[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 20 (Tuesday, February 13, 2001)]
[House]
[Pages H280-H288]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 PUBLICATION OF THE RULES OF THE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT REFORM 107TH 
                                CONGRESS

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Burton) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. BURTON of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, I am submitting the attached 
Committee on Government Reform rules for the 107th Congress for 
publication in the Congressional Record pursuant to House Rule XI, 
Clause 2(a)(2). These rules were adopted by the Committee on February 
8, 2001.

             I. RULES OF THE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT REFORM

                     U.S. House of Representatives

                             107th Congress

       Rule XI, clause 1(a)(1)(A) of the House of Representatives 
     provides:
       Except as provided in subdivision (B), the Rules of the 
     House are the rules of its committees and subcommittees so 
     far as applicable.
       (B) 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, each shall be 
     privileged in committees and subcommittees and shall be 
     decided without debate.
       Rule XI, clause 2(a)(1) of the House of Representatives 
     provides, in part:
       Each standing committee shall adopt written rules governing 
     its procedures. * * *
       In accordance with this, the Committee on Government 
     Reform, on February 8, 2001, adopted the rules of the 
     committee:

                     Rule 1.--Application of Rules

       Except where the terms ``full committee'' and 
     ``subcommittee'' are specifically referred to, the following 
     rules shall apply to the Committee on Government Reform and 
     its subcommittees as well as to the respective chairmen.
       [See House Rule XI, 1.]

                           Rule 2.--Meetings

       The regular meetings of the full committee shall be held on 
     the second Tuesday of each month at 10 a.m., when the House 
     is in session. The chairman is authorized to dispense with a 
     regular meeting or to change the date thereof, and to call 
     and convene additional meetings, when circumstances warrant. 
     A special meeting of the committee may be requested by 
     members of the committee following the provisions of House 
     Rule XI, clause 2(c)(2). Subcommittees shall meet at the call 
     of the subcommittee chairmen. Every member of the committee 
     or the appropriate subcommittee, unless prevented by unusual 
     circumstances, shall be provided with a memorandum at least 
     three calendar days before each meeting or hearing explaining 
     (1) the purpose of the meeting or hearing; and (2) the names, 
     titles, background and reasons for appearance of any 
     witnesses. The ranking minority member shall be responsible 
     for providing the same information on witnesses whom the 
     minority may request.
       [See House Rule XI, 2 (b) and (c).]

                            Rule 3.--Quorums

       A majority of the members of the committee shall form a 
     quorum, except that two members shall constitute a quorum for 
     taking testimony and receiving evidence, and one-third of the 
     members shall form a quorum for taking any action other than 
     the reporting of a measure or recommendation. If the chairman 
     is not present at any meeting of the committee or 
     subcommittee, the ranking member of the majority party on the 
     committee or subcommittee who is present shall preside at 
     that meeting.
       [See House Rule XI, 2(h).]

                       Rule 4.--Committee Reports

       Bills and resolutions approved by the committee shall be 
     reported by the chairman following House Rule XIII, clauses 
     2-4.
       A proposed report shall not be considered in subcommittee 
     or full committee unless the proposed report has been 
     available to the members of such subcommittee or full 
     committee for at least three calendar days (excluding 
     Saturdays, Sundays, and legal holidays, unless the House is 
     in session on such days) before consideration of such 
     proposed report in subcommittee or full committee. Any report 
     will be considered as read if available to the members at 
     least 24 hours before consideration, excluding Saturdays, 
     Sundays, and legal holidays unless the House is in session on 
     such days. If hearings have been held on the matter reported 
     upon, every reasonable effort shall be made to have such 
     hearings available to the members of the subcommittee or full 
     committee before the consideration of the proposed report in 
     such subcommittee or full committee. Every investigative 
     report shall be approved by a majority vote of the committee 
     at a meeting at which a quorum is present.
       Supplemental, minority, or additional views may be filed 
     following House Rule XI, clause 2(l) and Rule XIII, clause 
     3(a)(1). The time allowed for filing such views shall be 
     three calendar days, beginning on the day of notice, but 
     excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and legal holidays (unless the 
     House is in session on such a day), unless the committee 
     agrees to a different time, but agreement on a shorter time 
     shall require the concurrence of each member seeking to file 
     such views.
       An investigative or oversight report may be filed after 
     sine die adjournment of the last regular session of Congress, 
     provided that if a member gives timely notice of intention to 
     file supplemental, minority or additional views, that member 
     shall be entitled to not less that seven calendar days in 
     which to submit such views for inclusion with the report.
       Only those reports approved by a majority vote of the 
     committee may be ordered printed, unless otherwise required 
     by the Rules of the House of Representatives.

                          Rule 5.--Proxy Votes

       In accordance with the Rules of the House of 
     Representatives, members may not vote

[[Page H281]]

     by proxy on any measure or matter before the committee or any 
     subcommittee.
       [See House Rule XI, 2(f).]

                         Rule 6.--Record Votes

       A record vote of the members may be had upon the request of 
     any member upon approval of a one-fifth vote.
       [See House Rule XI, 2(e).]

                  Rule 7.--Record of Committee Actions

       The committee staff shall maintain in the committee offices 
     a complete record of committee actions from the current 
     Congress including a record of the rollcall votes taken at 
     committee business meetings. The original records, or true 
     copies thereof, as appropriate, shall be available for public 
     inspection whenever the committee offices are open for public 
     business. The staff shall assure that such original records 
     are preserved with no unauthorized alteration, additions, or 
     defacement.
       [See House Rule XI, 2(e).]

                   Rule 8.--Subcommittees; Referrals

       There shall be eight subcommittees with appropriate party 
     ratios that shall have fixed jurisdictions. Bills, 
     resolutions, and other matters shall be referred by the 
     chairman to subcommittees within two weeks for consideration 
     or investigation in accordance with their fixed 
     jurisdictions. Where the subject matter of the referral 
     involves the jurisdiction of more than one subcommittee or 
     does not fall within any previously assigned jurisdiction, 
     the chairman shall refer the matter as he may deem advisable. 
     Bills, resolutions, and other matters referred to 
     subcommittees may be reassigned by the chairman when, in his 
     judgement, the subcommittee is not able to complete its work 
     or cannot reach agreement therein. In a subcommittee having 
     an even number of members, if there is a tie vote with all 
     members voting on any measure, the measure shall be placed on 
     the agenda for full committee consideration as if it had been 
     ordered reported by the subcommittee without recommendation. 
     This provision shall not preclude further action on the 
     measure by the subcommittee.
       [See House Rule XI, 1(a)(2).]

                      Rule 9.--Ex Officio Members

       The chairman and the ranking minority member of the 
     committee shall be ex officio members of all subcommittees. 
     They are authorized to vote on subcommittee matters; but, 
     unless they are regular members of the subcommittee, they 
     shall not be counted in determining a subcommittee quorum 
     other than a quorum for taking testimony.

                            Rule 10.--Staff

       Except as otherwise provided by House Rule X, clauses 6, 7 
     and 9, the chairman of the full committee shall have the 
     authority to hire and discharge employees of the professional 
     and clerical staff of the full committee and of 
     subcommittees.

                       Rule 11.--Staff Direction

       Except as otherwise provided by House Rule X, clauses 6, 7 
     and 9, the staff of the committee shall be subject to the 
     direction of the chairman of the full committee and shall 
     perform such duties as he may assign.

                 Rule 12.--Hearing Dates and Witnesses

       The chairman of the full committee will announce the date, 
     place, and subject matter of all hearings at least one week 
     before the commencement of any hearings, unless he 
     determines, with the concurrence of the ranking minority 
     member, or the committee determines by a vote, that there is 
     good cause to begin such hearings sooner. So that the 
     chairman of the full committee may coordinate the committee 
     facilities and hearings plans, each subcommittee chairman 
     shall notify him of any hearing plans at least two weeks 
     before the date of commencement of hearings, including the 
     date, place, subject matter, and the names of witnesses, 
     willing and unwilling, who would be called to testify, 
     including, to the extent he is advised thereof, witnesses 
     whom the minority members may request. The minority members 
     shall supply the names of witnesses they intend to call to 
     the chairman of the full committee or subcommittee at the 
     earliest possible date. Witnesses appearing before the 
     committee shall so far as practicable, submit written 
     statements at least 24 hours before their appearance and, 
     when appearing in a non-governmental capacity, provide a 
     curriculum vitae and a listing of any Federal Government 
     grants and contracts received in the previous fiscal year.
       [See House Rules XI, 2 (g)(3), (g)(4), (j) and (k).]

                        Rule 13.--Open Meetings

       Meetings for the transaction of business and hearings of 
     the committee shall be open to the public or closed in 
     accordance with Rule XI of the House of Representatives.
       [See House Rules XI, 2 (g) and (k).]

                       Rule 14.--Five-Minute Rule

       (1) A committee member may question a witness only when 
     recognized by the chairman for that purpose. In accordance 
     with House Rule XI, clause 2(j)(2), each committee member may 
     request up to five minutes to question a witness until each 
     member who so desires has had such opportunity. Until all 
     such requests have been satisfied, the chairman shall, so far 
     as practicable, recognize alternately based on seniority of 
     those majority and minority members present at the time the 
     hearing was called to order and others based on their arrival 
     at the hearing. After that, additional time may be extended 
     at the direction of the chairman.
       (2) The chairman, with the concurrence of the ranking 
     minority member, or the committee by motion, may permit an 
     equal number of majority and minority members to question a 
     witness for a specified, total period that is equal for each 
     side and not longer than thirty minutes for each side.
       (3) The chairman, with the concurrence of the ranking 
     minority member, or the committee by motion, may permit 
     committee staff of the majority and minority to question a 
     witness for a specified, total period that is equal for each 
     side and not longer than thirty minutes for each side.
       (4) Nothing in paragraph (2) or (3) affects the rights of a 
     Member (other than a Member designated under paragraph (2)) 
     to question a witness for 5 minutes in accordance with 
     paragraph (1) after the questioning permitted under paragraph 
     (2) or (3). In any extended questioning permitted under 
     paragraph (2) or (3), the chairman shall determine how to 
     allocate the time permitted for extended questioning by 
     majority members or majority committee staff and the ranking 
     minority member shall determine how to allocate the time 
     permitted for extended questioning by minority members or 
     minority committee staff. The chairman or the ranking 
     minority member, as applicable, may allocate the time for any 
     extended questioning permitted to staff under paragraph (3) 
     to members.

               Rule 15.--Investigative Hearing Procedures

       Investigative hearings shall be conducted according to the 
     procedures in House Rule XI, clause 2(k). All questions put 
     to witnesses before the committee shall be relevant to the 
     subject matter before the committee for consideration, and 
     the chairman shall rule on the relevance of any questions put 
     to the witnesses.

                     Rule 16.--Stenographic Record

       A stenographic record of all testimony shall be kept of 
     public hearings and shall be made available on such 
     conditions as the chairman may prescribe.

      Rule 17.--Audio and Visual Coverage of Committee Proceedings

       (1) An open meeting or hearing of the committee or a 
     subcommittee may be covered, in whole or in part, by 
     television broadcast, radio broadcast, Internet broadcast, 
     and still photography, unless closed subject to the 
     provisions of House Rule XI, clause 2(g). Any such coverage 
     shall conform with the provisions of House Rule XI, clause 4.
       (2) Use of the Committee Broadcast System shall be fair and 
     nonpartisan, and in accordance with House Rule XI, clause 
     4(b), and all other applicable rules of the House of 
     Representatives and the Committee on Government Reform. 
     Members of the committee shall have prompt access to a copy 
     of coverage by the Committee Broadcast System, to the extent 
     that such coverage is maintained.
       (3) Personnel providing coverage of an open meeting or 
     hearing of the committee or a subcommittee by Internet 
     broadcast, other than through the Committee Broadcast System, 
     shall be currently accredited to the Radio and Television 
     Correspondents' Galleries.

                Rule 18.--Additional Duties of Chairman

       The chairman of the full committee shall:
       (a) Make available to other committees the findings and 
     recommendations resulting from the investigations of the 
     committee or its subcommittees as required by House Rule X, 
     clause 4(c)(2);
       (b) Direct such review and studies on the impact or 
     probable impact of tax policies affecting subjects within the 
     committee's jurisdiction as required by House Rule X, clause 
     2(c);
       (c) Submit to the Committee on the Budget views and 
     estimates required by House Rule X, clause 4(f), and to file 
     reports with the House as required by the Congressional 
     Budget Act;
       (d) Authorize and issue subpoenas as provided in House Rule 
     XI, clause 2(m), in the conduct of any investigation or 
     activity or series of investigations or activities within the 
     jurisdiction of the committee;
       (e) Prepare, after consultation with subcommittee chairmen 
     and the minority, a budget for the committee which shall 
     include an adequate budget for the subcommittees to discharge 
     their responsibilities;
       (f) Make any necessary technical and conforming changes to 
     legislation reported by the committee upon unanimous consent; 
     and
       (g) Designate a vice chairman from the majority party.

                     Rule 19.--Commemorative Stamps

       The committee has adopted the policy that the determination 
     of the subject matter of commemorative stamps properly is for 
     consideration by the Postmaster General and that the 
     committee will not give consideration to legislative 
     proposals for the issuance of commemorative stamps. It is 
     suggested that recommendations for the issuance of 
     commemorative stamps be submitted to the Postmaster General.

           II. SELECTED RULES OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

     A. 1. Powers and Duties of the Committee--Rule X of the House

       House Rule X provides for the organization of standing 
     committees. The first paragraph of clause 1 of Rule X and 
     subdivision (h) thereof reads as follows:

                       Organization of Committees

     Committees and their legislative jurisdictions
       1. There shall be in the House the following standing 
     committees, each of which shall have the jurisdiction and 
     related functions

[[Page H282]]

     assigned by this clause and clauses 2, 3, and 4. All bills, 
     resolutions, and other matters relating to subjects within 
     the jurisdiction of the standing committees listed in this 
     clause shall be referred to those committees, in accordance 
     with clause 2 of rule XII, as follows:

                     *      *      *      *      *

       (h) Committee on Government Reform.
       (1) Federal civil service, including intergovernmental 
     personnel; and the status of officers and employees of the 
     United States, including their compensation, classification, 
     and retirement.
       (2) Municipal affairs of the District of Columbia in 
     general (other than appropriations).
       (3) Federal paperwork reduction.
       (4) Government management and accounting measures 
     generally.
       (5) Holidays and celebrations.
       (6) Overall economy, efficiency, and management of 
     government operations and activities, including Federal 
     procurement.
       (7) National archives.
       (8) Population and demography generally, including the 
     Census.
       (9) Postal service generally, including transportation of 
     the mails.
       (10) Public information and records.
       (11) Relationship of the Federal Government to the States 
     and municipalities generally.
       (12) Reorganizations in the executive branch of the 
     Government.

 2. General Oversight Responsibilities--Rule X, Clauses 2 and 3 of the 
                                 House

       Clause 2 of Rule X relates to general oversight 
     responsibilities. Paragraphs (a), (b), (c), (d), and (e) of 
     clause 2 read as follows:
       2. (a) The various standing committees shall have general 
     oversight responsibilities as provided in paragraph (b) in 
     order to assist the House in--
       (1) its analysis, appraisal, and evaluation of--
       (A) the application, administration, execution, and 
     effectiveness of Federal laws; and
       (B) conditions and circumstances that may indicate the 
     necessity or desirability of enacting new or additional 
     legislation; and
       (2) its formulation, consideration, and enactment of 
     changes in Federal laws, and of such additional legislation 
     as may be necessary or appropriate.
       (b)(1) In order to determine whether laws and programs 
     addressing subjects within the jurisdiction of a committee 
     are being implemented and carried out in accordance with the 
     intent of Congress and whether they should be continued, 
     curtailed, or eliminated, each standing committee (other than 
     the Committee on Appropriations) shall review and study on a 
     continuing basis--
       (A) the application, administration, execution, and 
     effectiveness of laws and programs addressing subjects within 
     its jurisdiction;
       (B) the organization and operation of Federal agencies and 
     entities having responsibilities for the administration and 
     execution of laws and programs addressing subjects within its 
     jurisdiction;
       (C) any conditions or circumstances that may indicate the 
     necessity or desirability of enacting new or additional 
     legislation addressing subjects within its jurisdiction 
     (whether or not a bill or resolution has been introduced with 
     respect thereto); and
       (D) future research and forecasting on subjects within its 
     jurisdiction.
       (2) Each committee to which subparagraph (1) applies having 
     more than 20 members shall establish an oversight 
     subcommittee, or require its subcommittees to conduct 
     oversight in their respective jurisdictions, to assist in 
     carrying out its responsibilities under this clause. The 
     establishment of an oversight subcommittee does not limit the 
     responsibility of a subcommittee with legislative 
     jurisdiction in carrying out its oversight responsibilities.
       (c) Each standing committee shall review and study on a 
     continuing basis the impact or probable impact of tax 
     policies affecting subjects within its jurisdiction as 
     described in clauses 1 and 3.
       (d)(1) Not later than February 15 of the first session of a 
     Congress, each standing committee shall, in a meeting that is 
     open to the public and with a quorum present, adopt its 
     oversight plan for that Congress. Such plan shall be 
     submitted simultaneously to the Committee on Government 
     Reform and to the Committee on House Administration. In 
     developing its plan each committee shall, to the maximum 
     extent feasible--
       (A) consult with other committees that have jurisdiction 
     over the same or related laws, programs, or agencies within 
     its jurisdiction with the objective of ensuring maximum 
     coordination and cooperation among committees when conducting 
     reviews of such laws, programs, or agencies and include in 
     its plan an explanation of steps that have been or will be 
     taken to ensure such coordination and cooperation;
       (B) review specific problems with Federal rules, 
     regulations, statutes, and court decisions that are 
     ambiguous, arbitrary, or nonsensical, or that impose severe 
     financial burdens on individuals;
       (C) give priority consideration to including in its plan 
     the review of those laws, programs, or agencies operating 
     under permanent budget authority or permanent statutory 
     authority; and
       (D) have a view toward ensuring that all significant laws, 
     programs, or agencies within its jurisdiction are subject to 
     review every 10 years.
       (2) Not later than March 31 in the first session of a 
     Congress, after consultation with the Speaker, the Majority 
     Leader, and the Minority Leader, the Committee on Government 
     Reform shall report to the House the oversight plans 
     submitted by committees together with any recommendations 
     that it, or the House leadership group described above, may 
     make to ensure the most effective coordination of oversight 
     plans and otherwise to achieve the objectives of this clause.
       (e) The Speaker, with the approval of the House, may 
     appoint special ad hoc oversight committees for the purpose 
     of reviewing specific matters within the jurisdiction of two 
     or more standing committees.
     Special oversight functions
       Clause 3 of Rule X also relates to oversight functions. 
     Paragraph (e) reads as follows:

                     *      *      *      *      *

       (e) The Committee on Government Reform shall review and 
     study on a continuing basis the operation of Government 
     activities at all levels with a view to determining their 
     economy and efficiency.

 3. Additional Functions of Committees--Rule X, Clauses 4, 6 and 7 of 
                               the House

       Clause 4 of Rule X relates to additional functions of 
     committees and committee budgets. Paragraphs (a)(2), (c) and 
     (f) of clause 4 and clauses 6 and 7 read as follows:
       4. (a)

                     *      *      *      *      *

       (2) Pursuant to section 401(b)(2) of the Congressional 
     Budget Act of 1974, when a committee reports a bill or joint 
     resolution that provides new entitlement authority as defined 
     in section 3(9) of that Act, and enactment of the bill or 
     joint resolution, as reported, would cause a breach of the 
     committee's pertinent allocation of new budget authority 
     under section 302(a) of that Act, the bill or joint 
     resolution may be referred to the Committee on Appropriations 
     with instructions to report it with recommendations (which 
     may include an amendment limiting the total amount of new 
     entitlement authority provided in the bill or joint 
     resolution). If the Committee on Appropriations fails to 
     report a bill or joint resolution so referred within 15 
     calendar days (not counting any day on which the House is not 
     in session), the committee automatically shall be discharged 
     from consideration of the bill or joint resolution, and the 
     bill or joint resolution shall be placed on the appropriate 
     calendar.

                     *      *      *      *      *

       (c)(1) The Committee on Government Reform shall--
       (A) receive and examine reports of the Comptroller General 
     of the United States and submit to the House such 
     recommendations as it considers necessary or desirable in 
     connection with the subject matter of the reports;
       (B) evaluate the effects of laws enacted to reorganize the 
     legislative and executive branches of the Government; and
       (C) study intergovernmental relationships between the 
     United States and the States and municipalities and between 
     the United States and international organizations of which 
     the United States is a member.
       (2) In addition to its duties under subparagraph (1), the 
     Committee on Government Reform may at any time conduct 
     investigations of any matter without regard to clause 1, 2, 
     3, or this clause conferring jurisdiction over the matter to 
     another standing committee. The findings and recommendations 
     of the committee in such an investigation shall be made 
     available to any other standing committee having jurisdiction 
     over the matter involved and shall be included in the report 
     of any such other committee when required by clause 3(c)(4) 
     of rule XIII.

                     *      *      *      *      *

     Budget Act responsibilities
       (f)(1) Each standing committee shall submit to the 
     Committee on the Budget not later than six weeks after the 
     President submits his budget, or at such time as the 
     Committee on the Budget may request--
       (A) its views and estimates with respect to all matters to 
     be set forth in the concurrent resolution on the budget for 
     the ensuing fiscal year that are within its jurisdiction or 
     functions; and
       (B) an estimate of the total amounts of new budget 
     authority, and budget outlays resulting therefrom, to be 
     provided or authorized in all bills and resolutions within 
     its jurisdiction that it intends to be effective during that 
     fiscal year.
       (2) The views and estimates submitted by the Committee on 
     Ways and Means under subparagraph (1) shall include a 
     specific recommendation, made after holding public hearings, 
     as to the appropriate level of the public debt that should be 
     set forth in the concurrent resolution on the budget and 
     serve as the basis for an increase or decrease in the 
     statutory limit on such debt under the procedures provided by 
     rule XXIII.
     Expense resolutions
       6. (a) Whenever a committee, commission, or other entity 
     (other than the Committee on Appropriations) is granted 
     authorization for the payment of its expenses (including 
     staff salaries) for a Congress, such authorization initially 
     shall be procured by one primary expense resolution reported 
     by the Committee on House Administration. A primary expense 
     resolution may include a reserve fund for unanticipated 
     expenses of committees. An amount from such a reserve fund 
     may be allocated to a committee only by the approval of the 
     Committee on House

[[Page H283]]

     Administration. A primary expense resolution reported to the 
     House may not be considered in the House unless a printed 
     report thereon was available on the previous calendar day. 
     For the information of the House, such report shall--
       (1) state the total amount of the funds to be provided to 
     the committee, commission, or other entity under the primary 
     expense resolution for all anticipated activities and 
     programs of the committee, commission, or other entity; and
       (2) to the extent practicable, contain such general 
     statements regarding the estimated foreseeable expenditures 
     for the respective anticipated activities and programs of the 
     committee, commission, or other entity as may be appropriate 
     to provide the House with basic estimates of the expenditures 
     contemplated by the primary expense resolution.
       (b) After the date of adoption by the House of a primary 
     expense resolution for a committee, commission, or other 
     entity for a Congress, authorization for the payment of 
     additional expenses (including staff salaries) in that 
     Congress may be procured by one or more supplemental expense 
     resolutions reported by the Committee on House 
     Administration, as necessary. A supplemental expense 
     resolution reported to the House may not be considered in the 
     House unless a printed report thereon was available on the 
     previous calendar day. For the information of the House, such 
     report shall--
       (1) state the total amount of additional funds to be 
     provided to the committee, commission, or other entity under 
     the supplemental expense resolution and the purposes for 
     which those additional funds are available; and
       (2) state the reasons for the failure to procure the 
     additional funds for the committee, commission, or other 
     entity by means of the primary expense resolution.
       (c) The preceding provisions of this clause do not apply 
     to--
       (1) a resolution providing for the payment from committee 
     salary and expense accounts of the House of sums necessary to 
     pay compensation for staff services performed for, or to pay 
     other expenses of, a committee, commission, or other entity 
     at any time after the beginning of an odd-numbered year and 
     before the date of adoption by the House of the primary 
     expense resolution described in paragraph (a) for that year; 
     or
       (2) a resolution providing each of the standing committees 
     in a Congress additional office equipment, airmail and 
     special-delivery postage stamps, supplies, staff personnel, 
     or any other specific item for the operation of the standing 
     committees, and containing an authorization for the payment 
     from committee salary and expense accounts of the House of 
     the expenses of any of the foregoing items provided by that 
     resolution, subject to and until enactment of the provisions 
     of the resolution as permanent law.
       (d) From the funds made available for the appointment of 
     committee staff by a primary or additional expense 
     resolution, the 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 treated fairly in 
     the appointment of such staff.
       (e) Funds authorized for a committee under this clause and 
     clauses 7 and 8 are for expenses incurred in the activities 
     of the committee.
     Interim funding
       7. (a) For the period beginning at noon on January 3 and 
     ending at midnight on March 31 in each odd-numbered year, 
     such sums as may be necessary shall be paid out of the 
     committee salary and expense accounts of the House for 
     continuance of necessary investigations and studies by--
       (1) each standing and select committee established by these 
     rules; and
       (2) except as specified in paragraph (b), each select 
     committee established by resolution.
       (b) In the case of the first session of a Congress, amounts 
     shall be made available under this paragraph for a select 
     committee established by resolution in the preceding Congress 
     only if--
       (1) a resolution proposing to reestablish such select 
     committee is introduced in the present Congress; and
       (2) the House has not adopted a resolution of the preceding 
     Congress providing for termination of funding for 
     investigations and studies by such select committee.
       (c) Each committee described in paragraph (a) shall be 
     entitled for each month during the period specified in 
     paragraph (a) to 9 percent (or such lesser percentage as may 
     be determined by the Committee on House Administration) of 
     the total annualized amount made available under expense 
     resolutions for such committee in the preceding session of 
     Congress.
       (d) Payments under this paragraph shall be made on vouchers 
     authorized by the committee involved, signed by the chairman 
     of the committee, except as provided in paragraph (e), and 
     approved by the Committee on House Administration.
       (e) Notwithstanding any provision of law, rule of the 
     House, or other authority, from noon on January 3 of the 
     first session of a Congress until the election by the House 
     of the committee concerned in that Congress, payments under 
     this paragraph shall be made on vouchers signed by--
       (1) the member of the committee who served as chairman of 
     the committee at the expiration of the preceding Congress; or
       (2) if the chairman is not a Member, Delegate, or Resident 
     Commissioner in the present Congress, then the ranking member 
     of the committee as it was constituted at the expiration of 
     the preceding Congress who is a member of the majority party 
     in the present Congress.
       (f)(1) The authority of a committee to incur expenses under 
     this paragraph shall expire upon adoption by the House of a 
     primary expense resolution for the committee.
       (2) Amounts made available under this paragraph shall be 
     expended in accordance with regulations prescribed by the 
     Committee on House Administration.
       (3) This clause shall be effective only insofar as it is 
     not inconsistent with a resolution reported by the Committee 
     on House Administration and adopted by the House after the 
     adoption of these rules.
     Travel
       8. (a) Local currencies owned by the United States shall be 
     made available to the committee and its employees engaged in 
     carrying out their official duties outside the United States 
     or its territories or possessions. Appropriated funds, 
     including those authorized under this clause and clauses 6 
     and 8, may not be expended for the purpose of defraying 
     expenses of members of a committee or its employees in a 
     country where local currencies are available for this 
     purpose.
       (b) The following conditions shall apply with respect to 
     travel outside the United States or its territories or 
     possessions:
       (1) A member or employee of a committee may not receive or 
     expend local currencies for subsistence in a country for a 
     day at a rate in excess of the maximum per diem set forth in 
     applicable Federal law.
       (2) A member or employee shall be reimbursed for his 
     expenses for a day at the lesser of--
       (A) the per diem set forth in applicable Federal law; or
       (B) the actual, unreimbursed expenses (other than for 
     transportation) he incurred during that day.
       (3) Each member or employee of a committee shall make to 
     the chairman of the committee an itemized report showing the 
     dates each country was visited, the amount of per diem 
     furnished, the cost of transportation furnished, and funds 
     expended for any other official purpose and shall summarize 
     in these categories the total foreign currencies or 
     appropriated funds expended. Each report shall be filed with 
     the chairman of the committee not later than 60 days 
     following the completion of travel for use in complying with 
     reporting requirements in applicable Federal law and shall be 
     open for public inspection.
       (c)(1) In carrying out the activities of a committee 
     outside the United States in a country where local currencies 
     are unavailable, a member or employee of a committee may not 
     receive reimbursement for expenses (other than for 
     transportation) in excess of the maximum per diem set forth 
     in applicable Federal law.
       (2) A member or employee shall be reimbursed for his 
     expenses for a day, at the lesser of--
       (A) the per diem set forth in applicable Federal law; or
       (B) the actual unreimbursed expenses (other than for 
     transportation) he incurred during that day.
       (3) A member or employee of a committee may not receive 
     reimbursement for the cost of any transportation in 
     connection with travel outside the United States unless the 
     member or employee actually paid for the transportation.
       (d) The restrictions respecting travel outside the United 
     States set forth in paragraph (c) also shall apply to travel 
     outside the United States by a Member, Delegate, Resident 
     Commissioner, officer, or employee of the House authorized 
     under any standing rule.
     Committee staffs
       9. (a)(1) Subject to subparagraph (2) and paragraph (f), 
     each standing committee may appoint, by majority vote, not 
     more than 30 professional staff members to be compensated 
     from the funds provided for the appointment of committee 
     staff by primary and additional expense resolutions. Each 
     professional staff member appointed under this subparagraph 
     shall be assigned to the chairman and the ranking minority 
     member of the committee, as the committee considers 
     advisable.
       (2) Subject to paragraph (f) whenever a majority of the 
     minority party members of a standing committee (other than 
     the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct or the 
     Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence) so request, not 
     more than 10 persons (or one-third of the total professional 
     committee staff appointed under this clause, whichever is 
     fewer) may be selected, by majority vote of the minority 
     party members, for appointment by the committee as 
     professional staff members under subparagraph (1). The 
     committee shall appoint persons so selected whose character 
     and qualifications are acceptable to a majority of the 
     committee. If the committee determines that the character and 
     qualifications of a person so selected are unacceptable, a 
     majority of the minority party members may select another 
     person for appointment by the committee to the professional 
     staff until such appointment is made. Each professional staff 
     member appointed under this subparagraph shall be assigned to 
     such committee business as the minority party members of the 
     committee consider advisable.

[[Page H284]]

       (b)(1) The professional staff members of each standing 
     committee--
       (A) may not engage in any work other than committee 
     business during congressional working hours; and
       (B) may not be assigned a duty other than one pertaining to 
     committee business.
       (2) Subparagraph (1) does not apply to staff designated by 
     a committee as ``associate'' or ``shared'' staff who are not 
     paid exclusively by the committee, provided that the chairman 
     certifies that the compensation paid by the committee for any 
     such staff is commensurate with the work performed for the 
     committee in accordance with clause 8 of rule XXIV.
       (3) The use of any ``associate'' or ``shared'' staff by a 
     committee shall be subject to the review of, and to any 
     terms, conditions, or limitations established by, the 
     Committee on House Administration in connection with the 
     reporting of any primary or additional expense resolution.
       (4) This paragraph does not apply to the Committee on 
     Appropriations.
       (c) Each employee on the professional or investigative 
     staff of a standing committee shall be entitled to pay at a 
     single gross per annum rate, to be fixed by the chairman and 
     that does not exceed the maximum rate of pay as in effect 
     from time to time under applicable provisions of law.
       (d) Subject to appropriations hereby authorized, the 
     Committee on Appropriations may appoint by majority vote such 
     staff as it determines to be necessary (in addition to the 
     clerk of the committee and assistants for the minority). The 
     staff appointed under this paragraph, other than minority 
     assistants, shall possess such qualifications as the 
     committee may prescribe.
       (e) A committee may not appoint to its staff an expert or 
     other personnel detailed or assigned from a department or 
     agency of the Government except with the written permission 
     of the Committee on House Administration.
       (f) If a request for the appointment of a minority 
     professional staff member under paragraph (a) is made when no 
     vacancy exists for such an appointment, the committee 
     nevertheless may appoint under paragraph (a) a person 
     selected by the minority and acceptable to the committee. A 
     person so appointed shall serve as an additional member of 
     the professional staff of the committee until such a vacancy 
     occurs (other than a vacancy in the position of head of the 
     professional staff, by whatever title designated), at which 
     time that person is considered as appointed to that vacancy. 
     Such a person shall be paid from the applicable accounts of 
     the House described in clause 1(i)(1) of rule X. If such a 
     vacancy occurs on the professional staff when seven or more 
     persons have been so appointed who are eligible to fill that 
     vacancy, a majority of the minority party members shall 
     designate which of those persons shall fill the vacancy.
       (g) Each staff member appointed pursuant to a request by 
     minority party members under paragraph (a), and each staff 
     member appointed to assist minority members of a committee 
     pursuant to an expense resolution described in paragraph (a) 
     of clause 6, shall be accorded equitable treatment with 
     respect to the fixing of the rate of pay, the assignment of 
     work facilities, and the accessibility of committee records.
       (h) Paragraph (a) may not be construed to authorize the 
     appointment of additional professional staff members of a 
     committee pursuant to a request under paragraph (a) by the 
     minority party members of that committee if 10 or more 
     professional staff members provided for in paragraph (a)(1) 
     who are satisfactory to a majority of the minority party 
     members are otherwise assigned to assist the minority party 
     members.
       (i) Notwithstanding paragraph (a)(2), a committee may 
     employ nonpartisan staff, in lieu of or in addition to 
     committee staff designated exclusively for the majority or 
     minority party, by an affirmative vote of a majority of the 
     members of the majority party and of a majority of the 
     members of the minority party.

  B. Procedure for Committees and Unfinished Business--Rule XI of the 
                                 House

       Clauses 1, 2, 4, 5 and 6 of Rule XI are set out below.
     In general
       1. (a)(1)(A) Except as provided in subdivision (B), the 
     Rules of the House are the rules of its committees and 
     subcommittees so far as applicable.
       (B) 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, each shall be 
     privileged in committees and subcommittees and shall be 
     decided without debate.
       (2) Each subcommittee is a part of its committee and is 
     subject to the authority and direction of that committee and 
     to its rules, so far as applicable.
       (b)(1) Each committee may conduct at any time such 
     investigations and studies as it considers necessary or 
     appropriate in the exercise of its responsibilities under 
     rule X. Subject to the adoption of expense resolutions as 
     required by clause 6 of rule X, each committee may incur 
     expenses, including travel expenses, in connection with such 
     investigations and studies.
       (2) A proposed investigative or oversight report shall be 
     considered as read in committee if it has been available to 
     the members for at least 24 hours (excluding Saturdays, 
     Sundays, or legal holidays except when the House is in 
     session on such a day).
       (3) A report of an investigation or study conducted jointly 
     by more than one committee may be filed jointly, provided 
     that each of the committees complies independently with all 
     requirements for approval and filing of the report.
       (4) After an adjournment sine die of the last regular 
     session of a Congress, an investigative or oversight report 
     may be filed with the Clerk at any time, provided that a 
     member who gives timely notice of intention to file 
     supplemental, minority, or additional views shall be entitled 
     to not less than seven calendar days in which to submit such 
     views for inclusion in the report.
       (c) Each committee may have printed and bound such 
     testimony and other data as may be presented at hearings held 
     by the committee or its subcommittees. All costs of 
     stenographic services and transcripts in connection with a 
     meeting or hearing of a committee shall be paid from the 
     applicable accounts of the House described in clause 1(i)(1) 
     of rule X.
       (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 at noon 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 
     under clause 2(d) of rule X, a summary of the actions taken 
     and recommendations made with respect to each such plan, a 
     summary of any additional oversight activities undertaken by 
     that committee, and any recommendations made or actions taken 
     thereon.
       (4) After an adjournment sine die of the last regular 
     session of a Congress, the chairman of a committee may file 
     an activities report under subparagraph (1) with the Clerk at 
     any time and without approval of the committee, provided 
     that--
       (A) a copy of the report has been available to each member 
     of the committee for at least seven calendar days; and
       (B) the report includes any supplemental, minority, or 
     additional views submitted by a member of the committee.
     Adoption of written rules
       2. (a)(1) Each standing committee shall adopt written rules 
     governing its procedure. Such rules--
       (A) shall be adopted in a meeting that is open to the 
     public unless the committee, in open session and with a 
     quorum present, determines by record vote that all or part of 
     the meeting on that day shall be closed to the public;
       (B) may not be inconsistent with the Rules of the House or 
     with those provisions of law having the force and effect of 
     Rules of the House; and
       (C) shall in any event incorporate all of the succeeding 
     provisions of this clause to the extent applicable.
       (2) Each committee shall submit its rules for publication 
     in the Congressional Record not later than 30 days after the 
     committee is elected in each odd-numbered year.
     Regular meeting days
       (b) Each standing committee shall establish regular meeting 
     days for the conduct of its business, which shall be not less 
     frequent than monthly. Each such committee shall meet for the 
     consideration of a bill or resolution pending before the 
     committee or the transaction of other committee business on 
     all regular meeting days fixed by the committee unless 
     otherwise provided by written rule adopted by the committee.
     Additional and special meetings
       (c)(1) The chairman of each standing committee may call and 
     convene, as he considers necessary, additional and special 
     meetings of the committee for the consideration of a bill or 
     resolution pending before the committee or for the conduct of 
     other committee business, subject to such rules as the 
     committee may adopt. The committee shall meet for such 
     purpose under that call of the chairman.
       (2) Three or more members of a standing committee may file 
     in the offices of the committee a written request that the 
     chairman call a special meeting of the committee. Such 
     request shall specify the measure or matter to be considered. 
     Immediately upon the filing of the request, the clerk of the 
     committee shall notify the chairman of the filing of the 
     request. If the chairman does not call the requested special 
     meeting within three calendar days after the filing of the 
     request (to be held within seven calendar days after the 
     filing of the request) a majority of the members of the 
     committee may file in the offices of the committee their 
     written notice that a special meeting of the committee will 
     be held. The written notice shall specify the date and hour 
     of the special meeting and the measure or matter to be 
     considered. The committee shall meet on that date and hour. 
     Immediately upon the filing of the notice, the clerk of the 
     committee shall notify all members of the committee that such 
     special meeting will be held and inform them of its date and 
     hour and the measure or matter to be considered. Only the 
     measure or matter specified in that notice may be considered 
     at that special meeting.
     Temporary absence of chairman
       (d) A member of the majority party on each standing 
     committee or subcommittee thereof shall be designated by the 
     chairman of the full committee as the vice chairman of

[[Page H285]]

     the committee or subcommittee, as the case may be, and shall 
     preside during the absence of the chairman from any meeting. 
     If the chairman and vice chairman of a committee or 
     subcommittee are not present at any meeting of the committee 
     or subcommittee, the ranking majority member who is present 
     shall preside at that meeting.
     Committee records
       (e)(1)(A) Each committee shall keep a complete record of 
     all committee action which shall include--
       (i) in the case of a meeting or hearing transcript, a 
     substantially verbatim account of remarks actually made 
     during the proceedings, subject only to technical, 
     grammatical, and typographical corrections authorized by the 
     person making the remarks involved; and
       (ii) a record of the votes on any question on which a 
     record vote is demanded.
       (B)(i) Except as provided in subdivision (B)(ii) and 
     subject to paragraph (k)(7), the result of each such record 
     vote shall be made available by the committee for inspection 
     by the public at reasonable times in its offices. Information 
     so available for public inspection shall include a 
     description of the amendment, motion, order, or other 
     proposition, the name of each member voting for and each 
     member voting against such amendment, motion, order, or 
     proposition, and the names of those members of the committee 
     present but not voting.
       (ii) The result of any record vote taken in executive 
     session in the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct may 
     not be made available for inspection by the public without an 
     affirmative vote of a majority of the members of the 
     committee.
       (2)(A) Except as provided in subdivision (B), all committee 
     hearings, records, data, charts, and files shall be kept 
     separate and distinct from the congressional office records 
     of the member serving as its chairman. Such records shall be 
     the property of the House, and each Member, Delegate, and the 
     Resident Commissioner shall have access thereto.
       (B) A Member, Delegate, or Resident Commissioner, other 
     than members of the Committee on Standards of Official 
     Conduct, may not have access to the records of that committee 
     respecting the conduct of a Member, Delegate, Resident 
     Commissioner, officer, or employee of the House without the 
     specific prior permission of that committee.
       (3) Each committee shall include in its rules standards for 
     availability of records of the committee delivered to the 
     Archivist of the United States under rule VII. Such standards 
     shall specify procedures for orders of the committee under 
     clause 3(b)(3) and clause 4(b) of rule VII, including a 
     requirement that nonavailability of a record for a period 
     longer than the period otherwise applicable under that rule 
     shall be approved by vote of the committee.
       (4) Each committee shall make its publications available in 
     electronic form to the maximum extent feasible.
     Prohibition against proxy voting
       (f) A vote by a member of a committee or subcommittee with 
     respect to any measure or matter may not be cast by proxy.
     Open meetings and hearings
       (g)(1) Each meeting for the transaction of business, 
     including the markup of legislation, by a standing committee 
     or subcommittee thereof (other than the Committee on 
     Standards of Official Conduct or its subcommittee) shall be 
     open to the public, including to radio, television, and still 
     photography coverage, except when the committee or 
     subcommittee, in open session and with a majority present, 
     determines by record vote that all or part of the remainder 
     of the meeting on that day shall be in executive session 
     because disclosure of matters to be considered would endanger 
     national security, would compromise sensitive law enforcement 
     information, would tend to defame, degrade, or incriminate 
     any person, or otherwise would violate a law or rule of the 
     House. Persons, other than members of the committee and such 
     noncommittee Members, Delegates, Resident Commissioner, 
     congressional staff, or departmental representatives as the 
     committee may authorize, may not be present at a business or 
     markup session that is held in executive session. This 
     subparagraph does not apply to open committee hearings, which 
     are governed by clause 4(a)(1) of rule X or by subparagraph 
     (2).
       (2)(A) Each hearing conducted by a committee or 
     subcommittee (other than the Committee on Standards of 
     Official Conduct or its subcommittees) shall be open to the 
     public, including to radio, television, and still photography 
     coverage, except when the committee or subcommittee, in open 
     session and with a majority present, determines by record 
     vote that all or part of the remainder of that hearing on 
     that day shall be closed to the public because disclosure of 
     testimony, evidence, or other matters to be considered would 
     endanger national security, would compromise sensitive law 
     enforcement information, or would violate a law or rule of 
     the House.
       (B) Notwithstanding the requirements of subdivision (A), in 
     the presence of the number of members required under the 
     rules of the committee for the purpose of taking testimony, a 
     majority of those present may--
       (i) agree to close the hearing for the sole purpose of 
     discussing whether testimony or evidence to be received would 
     endanger national security, would compromise sensitive law 
     enforcement information, or would violate clause 2(k)(5); or
       (ii) agree to close the hearing as provided in clause 
     2(k)(5).
       (C) A Member, Delegate, or Resident Commissioner may not be 
     excluded from nonparticipatory attendance at a hearing of a 
     committee or subcommittee (other than the Committee on 
     Standards of Official Conduct or its subcommittees) unless 
     the House by majority vote authorizes a particular committee 
     or subcommittee, for purposes of a particular series of 
     hearings on a particular article of legislation or on a 
     particular subject of investigation, to close its hearings to 
     Members, Delegates, and the Resident Commissioner by the same 
     procedures specified in this subparagraph for closing 
     hearings to the public.
       (D) The committee or subcommittee may vote by the same 
     procedure described in this subparagraph to close one 
     subsequent day of hearing, except that the Committee on 
     Appropriations, the Committee on Armed Services, and the 
     Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, and the 
     subcommittees thereof, may vote by the same procedure to 
     close up to five additional, consecutive days of hearings.
       (3) The chairman of each committee (other than the 
     Committee on Rules) shall make public announcement of the 
     date, place, and subject matter of a committee hearing at 
     least one week before the commencement of the hearing. If the 
     chairman of the committee, with the concurrence of the 
     ranking minority member, determines that there is good cause 
     to begin a hearing sooner, or if the committee so determines 
     by majority vote in the presence of the number of members 
     required under the rules of the committee for the transaction 
     of business, the chairman shall make the announcement at the 
     earliest possible date. An announcement made under this 
     subparagraph shall be published promptly in the Daily Digest 
     and made available in electronic form.
       (4) Each committee shall, to the greatest extent 
     practicable, require witnesses who appear before it to submit 
     in advance written statements of proposed testimony and to 
     limit their initial presentations to the committee to brief 
     summaries thereof. In the case of a witness appearing in a 
     nongovernmental capacity, a written statement of proposed 
     testimony shall include a curriculum vitae and a disclosure 
     of the amount and source (by agency and program) of each 
     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.
       (5)(A) Except as provided in subdivision (B), a point of 
     order does not lie with respect to a measure reported by a 
     committee on the ground that hearings on such measure were 
     not conducted in accordance with this clause.
       (B) A point of order on the ground described in subdivision 
     (A) may be made by a member of the committee that reported 
     the measure if such point of order was timely made and 
     improperly disposed of in the committee.
       (6) This paragraph does not apply to hearings of the 
     Committee on Appropriations under clause 4(a)(1) of rule X.
     Quorum requirements
       (h)(1) A measure or recommendation may not be reported by a 
     committee unless a majority of the committee is actually 
     present.
       (2) Each committee may fix the number of its members to 
     constitute a quorum for taking testimony and receiving 
     evidence, which may not be less than two.
       (3) Each committee (other than the Committee on 
     Appropriations, the Committee on the Budget, and the 
     Committee on Ways and Means) may fix the number of its 
     members to constitute a quorum for taking any action other 
     than the reporting of a measure or recommendation, which may 
     not be less than one-third of the members.
     Limitation on committee sittings
       (i) A committee may not sit during a joint session of the 
     House and Senate or during a recess when a joint meeting of 
     the House and Senate is in progress.
     Calling and questioning of witnesses
       (j)(1) Whenever a hearing is conducted by a committee on a 
     measure or matter, the minority members of the committee 
     shall be entitled, upon request to the chairman by a majority 
     of them before the completion of the hearing, to call 
     witnesses selected by the minority to testify with respect to 
     that measure or matter during at least one day of hearing 
     thereon.
       (2)(A) Subject to subdivisions (B) and (C), each committee 
     shall apply the five-minute rule during the questioning of 
     witnesses in a hearing until such time as each member of the 
     committee who so desires has had an opportunity to question 
     each witness.
       (B) A committee may adopt a rule or motion permitting a 
     specified number of its members to question a witness for 
     longer than five minutes. The time for extended questioning 
     of a witness under this subdivision shall be equal for the 
     majority party and the minority party and may not exceed one 
     hour in the aggregate.
       (C) A committee may adopt a rule or motion permitting 
     committee staff for its majority and minority party members 
     to question a witness for equal specified periods. The time 
     for extended questioning of a witness under this subdivision 
     shall be equal for the majority party and the minority party

[[Page H286]]

     and may not exceed one hour in the aggregate.
     Hearing procedures
       (k)(1) The chairman at a hearing shall announce in an 
     opening statement the subject of the hearing.
       (2) A copy of the committee rules and of this clause shall 
     be made available to each witness on request.
       (3) Witnesses at hearings may be accompanied by their own 
     counsel for the purpose of advising them concerning their 
     constitutional rights.
       (4) The chairman may punish breaches of order and decorum, 
     and of professional ethics on the part of counsel, by censure 
     and exclusion from the hearings; and the committee may cite 
     the offender to the House for contempt.
       (5) Whenever it is asserted by a memeber of the committee 
     that the evidence or testimony at a hearing may tend to 
     defame, degrade, or incriminate any person, or it is asserted 
     by a witness that the evidence or testimony that the witness 
     would give at a hearing may tend to defame, degrade, or 
     incriminate the witness--
       (A) notwithstanding paragraph (g)(2), such testimony or 
     evidence shall be presented in executive session if, in the 
     presence of the number of members required under the rules of 
     the committee for the purpose of taking testimony, the 
     committee determines by vote of a majority of those present 
     that such evidence or testimony may tend to defame, degrade, 
     or incriminate any person; and
       (B) the committee shall proceed to receive such testimony 
     in open session only if the committee, a majority being 
     present, determines that such evidence or testimony will not 
     tend to defame, degrade, or incriminate any person.

     In either case the committee shall afford such person an 
     opportunity voluntarily to appear as a witness, and receive 
     and dispose of requests from such person to subpoena 
     additional witnesses.
       (6) Except as provided in subparagraph (5), the chairman 
     shall receive and the committee shall dispose of requests to 
     subpoena additional witnesses.
       (7) Evidence or testimony taken in executive session, and 
     proceedings conducted in executive session, may be released 
     or used in public sessions only when authorized by the 
     committee, a majority being present.
       (8) In the discretion of the committee, witnesses may 
     submit brief and pertinent sworn statements in writing for 
     inclusion in the record. The committee is the sole judge of 
     the pertinence of testimony and evidence adduced at its 
     hearing.
       (9) A witness may obtain a transcript copy of his testimony 
     given at a public session or, if given at an executive 
     session, when authorized by the committee.
     Supplemental, minority, or additional views
       (l) If at the time of approval of a measure or matter by a 
     committee (other than the Committee on Rules) a member of the 
     committee gives notice of intention to file supplemental, 
     minority, or additional views for inclusion in the report to 
     the House thereon, that member shall be entitled to not less 
     than two additional calendar days after the day of such 
     notice (excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and legal holidays 
     except when the House is in session on such a day) to file 
     such views, in writing and signed by that member, with the 
     clerk of the committee.
     Power to sit and act; subpoena power
       (m)(1) For the purpose of carrying out any of its functions 
     and duties under this rule and rule X (including any matters 
     referred to it under clause 2 of rule XII), a committee or 
     subcommittee is authorized (subject to subparagraph (2)(A))--
       (A) to sit and act at such times and places within the 
     United States, whether the House is in session, has recessed, 
     or has adjourned, and to hold such hearings as it considers 
     necessary; and
       (B) to require, by subpoena or otherwise, the attendance 
     and testimony of such witnesses and the production of such 
     books, records, correspondence, memoranda, papers, and 
     documents as it considers necessary.
       (2) The chairman of the committee, or a member designated 
     by the chairman, may administer oaths to witnesses.
       (3)(A)(i) Except as provided in subdivision (A)(ii), a 
     subpoena may be authorized and issued by a committee or 
     subcommittee under subparagraph (1)(B) in the conduct of an 
     investigation or series of investigations or activities only 
     when authorized by the committee or subcommittee, a majority 
     being present. The power to authorize and issue subpoenas 
     under subparagraph (1)(B) may be delegated to the chairman of 
     the committee under such rules and under such limitations as 
     the committee may prescribe. Authorized subpoenas shall be 
     signed by the chairman of the committee or by a member 
     designated by the committee.
       (ii) In the case of a subcommittee of the Committee on 
     Standards of Official Conduct, a subpoena may be authorized 
     and issued only by an affirmative vote of a majority of its 
     members.
       (B) A subpoena duces tecum may specify terms of return 
     other than at a meeting or hearing of the committee or 
     subcommittee authorizing the subpoena.
       (C) Compliance with a subpoena issued by a committee or 
     subcommittee under subparagraph (1)(B) may be enforced only 
     as authorized or directed by the House.

                     *      *      *      *      *

     Audio and visual coverage of committee proceedings
       4. (a) The purpose of this clause is to provide a means, in 
     conformity with acceptable standards of dignity, propriety, 
     and decorum, by which committee hearings or committee 
     meetings that are open to the public may be covered by audio 
     and visual means--
       (1) for the education, enlightenment, and information of 
     the general public, on the basis of accurate and impartial 
     news coverage, regarding the operations, procedures, and 
     practices of the House as a legislative and representative 
     body, and regarding the measures, public issues, and other 
     matters before the House and its committees, the 
     consideration thereof, and the action taken thereon; and
       (2) for the development of the perspective and 
     understanding of the general public with respect to the role 
     and function of the House under the Constitution as an 
     institution of the Federal Government.
       (b) In addition, it is the intent of this clause that radio 
     and television tapes and television film of any coverage 
     under this clause may not be used, or made available for use, 
     as partisan political campaign material to promote or oppose 
     the candidacy of any person for elective public office.
       (c) It is, further, the intent of this clause that the 
     general conduct of each meeting (whether of a hearing or 
     otherwise) covered under authority of this clause by audio or 
     visual means, and the personal behavior of the committee 
     members and staff, other Government officials and personnel, 
     witnesses, television, radio, and press media personnel, and 
     the general public at the hearing or other meeting, shall be 
     in strict conformity with and observance of the acceptable 
     standards of dignity, propriety, courtesy, and decorum 
     traditionally observed by the House in its operations, and 
     may not be such as to--
       (1) distort the objects and purposes of the hearing or 
     other meeting or the activities of committee members in 
     connection with that hearing or meeting or in connection with 
     the general work of the committee or of the House; or
       (2) cast discredit or dishonor on the House, the committee, 
     or a Member, Delegate, or Resident Commissioner or bring the 
     House, the committee, or a Member, Delegate, or Resident 
     Commissioner into disrepute.
       (d) The coverage of committee hearings and meetings by 
     audio and visual means shall be permitted and conducted only 
     in strict conformity with the purposes, provisions, and 
     requirements of this clause.
       (e) Whenever a hearing or meeting conducted by a committee 
     or subcommittee is open to the public, those proceedings 
     shall be open to coverage by audio and visual means. A 
     committee or subcommittee 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).
       (f) Each committee shall adopt written rules to govern its 
     implementation of this clause. Such rules shall contain 
     provisions to the following effect:
       (1) If audio or visual coverage of the hearing or meeting 
     is to be presented to the public as live coverage, that 
     coverage shall be conducted and presented without commercial 
     sponsorship.
       (2) The allocation among the television media of the 
     positions or the number of television cameras permitted by a 
     committee or subcommittee chairman in a hearing or meeting 
     room shall be in accordance with fair and equitable 
     procedures devised by the Executive Committee of the Radio 
     and Television Correspondents' Galleries.
       (3) Television cameras shall be placed so as not to 
     obstruct in any way the space between a witness giving 
     evidence or testimony and any member of the committee or the 
     visibility of that witness and that member to each other.
       (4) Television cameras shall operate from fixed positions 
     but may not be placed in positions that obstruct 
     unnecessarily the coverage of the hearing or meeting by the 
     other media.
       (5) Equipment necessary for coverage by the television and 
     radio media may not be installed in, or removed from, the 
     hearing or meeting room while the committee is in session.
       (6)(A) Except as provided in subdivision (B), floodlights, 
     spotlights, strobelights, and flashguns may not be used in 
     providing any method of coverage of the hearing or meeting.
       (B) The television media may install additional lighting in 
     a hearing or meeting room, without cost to the Government, in 
     order to raise the ambient lighting level in a hearing or 
     meeting room to the lowest level necessary to provide 
     adequate television coverage of a hearing or meeting at the 
     current state of the art of television coverage.
       (7) In the allocation of the number of still photographers 
     permitted by a committee or subcommittee chairman in a 
     hearing or meeting room, preference shall be given to 
     photographers from Associated Press Photos and United Press 
     International Newspictures. If requests are made by more of 
     the media than will be permitted by a committee or 
     subcommittee chairman for coverage of a hearing or meeting by 
     still photography, that coverage shall be permitted on the 
     basis of a fair and equitable pool arrangement devised by the 
     Standing Committee of Press Photographers.

[[Page H287]]

       (8) Photographers may not position themselves between the 
     witness table and the members of the committee at any time 
     during the course of a hearing or meeting.
       (9) Photographers may not place themselves in positions 
     that obstruct unnecessarily the coverage of the hearing by 
     the other media.
       (10) Personnel providing coverage by the television and 
     radio media shall be currently accredited to the Radio and 
     Television Correspondents' Galleries.
       (11) Personnel providing coverage by still photography 
     shall be currently accredited to the Press Photographers' 
     Gallery.
       (12) Personnel providing coverage by the television and 
     radio media and by still photography shall conduct themselves 
     and their coverage activities in an orderly and unobtrusive 
     manner.
     Pay of witnesses
       5. Witnesses appearing before the House or any of its 
     committees shall be paid the same per diem rate as 
     established, authorized, and regulated by the Committee on 
     House Administration for Members, Delegates, the Resident 
     Commissioner, and employees of the House, plus actual 
     expenses of travel to or from the place of examination. Such 
     per diem may not be paid when a witness has been summoned at 
     the place of examination.

C. Filing and Printing of Reports--Rule XIII, Clauses 2, 3 and 4 of the 
                                 House

       2. (a)(1) Except as provided in subparagraph (2), all 
     reports of committees (other than those filed from the floor 
     as privileged) shall be delivered to the Clerk for printing 
     and reference to the proper calendar under the direction of 
     the Speaker in accordance with clause 1. The title or subject 
     of each report shall be entered on the Journal and printed in 
     the Congressional Record.
       (2) A bill or resolution reported adversely shall be laid 
     on the table unless a committee to which the bill or 
     resolution was referred requests at the time of the report 
     its referral to an appropriate calendar under clause 1 or 
     unless, within three days thereafter, a Member, Delegate, or 
     Resident Commissioner makes such a request.
       (b)(1) It shall be the duty of the chairman of each 
     committee to report or cause to be reported promptly to the 
     House a measure or matter approved by the committee and to 
     take or cause to be taken steps necessary to bring the 
     measure or matter to a vote.
       (2) In any event, the report of a committee on a measure 
     that has been approved by the committee shall be filed within 
     seven calendar days (exclusive of days on which the House is 
     not in session) after the day on which a written request for 
     the filing of the report, signed by a majority of the members 
     of the committee, has been filed with the clerk of the 
     committee. The clerk of the committee shall immediately 
     notify the chairman of the filing of such a request. This 
     subparagraph does not apply to a report of the Committee on 
     Rules with respect to a rule, joint rule, or order of 
     business of the House, or to the reporting of a resolution of 
     inquiry addressed to the head of an executive department.
       (c) All supplemental, minority, or additional views filed 
     under clause 2(l) of rule XI by one or more members of a 
     committee shall be included in, and shall be a part of, the 
     report filed by the committee with respect to a measure or 
     matter. When time guaranteed by clause 2(l) of rule XI has 
     expired (or, if sooner, when all separate views have been 
     received), the committee may arrange to file its report with 
     the Clerk not later than one hour after the expiration of 
     such time. This clause and provisions of clause 2(l) of rule 
     XI do not preclude the immediate filing or printing of a 
     committee report in the absence of a timely request for the 
     opportunity to file supplemental, minority, or additional 
     views as provided in clause 2(l) of rule XI.
     Content of reports
       3. (a)(1) Except as provided in subparagraph (2), the 
     report of a committee on a measure or matter shall be printed 
     in a single volume that--
       (A) shall include all supplemental, minority, or additional 
     views that have been submitted by the time of the filing of 
     the report; and
       (B) shall bear on its cover a recital that any such 
     supplemental, minority, or additional views (and any material 
     submitted under paragraph (c)(3) or (4)) are included as part 
     of the report.
       (2) A committee may file a supplemental report for the 
     correction of a technical error in its previous report on a 
     measure or matter. A supplemental report only correcting 
     errors in the depiction of record votes under paragraph (b) 
     may be filed under this subparagraph and shall not be subject 
     to the requirement in clause 4 concerning the availability of 
     reports.
       (b) With respect to each record vote on a motion to report 
     a measure or matter of a public nature, and on any amendment 
     offered to the measure or matter, the total number of votes 
     cast for and against, and the names of members voting for and 
     against, shall be included in the committee report. The 
     preceding sentence does not apply to votes taken in executive 
     session by the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct.
       (c) The report of a committee on a measure that has been 
     approved by the committee shall include, separately set out 
     and clearly identified, the following:
       (1) Oversight findings and recommendations under clause 
     2(b)(1) of rule X.
       (2) The statement required by section 308(a) of the 
     Congressional Budget Act of 1974, except that an estimate of 
     new budget authority shall include, when practicable, a 
     comparison of the total estimated funding level for the 
     relevant programs to the appropriate levels under current 
     law.
       (3) An estimate and comparison prepared by the Director of 
     the Congressional Budget Office under section 402 of the 
     Congressional Budget Act of 1974 if timely submitted to the 
     committee before the filing of the report.
       (4) A statement of general performance goals and 
     objectives, including outcome-related goals and objectives, 
     for which the measure authorizes funding.
       (d) Each report of a committee on a public bill or public 
     joint resolution shall contain the following:
       (1) A statement citing the specific powers granted to 
     Congress in the Constitution to enact the law proposed by the 
     bill or joint resolution.
       (2)(A) An estimate by the committee of the costs that would 
     be incurred in carrying out the bill or joint resolution in 
     the fiscal year in which it is reported and in each of the 
     five fiscal years following that fiscal year (or for the 
     authorized duration of any program authorized by the bill or 
     joint resolution if less than five years);
       (B) A comparison of the estimate of costs described in 
     subdivision (A) made by the committee with any estimate of 
     such costs made by a Government agency and submitted to such 
     committee; and
       (C) When practicable, a comparison of the total estimated 
     funding level for the relevant programs with the appropriate 
     levels under current law.
       (3)(A) In subparagraph (2) the term ``Government agency'' 
     includes any department, agency, establishment, wholly owned 
     Government corporation, or instrumentality of the Federal 
     Government or the government of the District of Columbia.
       (B) Subparagraph (2) does not apply to the Committee on 
     Appropriations, the Committee on House Administration, the 
     Committee on Rules, or the Committee on Standards of Official 
     Conduct, and does not apply when a cost estimate and 
     comparison prepared by the Director of the Congressional 
     Budget Office under section 402 of the Congressional Budget 
     Act of 1974 has been included in the report under paragraph 
     (c)(3).
       (e)(1) Whenever a committee reports a bill or joint 
     resolution proposing to repeal or amend a statute or part 
     thereof, it shall include in its report or in an accompanying 
     document--
       (A) the text of a statute or part thereof that is proposed 
     to be repealed; and
       (B) a comparative print of any part of the bill or joint 
     resolution proposing to amend the statute and of the statute 
     or part thereof proposed to be amended, showing by 
     appropriate typographical devices the omissions and 
     insertions proposed.
       (2) If a committee reports a bill or joint resolution 
     proposing to repeal or amend a statute or part thereof with a 
     recommendation that the bill or joint resolution be amended, 
     the comparative print required by subparagraph (1) shall 
     reflect the changes in existing law proposed to be made by 
     the bill or joint resolution as proposed to be amended.

                     *      *      *      *      *

     Availability of reports
       4. (a)(1) Except as specified in subparagraph (2), it shall 
     not be in order to consider in the House a measure or matter 
     reported by a committee until the third calendar day 
     (excluding Saturdays, Sundays, or legal holidays except when 
     the House is in session on such a day) on which each report 
     of a committee on that measure or matter has been available 
     to Members, Delegates, and the Resident Commissioner.
       (2) Subparagraph (1) does not apply to--
       (A) a resolution providing a rule, joint rule, or order of 
     business reported by the Committee on Rules considered under 
     clause 6;
       (B) a resolution providing amounts from the applicable 
     accounts described in clause 1(i)(1) of rule X reported by 
     the Committee on House Administration considered under clause 
     6 of rule X;
       (C) a bill called from the corrections calendar under 
     clause 6 of rule XV;
       (D) a resolution presenting a question of the privileges of 
     the House reported by any committee;
       (E) a measure for the declaration of war, or the 
     declaration of a national emergency, by Congress; and
       (F) a measure providing for the disapproval of a decision, 
     determination, or action by a Government agency that would 
     become, or continue to be, effective unless disapproved or 
     otherwise invalidated by one or both Houses of Congress. In 
     this subdivision the term ``Government agency'' includes any 
     department, agency, establishment, wholly owned Government 
     corporation, or instrumentality of the Federal Government or 
     of the government of the District of Columbia.
       (b) A committee that reports a measure or matter shall make 
     every reasonable effort to have its hearings thereon (if any) 
     printed and available for distribution to Members, Delegates, 
     and the Resident Commissioner before the consideration of the 
     measure or matter in the House.
       (c) A general appropriation bill reported by the Committee 
     on Appropriations may not be considered in the House until 
     the third calendar day (excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and 
     legal holidays except when the House is

[[Page H288]]

     in session on such a day) on which printed hearings of the 
     Committee on Appropriations thereon have been available to 
     Members, Delegates, and the Resident Commissioner.

                   III. SELECTED MATTERS OF INTEREST

A. 5 U.S.C. Sec. 2954. Information to Committees of Congress on Request

       An Executive agency, on request of the Committee on 
     Government Operations of the House of Representatives, or of 
     any seven members thereof, or on request of the Committee on 
     Government Operations of the Senate, or any five members 
     thereof, shall submit any information requested of it 
     relating to any matter within the jurisdiction of the 
     committee.

B. 18 U.S.C. Sec. 1505. Obstruction of Proceedings Before Departments, 
                        Agencies, and Committees

       Whoever, with intent to avoid, evade, prevent, or obstruct 
     compliance, in whole or in part, with any civil investigative 
     demand duly and properly made under the Antitrust Civil 
     Process Act, willfully withholds, misrepresents, removes from 
     any place, conceals, covers up, destroys, mutilates, alters, 
     or by other means falsifies any documentary material, answers 
     to written interrogatories, or oral testimony, which is the 
     subject of such demand; or attempts to do so or solicits 
     another to do so; or
       Whoever corruptly, or by threats or force, or by any 
     threatening letter or communication influences, obstructs, or 
     impedes or endeavors to influence, obstruct, or impede the 
     due and proper administration of the law under which any 
     pending proceeding is being had before any department or 
     agency of the United States, or the due and proper exercise 
     of the power or inquiry under which any inquiry or 
     investigation is being had by either House, or any committee 
     or either House or any joint committee of the Congress--
       Shall be fined not more than $5,000 or imprisoned not more 
     than five years, or both.

      C. 31 U.S.C. Sec. 712. Investigating the Use of Public Money

       The Comptroller General shall--

              *      *      *      *      *      *      *

       (3) analyze expenditures of each executive agency the 
     Comptroller General believes will help Congress decide 
     whether public money has been used and expended economically 
     and efficiently;
       (4) make an investigation and report ordered by either 
     House of Congress or a committee of Congress having 
     jurisdiction over revenue, appropriations, or expenditures; 
     and
       (5) give a committee of Congress having jurisdiction over 
     revenue, appropriations, or expenditures the help and 
     information the committee requests.

           D. 31 U.S.C. Sec. 719. Comptroller General Reports

              *      *      *      *      *      *      *

       (e) The Comptroller General shall report on analyses 
     carried out under section 712(3) of this title to the 
     Committees on Governmental Affairs and Appropriations of the 
     Senate, the Committees on Government Operations and 
     Appropriations of the House, and the committees with 
     jurisdiction over legislation related to the operation of 
     each executive agency.\1\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
     \1\ For other requirements which relate to General Accounting 
     Office reports to Congress and which affect the committee, 
     see secs. 232 and 236 of the Legislative Reorganization Act 
     of 1970 (Public Law 91-150).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

              *      *      *      *      *      *      *

       (i) On request of a committee of Congress, the Comptroller 
     General shall explain to discuss with the committee or 
     committee staff a report the Comptroller General makes that 
     would help the committee--
       (1) evaluate a program or activity of an agency within the 
     jurisdiction of the committee; or
       (2) in its consideration of proposed legislation.

E. 31 U.S.C. Sec. 717. Evaluating Programs and Activities of the United 
                           States Government

              *      *      *      *      *      *      *

       (d)(1) On request of a committee of Congress, the 
     Comptroller General shall help the committee to--
       (A) develop a statement of legislative goals and ways to 
     assess and report program performance related to the goals, 
     including recommended ways to assess performance, information 
     to be reported, responsibility for reporting, frequency of 
     reports, and feasibility of pilot testing; and
       (B) assess program evaluations prepared by and for an 
     agency.
       (2) On request of a member of Congress, the Comptroller 
     General shall give the member a copy of the material the 
     Comptroller General compiles in carrying out this subsection 
     that has been released by the committee for which the 
     material was compiled.

           F. 31 U.S.C. Sec. 1113. Congressional Information

       (a)(1) When requested by a committee of Congress having 
     jurisdiction over receipts or appropriations, the President 
     shall provide the committee with assistance and information.
       (2) When requested by a committee of Congress, additional 
     information related to the amount of an appropriation 
     originally requested by an Office of Inspector General shall 
     be submitted to the committee.
       (b) When requested by a committee of Congress, by the 
     Comptroller General, or by the Director of the Congressional 
     Budget Office, the Secretary of the Treasury, the Director of 
     the Office of Management and Budget, and the head of each 
     executive agency shall--
       (1) provide information on the location and kind of 
     available fiscal, budget, and program information;
       (2) to the extent practicable, prepare summary tables of 
     that fiscal, budget, and program information and related 
     information of the committee, the Comptroller General, or the 
     Director of the Congressional Budget Office considers 
     necessary; and
       (3) provide a program evaluation carried out or 
     commissioned by an executive agency.
       (c) In cooperation with the Director of the Congressional 
     Budget Office, the Secretary, and the Director of the Office 
     of Management and Budget, the Comptroller General shall--
       (1) establish and maintain a current directory of sources 
     of, and information systems for, fiscal, budget, and program 
     information and a brief description of the contents of each 
     source and system;
       (2) when requested, provide assistance to committees of 
     Congress and members of Congress in obtaining information 
     from the sources in the directory; and
       (3) when requested, provide assistance to committees and 
     the extent practicable, to members of Congress in evaluating 
     the information from the sources in the directory; and
       (d) To the extent they consider necessary, the Comptroller 
     General and the Director of the Congressional Budget Office 
     individually or jointly shall establish and maintain a file 
     of information to meet recurring needs of Congress for 
     fiscal, budget, and program information to carry out this 
     section and sections 717 and 1112 of this title. The file 
     shall include information on budget requests, congressional 
     authorizations to obligations and expenditures. The 
     Comptroller General and the Director shall maintain the file 
     and an index so that it is easier for the committees and 
     agencies of Congress to use the file and index through data 
     processing and communications techniques.
       (e)(1) The Comptroller General shall--
       (A) carry out a continuing program to identify the needs of 
     committees and members of Congress for fiscal budget, and 
     program information to carry out this section and section 
     1112 of this title;
       (B) assist committees of Congress in developing their 
     information needs;
       (C) monitor recurring reporting requirements of Congress 
     and committees; and
       (D) make recommendations to Congress and committees for 
     changes and improvements in those reporting requirements to 
     meet information needs identified by the Comptroller General, 
     to improve their usefulness to congressional users, and to 
     eliminate unnecessary reporting.
       (2) Before September 2 of each year, the Comptroller 
     General shall report to Congress on--
       (A) the needs identified under paragraph (1)(A) of this 
     subsection;
       (B) the relationship of those needs to existing reporting 
     requirements;
       (C) the extent to which reporting by the executive branch 
     of the United States Government currently meets the 
     identified needs;
       (D) the changes to standard classifications necessary to 
     meet congressional needs;
       (E) activities, progress, and results of the program of the 
     Comptroller General under paragraph (1)(B)-(D) of this 
     subsection; and
       (F) progress of the executive branch in the prior year.
       (3) Before March 2 of each year, the Director of the Office 
     of Management and Budget and the Secretary shall report to 
     Congress on plans for meeting the needs identified under 
     paragraph (1)(A) of this subsection, including--
       (A) plans for carrying out changes to classifications to 
     meet information needs of Congress;
       (B) the status of information systems in the prior year; 
     and
       (C) the use of standard classifications.
     (Public Law 97-258, Sept. 13, 1982, 96 Stat. 914; Public Law 
     97-452, Sec. 1(3), Jan. 12, 1983, 96 Stat. 2467.)

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