[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 16 (Tuesday, February 15, 2005)]
[House]
[Pages H612-H614]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 PUBLICATION OF THE RULES OF THE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT REFORM, 109TH 
                                CONGRESS

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Tom Davis) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, pursuant to clause 2(a)2 of 
Rule XI of the Rules of the House of Representatives, I hereby submit 
the rules of the Committee on Government Reform for the 109th Congress 
for publication in the Congressional Record. These rules were adopted 
by voice vote on February 9, 2005 at an open meeting of the Committee.

            The Rules of the Committee on Government Reform


                      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.


                            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 3 
     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.


                            Rule 3. Quorums

       (a) 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.
       (b) The Chairman of the committee may, at the request of a 
     subcommittee chairman, make a temporary assignment of any 
     member of the committee to such subcommittee for the purpose 
     of constituting a quorum at and participating in any public 
     hearing by such subcommittee to be held outside of 
     Washington, DC. Members appointed to such temporary positions 
     shall not be voting members. The Chairman shall give 
     reasonable notice of such temporary assignment to the ranking 
     members of the committee and subcommittee.


                       Rule 4. Committee Reports

       Bills and resolutions approved by the committee shall be 
     reported by the chairman following House Rule XIII, clauses 2 
     and 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 3 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(1) and Rule XIII, clause 
     3(a)(1). The time allowed for filing such views shall be 3 
     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 than 7 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.

[[Page H613]]

                          Rule 5. Proxy Votes

       In accordance with the Rules of the House of 
     Representatives, members may not vote by proxy on any measure 
     or matter before the committee or any subcommittee.


                          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 of the members 
     present.


                  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 roll call 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.


                    Rule 8. Subcommittees; Referrals

       (a) There shall be seven standing subcommittees with 
     appropriate party ratios. The Chairman shall assign members 
     to subcommittees. Minority party assignments shall be made 
     only with the concurrence of the Ranking Minority Member. The 
     subcommittees shall have the following fixed jurisdictions:
       (i) Subcommittee on National Security, Emerging Threats, 
     and International Relations--All matters relating to the 
     oversight of national security, emerging threats, veterans 
     affairs, homeland security, and international relations, 
     including anti-terrorism efforts, both foreign and domestic, 
     and international trade.
       (ii) Subcommittee on Criminal Justice, Drug Policy and 
     Human Resources--All matters relating to the criminal justice 
     system, the Nation's counter-narcotics programs, both foreign 
     and domestic, and food and drug safety; all matters relating 
     to the oversight of the Judiciary, public health and welfare, 
     education, arts, the humanities, publicly sponsored media, 
     and the National Parks.
       (iii) Subcommittee on Government Management, Finance, and 
     Accountability--All matters relating to financial management 
     of executive departments and agencies, excluding acquisition; 
     all matters relating to governmental accounting measures; all 
     matters relating to the overall efficiency and management of 
     government operations including program assessment and review 
     and excluding Federal property; all matters relating to 
     public records, including presidential records, the public 
     access to records, advisory committees, and the Archives; and 
     all matters relating to the oversight of financial services, 
     government-sponsored enterprises, and the nation's economic 
     growth.
       (iv) Subcommittee on and Regulatory Affairs--All matters 
     relating to regulatory reform, Congressional review, the 
     costs of regulation, and paperwork reduction measures; and 
     all matters relating to the oversight of tax policy.
       (v) Subcommittee on Federalism and the Census--All matters 
     relating to inter-governmental relations and aid to the 
     States and localities, including unfunded mandates, grant 
     management reform, brownfields clean-up and redevelopment, 
     and infrastructure; all matters relating to population and 
     demography generally, including the Census, and the Bureau of 
     Economic Analysis. All matters relating to the oversight of 
     housing and urban development.
       (vi) Subcommittee on Energy and Resources--All matters 
     related to the oversight of environmental policy, natural 
     resources, and federal land; and all matters related to the 
     oversight of energy policy, commerce, housing, and urban 
     development.
       (vii) Subcommittee on the Federal Workforce and Agency 
     Organization--All matters relating to the federal civil 
     service, including personnel, compensation, employment 
     benefits and employee relations; all matters relating to 
     reorganizations of the executive branch including the study 
     of redundancy; and all matters relating to the oversight of 
     workforce, retirement, and health policy.
       (b) The full committee shall retain jurisdiction over 
     federal acquisition policy, federal property, information 
     management, technology policy, the Postal Service, and the 
     District of Columbia.
       (c) Bills, resolutions, and other matters shall be 
     expeditiously referred by the Chairman to subcommittees 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 
     judgment, 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.


                       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

       (a) Each subcommittee of the Committee is authorized to 
     meet, hold hearings, receive testimony, mark up legislation, 
     and report to the full Committee on any measure or matter 
     referred to it.
       (b) No subcommittee of the Committee may meet or hold a 
     hearing at the same time as a meeting or hearing of the 
     Committee.
       (c) The chairman of each subcommittee shall set hearing and 
     meeting dates only with the approval of the Chairman with a 
     view toward assuring the availability of meeting rooms and 
     avoiding simultaneous scheduling of Committee and 
     subcommittee meetings or hearings.
       (d) Each subcommittee chairman shall notify the Chairman 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.
       (e) 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.


                         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.


                       Rule 14. Five-Minute Rule

       (a) 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.
       (b) 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.
       (c) 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.
       (d) Nothing in paragraph (b) or (c) affects the rights of a 
     Member (other than a Member designated under paragraph (b)) 
     to question a witness for 5 minutes in accordance with 
     paragraph (a) after the questioning permitted under paragraph 
     (b) or (c). In any extended questioning permitted under 
     paragraph (b) or (c), 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 (c) 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

       (a) 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.

[[Page H614]]

       (b) 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.
       (c) 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 and Authorities 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.
       (h) The Chairman is directed to offer a motion under clause 
     1 of Rule XXII of the Rules of the House whenever the 
     Chairman considers it appropriate.


                      Rule 19. Subjects of Stamps

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


                    Rule 20. Panels and Task Forces

       (a) The chairman of the committee is authorized to appoint 
     panels or task forces to carry out the duties and functions 
     of the committee.
       (b) The chairman and ranking minority member of the 
     committee may serve as ex-officio members of each panel or 
     task force.
       (c) The chairman of any panel or task force shall be 
     appointed by the chairman of the committee. The ranking 
     minority member shall select a ranking minority member for 
     each panel or task force.
       (d) The House and committee rules applicable to 
     subcommittee meetings, hearings, recommendations and reports 
     shall apply to the meetings, hearings, recommendations and 
     reports of panels and task forces.
       (e) No panel or task force so appointed shall continue in 
     existence for more than six months. A panel or task force so 
     appointed may, upon the expiration of six months, be 
     reappointed by the chairman.

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