[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 160 (Thursday, November 13, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2396-E2400]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


   RULES OF THE COMMITTEE ON INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS, 105TH CONGRESS

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. BENJAMIN A. GILMAN

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, November 13, 1997

  Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, in accordance with clause 2(a) of rule XI of 
the Rules of the House of Representatives, I submit for printing in the 
Congressional Record the Rules of the Committee on International 
Relations for the 105th Congress.

   RULES OF THE COMMITTEE ON INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS, 105TH CONGRESS

                       [Adopted February 5, 1997]

                       Rule 1. General Provisions

       The Rules of the House of Representatives, and in 
     particular, the committee rules enumerated in Clause 2 of 
     Rule XI, are the rules of the Committee on International 
     Relations (hereafter referred as the ``Committee''), to the 
     extent applicable. A motion to recess from day to day, and a 
     motion to dispense with the first reading (in full) of a bill 
     or resolution, if printed copies are available, is a non-
     debatable motion of high privilege in Committee.
       The Chairman of the Committee on International Relations 
     (hereinafter referred to as the ``Chairman'') shall consult 
     the Ranking Minority Member to the extent possible with 
     respect to the business of the Committee. Each subcommittee 
     of the Committee is a part of the Committee and is subject to 
     the authority and direction of the Committee, and to its 
     rules to the extent applicable.

                        Rule 2. Date of Meeting

       The regular meeting date of the Committee shall be the 
     first Tuesday of every month when the House of 
     Representatives is in session pursuant to Clause 2(b) of Rule 
     XI of the House of Representatives. Additional meetings may 
     be called by the Chairman as he may deem necessary or at the 
     request of a majority of the Members of the Committee

[[Page E2397]]

     in accordance with Clause 2(c) of Rule XI of the House of 
     Representatives.
       The determination of the business to be considered at each 
     meeting shall be made by the Chairman subject to Clause 2(c) 
     of Rule XI of the House of Representatives.
       A regularly scheduled meeting need not be held if, in the 
     judgment of the Chairman, there is no business to be 
     considered.

                             Rule 3. Quorum

       For purposes of taking testimony and receiving evidence, 
     two Members shall constitute a quorum.
       One-third of the Members of the Committee shall constitute 
     a quorum for taking any action, except: (1) Reporting a 
     measure or recommendation, (2) closing Committee meetings and 
     hearings to the public, (3) authorizing the issuance of 
     subpoenas, and (4) any other action for which an actual 
     majority quorum is required by any rule of the House of 
     Representatives or by law.
       No measure or recommendation shall be reported to the House 
     of Representatives unless a majority of the Committee is 
     actually present.
       A rollcall vote may be demanded by one-fifth of the Members 
     present or, in the apparent absence of a quorum, by any one 
     Member.

            Rule 4. Meetings and Hearings Open to the Public


                              (a) meetings

       Each meeting for the transaction of business, including the 
     markup of legislation, of the Committee or a subcommittee 
     shall be open to the public except when the Committee or 
     subcommittee, in open session and with a majority present, 
     determines by rollcall vote that all or part of the remainder 
     of the meeting on that day shall be closed to the public, 
     because disclosure of matters to be considered would endanger 
     national security, would compromise sensitive law enforcement 
     information, or would tend to defame, degrade or incriminate 
     any person or otherwise violate any law or rule of the House 
     of Representatives. No person other than Members of the 
     Committee and such congressional staff and departmental 
     representatives as they may authorize shall be present at any 
     business or markup session which has been closed to the 
     public. This subsection does not apply to open Committee 
     hearings which are provided for by subsection (b) of this 
     rule.


                              (b) hearings

       (1) Each hearing conducted by the Committee or a 
     subcommittee shall be open to the public except when the 
     Committee or subcommittee, in open session and with a 
     majority present, determines by rollcall vote that all or 
     part of the remainder of that hearing on that day should be 
     closed to the public because disclosure of testimony, 
     evidence or other matters to be considered would endanger the 
     national security, would compromise sensitive law enforcement 
     information, or otherwise would violate any law or rule of 
     the House of Representatives. Notwithstanding the preceding 
     sentence, a majority of those present, there being in 
     attendance the requisite number required under the rules of 
     the Committee to be present for the purpose of taking 
     testimony--
       (A) may vote to close the hearing for the sole purpose of 
     discussing whether testimony or evidence to be received would 
     endanger the national security, would compromise sensitive 
     law enforcement information, or violate paragraph (2) of this 
     subsection; or
       (B) may vote to close the hearing, as provided in paragraph 
     (2) of this subsection.
       (2) Whenever it is asserted that the evidence or testimony 
     at an investigatory hearing may tend to defame, degrade, or 
     incriminate any person.
       (A) such testimony or evidence shall be presented in 
     executive session, notwithstanding the provisions of 
     paragraph (1) of this subsection, if by a majority of those 
     present, there being in attendance the requisite number 
     required under the rules of the Committee to be present for 
     the purpose of taking testimony, the Committee or 
     subcommittee determines that such evidence or testimony may 
     tend to defame, degrade, or incriminate any person; and
       (B) the Committee or subcommittee shall proceed to receive 
     such testimony in open session only if the Committee, a 
     majority being present, determines that such evidence or 
     testimony will not tend to defame, degrade, or incriminate 
     any person.
       (3) No Member of the House of Representatives may be 
     excluded from nonparticipatory attendance at any hearing of 
     the Committee or a subcommittee unless the House of 
     Representatives has by majority vote authorized the Committee 
     or subcommittee, for purposes of a particular series of 
     hearings, on a particular article of legislation or on a 
     particular subject of investigation, to close its hearings to 
     Members by the same procedures designated in this subsection 
     for closing hearings to the public.
       (4) The Committee or a subcommittee may by the procedure 
     designated in this subsection vote to close 1 subsequent day 
     of hearings.
       (5) No congressional staff shall be present at any meeting 
     or hearing of the Committee or a subcommittee that has been 
     closed to the public, and at which classified information 
     will be involved, unless such person is authorized access to 
     such classified information in accordance with Rule 20.

              Rule 5. Announcement of Hearings and Markups

       Public announcement shall be made of the date, place, and 
     subject matter of any hearing or markup to be conducted by 
     the Committee or a subcommittee at the earliest possible 
     date, and in any event at least 1 week before the 
     commencement of that hearing or markup unless the Committee 
     or subcommittee determines that there is good cause to begin 
     that meeting at an earlier date. Such determination may be 
     made with respect to any markup by the Chairman or 
     subcommittee chairman, as appropriate. Such determination may 
     be made with respect to any hearing of the Committee or 
     subcommittee by its Chairman, with the concurrence of its 
     Ranking Minority Member, or the Committee or subcommittee by 
     majority vote, a quorum being present for the transaction of 
     business.
       Public announcement of all hearings and markups shall be 
     published in the Daily Digest portion of the Congressional 
     Record, and promptly entered into the committee scheduling 
     service of House Information Resources. Members shall be 
     notified by the Chief of Staff of all meetings (including 
     markups and hearings) and briefings of subcommittees and 
     of the full Committee.
       The agenda for each Committee and subcommittee meeting, 
     setting out all items of business to be considered, including 
     a copy of any bill or other document scheduled for markup, 
     shall be furnished to each Committee or subcommittee Member 
     by delivery to the Member's office at least 2 full calendar 
     days (excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and legal holidays) 
     before the meeting, whenever possible.

                           Rule 6. Witnesses


                     (a) INTERROGATION OF WITNESSES

       (1) Insofar as practicable, witnesses shall be permitted to 
     present their oral statements without interruption subject to 
     reasonable time constraints imposed by the Chairman, with 
     questioning by the Committee Members taking place afterward. 
     Members should refrain from questions until such statements 
     are completed.
       (2) In recognizing Members, the Chairman shall, to the 
     extent practicable, give preference to the Members on the 
     basis of their arrival at the hearing, taking into 
     consideration the majority and minority ratio of the Members 
     actually present. A Member desiring to speak or ask a 
     question shall address the Chairman and not the witness.
       (3) Subject to paragraph (4), each Member may interrogate 
     the witness for 5 minutes, the reply of the witness being 
     included in the 5-minute period. After all Members have had 
     an opportunity to ask questions, the round shall begin again 
     under the 5-minute rule.
       (4) Notwithstanding paragraph (3), the Chairman, with the 
     concurrence of the Ranking Minority Member, may permit one or 
     more majority members of the Committee designated by the 
     Chairman to question a witness for a specified period of not 
     longer than 30 minutes. On such occasions, an equal number of 
     minority Members of the Committee designated by the Ranking 
     Minority member shall be permitted to question the same 
     witness for the same period of time. A motion permitting 
     Committee staff to question a witness for equal specified 
     periods may be entertained only with the concurrence of the 
     Chairman and Ranking Minority member. However, even with the 
     concurrence of the Chairman and the Ranking Minority Member. 
     However, even with the concurrence of the Chairman and the 
     Ranking Minority Member to such a motion, in no case may 
     questioning by committee staff proceed before each Member of 
     the Committee who wishes to speak under the 5-minute rule has 
     had one opportunity to do so.


                      (b) STATEMENTS OF WITNESSES

       To the extent practicable, each witness shall file with the 
     Committee, at least 48 hours in advance of his or her 
     appearance, a written statement of his or her proposed 
     testimony and shall limit his or her oral presentation to a 
     brief summary of his or her views. In the case of a 
     witness appearing in a nongovernmental capacity, a written 
     statement of proposed testimony shall, to the extent 
     practicable, include a curriculum vitae and a disclosure 
     of the amount and source (by agency and program) of any 
     Federal grant (or subgrant thereof) or contract (or 
     subcontract thereof) received during the current fiscal 
     year or either of the two previous fiscal years by the 
     witness or by an entity represented by the witness, to the 
     extent that such information is relevant to the subject 
     matter of, and the witness' representational capacity at, 
     the hearing.
       To the extent practicable, each witness should provide the 
     text of his or her proposed testimony in machine-readable 
     form.


                               (c) OATHS

       The Chairman, or any Member of the Committee designated by 
     the Chairman, may administer oaths to witnesses before the 
     Committee.

          7. Preparation and Maintenance of Committee Records

       An accurate stenographic record shall be made of all 
     hearings and markup sessions. Members of the Committee and 
     any witness may examine the transcript of his or her own 
     remarks and may make any grammatical or technical changes 
     that do not substantively alter the record. Any such Member 
     or witness shall return the transcript to the Committee 
     offices within 5 calendar days (not including Saturdays, 
     Sundays, and legal holidays) after receipt of the transcript, 
     or as soon thereafter as is practicable.

[[Page E2398]]

       Any information supplied for the record at the request of a 
     Member of the Committee shall be provided to the Member when 
     received by the Committee.
       Transcripts of hearings and markup sessions (except for the 
     record of a meeting or hearing which is closed to the public) 
     shall be printed as soon as is practicable after receipt of 
     the corrected versions, except that the Chairman may order 
     the transcript of a hearing to be printed without the 
     corrections of a Member or witness if the Chairman determines 
     that such Member or witness has been afforded a reasonable 
     time to correct such transcript and such transcript has not 
     been returned within such time.
       The records of the Committee at the National Archives and 
     Records Administration shall be made available for public use 
     in accordance with Rule XXXVI of the House of 
     Representatives. The Chairman shall notify the Ranking 
     Minority Member of any decision, pursuant to clause 3(b)(3) 
     or clause 4(b) of the rule, to withhold a record otherwise 
     available, and the matter shall be presented to the Committee 
     for a determination on the written request of any member of 
     the Committee.
       The Committee shall, to the maximum extent feasible, make 
     its publications available in electronic form.

           Rule 8. Extraneous Material in Committee Hearings

       No extraneous material shall be printed in either the body 
     or appendixes of any Committee or subcommittee hearing, 
     except matter which has been accepted for inclusion in the 
     record during the hearing. Copies of bills and other 
     legislation under consideration and responses to written 
     questions submitted by Members shall not be considered 
     extraneous material.
       Extraneous material in either the body or appendixes of any 
     hearing to be printed which would be in excess of eight 
     printed pages (for any one submission) shall be accompanied 
     by a written request to the Chairman, such written request to 
     contain an estimate in writing from the Public Printer of the 
     probable cost of publishing such material.

             Rule 9. Public Availability of Committee Votes

       The result of each rollcall vote in any meeting of the 
     Committee shall be made available for inspection by the 
     public at reasonable times at the Committee offices. Such 
     result shall include a description of the amendment, motion, 
     order, or other proposition, the name of each Member voting 
     for and against, and the Members present but not voting.

                            Rule 10. Proxies

       Proxy voting is not permitted in the Committee or in 
     subcommittees.

                            Rule 11. Reports


                  (a) REPORTS ON BILLS AND RESOLUTIONS

       To the extent practicable, not later than 24 hours before a 
     report is to be filed with the Clerk of the House on a 
     measure that has been ordered reported by the Committee, the 
     Chairman shall make available for inspection by all Members 
     of the Committee a copy of the draft committee report in 
     order to afford Members adequate information and the 
     opportunity to draft and file any supplemental, minority or 
     additional views which they may deem appropriate.
       With respect to each 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 any Committee 
     report on the measure or matter.


                 (b) PRIOR APPROVAL OF CERTAIN REPORTS

       No Committee, subcommittee, or staff report, study, or 
     other document which purports to express publicly the views, 
     findings, conclusions, or recommendations of the Committee or 
     the subcommittee may be released to the public or filed with 
     the Clerk of the House unless approved by a majority of the 
     Members of the Committee or subcommittee, as appropriate. 
     A proposed investigative or oversight report shall be 
     considered as read if it has been available to members of 
     the Committee for at least 24 hours (excluding Saturdays, 
     Sundays, or legal holidays except when the House is in 
     session on such a day). In any case in which Clause 
     2(l)(5) of Rule XI of the House of Representatives does 
     not apply, each Member of the Committee or subcommittee 
     shall be given an opportunity to have views or a 
     disclaimer included as part of the material filed or 
     released, as the case may be.


                       (c) foreign travel reports

       At the same time that the report required by clause 
     2(n)1)(B) of Rule XI of the House of Representatives, 
     regarding foreign travel reports, is submitted to the 
     Chairman, Members and employees of the committee shall 
     provide a report to the Chairman listing all official 
     meetings, interviews, inspection tours and other official 
     functions in which the individual participated, by country 
     and date. Under extraordinary circumstances, the Chairman may 
     waive the listing in such report of an official meeting, 
     interview, inspection tour, or other official function. The 
     report shall be maintained in the full committee offices and 
     shall be available for public inspection during normal 
     business hours.

                Rule 12. Reporting Bills and Resolutions

       Except in unusual circumstances, bills and resolutions will 
     not be considered by the Committee unless and until the 
     appropriate subcommittee has recommended the bill or 
     resolution for Committee action, and will not be taken to the 
     House of Representatives for action unless and until the 
     Committee has ordered reported such bill or resolution, a 
     quorum being present. Unusual circumstances will be 
     determined by the Chairman, after consultation with the 
     Ranking Minority Member and such other Members of the 
     Committee as the Chairman deems appropriate.

                        Rule 13. Staff Services

       (a) The Committee staff shall be selected and organized so 
     that it can provide a comprehensive range of professional 
     services in the field of foreign affairs to the Committee, 
     the subcommittees, and all its Members. The staff shall 
     include persons with training and experience in international 
     relations, making available to the Committee individuals with 
     knowledge of major countries, areas, and U.S. overseas 
     programs and operations.
       (b) Subject to clause 6 of Rule XI of the House of 
     Representatives, the staff of the Committee, except as 
     provided in paragraph (c), shall be appointed, and may be 
     removed, by the Chairman with the approval of the majority of 
     the majority Members of the Committee. Their remuneration 
     shall be fixed by the Chairman and they shall work under the 
     general supervision and direction of the Chairman. Staff 
     assignments are to be authorized by the Chairman or by the 
     Chief of Staff under the direction of the Chairman.
       (c) Subject to clause 6 of Rule XI of the House of 
     Representatives, the staff of the Committee assigned to the 
     minority shall be appointed, their remuneration determined, 
     and may be removed, by the Ranking Minority Member with the 
     approval of the majority of the minority party Members of the 
     Committee. No minority staff person shall be compensated at a 
     rate which exceeds that paid his or her majority staff 
     counterpart. Such staff shall work under the general 
     supervision and direction of the Ranking Minority Member with 
     the approval or consultation of the minority Members of the 
     committee.
       (d) The Chairman shall ensure that sufficient staff is made 
     available to each subcommittee to carry out its 
     responsibilities under the rules of the Committee. The 
     Chairman shall ensure that the minority party is fairly 
     treated in the appointment of such staff.

           Rule 14. Number and Jurisdiction of Subcommittees


                           (a) FULL COMMITTEE

       The full Committee will be responsible for oversight and 
     legislation relating to foreign assistance (including 
     development assistance, security assistance, and Public Law 
     480 programs abroad) or relating to the Peace Corps; national 
     security developments affecting foreign policy; strategic 
     planning and agreements; war powers, executive agreements, 
     and the deployment and use of United States Armed Forces; 
     peacekeeping, peace enforcement, and enforcement of United 
     Nations or other international sanctions; arms control, 
     disarmament and other proliferation issues; the Agency for 
     International Development; oversight of State and Defense 
     Department activities involving arms transfers and sales, and 
     arms export licenses; international law; promotion of 
     democracy; international law enforcement issues, including 
     terrorism and narcotics control programs and activities; and 
     all other matters not specifically assigned to a 
     subcommittee. The full Committee may conduct oversight with 
     respect to any matter within the jurisdiction of the 
     Committee as defined in the Rules of the House of 
     Representatives.


                           (b) SUBCOMMITTEES

       There shall be five standing subcommittees. The names and 
     jurisdiction of those subcommittees shall be as follows:

                      1. Functional Subcommittees

       There shall be two subcommittees with functional 
     jurisdiction:
       Subcommittee on International Economic Policy and Trade.--
     To deal with measures relating to international economic and 
     trade policy; measures to foster commercial intercourse with 
     foreign countries; export administration; international 
     investment policy; trade and economic aspects of nuclear 
     Technology and materials, of nonproliferation policy, and of 
     international communication and information policy; licenses 
     and licensing policy for the export of dual use equipment and 
     technology; legislation pertaining to and oversight of the 
     Overseas Private Investment Corporation and the Trade and 
     Development Agency; scientific developments affecting foreign 
     policy; commodity agreements; international environmental 
     policy and oversight of international fishing agreements; and 
     special oversight of international financial and monetary 
     institutions, the Export-Import Bank, and customs.
       Subcommittee on International Operations and Human 
     Rights.--To deal with Department of State, United States 
     Information Agency, and related agency operations and 
     legislation; the diplomatic service; international education 
     and cultural affairs; foreign buildings; programs, activities 
     and the operating budget of the Arms Control and Disarmament 
     Agency; oversight of, and legislation pertaining to, the 
     United Nations, its affiliated agencies, and other 
     international organizations, including assessed and voluntary 
     contributions to such agencies and organizations; 
     parliamentary conferences and exchanges; protection of 
     American citizens abroad; international broadcasting; 
     international communication and

[[Page E2399]]

     information policy; the American Red Cross; implementation of 
     the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other matters 
     relating to internationally recognized human rights; and 
     oversight of international population planning and child 
     survival activities.

                       2. Regional Subcommittees

       There shall be three subcommittees with regional 
     jurisdiction: the Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere; the 
     Subcommittee on Africa; and the Subcommittee on Asia and the 
     Pacific; with responsibility for Europe and the Middle East 
     reserved to the full Committee.
       The regional subcommittees shall have jurisdiction over the 
     following within their respective regions:
       (1) Matters affecting the political relations between the 
     United States and other countries and regions, including 
     resolutions or other legislative measures directed to such 
     relations.
       (2) Legislation with respect to disaster assistance outside 
     the Foreign Assistance Act, boundary issues, and 
     international claims.
       (3) Legislation with respect to region- or country-specific 
     loans or other financial relations outside the Foreign 
     Assistance Act.
       (4) Resolutions of disapproval under section 36(b) of the 
     Arms Export Control Act, with respect to foreign military 
     sales.
       (5) Legislation and oversight regarding human rights 
     practices in particular countries.
       (6) Oversight of regional lending institutions.
       (7) Oversight of matters related to the regional activities 
     of the United Nations, of its affiliated agencies, and of 
     other multilateral institutions.
       (8) Identification and development of options for meeting 
     future problems and issues relating to U.S. interests in the 
     region.
       (9) Base rights and other facilities access agreements and 
     regional security pacts.
       (10) Oversight of matters relating to parliamentary 
     conferences and exchanges involving the region.
       (11) Concurrent oversight jurisdiction with respect to 
     matters assigned to the functional subcommittees insofar as 
     they may affect the region.
       (12) Oversight of all foreign assistance activities 
     affecting the region.
       (13) Such other matters as the Chairman of the full 
     Committee may determine.

                 15. Powers and Duties of Subcommittees

       Each subcommittee is authorized to meet, hold hearings, 
     receive evidence, and report to the full Committee on all 
     matters referred to it. Subcommittee chairmen shall set 
     meeting dates after consultation with the Chairman, other 
     subcommittee chairmen, and other appropriate Members, with a 
     view towards minimizing the practice of the Committee that 
     meet be scheduled to occur simultaneously with meetings of 
     the full Committee.
       In order to ensure orderly administration and fair 
     assignment of hearing and meeting rooms, the subject, time, 
     and location of hearings and meetings shall be arranged in 
     advance with the Chairman through the Chief of Staff of the 
     Committee.
       The Chairman of the full Committee shall designate a Member 
     of the majority party on each subcommittee as its vice 
     chairman.
       The Chairman and the Ranking Minority Member may attend the 
     meetings and participate in the activities of all 
     subcommittees of which they are not members, except that they 
     may not vote or be counted for a quorum in such 
     subcommittees.

                   16. Referral of Bills by Chairman

       In accordance with Rule 14 of the Committee and to the 
     extent practicable, all legislation and other matters 
     referred to the Committee shall be referred by the Chairman 
     to a subcommittee of primary jurisdiction within 12 weeks. In 
     accordance with Rule 14 of the Committee, legislation may 
     also be concurrently referred to additional subcommittees 
     for consideration in sequence. Unless otherwise directed 
     by the Chairman, such subcommittees shall act on or be 
     discharged from consideration of legislation that has been 
     approved by the subcommittee of primary jurisdiction 
     within 2 weeks of such action. In referring any 
     legislation to a subcommittee, the Chairman may specify a 
     date by which the subcommittee shall report thereon to the 
     full Committee.
       Subcommittees with regional jurisdiction shall have primary 
     jurisdiction over legislation regarding human rights 
     practices in particular countries. The Subcommittee on 
     International Operations and Human Rights shall have 
     sequential jurisdiction over such legislation.
       The Chairman may designate a subcommittee chairman or other 
     Member to take responsibility as manager of a bill or 
     resolution during its consideration in the House of 
     Representatives.

      17. Party Ratios on Subcommittees and Conference Committees

       The majority party caucus of the Committee shall determine 
     an appropriate ratio of majority to minority party Members 
     for each subcommittee. Party representation on each 
     subcommittee or conference committee shall be no less 
     favorable to the majority party than the ratio for the full 
     Committee. The Chairman and the Ranking Minority Member are 
     authorized to negotiate matters affecting such ratios 
     including the size of subcommittees and conference 
     committees.

                  18. Subcommittee Funding and Records

       (a) Each subcommittee shall have adequate funds to 
     discharge its responsibility for legislation and oversight.
       (b) In order to facilitate Committee compliance with Clause 
     2(e)(1) of Rule XI of the House of Representatives, each 
     subcommittee shall keep a complete record of all subcommittee 
     actions which shall include a record of the votes on any 
     question on which a rollcall vote is demanded. The result of 
     each rollcall vote shall be promptly made available to the 
     full Committee for inspection by the public in accordance 
     with Rule 9 of the Committee.
       (c) All subcommittee hearings, records, data, charts, and 
     files shall be kept distinct from the congressional office 
     records of the Member serving as chairman of the 
     subcommittee. Subcommittee records shall be coordinated with 
     records of the full Committee, shall be the property of the 
     House, and all Members of the House shall have access 
     thereto.

                 19. Meetings of Subcommittee Chairmen

       The Chairman shall call a meeting of the subcommittee 
     chairmen on a regular basis not less frequently than once a 
     month. Such a meeting need not be held if there is no 
     business to conduct. It shall be the practice at such 
     meetings to review the current agenda and activities of each 
     of the subcommittees.

                  20. Access to Classified Information

       Authorized persons.--In accordance with the stipulations of 
     the Rules of the House of Representatives, all Members of the 
     House who have executed the oath required by Clause 13 of 
     Rule XLIII of the House of Representatives shall be 
     authorized to have access to classified information within 
     the possession of the Committee.
       Members of the Committee staff shall be considered 
     authorized to have access to classified information within 
     the possession of the committee when they have the proper 
     security clearances, when they have executed the oath 
     required by Clause 13 of Rule XLIII of the House of 
     Representatives, and when they have a demonstrable need to 
     know. The decision on whether a given staff member has a need 
     to know will be made on the following basis:
       (a) In the case of the full Committee majority staff, by 
     the Chairman, acting through the Chief of Staff;
       (b) In the case of the full Committee minority staff, by 
     the Ranking Minority Member of the committee, acting through 
     the Minority Chief of Staff;
       (c) In the case of subcommittee majority staff, by the 
     Chairman of the subcommittee;
       (d) In the case of the subcommittee minority staff, by the 
     Ranking Minority Member of the subcommittee.
       No other individuals shall be considered authorized 
     persons, unless so designated by the Chairman.
       Designated persons.--Each Committee Member is permitted to 
     designate one member of his or her staff as having the right 
     of access to information classified confidential. Such 
     designated persons must have the proper security clearance, 
     have executed the oath required by Clause 13 of Rule XLIII of 
     the House of Representatives, and have a need to know as 
     determined by his or her principal. Upon request of a 
     Committee Member in specific instances, a designated person 
     also shall be permitted access to information classified 
     secret which has been furnished to the Committee pursuant to 
     section 36 of the Arms Export Control Act, as amended. 
     Designation of a staff person shall be by letter from the 
     Committee Member to the Chairman.
       Location.--Classified information will be stored in secure 
     safes in the Committee rooms. All materials classified top 
     secret must be stored in a Secure Compartmentalized 
     Information Facility (SCIF).
       Handling.--Materials classified confidential or secret may 
     be taken from Committee offices and hearing rooms by Members 
     of the Committee and authorized Committee staff in connection 
     with hearings and briefings of the Committee or its 
     Subcommittees for which such information is deemed to be 
     essential. Removal of such information from the Committee 
     offices shall be only with the permission of the Chairman 
     under procedures designed to ensure the safe handling and 
     storage of such information at all times. Except as provided 
     in this paragraph, top secret materials may not be taken from 
     the SCIF for any purpose, except that such materials may be 
     taken to hearings and other meetings that are being conducted 
     at the top secret level when necessary. Top secret materials 
     may otherwise be used under conditions approved by the 
     Chairman.
       Notice.--Appropriate notice of the receipt of classified 
     documents received by the Committee from the executive branch 
     will be sent promptly to Committee Members through the Survey 
     of Activities or by other means.
       Access.--Except as provided for above, access to materials 
     classified top secret or otherwise restricted held by the 
     Committee will be in the SCIF. The following procedures will 
     be observed:
       (a) Authorized or designated persons will be admitted to 
     the SCIF after inquiring of the Chief of Staff or an assigned 
     staff member. The SCIF will be open during regular Committee 
     hours.
       (b) Authorized or designated persons will be required to 
     identify themselves, to identify the documents or information 
     the wish to view, and to sign the Classified Materials Log, 
     which is kept with the classified information.

[[Page E2400]]

       (c) The assigned staff member will be responsible for 
     maintaining a log which identifies (1) authorized and 
     designated persons seeking access, (2) the classified 
     information requested, and (3) the time of arrival and 
     departure of such persons. The assigned staff member will 
     also assure that the classified materials are returned to the 
     proper location.
       (d) The Classified Materials log will contain a statement 
     acknowledged by the signature of the authorized or designated 
     person that he or she has read the Committee rules and will 
     abide by them.
       Divulgence.--Classified information provided to the 
     Committee by the executive branch shall be handled in 
     accordance with the procedures that apply within the 
     executive branch for the protection of such information. Any 
     classified information to which access has been 
     gained through the Committee may not be divulged to any 
     unauthorized person. Classified material shall not be 
     photocopied or otherwise reproduced without the 
     authorization of the Chief of Staff. In no event shall 
     classified information be discussed over a non-secure 
     telephone. Apparent violations of this rule should be 
     reported as promptly as possible to the Chairman for 
     appropriate action.
       Other regulations.--The Chairman may establish such 
     additional regulations and procedures as in his judgment may 
     be necessary to safeguard classified information under the 
     control of the Committee. Members of the Committee will be 
     given notice of any such regulations and procedures promptly. 
     They may be modified or waived in any or all particulars by a 
     majority vote of the full Committee.

          21. Broadcasting of Committee Hearings and Meetings

       All Committee and subcommittee meetings or hearings which 
     are open to the public may be covered, in whole or in part, 
     by television broadcast, radio broadcast, and still 
     photography, or by any such methods of coverage in accordance 
     with the provisions of clause 3 of House rule XI.
       The Chairman or subcommittee chairman shall determine, in 
     his or her discretion, the number of television and still 
     cameras permitted in a hearing or meeting room, but shall not 
     limit the number of television or still cameras to fewer than 
     two representatives from each medium.
       Such coverage shall be in accordance with the following 
     requirements contained in Section 116(b) of the Legislative 
     Reorganization Act of 1970, and Clause 3(f) of Rule XI of the 
     Rules of the House of Representatives:
       (a) If the television or radio coverage of the hearing or 
     meeting is to be presented to the public as live coverage, 
     that coverage shall be conducted and presented without 
     commercial sponsorship.
       (b) No witness served with a subpoena by the Committee 
     shall be required against his will to be photographed at any 
     hearing or to give evidence or testimony while the 
     broadcasting of that hearing, by radio or television is being 
     conducted. At the request of any such witness who does not 
     wish to be subjected to radio, television, or still 
     photography coverage, all lenses shall be covered and all 
     microphones used for coverage turned off. This subparagraph 
     is supplementary to Clause 2(k)(5) of Rule XI of the Rules of 
     the House of Representatives relating to the protection of 
     the rights of witnesses.
       (c) The allocation among cameras permitted by the Chairman 
     or subcommittee chairman in a hearing room shall be in 
     accordance with fair and equitable procedures devised by the 
     Executive Committee of the Radio and Television 
     Correspondents' Galleries.
       (d) Television cameras shall be placed so as not to 
     obstruct in any way the space between any witness giving 
     evidence or testimony and Member of the Committee or its 
     subcommittees or the visibility of that witness and that 
     member to each other.
       (e) Television cameras shall operate from fixed positions 
     but shall not be placed in positions which obstruct 
     unnecessarily the coverage of the hearing by the other media.
       (f) Equipment necessary for coverage by the television and 
     radio media shall not be installed in, or removed from, the 
     hearing or meeting room while the Committee or subcommittee 
     is in session.
       (g) Floodlights, spotlights, strobe lights, and flashgun 
     shall not be used in providing any method of coverage of the 
     hearing or meeting, except that the television media may 
     install additional lighting in the hearing room, without cost 
     to the Government, in order to raise the ambient lighting 
     level in the hearing room to the lowest level necessary to 
     provide adequate television coverage of the hearing or 
     meeting at the current state of the art of television 
     coverage.
       (h) In the allocation of the number of still photographers 
     permitted by the Chairman or subcommittee chairman in a 
     hearing or meeting room, preference shall be given to 
     photographers from Associated Press Photos, United Press 
     International News pictures, and Reuters. If requests are 
     made by more of the media than will be permitted by the 
     Chairman or subcommittee chairman for coverage of the hearing 
     or meeting by still photography, that coverage shall be made 
     on the basis of a fair and equitable pool arrangement devised 
     by the Standing Committee of Press Photographers.
       (i) Photographers shall not position themselves, at any 
     time during the course of the hearing or meeting, between the 
     witness table and the Members of the Committee or its 
     subcommittees.
       (j) Photographers shall not place themselves in positions 
     which obstruct unnecessarily the coverage of the hearing by 
     the other media.
       (k) Personnel providing coverage by the television and 
     radio media shall be then currently accredited to the Radio 
     and Television Correspondents' Galleries.
       (l) Personnel providing coverage by still photography shall 
     be then currently accredited to the Press Photographers' 
     Gallery Committee of Press Photographers.
       (m) Personnel providing coverage by the television and 
     radio media and by still photography shall conduct themselves 
     and their coverage activities in an orderly and unobtrusive 
     manner.

                          22. Subpoena Powers

       A subpoena may be authorized and issued by the Chairman, in 
     accordance with Clause 2(m) of Rule XI of the House of 
     Representatives, in the conduct of any investigation or 
     activity or series of investigations or activities within the 
     jurisdiction of the Committee, following consultation with 
     the Ranking Minority Member.
       In addition, a subpoena may be authorized and issued by the 
     Committee or its subcommittees in accordance with Clause 2(m) 
     of Rule XI of the House of Representatives, in the conduct of 
     any investigation or activity or series of investigations or 
     activities, when authorized by a majority of the Members 
     voting, a majority of the committee or subcommittee being 
     present.
       Authorized subpoenas shall be signed by the Chairman or by 
     any Member designated by the Committee.

            23. Recommendation for Appointment of Conferees

       Whenever the Speaker is to appoint a conference committee, 
     the Chairman shall recommend to the Speaker as conferees 
     those Members of the Committee who are primarily responsible 
     for the legislation (including to the full extent practicable 
     the principal proponents of the major provisions of the bill 
     as it passed the House), who have actively participated in 
     the Committee or subcommittee consideration of the 
     legislation, and who agree to attend the meetings of the 
     conference. With regard to the appointment of minority 
     Members, the Chairman shall consult with the Ranking Minority 
     Member.

                         24. General Oversight

       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 Rule X of 
     the House of Representatives.

                  25. Other Procedures and Regulations

       The Chairman may establish such other procedures and take 
     such actions as may be necessary to carry out the foregoing 
     rules or to facilitate the effective operation of the 
     Committee. Any additional procedures or regulations may be 
     modified or rescinded in any or all particulars by a majority 
     vote of the full Committee.

     

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