[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 1 (Wednesday, January 4, 1995)]
[House]
[Page H38]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                           RULES OF THE HOUSE

  Mr. ARMEY. Mr. Speaker, pursuant to the resolution just agreed to, I 
call up House Resolution 6 and ask for its immediate consideration.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The text of House Resolution 6 is as follows:
                               H. Res. 6

       Resolved,

        TITLE I. CONTRACT WITH AMERICA: A BILL OF ACCOUNTABILITY

       Sec. 101. The Rules of the House of Representatives of the 
     One Hundred Third Congress, including applicable provisions 
     of law or concurrent resolution that constituted rules of the 
     House at the end of the One Hundred Third Congress, together 
     with such amendments thereto in this resolution as may 
     otherwise have been adopted, are adopted as the Rules of the 
     House of Representatives of the One Hundred Fourth Congress, 
     with the following amendments:

               Committee, Subcommittee, and Staff Reforms

       (a) Committee Staff Reductions.--In the One Hundred Fourth 
     Congress, the total number of staff of House committees shall 
     be at least one-third less than the corresponding total in 
     the One Hundred Third Congress.
       (b) Subcommittee Reductions.--In clause 6 of rule X, amend 
     paragraph (d) to read as follows:
       ``(d) No committee of the House shall have more than five 
     subcommittees (except the Committee on Appropriations, which 
     shall have no more than thirteen; the Committee on Government 
     Reform and Oversight, which shall have no more than seven; 
     and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, which 
     shall have no more than six).''.
       (c) Consolidated Committee Staff and Biennial Funding.----
       (1) In clause 5(a) of rule XI, amend the first sentence to 
     read as follows: ``Whenever any committee, commission, or 
     other entity (except the Committee on Appropriations) is to 
     be granted authorization for the payment of its expenses 
     (including all staff salaries) for a Congress, such 
     authorization initially shall be procured by one primary 
     expense resolution reported by the Committee on House 
     Oversight.''.
       (2)(A) In clause 5(b) of rule XI, amend the first sentence 
     to read as follows: ``After the date of adoption by the House 
     of any such primary expense resolution for any such 
     committee, commission, or other entity for any 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 Oversight, as necessary.''.
       (B) In clause 5(c)(1) of rule XI--
       (i) strike ``the contingent fund'' and insert ``committee 
     salary and expense accounts''; (ii) strike ``any year'' and 
     insert ``any odd-numbered year''; and
       (iii) strike ``for that year'' and insert ``for that 
     Congress''.
       (C) In clause 5(c)(2) of rule XI, strike ``the contingent 
     fund'' and insert ``committee salary and expense accounts''.
       (D) In clause 5(f)(1) of rule XI--
       (i) strike ``the contingent fund'' and insert ``committee 
     salary and expense accounts''; and
       (ii) strike ``of each year'' and insert ``in each odd-
     numbered year''.
       (3)(A) Interim funding rule.--For the purposes of 
     implementing this section, and notwithstanding the provisions 
     of clause 5(f) of rule XI, at the beginning of the One 
     Hundred Fourth Congress, the committees established by this 
     resolution are authorized, pending the adoption of the 
     primary expense resolution for the One Hundred Fourth 
     Congress, to expend such sums as are necessary to pay 
     compensation for staff services performed for, or to pay 
     other expenses of, the committee consistent with its planned 
     reductions in committee staff.
     [[Page H24]]   (B) Notwithstanding any provision of clause 
     5(f) of rule XI, payments thereunder during the One Hundred 
     Fourth Congress may be made only on vouchers signed by a 
     Member elected as chairman of the committee concerned in the 
     One Hundred Fourth Congress and approved by the Committee on 
     House Oversight, or, in the case of late expenses of any 
     committee from the One Hundred Third Congress not 
     reestablished by the Rules of the One Hundred Fourth 
     Congress, on vouchers signed by the chairman of the Committee 
     on House Oversight.
       (4) In clause 5 of rule XI, amend paragraph (d) to read as 
     follows:
       ``(d) From the funds made available for the appointment of 
     committee staff pursuant to any primary or additional expense 
     resolution, the chairman 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 fairly treated in 
     the appointment of such staff.''.
       (5)(A) In clause 6(a)(1) of rule XI, amend the first 
     sentence to read as follows: ``Subject to subparagraph (2) 
     and paragraph (f), each standing committee may appoint, by 
     majority vote of the committee, not more than thirty 
     professional staff members from the funds provided for the 
     appointment of committee staff pursuant to primary and 
     additional expense resolutions.''.
       (B) In clause 6(a)(2) of rule XI, amend the first sentence 
     by striking ``six persons'' and inserting ``ten persons (or 
     one-third of the total professional committee staff appointed 
     under this clause, whichever is less)''.
       (C) In clause 6(a) of rule XI, strike subparagraphs (3) 
     through (5);
       (D) In clause 6 of rule XI, amend paragraph (b) to read as 
     follows:
       ``(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 any duties other than those 
     pertaining to committee business.
       ``(2) This paragraph does not apply to any staff designated 
     by a committee as `associate' or `shared' staff who are not 
     paid exclusively by the committee, provided that the chairman 
     certifies that the compensation paid by the committee for any 
     such employee is commensurate with the work performed for the 
     committee, in accordance with the provisions of clause 8 of 
     rule XLIII.
       ``(3) The use of any `associate' or `shared' staff by any 
     committee shall be subject to the review of, and to any 
     terms, conditions, or limitations established by, the 
     Committee on House Oversight in connection with the reporting 
     of any primary or additional expense resolution.
       ``(4) The foregoing provisions of this clause do not apply 
     to the Committee on Appropriations.''.
       (E) In clause 6(c) of rule XI strike ``, clerical and 
     investigating'' and insert ``and investigative''.
       (F) In clause 6(d) of rule XI, strike ``and the Committee 
     on Budget''.
       (G)(i) In clause 6(f) of rule XI, strike ``, or a minority 
     clerical staff member under paragraph (b),'' and strike ``or 
     paragraph (b), as applicable''.
       (ii) In clause 6(f) of rule XI, strike ``or the clerical 
     staff, as the case may be,''.
       (H) In clause 6(g) of rule XI, strike ``or (b)'' in both 
     places it appears.
       (I) In clause 6 of rule XI, amend paragraph (h) to read as 
     follows:
       ``(h) Paragraph (a) shall not be construed to authorize the 
     appointment of additional professional staff members of a 
     committee pursuant to a request under such paragraph by the 
     minority party members of that committee if ten 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.''.
       (J) In clause 6(i) of rule XI, strike ``paragraphs (a)(2) 
     and (b)(2)'' and insert ``paragraph (a)(2)''.
       Sec. 102. The Rules of the House of Representatives of the 
     One Hundred Third Congress, including applicable provisions 
     of law or concurrent resolution that constituted rules of the 
     House at the end of the One Hundred Third Congress, together 
     with such amendments thereto in this resolution as may 
     otherwise have been adopted, are adopted as the Rules of the 
     House of Representatives of the One Hundred Fourth Congress, 
     with the following amendments:

                   Truth-in-Budgeting Baseline Reform

       (a) In clause 2(l)(3)(B) of rule XI (relating to cost 
     estimates in committee reports) insert before the semicolon 
     the following: ``, 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''.
       (b) In clause 7(a) of rule XIII (relating to required cost 
     estimates in committee reports)--
       (1) strike ``and'' at the end of the subparagraph (1);
       (2) strike the period at the end of the paragraph and 
     insert ``; and''; and
       (3) add the following new subparagraph at the end:
       ``(3) when practicable, a comparison of the total estimated 
     funding level for the relevant program (or programs) with the 
     appropriate levels under current law.''.
       Sec. 103. The Rules of the House of Representatives of the 
     One Hundred Third Congress, including applicable provisions 
     of law or concurrent resolution that constituted rules of the 
     House at the end of the One Hundred Third Congress, together 
     with such amendments thereto in this resolution as may 
     otherwise have been adopted, are adopted as the Rules of the 
     House of Representatives of the One Hundred Fourth Congress, 
     with the following amendments:

      Term Limits for Speaker, Committee and Subcommittee Chairmen

       (a) In clause 7 of rule I, insert ``(a)'' after ``7.'' and 
     add the following new paragraph at the end:
       ``(b) No person may serve as Speaker for more than four 
     consecutive Congresses, beginning with the One Hundred Fourth 
     Congress (disregarding for this purpose any service for less 
     than a full session in any Congress).''.
       (b) In clause 6(c) of rule X, insert after the first 
     sentence the following: ``No Member may serve as the chairman 
     of the same standing committee, or as the chairman of the 
     same subcommittee thereof, for more than three consecutive 
     Congresses, beginning with the One Hundred Fourth Congress 
     (disregarding for this purpose any service for less than a 
     full session in any Congress).''.
       Sec. 104. The Rules of the House of Representatives of the 
     One Hundred Third Congress, including applicable provisions 
     of law or concurrent resolution that constituted rules of the 
     House at the end of the One Hundred Third Congress, together 
     with such amendments thereto in this resolution as may 
     otherwise have been adopted, are adopted as the Rules of the 
     House of Representatives of the One Hundred Fourth Congress, 
     with the following amendments:

                            Proxy Voting Ban

       (a) In clause 2 of rule XI, amend paragraph (f) to read as 
     follows:

                   ``Prohibition against proxy voting

       ``(f) No vote by any member of any committee or 
     subcommittee with respect to any measure or matter may be 
     cast by proxy.''.
       (b) In clause 2(e)(1) of rule XI, strike ``and whether by 
     proxy or in person,'' in the third sentence.
       Sec. 105. The Rules of the House of Representatives of the 
     One Hundred Third Congress, including applicable provisions 
     of law or concurrent resolution that constituted rules of the 
     House at the end of the One Hundred Third Congress, together 
     with such amendments thereto in this resolution as may 
     otherwise have been adopted, are adopted as the Rules of the 
     House of Representatives of the One Hundred Fourth Congress, 
     with the following amendments:

                        Committee Sunshine Rules

       (a) In rule clause 2(g)(1) of rule XI--
       (1) insert ``, including to radio, television, and still 
     photography coverage, except as provided by clause 3(f)(2),'' 
     after ``public'' the first place it appears;
       (2) insert ``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 any law or 
     rule of the House'' after ``public'' the second place it 
     appears; and
       (3) strike ``, or to any meeting that relates solely to 
     internal budget or personnel matters''.
       (b) In clause 2(g)(2) of rule XI--
       (1) insert ``, including to radio, television, and still 
     photography coverage,'' after ``public'' the first place it 
     appears; and
       (2) insert ``, would compromise sensitive law enforcement 
     information,'' after ``would endanger national security'' in 
     both places it appears.
       (c) In clause 3(d) of rule XI strike ``is a privilege made 
     available by the House and''.
       (d) In clause 3 of rule XI, amend paragraph (e) to read as 
     follows:
       ``(e) Whenever a hearing or meeting conducted by any 
     committee or subcommittee of the House is open to the public, 
     those proceedings shall be open to coverage by television, 
     radio, and still photography, except as provided in paragraph 
     (f)(2). A committee or subcommittee chairman 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).''.
       Sec. 106. The Rules of the House of Representatives of the 
     One Hundred Third Congress, including applicable provisions 
     of law or concurrent resolution that constituted rules of the 
     House at the end of the One Hundred Third Congress, together 
     with such amendments thereto in this resolution as may 
     otherwise have been adopted, are adopted as the Rules of the 
     House of Representatives of the One Hundred Fourth Congress, 
     with the following amendments:

                      Limitations on Tax Increases

       (a) Three-Fifths Vote Required for Tax Increase Measures 
     and Amendments.--In clause 5 of rule XXI, add the following 
     new paragraph at the end:
       ``(c) No bill or joint resolution, amendment, or conference 
     report carrying a Federal income tax rate increase shall be 
     considered as passed or agreed to unless so determined by a 
     vote of not less than three-fifths of the Members voting.''.
       (b) Prohibition on Retroactive Tax Increases.--In clause 5 
     of rule XXI (as amend- 
     [[Page H25]] ed by (a) above), add the following new 
     paragraph at the end:
       ``(d) It shall not be in order to consider any bill, joint 
     resolution, amendment, or conference report carrying a 
     retroactive Federal income tax rate increase. For purposes of 
     this paragraph a Federal income tax rate increase is 
     retroactive if it applies to a period beginning prior to the 
     enactment of the provision.''.
       Sec. 107. The Rules of the House of Representatives of the 
     One Hundred Third Congress, including applicable provisions 
     of law or concurrent resolution that constituted rules of the 
     House at the end of the One Hundred Third Congress, together 
     with such amendments thereto in this resolution as may 
     otherwise have been adopted, are adopted as the Rules of the 
     House of Representatives of the One Hundred Fourth Congress, 
     with the following amendment:

                       Comprehensive House Audit

       During the One Hundred Fourth Congress, the Inspector 
     General, in consultation with the Speaker and the Committee 
     on House Oversight, shall coordinate, and as needed contract 
     with independent auditing firms to complete, a comprehensive 
     audit of House financial records and administrative 
     operations, and report the results in accordance with rule 
     VI.
       Sec. 108. The Rules of the House of Representatives of the 
     One Hundred Third Congress, including applicable provisions 
     of law or concurrent resolution that constituted rules of the 
     House at the end of the One Hundred Third Congress, together 
     with such amendments thereto in this resolution as may 
     otherwise have been adopted, are adopted as the Rules of the 
     House of Representatives of the One Hundred Fourth Congress, 
     with the following amendment:

       Consideration of the ``Congressional Accountability Act''

       It shall be in order at any time after the adoption of this 
     resolution to consider in the House, any rule of the House to 
     the contrary notwithstanding, the bill (H.R. 1) to make 
     certain laws applicable to the legislative branch of the 
     Federal Government, if offered by the majority leader or a 
     designee. The bill shall be debatable for not to exceed one 
     hour, to be equally divided and controlled by the majority 
     leader and the minority leader or their designees. The 
     previous question shall be considered as ordered on the bill 
     to final passage without intervening motion except one motion 
     to recommit.

                           TITLE II. GENERAL

       Resolved, That the Rules of the House of Representatives of 
     the One Hundred Third Congress, including applicable 
     provisions of law or concurrent resolution that constituted 
     rules of the House at the end of the One Hundred Third 
     Congress, together with such amendments thereto in this 
     resolution as may otherwise have been adopted, are adopted as 
     the Rules of the House of Representatives of the One Hundred 
     Fourth Congress, with the following amendments:

                         Administrative Reforms

       Sec. 201. (a) Abolition of the Office of Doorkeeper; 
     Election of Chief Administrative Officer.--In rule II, strike 
     ``Doorkeeper'' each place it appears and insert ``Chief 
     Administrative Officer'' .
       (b) Additional Duties of Clerk.--In rule III (``Duties of 
     Clerk''), add the following new clauses at the end:
       ``7. In addition to any other reports required by the 
     Speaker or the Committee on House Oversight, the Clerk shall 
     report to the Committee on House Oversight not later than 
     forty-five days following the close of each semiannual period 
     ending on June 30 or on December 31 on the financial and 
     operational status of each function under the jurisdiction of 
     the Clerk. Each report shall include financial statements, a 
     description or explanation of current operations, the 
     implementation of new policies and procedures, and future 
     plans for each function.
       ``8. The Clerk shall fully cooperate with the appropriate 
     offices and persons in the performance of reviews and audits 
     of financial records and administrative operations.''.
       (c) Amend rules IV, V, and VI to read as follows:

                               ``Rule IV.


                   ``Duties of the Sergeant-at-Arms.

       ``1. It shall be the duty of the Sergeant-at-Arms to attend 
     the House during its sittings, to maintain order under the 
     direction of the Speaker or Chairman, and, pending the 
     election of a Speaker or Speaker pro tempore, under the 
     direction of the Clerk, execute the commands of the House, 
     and all processes issued by authority thereof, directed to 
     him by the Speaker.
       ``2. The symbol of his office shall be the mace, which 
     shall be borne by him while enforcing order on the floor.
       ``3. He shall enforce strictly the rules relating to the 
     privileges of the Hall and be responsible to the House for 
     the official conduct of his employees.
       ``4. He shall allow no person to enter the room over the 
     Hall of the House during its sittings; and fifteen minutes 
     before the hour of the meeting of the House each day he shall 
     see that the floor is cleared of all persons except those 
     privileged to remain, and kept so until ten minutes after 
     adjournment.
       ``5. In addition to any other reports required by the 
     Speaker or the Committee on House Oversight, the Sergeant-at-
     Arms shall report to the Committee on House Oversight not 
     later than forty-five days following the close of each 
     semiannual period ending June 30 or on December 31 on the 
     financial and operational status of each function under the 
     jurisdiction of the Sergeant-at-Arms. Each report shall 
     include financial statements, a description or explanation of 
     current operations, the implementation of new policies and 
     procedures, and future plans for each function.
       ``6. The Sergeant-at-Arms shall fully cooperate with the 
     appropriate offices and persons in the performance of reviews 
     and audits of financial records and administrative 
     operations.''.

                               ``Rule V.


                    ``Chief Administrative Officer.

       ``1. The Chief Administrative Officer of the House shall 
     have operational and financial responsibility for functions 
     as assigned by the Speaker and the Committee on House 
     Oversight, and shall be subject to the policy direction and 
     oversight of the Speaker and the Committee on House 
     Oversight.
       ``2. In addition to any other reports required by the 
     Speaker or the Committee on House Oversight, the Chief shall 
     report to the Committee on House Oversight not later than 
     forty-five days following the close of each semiannual period 
     ending on June 30 or December 31 on the financial and 
     operational status of each function under the jurisdiction of 
     the Chief. Each report shall include financial statements, a 
     description or explanation of current operations, the 
     implementation of new policies and procedures, and future 
     plans for each function.
       ``3. The Chief shall fully cooperate with the appropriate 
     offices and persons in the performance of reviews and audits 
     of financial records and administrative operations.

                               ``Rule VI.


                     ``Office of Inspector General.

       ``1. There is established an Office of Inspector General.
       ``2. The Inspector General shall be appointed for a 
     Congress by the Speaker, the majority leader, and the 
     minority leader, acting jointly.
       ``3. Subject to the policy direction and oversight of the 
     Committee on House Oversight, the Inspector General shall be 
     responsible only for--
       ``(a) conducting periodic audits of the financial and 
     administrative functions of the House and joint entities;
       ``(b) informing the Officers or other officials who are the 
     subject of an audit of the results of that audit and 
     suggesting appropriate curative actions;
       ``(c) simultaneously notifying the Speaker, the majority 
     leader, the minority leader, and the chairman and ranking 
     minority party member of the Committee on House Oversight in 
     the case of any financial irregularity discovered in the 
     course of carrying out responsibilities under this rule;
       ``(d) simultaneously submitting to the Speaker, the 
     majority leader, and the chairman and ranking minority party 
     member of the Committee on House Oversight a report of each 
     audit conducted under this rule; and
       ``(e) reporting to the Committee on Standards of Official 
     Conduct information involving possible violations by any 
     Member, officer, or employee of the House of any rule of the 
     House or of any law applicable to the performance of official 
     duties or the discharge of official responsibilities which 
     may require referral to the appropriate Federal or State 
     authorities pursuant to clause 4(e)(1)(C) of rule X.''.
       (d) In clause 3 of rule X, strike paragraph (j).
       (e) In clause 4(d) of rule X--
       (1) strike ``Committee on House Administration'' and insert 
     ``Committee on House Oversight'';
       (2) strike subparagraphs (2) and (3), insert ``and'' after 
     ``House;'' in subparagraph (1), redesignate paragraph (4) as 
     paragraph (2), and amend paragraph (2), as so redesignated, 
     to read as follows:
       ``(2) providing policy direction for, and oversight of, the 
     Clerk, Sergeant-at-Arms, Chief Administrative Officer, and 
     Inspector General.''.
       (f) In clause 7 of rule XIV, strike ``Sergeant-at-Arms and 
     Doorkeeper are'' and insert ``Sergeant-at-Arms is''.

                      Changes in Committee System

       Sec. 202. (a) The Committees and Their Jurisdiction.--
     Clause 1 of rule X of the Rules of the House of 
     Representatives is amended to read as follows:
       ``1. There shall be in the House the following standing 
     committees, each of which shall have the jurisdiction and 
     related functions assigned to it by this clause and clauses 
     2, 3, and 4; and all bills, resolutions, and other matters 
     relating to subjects within the jurisdiction of any standing 
     committee as listed in this clause shall (in accordance with 
     and subject to clause 5) be referred to such committees, 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.
     [[Page H26]]   ``(9) Commodities 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, and poultry, and 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) The amount of new spending authority (as described in 
     the Congressional Budget Act of 1974) which is to be 
     effective for a fiscal year, including bills and resolutions 
     (reported by other committees) which provide new spending 
     authority and are referred to the committee under clause 
     4(a).
     The committee shall include separate headings for 
     `Rescissions' and `Transfers of Unexpended Balances' in any 
     bill or resolution as reported from the committee under its 
     jurisdiction specified in subparagraph (2) or (3), with all 
     proposed rescissions and proposed transfers listed therein; 
     and shall include a separate section with respect to such 
     rescissions or transfers in the accompanying committee 
     report. In addition to its jurisdiction under the preceding 
     provisions of this paragraph, the committee shall have the 
     fiscal oversight function provided for in clause 2(b)(3) and 
     the budget hearing function provided for in clause 4(a).
       ``(c) Committee on Banking and Financial Services.
       ``(1) Banks and banking, including deposit insurance and 
     Federal monetary policy.
       ``(2) Bank capital markets activities generally.
       ``(3) Depository institution securities activities 
     generally, including the activities of any affiliates, except 
     for functional regulation under applicable securities laws, 
     not involving safety and soundness.
       ``(4) Economic stabilization, defense production, 
     renegotiation, and control of the price of commodities, 
     rents, and services.
       ``(5) Financial aid to commerce and industry (other than 
     transportation).
       ``(6) International finance.
       ``(7) International financial and monetary organizations.
       ``(8) 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.
       ``(9) Public and private housing.
       ``(10) Urban development.
       ``(d)(1) Committee on the Budget, consisting of the 
     following Members:
       ``(A) Members who are members of other standing committees, 
     including five Members who are members of the Committee on 
     Appropriations, and five Members who are members of the 
     Committee on Ways and Means;
       ``(B) one Member from the leadership of the majority party; 
     and
       ``(C) one Member from the leadership of the minority party.
     No Member other than a representative from the leadership of 
     a party may serve as a member of the Committee on the Budget 
     during more than four Congresses in any period of six 
     successive Congresses (disregarding for this purpose any 
     service performed as a member of such committee for less than 
     a full session in any Congress), except that an incumbent 
     chairman or ranking minority member having served on the 
     committee for four Congresses and having served as chairman 
     or ranking minority member of the committee for not more than 
     one Congress shall be eligible for reelection to the 
     committee as chairman or ranking minority member for one 
     additional Congress.
       ``(2) All concurrent resolutions on the budget (as defined 
     in section 3 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.
       ``(3) Measures relating to the congressional budget 
     process, generally.
       ``(4) Measures relating to the 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.
       ``(5) The committee shall have the duty--
       ``(A) to report the matters required to be reported by it 
     under titles III and IV of the Congressional Budget Act of 
     1974;
       ``(B) to make continuing studies of the effect on budget 
     outlays of relevant existing and proposed legislation and to 
     report the results of such studies to the House on a 
     recurring basis;
       ``(C) to request and evaluate continuing studies of tax 
     expenditures; to devise methods of coordinating tax 
     expenditures, policies, and programs with direct budget 
     outlays, and to report the results of such studies to the 
     House on a recurring basis; and
       ``(D) to review, on a continuing basis, the conduct by the 
     Congressional Budget Office of its functions and duties.
       ``(e) Committee on 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) Measures relating to the 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) Measures relating to the conservation of energy 
     resources.
       ``(8) Measures relating to energy information generally.
       ``(9) Measures relating to (A) the generation and marketing 
     of power (except by federally chartered or Federal regional 
     power marketing authorities), (B) the reliability and 
     interstate transmission of, and ratemaking for, all power, 
     and (C) the siting of generation facilities; except the 
     installation of interconnections between Government 
     waterpower projects.
       ``(10) Measures relating to general management of the 
     Department of Energy, and the 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) Securities and exchanges.
       ``(16) 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. In addition to 
     its legislative jurisdiction under the preceding provisions 
     of this paragraph (and its general oversight functions under 
     clause 2(b)(1)), such committee shall have the special 
     oversight functions provided for in clause (3)(h) with 
     respect to all laws, programs, and Government activities 
     affecting nuclear and other energy, and nonmilitary nuclear 
     energy and research and development including the disposal of 
     nuclear waste.
       ``(f) Committee on Economic and Educational Opportunities.
       ``(1) Child labor.
       ``(2) Columbia Institution for the Deaf, Dumb, and Blind; 
     Howard University; Freedmen's 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) Measures relating to education or labor generally.
       ``(7) Mediation and arbitration of labor disputes.
       ``(8) Regulation or prevention of importation of foreign 
     laborers under contract.
       ``(9) United States Employees' Compensation Commission.
       ``(10) Vocational rehabilitation.
       ``(11) Wages and hours of labor.
       ``(12) Welfare of miners.
       ``(13) Work incentive programs.
     In addition to its legislative jurisdiction under the 
     preceding provisions of this paragraph (and its general 
     oversight function under clause 2(b)(1)), the committee shall 
     have the special oversight function provided for in clause 
     3(c) with respect to domestic educational programs and 
     institutions, and programs of student assistance, which are 
     within the jurisdiction of other committees.
       ``(g) Committee on Government Reform and Oversight.
       ``(1) The Federal Civil Service, including 
     intergovernmental personnel; the status of officers and 
     employees of the United States, including their compensation, 
     classification, and retirement.
       ``(2) Measures relating to the municipal affairs of the 
     District of Columbia in general, other than appropriations.
       ``(3) Federal paperwork reduction.
       ``(4) Budget and accounting measures, generally.
       ``(5) Holidays and celebrations.
       ``(6) The 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 the 
     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.
     In addition to its legislative jurisdiction under the 
     preceding provisions of this paragraph (and its oversight 
     functions under clause 2(b) (1) and (2)), the committee shall 
     have the function of performing the duties and conducting the 
     studies which are provided for in clause 4(c).
       ``(h) Committee on House Oversight.
       ``(1) Appropriations from accounts for committee salaries 
     and expenses (except for the 
     [[Page H27]] Committee on Appropriations), House Information 
     Systems, and allowances and expenses of Members, House 
     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 clerks 
     for Members and committees, and reporters of debates.
       ``(4) Except as provided in clause 1(q)(11), matters 
     relating to the Library of Congress and the House Library; 
     statuary and pictures; acceptance or purchase of works of art 
     for the Capitol; the Botanic Gardens; management of the 
     Library of Congress; purchase of books and manuscripts.
       ``(5) Except as provided in clause 1(q)(11), matters 
     relating to the Smithsonian Institution and the incorporation 
     of similar institutions.
       ``(6) Expenditure of accounts described in subparagraph 
     (1).
       ``(7) Franking Commission.
       ``(8) Matters relating to printing and correction of the 
     Congressional Record.
       ``(9) Measures relating to accounts of the House generally.
       ``(10) Measures relating to assignment of office space for 
     Members and committees.
       ``(11) Measures relating to the disposition of useless 
     executive papers.
       ``(12) Measures relating to the election of the President, 
     Vice President, or Members of Congress; corrupt practices; 
     contested elections; credentials and qualifications; and 
     Federal elections generally.
       ``(13) Measures relating to 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) Measures relating to the travel of Members of the 
     House.
       ``(15) Measures relating to the raising, reporting and use 
     of campaign contributions for candidates for office of 
     Representative in the House of Representatives, of Delegate, 
     and of Resident Commissioner to the United States from Puerto 
     Rico.
       ``(16) Measures relating to the compensation, retirement 
     and other benefits of the Members, officers, and employees of 
     the Congress.
     In addition to its legislative jurisdiction under the 
     preceding provisions of this paragraph (and its general 
     oversight function under clause 2(b)(1)), the committee shall 
     have the function of performing the duties which are provided 
     for in clause 4(d).
       ``(i) Committee on International Relations.
       ``(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) Measures relating to the diplomatic service.
       ``(11) Measures to foster commercial intercourse with 
     foreign nations and to safeguard American business interests 
     abroad.
       ``(12) Measures relating to 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.
     In addition to its legislative jurisdiction under the 
     preceding provisions of this paragraph (and its general 
     oversight function under clause 2(b)(1)), the committee shall 
     have the special oversight functions provided for in clause 
     3(d) with respect to customs administration, intelligence 
     activities relating to foreign policy, international 
     financial and monetary organizations, and international 
     fishing agreements.
       ``(j) 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) Federal courts and judges, and local courts in the 
     Territories and possessions.
       ``(8) Immigration and naturalization.
       ``(9) Interstate compacts, generally.
       ``(10) Measures relating to claims against the United 
     States.
       ``(11) Meetings of Congress, attendance of Members and 
     their acceptance of incompatible offices.
       ``(12) National penitentiaries.
       ``(13) Patents, the Patent Office, copyrights, and 
     trademarks.
       ``(14) Presidential succession.
       ``(15) Protection of trade and commerce against unlawful 
     restraints and monopolies.
       ``(16) Revision and codification of the Statutes of the 
     United States.
       ``(17) State and territorial boundaries.
       ``(18) Subversive activities affecting the internal 
     security of the United States.
       ``(k) Committee on National Security.
       ``(1) Ammunition depots; forts; arsenals; 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 the Defense.
       ``(9) National security aspects of merchant marine, 
     including financial assistance for the construction and 
     operation of vessels, the 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.
     In addition to its legislative jurisdiction under the 
     preceding provisions of this paragraph (and its general 
     oversight function under clause 2(b)(1)), the committee shall 
     have the special oversight function provided for in clause 
     3(a) with respect to international arms control and 
     disarmament, and military dependents education.
       ``(l) Committee on 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) Measures relating to the care and management of 
     Indians, including the care and allotment of Indian lands and 
     general and special measures relating to claims which are 
     paid out of Indian funds.
       ``(9) Measures relating generally to the insular 
     possessions of the United States, 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 the 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 the 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 the Indians and 
     the Indian tribes.
       ``(21) Trans-Alaska Oil Pipeline.
     In addition to its legislative jurisdiction under the 
     preceding provisions of this paragraph (and its general 
     oversight function under clause 2(b)(1)), the committee shall 
     have the special oversight functions provided for in clause 
     3(e) with respect to all programs affecting Indians.
       ``(m) Committee on Rules.
       ``(1) The rules and joint rules (other than rules or joint 
     rules relating to the Code of Official Conduct), and order of 
     business of the House.
       ``(2) Recesses and final adjournments of Congress.
     The Committee on Rules is authorized to sit and act whether 
     or not the House is in session.
       ``(n) Committee on Science.
       ``(1) All energy research, development, and demonstration, 
     and projects therefor, and all federally owned or operated 
     nonmilitary energy laboratories.
       ``(2) Astronautical research and development, including 
     resources, personnel, equipment, and facilities.
       ``(3) Civil aviation research and development.
       ``(4) Environmental research and development.
     [[Page H28]]   ``(5) Marine research.
       ``(6) Measures relating to the 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.
     In addition to its legislative jurisdiction under the 
     preceding provisions of this paragraph (and its general 
     oversight function under clause 2(b)(1)), the committee shall 
     have the special oversight function provided for in clause 
     3(f) with respect to all nonmilitary research and 
     development.
       ``(o) 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.
     In addition to its legislative jurisdiction under the 
     preceding provisions of this paragraph and (its general 
     oversight function under clause 2(b)(1)), the committee shall 
     have the special oversight function provided for in clause 
     3(g) with respect to the problems of small business.
       ``(p) Committee on Standards of Official Conduct.
       ``(1) Measures relating to the Code of Official Conduct.
     In addition to its legislative jurisdiction under the 
     preceding provision of this paragraph (and its general 
     oversight function under clause 2(b)(1)), the committee shall 
     have the functions with respect to recommendations, studies, 
     investigations, and reports which are provided for in clause 
     4(e), and the functions designated in titles I and V of the 
     Ethics in Government Act of 1978 and sections 7342, 7351, and 
     7353 of title 5, United States Code.
       ``(q) 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 the 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) Measures relating to the Capitol Building and the 
     Senate and House office buildings.
       ``(10) Measures relating to the construction or maintenance 
     of roads and post roads, other than appropriations therefor; 
     but it shall not be in order for any bill providing general 
     legislation in relation to roads to contain any provision for 
     any specific road, nor for any bill in relation to
      a specific road to embrace a provision in relation to any 
     other specific road.
       ``(11) Measures relating to the construction or 
     reconstruction, maintenance, and care of the buildings and 
     grounds of the Botanic Gardens, the Library of Congress, and 
     the Smithsonian Institution.
       ``(12) Measures relating to merchant marine, except for 
     national security aspects of merchant marine.
       ``(13) Measures relating to the 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.
       ``(19) Roads and the safety thereof.
       ``(20) Transportation, including civil aviation, railroads, 
     water transportation, transportation safety (except 
     automobile safety), transportation infrastructure, 
     transportation labor, and railroad retirement and 
     unemployment (except revenue measures related thereto).
       ``(21) Water power.
       ``(r) 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 servicemen to civil life.
       ``(7) Soldiers' and sailors' civil relief.
       ``(8) Veterans' hospitals, medical care, and treatment of 
     veterans.
       ``(s) Committee on Ways and Means.
       ``(1) Customs, collection districts, and ports of entry and 
     delivery.
       ``(2) Reciprocal trade agreements.
       ``(3) Revenue measures generally.
       ``(4) Revenue measures relating to the insular possessions.
       ``(5) The bonded debt of the United States (subject to the 
     last sentence of clause 4(g) of this rule).
       ``(6) The deposit of public moneys.
       ``(7) Transportation of dutiable goods.
       ``(8) Tax exempt foundations and charitable trusts.
       ``(9) National social security, except (A) health care and 
     facilities programs that are supported from general revenues 
     as opposed to payroll deductions and (B) work incentive 
     programs.''.
       (b) Any reference in the rules of the House at the end of 
     the One Hundred Third Congress to the following standing 
     committees of the House: the Committee on Armed Services; the 
     Committee on the District of Columbia; the Committee on 
     Education and Labor; the Committee on Energy and Commerce; 
     the Committee on Foreign Affairs; the Committee on Government 
     Operations; the Committee on House Administration; the 
     Committee on Natural Resources; and the Committee on Science, 
     Space and Technology; shall be amended to be a reference to 
     the following standing committees of the House, respectively: 
     the Committee on National Security; the Committee on 
     Government Reform and Oversight; the Committee on Economic 
     and Educational Opportunities; the Committee on Commerce; the 
     Committee on International Relations; the Committee on 
     Government Reform and Oversight; the Committee on House 
     Oversight; the Committee on Resources; and the Committee on 
     Science.
       (c) The chairman of the Committee on the Budget, when 
     elected, may revise (within the appropriate levels 
     established in House Concurrent Resolution 218 of the One 
     Hundred Third Congress) allocations of budget outlays, new 
     budget authority, and entitlement authority among committees 
     of the House in the One Hundred Fourth Congress to reflect 
     changes in jurisdiction under clause 1 of rule X. He shall 
     publish the revised allocations in the Congressional Record. 
     Once published, the revised allocations shall be effective in 
     the House as though made pursuant to sections 302(a) and 
     602(a) of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974.
       (d) In clause 8 of rule XXIV, strike ``the Committee on the 
     District of Columbia'' through the end of the sentence and 
     insert: ``the Committee on Government Reform and Oversight, 
     be set apart for the consideration of such business relating 
     to the District of Columbia as may be presented by said 
     committee.''.

                            Oversight Reform

       Sec. 203. (a) In clause 2 of rule X, add the following new 
     paragraphs at the end:
       ``(d)(1) Not later than February 15 of the first session of 
     a Congress, each standing committee of the House shall, in a 
     meeting that is open to the public and with a quorum present, 
     adopt its oversight plans for that Congress. Such plans shall 
     be submitted simultaneously to the Committee on Government 
     Reform and Oversight and to the Committee on House Oversight. 
     In developing such plans each committee shall, to the maximum 
     extent feasible--
       ``(A) consult with other committees of the House that have 
     jurisdiction over the same or related laws, programs, or 
     agencies within its jurisdiction, with the objective of 
     ensuring that such laws, programs, or agencies are reviewed 
     in the same Congress and that there is a maximum of 
     coordination between such committees in the conduct of such 
     reviews; and such plans shall include an explanation of what 
     steps have been and will be taken to ensure such coordination 
     and cooperation;
       ``(B) give priority consideration to including in its plans 
     the review of those laws, programs, or agencies operating 
     under permanent budget authority or permanent statutory 
     authority; and
       ``(C) have a view toward ensuring that all significant 
     laws, programs, or agencies within its jurisdictions are 
     subject to review at least once every ten years.
       ``(2) It shall not be in order to consider any committee 
     expense resolution (within the meaning of clause 5 of rule 
     XI), or any amendment thereto, for any committee that has not 
     submitted its oversight plans as required by this paragraph.
       ``(3) 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 Government 
     Reform and Oversight shall report to the House the oversight 
     plans submitted by each committee together with any 
     recommendations that it, or the House leadership group 
     referred to above, may make to ensure the most effective 
     coordination of such plans and otherwise 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.''.
     [[Page H29]]   (b) In clause 1 of rule XI, amend paragraph 
     (d) to read as follows:
       ``(d)(1) Each committee shall submit to the House not later 
     than January 2 of each odd-numbered year, a report on the 
     activities of that committee under this rule and rule X 
     during the Congress ending on January 3 of such year.
       ``(2) Such report shall include separate sections 
     summarizing the legislative and oversight activities of that 
     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 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 that committee, and any recommendations made or 
     actions taken thereon.''.

                        Member Assignment Limits

       Sec. 204. In clause 6(b) of rule X, insert ``(1)'' after 
     ``(b)'' and add the following new subparagraph at the end:
       ``(2)(A) No Member, Delegate, or Resident Commissioner may 
     serve simultaneously as a member of more than two standing 
     committees or four subcommittees of the standing committees 
     of the House, except that ex officio service by a chairman 
     and ranking minority member of a committee on each of its 
     subcommittees by committee rule shall not be counted against 
     the limitation on subcommittee service. Any other exception 
     to these limitations must be approved by the House upon the 
     recommendation of the respective party caucus or conference.
       ``(B) For the purposes of this subparagraph, the term 
     `subcommittee' includes any panel (other than a special 
     oversight panel of the Committee on National Security), task 
     force, special subcommittee, or any subunit of a standing 
     committee that is established for a cumulative period longer 
     than six months in any Congress.''.

                        Multiple Referral Reform

       Sec. 205. In clause 5 of rule X, amend paragraph (c) to 
     read as follows:
       ``(c) In carrying out paragraphs (a) and (b) with respect 
     to any matter, the Speaker shall designate a committee of 
     primary jurisdiction; but also may refer the matter to one or 
     more additional committees, for consideration in sequence 
     (subject to appropriate time limitations), either on its 
     initial referral or after the matter has been reported by the 
     committee of primary jurisdiction; or may refer portions of 
     the matter to one or more additional committees (reflecting 
     different subjects and jurisdictions) for the consideration 
     only of designated portions; or may refer the matter to a 
     special ad hoc committee appointed by the Speaker with the 
     approval of the House (with members from the committees 
     having jurisdiction) for the specific purpose of considering 
     that matter and reporting to the House thereon; or may make 
     such other provisions as may be considered appropriate.''.

                   Accuracy of Committee Transcripts

       Sec. 206. In clause 2(e)(1) of rule XI, amend the first 
     sentence to read as follows: ``Each committee shall keep a 
     complete record of all committee action which shall include--
       ``(A) in the case of any 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
       ``(B) a record of the votes on any question on which a 
     rollcall vote is demanded.''.

                   Elimination of ``Rolling Quorums''

       Sec. 207. In clause 2(l)(2)(A) of rule XI, strike ``was 
     actually present'' and all that follows through the end of 
     the subdivision and insert ``was actually present.''.

                   Limitation on Committees' Sittings

       Sec. 208. In clause 2 of rule XI, amend paragraph (i) to 
     read as follows:

                  ``Limitation on committees' sittings

       ``(i)(1) No committee of the House (except the Committee on 
     Appropriations, the Committee on the Budget, the Committee on 
     Rules, the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct, and 
     the Committee on Ways and Means) may sit, without special 
     leave, while the House is reading a measure for amendment 
     under the five-minute rule. For purposes of this paragraph, 
     special leave will be granted unless ten or more Members 
     object; and shall be granted upon the adoption of a motion, 
     which shall be highly privileged if offered by the majority 
     leader, granting such leave to one or more committees.
       ``(2) No committee of the House may 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.''.

                   Accountability for Committee Votes

       Sec. 209. In clause 2(l)(2) of rule XI amend subdivision 
     (B) to read as follows:
       ``(B) With respect to each rollcall 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.''.

           Affirming Minority's Right on Motions to Recommit

       Sec. 210. In clause 4(b) of rule XI, insert before the 
     period at the end the following: ``, 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 resolution 
     for which the text of a House-passed measure has been 
     substituted''.

                    Waiver Policy for Special Rules

       Sec. 211. In clause 4 of rule XI, add the following new 
     paragraph at the end:
       ``(e) Whenever the Committee on Rules reports a resolution 
     providing for the consideration of any measure, it shall, to 
     the maximum extent possible, specify in the resolution the 
     object of any waiver of a point of order against the measure 
     or against its consideration.''.

        Prohibition on Delegate Voting in Committee of the Whole

       Sec. 212. (a) In rule XII, strike clause 2 and the 
     designation of the remaining clause.
       (b) In clause 1 of rule XXIII, strike ``, Resident 
     Commissioner, or Delegate''.
       (c) In clause 2 of rule XXIII, strike paragraph (d).

                  Accuracy of the Congressional Record

       Sec. 213. In rule XIV, add the following new clause at the 
     end:
       ``9. (a) The Congressional Record shall be a substantially 
     verbatim account of remarks made during the proceedings of 
     the House, subject only to technical, grammatical, and 
     typographical corrections authorized by the Member making the 
     remarks involved.
       ``(b) Unparliamentary remarks may be deleted only by 
     permission or order of the House.
       ``(c) This clause establishes a standard of conduct within 
     the meaning of clause 4(e)(1)(B) of rule X.''.

                        Automatic Rollcall Votes

       Sec. 214. In rule XV, add the following new clause at the 
     end:
       ``7. The yeas and nays shall be considered as ordered when 
     the Speaker puts the question on final passage or adoption of 
     any bill, joint resolution, or conference report making 
     general appropriations or increasing Federal income tax 
     rates, or on final adoption of any concurrent resolution on 
     the budget or conference report thereon.''.

                         Appropriations Reforms

       Sec. 215. (a) Consideration of Limitation Amendments.--In 
     clause 2(d) of rule XXI, strike ``shall have precedence'' and 
     insert ``shall, if offered by the majority leader or a 
     designee, have precedence''.
       (b) Prohibition Against Non-Emergency Items in Emergency 
     Spending Bills.--In clause 2 of rule XXI, add the following 
     new paragraph at the end:
       ``(e) No provision shall be reported in any appropriation 
     bill or joint resolution containing an emergency designation 
     for purposes of section 251(b)(2)(D) or section 252(e) of the 
     Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act, or shall 
     be in order as an amendment thereto, if the provision or 
     amendment is not designated as an emergency, unless the 
     provision or amendment rescinds budget authority or reduces 
     direct spending, or reduces an amount for a designated 
     emergency.''.
       (c) Permitting Offsetting Amendments.--In clause 2 of rule 
     XXI (as amended by (b) above), add the following new 
     paragraph at the end:
       ``(f) During the reading of any appropriation bill for 
     amendment in the Committee of the Whole, it shall be in order 
     to consider en bloc amendments proposing only to transfer 
     appropriations among objects in the bill without increasing 
     the levels of budget authority or outlays in the bill. When 
     considered en bloc pursuant to this paragraph, such 
     amendments may amend portions of the bill not yet read for 
     amendment (following the disposition of any points of order 
     against such portions) and shall not be subject to a demand 
     for division of the question in the House or in the Committee 
     of the Whole.''.
       (d) Listing of Unauthorized Appropriations in Reports.--In 
     clause 3 of rule XXI, insert before the period the following: 
     ``, and shall contain a list of all appropriations contained 
     in the bill for any expenditure not previously authorized by 
     law (except for classified intelligence or national security 
     programs, projects, or activities)''.
       (e) Automatic Reservation of Points of Order.--In rule XXI, 
     add the following new clause at the end:
       ``8. At the time any appropriation bill is reported, all 
     points of order shall be considered as reserved.''.

                         Ban on Commemoratives

       Sec. 216. (a) In rule XXII--
       (1) amend clause 2 by inserting ``(a)'' after ``2.'' and by 
     adding the following new paragraph at the end:
       ``(b)(1) No bill or resolution, and no amendment to any 
     bill or resolution, establishing or expressing any 
     commemoration may be introduced or considered in the House.
       ``(2) For purposes of this paragraph, the term 
     `commemoration' means any remembrance, celebration, or 
     recognition for any purpose through the designation of a 
     specified period of time.''.
       (2) amend clause 3 by striking ``or private bill'' and 
     inserting ``or bill or resolution''.
       (b) The Committee on Government Reform and Oversight shall 
     consider alternative means for establishing commemorations, 
     including the creation of an independent or Executive branch 
     commission for such purpose, 
     [[Page H30]] and to report to the House any recommendations 
     thereon.

                  Numerical Designation of Amendments

       Sec. 217. In clause 6 of rule XXIII, add the following new 
     sentence at the end: ``All amendments to a specified measure 
     submitted for printing in that portion of the Record shall be 
     given numerical designations in the order printed.''.

                          Pledge of Allegiance

       Sec. 218. In clause 1 of rule XXIV--
       (a) insert after the second order of business the following 
     new order of business: ``Third. The Pledge of Allegiance to 
     the Flag.''; and
       (b) redesignate succeeding orders accordingly.

                          Discharge Petitions

       Sec. 219. In clause 3 of rule XXVII, insert the following 
     three new sentences after the fifth sentence: ``The Clerk 
     shall cause the names of the Members who have signed a 
     discharge motion during any week to be published in a portion 
     of the Congressional Record designated for that
      purpose on the last legislative day of that week. The Clerk 
     shall make available each day for public inspection in an 
     appropriate office of the House cumulative lists of such 
     names. The Clerk shall devise a means by which to make 
     such lists available to offices of the House and to the 
     public in electronic form.''.

                   Protection of Classified Materials

       Sec. 220. In rule XLIII (``Code of Official Conduct'') 
     insert the following new clause before the two undesignated 
     paragraphs at the end:
       ``13. Before any Member, officer, or employee of the House 
     of Representatives 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 
     with the House of Representatives, except as authorized by 
     House of Representatives or in accordance with its Rules.'
     Copies of the executed oath shall be retained by the Clerk of 
     the House as part of the records of the House.''.

                    Select Committee on Intelligence

       Sec. 221. (a) In clause 1(a) of rule XLVIII (relating to 
     the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence) strike 
     ``nineteen Members with representation to'' and insert 
     ``sixteen Members, of whom not more than nine may be from the 
     same party. The select committee shall''.
       (b)(1) In clause 1(b) of rule XLVIII, insert ``(1)'' after 
     ``(b)'', strike ``majority leader'', and insert ``Speaker''.
       (2) In clause 1(b) of rule XLVIII, add the following new 
     subparagraph at the end:
       ``(2) The Speaker and minority leader each may designate a 
     member of their leadership staff to assist them in their 
     capacity as ex officio members, with the same access to 
     committee meetings, hearings, briefings, and materials as if 
     employees of the select committee, and subject to the same 
     security clearance and confidentiality requirements as 
     employees of the select committee under this rule.''.
       (3) In clause 7(c) of rule XLVIII, strike subparagraph (3).
       (c) In clause 1 of rule XLVIII, amend paragraph (c) to read 
     as follows:
       ``(c) No Member of the House other than the Speaker and the 
     minority leader may serve on the select committee during more 
     than four Congresses in any period of six successive 
     Congresses (disregarding for this purpose any service for 
     less than a full session in any Congress), except that the 
     incumbent chairman or ranking minority member having served 
     on the select committee for four Congresses and having served 
     as chairman or ranking minority member for not more than one 
     Congress shall be eligible for reappointment to the select 
     committee as chairman or ranking minority member for one 
     additional Congress.''.
       (d) In clause 2(a) of rule XLVIII--
       (1) insert the following before the period in subparagraph 
     (1): ``, and the National Foreign Intelligence Program as 
     defined in section 3(6) of the National Security Act of 
     1947'';
       (2) strike all after ``but not limited to,'' in 
     subparagraph (2) and insert the following: ``the tactical 
     intelligence and intelligence-related activities of the 
     Department of Defense.''.
       (3) amend subparagraph (4) to read as follows:
       ``(4) Authorizations for appropriations, both direct and 
     indirect, for the following:
       ``(A) The Central Intelligence Agency, Director of Central 
     Intelligence, and the National Foreign 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, but not limited to, the tactical intelligence and 
     intelligence-related activities of the Department of Defense.
       ``(C) Any department, agency, or subdivision, or program 
     that is a successor to any agency or program named or 
     referred to in subdivision (A) or (B).''.

             Abolition of Legislative Service Organizations

       Sec. 222. The establishment or continuation of any 
     legislative service organization (as defined and authorized 
     in the One Hundred Third Congress) shall be prohibited in the 
     One Hundred Fourth Congress. The Committee on House Oversight 
     shall take such steps as are necessary to ensure an orderly 
     termination and accounting for funds of any legislative 
     service organization in existence on January 3, 1995.

           Miscellaneous Provisions and Clerical Corrections

       Sec. 223. (a) Speaker's Authority To Postpone Votes.--In 
     clause 5(b)(1) of rule I, amend the matter after ``questions 
     listed herein:'' to read as follows:
       ``(A) the question of adopting a resolution;
       ``(B) the question of passing a bill;
       ``(C) the question of agreeing to a motion to instruct 
     conferees as provided in clause 1(c) of rule XXVIII: 
     Provided, however, That proceedings shall not resume on said 
     question if the conferees have filed a report in the House;
       ``(D) the question of agreeing to a conference report;
       ``(E) the question of ordering the previous question on a 
     question described in subdivision (A), (B), (C), or (D); and
       ``(F) the question of agreeing to a motion to suspend the 
     rules.''.
       (b) Office of Floor Assistants.--There is established in 
     the House of Representatives an office to be known as the 
     Speaker's Office for Legislative Floor Activities. The 
     Speaker shall appoint and set the annual rate of pay for 
     employees of the Office. The Office shall have the 
     responsibility of assisting the Speaker in the management of 
     legislative floor activity.
       (c) Vice Chairman of Committee.--In clause 2(d) of rule 
     XI--
       (1) strike ``The member'' and insert ``A member''; and
       (2) strike ``ranking immediately after the chairman'' and 
     insert ``designated by the chairman of the full committee''.
       (d) Prohibition Against Members' Use of Personal, 
     Electronic Office Equipment on House Floor.--In clause 7 of 
     rule XIV, insert ``or to use any personal, electronic office 
     equipment (including cellular phones and computers)'' after 
     ``to smoke''.
       (e) Speaker's Authority To Reduce to Five-Minutes a Vote 
     Following a Previous Question Vote.--In clause 5(b) of rule 
     XV, amend subparagraph (1) to read as follows:
       ``(1) after a rollcall vote has been ordered on a motion 
     for the previous question, on any underlying question that 
     follows without intervening business;''.
       (f) Clerical Corrections.--
       (1) In clause 3 of rule III, insert ``; and'' before 
     ``certify''.
       (2) In clause 2(l)(1)(B) of rule XI, strike ``does not 
     apply to the reporting'' and all that follows through 
     ``subdivision (C) and''.
       (g) Special Rule for Bill Sponsorship on Opening Day.--In 
     the One Hundred Fourth Congress, each of the first 20 bills 
     introduced in the House (H.R. 1 through H.R. 20), and each of 
     the first two joint resolutions introduced in the House (H.J. 
     Res. 1 and H.J. Res. 2), may have more than one Member 
     reflected as a first sponsor.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Walker). Pursuant to House Resolution 5, 
the resolution is initially debatable for 30 minutes.
  The gentleman from Texas [Mr. Armey] will be recognized for 15 
minutes, and the gentleman from Michigan [Mr. Bonior] will be 
recognized for 15 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Texas [Mr. Armey].
  Mr. ARMEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself 4 minutes.
  (Mr. ARMEY asked and was given permission to revise and extend his 
remarks.)
  Mr. ARMEY. Mr. Speaker, this is a gratifying day for America, a day 
of hope and promise for our country. And so it is with a profound sense 
of honor that I offer, on behalf of the Republican Members of the 
House, this proposed set of rules for the 104th Congress.
  I am very proud of this rules package. I believe it will dramatically 
alter--and I predict improve--the way in which the House conducts the 
American people's business.
  The distinguished chairman of the Rules Committee, Mr. Solomon, and 
others will offer more detailed explanations of the provisions. Allow 
me at this point simply to sketch for you our three principal goals--
responsibility, reform, and renewal.
  Our first goal is greater responsibility with the people's money. We 
will reduce the size and cost of a Congress that has grown unchecked 
for too many years. We will slash the number of committees and 
subcommittees, and reduce committee staff by a third, saving taxpayers 
about $40 million a year.

                              {time}  1650

  We will stop the funding of 28 special-interest caucuses that cost $5 
million a year. And we have even managed to save $300,000 a year by 
ending so-called commemorative legislation like National Pizza and 
Pasta Day.
  [[Page H31]] It's time for truth in budgeting. From now on, in the 
budget process, when we speak of a spending cut, we will mean an actual 
cut in spending, not just a smaller increase.
  Over on the other side of the Capitol, our Senate colleagues actually 
have a rule requiring a super-majority to cut taxes. Well, is it not 
about time we put our thumb on the spending-cut side of the scale? 
House rules will now require a three-fifths majority to raise taxes.
  Our second goal is reform. We want to make the House more accountable 
to the American people. We are throwing open the shutters and letting 
the sun shine in on committee meetings. We are banning proxy voting and 
so-called rolling quorums.
  This way, Members of Congress will devote more energy to their all-
important committee work, knowing that, from now on, they will have to 
be physically present to cast votes on behalf of their constituents, 
rather than delegating that high privilege.
  And we are making the Congressional Record a true verbatim transcript 
of debate, instead of ``revisionist history'' Members can totally 
rewrite after the fact.
  Our third goal, Mr. Speaker, is renewal. We hope to promote a renewal 
of respect for this historic institution. And that begins with a 
renewal of respect for the people who sent us here. It begins with a 
Congress that obeys the same laws it imposes on private citizens.
  Renewal means more accountability on the part of those entrusted with 
power. And that's why we impose a healthy, 6-year term limit on 
committee chairmen.
  We also feel--and I know you enthusiastically concur, Mr. Speaker--
that there should be an 8-year term limit on the Speaker, the same 
number of years allowed the President.
  Allow me to end on a personal note. I would love to see bipartisan 
support for these rules, because this is not a Republican House. This 
was not previously a Democratic House. This is the American people's 
House, and we must restore their faith in this historic and honorable 
institution.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Walker). The Chair would remind all 
persons in the gallery that they are here as guests of the House and 
that any manifestation of approval or disapproval of proceedings is a 
violation of the rules of the House.
  The gentleman from Texas may proceed.
  Mr. ARMEY. I repeat, we must restore their faith in this historic and 
honorable institution.
  I hope today will set a standard for a more cooperative, more idea-
driven process in which our first and highest consideration is always 
the people's business.
  I urge all of my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on these historic rules 
on this historic day.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. BONIOR. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the distinguished 
gentleman from South Carolina [Mr. Spratt], a member of the leadership.
  (Mr. SPRATT asked and was given permission to revise and extend his 
remarks.)
  Mr. SPRATT. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding.
  The previous Member just described this as a day of promise, a day 
for raising standards of this institution, and this is a historic 
occasion. We will miss a historic, major opportunity to change the way 
this institution of the Congress is perceived if we do not add to this 
rules package before us the ban on gifts from lobbyists which this 
House passed just months ago by an overwhelming vote of 315 to 111.
  There are many things in this package, this rules proposal, that I 
can and will gladly support. Let us be frank about it: Committee proxy 
voting, super majorities, baseline budgeting, this is Capitol Hill 
jargon. Some people out in the country get it; most do not, and most 
could care less. But everybody understands what gifts from lobbyists is 
all about. That is why we got 315 votes for it the last time it was 
before the House.
  If we want to open up this institution, if we want to freshen its 
image, redeem its reputation among the American people, then we need to 
sever the ties, real and perceived, between those who work inside this 
institution and represent the people as a whole, and those who work 
Congress from the outside, the lobbyists, Gucci Gulf, the lobbyists who 
represent special interests and limited numbers of people.
  Just a few months ago this ban on gifts from lobbyists was good 
enough for 315 Members. The provisions that some found problematic then 
that dealt with grassroots lobbying were purged from the Democratic 
proposal today. We did add one provision that is contentious. It would 
limit, not ban, limit the amount of royalties that a Member could earn 
while sitting as a Member of this House on publications written while 
he is sitting. But the limit is a third of your salary while serving 
here, which is a generous dispensation for full-time Members who are 
paid full-time salaries. With such enormous support, 315 yeas, why not 
vote on this package today and make it the rule of the House from day 
one?
  Mr. ARMEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield the balance of my time to the 
distinguished gentleman from New York [Mr. Solomon], chairman of the 
Committee on Rules.
  (Mr. SOLOMON asked and was given permission to revise and extend his 
remarks and to include extraneous material.)
  Mr. SOLOMON. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, a new day is here.
  Today we begin the first stage of a commitment that was made to the 
American people last November--indeed, a Contract With America that was 
signed by the new majority--to restore, renew, and reform the people's 
House.
  The resolution before us today, adopting the Rules of the House for 
the 104th Congress, is the initial fulfillment of that Contract With 
America. It makes the most sweeping and comprehensive reform of this 
House in the last half century.
  It brings back to the people's House the intangible words, 
``openness, fairness, and accountability.''
  But, even more importantly, by setting the example of substantially 
reducing the committees and staff of the Congress, we begin the process 
of shrinking the size and power of the Federal Government.
  What we are proposing today in this resolution is unprecedented, both 
in form and in substance. Instead of the usual 1 hour of debate on this 
resolution, we have committed to 3\1/2\ hours of debate. Instead of the 
usual single vote on this resolution, we have committed to nine 
separate votes.
  After this initial general debate period of 30 minutes, we will 
proceed to debate for 20 minutes each on the eight opening day reforms 
contained in our Contract With America, followed by a separate vote on 
each.
  Those reforms include--
  First, a comprehensive reform of our committee system, including a 
one-third cut in committee staff, a reduction of over 20 subcommittees, 
and a consolidation of committee staff funding into a publicly 
disclosed, 2-year funding resolution;
  Second, a truth-in-budgeting baseline reform provision that measures 
next year's budget against this year's spending levels instead of 
inflated baseline spending levels;
  Third, a four-term limit on the Speaker of the House, and three-term 
limit on committee and subcommittee chairmen;
  Fourth, a ban on proxy or ghost voting in committees;
  Fifth, a committee sunshine rule to ensure that all committee 
meetings and hearings are open to the public and the media;
  Sixth, a required three-fifths vote on any bill increasing income tax 
rates, and a prohibition against retroactive tax increases;
  Seventh, a comprehensive audit of all House books to ferret out past 
waste, fraud, and abuse in this House so that we can operate this House 
in the future in an open and fiscally sound manner; and
  Eighth, the consideration of a bill that will make the Congress 
subject to the same laws that now apply to the private sector.
  Mr. Speaker, following the debate and votes on those opening day 
contract items, we will proceed for an additional 20 minutes to debate 
and then vote on title II of this resolution which contains 23 
additional reforms of this 
[[Page H32]] House which have been long overdue, including--
comprehensive reform of the administrative structure of the House; a 
reduction in the number of committees and an overhaul of their 
jurisdictions; a requirement for more comprehensive oversight of the 
executive branch by our committees; a publication of all committee 
rollcall votes; a reform of our appropriations process; a requirement 
that our Congressional Record and committee transcripts be an accurate 
account of words actually spoken; a ban on so-called commemorative 
bills; and a ban on taxpayer-funded special interest caucuses.
  Mr. Speaker, I could go on and discuss the many other reform items in 
this rules resolution, but, in the interest of allowing other Members 
to participate in this debate, I reserve the balance of my time.
                       A Contract for a New House

(A section-by-section summary of H. Res. --, adopting the Rules of the 
House for the 104th Congress, to be offered by the Majority Leader, or 
                              a designee.)

       The Rules of the House of the 103rd Congress would be 
     adopted as the rules for the 104th Congress together with the 
     following amendments:


        title i. contract with america: a bill of accountability

       [Note: Each section below in Title I would be under a 
     separate introductory paragraph adopting House Rules from the 
     103rd Congress as the Rules of the 104th Congress with the 
     additional amendment(s) in the section, thereby permitting a 
     division of the question and separate debate and vote on each 
     of the 8 Contract items. The 23 items in Title II, on the 
     other hand, would be subject to a single vote.]
       Sec. 101. Committee, Subcommittee and Staff Reforms: 
     Committee staff in the 104th Congress is reduced by at least 
     one-third from comparable levels in the 103rd Congress. No 
     committee could have more than 5 subcommittees (except 
     Appropriations which could have no more than 13; Government 
     Reform and Oversight, no more than 7; and Transportation and 
     Infrastructure, no more than 6). Statutory and investigative 
     staff salary authorization levels would be consolidated in a 
     single, 2-year committee expense resolution (except for the 
     Committee on Appropriations). The distinction between 
     professional and clerical staff would be eliminated while 
     retaining the overall core staff of 30 for each committee 
     (20-majority, 10-minority, or a one-third guarantee to the 
     minority if less than 30). Committee chairmen would be 
     required to ensure that sufficient staff is made available to 
     each subcommittee to exercise its responsibilities under 
     committee rules, including fair treatment to the minority in 
     subcommittee staffing. Interim funding authority for House 
     committees, consistent with planned staff reductions, would 
     be provided pending the adoption of the primary expense 
     resolution for 1995-96.
       Sec. 102. Truth-in-Budgeting Baseline Reform: Cost 
     estimates in committee reports would include a comparison of 
     total estimated funding for the program(s) to the appropriate 
     levels under current law.
       Sec. 103. Term Limits for Speaker, Committee and 
     Subcommittee Chairmen: Beginning with the 104th Congress: (a) 
     No person could serve as Speaker for more than four 
     consecutive Congresses (disregarding any service for less 
     than a session). (b) No Member could be the chairman of any 
     committee, or of the same subcommittee of a committee, for 
     more than three consecutive Congresses (excluding any service 
     for less than a session in a Congress).
       Sec. 104. Proxy Voting Ban: No vote could be cast by proxy 
     on any committee or subcommittee thereof.
       Sec. 105. Committee Sunshine Rules: Committee meetings, 
     which can now be closed for any reason, could only be closed 
     by majority rollcall vote if disclosure would endanger 
     national security, compromise sensitive law enforcement 
     information, or tend to defame, degrade or incriminate any 
     person. Broadcast coverage of any committee or subcommittee 
     meeting or hearing open to the public would be a right (not 
     requiring a vote of approval as at present).
       Sec. 106. Limitations on Tax Increases: (a) No bill, joint 
     resolution, amendment or conference report carrying an income 
     tax rate increase, could be considered as passed or agreed to 
     unless so determined by a vote of at least three-fifths of 
     the House. (b) No measure of amendment could be considered 
     that contains a retroactive income tax rate increase.
       Sec. 107. Comprehensive House Audit: The Inspector General 
     would be authorized to contract with one or more independent 
     auditing firms to conduct a comprehensive audit of House 
     financial records, physical assets, and operational 
     facilities.
       Sec. 108. Consideration of ``Congressional Accountability 
     Act'': The majority leader, or a designee, would be 
     authorized to call up for consideration on Jan. 4, 1995, a 
     bill (H.R. 1), the ``Congressional Accountability Act of 
     1995,'' subject to one-hour of debate in the House, divided 
     equally between the majority leader and minority leader, or 
     their designees, and to one motion to recommit.


                            title ii. general

       Sec. 201. House Administrative Reforms: The Office of 
     Doorkeeper would be abolished and its functions transferred 
     to the Sergeant-at-Arms. A Chief Administrative Officer, 
     elected by the House, would replace the Director of Financial 
     and Non-Legislative Services. The authority of the Inspector 
     General would be broadened to audit all House functions and 
     to refer possible violations of rules or law to the ethics 
     committee for action or possible referral to the appropriate 
     Federal or State authorities.
       Sec. 202. Changes in Committee System: The Committees on 
     Post Office and Civil Service, and the District of Columbia 
     would be abolished and their jurisdiction transferred to the 
     Committee on Government Reform and Oversight; the Committee 
     on Merchant Marine and Fisheries would be abolished and its 
     jurisdiction transferred to the committees on National 
     Security, Resources, and Transportation and Infrastructure. 
     The Committee on Budget would be given shared legislative 
     jurisdiction over certain budgetary legislation. Term limits 
     for members of the Budget Committee would be changed from 
     three-terms in any five Congresses to four-terms in any six 
     Congresses. Other committees would be renamed and 
     jurisdictions transferred.
       Sec. 203. Oversight Reform: Committees would be required to 
     adopt oversight plans for the Congress and submit them to the 
     Committee on House Oversight and Government Reform and 
     Oversight by Feb. 15th of the first session. The Committee on 
     House Oversight and Government Reform and Oversight would 
     report the plans to the House by March 31st together with any 
     recommendations of the committee or joint leadership to 
     ensure maximum coordination. Committees would be required to 
     include an oversight section in their final activity reports 
     reporting on the implementation of their plans. The Speaker 
     would be authorized to appoint ad hoc oversight committees, 
     subject to House approval, for specific oversight projects 
     from committees sharing jurisdiction.
       Sec. 204. Member Assignment Limits: No Member could have 
     more then two standing committee and four subcommittee 
     assignments (except committee chairman and ranking minority 
     members could serve as ex officio members of all 
     subcommittees of their committees). Any exception to the 
     assignment limits must be approved by the House upon the 
     recommendation of the respective party caucus or conference.
       Sec. 205. Multiple Bill Referral Reform: The joint referral 
     of bills to two or more committees would be prohibited. The 
     speaker would designate a committee of primary jurisdiction 
     when a bill is introduced, may refer parts of bills to 
     appropriate committees, and may sequentially refer bills, 
     either upon introduction or after the primary committee has 
     reported, subject to time limits for reporting.
       Sec. 206. Accuracy of Committee Transcripts: Committee 
     hearing and meeting transcripts shall be a substantially 
     verbatim account of remarks made during proceedings, subject 
     only to technical grammatical, and typographical corrections 
     authorized by the person making the remarks involved.
       Sec. 207. Elimination of ``Rolling Quorums'': The existing 
     ``rolling quorum'' rule which allows drop-by voting to report 
     measures and permits less than a quorum to report if no point 
     of order is raised, would be repealed.
       Sec. 208. Prohibition on Committee Meetings During House 
     Consideration of Amendments: No Committee (except the 
     Committees on Appropriations, Rules, Standards and Ways and 
     Means) could sit while the House is reading a measure for 
     amendment under the five-minute rule without special leave 
     (which shall be granted unless 10 members object), or unless 
     upon the adoption of a motion offered by the majority leader 
     which shall be privileged. No committee could sit while the 
     House and Senate are meeting in joint session or when a joint 
     meeting of the House and Senate is in progress.
       Sec. 209. Accountability for Committee Votes: Committee 
     reports on any bill or other matter would include the names 
     of those voting for and against on rollcall votes on any 
     amendments or on the motion to report a measure.
       Sec. 210. Affirming Minority's Rights on Motions to 
     Recommit: The Rules Committee could not report a special rule 
     denying the minority the right to offer amendatory 
     instructions in a motion to recommit if offered by the 
     minority leader or a designee.
       Sec. 211. Waiver Policy for Special Rules: The Committee on 
     Rules would be required, to the maximum extent possible, to 
     specify in any special rule providing for the consideration 
     of a measure any provisions of House rules being waived.
       Sec. 212. Prohibition on Delegate Voting in Committee of 
     Whole: The Resident Commissioner of Puerto Rico and the 
     Delegates from Guam, Virgin Islands, American Samoa and the 
     District of Columbia could not vote in or preside over the 
     Committee of the Whole.
       Sec. 213. Accuracy of Congressional Record: The 
     Congressional Record would be a verbatim account of 
     proceedings, subject only to technical, grammatical and 
     typographical corrections by the Member speaking. 
     Unparliamentary remarks may be deleted only by unanimous 
     consent or order of the House.
       Sec. 214. Automatic Roll Call Votes: Automatic roll call 
     votes would be required on final passage of bills making 
     appropriations, raising taxes, and conference reports there- 
     [[Page H33]] on; and on final adoption of budget resolutions 
     and their conference reports.
       Sec. 215. Appropriations Reforms: Limitation amendments 
     could be offered to appropriations bills at the end of the 
     regular amendment process without having to first defeat the 
     motion to rise and report. A motion to rise could only be 
     offered by the majority leader (or a designee) if limitation 
     amendments are still pending. Non-emergency items could not 
     be reported or offered as amendments to emergency spending 
     bills (except to rescind budget authority or reduce direct 
     spending to pay for the emergency benefits). Off-setting, 
     deficit neutral amendments could be offered en bloc to any 
     appropriations measure. Reports on all appropriations bills 
     would be required to include not only a listing of 
     legislative provisions contained in the measures (as 
     presently required), but of all unauthorized activities being 
     funded by the measure (except for classified intelligence or 
     national security programs). Points of order would 
     automatically be reserved against an appropriations bill when 
     filed.
       Sec. 216. Ban on Commemoratives: No bill, resolution or 
     amendment could be introduced or considered in the House that 
     establishes or expresses any commemoration (defined as any 
     remembrance, celebration or recognition for any purpose) for 
     a specified time period (e.g., day, week, month). The 
     Committee on Government Reform and Oversight would be 
     directed to consider alternative means of
      establishing commemorations, such as an independent or 
     Executive Branch Commission, and to report to the House 
     any recommendations.
       Sec. 217. Numerical Designation of Amendments Submitted for 
     Record: Amendments submitted for the amendments section of 
     the Congressional Record for any bill would be given 
     numerical designations in the order printed for that bill to 
     facilitate easy reference by Members and committees.
       Sec. 218. Pledge of Allegiance: The Pledge of Allegiance 
     would be required in the House as the third order of business 
     each day.
       Sec. 219. Discharge Petitions: The Clerk would be required 
     to publish the names of new signers of discharge petitions in 
     the last Congressional Record of each week and make available 
     to the public through an appropriate office the current names 
     of signers on a daily basis. The Clerk shall also devise a 
     system for making the names of signers available to House 
     offices and the public through electronic form.
       Sec. 220. Protection of Classified Materials: The Code of 
     Official Conduct would be amended to require that, prior to 
     having access to any classified materials, Members, officers 
     and employees take an oath not to disclose such materials 
     except as authorized by the House or its Rules.
       Sec. 221. Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence: The 
     House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence would be 
     reduced in size from 19 to 16 members, with a 9-7 majority to 
     minority ratio. Member terms would be increased from three to 
     four and the chairman and ranking minority member could serve 
     a fifth term if they held the those positions for only one 
     Congress. The Speaker (currently the majority leader) and 
     minority leader would serve as ex officio, non-voting 
     members, and may designate a member of their leadership staff 
     to assist them and have access to committee proceedings and 
     materials, as if committee staff, subject to the same 
     security clearance and confidentiality requirements as 
     committee staff. Current jurisdictional arrangements would be 
     clarified.
       Sec. 222. Abolition of Legislative Service Organizations: 
     The establishment or continuation of any Legislative Service 
     Organization (as defined and authorized by regulation in the 
     103rd Congress) would be prohibited in the 104th Congress. 
     The Committee on House Oversight would be directed to take 
     necessary steps to ensure the orderly termination and 
     accounting for funds of LSOs in existence on Jan. 4, 1995.
       Sec. 223. Miscellaneous Provisions and Clerical 
     Corrections: The Speaker's authority to postpone votes on 
     certain matters would include postponing the previous 
     question vote on those matters. The Speaker's authority to 
     reduce time for voting to 5-minutes after a 15-minute vote on 
     the previous question would extend to any previous question 
     vote (currently applies only to previous question vote on 
     special rules from the Rules Committee). There would be 
     established a Speaker's Office for Legislative Floor 
     Activities, with employees to be appointed by the Speaker to 
     assist in the management of legislative floor activity. The 
     Chairman of a committee could designate any member of the 
     committee or a subcommittee as the vice chairman of the 
     committee or subcommittee. Members would be prohibited from 
     using any personal, electronic office equipment (including 
     cellular phones, and laptop computers) on the House floor. 
     Certain specified, priority measures introduced on Jan. 4, 
     1995, could have more than one prime sponsor.
         Section-by-Section Analysis of House Rules Resolution

  (H. Res.----, Adopting House Rules, 104th Congress, January 5, 1995)


        Title I. Contract With America: A Bill of Accountability

       Title I of the resolution contains eight sections relating 
     to the ``Opening Day Checklist'' of House reforms contained 
     in the ``Contract with America.'' Each section is preceded by 
     an identical introductory paragraph adopting the rules of the 
     previous Congress together with the amendment(s) in that 
     section in order to permit a division of the question vote on 
     each section.
       Sec. 101. Committee, Subcommittee and Staff Reforms: (a) 
     Committee staff reductions.--Subsection (a) requires that the 
     number of House committee staff in the 104th Congress be at 
     least one-third less than the corresponding total in the 
     103rd Congress. It is the intent of the resolution that this 
     reduction be achieved at the outset of the new Congress. The 
     Committee on House Oversight will be responsible for 
     overseeing the reductions and enforcing them through the 
     committee funding process.
       (b) Subcommittee reductions.--Subsection (b) replaces 
     clause 6(d) of House rule X which currently requires all 
     committee having more than 20 members to establish at least 
     four subcommittees. In its place, the new paragraph requires 
     that committees establish no more than six subcommittees. The 
     only exceptions are the committees on Appropriations (13). 
     Government Reform and Oversight (7), and Transportation and 
     Infrastructure (6).
       This paragraph should be read in the context of sec. 204 of 
     the resolution which limits Members to no more than four 
     subcommittee assignments. In that section, subcommittee is 
     defined as ``any panel (other than a special oversight panel 
     of the Committee on National Security), task force, special 
     subcommittee, or any subunit of a standing committee that is 
     established for a cumulative period longer than six months in 
     any Congress.'' The intent of these two limitations is to 
     make both Member and committee work more deliberative, 
     participatory, and manageable by reducing scheduling 
     conflicts and jurisdictional overlap. This is especially 
     important given the ban on proxy voting in committees.
       (c) Consolidated committee staff and biennial funding.--
     Subsection (c) amends clause 5 of rule XI (``Committee 
     Expenses'') in two important respects. First, it requires 
     that all committee staff salaries and expenses be authorized 
     in an expense resolution reported by the Committee on House 
     Oversight. At present, only investigative staff salaries and 
     expenses are funded through expense resolutions while so-
     called statutory staff (see amendments to rule XI clause 6 
     below), are paid for directly from appropriations.
       Second, the subsection provides for one primary expense 
     resolution per Congress instead of one each session. This is 
     the system currently in effect in the Senate. The purpose for 
     the biennial resolution is to permit committee to plan for a 
     full Congress and to free-up the time otherwise consumed by 
     the House and its committees on processing two budgets per 
     Congress.
       The ability of committees to request additional or 
     supplemental expense resolutions in a Congress is preserved. 
     The only committee exempted from this consolidated funding 
     process will be Appropriations which has been traditionally 
     exempt to avoid undue pressures on its funding decisions. The 
     Budget Committee, which has been exempt from the funding 
     process since its
      formation in 1975, would be brought under the funding 
     process by this rule change.
       The resolution contains a free-standing, interim funding 
     rule for committees until their expense resolutions are 
     adopted. This permits committees to incur expenses consistent 
     with their planned staff reductions.
       Clause 5(d) of rule XI is amended to require that committee 
     chairmen make available to each subcommittee sufficient staff 
     to carry out its responsibilities under committee rules, and 
     that the minority is treated fairly in the appointment of 
     subcommittee staff. This replaces an existing provision which 
     entitles each subcommittee chairman and ranking minority 
     member to appoint one staff person at a rate of pay up to 75% 
     of the maximum allowable for committee staff.
       It is the intent of this provision to reestablish the 
     primacy of committees over subcommittees while maintaining 
     the ability of subcommittees to carry out their functions as 
     arms of the parent committee. Nothing in this rule would 
     prevent a committee chairman from allowing a subcommittee 
     chairman to nominate a staff member for approval, either as a 
     matter of policy or committee rule. But, it places ultimate 
     authority over all committee staff in the full committee 
     chairman and restores the line of responsibility of all such 
     staff to the full committee.
       Subsection (d) amends clause 6 of rule XI (``Committee 
     Staffs'') in several respects. First, it eliminates the 
     distinction between professional and clerical staff so that 
     all 30 of the core committee staff are termed 
     ``professional.'' Under existing rules, each committee may 
     appoint 18 professional and 12 clerical staff, with the 
     minority entitled to one-third of each category. The one-
     third guarantee to the minority is retained, but with the 
     difference that it would apply even if the committee appoints 
     fewer than 30 staff.
       The existing conditions that committee staff engage only in 
     committee business during congressional working hours and not 
     be assigned duties other than committee business are 
     retained. However, the rule is amended to recognize the 
     existence of shared or associate staff who may be paid from 
     both Member clerk hire as well as committee funds. In such 
     cases, the chairman must certify that their committee work is 
     commensurate with their pay. It is the intent of this rule to 
     permit a chairman to require by committee rule or policy that 
     a supervising 
     [[Page H34]] Member first certify the same to the chairman if 
     a staff member is not working directly under the chairman.
       The new rule also makes clear that the employment of such 
     shared or committee staff is subject to such terms, 
     conditions, or limitations as may be established by the 
     Committee on House Oversight.
       Sec. 102. Truth-in-Budgeting Baseline Reform: Subsection 
     (a) amends House rule XI, clause 2(l)(3), relating to the 
     contents of committee reports, to require that cost estimates 
     submitted for reports on measures providing new budget 
     authority shall include, when practicable, a comparison of 
     the total estimated funding for the program (or programs), to 
     the appropriate levels under current law.
       Subsection (b) inserts similar language in clause 7(a) of 
     rule XIII, relating to cost estimates in committee reports 
     (other than those of the Committees on Appropriations, Rules, 
     House Oversight, and Standards of Official Conduct).
       These provisions apply to individual pieces of legislation 
     and not to the budget in its entirety. The changes as they 
     relate to discretionary spending authorizations will require 
     that the cost estimates show the entire amount being 
     authorized by current law. In virtually all instances this 
     will be the entire amount of the program because the 
     authorization will be either extending an expired 
     authorization (in which case the current law is zero) or 
     expanding an existing authorization (in which case the 
     current law for expansion will be zero). Therefore, the rule 
     will require that cost estimates for all legislation 
     providing discretionary spending authorization show the 
     entire amount being authorized. Cost estimates for 
     discretionary appropriations will likewise show the entire 
     amount being appropriated.
       The rule as applied to entitlement legislation will require 
     that the cost estimate show the entire amount of spending 
     estimated to occur due to the proposed legislation as well as 
     the amount estimated under current law. This is a change from 
     the previous method of scoring entitlement legislation which 
     only showed the change from current law. Thus, if proposed 
     entitlement legislation provides a lower rate of increase in 
     spending than current law, the cost estimate will show that 
     spending is increasing under the proposed legislation whereas 
     previously the cost estimate would have shown only a 
     reduction from current law.
       Sec. 103. Term Limits for Speaker, Committee and 
     Subcommittee Chairmen: Subsection (a) amends rule I (``Duties 
     of the Speaker'') by adding a new clause 8 at the end which 
     prohibits any person from serving as House Speaker for more 
     than four consecutive terms (excluding any service for less 
     than a session of Congress), beginning with the 104th 
     Congress. The eight year limit is consistent with the spirit 
     of the current two-term limit on Presidents, with the 
     exception of the term ``consecutive.''
       While the rule cannot be made binding on future Congresses, 
     since each has the constitutional authority to make its own 
     rules, it does set a standard to go by which has been 
     encouraged and agreed to by the new Speaker in the 104th 
     Congress.
       Subsection (b) amends clause 6(e) of rule X which currently 
     provides that all vacancies on House standing committees 
     shall be filled by election by the House from nominations 
     submitted by the respective party caucus or conference. The 
     new sentence provides that no Member may serve as the 
     chairman of the same standing committee or subcommittee for 
     more than three consecutive Congresses, beginning with the 
     104th Congress. The purpose of this new limitation is not 
     merely to allow other Members to assume leadership 
     responsibilities sooner, but more importantly to prevent 
     stagnation or too close a relationship to develop between 
     committee leaders and the interests they oversee at the 
     expense of balanced oversight and legislation.
       Sec. 104. Proxy Voting Ban: Subsection (a) amends House 
     rule XI, clause 2, which currently permits proxy voting in 
     committees, by prohibiting the use of proxies by any Member 
     on any measure or matter before a committee. Subsection (b) 
     simply makes a conforming change in clause 2(e)(1) of rule XI 
     by striking a reference to proxy voting.
       The main purpose for this change is to ensure greater 
     participation in committee deliberations and decisions so 
     that the legislative product will be more representative and 
     developed than if produced by a few members present. The 
     overall aim of many of the committee reforms is to restore 
     committees as the legislative workshops of the House.
       This rule does not apply to House-Senate conference 
     committees which operate under joint rules agreed to by a 
     particular conference. Conference committees, for instance, 
     do not require an actual meeting to sign the report (though 
     they must hold at least one meeting at some point)--only a 
     majority of conferees from each House to sign the report.
       Sec. 105. Committee Sunshine Rules: Subsection (a) amends 
     clause 2(g)(1) of rule XI, relating to open meetings to 
     require that meetings which are open to the public shall also 
     be open to the broadcast and photographic media. It also 
     requires that meetings may only be closed by majority vote, 
     with a majority present, if it is determined that matters to 
     be disclosed would endanger national security, compromise 
     sensitive law enforcement information, tend to defame, 
     degrade or incriminate any person, or otherwise would violate 
     any law or rule of the House. The subsection also strikes a 
     provision allowing for a meeting to be closed to discuss 
     internal budget or personnel matters.
       Under present House rules, a committee must vote to approve 
     coverage of a meeting by radio, television and still 
     photography. And, a meeting may be closed for any purpose by 
     majority vote.
       Subsection (b) amends clause 2(g)(2) of rule XI, relating 
     to open committee hearings, to require that any hearing open 
     to the public is also open to the broadcast and photographic 
     media and may only be closed by majority vote, a majority 
     being present, for the same reasons stated in the open 
     meeting rule above.
       The present House rule requires a majority vote to open a 
     hearing to the broadcast and photographic media. It also 
     prohibits closing a meeting except for all of the specified 
     reasons above except one: the new rule adds the condition 
     relating to the disclosure of ``sensitive law enforcement 
     information.''
       Unchanged is the present rule provision permitting a 
     majority of a committee hearing quorum (which could be as few 
     as two members if a committee has adopted such a quorum 
     requirement as permitted by House rules) to vote to close a 
     hearing either to discuss whether testimony or evidence to be 
     received would endanger national security or, in the case of 
     an investigatory hearing, would tend to defame, degrade or 
     incriminate any person (see clause 2(k)(5) of rule XI); or if 
     a majority of the same hearing quorum makes a determination 
     at an investigatory hearing that testimony or evidence to be 
     disclosed would tend to defame, degrade or incriminate any 
     person.
       Subsection (c) amends clause 3(d) of rule XI, relating to 
     the broadcasting of committee meetings or hearings, by 
     striking the clause that makes coverage by the audio and 
     visual media ``a privilege made available by the House.'' 
     This reflects the new requirement that public meetings and 
     hearings are automatically open to these media and does not 
     require an affirmative vote of the committee.
       Subsection (d) amends paragraph (e) of clause 3, rule XI, 
     by eliminating the requirement that a committee must vote to 
     permit audio and visual media coverage except as provided in 
     paragraph (f)(2). Paragraph (f)(2), which permits a 
     subpoenaed witness to demand that audio and visual coverage 
     of that witness' testimony be prohibited, remains unchanged 
     under the new rule. The subsection also provides that a 
     committee or subcommittee may not limit television or
      photographic coverage to less than two representatives of 
     each medium except for legitimate space or safety 
     considerations, in which case pool coverage shall be 
     authorized.
       Sec. 106. Limitations on Tax Increases: Subsection (a) 
     amends clause 5 of rule XXI by adding a new paragraph (c) at 
     the end requiring a three-fifths vote of the House to pass or 
     agree to any bill, joint resolution, amendment or conference 
     report carrying a Federal income tax rate increase. The 
     three-fifths vote would be of those present and voting. This 
     should be read in the context of section 214 of the 
     resolution which requires an automatic rollcall vote in the 
     House on the final passage of any bill, joint resolution or 
     conference report carrying a Federal income tax rate 
     increase.
       Subsection (b) adds a new paragraph (d) to clause 5 or rule 
     XXI prohibiting the consideration of any bill, joint 
     resolution, amendment or conference report carrying a 
     retroactive Federal income tax rate increase. For purposes of 
     these rules the term ``Federal income tax rate increase'' is, 
     for example, an increase in the individual income tax rates 
     established in section 1, and the corporate income tax rates 
     established in section 11, respectively, of the Internal 
     Revenue Code of 1986.
       Sec. 107. Comprehensive House Audit: This section is a 
     free-standing requirement that the Inspector General of the 
     House, during the 104th Congress, in consultation with the 
     Speaker and the Committee on House Oversight, conduct a 
     comprehensive audit of House financial records and 
     administrative operations, be authorized to contract with 
     independent auditing firms for such purposes, and report the 
     results of the audit as provided in House rule VI (``Office 
     of Inspector General''), which requires the submission of any 
     audit reports simultaneously to the Speaker, majority leader, 
     and the chairman and ranking minority members of the 
     Committee on House Oversight.
       Sec. 108. Consideration of the ``Congressional 
     Accountability Act'': Sec. 108 is a free-standing, special 
     rule, permitting the consideration in the House, at any time 
     after the adoption of the House rules' resolution, of H.R. 1 
     (104th Congress), a bill to make certain laws applicable to 
     the legislative branch of the Federal Government, if offered 
     by the majority leader or a designee. The special rule 
     provides for one-hour of debate controlled equally by the 
     majority and minority leaders, or their designees, and orders 
     the previous question to final passage without intervening 
     motion except one motion to recommit. The bill would not be 
     subject to amendment unless offered as part of amendatory 
     instructions in the motion to recommit.


                           title ii. general

       Title II consists of 23 additional sections under a single 
     introductory paragraph adopting the rules of the 103rd 
     Congress together with the further amendments contained in 
     those sections. As such, the 23 sections would not be subject 
     to a division of the question 
     [[Page H35]] and separate votes. These would be a single vote 
     on Title II following debate on it (and on any vote on a 
     motion to commit).
       Sec. 201. Administrative Reforms: Subsection (a) strikes 
     from rule II references to the Doorkeeper as an elected House 
     Officer (the office is abolished) and add the office of Chief 
     Administrative Officer as a newly elected Officer of the 
     House.
       Subsection (b) amends rule III (``Duties of the Clerk'') by 
     adding two new clauses, 7 and 8, requiring the Clerk to make 
     semi-annual reports on finances and operations of the Office, 
     to the Committee on House Oversight, and to cooperate with 
     the appropriate offices and persons conducting performance 
     reviews and audits of the Office's finances and operations.
       Subsection (c) amends House rules IV, V, and VI as follows:
       Rule IV (``Duties of the Sergeant-at-Arms''), is amended to 
     reflect the assumption by the Sergeant-at-Arms of certain 
     duties and responsibilities previously under the Doorkeeper; 
     to require semi-annual reports be made to the Committee on 
     House Oversight regarding the finances and operations of the 
     Office; and to require cooperation with appropriate persons 
     in the performance of reviews and audits.
       Rule V, previously relating to the ``Duties of the 
     Doorkeeper,'' is replaced by a new rule relating to the 
     ``Chief Administrative Officer'' who shall assume many of the 
     duties and functions previously vested in the Director of 
     Non-Legislative and Financial Services (rule VI, clause 1, 
     103rd Congress). Specifically, the Chief shall have 
     operational and financial responsibility for functions 
     assigned by the Speaker and Committee on House Oversight, 
     subject to their policy direction and oversight. In addition, 
     the Chief shall make semi-annual reports to the Committee on 
     House Oversight on the finances and operations of the Office, 
     and cooperate fully with appropriate offices and persons 
     conducting performance reviews and audits.
       Rule VI, previously relating to the Director of Non-
     Legislative and Financial Services and the Office of 
     Inspector General, is replaced by a new rule establishing the 
     Office of Inspector General. The Office of Director of Non-
     legislative and Financial Services would be abolished by the 
     adoption of this new rule.
       As with the previous rule VI, clause 2, the Inspector 
     General is to be appointed by the Speaker, majority leader, 
     and minority leader, acting jointly. The Inspector General 
     would be subject to the policy direction and oversight of the 
     Committee on House Oversight, and would be responsible for 
     conducting periodic audits of the financial and 
     administrative functions of the House and joint entities. The 
     audit responsibilities of the previous Inspector General were 
     confined to the financial functions under the Director of 
     Non-legislative and Financial Services, the Clerk, the 
     Sergeant-at-Arms and the Doorkeeper.
       The new responsibilities are therefore broadened to include 
     all financial and administrative functions of the House and 
     joint entities. The existing reporting and consultation 
     requirements regarding any audits would be retained. 
     Specifically, the Inspector General would be required to 
     report simultaneously to the Speaker, majority leader, and 
     the chairman and ranking minority member of the Committee on 
     House Oversight any financial irregularities discovered, as 
     well as on the final results of any audit.
       Moreover, the Inspector General is required to report to 
     the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct any potential 
     violations of House rules or laws applicable to the 
     performance of official duties or the discharge of official 
     responsibilities of any Member, officer or employee of the 
     House. The Committee on Standards of Official Conduct would 
     retain existing authority to refer any possible law 
     violations to the appropriate Federal or State authorities, 
     subject to House approval, under clause 4(e)(1)(C) of rule X.
       Subsection (d) eliminates clause 3(j) of rule X which 
     established a bipartisan Subcommittee on House Oversight of 
     the former Committee on House Administration for the purpose 
     of receiving audit reports and exercising oversight of the 
     Clerk, Sergeant-at-Arms, Doorkeeper, Director of Non-
     legislative and Financial Services, and the Inspector 
     General. These responsibilities will be assumed by the full 
     Committee on House Oversight.
       Subsection (e) amends clause 4(d) of rule X, regarding the 
     additional functions of the Committee on House Oversight, by 
     making conforming changes reflecting the committee's new name 
     and changes made in the other Offices of the House.
       Sec. 202. Changes in the Committee System: This section 
     rewrites clause 1 of rule X (``The Committees and Their 
     Jurisdiction''), to reflect the abolition of three 
     committees--District of Columbia, Merchant Marine and 
     Fisheries, and Post Office and Civil Service--the transfer of 
     their jurisdictions, and the renaming and jurisdictional 
     changes in other standing committees of the House.
       Specifically, from the Committee on Merchant Marine and 
     Fisheries, the national security aspects of merchant marine 
     jurisdiction is transferred to the Committee on National 
     Security (formerly Armed Services); the Coast Guard 
     jurisdiction is transferred to the Committee on 
     Transportation and Infrastructure (formerly Public Works and 
     Transportation); and the fisheries, marine, non-national 
     security aspects of the merchant marine, oceanographic 
     affairs, and endangered species jurisdictions are transferred 
     to the Committee on Resources (formerly Natural Resources).
       The Committee on Government Reform and Oversight (formerly 
     Government Operations), would assume the jurisdictions of the 
     committees on District of Columbia and Post Office and Civil 
     Service, except for the Franking Commission which goes to 
     House Oversight (formerly House Administration).
       Approximately 20 percent of the jurisdiction of the former 
     Committee on Energy and Commerce (renamed the Committee on 
     Commerce by this resolution) would go to the following 
     committees: primary jurisdiction over Glass-Steagall reform 
     legislation to the Committee on Banking and Financial 
     Services (formerly Banking, Finance and Urban Affairs); 
     consolidation of food inspection jurisdiction to the 
     Committee on Agriculture; railroad jurisdiction to the 
     Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure; Trans-Alaska 
     Pipeline to the Committee on Resources; inland waterways 
     jurisdiction to Transportation and Infrastructure; and 
     consolidation of energy research and development jurisdiction 
     under the Committee on Science.
       The Committee on the Budget would gain certain jurisdiction 
     over budgetary legislation from the Committee on Government 
     Reform and Oversight.
       Other committee names changes include: Economic and 
     Educational Opportunities (formerly Education and Labor); and 
     International Relations (formerly Foreign Affairs).
       Sec. 203. Oversight Reform: Subsection (a) adds two new 
     subparagraphs (d) and (e) at the end of clause 2 of rule X 
     (``General Oversight Responsibilities''). Paragraph (a) 
     requires each standing committee of the House, no later than 
     February 15 of the first session of a Congress, to adopt in 
     open session, with a quorum present, its oversight plans for 
     that Congress,
      and to submit them to the committees on House Oversight and 
     Government Reform and Oversight.
       Committees shall, to the maximum extent feasible, consult 
     with other committees having related jurisdictions to ensure 
     coordination and cooperation in formulating and implementing 
     oversight plans; give priority consideration to including in 
     its plans the review of those laws, programs or agencies 
     operating under permanent authority; and ensure that all laws 
     within their jurisdictions are subject to oversight review at 
     least once every ten years.
       No expense resolution could be considered for any committee 
     which has not submitted its oversight plans to the Committee 
     on House Oversight and the Committee on Government Reform and 
     Oversight. Not later than March 31 of the first session of a 
     Congress, after consulting with the Speaker and majority and 
     minority leaders, the Committee on Government Reform and 
     Oversight shall publish the oversight plans of the various 
     committees, together with any recommendations made by the 
     joint leadership group to ensure the most effective 
     coordination of the plans.
       Paragraph (e) of rule X, clause 2, authorizes the Speaker, 
     with the approval of the House, to appoint special, ad hoc 
     oversight committees for the purpose of reviewing specific 
     matters within the jurisdiction of two or more committees.
       Subsection (b) of the resolution amends clause 1(d) of rule 
     XI, which now requires committee to submit an activity report 
     at the end of each Congress, to include in such reports 
     separate sections on the committees' legislative and 
     oversight activities, including a summary of the oversight 
     plans submitted and actions taken and recommendations made 
     with respect to each such plans, as well as any additional 
     oversight activities undertaken by the committees.
       It is the intent of this section to ensure that committees 
     make a more concerted, coordinated and conscientious effort 
     to develop meaningful oversight plans at the beginning of 
     each Congress and to follow-through on their implementation, 
     with a view to examining the full range of the laws under 
     their jurisdiction over a period of five Congresses.
       Sec. 204. Member Assignment Limits: Clause 6(b) of rule X, 
     relating to committee memberships, would be amended by adding 
     a new subparagraph (b) that would limit Members to no more 
     than two standing committee assignments and four subcommittee 
     assignments. The limitation would not apply to committee 
     chairman and ranking minority members who serve as ex officio 
     members of all subcommittees of their committees. Any 
     exceptions to these limits must be approved by the House upon 
     the recommendation of the respective party caucus or 
     conference.
       The term subcommittee is defined for purposes of this 
     subparagraph as any panel (other than a special oversight 
     panel of the Committee on National Security), task force, 
     special subcommittee, or any subunit of a committee that is 
     established for a cumulative period of longer than six months 
     in a Congress.
       It is the intent of this rule that any waivers by a party 
     caucus or conference be specifically approved before it is 
     presented to the House for consideration. If such party 
     caucus or conference recommendations are specifically 
     approved at the beginning of a Congress, the
      election of committees by the House will be considered as 
     the requisite approval by the House of any exceptions to 
     the committee limitation. However, any exceptions to the 
     subcommittee limitation would 
     [[Page H36]] have to be reported to the House from the 
     respective party caucus or conference.
       Sec. 205. Multiple Referral Reform: Clause 5(c) of rule X 
     (``Referral of Bills, Resolutions, and Other Matters to 
     Committees'') is amended to require the Speaker to designate 
     a committee of primary jurisdiction upon the initial referral 
     of a measure to a committee. The Speaker would have the 
     discretion to also refer the same measure to other committees 
     in sequence (sequential referral), either upon its initial 
     introduction or after the primary committee has reported, 
     subject to time limits for reporting by the secondary 
     committees; or to refer designated portions of the same 
     measure to other committees (split referral); or to refer a 
     measure to a special ad hoc committee consisting of 
     committees with shared jurisdictions over the measure.
       This rule change differs from the present referral rule in 
     four significant respects. First, the designation of a 
     committee of primary jurisdiction is designed to ensure 
     greater accountability for legislation. Second, the rule 
     eliminates so-called joint referrals which technically gave 
     committees authority to consider the same portions of 
     legislation as other committees (though referrals are always 
     for consideration only of such provisions as fall within a 
     committee's jurisdiction). Third, giving the Speaker 
     discretion to make sequential or split referrals allows more 
     flexibility than the current requirement that every committee 
     having any jurisdiction over a measure, no matter how minor, 
     must receive a referral. And fourth, the ability of the 
     Speaker to designate a secondary committee for sequential 
     referral purposes upon the initial introduction of a measure 
     will allow that committee to proceed with its work on the 
     measure immediately, if it wishes.
       Nothing in this rule should be construed to prevent a 
     secondary committee from reporting prior to the primary 
     committee. However, it is the intent of the rule to the 
     extent possible, to allow the primary committee to report 
     before a measure is scheduled for floor consideration, unless 
     it waives its right to report or the Speaker exercises 
     discretion to impose a time limit on the primary committee 
     for reporting and it fails to meet the deadline, in which 
     case it will be considered to have been discharged of the 
     measure.
       Sec. 206. Accuracy of Committee Transcripts: Clause 2(e)(1) 
     of rule XI (``Committee Records''), is amended to require 
     that committee transcripts shall be a substantially verbatim 
     account of remarks actually made during proceedings, subject 
     only to technical, grammatical, and typographical corrections 
     authorized by the person making the remarks involved.
       The current rule requires committees to keep a complete 
     record of all committee action, including a record of the 
     votes on any question on which a rollcall vote is demanded. 
     It is the intent of the new rule to require that where 
     stenographic transcripts are kept of committee meetings or 
     hearings, they not be subject to substantive changes by 
     either the persons making the remarks or by staff.
       It is not the intent of this rule that all meeting and 
     hearing transcripts be published. However, in those instances 
     in which persons involved in a meeting or hearing are allowed 
     to review and correct their remarks before publication of the 
     transcripts, any corrections must be specifically authorized 
     by that person and cannot alter the substantive content of 
     the remarks.
      To the extent a person making remarks wishes to elaborate on 
     any point, such substantive modifications should be 
     treated the same as extensions of remarks on House floor 
     speeches, i.e., they should be clearly delineated from 
     remarks actually made by being printed in a typeface that 
     is clearly distinguishable from verbatim remarks.
       Sec. 207. Elimination of ``Rolling Quorums'': Clause 
     2(l)(2)(A) of rule XI is amended by striking the existing 
     provision which establishes a presumption that a committee 
     majority was actually present at the time a measure is 
     reported if the records of the committee show that a majority 
     of the committee responded on a rollcall vote on the 
     question, and prohibits a point of order to lie in the House 
     that a majority was not present unless the point of order was 
     timely made in the House.
       In so doing, the rule change restores the previous 
     requirement that a ``majority of the committee was actually 
     present'' at the time a measure was ordered reported. The 
     fact that a committee orders a measure reported by voice vote 
     without a quorum present, and no point of order is made at 
     the time, does not prevent the point of order from being made 
     in the House when the measure is called-up for consideration.
       It should also be emphasized that the requirement that a 
     majority be actually present at the time the measure is 
     reported from a committee means that a majority must be 
     contemporaneously assembled at the time the vote is taken. 
     Unlike a House floor vote during which Members may come and 
     go during the course of a vote, the committee quorum rule, 
     absent the old ``rolling quorum'' latitude, means a committee 
     can no longer simply leave a vote open until a sufficient 
     number of Members have responded to their names. Prior to the 
     ``rolling quorum'' rule, the Committee on Rules has decided 
     against granting a rule when presented with evidence that a 
     majority was not actually present when the measure was 
     reported.
       Sec. 208. Limitation on Committees' Sittings: Clause 2(i) 
     of rule XI, which currently prohibits committees from sitting 
     during a joint, House-Senate session or meeting, would be 
     amended to prohibit any committees except the committees on 
     Appropriations, Budget, Rules, Standards of Official Conduct, 
     and Ways and Means, from sitting while the House is reading a 
     measure for amendment under the five-minute rule. Special 
     leave to sit could be granted unless ten or more members 
     object to a unanimous consent request, or upon the adoption 
     by the House of a motion offered by the majority leader. This 
     restores the rule in existence prior to the 103d Congress, 
     with the only exception being the addition of a privileged 
     motion by the majority leader. It is anticipated that the 
     Speaker will again promulgate guidelines as to when and under 
     what circumstances special leave may be requested.
       Sec. 209. Accountability for Committee Votes: Clause 
     2(l)(2)(B) of rule XI, which now requires that the results of 
     any rollcall vote to report a measure be included in a 
     committee report, would be amended to require that the names 
     of those members voting for and against any amendment or 
     motion to report a measure by rollcall vote be included in 
     the committee report.
       It is the intent of this rule to provide for greater 
     accountability for record votes in committees and to make 
     such votes easily available to the public in committee 
     reports. At present, under clause 2(e)(1) of rule XI, the 
     public can only inspect rollcall votes on matters in the 
     offices of committees. It is anticipated that with the 
     availability of committee reports to the public through 
     electronic form the listing of votes in reports will be more 
     bill-specific than earlier
      proposals to publish all votes in the Congressional Record 
     twice a year.
       Sec. 210. Affirming the Minority's Right on Motions to 
     Recommit: Clause 4(b) of rule XI, which, among other things, 
     prohibits the Committee on Rules from denying a motion to 
     recommit as provided in clause 4 of rule XVI, would be 
     amended to clarify and ensure that such right includes the 
     right to offer amendatory instructions, otherwise in order 
     under the rules, in a motion to recommit, if offered by the 
     minority leader or a designee.
       Exempted from this guarantee would be the motion to 
     recommit a Senate bill or resolution for which the text of a 
     House-passed measure has been substituted. This exemption 
     recognizes that the minority would already have had the 
     opportunity to offer a motion to recommit with instructions 
     on the original House-passed measure being substituted for 
     the Senate measure.
       It is the intent of this rule to restore the original 
     purpose of clause 4(b) when it was adopted in 1909 to give 
     the minority a final opportunity to offer an amendment of its 
     choosing in a motion to recommit prior to the final passage 
     of a bill.
       Sec. 211. Waiver Policy for Special Rules: Clause 4 of rule 
     XI, relating to the Rules Committee, is amended by adding a 
     new paragraph (e) at the end to require that whenever the 
     Rules Committee reports a resolution providing for the 
     consideration of a measure, it shall, to the maximum extent 
     possible, specify in the resolution any House rules being 
     waived against the measure or against its consideration.
       It is the intent of this rule that Members be fully 
     informed as to what potential violations of House Rules are 
     involved in considering a bill. This in turn will require 
     committee chairmen to determine in advance of their Rules 
     Committee appearance what waivers they will seek, and to be 
     prepared to explain and defend those waivers before the Rules 
     Committee. It is the ultimate intent of the rule change that 
     Committee will be more careful prior to reporting a measure 
     to ensure against any rules violations in the bill or report.
       While the failure of the Rules Committee to specify waivers 
     in a rule would not give rise to a point of order against a 
     special rule that waives all points of order, it is expected 
     that the Rules Committee will, in all but the most time-
     sensitive situations, endeavor to determine what specific 
     waivers are required and to detail them in the rule.
       Sec. 212. Prohibition on Delegate Voting in Committee of 
     the Whole: Subsection (a) amends rule XII (``Resident 
     Commissioner and Delegates'') by striking clause 2 which now 
     entitles the Resident Commissioner from Puerto Rico and each 
     Delegate to the House to the same powers and privileges in 
     the Committee of the Whole on the state of the Union as other 
     House Members.
       Subsection (b) amends clause 1 of rule XXIII (``Of 
     Committees of the Whole House'') by striking ``Resident 
     Commissioner, or Delegate'' as being eligible for appointment 
     by the Speaker to chair the Committee of the Whole.
       Subsection (c) amends clause 2 of rule XXIII by striking 
     paragraph (d) which provided for an immediate re-vote in the 
     House whenever the votes of the Resident Commissioner and 
     Delegates were decisive to the outcome of a vote in the 
     Committee of the Whole.
       Sec. 213. Accuracy of the Congressional Record: Rule XIV 
     (``Of Decorum and Debate'') is amended by adding a new clause 
     9 requiring that the Congressional Record be a substantially 
     verbatim account of remarks made during debate. Members could 
     only authorize technical, grammatical and typographical 
     corrections. Unparliamentary remarks could only be deleted by 
     permission or order of the House. However, Members may 
     [[Page H37]] still insert undelivered remarks so long as they 
     are delineated by a different typeface. Breaches of the rule 
     could be subject to investigation by the Committee on 
     Standards of Official Conduct.
       Sec. 214. Automatic Rollcall Votes: Rule XV (``On Calls of 
     the Roll and House'') is amended by adding a new clause 7 to 
     require an automatic rollcall vote on the final passage or 
     adoption of any bill, joint resolution, or conference report, 
     making general appropriations, increasing Federal income tax 
     rates, or on final adoption of a budget resolution or a 
     conference report thereon.
       Sec. 215. Appropriations Reforms: Subsection (a) amends 
     clause 2(d) of rule XXI (``On Bills'') by providing that 
     motions to rise and report an appropriations bill after the 
     bill has been read for amendment shall only have precedence 
     if offered by the majority leader or a designee. Under 
     current rules, so-called limitation amendments not 
     specifically contained or authorized in existing law, may 
     only be offered if the motion to rise is not offered or is 
     rejected after other amendments to the bill have been 
     disposed of. The intent of the new rule is to permit the 
     offering of limitation amendments at the end of the reading, 
     subject only to a motion to rise offered by the majority 
     leader or a designee.
       Subsection (b) adds a new paragraph (e) to clause 2 of rule 
     XXI to prohibit reporting any non-emergency matter in an 
     appropriations bill containing an emergency designation under 
     the Budget Act. The only exceptions are for provisions which 
     rescind budget authority, reduce direct spending authority, 
     or reduce the amount for a designated emergency. While the 
     Committee on Appropriations could evade this prohibition by 
     giving an entire bill an emergency designation, it is the 
     clear intent of this rule that no non-emergency items should 
     be given such blanket coverage. Let exposed, as they should 
     be, such non-emergency items would be subject to deletion if 
     a point of order is made and sustained.
       It is not the intent of this rule to make in order any 
     amendments not otherwise in order under the rules. Thus, any 
     amendments to rescind or reduce direct spending must be 
     germane to the bill as reported or be given special 
     protection by way of a special rule reported by the Rules 
     Committee and adopted by the House.
       Subsection (c) amends clause 2 of rule XXI by adding a new 
     paragraph (f) to permit the offering of so-called offsetting 
     amendments in appropriations bill. At present, appropriations 
     measures are read for amendment by paragraph, meaning it is 
     not possible to offer an amendment that is deficit neutral if 
     it goes to paragraphs not yet pending. The new rule would 
     allow the offering of such off-setting amendments en bloc and 
     not subject to a division of the question in the House or the 
     Committee of the Whole.
       When such an en bloc amendment is offered, and prior to the 
     debate on it, the chair will ask whether there are any points 
     of order against any portion of the bill covered by the 
     amendment. If such a point of order is sustained, and the 
     provision in the bill stricken, the amendment would no longer 
     be in order as a proper offset.
       To qualify as an offsetting amendment for purposes of this 
     paragraph, the proponent must be able to demonstrate that the 
     net effect of the amendment would not increase overall budget 
     authority or outlays in the bill. Since appropriations bills 
     only contain the amount of budget authority being 
     appropriated, it should be kept in mind that the off-setting 
     numbers may not be the same since the ultimate test is 
     whether the amendment does not increase the deficit--and 
     deficits are determined by outlays in a fiscal year, not by 
     the amount of budget authority appropriated for a particular 
     matter. It will therefore be necessary for the author of an 
     offsetting amendment to work closely with the Congressional 
     Budget Office to ensure that the bottom line amendment makes 
     equivalent increases and decreases in outlays resulting from 
     the changes in budget authority.
       Subsection (d) amends clause 3 of rule XXI to require that 
     the Committee on Appropriations include in its report a list 
     of all appropriations contained in a bill for any expenditure 
     not previously authorized by law (except for classified 
     intelligence or national security programs, projects or 
     activities). Clause 3 already requires that committee reports 
     include a listing of legislative provisions contained in the 
     bill. Since the point of order under clause 2 of rule XXI 
     lies against both unauthorized and legislative provisions, it 
     is only reasonable that the report should contain information 
     on both. It is the intent of this rule that the test of 
     compliance will be whether the committee has made a good 
     faith effort to include all unauthorized matters in its 
     report that it is aware of. The inadvertent omission of an 
     unauthorized matter in a committee report will not give rise 
     to a point of order against the consideration of the bill, 
     though a point of order would still lie against the provision 
     in the bill.
       Subsection (e) adds a new clause 8 to rule XXI to provide 
     for the automatic reservation of points of order against 
     provisions in an appropriations bill at the time the report 
     on it is filed. Under current rules, the points of order 
     under clause 2 of rule XXI are against the reporting of any 
     unauthorized or legislative provision in an appropriations 
     bill. This means that, for a point of order to be valid, it 
     must be raised or reserved at the time the measure is 
     actually reported, that is, at the time the report is filed 
     in the House. This has required that a minority 
     representative of the committee accompany the majority member 
     filing the report in order to reserve points of order at the 
     time the report is filed. Under the new rule, it will no 
     longer be necessary to reserve points of order at the time an 
     appropriations bill is filed. Members' rights to later raise 
     such points of order will automatically be protected.
       Sec. 216. Ban on Commemoratives: Subsection (a) amends 
     clause 2 of rule XXII (``Of Memorial, Bills and 
     Resolutions'') by prohibiting the introduction or 
     consideration of any bill, resolution, or amendment which 
     establishes or expresses any commemoration. For purposes of 
     the new rule, a commemoration is defined as ``any 
     remembrance, celebration, or recognition for any purpose 
     through the designation of a specified period of time.''
       The existing clause 2, which would be retained as paragraph 
     (a), includes a similar prohibition against the receipt or 
     consideration by the House of private bills, resolutions or 
     amendments authorizing or directing the payment of money for 
     certain property damages or for personal injury or death for 
     which suit may be instituted under the Tort Claims procedure; 
     for the construction of a bridge across a navigable stream; 
     or for the correction of a military or naval record.
       The new ban on date-specific commemorative measures or 
     amendments applies to both the introduction and consideration 
     of any measure containing such a commemorative. This is 
     intended to include measures in which such a commemorative 
     may only be incidental to the overall purpose of the measure. 
     Such measures will be returned to the sponsor if they are 
     dropped in the legislative hopper. The prohibition against 
     consideration also extends to any measures received from the 
     Senate which contain date-specific commemorative. While it 
     does not block their receipt from the other body, it is 
     intended that such measures would not be referred to the 
     appropriate committee of the House or be considered by the 
     House. Instead, they would simply be held at the desk without 
     further action. Should such a commemorative be included in a 
     conference report or Senate amendment to a House bill, the 
     entire conference report or Senate amendment would be subject 
     to a point of order.
       While the ban does not apply to commemorative which do not 
     set aside a specified period of time, and instead simply call 
     for some form of national recognition, it is not the intent 
     of the rule that such alternative forms should become a new 
     outlet for the consideration of such measures. Thus, while 
     they could be referred to an appropriate committee, it is not 
     expected that such committees should feel obligated or 
     pressured to establish special rules for their release to the 
     House floor. Nor should it be expected that the Rule 
     Committee should become the new avenue for regular waivers of 
     the rule against date specific commemorative. Such exceptions 
     should be limited to those rare situations warranting special 
     national recognition as determined by the Leadership.
       Subsection (b) is a free-standing directive to the 
     Committee on Government Reform and Oversight to consider 
     alternative means for establishing commemorations, including 
     the creation of an independent or Executive branch commission 
     for such purpose, and to report to the House its 
     recommendations thereon.
       Sec. 217. Numerical Designation of Amendments: Clause 6 of 
     rule XXIII (``Of Committees of the Whole'') is amended to add 
     a new sentence requiring that amendments submitted for 
     printing in the amendments portion of the Congressional 
     Record be given a numerical designation in the sequence 
     submitted for a particular bill.
       The clause already requires that amendments printed in the 
     Record be allowed five minutes of debate for and against, 
     even if the Committee of the Whole has voted to close debate 
     on a particular section or paragraph, and that time has 
     expired. It is the purpose of this further amendment to the 
     rule to facilitate reference to such amendments for the 
     convenience of Members and committee managers alike, and to 
     encourage Members to utilize the pre-printing option for 
     their amendments.
       The new rule may also make it possible for the Committee on 
     Rules to reference numerically designated amendments in 
     special rules that structure the amendment process since the 
     Congressional Record is often more readily available to 
     Members and their staff than are Rules Committee reports.
       Sec. 218. Pledge of Allegiance: Clause 1 of rule XXIV 
     (``Order of Business'') is amended to insert the Pledge of 
     Allegiance as the third order of business each day in the 
     House, following the approval of the Journal and preceding 
     the correction of reference of public bills. This change 
     codifies a practice in effect in the House since 1988.
       Sec. 219. Discharge Petitions: Clause 3 of rule XXVII 
     (``Change or Suspension of the Rules'') is amended to require 
     that the Clerk publish in the Congressional Record on the 
     last day of House session each week the names of those 
     Members who have signed a discharge motion during that week, 
     and to make available on a daily basis, in an appropriate 
     office, the cumulative lists of names of those Members who 
     have signed pending discharge motions. Finally, the new rule 
     directs the Clerk to devise a means for making such names on 
     discharge petitions available to House offices and the public 
     by electronic form.
       [[Page H38]] In the 103d Congress, the House adopted a new 
     rule making the names of Members signing discharge petitions 
     immediately available for public inspection. However, the 
     rule change did not specify how such publication was to be 
     accomplished. This rule change codifies the current practice 
     of daily availability of all motions and signatures in a 
     House office, and the weekly publication of new signatures in 
     the Congressional Record. The directive regarding making such 
     lists available by computer is in line with other ongoing 
     initiatives to make House documents generally available to 
     the public through computer networks.
       Sec. 220. Protection of Classified Materials: Rule XLIII 
     (``Code of Official Conduct'') would be amended by adding a 
     new clause 13 requiring that any Member, officer or employee 
     of the House take an oath or affirmation on non-disclosure of 
     classified information prior to being given access to such 
     materials. Copies of the executed oath would be retained by 
     the Clerk of the House as part of the records of the House.
       Sec. 221. Select Committee on Intelligence: Subsection (a) 
     amends clause 1(a) of rule XLVIII (``Permanent Select 
     Committee on Intelligence'') to change the composition of the 
     committee from 19 to 16 members, of whom not more than nine 
     may be of the same political party.
       Subsection (b) amends clause 1(b) of rule XLVIII, to 
     substitute the Speaker for the majority leader as a non-
     voting ex officio member of the committee, along with the 
     minority leader. The subsection also allows both the Speaker 
     and minority leader to designate one of their leadership 
     staff to assist them in their roles as ex officio members of 
     the committee, with all the same rights, privileges, and 
     requirements as if members of the select committee staff. The 
     purpose of this clause is to allow designated leadership 
     staff the same access to committee documents and materials, 
     briefings, hearings, and meetings, without having to become 
     committee staff members for such access. A conforming changes 
     is made by striking subparagraph (c)(3) of clause 7 which 
     permits the Speaker to attend any select committee meeting 
     and have access to any committee information.
       Subsection (c) amends clause 1 of rule XLVIII to extend 
     from three (in any five consecutive Congresses) to four (in 
     any six consecutive Congresses) the number of consecutive 
     Congresses any Member (other than the Speaker and minority 
     leader) may serve on the select committee, and to permit a 
     chairman or ranking minority member who attain those 
     positions in their fourth terms on the committee to serve in 
     those positions for an additional term.
       Subsection (d) amends clause 2(a) of rule XLVIII to clarify 
     the committee's jurisdiction to reflect current referral 
     practices.
       Sec. 222. Abolition of Legislative Service Organizations: 
     This is a free-standing provision that prohibits in the 104th 
     Congress the establishment or continuation of any legislative 
     service organization (as the term is defined and authorized 
     in the 103rd Congress). The Committee on House Oversight is 
     authorized to take necessary steps to ensure the orderly 
     termination and accounting for funds of any such LSO in 
     existence on January 3, 1995. So-called LSO's are those 
     organizations recognized through the House Administration 
     Committee in the 103rd Congress which are allowed to utilize 
     Member Clerk hire funds for the staffing of such special 
     purpose organizations. It is the intent of this rule that the 
     Committee on House Oversight will oversee the shut-down of 
     such organizations in a manner to ensure the maximum 
     accountability possible for any funds allocated for their 
     operation. This is especially important in view of the 
     comprehensive audit required by section 107 of the 
     resolution.
       Sec. 223. Miscellaneous Provisions and Clerical 
     Corrections: Subsection (a) amends clause 5(b)(1) of rule I 
     (``Duties of the Speaker'') to expand the Speaker's current 
     authority to postpone votes on certain matters for up to two 
     legislative days to include the previous question votes on 
     adopting a resolution, passing a bill, instructing conferees, 
     or agreeing to a conference report. At present, the only 
     previous question vote the Speaker may postpone is on a 
     privileged resolution from the Rules Committee.
       Subsection (b) establishes an Office for Legislative Floor 
     Activities in the Office of the Speaker, and authorizes the 
     Speaker to appoint and set the pay for floor assistants to 
     assist him in managing legislative floor activity.
       Subsection (c) amends clause 2(d) of rule XI by allowing 
     the chairman of a committee to designate any member of the 
     committee, or of any subcommittee thereof, as vice chairman, 
     to preside in the chairman's absence. The present rule 
     specifies that the ranking majority member shall serve as 
     vice chairman.
       Subsection (d) amends clause 7 of rule XIV (``Of Decorum 
     and Debate'') to include in those provisions of prohibited 
     activities on the House floor the use of personal, electronic 
     office equipment, including cellular phones and computers. It 
     is the purpose of this new rule to avoid the disruptions and 
     distractions that can be caused by the sounds emitted from 
     such equipment. As with any disruption to the decorum of 
     House floor debate, it is anticipated that the Speaker could 
     instruct the Sergeant-at-Arms to take necessary steps to 
     restore order.
       Subsection (e) amends clause 5(b) of rule XV (``On Calls of 
     the Roll and House'') to permit the Speaker to reduce to 
     five-minutes the vote that occurs following the vote on the 
     previous question on any matter. The present rule confines 
     this authority to the vote following the previous question 
     vote only on a special rule from the Rules Committee.
       Subsection (f) makes clerical corrections in clause 3 of 
     rule III, ``Duties of the Clerk'' by inserting ``and'' prior 
     to the last in a series of clauses; and in clause 2(l)(1)(B) 
     of rule XI by striking a reference to subdivision (C) that 
     had been previously repealed.
       Subsection (g) is a free-standing provision that permits 
     more than one prime sponsor on the first 20 bills and the 
     first three joint resolutions introduced in the House in the 
     104th Congress. This is done to permit the Leadership to 
     designate multiple-authors of certain priority legislation.

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Vol. 141         WASHINGTON, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 4, 1995           No. 1
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