[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 13 (Monday, January 23, 1995)]
[House]
[Pages H534-H536]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


  RULES OF PROCEDURE FOR THE COMMITTEE ON RULES FOR THE 104TH CONGRESS

  (Mr. SOLOMON asked and was given permission to extend his remarks at 
this point in the Record and to include extraneous matter.)
  Mr. SOLOMON. Mr. Speaker, pursuant to and in accordance with clause 
2(a) of rule XI of the Rules of the House of Representatives, I submit 
for publication in the Congressional Record a copy of the rules of the 
Committee on Rules for the 104th Congress as approved by the committee 
on January 5, 1995.
                    Rules of the Committee on Rules

       Rule XI, 1(a)(1) of the House of Representatives provides:
       The rules of the House are the rules of its committees and 
     subcommittees so far as applicable, except that a motion to 
     recess from day to day, and a motion to dispense with the 
     first reading (in full) of a bill or resolution, if printed 
     copies are available, are nondebatable motions of high 
     privilege in committees and subcommittees.
       Rule XI, 2(a) of the House of Representatives provides, in 
     part:
       Each standing committee of the House shall adopt written 
     rules governing its procedure.* * *
       In accordance with the foregoing, the Committee on Rules 
     adopted the following Rules of Procedure on January 5, 1995.


                  rule 1--applicability of House Rules

       The Rules of the House of Representatives are the rules of 
     the Committee on Rules (hereafter in these rules referred to 
     as the ``Committee'') so far as applicable, together with the 
     rules contained herein.


         rule 2--scheduling and notice of meetings and hearings

                            Regular meetings

       (a)(1) The Committee shall regularly meet at 10:30 a.m. on 
     Tuesday of each week when the House is in session.
       (2) A Tuesday meeting of the Committee may be dispensed 
     with if, in the judgment of the Chairman of the Committee 
     (hereafter in these rules referred to as the ``Chair''), 
     there is no need for the meeting.
       (3) Additional regular meetings and hearings of the 
     Committee may be called by the Chair or by the filing of a 
     written request, signed by a majority of the Members of the 
     Committee, with the Chief of Staff of the Committee.

                      Notice for regular meetings

       (b) The Chair shall notify each Member of the Committee of 
     the agenda of each regular meeting or hearing of the 
     Committee at least 48 hours before the time of the meeting or 
     hearing and shall provide to each such Member, at least 24 
     hours before the time of each regular meeting or hearing--
       (1) for each bill or resolution scheduled on the agenda for 
     consideration of a rule, a copy of (A) the bill or 
     resolution, (B) any committee reports thereon, and (C) any 
     letter requesting a rule for the bill or resolution; and
       (2) for each other bill, resolution, report, or other 
     matter on the agenda, a copy of (A) the bill, resolution, 
     report, or materials relating to the other matter in 
     question, and (B) any report on the bill, resolution, report, 
     or other matter made by any subcommittee of the Committee.

                    Emergency meetings and hearings

       (c)(1) The Chair may call an emergency meeting or hearing 
     of the Committee at any time on any measure or matter which 
     the Chair determines to be of an emergency nature; provided, 
     however, that the Chair has made an effort to consult the 
     Ranking Minority Member, or, in such Member's absence, the 
     next ranking minority party Member of the Committee.
       (2) As soon as possible after an emergency meeting or 
     hearing of the Committee, the Chair shall notify each Member 
     of the Committee of the time and location of the meeting or 
     hearing.
       (3) To the extent feasible, the notice provided under 
     paragraph (2) shall include the agenda for the emergency 
     meeting or hearing and copies of available materials which 
     would otherwise have been provided under subsection (b) if 
     the emergency meeting or hearing was a regular meeting or 
     hearing.


                      rule 3--meeting procedures'

                               In general

       (a)(1) Meetings and hearings of the Committee shall be 
     called to order and presided over by the Chair or, in the 
     Chair's absence, by the Member designated by the Chair as the 
     Vice Chair of the Committee, or by the Ranking Majority 
     Member of the Committee present as Acting Chair.
       (2) Meetings and hearings of the Committee shall be open to 
     the public unless closed in accordance with clause 2(g) of 
     rule XI of the Rules of the House of Representatives.
       (3) The five-minute rule shall be observed in the 
     interrogation of each witness before the Committee until each 
     Member of the Committee has had an opportunity to question 
     the witness.
       (4) When a recommendation is made as to the kind of rule 
     which should be granted for consideration of a bill or 
     resolution, a copy of the language recommended shall be 
     furnished to each Member of the Committee at the beginning of 
     the Committee meeting at which the rule is to be considered 
     or as soon thereafter as the proposed language becomes 
     available.

                                 Voting

       (b)(1) No vote may be conducted on any measure or motion 
     pending before the Committee unless a majority of the Members 
     of the Committee is actually present, except as otherwise 
     specified in these rules.
       (2) A rollcall vote of the Committee shall be provide on 
     any question before the Committee upon the request of any 
     Member of the Committee.
       (3) A record of the vote of each Member of the Committee on 
     each rollcall vote on any matter before the Committee shall 
     be available for public inspection at the offices of the 
     Committee, and, with respect to any rollcall vote on any 
     motion to amend or report, shall be included in the report of 
     the Committee on the bill or resolution.
       (4) The Members of the Committee, or one of its 
     subcommittees, present at a meeting or hearing of the 
     committee or the subcommittee, respectively, may, by majority 
     vote, limit the duration of debate, testimony, or Committee 
     or subcommittee consideration with respect to any measure or 
     matter before the Committee or subcommittee, respectively, or 
     provide for such debate, testimony, or consideration to end 
     at a time certain.

        Media coverage of committee and subcommittee proceedings

       (c) Any meeting or hearing of the Committee or any of its 
     subcommittees that is open to the public shall be open to 
     coverage by television, radio, and still photography in 
     accordance with the provisions of clause 3 of the House rule 
     XI (which are incorporated by reference as part of these 
     rules).

                                 Quorum

       (d)(1) For the purpose of hearing testimony on requests for 
     rules, five Members of the Committee shall constitute a 
     quorum.
       [[Page H535]] (2) For the purpose of hearing and taking 
     testimony on measures or matters of original jurisdiction 
     before the Committee, three Members of the Committee shall 
     constitute a quorum.

                          Subpoenas and Oaths

       (e)(1) Pursuant to clause 2(m) of rule XI of the Rules of 
     the House of Representatives, a subpoena may be authorized 
     and issued by the Committee or a subcommittee in the conduct 
     of any investigation or series of investigations or 
     activities, only when authorized by a majority of the Members 
     voting, a majority being present.
       (2) The Chair may authorize and issue subpoenas under such 
     clause during any period in which the House has adjourned for 
     a period of longer than three days.
       (3) Authorized subpoenas shall be signed by the Chair or by 
     any Member designated by the Committee, and may be served by 
     any person designated by the Chair or such Member.
       (4) The Chair, or any Member of the Committee designated by 
     the Chair, may administer oaths to witnesses before the 
     Committee.

                    General oversight responsibility

       (f)(1) The Committee shall review and study, on a 
     continuing basis, the application, administration, execution, 
     and effectiveness of those laws, or parts of laws, the 
     subject matter of which is within its jurisdiction.
       (2) Not later than February 15 of the first session of a 
     Congress, the committee shall meet in open session, with a 
     quorum present, to adopt its oversight plans for that 
     Congress for submission to the Committee on House Oversight 
     and the Committee on Government Reform and Oversight, in 
     accordance with the provisions of clause 2(d) of House rule 
     X.


                         rule 4--subcommittees

                Application of House and committee rules

       (a)(1) As provided by clause 1(a)(2) of rule XI of the 
     Rules of the House of Representatives, subcommittees of the 
     Committee are a part of the Committee and are subject to its 
     authority and direction.
       (2) Subcommittees of the Committee shall be subject 
     (insofar as applicable) to the Rules of the House of 
     Representatives and, except as provided in this rule, the 
     rules of the Committee.

          Establishment and responsibilities of subcommittees

       (b)(1) There shall be two subcommittees of the Committee as 
     follows:
       (A) Subcommittee on the Legislative Process, which shall 
     have general responsibility for measures or matters related 
     to relations between the Congress and the Executive Branch.
       (B) Subcommittee on Rules of the House, which shall have 
     general responsibility for measures or matters related to 
     relations between the two Houses of Congress, relations 
     between the Congress and the Judiciary, and internal 
     operations of the House.
       In addition, each such subcommittee shall have specific 
     responsibility for such other measures or matters as the 
     Chair refers to it.
       (2) Each subcommittee of the Committee shall review and 
     study, on a continuing basis, the application, 
     administration, execution, and effectiveness of those laws, 
     or parts of laws, the subject matter of which is within its 
     general responsibility.

           Reference of measures and matters to subcommittees

       (c)(1) In view of the unique procedural responsibilities of 
     the Committee--
       (A) no special order providing for the consideration of any 
     bill or resolution shall be referred to a subcommittee of the 
     Committee, and
       (B) all other measures or matters shall be subject to 
     consideration by the full Committee except for those measures 
     or matters referred by the Chair to one or both subcommittees 
     of the Committee.
       (2) The Chair may refer to a measure or matter, which is 
     within the general responsibility of one of the subcommittees 
     of the Committee, jointly or exclusively to the other 
     subcommittee of the Committee where the Chair deems it 
     appropriate.
       (3) In referring any measure or matter to a subcommittee, 
     the Chair may specify a date by which the subcommittee shall 
     report thereon to the Committee.
       (4) The Chair or the Committee by motion may discharge a 
     subcommittee from consideration of any measure or matter 
     referred to a subcommittee of the Committee.

                      Composition of Subcommittees

       (d) The size and ratio of each subcommittee shall be 
     determined by the Committee at its organizational meeting at 
     the beginning of each Congress, and Members shall be elected 
     to each subcommittee, and to the positions of chairman and 
     ranking minority member thereof, in accordance with the rules 
     of the respective party caucuses.

                   Subcommittee Meetings and Hearings

       (e)(1) Each subcommittee of the Committee is authorized to 
     meet, hold hearings, receive testimony, mark up legislation, 
     and report to the full Committee on any measure or matter 
     referred to it.
       (2) No subcommittee of the Committee may, without the 
     Chair's approval, meet or hold a hearing on the same time as 
     a meeting or hearing of the full Committee is being held.
       (3) The chairman of each subcommittee shall schedule 
     meetings and hearings of the subcommittee only after 
     consultation with the Chair.
       (4) A Member of the Committee may sit with the subcommittee 
     during any of its meetings and hearings, but shall not have 
     authority to vote, cannot be counted for a quorum, and cannot 
     raise a point of order at the meeting or hearing.

                                 Quorum

       (f)(1) For the purpose of taking testimony, two Members of 
     the subcommittee shall constitute a quorum.
       (2) For all other purposes, a quorum shall consist of a 
     majority of the Members of a subcommittee, except as 
     otherwise specified in these rules.
       (3) Any vacancy in the membership of a subcommittee shall 
     not affect the power of the remaining Members to execute the 
     functions of the subcommittee.

                                Records

       (g) Each subcommittee of the Committee shall provide the 
     full Committee with copies of such records of votes taken in 
     the subcommittee and such other records with respect to the 
     subcommittee as the Chair deems necessary for the Committee 
     to comply with all rules and regulations of the House.


                       rule 5--budget and travel

                                 Travel

       (a) The Chair, in consultation with other Members of the 
     Committee, shall prepare for each session of Congress a 
     budget providing amounts for staff, necessary travel, 
     investigation, and other expenses of the Committee and its 
     subcommittees.
                                 Travel

       (b)(1) The Chair may authorize travel for any Member and 
     any staff member of the Committee in connection with 
     activities or subject matters under the general jurisdiction 
     of the Committee. Before such authorization is granted, there 
     shall be submitted to the Chair in writing the following:
       (A) The purpose of the travel.
       (B) The dates during which the travel is to occur.
       (C) The names of the States or countries to be visited and 
     the length of time to be spent in each.
       (D) The names of Members and staff of the Committee for 
     whom the authorization is sought.
       (2) Members and staff of the Committee shall make a written 
     report to the Chair on any travel they have conducted under 
     this subsection, including a description of their itinerary, 
     expenses, and activities, and of pertinent information gained 
     as a result of such travel.
       (3) Members and staff of the Committee performing 
     authorized travel on official business shall be governed by 
     applicable laws, resolutions, and regulations of the House 
     and of the Committee on House Oversight.


                             rule 6--staff

                               In General

       (a)(1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), the 
     professional and investigative staff of the Committee shall 
     be appointed, and may be removed, by the Chair and shall work 
     under the general supervision and direction of the Chair.
       (2) All professional, and any investigative, staff provided 
     to the minority party members of the Committee shall be 
     appointed, and may be removed, by the Ranking Minority Member 
     of the Committee and shall work under the general supervision 
     and direction of such Member.

                            Associate Staff

       (b) Associate staff for members of the Committee may be 
     appointed only at the discretion of the Chair (in 
     consultation with the Ranking Minority Member regarding any 
     minority party associate staff), after taking into account 
     any staff ceilings and budgetary constraints in effect at the 
     time, and any terms, limits, or conditions established by the 
     Committee on House Oversight under clause 6 of House rule XI.

                           Subcommittee Staff

       (c) From funds made available for the appointment of staff, 
     the Chair of the Committee shall, pursuant to clause 5(d) of 
     House rule XI, ensure that sufficient staff is made available 
     to each subcommittee to carry out its responsibilities under 
     the rules of the Committee, and, after consultation with the 
     Ranking Minority Member of the Committee, that the minority 
     party of the Committee is treated fairly in the appointment 
     of such staff.
                         Compensation of staff

       (d) The Chair shall fix the compensation of all 
     professional and investigative staff of the Committee, after 
     consultation with the Ranking Minority Members regarding any 
     minority party staff.

                         Certification of staff

       (e)(1) To the extent any staff member of the Committee or 
     any of its subcommittees does not work under the supervision 
     and direction of the Chair, the Member of the Committee who 
     supervises and directs the staff member's work shall file 
     with the Chief of Staff of the Committee (not later than the 
     tenth day of each month) a certification regarding the staff 
     member's work for that Member for the preceding calendar 
     month.
       (2) The certification required by paragraph (1) shall be in 
     such form as the Chair may prescribe, shall identify each 
     staff member by name, and shall state that the work engaged 
     in by the staff member and the duties assigned to the staff 
     member for the Member of the Committee with respect to the 
     month 
     [[Page H536]] in question met the requirements of clause 6 of 
     rule XI of the Rules of the House of Representatives.
       (3) Any certification of staff of the Committee, or any of 
     its subcommittees, made by the Chair in compliance with any 
     provision of law or regulation shall be made (A) on the basis 
     of the certifications filed under paragraph (1) to the extend 
     the staff is not under the Chair's supervision and direction, 
     and (B) on his own responsibility to the extend the staff is 
     under the Chair's supervision and direction.


                    rule 7--committee administration

                               Reporting

       (a) Whenever the Committee authorizes the favorable 
     reporting of a bill or resolution from the Committee--
       (1) the Chair or Acting Chair shall report it to the House 
     or designate a Member of the Committee to do so, and
       (2) in the case of a bill or resolution in which the 
     Committee has original jurisdiction, the Chair shall allow, 
     to the extent that the anticipated floor schedule permits, 
     any Member of the Committee a reasonable amount of time to 
     submit views for inclusion in the Committee report on the 
     bill or resolution.

     Any such report shall contain all matters required by the 
     Rules of the House of Representatives (or by any provision of 
     law enacted as an exercise of the rulemaking power of the 
     House) and such other information as the Chair deems 
     appropriate.

                                Records

       (b)(1) There shall be a transcript made of each regular 
     meeting and hearing of the Committee, and the transcript may 
     be printed if the Chair decides it is appropriate or if a 
     majority of the Members of the Committee requests such 
     printing.

     Any such transcripts shall be a substantially verbatim 
     account of remarks actually made during the proceedings, 
     subject only to technical, grammatical, and typographical 
     corrections authorized
      by the person making the remarks. Nothing in this paragraph 
     shall be construed to require that all such transcripts be 
     subject to correction and publication.
       (2) The minutes of each executive meeting of the Committee 
     shall be available to all members of the House of 
     Representatives in compliance with clause 2(e)(2) of rule XI 
     of the Rules of the House of Representatives.
       (3) The Committee shall keep a record of all actions of the 
     Committee and of its subcommittees. The record shall contain 
     all information required by clause 2(e)(1) of rule XI of the 
     Rules of the House of Representatives and shall be available 
     for public inspection at reasonable times in the office of 
     the Committee.
       (4) The records of the Committee at the National Archives 
     and Records Administration shall be made available for public 
     use in accordance with Rule XXXVI of the Rules of the House 
     of Representatives. The Chair shall notify the Ranking 
     Minority Member of any decision, pursuant to clause 3(b)(3) 
     or clause 4(b) of the rule, to withhold a record otherwise 
     available, and the matter shall be presented to the Committee 
     for a determination on written request of any Member of the 
     Committee.

                               Calendars

       (c)(1) The Committee shall maintain a Committee Calendar, 
     which shall include all bills, resolutions, and other matters 
     referred to or reported by the Committee and all bills, 
     resolutions, and other matters reported by any other 
     Committee on which a rule has been granted or formally 
     requested, and such other matters as the Chair shall direct. 
     The Calendar shall be published periodically, but in no case 
     less often than once in each session of Congress.
       (2) The staff of the Committee shall furnish each Member of 
     the Committee with a list of all bills or resolutions (A) 
     reported from the Committee but not yet considered by the 
     House, and (B) on which a rule has been formally requested 
     but not yet granted. The list shall be updated each week when 
     the House is in session.
       (3) For purposes of paragraphs (1) and (2), a rule is 
     considered as formally requested when the Chairman of a 
     committee which has reported a bill or resolution (or a 
     Member of such committee authorized to act on the Chairman's 
     behalf) (A) has requested, in writing to the Chair, that a 
     hearing be scheduled on a rule for the consideration of the 
     bill or resolution, and (B) has supplied the Committee with 
     an adequate number of copies of the bill or resolution, as 
     reported, together with the final printed committee report 
     thereon.

                            Other procedures

       (d) The Chair may establish such other Committee procedures 
     and take such actions as may be necessary to carry out these 
     rules or to facilitate the effective operation of the 
     Committee and its subcommittees.
                 rule 8--amendments to committee rules

       The rules of the Committee may be modified, amended or 
     repealed, but only if written notice of the proposed change 
     has been provided to each such Member at least 48 hours 
     before the time of the meeting at which the vote on the 
     change occurs.
     

                          ____________________