[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 13 (Tuesday, January 23, 2007)]
[House]
[Pages H867-H870]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  PUBLICATION OF THE RULES OF THE COMMITTEE ON ARMED SERVICES, 110TH 
                                CONGRESS

       The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the 
     House, the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Skelton) is 
     recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. SKELTON. Madam Speaker, In accordance with clause 2 of rule XI of 
the Rules of the House, I respectfully submit the rules of the 
Committee on Armed Services for printing in the Congressional Record. 
On January 10, 2007, the Committee on Armed Services adopted by a 
unanimous vote, a quorum being present, the following rules:

        Rules of the Committee on Armed Services, 110th Congress


                   RULE 1. APPLICATION OF HOUSE RULES

       The Rules of the House of Representatives are the rules of 
     the Committee on Armed Services (hereinafter referred to in 
     these rules as the ``Committee'') and its subcommittees so 
     far as applicable.


                  RULE 2. FULL COMMITTEE MEETING DATE

       (a) The Committee shall meet every Wednesday at 10 a.m., 
     when the House of Representatives is in session, and at such 
     other times as may be fixed by the Chairman of the Committee 
     (hereinafter referred to as the ``Chairman''), or by written 
     request of members of the Committee pursuant to clause 2(c) 
     of rule XI of the Rules of the House of Representatives.
       (b) A Wednesday meeting of the Committee may be dispensed 
     with by the Chairman, but such action may be reversed by a 
     written request of a majority of the members of the 
     Committee.

[[Page H868]]

                   RULE 3. SUBCOMMITTEE MEETING DATES

       Each subcommittee is authorized to meet, hold hearings, 
     receive evidence, and report to the Committee on all matters 
     referred to it. Insofar as possible, meetings of the 
     Committee and its subcommittees shall not conflict. A 
     subcommittee Chairman shall set meeting dates after 
     consultation with the Chairman, other subcommittee Chairmen, 
     and the Ranking Minority Member of the subcommittee with a 
     view toward avoiding, whenever possible, simultaneous 
     scheduling of committee and subcommittee meetings or 
     hearings.


   RULE 4. JURISDICTION AND MEMBERSHIP OF COMMITTEE AND SUBCOMMITTEES

       (a) Jurisdiction
       (1) The Committee retains jurisdiction of all subjects 
     listed in clause 1 (c) of rule X of the Rules of the House of 
     Representatives and retains exclusive jurisdiction for: 
     defense policy generally, ongoing military operations, the 
     organization and reform of the Department of Defense and 
     Department of Energy, counter-drug programs, acquisition and 
     industrial base policy, technology transfer and export 
     controls, joint interoperability, the Cooperative Threat 
     Reduction program, Department of Energy nonproliferation 
     programs, and detainee affairs and policy. While 
     subcommittees are provided jurisdictional responsibilities in 
     subparagraph (2), the Committee retains the right to exercise 
     oversight and legislative jurisdiction over all subjects 
     within its purview under rule X of the Rules of the House of 
     Representatives.
       (2) The Committee shall be organized to consist of seven 
     standing subcommittees with the following jurisdictions:
       Subcommittee on Air and Land Forces: All Army and Air Force 
     acquisition programs (except strategic missiles, special 
     operations and information technology programs). In addition, 
     the subcommittee will be responsible for deep strike bombers 
     and related systems, National Guard and Army and Air Force 
     reserve modernization, and ammunition programs.
       Subcommittee on Readiness: Military readiness, training, 
     logistics and maintenance issues and programs. In addition, 
     the subcommittee will be responsible for all military 
     construction, installations and family housing issues, 
     including the base closure process.
       Subcommittee on Terrorism, Unconventional Threats and 
     Capabilities: Department of Defense counter-proliferation and 
     counter-terrorism programs and initiatives. In addition, the 
     subcommittee will be responsible for Special Operations 
     Forces; science and technology policy, including the Defense 
     Advanced Research Projects Agency and information technology 
     programs; force protection policy and oversight; homeland 
     defense and consequence management programs within the 
     committee's jurisdiction; and related intelligence support.
       Subcommittee on Military Personnel: Military personnel 
     policy, reserve component integration and employment issues, 
     military health care, military education and POW/MIA issues. 
     In addition, the subcommittee will be responsible for Morale, 
     Welfare and Recreation issues and programs.
       Subcommittee on Strategic Forces: Strategic Forces (except 
     deep strike systems), space programs, ballistic missile 
     defense, intelligence policy and national programs and 
     Department of Energy national security programs (except non-
     proliferation programs).
       Subcommittee on Seapower and Expeditionary Forces: Navy and 
     Marine Corps programs (except strategic weapons, space, 
     special operations and information technology programs) and 
     Naval Reserve equipment. In addition, the subcommittee will 
     be responsible for Maritime programs under the jurisdiction 
     of the Committee as delineated in rule X, clauses 5, 6, and 9 
     of the Rules of the House of Representatives.
       Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations: Any matter 
     within the jurisdiction of the Committee, subject to the 
     concurrence of the Chairman of the Committee and, as 
     appropriate, affected subcommittee chairmen. The subcommittee 
     shall have no legislative jurisdiction.
       (b) Membership of the Subcommittees
       (1) Subcommittee memberships, with the exception of 
     membership on the Subcommittee on Oversight and 
     Investigations, shall be filled in accordance with the rules 
     of the Majority party's caucus and the Minority party's 
     conference, respectively.
       (2) The Chairman and Ranking Minority Member of the 
     Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations shall be filled 
     in accordance with the rules of the Majority party's caucus 
     and the Minority party's conference, respectively. Consistent 
     with the party ratios established by the Majority party, all 
     other Majority members of the subcommittee shall be appointed 
     by the Chairman of the Committee, and all other Minority 
     members shall be appointed by the Ranking Minority Member of 
     the Committee.


                RULE 5. COMMITTEE PANELS AND TASK FORCES

       (a) Committee Panels
       (1) The Chairman may designate a panel of the Committee 
     consisting of members of the Committee to inquire into and 
     take testimony on a matter or matters that fall within the 
     jurisdiction of more than one subcommittee and to report to 
     the Committee.
       (2) No panel appointed by the Chairman shall continue in 
     existence for more than six months after the appointment. A 
     panel so appointed may, upon the expiration of six months, be 
     reappointed by the Chairman for a period of time which is not 
     to exceed six months.
       (3) Consistent with the party ratios established by the 
     Majority party, all Majority members of the panels shall be 
     appointed by the Chairman of the Committee, and all Minority 
     members shall be appointed by the Ranking Minority Member of 
     the Committee. The Chairman of the Committee shall choose one 
     of the Majority members so appointed who does not currently 
     chair another subcommittee of the Committee to serve as 
     Chairman of the panel. The Ranking Minority Member of the 
     Committee shall similarly choose the Ranking Minority Member 
     of the panel.
       (4) No panel shall have legislative jurisdiction.
       (b) Committee and Subcommittee Task Forces
       (1) The Chairman of the Committee, or a Chairman of a 
     subcommittee with the concurrence of the Chairman of the 
     Committee, may designate a task force to inquire into and 
     take testimony on a matter that falls within the jurisdiction 
     of the Committee or subcommittee, respectively. The Chairman 
     and Ranking Minority Member of the Committee or subcommittee 
     shall each appoint an equal number of members to the task 
     force. The Chairman of the Committee or subcommittee shall 
     choose one of the members so appointed, who does not 
     currently chair another subcommittee of the Committee, to 
     serve as Chairman of the task force. The Ranking Minority 
     Member of the Committee or subcommittee shall similarly 
     appoint the Ranking Minority Member of the task force.
       (2) No task force appointed by the Chairman of the 
     Committee or subcommittee shall continue in existence for 
     more than three months. A task force may only be reappointed 
     for an additional three months with the written concurrence 
     of the Chairman and Ranking Minority Member of the Committee 
     or subcommittee whose Chairman appointed the task force.
       (3) No task force shall have legislative jurisdiction.


           RULE 6. REFERENCE AND CONSIDERATION OF LEGISLATION

       (a) The Chairman shall refer legislation and other matters 
     to the appropriate subcommittee or to the full Committee.
       (b) Legislation shall be taken up for a hearing or markup 
     only when called by the Chairman of the Committee or 
     subcommittee, as appropriate, or by a majority of those 
     present and voting.
       (c) The Chairman, with approval of a majority vote of a 
     quorum of the Committee, shall have authority to discharge a 
     subcommittee from consideration of any measure or matter 
     referred thereto and have such measure or matter considered 
     by the Committee.
       (d) Reports and recommendations of a subcommittee may not 
     be considered by the Committee until after the intervention 
     of three calendar days from the time the report is approved 
     by the subcommittee and available to the members of the 
     Committee, except that this rule may be waived by a majority 
     vote of a quorum of the Committee.


          RULE 7. PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT OF HEARINGS AND MEETINGS

       Pursuant to clause 2(g)(3) of rule XI of the Rules of the 
     House of Representatives, the Chairman of the Committee, or 
     of any subcommittee, panel, or task force shall make public 
     announcement of the date, place, and subject matter of any 
     hearing before that body at least one week before the 
     commencement of the hearing. However, if the Chairman of the 
     Committee, or of any subcommittee, panel, or task force, with 
     the concurrence of the respective Ranking Minority Member, 
     detennines that there is good cause to begin the hearing 
     sooner, or if the Committee, subcommittee, panel, or task 
     force so determines by majority vote, a quorum being present 
     for the transaction of business, such chairman shall make 
     the announcement at the earliest possible date. Any 
     announcement made under this rule shall be promptly 
     published in the Daily Digest, promptly entered into the 
     committee scheduling service of the House Information 
     Resources, and promptly posted to the internet web page 
     maintained by the Committee.


        RULE 8. BROADCASTING OF COMMITTEE HEARINGS AND MEETINGS

       Clause 4 of rule XI of the Rules of the House of 
     Representatives shall apply to the Committee.


            RULE 9. MEETINGS AND HEARINGS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

       (a) Each hearing and meeting for the transaction of 
     business, including the markup of legislation, conducted by 
     the Committee, or any subcommittee, panel, or task force, to 
     the extent that the respective body is authorized to conduct 
     markups, shall be open to the public except when the 
     Committee, subcommittee, panel, or task force in open session 
     and with a majority being present, determines by record vote 
     that all or part of the remainder of that hearing or meeting 
     on that day shall be in executive session because disclosure 
     of testimony, evidence, or other matters to be considered 
     would endanger the national security, would compromise 
     sensitive law enforcement information, or would violate any 
     law or rule of the House of Representatives. Notwithstanding 
     the requirements of the preceding sentence, a majority of 
     those present, there being in attendance no fewer than two 
     members of the Committee, subcommittee, panel, or task

[[Page H869]]

     force may vote to close a hearing or meeting for the sole 
     purpose of discussing whether testimony or evidence to be 
     received would endanger the national security, would 
     compromise sensitive law enforcement information, or would 
     violate any law or rule of the House of Representatives. If 
     the decision is to proceed in executive session, the vote 
     must be by record vote and in open session, a majority of the 
     Committee, subcommittee, panel, or task force being present.
       (b) Whenever it is asserted by a member of the committee or 
     subcommittee 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, notwithstanding the requirements 
     of (a) and the provisions of clause 2(g)(2) of rule XI of the 
     Rules of the House of Representatives, such evidence or 
     testimony shall be presented in executive session, if by a 
     majority vote of those present, there being in attendance no 
     fewer than two members of the Committee or subcommittee, the 
     Committee or subcommittee determines that such evidence may 
     tend to defame, degrade or incriminate any person. A majority 
     of those present, there being in attendance no fewer than two 
     members of the Committee or subcommittee may also vote to 
     close the hearing or meeting for the sole purpose of 
     discussing whether evidence or testimony to be received would 
     tend to defame, degrade or incriminate any person. The 
     Committee or subcommittee shall proceed to receive such 
     testimony in open session only if the Committee or 
     subcommittee, a majority being present, determines that such 
     evidence or testimony will not tend to defame, degrade or 
     incriminate any person.
       (c) Notwithstanding the foregoing, and with the approval of 
     the Chairman, each member of the Committee may designate by 
     letter to the Chairman, only one member of that member's 
     personal staff, which may include fellows, with Top Secret 
     security clearance to attend hearings of the Committee, or 
     that member's subcommittee(s), panel(s), or task force(s) 
     (excluding briefings or meetings held under the provisions of 
     committee rule 9(a)), which have been closed under the 
     provisions of rule 9(a) above for national security purposes 
     for the taking of testimony. The attendance of such a staff 
     member or fellow at such hearings is subject to the approval 
     of the Committee, subcommittee, panel, or task force as 
     dictated by national security requirements at that time. The 
     attainment of any required security clearances is the 
     responsibility of individual members of the Committee.
       (d) Pursuant to clause 2(g)(2) of rule XI of the Rules of 
     the House of Representatives, no Member, Delegate, or 
     Resident Commissioner may be excluded from nonparticipatory 
     attendance at any hearing of the Committee or a subcommittee, 
     unless the House of Representatives shall by majority vote 
     authorize the Committee or subcommittee, for purposes of a 
     particular series of hearings on a particular article of 
     legislation or on a particular subject of investigation, to 
     close its hearings to Members, Delegates, and the Resident 
     Commissioner by the same procedures designated in this rule 
     for closing hearings to the public.
       (e) The Committee or the subcommittee may vote, by the same 
     procedure, to meet in executive session for up to five 
     additional consecutive days of hearings.


                            RULE 10. QUORUM

       (a) For purposes of taking testimony and receiving 
     evidence, two members shall constitute a quorum.
       (b) One-third of the members of the Committee or 
     subcommittee shall constitute a quorum for taking any action, 
     with the following exceptions, in which case a majority of 
     the Committee or subcommittee shall constitute a quorum:
       (1) Reporting a measure or recommendation;
       (2) Closing committee or subcommittee meetings and hearings 
     to the public;
       (3) Authorizing the issuance of subpoenas;
       (4) Authorizing the use of executive session material; and
       (5) Voting to proceed in open session after voting to close 
     to discuss whether evidence or testimony to be received would 
     tend to defame, degrade, or incriminate any person.
       (c) No measure or recommendation shall be reported to the 
     House of Representatives unless a majority of the Committee 
     is actually present.


                     RULE 11. THE FIVE-MINUTE RULE

       (a) The time anyone member may address the Committee or 
     subcommittee on any measure or matter under consideration 
     shall not exceed five minutes and then only when the member 
     has been recognized by the Chairman or subcommittee chairman, 
     as appropriate, except that this time limit may be exceeded 
     by unanimous consent. Any member, upon request, shall be 
     recognized for not more than five minutes to address the 
     Committee or subcommittee on behalf of an amendment which the 
     member has offered to any pending bill or resolution. The 
     five-minute limitation shall not apply to the Chairman and 
     Ranking Minority Member of the Committee or subcommittee.
       (b)(1) Members who are present at a hearing of the 
     Committee or subcommittee when a hearing is originally 
     convened shall be recognized by the Chairman or subcommittee 
     chairman, as appropriate, in order of seniority. Those 
     members arriving subsequently shall be recognized in order of 
     their arrival. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Chairman 
     and the Ranking Minority Member will take precedence upon 
     their arrival. In recognizing members to question witnesses 
     in this fashion, the Chairman shall take into consideration 
     the ratio of the Majority to Minority members present and 
     shall establish the order of recognition for questioning in 
     such a manner as not to disadvantage the members of either 
     party.
       (2) The Chairman of the Committee or a subcommittee, with 
     the concurrence of the respective Ranking Minority Member, 
     may depart with the regular order for questioning which is 
     specified in paragraphs (a) and (b) of this rule provided 
     that such a decision is announced prior to the hearing or 
     prior to the opening statements of the witnesses and that any 
     such departure applies equally to the Majority and the 
     Minority.
       (c) No person other than a Member, Delegate, or Resident 
     Commissioner of Congress and committee staff may be seated in 
     or behind the dais area during Committee, subcommittee, 
     panel, or task force hearings and meetings.


             RULE 12. POWER TO SIT AND ACT; SUBPOENA POWER

       (a) For the purpose of carrying out any of its functions 
     and duties under rules X and XI of the Rules of the House of 
     Representatives, the Committee and any subcommittee is 
     authorized (subject to subparagraph (b)(1) of this 
     paragraph):
       (1) 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 hearings, and
       (2) to require by subpoena, or otherwise, the attendance 
     and testimony of such witnesses and the production of such 
     books, records, correspondence, memorandums, papers and 
     documents, including, but not limited to, those in electronic 
     form, as it considers necessary.
       (b) (1) A subpoena may be authorized and issued by the 
     Committee, or any subcommittee with the concurrence of the 
     full Committee Chairman and after consultation with the 
     Ranking Member of the Committee, under subparagraph (a)(2) in 
     the conduct of any investigation, or series of investigations 
     or activities, only when authorized by a majority of the 
     members voting, a majority of the Committee or subcommittee 
     being present. Authorized subpoenas shall be signed only by 
     the Chairman, or by any member designated by the Committee.
       (2) Pursuant to clause 2(m) of rule XI of the Rules of the 
     House of Representatives, compliance with any subpoena issued 
     by the Committee or any subcommittee under subparagraph 
     (a)(2) may be enforced only as authorized or directed by the 
     House of Representatives.


                      RULE 13: WITNESS STATEMENTS

       (a) Any prepared statement to be presented by a witness to 
     the Committee or a subcommittee shall be submitted to the 
     Committee or subcommittee at least 48 hours in advance of 
     presentation and shall be distributed to all members of the 
     Committee or subcommittee as soon as practicable but not less 
     than 24 hours in advance of presentation. A copy of any such 
     prepared statement shall also be submitted to the Committee 
     in electronic form. If a prepared statement contains national 
     security information bearing a classification of secret or 
     higher, the statement shall be made available in the 
     Committee rooms to all members of the Committee or 
     subcommittee as soon as practicable but not less than 24 
     hours in advance of presentation; however, no such statement 
     shall be removed from the Committee offices. The requirement 
     of this rule may be waived by a majority vote of the 
     Committee or subcommittee, a quorum being present. In cases 
     where a witness does not submit a statement by the time 
     required under this rule, the Chairman of the Committee or 
     subcommittee, as appropriate, with the concurrence of the 
     respective Ranking Minority Member, may elect to exclude the 
     witness from the hearing.
       (b) The Committee and each subcommittee shall require each 
     witness who is to appear before it to file with the Committee 
     in advance of his or her appearance a written statement of 
     the proposed testimony and to limit the oral presentation at 
     such appearance to a brief summary of the submitted written 
     statement.


               RULE 14. ADMINISTERING OATHS TO WITNESSES

       (a) The Chairman, or any member designated by the Chairman, 
     may administer oaths to any witness.
       (b) Witnesses, when sworn, shall subscribe to the following 
     oath: ``Do you solemnly swear (or affirm) that the testimony 
     you will give before this Committee (or subcommittee) in the 
     matters now under consideration will be the truth, the whole 
     truth, and nothing but the truth, so help you God?''.


                   RULE 15. QUESTIONING OF WITNESSES

       (a) When a witness is before the Committee or a 
     subcommittee, members of the Committee or subcommittee may 
     put questions to the witness only when recognized by the 
     Chairman or subcommittee chairman, as appropriate, for that 
     purpose according to Rule 11 of the Committee.
       (b) Members of the Committee or subcommittee who so desire 
     shall have not more than five minutes to question each 
     witness or panel of witnesses, the responses of the witness 
     or witnesses being included in the

[[Page H870]]

     five-minute period, until such time as each member has had an 
     opportunity to question each witness or panel of witnesses. 
     Thereafter, additional rounds for questioning witnesses by 
     members are within the discretion of the Chairman or 
     subcommittee chairman, as appropriate.
       (c) Questions put to witnesses before the Committee or 
     subcommittee shall be pertinent to the measure or matter that 
     may be before the Committee or subcommittee for 
     consideration.


         RULE 16. PUBLICATION OF COMMITTEE HEARINGS AND MARKUPS

       The transcripts of those hearings and mark-ups conducted by 
     the Committee, subcommittee, or panel will be published 
     officially in verbatim form, with the material requested for 
     the record inserted at that place requested, or at the end of 
     the record, as appropriate. Any requests to correct any 
     errors, other than those in transcription, or disputed errors 
     in transcription, will be appended to the record, and the 
     appropriate place where the change is requested will be 
     footnoted. Any transcript published under this rule shall 
     include the results of record votes conducted in the session 
     covered by the transcript and shall also include materials 
     that have been submitted for the record and are covered under 
     Rule 19. The handling and safekeeping of these materials 
     shall fully satisfy the requirements of Rule 20. No 
     transcript of an executive session conducted under Rule 9 
     shall be published under this rule.


                     RULE 17. VOTING AND ROLLCALLS

       (a) Voting on a measure or matter may be by record vote, 
     division vote, voice vote, or unanimous consent.
       (b) A record vote shall be ordered upon the request of one-
     fifth of those members present.
       (c) No vote by any member of the Committee or a 
     subcommittee with respect to any measure or matter shall be 
     cast by proxy.
       (d) In the event of a vote or votes, when a member is in 
     attendance at any other committee, subcommittee, or 
     conference committee meeting during that time, the necessary 
     absence of that member shall be so noted in the record vote 
     record, upon timely notification to the Chairman by that 
     member.
       (e) The Chairman of the Committee or a subcommittee, as 
     appropriate, with the concurrence of the Ranking Minority 
     Member or the most senior Minority member who is present at 
     the time, may elect to postpone requested record votes until 
     such time or point at a mark-up as is mutually decided. When 
     proceedings resume on a postponed question, notwithstanding 
     any intervening order for the previous question, the 
     underlying proposition shall remain subject to further debate 
     or amendment to the same extent as when the question was 
     postponed.


                       RULE 18. COMMITTEE REPORTS

       (a) If, at the time of approval of any measure or matter by 
     the Committee, any member of the Committee gives timely 
     notice of intention to file supplemental, Minority, 
     additional or dissenting views, that member shall be entitled 
     to not less than two calendar days (excluding Saturdays, 
     Sundays, and legal holidays except when the House is in 
     session on such days) in which to file such views, in writing 
     and signed by that member, with the staff director of the 
     Committee. All such views so filed by one or more members of 
     the Committee shall be included within, and shall be a part 
     of, the report filed by the Committee with respect to that 
     measure or matter.
       (b) With respect to each record vote on a motion to report 
     any measure or matter, and on any amendment offered to the 
     measure or matter, the total number of votes cast for and 
     against, the names of those voting for and against, and a 
     brief description of the question, shall be included in the 
     committee report on the measure or matter.


           RULE 19. PUBLIC INSPECTION OF COMMITTEE ROLLCALLS

       The result of each record vote in any meeting of the 
     Committee shall be made available by the Committee for 
     inspection by the public at reasonable times in the offices 
     of the Committee. Information so available for public 
     inspection shall include a description of the amendment, 
     motion, order, or other proposition and the name of each 
     member voting for and each member voting against such 
     amendment, motion, order, or proposition and the names of 
     those members present but not voting.


          RULE 20. PROTECTION OF NATIONAL SECURITY INFORMATION

       (a) Except as provided in clause 2(g) of Rule XI of the 
     Rules of the House of Representatives, all national security 
     information bearing a classification of secret or higher 
     which has been received by the Committee or a subcommittee 
     shall be deemed to have been received in executive session 
     and shall be given appropriate safekeeping.
       (b) The Chairman of the Committee shall, with the approval 
     of a majority of the Committee, establish such procedures as 
     in his judgment may be necessary to prevent the unauthorized 
     disclosure of any national security information received 
     classified as secret or higher. Such procedures shall, 
     however, ensure access to this information by any member of 
     the Committee or any other Member, Delegate, or Resident 
     Commissioner of the House of Representatives, staff of the 
     Committee, or staff designated under Rule 9( c) who have the 
     appropriate security clearances and the need to know, who has 
     requested the opportunity to review such material.


                      RULE 21. COMMITTEE STAFFING

       The staffing of the Committee, the standing subcommittees, 
     and any panel or task force designated by the Chairman or 
     chairmen of the subcommittees shall be subject to the rules 
     of the House of Representatives.


                       RULE 22. COMMITTEE RECORDS

       The records of the Committee at the National Archives and 
     Records Administration shall be made available for public use 
     in accordance with rule VII of the Rules of the House of 
     Representatives. The Chairman shall notify the Ranking 
     Minority Member of any decision, pursuant to clause 3(b)(3) 
     or clause 4(b) of rule VII, to withhold a record otherwise 
     available, and the matter shall be presented to the Committee 
     for a determination on the written request of any member of 
     the Committee.


                      RULE 23. HEARING PROCEDURES

       Clause 2(k) of rule XI of the Rules of the House of 
     Representatives shall apply to the Committee.

                          ____________________