[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 18 (Thursday, February 17, 2005)]
[Senate]
[Page S1599]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            RULES OF PROCEDURE--COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS

  Mr. COCHRAN. Mr. President, the Senate Appropriations Committee has 
adopted rules governing its procedures for the 109th Congress. Pursuant 
to Rule XXVI, paragraph 2, of the Standing Rules of the Senate, on 
behalf of myself and Senator Byrd, I ask unanimous consent that a copy 
of the committee rules be printed in the Record.
  There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in 
the Record, as follows:

         Senate Appropriations Committee Rules--109th Congress


                              I. MEETINGS

       The Committee will meet at the call of the Chairman.


                              II. QUORUMS

       1. Reporting a bill. A majority of the members must be 
     present for the reporting of a bill.
       2. Other business. For the purpose of transacting business 
     other than reporting a bill or taking testimony, one-third of 
     the members of the Committee shall constitute a quorum.
       3. Taking testimony. For the purpose of taking testimony, 
     other than sworn testimony, by the Committee or any 
     subcommittee, one member of the Committee or subcommittee 
     shall constitute a quorum. For the purpose of taking sworn 
     testimony by the Committee, three members shall constitute a 
     quorum, and for the taking of sworn testimony by any 
     subcommittee, one member shall constitute a quorum.


                              III. PROXIES

       Except for the reporting of a bill, votes may be cast by 
     proxy when any member so requests.


           IV. ATTENDANCE OF STAFF MEMBERS AT CLOSED SESSIONS

       Attendance of staff members at closed sessions of the 
     Committee shall be limited to those members of the Committee 
     staff who have a responsibility associated with the matter 
     being considered at such meeting. This rule may be waived by 
     unanimous consent.


        V. BROADCASTING AND PHOTOGRAPHING OF COMMITTEE HEARINGS

       The Committee or any of its subcommittees may permit the 
     photographing and broadcast of open hearings by television 
     and/or radio. However, if any member of a subcommittee 
     objects to the photographing or broadcasting of an open 
     hearing, the question shall be referred to the full Committee 
     for its decision.


                VI. AVAILABILITY OF SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS

       To the extent possible, when the bill and report of any 
     subcommittee are available, they shall be furnished to each 
     member of the Committee thirty-six hours prior to the 
     Committee's consideration of said bill and report.


                  VII. AMENDMENTS AND REPORT LANGUAGE

       To the extent possible, amendments and report language 
     intended to be proposed by Senators at full Committee markups 
     shall be provided in writing to the Chairman and Ranking 
     Minority Member and the appropriate Subcommittee Chairman and 
     Ranking Minority Member twenty-four hours prior to such 
     markups.


                         VIII. POINTS OF ORDER

       Any member of the Committee who is floor manager of an 
     appropriations bill, is hereby authorized to make points of 
     order against any amendment offered in violation of the 
     Senate Rules on the floor of the Senate to such 
     appropriations bill.


                       IX. EX OFFICIO MEMBERSHIP

       The Chairman and Ranking Minority Member of the full 
     Committee are ex officio members of all subcommittees of 
     which they are not regular members but shall have no vote in 
     the subcommittee and shall not be counted for purposes of 
     determining a quorum.

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