee of the
chair and ranking minority member of the Committee or a
subcommittee at least 24 hours prior to its consideration of
the measure or matter. The chair may exercise discretion to
give priority to amendments submitted in advance.
Rule 3.--Quorums
(a) Generally.--A majority of the members of the Committee
or a subcommittee shall form a quorum for the Committee or
subcommittee, respectively, except that two members shall
constitute a quorum for taking testimony and receiving
evidence, and one third of the members shall form a quorum for
taking any action other than for which the presence of a
majority of the Committee or subcommittee is otherwise
required.
(b) Subcommittee Field Hearings.--The Chair of the
Committee may, at the request of a subcommittee chair, make a
temporary assignment of any member of the Committee to such
subcommittee for the purpose of constituting a quorum at and
participating in any public hearing by such subcommittee to be
held outside of Washington, DC. A member appointed to such
temporary positions shall not be a voting member. The Chair of
the Committee shall give reasonable notice of such temporary
assignment to the ranking minority member of the Committee and
of the respective subcommittee.
Rule 4.--Committee Reports
(a) Bills and Resolutions.--Each bill or resolution
approved by the Committee shall be reported by the Chair of the
Committee pursuant to House Rule XIII, clauses 2-4.
(b) Approval of Investigative and Oversight Reports.--Only
those investigative or oversight reports approved by a majority
vote of the Committee at a meeting at which a quorum is present
may be ordered printed, unless otherwise required by the Rules
of the House of Representatives.
(c) Notice of Investigative and Oversight Reports.--A
proposed investigative or oversight report shall not be
considered in the Committee unless the proposed report has been
available to the members of the Committee for at least three
calendar days (excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and legal
holidays, unless the House is in session on such days) before
consideration of such proposed report in the Committee. If a
hearing has been held on the matter reported upon, every
reasonable effort shall be made to have such hearing printed
and available to the members of the Committee before the
consideration of the proposed report in the Committee.
(d) Additional Views.--If at the time of approval of a
report, a member of the Committee gives notice of intent to
file supplemental, minority, additional, or dissenting views
any member of the Committee shall be entitled to file such
views following House Rule XI, clause 2(l) and Rule XIII,
clause 3(a)(1).
Rule 5.--Record Votes
(a) Request for Record Vote.--A record vote of the members
may be had upon the request of any member upon approval of a
one-fifth vote of the members present.
(b) Postponement of a Record Vote.--Pursuant to House Rule
XI, clause 2(h)(4), the presiding member at a meeting is
authorized to postpone further proceedings when a record vote
is ordered on the question of approving a measure or matter or
on adopting an amendment and to resume proceedings on a
postponed question at any time after reasonable notice. When
proceedings resume on a postponed question, notwithstanding any
intervening order for the previous question, an underlying
proposition shall remain subject to further debate or amendment
to the same extent as when the question was postponed. After
consultation with the ranking minority member, the chair shall
take reasonable steps to notify members on the resumption of
proceedings on any postponed record vote.
Rule 6.--Subcommittees; Referrals
(a)(1) There shall be six subcommittees of the Committee,
with appropriate party ratios, as follows:
(A) Subcommittee on Government Operations, which
shall have legislative and oversight jurisdiction over
government management and accounting measures; the
economy, efficiency, and management of government
operations and activities; procurement; federal
property; public information; federal records; federal
civil service; government reorganizations; the U.S.
Postal Service; the National Archives; the Census
Bureau; and the District of Columbia.
(B) Subcommittee on Healthcare, Benefits, and
Administrative Rules, which shall have oversight
jurisdiction over health care policy, administration,
and programs; regulatory affairs; government-wide rules
and regulations; financial services; and the
administration and solvency of benefit and entitlement
programs; and legislative jurisdiction over regulatory
affairs and federal paperwork reduction.
(C) Subcommittee on the Interior, Energy, and
Environment, which shall have oversight jurisdiction
over energy policy, public lands, environmental policy,
fish and wildlife, mining, energy development,
pollution, and related regulations.
(D) Subcommittee on Information Technology, which
shall have oversight jurisdiction over information
security, including cybersecurity and federal
information security; information technology policy,
management, and procurement; emerging technologies;
intellectual property; telecommunications; and privacy.
(E) Subcommittee on Intergovernmental Affairs, which
shall have legislative and oversight jurisdiction over
the relationship between the federal government and
states and municipalities, including unfunded mandates,
federal regulations, grants, and programs.
(F) Subcommittee on National Security, which shall
have oversight jurisdiction over national security;
homeland security; foreign operations, including the
relationships between the United States and
international organizations of which the United States
is a member; immigration; defense; and criminal
justice.
(2) In addition, each subcommittee shall have specific
responsibility for such other measures or matters as the Chair
of the Committee refers to it.
(3) Each subcommittee with legislative jurisdiction 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.
(b) Referrals.--Bills, resolutions, and other matters may
be expeditiously referred by the Chair of the Committee to
subcommittees, as appropriate in the determination of the Chair
of the Committee, for consideration or investigation in
accordance with subcommittees' jurisdictions. Bills,
resolutions, and other matters referred to subcommittees may be
re-referred or discharged by the Chair of the Committee when,
in the judgment of the Chair, the subcommittee is not able to
complete its work or cannot reach agreement therein.
(c) Membership.--The Chair of the Committee shall assign
members to the subcommittees and shall designate the chair and
vice-chair of each subcommittee. Minority party assignments,
including designation of the ranking minority member of each
subcommittee, shall be made only with the concurrence of the
Ranking Minority Member of the Committee.
(d) Ex Officio Membership.--The Chair of the Committee and
the Ranking Minority Member of the Committee shall be ex
officio members of all subcommittees. They are authorized to
vote on subcommittee matters; but, unless they are regular
members of the subcommittee, they shall not be counted in
determining a subcommittee quorum other than a quorum for
taking testimony.
Rule 7.--Subcommittee Hearing and Meeting Procedure
(a) Generally.--Each subcommittee is authorized to meet,
hold hearings, receive testimony, markup legislation, and
report to the Committee on any measure or matter referred to
it.
(b) During Committee Meetings and Hearings.--No
subcommittee may meet or hold a hearing at the same time as a
meeting or hearing of the Committee.
(c) Scheduling.--Each subcommittee chair shall set hearing
and meeting dates only with the approval of the Chair of the
Committee with a view toward assuring the availability of
meeting rooms and avoiding simultaneous scheduling of meetings
or hearings.
Rule 8.--Staff
(a) Employment Authority.--Except as otherwise provided by
House Rule X, clauses 6, 7 and 9, the Chair of the Committee
shall have the authority to hire and discharge employees of the
professional and clerical staff of the Committee and
subcommittees.
(b) Duties.--Except as otherwise provided by House Rule X,
clauses 6, 7 and 9, the staff of the Committee and
subcommittees shall be subject to the direction of the Chair of
the Committee and shall perform such duties as the Chair of the
Committee may assign.
Rule 9.--Hearings
(a) Generally.--Hearings shall be conducted according to
the procedures in House Rule XI, clause 2(k). All questions put
to witnesses before the Committee or a subcommittee shall be
relevant to the subject matter before the Committee or
subcommittee for consideration, and the presiding member shall
rule on the relevance of any question put to a witness.
(b) Recognition and Order of Questioning.--A member may
question witnesses only when recognized by the presiding member
for that purpose. In accordance with House Rule XI, clause
2(j)(2), the five-minute rule shall apply during the
questioning of witnesses in a hearing. The presiding member
shall, so far as practicable, recognize alternately based on
seniority of those majority and minority members present at the
time the hearing was called to order and others based on their
arrival at the hearing. After that, additional time may be
extended at the direction of the presiding member.
(c) Extended Questioning.--The presiding member, or the
Committee or subcommittee by motion, may permit a specified
number of majority and minority members to question a witness
for a specified, total period that is equal for each side and
not longer than thirty minutes for each side.
(d) Staff Questioning.--The presiding member, or the
Committee or subcommittee by motion, may permit Committee or
subcommittee staff of the majority and minority to question a
witness for a specified, total period that is equal for each
side and not longer than thirty minutes for each side.
(e) Time for Questioning.--Nothing in paragraph (c) or (d)
affects the rights of a member (other than a member designated
under paragraph (c)) to question a witness for 5 minutes in
accordance with paragraph (b). In any extended questioning
permitted under paragraph (c) or (d), the presiding member
shall determine how to allocate the time permitted for extended
questioning by majority members or staff, and the ranking
minority member shall determine how to allocate the time
permitted for extended questioning by minority members or
staff.
(f) Witness Statements.--Witnesses appearing before the
Committee or a subcommittee shall, so far as practicable,
submit written statements at least 24 hours before their
appearance.
(g) Oaths.--The presiding member may administer oaths to
any witness before the Committee or subcommittee. All witnesses
appearing in hearings may be administered the following oath by
the presiding member prior to receiving the testimony: ``Do you
solemnly swear or affirm that the testimony that you are about
to give is the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the
truth, so help you God?''
Rule 10.--Committee Records, Open Meetings, Transparency
(a) Generally.--The Committee and subcommittee staff shall
maintain in the Committee offices a complete record of
Committee and subcommittee actions from the current Congress
including a record of the roll call votes taken at business
meetings. The original records, or true copies thereof, as
appropriate, shall be available for public inspection whenever
the Committee offices are open for public business. The staff
shall assure that such original records are preserved with no
unauthorized alteration, additions, or defacement.
(b) Transcripts of Proceedings.--A stenographic record of
all testimony shall be kept of public hearings and shall be
made available on such conditions as the Chair of the Committee
may prescribe.
(c) Open Meetings.--Meetings and hearings shall be open to
the public or closed in accordance with the Rules of the House
of Representatives.
(d) Committee Website.--The Chair of the Committee shall
maintain an official website on behalf of the Committee for the
purpose of furthering the Committee's legislative and oversight
responsibilities, including communicating information about the
Committee's activities to Committee members and other members
of the House. To the greatest extent practicable, the Chair of
the Committee shall ensure that Committee records are made
available on the Committee's official website in appropriate
formats.
(e) Minority Website.--The Ranking Minority Member of the
Committee is authorized to maintain an official website on
behalf of the minority members of the Committee for the same
purpose as in paragraph (d), including communicating
information about the activities of the minority to Committee
members and other members of the House.
(f) Archived Records.--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.
Rule 11.--Audio and Visual Coverage of Committee Proceedings
(a) Generally.--An open meeting or hearing may be covered,
in whole or in part, by television broadcast, radio broadcast,
internet broadcast, and still photography, unless closed
subject to the provisions of House Rules. Any such coverage
shall conform to the provisions of House Rule XI, clause 4.
(b) Committee Broadcast System.--Use of the Committee
Broadcast System shall be fair and nonpartisan, and in
accordance with House Rule XI, clause 4(b), and all other
applicable rules of the House and the Committee. Members of the
Committee shall have prompt access to a copy of coverage by the
Committee Broadcast System, to the extent that such coverage is
maintained.
(c) Other Coverage.--Personnel providing coverage of an
open meeting or hearing of the Committee by internet broadcast,
other than through the Committee Broadcast System shall be
currently accredited to the Radio and Television
Correspondents' Galleries. If the Committee Broadcast System is
not available, the Chair of the Committee may, with the
concurrence of the Ranking Minority Member of the Committee,
direct staff to provide coverage in a manner that is fair and
nonpartisan and in accordance with House Rule XI, clause 4.
Rule 12.--Additional Duties of the Chair of the Committee
The Chair of the Committee shall:
(a) Make available to other committees the findings and
recommendations resulting from the investigations of the
Committee, as required by House Rule X, clause 4(c)(2);
(b) Direct such review and studies on--
(1) the impact or probable impact of tax policies
affecting subjects within the Committee's jurisdiction,
as required by House Rule X, clause 2(c);
(2) the operation of Government activities at all
levels with a view to determining their economy and
efficiency, as required by House Rule X, clause 3(i);
(3) the effect of laws enacted to reorganize the
legislative and executive branches of the Government,
as required by House Rule X, clause 4(c)(1)(B); and
(4) intergovernmental relationships between the
United States and the States and municipalities and
between the United States and international
organizations of which the United States is a member,
as required by House Rule X, clause 4(c)(1)(C);
(c) Submit to the Committee on House Administration and the
Committee on Appropriations the Committee's authorization and
oversight plan as required by House Rule X, clause 2(d);
(d) Report to the House by March 31 in the first session of
Congress, after consultation with the Speaker, the Majority
Leader, and the Minority Leader, the authorization and
oversight plans submitted by committees together with any
recommendations that the Committee or the House leadership
group described above may make to ensure the most effective
coordination of authorization and oversight pans and otherwise
achieve the objectives of House Rule X, clause 2;
(e) Submit to the House such recommendations as the
Committee considers necessary or desirable in connection with
the reports of the Comptroller General, as required by House
Rule X, clause 4(c)(1)(A);
(f) Submit to the Committee on the Budget views and
estimates required by House Rule X, clause 4(f), and to file
reports with the House as required by the Congressional Budget
Act;
(g) Authorize and issue subpoenas as provided in House Rule
XI, clause 2(m), in the conduct of any investigation or
activity or series of investigations or activities within the
jurisdiction of the Committee;
(h) Prepare, after consultation with the Ranking Minority
Member of the Committee, a budget for the Committee;
(i) Make any necessary technical and conforming changes to
legislation reported by the Committee upon unanimous consent;
and
(j) Offer motions under clause 1 of Rule XXII of the Rules
of the House (motion to request or agree to a conference)
whenever the Chair of the Committee considers it appropriate.
Rule 13.--Consideration of Certain Bills and Resolutions
(a) Commemorative Stamps.--The determination of the subject
matter of commemorative stamps and new semi-postal issues is
properly for consideration by the Postmaster General and the
Committee will not give consideration to legislative proposals
specifying the subject matter of commemorative stamps and new
semi-postal issues. It is suggested that recommendations for
the subject matter of stamps be submitted to the Postmaster
General.
(b) Postal Naming Bills.--The consideration of bills
designating facilities of the United States Postal Service
shall be conducted so as to minimize the time spent on such
matters by the Committee and the House.
(c) Resolutions.--The Chair of the Committee shall not
request to have scheduled any resolution for consideration
under suspension of the Rules, which expresses appreciation,
commends, congratulates, celebrates, recognizes the
accomplishments of, or celebrates the anniversary of, an
entity, event, group, individual, institution, team or
government program; or acknowledges or recognizes a period of
time for such purposes.
Rule 14.--Panels and Task Forces
(a) Generally.--The Chair of the Committee is authorized to
appoint panels or task forces to carry out the duties and
functions of the Committee.
(b) Ex Officio Membership.--The Chair and Ranking Minority
Member of the Committee may serve as ex-officio members of each
panel or task force established under this Rule.
(c) Appointment of Leadership.--The chair of any panel or
task force shall be appointed by the Chair of the Committee.
The Ranking Minority Member of the Committee shall select a
ranking minority member for each panel or task force.
(d) Application of Rules.--The House and Committee rules
applicable to subcommittee meetings, hearings, recommendations,
and reports shall apply to the meetings, hearings,
recommendations, and reports of panels and task forces.
(e) Termination.--No panel or task force appointed under
this Rule shall continue in existence for more than six months.
A panel or task force appointed under this Rule may, upon the
expiration of six months, be reappointed by the chair.
Rule 15.--Deposition Authority
(a) Generally.--The Chair of the Committee, upon
consultation with the Ranking Minority Member of the Committee,
may order the taking of depositions, under oath and pursuant to
notice or subpoena.
(b) Notices.--Notices for the taking of depositions shall
specify the date, time, and place of examination (if other than
within the Committee offices).
(c) Oaths.--Depositions shall be taken under oath
administered by a member or a person otherwise authorized to
administer oaths.
(d) Consultation.--Consultation with the Ranking Minority
Member of the Committee shall include three business days'
notice before any deposition is taken. All members shall also
receive three business days' notice that a deposition has been
scheduled.
(e) Attendance.--Witnesses may be accompanied at a
deposition by counsel to advise them of their rights. No one
may be present at depositions except members, Committee staff
designated by the Chair of the Committee or the Ranking
Minority Member of the Committee, an official reporter, the
witness, and the witness's counsel. Observers or counsel for
other persons, or for agencies under investigation, may not
attend.
(f) Requirement of Member Attendance.--At least one member
of the Committee shall be present at each deposition taken by
the Committee, unless--
(1) the witness to be deposed agrees in writing to
waive this requirement; or
(2) the Committee authorizes the taking of a
specified deposition pursuant to H. Res. 5 without the
presence of a member of the Committee during a
specified period, provided that the House is not in
session on the day of the deposition.
(g) Who May Question.--A deposition shall be conducted by
any member or staff attorney designated by the Chair of the
Committee or Ranking Minority Member of the Committee. When
depositions are conducted by Committee staff attorneys, there
shall be no more than two Committee staff attorneys permitted
to question a witness per round. One of the Committee staff
attorneys shall be designated by the Chair of the Committee and
the other by the Ranking Minority Member of the Committee.
Other Committee staff members designated by the Chair of the
Committee or Ranking Minority Member of the Committee may
attend, but may not pose questions to the witness.
(h) Order of Questions.--Questions in the deposition shall
be propounded in rounds, alternating between the majority and
minority. A single round shall not exceed 60 minutes per side,
unless the members or staff attorneys conducting the deposition
agree to a different length of questioning. In each round, a
member or Committee staff attorney designated by the Chair of
the Committee shall ask questions first, and the member or
Committee staff attorney designated by the Ranking Minority
Member of the Committee shall ask questions second.
(i) Objections.--Any objection made during a deposition
must be stated concisely and in a non-argumentative and non-
suggestive manner. The witness may refuse to answer a question
only to preserve a privilege. When the witness has objected and
refused to answer a question to preserve a privilege, the Chair
of the Committee may rule on any such objection after the
deposition has adjourned. If the Chair of the Committee
overrules any such objection and thereby orders a witness to
answer any question to which a privilege objection was lodged,
such ruling shall be filed with the clerk of the Committee and
shall be provided to the members and the witness no less than
three days before the reconvened deposition. If a member of the
Committee appeals in writing the ruling of the Chair, the
appeal shall be preserved for Committee consideration. A
deponent who refuses to answer a question after being directed
by the Chair in writing to answer may be subject to sanction,
except that no sanctions may be imposed if the ruling of the
Chair is reversed by the Committee on appeal.
(j) Record of Testimony.--Committee staff shall ensure that
the testimony is either transcribed or electronically recorded
or both. If a witness's testimony is transcribed, the witness
or the witness's counsel shall be afforded an opportunity to
review a copy. No later than five days thereafter, the witness
may submit suggested changes to the Chair of the Committee.
Committee staff may make any typographical and technical
changes. Substantive changes, modifications, clarifications, or
amendments to the deposition transcript submitted by the
witness must be accompanied by a letter signed by the witness
requesting the changes and a statement of the witness's reasons
for each proposed change. Any substantive changes,
modifications, clarifications, or amendments shall be included
as an appendix to the transcript conditioned upon the witness
signing the transcript.
(k) Transcription Requirements.--The individual
administering the oath, if other than a member, shall certify
on the transcript that the witness was duly sworn. The
transcriber shall certify that the transcript is a true record
of the testimony, and the transcript shall be filed, together
with any electronic recording, with the clerk of the Committee
in Washington, D.C. Depositions shall be considered to have
been taken in Washington, D.C., as well as the location
actually taken once filed there with the clerk of the Committee
for the Committee's use. The Chair of the Committee and the
Ranking Minority Member of the Committee shall be provided with
a copy of the transcripts of the deposition at the same time.
(l) Release.--The Chair of the Committee and Ranking
Minority Member of the Committee shall consult regarding the
release of depositions. If either objects in writing to a
proposed release of a deposition or a portion thereof, the
matter shall be promptly referred to the Committee for
resolution.
(m) Provision of Rules to Witnesses.--A witness shall not
be required to testify unless the witness has been provided
with a copy of the Committee's rules.
Rule 16.--Witness Procedure
(a) Witness Disclosures.--Witnesses appearing at a hearing
of the Committee or a subcommittee in a non-governmental
capacity shall include a curriculum vitae and a disclosure of
the amount and source (by agency and program) of each federal
grant (or subgrant thereof) or contract (or subcontract
thereof), as well as the amount and source of payments or
contracts originating from foreign governments, insofar as they
relate to the subject matter of the hearing, received during
the current calendar year or either of the two previous
calendar years, by the witness or by an entity represented by
the witness.
(b) Representation by Counsel.--When representing a witness
or entity before the Committee or a subcommittee in response to
a request or subpoena from the Committee, or in connection with
testimony before the Committee or a subcommittee, counsel for
the witness or entity must promptly submit to the Committee a
notice of appearance specifying the following: (1) counsel's
name, firm or organization, bar membership, and contact
information including email; and (2) each client or entity
represented by the counsel in connection with the proceeding.
Committee on Rules
PETE SESSIONS, Texas, Chairman
LOUISE McINTOSH SLAUGHTER, TOM COLE, Oklahoma, Vice Chairman
New York ROB WOODALL, Georgia
JAMES P. McGOVERN, Massachusetts MICHAEL C. BURGESS, Texas
ALCEE L. HASTINGS, Florida DOUG COLLINS, Georgia
JARED POLIS, Colorado BRADLEY BYRNE, Alabama
DAN NEWHOUSE, Washington
KEN BUCK, Colorado
LIZ CHENEY, Wyoming
(As adopted by the Committee on January 4, 2017)
RULES OF THE COMMITTEE ON RULES FOR THE 115TH 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 5:00 p.m. on
the first day on which votes are scheduled 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 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 available 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) Before a motion to report a rule is offered, a copy of
the language recommended shall be furnished to each member of
the Committee.
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; authorizing a subpoena; 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 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 measure or matter before the Committee
shall be made publicly available in electronic form within 48
hours, 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) In the case of a witness appearing in a
nongovernmental capacity, a written statement of
proposed testimony shall include a curriculum vitae and
a disclosure of any Federal grants or contracts, or
contracts or payments originating with a foreign
government, received during the current calendar year
or either of the two previous calendar years by the
witness or by an entity represented by the witness and
related to the subject matter of the hearing.
(C) The disclosure referred to in subdivision (B)
shall include--
(i) the amount and country of origin of any
payment or contract related to the subject
matter of the hearing originating with a
foreign government.
(ii) the amount and country of origin of any
payment or contract related to the subject
matter of the hearing originating with a
foreign government.
(D) Such statements, with appropriate redactions to
protect the privacy or security of the witness, shall
be made publicly available in electronic form not later
than one day after the witness appears.
(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) 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 chair and ranking
minority member thereof, in accordance with the rules of the
respective party caucuses. The Chair of the full committee may
designate a member of the majority party on each subcommittee
as its vice chair.
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 chair 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.
(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.
(3) In the case of a resolution providing for
consideration of a measure, the Committee report
accompanying such resolution shall include an accurate
explanation of any waivers of points of order,
including a detailed explanation of all points of
order.
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.
AUDIO AND VIDEO COVERAGE
(c) The Chair shall provide, to the maximum extent
practicable--
(1) complete and unedited audio and video broadcasts
of all committee hearings and meetings; and
(2) for distribution of such broadcasts and unedited
recordings thereof to the public and for the storage of
audio and video recordings of the proceedings.
Proceedings shall be broadcast live on the Majority
Committee website and recordings shall be made
available on such website within one calendar day of
the proceeding.
COMMITTEE PUBLICATIONS ON THE INTERNET
(d) To the maximum extent feasible, the Committee shall
make its publications available in electronic form.
JOURNAL
(e)(1) The Committee shall maintain a Committee Journal,
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 Journal shall
be published periodically, but in no case less often than once
in each session of Congress.
(2) A rule is considered as formally requested when the
Chairman of a committee of primary jurisdiction 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 the bill or
resolution, as reported, together with the final
committee report thereon.
OTHER PROCEDURES
(f) 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 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.
Committee on Science, Space, and Technology
LAMAR SMITH, Texas, Chairman
EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON, Texas FRANK D. LUCAS, Oklahoma,
ZOE LOFGREN, California Vice Chairman
DANIEL LIPINSKI, Illinois DANA ROHRABACHER, California
SUZANNE BONAMICI, Oregon MO BROOKS, Alabama
AMI BERA, California RANDY HULTGREN, Illinois
ELIZABETH H. ESTY, Connecticut BILL POSEY, Florida
MARC A. VEASEY, Texas THOMAS MASSIE, Kentucky
DONALD S. BEYER, Jr., Virginia JIM BRIDENSTINE, Oklahoma
JACKY ROSEN, Nevada RANDY K. WEBER, Sr., Texas
JERRY McNERNEY, California STEPHEN KNIGHT, California
ED PERLMUTTER, Colorado BRIAN BABIN, Texas
PAUL TONKO, New York BARBARA COMSTOCK, Virginia
MARK TAKANO, California GARY J. PALMER, Alabama
BILL FOSTER, Illinois BARRY LOUDERMILK, Georgia
COLLEEN HANABUSA, Hawaii RALPH LEE ABRAHAM, Louisiana
CHARLIE CRIST, Florida DARIN LaHOOD, Illinois
DANIEL WEBSTER, Florida
JIM BANKS, Indiana
ANDY BIGGS, Arizona
ROGER MARSHALL, Kansas
NEAL DUNN, Florida
CLAY HIGGINS, Louisiana
(As adopted February 7, 2017)
RULES OF THE COMMITTEE ON SCIENCE, SPACE, AND TECHNOLOGY FOR THE 115TH
CONGRESS
Rule 1.--General
(a) Application of Rules.--
(1) The Rules of the House of Representatives
(``House Rules'') are the rules of the Committee on
Science, Space, and Technology and its Subcommittees
with the specific additions thereto contained in these
rules.
(2) Except where the term ``Subcommittee'' is
specifically referred to, the following rules shall
apply to the Committee and its Subcommittees as well as
to the respective Chairs and Ranking Minority Members.
(b) Other Procedures.--The Chair may establish such other
procedures and take such actions as may be necessary to carry
out these rules or to facilitate the effective operation of the
Committee.
(c) Use of Hearing Rooms.--In consultation with the Ranking
Minority Member, the Chair of the Committee shall establish
guidelines for the use of Committee hearing rooms.
Rule 2.--Regular, Additional, and Special Meetings
(a) Regular Meetings.--The regular meeting day of the
Committee for the conduct of its business shall be on the first
Thursday of each month, if the House is in session. If the
House is not in session on that day, then the Committee shall
meet on the next Thursday of such month on which the House is
in session, or at another practicable time as determined by the
Chair.
(1) A regular meeting of the Committee may be
dispensed with if, in the judgment of the Chair, there
is no need for the meeting.
(2) The Chair may call and convene, as he considers
necessary and in accordance with the notice
requirements contained in these rules, additional
meetings of the Committee for the consideration of any
bill or resolution pending before the Committee or for
the conduct of other Committee business.
(b) Bills and Subjects to be Considered.--
(1) The Chair shall announce the date, place, and
subject matter of any Committee meeting, which may not
commence earlier than the third day on which Members
have notice thereof, unless the Chair, with the
concurrence of the Ranking Minority Member, or the
Committee by majority vote with a quorum present for
the transaction of business, determines there is good
cause to begin the meeting sooner, in which case the
Chair shall make the announcement at the earliest
possible date.
(2) At least 48 hours prior to the commencement of a
meeting for the markup of legislation, the Chair shall
cause the text of such legislation to be made publicly
available in electronic form.
(3) To the maximum extent practicable, amendments to
a measure or matter shall be submitted in writing or
electronically to the designee of both the Chair and
Ranking Minority Member at least 24 hours prior to the
consideration of the measure or matter, and the Chair
may oppose any amendment not so submitted.
(c) Open Meetings.--
(1) Meetings for the transaction of business and
hearings of the Committee shall be open to the public
or closed in accordance with the House Rules.
(2) Any Member who is not a Member of the Committee
(or any Committee Member who is not a Member of the
Subcommittee) may have the privilege of
nonparticipatory attendance at Committee or
Subcommittee hearings or meetings in accordance with
clause 2(g)(2) of House Rule XI. Such Member may not:
i. vote on any matter;
ii. be counted for the purpose of
establishing a quorum;
iii. participate in questioning a witness
under the 5-Minute Rule, unless permitted to do
so by the Chair;
iv. raise points of order; or
v. offer amendments or motions.
(d) Quorums.--A majority of the Committee shall form a
quorum, except that two Members shall constitute a quorum for
taking testimony and receiving evidence, and one third of the
Members shall form a quorum for taking any action other than
for which the presence of a majority of the Committee is
otherwise required. If the Chair is not present at any meeting
of the Committee or Subcommittee, the Vice Chair on the
Committee who is present shall preside at the meeting, unless
another Member of the Committee is designated by the Chair.
(e) Postponement of Proceedings.--
(1) Pursuant to clause 2(h)(4) of House Rule XI, the
Chair may postpone further proceedings when a record
vote is ordered on the question of approving a measure
or matter or on adopting an amendment. The Chair may
resume proceedings on a postponed vote at any time
after reasonable notice.
(2) When proceedings resume on a postponed question,
notwithstanding any intervening order for the previous
question, an underlying proposition shall remain
subject to further debate or amendment to the same
extent as when the question was postponed.
(f) Time for Statements and Debate.--
(1) Insofar as is practicable, the Chair, after
consultation with the Ranking Minority Member, shall
limit the total time of opening statements by Members
at a Committee meeting to no more than ten minutes, the
time to be divided equally between the Chair and
Ranking Minority Member. When requested, ex officio
Members of any Subcommittee shall also be recognized at
a Subcommittee hearing for five minutes each to present
an opening statement.
(2) The time any one Member may address the Committee
on any bill, amendment, motion, or other matter under
consideration by the Committee will be limited to five
minutes, and then only when the Member has been
recognized by the Chair. This time limit may be waived
by the Chair pursuant to unanimous consent.
(g) Requests for Recorded Vote.--A record vote of the
Committee shall be provided on any question before the
Committee upon the request of one-fifth of the Members present.
(h) Transcripts.--Transcripts of markups shall be recorded
and may be published in the same manner as hearings before the
Committee.
(i) Motion to Go to Conference.--Without further action of
the Committee, the Chair is authorized to offer a motion under
clause 1 of House Rule XXII whenever the Chair considers it
appropriate.
Rule 3.--Hearings
(a) Notice of Hearings.--
(1) The Chair shall publicly announce the date,
place, and subject matter of any hearing to be
conducted by the Committee on any measure or matter at
least one week before the commencement of that hearing.
If the Chair, with the concurrence of the Ranking
Minority Member, determines there is good cause to
begin the hearing sooner, or if the Committee so
determines by majority vote, a quorum being present for
the transaction of business, the Chair shall make the
announcement at the earliest possible date.
(2) The Chair shall publicly announce a list of
witnesses to testify at a hearing as soon as a complete
list of witnesses, including those to be called by the
minority, is compiled. When practicable, the Chair and
the Ranking Minority Member will seek to have a
complete list of witnesses compiled at or as soon as
practicable after the time that the hearing is publicly
announced.
(b) Witnesses.--
(1) Insofar as is practicable, no later than 48 hours
in advance of his or her appearance, each witness who
is to appear before the Committee shall file, in
printed copy and in electronic form, a written
statement of his or her proposed testimony and a
curriculum vitae.
(2) Each witness shall limit his or her presentation
to a five minute summary, however additional time may
be granted by the Chair when appropriate.
(3) The Chair, or any Member of the Committee
designated by the Chair, may administer oaths to
witnesses before the Committee.
(4) Whenever any hearing is conducted by the
Committee on any measure or matter, the Minority
Members of the Committee shall be entitled, upon
request to the Chair by a majority of them before the
completion of the hearing, to call witnesses selected
by the Minority to testify with respect to the measure
or matter during at least one day of hearing thereon.
(5) In the case of a witness appearing in a
nongovernmental capacity, a written statement of
proposed testimony shall include a curriculum vitae and
a disclosure of any Federal grants, cooperative
agreements, or contracts, or contracts or payments
originating with a foreign government, received during
the current calendar year or either of the two previous
calendar years by the witness or by an entity
represented by the witness and related to the subject
matter of the hearing. The disclosure shall include the
amount and source of each Federal grant (or subgrant
thereof), cooperative agreement, or contract (or
subcontract thereof) related to the subject matter of
the hearing; and the amount and country of origin of
any payment or contract related to the subject matter
of the hearing originating with a foreign government.
Such statements, with appropriate redactions to protect
the privacy or security of the witness, shall be made
publicly available in electronic form not later than
one day after the witness appears.
(c) Questioning of Witnesses.--
(1) The right to interrogate a witness before the
Committee shall alternate between Majority and Minority
Members of the Committee. Each Member shall be limited
to five minutes in the interrogation of witnesses. No
Member may be recognized for a second period of
interrogation until each Member present, who wishes to
be recognized, has been recognized at least once.
(2) Notwithstanding clause 1, upon a motion the
Chair, in consultation with the Ranking Minority
Member, may:
i. Designate an specified number of Members
of the Committee from each party to question a
witness for a period of time equally divided
between the majority party and the minority
party, not to exceed one hour in the aggregate;
or
ii. Designate staff from each party to
question a witness for a period of time equally
divided between the majority party and the
minority party, not to exceed one hour in the
aggregate.
(3) Members of the Committee have two weeks from the
date of a hearing to submit additional questions in
writing for the record to be answered by witnesses who
have appeared before the Committee. The letters of
transmittal and any responses thereto shall be included
in the hearing record.
(d) Claims of Privilege.--Claims of common-law privileges
made by witnesses in hearings, or by interviewees or deponents
in investigations or inquiries, are applicable only at the
discretion of the Chair, subject to appeal to the Committee.
(e) Publication of Transcripts.--The transcripts of those
hearings conducted by the Committee, when it is decided they
will be printed, shall be published in substantially verbatim
form, with the material requested for the record inserted at
that place requested, or at the end of the record, as
appropriate. Individuals, including Members, whose comments are
to be published as part of a Committee document shall be given
the opportunity to verify the accuracy of the transcription in
advance of publication. Any requests by those Members, staff,
or witnesses to correct any errors other than errors in the
transcript, or disputed errors in transcription, shall be
appended to the record, and the appropriate place where the
change is requested will be footnoted. Prior to approval by the
Chair of hearings conducted jointly with another Congressional
Committee, a memorandum of understanding shall be prepared
which incorporates an agreement for the publication of the
transcript.
(f) Pertinence of Testimony.--At the discretion of the
Committee, brief and pertinent statements may be submitted in
writing for inclusion in the record. The Committee is the sole
judge of the pertinence of testimony and evidence adduced at
its hearing.
Rule 4.--Reports
(a) Bills and resolutions approved by the Committee shall
be reported by the Chair pursuant to clauses 2-4 of House Rule
XIII.
(b) 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 days).
(c) Every investigative or oversight report shall be
approved by a majority vote of the Committee at a meeting at
which a quorum is present. If at the time of approval of such a
report a Member of the Committee gives notice of intent to file
supplemental, minority, additional, or dissenting views that
Member shall be entitled to file such views.
(d) Only those investigative or oversight reports approved
by a majority vote of the Committee may be ordered printed,
unless otherwise required by House Rules.
Rule 5.--Broadcasting
(a) Whenever a meeting for the transaction of business,
including the markup of legislation or a hearing is open to the
public, that meeting or hearing shall be open to coverage by
television, radio, and still photography in accordance with
clause 4 of House Rule XI.
(b) To the maximum extent practicable, the Committee shall
provide audio and visual coverage of each hearing or meeting
for the transaction of business in a manner that allows the
public to easily listen to and view the proceedings, and
maintain the recordings of such coverage in a manner that is
easily accessible to the public. Operation and use of any
Committee internet broadcast system shall be fair and
nonpartisan, and in accordance with clauses 4 (b) and (f) of
House Rule XI and all other applicable rules of the Committee
and the House.
Rule 6.--Subcommittees
(a) Committee Jurisdiction.--The Committee shall have
jurisdiction over such matters as determined by the Chair.
(b) Subcommittees and Jurisdiction.--There shall be five
standing Subcommittees of the Committee on Science, Space, and
Technology, with jurisdictions as follows:
(1) Subcommittee on Energy.--Shall have jurisdiction
over the following subject matters: all matters
relating to energy research, development, and
demonstration projects therefor; commercial application
of energy technology; Department of Energy research,
development, and demonstration programs; Department of
Energy laboratories; Department of Energy science
activities; energy supply activities; nuclear, solar,
and renewable energy, and other advanced energy
technologies; uranium supply and enrichment, and
Department of Energy waste management; fossil energy
research and development; clean coal technology; energy
conservation research and development, including
building performance, alternate fuels, distributed
power systems, and industrial process improvements;
pipeline research, development, and demonstration
projects; energy standards; other appropriate matters
as referred by the Chair; and relevant oversight.
(2) Subcommittee on Environment.--Shall have
jurisdiction over the following subject matters: all
matters relating to environmental research;
Environmental Protection Agency research and
development; environmental standards; climate change
research and development; the National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration, including all activities
related to weather, weather services, climate, the
atmosphere, marine fisheries, and oceanic research;
risk assessment activities; scientific issues related
to environmental policy, including climate change;
remote sensing data related to climate change at the
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA);
earth science activities conducted by the NASA; other
appropriate matters as referred by the Chair; and
relevant oversight.
(3) Subcommittee on Research and Technology.--Shall
have jurisdiction over the following subject matters:
all matters relating to science policy and science
education; the Office of Science and Technology Policy;
all scientific research, and scientific and engineering
resources (including human resources); all matters
relating to science, technology, engineering and
mathematics education; intergovernmental mechanisms for
research, development, and demonstration and cross-
cutting programs; international scientific cooperation;
National Science Foundation; university research
policy, including infrastructure and overhead;
university research partnerships, including those with
industry; science scholarships; computing,
communications, networking, and information technology;
research and development relating to health,
biomedical, and nutritional programs; research,
development, and demonstration relating to nanoscience,
nanoengineering, and nanotechnology; agricultural,
geological, biological and life sciences research;
materials research, development, demonstration, and
policy; all matters relating to competitiveness,
technology, standards, and innovation; standardization
of weights and measures, including technical standards,
standardization, and conformity assessment;
measurement, including the metric system of
measurement; the Technology Administration of the
Department of Commerce; the National Institute of
Standards and Technology; the National Technical
Information Service; competitiveness, including small
business competitiveness; tax, antitrust, regulatory
and other legal and governmental policies related to
technological development and commercialization;
technology transfer, including civilian use of defense
technologies; patent and intellectual property policy;
international technology trade; research, development,
and demonstration activities of the Department of
Transportation; surface and water transportation
research, development, and demonstration programs;
earthquake programs and fire research programs,
including those related to wildfire proliferation
research and prevention; biotechnology policy;
research, development, demonstration, and standards-
related activities of the Department of Homeland
Security; Small Business Innovation Research and
Technology Transfer; voting technologies and standards;
other appropriate matters as referred by the Chair; and
relevant oversight.
(4) Subcommittee on Space.--Shall have jurisdiction
over the following subject matters: all matters
relating to astronautical and aeronautical research and
development; national space policy, including access to
space; sub-orbital access and applications; National
Aeronautics and Space Administration and its contractor
and government-operated labs; space commercialization,
including commercial space activities relating to the
Department of Transportation and the Department of
Commerce; exploration and use of outer space;
international space cooperation; the National Space
Council; space applications, space communications and
related matters; Earth remote sensing policy; civil
aviation research, development, and demonstration;
research, development, and demonstration programs of
the Federal Aviation Administration; space law; other
appropriate matters as referred by the Chair; and
relevant oversight.
(5) Subcommittee on Oversight.--Shall have general
and special investigative authority on all matters
within the jurisdiction of the Committee.
(c) Composition of Subcommittees.--
(1) The Chair shall assign Members to the
Subcommittees. Minority party assignments shall be made
only with the concurrence of the Ranking Minority
Member. The Chair shall determine the ratio of Majority
Members to Minority Members of each Subcommittee;
provided that the ratio of Majority Members to Minority
Members on each Subcommittee (excluding any ex officio
Member) shall be no less favorable to the majority
party than the ratio for the Committee.
(2) The Chair and Ranking Minority Member of the
Committee shall be ex officio Members of each
Subcommittee to which such Chair or Ranking Minority
Member has not been assigned by the Chair. They are not
authorized to vote on Subcommittee matters. Unless they
are regular Members of the Subcommittee, they shall not
be counted in determining a Subcommittee quorum other
than a quorum for taking testimony.
(d) Referral to Subcommittees.--The Chair shall
expeditiously refer all legislation and other matters referred
to the Committee to the Subcommittee or Subcommittees of
appropriate jurisdiction, unless the Chair deems consideration
is to be by the Committee. Subcommittee Chairs may make
requests for referral of specific matters to their Subcommittee
if they believe Subcommittee jurisdictions so warrant.
(e) Subcommittee Procedures and Reports.--
(1) Subcommittee Chairs shall set meeting dates with
the concurrence of the Chair and after consultation
with the other Subcommittee Chairs with a view toward
avoiding simultaneous scheduling of Subcommittee
meetings or hearings wherever possible. No Subcommittee
may meet or hold a hearing at the same time as a
meeting or hearing of the Committee without
authorization from the Chair.
(2) Each Subcommittee is authorized to meet, hold
hearings, receive testimony or evidence, mark up
legislation, and report to the Committee on all matters
referred to it. For matters within its jurisdiction,
each Subcommittee is authorized to conduct legislative,
investigative, forecasting, and general oversight
hearings; to conduct inquiries into the future; and to
undertake budget impact studies.
(3) Each Subcommittee shall provide the Committee
with copies of such records of votes taken in the
Subcommittee and such other records with respect to the
Subcommittee as the Chair of the Committee deems
necessary to ensure compliance with the House Rules.
(4) After ordering a measure or matter reported, a
Subcommittee shall issue a report in such form as the
Chair shall specify. To the maximum extent practicable,
reports and recommendations of a Subcommittee shall not
be considered by the Committee until after the
intervention of 48 hours from the time the report is
submitted and made available to the Committee. Printed
hearings thereon shall be made available, if feasible,
to the Committee, except that this Rule may be waived
at the discretion of the Chair after consultation with
the Ranking Minority Member.
Rule 7.--Vice Chairs
(a) The Chair of the Committee shall designate a Member of
the majority party to serve as Vice Chair of the Committee, and
shall designate a Majority Member of each Subcommittee to serve
as Vice Chair of the Subcommittee. Vice Chairs of the Committee
and each Subcommittee serve at the pleasure of the Chair, who
may at any time terminate his designation of a Member as Vice
Chair and designate a different Member of the majority party to
serve as Vice Chair of the Committee or relevant Subcommittee.
(b) The Chair may assign duties, privileges, and
responsibilities to the Vice Chairs of the Committee or the
various Subcommittees.
Rule 8.--Oversight and Investigations
(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, including all laws,
programs, and Government activities relating to nonmilitary
research and development in accordance with House Rule X.
(b) Not later than February 15th of the first session of
the 115th Congress, the Committee shall meet in open session,
with a quorum present, to adopt its authorization and oversight
plan for submission to the Committee on Oversight and
Government Reform and the Committee on House Administration in
accordance with the provisions of clause 2(d) of House Rule X.
(c) Any investigation undertaken in the name of the
Committee shall be approved by the Chair. Nothing in this
subsection shall be interpreted to infringe on a Subcommittee's
authority to conduct general oversight of matters within its
jurisdiction, short of undertaking an investigation.
Rule 9.--Subpoenas
The power to authorize and issue subpoenas is delegated to
the Chair as provided for under clause 2(m)(3)(A)(i) of House
Rule XI.
Rule 10.--Deposition Authority
The Chair may authorize the staff of the Committee to
conduct depositions pursuant to section 3(b) of House
Resolution 5, 115th Congress, and subject to any regulations
issued pursuant thereto.
Rule 11.--Committee Records
(a) The records of the Committee at the National Archives
and Records Administration shall be made available for public
use in accordance with House Rule VII.
(b) The Chair shall notify the Ranking Minority Member of
the Committee of any decision, pursuant to clauses 3(b)(3) or
4(b) of House Rule VII, to withhold a record otherwise
available, and the matter shall be presented to the Committee
for a determination on the written request of any Member of the
Committee.
Rule 12.--Official Committee Website
The Chair shall maintain an official Committee website for
the purpose of furthering the Committee's legislative and
oversight responsibilities, including communicating information
about the Committee's activities to Committee Members and other
Members of the House. The Ranking Minority Member of the
Committee may maintain a similar website for the same purpose,
including communicating information about the activities of the
minority to Committee Members and other Members of the House.
Rule 13.--Committee Budget
From the amount provided to the Committee in the primary
expense resolution adopted by the House of Representatives in
the 115th Congress, the Chair shall designate one-third of the
budget, after adjustment for the salaries of the shared
administrative functions for the Clerk, Printer and Financial
Administrator, under the direction of the Ranking Minority
Member for the purposes of minority staff, travel expenses of
minority staff and Members, and all other minority office
expenses.
Rule 14.--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 House Rule XI, but
only if written notice of the proposed change has been provided
to each such Member at least 3 days 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.
Committee on Small Business
STEVE CHABOT, Ohio, Chairman
NYDIA VELAZQUEZ, New York STEVE KING, Iowa
DWIGHT EVANS, Pennsylvania BLAINE LUETKEMEYER, Missouri
STEPHANIE MURPHY, Florida DAVE BRAT, Virginia
AL LAWSON, Florida AUMUA AMATA COLEMAN RADEWAGEN,
YVETTE CLARKE, New York American Samoa
JUDY CHU, California STEVE KNIGHT, California
ALMA ADAMS, North Carolina TRENT KELLY, Mississippi
ADRIANO ESPAILLAT, New York ROD BLUM, Iowa
BRAD SCHNEIDER, Illinois JAMES COMER, Kentucky
JENNIFFER GONZALEZ-COLON,
Puerto Rico
DON BACON, Nebraska
BRIAN FITZPATRICK, Pennsylvania
ROGER MARSHALL, Kansas
RON ESTES, Kansas
(As adopted by the Committee February 1, 2017)
RULES OF THE COMMITTEE ON SMALL BUSINESS FOR THE 115TH CONGRESS
Rule 1.--General Provisions
(A) Rules of the Committee.--The Rules of the House of
Representatives, in total (but especially with respect to the
operations of committee., Rule X, cl. 1(q), cl. 2, cl. 3(l) and
Rule XI), are the rules of the Committee on Small Business
(``Committee'') to the extent applicable and are incorporated
by reference.
(B) Appointments by the Chair.--Pursuant to the Rules of
the House, the Chair shall designate a Member of the Committee
Majority to serve as Vice Chair of the Committee. The Vice
Chair shall preside at any meeting or hearing during the
temporary absence of the Chair. The Chair also reserves the
right to designate a Member of the Committee Majority to serve
as the Chair at a hearing or meeting.
Rule 2.--Referral of Bills by the Chair
The Chair will retain consideration of all legislation
referred to the Committee by the Speaker. No action will be
required of a Subcommittee before legislation is considered for
report by the Committee. Subcommittee chairs, pursuant to the
rules set out herein, may hold hearings on any bill referred to
the Committee.
Rule 3.--Subcommittees
(A) Generally.--Each Subcommittee of the Committee is part
of the Committee and is subject to the authority and direction
of the Committee, and to the Rules of the House and the rules
adopted herein, to the extent applicable. The Chairman and
Ranking Member of the Committee are ex officio Members of all
Subcommittees for the purpose of any meeting conducted by a
Subcommittee.
(B) The Committee shall be organized into the following
five subcommittees:
(1) Subcommittee on Agriculture, Energy, and Trade.--
This Subcommittee (which will consist of six (6)
Republican Members and four (4) Democratic Members)
will address policies that enhance rural economic
growth, increasing America's energy independence and
ensuring that America's small businesses can compete
effectively in a global marketplace.
Oversight of agricultural policies.
Oversight of environmental issues and
regulations (including agencies such as the
Environmental Protection Agency and the Army Corps of
Engineers).
Oversight of energy issues, including
expansion of domestic resources, whether they are
renewable or non-renewable.
Oversight of international trade policy with
particular emphasis on agencies that provide direct
assistance to small businesses, such as: the Small
Business Administration's (SBA) Office of International
Trade, the Department of Commerce's United States
Export Assistance Centers, the Department of
Agriculture's Foreign Agricultural Service, and the
Export-Import Bank.
Oversight of infringement of intellectual
property rights by foreign competition.
(2) Subcommittee on Health and Technology.--
This Subcommittee (which will consist of six (6)
Republican Members and four (4) Democratic Members)
will address how health care policies may inhibit or
promote economic growth and job creation by small
businesses. In addition, the Subcommittee will examine
small business job growth through the creation and
adoption of advanced technologies.
Oversight of the implementation of the
Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.
Oversight of availability and affordability
of health care coverage for small businesses.
Oversight of general technology issues,
including intellectual property policy in the United
States.
Oversight of United States
telecommunications policies including, but not limited
to, the National Broadband Plan and allocation of
electromagnetic spectrum.
Oversight of the Small Business Innovation
Research Program.
Oversight of the Small Business Technology
Transfer Program.
(3) Subcommittee on Economic Growth, Tax, and Capital
Access.--
This Subcommittee (which will consist of six (6)
Republican Members and four (4) Democratic Members)
will evaluate the operation of the financial markets in
the United States and their ability to provide needed
capital to small businesses. In addition, the
Subcommittee will review federal programs, especially
those overseen by the SBA, aimed at assisting
entrepreneurs in obtaining needed capital. Since the
tax policy plays an integral role in access to capital,
this Committee also will examine the impact of federal
tax policies on small businesses.
Oversight of capital access and financial
markets.
Implementation of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street
Reform and Consumer Protection Act.
SBA financial assistance programs, including
guaranteed loans, microloans, certified development
company loans, and small business investment companies.
Oversight of the Department of Agriculture
business and industry guaranteed loan program.
Oversight of general tax policy affecting
small businesses.
The management of the SBA disaster loan
program.
(4) Subcommittee on Investigations, Oversight, and
Regulations.--
This Subcommittee (which will consist of six (6)
Republican Members and four (4) Democratic Members)
will probe the efficient operation of government
programs that affect small businesses, including the
SBA, and develop proposals to make them operate in a
more cost-effective manner. This Subcommittee also will
review the regulatory burdens imposed on small
businesses and how those burdens may be alleviated.
Oversight of general issues affecting small
businesses and federal agencies.
Oversight of the management of the SBA.
Oversight of the SBA Inspector General.
Implementation of the Regulatory Flexibility
Act.
Oversight of the Office of Information and
Regulatory Affairs at the Office of Management and
Budget.
Use of the Congressional Review Act.
Transparency of the federal rulemaking
process as required by the Administrative Procedure and
Data Quality Acts.
Implementation of the Paperwork Reduction
Act.
(5) Subcommittee on Contracting and Workforce.--
This Subcommittee (which will consist of six (6)
Republican Members and four (4) Democratic Members)
will assess the federal procurement system, including
those programs designed specifically to enhance
participation by small businesses in providing goods
and services to the federal government. The
Subcommittee will examine various programs designed to
provide technical assistance to small businesses,
whether specifically aimed at federal contractors or
small businesses in general. Finally, the Subcommittee
will review the broad scope of workforce issues that
affect the ability of small businesses to obtain and
maintain qualified employees.
Oversight of government-wide procurement
practices and programs affecting small businesses.
Oversight of federal procurement policies
that inhibit or expand participation by small
businesses in the federal contracting marketplace.
All contracting programs established by the
Small Business Act, including HUBZone, 8(a), Women-,
and Service Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business
Programs.
Technical assistance provided to federal
contractors and prospective contractors through SBA
personnel, Offices of Small and Disadvantaged Business
Utilization, and Procurement Technical Assistance
Centers.
The SBA Surety Bond guarantee program.
Oversight of all federal policies that
affect the workforce including, but not limited to, the
roles of the Department of Labor and the National Labor
Relations Board.
SBA entrepreneurial development and
technical assistance programs unrelated to
participation in the federal government contracting.
(C) Powers and Duties of Subcommittees.--Each Subcommittee
is authorized to meet, hold hearings, receive evidence, and
report to the Committee on any matters referred to it. Prior to
the scheduling of any meeting or hearing of a Subcommittee, the
Chair of the Subcommittee shall obtain the approval of the
Chair of the Committee.
(D) Hearing Time and Date.--No hearing or meeting of a
Subcommittee shall take place at the same time as the meeting
or hearing of the full Committee or another Subcommittee,
provided however, that the Subcommittee Chairs may hold field
hearings that conflict with those held by other Subcommittees
of the Committee.
Rule 4.--Committee Staff
(A) Majority Staff.--The employees of the Committee, except
those assigned to the Minority as provided below, shall be
appointed and assigned, and may be removed by the Chair of the
Committee. The Chair shall fix their remuneration and they
shall be under the general supervision and direction of the
Chair.
(B) Minority Staff.--The employees of the Committee
assigned to the Minority shall be appointed and assigned, and
their remuneration determined, as the Ranking Minority Member
of the Committee shall decide.
(C) Subcommittee Staff.--There shall be no separate staff
assigned to Subcommittees. The Chair and Ranking Minority
Member shall endeavor to ensure that sufficient Committee staff
is made available in order that each Subcommittee may carry out
the responsibilities set forth in Rule 3, supra.
Rule 5.--Meetings
(A) Regular Meeting Day.--The regular meeting day of the
Committee shall be the second Wednesday of every month when the
House is in session. The Chair may dispense with the meeting of
the Committee, if in the sole discretion of the Chair, there is
no need for such meeting.
(B) Additional Meetings.--Additional meetings may be called
as deemed necessary by the Chair or at the request of the
majority Members of the Committee pursuant to Rule XI, cl. 2(c)
of the rules of the House. At least 3 days' notice of such an
additional meeting shall be given unless the Chair, with the
concurrence of the Ranking Minority Member, determines that
there is good cause to call the meeting on less notice or upon
a vote by a majority of the Committee (a quorum being present).
To the extent possible, the three days shall be counted from
the 72 hours before the time of the meeting. Announcements of
the meeting shall be published promptly in the Daily Digest and
made publicly available in electronic form.
(C) Business to be Considered.--The determination of the
business to be considered at each meeting shall be made by the
Chair subject to limitations set forth in House Rule XI, cl.
2(c).
(D) Meeting Materials.--The Chair shall provide to each
Member of the Committee, to the extent practicable, at least 48
hours in advance of a meeting, a copy of the bill, resolution,
report or other item to be considered at the meeting, but no
later than 24 hours before the meeting. Such material also
shall be made available to the public at least 24 hours in
advance in electronic form.
(E) Special and Emergency Meetings.--The rules for notice
and meetings as set forth in Rule 5 of these Rules shall not
apply to special and emergency meetings. Clause 2(c)(2) of Rule
XI and clause 2(g)(3)(A) of Rule XI of the Rules of the House,
as applicable, shall apply to such meetings.
Rule 6.--Notice and Announcement of Hearings
(A) Announcement of Hearings.--Public announcement of the
date, place and subject matter of any hearing to be conducted
by the Committee shall be made no later than 7 calendar days
before the commencement of the hearing. To the extent possible,
the seven days shall be counted from 168 hours before the time
of the Committee's hearing.
(B) Exception.--The Chair, with the concurrence of the
Ranking Minority Member, or upon a vote by the majority of the
Committee (a quorum being present), may authorize a hearing to
commence on less than 7 days' notice.
(C) Witness Lists.--Unless the Chair determines it is
impracticable to do so, the Committee shall make a tentative
witness list available at the time it makes the public
announcement of the hearing. If a tentative witness list is not
made available at the time of the announcement of the hearing,
such witness list shall be made available as soon as
practicable after such announcement is made. A final witness
list shall be issued by the Committee no later than 48 hours
prior to the commencement of the hearing.
(D) Hearing Material.--The Chair shall provide to all
Members of the Committee, as soon as practicable after the
announcement of the hearing, a memorandum explaining the
subject matter of the hearing and any official reports from
departments and agencies on the subject matter of the hearing.
Such material shall be made available to all Members of the
Committee no later than 48 hours before the commencement of the
hearing, unless the Chair, after consultation with the Ranking
Minority Member, determines that certain reports from
departments or agencies should not be made available prior to
the commencement of the hearing. Material provided by the Chair
to all Members, whether provided prior to or at the hearing,
shall be placed on the Committee website no later than 48 hours
after the commencement of the hearing, unless such material
contains sensitive or classified information, in which case
such material shall be handled pursuant to Rule 16 of the
Committee's Rules.
Rule 6.--Meetings and Hearings Open to the Public
(A) Meetings.--Each meeting of the Committee or its
Subcommittees for the transaction of business, including the
markup of legislation, shall be open to the public, including
to radio, television, and still photography coverage, except as
provided by House Rule XI, cl. 4. If the majority of Members of
the Committee or Subcommittee present at the meeting determine
by a recorded vote in open session that all or part of the
remainder of the meeting on that day shall be closed to the
public because the disclosure of matters to be considered would
endanger national security, would compromise sensitive law
enforcement information, or would tend to defame, degrade, or
incriminate any person or otherwise would violate any law or
rule of the House; provided however, that no person other than
Members of the Committee, and such congressional staff and such
executive branch representatives as they may authorize, shall
be present in any meeting which has been closed to the public.
(B) Hearings.--Each hearing conducted by the Committee or
its Subcommittees shall be open to the public, including radio,
television and still photography coverage. If the majority of
Members of the Committee or Subcommittee present at the hearing
determine by a recorded vote in open session that all or part
of the remainder of the hearing on that day shall be closed to
the public because the disclosure of matters to be considered
would endanger national security, would compromise sensitive
law enforcement information, or would tend to defame, degrade,
or incriminate any person or otherwise would violate any law or
rule of the House; provided however, that the Committee or
Subcommittee may by the same procedure also vote to close one
subsequent day of hearings. Notwithstanding the requirements of
the preceding sentence, a majority of those present (if the
requisite number of Members are present under Committee rules
for the purpose of taking testimony) may vote: (i) to close the
hearing for the sole purpose of discussing whether the
testimony or evidence to be received would endanger the
national security, would compromise sensitive law enforcement
information, or violate Rule XI, cl. 2(k)(5) of the House or
(ii) to close the hearing, as provided clause 2(k)(5) of Rule
XI of the House.
(C) Participation in Subcommittee Hearings.--The Chair and
Ranking Minority Member are ex officio Members of all
Subcommittees for any hearing conducted by a Subcommittee.
Members of the Committee who wish to participate in a hearing
of the Subcommittee to which they are not Members shall make
such request to the Chair and the Ranking Minority Member of
the Subcommittee at the commencement of the hearing. The Chair,
after consultation with the Ranking Minority Member of the
Subcommittee, shall grant such request.
(D) Non-Participatory Attendance by Other Members of the
House.--No Member of the House may be excluded from non-
participatory attendance at any hearing of the Committee or any
Subcommittee, unless the House of Representatives shall by
majority vote authorize the Committee or Subcommittees, for
purposes of a particular subject of investigation, to close its
hearing to Members by the same procedures designated to close
hearings to the public.
(E) Procedure to Participate.--Members of Congress who are
not Members of the Committee but would like to participate in a
hearing shall notify the Chair and the Ranking Minority Member
and submit a formal request no later than 24 hours before the
commencement of the meeting or hearing.
(F) Audio and Video Coverage.--To the maximum extent
practicable, the Committee shall provide audio and video
coverage of each hearing or meeting for the transaction of
business in a manner that allows the public to easily listen
and view the proceedings and shall maintain the recordings of
such coverage in a manner easily accessible to the public.
Rule 8.--Witnesses
(A) Number of Witnesses.--For any hearing conducted by the
Committee or Subcommittee there shall be no more than four non-
governmental witnesses of which the Ranking Minority Member of
the Committee or Subcommittee (as appropriate) is entitled to
select one witness for the hearing.
(B) Witnesses Selected by the Minority.--Witnesses selected
by the Ranking Minority Member of the Committee or Subcommittee
shall be invited to testify by the Chair of the Committee or
Subcommittee (as appropriate). Rule 8(D) shall apply with equal
force to witnesses selected by the Ranking Minority Member of
the Committee or Subcommittee.
(C) Small Business Week Exception.--The limitations set
forth in the preceding paragraph shall not apply if the
Committee holds a hearing to honor the work of the small
business community in conjunction with the annual celebration
of Small Business Week. Witness limitations for such a hearing
shall be determined by the Chair in consultation with the
Ranking Minority Member.
(D) Statement of Witnesses.--
(1) Each witness who is to appear before the
Committee or Subcommittee shall file an electronic copy
of the testimony with the Committee and the Ranking
Minority Member no later than 48 hours before the
commencement of the hearing. In addition, the witness
shall provide 25 copies of the testimony by the
commencement of the hearing. The Chair may waive the
requirement by the witness providing 25 copies in which
case the Committee or Subcommittee shall provide the 25
copies.
(2) Each non-governmental witness shall provide to
the Committee and the Ranking Minority Member, no later
than 48 hours before the commencement of the hearing, a
curriculum vitae or other statement describing their
education, employment, professional affiliation or
other background information pertinent to their
testimony.
(E) Witness Disclosure.--As required by Rule XI, cl. 2(g)
of the Rules of the House, each non-governmental witness before
the commencement of the hearing shall file with the Chair a
disclosure form detailing any contracts or grants that the
witness has with the federal government, as well as the amount
and country of origin of any payment or contract related to the
subject of the hearing originating with a foreign government.
In addition, each non-governmental witness shall file with the
Committee Chair a disclosure form detailing any payments or
contracts received from a foreign government if such payments
or contracts are related in any manner to the subject matter of
a hearing. Such information shall be posted on the Committee
website within 24 hours after the witness appeared at the
hearing.
(F) Failure to Comply.--The failure to provide the
materials set forth by the deadlines set forth in these rules
may be grounds for excluding both the oral and written
testimony of the witness unless waived by the Chair of the
Committee or Subcommittee.
(G) Public Access to Witness Materials.--The Committee will
provide public access to printed materials, including the
testimony of witnesses in electronic form on the Committee's
website no later than 24 hours after the hearing is adjourned.
Supplemental material provided after the hearing adjourns shall
be placed on the Committee website no later than 24 hours after
receipt of such material.
(H) Questioning of Witnesses.--Except when the Committee
adopts a motion pursuant to subdivisions (B) and (C) of clause
2(i)(2) of Rule XI of the Rules of the House, Committee Members
may question witnesses only when they have been recognized by
the Chair for that purpose. Members shall have the opportunity,
as set forth in Rule XI, cl. 2(j) of the Rules of the House, to
question each witness on the panel for a period not to exceed
five minutes. For any hearing, the Chair of the Committee or
Subcommittee may offer a motion to extend the questioning of a
witness or witnesses by the Member identified in the motion for
more than five minutes as set forth in Rule XI, cl. 2(j)(B).
(I) Order of Questioning.--The Chair of the Committee or
Subcommittee shall commence questioning followed by the Ranking
Minority Member. Thereafter, questioning shall alternate
between the majority and minority Members. Before the gavel has
been struck, or in the case of Members arriving simultaneously,
the order of questioning shall be based on seniority among
Members of his or her own party. After the gavel has been
struck, Members first to arrive shall have priority over
Members of his or her own party.
(J) Consideration of Ratio.--In recognizing Members to
question witnesses, the Chair may take into consideration the
ratio of majority and minority Members present in such a manner
as to not disadvantage the Members of either party.
Rule 9.--Quorum
(A) Determining a Quorum.--A quorum, for purposes of
reporting a measure or recommendation, shall be a majority of
the Committee Members.
(B) Quorum for a Hearing.--For purposes of taking testimony
or receiving evidence, a quorum shall be one Member from the
Majority and one Member from the Minority. The Chair of the
Committee or Subcommittee shall exercise reasonable comity by
waiting for the Ranking Minority Member even if a quorum is
present before striking the gavel to commence the hearing. For
hearings held by the Committee or a Subcommittee in a location
other than the Committee's hearing room in Washington, DC, a
quorum shall be deemed to be present if the Chair of the
Committee or Subcommittee is present.
Rule 10.--Record Votes
(A) When Provided.--A record vote of the Committee shall be
provided on any question before the Committee upon the request
of any Member of the Committee. A record of the vote of each
Member of the Committee on a matter before the Committee shall
be available in electronic form within 48 hours of such record
vote, and, with respect to any roll call 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.
(B) Public Access to Record Votes.--The Chair of the
Committee shall, not later than 24 hours after consideration of
a bill, resolution, report or other item, cause the text of the
reported item and any amendment adopted thereto to be made
publicly available in electronic form.
Rule 11.--Subpoenas
(A) Authorization and Issuance.--A subpoena may be
authorized and issued by the Committee in the conduct of any
investigation or series of investigations or activities to
require the attendance and testimony of such witness and the
production of such books, records, correspondence, memoranda,
papers and documents, as deemed necessary. Such subpoena shall
be authorized by a majority of the full Committee. The
requirement that the authorization of a subpoena requires a
majority vote may be waived by the Ranking Minority Member of
the Committee.
(B) Issuance During Congressional Recess.--The Chair may
issue a subpoena, in consultation with the Ranking Minority
Member, when the House is out for session for more than three
legislative days.
Rule 12.--Amendments During Markup
(A) Availability of Amendments.--Any amendment offered to
any pending legislation before the Committee must be made
available in written form by any Member of the Committee. If
such amendment is not available in written form when requested,
the Chair shall allow an appropriate period for the provision
thereof and may adjourn the markup to provide sufficient time
for the provision of such written amendment. Such period or
adjournment shall not prejudice the offering of such amendment.
(B) Drafting and Filing of Amendments.--For amendments to
be accepted during markup, there is no requirement that the
amendments be filed prior to commencement of the markup or
prepared with the assistance of the Office of Legislative
Counsel. Even though it is not necessary, Members seeking to
amend legislation during markup should draft amendments with
the assistance of the Office of Legislative Counsel and consult
with the Chair or Ranking Minority Member's staff (as
appropriate) in the preparation of such amendments.
Rule 13.--Postponement of Proceedings
(A) When Postponement is Permissible.--The Chair, in
consultation with the Ranking Minority Member, may postpone
further proceedings when a record vote is ordered on the
question of approving any measure or matter or adopting an
amendment. The Chair may resume postponed proceedings, but no
later than 24 hours after such postponement, unless the House
is not in session or there are conflicts with Member schedules
that make it unlikely a quorum will be present to conduct
business on the postponed proceeding. In such cases, the Chair
will consult with Members to set a time as early as possible to
resume proceedings but in no event later than the next meeting
date as set forth in Rule 5 of these Rules.
(B) Resumption of Proceedings.--When proceedings resume on
a postponed question, notwithstanding any intervening order for
the previous question, an underlying proposition shall remain
subject to further debate or amendment to the same extent as
when the question was postponed.
Rule 14.--Committee Records
(A) The Committee shall keep a complete record of all
actions, which shall include a record of the votes on any
question on which a recorded vote is demanded. The result of
any vote by the Committee, or if applicable by a Subcommittee,
including a voice vote shall be posted on the Committee's
website within 24 hours after the vote has been taken. Such
record shall include a description of the amendment, motion,
order, or other proposition, the name of the Member voting for
and against such amendment, motion, order, or other
proposition, and the names of Members present but not voting.
For any amendment, motion, order, or other proposition decided
by voice vote, the record shall include a description and
whether the voice vote was in favor or against.
(B) Transcripts.--The Committee shall keep a complete
record of all Committee and Subcommittee activity which, in the
case of a meeting or hearing transcript, shall include a
substantially verbatim account of the remarks actually made
during the proceedings subject only to technical, grammatical,
and typographical corrections authorized by the person making
the remarks.
(C) Availability of Records.-- The records of the Committee
at the National Archives and Records Administration shall be
made available in accordance with Rule VII of the Rules of the
House. The Chair of the Committee shall notify the Ranking
Member of the Committee of any decision, pursuant to Rule VII,
cl. 3(b)(3) or cl. 4 (b), to withhold a record otherwise
available, and the matter shall be presented to the Committee
for a determination of the written request of any Member of the
Committee.
(D) Publishing and Posting of Records.--The Committee Rules
shall be made publicly available in electronic form and
published in the Congressional Record not later than 30 days
after the Chair of the Committee is elected in each odd-
numbered year.
Rule 15.--Committee Website
The Chair shall maintain an official Committee website for
the purpose of furthering the Committee's legislative and
oversight responsibilities, including communicating information
about Committee's activities to Committee Members and other
Members of the House. The Ranking Minority Member may maintain
a similar website for the same purpose, including communicating
information about the activities of the Minority to Committee
Members and other Members of the House.
Rule 16.--Access to Classified or Sensitive Information
(A) Access to classified or sensitive information supplied
to the Committee or Subcommittees and attendance at closed
sessions of the Committee or a Subcommittee shall be limited to
Members and necessary Committee staff and stenographic
reporters who have appropriate security clearance when the
Chair determines that such access or attendance is essential to
the functioning of the Committee or one of its Subcommittees.
(B) Procedures Governing Availability.--The procedures to
be followed in granting access to those hearings, records,
data, charts, and files of the Committee which involve
classified information or information deemed to be sensitive
shall be as follows:
(I) Only Members of the House of Representatives and
specifically designated Committee staff of the
Committee on Small Business may have access to such
information.
(II) Members who desire to read materials that are in
possession of the Committee shall notify the Clerk of
the Committee in writing.
(III) The Clerk of the Committee will maintain an
accurate access log, which identifies the circumstances
surrounding access to the information, without
revealing the material examined.
(IV) If the material desired to be reviewed is
material which the Committee or Subcommittee deems to
be sensitive enough to require special handling, before
receiving access to such information, individuals will
be required to sign an access information sheet
acknowledging such access and that the individual has
read and understands the procedures under which access
is being granted.
(V) Material provided for review under this rule
shall not be removed from a specified room within the
Committee offices.
(VI) Individuals reviewing materials under this rule
shall make certain that the materials are returned to
the proper custodian.
(VII) No reproductions or recordings may be made of
any portion of such materials.
(VIII) The contents of such information shall not be
divulged to any person in any way, form, shape, or
manner and shall not be discussed with any person who
has not received the information in the manner
authorized by the rules of the Committee.
(IX) When not being examined in the manner described
herein, such information will be kept in secure safes
or locked file cabinets within the Committee offices.
(X) These procedures only address access to
information the Committee or Subcommittee deems to be
sensitive enough to require special treatment.
(XI) If a Member of the House of Representatives
believes that certain sensitive information should not
be restricted as to dissemination or use, the Member
may petition the Committee or Subcommittee to so rule.
With respect to information and materials provided to
the Committee by the Executive Branch or an independent
agency as that term is defined in 44 U.S.C. Sec. 3502,
the classification of information and materials as
determined by the Executive Branch or independent
agency shall prevail unless affirmatively changed by
the Committee or Subcommittee involved, after
consultation with the Executive Branch or independent
agency.
(XII) Other materials in the possession of the
Committee are to be handled in the accordance with
normal practices and traditions of the Committee.
Rule 17.--Other Procedures
The Chair of the Committee may establish such other
procedures and take such actions as may be necessary to carry
out the foregoing rules or to facilitate the effective
operation of the Committee.
Rule 18.--Amendments to Committee Rules
The rules of the Committee may be modified, amended or
repealed by a majority vote of the Members, at a meeting
specifically called for such purpose, but only if written
notice of the proposed change or changes has been provided to
each Member of the Committee at least 72 hours prior to the
time of the meeting of the Committee to consider such change or
changes.
Rule 19.--Budget and Travel
(A) Allocation of Budget.--From the amount provided to the
Committee in the primary expense resolution adopted by the
House of Representatives in the 115th Congress, the Chair,
after consultation with the Ranking Minority Member, shall
designate one-third of the budget under the direction of the
Ranking Minority Member for the purposes of minority staff,
travel expenses of minority staff and Members, and minority
office expenses.
Authorization of Travel.--The Chair may authorize travel in
connection with activities or subject matters under the
legislative or oversight jurisdiction of the Committee as set
forth in Rule X of the Rules of the House. The Ranking Minority
Member may authorize travel for any Minority Member or staff of
the minority in connection with activities or subject matters
under the Committee's jurisdiction as set forth in Rule X of
the Rules of the House. Before such travel, there shall be
submitted to the Chair of the Committee in writing the
following at least seven (7) calendar days prior specifying: 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 spent in each; and d) the names
of Members and staff of the Committee participating in such
travel.
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
BILL SHUSTER, Pennsylvania,
Chairman
PETER DeFAZIO, Oregon DON YOUNG, Alaska
ELEANOR HOLMES NORTON, JOHN DUNCAN, Jr., Tennessee
District of Columbia FRANK LoBIONDO, New Jersey
JERROLD NADLER, New York SAM GRAVES, Missouri
EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON, Texas DUNCAN HUNTER, California
ELIJAH CUMMINGS, Maryland RICK CRAWFORD, Arkansas
RICK LARSEN, Washington LOU BARLETTA, Pennsylvania
MICHAEL CAPUANO, Massachusetts BLAKE FARENTHOLD, Texas
GRACE NAPOLITANO, California BOB GIBBS, Ohio
DANIEL LIPINSKI, Illinois DANIEL WEBSTER, Florida
STEVE COHEN, Tennessee JEFF DENHAM, California
ALBIO SIRES, New Jersey THOMAS MASSIE, Kentucky
JOHN GARAMENDI, California MARK MEADOWS, North Carolina
HENRY C. ``HANK'' JOHNSON, Jr., GeorgiaOTT PERRY, Pennsylvania
ANDRE CARSON, Indiana RODNEY DAVIS, Illinois
RICHARD NOLAN, Minnesota MARK SANFORD, South Carolina
DINA TITUS, Nevada ROB WOODALL, Georgia
SEAN PATRICK MALONEY, New York TODD ROKITA, Indiana
ELIZABETH ESTY, Connecticut JOHN KATKO, New York
LOIS FRANKEL, Florida BRIAN BABIN, Texas
CHERI BUSTOS, Illinois GARRET GRAVES, Louisiana
JARED HUFFMAN, California BARBARA COMSTOCK, Virginia
JULIA BROWNLEY, California DAVID ROUZER, North Carolina
FREDERICA WILSON, Florida MIKE BOST, Illinois
DONALD PAYNE, Jr., New Jersey RANDY WEBER, Texas
ALAN LOWENTHAL, California DOUG LaMALFA, California
BRENDA LAWRENCE, Michigan BRUCE WESTERMAN, Arkansas
MARK DeSAULNIER, California LLOYD SMUCKER, Pennsylvania
PAUL MITCHELL, Michigan
JOHN FASO, New York
A. DREW FERGUSON, Georgia
BRIAN MAST, Florida
JASON LEWIS, Minnesota
(As adopted January 31, 2017)
RULES OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION AND INFRASTRCTURE FOR THE
115TH CONGRESS
Rule 1.--General Provisions
(a) Applicability of House Rules.--
(1) In General.--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 and its subcommittees.
(2) Subcommittees.--Each subcommittee is part of the
Committee, and is subject to the authority and
direction of the Committee and its rules so far as
applicable.
(3) Incorporation of House Rule on Committee
Procedure.--Rule XI of the Rules of the House, which
pertains entirely to Committee procedure, is
incorporated and made a part of the rules of the
Committee to the extent applicable. Pursuant to clause
2(a)(3) of Rule XI of the Rules of the House, the
Chairman of the Committee is authorized to offer a
motion under clause 1 of Rule XXII of the Rules of the
House whenever the Chairman considers it appropriate.
(b) Publication of Rules.--Pursuant to clause 2(a) of Rule
XI of the Rules of the House, the Committee's rules shall be
publicly available in electronic form and published in the
Congressional Record not later than 30 days after the Chairman
is elected in each odd-numbered year.
(c) Vice Chairman.--The Chairman shall appoint a vice
chairman of the Committee and of each subcommittee. If the
Chairman of the Committee or subcommittee is not present at any
meeting of the Committee or subcommittee, as the case may be,
the vice chairman shall preside. If the vice chairman is not
present, the ranking member of the majority party on the
Committee or subcommittee who is present shall preside at that
meeting.
Rule 2.--Regular, Additional, and Special Meetings
(a) Regular Meetings.--Regular meetings of the Committee
shall be held on the last Wednesday of every month to transact
its business unless such day is a holiday, or the House is in
recess or is adjourned, in which case the Chairman shall
determine the regular meeting day of the Committee for that
month. A regular meeting of the Committee may be dispensed with
if, in the judgment of the Chairman, there is no need for the
meeting. This paragraph shall not apply to meetings of any
subcommittee.
(b) Additional Meetings.--The Chairman may call and
convene, as he or she considers necessary, additional meetings
of the Committee for the consideration of any bill or
resolution pending before the Committee or for the conduct of
other committee business. The Committee shall meet for such
purpose pursuant to the call of the Chairman.
(c) Special Meetings.--If at least three members of the
Committee desire that a special meeting of the Committee be
called by the Chairman, those members may file in the offices
of the Committee their written request to the Chairman for that
special meeting. Such request shall specify the measure or
matter to be considered. Immediately upon the filing of the
request, the clerk of the Committee shall notify the Chairman
of the filing of the request. If, within 3 calendar days after
the filing of the request, the Chairman does not call the
requested special meeting to be held within 7 calendar days
after the filing of the request, a majority of the members of
the Committee may file in the offices of the Committee their
written notice that a special meeting of the Committee will be
held, specifying the date and hour thereof, and the measure or
matter to be considered at that special meeting. The Committee
shall meet on that date and hour. Immediately upon the filing
of the notice, the clerk of the Committee shall notify all
members of the Committee that such meeting will be held and
inform them of its date and hour and the measure or matter to
be considered; and only the measure or matter specified in that
notice may be considered at that special meeting. Such notice
shall also be made publicly available in electronic form and
shall be deemed to satisfy paragraph (d)(1).
(d) Notice.--
(1) Minimum notice period.--Pursuant to clause
2(g)(3) of Rule XI of the Rules of the House, the
Chairman shall make a public announcement of the date,
place, and subject matter of a Committee or
subcommittee meeting, which may not commence earlier
than the third day on which members have notice
thereof.
(2) Changes in meeting times.--A meeting may commence
sooner than announced if the Chairman, with concurrence
of the ranking minority member, determines there is
good cause to begin the meeting sooner or the Committee
or subcommittee so determines by majority vote, a
quorum being present for the transaction of business.
The Chairman shall make a public announcement of the
meeting time change at the earliest possible
opportunity.
(3) Notification of daily digest clerk.--The clerk of
the Committee shall notify the Daily Digest Clerk of
the Congressional Record as soon as possible after a
public announcement of a time change for a Committee or
subcommittee meeting is made under this paragraph.
(e) Prohibition on Sitting During Joint Session.--The
Committee may not sit during a joint session of the House and
Senate or during a recess when a joint meeting of the House and
Senate is in progress.
Rule 3.--Meetings and Hearings Generally
(a) Minimum Period For Availability of Committee Markup
Text.--Pursuant to clause 2(g)(4) of Rule XI of the Rules of
the House, the Chairman shall make publicly available, in
electronic form, the text of any legislation to be marked up at
least 24 hours prior to the commencement of a meeting for the
markup of legislation, or at the time of a meeting announcement
under paragraph (d)(2) of Committee Rule II if made within 24
hours before such meeting.
(b) Open Meetings.--Each meeting for the transaction of
business, including the markup of legislation, and each hearing
of the Committee or a subcommittee shall be open to the public,
except as provided by clause 2(g) of Rule XI of the Rules of
the House.
(c) Meetings To Begin Promptly.--Each meeting or hearing of
the Committee shall begin promptly at the time so stipulated in
the public announcement of the meeting or hearing.
(d) Addressing the Committee.--Except as provided under
paragraph (e) of Committee Rule VI, a Committee member may
address the Committee or a subcommittee on any bill, motion, or
other matter under consideration--
(1) only when recognized by the Chairman for that
purpose; and
(2) only for 5 minutes, or for a period of time
designated by the Chairman with concurrence of the
ranking minority member, until such time as each member
of the Committee or subcommittee who so desires has had
an opportunity to address the Committee or
subcommittee.
A member shall be limited in his or her remarks to the
subject matter under consideration. The Chairman shall enforce
this paragraph.
(e) Participation of Members in Subcommittee Meetings and
Hearings.--All members of the Committee who are not members of
a particular subcommittee may, by unanimous consent of the
members of such subcommittee, participate in any subcommittee
meeting or hearing. However, a member who is not a member of
the subcommittee may not vote on any matter before the
subcommittee, be counted for purposes of establishing a quorum,
or raise points of order.
(f) Broadcasting.--Whenever a meeting for the transaction
of business, including the markup of legislation, or a hearing
is open to the public, that meeting or hearing shall be open to
coverage by television, radio, and still photography in
accordance with clause 4 of Rule XI of the Rules of the House.
Operation and use of any Committee Internet broadcast system
shall be fair and nonpartisan and in accordance with clause
4(b) of Rule XI of the Rules of the House and all other
applicable rules of the Committee and the House. Further,
pursuant to clause 2(e)(5) of Rule XI of the Rules of the
House, the Committee shall provide audio and video coverage of
each hearing or meeting for the transaction of business in a
manner that allows the public to easily listen to and view the
proceedings. The Committee shall also maintain the recordings
of such coverage in a manner that is easily accessible to the
public.
(g) Access to the Dais and Lounges.--Access to the hearing
rooms' daises and to the lounges adjacent to the Committee
hearing rooms shall be limited to Members of Congress and
employees of Congress during a meeting or hearing of the
Committee unless specifically permitted by the Chairman or
ranking minority member.
(h) Use of Cellular Telephones.--During a hearing, mark-up,
or other meeting of the Committee, ringing or audible sounds or
conversational use of cellular telephones or other electronic
devices is prohibited in the Committee room.
(i) Availability of Text of Amendments in Electronic
Form.--Pursuant to clause 2(e) of Rule XI of the Rules of the
House, not later than 24 hours after the adoption of any
amendment to a measure or matter considered by the Committee,
the Chairman shall cause the text of the amendment to be made
publicly available in electronic form.
Rule 4.--Power To Sit and Act; Power To Conduct Investigations; Oaths;
Subpoena Power
(a) Authority To Sit and Act.--For the purpose of carrying
out any of its functions and duties under Rules X and XI of the
Rules of the House, the Committee and each of its
subcommittees, is authorized (subject to paragraph (d)(1))--
(1) to sit and act at such times and places within
the United States whether the House is in session, has
recessed, or has adjourned and to hold such hearings;
and
(2) to require, by subpoena or otherwise, the
attendance and testimony of such witnesses and the
production of such books, records, correspondence,
memorandums, papers, and documents, as it deems
necessary.
(b) Authority To Conduct Investigations.--
(1) In general.--The Committee is authorized at any
time to conduct such investigations and studies as it
may consider necessary or appropriate in the exercise
of its responsibilities under Rule X of the Rules of
the House and (subject to the adoption of expense
resolutions as required by Rule X, clause 6 of the
Rules of the House) to incur expenses (including travel
expenses) in connection therewith.
(2) Major investigations by subcommittees.--A
subcommittee may not begin a major investigation
without approval of a majority of such subcommittee.
(c) Oaths.--The Chairman, or any member designated by the
Chairman, may administer oaths to any witness.
(d) Issuance of Subpoenas.--
(1) In general.--A subpoena may be issued by the
Committee or subcommittee under paragraph (a)(2) in the
conduct of any investigation or activity or series of
investigations or activities, only when authorized by a
majority of the members voting, a majority being
present. Such authorized subpoenas shall be signed by
the Chairman of the Committee or by any member
designated by the Committee. If a specific request for
a subpoena has not been previously rejected by either
the Committee or subcommittee, the Chairman of the
Committee, after consultation with the ranking minority
member of the Committee, may authorize and issue a
subpoena under paragraph (a)(2) in the conduct of any
investigation or activity or series of investigations
or activities, and such subpoena shall for all purposes
be deemed a subpoena issued by the Committee. As soon
as practicable after a subpoena is issued under this
rule, the Chairman shall notify all members of the
Committee of such action.
(2) Enforcement.--Compliance with any subpoena issued
by the Committee or subcommittee under paragraph (a)(2)
may be enforced only as authorized or directed by the
House.
(e) Expenses of Subpoenaed Witnesses.--Each witness who has
been subpoenaed, upon the completion of his or her testimony
before the Committee or any subcommittee, may report to the
offices of the Committee, and there sign appropriate vouchers
for travel allowances and attendance fees. If hearings are held
in cities other than Washington, D.C., the witness may contact
the counsel of the Committee, or his or her representative,
before leaving the hearing room.
Rule 5.--Quorums and Record Votes; Postponement of Votes
(a) Working Quorum.--One-third of the members of the
Committee or a subcommittee shall constitute a quorum for
taking any action other than the closing of a meeting pursuant
to clauses 2(g) and 2(k)(5) of Rule XI of the Rules of the
House, the authorizing of a subpoena pursuant to paragraph (d)
of Committee Rule IV, the reporting of a measure or
recommendation pursuant to paragraph (b)(1) of Committee Rule
VII, and the actions described in paragraphs (b), (c) and (d)
of this rule.
(b) Quorum for Reporting.--A majority of the members of the
Committee or a subcommittee shall constitute a quorum for the
reporting of a measure or recommendation.
(c) Approval of Certain Matters.--A majority of the members
of the Committee or a subcommittee shall constitute a quorum
for approval of a resolution concerning any of the following
actions:
(1) A prospectus for construction, alteration,
purchase or acquisition of a public building or the
lease of space as required by section 3307 of title 40,
United States Code.
(2) Survey investigation of a proposed project for
navigation, flood control, and other purposes by the
Corps of Engineers (section 4 of the Rivers and Harbors
Act of March 4, 1913, 33 U.S.C. 542).
(3) Construction of a water resources development
project by the Corps of Engineers with an estimated
Federal cost not exceeding $15,000,000 (section 201 of
the Flood Control Act of 1965).
(4) Deletion of water quality storage in a Federal
reservoir project where the benefits attributable to
water quality are 15 percent or more but not greater
than 25 percent of the total project benefits (section
65 of the Water Resources Development Act of 1974).
(5) Authorization of a Natural Resources Conservation
Service watershed project involving any single
structure of more than 4,000 acre feet of total
capacity (section 2 of P.L. 566, 83rd Congress).
(d) Quorum for Taking Testimony.--Two members of the
Committee or subcommittee shall constitute a quorum for the
purpose of taking testimony and receiving evidence.
(e) Record Votes.--A record vote may be demanded by one-
fifth of the members present.
(f) Postponement of Votes.--
(1) In general.--In accordance with clause 2(h)(4) of
Rule XI of the Rules of the House, the Chairman of the
Committee or a subcommittee, after consultation with
the ranking minority member of the Committee or
subcommittee, may--
(A) postpone further proceedings when a
record vote is ordered on the question of
approving a measure or matter or on adopting an
amendment; and
(B) resume proceedings on a postponed
question at any time after reasonable notice.
(2) Resumption of proceedings.--When proceedings
resume on a postponed question, notwithstanding any
intervening order for the previous question, an
underlying proposition shall remain subject to further
debate or amendment to the same extent as when the
question was postponed.
(g) Availability of Record Votes in Electronic Form.--
Pursuant to clause 2(e)(1)(B)(i) of Rule XI of the Rules of the
House, the Chairman shall make the result of any record vote
publicly available for inspection at reasonable times in the
offices of the Committee and in electronic form within 48 hours
of such record vote.
Rule 6.--Hearing Procedures
(a) Announcement of Hearing.--
(1) Minimum notice period.--Pursuant to clause
2(g)(3) of Rule XI of the Rules of the House, the
Chairman shall make a public announcement of the date,
place, and subject matter of a Committee or
subcommittee hearing, which may not commence earlier
than the one week after such notice.
(2) Changes in hearing times.--A hearing may commence
sooner than announced if the Chairman, with concurrence
of the ranking minority member, determines there is
good cause to begin the hearing sooner or the Committee
so determines by majority vote, a quorum being present
for the transaction of business. The Chairman shall
make a public announcement of the hearing time change
at the earliest possible opportunity.
(3) Notification of daily digest clerk.--The clerk of
the Committee shall notify the Daily Digest Clerk of
the Congressional Record as soon as possible after a
public announcement of a time change for a Committee or
subcommittee hearing is made under this paragraph.
(b) Written Statement; Oral Testimony.--
(1) Filing of statement.--So far as practicable, each
witness who is to appear before the Committee or a
subcommittee shall file with the clerk of the Committee
or subcommittee, at least 2 working days before the day
of his or her appearance, a written statement of
proposed testimony. The Chairman, with the concurrence
of the ranking minority member, may take the following
actions for failure to comply with this requirement:
(A) exclude such witness' written testimony from the
hearing record; (B) bar such witness' oral presentation
of the testimony; or (C) both (A) and (B). Each witness
shall limit his or her oral presentation to a summary
of the written statement.
(2) Truth in testimony information.--Pursuant to
clause 2(g)(5) of Rule XI of the Rules of the House, in
the case of a witness appearing in a nongovernmental
capacity, a written statement of proposed testimony
shall include a curriculum vitae and a disclosure of
the amount and source of each Federal grant (or
subgrant thereof) or contract (or subcontract thereof),
or the amount and country of origin of any contract or
payment originating with a foreign government, received
during the current calendar year or either of the two
previous calendar years by the witness or by an entity
represented by the witness and related to the subject
matter of the hearing.
(3) Availability of information in electronic form.--
Statements filed under this paragraph, with appropriate
redaction to protect the privacy of the witness, shall
be made publicly available in electronic form not later
than one day after the witness appears.
(c) Minority Witnesses.--When any hearing is conducted by
the Committee or any subcommittee upon any measure or matter,
the minority party members on the Committee or subcommittee
shall be entitled, upon request to the Chairman by a majority
of those minority members before the completion of such
hearing, to call witnesses selected by the minority to testify
with respect to that measure or matter during at least one day
of hearing thereon.
(d) Summary of Subject Matter.--Upon announcement of a
hearing, to the extent practicable, the Committee shall make
available immediately to all members of the Committee a concise
summary of the subject matter (including legislative reports
and other material) under consideration. In addition, upon
announcement of a hearing and subsequently as they are
received, the Chairman shall make available to the members of
the Committee any official reports from departments and
agencies on such matter.
(e) Opening Statements; Questioning of Witnesses.--
(1) Opening Statements.--
(A) Chairman and Ranking Member.--At a
hearing of the Full Committee, the Chairman and
ranking minority member of the Committee shall
each be entitled to present an oral opening
statement of five minutes. At a hearing of a
subcommittee, the Chairman and ranking minority
member of the Committee and the Chairman and
ranking minority member of the subcommittee
shall each be entitled to present an opening
statement for five minutes.
(B) Other Members.--At a hearing of the Full
Committee or a subcommittee, other members of
the Committee or subcommittee, as appropriate,
may submit written opening statements for the
record. The Chairman presiding over the hearing
may permit oral opening statements by other
members of the Committee or subcommittee, as
appropriate, with the concurrence of the
ranking minority member.
(2) Questioning of Witnesses.--The questioning of
witnesses in Committee and subcommittee hearings shall
be initiated by the Chairman, followed by the ranking
minority member and all other members alternating
between the majority and minority parties. In
recognizing members to question witnesses in this
fashion, the Chairman shall take into consideration the
ratio of the majority to minority members present and
shall establish the order of recognition for
questioning in such a manner as not to disadvantage the
members of the majority nor the members of the
minority. The Chairman may accomplish this by
recognizing two majority members for each minority
member recognized.
(f) Procedures for Questions.--
(1) In general.--A Committee member may question a
witness at a hearing--
(A) only when recognized by the Chairman for
that purpose; and
(B) subject to subparagraphs (2) and (3),
only for 5 minutes until such time as each
member of the Committee or subcommittee who so
desires has had an opportunity to question the
witness.
A member shall be limited in his or her remarks to
the subject matter under consideration. The Chairman
shall enforce this subparagraph.
(2) Extended questioning of witnesses by members.--
The Chairman of the Committee or a subcommittee, with
the concurrence of the ranking minority member, or the
Committee or subcommittee by motion, may permit a
specified number of its members to question a witness
for longer than 5 minutes. The time for extended
questioning of a witness under this subdivision shall
be equal for the majority party and minority party and
may not exceed one hour in the aggregate.
(3) Extended questioning of witnesses by staff.--The
Chairman of the Committee or a subcommittee, with the
concurrence of the ranking minority member, or the
Committee or subcommittee by motion, may permit
Committee staff for its majority and minority party
members to question a witness for equal specified
periods. The time for extended questioning of a witness
under this subdivision shall be equal for the majority
party and minority party and may not exceed one hour in
the aggregate.
(4) Right to question witnesses following extended
questioning.--Nothing in subparagraph (2) or (3)
affects the right of a member (other than a member
designated under subparagraph (2)) to question a
witness for 5 minutes in accordance with subparagraph
(1)(B) after the questioning permitted under
subparagraph (2) or (3).
(g) Additional Hearing Procedures.--Clause 2(k) of Rule XI
of the Rules of the House (relating to additional rules for
hearings) applies to hearings of the Committee and its
subcommittees.
Rule 7.--Procedures for Reporting Bills, Resolutions, and Reports
(a) Filing of Reports.--
(1) In general.--The Chairman of the Committee shall
report promptly to the House any measure or matter
approved by the Committee and take necessary steps to
bring the measure or matter to a vote.
(2) Requests for reporting.--The report of the
Committee on a measure or matter which has been
approved by the Committee shall be filed within 7
calendar days (exclusive of days on which the House is
not in session) after the day on which there has been
filed with the clerk of the Committee a written
request, signed by a majority of the members of the
Committee, for the reporting of that measure or matter.
Upon the filing of any such request, the clerk of the
Committee shall transmit immediately to the Chairman of
the Committee notice of the filing of that request.
(b) Quorum; Record Votes.--
(1) Quorum.--No measure, matter, or recommendation
shall be reported from the Committee unless a majority
of the Committee was actually present.
(2) Record votes.--With respect to each record vote
on a motion to report any measure or matter of a public
character, and on any amendment offered to the measure
or matter, the total number of votes cast for and
against, and the names of those members voting for and
against, shall be included in the Committee report on
the measure or matter.
(c) Required Matters.--The report of the Committee on a
measure or matter which has been approved by the Committee
shall include the items required to be included by clauses 2(c)
and 3 of Rule XIII of the Rules of the House.
(d) Additional Views.--If, at the time of approval of any
measure or matter by the Committee, any member of the Committee
gives notice of intention to file supplemental, minority,
additional, or dissenting views, all members shall be entitled
to not less than two additional calendar days after the day of
such notice (excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and legal holidays)
in which to file such written and signed views in accordance
with clause 2(l) of Rule XI of the Rules of the House.
(e) Activities Report.--
(1) In general.--Not later than January 2 of each odd
numbered year, the Committee shall submit to the House
a report on the activities of the Committee.
(2) Contents.--The report shall include--
(A) separate sections summarizing the
legislative and oversight activities of the
Committee under Rules X and XI of the Rules of
the House during the Congress;
(B) a summary of the authorization and
oversight plan submitted by the Committee under
clause 2(d) of Rule X of the Rules of the
House;
(C) a summary of the actions taken and
recommendations made with respect to the
authorization and oversight plan specified in
subdivision (B);
(D) a summary of any additional oversight
activities undertaken by the Committee and any
recommendations made or actions taken thereon;
and
(E) a delineation of any hearings held
pursuant to clauses 2(n), (o), or (p) of Rule
XI of the Rules of the House.
(3) Filing.--After an adjournment sine die of the
last regular session of a Congress, or after December
15 of an even numbered year, whichever occurs first,
the Chairman may file the report described in
subparagraph (1) with the Clerk of the House at any
time and without approval of the Committee, provided
that--
(A) a copy of the report has been available
to each member of the Committee for at least
seven calendar days; and
(B) the report includes any supplemental,
minority, additional, or dissenting views
submitted by a member of the Committee.
(f) Other Committee Materials.--
(1) In general.--All Committee and subcommittee
prints, reports, documents, or other materials, not
otherwise provided for under this rule, that purport to
express publicly the views of the Committee or any of
its subcommittees or members of the Committee or its
subcommittees shall be approved by the Committee or the
subcommittee prior to printing and distribution and any
member shall be given an opportunity to have views
included as part of such material prior to printing,
release, and distribution in accordance with paragraph
(d) of this rule.
(2) Documents containing views other than member
views.--A Committee or subcommittee document containing
views other than those of members of the Committee or
subcommittee shall not be published without approval of
the Committee or subcommittee.
(3) Disclaimer.--All Committee or subcommittee
reports printed pursuant to legislative study or
investigation and not approved by a majority vote of
the Committee or subcommittee, as appropriate, shall
contain the following disclaimer on the cover of such
report: ``This report has not been officially adopted
by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
(or pertinent subcommittee thereof) and may not
therefore necessarily reflect the views of its
members.''.
(4) Compilations of laws.--To the maximum extent
practicable, the Committee shall publish a compilation
of laws under the jurisdiction of each subcommittee.
(g) Availability of Publications.--Pursuant to clause
2(e)(4) of Rule XI of the Rules of the House, the Committee
shall make its publications available in electronic form to the
maximum extent feasible.
Rule 8.--Establishment of Subcommittees; Size and Party Ratios
(a) Establishment.--There shall be 6 standing
subcommittees. These subcommittees, with the following sizes
(including delegates) and majority/minority ratios, are:
(1) Subcommittee on Aviation (39 Members: 22 Majority
and 17 Minority).
(2) Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime
Transportation (16 Members: 9 Majority and 7 Minority).
(3) Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public
Buildings, and Emergency Management (15 Members: 9
Majority and 6 Minority).
(4) Subcommittee on Highways and Transit (50 Members:
28 Majority and 22 Minority).
(5) Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and
Hazardous Materials (34 Members: 19 Majority and 15
Minority).
(6) Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment
(32 Members: 18 Majority and 14 Minority).
(b) Ex Officio Members.--The Chairman and ranking minority
member of the Committee shall serve as ex officio voting
members on each subcommittee.
(c) Ratios.--On each subcommittee there shall be a ratio of
majority party members to minority party members which shall be
no less favorable to the majority party than the ratio for the
Full Committee. In calculating the ratio of majority party
members to minority party members, there shall be included the
ex officio members of the subcommittees.
Rule 9.--Powers and Duties of Subcommittees
(a) Authority To Sit.--Each subcommittee is authorized to
meet, hold hearings, receive evidence, and report to the Full
Committee on all matters referred to it or under its
jurisdiction. Subcommittee chairmen shall set dates for
hearings and meetings of their respective subcommittees after
consultation with the Chairman and other subcommittee chairmen
with a view toward avoiding simultaneous scheduling of Full
Committee and subcommittee meetings or hearings whenever
possible.
(b) Consideration by Committee.--Each bill, resolution, or
other matter favorably reported by a subcommittee shall
automatically be placed upon the agenda of the Committee. Any
such matter reported by a subcommittee shall not be considered
by the Committee unless it has been delivered to the offices of
all members of the Committee at least 48 hours before the
meeting, unless the Chairman determines that the matter is of
such urgency that it should be given early consideration. Where
practicable, such matters shall be accompanied by a comparison
with present law and a section-by-section analysis.
Rule 10.--Referral of Legislation to Subcommittees
(a) General Requirement.--Except where the Chairman of the
Committee determines, in consultation with the majority members
of the Committee, that consideration is to be by the Full
Committee, each bill, resolution, investigation, or other
matter which relates to a subject listed under the jurisdiction
of any subcommittee established in Committee Rule VIII referred
to or initiated by the Full Committee shall be referred by the
Chairman to all subcommittees of appropriate jurisdiction
within two weeks. All bills shall be referred to the
subcommittee of proper jurisdiction without regard to whether
the author is or is not a member of the subcommittee.
(b) Recall From Subcommittee.--A bill, resolution, or other
matter referred to a subcommittee in accordance with this rule
may be recalled therefrom at any time by a vote of a majority
of the members of the Committee voting, a quorum being present,
for the Committee's direct consideration or for reference to
another subcommittee.
(c) Multiple Referrals.--In carrying out this rule with
respect to any matter, the Chairman may refer the matter
simultaneously to two or more subcommittees for concurrent
consideration or for consideration in sequence (subject to
appropriate time limitations in the case of any subcommittee
after the first), or divide the matter into two or more parts
(reflecting different subjects and jurisdictions) and refer
each such part to a different subcommittee, or make such other
provisions as he or she considers appropriate.
Rule 11.--Recommendation on Conferences
The Chairman of the Committee shall recommend to the
Speaker as conferees the names of those members (1) of the
majority party selected by the Chairman, and (2) of the
minority party selected by the ranking minority member of the
Committee. Recommendations of conferees to the Speaker shall
provide a ratio of majority party members to minority party
members which shall be no less favorable to the majority party
than the ratio for the Committee.
Rule 12.--Oversight
(a) Purpose.--The Committee shall carry out oversight
responsibilities as provided in this rule in order to assist
the House in--
(1) its analysis, appraisal, and evaluation of--
(A) the application, administration,
execution, and effectiveness of the laws
enacted by the Congress; or
(B) conditions and circumstances which may
indicate the necessity or desirability of
enacting new or additional legislation; and
(2) its formulation, consideration, and enactment of
such modifications or changes in those laws, and of
such additional legislation, as may be necessary or
appropriate.
(b) Authorization and Oversight Plan.--Not later than
February 15 of the first session of each Congress, the
Committee shall adopt its authorization and oversight plan for
that Congress in accordance with clause 2(d)(1) of Rule X of
the Rules of the House.
(c) Review of Laws and Programs.--The Committee and the
appropriate subcommittees shall cooperatively 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 the jurisdiction of the
Committee, and the organization and operation of the Federal
agencies and entities having responsibilities in or for the
administration and execution thereof, in order to determine
whether such laws and the programs thereunder are being
implemented and carried out in accordance with the intent of
the Congress and whether such programs should be continued,
curtailed, or eliminated. In addition, the Committee and the
appropriate subcommittees shall cooperatively review and study
any conditions or circumstances which may indicate the
necessity or desirability of enacting new or additional
legislation within the jurisdiction of the Committee (whether
or not any bill or resolution has been introduced with respect
thereto), and shall on a continuing basis undertake future
research and forecasting on matters within the jurisdiction of
the Committee.
(d) Review of Tax Policies.--The Committee and the
appropriate subcommittees shall cooperatively review and study
on a continuing basis the impact or probable impact of tax
policies affecting subjects within the jurisdiction of the
Committee.
Rule 13.--Review of Continuing Programs; Budget Act Provisions
(a) Ensuring Annual Appropriations.--The Committee shall,
in its consideration of all bills and joint resolutions of a
public character within its jurisdiction, ensure that
appropriations for continuing programs and activities of the
Federal Government and the District of Columbia government will
be made annually to the maximum extent feasible and consistent
with the nature, requirements, and objectives of the programs
and activities involved.
(b) Review of Multi-Year Appropriations.--The Committee
shall review, from time to time, each continuing program within
its jurisdiction for which appropriations are not made annually
in order to ascertain whether such program could be modified so
that appropriations therefore would be made annually.
(c) Views and Estimates.--In accordance with clause 4(f)(1)
of Rule X of the Rules of the House, the Committee shall submit
to the Committee on the Budget--
(1) its views and estimates with respect to all
matters to be set forth in the concurrent resolution on
the budget for the ensuing fiscal year which are within
its jurisdiction or functions; and
(2) an estimate of the total amount of new budget
authority, and budget outlays resulting therefrom, to
be provided or authorized in all bills and resolutions
within its jurisdiction which it intends to be
effective during that fiscal year.
(d) Budget Allocations.--As soon as practicable after a
concurrent resolution on the budget for any fiscal year is
agreed to, the Committee (after consulting with the appropriate
committee or committees of the Senate) shall subdivide any
allocations made to it in the joint explanatory statement
accompanying the conference report on such resolution, and
promptly report such subdivisions to the House, in the manner
provided by section 302 of the Congressional Budget Act of
1974.
(e) Reconciliation.--Whenever the Committee is directed in
a concurrent resolution on the budget to determine and
recommend changes in laws, bills, or resolutions under the
reconciliation process, it shall promptly make such
determination and recommendations, and report a reconciliation
bill or resolution (or both) to the House or submit such
recommendations to the Committee on the Budget, in accordance
with the Congressional Budget Act of 1974.
Rule 14.--Records
(a) Keeping of Records.--The Committee shall keep a
complete record of all Committee action which shall include--
(1) in the case of any meeting or hearing
transcripts, 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
involved; and
(2) a record of the votes on any question on which a
record vote is taken.
(b) Public Inspection.--The result of each such record vote
shall be made available by the Committee for inspection by the
public at reasonable times in the offices of the Committee.
Information so available for public inspection shall include a
description of the amendment, motion, order, or other
proposition and the name of each member voting for and each
member voting against such amendment, motion, order, or
proposition, and the names of those members present but not
voting.
(c) Property of the House.--All Committee records
(including hearings, data, charts, and files) shall be kept
separate and distinct from the congressional office records of
the member serving as Chairman of the Committee; and such
records shall be the property of the House and all members of
the House shall have access thereto.
(d) Availability of Archived Records.--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 Chairman shall notify the
ranking minority member of the Committee of any decision,
pursuant to clause 3(b)(3) or clause 4(b) of such 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.
(e) Authority To Print.--The Committee is authorized to
have printed and bound testimony and other data presented at
hearings held by the Committee. All costs of stenographic
services and transcripts in connection with any meeting or
hearing of the Committee shall be paid as provided in clause
1(c) of Rule XI of the House.
Rule 15.--Committee Budgets
(a) Biennial Budget.--The Chairman, in consultation with
the chairman of each subcommittee, the majority members of the
Committee, and the minority members of the Committee, shall,
for each Congress, prepare a consolidated Committee budget.
Such budget shall include necessary amounts for staff
personnel, necessary travel, investigation, and other expenses
of the Committee.
(b) Additional Expenses.--Authorization for the payment of
additional or unforeseen Committee expenses may be procured by
one or more additional expense resolutions processed in the
same manner as set out herein.
(c) Travel Requests.--The Chairman or any chairman of a
subcommittee may initiate necessary travel requests as provided
in Committee Rule XVII within the limits of the consolidated
budget as approved by the House and the Chairman may execute
necessary vouchers thereof.
(d) Monthly Reports.--Once monthly, the Chairman shall
submit to the Committee on House Administration, in writing, a
full and detailed accounting of all expenditures made during
the period since the last such accounting from the amount
budgeted to the Committee. Such report shall show the amount
and purpose of such expenditure and the budget to which such
expenditure is attributed. A copy of such monthly report shall
be available in the Committee office for review by members of
the Committee.
Rule 16.--Committee Staff
(a) Appointment by Chairman.--The Chairman shall appoint
and determine the remuneration of, and may remove, the
employees of the Committee not assigned to the minority. The
staff of the Committee not assigned to the minority shall be
under the general supervision and direction of the Chairman,
who shall establish and assign the duties and responsibilities
of such staff members and delegate such authority as he or she
determines appropriate.
(b) Appointment by Ranking Minority Member.--The ranking
minority member of the Committee shall appoint and determine
the remuneration of, and may remove, the staff assigned to the
minority within the budget approved for such purposes. The
staff assigned to the minority shall be under the general
supervision and direction of the ranking minority member of the
Committee who may delegate such authority as he or she
determines appropriate.
(c) Intention Regarding Staff.--It is intended that the
skills and experience of all members of the Committee staff
shall be available to all members of the Committee.
Rule 17.--Travel of Members and Staff
(a) Approval.--Consistent with the primary expense
resolution and such additional expense resolutions as may have
been approved, the provisions of this rule shall govern travel
of Committee members and staff. Travel to be reimbursed from
funds set aside for the Committee for any member or any staff
member shall be paid only upon the prior authorization of the
Chairman. Travel shall be authorized by the Chairman for any
member and any staff member in connection with the attendance
of hearings conducted by the Committee or any subcommittee and
meetings, conferences, and investigations which involve
activities or subject matter under the general jurisdiction of
the Committee. Before such authorization is given there shall
be submitted to the Chairman in writing the following:
(1) The purpose of the travel.
(2) The dates during which the travel is to be made
and the date or dates of the event for which the travel
is being made.
(3) The location of the event for which the travel is
to be made.
(4) The names of members and staff seeking
authorization.
(b) Subcommittee Travel.--In the case of travel of members
and staff of a subcommittee to hearings, meetings, conferences,
and investigations involving activities or subject matter under
the legislative assignment of such subcommittee, prior
authorization must be obtained from the subcommittee chairman
and the Chairman. Such prior authorization shall be given by
the Chairman only upon the representation by the chairman of
such subcommittee in writing setting forth those items
enumerated in subparagraphs (1), (2), (3), and (4) of paragraph
(a) and that there has been a compliance where applicable with
Committee Rule VI.
(c) Travel Outside the United States.--
(1) In general.--In the case of travel outside the
United States of members and staff of the Committee or
of a subcommittee for the purpose of conducting
hearings, investigations, studies, or attending
meetings and conferences involving activities or
subject matter under the legislative assignment of the
Committee or pertinent subcommittee, prior
authorization must be obtained from the Chairman, or,
in the case of a subcommittee from the subcommittee
chairman and the Chairman. Before such authorization is
given there shall be submitted to the Chairman, in
writing, a request for such authorization. Each
request, which shall be filed in a manner that allows
for a reasonable period of time for review before such
travel is scheduled to begin, shall include the
following:
(A) The purpose of the travel.
(B) The dates during which the travel will
occur.
(C) The names of the countries to be visited
and the length of time to be spent in each.
(D) An agenda of anticipated activities for
each country for which travel is authorized
together with a description of the purpose to
be served and the areas of Committee
jurisdiction involved.
(E) The names of members and staff for whom
authorization is sought.
(2) Initiation of requests.--Requests for travel
outside the United States may be initiated by the
Chairman or the chairman of a subcommittee (except that
individuals may submit a request to the Chairman for
the purpose of attending a conference or meeting) and
shall be limited to members and permanent employees of
the Committee.
(d) Reports by Members and Staff.--Within 15 legislative
days from the conclusion of any hearing, investigation, study,
meeting, or conference for which travel has been authorized
pursuant to this rule, each member and staff member involved in
such travel shall submit a written report to the Chairman
covering the activities and other pertinent observations or
information gained as a result of such travel.
(e) Applicability of Laws, Rules, Policies.--Members and
staff of the Committee performing authorized travel on official
business shall be governed by applicable laws, resolutions, or
regulations of the House and of the Committees on House
Administration and Ethics pertaining to such travel, and by the
travel policy of the Committee.
Rule 18.--Committee Panels
(a) Designation.--In accordance with clause 5(b)(2)(C) of
Rule X of the Rules of the House, the Chairman of the
Committee, with the concurrence of the ranking minority member,
may designate a panel of the Committee consisting of members of
the Committee to inquire into and take testimony on a matter or
matters that fall within the jurisdiction of more than one
subcommittee and to report to the Committee.
(b) Duration.--No panel designated under paragraph (a)
shall continue in existence for more than six months after the
date of the designation.
(c) Party Ratios and Appointment.--The ratio of majority
members to minority members on a panel designated under
paragraph (a) shall be as close as practicable to the ratio of
the Full Committee. All majority members of the panels shall be
appointed by the Chairman of the Committee, and all minority
members shall be appointed by the ranking minority member of
the Committee. The Chairman of the Committee shall choose one
of the majority members so appointed to serve as Chairman of
the panel. The ranking minority member of the Committee shall
similarly choose the ranking minority member of the panel.
(d) Ex Officio Members.--The Chairman and ranking minority
member of the Committee may serve as ex-officio members of a
panel designated under paragraph (a). The Chairman and ranking
minority member are authorized to vote on matters that arise
before the panel and shall be counted to satisfy the quorum
requirement for any purpose.
(e) Jurisdiction.--No panel designated under paragraph (a)
shall have legislative jurisdiction.
(f) Applicability of Committee Rules.--A panel designated
under paragraph (a) shall be subject to all Committee Rules
herein.
Committee on Veterans' Affairs
DAVID P. ROE, Tennessee, Chairman
TIMOTHY J. WALZ, Minnesota GUS M. BILIRAKIS, Florida
MARK TAKANO, California BRAD R. WENSTRUP, Ohio
JULIA BROWNLEY, California AUMUA AMATA COLEMAN RADEWAGEN,
BETO O'ROURKE, Texas American Samoa
KATHLEEN M. RICE, New York MIKE BOST, Illinois
ANN M. KUSTER, New Hampshire BRUCE POLIQUIN, Maine
J. LUIS CORREA, California NEAL DUNN, Florida
GREGORIO KILILI CAMACHO SABLAN, JODEY ARRINGTON, Texas
Northern Marina Islands JOHN RUTHERFORD, Florida
ELIZABETH ESTY, Connecticut CLAY HIGGINS, Louisiana
SCOTT PETERS, California JACK BERGMAN, Michigan
JIM BANKS, Indiana
JENNIFFER GONZALEZ-COLON,
Puerto Rico
(As adopted January 31, 2017)
RULES OF THE COMMITTEE ON VETERANS' AFFAIRS FOR THE 115TH CONGRESS
JURISDICTION OF THE HOUSE COMMITTEE ON VETERANS' AFFAIRS
Rule X of the Rules of the House of Representatives
establishes the standing committees of the House and their
jurisdiction. Under that rule, all bills, resolutions, and
other matters relating to the subjects within the jurisdiction
of any standing committee shall be referred to such committee.
Clause 1(s) of Rule X establishes the jurisdiction of the
Committee on Veterans' Affairs as follows:
(1) Veterans' measures generally.
(2) Cemeteries of the United States in which veterans
of any war or conflict are or may be buried, whether in
the United States or abroad (except cemeteries
administered by the Secretary of the Interior).
(3) Compensation, vocational rehabilitation, and
education of veterans.
(4) Life insurance issued by the Government on
account of service in the Armed Forces.
(5) Pensions of all the wars of the United States,
general and special.
(6) Readjustment of servicemembers to civil life.
(7) Servicemembers' civil relief.
(8) Veterans' hospitals, medical care, and treatment
of veterans.
Rule 1.--General Provisions
(a) Applicability of House Rules.--The Rules of the House
are the rules of the Committee on Veterans' Affairs 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
Committees and subcommittees.
(b) Subcommittees.--Each subcommittee of the Committee 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) Incorporation of House Rule on Committee Procedure.--
Rule XI of the Rules of the House, which pertains entirely to
Committee procedure, is incorporated and made part of the rules
of the Committee to the extent applicable. Pursuant to clause
2(a)(3) of Rule XI of the Rules of the House, the Chairman of
the full Committee is directed to offer a motion under clause 1
of Rule XXII of the Rules of the House whenever the Chairman
considers it appropriate.
(d) Vice Chairman.--Pursuant to clause 2(d) of Rule XI of
the Rules of the House, the Chairman of the full Committee
shall designate the Vice Chairman of the Committee.
Rule 2.--Regular and Additional Meetings
(a) Regular Meetings.--The regular meeting day for the
Committee shall be at 10 a.m. on the second Wednesday of each
month in such place as the Chairman may designate. However, the
Chairman may dispense with a regular Wednesday meeting of the
Committee.
(b) Additional Meetings.--The Chairman of the Committee may
call and convene, as he considers necessary, additional
meetings of the Committee for the consideration of any bill or
resolution pending before the Committee or for the conduct of
other Committee business. The Committee shall meet for such
purpose pursuant to the call of the Chairman.
(c) Notice.--The Chairman shall notify each Member of the
Committee of the agenda of each regular and additional meeting
of the Committee at least 24 hours before the time of the
meeting, except under circumstances the Chairman determines to
be of an emergency nature. Under such circumstances, the
Chairman shall make an effort to consult the Ranking Minority
Member, or in such Member's absence, the next ranking minority
party member of the Committee.
Rule 3.--Meetings and Hearings Generally
(a) Open Meetings and Hearings.--Meetings and hearings of
the Committee and each of its subcommittees shall be open to
the public unless closed in accordance with clause 2(g) of Rule
XI of the Rules of the House.
(b) Announcement of Hearing.--The Chairman, in the case of
a hearing to be conducted by the Committee, and the
subcommittee Chairman, in the case of a hearing to be conducted
by a subcommittee, shall make public announcement of the date,
place, and subject matter of any hearing to be conducted on any
measure or matter at least one week before the commencement of
that hearing unless the Committee or the subcommittee
determines that there is good cause to begin the hearing at an
earlier date, in accordance with Rule XI, clause 2(g)(3)(B) of
the Rules of the House of Representatives. In the latter event,
the Chairman or the subcommittee Chairman, as the case may be,
shall consult with the Ranking Minority Member and make such
public announcement at the earliest possible date. The clerk of
the Committee shall promptly notify the Daily Clerk of the
Congressional Record and the Committee scheduling service of
the House Information Resources as soon as possible after such
public announcement is made.
(c) Wireless Telephone Use Prohibited.--No person may use a
wireless telephone during a Committee or subcommittee meeting
or hearing.
(d) Media Coverage.--Any meeting of the Committee or its
subcommittees that is open to the public shall be open to
coverage by radio, television, and still photography in
accordance with the provisions of clause 4(f) of House rule XI
as follows:
(1) If audio or visual coverage of the hearing or
meeting is to be presented to the public as live
coverage, that coverage shall be conducted and
presented without commercial sponsorship.
(2) The allocation among the television media of the
positions or the number of television cameras permitted
by a committee or subcommittee chair in a hearing or
meeting room shall be in accordance with fair and
equitable procedures devised by the Executive Committee
of the Radio and Television Correspondents' Galleries.
(3) Television cameras shall be placed so as not to
obstruct in any way the space between a witness giving
evidence or testimony and any Member of the Committee
or the visibility of that witness and that Member to
each other.
(4) Television cameras shall operate from fixed
positions but may not be placed in positions that
obstruct unnecessarily the coverage of the hearing or
meeting by the other media.
(5) Equipment necessary for coverage by the
television and radio media may not be installed in, or
removed from, the hearing or meeting room while the
committee is in session.
(6)(A) Except as provided in subdivision (B),
floodlights, spotlights, strobe lights, and flashguns
may not be used in providing any method of coverage of
the hearing or meeting. (B) The television media may
install additional lighting in a hearing or meeting
room, without cost to the Government, in order to raise
the ambient lighting level in a hearing or meeting room
to the lowest level necessary to provide adequate
television coverage of a hearing or meeting at the
current state of the art of television coverage.
(7) If requests are made by more of the media than
will be permitted by a committee or subcommittee chair
for coverage of a hearing or meeting by still
photography, that coverage shall be permitted on the
basis of a fair and equitable pool arrangement devised
by the Standing Committee of Press Photographers.
(8) Photographers may not position themselves between
the witness table and the Members of the Committee at
any time during the course of a hearing or meeting.
(9) Photographers may not place themselves in
positions that obstruct unnecessarily the coverage of
the hearing by the other media.
(10) Personnel providing coverage by the television
and radio media shall be currently accredited to the
Radio and Television Correspondents' Galleries.
(11) Personnel providing coverage by still
photography shall be currently accredited to the Press
Photographers' Gallery.
(12) Personnel providing coverage by the television
and radio media and by still photography shall conduct
themselves and their coverage activities in an orderly
and unobtrusive manner.
(e) Requirements for Testimony.--
(1) Each witness who is to appear before the
Committee or a subcommittee shall file with the clerk
of the Committee, at least 48 hours (exclusive of
weekends and holidays) in advance of his or her
appearance, or at such other time as designated by the
Chairman after consultation with the Ranking Member, a
written statement of his or her proposed testimony.
Each witness shall, to the greatest extent practicable,
also provide a copy of such written testimony in an
electronic format prescribed by the Chairman. Each
witness shall limit any oral presentation to a summary
of the written statement.
(2) Pursuant to clause 2(g)(5) of Rule XI of the
Rules of the House:
(A) In the case of a witness appearing in a
non-governmental capacity, a written statement
of proposed testimony shall include a
curriculum vitae and a disclosure of any
Federal grants or contracts, or contracts or
payments originating with a foreign government,
received during the current calendar year or
either of the two previous calendar years by
the witness and related to the subject matter
of the hearing.
(B) The disclosure required by this Rule
shall include the amount and source of each
Federal grant (or subgrant thereof) or contract
(or subcontract thereof) related to the subject
matter of the hearing and the amount and
country of origin of any payment or contract
related to the subject matter of the hearing
originating with a foreign government.
(f) Calling and Questioning Witnesses.--
(1) Committee and subcommittee members may question
witnesses only when they have been recognized by the
Chairman of the Committee or subcommittee for that
purpose, and only for a 5-minute period until all
members present have had an opportunity to question a
witness. The 5-minute period for questioning a witness
by any one member may be extended only with the
unanimous consent of all members present. The
questioning of witnesses in both Committee and
subcommittee hearings shall be initiated by the
Chairman, followed by the ranking minority party member
and all other members alternating between the majority
and minority. Except as otherwise announced by the
Chairman at the beginning of a hearing, members who are
present at the start of the hearing will be recognized
before other members who arrive after the hearing has
begun. In recognizing members to question witnesses in
this fashion, the Chairman shall take into
consideration the ratio of the majority to minority
members present and shall establish the order of
recognition for questioning in such a manner as not to
disadvantage the members of the majority.
(2) Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (1)
regarding the 5-minute rule, the Chairman after
consultation with the Ranking Minority Member may
designate an equal number of members of the Committee
or subcommittee majority and minority party to question
a witness for a period not longer than 30 minutes. In
no event shall the Chairman allow a member to question
a witness for an extended period under this rule until
all members present have had the opportunity to ask
questions under the 5-minute rule. The Chairman after
consultation with the Ranking Minority Member may
permit Committee staff for its majority and minority
party members to question a witness for equal specified
periods of time.
(3) Non-Committee Members may be invited to sit at
the dais for and participate in Committee hearings with
the unanimous consent of all Members present. Further,
non-Committee Members may be recognized for questioning
of witnesses but only after all Committee Members have
first been recognized.
(4) When a hearing is conducted by the Committee or a
subcommittee on any measure or matter, the minority
party members on the Committee shall be entitled, upon
request to the Chairman of a majority of those minority
members before the completion of the hearing, to call
witnesses selected by the minority to testify with
respect to that measure or matter during at least one
day of the hearing thereon.
(g) Subpoenas.--Pursuant to clause 2(m) of Rule XI of the
Rules of the House, subpoenas 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.
(h) Notice Requirements.--
(1) The text of all bills or resolutions for markup,
and any amendments in the nature of a substitute to
such bills or resolution to be first recognized by the
Chairman, shall be made available, via written or
electronic notice, to Committee members at least 48
hours prior to a scheduled markup, except as agreed to
by unanimous consent.
(2) Subject to the second sentence of this paragraph,
it shall not be in order for the Committee to consider
any amendment proposed to a bill or resolution under
consideration by the Committee, or proposed to an
amendment in the nature of a substitute noticed under
paragraph (1), unless a written or electronic copy of
such amendment has been delivered to each Member of the
Committee (or subcommittee for purposes of subcommittee
markups) at least 24 hours before the meeting at which
the amendment is to be proposed, and such amendment is
in compliance with subsection (i) of this rule. This
paragraph may be waived by unanimous consent and shall
apply only when the 48-hour written notice has been
provided in accordance with paragraph (1).
(i) Congressional Budget Office Scoring.--The Committee
shall not include any bill or resolution for consideration
during a Committee markup which is not accompanied by an
accounting from the Congressional Budget Office of the
mandatory and discretionary costs or savings associated with
such bill or resolution.
The accounting from the Congressional Budget Office need
not be official, but is expected to provide Committee members
with an approximation of the budgetary impact a bill or
resolution may have prior to any vote to favorably forward or
report such bill or resolution. The requirements of this
paragraph may be waived by a majority of Committee members, a
quorum being present.
Rule 4.--Quorum and Record Votes; Postponement of Proceedings
(a) Working Quorum.--A majority of the members of the
Committee shall constitute a quorum for business and a majority
of the members of any subcommittee shall constitute a quorum
thereof for business, except that two members shall constitute
a quorum for the purpose of taking testimony and receiving
evidence.
(b) Quorum for Reporting.--No measure or recommendation
shall be reported to the House of Representatives unless a
majority of the Committee was actually present.
(c) Record Votes.--A record vote may be demanded by one-
fifth of the members present or, in the apparent absence of a
quorum, by any one member. With respect to any record vote on
any motion to amend or report, the total number of votes cast
for and against, and the names of those members voting for and
against, shall be included in the report of the Committee on
the bill or resolution.
(d) Prohibition Against Proxy Voting.--No vote by any
member of the Committee or a subcommittee with respect to any
measure or matter may be cast by proxy.
(e) Postponing Proceedings.--Committee and subcommittee
chairmen may postpone further proceedings when a record vote is
ordered on the question of approving a measure or matter or on
adopting an amendment, and may resume proceedings within two
legislative days on a postponed question after reasonable
notice. When proceedings resume on a postponed question,
notwithstanding any intervening order for the previous
question, an underlying proposition shall remain subject to
further debate or amendment to the same extent as when the
question was postponed.
Rule 5.--Subcommittees
(a) Establishment and Jurisdiction.--
(1) There shall be four subcommittees of the
Committee as follows:
(A) Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and
Memorial Affairs, which shall have legislative,
oversight, and investigative jurisdiction over
compensation; general and special pensions of
all the wars of the United States; life
insurance issued by the Government on account
of service in the Armed Forces; cemeteries of
the United States in which veterans of any war
or conflict are or may be buried, whether in
the United States or abroad, except cemeteries
administered by the Secretary of the Interior;
burial benefits; the Board of Veterans'
Appeals; and the United States Court of Appeals
for Veterans Claims.
(B) Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity,
which shall have legislative, oversight, and
investigative jurisdiction over education of
veterans, employment and training of veterans,
vocational rehabilitation, veterans' housing
programs, transition of servicemembers to
civilian life, civil service reform and other
employee related issues at the Department of
Veterans Affairs, and servicemembers civil
relief.
(C) Subcommittee on Health, which shall have
legislative, oversight, and investigative
jurisdiction over the Veterans Health
Administration (VHA) including medical
services, medical support and compliance,
medical facilities, medical and prosthetic
research, homeless programs, and major and
minor construction.
(D) Subcommittee on Oversight and
Investigations, which shall have oversight and
investigative jurisdiction over veterans'
matters generally, and over such matters as may
be referred to the subcommittee by the Chairman
of the full Committee for its oversight or
investigation and for its appropriate
recommendations. The subcommittee shall have
legislative jurisdiction over information
technology and procurement generally, and over
such bills or resolutions as may be referred to
it by the Chairman of the full Committee.
(2) Each subcommittee shall have responsibility for
such other measures or matters as the Chairman refers
to it.
(b) Vacancies.--Any vacancy in the membership of a
subcommittee shall not affect the power of the remaining
members to execute the functions of that subcommittee.
(c) Ratios.--On each subcommittee, there shall be a ratio
of majority party members to minority party members, which
shall be consistent with the ratio on the full Committee.
(d) Referral to Subcommittees.--The Chairman of the
Committee may refer a measure or matter, which is within the
general responsibility of more than one of the subcommittees of
the Committee, as the Chairman deems appropriate. In referring
any measure or matter to a subcommittee, the Chairman of the
Committee may specify a date by which the subcommittee shall
report thereon to the Committee.
(e) Powers and Duties.--
(1) Each subcommittee is authorized to meet, hold
hearings, receive evidence, and report to the full
Committee on all matters referred to it or under its
jurisdiction. Subcommittee chairmen shall set dates for
hearings and meetings of their respective subcommittees
after consultation with the Chairman of the Committee
and other subcommittee chairmen with a view toward
avoiding simultaneous scheduling of Committee and
subcommittee meetings or hearings whenever possible.
(2) Whenever a subcommittee has ordered a bill,
resolution, or other matter to be reported to the
Committee, the Chairman of the subcommittee reporting
the bill, resolution, or matter to the full Committee,
or any member authorized by the subcommittee to do so,
shall notify the Chairman and the Ranking Minority
Member of the Committee of the subcommittee's action.
(3) A member of the Committee who is not a member of
a particular subcommittee may sit with the subcommittee
during any of its meetings and hearings, but shall not
have authority to vote, cannot be counted for a quorum,
and cannot raise a point of order at the meeting or
hearing.
(4) Non-Committee Members may be invited to sit at
the dais for and participate in subcommittee hearings
with the unanimous consent of all Members present.
Further, non-Committee Members may be recognized for
questioning of witnesses but only after all
subcommittee Members have first been recognized for
questioning.
(5) Each subcommittee shall provide the Committee
with copies of such record votes taken in subcommittee
and such other records with respect to the subcommittee
as the Chairman of the Committee deems necessary for
the Committee to comply with all rules and regulations
of the House.
Rule 6.--General Oversight Responsibility
(a) Purpose.--Pursuant to clause 2 of Rule X of the Rules
of the House, the Committee shall carry out oversight
responsibilities. In order to assist the House in--
(1) Its analysis, appraisal, evaluation of--
(A) The application, administration,
execution, and effectiveness of the laws
enacted by the Congress, or
(B) Conditions and circumstances, which may
indicate the necessity or desirability of
enacting new or additional legislation, and
(2) Its formulation, consideration and enactment of
such modifications or changes in those laws, and of
such additional legislation, as may be necessary or
appropriate, the Committee and its various
subcommittees, consistent with their jurisdiction as
set forth in Rule 5, shall have oversight
responsibilities as provided in subsection (b).
(b) Review of Laws and Programs.--The Committee and its
subcommittees shall review and study, on a continuing basis,
the applications, administration, execution, and effectiveness
of those laws, or parts of laws, the subject matter of which is
within the jurisdiction of the Committee or subcommittee, and
the organization and operation of the Federal agencies and
entities having responsibilities in or for the administration
and execution thereof, in order to determine whether such laws
and the programs thereunder are being implemented and carried
out in accordance with the intent of the Congress and whether
such programs should be continued, curtailed, or eliminated. In
addition, the Committee and its subcommittees shall review and
study any conditions or circumstances which may indicate the
necessity or desirability of enacting new or additional
legislation within the jurisdiction of the Committee or
subcommittee (whether or not any bill or resolution has been
introduced with respect thereto), and shall on a continuing
basis undertake future research and forecasting on matters
within the jurisdiction of the Committee or subcommittee.
(c) Oversight Plan.--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 Oversight and Government
Reform, in accordance with the provisions of clause 2(d) of
Rule X of the Rules of the House.
(d) Oversight of Subcommittees.--The existence and
activities of the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations
shall in no way limit the responsibility of the other
subcommittees of the Committee on Veterans' Affairs for
carrying out oversight duties.
Rule 7.--Budget Act Responsibilities
(a) Budget Act Responsibilities.--Pursuant to clause
4(f)(1) of Rule X of the Rules of the House, the Committee
shall submit to the Committee on the Budget not later than six
weeks after the President submits his budget, or at such time
as the Committee on the Budget may request--
(1) Its views and estimates with respect to all
matters to be set forth in the concurrent resolution on
the budget for the ensuing fiscal year that are within
its jurisdiction or functions; and
(2) An estimate of the total amounts of new budget
authority, and budget outlays resulting therefrom, to
be provided or authorized in all bills and resolutions
within its jurisdiction that it intends to be effective
during that fiscal year.
Rule 8.--Records and Other Matters
(a) Transcripts.--There shall be a transcript made of each
regular and additional meeting and hearing of the Committee and
its subcommittees. Any such transcript 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 involved.
(b) Records.--
(1) The Committee shall keep a record of all actions
of the Committee and each of its subcommittees. The
record shall contain all information required by clause
2(e)(1) of Rule XI of the Rules of the House and shall
be available for public inspection at reasonable times
in the offices of the Committee.
(2) There shall be kept in writing a record of the
proceedings of the Committee and each of its
subcommittees, including a record of the votes on any
question on which a recorded vote is demanded. The
result of each such record vote shall be made available
by the Committee for inspection by the public at
reasonable times in the offices of the Committee.
Information so available for public inspection shall
include a description of the amendment, motion, order
or other proposition and the name of each member voting
for and each member voting against such amendment,
motion, order, or proposition, and the names of those
members present but not voting.
(c) Availability of Archived Records.--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 Chairman shall notify the
Ranking Minority Member of any decision, pursuant to clause 3
or clause 4 of Rule VII of the Rules of the House, 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.
(d) Availability of Publications.--Pursuant to clause
2(e)(4) of Rule XI of the Rules of the House, the Committee
shall make its publications available in electronic form to the
maximum extent feasible.
Rule 9.--Travel
(a) Requirements for Travel.--All requests for travel,
funded by the Committee, for Members and staff in connection
with activities or subject matters under the general
jurisdiction of the Committee, shall be submitted to the Chair
for approval or disapproval. All travel requests should be
submitted to the Chair at least five working days in advance of
the proposed travel. For all travel funded by any other source,
notice shall be given to the Chair at least five working days
in advance of the proposed travel. All travel requests shall be
submitted to the Chair in writing and include the following:
(1) The purpose of the travel.
(2) The dates during which the travel is to occur.
(3) The names of the locations to be visited and the
length of time to be spent in each.
(4) The names of members and staff of the Committee
for whom the authorization is sought. Travel by the
minority shall be submitted to the Chair via the
Ranking Member.
(b) Trip Reports.--Members and staff shall make a written
report to the Chair within 15 working days on all travel
approved under this subsection. Reports shall include a
description of their itinerary, expenses, and activities, and
pertinent information gained as a result of such travel. When
travel involves majority and minority Members or staff, the
majority shall submit the report to the Chair on behalf of the
majority and minority. The minority may append additional
remarks to the report at their discretion.
(c) Applicability of House Rules.--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.
Rule 10.--Facility Naming
(a) Facility Naming.--No Department of Veterans Affairs
(VA) facility or property shall be named after any individual
by the Committee unless:
(1) Such individual is deceased and was:
(A) A veteran who (i) was instrumental in the
construction or the operation of the facility
to be named, or (ii) was a recipient of the
Medal of Honor or, as determined by the
Chairman and Ranking Minority Member, otherwise
performed military service of an
extraordinarily distinguished character;
(B) A Member of the United States House of
Representatives or Senate who had a direct
association with such facility;
(C) An Administrator of Veterans' Affairs, a
Secretary of Veterans Affairs, a Secretary of
Defense or of a service branch, or a military
or other Federal civilian official of
comparable or higher rank; or
(D) An individual who, as determined by the
Chairman and Ranking Minority Member, performed
outstanding service for veterans.
(2) Each Member of the Congressional delegation
representing the State in which the designated facility
is located must indicate in writing such Member's
support of the proposal to name such facility after
such individual. Evidence of a Member's support in
writing may either be in the form of a letter to the
Chairman and Ranking Member or co-sponsorship of
legislation proposing to name the particular VA
facility in question.
(3) The pertinent State department or chapter of each
Congressionally chartered veterans' organization having
a national membership of at least 500,000 must indicate
in writing its support of such proposal.
(b) The above criteria for naming a VA facility may be
waived by unanimous consent.
Committee on Ways and Means
KEVIN BRADY, Texas, Chairman
RICHARD E. NEAL, Massachusetts SAM JOHNSON, Texas
SANDER M. LEVIN, Michigan DEVIN NUNES, California
JOHN LEWIS, Georgia PATRICK J. TIBERI, Ohio
LLOYD DOGGETT, Texas DAVID G. REICHERT, Washington
MIKE THOMPSON, California PETER J. ROSKAM, Illinois
JOHN B. LARSON, Connecticut VERN BUCHANAN, Florida
EARL BLUMENAUER, Oregon ADRIAN SMITH, Nebraska
RON KIND, Wisconsin LYNN JENKINS, Kansas
BILL PASCRELL, Jr., New Jersey ERIK PAULSEN, Minnesota
JOSEPH CROWLEY, New York KENNY MARCHANT, Texas
DANNY K. DAVIS, Illinois DIANE BLACK, Tennessee
LINDA T. SANCHEZ, California TOM REED, New York
BRIAN HIGGINS, New York MIKE KELLY, Pennsylvania
TERRI SEWELL, Alabama JAMES B. RENACCI, Ohio
SUZAN DelBENE, Washington PATRICK MEEHAN, Pennsylvania
JUDY CHU, California KRISTI L. NOEM, San Diego
GEORGE HOLDING, North Carolina
JASON SMITH, Missouri
TOM RICE, South Carolina
DAVID SCHWEIKERT, Arizona
JACKIE WALORSKI, Indiana
CARLOS CURBELO, Florida
MIKE BISHOP, Michigan
(As adopted by the Committee on January 12, 2017)
Rules of the Committee on Ways and Means for the 115th Congress
A. GENERAL
Rule 1.--Application of House Rules
The rules of the House are the rules of the Committee on
Ways and Means 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, is a non-debatable
motion of high privilege in the Committee.
Each subcommittee of the Committee is part of the Committee
and is subject to the authority and direction of the Committee
and to its rules so far as applicable. Written rules adopted by
the Committee, not inconsistent with the Rules of the House,
shall be binding on each subcommittee of the Committee.
The provisions of rule XI of the Rules of the House are
incorporated by reference as the rules of the Committee to the
extent applicable.
Rule 2.--Meeting Date and Quorums
The regular meeting day of the Committee on Ways and Means
shall be each Wednesday while the House is in session. However,
the Committee shall not meet on the regularly scheduled meeting
day if there is no business to be considered.
A majority of the Committee constitutes a quorum for
business; provided however, that two Members shall constitute a
quorum at any regularly scheduled hearing called for the
purpose of taking testimony and receiving evidence. In
establishing a quorum for purposes of a public hearing, every
effort shall be made to secure the presence of at least one
Member each from the majority and the minority.
The Chairman of the Committee may call and convene, as he
considers necessary, additional meetings of the Committee for
the consideration of any bill or resolution pending before the
Committee or for the conduct of other Committee business. The
Committee shall meet pursuant to the call of the Chair.
Rule 3.--Committee Budget
For each Congress, the Chairman, in consultation with the
Majority Members of the Committee, shall prepare a preliminary
budget. Such budget shall include necessary amounts for staff
personnel, travel, investigation, and other expenses of the
Committee. After consultation with the Minority Members, the
Chairman shall include an amount budgeted by Minority Members
for staff under their direction and supervision.
Rule 4.--Publication of Committee Documents
Any Committee or Subcommittee print, document, or similar
material prepared for public distribution shall either be
approved by the Committee or Subcommittee prior to distribution
and opportunity afforded for the inclusion of supplemental,
minority or additional views, or such document shall
prominently display near the top of its cover the following:
``Majority [or Minority] Staff Report,'' as appropriate.
The requirements of this rule shall apply only to the
publication of policy-oriented, analytical documents, and not
to the publication of public hearings, legislative documents,
documents which are administrative in nature or reports which
are required to be submitted to the Committee under public law.
The appropriate characterization of a document subject to this
rule shall be determined after consultation with the Minority.
Rule 5.--Official Travel
Consistent with the primary expense resolution and such
additional expense resolution as may have been approved, the
provisions of this rule shall govern official travel of
Committee Members and Committee staff. Official travel to be
reimbursed from funds set aside for the full Committee for any
Member or any Committee staff member shall be paid only upon
the prior authorization of the Chairman. Official travel may be
authorized by the Chairman for any Member and any Committee
staff member in connection with the attendance of hearings
conducted by the Committee, its Subcommittees, or any other
Committee or Subcommittee of the Congress on matters relevant
to the general jurisdiction of the Committee, and meetings,
conferences, facility inspections, and investigations which
involve activities or subject matter relevant to the general
jurisdiction of the Committee. Before such authorization is
given, there shall be submitted to the Chairman in writing the
following:
(1) The purpose of the official travel;
(2) The dates during which the official travel is to
be made and the date or dates of the event for which
the official travel is being made;
(3) The location of the event for which the official
travel is to be made; and
(4) The names of the Members and Committee staff
seeking authorization.
In the case of official travel of Members and staff of a
Subcommittee to hearings, meetings, conferences, facility
inspections and investigations involving activities or subject
matter under the jurisdiction of such Subcommittee, prior
authorization must be obtained from the Subcommittee Chairman
and the full Committee Chairman. Such prior authorization shall
be given by the full Committee Chairman only upon the
representation by the applicable Subcommittee Chairman in
writing setting forth those items enumerated above.
Within 60 days of the conclusion of any official travel
authorized under this rule, there shall be submitted to the
full Committee Chairman a written report covering the
information gained as a result of the hearing, meeting,
conference, facility inspection or investigation attended
pursuant to such official travel.
Rule 6.--Availability of Committee Records and Publications
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 of
Representatives. The Chairman shall notify the Ranking Minority
Member of any decision, pursuant to clause 3(b)(3) or clause
4(b) of Rule VII, to withhold a record otherwise available, and
the matter shall be presented to the Committee for a
determination on the written request of any Member of the
Committee. The Committee shall, to the maximum extent feasible,
make its publications available in electronic form.
Rule 7.--Committee Website
The Chairman shall maintain an official Committee website
for the purpose of furthering the Committee's legislative and
oversight responsibilities, including communicating information
about the Committee's activities to Committee members, other
members of the House and the public. The ranking minority
member may maintain a similar website for the same purpose,
including communicating information about the activities of the
minority to Committee members, other members of the House, and
the public.
B. SUBCOMMITTEES
Rule 8.--Subcommittee Ratios and Jurisdiction
All matters referred to the Committee on Ways and Means
involving revenue measures, except those revenue measures
referred to Subcommittees under paragraphs 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6
shall be considered by the full Committee and not in
Subcommittee. There shall be six standing Subcommittees as
follows: a Subcommittee on Trade; a Subcommittee on Oversight;
a Subcommittee on Health; a Subcommittee on Social Security; a
Subcommittee on Human Resources; and a Subcommittee on Tax
Policy. The ratio of Republicans to Democrats on any
Subcommittee of the Committee shall be consistent with the
ratio of Republicans to Democrats on the full Committee.
1. The Subcommittee on Trade shall consist of 16
Members, 10 of whom shall be Republicans and 6 of whom
shall be Democrats.
The jurisdiction of the Subcommittee on Trade shall
include bills and matters referred to the Committee on
Ways and Means that relate to customs and customs
administration including tariff and import fee
structure, classification, valuation of and special
rules applying to imports, and special tariff
provisions and procedures which relate to customs
operation affecting exports and imports; import trade
matters, including import impact, industry relief from
injurious imports, adjustment assistance and programs
to encourage competitive responses to imports, unfair
import practices including antidumping and
countervailing duty provisions, and import policy which
relates to dependence on foreign sources of supply;
commodity agreements and reciprocal trade agreements
involving multilateral and bilateral trade negotiations
and implementation of agreements involving tariff and
non-tariff trade barriers to and distortions of
international trade; international rules, organizations
and institutional aspects of international trade
agreements; budget authorizations for the customs
revenue functions of the Department of Homeland
Security, the U.S. International Trade Commission, and
the U.S. Trade Representative; and special trade-
related problems involving market access, competitive
conditions of specific industries, export policy and
promotion, access to materials in short supply,
bilateral trade relations including trade with
developing countries, operations of multinational
corporations, and trade with non-market economies.
2. The Subcommittee on Oversight shall consist of 11
Members, 7 of whom shall be Republicans and 4 of whom
shall be Democrats.
The jurisdiction of the Subcommittee on Oversight
shall include all matters within the scope of the full
Committee's jurisdiction. Said oversight jurisdiction
shall not be exclusive but shall be concurrent with
that of the other Subcommittees. With respect to
matters involving the Internal Revenue Code and other
revenue issues, said concurrent jurisdiction shall be
shared with the full Committee. Before undertaking any
investigation or hearing, the Chairman of the
Subcommittee on Oversight shall confer with the
Chairman of the full Committee and the Chairman of any
other Subcommittee having jurisdiction.
3. The Subcommittee on Health shall consist of 18
Members, 11 of whom shall be Republicans and 7 of whom
shall be Democrats.
The jurisdiction of the Subcommittee on Health shall
include bills and matters referred to the Committee on
Ways and Means that relate to programs providing
payments (from any source) for health care, health
delivery systems, or health research. More
specifically, the jurisdiction of the Subcommittee on
Health shall include bills and matters that relate to
the health care programs of the Social Security Act
(including titles V, XI (Part B), XVIII, and XIX
thereof) and, concurrent with the full Committee, tax
credit and deduction provisions of the Internal Revenue
Code dealing with health insurance premiums and health
care costs.
4. The Subcommittee on Social Security shall consist
of 11 Members, 7 of whom shall be Republicans and 4 of
whom shall be Democrats.
The jurisdiction of the Subcommittee on Social
Security shall include bills and matters referred to
the Committee on Ways and Means that relate to the
Federal Old Age, Survivors' and Disability Insurance
System, the Railroad Retirement System, and employment
taxes and trust fund operations relating to those
systems. More specifically, the jurisdiction of the
Subcommittee on Social Security shall include bills and
matters involving title II of the Social Security Act
and Chapter 22 of the Internal Revenue Code (the
Railroad Retirement Tax Act), as well as provisions in
title VII and title XI of the Act relating to procedure
and administration involving the Old Age, Survivors'
and Disability Insurance System.
5. The Subcommittee on Human Resources shall consist
of 11 Members, 7 of whom shall be Republicans and 4 of
whom shall be Democrats.
The jurisdiction of the Subcommittee on Human
Resources shall include bills and matters referred to
the Committee on Ways and Means that relate to the
public assistance provisions of the Social Security
Act, including temporary assistance for needy families,
child care, child and family services, child support,
foster care, adoption, supplemental security income,
social services, home visiting, and eligibility of
welfare recipients for food stamps. More specifically,
the jurisdiction of the Subcommittee on Human Resources
shall include bills and matters relating to titles I,
IV, VI, X, XIV, XVI, XVII, XX and related provisions of
titles V, VII and XI of the Social Security Act.
The jurisdiction of the Subcommittee on Human
Resources shall also include bills and matters referred
to the Committee on Ways and Means that relate to the
Federal-State system of unemployment compensation, and
the financing thereof, including the programs for
extended and emergency benefits. More specifically, the
jurisdiction of the Subcommittee on Human Resources
shall also include all bills and matters pertaining to
the programs of unemployment compensation under titles
III, IX and XII of the Social Security Act, Chapters 23
and 23A of the Internal Revenue Code, and the Federal-
State Extended Unemployment Compensation Act of 1970,
and provisions relating thereto.
6. The Subcommittee on Tax Policy shall consist of 15
Members, 9 of whom shall be Republicans and 6 of whom
shall be Democrats.
The jurisdiction of the Subcommittee on Tax Policy
shall consist of those revenue measures that, from time
to time, shall be referred to it specifically by the
Chairman of the full Committee.
Rule 9.--Ex-Officio Members of Subcommittees
The Chairman of the full Committee and the Ranking Minority
Member may sit as ex-officio Members of all Subcommittees. They
may be counted for purposes of assisting in the establishment
of a quorum for a Subcommittee. However, their absence shall
not count against the establishment of a quorum by the regular
Members of the Subcommittee. Ex-officio Members shall neither
vote in the Subcommittee nor be taken into consideration for
the purposes of determining the ratio of the Subcommittee.
Rule 10.--Subcommittee Meetings
Insofar as practicable, meetings of the full Committee and
its Subcommittees shall not conflict. Subcommittee Chairmen
shall set meeting dates after consultation with the Chairman of
the full Committee and other Subcommittee Chairmen with a view
towards avoiding, wherever possible, simultaneous scheduling of
full Committee and Subcommittee meetings or hearings.
Rule 11.--Reference of Legislation and Subcommittee Reports
Except for bills or measures retained by the Chairman of
the full Committee for full Committee consideration, every bill
or other measure referred to the Committee shall be referred by
the Chairman of the full Committee to the appropriate
Subcommittee in a timely manner.
No measure reported by a Subcommittee shall be considered
by the full Committee unless it has been presented to all
Members of the full Committee at least two legislative days
prior to the full Committee's meeting, together with a
comparison with present law, a section-by-section analysis of
the proposed change, a section-by-section justification, and a
draft statement of the budget effects of the measure that is
consistent with the requirements for reported measures under
clause 3(d)(1) of Rule XIII of the Rules of the House of
Representatives.
Rule 12.--Recommendation for Appointment of Conferees
Whenever in the legislative process it becomes necessary to
appoint conferees, the Chairman of the full Committee shall
recommend to the Speaker as conferees the names of those
Committee Members as the Chairman may designate. In making
recommendations of Minority Members as conferees, the Chairman
shall consult with the Ranking Minority Member of the
Committee.
C. HEARINGS
Rule 13.--Witnesses
In order to assure the most productive use of the limited
time available to question hearing witnesses, a witness who is
scheduled to appear before the full Committee or a Subcommittee
shall file with the Clerk of the Committee at least 48 hours in
advance of his or her appearance a written statement of their
proposed testimony. In addition, all witnesses shall comply
with formatting requirements as specified by the Committee and
the Rules of the House. Failure to comply with the 48-hour rule
may result in a witness being denied the opportunity to testify
in person. Failure to comply with the formatting requirements
may result in a witness' statement being rejected for inclusion
in the published hearing record. In addition to the
requirements of clause 2(g)(5) of Rule XI of the Rules of the
House regarding information required of public witnesses, a
witness shall limit his or her oral presentation to a summary
of their position and shall provide sufficient copies of their
written statement to the Clerk for distribution to Members,
staff and news media.
A witness appearing at a public hearing, or submitting a
statement for the record of a public hearing, or submitting
written comments in response to a published request for
comments by the Committee must include in their statement or
submission, a list of all clients, persons or organizations on
whose behalf the witness appears. Oral testimony and statements
for the record, or written comments in response to a request
for comments by the Committee, will be accepted only from
citizens of the United States or corporations or associations
organized under the laws of one of the 50 States of the United
States or the District of Columbia, unless otherwise directed
by the Chairman of the full Committee or Subcommittee involved.
Written statements from non-citizens may be considered for
acceptance in the record if transmitted to the Committee in
writing by Members of Congress.
Rule 14.--Questioning of Witnesses
Committee Members may question witnesses only when
recognized by the Chairman for that purpose. All Members shall
be limited to five minutes on the initial round of questioning.
In questioning witnesses under the five minute rule, the
Chairman and the Ranking Minority Member shall be recognized
first, after which Members who are in attendance at the
beginning of a hearing will be recognized in the order of their
seniority on the Committee. Other Members shall be recognized
in the order of their appearance at the hearing. In recognizing
Members to question witnesses, the Chairman may take into
consideration the ratio of Majority Members to Minority Members
and the number of Majority and Minority Members present and
shall apportion the recognition for questioning in such a
manner as not to disadvantage Members of the majority.
Rule 15.--Subpoena Power
The power to authorize and issue subpoenas is delegated to
the Chairman of the full Committee, as provided for under
clause 2(m)(3)(A)(i) of Rule XI of the Rules of the House of
Representatives.
Rule 16.--Records of Hearings
An accurate stenographic record shall be kept of all
testimony taken at a public hearing. The staff shall transmit
to a witness the transcript of his or her testimony for
correction and immediate return to the Committee offices. Only
changes in the interest of clarity, accuracy and corrections in
transcribing errors will be permitted. Changes that
substantially alter the actual testimony will not be permitted.
Members shall have the opportunity to correct their own remarks
before publication. The Chairman of the full Committee may
order the printing of a hearing without the corrections of a
witness or Member if he determines that a reasonable time has
been afforded to make corrections and that further delay would
impede the consideration of the legislation or other measure
that is the subject of the hearing.
Rule 17.--Broadcasting of Hearings
The provisions of clause 4(f) of Rule XI of the Rules of
the House of Representatives are specifically made a part of
these rules by reference. In addition, the following policy
shall apply to media coverage of any meeting of the full
Committee or a Subcommittee:
(1) An appropriate area of the Committee's hearing
room will be designated for members of the media and
their equipment.
(2) No interviews will be allowed in the Committee
room while the Committee is in session. Individual
interviews must take place before the gavel falls for
the convening of a meeting or after the gavel falls for
adjournment.
(3) Day-to-day notification of the next day's
electronic coverage shall be provided by the media to
the Chairman of the full Committee through an
appropriate designee.
(4) Still photography during a Committee meeting will
not be permitted to disrupt the proceedings or block
the vision of Committee Members or witnesses.
(5) Further conditions may be specified by the
Chairman.
D. MARKUPS
Rule 18.--Previous Question
The Chairman shall not recognize a Member for the purpose
of moving the previous question unless the Member has first
advised the Chair and the Committee that this is the purpose
for which recognition is being sought.
Rule 19.--Postponement of Proceedings
The Chairman may postpone further proceedings when a record
vote is ordered on the question of approving any measure or
matter or adopting an amendment.
The Chairman may resume proceedings on a postponed request
at any time. In exercising postponement authority the Chairman
shall take reasonable steps to notify Members on the resumption
of proceedings on any postponed record vote.
When proceedings resume on a postponed question,
notwithstanding any intervening order for the previous
question, an underlying proposition shall remain subject to
further debate or amendment to the same extent as when the
question was postponed.
Rule 20.--Motion To Go to Conference
The Chairman is authorized to offer a motion under clause 1
of rule XXII of the Rules of the House of Representatives
whenever the Chairman considers it appropriate.
Rule 21.--Official Transcripts of Markups and Other Committee Meetings
An official stenographic transcript shall be kept
accurately reflecting all markups and other official meetings
of the full Committee and the Subcommittees, whether they be
open or closed to the public. This official transcript, marked
as ``uncorrected,'' shall be available for inspection by the
public (except for meetings closed pursuant to clause 2(g)(1)
of Rule XI of the Rules of the House), by Members of the House,
or by Members of the Committee together with their staffs,
during normal business hours in the full Committee or
Subcommittee office under such controls as the Chairman of the
full Committee deems necessary.
The Chairman may provide a Member of the Committee with
electronic access to an unofficial transcript of an open markup
or other open official meeting of the full Committee or a
Subcommittee upon written request by the Member to the
Chairman, but the Member shall not cause such electronic
unofficial transcript to be published or otherwise made
publically available.
If (1) in executing technical and conforming changes, the
Office of the House Legislative Counsel or (2) in the
preparation of a Committee report, the Chief of Staff of the
Joint Committee on Taxation determines (in consultation with
appropriate majority and minority committee staff) that it is
necessary to review the official transcript of a markup, such
transcript may be released upon the signature and to the
custody of an appropriate committee staff person. Such
transcript shall be returned immediately after its review in
the drafting session.
The official transcript of a markup or Committee meeting
other than a public hearing shall not be published or
distributed to the public in any way except by a majority vote
of the Committee. Before any public release of the uncorrected
transcript, Members must be given a reasonable opportunity to
correct their remarks. In instances in which a stenographic
transcript is kept of a conference committee proceeding, all of
the requirements of this rule shall likewise be observed.
E. STAFF
Rule 22.--Supervision of Committee Staff
The staff of the Committee shall be under the general
supervision and direction of the Chairman of the full Committee
except as provided in clause 9 of Rule X of the Rules of the
House of Representatives concerning Committee expenses and
staff.
Pursuant to clause 6(d) of Rule X of the Rules of the House
of Representatives, the Chairman of the full Committee, from
the funds made available for the appointment of Committee staff
pursuant to primary and additional expense resolutions, shall
ensure that each Subcommittee receives sufficient staff to
carry out its responsibilities under the rules of the
Committee, and that the minority party is fairly treated in the
appointment of such staff.
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PART II--SELECT AND PERMANENT SELECT COMMITTEES
=======================================================================
Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence
DEVIN NUNES, California, Chairman
ADAM B. SCHIFF, California K. MICHAEL CONAWAY, Texas
JAMES A. HIMES, Connecticut PETER T. KING, New York
TERRI A. SEWELL, Alabama FRANK A. LoBIONDO, New Jersey
ANDRE CARSON, Indiana THOMAS J. ROONEY, Florida
JACKIE SPEIER, California ILEANA ROS-LEHTINEN, Florida
MIKE QUIGLEY, Illinois MICHAEL R. TURNER, Ohio
ERIC SWALWELL, California BRAD R. WENSTRUP, Ohio
JOAQUIN CASTRO, Texas CHRIS STEWART, Utah
DENNY HECK, Washington RICK CRAWFORD, Arkansas
TREY GOWDY, South Carolina
ELISE STEFANIK, New York
WILLIAM HURD, Texas
RULES OF THE PERMANENT SELECT COMMITTEE ON INTELLIGENCE FOR THE 115TH
CONGRESS
Rule 1.--Meeting Day
Regular Meeting Day for the Full Committee. The regular
meeting day of the Committee for the transaction of Committee
business shall be the first Thursday of each month, unless
otherwise directed by the Chair.
Rule 2.--Notice for Meetings
(a) Generally.--In the case of any meeting of the
Committee, the Chief Clerk of the Committee shall provide
reasonable notice to every member of the Committee. Such notice
shall provide the time, place, and subject matter of the
meeting, and shall be made consistent with the provisions of
clause 2(g)(3) of House Rule XI.
(b) Hearings.--Except as provided in subsection (d), a
Committee hearing may not commence earlier than one week after
such notice.
(c) Business Meetings.--Except as provided in subsection
(d), a Committee business meeting may not commence earlier than
the third day on which Members have notice thereof.
(d) Exception.--A hearing or business meeting may begin
sooner than otherwise specified in either of the following
circumstances (in which case the Chair shall provide the notice
at the earliest possible time):
(1) the Chair, with the concurrence of the Ranking
Minority Member, determines there is good cause; or
(2) the Committee so determines by majority vote in
the presence of the number of members required under
the rules of the Committee for the transaction of
business.
(e) Definition.--For purposes of this rule, ``notice''
means:
(1) Written notification; or
(2) Notification delivered by facsimile transmission,
regular mail, or electronic mail.
Rule 3.--Preparations for Committee Meetings
(a) Generally.--Designated Committee Staff, as directed by
the Chair, shall brief members of the Committee at a time
sufficiently prior to any Committee meeting in order to:
(1) Assist Committee members in preparation for such
meeting; and
(2) Determine which matters members wish considered
during any meeting.
(b) Briefing Materials.--
(1) Such a briefing shall, at the request of a
member, include a list of all pertinent papers and such
other materials that have been obtained by the
Committee that bear on matters to be considered at the
meeting; and
(2) The Staff Director shall also recommend to the
Chair any testimony, papers, or other materials to be
presented to the Committee at the meeting of the
Committee.
Rule 4.--Open Meetings
(a) Generally.--Pursuant to House Rule XI, but subject to
the limitations of subsections (b) and (c), Committee meetings
held for the transaction of business and Committee hearings
shall be open to the public.
(b) Meetings.--Any meeting or portion thereof for the
transaction of business, including the markup of legislation,
or any hearing or portion thereof shall be closed to the public
if the Committee determines by record vote in open session,
with a majority of the Committee present, that disclosure of
the matters to be discussed may:
(1) Endanger national security;
(2) Compromise sensitive law enforcement information;
(3) Tend to defame, degrade, or incriminate any
person; or
(4) Otherwise violate any law or Rule of the House.
(c) Hearings.--The Committee may vote to close a Committee
hearing pursuant to clause 11(d)(2) of House Rule X, regardless
of whether a majority is present, so long as at least two
members of the Committee are present, one of whom is a member
of the Minority and votes upon the motion.
(d) Briefings.--Committee briefings shall be closed to the
public.
Rule 5.--Quorum
(a) Hearings.--For purposes of taking testimony, or
receiving evidence, a quorum shall consist of two Committee
members, at least one of whom is a member of the Majority.
(b) Reporting Measures and Recommendations.--For purposes
of reporting a measure or recommendation, a quorum shall
consist of a majority of the Committee's members.
(c) Other Committee Proceedings.--For purposes of the
transaction of all other Committee business, other than the
consideration of a motion to close a hearing as described in
rule 4(c), a quorum shall consist of one-third of the
Committee's members.
Rule 6.--Procedures for Amendments and Votes
(a) Amendments.--When a bill or resolution is being
considered by the Committee, members shall provide the Chief
Clerk in a timely manner with a sufficient number of written
copies of any amendment offered, so as to enable each member
present to receive a copy thereof prior to taking action. A
point of order may be made against any amendment not reduced to
writing. A copy of each such amendment shall be maintained in
the public records of the Committee.
(b) Reporting Record Votes.--Whenever the Committee reports
any measure or matter by record vote, the report of the
Committee upon such measure or matter shall include a
tabulation of the votes cast in favor of, and the votes cast in
opposition to, such measure or matter.
(c) Postponement of Further Proceedings.--In accordance
with clause 2(h) of House Rule XI, the Chair is authorized to
postpone further proceedings when a record vote is ordered on
the question of approving a measure or matter or adopting an
amendment. The Chair may resume proceedings on a postponed
request at any time after reasonable notice. When proceedings
resume on a postponed question, notwithstanding any intervening
order for the previous question, an underlying proposition
shall remain subject to further debate or amendment to the same
extent as when the question was postponed.
(d) Availability of Record Votes on Committee Website.--In
addition to any other requirement of the Rules of the House,
the Chair shall make the record votes on any measure or matter
on which a record vote is taken, other than a motion to close a
Committee hearing, briefing, or meeting, available on the
Committee's website not later than 2 business days after such
vote is taken. Such record shall include an unclassified
description of the amendment, motion, order, or other
proposition, the name of each member voting in favor of, and
each member voting in opposition to, such amendment, motion,
order, or proposition, and the names of those members of the
Committee present but not voting.
Rule 7.--Subcommittees
(a) Generally.--
(1) Creation of subcommittees shall be by majority
vote of the Committee.
(2) Subcommittees shall deal with such legislation
and oversight of programs and policies as the Committee
may direct.
(3) Subcommittees shall be governed by these rules.
(4) For purposes of these rules, any reference herein
to the ``Committee'' shall be interpreted to include
subcommittees, unless otherwise specifically provided.
(b) Establishment of Subcommittees.--The Committee
establishes the following subcommittees:
(1) Subcommittee on the Central Intelligence Agency;
(2) Subcommittee on the National Security Agency and
Cybersecurity;
(3) Subcommittee on Emerging Threats; and
(4) Subcommittee on Department of Defense
Intelligence and Overhead Architecture.
(c) Subcommittee Membership.--
(1) Generally. Each member of the Committee may be
assigned to at least one of the subcommittees.
(2) Ex Officio Membership. In the event that the
Chair and Ranking Minority Member of the full Committee
do not choose to sit as regular voting members of one
or more of the subcommittees, each is authorized to sit
as an ex officio member of the subcommittees and
participate in the work of the subcommittees. When
sitting ex officio, however, they:
(A) Shall not have a vote in the
subcommittee; and
(B) Shall not be counted for purposes of
determining a quorum.
(d) Regular Meeting Day for Subcommittees.--There is no
regular meeting day for subcommittees.
Rule 8.--Procedures for Taking Testimony or Receiving Evidence
(a) Notice.--Adequate notice shall be given to all
witnesses appearing before the Committee.
(b) Oath or Affirmation.--The Chair may require testimony
of witnesses to be given under oath or affirmation.
(c) Administration of Oath or Affirmation.--Upon the
determination that a witness shall testify under oath or
affirmation, any member of the Committee designated by the
Chair may administer the oath or affirmation.
(d) Questioning of Witnesses.--
(1) Generally. Questioning of witnesses before the
Committee shall be conducted by members of the
Committee.
(2) Exceptions.
(A) The Chair, in consultation with the
Ranking Minority Member, may determine that
Committee Staff will be authorized to question
witnesses at a hearing in accordance with
clause (2)(j) of House Rule XI.
(B) The Chair and Ranking Minority Member are
each authorized to designate Committee Staff to
conduct such questioning.
(e) Counsel for the Witness.--
(1) Generally. Witnesses before the Committee may be
accompanied by counsel, subject to the requirements of
paragraph (2).
Counsel Clearances Required. In the event that a
meeting of the Committee has been closed because the
subject to be discussed deals with classified
information, counsel accompanying a witness before the
Committee must possess the requisite security clearance
and provide proof of such clearance to the Committee at
least 24 hours prior to the meeting at which the
counsel intends to be present.
(2) Failure to Obtain Counsel. Any witness who is
unable to obtain counsel should notify the Committee.
If such notification occurs at least 24 hours prior to
the witness' appearance before the Committee, the
Committee shall then endeavor to obtain voluntary
counsel for the witness. Failure to obtain counsel,
however, will not excuse the witness from appearing and
testifying.
(3) Conduct of Counsel for Witnesses. Counsel for
witnesses appearing before the Committee shall conduct
themselves ethically and professionally at all times in
their dealings with the Committee.
(A) A majority of members of the Committee
may, should circumstances warrant, find that
counsel for a witness before the Committee
failed to conduct himself or herself in an
ethical or professional manner.
(B) Upon such finding, counsel may be subject
to appropriate disciplinary action.
(4) Temporary Removal of Counsel. The Chair may
remove counsel during any proceeding before the
Committee for failure to act in an ethical and
professional manner.
(5) Committee Reversal. A majority of the members of
the Committee may vote to overturn the decision of the
Chair to remove counsel for a witness.
(6) Role of Counsel for Witness.
(A) Counsel for a witness:
(i) Shall not be allowed to examine
witnesses before the Committee, either
directly or through cross-examination;
but
(ii) May submit questions in writing
to the Committee that counsel wishes
propounded to a witness; or
(iii) May suggest, in writing to the
Committee, the presentation of other
evidence or the calling of other
witnesses.
(B) The Committee may make such use of any
such questions, or suggestions, as the
Committee deems appropriate.
(f) Statements by Witnesses.--
(1) Generally. A witness may make a statement, which
shall be brief and relevant, at the beginning and at
the conclusion of the witness' testimony.
(2) Length. Each such statement shall not exceed five
minutes in length, unless otherwise determined by the
Chair.
(3) Submission to the Committee. Any witness desiring
to submit a written statement for the record of the
proceeding shall submit a copy of the statement to the
Chief Clerk of the Committee.
(A) Such statements shall ordinarily be
submitted no less than 48 hours in advance of
the witness' appearance before the Committee
and shall be submitted in written and
electronic format.
(B) In the event that the hearing was called
with less than 24 hours notice, written
statements should be submitted as soon as
practicable prior to the hearing.
(g) Objections and Ruling.--
(1) Generally. Any objection raised by a witness, or
counsel for the witness, shall be ruled upon by the
Chair, and such ruling shall be the ruling of the
Committee.
(2) Committee Action. A ruling by the Chair may be
overturned upon a majority vote of the Committee.
(h) Transcripts.--
(1) Transcript Required. A transcript shall be made
of the testimony of each witness appearing before the
Committee during any hearing of the Committee.
(2) Opportunity to Inspect. Any witness testifying
before the Committee shall be given a reasonable
opportunity to inspect the transcript of the hearing,
and may be accompanied by counsel to determine whether
such testimony was correctly transcribed. Such counsel:
(A) May review the transcript only if he or
she has the appropriate security clearances
necessary to review any classified aspect of
the transcript; and
(B) Should, to the extent possible, be the
same counsel that was present for such
classified testimony.
(3) Corrections.
(A) Pursuant to Rule XI of the House Rules,
any corrections the witness desires to make in
a transcript shall be limited to technical,
grammatical, and typographical corrections.
(B) Corrections may not be made to change the
substance of the testimony.
(C) Such corrections shall be submitted in
writing to the Committee within 7 days after
the transcript is made available to the
witnesses.
(D) Any questions arising with respect to
such corrections shall be decided by the Chair.
(4) Copy for the Witness. At the request of the
witness, any portion of the witness' testimony given in
executive session shall be made available to that
witness if that testimony is subsequently quoted or
intended to be made part of a public record. Such
testimony shall be made available to the witness at the
witness' expense.
(i) Requests to Testify.--
(1) Generally. The Committee will consider requests
to testify on any matter or measure pending before the
Committee.
(2) Recommendations for Additional Evidence. Any
person who believes that testimony, other evidence, or
commentary, presented at a public hearing may tend to
affect adversely that person's reputation may submit to
the Committee, in writing:
(A) A request to appear personally before the
Committee;
(B) A sworn statement of facts relevant to
the testimony, evidence, or commentary; or
(C) Proposed questions for the cross-
examination of other itnesses.
(3) Committee Discretion. The Committee may take
those actions it deems appropriate with respect to such
requests.
(j) Contempt Procedures.--Citations for contempt of
Congress shall be forwarded to the House only if:
(1) Reasonable notice is provided to all members of
the Committee of a meeting to be held to consider any
such contempt recommendations;
(2) The Committee has met and considered the contempt
allegations;
(3) The subject of the allegations was afforded an
opportunity to state either in writing or in person,
why he or she should not be held in contempt; and
(4) The Committee agreed by majority vote to forward
the citation recommendations to the House.
(k) Release of Name of Witness.--
(1) Generally. At the request of a witness scheduled
to be heard by the Committee, the name of that witness
shall not be released publicly prior to, or after, the
witness' appearance before the Committee.
(2) Exceptions. Notwithstanding paragraph (1), the
Chair may authorize the release to the public of the
name of any witness scheduled to appear before the
Committee.
Rule 9.--Investigations
(a) Commencing Investigations.--The Committee shall conduct
investigations only if approved by the Chair, in consultation
with the Ranking Minority Member.
(b) Conducting Investigations.--An authorized investigation
may be conducted by members of the Committee or Committee Staff
designated by the Chair, in consultation with the Ranking
Minority Member, to undertake any such investigation.
Rule 10.--Subpoenas
(a) Generally.--All subpoenas shall be authorized by the
Chair of the full Committee, upon consultation with the Ranking
Minority Member, or by vote of the full Committee.
(b) Subpoena Contents.--Any subpoena authorized by the
Chair of the full Committee or by the full Committee may
compel:
(1) The attendance of witnesses and testimony before
the Committee; or
(2) The production of memoranda, documents, records,
or any other tangible item.
(c) Signing of Subpoena.--A subpoena authorized by the
Chair of the full Committee or by the full Committee may be
signed by the Chair or by any member of the Committee
designated to do so by the full Committee.
(d) Subpoena Service.--A subpoena authorized by the Chair
of the full Committee, or by the full Committee, may be served
by any person designated to do so by the Chair.
(e) Other Requirements.--Each subpoena shall have attached
thereto a copy of these rules.
Rule 11.--Committee Staff
(a) Definition.--For the purpose of these rules,
``Committee Staff'' or ``Staff of the Committee'' means:
(1) Employees of the Committee;
(2) Consultants to the Committee;
(3) Employees of other Government agencies detailed
to the Committee; or
(4) Any other person engaged by contract, or
otherwise, to perform services for, or at the request
of, the Committee.
(b) Appointment of Committee Staff and Security
Requirements.--
(1) Chair's Authority. Except as provided in
paragraph (2), the Committee Staff shall be appointed,
and may be removed, by the Chair and shall work under
the general supervision and direction of the Chair.
(2) Staff Assistance to Minority Membership. Except
as provided in paragraphs (3) and (4), and except as
otherwise provided by Committee Rules, the Committee
Staff provided to the Minority Party members of the
Committee shall be appointed, and may be removed, by
the Ranking Minority Member of the Committee, and shall
work under the general supervision and direction of
such member.
(3) Security Clearance Required. All offers of
employment for prospective Committee Staff positions
shall be contingent upon:
(A) The results of a background
investigation; and
(B) A determination by the Chair that
requirements for the appropriate security
clearances have been met.
(4) Security Requirements. Notwithstanding paragraph
(2), the Chair shall supervise and direct the Committee
Staff with respect to the security and nondisclosure of
classified information. Committee Staff shall comply
with requirements necessary to ensure the security and
nondisclosure of classified information as determined
by the Chair in consultation with the Ranking Minority
Member.
Rule 12.--Limit on Discussion of Classified Work of the Committee
(a) Prohibition.--
(1) Generally. Except as otherwise provided by these
rules and the Rules of the House of Representatives,
members of the Committee and Committee Staff shall not
at any time, either during that person's tenure as a
member of the Committee or as Committee Staff, or
anytime thereafter, discuss or disclose, or cause to be
discussed or disclosed:
(A) The classified substance of the work of
the Committee;
(B) Any information received by the Committee
in executive session;
(C) Any classified information received by
the Committee from any source; or
(D) The substance of any hearing that was
closed to the public pursuant to these rules or
the Rules of the House.
(2) Non-Disclosure in Proceedings.--
(A) Members of the Committee and the
Committee Staff shall not discuss either the
substance or procedure of the work of the
Committee with any person not a member of the
Committee or the Committee Staff in connection
with any proceeding, judicial or otherwise,
either during the person's tenure as a member
of the Committee, or of the Committee Staff, or
at any time thereafter, except as directed by
the Committee in accordance with the Rules of
the House and these rules.
In the event of the termination of the
Committee, members and Committee Staff shall be
governed in these matters in a manner
determined by the House concerning discussions
of the classified work of the Committee.
(3) Exceptions.--
(A) Notwithstanding the provisions of
subsection (a)(1), members of the Committee and
the Committee Staff may discuss and disclose
those matters described in subsection (a)(1)
with:
(i) Members and staff of the Senate
Select Committee on Intelligence
designated by the chair of that
committee;
(ii) The chairmen and ranking
minority members of the House and
Senate Committees on Appropriations and
staff of those committees designated by
the chairmen of those committees; and,
(iii) The chair and ranking minority
member of the Subcommittee on Defense
of the House Committee on
Appropriations and staff of that
subcommittee as designated by the chair
of that subcommittee, or Members of
that subcommittee designated by the
Chair pursuant to clause (g)(1) of
Committee Rule 14.
(B) Notwithstanding the provisions of
subsection (a)(1), members of the Committee and
the Committee Staff may discuss and disclose
only that budget-related information necessary
to facilitate the enactment of the annual
defense authorization bill with the chairmen
and ranking minority members of the House and
Senate Committees on Armed Services and the
staff of those committees as designated by the
chairmen of those committees.
(C) Notwithstanding the provisions of
subsection (a)(1), members of the Committee and
the Committee Staff may discuss with and
disclose to the chair and ranking minority
member of a subcommittee of the House
Appropriations Committee with jurisdiction over
an agency or program within the National
Intelligence Program (NIP), and staff of that
subcommittee as designated by the chair of that
subcommittee, only that budget-related
information necessary to facilitate the
enactment of an appropriations bill within
which is included an appropriation for an
agency or program within the NIP.
(D) The Chair may, in consultation with the
Ranking Minority Member, upon the written
request to the Chair from the Inspector General
of an element of the Intelligence Community,
grant access to Committee transcripts or
documents that are relevant to an investigation
of an allegation of possible false testimony or
other inappropriate conduct before the
Committee, or that are otherwise relevant to
the Inspector General's investigation.
(E) Upon the written request of the head of
an Intelligence Community element, the Chair
may, in consultation with the Ranking Minority
Member, make available Committee briefing or
hearing transcripts to that element for review
by that element if a representative of that
element testified, presented information to the
Committee, or was present at the briefing or
hearing the transcript of which is requested
for review.
(F) Members and Committee Staff may discuss
and disclose such matters as otherwise directed
by the Committee.
(4) Records of Closed Proceedings. Any records or
notes taken by any person memorializing material
otherwise prohibited from disclosure by members of the
Committee and Committee Staff under these rules,
including information received in executive session and
the substance of any hearing or briefing that was
closed to the public, shall remain Committee material
subject to these rules and may not be publicly
discussed, disclosed, or caused to be publicly
discussed or disclosed, unless authorized by the
Committee consistent with these rules.
(b) Non-Disclosure Agreement.--
(1) Generally. All Committee Staff must, before
joining the Committee Staff, agree in writing, as a
condition of employment, not to divulge or cause to be
divulged any classified information which comes into
such person's possession while a member of the
Committee Staff, to any person not a member of the
Committee or the Committee Staff, except as authorized
by the Committee in accordance with the Rules of the
House and these Rules.
(2) Other Requirements. In the event of the
termination of the Committee, members and Committee
Staff must follow any determination by the House of
Representatives with respect to the protection of
classified information received while a member of the
Committee or as Committee Staff.
(3) Requests for Testimony of Staff.--
(A) All Committee Staff must, as a condition
of employment, agree in writing to notify the
Committee immediately of any request for
testimony received while a member of the
Committee Staff, or at any time thereafter,
concerning any classified information received
by such person while a member of the Committee
Staff.
(B) Committee Staff shall not disclose, in
response to any such request for testimony, any
such classified information, except as
authorized by the Committee in accordance with
the Rules of the House and these rules.
(C) In the event of the termination of the
Committee, Committee Staff will be subject to
any determination made by the House of
Representatives with respect to any requests
for testimony involving classified information
received while a member of the Committee Staff.
Rule 13.--Classified Material
(a) Receipt of Classified Information.--
(1) Generally. In the case of any information that
has been classified under established security
procedures and submitted to the Committee by any
source, the Committee shall receive such classified
information as executive session material.
(2) Staff Receipt of Classified Materials. For
purposes of receiving classified information, the
Committee Staff is authorized to accept information on
behalf of the Committee.
(3) Non-Disclosure of Classified Information. Any
classified information received by the Committee, from
any source, shall not be disclosed to any person not a
member of the Committee or the Committee Staff, or
otherwise released, except as authorized by the
Committee in accordance with the Rules of the House and
these rules.
(b) Exception for Non-Exclusive Materials.--
(1) Non-Exclusive Materials. Any materials provided
to the Committee by the executive branch, if provided
in whole or in part for the purpose of review by
members who are not members of the Committee, shall be
received or held by the Committee on a non-exclusive
basis. Classified information provided to the Committee
shall be considered to have been provided on an
exclusive basis unless the executive branch provides a
specific, written statement to the contrary.
(2) Access for Non-Committee Members. In the case of
materials received on a non-exclusive basis, the Chair,
in consultation with the Ranking Minority Member, may
grant non-Committee members access to such materials in
accordance with the requirements of Rule 14(f)(4),
notwithstanding paragraphs (1), (2), and (3) of Rule
14.
Rule 14.--Procedures Related to Handling of Classified Information
(a) Security Measures.--
(1) Strict Security. The Committee's offices shall
operate under strict security procedures administered
by the Director of Security and Registry of the
Committee under the direct supervision of the Staff
Director.
(2) U.S. Capitol Police Presence Required. At least
one U.S. Capitol Police officer shall be on duty at all
times outside the entrance to Committee offices to
control entry of all persons to such offices.
(3) Identification Required. Before entering the
Committee's offices all persons shall identify
themselves to the U.S. Capitol Police officer described
in paragraph (2) and to a member of the Committee or
Committee Staff.
(4) Maintenance of Classified Materials. Classified
documents shall be segregated and maintained in
approved security storage locations.
(5) Examination of Classified Materials. Classified
documents in the Committee's possession shall be
examined in an appropriately secure manner.
(6) Prohibition on Removal of Classified Materials.
Removal of any classified document from the Committee's
offices is strictly prohibited, except as provided by
these rules.
(7) Exception. Notwithstanding the prohibition set
forth in paragraph (6), a classified document, or copy
thereof, may be removed from the Committee's offices in
furtherance of official Committee business. Appropriate
security procedures shall govern the handling of any
classified documents removed from the Committee's
offices.
(b) Access to Classified Information by Members.--All
members of the Committee shall at all times have access to all
classified papers and other material received by the Committee
from any source.
(c) Need-to-know.--
(1) Generally. Committee Staff shall have access to
any classified information provided to the Committee on
a strict ``need-to-know'' basis, as determined by the
Committee, and under the Committee's direction by the
Staff Director.
(2) Appropriate Clearances Required. Committee Staff
must have the appropriate clearances prior to any
access to compartmented information.
(d) Oath.--
(1) Requirement. Before any member of the Committee,
or the Committee Staff, shall have access to classified
information, the following oath shall be executed:
``I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will not
disclose or cause to be disclosed any classified
information received in the course of my service on the
House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence,
except when authorized to do so by the Committee or the
House of Representatives.''
(2) Copy. A copy of such executed oath shall be
retained in the files of the Committee.
(e) Registry.--
(1) Generally. The Committee shall maintain a
registry that:
(A) Provides a brief description of the
content of all classified documents provided to
the Committee by the executive branch that
remain in the possession of the Committee; and
(B) Lists by number all such documents.
(2) Designation by the Staff Director. The Staff
Director shall designate a member of the Committee
Staff to be responsible for the organization and daily
maintenance of such registry.
(3) Availability. Such registry shall be available to
all members of the Committee and Committee Staff.
(f) Requests by Members of Other Committees. Pursuant to
the Rules of the House, members who are not members of the
Committee may be granted access to such classified transcripts,
records, data, charts, or files of the Committee, and be
admitted on a non-participatory basis to classified hearings of
the Committee involving discussions of classified material in
the following manner:
(1) Written Notification Required. Members who desire
to examine classified materials in the possession of
the Committee, or to attend Committee hearings or
briefings on a non-participatory basis, must notify the
Chief Clerk of the Committee in writing. Such
notification shall state with specificity the
justification for the request and the need for access.
(2) Committee Consideration. The Committee shall
consider each such request by non-Committee members at
the earliest practicable opportunity. The Committee
shall determine, by record vote, what action it deems
appropriate in light of all of the circumstances of
each request. In its determination, the Committee shall
consider:
(A) The sensitivity to the national defense
or the confidential conduct of the foreign
relations of the United States of the
information sought;
(B) The likelihood of its being directly or
indirectly disclosed;
(C) The jurisdictional interest of the member
making the request; and
(D) Such other concerns, constitutional or
otherwise, as may affect the public interest of
the United States.
(3) Committee Action. After consideration of the
member's request, the Committee may take any action it
deems appropriate under the circumstances, including
but not limited to:
(A) Approving the request, in whole or part;
(B) Denying the request;
(C) Providing the requested information or
material in a different form than that sought
by the member; or
(D) Making the requested information or
material available to all members of the House.
(4) Chair and Ranking Member Consideration of
Requests for Previously Granted Materials: If the
Committee has granted a non-Committee member access to
classified materials, the Chair and Ranking Member may
jointly determine, in writing, what action they deem
appropriate for subsequent requests for the same
materials in the same Congress.
(A) In their determination, the Chair and
Ranking Member shall consider the factors
described in paragraph (2) and may take any
action they deem appropriate, including, but
not limited to, the actions described in
paragraph (3) and referring the request to the
Committee for consideration.
If the Chair and Ranking Member are unable to reach a joint
determination or if they refer a request to the Committee as
described in subparagraph (A), the Committee shall consider the
request at the earliest practicable opportunity in the manner
described in paragraphs (2) and (3).
(5) Requirements for Access by Non-Committee Members.
Prior to a non-Committee member being given access to
classified information pursuant to this subsection, the
requesting member shall:
(A) Provide the Committee a copy of the oath
executed by such member pursuant to House Rule
XXIII, clause 13; and
(B) Agree in writing not to divulge any
classified information provided to the member,
pursuant to this subsection, to any person not
a member of the Committee or the Committee
Staff, except as otherwise authorized by the
Committee in accordance with the Rules of the
House and these rules.
(6) Consultation Authorized. When considering a
member's request, the Committee may consult the
Director of National Intelligence and such other
officials it considers necessary.
(7) Finality of Committee Decision.--
(A) Should the member making such a request
disagree with the determination by the
Committee or the determination by the Chair and
Ranking Member with respect to that request or
any part thereof, that member must notify the
Committee in writing of such disagreement.
(B) The Committee shall subsequently consider
the matter and decide, by record vote, what
further action or recommendation, if any, the
Committee will take.
(g) Admission of Designated Members of the Subcommittee on
Defense of the Committee on Appropriations.--Notwithstanding
the provisions of subsection (f), the Chair may admit no more
than three designated Members of the Subcommittee on Defense of
the Committee on Appropriations to classified hearings and
briefings of the Committee involving discussions of classified
material. Such Members may also be granted access to classified
transcripts, records, data, charts or files of the Committee
incident to such attendance.
(1) Designation. The Chair may designate three
Members of the Subcommittee to be eligible for
admission in consultation with the Ranking Minority
Member, of whom not more than two may be from the same
political party. Such designation shall be effective
for the entire Congress.
(2) Admission. The Chair may determine whether to
admit designated Members at each hearing or briefing of
the Committee involving discussions of classified
material. If the Chair admits any of the designated
Members to a particular hearing or briefing, all three
of the designated Members shall be admitted to that
hearing or briefing. Designated Members shall not be
counted for quorum purposes and shall not have a vote
in any meeting.
(3) Requirements for Access. Prior to being given
access to classified information pursuant to this
subsection, a designated Member shall:
(A) Provide the Committee a copy of the oath
executed by such Member pursuant to House Rule
XXIII, clause 13; and
(B) Agree in writing not to divulge any
classified information provided to the Member
pursuant to this subsection to any person not a
Member of the Committee or a designated Member
or authorized Staff of the Subcommittee on
Defense of the Committee on Appropriations,
except as otherwise authorized by the Committee
in accordance with the Rules of the House and
these rules.
(h) Admission of the Chair and Ranking Member of the
Committee on Armed Services.--Notwithstanding the provisions of
subsection (f), the Chair may admit the Chair and Ranking
Member of the Committee on Armed Services to classified
hearings and briefings of the Committee involving discussions
of budget-related classified information necessary to
facilitate the enactment of the annual defense authorization
bill. Such members may also be granted access to classified
transcripts, records, data, charts or files of the Committee
incident to such attendance.
(1) Admission. The Chair may determine whether to
admit the Chair and Ranking Member of the Committee on
Armed Services at each hearing or briefing of the
Committee. If the Chair admits either the Chair or
Ranking Member of the Committee on Armed Services, both
the Chair and Ranking Member shall be admitted to that
hearing or briefing. The Chair and Ranking Member of
the Committee on Armed Services shall not be counted
for quorum purposes and shall not have a vote in any
meeting.
(2) Requirements for Access. Prior to being given
access to classified information pursuant to this
subsection, the Chair and Ranking Member of the
Committee on Armed Services shall:
(A) Provide the Committee a copy of the oath
executed by such member pursuant to House Rule
XXIII, clause 13; and
(B) Agree in writing not to divulge any
classified or executive session information
provided to the member pursuant to this
subsection to any person not a member of the
Committee or authorized staff of the Committee
on Armed Services except as otherwise
authorized by the Committee in accordance with
the Rules of the House and these rules.
(i) Advising the House or Other Committees.--Pursuant to
Section 501 of the National Security Act of 1947 (50 U.S.C.
413), and to the Rules of the House, the Committee shall call
to the attention of the House, or to any other appropriate
committee of the House, those matters requiring the attention
of the House, or such other committee, on the basis of the
following provisions:
(1) By Request of Committee Member. At the request of
any member of the Committee to call to the attention of
the House, or any other committee, executive session
material in the Committee's possession, the Committee
shall meet at the earliest practicable opportunity to
consider that request.
(2) Committee Consideration of Request. The Committee
shall consider the following factors, among any others
it deems appropriate:
(A) The effect of the matter in question on
the national defense or the foreign relations
of the United States;
(B) Whether the matter in question involves
sensitive intelligence sources and methods;
(C) Whether the matter in question otherwise
raises questions affecting the national
interest; and
(D) Whether the matter in question affects
matters within the jurisdiction of another
Committee of the House.
(3) Views of Other Committees. In examining such
factors, the Committee may seek the opinion of members
of the Committee appointed from standing committees of
the House with jurisdiction over the matter in
question, or submissions from such other committees.
(4) Other Advice. The Committee may, during its
deliberations on such requests, seek the advice of any
executive branch official.
(j) Reasonable Opportunity to Examine Materials.--Before
the Committee makes any decision regarding any request for
access to any classified information in its possession, or a
proposal to bring any matter to the attention of the House or
another committee, members of the Committee shall have a
reasonable opportunity to examine all pertinent testimony,
documents, or other materials in the Committee's possession
that may inform their decision on the question.
(k) Notification to the House.--The Committee may bring a
matter to the attention of the House when, after consideration
of the factors set forth in this rule, it considers the matter
in question so grave that it requires the attention of all
members of the House, and time is of the essence, or for any
reason the Committee finds compelling.
(l) Method of Disclosure to the House.--
(1) Should the Committee decide by record vote that a
matter requires the attention of the House as described
in subsection (i), it shall make arrangements to notify
the House promptly.
(2) In such cases, the Committee shall consider
whether:
(A) To request an immediate secret session of
the House (with time equally divided between
the Majority and the Minority); or
(B) To publicly disclose the matter in
question pursuant to clause 11(g) of House Rule
X.
(m) Requirement to Protect Sources and Methods.--In
bringing a matter to the attention of the House, or another
committee, the Committee, with due regard for the protection of
intelligence sources and methods, shall take all necessary
steps to safeguard materials or information relating to the
matter in question.
(n) Availability of Information to Other Committees.--The
Committee, having determined that a matter shall be brought to
the attention of another committee, shall ensure that such
matter, including all classified information related to that
matter, is promptly made available to the chair and ranking
minority member of such other committee.
(o) Provision of Materials.--The Director of Security and
Registry for the Committee shall provide a copy of these rules,
and the applicable portions of the Rules of the House of
Representatives governing the handling of classified
information, along with those materials determined by the
Committee to be made available to such other committee of the
House or non-Committee member.
(p) Ensuring Clearances and Secure Storage.--The Director
of Security and Registry shall ensure that such other committee
or non-Committee member receiving such classified materials may
properly store classified materials in a manner consistent with
all governing rules, regulations, policies, procedures, and
statutes.
(q) Log.--The Director of Security and Registry for the
Committee shall maintain a written record identifying the
particular classified document or material provided to such
other committee or non-Committee member, the reasons agreed
upon by the Committee for approving such transmission, and the
name of the committee or non-Committee member receiving such
document or material.
(r) Miscellaneous Requirements.--
(1) Staff Director's Additional Authority. The Staff
Director is further empowered to provide for such
additional measures, which he or she deems necessary,
to protect such classified information authorized by
the Committee to be provided to such other committee or
non-Committee member.
(2) Notice to Originating Agency. In the event that
the Committee authorizes the disclosure of classified
information provided to the Committee by an agency of
the executive branch to a non-Committee member or to
another committee, the Chair may notify the providing
agency of the Committee's action prior to the
transmission of such classified information.
Rule 15.--Legislative Calendar
(a) Generally.--The Chief Clerk, under the direction of the
Staff Director, shall maintain a printed calendar that lists:
(1) The legislative measures introduced and referred
to the Committee;
(2) The status of such measures; and
(3) Such other matters that the Committee may
require.
(b) Revisions to the Calendar.--The calendar shall be
revised from time to time to show pertinent changes.
(c) Availability.--A copy of each such revision shall be
furnished to each member, upon request.
(d) Consultation with Appropriate Government Entities.--
Unless otherwise directed by the Committee, legislative
measures referred to the Committee may be referred by the Chief
Clerk to the appropriate department or agency of the Government
for reports thereon.
Rule 16.--Committee Website
The Chair shall maintain an official Committee web site for
the purpose of furthering the Committee's legislative and
oversight responsibilities, including communicating information
about the Committee's activities to Committee members and other
members of the House.
Rule 17.--Motions To Go to Conference
In accordance with clause 2(a) of House Rule XI, the Chair
is authorized and directed to offer a privileged motion to go
to conference under clause 1 of House Rule XXII whenever the
Chair considers it appropriate.
Rule 18.--Committee Travel
(a) Authority.--The Chair may authorize members and
Committee Staff to travel on Committee business.
(b) Requests.--
(1) Member Requests.--Members requesting
authorization for such travel shall state the purpose
and length of the trip, and shall submit such request
directly to the Chair.
(2) Committee Staff Requests.--Committee Staff
requesting authorization for such travel shall state
the purpose and length of the trip, and shall submit
such request through their supervisors to the Staff
Director and the Chair.
(c) Notification to Members.--
(1) Generally. Members shall be notified of all
foreign travel of Committee Staff not accompanying a
member.
(2) Content. All members are to be advised, prior to
the commencement of such travel, of its length, nature,
and purpose.
(d) Trip Reports.--
(1) Generally. A full report of all issues discussed
during any travel shall be submitted to the Chief Clerk
of the Committee within a reasonable period of time
following the completion of such trip.
(2) Availability of Reports. Such report shall be:
(A) Available for review by any member or
appropriately cleared Committee Staff; and
(B) Considered executive session material for
purposes of these rules.
(e) Limitations on Travel.--
(1) Generally. The Chair is not authorized to permit
travel on Committee business of Committee Staff who
have not satisfied the requirements of subsection (d)
of this rule.
(2) Exception. The Chair may authorize Committee
Staff to travel on Committee business, notwithstanding
the requirements of subsections (d) and (e) of this
rule,
(A) At the specific request of a member of
the Committee; or
(B) In the event there are circumstances
beyond the control of the Committee Staff
hindering compliance with such requirements.
(f) Definitions.--For purposes of this rule the term
``reasonable period of time'' means:
(1) No later than 60 days after returning from a
foreign trip; and
(2) No later than 30 days after returning from a
domestic trip.
Rule 19.--Disciplinary Actions
(a) Generally.--The Committee shall immediately consider
whether disciplinary action shall be taken in the case of any
member of the Committee Staff alleged to have failed to conform
to any rule of the House of Representatives or to these rules.
(b) Exception.--In the event the House of Representatives
is:
(1) In a recess period in excess of 3 days; or
(2) Has adjourned sine die; the Chair of the full
Committee, in consultation with the Ranking Minority
Member, may take such immediate disciplinary actions
deemed necessary.
(c) Available Actions.--Such disciplinary action may
include immediate dismissal from the Committee Staff.
(d) Notice to Members.--All members shall be notified as
soon as practicable, either by facsimile transmission or
regular mail, of any disciplinary action taken by the Chair
pursuant to subsection (b).
(e) Reconsideration of Chair's Actions.--A majority of the
members of the full Committee may vote to overturn the decision
of the Chair to take disciplinary action pursuant to subsection
(b).
Rule 20.--Broadcasting Committee Meetings
Whenever any hearing or meeting conducted by the Committee
is open to the public, a majority of the Committee may permit
that hearing or meeting to be covered, in whole or in part, by
television broadcast, radio broadcast, and still photography,
or by any of such methods of coverage, subject to the
provisions and in accordance with the spirit of the purposes
enumerated in the Rules of the House.
Rule 21.--Committee Records Transferred to the National Archives
(a) Generally.--The records of the Committee at the
National Archives and Records Administration shall be made
available for public use in accordance with the Rules of the
House of Representatives.
(b) Notice of Withholding.--The Chair shall notify the
Ranking Minority Member of any decision, pursuant to the Rules
of the House of Representatives, to withhold a record otherwise
available, and the matter shall be presented to the full
Committee for a determination of the question of public
availability on the written request of any member of the
Committee.
Rule 22.--Changes in Rules
(a) Generally.--These rules may be modified, amended, or
repealed by vote of the full Committee.
(b) Notice of Proposed Changes.--A notice, in writing, of
the proposed change shall be given to each member at least 48
hours prior to any meeting at which action on the proposed rule
change is to be taken.
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PART III--CONGRESSIONAL JOINT COMMITTEES
=======================================================================
Joint Economic Committee
REPRESENTATIVE PAT TIBERI, Ohio,
Chairman
SENATOR MARTIN HEINRICH, New Mexico SENATOR MIKE LEE, Utah,
REPRESENTATIVE ALMA ADAMS, North Carolina Chairman
REPRESENTATIVE DONALD S. BEYER, VirginiaATOR BILL CASSIDY, Louisiana
REPRESENTATIVE JOHN K. DELANEY, MarylandRESENTATIVE BARBARA COMSTOCK,
SENATOR MAGGIE HASSAN, New Hampshire Virginia
SENATOR AMY KLOBUCHAR, Minnesota SENATOR TOM COTTON, Arkansas
CONGRESSMAN CAROLYN B. MALONEY, New YorkATOR TED CRUZ, Texas
SENATOR GARY PETERS, Michigan REPRESENTATIVE DARIN LaHOOD,
Illinois
REPRESENTATIVE ERIK PAULSEN,
Minnesota
REPRESENTATIVE FRANCIS ROONEY,
Florida
SENATOR BEN SASSE, Nebraska
REPRESENTATIVE DAVID SCHWEIKERT,
Arizona
(As adopted January 18, 2017)
RULES OF THE JOINT ECONOMIC COMMITTEE FOR THE 115TH CONGRESS
Rule 1. The rules of the Senate and House, insofar as they
are applicable, shall govern the committee and its
subcommittees. The rules of the Committee, insofar as they are
applicable, shall be the rules of any subcommittee of the
Committee.
Rule 2. The meetings of the Committee shall be held at such
times and in such places as the Chairman may designate, or at
such times as a quorum of the Committee may request in writing,
with adequate advance notice provided to all members of the
Committee. Subcommittee meetings shall not be held when the
full Committee is meeting. Where the rules require a vote of
the members of the Committee, polling of members either in
writing or by telephone shall not be permitted to substitute
for a vote taken at a Committee meeting, unless the Ranking
Minority Member assents to a waiver of this requirement.
Rule 3. Ten members of the Committee shall constitute a
quorum. A majority of the members of a subcommittee shall
constitute a quorum of such subcommittee.
Rule 4. Written or telegraphic proxies of Committee members
will be received and recorded on any vote taken by the
Committee, except at the organization meeting at the beginning
of each Congress, or for the purpose of creating a quorum.
Rule 5. The Chairman may name standing or special
subcommittees. Any member of the Committee shall have the
privilege of sitting with any subcommittee during its hearings
or deliberations, but no such member who is not a member of the
subcommittee shall vote on any matter before such subcommittee.
Rule 6. The chairmanship and vice chairmanship of the
Committee shall alternate between the House and Senate by
Congresses. The senior member of the minority party in the
House of Congress opposite to that of the Chairman shall be the
Ranking Minority Member of the Committee. In the event the
House and Senate are under different party control, the
Chairman and Vice Chairman shall represent the majority party
in the respective Houses.
Rule 7. Questions as to the order of business and the
procedure of the Committee shall in the first instance be
decided by the Chairman, subject always to an appeal to the
Committee.
Rule 8. All hearings conducted by the Committee or its
subcommittees shall be open to the public except where the
Committee or subcommittee, as the case may be, by a majority
vote orders an executive session. Whenever possible, all public
hearings shall include some sessions held on the Senate side
and some on the House side. House and Senate members shall
alternate in order of seating and interrogation.
Rule 9. So far as practicable all witnesses appearing
before the Committee shall file advance written statements of
their proposed testimony, and their oral testimony shall be
limited to brief summaries. Brief insertions of additional
germane material will be received for the record, subject to
the approval of the Chairman.
Rule 10. An accurate stenographic record shall be kept of
all testimony and each witness provided with a copy thereof.
Witnesses may make changes in testimony for the purpose of
correcting grammatical errors, obvious errors of fact, and
errors of transcription. Brief supplemental materials when
required to clarify the transcript may be inserted in the
record subject to the approval of the Chairman. Witnesses shall
be allowed 3 days within which to correct and return the
transcript of their testimony. If not so returned, the clerk
may close the record whenever necessary.
Rule 11. Each member of the Committee shall be provided
with a copy of the hearings transcript for the purpose of
correcting errors of transcription and grammar, and clarifying
questions or remarks. If another person is authorized by a
Committee member to make his corrections, the clerk shall be so
notified.
Members who have received unanimous consent to submit
written questions to witnesses shall be allowed 2 days within
which to submit these to the executive director for
transmission to the witnesses. The record may be held open for
a period not to exceed 1week awaiting responses by witnesses.
Rule 12. Testimony received in executive hearings shall not
be released or included in any report without the approval of a
majority of the Committee.
Rule 13.
The Chairman shall provide adequate time for questioning of
witnesses by all members, and the rule of germaneness shall be
enforced in all hearings.
Rule 14. None of the hearings of the Committee shall be
telecast or broadcast, whether directly or through such devices
as recordings, tapes, motion pictures, or other mechanical
means, if in conflict with a rule or practice of the House on
the side of the Capitol where hearings are being held. If no
general rule or practice prevails in regard to such telecasts
or broadcasts, none of the hearings of the Committee shall be
telecast or broadcast unless approved by a majority of the
members of the Committee.
Telecasts or broadcasts of any such portion of hearings of
the Committee as may include testimony of a witness, shall not
be authorized if such witness objects to such telecast or
broadcast: Provided, That such witness shall be afforded the
opportunity to make such objection, if any, to the Committee at
a time when the proceedings are not being telecast or
broadcast.
Rule 15. No Committee report shall be made public or
transmitted to the Congress without the approval of a majority
of the Committee except that when the Congress has adjourned,
subcommittees may by majority vote and with the express
permission of the full Committee submit reports to the full
Committee and simultaneously release same to the public:
Provided, That any member of the Committee may make a report
supplementary to or dissenting from the majority report. Such
supplementary or dissenting reports should be as brief as
possible. Factual reports by the Committee staff may be printed
for the distribution to Committee members and the public only
upon authorization of the Chairman of the full Committee either
with the approval of a majority of the Committee or with the
consent of the Ranking Minority Member.
Rule 16. No summary of a Committee report, prediction of
the contents of a report, or statement of conclusions
concerning any investigation shall be made by a member of the
Committee or of the Committee staff prior to the issuance of a
report of the Committee.
Rule 17. There shall be kept a complete record of all
Committee proceedings and actions. The clerk of the Committee,
or a designated member of the Committee staff, shall act as
recording secretary of all proceedings before the Committee and
shall prepare and circulate to all members of the Committee the
minutes of such proceedings. Minutes circulated will be
considered approved unless objection is registered prior to the
next Committee meeting. The records of the Committee shall be
open to all members of the Committee.
Rule 18. The Committee shall have a professional and
clerical staff under the supervision of an executive director.
The Committee shall appoint and remove the executive director
with the approval of not less than 10 members of the Committee.
Staff operating procedures shall be determined by the executive
director, with the approval of the Chairman of the Committee,
and after notification to the Ranking Minority Member with
respect to basic revisions. The executive director under the
general supervision of the Chairman is authorized to deal
directly with agencies of the Government and with non-
Government groups and individuals on behalf of the Committee.
The professional members of the Committee staff shall be
appointed and removed on the recommendation of the executive
director with approval by a majority vote of the Committee. The
professional staff members, including the executive director,
shall be persons selected without regard to political
affiliations who, as a result of training, experience, and
attainments, are exceptionally qualified to analyze and
interpret economic developments and programs. The clerical and
temporary staff shall be appointed and removed by the executive
director with the approval of the Chairman, and after
notification to the Ranking Minority Member. The Committee
staff shall serve all members of the Committee in an objective,
non partisan manner. From time to time, upon request the
executive director shall designate individual members of the
staff to assist subcommittees, individual Committee members,
and the minority members. The staff, to the extent possible,
shall be organized along functional lines to permit
specialization.
Rule 19. Attendance at executive sessions shall be limited
to members of the Committee and of the Committee staff. Other
persons whose presence is requested or consented to by the
Committee may be admitted to such sessions.
Rule 20. Selection of witnesses for Committee hearings
shall be made by the Committee staff under the direction of the
Chairman. A list of proposed witnesses shall be submitted to
the members of the Committee for review sufficiently in advance
of the hearings to permit suggestions by the Committee members
to receive appropriate consideration.
Rule 21. The Chairman of the Committee shall have the
overall responsibility for preparing and carrying out the
Committee's program, including staff duties, subject to prior
approval of each item on the program by a majority of the
Committee or, alternatively, by the Ranking Minority Member.
Prior to and during the transition from one Congress to
another, the outgoing Committee shall prepare and have ready a
plan for the consideration of the President's Economic Report
and the preparation of the Committee's report thereon in order
to meet the March 1 deadline established by Public Law 304
(79th Cong.), as amended.
Rule 22. Proposals for amending Committee rules shall be
sent to all members at least 1 week before final action is
taken thereon, unless the amendment is made by unanimous
consent. Approval by at least 11 members of the Committee shall
be required to amend these rules.
Rule 23. The information contained in any books, papers, or
documents furnished to the Committee by any individual,
partnership, corporation, or other legal entity shall, upon the
request of the individual, partnership, corporation, or other
entity furnishing the same, be maintained in strict confidence
by the members and staff of the Committee, except that any such
information may be released outside of executive session of the
Committee if the release thereof is effected in a manner which
will not reveal the identity of such individual, partnership,
corporation, or entity: Provided, That the Committee by
majority vote may authorize the disclosure of the identity of
any such individual, partnership, corporation, or entity in
connection with any pending hearing or as a part of a duly
authorized report of the Committee if such release is deemed
essential to the performance of the functions of the Committee
and is in the public interest.
Joint Committee on the Library
REPRESENTATIVE GREGG HARPER,
Mississippi, Chairman
REPRESENTATIVE ROBERT A. BRADY, Pennsylvania RICHARD SHELBY, Alabama,
SENATOR PATRICK J. LEAHY, Vermont Vice Chairman
REPRESENTATIVE ZOE LOFGREN, CaliforniaEPRESENTATIVE KEVIN YODER, Kansas
SENATOR AMY KLOBUCHAR, Minnesota SENATOR PAT ROBERTS, Kansas
REPRESENTATIVE BARRY LOUDERMILK,
Georgia
SENATOR ROY BLUNT, Missouri
RULES OF THE JOINT COMMITTEE ON THE LIBRARY FOR THE 115TH CONGRESS
Rule 1.--Meetings of the Committee
1. Regular meetings may be called by the Chairman, with the
concurrence of the Vice-Chairman, as may be deemed necessary or
pursuant to the provision of paragraph 3 of rule XXVI of the
Standings Rules of the Senate.
2. Meetings of the committee, including meetings to conduct
hearings, shall be open to the public, except that a meeting or
series of meetings by the committee on the same subject for a
period of no more than 14 calendar days may be closed to the
public on a motion made and seconded to go into closed session
to discuss only whether the matters enumerated in subparagraphs
(A) through (F) would require the meeting to be closed followed
immediately by a recorded vote in open session by a majority of
the members of the committee when it is determined that the
matters to be discussed or the testimony to be taken at such
meeting or meetings--
(A) will disclose matters necessary to be kept secret
in the interests of national defense or the
confidential conduct of the foreign relations of the
United States;
(B) will relate solely to matters of the committee
staff personal or internal staff management or
procedures;
(C) will tend to charge an individual with a crime or
misconduct, to disgrace or injure the professional
standing of an individual, or otherwise to expose an
individual to public contempt or obloquy, or will
represent a clearly unwarranted invasion of privacy of
an individual;
(D) will disclose the identity of any informer or law
enforcement agent or will disclose any information
relating to the investigation or prosecution of a
criminal offense that is required to be kept secret in
the interest of effective law enforcement;
(E) will disclose information relating to the trade
secrets or financial or commercial information
pertaining specifically to a given person if--
(1) an Act of Congress requires the
information to be kept confidential by
Government officers and employees; or
(2) the information has been obtained by the
Government on a confidential basis, other than
through an application by such person for a
specific Government financial or other benefit,
and is required to be kept secret in order to
prevent undue injury to the benefit, and is
required to be kept secret in order to prevent
undue injury to the competitive position of
such person; or
(F) may divulge matters required to kept confidential
under the provisions of law or Government regulation.
(Paragraph 5(b) of rule XXVI of the Standing Rules of
the Senate.)
3. Written notices of committee meetings will normally be
sent by the committee's staff director to all members at least
3 days in advance. In addition, the committee staff will email
or telephone reminders of committee meetings to all members of
the committee or to the appropriate staff assistants in their
offices.
4. A copy of the committee's intended agenda enumerating
separate items of committee business will normally be sent to
all members of the committee by the staff director at least 1
day in advance of all meetings. This does not preclude any
member of the committee from raising appropriate non-agenda
topics.
5. Any witness who is to appear before the committee in any
hearing shall file with the clerk of the committee at least 3
business days before the date of his or her appearance, a
written statement of his or her proposed testimony and an
executive summary thereof, in such form as the Chairman may
direct, unless the Chairman waived such a requirement for good
cause.
Rule 2.--Quorums
1. Pursuant to paragraph 7(a)(1) of rule XXVI of the
Standing Rules, 4 members of the committee shall constitute a
quorum.
2. Pursuant to paragraph 7(a)(2) of rule XXVI of the
Standing Rules, 2 members of the committee shall constitute a
quorum for the purpose of taking testimony; provided, however,
once a quorum is established, any one member can continue to
take such testimony.
3. Under no circumstance may proxies be considered for the
establishment of a quorum.
Rule 3.--Voting
1. Voting in the committee on any issue will normally be by
voice vote.
2. If a third of the members present so demand, a recorded
vote will be taken on any question by roll call.
3. The results of the roll call votes taken in any meeting
upon a measure, or any amendment thereto, shall be stated in
the committee report on that measure unless previously
announced by the committee, and such report or announcement
shall include a tabulation of the votes cast in favor and the
votes cast in opposition to each measure and amendment by each
member of the committee. (Paragraph 7(b) and (c) of rule XXVI
of the Standing Rules.)
4. Proxy voting shall be allowed on all measures and
matters before the committee. However, the vote of the
committee to report a measure or matters shall require the
concurrence of a majority of the members of the committee who
are physically present at the time of the vote. Proxies will be
allowed in such cases solely for the purpose of recording a
member's position on the question and then only in those
instances when the absentee committee member has been informed
of the question and has affirmatively requested that he be
recorded. (Paragraph 7(a)(3) of rule XXVI of the Standing
Rules.)
Rule 4.--Delegation and Authority to the Chairman and Vice Chairman
1. The Chairman and Vice Chairman are authorized to sign
all necessary vouchers and routine papers for which the
committee's approval is required and to decide in the
committee's behalf on all routine business.
2. The Chairman is authorized to engage commercial
reporters for the preparation of transcripts of committee
meetings and hearings.
3. The Chairman is authorized to issue, on behalf of the
committee, regulations normally promulgated by the committee at
the beginning of each session.
Joint Committee on Printing
SENATOR RICHARD SHELBY, Alabama,
Chairman
REPRESENTATIVE ROBERT A. BRADY, PennsylvaniaNTATIVE RODNEY DAVIS,
SENATOR AMY KLOBUCHAR, Minnesota Illinois, Vice Chairman
REPRESENTATIVE JAMIE RASKIN, MarylandREPRESENTATIVE GREGG HARPER,
SENATOR TOM UDALL, New Mexico Mississippi
SENATOR PAT ROBERTS, Kansas
REPRESENTATIVE MARK WALKER,
North Carolina
SENATOR ROGER WICKER, Mississippi
RULES OF THE JOINT COMMITTEE ON PRINTING FOR THE 115th CONGRESS
Rule 1.--Committee Rules
xl(a) The rules of the Senate and House insofar as they are
applicable, shall govern the Committee.
xl(b) The Committee's rules shall be published in the
Congressional Record as soon as possible following the
Committee's organizational meeting in each odd-numbered year.
xl(c) Where these rules require a vote of the members of
the Committee, polling of members either in writing or by
telephone shall not be permitted to substitute for a vote taken
at a Committee meeting, unless the Ranking Minority Member
assents to waiver of this requirement.
xl(d) Proposals for amending Committee rules shall be sent
to all members at least one week before final action is taken
thereon, unless the amendment is made by unanimous consent.
Rule 2.--Regular Committee Meetings
xl(a) The regular meeting date of the Committee shall be
the second Wednesday of every month when the House and Senate
are in session. A regularly scheduled meeting need not be held
if there is no business to be considered and after appropriate
notification is made to the Ranking Minority Member. Additional
meetings may be called by the Chairman, as he may deem
necessary or at the request of the majority of the members of
the Committee.
xl(b) If the Chairman of the Committee is not present at
any meeting of the Committee, the Vice-Chairman or Ranking
Member of the majority party on the Committee who is present
shall preside at the meeting.
Rule 3.--Quorum
xl(a) Five members of the Committee shall constitute a
quorum, which is required for the purpose of closing meetings,
promulgating Committee orders or changing the rules of the
Committee.
xl(b) Three members shall constitute a quorum for purposes
of taking testimony and receiving evidence.
Rule 4.--Proxies
xl(a) Written or telegraphic proxies of Committee members
will be received and recorded on any vote taken by the
Committee, except for the purpose of creating a quorum.
xl(b) Proxies will be allowed on any such votes for the
purpose of recording a member's position on a question only
when the absentee Committee member has been informed of the
question and has affirmatively requested that he be recorded.
Rule 5.--Open and Closed Meetings
xl(a) Each meeting for the transaction of business of the
Committee shall be open to the public except when the
Committee, in open session and with a quorum present,
determines by roll call vote that all or part of the remainder
of the meeting on that day shall be closed to the public. No
such vote shall be required to close a meeting that relates
solely to internal budget or personnel matters.
xl(b) No person other than members of the Committee, and
such congressional staff and other representatives as they may
authorize, shall be present in any business session that has
been closed to the public.
Rule 6.--Alternating Chairmanship and Vice-Chairmanship by Congresses
xl(a) The Chairmanship and Vice Chairmanship of the
Committee shall alternate between the House and the Senate by
Congresses: The senior member of the minority party in the
House of Congress opposite of that of the Chairman shall be the
Ranking Minority Member of the Committee.
xl(b) In the event the House and Senate are under different
party control, the Chairman and Vice Chairman shall represent
the majority party in their respective Houses. When the
Chairman and Vice-Chairman represent different parties, the
Vice-Chairman shall also fulfill the responsibilities of the
Ranking Minority Member as prescribed by these rules.
Rule 7.--Parliamentary Questions
xlQuestions as to the order of business and the procedures
of Committee shall in the first instance be decided by the
Chairman; subject always to an appeal to the Committee.
Rule 8.--Hearings: Public Announcements and Witnesses
xl(a) The Chairman, in the case of hearings to be conducted
by the Committee, shall make public announcement of the date,
place and subject matter of any hearing to be conducted on any
measure or matter at least one week before the commencement of
that hearing unless the Committee determines that there is good
cause to begin such hearing at an earlier date. In the latter
event, the Chairman shall make such public announcement at the
earliest possible date. The staff director of the Committee
shall promptly notify the Daily Digest of the Congressional
Record as soon as possible after such public announcement is
made.
xl(b) So far as practicable, all witnesses appearing before
the Committee shall file advance written statements of their
proposed testimony at least 48 hours in advance of their
appearance and their oral testimony shall be limited to brief
summaries. Limited insertions or additional germane material
will be received for the record, subject to the approval of the
Chairman.
Rule 9.--Official Hearing Record
(a) An accurate stenographic record shall be kept of all
Committee proceedings and actions. Brief supplemental materials
when required to clarify the transcript may be inserted in the
record subject to the approval of the Chairman.
(b) Each member of the Committee shall be provided with a
copy of the hearing transcript for the purpose of correcting
errors of transcription and grammar, and clarifying questions
or remarks. If any other person is authorized by a Committee
Member to make his corrections, the staff director shall be so
notified.
(c) Members who have received unanimous consent to submit
written questions to witnesses shall be allowed two days within
which to submit these to the staff director for transmission to
the witnesses. The record may be held open for a period not to
exceed two weeks awaiting the responses by witnesses.
(d) A witness may obtain a transcript copy of his testimony
given at a public session or, if given at an executive session,
when authorized by the Committee. Testimony received in closed
hearings shall not be released or included in any report
without the approval of the Committee.
Rule 10.--Witnesses for Committee Hearings
(a) Selection of witnesses for Committee hearings shall be
made by the Committee staff under the direction of the
Chairman. A list of proposed witnesses shall be submitted to
the members of the Committee for review sufficiently in advance
of the hearings to permit suggestions by the Committee members
to receive appropriate consideration.
(b) The Chairman shall provide adequate time for
questioning of witnesses by all members, including minority
Members and the rule of germaneness shall be enforced in all
hearings notified.
(c) Whenever a hearing is conducted by the Committee upon
any measure or matter, the minority on the Committee shall be
entitled, upon unanimous request to the Chairman before the
completion of such hearings, to call witnesses selected by the
minority to testify with respect to the measure or matter
during at least one day of hearing thereon.
Rule 11.--Confidential Information Furnished to the Committee
The information contained in any books, papers or documents
furnished to the Committee by any individual, partnership,
corporation or other legal entity shall, upon the request of
the individual, partnership, corporation or entity furnishing
the same, be maintained in strict confidence by the members and
staff of the Committee, except that any such information may be
released outside of executive session of the Committee if the
release thereof is effected in a manner which will not reveal
the identity of such individual, partnership, corporation or
entity in connection with any pending hearing or as a part of a
duly authorized report of the Committee if such release is
deemed essential to the performance of the functions of the
Committee and is in the public interest.
Rule 12.--Broadcasting of Committee Hearings
The rule for broadcasting of Committee hearings shall be
the same as Rule XI, clause 4, of the Rules of the House of
Representatives.
Rule 13.--Committee Reports
(a) No Committee report shall be made public or transmitted
to the Congress without the approval of a majority of the
Committee except when Congress has adjourned: provided that any
member of the Committee may make a report supplementary to or
dissenting from the majority report. Such supplementary or
dissenting reports should be as brief as possible.
(b) Factual reports by the Committee staff may be printed
for distribution to Committee members and the public only upon
authorization of the Chairman either with the approval of a
majority of the Committee or with the consent of the Ranking
Minority Member.
Rule 14.--Confidentiality of Committee Reports
No summary of a Committee report, prediction of the
contents of a report, or statement of conclusions concerning
any investigation shall be made by a member of the Committee or
by any staff member of the Committee prior to the issuance of a
report of the Committee.
Rule 15.--Committee Staff
(a) The Committee shall have a staff director, selected by
the Chairman. The staff director shall be an employee of the
House of Representatives or of the Senate.
(b) The Ranking Minority Member may designate an employee
of the House of Representatives or of the Senate as the
minority staff director.
(c) The staff director, under the general supervision of
the Chairman, is authorized to deal directly with agencies of
the Government and with non-Government groups and individuals
on behalf of the Committee.
(d) The Chairman or staff director shall timely notify the
Ranking Minority Member or the minority staff director of
decisions made on behalf of the Committee.
Rule 16.--Committee Chairman
The Chairman of the Committee may establish such other
procedures and take such actions as may be necessary to carry
out the foregoing rules or to facilitate the effective
operation of the Committee. Specifically, the Chairman is
authorized, during the interim periods between meetings of the
Committee, to act on all requests submitted by any executive
department, independent agency, temporary or permanent
commissions and committees of the Federal Government, the
Government Publishing Office and any other Federal entity,
pursuant to the requirements of applicable Federal law and
regulations.
Joint Committee on Taxation
SENATOR ORRIN HATCH, Utah, Vice ChairmanRESENTATIVE KEVIN BRADY, Texas,
SENATOR CHUCK GRASSLEY, Iowa Chairman
SENATOR MIKE CRAPO, Idaho REPRESENTATIVE SAM JOHNSON, Texas
SENATOR RON WYDEN, Oregon REPRESENTATIVE DEVIN NUNES,
SENATOR DEBBIE STABENOW, Michigan California
REPRESENTATIVE RICHARD NEAL,
Massachusetts
REPRESENTATIVE JOHN LEWIS, Georgia
(Committee organized March 1, 2017)
A description of the Joint Committee on Taxation and the
rules by which it functions can be found in the United States
of America Internal Revenue Code, Title 26. Therefore, the
Joint Committee does not adopt written rules.
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APPENDIX
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Rule X
Organization of Committees
COMMITTEES AND THEIR LEGISLATIVE JURISDICTIONS
1. There shall be in the House the following standing
committees, each of which shall have the jurisdiction and
related functions assigned by this clause and clauses 2, 3, and
4. All bills, resolutions, and other matters relating to
subjects within the jurisdiction of the standing committees
listed in this clause shall be referred to those committees, in
accordance with clause 2 of rule XII, as follows:
(a) Committee on Agriculture.--(1) Adulteration of seeds,
insect pests, and protection of birds and animals in forest
reserves.
(2) Agriculture generally.
(3) Agricultural and industrial chemistry.
(4) Agricultural colleges and experiment stations.
(5) Agricultural economics and research.
(6) Agricultural education extension services.
(7) Agricultural production and marketing and stabilization
of prices of agricultural products, and commodities (not
including distribution outside of the United States).
(8) Animal industry and diseases of animals.
(9) Commodity exchanges.
(10) Crop insurance and soil conservation.
(11) Dairy industry.
(12) Entomology and plant quarantine.
(13) Extension of farm credit and farm security.
(14) Inspection of livestock, poultry, meat products, and
seafood and seafood products.
(15) Forestry in general and forest reserves other than
those created from the public domain.
(16) Human nutrition and home economics.
(17) Plant industry, soils, and agricultural engineering.
(18) Rural electrification.
(19) Rural development.
(20) Water conservation related to activities of the
Department of Agriculture.
(b) Committee on Appropriations.--(1) Appropriation of the
revenue for the support of the Government.
(2) Rescissions of appropriations contained in
appropriation Acts.
(3) Transfers of unexpended balances.
(4) Bills and joint resolutions reported by other
committees that provide new entitlement authority as defined in
section 3(9) of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 and
referred to the committee under clause 4(a)(2).
(5) Bills and joint resolutions that provide new budget
authority, limitation on the use of funds, or other authority
relating to new direct loan obligations and new loan guarantee
commitments referencing section 504(b) of the Congressional
Budget Act of 1974.
(c) Committee on Armed Services.--(1) Ammunition depots;
forts; arsenals; and Army, Navy, and Air Force reservations and
establishments.
(2) Common defense generally.
(3) Conservation, development, and use of naval petroleum
and oil shale reserves.
(4) The Department of Defense generally, including the
Departments of the Army, Navy, and Air Force, generally.
(5) Interoceanic canals generally, including measures
relating to the maintenance, operation, and administration of
interoceanic canals.
(6) Merchant Marine Academy and State Maritime Academies.
(7) Military applications of nuclear energy.
(8) Tactical intelligence and intelligence-related
activities of the Department of Defense.
(9) National security aspects of merchant marine, including
financial assistance for the construction and operation of
vessels, maintenance of the U.S. shipbuilding and ship repair
industrial base, cabotage, cargo preference, and merchant
marine officers and seamen as these matters relate to the
national security.
(10) Pay, promotion, retirement, and other benefits and
privileges of members of the armed forces.
(11) Scientific research and development in support of the
armed services.
(12) Selective service.
(13) Size and composition of the Army, Navy, Marine Corps,
and Air Force.
(14) Soldiers' and sailors' homes.
(15) Strategic and critical materials necessary for the
common defense.
(16) Cemeteries administered by the Department of Defense.
(d) Committee on the Budget.--(1) Concurrent resolutions on
the budget (as defined in section 3(4) of the Congressional
Budget Act of 1974), other matters required to be referred to
the committee under titles III and IV of that Act, and other
measures setting forth appropriate levels of budget totals for
the United States Government.
(2) Budget process generally.
(3) Establishment, extension, and enforcement of special
controls over the Federal budget, including the budgetary
treatment of off-budget Federal agencies and measures providing
exemption from reduction under any order issued under part C of
the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985.
(e) Committee on Education and the Workforce.--(1) Child
labor.
(2) Gallaudet University and Howard University and
Hospital.
(3) Convict labor and the entry of goods made by convicts
into interstate commerce.
(4) Food programs for children in schools.
(5) Labor standards and statistics.
(6) Education or labor generally.
(7) Mediation and arbitration of labor disputes.
(8) Regulation or prevention of importation of foreign
laborers under contract.
(9) Workers' compensation.
(10) Vocational rehabilitation.
(11) Wages and hours of labor.
(12) Welfare of miners.
(13) Work incentive programs.
(f) Committee on Energy and Commerce.--(1) Biomedical
research and development.
(2) Consumer affairs and consumer protection.
(3) Health and health facilities (except health care
supported by payroll deductions).
(4) Interstate energy compacts.
(5) Interstate and foreign commerce generally.
(6) Exploration, production, storage, supply, marketing,
pricing, and regulation of energy resources, including all
fossil fuels, solar energy, and other unconventional or
renewable energy resources.
(7) Conservation of energy resources.
(8) Energy information generally.
(9) The generation and marketing of power (except by
federally chartered or Federal regional power marketing
authorities); reliability and interstate transmission of, and
ratemaking for, all power; and siting of generation facilities
(except the installation of interconnections between Government
waterpower projects).
(10) General management of the Department of Energy and
management and all functions of the Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission.
(11) National energy policy generally.
(12) Public health and quarantine.
(13) Regulation of the domestic nuclear energy industry,
including regulation of research and development reactors and
nuclear regulatory research.
(14) Regulation of interstate and foreign communications.
(15) Travel and tourism.
The committee shall have the same jurisdiction with respect
to regulation of nuclear facilities and of use of nuclear
energy as it has with respect to regulation of nonnuclear
facilities and of use of nonnuclear energy.
(g) Committee on Ethics.--The Code of Official Conduct.
(h) Committee on Financial Services.--(1) Banks and
banking, including deposit insurance and Federal monetary
policy.
(2) Economic stabilization, defense production,
renegotiation, and control of the price of commodities, rents,
and services.
(3) Financial aid to commerce and industry (other than
transportation).
(4) Insurance generally.
(5) International finance.
(6) International financial and monetary organizations.
(7) Money and credit, including currency and the issuance
of notes and redemption thereof; gold and silver, including the
coinage thereof; valuation and revaluation of the dollar.
(8) Public and private housing.
(9) Securities and exchanges.
(10) Urban development.
(i) Committee on Foreign Affairs.--(1) Relations of the
United States with foreign nations generally.
(2) Acquisition of land and buildings for embassies and
legations in foreign countries.
(3) Establishment of boundary lines between the United
States and foreign nations.
(4) Export controls, including nonproliferation of nuclear
technology and nuclear hardware.
(5) Foreign loans.
(6) International commodity agreements (other than those
involving sugar), including all agreements for cooperation in
the export of nuclear technology and nuclear hardware.
(7) International conferences and congresses.
(8) International education.
(9) Intervention abroad and declarations of war.
(10) Diplomatic service.
(11) Measures to foster commercial intercourse with foreign
nations and to safeguard American business interests abroad.
(12) International economic policy.
(13) Neutrality.
(14) Protection of American citizens abroad and
expatriation.
(15) The American National Red Cross.
(16) Trading with the enemy.
(17) United Nations organizations.
(j) Committee on Homeland Security.--(1) Overall homeland
security policy.
(2) Organization, administration, and general management of
the Department of Homeland Security.
(3) Functions of the Department of Homeland Security
relating to the following:
(A) Border and port security (except immigration
policy and non-border enforcement).
(B) Customs (except customs revenue).
(C) Integration, analysis, and dissemination of
homeland security information.
(D) Domestic preparedness for and collective response
to terrorism.
(E) Research and development.
(F) Transportation security.
(k) Committee on House Administration.--(1) Appropriations
from accounts for committee salaries and expenses (except for
the Committee on Appropriations); House Information Resources;
and allowance and expenses of Members, Delegates, the Resident
Commissioner, officers, and administrative offices of the
House.
(2) Auditing and settling of all accounts described in
subparagraph (1).
(3) Employment of persons by the House, including staff for
Members, Delegates, the Resident Commissioner, and committees;
and reporters of debates, subject to rule VI.
(4) Except as provided in paragraph (r)(11), the Library of
Congress, including management thereof; the House Library;
statuary and pictures; acceptance or purchase of works of art
for the Capitol; the Botanic Garden; and purchase of books and
manuscripts.
(5) The Smithsonian Institution and the incorporation of
similar institutions (except as provided in paragraph (r)(11)).
(6) Expenditure of accounts described in subparagraph (1).
(7) Franking Commission.
(8) Printing and correction of the Congressional Record.
(9) Accounts of the House generally.
(10) Assignment of office space for Members, Delegates, the
Resident Commissioner, and committees.
(11) Disposition of useless executive papers.
(12) Election of the President, Vice President, Members,
Senators, Delegates, or the Resident Commissioner; corrupt
practices; contested elections; credentials and qualifications;
and Federal elections generally.
(13) Services to the House, including the House Restaurant,
parking facilities, and administration of the House Office
Buildings and of the House wing of the Capitol.
(14) Travel of Members, Delegates, and the Resident
Commissioner.
(15) Raising, reporting, and use of campaign contributions
for candidates for office of Representative, of Delegate, and
of Resident Commissioner.
(16) Compensation, retirement, and other benefits of the
Members, Delegates, the Resident Commissioner, officers, and
employees of Congress.
(l) Committee on the Judiciary.--(1) The judiciary and
judicial proceedings, civil and criminal.
(2) Administrative practice and procedure.
(3) Apportionment of Representatives.
(4) Bankruptcy, mutiny, espionage, and counterfeiting.
(5) Civil liberties.
(6) Constitutional amendments.
(7) Criminal law enforcement and criminalization.
(8) Federal courts and judges, and local courts in the
Territories and possessions.
(9) Immigration policy and non-border enforcement.
(10) Interstate compacts generally.
(11) Claims against the United States.
(12) Meetings of Congress; attendance of Members,
Delegates, and the Resident Commissioner; and their acceptance
of incompatible offices.
(13) National penitentiaries.
(14) Patents, the Patent and Trademark Office, copyrights,
and trademarks.
(15) Presidential succession.
(16) Protection of trade and commerce against unlawful
restraints and monopolies.
(17) Revision and codification of the Statutes of the
United States.
(18) State and territorial boundary lines.
(19) Subversive activities affecting the internal security
of the United States.
(m) Committee on Natural Resources.--(1) Fisheries and
wildlife, including research, restoration, refuges, and
conservation.
(2) Forest reserves and national parks created from the
public domain.
(3) Forfeiture of land grants and alien ownership,
including alien ownership of mineral lands.
(4) Geological Survey.
(5) International fishing agreements.
(6) Interstate compacts relating to apportionment of waters
for irrigation purposes.
(7) Irrigation and reclamation, including water supply for
reclamation projects and easements of public lands for
irrigation projects; and acquisition of private lands when
necessary to complete irrigation projects.
(8) Native Americans generally, including the care and
allotment of Native American lands and general and special
measures relating to claims that are paid out of Native
American funds.
(9) Insular areas of the United States generally (except
those affecting the revenue and appropriations).
(10) Military parks and battlefields, national cemeteries
administered by the Secretary of the Interior, parks within the
District of Columbia, and the erection of monuments to the
memory of individuals.
(11) Mineral land laws and claims and entries thereunder.
(12) Mineral resources of public lands.
(13) Mining interests generally.
(14) Mining schools and experimental stations.
(15) Marine affairs, including coastal zone management
(except for measures relating to oil and other pollution of
navigable waters).
(16) Oceanography.
(17) Petroleum conservation on public lands and
conservation of the radium supply in the United States.
(18) Preservation of prehistoric ruins and objects of
interest on the public domain.
(19) Public lands generally, including entry, easements,
and grazing thereon.
(20) Relations of the United States with Native Americans
and Native American tribes.
(21) Trans-Alaska Oil Pipeline (except ratemaking).
(n) Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.--(1)
Federal civil service, including intergovernmental personnel;
and the status of officers and employees of the United States,
including their compensation, classification, and retirement.
(2) Municipal affairs of the District of Columbia in
general (other than appropriations).
(3) Federal paperwork reduction.
(4) Government management and accounting measures
generally.
(5) Holidays and celebrations.
(6) Overall economy, efficiency, and management of
government operations and activities, including Federal
procurement.
(7) National archives.
(8) Population and demography generally, including the
Census.
(9) Postal service generally, including transportation of
the mails.
(10) Public information and records.
(11) Relationship of the Federal Government to the States
and municipalities generally.
(12) Reorganizations in the executive branch of the
Government.
(o) Committee on Rules.--(1) Rules and joint rules (other
than those relating to the Code of Official Conduct) and the
order of business of the House.
(2) Recesses and final adjournments of Congress.
(p) Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.--(1) All
energy research, development, and demonstration, and projects
therefor, and all federally owned or operated non-military
energy laboratories.
(2) Astronautical research and development, including
resources, personnel, equipment, and facilities.
(3) Civil aviation research and development.
(4) Environmental research and development.
(5) Marine research.
(6) Commercial application of energy technology.
(7) National Institute of Standards and Technology,
standardization of weights and measures, and the metric system.
(8) National Aeronautics and Space Administration.
(9) National Space Council.
(10) National Science Foundation.
(11) National Weather Service.
(12) Outer space, including exploration and control
thereof.
(13) Science scholarships.
(14) Scientific research, development, and demonstration,
and projects therefor.
(q) Committee on Small Business.--(1) Assistance to and
protection of small business, including financial aid,
regulatory flexibility, and paperwork reduction.
(2) Participation of small-business enterprises in Federal
procurement and Government contracts.
(r) Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.--(1)
Coast Guard, including lifesaving service, lighthouses,
lightships, ocean derelicts, and the Coast Guard Academy.
(2) Federal management of emergencies and natural
disasters.
(3) Flood control and improvement of rivers and harbors.
(4) Inland waterways.
(5) Inspection of merchant marine vessels, lights and
signals, lifesaving equipment, and fire protection on such
vessels.
(6) Navigation and laws relating thereto, including
pilotage.
(7) Registering and licensing of vessels and small boats.
(8) Rules and international arrangements to prevent
collisions at sea.
(9) The Capitol Building and the Senate and House Office
Buildings.
(10) Construction or maintenance of roads and post roads
(other than appropriations therefor).
(11) Construction or reconstruction, maintenance, and care
of buildings and grounds of the Botanic Garden, the Library of
Congress, and the Smithsonian Institution.
(12) Merchant marine (except for national security aspects
thereof).
(13) Purchase of sites and construction of post offices,
customhouses, Federal courthouses, and Government buildings
within the District of Columbia.
(14) Oil and other pollution of navigable waters, including
inland, coastal, and ocean waters.
(15) Marine affairs, including coastal zone management, as
they relate to oil and other pollution of navigable waters.
(16) Public buildings and occupied or improved grounds of
the United States generally.
(17) Public works for the benefit of navigation, including
bridges and dams (other than international bridges and dams).
(18) Related transportation regulatory agencies (except the
Transportation Security Administration).
(19) Roads and the safety thereof.
(20) Transportation, including civil aviation, railroads,
water transportation, transportation safety (except automobile
safety and transportation security functions of the Department
of Homeland Security), transportation infrastructure,
transportation labor, and railroad retirement and unemployment
(except revenue measures related thereto).
(21) Water power.
(s) Committee on Veterans' Affairs.--(1) Veterans' measures
generally.
(2) Cemeteries of the United States in which veterans of
any war or conflict are or may be buried, whether in the United
States or abroad (except cemeteries administered by the
Secretary of the Interior).
(3) Compensation, vocational rehabilitation, and education
of veterans.
(4) Life insurance issued by the Government on account of
service in the Armed Forces.
(5) Pensions of all the wars of the United States, general
and special.
(6) Readjustment of servicemembers to civil life.
(7) Servicemembers' civil relief.
(8) Veterans' hospitals, medical care, and treatment of
veterans.
(t) Committee on Ways and Means.--(1) Customs revenue,
collection districts, and ports of entry and delivery.
(2) Reciprocal trade agreements.
(3) Revenue measures generally.
(4) Revenue measures relating to insular possessions.
(5) Bonded debt of the United States, subject to the last
sentence of clause 4(f).
(6) Deposit of public monies.
(7) Transportation of dutiable goods.
(8) Tax exempt foundations and charitable trusts.
(9) National social security (except health care and
facilities programs that are supported from general revenues as
opposed to payroll deductions and except work incentive
programs).
GENERAL OVERSIGHT RESPONSIBILITIES
2. (a) The various standing committees shall have general
oversight responsibilities as provided in paragraph (b) in
order to assist the House in--
(1) its analysis, appraisal, and evaluation of--
(A) the application, administration,
execution, and effectiveness of Federal laws;
and
(B) conditions and circumstances that may
indicate the necessity or desirability of
enacting new or additional legislation; and
(2) its formulation, consideration, and enactment of
changes in Federal laws, and of such additional
legislation as may be necessary or appropriate.
(b)(1) In order to determine whether laws and programs
addressing subjects within the jurisdiction of a committee are
being implemented and carried out in accordance with the intent
of Congress and whether they should be continued, curtailed, or
eliminated, each standing committee (other than the Committee
on Appropriations) shall review and study on a continuing
basis--
(A) the application, administration, execution, and
effectiveness of laws and programs addressing subjects
within its jurisdiction;
(B) the organization and operation of Federal
agencies and entities having responsibilities for the
administration and execution of laws and programs
addressing subjects within its jurisdiction;
(C) any conditions or circumstances that may indicate
the necessity or desirability of enacting new or
additional legislation addressing subjects within its
jurisdiction (whether or not a bill or resolution has
been introduced with respect thereto); and
(D) future research and forecasting on subjects
within its jurisdiction.
(2) Each committee to which subparagraph (1) applies having
more than 20 members shall establish an oversight subcommittee,
or require its subcommittees to conduct oversight in their
respective jurisdictions, to assist in carrying out its
responsibilities under this clause. The establishment of an
oversight subcommittee does not limit the responsibility of a
subcommittee with legislative jurisdiction in carrying out its
oversight responsibilities.
(c) Each standing committee shall review and study on a
continuing basis the impact or probable impact of tax policies
affecting subjects within its jurisdiction as described in
clauses 1 and 3.
(d)(1) Not later than February 15 of the first session of a
Congress, each standing committee shall, in a meeting that is
open to the public and with a quorum present, adopt its
oversight plan for that Congress. Such plan shall be submitted
simultaneously to the Committee on Oversight and Government
Reform and to the Committee on House Administration. In
developing its plan each committee shall, to the maximum extent
feasible--
(A) consult with other committees that have
jurisdiction over the same or related laws, programs,
or agencies within its jurisdiction with the objective
of ensuring maximum coordination and cooperation among
committees when conducting reviews of such laws,
programs, or agencies and include in its plan an
explanation of steps that have been or will be taken to
ensure such coordination and cooperation;
(B) review specific problems with Federal rules,
regulations, statutes, and court decisions that are
ambiguous, arbitrary, or nonsensical, or that impose
severe financial burdens on individuals;
(C) give priority consideration to including in its
plan the re- view of those laws, programs, or agencies
operating under permanent budget authority or permanent
statutory authority;
(D) have a view toward ensuring that all significant
laws, programs, or agencies within its jurisdiction are
subject to re- view every 10 years;
(E) have a view toward insuring against duplication
of Federal programs; and
(F) include proposals to cut or eliminate programs,
including mandatory spending programs, that are
inefficient, duplicative, outdated, or more
appropriately administered by State or local
governments.
(2) Not later than March 31 in the first session of a
Congress, after consultation with the Speaker, the Majority
Leader, and the Minority Leader, the Committee on Oversight and
Government Reform shall report to the House the oversight plans
submitted by committees together with any recommendations that
it, or the House leadership group described above, may make to
ensure the most effective coordination of oversight plans and
otherwise to achieve the objectives of this clause.
(e) The Speaker, with the approval of the House, may
appoint special ad hoc oversight committees for the purpose of
reviewing specific matters within the jurisdiction of two or
more standing committees.
SPECIAL OVERSIGHT FUNCTIONS
3. (a) The Committee on Appropriations shall conduct such
studies and examinations of the organization and operation of
executive departments and other executive agencies (including
an agency the majority of the stock of which is owned by the
United States) as it considers necessary to assist it in the
determination of matters within its jurisdiction.
(b) The Committee on Armed Services shall review and study
on a continuing basis laws, programs, and Government activities
relating to international arms control and disarmament and the
education of military dependents in schools.
(c) The Committee on the Budget shall study on a continuing
basis the effect on budget outlays of relevant existing and
proposed legislation and report the results of such studies to
the House on a recurring basis.
(d) The Committee on Education and the Workforce shall
review, study, and coordinate on a continuing basis laws,
programs, and Government activities relating to domestic
educational programs and institutions and programs of student
assistance within the jurisdiction of other committees.
(e) The Committee on Energy and Commerce shall review and
study on a continuing basis laws, programs, and Government
activities relating to nuclear and other energy and nonmilitary
nu- clear energy research and development including the
disposal of nuclear waste.
(f) The Committee on Foreign Affairs shall review and study
on a continuing basis laws, programs, and Government activities
relating to customs administration, intelligence activities
relating to foreign policy, international financial and
monetary organizations, and international fishing agreements.
(g)(1) The Committee on Homeland Security shall review and
study on a continuing basis all Government activities relating
to homeland security, including the interaction of all
departments and agencies with the Department of Homeland
Security.
(2) In addition, the committee shall review and study on a
primary and continuing basis all Government activities,
programs, and organizations related to homeland security that
fall within its primary legislative jurisdiction.
(h) The Committee on Natural Resources shall review and
study on a continuing basis laws, programs, and Government
activities relating to Native Americans.
(i) The Committee on Oversight and Government Reform shall
review and study on a continuing basis the operation of
Government activities at all levels with a view to determining
their economy and efficiency.
(j) The Committee on Rules shall review and study on a
continuing basis the congressional budget process, and the
committee shall report its findings and recommendations to the
House from time to time.
(k) The Committee on Science, Space, and Technology shall
re- view and study on a continuing basis laws, programs, and
Government activities relating to nonmilitary research and
development.
(l) The Committee on Small Business shall study and
investigate on a continuing basis the problems of all types of
small business.
(m) The Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence shall
re- view and study on a continuing basis laws, programs, and
activities of the intelligence community and shall review and
study on an exclusive basis the sources and methods of entities
described in clause 11(b)(1)(A).
ADDITIONAL FUNCTIONS OF COMMITTEES
4. (a)(1)(A) The Committee on Appropriations shall, within
30 days after the transmittal of the Budget to Congress each
year, hold hearings on the Budget as a whole with particular
reference to--
(i) the basic recommendations and budgetary policies
of the President in the presentation of the Budget; and
(ii) the fiscal, financial, and economic assumptions
used as bases in arriving at total estimated
expenditures and receipts.
(B) In holding hearings under subdivision (A), the
committee shall receive testimony from the Secretary of the
Treasury, the Director of the Office of Management and Budget,
the Chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers, and such
other persons as the committee may desire.
(C) A hearing under subdivision (A), or any part thereof,
shall be held in open session, except when the committee, in
open session and with a quorum present, determines by record
vote that the testimony to be taken at that hearing on that day
may be related to a matter of national security. The committee
may by the same procedure close one subsequent day of hearing.
A transcript of all such hearings shall be printed and a copy
thereof furnished to each Member, Delegate, and the Resident
Commissioner.
(D) A hearing under subdivision (A), or any part thereof,
may be held before a joint meeting of the committee and the
Committee on Appropriations of the Senate in accordance with
such procedures as the two committees jointly may determine.
(2) Pursuant to section 401(b)(2) of the Congressional
Budget Act of 1974, when a committee reports a bill or joint
resolution that provides new entitlement authority as defined
in section 3(9) of that Act, and enactment of the bill or joint
resolution, as reported, would cause a breach of the
committee's pertinent allocation of new budget authority under
section 302(a) of that Act, the bill or joint resolution may be
referred to the Committee on Appropriations with instructions
to report it with recommendations (which may include an
amendment limiting the total amount of new entitlement
authority provided in the bill or joint resolution). If the
Committee on Appropriations fails to report a bill or joint
resolution so referred within 15 calendar days (not counting
any day on which the House is not in session), the committee
automatically shall be discharged from consideration of the
bill or joint resolution, and the bill or joint resolution
shall be placed on the appropriate calendar.
(3) In addition, the Committee on Appropriations shall
study on a continuing basis those provisions of law that (on
the first day of the first fiscal year for which the
congressional budget process is effective) provide spending
authority or permanent budget authority and shall report to the
House from time to time its recommendations for terminating or
modifying such provisions.
(4) In the manner provided by section 302 of the
Congressional Budget Act of 1974, the Committee on
Appropriations (after consulting with the Committee on
Appropriations of the Senate) shall subdivide any allocations
made to it in the joint explanatory statement accompanying the
conference report on such concurrent resolution, and promptly
report the subdivisions to the House as soon as practicable
after a concurrent resolution on the budget for a fiscal year
is agreed to.
(b) The Committee on the Budget shall--
(1) review on a continuing basis the conduct by the
Congressional Budget Office of its functions and
duties;
(2) hold hearings and receive testimony from Members,
Senators, Delegates, the Resident Commissioner, and
such appropriate representatives of Federal departments
and agencies, the general public, and national
organizations as it considers desirable in developing
concurrent resolutions on the budget for each fiscal
year;
(3) make all reports required of it by the
Congressional Budget Act of 1974;
(4) study on a continuing basis those provisions of
law that exempt Federal agencies or any of their
activities or outlays from inclusion in the Budget of
the United States Government, and report to the House
from time to time its recommendations for terminating
or modifying such provisions;
(5) study on a continuing basis proposals designed to
improve and facilitate the congressional budget
process, and re- port to the House from time to time
the results of such studies, together with its
recommendations; and
(6) request and evaluate continuing studies of tax
expenditures, devise methods of coordinating tax
expenditures, policies, and programs with direct budget
outlays, and report the results of such studies to the
House on a recurring basis.
(c)(1) The Committee on Oversight and Government Reform
shall--
(A) receive and examine reports of the Comptroller
General of the United States and submit to the House
such recommendations as it considers necessary or
desirable in connection with the subject matter of the
reports;
(B) evaluate the effects of laws enacted to
reorganize the legislative and executive branches of
the Government; and
(C) study intergovernmental relationships between the
United States and the States and municipalities and
between the United States and international
organizations of which the United States is a member.
(2) In addition to its duties under subparagraph (1), the
Committee on Oversight and Government Reform may at any time
con- duct investigations of any matter without regard to clause
1, 2, 3, or this clause conferring jurisdiction over the matter
to another standing committee. The findings and recommendations
of the committee in such an investigation shall be made
available to any other standing committee having jurisdiction
over the matter involved.
(3)(A) The Committee on Oversight and Government Reform may
adopt a rule authorizing and regulating the taking of
depositions by a member or counsel of the committee, including
pursuant to subpoena under clause 2(m) of rule XI (which hereby
is made applicable for such purpose).
(B) A rule adopted by the committee pursuant to this
subparagraph--
(i) may provide that a deponent be directed to
subscribe an oath or affirmation before a person
authorized by law to ad- minister the same;
(ii) shall ensure that the minority members and staff
of the committee are accorded equitable treatment with
respect to no- tice of and a reasonable opportunity to
participate in any proceeding conducted thereunder; and
(iii) shall, unless waived by the deponent, require
the attendance of a member of the committee.
(C) Information secured pursuant to the authority described
in subdivision (A) shall retain the character of discovery
until offered for admission in evidence before the committee,
at which time any proper objection shall be timely.
(d)(1) The Committee on House Administration shall--
(A) provide policy direction for the Chief
Administrative Officer and the Inspector General and
oversight of the Clerk, Sergeant-at-Arms, Chief
Administrative Officer, and Inspector General;
(B) oversee the management of services provided to
the House by the Architect of the Capitol, except those
services that lie within the jurisdiction of the
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure under
clause 1(r);
(C) have the function of accepting on behalf of the
House a gift, except as otherwise provided by law, if
the gift does not involve a duty, burden, or condition,
or is not made dependent on some future performance by
the House;
(D) promulgate regulations to carry out subdivision
(C); and
(E) establish and maintain standards for making
documents publicly available in electronic form by the
House and its committees.
(2) An employing office of the House may enter into a
settlement of a complaint under the Congressional
Accountability Act of 1995 that provides for the payment of
funds only after receiving the joint approval of the chair and
ranking minority member of the Committee on House
Administration concerning the amount of such payment.
(e)(1) Each standing committee shall, in its consideration
of all public bills and public joint resolutions within its
jurisdiction, ensure that appropriations for continuing
programs and activities of the Federal Government and the
government of the District of Columbia will be made annually to
the maximum extent feasible and consistent with the nature,
requirement, and objective of the pro- grams and activities
involved. In this subparagraph programs and activities of the
Federal Government and the government of the District of
Columbia includes programs and activities of any department,
agency, establishment, wholly owned Government corporation, or
instrumentality of the Federal Government or of the government
of the District of Columbia.
(2) Each standing committee shall review from time to time
each continuing program within its jurisdiction for which
appropriations are not made annually to ascertain whether the
program should be modified to provide for annual
appropriations.
BUDGET ACT RESPONSIBILITIES
(f)(1) Each standing committee shall submit to the
Committee on the Budget not later than six weeks after the
submission of the budget by the President, or at such time as
the Committee on the Budget may request--
(A) its views and estimates with respect to all
matters to be set forth in the concurrent resolution on
the budget for the ensuing fiscal year that are within
its jurisdiction or functions; and
(B) an estimate of the total amounts of new budget
authority, and budget outlays resulting therefrom, to
be provided or authorized in all bills and resolutions
within its jurisdiction that it intends to be effective
during that fiscal year.
(2) The views and estimates submitted by the Committee on
Ways and Means under subparagraph (1) shall include a specific
recommendation, made after holding public hearings, as to the
ap- propriate level of the public debt that should be set forth
in the concurrent resolution on the budget.
ELECTION AND MEMBERSHIP OF STANDING COMMITTEES
5. (a)(1) The standing committees specified in clause 1
shall be elected by the House within seven calendar days after
the commencement of each Congress, from nominations submitted
by the respective party caucus or conference. A resolution
proposing to change the composition of a standing committee
shall be privileged if offered by direction of the party caucus
or conference concerned.
(2)(A) The Committee on the Budget shall be composed of mem
bers as follows:
(i) Members, Delegates, or the Resident Commissioner
who are members of other standing committees, including
five from the Committee on Appropriations, five from
the Committee on Ways and Means, and one from the
Committee on Rules;
(ii) one Member designated by the elected leadership
of the majority party; and
(iii) one Member designated by the elected leadership
of the minority party.
(B) Except as permitted by subdivision (C), a member of the
Committee on the Budget other than one described in subdivision
(A)(ii) or (A)(iii) may not serve on the committee during more
than four Congresses in a period of six successive Congresses
(dis- regarding for this purpose any service for less than a
full session in a Congress).
(C) A Member, Delegate, or Resident Commissioner may exceed
the limitation of subdivision (B) if elected to serve a second
consecutive Congress as the chair or a second consecutive
Congress as the ranking minority member.
(3)(A) The Committee on Ethics shall be composed of 10
members, five from the majority party and five from the
minority party.
(B) Except as permitted by subdivision (C), a member of the
Committee on Ethics may not serve on the committee during more
than three Congresses in a period of five successive Congresses
(disregarding for this purpose any service for less than a full
session in a Congress).
(C) A member of the Committee on Ethics may serve on the
committee during a fourth Congress in a period of five
successive Congresses only as either the chair or the ranking
minority member of the committee.
(4)(A) At the beginning of a Congress, the Speaker or a
designee and the Minority Leader or a designee each shall name
10 Members, Delegates, or the Resident Commissioner from the
respective party of such individual who are not members of the
Committee on Ethics to be available to serve on investigative
subcommittees of that committee during that Congress. The lists
of Members, Dele- gates, or the Resident Commissioner so named
shall be announced to the House.
(B) Whenever the chair and the ranking minority member of
the Committee on Ethics jointly determine that Members,
Delegates, or the Resident Commissioner named under subdivision
(A) should be assigned to serve on an investigative
subcommittee of that committee, each of them shall select an
equal number of such Members, Delegates, or Resident
Commissioner from the respective party of such individual to
serve on that subcommittee.
(b)(1) Membership on a standing committee during the course
of a Congress shall be contingent on continuing membership in
the party caucus or conference that nominated the Member,
Delegate, or Resident Commissioner concerned for election to
such committee. Should a Member, Delegate, or Resident
Commissioner cease to be a member of a particular party caucus
or conference, that Member, Delegate, or Resident Commissioner
shall automatically cease to be a member of each standing
committee to which elected on the basis of nomination by that
caucus or conference. The chair of the relevant party caucus or
conference shall notify the Speaker whenever a Member,
Delegate, or Resident Commissioner ceases to be a member of
that caucus or conference. The Speaker shall notify the chair
of each affected committee that the election of such Member,
Delegate, or Resident Commissioner to the committee is
automatically vacated under this subparagraph.
(2)(A) Except as specified in subdivision (B), a Member,
Delegate, or Resident Commissioner may not serve simultaneously
as a member of more than two standing committees or more than
four sub- committees of the standing committees.
(B)(i) Ex officio service by a chair or ranking minority
member of a committee on each of its subcommittees under a
committee rule does not count against the limitation on
subcommittee service.
(ii) Service on an investigative subcommittee of the
Committee on Ethics under paragraph (a)(4) does not count
against the limitation on subcommittee service.
(iii) Any other exception to the limitations in subdivision
(A) may be approved by the House on the recommendation of the
relevant party caucus or conference.
(C) In this subparagraph the term ``subcommittee'' includes
a panel (other than a special oversight panel of the Committee
on Armed Services), task force, special subcommittee, or other
subunit of a standing committee that is established for a
cumulative period longer than six months in a Congress.
(c)(1) One of the members of each standing committee shall
be elected by the House, on the nomination of the majority
party caucus or conference, as chair thereof. In the absence of
the member serving as chair, the member next in rank (and so
on, as often as the case shall happen) shall act as chair. Rank
shall be determined by the order members are named in
resolutions electing them to the committee. In the case of a
vacancy in the elected chair of a committee, the House shall
elect another chair.
(2) Except in the case of the Committee on Rules, a member
of a standing committee may not serve as chair of the same
standing committee, or of the same subcommittee of a standing
committee, during more than three consecutive Congresses
(disregarding for this purpose any service for less than a full
session in a Congress).
(d)(1) Except as permitted by subparagraph (2), a committee
may have not more than five subcommittees.
(2) A committee that maintains a subcommittee on oversight
may have not more than six subcommittees. The Committee on
Appropriations may have not more than 13 subcommittees. The
Committee on Oversight and Government Reform may have not more
than seven subcommittees.
(e) The House shall fill a vacancy on a standing committee
by election on the nomination of the respective party caucus or
conference.
EXPENSE RESOLUTIONS
6. (a) Whenever a committee, commission, or other entity
(other than the Committee on Appropriations) is granted
authorization for the payment of its expenses (including staff
salaries) for a Congress, such authorization initially shall be
procured by one primary expense resolution reported by the
Committee on House Administration. A primary expense resolution
may include a reserve fund for unanticipated expenses of
committees. An amount from such a reserve fund may be allocated
to a committee only by the approval of the Committee on House
Administration. A primary expense resolution reported to the
House may not be considered in the House unless a printed
report thereon was available on the previous calendar day. For
the information of the House, such report shall--
(1) state the total amount of the funds to be
provided to the committee, commission, or other entity
under the primary expense resolution for all
anticipated activities and programs of the committee,
commission, or other entity; and
(2) to the extent practicable, contain such general
statements regarding the estimated foreseeable
expenditures for the respective anticipated activities
and programs of the committee, commission, or other
entity as may be appropriate to provide the House with
basic estimates of the expenditures con- templated by
the primary expense resolution.
(b) After the date of adoption by the House of a primary
expense resolution for a committee, commission, or other entity
for a Congress, authorization for the payment of additional
expenses (including staff salaries) in that Congress may be
procured by one or more supplemental expense resolutions
reported by the Committee on House Administration, as
necessary. A supplemental expense resolution reported to the
House may not be considered in the House unless a printed
report thereon was available on the previous calendar day. For
the information of the House, such report shall--
(1) state the total amount of additional funds to be
provided to the committee, commission, or other entity
under the supplemental expense resolution and the
purposes for which those additional funds are
available; and
(2) state the reasons for the failure to procure the
additional funds for the committee, commission, or
other entity by means of the primary expense
resolution.
(c) The preceding provisions of this clause do not apply
to--
(1) a resolution providing for the payment from
committee salary and expense accounts of the House of
sums necessary to pay compensation for staff services
performed for, or to pay other expenses of, a
committee, commission, or other entity at any time
after the beginning of an odd-numbered year and be-
fore the date of adoption by the House of the primary
expense resolution described in paragraph (a) for that
year; or
(2) a resolution providing each of the standing
committees in a Congress additional office equipment,
airmail and special-de- livery postage stamps,
supplies, staff personnel, or any other specific item
for the operation of the standing committees, and
containing an authorization for the payment from
committee salary and expense accounts of the House of
the expenses of any of the foregoing items provided by
that resolution, subject to and until enactment of the
provisions of the resolution as permanent law.
(d) From the funds made available for the appointment of
committee staff by a primary or additional expense resolution,
the chair of each committee shall ensure that sufficient staff
is made available to each subcommittee to carry out its
responsibilities under the rules of the committee and that the
minority party is treated fairly in the appointment of such
staff.
(e) Funds authorized for a committee under this clause and
clauses 7 and 8 are for expenses incurred in the activities of
the committee.
INTERIM FUNDING
7. (a) For the period beginning at noon on January 3 and
ending at midnight on March 31 in each odd-numbered year, such
sums as may be necessary shall be paid out of the committee
salary and expense accounts of the House for continuance of
necessary investigations and studies by--
(1) each standing and select committee established by
these rules; and
(2) except as specified in paragraph (b), each select
committee established by resolution.
(b) In the case of the first session of a Congress, amounts
shall be made available for a select committee established by
resolution in the preceding Congress only if--
(1) a resolution proposing to reestablish such select
committee is introduced in the present Congress; and
(2) the House has not adopted a resolution of the
preceding Congress providing for termination of funding
for investigations and studies by such select
committee.
(c) Each committee described in paragraph (a) shall be
entitled for each month during the period specified in
paragraph (a) to 9 percent (or such lesser percentage as may be
determined by the Committee on House Administration) of the
total annualized amount made available under expense
resolutions for such committee in the preceding session of
Congress.
(d) Payments under this clause shall be made on vouchers
authorized by the committee involved, signed by the chair of
the committee, except as provided in paragraph (e), and
approved by the Committee on House Administration.
(e) Notwithstanding any provision of law, rule of the
House, or other authority, from noon on January 3 of the first
session of a Congress until the election by the House of the
committee concerned in that Congress, payments under this
clause shall be made on vouchers signed by the ranking member
of the committee as it was constituted at the expiration of the
preceding Congress who is a member of the majority party in the
present Congress.
(f)(1) The authority of a committee to incur expenses under
this clause shall expire upon adoption by the House of a
primary expense resolution for the committee.
(2) Amounts made available under this clause shall be
expended in accordance with regulations prescribed by the
Committee on House Administration.
(3) This clause shall be effective only insofar as it is
not inconsistent with a resolution reported by the Committee on
House Ad- ministration and adopted by the House after the
adoption of these rules.
TRAVEL
8. (a) Local currencies owned by the United States shall be
made available to the committee and its employees engaged in
carrying out their official duties outside the United States or
its territories or possessions. Appropriated funds, including
those authorized under this clause and clause 6, may not be
expended for the purpose of defraying expenses of members of a
committee or its employees in a country where local currencies
are available for this purpose.
(b) The following conditions shall apply with respect to
travel outside the United States or its territories or
possessions:
(1) A member or employee of a committee may not
receive or expend local currencies for subsistence in a
country for a day at a rate in excess of the maximum
per diem set forth in applicable Federal law.
(2) A member or employee shall be reimbursed for the
expenses of such individual for a day at the lesser
of--
(A) the per diem set forth in applicable
Federal law; or
(B) the actual, unreimbursed expenses (other
than for transportation) incurred during that
day.
(3) Each member or employee of a committee shall make
to the chair of the committee an itemized report
showing the dates each country was visited, the amount
of per diem furnished, the cost of transportation
furnished, and funds ex- pended for any other official
purpose and shall summarize in these categories the
total foreign currencies or appropriated funds
expended. Each report shall be filed with the chair of
the committee not later than 60 days following the
completion of travel for use in complying with
reporting requirements in applicable Federal law and
shall be open for public inspection.
(c)(1) In carrying out the activities of a committee
outside the United States in a country where local currencies
are unavailable, a member or employee of a committee may not
receive reimbursement for expenses (other than for
transportation) in excess of the maximum per diem set forth in
applicable Federal law.
(2) A member or employee shall be reimbursed for the
expenses of such individual for a day, at the lesser of--
(A) the per diem set forth in applicable Federal law;
or
(B) the actual unreimbursed expenses (other than for
transportation) incurred during that day.
(3) A member or employee of a committee may not receive
reimbursement for the cost of any transportation in connection
with travel outside the United States unless the member or
employee actually paid for the transportation.
(d) The restrictions respecting travel outside the United
States set forth in paragraph (c) also shall apply to travel
outside the United States by a Member, Delegate, Resident
Commissioner, officer, or employee of the House authorized
under any standing rule.
COMMITTEE STAFFS
9. (a)(1) Subject to subparagraph (2) and paragraph (f),
each standing committee may appoint, by majority vote, not more
than 30 professional staff members to be compensated from the
funds provided for the appointment of committee staff by
primary and additional expense resolutions. Each professional
staff member ap- pointed under this subparagraph shall be
assigned to the chair and the ranking minority member of the
committee, as the committee considers advisable.
(2) Subject to paragraph (f) whenever a majority of the
minority party members of a standing committee (other than the
Committee on Ethics or the Permanent Select Committee on
Intelligence) so request, not more than 10 persons (or one-
third of the total professional committee staff appointed under
this clause, whichever is fewer) may be selected, by majority
vote of the minority party members, for appointment by the
committee as professional staff members under subparagraph (1).
The committee shall appoint persons so selected whose character
and qualifications are accept- able to a majority of the
committee. If the committee determines that the character and
qualifications of a person so selected are un- acceptable, a
majority of the minority party members may select another
person for appointment by the committee to the professional
staff until such appointment is made. Each professional staff
member appointed under this subparagraph shall be assigned to
such committee business as the minority party members of the
committee consider advisable.
(b)(1) The professional staff members of each standing
committee--
(A) may not engage in any work other than committee
business during congressional working hours; and
(B) may not be assigned a duty other than one
pertaining to committee business.
(2)(A) Subparagraph (1) does not apply to staff designated
by a committee as ``associate'' or ``shared'' staff who are not
paid exclusively by the committee, provided that the chair
certifies that the compensation paid by the committee for any
such staff is commensurate with the work performed for the
committee in accordance with clause 8 of rule XXIII.
(B) The use of any ``associate'' or ``shared'' staff by a
committee other than the Committee on Appropriations shall be
subject to the review of, and to any terms, conditions, or
limitations established by, the Committee on House
Administration in connection with the reporting of any primary
or additional expense resolution.
(c) Each employee on the professional or investigative
staff of a standing committee shall be entitled to pay at a
single gross per annum rate, to be fixed by the chair and that
does not exceed the maximum rate of pay as in effect from time
to time under applicable provisions of law.
(d) Subject to appropriations hereby authorized, the
Committee on Appropriations may appoint by majority vote such
staff as it determines to be necessary (in addition to the
clerk of the committee and assistants for the minority). The
staff appointed under this paragraph, other than minority
assistants, shall possess such qualifications as the committee
may prescribe.
(e) A committee may not appoint to its staff an expert or
other personnel detailed or assigned from a department or
agency of the Government except with the written permission of
the Committee on House Administration.
(f) If a request for the appointment of a minority
professional staff member under paragraph (a) is made when no
vacancy exists for such an appointment, the committee
nevertheless may appoint under paragraph (a) a person selected
by the minority and accept- able to the committee. A person so
appointed shall serve as an additional member of the
professional staff of the committee until such a vacancy occurs
(other than a vacancy in the position of head of the
professional staff, by whatever title designated), at which
time that person is considered as appointed to that vacancy.
Such a person shall be paid from the applicable accounts of the
House described in clause 1(k)(1) of rule X. If such a vacancy
occurs on the professional staff when seven or more persons
have been so appointed who are eligible to fill that vacancy, a
majority of the minority party members shall designate which of
those persons shall fill the vacancy.
(g) Each staff member appointed pursuant to a request by
minority party members under paragraph (a), and each staff
member appointed to assist minority members of a committee
pursuant to an expense resolution described in clause 6(a),
shall be accorded equitable treatment with respect to the
fixing of the rate of pay, the assignment of work facilities,
and the accessibility of committee records.
(h) Paragraph (a) may not be construed to authorize the
appointment of additional professional staff members of a
committee pursuant to a request under paragraph (a) by the
minority party members of that committee if 10 or more
professional staff members provided for in paragraph (a)(1) who
are satisfactory to a majority of the minority party members
are otherwise assigned to assist the minority party members.
(i) Notwithstanding paragraph (a)(2), a committee may
employ nonpartisan staff, in lieu of or in addition to
committee staff designated exclusively for the majority or
minority party, by an affirmative vote of a majority of the
members of the majority party and of a majority of the members
of the minority party.
SELECT AND JOINT COMMITTEES
10. (a) Membership on a select or joint committee appointed
by the Speaker under clause 11 of rule I during the course of a
Congress shall be contingent on continuing membership in the
party caucus or conference of which the Member, Delegate, or
Resident Commissioner concerned was a member at the time of
appointment. Should a Member, Delegate, or Resident
Commissioner cease to be a member of that caucus or conference,
that Member, Dele- gate, or Resident Commissioner shall
automatically cease to be a member of any select or joint
committee to which assigned. The chair of the relevant party
caucus or conference shall notify the Speaker whenever a
Member, Delegate, or Resident Commissioner ceases to be a
member of a party caucus or conference. The Speaker shall
notify the chair of each affected select or joint committee
that the appointment of such Member, Delegate, or Resident Com-
missioner to the select or joint committee is automatically
vacated under this paragraph.
(b) Each select or joint committee, other than a conference
committee, shall comply with clause 2(a) of rule XI unless
specifically exempted by law.
PERMANENT SELECT COMMITTEE ON INTELLIGENCE
11. (a)(1) There is established a Permanent Select
Committee on Intelligence (hereafter in this clause referred to
as the ``select committee''). The select committee shall be
composed of not more than 22 Members, Delegates, or the
Resident Commissioner, of whom not more than 13 may be from the
same party. The select committee shall include at least one
Member, Delegate, or the Resident Commissioner from each of the
following committees:
(A) the Committee on Appropriations;
(B) the Committee on Armed Services;
(C) the Committee on Foreign Affairs; and
(D) the Committee on the Judiciary.
(2) The Speaker and the Minority Leader shall be ex officio
members of the select committee but shall have no vote in the
select committee and may not be counted for purposes of
determining a quorum thereof.
(3) The Speaker and Minority Leader each may designate a
respective leadership staff member to assist in the capacity of
the Speaker or Minority Leader as ex officio member, with the
same access to committee meetings, hearings, briefings, and
materials as employees of the select committee and subject to
the same security clearance and confidentiality requirements as
employees of the select committee under this clause.
(4)(A) Except as permitted by subdivision (B), a Member,
Delegate, or Resident Commissioner, other than the Speaker or
the Minority Leader, may not serve as a member of the select
committee during more than four Congresses in a period of six
successive Congresses (disregarding for this purpose any
service for less than a full session in a Congress).
(B) In the case of a Member, Delegate, or Resident
Commissioner appointed to serve as the chair or the ranking
minority member of the select committee, tenure on the select
committee shall not be limited.
(b)(1) There shall be referred to the select committee
proposed legislation, messages, petitions, memorials, and other
matters relating to the following:
(A) The Central Intelligence Agency, the Director of
National Intelligence, and the National Intelligence
Program as defined in section 3(6) of the National
Security Act of 1947.
(B) Intelligence and intelligence-related activities
of all other departments and agencies of the
Government, including the tactical intelligence and
intelligence-related activities of the Department of
Defense.
(C) The organization or reorganization of a
department or agency of the Government to the extent
that the organization or reorganization relates to a
function or activity involving intelligence or
intelligence-related activities.
(D) Authorizations for appropriations, both direct
and indirect, for the following:
(i) The Central Intelligence Agency, the
Director of National Intelligence, and the
National Intelligence Program as defined in
section 3(6) of the National Security Act of
1947.
(ii) Intelligence and intelligence-related
activities of all other departments and
agencies of the Government, including the
tactical intelligence and intelligence-related
activities of the Department of Defense.
(iii) A department, agency, subdivision, or
program that is a successor to an agency or
program named or referred to in (i) or (ii).
(2) Proposed legislation initially reported by the select
committee (other than provisions solely involving matters
specified in sub- paragraph (1)(A) or subparagraph (1)(D)(i))
containing any matter otherwise within the jurisdiction of a
standing committee shall be referred by the Speaker to that
standing committee. Proposed legislation initially reported by
another committee that contains matter within the jurisdiction
of the select committee shall be referred by the Speaker to the
select committee if requested by the chair of the select
committee.
(3) Nothing in this clause shall be construed as
prohibiting or otherwise restricting the authority of any other
committee to study and review an intelligence or intelligence-
related activity to the ex tent that such activity directly
affects a matter otherwise within the jurisdiction of that
committee.
(4) Nothing in this clause shall be construed as amending,
limiting, or otherwise changing the authority of a standing
committee to obtain full and prompt access to the product of
the intelligence and intelligence-related activities of a
department or agency of the Government relevant to a matter
otherwise within the jurisdiction of that committee.
(c)(1) For purposes of accountability to the House, the
select committee shall make regular and periodic reports to the
House on the nature and extent of the intelligence and
intelligence-related activities of the various departments and
agencies of the United States. The select committee shall
promptly call to the attention of the House, or to any other
appropriate committee, a matter requiring the attention of the
House or another committee. In making such report, the select
committee shall proceed in a manner consistent with paragraph
(g) to protect national security.
(2) The select committee shall obtain annual reports from
the Director of National Intelligence, the Director of the
Central Intelligence Agency, the Secretary of Defense, the
Secretary of State, and the Director of the Federal Bureau of
Investigation. Such reports shall review the intelligence and
intelligence-related activities of the agency or department
concerned and the intelligence and intelligence-related
activities of foreign countries directed at the United States
or its interests. An unclassified version of each re- port may
be made available to the public at the discretion of the select
committee. Nothing herein shall be construed as requiring the
public disclosure in such reports of the names of persons
engaged in intelligence or intelligence-related activities for
the United States or the divulging of intelligence methods
employed or the sources of information on which the reports are
based or the amount of funds authorized to be appropriated for
intelligence and intelligence-related activities.
(3) Within six weeks after the President submits a budget
under section 1105(a) of title 31, United States Code, or at
such time as the Committee on the Budget may request, the
select committee shall submit to the Committee on the Budget
the views and estimates described in section 301(d) of the
Congressional Budget Act of 1974 regarding matters within the
jurisdiction of the select committee.
(d)(1) Except as specified in subparagraph (2), clauses
8(a), (b), and (c) and 9(a), (b), and (c) of this rule, and
clauses 1, 2, and 4 of rule XI shall apply to the select
committee to the extent not inconsistent with this clause.
(2) Notwithstanding the requirements of the first sentence
of clause 2(g)(2) of rule XI, in the presence of the number of
members required under the rules of the select committee for
the purpose of taking testimony or receiving evidence, the
select committee may vote to close a hearing whenever a
majority of those present determines that the testimony or
evidence would endanger the national security.
(e) An employee of the select committee, or a person
engaged by contract or otherwise to perform services for or at
the request of the select committee, may not be given access to
any classified in formation by the select committee unless such
employee or person has--
(1) agreed in writing and under oath to be bound by
the Rules of the House, including the jurisdiction of
the Committee on Ethics and of the select committee
concerning the security of classified information
during and after the period of the employment or
contractual agreement of such employee or person with
the select committee; and
(2) received an appropriate security clearance, as
determined by the select committee in consultation with
the Director of National Intelligence, that is
commensurate with the sensitivity of the classified
information to which such employee or person will be
given access by the select committee.
(f) The select committee shall formulate and carry out such
rules and procedures as it considers necessary to prevent the
disclosure, without the consent of each person concerned, of
information in the possession of the select committee that
unduly infringes on the privacy or that violates the
constitutional rights of such person. Nothing herein shall be
construed to prevent the select committee from publicly
disclosing classified information in a case in which it
determines that national interest in the disclosure of
classified information clearly outweighs any infringement on
the privacy of a person.
(g)(1) The select committee may disclose publicly any
information in its possession after a determination by the
select committee that the public interest would be served by
such disclosure. With respect to the disclosure of information
for which this paragraph requires action by the select
committee--
(A) the select committee shall meet to vote on the
matter within five days after a member of the select
committee requests a vote; and
(B) a member of the select committee may not make
such a disclosure before a vote by the select committee
on the matter, or after a vote by the select committee
on the matter except in accordance with this paragraph.
(2)(A) In a case in which the select committee votes to
disclose publicly any information that has been classified
under established security procedures, that has been submitted
to it by the executive branch, and that the executive branch
requests be kept secret, the select committee shall notify the
President of such vote.
(B) The select committee may disclose publicly such
information after the expiration of a five-day period following
the day on which notice of the vote to disclose is transmitted
to the President unless, before the expiration of the five-day
period, the President, person- ally in writing, notifies the
select committee that the President objects to the disclosure
of such information, provides reasons therefor, and certifies
that the threat to the national interest of the United States
posed by the disclosure is of such gravity that it outweighs
any public interest in the disclosure.
(C) If the President, personally in writing, notifies the
select committee of objections to the disclosure of information
as provided in subdivision (B), the select committee may, by
majority vote, refer the question of the disclosure of such
information, with a recommendation thereon, to the House. The
select committee may not publicly disclose such information
without leave of the House.
(D) Whenever the select committee votes to refer the
question of disclosure of any information to the House under
subdivision (C), the chair shall, not later than the first day
on which the House is in session following the day on which the
vote occurs, report the matter to the House for its
consideration.
(E) If the chair of the select committee does not offer in
the House a motion to consider in closed session a matter
reported under subdivision (D) within four calendar days on
which the House is in session after the recommendation
described in subdivision (C) is reported, then such a motion
shall be privileged when offered by a Member, Delegate, or
Resident Commissioner. In either case such a motion shall be
decided without debate or intervening motion except one that
the House adjourn.
(F) Upon adoption by the House of a motion to resolve into
closed session as described in subdivision (E), the Speaker may
declare a recess subject to the call of the Chair. At the
expiration of the recess, the pending question, in closed
session, shall be, ``Shall the House approve the recommendation
of the select committee?''.
(G) Debate on the question described in subdivision (F)
shall be limited to two hours equally divided and controlled by
the chair and ranking minority member of the select committee.
After such debate the previous question shall be considered as
ordered on the question of approving the recommendation without
intervening motion except one motion that the House adjourn.
The House shall vote on the question in open session but
without divulging the information with respect to which the
vote is taken. If the recommendation of the select committee is
not approved, then the question is considered as recommitted to
the select committee for further recommendation.
(3)(A) Information in the possession of the select
committee relating to the lawful intelligence or intelligence-
related activities of a department or agency of the United
States that has been classified under established security
procedures, and that the select committee has determined should
not be disclosed under subparagraph (1) or (2), may not be made
available to any person by a Member, Delegate, Resident
Commissioner, officer, or employee of the House except as
provided in subdivision (B).
(B) The select committee shall, under such regulations as
it may prescribe, make information described in subdivision (A)
available to a committee or a Member, Delegate, or Resident
Commissioner, and permit a Member, Delegate, or Resident
Commissioner to attend a hearing of the select committee that
is closed to the public. Whenever the select committee makes
such information available, it shall keep a written record
showing, in the case of particular information, which committee
or which Member, Delegate, or Resident Commissioner received
the information. A Member, Delegate, or Resident Commissioner
who, and a committee that, receives information under this
subdivision may not disclose the information except in a closed
session of the House.
(4) The Committee on Ethics shall investigate any
unauthorized disclosure of intelligence or intelligence-related
information by a Member, Delegate, Resident Commissioner,
officer, or employee of the House in violation of subparagraph
(3) and report to the House concerning any allegation that it
finds to be substantiated.
(5) Upon the request of a person who is subject to an
investigation described in subparagraph (4), the Committee on
Ethics shall release to such person at the conclusion of its
investigation a summary of its investigation, together with its
findings. If, at the conclusion of its investigation, the
Committee on Ethics determines that there has been a
significant breach of confidentiality or unauthorized
disclosure by a Member, Delegate, Resident Commissioner,
officer, or employee of the House, it shall report its findings
to the House and recommend appropriate action. Recommendations
may include censure, removal from committee membership, or
expulsion from the House, in the case of a Member, or removal
from office or employment or punishment for contempt, in the
case of an officer or employee.
(h) The select committee may permit a personal
representative of the President, designated by the President to
serve as a liaison to the select committee, to attend any
closed meeting of the select committee.
(i) Subject to the Rules of the House, funds may not be
appropriated for a fiscal year, with the exception of a bill or
joint resolution continuing appropriations, or an amendment
thereto, or a conference report thereon, to, or for use of, a
department or agency of the United States to carry out any of
the following activities, unless the funds shall previously
have been authorized by a bill or joint resolution passed by
the House during the same or preceding fiscal year to carry out
such activity for such fiscal year:
(1) The activities of the Director of National
Intelligence and the Office of the Director of National
Intelligence.
(2) The activities of the Central Intelligence
Agency.
(3) The activities of the Defense Intelligence
Agency.
(4) The activities of the National Security Agency.
(5) The intelligence and intelligence-related
activities of other agencies and subdivisions of the
Department of Defense.
(6) The intelligence and intelligence-related
activities of the Department of State.
(7) The intelligence and intelligence-related
activities of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
(8) The intelligence and intelligence-related
activities of all other departments and agencies of the
executive branch.
(j)(1) In this clause the term ``intelligence and
intelligence-related activities'' includes--
(A) the collection, analysis, production,
dissemination, or use of information that relates to a
foreign country, or a government, political group,
party, military force, movement, or other association
in a foreign country, and that relates to the defense,
foreign policy, national security, or related policies
of the United States and other activity in support of
the collection, analysis, production, dissemination, or
use of such information;
(B) activities taken to counter similar activities
directed against the United States;
(C) covert or clandestine activities affecting the
relations of the United States with a foreign
government, political group, party, military force,
movement, or other association;
(D) the collection, analysis, production,
dissemination, or use of information about activities
of persons within the United States, its territories
and possessions, or nationals of the United States
abroad whose political and related activities pose, or
may be considered by a department, agency, bureau,
office, division, instrumentality, or employee of the
United States to pose, a threat to the internal
security of the United States; and
(E) covert or clandestine activities directed against
persons described in subdivision (D).
(2) In this clause the term ``department or agency''
includes any organization, committee, council, establishment,
or office within the Federal Government.
(3) For purposes of this clause, reference to a department,
agency, bureau, or subdivision shall include a reference to any
successor department, agency, bureau, or subdivision to the
extent that a successor engages in intelligence or
intelligence-related activities now conducted by the
department, agency, bureau, or subdivision referred to in this
clause.
(k) Clause 12(a) of rule XXII does not apply to meetings of
a conference committee respecting legislation (or any part
thereof) reported by the Permanent Select Committee on
Intelligence.
* * * * * * *
Rule XI
Procedures of Committees and Unfinished Business
IN GENERAL
1. (a)(1)(A) The Rules of the House are the rules of its
committees and subcommittees so far as applicable.
(B) Each subcommittee is a part of its committee and is
subject to the authority and direction of that committee and to
its rules, so far as applicable.
(2)(A) In a committee or subcommittee--
(i) a motion to recess from day to day, or to recess
subject to the call of the Chair (within 24 hours),
shall be privileged; and
(ii) a motion to dispense with the first reading (in
full) of a bill or resolution shall be privileged if
printed copies are available.
(B) A motion accorded privilege under this subparagraph
shall be decided without debate.
(b)(1) Each committee may conduct at any time such
investigations and studies as it considers necessary or
appropriate in the exercise of its responsibilities under rule
X. Subject to the adoption of expense resolutions as required
by clause 6 of rule X, each committee may incur expenses,
including travel expenses, in connection with such
investigations and studies.
(2) A proposed investigative or oversight report shall be
considered as read in committee if it has been available to the
members for at least 24 hours (excluding Saturdays, Sundays, or
legal holidays except when the House is in session on such a
day).
(3) A report of an investigation or study conducted jointly
by more than one committee may be filed jointly, provided that
each of the committees complies independently with all
requirements for approval and filing of the report.
(4) After an adjournment sine die of the last regular
session of a Congress, an investigative or oversight report may
be filed with the Clerk at any time, provided that a member who
gives timely notice of intention to file supplemental,
minority, additional, or dissenting views shall be entitled to
not less than seven calendar days in which to submit such views
for inclusion in the report.
(c) Each committee may have printed and bound such
testimony and other data as may be presented at hearings held
by the committee or its subcommittees. All costs of
stenographic services and transcripts in connection with a
meeting or hearing of a committee shall be paid from the
applicable accounts of the House described in clause 1(k)(1) of
rule X. (d)(1) Not later than January 2 of each odd-numbered
year, a committee shall submit to the House a report on the
activities of that committee. (341)
(2) Such report shall include--
(A) separate sections summarizing the legislative and
oversight activities of that committee under this rule
and rule X during the Congress;
(B) a summary of the oversight plans submitted by the
committee under clause 2(d) of rule X;
(C) a summary of the actions taken and
recommendations made with respect to the oversight
plans specified in subdivision (B);
(D) a summary of any additional oversight activities
undertaken by that committee and any recommendations
made or actions taken thereon; and
(E) a delineation of any hearings held pursuant to
clauses 2(n), (o), or (p) of this rule.
(3) After an adjournment sine die of the last regular
session of a Congress, or after December 15 of an even-numbered
year, whichever occurs first, the chair of a committee may file
the report described in subparagraph (1) with the Clerk at any
time and without approval of the committee, provided that--
(A) a copy of the report has been available to each
member of the committee for at least seven calendar
days; and
(B) the report includes any supplemental, minority,
additional, or dissenting views submitted by a member
of the committee.
ADOPTION OF WRITTEN RULES
2. (a)(1) Each standing committee shall adopt written rules
governing its procedure. Such rules--
(A) shall be adopted in a meeting that is open to the
public unless the committee, in open session and with a
quorum present, determines by record vote that all or
part of the meeting on that day shall be closed to the
public;
(B) may not be inconsistent with the Rules of the
House or with those provisions of law having the force
and effect of Rules of the House;
(C) shall in any event incorporate all of the
succeeding provisions of this clause to the extent
applicable; and
(D) shall include provisions to govern the
implementation of clause 4 as provided in paragraph (f)
of such clause.
(2) Each committee shall make its rules publicly available
in electronic form and submit such rules for publication in the
Congressional Record not later than 30 days after the chair of
the committee is elected in each odd-numbered year.
(3) A committee may adopt a rule providing that the chair
be directed to offer a motion under clause 1 of rule XXII
whenever the chair considers it appropriate.
REGULAR MEETING DAYS
(b) Each standing committee shall establish regular meeting
days for the conduct of its business, which shall be not less
frequent than monthly. Each such committee shall meet for the
consideration of a bill or resolution pending before the
committee or the transaction of other committee business on all
regular meeting days fixed by the committee if notice is given
pursuant to paragraph (g)(3).
ADDITIONAL AND SPECIAL MEETINGS
(c)(1) The chair of each standing committee may call and
convene, as the chair considers necessary, additional and
special meetings of the committee for the consideration of a
bill or resolution pending before the committee or for the
conduct of other committee business, subject to such rules as
the committee may adopt. The committee shall meet for such
purpose under that call of the chair.
(2) Three or more members of a standing committee may file
in the offices of the committee a written request that the
chair call a special meeting of the committee. Such request
shall specify the measure or matter to be considered.
Immediately upon the filing of the request, the clerk of the
committee shall notify the chair of the filing of the request.
If the chair does not call the requested special meeting within
three calendar days after the filing of the request (to be held
within seven calendar days after the filing of the re- quest) a
majority of the members of the committee may file in the
offices of the committee their written notice that a special
meeting of the committee will be held. The written notice shall
specify the date and hour of the special meeting and the
measure or matter to be considered. The committee shall meet on
that date and hour. Immediately upon the filing of the notice,
the clerk of the committee shall notify all members of the
committee that such special meeting will be held and inform
them of its date and hour and the measure or matter to be
considered. Such notice shall also be made publicly available
in electronic form and shall be deemed to satisfy paragraph
(g)(3)(A)(ii). Only the measure or matter specified in that
notice may be considered at that special meeting.
TEMPORARY ABSENCE OF CHAIR
(d) A member of the majority party on each standing
committee or subcommittee thereof shall be designated by the
chair of the full committee as the vice chair of the committee
or subcommittee, as the case may be, and shall preside during
the absence of the chair from any meeting. If the chair and
vice chair of a committee or subcommittee are not present at
any meeting of the committee or subcommittee, the ranking
majority member who is present shall preside at that meeting.
COMMITTEE RECORDS
(e)(1)(A) Each committee shall keep a complete record of
all committee action which shall include--
(i) in the case of a meeting or hearing transcript, 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 involved; and
(ii) a record of the votes on any question on which a
record vote is taken.
(B)(i) Except as provided in subdivision (B)(ii) and
subject to paragraph (k)(7), the result of each such record
vote shall be made available by the committee for inspection by
the public at reasonable times in its offices and also made
publicly available in electronic form within 48 hours of such
record vote. Information so available shall include a
description of the amendment, motion, order, or other
proposition, the name of each member voting for and each member
voting against such amendment, motion, order, or proposition,
and the names of those members of the committee present but not
voting.
(ii) The result of any record vote taken in executive
session in the Committee on Ethics may not be made available
for inspection by the public without an affirmative vote of a
majority of the members of the committee.
(2)(A) Except as provided in subdivision (B), all committee
records (including hearings, data, charts, and files) shall be
kept separate and distinct from the congressional office
records of the member serving as its chair. Such records shall
be the property of the House, and each Member, Delegate, and
the Resident Commissioner shall have access thereto.
(B) A Member, Delegate, or Resident Commissioner, other
than members of the Committee on Ethics, may not have access to
the records of that committee respecting the conduct of a
Member, Delegate, Resident Commissioner, officer, or employee
of the House without the specific prior permission of that
committee.
(3) Each committee shall include in its rules standards for
availability of records of the committee delivered to the
Archivist of the United States under rule VII. Such standards
shall specify procedures for orders of the committee under
clause 3(b)(3) and clause 4(b) of rule VII, including a
requirement that nonavailability of a record for a period
longer than the period otherwise applicable under that rule
shall be approved by vote of the committee.
(4) Each committee shall make its publications available in
electronic form to the maximum extent feasible.
(5) To the maximum extent practicable, each committee
shall--
(A) provide audio and video coverage of each hearing
or meeting for the transaction of business in a manner
that allows the public to easily listen to and view the
proceedings; and
(B) maintain the recordings of such coverage in a
manner that is easily accessible to the public.
(6) Not later than 24 hours after the adoption of any
amendment to a measure or matter considered by a committee, the
chair of such committee shall cause the text of each such
amendment to be made publicly available in electronic form.
PROHIBITION AGAINST PROXY VOTING
(f) A vote by a member of a committee or subcommittee with
respect to any measure or matter may not be cast by proxy.
OPEN MEETINGS AND HEARINGS
(g)(1) Each meeting for the transaction of business,
including the markup of legislation, by a standing committee or
subcommittee thereof (other than the Committee on Ethics or its
subcommittees) shall be open to the public, including to radio,
television, and still photography coverage, except when the
committee or sub committee, in open session and with a majority
present, determines by record vote that all or part of the
remainder of the meeting on that day shall be in executive
session because disclosure of matters to be considered would
endanger national security, would compromise sensitive law
enforcement information, would tend to defame, degrade, or
incriminate any person, or otherwise would violate a law or
rule of the House. Persons, other than members of the committee
and such noncommittee Members, Delegates, Resident
Commissioner, congressional staff, or departmental
representatives as the committee may authorize, may not be
present at a business or markup session that is held in
executive session. This subparagraph does not apply to open
committee hearings, which are governed by clause 4(a)(1) of
rule X or by subparagraph (2).
(2)(A) Each hearing conducted by a committee or
subcommittee (other than the Committee on Ethics or its
subcommittees) shall be open to the public, including to radio,
television, and still photography coverage, except when the
committee or subcommittee, in open session and with a majority
present, determines by record vote that all or part of the
remainder of that hearing on that day shall be closed to the
public because disclosure of testimony, evidence, or other
matters to be considered would endanger national security,
would compromise sensitive law enforcement information, or
would violate a law or rule of the House.
(B) Notwithstanding the requirements of subdivision (A), in
the presence of the number of members required under the rules
of the committee for the purpose of taking testimony, a
majority of those present may--
(i) agree to close the hearing for the sole purpose
of discussing whether testimony or evidence to be
received would endanger national security, would
compromise sensitive law enforcement information, or
would violate clause 2(k)(5); or
(ii) agree to close the hearing as provided in clause
2(k)(5).
(C) A Member, Delegate, or Resident Commissioner may not be
excluded from non-participatory attendance at a hearing of a
committee or subcommittee (other than the Committee on Ethics
or its subcommittees) unless the House by majority vote
authorizes a particular committee or subcommittee, for purposes
of a particular series of hearings on a particular article of
legislation or on a particular subject of investigation, to
close its hearings to Members, Delegates, and the Resident
Commissioner by the same procedures specified in this
subparagraph for closing hearings to the public.
(D) The committee or subcommittee may vote by the same
procedure described in this subparagraph to close one
subsequent day of hearing, except that the Committee on
Appropriations, the Committee on Armed Services, and the
Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, and the
subcommittees thereof, may vote by the same procedure to close
up to five additional, consecutive days of hearings.
(3)(A) The chair of a committee shall announce the date,
place, and subject matter of--
(i) a committee hearing, which may not commence
earlier than one week after such notice; or
(ii) a committee meeting, which may not commence
earlier than the third day on which members have notice
thereof.
(B) A hearing or meeting may begin sooner than specified in
subdivision (A) in either of the following circumstances (in
which case the chair shall make the announcement specified in
subdivision (A) at the earliest possible time):
(i) the chair of the committee, with the concurrence
of the ranking minority member, determines that there
is good cause; or
(ii) the committee so determines by majority vote in
the presence of the number of members required under
the rules of the committee for the transaction of
business.
(C) An announcement made under this subparagraph shall be
published promptly in the Daily Digest and made publicly
available in electronic form.
(D) This subparagraph and subparagraph (4) shall not apply
to the Committee on Rules.
(4) At least 24 hours prior to the commencement of a
meeting for the markup of legislation, or at the time of an
announcement under subparagraph (3)(B) made within 24 hours
before such meeting, the chair of the committee shall cause the
text of such legislation to be made publicly available in
electronic form.
(5)(A) Each committee shall, to the greatest extent
practicable, require witnesses who appear before it to submit
in advance written statements of proposed testimony and to
limit their initial presentations to the committee to brief
summaries thereof.
(B) In the case of a witness appearing in a nongovernmental
capacity, a written statement of proposed testimony shall
include a curriculum vitae and a disclosure of any Federal
grants or contracts, or contracts or payments originating with
a foreign government, received during the current calendar year
or either of the two previous calendar years by the witness or
by an entity represented by the witness and related to the
subject matter of the hearing.
(C) The disclosure referred to in subdivision (B) shall
include--
(i) the amount and source of each Federal grant (or
subgrant thereof) or contract (or subcontract thereof)
related to the subject matter of the hearing; and
(ii) the amount and country of origin of any payment
or con- tract related to the subject matter of the
hearing originating with a foreign government.
(D) Such statements, with appropriate redactions to protect
the privacy or security of the witness, shall be made publicly
available in electronic form not later than one day after the
witness appears.
(6)(A) Except as provided in subdivision (B), a point of
order does not lie with respect to a measure reported by a
committee on the ground that hearings on such measure were not
conducted in accordance with this clause.
(B) A point of order on the ground described in subdivision
(A) may be made by a member of the committee that reported the
measure if such point of order was timely made and improperly
disposed of in the committee.
(7) This paragraph does not apply to hearings of the
Committee on Appropriations under clause 4(a)(1) of rule X.
QUORUM REQUIREMENTS
(h)(1) A measure or recommendation may not be reported by a
committee unless a majority of the committee is actually
present.
(2) Each committee may fix the number of its members to
constitute a quorum for taking testimony and receiving
evidence, which may not be less than two.
(3) Each committee (other than the Committee on
Appropriations, the Committee on the Budget, and the Committee
on Ways and Means) may fix the number of its members to
constitute a quorum for taking any action other than one for
which the presence of a majority of the committee is otherwise
required, which may not be less than one-third of the members.
(4)(A) Each committee may adopt a rule authorizing the
chair of a committee or subcommittee--
(i) to postpone further proceedings when a record
vote is ordered on the question of approving a measure
or matter or on adopting an amendment; and
(ii) to resume proceedings on a postponed question at
any time after reasonable notice.
(B) A rule adopted pursuant to this subparagraph shall
provide that when proceedings resume on a postponed question,
notwithstanding any intervening order for the previous
question, an underlying proposition shall remain subject to
further debate or amendment to the same extent as when the
question was postponed.
LIMITATION ON COMMITTEE SITTINGS
(i) A committee may not sit during a joint session of the
House and Senate or during a recess when a joint meeting of the
House and Senate is in progress.
CALLING AND QUESTIONING OF WITNESSES
(j)(1) Whenever a hearing is conducted by a committee on a
measure or matter, the minority members of the committee shall
be entitled, upon request to the chair by a majority of them
before the completion of the hearing, to call witnesses
selected by the minority to testify with respect to that
measure or matter during at least one day of hearing thereon.
(2)(A) Subject to subdivisions (B) and (C), each committee
shall apply the five-minute rule during the questioning of
witnesses in a hearing until such time as each member of the
committee who so desires has had an opportunity to question
each witness.
(B) A committee may adopt a rule or motion permitting a
specified number of its members to question a witness for
longer than five minutes. The time for extended questioning of
a witness under this subdivision shall be equal for the
majority party and the minority party and may not exceed one
hour in the aggregate.
(C) A committee may adopt a rule or motion permitting
committee staff for its majority and minority party members to
question a witness for equal specified periods. The time for
extended questioning of a witness under this subdivision shall
be equal for the majority party and the minority party and may
not exceed one hour in the aggregate.
HEARING PROCEDURES
(k)(1) The chair at a hearing shall announce in an opening
statement the subject of the hearing.
(2) A copy of the committee rules and of this clause shall
be made available to each witness on request.
(3) Witnesses at hearings may be accompanied by their own
counsel for the purpose of advising them concerning their
constitutional rights.
(4) The chair may punish breaches of order and decorum, and
of professional ethics on the part of counsel, by censure and
exclusion from the hearings; and the committee may cite the
offender to the House for contempt.
(5) Whenever it is asserted by a member of the committee
that the evidence or testimony at a hearing may tend to defame,
degrade, or incriminate any person, or it is asserted by a
witness that the evidence or testimony that the witness would
give at a hearing may tend to defame, degrade, or incriminate
the witness--
(A) notwithstanding paragraph (g)(2), such testimony
or evidence shall be presented in executive session if,
in the presence of the number of members required under
the rules of the committee for the purpose of taking
testimony, the committee determines by vote of a
majority of those present that such evidence or
testimony may tend to defame, degrade, or incriminate
any person; and
(B) the committee shall proceed to receive such
testimony in open session only if the committee, a
majority being present, determines that such evidence
or testimony will not tend to defame, degrade, or
incriminate any person.
In either case the committee shall afford such person an
opportunity voluntarily to appear as a witness, and receive and
dispose of requests from such person to subpoena additional
witnesses.
(6) Except as provided in subparagraph (5), the chair shall
receive and the committee shall dispose of requests to subpoena
additional witnesses.
(7) Evidence or testimony taken in executive session, and
proceedings conducted in executive session, may be released or
used in public sessions only when authorized by the committee,
a majority being present.
(8) In the discretion of the committee, witnesses may
submit brief and pertinent sworn statements in writing for
inclusion in the record. The committee is the sole judge of the
pertinence of testimony and evidence adduced at its hearing.
(9) A witness may obtain a transcript copy of the testimony
of such witness given at a public session or, if given at an
executive session, when authorized by the committee.
SUPPLEMENTAL, MINORITY, ADDITIONAL, OR DISSENTING VIEWS
(l) If at the time of approval of a measure or matter by a
committee (other than the Committee on Rules) a member of the
committee gives notice of intention to file supplemental,
minority, additional, or dissenting views for inclusion in the
report to the House thereon, all members shall be entitled to
not less than two additional calendar days after the day of
such notice (excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and legal holidays
except when the House is in session on such a day) to file such
written and signed views with the clerk of the committee.
POWER TO SIT AND ACT; SUBPOENA POWER
(m)(1) For the purpose of carrying out any of its functions
and duties under this rule and rule X (including any matters
referred to it under clause 2 of rule XII), a committee or
subcommittee is authorized (subject to subparagraph (3)(A))--
(A) to sit and act at such times and places within
the United States, whether the House is in session, has
recessed, or has adjourned, and to hold such hearings
as it considers necessary; and
(B) to require, by subpoena or otherwise, the
attendance and testimony of such witnesses and the
production of such books, records, correspondence,
memoranda, papers, and documents as it considers
necessary.
(2) The chair of the committee, or a member designated by
the chair, may administer oaths to witnesses.
(3)(A)(i) Except as provided in subdivision (A)(ii), a
subpoena may be authorized and issued by a committee or
subcommittee under subparagraph (1)(B) in the conduct of an
investigation or series of investigations or activities only
when authorized by the committee or subcommittee, a majority
being present. The power to authorize and issue subpoenas under
subparagraph (1)(B) may be delegated to the chair of the
committee under such rules and under such limitations as the
committee may prescribe. Authorized subpoenas shall be signed
by the chair of the committee or by a member designated by the
committee.
(ii) In the case of a subcommittee of the Committee on
Ethics, a subpoena may be authorized and issued only by an
affirmative vote of a majority of its members.
(B) A subpoena duces tecum may specify terms of return
other than at a meeting or hearing of the committee or
subcommittee authorizing the subpoena.
(C) Compliance with a subpoena issued by a committee or
subcommittee under subparagraph (1)(B) may be enforced only as
authorized or directed by the House.
(n)(1) Each standing committee, or a subcommittee thereof,
shall hold at least one hearing during each 120-day period
following the establishment of the committee on the topic of
waste, fraud, abuse, or mismanagement in Government programs
which that committee may authorize.
(2) A hearing described in subparagraph (1) shall include a
focus on the most egregious instances of waste, fraud, abuse,
or mismanagement as documented by any report the committee has
received from a Federal Office of the Inspector General or the
Comptroller General of the United States.
(o) Each committee, or a subcommittee thereof, shall hold
at least one hearing in any session in which the committee has
received disclaimers of agency financial statements from
auditors of any Federal agency that the committee may authorize
to hear testimony on such disclaimers from representatives of
any such agency.
(p) Each standing committee, or a subcommittee thereof,
shall hold at least one hearing on issues raised by reports
issued by the Comptroller General of the United States
indicating that Federal programs or operations that the
committee may authorize are at high risk for waste, fraud, and
mismanagement, known as the ``high-risk list'' or the ``high-
risk series.''
COMMITTEE ON ETHICS
3. (a) The Committee on Ethics has the following functions:
(1) The committee may recommend to the House from
time to time such administrative actions as it may
consider appropriate to establish or enforce standards
of official conduct for Members, Delegates, the
Resident Commissioner, officers, and employees of the
House. A letter of reproval or other administrative
action of the committee pursuant to an investigation
under subparagraph (2) shall only be issued or
implemented as a part of a report required by such
subparagraph.
(2) The committee may investigate, subject to
paragraph (b), an alleged violation by a Member,
Delegate, Resident Commissioner, officer, or employee
of the House of the Code of Official Conduct or of a
law, rule, regulation, or other standard of con- duct
applicable to the conduct of such Member, Delegate,
Resident Commissioner, officer, or employee in the
performance of the duties or the discharge of the
responsibilities of such individual. After notice and
hearing (unless the right to a hearing is waived by the
Member, Delegate, Resident Commissioner, officer, or
employee), the committee shall report to the House its
findings of fact and recommendations, if any, for the
final disposition of any such investigation and such
action as the committee may consider appropriate in the
circumstances.
(3) The committee may report to the appropriate
Federal or State authorities, either with the approval
of the House or by an affirmative vote of two-thirds of
the members of the committee, any substantial evidence
of a violation by a Member, Delegate, Resident
Commissioner, officer, or employee of the House, of a
law applicable to the performance of the duties or the
discharge of the responsibilities of such individual
that may have been disclosed in a committee
investigation.
(4) The committee may consider the request of a
Member, Delegate, Resident Commissioner, officer, or
employee of the House for an advisory opinion with
respect to the general propriety of any current or
proposed conduct of such Member, Delegate, Resident
Commissioner, officer, or employee. With appropriate
deletions to ensure the privacy of the person
concerned, the committee may publish such opinion for
the guidance of other Members, Delegates, the Resident
Commissioner, officers, and employees of the House.
(5) The committee may consider the request of a
Member, Delegate, Resident Commissioner, officer, or
employee of the House for a written waiver in
exceptional circumstances with respect to clause 4 of
rule XXIII.
(6)(A) The committee shall offer annual ethics
training to each Member, Delegate, Resident
Commissioner, officer, and employee of the House. Such
training shall--
(i) involve the classes of employees for whom
the committee determines such training to be
appropriate; and
(ii) include such knowledge of the Code of
Official Conduct and related House rules as may
be determined appropriate by the committee.
(B)(i) A new Member, Delegate, Resident Commissioner,
officer, or employee of the House shall receive
training under this paragraph not later than 60 days
after beginning service to the House.
(ii) Not later than January 31 of each year, each
officer and employee of the House shall file a
certification with the committee that the officer or
employee attended ethics training in the last year as
established by this subparagraph.
(b)(1)(A) Unless approved by an affirmative vote of a
majority of its members, the Committee on Ethics may not report
a resolution, report, recommendation, or advisory opinion
relating to the official conduct of a Member, Delegate,
Resident Commissioner, officer, or employee of the House, or,
except as provided in subparagraph (2), undertake an
investigation of such conduct.
(B)(i) Upon the receipt of information offered as a
complaint that is in compliance with this rule and the rules of
the committee, the chair and ranking minority member jointly
may appoint members to serve as an investigative subcommittee.
(ii) The chair and ranking minority member of the committee
jointly may gather additional information concerning alleged
conduct that is the basis of a complaint or of information
offered as a complaint until they have established an
investigative subcommittee or either of them has placed on the
agenda of the committee the issue of whether to establish an
investigative subcommittee.
(2) Except in the case of an investigation undertaken by
the committee on its own initiative, the committee may
undertake an investigation relating to the official conduct of
an individual Member, Delegate, Resident Commissioner, officer,
or employee of the House only--
(A) upon receipt of information offered as a
complaint, in writing and under oath, from a Member,
Delegate, or Resident Commissioner and transmitted to
the committee by such Member, Delegate, or Resident
Commissioner;
(B) upon receipt of information offered as a
complaint, in writing and under oath, from a person not
a Member, Delegate, or Resident Commissioner provided
that a Member, Delegate, or Resident Commissioner
certifies in writing to the committee that such Member,
Delegate, or Resident Commissioner believes the
information is submitted in good faith and war- rants
the review and consideration of the committee; or
(C) upon receipt of a report regarding a referral
from the board of the Office of Congressional Ethics.
If a complaint is not disposed of within the applicable periods
set forth in the rules of the Committee on Ethics, the chair
and ranking minority member shall establish jointly an
investigative subcommittee and forward the complaint, or any
portion thereof, to that subcommittee for its consideration.
However, if at any time during those periods either the chair
or ranking minority member places on the agenda the issue of
whether to establish an investigative subcommittee, then an
investigative subcommittee may be established only by an
affirmative vote of a majority of the members of the committee.
(3) The committee may not undertake an investigation of an
alleged violation of a law, rule, regulation, or standard of
conduct that was not in effect at the time of the alleged
violation. The committee may not undertake an investigation of
such an alleged violation that occurred before the third
previous Congress unless the committee determines that the
alleged violation is directly related to an alleged violation
that occurred in a more recent Congress.
(4) A member of the committee shall be ineligible to
participate as a member of the committee in a committee
proceeding relating to the member's official conduct. Whenever
a member of the committee is ineligible to act as a member of
the committee under the preceding sentence, the Speaker shall
designate a Member, Dele- gate, or Resident Commissioner from
the same political party as the ineligible member to act in any
proceeding of the committee relating to that conduct.
(5) A member of the committee may seek disqualification
from participating in an investigation of the conduct of a
Member, Dele- gate, Resident Commissioner, officer, or employee
of the House upon the submission in writing and under oath of
an affidavit of disqualification stating that the member cannot
render an impartial and unbiased decision in the case in which
the member seeks to be disqualified. If the committee approves
and accepts such affidavit of disqualification, the chair shall
so notify the Speaker and request the Speaker to designate a
Member, Delegate, or Resident Commissioner from the same
political party as the disqualifying member to act in any
proceeding of the committee relating to that case.
(6) Information or testimony received, or the contents of a
complaint or the fact of its filing, may not be publicly
disclosed by any committee or staff member unless specifically
authorized in each instance by a vote of the full committee.
(7) The committee shall have the functions designated in
titles I and V of the Ethics in Government Act of 1978, in
sections 7342, 7351, and 7353 of title 5, United States Code,
and in clause 11(g)(4) of rule X.
(8)(A) Except as provided by subdivisions (B), (C), and
(D), not later than 45 calendar days or 5 legislative days,
whichever is later, after receipt of a written report and any
findings and supporting documentation regarding a referral from
the board of the Office of Congressional Ethics or of a
referral of the matter from the board pursuant to a request
under paragraph (r), the chair of the Committee on Ethics shall
make public the written report and findings of the board unless
the chair and ranking member, acting jointly, decide or the
committee votes to withhold such information for not more than
one additional period of the same duration, in which case the
chair shall--
(i) upon the termination of such additional period,
make pub lic the written report and findings; and
(ii) upon the day of such decision or vote, make a
public statement that the matter, relating to the
referral made by the board of the Office of
Congressional Ethics regarding the Member, officer, or
employee of the House who is the subject of the
applicable referral, has been extended.
At least one calendar day before the committee makes public
any written report and findings of the board, the chair shall
notify such board and the applicable Member, officer, or
employee of that fact and transmit to such individual a copy of
the statement on the committee's disposition of, and any
committee report on, the matter.
(B)(i) Notwithstanding subdivision (A)(i), if the committee
votes to dismiss a matter which is the subject of a referral
from the board of the Office of Congressional Ethics, the
committee is not required to make public the written report and
findings described in such subdivision unless the committee's
vote is inconsistent with the recommendation of the board. For
purposes of the previous sentence, a vote by the committee to
dismiss a matter is not inconsistent with a report from the
board respecting the matter as unresolved due to a tie vote.
(ii) Notwithstanding subdivision (A)(ii), if the board
transmits a report respecting any matter with a recommendation
to dismiss or as unresolved due to a tie vote, and the matter
is extended for an additional period as provided in subdivision
(A), the committee is not required to make a public statement
that the matter has been extended.
(iii) Except as provided by subdivision (E), if the
committee establishes an investigative subcommittee respecting
any such matter, then the report and findings of the board
shall not be made public until the conclusion of the
investigative subcommittee process and the committee shall
issue a public statement of the establishment of an
investigative subcommittee, which statement shall include the
name of the applicable Member, officer, or employee, and shall
set forth the alleged violation. If any such investigative
subcommittee does not conclude its review within one year after
the board transmits a report respecting any matter, then the
committee shall make public the report and upon the expiration
of the Congress in which the report is made public, the
committee shall make public any findings.
(C)(i) If, after receipt of a written report and any
findings and supporting documentation regarding a referral from
the board of the Office of Congressional Ethics or of a
referral of the matter from the board pursuant to a request
under paragraph (r), the committee agrees to a request from an
appropriate law enforcement or regulatory authority to defer
taking action on the matter--
(I) notwithstanding subdivision (A)(i), the committee
is not required to make public the written report and
findings de- scribed in such subdivision, except that
if the recommendation of the board with respect to the
report is that the matter re- quires further review,
the committee shall make public the written report but
not the findings; and
(II) before the end of the first day (excluding
Saturdays, Sun- days, and public holidays) after the
day that the committee agrees to the request, the
committee shall make a public statement that it is
deferring taking action on the matter at the re- quest
of such authority.
(ii) If, upon the expiration of the one-year period that
begins on the date the committee makes the public statement
described in item (i)(II), the committee has not acted on the
matter, the committee shall make a new public statement that it
is still deferring taking action on the matter, and shall make
a new statement upon the expiration of each succeeding one-year
period during which the committee has not acted on the matter.
(D) The committee may not receive any referral from the
board of the Office of Congressional Ethics within 60 days
before a Federal, State, or local election in which the subject
of the referral is a candidate. The committee may delay any
reporting requirement under this subparagraph that falls within
that 60-day period until the end of such period and in that
case, for purposes of subdivision (A), days within the 60-day
period shall not be counted.
(E) If, at the close of any applicable period for a
reporting requirement under this subparagraph with respect to a
referral from the board of the Office of Congressional Ethics,
the vote of the committee is a tie or the committee fails to
act, the report and the findings of the board shall be made
public by the committee, along with a public statement by the
chair explaining the status of the matter.
(c)(1) Notwithstanding clause 2(g)(1) of rule XI, each
meeting of the Committee on Ethics or a subcommittee thereof
shall occur in executive session unless the committee or
subcommittee, by an affirmative vote of a majority of its
members, opens the meeting to the public.
(2) Notwithstanding clause 2(g)(2) of rule XI, each hearing
of an adjudicatory subcommittee or sanction hearing of the
Committee on Ethics shall be held in open session unless the
committee or subcommittee, in open session by an affirmative
vote of a majority of its members, closes all or part of the
remainder of the hearing on that day to the public.
(d) Before a member, officer, or employee of the Committee
on Ethics, including members of a subcommittee of the committee
selected under clause 5(a)(4) of rule X and shared staff, may
have access to information that is confidential under the rules
of the committee, the following oath (or affirmation) shall be
executed:
``I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will not
disclose, to any person or entity outside the Committee
on Ethics, any information received in the course of my
service with the committee, except as authorized by the
committee or in accordance with its rules.'' Copies of
the executed oath shall be retained by the Clerk as
part of the records of the House. This paragraph
establishes a standard of conduct within the meaning of
paragraph (a)(2). Breaches of confidentiality shall be
investigated by the Committee on Ethics and appropriate
action shall be taken.
(e)(1) If a complaint or information offered as a complaint
is deemed frivolous by an affirmative vote of a majority of the
members of the Committee on Ethics, the committee may take such
action as it, by an affirmative vote of a majority of its
members, con- siders appropriate in the circumstances.
(2) Complaints filed before the One Hundred Fifth Congress
may not be deemed frivolous by the Committee on Ethics.
COMMITTEE AGENDAS
(f) The committee shall adopt rules providing that the
chair shall establish the agenda for meetings of the committee,
but shall not preclude the ranking minority member from placing
any item on the agenda.
COMMITTEE STAFF
(g)(1) The committee shall adopt rules providing that--
(A) the staff be assembled and retained as a
professional, nonpartisan staff;
(B) each member of the staff shall be professional
and demonstrably qualified for the position for which
hired;
(C) the staff as a whole and each member of the staff
shall perform all official duties in a nonpartisan
manner;
(D) no member of the staff shall engage in any
partisan political activity directly affecting any
congressional or presidential election;
(E) no member of the staff or outside counsel may
accept public speaking engagements or write for
publication on any subject that is in any way related
to the employment or duties with the committee of such
individual without specific prior approval from the
chair and ranking minority member; and
(F) no member of the staff or outside counsel may
make public, unless approved by an affirmative vote of
a majority of the members of the committee, any
information, document, or other material that is
confidential, derived from executive session, or
classified and that is obtained during the course of
employment with the committee.
(2) Only subdivisions (C), (E), and (F) of subparagraph (1)
shall apply to shared staff.
(3)(A) All staff members shall be appointed by an
affirmative vote of a majority of the members of the committee.
Such vote shall occur at the first meeting of the membership of
the committee during each Congress and as necessary during the
Congress.
(B) Subject to the approval of the Committee on House
Administration, the committee may retain counsel not employed
by the House of Representatives whenever the committee
determines, by an affirmative vote of a majority of the members
of the committee, that the retention of outside counsel is
necessary and appropriate.
(C) If the committee determines that it is necessary to
retain staff members for the purpose of a particular
investigation or other proceeding, then such staff shall be
retained only for the duration of that particular investigation
or proceeding.
(D) Outside counsel may be dismissed before the end of a
con- tract between the committee and such counsel only by an
affirmative vote of a majority of the members of the committee.
(4) In addition to any other staff provided for by law,
rule, or other authority, with respect to the committee, the
chair and ranking minority member each may appoint one
individual as a shared staff member from the respective
personal staff of the chair or ranking minority member to
perform service for the committee. Such shared staff may assist
the chair or ranking minority member on any subcommittee on
which the chair or ranking minority member serves.
MEETINGS AND HEARINGS
(h) The committee shall adopt rules providing that--
(1) all meetings or hearings of the committee or any
sub- committee thereof, other than any hearing held by
an adjudicatory subcommittee or any sanction hearing
held by the committee, shall occur in executive session
unless the committee or subcommittee by an affirmative
vote of a majority of its members opens the meeting or
hearing to the public; and
(2) any hearing held by an adjudicatory subcommittee
or any sanction hearing held by the committee shall be
open to the public unless the committee or subcommittee
by an affirmative vote of a majority of its members
closes the hearing to the public.
PUBLIC DISCLOSURE
(i) The committee shall adopt rules providing that, unless
other- wise determined by a vote of the committee, only the
chair or rank- ing minority member, after consultation with
each other, may make public statements regarding matters before
the committee or any subcommittee thereof.
REQUIREMENTS TO CONSTITUTE A COMPLAINT
(j) The committee shall adopt rules regarding complaints to
pro- vide that whenever information offered as a complaint is
submitted to the committee, the chair and ranking minority
member shall have 14 calendar days or five legislative days,
whichever is sooner, to determine whether the information meets
the requirements of the rules of the committee for what
constitutes a complaint.
DUTIES OF CHAIR AND RANKING MINORITY MEMBER REGARDING PROPERLY FILED
COMPLAINTS
(k)(1) The committee shall adopt rules providing that
whenever the chair and ranking minority member jointly
determine that in- formation submitted to the committee meets
the requirements of the rules of the committee for what
constitutes a complaint, they shall have 45 calendar days or
five legislative days, whichever is later, after that
determination (unless the committee by an affirmative vote of a
majority of its members votes otherwise) to--
(A) recommend to the committee that it dispose of the
com- plaint, or any portion thereof, in any manner that
does not re- quire action by the House, which may
include dismissal of the complaint or resolution of the
complaint by a letter to the Member, officer, or
employee of the House against whom the complaint is
made;
(B) establish an investigative subcommittee; or (C)
request that the committee extend the applicable 45-
calendar day or five-legislative day period by one
additional 45-calendar day period when they determine
more time is necessary in order to make a
recommendation under subdivision (A).
(2) The committee shall adopt rules providing that if the
chair and ranking minority member jointly determine that
information submitted to the committee meets the requirements
of the rules of the committee for what constitutes a complaint,
and the complaint is not disposed of within the applicable time
periods under sub- paragraph (1), then they shall establish an
investigative subcommittee and forward the complaint, or any
portion thereof, to that subcommittee for its consideration.
However, if, at any time during those periods, either the chair
or ranking minority member places on the agenda the issue of
whether to establish an investigative subcommittee, then an
investigative subcommittee may be established only by an
affirmative vote of a majority of the members of the committee.
DUTIES OF CHAIR AND RANKING MINORITY MEMBER REGARDING INFORMATION NOT
CONSTITUTING A COMPLAINT
(l) The committee shall adopt rules providing that whenever
the chair and ranking minority member jointly determine that
information submitted to the committee does not meet the
requirements of the rules of the committee for what constitutes
a complaint, they may--
(1) return the information to the complainant with a
statement that it fails to meet the requirements of the
rules of the committee for what constitutes a
complaint; or
(2) recommend to the committee that it authorize the
establishment of an investigative subcommittee.
INVESTIGATIVE AND ADJUDICATORY SUBCOMMITTEES
(m) The committee shall adopt rules providing that--
(1)(A) an investigative subcommittee shall be
composed of four Members (with equal representation
from the majority and minority parties) whenever such a
subcommittee is established pursuant to the rules of
the committee;
(B) an adjudicatory subcommittee shall be composed of
the members of the committee who did not serve on the
pertinent investigative subcommittee (with equal
representation from the majority and minority parties)
whenever such a subcommittee is established pursuant to
the rules of the committee; and
(C) notwithstanding any other provision of this
clause, the chair and ranking minority member of the
committee may consult with an investigative
subcommittee either on their own initiative or on the
initiative of the subcommittee, shall have access to
information before a subcommittee with which they so
consult, and shall not thereby be precluded from
serving as full, voting members of any adjudicatory
subcommittee;
(2) at the time of appointment, the chair shall
designate one member of a subcommittee to serve as
chair and the ranking minority member shall designate
one member of the subcommittee to serve as the ranking
minority member; and
(3) the chair and ranking minority member of the
committee may serve as members of an investigative
subcommittee, but may not serve as non-voting, ex
officio members.
STANDARD OF PROOF FOR ADOPTION OF STATEMENT OF ALLEGED VIOLATION
(n) The committee shall adopt rules to provide that an
investigative subcommittee may adopt a statement of alleged
violation only if it determines by an affirmative vote of a
majority of the members of the subcommittee that there is
substantial reason to believe that a violation of the Code of
Official Conduct, or of a law, rule, regulation, or other
standard of conduct applicable to the performance of official
duties or the discharge of official responsibilities by a
Member, officer, or employee of the House of Representatives,
has occurred.
SUBCOMMITTEE POWERS
(o)(1) The committee shall adopt rules providing that an
investigative subcommittee or an adjudicatory subcommittee may
authorize and issue subpoenas only when authorized by an
affirmative vote of a majority of the members of the
subcommittee.
(2) The committee shall adopt rules providing that an
investigative subcommittee may, upon an affirmative vote of a
majority of its members, expand the scope of its investigation
when approved by an affirmative vote of a majority of the
members of the committee.
(3) The committee shall adopt rules to provide that--
(A) an investigative subcommittee may, upon an
affirmative vote of a majority of its members, amend
its statement of alleged violation anytime before the
statement of alleged violation is transmitted to the
committee; and
(B) if an investigative subcommittee amends its
statement of alleged violation, the respondent shall be
notified in writing and shall have 30 calendar days
from the date of that notification to file an answer to
the amended statement of alleged violation.
DUE PROCESS RIGHTS OF RESPONDENTS
(p) The committee shall adopt rules to provide that--
(1) not less than 10 calendar days before a scheduled
vote by an investigative subcommittee on a statement of
alleged violation, the subcommittee shall provide the
respondent with a copy of the statement of alleged
violation it intends to adopt together with all
evidence it intends to use to prove those charges which
it intends to adopt, including documentary evidence,
witness testimony, memoranda of witness interviews, and
physical evidence, unless the subcommittee by an
affirmative vote of a majority of its members decides
to withhold certain evidence in order to protect a
witness; but if such evidence is withheld, the
subcommittee shall inform the respondent that evidence
is being withheld and of the count to which such
evidence relates;
(2) neither the respondent nor the counsel of the
respondent shall, directly or indirectly, contact the
subcommittee or any member thereof during the period of
time set forth in para- graph (1) except for the sole
purpose of settlement discussions where counsel for the
respondent and the subcommittee are present;
(3) if, at any time after the issuance of a statement
of alleged violation, the committee or any subcommittee
thereof determines that it intends to use evidence not
provided to a respondent under paragraph (1) to prove
the charges contained in the statement of alleged
violation (or any amendment thereof), such evidence
shall be made immediately available to the respondent,
and it may be used in any further proceeding under the
rules of the committee;
(4) evidence provided pursuant to paragraph (1) or
(3) shall be made available to the respondent and the
counsel of the respondent only after each agrees, in
writing, that no document, information, or other
materials obtained pursuant to that paragraph shall be
made public until--
(A) such time as a statement of alleged
violation is made public by the committee if
the respondent has waived the adjudicatory
hearing; or
(B) the commencement of an adjudicatory
hearing if the respondent has not waived an
adjudicatory hearing;
but the failure of respondent and the counsel of the respondent
to so agree in writing, and their consequent failure to receive
the evidence, shall not preclude the issuance of a statement of
alleged violation at the end of the period referred to in
paragraph (1);
(5) a respondent shall receive written notice
whenever--
(A) the chair and ranking minority member
determine that information the committee has
received constitutes a complaint;
(B) a complaint or allegation is transmitted
to an investigative subcommittee;
(C) an investigative subcommittee votes to
authorize its first subpoena or to take
testimony under oath, whichever occurs first;
or
(D) an investigative subcommittee votes to
expand the scope of its investigation;
(6) whenever an investigative subcommittee adopts a
statement of alleged violation and a respondent enters
into an agreement with that subcommittee to settle a
complaint on which that statement is based, that
agreement, unless the respondent requests otherwise,
shall be in writing and signed by the respondent and
respondent's counsel, the chair and ranking minority
member of the subcommittee, and the outside counsel, if
any;
(7) statements or information derived solely from a
respondent or the counsel of a respondent during any
settlement discussions between the committee or a
subcommittee thereof and the respondent shall not be
included in any report of the subcommittee or the
committee or otherwise publicly disclosed without the
consent of the respondent; and
(8) whenever a motion to establish an investigative
subcommittee does not prevail, the committee shall
promptly send a letter to the respondent informing the
respondent of such vote.
COMMITTEE REPORTING REQUIREMENTS
(q) The committee shall adopt rules to provide that--
(1) whenever an investigative subcommittee does not
adopt a statement of alleged violation and transmits a
report to that effect to the committee, the committee
may by an affirmative vote of a majority of its members
transmit such report to the House of Representatives;
(2) whenever an investigative subcommittee adopts a
statement of alleged violation, the respondent admits
to the violations set forth in such statement, the
respondent waives the right to an adjudicatory hearing,
and the respondent's waiver is approved by the
committee--
(A) the subcommittee shall prepare a report
for transmittal to the committee, a final draft
of which shall be provided to the respondent
not less than 15 calendar days before the
subcommittee votes on whether to adopt the
report;
(B) the respondent may submit views in
writing regarding the final draft to the
subcommittee within seven calendar days of
receipt of that draft;
(C) the subcommittee shall transmit a report
to the committee regarding the statement of
alleged violation together with any views
submitted by the respondent pursuant to
subdivision (B), and the committee shall make
the report together with the respondent's views
available to the public before the commencement
of any sanction hearing; and
(D) the committee shall by an affirmative
vote of a majority of its members issue a
report and transmit such report to the House of
Representatives, together with the respondent's
views previously submitted pursuant to
subdivision (B) and any additional views
respondent may submit for attachment to the
final report; and
(3) members of the committee shall have not less than
72 hours to review any report transmitted to the
committee by an investigative subcommittee before both
the commencement of a sanction hearing and the
committee vote on whether to adopt the report.
(r) Upon receipt of any written notification from the board
of the Office of Congressional Ethics that the board is
undertaking a review of any alleged conduct of any Member,
officer, or employee of the House and if the committee is
investigating such matter, the committee may at any time so
notify the board and request that the board cease its review
and refer the matter to the committee for its consideration. If
at the end of the applicable time period (including any
permissible extension) the committee has not reached a final
resolution of the matter or has not referred the matter to the
appropriate Federal or State authorities, the committee shall
so notify the board of the Office of Congressional Ethics in
writing. The committee may not request the same matter from the
board more than one time.
(s) The committee may not take any action that would deny
any person any right or protection provided under the
Constitution of the United States.
AUDIO AND VISUAL COVERAGE OF COMMITTEE PROCEEDINGS
4. (a) The purpose of this clause is to provide a means, in
conformity with acceptable standards of dignity, propriety, and
decorum, by which committee hearings or committee meetings that
are open to the public may be covered by audio and visual
means--
(1) for the education, enlightenment, and information
of the general public, on the basis of accurate and
impartial news coverage, regarding the operations,
procedures, and practices of the House as a legislative
and representative body, and regarding the measures,
public issues, and other matters before the House and
its committees, the consideration thereof, and the
action taken thereon; and
(2) for the development of the perspective and
understanding of the general public with respect to the
role and function of the House under the Constitution
as an institution of the Federal Government.
(b) In addition, it is the intent of this clause that radio
and television tapes and television film of any coverage under
this clause may not be used for any partisan political campaign
purpose or be made available for such use.
(c) It is, further, the intent of this clause that the
general conduct of each meeting (whether of a hearing or
otherwise) covered under authority of this clause by audio or
visual means, and the personal behavior of the committee
members and staff, other Government officials and personnel,
witnesses, television, radio, and press media personnel, and
the general public at the hearing or other meeting, shall be in
strict conformity with and observance of the acceptable
standards of dignity, propriety, courtesy, and decorum
traditionally observed by the House in its operations, and may
not be such as to--
(1) distort the objects and purposes of the hearing
or other meeting or the activities of committee members
in connection with that hearing or meeting or in
connection with the general work of the committee or of
the House; or
(2) cast discredit or dishonor on the House, the
committee, or a Member, Delegate, or Resident
Commissioner or bring the House, the committee, or a
Member, Delegate, or Resident Commissioner into
disrepute.
(d) The coverage of committee hearings and meetings by
audio and visual means shall be permitted and conducted only in
strict conformity with the purposes, provisions, and
requirements of this clause.
(e) Whenever a hearing or meeting conducted by a committee
or subcommittee is open to the public, those proceedings shall
be open to coverage by audio and visual means. A committee or
subcommittee chair may not limit the number of television or
still cameras to fewer than two representatives from each
medium (except for legitimate space or safety considerations,
in which case pool coverage shall be authorized).
(f) Written rules adopted by each committee pursuant to
clause 2(a)(1)(D) shall contain provisions to the following
effect:
(1) If audio or visual coverage of the hearing or
meeting is to be presented to the public as live
coverage, that coverage shall be conducted and
presented without commercial sponsorship.
(2) The allocation among the television media of the
positions or the number of television cameras permitted
by a committee or subcommittee chair in a hearing or
meeting room shall be in accordance with fair and
equitable procedures devised by the Executive Committee
of the Radio and Television Correspondents' Galleries.
(3) Television cameras shall be placed so as not to
obstruct in any way the space between a witness giving
evidence or testimony and any member of the committee
or the visibility of that witness and that member to
each other.
(4) Television cameras shall operate from fixed
positions but may not be placed in positions that
obstruct unnecessarily the coverage of the hearing or
meeting by the other media.
(5) Equipment necessary for coverage by the
television and radio media may not be installed in, or
removed from, the hearing or meeting room while the
committee is in session.
(6)(A) Except as provided in subdivision (B),
floodlights, spotlights, strobelights, and flashguns
may not be used in providing any method of coverage of
the hearing or meeting.
(B) The television media may install additional
lighting in a hearing or meeting room, without cost to
the Government, in order to raise the ambient lighting
level in a hearing or meeting room to the lowest level
necessary to provide adequate television coverage of a
hearing or meeting at the current state of the art of
television coverage.
(7) If requests are made by more of the media than
will be permitted by a committee or subcommittee chair
for coverage of a hearing or meeting by still
photography, that coverage shall be permitted on the
basis of a fair and equitable pool arrangement devised
by the Standing Committee of Press Photographers.
(8) Photographers may not position themselves between
the witness table and the members of the committee at
any time during the course of a hearing or meeting.
(9) Photographers may not place themselves in
positions that obstruct unnecessarily the coverage of
the hearing by the other media.
(10) Personnel providing coverage by the television
and radio media shall be currently accredited to the
Radio and Television Correspondents' Galleries.
(11) Personnel providing coverage by still
photography shall be currently accredited to the Press
Photographers' Gallery.
(12) Personnel providing coverage by the television
and radio media and by still photography shall conduct
themselves and their coverage activities in an orderly
and unobtrusive manner.
PAY OF WITNESSES
5. Witnesses appearing before the House or any of its
committees shall be paid the same per diem rate as established,
authorized, and regulated by the Committee on House
Administration for Members, Delegates, the Resident
Commissioner, and employees of the House, plus actual expenses
of travel to or from the place of examination. Such per diem
may not be paid when a witness has been summoned at the place
of examination.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS OF THE SESSION
6. All business of the House at the end of one session
shall be resumed at the commencement of the next session of the
same Congress in the same manner as if no adjournment had taken
place.
* * * * * * *
Rule XIII
Calendars and Committee Reports
CALENDARS
1. (a) All business reported by committees shall be
referred to one of the following three calendars:
(1) A Calendar of the Committee of the Whole House on
the state of the Union, to which shall be referred
public bills and public resolutions raising revenue,
involving a tax or charge on the people, directly or
indirectly making appropriations of money or property
or requiring such appropriations to be made,
authorizing payments out of appropriations already
made, releasing any liability to the United States for
money or property, or referring a claim to the Court of
Claims.
(2) A House Calendar, to which shall be referred all
public bills and public resolutions not requiring
referral to the Calendar of the Committee of the Whole
House on the state of the Union.
(3) A Private Calendar as provided in clause 5 of
rule XV, to which shall be referred all private bills
and private resolutions.
(b) There is established a Calendar of Motions to Discharge
Committees as provided in clause 2 of rule XV.
FILING AND PRINTING OF REPORTS
2. (a)(1) Except as provided in subparagraph (2), all
reports of committees (other than those filed from the floor)
shall be delivered to the Clerk for printing and reference to
the proper calendar under the direction of the Speaker in
accordance with clause 1. The title or subject of each report
shall be entered on the Journal and printed in the
Congressional Record.
(2) A bill or resolution reported adversely (other than
those filed as privileged) shall be laid on the table unless a
committee to which the bill or resolution was referred requests
at the time of the report its referral to an appropriate
calendar under clause 1 or unless, within three days
thereafter, a Member, Delegate, or Resident Commissioner makes
such a request.
(b)(1) It shall be the duty of the chair of each committee
to report or cause to be reported promptly to the House a
measure or matter approved by the committee and to take or
cause to be taken steps necessary to bring the measure or
matter to a vote.
(2) In any event, the report of a committee on a measure
that has been approved by the committee shall be filed within
seven calendar days (exclusive of days on which the House is
not in session) after the day on which a written request for
the filing of the report, signed by a majority of the members
of the committee, has been filed with the clerk of the
committee. The clerk of the committee shall immediately notify
the chair of the filing of such a request.
This subparagraph does not apply to a report of the Committee
on Rules with respect to a rule, joint rule, or order of
business of the House, or to the reporting of a resolution of
inquiry addressed to the head of an executive department.
(c) All supplemental, minority, additional, or dissenting
views filed under clause 2(l) of rule XI by one or more members
of a committee shall be included in, and shall be a part of,
the report filed by the committee with respect to a measure or
matter. When time guaranteed by clause 2(l) of rule XI has
expired (or, if sooner, when all separate views have been
received), the committee may arrange to file its report with
the Clerk not later than one hour after the expiration of such
time. This clause and provisions of clause 2(l) of rule XI do
not preclude the immediate filing or printing of a committee
report in the absence of a timely request for the opportunity
to file supplemental, minority, additional, or dissenting views
as provided in clause 2(l) of rule XI.
CONTENT OF REPORTS
3. (a)(1) Except as provided in subparagraph (2), the
report of a committee on a measure or matter shall be printed
in a single volume that--
(A) shall include all supplemental, minority,
additional, or dissenting views that have been
submitted by the time of the filing of the report; and
(B) shall bear on its cover a recital that any such
supplemental, minority, additional, or dissenting views
(and any material submitted under paragraph (c)(3)) are
included as part of the report.
(2) A committee may file a supplemental report for the
correction of a technical error in its previous report on a
measure or matter. A supplemental report only correcting errors
in the depiction of record votes under paragraph (b) may be
filed under this subparagraph and shall not be subject to the
requirement in clause 4 or clause 6 concerning the availability
of reports.
(b) With respect to each record vote on a motion to report
a measure or matter of a public nature, and on any amendment
offered to the measure or matter, the total number of votes
cast for and against, and the names of members voting for and
against, shall be included in the committee report. The
preceding sentence does not apply to votes taken in executive
session by the Committee on Ethics.
(c) The report of a committee on a measure that has been
approved by the committee shall include, separately set out and
clearly identified, the following:
(1) Oversight findings and recommendations under
clause 2(b)(1) of rule X.
(2) The statement required by section 308(a) of the
Congressional Budget Act of 1974, except that an
estimate of new budget authority shall include, when
practicable, a comparison of the total estimated
funding level for the relevant programs to the
appropriate levels under current law.
(3) An estimate and comparison prepared by the
Director of the Congressional Budget Office under
section 402 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 if
timely submitted to the committee before the filing of
the report.
(4) A statement of general performance goals and
objectives, including outcome-related goals and
objectives, for which the measure authorizes funding.
(d) Each report of a committee on a public bill or public
joint resolution shall contain the following:
(1)(A) An estimate by the committee of the costs that
would be incurred in carrying out the bill or joint
resolution in the fiscal year in which it is reported
and in each of the five fiscal years following that
fiscal year (or for the authorized duration of any
program authorized by the bill or joint resolution if
less than five years);
(B) a comparison of the estimate of costs described
in subdivision (A) made by the committee with any
estimate of such costs made by a Government agency and
submitted to such committee; and
(C) when practicable, a comparison of the total
estimated funding level for the relevant programs with
the appropriate levels under current law.
(2)(A) In subparagraph (1) the term ``Government
agency'' includes any department, agency,
establishment, wholly owned Government corporation, or
instrumentality of the Federal Government or the
government of the District of Columbia.
(B) Subparagraph (1) does not apply to the Committee
on Appropriations, the Committee on House
Administration, the Committee on Rules, or the
Committee on Ethics, and does not apply when a cost
estimate and comparison prepared by the Director of the
Congressional Budget Office under section 402 of the
Congressional Budget Act of 1974 has been included in
the report under paragraph (c)(3).
(e)(1) Whenever a committee reports a bill or joint
resolution proposing to repeal or amend a statute or part
thereof, it shall include in its report or in an accompanying
document--
(A) the entire text of each section of a statute that
is proposed to be repealed or amended; and
(B) a comparative print of each amendment to a
section of a statute that the bill or joint resolution
proposes to make, showing by appropriate typographical
devices the omissions and insertions proposed.
(2) If a committee reports a bill or joint resolution
proposing to repeal or amend a statute or part thereof with a
recommendation that the bill or joint resolution be amended,
the comparative print required by subparagraph (1) shall
reflect the changes in existing law proposed to be made by the
bill or joint resolution as proposed to be amended.
(f)(1) A report of the Committee on Appropriations on a
general appropriation bill shall include--
(A) a concise statement describing the effect of any
provision of the accompanying bill that directly or
indirectly changes the application of existing law; and
(B) a list of all appropriations contained in the
bill for expenditures not currently authorized by law
for the period concerned (excepting classified
intelligence or national security programs, projects,
or activities), along with a statement of the last year
for which such expenditures were authorized, the level
of expenditures authorized for that year, the actual
level of expenditures for that year, and the level of
appropriations in the bill for such expenditures.
(2) Whenever the Committee on Appropriations reports a bill
or joint resolution including matter specified in clause
1(b)(2) or (3) of rule X, it shall include--
(A) in the bill or joint resolution, separate
headings for ``Rescissions'' and ``Transfers of
Unexpended Balances''; and
(B) in the report of the committee, a separate
section listing such rescissions and transfers.
(g) Whenever the Committee on Rules reports a resolution
proposing to repeal or amend a standing rule of the House, it
shall include in its report or in an accompanying document--
(1) the text of any rule or part thereof that is
proposed to be repealed; and
(2) a comparative print of any part of the resolution
proposing to amend the rule and of the rule or part
thereof proposed to be amended, showing by appropriate
typographical devices the omissions and insertions
proposed.
(h) It shall not be in order to consider a bill or joint
resolution reported by the Committee on Ways and Means that
proposes to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 unless--
(1) the report includes a tax complexity analysis
prepared by the Joint Committee on Taxation in
accordance with section 4022(b) of the Internal Revenue
Service Restructuring and Reform Act of 1998; or
(2) the chair of the Committee on Ways and Means
causes such a tax complexity analysis to be printed in
the Congressional Record before consideration of the
bill or joint resolution.
AVAILABILITY OF REPORTS
4. (a)(1) Except as specified in subparagraph (2), it shall
not be in order to consider in the House a measure or matter
reported by a committee until the third calendar day (excluding
Saturdays, Sundays, or legal holidays except when the House is
in session on such a day) on which each report of a committee
on that measure or matter has been available to Members,
Delegates, and the Resident Commissioner.
(2) Subparagraph (1) does not apply to--
(A) a resolution providing a rule, joint rule, or
order of business reported by the Committee on Rules
considered under clause 6;
(B) a resolution providing amounts from the
applicable accounts described in clause 1(k)(1) of rule
X reported by the Committee on House Administration
considered under clause 6 of rule X;
(C) a resolution presenting a question of the
privileges of the House reported by any committee;
(D) a measure for the declaration of war, or the
declaration of a national emergency, by Congress; and
(E) a measure providing for the disapproval of a
decision, determination, or action by a Government
agency that would become, or continue to be, effective
unless disapproved or otherwise invalidated by one or
both Houses of Congress. In this subdivision the term
``Government agency'' includes any department, agency,
establishment, wholly owned Government corporation, or
instrumentality of the Federal Government or of the
government of the District of Columbia.
(b) A committee that reports a measure or matter shall make
every reasonable effort to have its hearings thereon (if any)
printed and available for distribution to Members, Delegates,
and the Resident Commissioner before the consideration of the
measure or matter in the House.
PRIVILEGED REPORTS, GENERALLY
5. (a) The following committees shall have leave to report
at any time on the following matters, respectively:
(1) The Committee on Appropriations, on general
appropriation bills and on joint resolutions continuing
appropriations for a fiscal year after September 15 in
the preceding fiscal year.
(2) The Committee on the Budget, on the matters
required to be reported by such committee under titles
III and IV of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974.
(3) The Committee on House Administration, on
enrolled bills, on contested elections, on matters
referred to it concerning printing for the use of the
House or the two Houses, on expenditure of the
applicable accounts of the House described in clause
1(k)(1) of rule X, and on matters relating to
preservation and availability of noncurrent records of
the House under rule VII.
(4) The Committee on Rules, on rules, joint rules,
and the order of business.
(5) The Committee on Ethics, on resolutions
recommending action by the House with respect to a
Member, Delegate, Resident Commissioner, officer, or
employee of the House as a result of an investigation
by the committee relating to the official conduct of
such Member, Delegate, Resident Commissioner, officer,
or employee.
(b) A report filed from the floor as privileged under
paragraph (a) may be called up as a privileged question by
direction of the reporting committee, subject to any
requirement concerning its availability to Members, Delegates,
and the Resident Commissioner under clause 4 or concerning the
timing of its consideration under clause 6.
PRIVILEGED REPORTS BY THE COMMITTEE ON RULES
6. (a) A report by the Committee on Rules on a rule, joint
rule, or the order of business may not be called up for
consideration on the same day it is presented to the House
except--
(1) when so determined by a vote of two-thirds of the
Members voting, a quorum being present;
(2) in the case of a resolution proposing only to
waive a requirement of clause 4 or of clause 8 of rule
XXII concerning the availability of reports; or
(3) during the last three days of a session of
Congress.
(b) Pending the consideration of a report by the Committee
on Rules on a rule, joint rule, or the order of business, the
Speaker may entertain one motion that the House adjourn but may
not entertain any other dilatory motion until the report shall
have been disposed of.
(c) The Committee on Rules may not report a rule or order
that would prevent the motion to recommit a bill or joint
resolution from being made as provided in clause 2(b) of rule
XIX, including a motion to recommit with instructions to report
back an amendment otherwise in order, if offered by the
Minority Leader or a designee, except with respect to a Senate
bill or joint resolution for which the text of a House-passed
measure has been substituted.
(d) The Committee on Rules shall present to the House
reports concerning rules, joint rules, and the order of
business, within three legislative days of the time when they
are ordered. If such a report is not considered immediately, it
shall be referred to the calendar. If such a report on the
calendar is not called up by the member of the committee who
filed the report within seven legislative days, any member of
the committee may call it up as a privileged question on the
day after the calendar day on which the member announces to the
House intention to do so. The Speaker shall recognize a member
of the committee who rises for that purpose.
(e) An adverse report by the Committee on Rules on a
resolution proposing a special order of business for the
consideration of a public bill or public joint resolution may
be called up as a privileged question by a Member, Delegate, or
Resident Commissioner on a day when it is in order to consider
a motion to discharge committees under clause 2 of rule XV.
(f) If the House has adopted a resolution making in order a
motion to consider a bill or resolution, and such a motion has
not been offered within seven calendar days thereafter, such a
motion shall be privileged if offered by direction of all
reporting committees having initial jurisdiction of the bill or
resolution.
(g) Whenever the Committee on Rules reports a resolution
providing for the consideration of a measure, it shall to the
maximum extent possible specify in the accompanying report any
waiver of a point of order against the measure or against its
consideration.
RESOLUTIONS OF INQUIRY
7. A report on a resolution of inquiry addressed to the
head of an executive department may be filed from the floor as
privileged. If such a resolution is not reported to the House
within 14 legislative days after its introduction, a motion to
discharge a committee from its consideration shall be
privileged.
ESTIMATES OF MAJOR LEGISLATION
8. (a) An estimate provided by the Congressional Budget
Office under section 402 of the Congressional Budget Act of
1974 for any major legislation shall, to the extent
practicable, incorporate the budgetary effects of changes in
economic output, employment, capital stock, and other
macroeconomic variables resulting from such legislation.
(b) An estimate provided by the Joint Committee on Taxation
to the Director of the Congressional Budget Office under
section 201(f) of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 for any
major legislation shall, to the extent practicable, incorporate
the budgetary effects of changes in economic output,
employment, capital stock, and other macroeconomic variables
resulting from such legislation.
(c) An estimate referred to in this clause shall, to the
extent practicable, include--
(1) a qualitative assessment of the budgetary effects
(including macroeconomic variables described in
paragraphs (a) and (b)) of such legislation in the 20-
fiscal year period beginning after the last fiscal year
of the most recently agreed to concurrent resolution on
the budget that set forth appropriate levels required
by section 301 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974;
and
(2) an identification of the critical assumptions and
the source of data underlying that estimate.
(d) As used in this clause--
(1) the term ``major legislation'' means any bill or
joint resolution--
(A) for which an estimate is required to be
prepared pursuant to section 402 of the
Congressional Budget Act of 1974 and that
causes a gross budgetary effect (before
incorporating macroeconomic effects) in any
fiscal year over the years of the most recently
agreed to concurrent resolution on the budget
equal to or greater than 0.25 percent of the
current projected gross domestic product of the
United States for that fiscal year; or
(B) designated as such by the chair of the
Committee on the Budget for all direct spending
legislation other than revenue legislation or
the Member who is chair or vice chair, as
applicable, of the Joint Committee on Taxation
for revenue legislation; and
(2) the term ``budgetary effects'' means changes in
revenues, outlays, and deficits.
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