[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 19 (Wednesday, January 30, 2019)]
[House]
[Pages H1325-H1328]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     PUBLICATION OF COMMITTEE RULES


    RULES OF THE COMMITTEE ON ARMED SERVICES FOR THE 116th CONGRESS

  Mr. SMITH of Washington. Madam Speaker, I respectfully submit the 
Rules of the Committee on Armed Services for the 116th Congress, as 
adopted by the committee on January 24, 2019.


                       RULE 1. GENERAL PROVISIONS

       (a) 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.
       (b) Pursuant to clause 2(a)(2) of rule XI of the Rules of 
     the House of Representatives, the Committee's rules shall be 
     publicly available in electronic form and published in the 
     Congressional Record not later than 60 days after the chair 
     of the committee is elected in each odd-numbered year.


                  RULE 2. FULL COMMITTEE MEETING DATE

       (a) The Committee shall meet every Wednesday at 10:00 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.


                   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) and clause 3(b) 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 the Department of Energy, counter-drug programs, 
     security cooperation and humanitarian assistance activities 
     (except special operations-related activities) of the 
     Department of Defense, acquisition and industrial base 
     policy, technology transfer and export controls, joint 
     interoperability, detainee affairs and policy, force 
     protection policy, and inter-agency reform as it pertains to 
     the Department of Defense and the nuclear weapons programs of 
     the Department of Energy. While subcommittees are provided 
     jurisdictional responsibilities in subparagraph (a)(2) and 
     are required to conduct oversight in their respective 
     jurisdictions, pursuant to clause 2(b)(2) of rule X of the 
     Rules of the House of Representatives, 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 six 
     standing subcommittees with the following jurisdictions:
       Subcommittee on Tactical Air and Land Forces: Army programs 
     and accounts related to aircraft, ground equipment, missiles, 
     ammunition, and other procurement; Marine Corps programs and 
     accounts related to ground and amphibious equipment, fighter 
     aircraft, helicopters, air-launched weapons, and ammunition; 
     Air Force programs and accounts related to fighter, training, 
     reconnaissance and surveillance, and electronic warfare 
     aircraft, helicopters, air-launched weapons, ground 
     equipment, and ammunition; Navy programs and accounts related 
     to fighter, training, and electronic warfare aircraft, 
     helicopters, and air-launched weapons; tactical air and 
     missile defense programs and accounts; chemical agent and 
     munition destruction programs and accounts; and National 
     Guard and Reserve equipment programs and accounts.
       Subcommittee on Military Personnel: Department of Defense 
     policy and programs and accounts related to military 
     personnel and their families, Reserve Component integration 
     and employment, military health care, military education, 
     dependent schools, POW/MIA issues, Morale, Welfare and 
     Recreation, commissaries, cemeteries under the jurisdiction 
     of the Department of Defense, the Uniform Code of Military 
     Justice, and military retirement issues.
       Subcommittee on Readiness: Department of Defense policy and 
     programs and accounts related to military readiness, 
     training, logistics and maintenance, military construction, 
     organic industrial base, the civilian and contract workforce, 
     environment, military installations and real property 
     management, family housing, base realignments and closures, 
     and energy.
       Subcommittee on Seapower and Projection Forces: Navy and 
     Marine Corps acquisition

[[Page H1326]]

     programs and accounts related to shipbuilding and conversion, 
     reconnaissance and surveillance, tanker, and airlift 
     aircraft, ship and submarine-launched weapons, ammunition, 
     and other procurements; Air Force programs and accounts 
     related to bomber, tanker, and airlift aircraft; Army 
     programs and accounts related to waterborne vessels; and 
     Maritime policy and programs and accounts under the 
     jurisdiction of the Committee as delineated in paragraphs 
     5 and 9 of clause 1(c) of rule X of the Rules of the House 
     of Representatives.
       Subcommittee on Strategic Forces: Department of Defense and 
     Department of Energy policy related to strategic deterrence, 
     strategic stability, nuclear weapons, strategic and nuclear 
     arms control, nonproliferation, nuclear safety, missile 
     defense, and space; Department of Defense programs and 
     accounts related to nuclear weapons, strategic missiles, 
     nuclear command and control systems, Department of Defense 
     intelligence space, space systems and services of the 
     military departments, and intermediate and long-range missile 
     defense systems; and Department of Energy national security 
     programs and accounts.
       Subcommittee on Intelligence and Emerging Threats and 
     Capabilities: Department of Defense policy and programs and 
     accounts related to military intelligence, national 
     intelligence, countering weapons of mass destruction, 
     counter-proliferation, counter-terrorism, other sensitive 
     military operations, special operations forces, cyber 
     security, cyber operations, cyber forces, information 
     technology, information operations, and science and 
     technology (including defense-wide programs and accounts 
     related to research, development, testing, and evaluation, 
     except for those defense-wide programs and accounts related 
     to research, development, testing, and evaluation of missile 
     defense systems).
       (3) Definitions--For the purposes of subparagraph (a)(2):
       (A) The phrase ``programs and accounts'' means acquisition 
     and modernization programs, sustainment planning during 
     program development, and related funding lines for 
     procurement, advanced development, advanced component 
     development and prototypes, systems development, sustainment 
     planning, and demonstration.
       (B) The term ``policy'' means statutes, regulations, 
     directives, and other institutional guidance.
       (C) The phrase ``science and technology'' means science and 
     technology programs and related funding lines for basic 
     research, applied research, and non-acquisition program 
     advanced development.
       (b) Membership of the Subcommittees
       (1) Subcommittee memberships shall be filled in accordance 
     with the rules of the majority party's caucus and the 
     minority party's conference, respectively.
       (2) The Chairman of the Committee and the Ranking Minority 
     Member thereof (hereinafter referred to as the ``Ranking 
     Minority Member'') may sit as ex officio members of all 
     subcommittees. Ex officio members shall not vote in 
     subcommittee hearings or meetings or be taken into 
     consideration for the purpose of determining the ratio of the 
     subcommittees or establishing a quorum at subcommittee 
     hearings or meetings.
       (3) A member of the Committee who is not a member of a 
     particular subcommittee may sit with the subcommittee and 
     participate during any of its hearings but shall not have 
     authority to vote, cannot be counted for the purpose of 
     achieving a quorum, and cannot raise a point of order at the 
     hearing.


                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, and all minority members shall be 
     appointed by the Ranking Minority Member. The Chairman 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 
     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, or the chairman of a subcommittee with 
     the concurrence of the Chairman, 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 the Ranking Minority Member or 
     the chairman and the ranking minority member of a 
     subcommittee shall each appoint an equal number of members to 
     the task force. The Chairman or the chairman of a 
     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 or the ranking minority member of a 
     subcommittee shall similarly appoint the ranking minority 
     member of the task force.
       (2) No task force appointed by the Chairman or the chairman 
     of a 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 the Ranking Minority Member or the concurrence 
     of the chairman and the ranking minority member of the 
     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 or the chairman of a 
     subcommittee, as appropriate, or by a majority of the 
     Committee or subcommittee, as appropriate.
       (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.
       (e) The Chairman, in consultation with the Ranking Minority 
     Member, shall establish criteria for recommending legislation 
     and other matters to be considered by the House of 
     Representatives, pursuant to clause 1 of rule XV of the Rules 
     of the House of Representatives. Such criteria shall not 
     conflict with the Rules of the House of Representatives and 
     other applicable rules.


          RULE 7. PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT OF HEARINGS AND MEETINGS

       (a) Pursuant to clause 2(g)(3) of rule XI of the Rules of 
     the House of Representatives, the Chairman, or the chairman 
     of any subcommittee, panel, or task force, shall make a 
     public announcement of the date, place, and subject matter of 
     any hearing or meeting before that body at least one week 
     before the commencement of a hearing and at least three 
     calendar days (excluding Saturdays, Sundays, or legal 
     holidays except when the House is in session on such a day) 
     before the commencement of a meeting. However, if the 
     Chairman, with the concurrence of the Ranking Minority 
     Member, or the chairman of any subcommittee, panel, or task 
     force, with the concurrence of the respective ranking 
     minority member, determines that there is good cause to begin 
     the hearing or meeting 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, and promptly made 
     publicly available in electronic form.
       (b) At least 24 hours prior to the commencement of a 
     meeting for the markup of legislation, or at the time of an 
     announcement under paragraph (a) made within 24 hours before 
     such meeting, the Chairman, or the chairman of any 
     subcommittee, panel, or task force shall cause the text of 
     such measure or matter to be made publicly available in 
     electronic form as provided in clause 2(g)(4) of rule XI of 
     the Rules of the House of Representatives.


        RULE 8. BROADCASTING OF COMMITTEE HEARINGS AND MEETINGS

       (a) Pursuant to clause 2(e)(5) of rule XI of the Rules of 
     the House of Representatives, the Committee shall, to the 
     maximum extent practicable, provide audio and video coverage 
     of each hearing or meeting for the transaction of business in 
     a manner that allows the public to easily listen to and view 
     the proceedings. The Committee shall maintain the recordings 
     of such coverage in a manner that is easily accessible to the 
     public.
       (b) 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

[[Page H1327]]

     Committee, subcommittee, panel, or task 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, 
     subcommittee, panel, or task force 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 paragraph (a) 
     and the provisions of clause 2(g)(2)(A) of rule XI of the 
     Rules of the House of Representatives and in accordance with 
     the provisions of clause 2(g)(2)(B) 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, subcommittee, panel, or 
     task force, the Committee, subcommittee, panel, or task force 
     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, subcommittee, panel, or task force 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, subcommittee, panel, or task force shall proceed 
     to receive such testimony in open session only if the 
     Committee, subcommittee, panel, or task force, 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, one member of that member's personal 
     staff, and an alternate, 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) Subject to rule 15, the time any one member may address 
     the Committee, subcommittee, panel, or task force 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 the Ranking Minority Member or 
     the chairman and the ranking minority member of a 
     subcommittee, panel, or task force.
       (b)(1) Members who are present at a hearing of the 
     Committee, subcommittee, panel, or task force when a hearing 
     is originally convened shall be recognized by the Chairman or 
     subcommittee, panel, or task force 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 or the chairman and the ranking minority 
     member of a subcommittee, panel, or task force, as 
     appropriate, 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) Pursuant to rule 4 and subject to rule 15, a member of 
     the Committee who is not a member of a subcommittee, panel, 
     or task force may be recognized by a subcommittee, panel, or 
     task force chairman in order of their arrival and after all 
     present subcommittee, panel, or task force members have been 
     recognized.
       (3) The Chairman of the Committee or the chairman of a 
     subcommittee, panel, or task force, 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 
     Chairman and after consultation with the Ranking Minority 
     Member, 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, panel, or task force shall 
     be submitted to the Committee, subcommittee, panel, or task 
     force at least 48 hours in advance of presentation and shall 
     be distributed to all members of the Committee, subcommittee, 
     panel, or task force 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 Confidential 
     or higher, the statement shall be made available in the 
     Committee rooms to all members of the Committee, 
     subcommittee, panel, or task force 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, subcommittee, panel, or task 
     force, a quorum being present. In cases where a witness does 
     not submit a statement by the time required under this rule, 
     the Chairman, with the concurrence of the Ranking Minority 
     Member, or the chairman of a subcommittee, panel, or task 
     force, 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, panel, or task 
     force 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.

[[Page H1328]]

       (c) Pursuant to clause 2(g)(5) of rule XI of the Rules of 
     the House of Representatives, written witness statements, 
     with appropriate redactions to protect the privacy of the 
     witness, shall be made publicly available in electronic form 
     not later than one day after the witness appears.


               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, panel, or 
     task force) 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, panel, or task force, members of the Committee, 
     subcommittee, panel, or task force may put questions to the 
     witness only when recognized by the Chairman, subcommittee, 
     panel, or task force chairman, as appropriate, for that 
     purpose according to rule 11 of the Committee.
       (b) Members of the Committee, subcommittee, panel, or task 
     force 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 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 the subcommittee, 
     panel, or task force chairman, as appropriate.
       (c) Questions put to witnesses before the Committee, 
     subcommittee, panel, or task force shall be pertinent to the 
     measure or matter that may be before the Committee, 
     subcommittee, panel, or task force for consideration.


         RULE 16. PUBLICATION OF COMMITTEE HEARINGS AND MARKUPS

       The transcripts of those hearings conducted by the 
     Committee, subcommittee, panel, or task force will be 
     published officially in substantially verbatim form, with the 
     material requested for the record inserted at that place 
     requested, or at the end of the record, as appropriate. The 
     transcripts of markups conducted by the Committee or any 
     subcommittee may be published officially in verbatim form. 
     Any requests to correct any errors, other than those 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, with the concurrence of the Ranking 
     Minority Member, or the chairman of a subcommittee, as 
     appropriate, with the concurrence of the respective 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 markup 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, all members 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 written and 
     signed views with the Staff Director of the Committee, or the 
     Staff Director's designee. 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.
       (c) Not later than 24 hours after the adoption of any 
     amendment to a measure or matter considered by the Committee, 
     the Chairman shall cause the text of each such amendment to 
     be made publicly available in electronic form as provided in 
     clause 2(e)(6) of rule XI of the Rules of the House of 
     Representatives.


           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 and also made publicly available in 
     electronic form within 48 hours of such record vote pursuant 
     to clause 2(e)(1)(B)(i) of rule XI of the Rules of the House 
     of Representatives. Information so available 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 and other 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 Confidential 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 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 that is received which is 
     classified as Confidential 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.
       (c) The Chairman shall, in consultation with the Ranking 
     Minority Member, establish such procedures as in his judgment 
     may be necessary to prevent the unauthorized disclosure of 
     any proprietary information that is received by the 
     Committee, subcommittee, panel, or task force. Such 
     procedures shall be consistent with the Rules of the House of 
     Representatives and applicable law.


                      rule 21. committee staffing

       The staffing of the Committee, the standing subcommittees, 
     and any panel or task force designated by the Chairman or the 
     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.


                  rule 24. committee activity reports

       Not later than January 2nd of each odd-numbered year the 
     Committee shall submit to the House a report on its 
     activities, pursuant to clause 1(d) of rule XI of the Rules 
     of the House of Representatives.

                          ____________________