[Deschler's Precedents, Volume 1, Chapters 1 - 6]
[Chapter 3.  Party Organization]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]


[Page 137-141]
 
                               CHAPTER 3
 
                           Party Organization

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    Commentary and editing by Evan Hoorneman, J.D.
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[[Page 137]]



A. Introduction

   Sec. 1. In General

B. Party Caucus or Conference

    Sec. 2. In General; Nature and Purposes
    Sec. 3. Chairmen--Functions
    Sec. 4. Adoption of Rules; Recent Changes
    Sec. 5. Time and Place of Meetings
    Sec. 6. Specific Functions--Selection of Leaders
    Sec. 7. --Nomination of House Officers
    Sec. 8. --Creation of Party Committees
    Sec. 9. --Assigning Members to House Committees
   Sec. 10. --Policy Determination; Party Decisions as Binding

C. Party Committees and Informal Groups

   Sec. 11. Committee on Committees
   Sec. 12. Republican Policy Committee; Research Committee
   Sec. 13. Steering Committee
   Sec. 14. Patronage Committee
   Sec. 15. Official Objectors' Committees
   Sec. 16. Campaign Committees; Informal Party Groups

D. Floor Leaders

   Sec. 17. In General
   Sec. 18. Duties as to Legislative Schedule

[[Page 138]]

   Sec. 19. Role as Party Leader
   Sec. 20. Appointments
   Sec. 21. Duties; Ceremonial Functions
   Sec. 22. Salary and Perquisites; Honors on Death

E. Party Whips

   Sec. 23. In General
   Sec. 24. Duties and Functions
   Sec. 25. Allowances--Clerk-Hire Allowance



                          INDEX TO PRECEDENTS
                                     

Affiliation, party, change of, Sec. 9.5
Announcements by caucus chairman
    floor leader, election of, Sec. Sec. 3.5, 3.6
    meeting, caucus, Sec. Sec. 3.13, 5.1
    officers, party, selection of, Sec. Sec. 3.5-3.8, 12.1
    Speaker, name of candidate for, Sec. Sec. 3.1-3.3
    whip, Republican, selection of, Sec. 3.7
Announcements by floor leader
    acting Majority Leader, designating, Sec. 17.4
    ceremonial or social events Sec. Sec. 21.20-21.22
    meeting, caucus, Sec. Sec. 5.3-5.5, 19.1
    meeting of committee on committees, Sec. 11.2
    schedule, legislative, Sec. 18.6
Chairman, caucus
    ceremonial activities, Sec. Sec. 3.14-3.17
    committees, resolution electing members to, Sec. Sec. 3.11, 3.12
    courtesy or recognition, expressions of, Sec. Sec. 3.18, 3.19
    minority employees, resolution as to compensation of, Sec. 3.10
    officers of House, resolution naming, Sec. 3.9
    Ways and Means Committee, resolution electing members to, Sec. 3.11
Chairman, caucus, announcements by
    caucus meetings Sec. Sec. 3.13, 5.1
    floorleader, election of, Sec. Sec. 3.5, 3.6
    officers, party, selection of, Sec. Sec. 3.5-3.8, 12.1
    Speaker, name of candidate for, Sec. Sec. 3.1-3.3
    whip, Republican, selection of, Sec. 3.7
Change of party affiliation, Sec. 9.5
Commission on extension of Capitol, Sec. 17.15
Committee on Committees, Sec. 11.2
Committees, standing, election of members to
    caucus approval of nominations, Sec. 9.2
    procedure generally, Sec. 9.3
    resolution naming members from both parties, Sec. 11.1
    resolution offered by caucus chairman, Sec. Sec. 3.11, 3.12
    third-party members, Sec. 9.4
Discipline of party member
    committee assignments as instrument of, Sec. 9.5

[[Page 139]]

Employees, minority, Sec. Sec. 3.10, 17.10
Floor leader
    acting Majority Leader, Sec. 17.4
    adoption of rules, resolution as to, Sec. 17.7
    announcement of election of, Sec. Sec. 3.5, 3.6, 17.1
    clerks and assistants to. Sec. 22.1
    commissions, special, service on, Sec. 17.15
    committee assignments, resolutions relating to, Sec. Sec. 19.7, 
        19.8
    committee, standing, resolution relating to composition of, 
        Sec. Sec. 17.8, 17.9, 19.9
    committees to notify President, appointment to, Sec. Sec. 21.3-21.6
    courtesies or recognition extended by, Sec. Sec. 21.11-21.17
    death of individuals, resolutions relating to, Sec. Sec. 21.18, 
        21.19
    election by caucus, Sec. Sec. 6.4, 6.5, 17.1-17.3
    election of, announcement as to, Sec. Sec. 3.5, 3.6, 17.1
    escort, committee of, appointment to, Sec. Sec. 21.1, 21.7, 21.8
    joint committee, resolution electing Member to, Sec. 17.12
    minority employees, resolution relating to, Sec. 17.10
    oath, resolution relating to right of Member-elect to take, 
        Sec. 17.11
    objectors, appointment of, Sec. Sec. 15.1, 15.3, 20.1, 20.2
    physical facilities of Capitol, responsibilities relating to, 
        Sec. Sec. 17.15-17.18
    President's salary, resolution relating to, Sec. 17.13
    reassembly of Congress, notification of, by, Sec. 18.8
    recommittal motion, responsibilities with respect to, Sec. 17.6
    resolutions affecting operations of House, Sec. Sec. 17.7-17.12, 
        17.14
    roll call, correction of, Sec. 19.5
    schedule, legislative, consultation as to, Sec. 18.7
    sentiment, party, request for indication of, Sec. 19.2
    Speaker-elect, introduction of, Sec. 21.2
    Speaker pro tempore, Sec. 17.5
    suspension of rules, approval of motion for, Sec. 18.2
    suspension of rules, motion for, by, Sec. 18.5
    tributes to Speaker, Sec. Sec. 21.9, 21.10
    unanimous-consent requests after consultation with, Sec. 18.1
    unanimous-consent requests by, Sec. Sec. 18.3, 18.4, 21.22
    unanimous-consent requests, objection to, Sec. 19.6
    viewpoint on committee assignments, expression of, Sec. 19.3
    whip, Democratic, appointment of, Sec. 20.3
Floor leader, announcements by
    acting Majority Leader, designating, Sec. 17.4
    caucus meetings, Sec. Sec. 5.3-5.5, 19.1
    ceremonial or social events, Sec. Sec. 21.18-21.22
    objectors, appointment of, Sec. Sec. 15.1, 15.3, 20.1, 20.2
    schedule, legislative, Sec. 18.6
    whip, Democratic, appointment of, Sec. 20.3
Majority Leader (see also Floor leader)
    acting Majority Leader, Sec. 17.4
    building regulations inserted in Record by, Sec. 17.17
    Commission on the Extension of the Capitol, membership on, 
        Sec. 17.15

[[Page 140]]

    President's salary, bill increasing, floor leaders joined in 
        offering, Sec. 17.13
    resolutions affecting operations of House offered by, 
        Sec. Sec. 17.7-17.10, 17.12, 19.9, 21.3, 21.5
    Speaker pro tempore, designation as, Sec. 17.5
    standing committee, election to, Sec. 17.18
    suspension of rules, motion for, made by, Sec. 18.5
    suspension of rules, motions for, cleared through Majority Leader, 
        Sec. 18.2
    unanimous-consent requests by, Sec. Sec. 18.3, 18.4
Minority Leader (see also Floor leader)
    Commission on the Extension of the Capitol, membership on, 
        Sec. 17.15
    committees, resolution assigning Members to, offered by Minority 
        Leader, Sec. Sec. 19.7, 19.8
    introduction of Speaker-elect by, Sec. 21.2
    oath to Member, amendment deferring administration of, offered by, 
        Sec. 17.11
    President's salary, bill increasing, floor leaders joined in 
        offering, Sec. 17.13
    recommittal motion, actions taken with respect to, Sec. 17.6
    resolution honoring Speaker offered by, Sec. 21.9
    resolution relating to minority employees in House offered by, 
        Sec. 17.10
    sentiment, party, request for indication of, Sec. 19.2
    third party, election of leader of, Sec. 17.3
    viewpoint on committee assignments, expression of, Sec. 19.3
Objectors
    appointment of, Sec. Sec. 15.1, 15.3, 20.1, 20.2
    consideration of bills, Sec. Sec. 15.2, 15.4, 15.5
Officers, House, resolution electing, Sec. 7.1
Policy Committee, Chairman of, Sec. Sec. 12.112.3
Recess for Republican Conference, request for, refused, Sec. 5.5
Seniority
    reduction in rank of Member, Sec. 9.5
Speaker
    announcement of caucus meeting by, Sec. 5.2
    candidate, party's, announcement as to, Sec. Sec. 3.1-3.3
    nomination by party caucus, Sec. Sec. 6.1-6.3
    recess, refusal of Minority Leader's request for, Sec. 5.5
Speaker pro tempore
    election of, presided over by whip, Sec. 23.6
    resolution electing, offered by caucus chairman, Sec. 3.4
    whip, majority, designated as, Sec. 23.5
Steering Committee
    employee, compensation of, Sec. 13.1
    expense allowance, Sec. 13.2
Third party
    committees, standing, assignments to, Sec. 9.4
    Speaker, candidate for, selection of, Sec. Sec. 3.3, 6.3
Ways and Means, Committee on
    election of Democratic members to, Sec. 9.1
    resolution electing members offered by caucus chairman, Sec. 3.11
Whips
    Clerk-hire allowance, Sec. 25.1
    committee to notify President, appointed to, Sec. 24.2
    courtesies or recognition extended by, Sec. 24.4
    division of question, request for, Sec. 23.7
    floor whips, Sec. 23.2

[[Page 141]]

    formal occasions, announcements or requests respecting, Sec. 24.3
    Republician whip organization, Sec. 23.4
    selection of, Sec. Sec. 6.6, 20.3, 23.1, 23.3
    Speaker pro tempore, election of, presided over by, Sec. 23.6
    Speaker pro tempore, majority whip, designated as, Sec. 23.5

[[Page 143]]


 
                               CHAPTER 3
 
                           Party Organization
 
                            A. INTRODUCTION
 
Sec. 1. In General



    This chapter describes the nature and functions of the party 
structure in the House, including the party leadership and the major 
party organizations.(1) It should be borne in mind that some 
of the organizations described do not remain constant in their 
influence or importance as instruments for the formation or promotion 
of party policy. Thus, the Democratic Caucus is more active at present 
than at times in the recent past;(2) the Republican 
Conference has in some measure assumed functions formerly undertaken by 
the Policy Committee;(3) and the Democratic Steering 
Committee has been relatively inactive in recent years.(4)
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 1. See also the discussion of party organizations in 8 Cannon's 
        Precedents Sec. Sec. 3602-3629.
            This chapter discusses significant developments through the 
        93d Congress, first session. For discussion of later changes in 
        the structure and procedures of the party organizations, see 
        supplements to this edition as they appear.
 2. See Congressional Quarterly's Guide to the Congress of the United 
        States, Congressional Quarterly Service (Washington, D.C., 
        1971), p. 604.
 3. Id. at p. 142.
 4. Id.
            For discussion of recent developments, including the new 
        role assumed by the Democratic Steering and Policy Committee, 
        see supplements to this edition as they appear.
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    Much of the legislative business that is done is, of course, a 
result of interaction between the political parties. Many of the rules 
and procedures of the House can be understood only in the context of 
the system of government through parties. Jefferson regarded the rules 
of proceeding as, in some degree, a check on the power of the majority; 
he stated that,(5)
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 5. Jefferson's Manual, sec. 1 (House Rules and Manual Sec. 283 
        [1973]).
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        . . . [A]s it is always in the power of the majority, by their 
    numbers, to stop any improper measures proposed on the part of 
    their opponents, the only weapons by which the minority can defend 
    themselves against similar attempts from those in power are the 
    forms and rules of proceeding which . . . [have] become the law of 
    the House, by a strict adherence to which the weaker party can only 
    be protected from those irregularities and abuses which these forms 
    were intended to check. . . .

[[Page 144]]

At the same time, it has often been observed that the rules of 
proceeding are an instrument through which a majority may work its will 
in the face of the determined opposition of a minority.

    Although not always the case, frequently the attitude of members of 
the same party toward particular legislation is fairly 
uniform,(6) so that sentiment in the House with respect to 
such legislation divides according to party alignment.(7) 
Despite the traditional role of partisan rivalry in shaping 
legislation, however, the spirit of comity that exists between the 
parties has often been noted.(8)
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 6. See Sec. 10, infra, as to means by which a party may seek to 
        promote uniformity among its members.
 7. The terms ``majority'' and ``minority,'' of course, need not 
        necessarily refer to parties, but may refer to the division of 
        sentiment on an issue where such sentiment does not depend on 
        party alignment. For an instance in which the term ``minority'' 
        in a special order was construed to refer to the minority party 
        in the House and not to those in the minority on the pending 
        question, see 7 Cannon's Precedents Sec. 767. It is also stated 
        (in 7 Cannon's Precedents Sec. 766) that a division of time for 
        debate between those ``for and against'' a proposition does not 
        necessarily provide for such division between the majority and 
        minority parties of the House but between those actually 
        favoring and opposing the measure.
 8. See, for example, 117 Cong. Rec. 1709, 92d Cong. 1st Sess., Feb. 4, 
        1971 (remarks of Mr. James G. Fulton [Pa.]).
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    Steps are taken to ensure that in every phase of legislative 
proceedings each party's interests are represented. Thus, each standing 
committee is composed of members selected by the respective 
parties.(9) Where memberships are added to a committee, they 
are apportioned between majority and minority.(10) Similar 
principles of apportionment are applied with respect to 
subcommittees.(11) With respect to the appointment of 
committee staff personnel, the rules typically contain a provision such 
as the following:
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 9. See Sec. 9, infra.
10.  See Sec. 17.8 infra.
11. See, for example, 4 Hinds' Precedents Sec. 4551.
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        The minority party on any such standing committee is entitled 
    to and shall receive fair consideration in the appointment of 
    committee staff personnel pursuant to each such primary or 
    additional expense resolution.(12)
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12. Rule XI clause 32(c), House Rules and Manual (1971). This language, 
        offered as part of H. Res. 5, 92d Cong. 1st Sess. (1971), 
        engendered considerable controversy, being a modification of a 
        proposed more specific rule.
            A statute [2 USCA Sec. 72a(b)] provides that, subject to 
        appropriations which it shall be in order to include in 
        appropriation bills, the Committee on Appropriations of each 
        House is authorized to appoint such staff, in addition to the 
        clerk thereof and assistants for the minority, as each such 
        committee, by a majority vote, shall determine to be necessary, 
        such personnel, other than the minority assistants, to possess 
        such qualifications as the committees respectively may 
        prescribe.
            As to committees and committee staff generally, see Ch. 17, 
        infra.

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[[Page 145]]

Similarly, provision is generally made for majority and minority 
representation on joint committees.(13)
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13. See House Rules and Manual Sec. Sec. 983a et seq. (1973).
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    Care is also taken that the parties are fairly represented on other 
committees or commissions created for special purposes. For example, 
commissions that have been appointed for purposes of making 
recommendations regarding improvement, reconstruction, or the like, of 
the physical facilities of the Capitol, have been comprised of Members 
apportioned from the majority and minority parties, including 
designated party leaders.(14)
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14. See 40 USCA Sec. 166 (notes); see also Sec. 17 infra, discussing 
        measures taken to ensure equitable representation on the 
        Commission on the Extension of the Capitol.
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    Although the majority party's candidates for various House offices 
are routinely elected thereto, the minority's candidates for the 
offices are generally named to positions as ``minority employees'' in 
the House.(15) Moreover, provision is made for the 
appointment and compensation of a minority pair clerk and a ``staff 
director to the minority.''(16)
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15. See 117 Cong. Rec. 13 (resolution naming minority candidates), 15 
        (resolution as to compensation of certain minority employees), 
        92d Cong. 1st Sess., Jan. 21, 1971. As a further example, see 
        99 Cong. Rec. 15, 24, 25, 83d Cong. 1st Sess., Jan. 3, 1953. 
        Resolutions relating to minority employees of the House are 
        discussed further in Sec. 17.10, infra.
16. See, for example, 117 Cong. Rec. 15 (H. Res. 6), 92d Cong. 1st 
        Sess., Jan. 21, 1971. See also H. Res. 441, 91st Cong. 1st 
        Sess. (1969).
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    On occasion, a Member has changed party affiliation, sometimes 
after acts on his part that his party has deemed disloyal and for which 
the party has imposed discipline on the Member. Thus, Mr. Albert W. 
Watson, of South Carolina, who had been elected to the 89th Congress as 
a Democrat, was the subject of punitive action taken by the caucus on 
account of his having supported a Republican Presidential candidate. 
Mr. Watson subsequently announced his intention to change his political 
affiliation from Democratic to Republican and to resign so that his 
constituents could, by their votes in a special election, indicate

[[Page 146]]

their approval or disapproval of his activities. Mr. Watson's letters 
tendering his resignation to the Governor of his state and informing 
the Speaker of such resignation appear in the Congressional 
Record.(17)
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17. 111 Cong. Rec. 1452, 89th Cong. 1st Sess., Jan. 28, 1955.

            As to constitutionality, construction, and application of 
        statutes regarding party affiliation or change thereof as 
        affecting eligibility to nomination for public office, see 
        annotation, 153 ALR 641.

    In the 85th Congress, Mr. Vincent J. Dellay, of New Jersey, changed 
his party affiliation from Republican to Democratic. A letter written 
by him to the Republican floor leader appears in the Congressional 
Record;(18) the letter indicated that Mr. Dellay had 
informed certain Democratic leaders on both the national and state 
levels of his intention to change party affiliation. Also appearing in 
the Record(19) is Mr. Dellay's letter of resignation from a 
House committee as a Republican Member. Mr. Dellay was subsequently 
elected as a Democratic Member to certain House 
committees.(20)
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18. 104 Cong. Rec. 674, 85th Cong. 2d Sess., Jan. 20, 1958.

19. Id.

20. See H. Res. 452, 85th Cong. 2d Sess. (1958).
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Speaker's Relation to Party Structure

    Since the Speaker is the subject of another chapter (Ch. 6, infra) 
no attempt will be made here to discuss his office in depth. It is 
worth quoting here, however, certain remarks of Minority Leader Gerald 
R. Ford, of Michigan, on the subject of the Speakership; the remarks, 
made during discussion of a resolution commending John W. McCormack, of 
Massachusetts, on his length of service as Speaker, were as 
follows:(1)
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 1. 116 Cong. Rec. 17021, 91st Cong. 2d Sess. May 26, 1970.
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        The office of the Speaker is a unique one in the American 
    Government. He is at once the leader of his party and the impartial 
    Presiding Officer of the House. As his powers are great, so must 
    his sense of fairness be extraordinary. As his position is exalted 
    among his legislative equals, so must his tact and consideration . 
    . . be constantly exercised.

    The Speaker is, of course, his party's leader. Nominated by the 
party caucus, he has received, in the election that takes place in the 
House at the beginning of a Congress, the universal support of the 
members of his party despite the range of ideological variations that 
may exist in the party. Historically, moreover, the Speaker will 
frequently rise to that posi

[[Page 147]]

tion after having served as his party's floor leader and perhaps, prior 
to that service, as the party whip. The minority party's candidate for 
Speaker generally becomes that party's floor leader, and may reasonably 
expect to be elevated to the Speakership upon a shift of power in the 
House.(2)
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 2. See, generally, the discussion of leadership posts in the House in 
        Congressional Quarterly's Guide to the Congress of the United 
        States, Congressional Quarterly Service (Washington, D.C., 
        1971), pp. 140, 141. In 6 Cannon's Precedents Sec. 35 is cited 
        an unusual instance in which Speaker Joseph G. Cannon, of 
        Illinois, following a vote upon an essential question 
        indicating a change in the party control of the House, 
        announced that under such circumstances it was incumbent upon 
        the Speaker either to resign or to recognize for a motion 
        declaring vacant the office of Speaker.
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    The Speaker has on occasion taken the floor to promote certain 
measures that have been endorsed by his party. Thus, on Jan. 4, 
1965,(3) Speaker John W. McCormack, of Massachusetts, took 
the floor to urge adoption of rules for the 89th Congress that included 
certain provisions that had the endorsement of the Democratic Caucus. 
He stated that since the resolution under consideration contemplated 
certain changes in the rules, he felt that his views should be made 
known to the Members of the House.
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 3. 111 Cong. Rec. 23, 89th Cong. 1st Sess.
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    On one occasion, the caucus chairman inserted in the Record a 
resolution, previously approved by the caucus, praising the Speaker of 
the House for his efforts on behalf of Democratic candidates in a 
recent election campaign.(4)
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 4. See Sec. 3.18, infra.
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    In fulfilling the duties of the Chair, the Speaker is impartial, 
and assiduous in protecting the rights of the minority. Of course, this 
does not mean that the exigencies of business in the House cannot 
interfere with his ability to accommodate the minority party in 
particular instances. Thus, on a day on which the House was considering 
the 1951 amendments to the Universal Military Training and Service Act, 
the Speaker declined to entertain a request of the Minority Leader, 
made shortly after convening on that day, that the House take a two-
hour recess for a Republican Conference.(5) But a Speaker 
must always concur with the sentiments expressed by Speaker John W. 
McCormack, of Massachusetts, in the 91st Congress:(6)
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 5. See Sec. 5.5, infra.
 6. 116 Cong. Rec. 17041, 91st Cong. 2d Sess., May 26, 1970.

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[[Page 148]]

        There is one thing that I would like to be remembered for by my 
    colleagues and that is that John McCormack was always the Members' 
    Speaker. . . . It is because of the intense love I have in my heart 
    for the House of Representatives and the deep respect I have for 
    all Members. And also for the fact that whenever a Member takes the 
    Chair as Speaker he represents all of the Members without regard to 
    political party; to protect their rights under the Rules of the 
    House of Representatives; and, even more, protecting their rights 
    on a broader scale where that is necessary. I have always tried to 
    impartially carry out the Rules of the House of Representatives.


 
                               CHAPTER 3
 
                           Party Organization
 
                     B. PARTY CAUCUS OR CONFERENCE
 
Sec. 2. In General; Nature and Purposes


    The primary party organizations in the House are the Democratic 
Caucus and the Republican Conference. Generally, the Democratic Caucus 
is composed of all Democratic Members of the House,(7) and 
the Republican Conference is composed of all Republican 
Members.(8) The main functions of the two party 
organizations are to promote unity; to determine party policy with 
respect to anticipated legislation; to select their respective 
candidates for the Speakership and other offices in the House; to 
choose party leaders; and to play a role in selecting party members for 
positions on

[[Page 149]]

House committees. These functions are discussed in detail in succeeding 
sections.
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 7. See Rule 1, Democratic Caucus Rules (July 20, 1971).
 8. See Riddick, Floyd M., Congressional Procedure, Chapman and Grimes 
        (Boston, 1941), p. 31.
            Collateral references: Binkley, Wilfred Ellsworth, American 
        Political Parties; Their Natural History, 4th edition, rev., 
        Alfred A. Knoph Co. (New York, 1972); Fine, Nathan, Labor and 
        Farmer Parties in the United States, 1828-1928, Russell and 
        Russell (New York, 1961); Haynes, Frederick E., Third Party 
        Movements Since the Civil War, Russell and Russell (New York, 
        1966); Hesseltine, William B., Third Party Movements in the 
        United States, Van Nostrand (Princeton, N.J., 1962); Hicks, 
        John Donald, The Populist Revolts; A History of the Farmers' 
        Alliance and the People's Party, University of Nebraska Press 
        (Lincoln, 1961); Nash, Howard Pervear, Third Parties in 
        American Politics, Public Affairs Press (Washington, D.C., 
        1959); Ripley, Randall B., Party Leaders in the House of 
        Representatives, The Brookings Institution (Washington, 1967) 
        pp. 41-46 (development of party caucuses); Steadman, Murry 
        Salisbury and Susan W. Stedman, Discontent at the Polls; A 
        Study of Farmer and Labor Parties, 1827-1948, Russell and 
        Russell (New York, 1967).
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                               CHAPTER 3
 
                           Party Organization
 
                     B. PARTY CAUCUS OR CONFERENCE
 
Sec. 3. Chairmen--Functions

    At the beginning of a Congress, the Democratic Caucus and 
Republican Conference elect chairmen.(9)
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 9. See 8 Cannon's Precedents Sec. Sec. 3603, 3604a; Cannon's Procedure 
        in the House of Representatives, H. Doc. No. 122, 86th Cong. 
        1st Sess. (1959) p. 187; Riddick, Floyd M., Congressional 
        Procedure, Chapman and Grimes (Boston, 1941), pp. 31, 32.
            The chairman of the caucus for the preceding Congress may 
        call the initial meeting to order. See Cannon's Procedure in 
        the House of Representatves, H. Doc. No. 122, 86th Cong. 1st 
        Sess. (1959), p. 187.
            For discussion of more recent developments, including 
        procedures for calling an organizational meeting of the caucus 
        prior to the opening of a new Congress, see supplements to this 
        edition as they appear.
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    The chairman has duties and functions which are to some extent 
specified in the caucus or conference rules. Thus, the following rule 
defines the authority of the Democratic Caucus Chairman with respect to 
determining the time and place of caucus meetings:

        Meetings of the Democratic caucus may be called by the chairman 
    upon his own motion and shall be called by him whenever requested 
    in writing by 50 members of the caucus or at the request of the 
    party leader. While the House is in session the Democratic caucus 
    shall meet regularly at a time and place to be determined by the 
    chairman, on the third Wednesday of each month, except January of 
    odd numbered years. If the House not be in session on the third 
    Wednesday, the monthly caucus shall be held on the next succeeding 
    Wednesday on which the House is in session. The chairman may cancel 
    any monthly caucus, but not two consecutive monthly caucuses, 
    provided members are given reasonable notice of such 
    cancellation.(10)
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10. Rule 3, Democratic Caucus Rules (July 20, 1971). For general 
        discussion of the caucus rules, see Sec. 4, infra.
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    The caucus rules also delimit the role of the chairman in 
determining the order and nature of business to be transacted at caucus 
meetings. The caucus rules provide that, at each monthly caucus,

        . . . members shall have the right to place before the caucus 
    any question, provided that notice of such intention is (1) 
    delivered to the office of the chairman, and (2) transmitted to all 
    members of the caucus not later than 5:00 p.m. on the ninth day 
    immediately preceding the day of such caucus. The chairman shall 
    prescribe the order of business and shall provide members with an 
    agenda at least 5 days before caucus. Amendments to the agenda 
    shall be in order only if

[[Page 150]]

    submitted to caucus members at least 48 hours before the hour of 
    convening and if supported in writing by 50 members.(11)
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11. Rule 3, Democratic Caucus Rules (July 20, 1971).
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    The following are rules of a general nature that relate to the 
conduct of business by the chairman:

        General parliamentary law, with such special rules as may be 
    adopted, shall govern the meetings of the Caucus.(12)
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12. Rule 5, Democratic Caucus Rules (July 20, 1971).
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        That the 5-minute rule that governs the House of 
    Representatives shall govern debate in the Democratic Caucus, 
    unless suspended by a vote of the caucus.(13)
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13. Rule 9, Democratic Caucus Rules (July 20, 1971).
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        . . . If the absence of a quorum is established, the chairman 
    may continue the meeting for purposes of discussion only, but no 
    motion of any kind, except a motion to adjourn, shall be in order 
    at such continued meeting.(14)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
14. Rule 4, Democratic Caucus Rules (July 20, 1971).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

        No persons, except Democratic Members of the House of 
    Representatives, a caucus Journal Clerk, and other necessary 
    employees, shall be admitted to the meetings of the caucus without 
    the express permission of the chairman.(15)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
15. Rule 10, Democratic Caucus Rules (1971).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In addition to those activities relating directly to his conduct of 
caucus or conference business, the chairman undertakes certain 
functions, described in succeeding sections, on the floor of the House. 
It should also be noted that the chairman may serve as an ex officio 
member of various party committees; the Chairman of the Democratic 
Caucus, for example, has in past Congresses been an ex officio member 
of the Steering Committee.(16)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
16. See Sec. 13, infra.                          -------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Announcement of Candidate for Speaker

Sec. 3.1 At the beginning of every Congress, each caucus or conference 
    chairman announces in the House the name of his party's candidate 
    for the office of Speaker.

    At the beginning of the 91st Congress, immediately following the 
roll call of the states to establish a quorum and the announcement of 
the receipt of the credentials of the Resident Commissioner from Puerto 
Rico, the Clerk called for nominations for Speaker. The Chairman of the 
Democratic Caucus, Mr. Daniel D. Rostenkowski, of Illinois, presented 
the name of Mr. John W. McCormack, of Massachusetts. The Chairman of 
the Republican Con

[[Page 151]]

ference, Mr. John Anderson, of Illinois, presented the name of Mr. 
Gerald R. Ford, of Michigan.(17)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
17. 115 Cong. Rec. 13, 91st Cong. 1st Sess., Jan. 3, 1969. For 
        substantially the same proceedings in prior Congresses, see, 
        for example, 113 Cong. Rec. 12, 90th Cong. 1st Sess., Jan. 10, 
        1967; and 111 Cong. Rec. 17, 89th Cong. 1st Sess., Jan. 4, 
        1965. In the 90th Congress, 1st Sess. (113 Cong. Rec. 12), the 
        proceedings differed mainly in that the Clerk, before calling 
        for nominations for Speaker, announced a vacancy in the second 
        district of Rhode Island occasioned by the recent death of a 
        Representative-elect.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sec. 3.2 The Speaker having died prior to the second session of the 
    87th Congress, the Clerk at the beginning of the second session 
    called for nominations for Speaker, and the Chairmen of the 
    Democratic Caucus and Republican Conference announced their 
    respective parties' nominations for Speaker.

    On Jan. 10, 1962,(18) the Clerk called the House to 
order for the purpose of electing a Speaker. Immediately following the 
call of the roll, the following proceedings took place:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
18. 108 Cong. Rec. 5, 87th Cong 2d Sess.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

        The Clerk: Nominations for Speaker of the House of 
    Representatives are now in order.
        The Clerk recognizes the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. 
    Walter).
        Mr. [Francis E.] Walter [of Pennsylvania]: Mr. Clerk, as 
    chairman of the Democratic Caucus I am directed by the unanimous 
    vote of that caucus to present for election to the office of 
    Speaker of the House of Representatives the name of the Honorable 
    John W. McCormack, a Representative from the State of 
    Massachusetts.
        The Clerk: The gentleman from Iowa [Mr. Hoeven] is recognized.
        Mr. [Charles B.] Hoeven [of Iowa]: Mr. Clerk, by authority, by 
    direction, and by unanimous vote of the Republican Conference, I 
    nominate for Speaker of the House of Representatives the Honorable 
    Charles A. Halleck, a Representative from the State of Indiana.

Third-Party Nomination for Speaker

Sec. 3.3 A third party may organize as a conference and name its 
    candidate for Speaker, and the chairman of such conference 
    announces his party's candidate for the Speakership in the same 
    manner as the major parties' candidates are announced.

    On Jan. 5, 1937,(19) following the nominations by the 
Chairman of the Democratic Caucus and Republican Conference of 
candidates

[[Page 152]]

for the Speakership, the following proceedings took place:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
19. 81 Cong. Rec. 11, 75th Cong. 1st Sess.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

        The Clerk: Are there any further nominations?
        Mr. [Gardner R.] Withrow [of Wisconsin]: Mr. Clerk, as chairman 
    of the Farmer-Labor-Progressive Party's Conference, I have been 
    directed, and I have the authority, to present to this body as a 
    candidate for the Speakership of the Seventy-fifth Congress Hon. 
    George J. Schneider, a Representative-elect from the State of 
    Wisconsin.

Resolution Electing Speaker Pro Tempore

Sec. 3.4 The Chairman of the Democratic Caucus offered a resolution 
    electing a Speaker pro tempore.

    On Jan. 10, 1966, Carl Albert, of Oklahoma, the Speaker pro tempore 
by designation, left the chair pending the offering of a resolution 
electing him as Speaker pro tempore during the absence of the 
Speaker.(20) Mr. Albert requested that the chair be 
temporarily assumed by Mr. Hale Boggs, of Louisiana, who thereupon 
assumed the chair and recognized the Chairman of the Democratic Caucus 
for purposes of offering the resolution.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
20. 112 Cong. Rec. 6, 89th Cong. 2d Sess.
            Parliamentarian's Note: Speaker John W. McCormack (Mass.) 
        was absent because of the death of his brother. Since the 
        duration of the Speaker's absence was uncertain, and since 
        there were new Members present to be sworn as well as business 
        requiring a signature, the election of a Speaker pro tempore 
        was considered essential.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    A similar resolution was offered by the caucus chairman in the 87th 
Congress.(1) Speaker Rayburn being absent on Aug. 31, 1961, 
Carl Albert, the Democratic whip, called the House to order and laid 
down a letter from the Speaker designating Carl Albert as Speaker pro 
tempore for the day. Following the prayer, approval of the Journal and 
receipt of a message from the Senate, the caucus chairman offered the 
resolution electing John W. McCormack, of Massachusetts, as Speaker pro 
tempore.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 1. 107 Cong. Rec. 17765, 17766, 87th Cong. 1st Sess., Aug. 31, 1961.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Announcement of Election of Party Leader

Sec. 3.5 At the beginning of a Congress, it is usual for announcements 
    to be made by the caucus and conference chairmen as to their 
    respective parties' floor leaders.

    On Jan. 3, 1969,(2) following the transaction of 
business relating to

[[Page 153]]

the swearing in of Members, the following proceedings took place:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 2. 115 Cong. Rec. 34, 91st Cong. 1st Sess.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

        Mr. [Daniel D.] Rostenkowski [of Illinois]: Mr. Speaker, as 
    Chairman of the Democratic caucus, I have been directed to report 
    to the House that the Democratic Members have selected as majority 
    leader the gentleman from Oklahoma, the Honorable Carl Albert.
        Mr. [John B.] Anderson [of Illinois]: Mr. Speaker, as Chairman 
    of the Republican Conference, I am directed by that Conference to 
    officially notify the House that the gentleman from Michigan, the 
    Honorable Gerald R. Ford, has been selected as the minority leader 
    of the House.(3)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 3. Substantially the same procedure has been followed in other 
        Congresses. See, for example, 113 Cong. Rec. 27, 90th Cong. 1st 
        Sess., Jan. 10, 1967; 111 Cong. Rec. 20, 89th Cong. 1st Sess., 
        Jan. 4, 1965; and 109 Cong. Rec. 13, 88th Cong. 1st Sess., Jan. 
        9, 1963.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sec. 3.6 Where a vacancy has occurred in the office of floor leader, 
    the chairman of the party caucus announces the party's selection of 
    a new floor leader.

    On Jan. 10, 1962,(4) the Chairman of the Democratic 
Caucus announced the selection of Carl Albert as Majority Leader, to 
replace John W. McCormack, of Massachusetts, who had been elevated to 
the Speakership after the death of Speaker Rayburn. The announcement 
was made as follows:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 4. 108 Cong. Rec. 7, 87th Cong. 2d Sess.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

        Mr. Walter: Mr. Speaker, as Chairman of the Democratic caucus I 
    am directed to report to the House that the Democratic Members have 
    selected as majority leader the gentleman from Oklahoma, the 
    Honorable Carl Albert.

Announcement of Republican Whip

Sec. 3.7 Generally,(5) after the members of the Republican 
    Conference select their party whip, such selection is announced to 
    the House by the chairman of the conference.(6)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 5. For occasions on which the selection of the Republican whip has 
        been announced by the Republican floor leader, see Sec. 23.3, 
        infra.
 6. As to the announcement of the selection of the Democratic whip, see 
        Sec. 20.3, infra.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    On Jan. 3, 1969,(7) immediately after announcements 
relating to the selection of party floor leaders, the following 
announcement was made by the Chairman of the Republican Conference:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 7. 115 Cong. Rec. 34, 91st Cong. 1st Sess.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

        Mr. [John B.] Anderson of Illinois: Mr. Speaker, as Chairman of 
    the Republican Conference, I am directed by that conference to 
    notify the House officially that the Republican Members

[[Page 154]]

    have selected as minority whip the gentleman from Illinois, the 
    Honorable Leslie C. Arends.(8)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 8. Substantially similar proceedings have taken place in other 
        Congresses. See, for example 113 Cong. Rec. 27, 90th Cong. 1st 
        Sess., Jan. 10, 1967. Of course, announcements relating to the 
        selection of the whips are not always made at the same time as 
        announcements relating to the selection of floor leaders. In 
        the 89th Congress, for example, the Chairman of the Republican 
        Conference announced the selection of the minority whip on Jan. 
        14, 1965 (111 Cong. Rec. 656, 89th Cong. 1st Sess.), whereas 
        the selection of the floor leaders had been announced on Jan. 4 
        (111 Cong. Rec. 20, 89th Cong. 1st Sess.).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Announcements as to Other Party Officers

Sec. 3.8 The Chairman of the Republican Conference has on occasion 
    announced to the House the selection of other party officers, in 
    particular the Chairman of the Republican Policy Committee and the 
    Chairman of the Republican Committee on Research and Planning.

    On Jan. 10, 1967,(9) the Chairman of the Republican 
Conference, after announcing the selection of the Minority Leader and 
the minority whip, announced:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 9. 113 Cong. Rec. 27, 90th Cong. 1st Sess. See also 109 Cong. Rec. 
        506, 88th Cong. 1st Sess., Jan. 17, 1963, in which the Chairman 
        of the Republican Conference announced the selection of the 
        minority whip and the Chairman of the Republican Policy 
        Committee. In the 89th Congress (111 Cong. Rec. 20, 89th Cong. 
        1st Sess.), on Jan. 4, 1965, the conference chairman announced 
        first the selection of the Minority Leader and immediately 
        thereafter the selection of the Chairman of the Republican 
        Policy Committee; the announcement of the selection of the 
        minority whip was made by the conference chairman on Jan. 14, 
        1965 (111 Cong. Rec. 656, 89th Cong. 1st Sess.).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

        The Conference has also directed me to notify the House 
    officially that the Republican Members have selected as Chairman of 
    the Republican Committee on Policy the gentleman from Arizona, the 
    Honorable John J. Rhodes, and has chosen as Chairman of the 
    Republican Committee on Research and Planning the gentleman from 
    New York, the Honorable Charles E. Goodell.

Resolution Naming Officers of the House

Sec. 3.9 The chairman of the caucus or conference customarily 
    introduces a resolution pertaining to the election of the Clerk of 
    the House, Sergeant at Arms, Doorkeeper, Postmaster, and Chaplain.

    On Jan. 3, 1969,(10) the Chairman of the Democratic 
Caucus of

[[Page 155]]

fered the following resolution, which was read by the Clerk:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
10. 115 Cong. Rec. 34, 91st Cong. 1st Sess.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                   H. Res. 3

        Resolved, That W. Pat Jennings, of the Commonwealth of 
    Virginia, be, and he is hereby, chosen Clerk of the House of 
    Representatives;
        That Zeake W. Johnson, Jr., of the State of Tennessee, be, and 
    he is hereby, chosen Sergeant at Arms of the House of 
    Representatives;
        That William M. Miller, of the State of Mississippi, be, and he 
    is hereby, chosen Doorkeeper of the House of Representatives;
        That H. H. Morris, of the Commonwealth of Kentucky, be, and he 
    is hereby, chosen Postmaster of the House of Representatives;
        That Reverend Edward G. Latch, of the District of Columbia, be, 
    and he is hereby, chosen Chaplain of the House of Representatives.

    Immediately after the introduction of the above resolution, the 
Chairman of the Republican Conference announced that he had a 
substitute to offer to the resolution. He thereupon requested that 
there be a division on the question on the resolution so as to permit a 
separate vote on the office of the Chaplain. After that portion of the 
resolution providing for the election of the Chaplain was agreed to, 
the Chairman of the Republican Conference offered a substitute 
amendment for the remainder of the resolution; such amendment, in the 
same form as the original resolution, named different persons to fill 
the posts of Clerk, Sergeant at Arms, Doorkeeper, and Postmaster. In 
the proceedings that followed, the substitute amendment was rejected, 
and the resolution offered by the Chairman of the Democratic Caucus was 
agreed to.(11)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
11. 115 Cong. Rec. 34, 91st Cong. 1st Sess., Jan. 3, 1969. In the 90th 
        Congress (113 Cong. Rec. 27, 90th Cong. 1st Sess., Jan. 10, 
        1967), the proceedings were substantially the same, except that 
        the request for a division of the resolution electing officers 
        was made by the minority whip.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In the 89th Congress,(12) no substitute amendment was 
offered, and the resolution offered by the caucus chairman pertaining 
to the election of the House officers was immediately agreed to.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
12. 111 Cong. Rec. 20, 89th Cong. 1st Sess., Jan. 4, 1965.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Resolution as to Compensation of Minority Employees

Sec. 3.10 The chairman of the minority caucus or conference may 
    introduce a resolution relating to the compensation of certain 
    minority employees.

    On Jan. 3, 1969,(13) the Chairman of the Republican 
Conference

[[Page 156]]

offered a resolution relating to the compensation of certain minority 
employees as follows:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
13. 115 Cong. Rec. 35, 91st Cong. 1st Sess. For further discussion of 
        the minority employees, see Sec. 1, supra.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

        Mr. [John B.] Anderson of Illinois: Mr. Speaker, I offer a 
    resolution (H. Res. 8) and ask for its immediate consideration.
        The Clerk read the resolution, as follows:

                                   H. Res. 8

            Resolved, That pursuant to the Legislative Pay Act of 1929, 
        as amended, six minority employees authorized therein shall be 
        the following-named persons . . . to wit: Harry L. Brookshire 
        and Richard T. Burress to receive gross compensation of $28,000 
        respectvely. . . .

Election of Members to Committee on Ways and Means

Sec. 3.11 Resolutions electing Democratic Members to the Committee on 
    Ways and Means, including resolutions to fill vacancies, are 
    offered in the House by the Chairman of the Democratic Caucus.

    [Note: For more recent changes in the functions and composition of 
the Committee on Ways and Means, see supplements to this edition as 
they appear.]
    On Jan. 14, 1969,(14) the following proceedings took 
place:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
14. 115 Cong. Rec. 611, 91st Cong. 1st Sess.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

        Mr. [Daniel D.] Rostenkowski [of Illinois]: Mr. Speaker, I 
    offer a privileged resolution (H. Res. 124) and ask for its 
    immediate consideration.
        The Clerk read the resolution as follows:

                                  H. Res. 124

            Resolved, That Sam Gibbons, of Florida, be, and he is 
        hereby, elected a Member of the standing committee of the House 
        of Representatives on Ways and Means.

        The resolution was agreed to.

    Substantially the same procedure has been followed in other 
Congresses.(15) On Jan. 16, 1962,(16) the 
resolution offered by the caucus chairman named two persons for 
membership on the Committee on Ways and Means, one of them the first 
woman elected to the committee. The proceedings were as follows:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
15. See, for example, 114 Cong. Rec. 24220, 90th Cong. 2d Sess., July 
        30, 1968, in which the caucus chairman called up a resolution 
        electing Omar Burleson to the Committee on Ways and Means; Mr. 
        Burleson had previously resigned (114 Cong. Rec. 24215, 90th 
        Cong. 2d Sess., July 30, 1968) from two positions on committees 
        pending his election to the Committee on Ways and Means. See 
        also 110 Cong. Rec. 10027, 88th Cong. 2d Sess., May 5, 1964.
16. 108 Cong. Rec. 263, 87th Cong. 2d Sess.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

        Mr. [Francis E.] Walter [of Pennsylvania]: Mr. Speaker, by 
    direction of the Democratic Caucus, I send to the desk a resolution 
    and ask for its immediate consideration.

[[Page 157]]

        The Clerk read as follows:

                                  H. Res. 507

            Resolved, That Clark W. Thompson, of Texas, and Martha W. 
        Griffiths, of Michigan, be, and they are hereby, elected 
        members of the standing committee of the House of 
        Representatives on Ways and Means.

Resolution Electing Members to Other Standing Committees

Sec. 3.12 On occasion, the caucus chairman has offered a resolution 
    electing Members to various standing committees of the House.

    On Jan. 5, 1937,(17) the Chairman of the Democratic 
Caucus, Robert L. Doughton, of North Carolina, offered a resolution 
electing Members to certain standing committees of the House.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
17. 81 Cong. Rec. 15, 75th Cong. 1st Sess. Ordinarily, at the beginning 
        of recent Congresses, the resolution electing Democratic 
        Members to the standing committees of the House has been 
        offered by the Democratic Chairman of the Ways and Means 
        Committee. For further discussion of assignments to standing 
        committees, see Sec. Sec. 9.1-9.5, infra; see also Ch. 17, 
        infra.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    On Jan. 23, 1961,(18) the Chairman of the Democratic 
Caucus, Francis E. Walter, of Pennsylvania, offered separate 
resolutions electing Members respectively to the standing Committee on 
Rules and the standing Committee on Appropriations.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
18. 107 Cong. Rec. 1155. 87th Cong. 1st Sess.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Announcement of Caucus Meeting

Sec. 3.13 The caucus chairman has on occasion made announcements in the 
    House concerning caucus meetings.

    On Jan. 12, 1937,(19) the Chairman of the Democratic 
Caucus made the following announcement in the House:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
19. 81 Cong. Rec. 190, 75th Cong. 1st Sess.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

        Mr. [Robert L.] Doughton [of North Carolina]: Mr. Speaker, I 
    have asked for this time to inform the majority Members of the 
    House that there will be a Democratic Caucus at 10:30 o'clock 
    tomorrow morning to hear a report of the majority Committee on 
    Committees.

Ceremonial Activities; Courtesies

Sec. 3.14 The chairmen of the caucus and conference have on occasion 
    been appointed to the committee of escort(20) which 
    traditionally accom

[[Page 158]]

    panies a new Speaker-elect to the chair.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
20. At times, the committee of escort has consisted only of the 
        majority and minority floor leaders. See Sec. 21.1, infra.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    On Jan. 10, 1967,(1) following the Clerk's announcement 
of the election of the Speaker, the following proceedings took place:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 1. 113 Cong. Rec. 13, 90th Cong. 1st Sess.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

        [The Clerk:] The Clerk appoints the following Committee to 
    escort the Speaker-elect to the chair: . . . the gentleman from 
    Wisconsin [Mr. Laird] . . . the gentleman from Illinois [Mr. 
    Rostenkowski]. . . .
        The Doorkeeper announced the Speaker-elect of the House of 
    Representatives of the 90th Congress, who was escorted to the chair 
    by the committee of escort.

Committee to Notify President

Sec. 3.15 The chairman of the majority caucus has been appointed on 
    occasion to the committee to notify the President as to the 
    assembly of Congress.

    In the 86th Congress, the committee to notify the President as to 
the assembly of Congress consisted of the Majority Leader, the Minority 
Leader, and the Chairman of the Democratic Caucus.(2)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 2. See 105 Cong. Rec. 15, 86th Cong. 1st Sess., Jan. 7, 1959.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Administration of Oath to Speaker Pro Tempore

Sec. 3.16 On occasion,(3) the Chairman of the Democratic 
    Caucus has administered the oath to a newly-elected Speaker pro 
    tempore.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 3. For a discussion of other persons who might administer the oath to 
        a newly-elected Speaker pro tempore, see Ch. 6, infra.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    On Aug. 31, 1961,(4) after the adoption by the House of 
a resolution introduced by the caucus chairman electing John W. 
McCormack, of Massachusetts, the Speaker pro tempore, the caucus 
chairman administered the oath to Mr. McCormack.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 4. 107 Cong. Rec. 17766, 87th Cong. 1st Sess.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Assumption of Duties as Speaker Pro Tempore

Sec. 3.17 In the 88th Congress, the Chairman of the Republican 
    Conference(5) presided as Speaker pro tempore during 
    consideration of a resolution expressing the appreciation of the 
    House for the manner in which Speaker John W.

[[Page 159]]

    McCormack, of Massachusetts, performed the duties of the Chair in 
    the 88th Congress.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 5. The chairman was acting for the minority whip, who was absent. The 
        minority whip usually fulfills the duties that were undertaken 
        by the conference chairman on the occasion described above. See 
        Sec. 24.1, infra.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    On Oct. 3, 1964,(6) shortly before adjournment of the 
second session of the 88th Congress, the Speaker requested the Chairman 
of the Republican Conference to assume the Chair as Speaker pro 
tempore. Having assumed the Chair, the Speaker pro tempore, Gerald R. 
Ford, of Michigan, recognized the Minority Leader, who sent to the desk 
the resolution of thanks to the Speaker of the House. The Minority 
Leader then delivered to the House remarks in praise of the Speaker, at 
the conclusion of which the Speaker pro tempore stated, ``The question 
is on the resolution.'' The resolution having been unanimously agreed 
to, the Speaker pro tempore recognized the Speaker, who responded to 
the resolution.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 6. 110 Cong. Rec. 24058, 24059, 88th Cong. 2d Sess.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Tribute to Speaker for Campaign Efforts

Sec. 3.18 In the 91st Congress, the Chairman of the Democratic Caucus 
    inserted in the Congressional Record the text of a resolution 
    adopted by the caucus expressing gratitude to the Speaker for his 
    efforts during the recent election campaign.

    On Nov. 18, 1970,(7) the Chairman of the Democratic 
Caucus asked and was given permission to address the House for one 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks and include extraneous 
matter.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 7. 116 Cong. Rec. 37821, 37822, 91st Cong. 2d Sess.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

        Mr. [Daniel D.] Rostenkowski [of Illinois]: Mr. Speaker, this 
    morning in the Democratic Caucus an extremely meritorious 
    resolution was unanimously adopted commending the Honorable John W. 
    McCormack, of the State of Massachusetts, for his participation in 
    last November's campaign.
        This resolution was offered by our distinguished majority 
    leader, the gentleman from Oklahoma (Mr. Albert), and I 
    wholeheartedly subscribe to the resolution which is as follows:

         Resolution by Representative Carl Albert, Democratic Caucus, 
                               November 18, 1970

        . . . Whereas the Speaker elevated [the] campaign to a higher 
    plane by focusing on valid issues, promoting rational debate, 
    maintaining a demeanor fitting of high public office, and 
    disdaining divisive and inflammatory rhetoric; and
        . . . Whereas his efforts in the late days of the campaign, and 
    the catalyzing effect of his statements on the issues were 
    resoundingly [successful] . . . Be it therefore

[[Page 160]]

        Resolved, That this Democratic Caucus express its unanimous 
    gratitude to Speaker John W. McCormack for his leadership and 
    guidance during the election period just completed. . . .

Expressions of Praise or Recognition

Sec. 3.19 On special occasions, the caucus or conference chairman has 
    made appropriate remarks of felicitation or recognition.

    On many occasions, the caucus or conference chairman has been among 
those offering expressions of felicitation or recognition. Thus, during 
proceedings relating to a resolution offered in the 91st Congress 
commending Speaker John W. McCormack, of Massachusetts, on his length 
of service as Speaker, the conference chairman, John B. Anderson, of 
Illinois, was among those speaking in recognition of the Speaker's 
record of service.(8)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 8. 116 Cong. Rec. 17023, 91st Cong. 2d Sess., May 26, 1970.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Similarly, the chairman has announced birthdays and the like, 
extending appropriate felicitations.(9)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 9. See, for example, 112 Cong. Rec. 15706, 89th Cong. 2d Sess., July 
        14, 1966 (birthday of party floor leader).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------



 
                               CHAPTER 3
 
                           Party Organization
 
                     B. PARTY CAUCUS OR CONFERENCE
 
Sec. 4. Adoption of Rules; Recent Changes

    [Note: Later versions of the caucus rules will be discussed in 
supplements to this edition as they appear.]
    The party caucus or conference adopts rules that govern its 
proceedings.(10) The Republicans have in the past adopted as 
the rules for the conference the rules of the preceding Congress so far 
as applicable and except as modified.(11) Democratic Caucus 
rules adopted at the commencement of each Congress have, with few 
exceptions, remained substantially unchanged for a period of many 
years. The earlier caucus rules are set forth elsewhere,(12) 
and a more recent, though substantially similar, version was inserted 
in the Record of the 92d Congress.(13) Only the significant 
changes in the rules will be noted here.(14)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
10. See 8 Cannon's Precedents Sec. Sec. 3603, 3604a, 3609, and 3610.
11. 8 Cannon's Precedents Sec. 3610. See also Riddick, Floyd M., 
        Congressional Procedure, Chapman and Grimes (Boston, 1941), p. 
        32.
12. See 8 Cannon's Precedents Sec. 3609.
13. 117 Cong. Rec. 434, 92d Cong. 1st Sess., Jan. 25, 1971.
14. Further discussion of the caucus rules as they relate to specific 
        subjects is to be found in the sections that deal with such 
        subjects. See, for example, Sec. 9, infra, for discussion of 
        election of Members to committees; and Sec. 10, infra, for 
        discussion of instances in which party members will be 
        considered bound by vote of the caucus.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 161]]

    Some changes have taken place in the caucus rules with respect to 
time and place of meeting and the agenda. Former rule 3(15) 
provided simply that ``Meetings of the Democratic Caucus may be called 
by the Chairman upon his own motion, and shall be called by him 
whenever requested in writing by 25 members of the caucus.''
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
15. 8 Cannon's Precedents Sec. 3609.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The present rule(16)  specifies in some detail the 
conditions under which meetings will be held and the matters that will 
form the agenda.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
16. Rule 3, Democratic Caucus Rules (July 20, 1971), quoted in Sec. 3, 
        supra.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Present rule 4 provides, as did the former rule 4, that ``A quorum 
of the Caucus shall consist of a majority of the Democratic Members of 
the House.'' Additional language in the present rule 4, however, sets 
forth specific limits on the business that may be transacted in the 
absence of a quorum. The rule states:(17)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
17. Rule 4, Democratic Caucus Rules (July 20, 1971).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

        4. . . . If the absence of a quorum is established, the 
    chairman may continue the meeting for purposes of discussion only, 
    but no motion of any kind, except a motion to adjourn, shall be in 
    order at such continued meeting.

    Finally, with respect to persons permitted to attend meetings of 
the caucus, the former rule 10(18) prohibited all but 
certain persons from attending meetings. The present rule 
10(19)  gives to the caucus chairman some authority to admit 
persons to meetings.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
18. 8 Cannon's Precedents Sec. 3609.
19. Democratic Caucus Rules (July 20, 1971), quoted in Sec. 3, supra.
            Note: An addendum to the caucus rules as adopted in 1973 
        set forth certain procedures to be followed when it was 
        proposed that a bill be considered in the House pursuant to a 
        closed rule. The procedures to be followed in such 
        circumstances were designed primarily to afford the caucus an 
        opportunity to decide whether the bill should be open to 
        particular amendments. Some discussion of the operation of this 
        provision can be found in Ch. 21, infra, of this edition. 
        Further discussion will be found in this chapter in supplements 
        to this edition as they appear.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------


 
                               CHAPTER 3
 
                           Party Organization
 
                     B. PARTY CAUCUS OR CONFERENCE
 
Sec. 5. Time and Place of Meetings

    A caucus rule, quoted above,(1) contains detailed 
provisions as to when caucus meetings may or must be held.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 1. Rule 3, Democratic Caucus Rules (July 20, 1971), quoted in Sec. 3, 
        supra.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Hall of the House may be used for caucus meetings. A rule

[[Page 162]]

of the House(2) provides that, with certain exceptions, 
``The Hall of the House shall be used only for the legislative business 
of the House and for the caucus meetings of its Members. . . .''
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 2. Rule XXXI. See Sec. 5.3, infra, for an announcement of a meeting to 
        be held in the Hall of the House.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Notice of caucus or conference meetings may be by letter from the 
caucus or conference chairman.(3) Notice of the meeting at 
which the caucus or conference organizes for a new Congress is given by 
the chairman of the caucus or conference of the preceding 
Congress.(4)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 3. See Cannon's Procedure, H. Doc. No. 122, 86th Cong. 1st Sess. 
        (1959), p. 187.
 4. Id.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Although the caucus or conference chairman is the officer generally 
responsible for calling and announcing caucus or conference meetings, 
other party leaders have on occasion taken the initiative in this 
regard. Thus, announcements respecting such meetings have been made in 
the House by the party floor leaders(5) and even by the 
Speaker of the House.(6)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 5. See Sec. Sec. 5.3 (Majority Leader), 5.4 and 5.5 (Minority Leader), 
        infra. For an occasion on which the Minority Leader, without 
        calling a conference meeting, asked on the floor of the House 
        for an informal indication of Republican sentiment on 
        particular legislation, see Sec. 19.2, infra.
            For discussion of the more recent procedures used in 
        calling organizational meetings of the caucus prior to the 
        convening of a new Congress, see supplements to this edition as 
        they appear.
 6. See Sec. 5.2, infra.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The demands of business in the House may prevent the scheduling of 
meetings at the times desired by the party leaders. On one occasion, 
the Minority Leader asked that the House take a recess so that a 
meeting of the Republican Conference could take place; the Speaker 
declined to entertain the request.(7)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 7. See Sec. 5.5. infra.                          -------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Announcement by Caucus Chairman

Sec. 5.1 On occasion, the caucus chairman has made an announcement in 
    the House respecting a caucus meeting to be held.

    On Jan. 12, 1937,(8) the Democratic Caucus Chairman, 
Robert L. Doughton, of North Carolina, announced:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 8. 81 Cong. Rec. 190, 75th Cong. 1st Sess.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

        Mr. Doughton: Mr. Speaker, I have asked for this time to inform 
    the ma

[[Page 163]]

    jority Members of the House that there will be a Democratic Caucus 
    at 10:30 o'clock tomorrow morning to hear a report of the majority 
    Committee on Committees.

Announcement by Speaker

Sec. 5.2 The Speaker announced to the House the calling of a Democratic 
    Caucus to fill a vacancy on the Committee on Ways and Means.

    On July 23, 1968,(9) a Member's letter of resignation 
from the Committee on Ways and Means having been laid before the 
House,(10)  Speaker John W. McCormack, of Massachusetts, 
announced from the floor:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 9. 114 Cong. Rec. 22800, 90th Cong. 2d Sess.
10. See 114 Cong. Rec. 22795, 90th Cong. 2d Sess., July 23, 1968.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

        Mr. Speaker, I want to announce publicly that there will be a 
    Democratic Caucus on Friday morning at 10 o'clock for the purpose 
    of filling a vacancy that exists on the Ways and Means Committee by 
    reason of the resignation of the gentleman from Florida [Mr. 
    Herlong], whose resignation has been accepted today. I want to make 
    this announcement for the benefit of my Democratic colleagues, so 
    we can have as democratic a caucus as possible.

Announcement by Floor Leader

Sec. 5.3 In the 90th Congress, the Majority Leader announced in the 
    House that the Democratic Caucus would meet to elect Members to the 
    Committee on Ways and Means.

    [Note: For discussion of procedures recently adopted with respect 
to announcement of organizational meetings of the caucus prior to the 
convening of a new Congress, see supplements to this edition as they 
appear.] 
    On July 30, 1968,(11) the following proceedings took 
place:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
11. 114 Cong. Rec. 24269, 90th Cong. 2d Sess.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

        Mr. [Carl] Albert [of Oklahoma]: Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous 
    consent to address the House for one minute and to revise and 
    extend my remarks.
        The Speaker: Is there objection to the request of the gentleman 
    from Oklahoma?
        There was no objection.
        Mr. Albert: Mr. Speaker, I take this time to advise the 
    Democratic Members that a caucus of the Democratic Members of the 
    House is called to meet in the Hall of the House of Representatives 
    on Thursday, August 1, 1968, at 10 a.m., for the purpose of 
    electing Members to the Ways and Means Committee.

Sec. 5.4 The Minority Leader made an announcement in the House 
    concerning a meeting of the Republican Conference.

    On Jan. 13, 1937,(12) the Minority Leader, Bertrand H. 
Snell, of New York, announced as follows:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
12. 81 Cong. Rec. 201, 75th Cong. 1st Sess.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 164]]

        Mr. Snell: Mr. Speaker, there will be a meeting of the . . . 
    Committee on Committees . . . and there will be a Republican 
    Conference in this Hall at 10 o'clock tomorrow morning.

Sec. 5.5 The Speaker having declined to entertain a request of the 
    Minority Leader that the House take a two-hour recess for a 
    Republican Conference, the Minority Leader subsequently announced a 
    meeting of the Republican Members to take place following 
    adjournment.

    On Apr. 11, 1951,(13)  the following proceedings took 
place:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
13. 97 Cong. Rec. 3673, 82d Cong. 1st Sess., considering the 1951 
        amendments to the Universal Military Training and Service Act.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

        Mr. [Joseph W.] Martin [Jr.] of Massachusetts: I inquire if the 
    Speaker would agree that the House would take a recess of two 
    hours. I make this request because of the tragic situation that 
    prevails in the world. I should like, if I could, to have a 
    Republican conference. .
        The Speaker [Sam Rayburn, of Texas]: The Chair will say that 
    that is a very unusual request. . . .
        . . . [T]here is an amendment coming up to the bill that the 
    Chair thinks will take some hours, in all probability.
        Mr. Martin: The Chair understands that in accordance with his 
    policies and the policies I have previously agreed with, too, we 
    desire all our membership to be on the floor when these various 
    bills are being read for amendment. Because of the tremendous 
    importance of the situation in the world today, I should like to 
    submit [the] request. . . .
        The Speaker: The gentleman from Massachusetts poses a very hard 
    question for the Chair. For the moment the Chair thinks he will not 
    entertain the request.

    Subsequently,(14) Mr. Martin made the following remarks:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
14. 97 Cong. Rec. 3676, 82d Cong. 1st Sess., Apr. 11, 1951.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

        . . . I should like to make one more statement: The Members 
    will recall that I was hopeful we might have a recess for two hours 
    in order that we could have a Republican Conference in which we 
    could discuss these latest developments. That request was not 
    granted. May I say, however, that I think the Speaker acted wholely 
    within his province when he did not entertain that request, I know 
    it was neither personal or partisan because I can understand how it 
    might lead to abuses. I am not finding any fault, but I am giving 
    notice that following the adjournment of the House today there will 
    be a meeting of the Republican Members of the House in this 
    Chamber.(15)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
15. For an occasion on which the Minority Leader, without calling a 
        conference meeting, asked on the floor of the House for an 
        informal indication of Republican sentiment on particular 
        legislation, see Sec. 19.2, infra.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------


 
                               CHAPTER 3
 
                           Party Organization
 
                     B. PARTY CAUCUS OR CONFERENCE
 
Sec. 6. Specific Functions--Selection of Leaders

    The caucus and conference organize at the beginning of a Con

[[Page 165]]

gress(16) electing their respective chairmen(17) 
and attending to preliminary business.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
16. 8 Cannon's Precedents Sec. Sec. 3602-3604a. For discussion of 
        procedures recently adopted with respect to calling meetings of 
        the caucus for organizational purposes prior to the convening 
        of a new Congress, see supplements to this edition as they 
        appear.
17. See 8 Cannon's Precedents Sec. Sec. 3603, 3604a; and Cannon's 
        Procedure, H. Doc. No. 122, 86th Cong. 1st Sess. (1959), p. 
        187. See also Riddick, Floyd M., Congressional Procedure, 
        Chapman and Grimes (Boston, 1941), p. 32.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    An important function of the caucus or conference early in the 
Congress is to select the party's candidate for Speaker.(18) 
Each party then selects its floor leader;(19) customarily, 
it is understood that the minority party's candidate for Speaker will 
become Minority Leader upon the election of the other party's candidate 
for Speaker.(20)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
18. See Sec. Sec. 6.1-6.3, infra.
            If a Speaker dies in office, the caucus and conference 
        nominate candidates for the vacant office. See Sec. 3.2, supra.
19. See Sec. 6.4, infra.
20. See Congressional Quarterly's Guide to the Congress of the United 
        States, Congressional Quarterly Service (Washington, D.C., 
        1971), p. 140 (discussion of Minority Leader). See also, 
        Riddick, Floyd M., Congressional Procedure, Chapman and Grimes 
        (Boston, 1941), p. 34.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Republican Conference selects its party whip.(1)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 1. See Sec. 6.6, infra. The Democratic whip is appointed by the 
        Democratic floor leader (See Sec. 23, infra).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    A Democratic Caucus rule (2) provides that, ``In the 
Election of Officers and in the Nomination of Candidates for Office in 
the House, the Majority of Those Present and Voting Shall Bind the 
Membership of the Caucus.''
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 2. Rule 6, Democratic Caucus Rules (July 20, 1971).
            See also Ripley, Randall B., Party Leaders in the House of 
        Representatives, The Brookings Institution (Washington, D.C., 
        1967), pp. 58-61, 64, 72, and 76 (functions of party caucuses 
        and committees).                          -------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Selection of Candidate for Speaker

Sec. 6.1 Prior to the beginning of a Congress, the Democratic Caucus 
    and the Republican Conference select their respective candidates 
    for Speaker.

    In the 92d Congress,(3) as in prior 
Congresses,(4) the Clerk

[[Page 166]]

called on the first day of the Congress for nominations for Speaker; 
the chairmen of the caucus and conference then presented to the House 
the names of the persons nominated by
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 3. 117 Cong. Rec. 10, 92d Cong. 1st Sess., Jan. 21, 1971.
 4. For further examples of announcements made by caucus and conference 
        chairmen in prior Congresses respecting the selection of 
        candidates for Speaker, see Sec. Sec. 3.1-3.3, supra. the 
        respective parties. The proceedings were as follows:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

        The Clerk: The next order of business is the election of a 
    Speaker of the House of Representatives for the 92nd Congress. 
    Nominations are now in order.
        Mr. [Olin E.] Teague of Texas: Mr. Clerk, as Chairman of the 
    Democratic Caucus, I am directed by the unanimous vote of that 
    caucus to present for election to the office of the Speaker of the 
    House of Representatives of the 92nd Congress the name of the 
    Honorable Carl Albert, a Representative-elect from the State of 
    Oklahoma.
        Mr. [John B.] Anderson of Illinois: Mr. Clerk, as Chairman of 
    the Republican Conference and by authority, by direction, and by 
    unanimous vote of the Republican Conference, I nominate for Speaker 
    of the House of Representatives the Honorable Gerald R. Ford, a 
    Representative-elect from the State of Michigan.
        The Clerk: . . . are there further nominations? (After a 
    pause.) There being no further nominations, the Clerk will appoint 
    tellers.

Role in Filling Vacancy in Office

Sec. 6.2 Upon the death of a Speaker, the caucus and conference select 
    their respective candidates for Speaker, and the names of the 
    candidates are presented to the House as at the beginning of a 
    Congress.

    Speaker Sam Rayburn, of Texas, died prior to the second session of 
the 87th Congress. Proceedings in the second session for selection of a 
new Speaker are set forth in  3.2, supra.
    Parliamentarian's Note: In the case of the Speaker's absence, the 
Chair may be assumed by one who has been designated Speaker pro tempore 
by the Speaker.(5) In a case where the Speaker was to be 
absent for an uncertain length of time, the Chairman of the Democratic 
Caucus, having been requested to do so by the Speaker, offered in the 
House a resolution electing the Majority Leader as Speaker pro 
tempore.(6)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 5. See Ch. 6, infra.
 6. See the proceedings set forth in Sec. 3.4, supra.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Third-Party Candidate for Speaker

Sec. 6.3 A third party may organize as a conference and name its 
    candidate for Speaker, and the chairman of such conference 
    announces to the House his

[[Page 167]]

    party's candidate for the Speakership.

    In the 75th Congress, the chairman of the Farmer-Labor-Progressive 
party's conference, Gardner R. Withrow, of Wisconsin, presented to the 
House the name of his party's candidate for Speaker, George J. 
Schneider.(7)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 7. See the proceedings set forth in Sec. 3.3, supra. For references 
        relating to third parties generally, see Sec. 2, supra.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Election of Floor Leader

Sec. 6.4 The caucus and conference elect their respective party floor 
    leaders.

    At the beginning of each Congress, the caucus and conference 
chairmen announce the election by their respective parties of the floor 
leaders. Thus, in the 75th Congress,(8) the following 
announcements were made:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 8. 81 Cong. Rec. 15, 75th Cong. 1st Sess., Jan. 5, 1937.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

        Mr. [Robert L.] Doughton [of North Carolina]: Mr. Speaker, the 
    Democratic Caucus at a meeting yesterday elected Hon. Sam Rayburn, 
    of Texas, as floor leader of the Seventy-fifth Congress. [Applause]
        Mr. [Roy O.] Woodruff [of Michigan]: Mr. Speaker, I take this 
    opportunity to announce that by the authority and direction of the 
    Republican Conference the honorable gentleman from New York, Mr. 
    Bertrand H. Snell, has been selected as minority leader of this 
    House. [Applause]
        Mr. [Gardner R.] Withrow [of Wisconsin]: Mr. Speaker, I 
    announce to the House that the Farmer-Labor-Progressive Party's 
    Conference by unanimous consent selected Hon. Gerald J. Boileau, of 
    Wisconsin, as floor leader for the Seventy-fifth Congress. 
    [Applause]

    In the 92d Congress,(9) the announcements were as 
follows:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 9. 117 Cong. Rec. 13, 92d Cong. 1st Sess., Jan. 21, 1971.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

        Mr. [Olin E.] Teague of Texas: Mr. Speaker, as chairman of the 
    Democratic caucus, I have been directed to report to the House that 
    the Democratic Members have selected unanimously as majority leader 
    the gentleman from Louisiana, the Honorable Hale Boggs.
        Mr. [John B.] Anderson of Illinois: Mr. Speaker, as Chairman of 
    the Republican Conference, I am directed by that conference to 
    officially notify the House that the gentleman from Michigan, the 
    Honorable Gerald R. Ford, has been unanimously selected as the 
    minority leader of the House.(10)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
10. Substantially the same proceedings have taken place in other 
        Congresses. See Sec. 3.5, supra.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sec. 6.5 When a vacancy occurs in the office of floor leader, the 
    caucus or conference elects a new floor leader, whose name is 
    presented to the House in the usual manner.

    On Jan. 10, 1962,(11) the Chairman of the Democratic 
Caucus an

[[Page 168]]

nounced the selection of Carl Albert, of Oklahoma, as Majority Leader, 
to replace John W. McCormack, of Massachusetts, who had been elevated 
to the Speakership after the death of Speaker Rayburn. The announcement 
was made as follows:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
11. 108 Cong. Rec. 5, 87th Cong. 2d Sess.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

        Mr. [Francis E.] Walter [of Pennsylvania]: Mr. Speaker, as 
    Chairman of the Democratic Caucus I am directed to report to the 
    House that the Democratic Members have selected as Majority Leader 
    the gentleman from Oklahoma, the Honorable Carl Albert.

Selection of Republican Whip

Sec. 6.6 The members of the Republican(12) Conference select 
    their party whip.(13)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
12. The Democratic whip is appointed by the Democratic floor leader. 
        See Sec. 23, infra.
13. See, in addition to the discussion in this section, 8 Cannon's 
        Precedents Sec. 3615, in which Mr. Guy U. Hardy, of Colorado, 
        is quoted as remarking, (69 Cong. Rec. 8439, 1st Sess. 70th 
        Cong., May 11, 1928), ``The Republican Whip was formerly 
        appointed by the Speaker, but is now chosen by the party 
        caucus.''
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Announcements traditionally made in the House with respect to the 
selection of the Republican whip have generally indicated that such 
selection is made by the party members in their conference. There is 
reference in some authorities(14) to a practice, at least at 
one time, whereby the Republican party's Committee on Committees would 
recommend to the Republican Conference the name of the person to be 
designated Republican whip. The role of the Committee on Committees was 
reflected, for example, in the announcement by Mr. Charles A. Halleck, 
of Indiana, in the 83d Congress:(15)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
14. See Riddick, Floyd M., Congressional Procedure, Chapman and Grimes 
        (Boston, 1941), pp. 36, 37.
15. 99 Cong. Rec. 134, 83d Cong. 1st Sess., Jan. 6, 1953.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

        Mr. Halleck: Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the Committee on 
    Committees, I hereby wish to announce the selection of Hon. Leslie 
    C. Arends, of Illinois, as majority whip.

    In other announcements, reference has been made to the ``approval'' 
by the Republican Conference of the Republican whip. In the 88th 
Congress,(16) for example, the conference chairman announced 
as follows:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
16. 109 Cong. Rec. 506, 88th Cong. 1st Sess., Jan. 17, 1963.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

        Mr. [Gerald R.] Ford [of Michigan]: Mr. Speaker, as the 
    chairman of the Republican Conference, it is my privilege to report 
    to the House that the Republican conference has unanimously 
    approved the gentleman from Illinois [Mr. Arends] as minority whip. 
    . . .

[[Page 169]]

    In the 82d Congress,(17) Joseph W. Martin, Jr., the 
Minority Leader, announced:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
17. 97 Cong. Rec. 40, 82d Cong. 1st Sess., Jan. 4, 1951.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

        Mr. Speaker, I would like to announce to the House that the 
    gentleman from Illinois, Mr. Leslie C. Arends, has been elected 
    Republican whip.
More recent announcements have been as follows:

        Mr. [John B.] Anderson of Illinois: Mr. Speaker, as Chairman of 
    the Republican Conference, I am directed by that conference to 
    notify the House officially that the Republican Members have 
    selected as minority whip the gentleman from Illinois, the 
    Honorable Leslie C. Arends.(18)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
18. 115 Cong. Rec. 34, 91st Cong. 1st Sess., Jan. 3, 1969.

And in the 90th Congress:

        Mr. [Melvin R.] Laird [of Wisconsin]: Mr. Speaker, as Chairman 
    of the Republican Conference, I am directed by that conference to 
    notify the House officially that the Republican Members have 
    selected as minority whip the gentleman from Illinois, the 
    Honorable Leslie C. Arends.(19)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
19. 113 Cong. Rec. 27, 90th Cong. 1st Sess., Jan. 10, 1967.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------


 
                               CHAPTER 3
 
                           Party Organization
 
                     B. PARTY CAUCUS OR CONFERENCE
 
Sec. 7. --Nomination of House Officers

    The Constitution(20) states that, ``The House of 
Representatives shall chuse their Speaker(1) and other 
Officers.'' Officers include the Clerk, Sergeant at Arms, Doorkeeper, 
Postmaster, and Chaplain,(2) no one of whom has ever been 
chosen from the sitting Membership of the House, and who continue in 
office until their successors are chosen and qualified,(3) 
in one case continuing through the entire Congress succeeding that in 
which they were elected.(4)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
20. U.S. Const. art. I, Sec. 2.
 1. As to selection by the caucus and conference of candidates for 
        Speaker, see Sec. 6, supra.
 2. 1 Hinds' Precedents Sec. 187.
 3. Id.
 4. 1 Hinds' Precedents Sec. Sec. 244, 263. An amendment to the 
        Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946 was enacted by the 83d 
        Congress (2 USC Sec. 75a-1) authorizing temporary appointments 
        by the Speaker to fill vacancies in the offices of Clerk, 
        Sergeant at Arms, Doorkeeper, Postmaster, or Chaplain.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In practice, each party in its caucus or conference selects its 
candidates for election to the posts of Clerk, Sergeant at Arms, 
Doorkeeper, Postmaster, and Chaplain. The names of the persons selected 
as candidates are then presented to the House in the form of a 
resolution, usually offered by the caucus or conference 
chairman.(5)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 5. See Sec. 3.9, supra.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    It is customary for both parties to present their respective can

[[Page 170]]

didates for House offices, the minority party candidates being 
presented in the form of a substitute amendment to the resolution 
offered by the chairman of the majority caucus.(6) There 
have been exceptions, however; in the 89th Congress,(7) no 
substitute amendment was offered, and the resolution offered by the 
caucus chairman pertaining to the election of the House officers was 
immediately agreed to.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 6. The proceedings relating to the election of House officers are 
        discussed in detail in Sec. 3.9, supra. See also Ch. 6.
 7. 111 Cong. Rec. 20, 89th Cong. 1st Sess., Jan. 4, 1965.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    A Democratic Caucus rule(8) provides that, ``In the 
Election of Officers and in the Nomination of Candidates for Office in 
the House, a Majority of Those Present and Voting Shall Bind the 
Membership, of the Caucus.''
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 8. Rule 6, Democratic Caucus Rules (July 20, 
        1971).                          -------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Nomination Procedure

Sec. 7.1 The names of the majority party's candidates for House offices 
    are presented to the House by resolution, and a substitute 
    resolution is usually offered by the minority party naming that 
    party's candidates for the offices.

    On Jan. 3, 1969,(9) the Chairman of the Democratic 
Caucus offered a resolution naming selections for Clerk of the House, 
Sergeant at Arms, Doorkeeper, Postmaster, and Chaplain. The Chairman of 
the Republican Conference asked for a division on the question on the 
resolution so as to have a separate vote on the office of Chaplain; 
that portion of the resolution providing for the election of Chaplain 
was then agreed to. The Chairman of the Republican Conference then 
offered a substitute amendment to the remainder of the resolution, 
naming different persons to the posts; the substitute amendment was 
rejected, the original agreed to.(10)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 9. 115 Cong. Rec. 34, 91st Cong. 1st Sess.
10. See also Sec. 3.9, supra.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------


 
                               CHAPTER 3
 
                           Party Organization
 
                     B. PARTY CAUCUS OR CONFERENCE
 
Sec. 8. --Creation of Party Committees

    The main party organizations in the House, the caucus and the 
conference, have from time to time delegated some of their functions to 
smaller party committees. Generally, the creation of, and the 
determination of membership on, such specialized committees are in 
large measure functions of the caucus or conference.

[[Page 171]]

    A Republican Committee on Committees consisting of one Member from 
each state having Republican representation in the House was created in 
1919 by resolution of the conference.(11) The Republican 
Committee on Committees is largely responsible for assigning Republican 
Members of the House to House committees.(12) Members of the 
Republican Committee on Committees are selected by the Republican 
delegations in the House from the several states,(13) 
subject to the approval of the conference.(14)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
11. See 8 Cannon's Precedents Sec. 3616.
12. See Sec. 11, infra, for further discussion of the party Committee 
        on Committees.
13. See 8 Cannon's Precedents Sec. 3616.
14. See Riddick, Floyd M., Congressional Procedure, Chapman and Grimes 
        (Boston, 1941), p. 36.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Democratic Caucus has also delegated to a Committee on 
Committees the responsibility for assigning party members to House 
committees, such assignments being subject to caucus 
approval.(15) In past Congresses, Democratic members of the 
Committee on Ways and Means have served as the Committee on Committees 
for their party(16) and the caucus, by secret ballot, has 
elected the Democratic members of the Committee on Ways and 
Means.(17)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
15. See 8 Cannon's Precedents Sec. 3617.
16. See Sec. 11, infra, for further discussion of the party Committee 
        on Committees.
17. See Sec. 9.1, infra.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    A Steering Committee was created in 1933 by the Democratic 
Caucus.(18)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
18. 8 Cannon's Precedents Sec. 3622.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The responsibilities of the Steering Committee lay mainly in the 
area of ascertaining and consolidating party sentiment with respect to 
particular legislation, and assisting in the development of party 
policy and floor strategy.(19) In order to provide a 
geographical basis of representation on the Steering Committee, the 
caucus in 1933 authorized the division of the United States into 
geographical regions, each member of the Steering Committee to be 
elected by the Democratic Members of the House from the several states 
comprising a particular region.(20)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
19. See Sec. 13, infra, for more detailed discussion of the party 
        Steering Committee. For discussion of recent changes leading to 
        development of the present Steering and Policy Committee, see 
        supplements to this edition as they appear.
20. See 8 Cannon's Precedents Sec. 3622.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In 1919, the Republican Conference created a Steering Committee, 
the members of which were to be nominated by the Com

[[Page 172]]

mittee on Committees and elected by the conference.(1) Now 
known as the Policy Committee, the committee advises the Republican 
leadership on matters of party policy and strategy.(2)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 1. See 8 Cannon's Precedents Sec. 3621.
 2. See Congressional Quarterly's Guide to the Congress of the United 
        States, Congressional Quarterly Service (Washington, D.C., 
        1971), pp. 142, 604.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Other committees that have been created by, and derive their 
authority from, the party caucus or conference include patronage 
committees,(3) political campaign committees,(4) 
and research committees.(5)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 3. Sec. 14, infra.
 4. Sec. 16, infra.
 5. Sec. 12, infra.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------


 
                               CHAPTER 3
 
                           Party Organization
 
                     B. PARTY CAUCUS OR CONFERENCE
 
Sec. 9. --Assigning Members to House Committees

    The House rules provide for election by the House of the standing 
committees,(6)  their chairmen,(7) and election 
by the House of Members to fill vacancies in standing 
committees.(8)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 6. Rule X clause 1, House Rules and Manual Sec. 669 (1973). A former 
        version of Rule X provided that unless otherwise specially 
        ordered by the House the Speaker should appoint the standing 
        committees (see 4 Hinds' Precedents Sec. 4448); the Speaker in 
        practice usually, but not always, accepted the Minority 
        Leader's recommendations with respect to minority party 
        members' committee assignments (see discussion in 8 Cannon's 
        Precedents Sec. 2172 [quoted remarks of Joseph G. Cannon]). For 
        further discussion comparing the former with the present 
        practice, see Riddick, Floyd M., Congressional Procedure, 
        Chapman and Grimes (Boston, 1941), pp. 35, 36.
 7. Rule X clause 4, House Rules and Manual Sec. 672 (1973).
 8. Rule X clause 5, House Rules and Manual Sec. 673 (1973).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In practice, the political parties decide as to assignments of 
their respective party members to House committees, and resolutions 
providing for such elections are presented in the House by the majority 
and minority parties as soon as they are able to perfect their lists. 
The practice is indicated in the following exchange from the Record of 
the 92d Congress:(9)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 9. 117 Cong. Rec. 1710, 1711, 92d Cong. 1st Sess., Feb. 4, 1971.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

        Mr. Gerald R. Ford [of Michigan]: Is it correct that the 
    resolution presently before the House is a resolution offered on 
    behalf of the Democratic caucus? The resolution is the 
    recommendations for committee assignment on the Democratic side.
        The Speaker:(10) The gentleman is correct.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
10. John W. McCormack (Mass.).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

        Mr. Ford: Is it the procedure to be followed that subsequently 
    a com

[[Page 173]]

    parable resolution will be offered representing the views of the 
    Republican conference?
        The Speaker: The gentleman is correct.

    The lists presented by the parties indicate not only the membership 
but also the ranking of the Members on the House 
committees.(11)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
11. For further discussion of procedures for electing House committees, 
        see Ch. 17, infra.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The caucus and conference thus play a major role in determining 
assignments to House committees. Each party has created(12) 
a committee on committees,(13) which is charged with the 
responsibility of nominating party members for positions on House 
committees. The caucus or conference elects or approves(14) 
the membership of the party's committee on committees.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
12. See Sec. 8, supra.
13. For a general description of the committee on committees, see 
        Sec. 11, infra.
14. See Sec. 9.1, infra.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In addition to having created the committee on committees and 
selecting or approving the membership thereof, the caucus or conference 
may formulate rules or guidelines affecting the composition of House 
committees. For example, in an addendum to the caucus rules of 
1971,(15) it was stated to be the sense of the Democratic 
Caucus that no Member should be a member of more than two committees 
with legislative jurisdiction. Another provision in the 
addendum(16) stated that recommendations by the Committee on 
Committees as to nominees for chairmen and membership of the committees 
``need not necessarily follow seniority.'' In similar fashion, the 
ratio between the majority and minority parties on the standing 
committees, which varies with the respective membership of the parties 
in the House, may be in large measure determined by the caucus. An 
addendum to the caucus rules of 1971(17) stated the 
following to be the sense of the caucus:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
15. Democratic Caucus Rules (July 20, 1971), addendum, paragraph 3. For 
        discussion of later versions of the caucus rules, see 
        supplements to this edition as they appear.
16. Democratic Caucus Rules (July 20, 1971), addendum, paragraph 5.
17. Democratic Caucus Rules (July 20, 1971), addendum, paragraph 10.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

        Committee ratios should be established to create firm working 
    majorities on each committee. In determining the ratio on the 
    respective standing committees, the Speaker should provide for a 
    minimum of three Democrats for each two Republicans. On those 
    committees on which the Resident Commissioner of Puerto Rico 
    serves, said Commissioner shall be considered, in the 92nd 
    Congress, as a Member of the minority and the Democratic mem

[[Page 174]]

    bership should be increased accordingly.(18)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
18. For further discussion of the determination of the ratio between 
        the majority and minority parties on standing committees, see 8 
        Cannon's Precedents Sec. Sec. 2186, 2187. Rule X clause 1, of 
        the House Rules indicates the total number of Members to be 
        elected to each standing committee.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Finally, the assignments made by the party Committee on Committees 
are subject to caucus or conference approval.(19)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
19. For more detailed discussion of such approval, see Sec. 9.2, infra.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    An addendum to the caucus rules of 1971(20) stated that, 
``The Committee on Committees shall recommend to the caucus nominees 
for chairmen and membership of each committee and such recommendation 
need not necessarily follow seniority.'' It was stated 
further:(1)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
20. Democratic Caucus Rules (July 20, 1971), addendum, paragraph 5.
 1. Democratic Caucus Rules (July 20, 1971), addendum, paragraph 6.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

        The Committee on Committees shall make recommendations to the 
    caucus, one committee at a time. Upon a demand supported by 10 or 
    more Members, a separate vote shall be had on any committee 
    chairman or any member of the committee. If any such motion 
    prevails, the committee list of that particular committee shall be 
    considered recommitted to the Committee on Committees. Further, 
    such demand, if made and properly supported, shall be debated for 
    no more than 40 minutes with the time equally divided between 
    proponents and opponents. If the caucus and the Committee on 
    Committees be in disagreement after completion of the procedure 
    herein provided, the caucus may make final and complete disposition 
    of the matter.

    [Note: For discussion of the current version of this provision, see 
supplements to this edition as they appear.]

The Republican Conference has similarly adopted procedures whereby 
certain recommendations of the Republican Committee on Committees are 
submitted to a vote in the conference.(2)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 2. See Sec. 9.2, infra.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The list of committee assignments presented by each party to the 
House in the form of a resolution has generally been routinely approved 
by the whole House. But in the 92d Congress, a challenge was made to 
the tradition whereby each party, rather than the whole House, assumes 
primary responsibility for determining assignments of members of that 
party to House committees. Dissatisfied with one committee chairmanship 
as determined by the majority caucus, certain members of the majority 
party attempted to present the issue of that chairmanship for determina

[[Page 175]]

tion by both majority and minority party members. The House declined to 
depart from tradition, however, and the resolution naming members of 
the majority party to positions on House committees was adopted without 
change.(3)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 3. See Sec. 9.3, infra.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The presence of third parties in the House may complicate 
procedures for determining committee ratios and making committee 
assignments. In the 75th Congress,(4) for example, members 
of the Farmer-Labor and Progressive parties sparked a debate in the 
House over procedures by which committee assignments should be allotted 
to third parties. The Farmer-Labor-Progressive group were critical of 
the procedure whereby members of that group had been given their 
committee assignments from the quota for the Democratic majority and 
had been nominated for committee membership in the resolution naming 
Democratic Members to committees. Members of the Farmer-Labor-
Progressive group contended that their committee assignments should 
either have been taken out of the quota set aside for minority Members 
of the House, or awarded from a bloc of assignments specifically 
reserved for their group. The arguments of the Farmer-Labor-Progressive 
group did not prevail, and the House adopted the resolution assigning 
Democrats and the third party members to committees.(5)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 4. For a detailed discussion of the proceedings described here, see 
        Sec. 9.4, infra.
 5. See Sec. 9.4, infra.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    It is worth noting here that the power of each party to determine 
committee assignments and rank of Members on committees is sometimes 
the instrument by which party discipline is maintained and party 
members ``punished'' for actions considered disloyal to the 
party.(6) Factors other than party loyalty, however, enter 
more frequently into the determination of Members' committee 
assignments; such factors include length of service in the House, 
geographical considerations, and the desires of the individual Member 
himself.(7)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 6. See Sec. 9.5, infra.
 7. For further discussion of committees and committee assignments, see 
        Ch. 17, infra.                          -------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Election by Caucus of Committee on Committees

Sec. 9.1 Democratic members of the Committee on Ways and Means, who 
    serve as their party's Committee on Com

[[Page 176]]

    mittees(8) are elected in the party caucus by secret 
    ballot.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 8. The Republican Committee on Committees is constituted somewhat 
        differently. See Sec. 8, supra.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    [Note: The following is descriptive of the practice that has been 
in effect in some Congresses. For discussion of current practice in 
which the function of determining committee assignments has been 
delegated to a different committee, see supplements to this edition as 
they appear.]
    On Mar. 2, 1956,(9) a Member addressed remarks to the 
House concerning a newspaper article that had charged Speaker Sam 
Rayburn, of Texas, with exercising influence over the selection of 
members of the Committee on Ways and Means for the purpose of excluding 
from that committee any Member who might be opposed to certain tax 
benefits enjoyed by the oil industry. At the conclusion of the Member's 
remarks, the Speaker pro tempore, John W. McCormack, of Massachusetts, 
observed:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 9. 102 Cong. Rec. 3839, 84th Cong. 2d Sess.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

        The Chair may make the personal observation that members of the 
    Ways and Means Committee on the Democratic side are elected in 
    caucus by secret ballot.

    Parliamentarian's Note: Announcements made in the House have 
referred to caucus meetings to be held for purposes of electing members 
of the Committee on Ways and Means. See Sec. 5.3, supra.

Approval of Committee Assignments

Sec. 9.2 Nominations for assignments to standing committees of the 
    House are made by the party Committee on Committees and reported to 
    the caucus or conference for approval.

    This practice is of long standing.(10) Thus, on Jan. 14, 
1965,(11) Majority Leader Carl Albert, of Oklahoma, 
announced a caucus meeting ``for the purpose of agreeing to 
recommendations of the Democratic Committee on Committees in 
designating Democratic Members of the several committees and their 
assignment thereon.''
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
10. See 8 Cannon's Precedents Sec. 3617, discussing the practice of the 
        Democratic party.
11. 111 Cong. Rec. 660, 89th Cong. 1st Sess.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The excerpts below, from a debate(12) in the House over 
the procedures for making certain committee assignments, indicate that 
the practice as now followed reflects reforms recently adopted by

[[Page 177]]

both parties(13) with respect to the effect of seniority on 
committee assignments.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
12. For more detailed discussion of the debate, see Sec. 9.3, infra.
13. See the Parliamentarian's note at the end of this section.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    During the debate, which centered upon a certain committee 
chairmanship,(14) the following remarks were made by the 
Republican floor leader, Gerald R. Ford, of Michigan:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
14. In the caucus, ``a majority decision [had been made] to [accept] 
        the committee chairman as recommended by the committee on 
        committees.'' (Remarks of Mr. Boggs, 117 Cong. Rec. 1709, 92d 
        Cong. 1st Sess., Feb. 4, 1971.)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

        . . . Let me make another observation, Mr. Speaker. In 1970, 
    the Republican Party took the initiative to make some changes in 
    the election of our ranking Republican member, or the chairman, if 
    we were in the majority. Under the Conable task force, a great deal 
    of time and study resulted in a procedure which we followed 
    yesterday. Each of our ranking Members was voted on separately and 
    secretly. The net result was that we chose responsible members for 
    each committee to be the ranking minority member. We have made that 
    decision on our side, and we do not think you should come over and 
    upset those decisions on our side. And I do not think . . . that we 
    should make any decision as far as your party caucus is 
    concerned.(15)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
15. 117 Cong. Rec. 1711, 92d Cong. 1st Sess., Feb. 4, 1971.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In response, the Majority Leader, Hale Boggs, of Louisiana, made 
the following remarks:(16)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
16. Id.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

        First, I wish to commend the minority leader for the statement 
    he has made . . .
        I would also point out that we, too, had a task force, known as 
    the Hansen Committee. That committee worked hard and diligently . . 
    . [t]hey came to a unanimous resolution on their recommendations, 
    and those recommendations in turn were adopted by the caucus.
        Just as the gentleman from Michigan said that they had the 
    right to vote on each of their ranking Members separately, so we 
    had the same right and did so on yesterday.

At a later point in the debate, Mr. Ford again stated:(17)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
17. 117 Cong. Rec. 1712, 92d Cong. 1st Sess., Feb. 4, 1971.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

        Mr. Speaker, if the gentleman will yield further, our Members 
    will have voted for our nominees for ranking members on each of the 
    committees and we did it in our caucus or conference by a secret 
    ballot with a separate vote in each case.

    Parliamentarian's Note: As previously noted in this section, the 
Democratic Committee on Committees has traditionally nominated 
Democratic party members for assignment to House committees and 
reported such nominations to the caucus for approval.(18) 
Pursuant to recommendations of the Hansen Committee mentioned above in 
the remarks of Mr. Boggs, the

[[Page 178]]

Democrats provided in an addendum to the caucus rules that, ``The 
Committee on Committees shall recommend to the caucus nominees for 
chairman and membership of each committee and such recommendation need 
not necessarily follow seniority,''(19) and that the 
Committee on Committees should make its recommendations ``one committee 
at a time.''(20) Provision was also made for a separate 
vote, in certain circumstances, on any committee chairman or member of 
a committee.''(1)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
18. 8 Cannon's Precedents Sec. 3617.
19. Democratic Caucus Rules (July 20, 1971), addendum, paragraph 5. For 
        discussion of a more recent version of this provision, 
        including special procedures for nominating members of the 
        Committee on Rules, see supplements to this edition as they 
        appear.
20. Democratic Caucus Rules (July 20, 1971), addendum, paragraph 6.
 1. See Democratic Caucus Rules (July 20, 1971), addendum, paragraph 6.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The history of Republican procedures for making committee 
assignments has been similar in many respects to that of the Democratic 
party's procedures. In 1919,(2) the Republican Conference 
defined the duties of the Committee on Committees to include the 
selection of the Republican members of the standing committees of the 
House, the selection of members for specified party positions, and the 
duty to report its action to a Republican Conference. Pursuant to 
recommendations of a task force, the Republican Committee on Committees 
now names its choice, not necessarily on the basis of seniority, for 
the ranking Republican Member on each House committee; the Republican 
Conference then votes, by secret ballot, on each such nomination 
separately.(3)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 2. See 8 Cannon's Precedents Sec. 3621.
 3. See the remarks of Mr. Gerald R. Ford, of Michigan, quoted in this 
        section, supra. See also Congressional Quarterly's Guide to the 
        Congress of the United States, Congressional Quarterly Service 
        (Washington, D.C., 1971) p. 171, discussing the changes noted 
        above in the use of seniority as a basis for determining 
        committee assignments.
            For general discussion of procedures by which party members 
        are assigned to House committees, see Riddick, Floyd M., 
        Congressional Procedure, Chapman and Grimes (Boston, 1941), DD. 
        35-37.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Refusal by House to Overrule Caucus

Sec. 9.3 In the 92d Congress, the House declined to depart from the 
    procedure whereby each party determines the assignments and rank of 
    its

[[Page 179]]

    members on standing committees of the House.

    In the 92d Congress,(4) a few Democratic Members opposed 
their party's selection of Mr. John L. McMillan, of South Carolina, as 
Chairman of the Committee on the District of Columbia. One of the 
Democratic Members, Mr. Jerome R. Waldie, of California, announced his 
intention to submit the issue of such committee assignment to the whole 
House, thereby challenging the custom that committee assignments as 
determined by the respective parties will not be challenged in the 
House. The announcement was as follows:(5)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 4. See 117 Cong. Rec. 1708-1714, 92d Cong. 1st Sess., Feb. 4, 1971.
 5. 117 Cong. Rec. 1707 92d Cong. 1st Sess., Feb. 4, 1971.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

        Mr. Waldie: Mr. Speaker, at the appropriate time in today's 
    proceedings a resolution that encompasses the decisions of the 
    majority caucus with relationship to chairmen of standing 
    committees and members thereof will be presented to the House for 
    approval. It is my understanding that customarily the decision of 
    the majority caucus in these matters has been traditionally 
    accepted without any objection from any Member of the House of 
    Representatives. It will be my intention at this particular moment, 
    however, to subject that tradition to a test today, and I will ask 
    the House to vote down the previous question when the previous 
    question is sought in order to permit that resolution to be open to 
    amendment.
        If the previous question is voted down, and the resolution is 
    thereupon open for amendment, it would be my intention to offer an 
    amendment to the resolution appointing standing committee chairmen 
    to delete the standing committee chairman of the House District of 
    Columbia Committee.

    After the introduction of the resolution assigning Democratic 
Members to House committees, a debate took place in the House on the 
issues raised by Mr. Waldie's action, as follows:

        Mr. Waldie:  . . . [It is] my intention to request the entire 
    House to consider this proposal. I recognize that is a departure 
    not from the rules of the House, which are explicit that the entire 
    House of Representatives participate in this decision, but from the 
    custom of the House, which is that the majority party in the 
    enclaves of their caucus make the determinations and the minority 
    party accepts those decisions. It is my own personal conviction 
    that this issue is of national importance and all of the 
    legislative representatives of the Nation, of the minority and of 
    the majority, should participate. . . .
        It has been usually the case that the minority party has been 
    outspoken in their concern and condemnation of the seniority system 
    because their opportunity of implementing any change in that system 
    would not be existent. Today, that opportunity will be afforded you 
    and I hope you will join with those who believe that the deci

[[Page 180]]

    sion to continue this committee as it has been in the past was a 
    wrong decision which was made in the majority caucus.(6)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 6. 117 Cong. Rec. 1709, 92d Cong. 1st Sess., Feb. 4, 1971.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In opposition to Mr. Waldie's proposal, Majority Leader Hale Boggs, 
of Louisiana, spoke as follows:(7)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 7. Id.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

        Mr. Boggs: Would the gentleman not agree that we would be 
    establishing a precedent here that could be carried to any length 
    and in truth and in fact, if the majority party voted unanimously, 
    we could displace any committee member or every committee member 
    nominated by the minority.

    In response to the Majority Leader's question, Mr. Waldie stated as 
follows:(8)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 8. Id.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

        Mr. Wade: . . . I would say that in those instances where the 
    national interest is not being properly cared for, that comity, 
    custom, and courtesy of the House should be reconsidered and the 
    rules of the House followed in those instances where comity, 
    courtesy, and custom are contrary to the rules and to the interest 
    of the American people.

    The following discussion then took place:(9)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 9. Id.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

        Mr. Boggs: . . . [I]s it not accurate that if a minority on the 
    Democratic side and a majority on the minority side get together 
    they could take over control of the entire committee system in the 
    House? . . .
        Mr. Waldie: That is true, but if by so doing the national 
    interest were advanced I would not find that objectionable.
        Mr. Boggs: As to the question of whether or not the national 
    interests are involved, again I defer to the distinguished 
    chairman, but the gentleman was here on yesterday when this matter 
    was debated and the gentleman knows that this matter was debated 
    fully, without any effort to limit debate, and that a vote was 
    taken, and that a majority decision was made to adopt the committee 
    chairman as recommended by the committee on committees.
        Mr. Waldie: I recognize . . . that the debate was fair and 
    proper, and that the decision represented the vote of the majority, 
    but the national interests, however, are not represented per se by 
    the majority of the Democratic caucus . . . and I would like to 
    again accord under our rule the opportunity of the minority to 
    participate in the determination as to whether the national 
    interests have been served.

    Mr. Phillip Burton, of California, in expressing his objections to 
Mr. Waldie's proposal, stated in part as follows:

        Mr. Burton: . . . It is a most dangerous precedent, I would 
    think, without regard to the political point of view that any of us 
    might hold, to in effect give the minority caucus veto power over 
    the majority caucus deliberations as to whom they select to lead 
    the various committees of the Congress.(10)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
10. 117 Cong. Rec. 1710, 92d Cong. 1st Sess., Feb. 4. 1971.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 181]]

    In a series of exchanges with other Members, Minority Leader Gerald 
R. Ford, of Michigan, made clear his opposition to Mr. Waldie's 
proposal. The following excerpts(11) reveal the Minority 
Leader's position:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
11. See 117 Cong. Rec. 1710-1712, 92d Cong. 1st Sess., Feb. 4, 1971.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

        Mr. Ford: Is it correct that the resolution presently before 
    the House is a resolution offered on behalf of the Democratic 
    Caucus? The resolution is the recommendations for committee 
    assignment on the Democratic side.
        The Speaker: [Carl Albert, of Oklahoma]: The gentleman is 
    correct.
        Mr. Ford: Is it the procedure to be followed that subsequently 
    a comparable resolution will be offered representing the views of 
    the Republican Conference?
        The Speaker: The gentleman is correct.
        Mr. Ford: Mr. Speaker, I think this factual situation clearly 
    sets forth the issue that is before us. The Democratic Caucus made 
    a decision on committee chairman. Whether we on our side agree with 
    it or not, by precedent that is a matter within the ranks and 
    prerogatives of the majority party.
        . . . [Mr. Waldie] was unable to persuade a majority of the 
    Democrats to his view. I do not think that we on the Republican 
    side ought to succumb to his arguments of this occasion. Therefore, 
    Mr. Speaker, I would certainly hope and trust that the Republicans 
    on this issue, on a Democratic resolution expressing the views of 
    the Democratic Party, should not under any circumstances vote 
    ``nay'' on the motion to order the previous question. As 
    Republicans we should exercise our option to vote ``yea'' or 
    ``present'' on the previous question, because the matter is one for 
    the Democrats to decide and not for us.

    Mr. Wilbur D. Mills, of Arkansas, who had introduced the resolution 
naming Democratic Members to committees, moved the previous question on 
the resolution.(12) By vote of the House, the previous 
question was ordered, and the Speaker announced that the question was 
on the resolution. The resolution was agreed to.(13)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
12. 117 Cong. Rec. 1714, 92d Cong., 1st Sess., Feb. 4, 1971.
13. Id.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Parliamentarian's Note: It has been stated(14) that, 
``motions for the election of Members to committees are debatable and 
are subject to amendment.`` Although the House in the above proceedings 
declined to allow an amendment to the Democratic resolution, it is 
worth noting the procedure employed in challenging the resolution, 
comprising a request for a ``no'' vote on the previous question, which 
would have opened the resolution to amendment.(15) If the 
House had permitted an amendment deleting

[[Page 182]]

the portion relating to the chairmanship of the Committee on the 
District of Columbia and adopted the resolution as amended, another 
chairman of that committee would have had to be recommended by the 
Committee on Committees for caucus approval.(16)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
14. 8 Cannon's Precedents Sec. 2172.
15. 117 Cong. Rec. 1709, 92d Cong., 1st Sess., Feb. 4, 1971.
16. See 117 Cong. Rec. 1707, 92d Cong., 1st Sess., Feb. 4, 1971 
        (remarks of Mr. Waldie).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Committee Assignments of Third-Party Members

Sec. 9.4 The role of third party caucuses in obtaining committee 
    assignments for their members has been minimal. In the most recent 
    practice, committee assignments for members of third parties have 
    been determined by the majority party, and such assignments have 
    been included in the resolution naming majority party members to 
    committees.

    In the 75th Congress, the resolution naming Democratic Members to 
House committees included as well the names of members of the Farmer-
Labor and Progressive parties. Members of the Farmer-Labor Progressive 
group, as they were referred to, objected to the method by which their 
committee assignments were determined, and the issues raised by their 
objections were debated on the floor of the House.
    Following the introduction of the majority party's resolution 
pertaining to committee assignments, the following proceedings took 
place:(17)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
17. 81 Cong. Rec. 203, 75th Cong. 1st Sess., Jan. 13, 1937.
            For references relating to third parties generally, see 
        Sec. 2 supra.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

        Mr. [Sam] Rayburn [of Texas]: Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous 
    consent that the reading of the names in the resolution be 
    dispensed with and that the names be printed in the Record. It is 
    simply a list of the majority members of the various committees.
        Mr. [Gerald J.] Boileau [of Wisconsin]: Will the gentleman 
    yield?
        Mr. Rayburn: I yield to the gentleman. . . .
        Mr. Boileau: Does the gentleman state to the House these are 
    merely the names of the majority members?
        Mr. Rayburn: There are also assigned the so-called Progressive 
    Members.
        Mr. Boileau: The Members of the Farmer-Labor and Progressive 
    Parties are included in there?
        Mr. Rayburn: Yes.

    Mr. Boileau, after making certain parliamentary inquiries, 
addressed the House on the subject of the committee assignments for the 
Farmer-Labor and Progressive Members of the House. The de

[[Page 183]]

bate that ensued(18) centered on the contention of the 
Farmer-Labor Progressive Members that either their group should have 
been given a definite bloc of committee assignments to be apportioned 
among their Members as the group itself should decide, or that the 
assignments of the Farmer-Labor-Progressive Members should have been 
taken out of the quota of committee assignments set aside for minority 
Members of the House. The remarks of Mr. Boileau and other Members were 
as follows:(19)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
18. See 81 Cong. Rec. 203-212, 75th Cong. 1st Sess., Jan. 13, 1937.
19. See 81 Cong. Rec. 203, 204, 75th Cong. 1st Sess., Jan. 13, 1937.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

        Mr. Boileau: . . . I had received word, entirely unofficially, 
    that the majority committee on committees, consisting of the 
    Democratic members of the Ways and Means Committee, had made the 
    assignments to the various committees covering the majority Members 
    of the House, and that the question had been decided by the 
    Democratic committee on committees as to the number and importance 
    of committees to which the Farmer-Labor and Progressive Members of 
    the House were to be assigned. After I had received that notice I 
    thought it was the proper thing to notify the Democratic chairman 
    of the Committee on Ways and Means, who is also chairman of the 
    Democratic committee on committees, that I intended to address the 
    House on this particular subject. I felt that he and other members 
    of the committee should know that we, the Farmer-Labor and 
    Progressive Members, were entirely dissatisfied with the treatment 
    accorded us, not only in the matter of committee assignments but 
    also in a slight degree we were dissatisfied because we had not had 
    adequate opportunity to present our request to the committee on 
    committees with reference to individual assignments. . . .
        We of the Farmer-Labor Progressive group . . . demand that we 
    be considered for all intents and purposes as a minority group. In 
    no sense of the word can we ever be considered as a majority group. 
    The precedents of the House are clear on that subject. It has been 
    established over a long period of years that those Members with 
    political designations other than the two dominant parties--in our 
    instance the third party or fourth party, the Farmer-Labor-
    Progressive Members, or the so-called third party Members of the 
    House--have received their appointments from the Members of the 
    majority party.

        This is probably as it should be. We prefer to have a definite 
    bloc of committees assigned to us, but we are not pressing that 
    issue now. We are asking for proper recognition on the committees, 
    and it has been the traditional policy of the Congress . . . that 
    the dominant or the majority party . . . should make assignments to 
    the third party men in the resolution electing the majority 
    Members. . . .
        It is good parliamentary procedure that the Democrats in this 
    instance should give us our assignments, but we do maintain that 
    our assignments should come out of the assignments set aside for 
    minority Members.

[[Page 184]]

        . . . [O]ur assignments as committee members of the House 
    should be taken out of the quota that the precedents and the rules 
    set aside for minority Members.
        There is nothing in the rules of the House that provides that 
    such assignments should be divided between Democrats and 
    Republicans. All the rules and all the precedents are that the 
    assignments should be made as among the majority on the one hand 
    and among the minority Members on the other, and I submit to you 
    that as minority Members of the House--and this is the crux of our 
    entire argument and I hope you will get this point--we are entitled 
    to be given just the same consideration as is given to other 
    minority Members of the House. In other words, we should be given 
    as much consideration, in proportion to our percentage of the 
    minority Members of the House, as the Republicans or any other 
    group of minority Members in this body. . . .
        During the Seventy-fourth Congress there were 82 major 
    committee assignments made to minority members. The Republicans, 
    the Farmer-Laborites, and Progressives altogether had 82 
    assignments on the 11 major committees of the House.
        There are 102 minority Members over on this side of the House 
    in this Congress. There are 89 Republicans, 8 Progressives, and 5 
    Farmer-Laborites, a total of 102 minority Members. The fair 
    proportion of this group of 13 Progressives and Farmer-Laborites is 
    12\3/4\ percent of the major committee assignments. That is fair. 
    If we are to have our share of minority assignments on major 
    committees, that is what we are entitled to. If we are to be given 
    12\3/4\ percent of the minority committee assignments on major 
    committees, we would be entitled to 10.45. . . . We are willing to 
    have 10.
        Gardener R. Withrow, of Wisconsin, Chairman of the Farmer-
    Labor-Progressive party's Conference, stated the reasons underlying 
    his party's contentions. Stating that his group had not been 
    treated fairly, he continued as follows:(20)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
20. 81 Cong. Rec. 208, 75th Cong. 1st Sess., Jan. 13, 1937.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

        Mr. Withrow: . . . I do want to say that in my opinion the crux 
    of this question is that some time ago an agreement was made 
    between the Republicans and the Democrats, who at that time were 
    the only parties in the House of Representatives. That unwritten 
    agreement was to the effect that a certain ratio would be 
    maintained between the majority and the minority parties regardless 
    of how few Members the minority party had. In accordance with said 
    agreement the ratio is being maintained at the present time. But 
    what has happened? There has come to the House of Representatives 
    another group, a truly minority group. The Republicans demand in 
    this particular case that the ratio shall be maintained, and the 
    result is that we the Progressive and Farmer-Labor groups are being 
    sacrificed.
        If we were treated on a par with the Republican membership of 
    this House, we should have 10 major committee assignments, whereas 
    we have only 3 major committee assignments. This is the unfairness 
    of it all, and, my friends on the Democratic side of the aisle, you 
    are being penalized as well as we, because our committee 
    assignments at

[[Page 185]]

    the present time really belong to you as a majority. We should not 
    be forced to take our committee assignments from the majority or 
    from the committee on committees of the Republicans; they should be 
    assigned to us in a block for us to do with as we please, because, 
    Mr. Speaker, we are in every sense a part of the minority group of 
    this House.

    Members speaking in opposition to the position taken by the Farmer-
Labor-Progressive party members attached importance to that party's 
alleged lack of status as a national party.(1) In addition, 
those supporting the resolution listing committee assignments relied on 
the alleged failure of the Farmer-Labor-Progressive Members to make 
timely application to the Democratic Committee on Committees for the 
particular committee assignments desired.(2)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 1. See 81 Cong. Rec. 209, 75th Cong. 1st Sess., Jan. 13, 1937 (remarks 
        of Mr. John W. McCormack [Mass.]).
 2. See 81 Cong. Rec. 210, 211, 75th Cong. 1st Sess., Jan 13, 1937 
        (exchange between Messrs. McCormack and Boileau).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Mr. Fontaine M. Maverick, of Texas, while characterizing the 
Progressive group as a national movement and praising their work, 
stated that he would vote to sustain the committee assignments as made 
by the Democratic members of the Committee on Ways and Means. Mr. 
Maverick's remarks were as Follows:(3)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 3. 81 Cong. Rec. 211, 212, 75th Cong., 1st Sess., Jan. 13, 1937.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

        . . . I believe that we should go out of our way to be fair 
    with this group of Progressives. I am, however, going to vote to 
    sustain the Committee on Ways and Means, because . . . I do not 
    believe the Progressive-Farmer-Labor group has been quite as 
    aggressive as they should have been in asking for these committee 
    assignments ahead of time. . . .

    The resolution assigning members of the Democratic Party and the 
Farmer-Labor-Progressive group was adopted by the House without 
change.(4)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 4. 81 Cong. Rec. 212, 75th Cong. 1st Sess., Jan. 13, 1937.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Parliamentarian's Note: A rule has been stated(5) that, 
in the allotment of committee assignments the party in control is 
termed the majority and all the other parties constitute the minority 
and that committee assignments of all parties other than the 
controlling party are charged to the minority.(6)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 5. 8 Cannon's Precedents Sec. 2184.
 6. Instances of the application of this rule are cited. See 8 Cannon's 
        Precedents Sec. Sec. 2184, 2185.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Committee Assignments as Instrument of Party Discipline

Sec. 9.5 The power to determine committee assignments has been used by 
    the caucus as a means of disciplining Members for actions 
    considered disloyal to the party.

[[Page 186]]

    In the 90th Congress, the resolution assigning Democratic Members 
to House committees left vacancies on two committees--the Committees on 
the District of Columbia and on Interstate and Foreign Commerce--
pending further consideration by the caucus of the committee 
assignments and seniority of Mr. John Bell Williams, of 
Mississippi.(7) Mr. Williams, who had endorsed the 1964 
Republican Presidential candidate, had for that reason been reduced in 
rank on the two committees by action of the Democratic 
Caucus.(8) In the 90th Congress, following the introduction 
of the Democratic resolution, the following proceedings took 
place:(9)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 7. See resolution assigning Democratic Members to committees in the 
        90th Congress in 113 Cong. Rec. 1086, 90th Cong. 1st Sess., 
        Jan. 23, 1967.
 8. See the resolution assigning Democratic Members to committees in 
        the 89th Congress, 111 Cong. Rec. 809, 810, 89th Cong. 1st 
        Sess., Jan. 18, 1965.
 9. 113 Cong. Rec. 1086, 1087, 90th Cong. 1st Sess., Jan. 23, 1967.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

        Mr. Williams of Mississippi: . . . Mr. Speaker, in view of the 
    extraordinary action which was taken in the last Congress with 
    respect to my seniority position on the Committee on Interstate and 
    Foreign Commerce and the Committee on the District of Columbia, it 
    is my understanding that the Democratic Committee on Committees has 
    felt it incumbent on them to take the matter of my committee rank 
    to the caucus for final determination. In view of that, Mr. 
    Speaker, I have directed a letter to the chairman of the Committee 
    on Committees requesting that I not be assigned to any committee 
    until such time as this matter can be determined finally by the 
    caucus.
        Mr. Speaker, it is my understanding, in view of the committee 
    assignments that have just been read, that this request was acceded 
    to.
        Now, Mr. Speaker, in fairness to my Democratic colleagues . . . 
    it would appear to me that this matter should be disposed of as 
    soon as practicable.
        Mr. Speaker, this afternoon I am prepared to direct a letter to 
    the chairman of the caucus, requesting that a caucus be called as 
    soon as practicable for the purpose of determining my relative rank 
    in being assigned to my two committee assignments.

The letter referred to by Mr. Williams was included in the 
Record,(10) and reads in part as follows:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
10. 113 Cong. Rec. 1087, 90th Cong. 1st Sess., Jan. 23, 1967.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

        . . . If the Committee on Committees is unable at this time to 
    place me other than in fifteenth position on the Committee on 
    Interstate and Foreign Commerce, I respectfully request that I not 
    be assigned now.
        This request applies to the Committee on the District of 
    Columbia, also. . . .

    Later in the first session of the 90th Congress, Mr. Thomas G.

[[Page 187]]

Abernethy, of Mississippi, made the following remarks respecting the 
retirement of Mr. Williams from the Congress and the disciplinary 
action that had been taken by the Democratic Caucus. Mr. Abernethy's 
remarks were in part as follows:(11)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
11. 113 Cong. Rec. 36598, 36599, 90th Cong. 1st Sess., Dec. 14, 1967. 
        See also the remarks of Mr. Walter B. Jones (N.C.) (113 Cong. 
        Rec. 3513, 90th Cong. 1st Sess., Feb. 16, 1967), to the effect 
        that the Democrats had been inconsistent in the treatment 
        accorded by different segments of the party to those party 
        members who refused to support Democratic political candidates.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

        Mr. Abernethy: Mr. Speaker, my friend and colleague, the 
    gentleman from Mississippi, Mr. John Bell Williams, will shortly 
    retire from the House of Representatives. . . .
        There are numerous Members of this body and literally millions 
    around the country who feel that the treatment accorded Mr. 
    Williams was unreasonable and unjustified. Certainly it was 
    unprecedented. . . .
        . . . His would-be disciplinarians unsuspectingly and 
    unintentionally made a great contribution toward elevating him to 
    the high position of Governor of his home State, the State of 
    Mississippi.

    The Democratic Caucus in the 89th Congress also took similar action 
with respect to Mr. Albert W. Watson, of South Carolina. Mr. Watson had 
been elected to the 89th Congress as a Democrat, and, like Mr. 
Williams, had supported the Republican Presidential candidate in 1964. 
For that reason, the caucus directed that Mr. Watson be given a low-
ranking committee position. Subsequently, Mr. Watson announced his 
intention to change his political affiliation. As a result, he was 
elected to the Committee on Interstate and Foreign Commerce as a 
Republican.(12) At the time he made his declaration 
regarding the change in his party affiliation, Mr. Watson announced his 
decision to resign so that his constituents could, by their votes in a 
special election, indicate their approval or disapproval of his action. 
On Jan. 18, 1965, the Speaker laid before the House a letter from Mr. 
Watson stating that Mr. Watson had submitted a letter of resignation to 
the Governor of South Carolina,(13) such resignation ``to 
become effective upon such date as the Governor or may set for a 
special election to fill the vacancy.'' Mr. Watson actually resigned 
from the House on Feb. 1, 1965.(14)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
12. See resolution assigning Republican Members to committees at 111 
        Cong. Rec. 992, 89th Cong. 1st Sess., Jan. 21, 1965.
13. Mr. Watson's letters to the Speaker and to the Governor appear at 
        111 Cong. Rec. 805, 806, 89th Cong. 1st Sess., Jan. 18, 1965.
14. See communications laid before the House by the Speaker on Jan. 28, 
        1965 (111 Cong. Rec. 1452, 89th Cong. 1st Sess.); such 
        communications, signed by Mr. Watson, stated in part that, ``It 
        now clearly appears that the Governor intends no affirmative 
        action on this matter. Therefore . . . I have this day 
        transmitted to him my resignation effective upon the 
        adjournment of the House on Monday, February 1, 1965.''

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 188]]

    In a special election, Mr. Watson was re-elected to the House as a 
Republican. On June 16, 1965,(15) the House, at the request 
of Minority Leader Gerald R. Ford, of Michigan, permitted Mr. Watson to 
be sworn although his certificate of election had not arrived.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
15. See 111 Cong. Rec. 13774, 89th Cong. 1st Sess.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    More recently, the seniority of Democratic Member John R. Rarick, 
of Louisiana, was reduced by action of the caucus. Mr. Rarick, who had 
refused to support his party's Presidential candidate in 1968, was for 
that reason assigned a lower rank on the Committee on Agriculture than 
he would otherwise have had.(16)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
16. See the resolution assigning Democratic Members to standing 
        committees of the House at 115 Cong. Rec. 2083, 91st Cong. 1st 
        Sess., Jan. 29, 1969. For discussion of departures from the 
        seniority rule in both the House and Senate, frequently for 
        purposes of imposing the party's discipline, see Congressional 
        Quarterly's Guide to the Congress of the United States, 
        Congressional Quarterly Service (Washington, D.C., 1971), pp. 
        171, 172. See also the discussion of caucus action, taken in 
        the 90th Congress, whereby Mr. Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. (N.Y.) 
        was divested of a committee chairmanship on various grounds 
        (113 Cong. Rec. 22, 90th Cong. 1st Sess., Jan. 10, 1967 
        [remarks of Mr. James C. Wright, Jr., of Texas]).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In each of the above instances, the party's discipline was imposed 
on a Member for his opposition to the party's Presidential candidate. 
Cannon cites an instance(17) wherein Republican Members were 
disciplined by removal from committees or reduction in committee rank 
for their failure to abide by the action of their party caucus with 
respect to matters under consideration in the House. It should be 
noted, however, that the discipline in this case was imposed by the 
Speaker of the House at a time when the Speaker made appointments to 
standing committees.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
17. See 8 Cannon's Precedents Sec. 3606.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------


 
                               CHAPTER 3
 
                           Party Organization
 
                     B. PARTY CAUCUS OR CONFERENCE
 
Sec. 10. --Policy Determination; Party Decisions as Binding

    [Note: The following is descriptive of the practices in some 
Congresses. For discussion of current

[[Page 189]]

practices that may differ in some particulars from those stated, see 
supplements to this edition as they appear.]
    The party caucus or conference develops party positions with 
respect to specific issues. Thus, a consensus may be reached in the 
caucus or conference with regard to legislation or rules changes 
currently under consideration, or desired to be presented for 
consideration, by the House or committees in the House. Party leaders 
and other members are thus advised of the party's sentiment on 
particular issues, and actions may be authorized in the House based on 
the decisions of the caucus or conference.(18)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
18. For remarks indicating that particular resolutions were offered 
        ``by direction of the . . . caucus'' or ``under instructions of 
        the . . . caucus,'' see for example, 117 Cong. Rec. 132, 92d 
        Cong. 1st Sess., Jan. 22, 1971 (remarks of Mr. William M. 
        Colmer [Miss.]); and 111 Cong. Rec. 23, 89th Cong. 1st Sess., 
        Jan. 4, 1965 (remarks of Mr. Carl Albert [Okla.]).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    As an example of how a caucus decision may be reflected in action 
taken in the House, a view adopted by the Democratic Caucus with 
respect to certain committee procedures was incorporated in a 
resolution introduced to the House in the 92d Congress. A resolution 
expressing the sense of the Democratic Caucus(19) stated, in 
part,
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
19. See Democratic Caucus Rules (July 20 1971), addendum, paragraph 9.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

        Resolved, That it is the sense of the Democratic Caucus that . 
    . .
        9. All committees shall provide in their rules of procedure for 
    the application of the 5-minute rule in the interrogation of 
    witnesses until such time as each member of the committee who so 
    desires has had an opportunity to question the witness.

The above provision was incorporated in a resolution introduced in the 
House on Jan. 21, 1971.(20) The same House resolution 
reflected another paragraph of the caucus resolution,(1) 
containing a recommendation ``that the Select Committee on Small 
Business be made a permanent select committee of the House without 
legislative jurisdiction except to make investigations and reports.''
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
20. See H. Res. 5 at 117 Cong. Rec. 14, 92d Cong. 1st Sess.
 1. Democratic Caucus Rules (July 20, 1971), addendum, paragraph 11.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    A Democratic Caucus Rule provides:(2)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 2. Democratic Caucus Rules (July 20, 1971), Rule 7.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

        7. In deciding upon action in the House involving party policy 
    or principle, a two-thirds vote of those present and voting at a 
    caucus meeting shall bind all members of the caucus; provided, the 
    said two-thirds vote is a ma

[[Page 190]]

    jority of the full Democratic membership of the House: and provided 
    further, that no Member shall be bound upon questions involving a 
    construction of the Constitution of the United States or upon which 
    he made contrary pledges to his constituents prior to his election 
    or received contrary instructions by resolutions or platform from 
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    his nominating authority.

The rule permitting decisions of the caucus in some instances to bind 
all Democratic Members is one of long standing.(3) It has 
been applied to permit the caucus to issue directives to Democratic 
members of House committees with respect to disposition of matters 
under consideration,(4) and to assure party members' support 
of party positions taken with respect to issues before the House.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 3. See 8 Cannon's Precedents Sec. Sec. 3605, 3609. For recent changes 
        in the caucus rules, and the current practice, see supplements 
        to this edition.
 4. See discussion in Galloway, George B., History of the House of 
        Representatives, Thomas Y. Crowell (New York, 1961), pp. 137, 
        140.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In the 92d Congress, the following remarks were made with reference 
to a caucus decision regarding the right of the minority to funds for 
staffing:(5)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 5. 117 Cong. Rec. 44, 92d Cong. 1st Sess., Jan. 21, 1971. For other 
        remarks of a similar nature relating to the unit rule of the 
        caucus, see 117 Cong. Rec. 433, 434, 92d Cong. 1st Sess., Jan. 
        25, 1971 (remarks of Mr. Benjamin B. Blackburn (Ga.), and 
        related materials, including a copy of the Democratic Caucus 
        Rules inserted in the Record).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

        Mr. [James C.] Cleveland [of New Hampshire]: Mr. Speaker, the 
    act of the Democratic caucus binding Democratic Representatives to 
    vote for repeal of the minority staffing provision which we enacted 
    into law last fall is a shocking breach of faith . . . [U]nder the 
    rules of the Democratic caucus, as they have been explained to me, 
    all Members of the Democratic Party are bound to vote to repeal the 
    minority staffing provisions. Debate cannot change their votes. 
    Neither can their consciences nor senses of fairness change their 
    votes. . . .

    Cannon quotes remarks of Speaker Champ Clark, of 
Missouri,(6) made in 1913 when the caucus rules were 
substantially as they are now,(7) to the effect that caucus 
action taken by a two-thirds vote is not binding on constitutional 
questions or ``matters of conscience or where a Member has made 
promises or pledges in his campaign for election.''
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 6. See  Cannon's Precedents  3605.
 7. See the caucus rules set forth in 8 Cannon's Precedents Sec. 3609.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Republicans do not have a formal rule making the decisions of 
the conference binding on all Republicans, although a consensus 
developed in the conference is persuasive. (8)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 8. See Riddick, Floyd M., Congressional Procedure, Chapman and Grimes 
        (Boston, 1941), p. 35, to the effect that in some instances the 
        Republicans vote as uniformly in support of party positions as 
        do the Democrats.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 191]]

    In the course of a debate in the 92d Congress over the election of 
Democratic Members to committees,(9) the following 
discussion took place with respect to the existence of a ``unit rule'' 
in the Republican Conference and with respect to the views of the 
Republican Party on the issues before the House:(10)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 9. See Sec. 9.3, supra.
10. 117 Cong. Rec. 1712, 92d Cong., 1st Sess., Feb. 4, 1971.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

        Mr. [John] Conyers [Jr., of Michigan]: . . . [T]he question is, 
    do the minority Members intend to simply ratify the decisions from 
    the majority caucus or are they entitled and obligated to make an 
    evaluatory determination as to what they think is correct regarding 
    who should be the chairmen of the various committees in this 92nd 
    Congress? . . .
        Mr. Gerald R. Ford [of Michigan]: . . . We do not have a unit 
    rule on our side of the aisle. The Republican Conference does not 
    bind its Members to vote as a majority of the conference decides. 
    As Republicans, we do not dictate to our members.
        Mr. Conyers: Then who were you speaking for when you said that 
    your party or your membership was going to ratify the Democratic 
    decisions if you do not have the unit rule?
        Mr. Gerald R. Ford: Mr. Speaker if the gentleman will yield 
    further, our Members will have voted for our nominees for ranking 
    Members on each of the committees . . . we do not think under our 
    political system in America that you, the Democrats, should make 
    decisions for us. We do not think we should become involved in 
    making decisions for your party. . . .
        We should not vote against the previous question. That is your 
    decision. We will take care of ourselves when the next resolution 
    is offered.
        Mr. Conyers: In other words, the distinguished minority leader 
    leaves to the discretion of every Member on the other side of the 
    aisle the right to review in his own mind the validity of these 
    Democratic Caucus recommendations; is that correct?
        Mr. Gerald R. Ford: That is correct. Each Member on our side 
    will make up his own mind. As I said a moment ago, we have no unit 
    rule in the Republican Party.

    An instance has been cited wherein Republican Members failing to 
abide by the action of their party caucus were disciplined by removal 
from committees or reduction in rank.(11) The situation 
described arose at a time when the power over committee assignments 
resided in the Speaker, and when the caucus was dominated by Speaker 
Joseph G. Cannon, of Illinois.(12)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
11. See 8 Cannon's Precedents Sec. 3606.
12. See Congressional Quarterly's Guide to the Congress to the United 
        States, Congressional Quarterly Service (Washington, D.C., 
        1971), p. 141.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 192]]


 
                               CHAPTER 3
 
                           Party Organization
 
                C. PARTY COMMITTEES AND INFORMAL GROUPS
 
Sec. 11. Committee on Committees


    Each party has created a committee on committees,(13) 
whose function is to determine the assignments of the respective party 
members to positions on standing committees of the House, subject to 
approval by the party and by the House.(14)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
13. See Sec. 8, supra. The party committee on committees and its 
        relationship to the caucus or conference, have been discussed 
        extensively elsewhere. See Sec. Sec. 8 and 9, supra. The 
        discussion here is a brief summary of the committee's 
        composition and functions.
14. See Sec. Sec. 9.2, 9.3, supra. As to criteria that may affect the 
        determination of committee assignments, see Sec. 9, supra.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Democratic Committee on Committees has in past Congresses 
consisted of the Democratic members of the Committee on Ways and Means, 
who have been selected by secret ballot in the party 
caucus.(15) The Republican Committee on Committees consists 
of one Member from each state having Republican representation in the 
House, such Member having been chosen by his state delegation and 
approved by the Republican Conference.(16)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
15. See Sec. 9.1, supra. For discussion of current practice, in which 
        the function of determining committee assignments has been 
        transferred to a different party committee, see supplements to 
        this edition as they appear.
16. See Sec. 8, supra.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Democratic committee's recommendations to the caucus regarding 
committee assignments need not follow seniority, and may under certain 
circumstances be voted on separately by secret ballot in the 
caucus.(17) The Republican practice is similar in the case 
of the selection of the ranking Republican on each 
committee.(18)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
17. See Sec. 9, supra.
18. See Sec. Sec. 9, 9.2, supra.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The list of committee assignments as determined by the committee on 
committees and the caucus or conference is submitted to the House in 
the form of a resolution. The Democratic resolution has, under the 
practice in effect in past Congresses, generally been offered by the 
Chairman of the Committee on Ways and Means,(19) although on 
at least

[[Page 193]]

one occasion, in the absence of the chairman, a resolution electing a 
new Democratic Member to a committee was offered by the ranking 
majority member of the Committee on Ways and Means.(20) 
Resolutions electing Democratic Members to the Committee on Ways and 
Means itself, of course, have under these procedures been offered by 
the Chairman of the Democratic Caucus.(1) The resolution 
assigning Republican Members to House committees is generally offered 
in the House by the Republican floor leader.(2)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
19. See, for example, 117 Cong. Rec. 1708, 1713, 92d Cong. 1st Sess., 
        Feb. 4, 1971; and 115 Cong. Rec. 2083, 91st Cong. 1st Sess., 
        Jan. 29, 1969. The resolution has also been offered on occasion 
        by the Chairman of the Democratic Caucus (see Sec. 3.12, 
        supra).
20. See 112 Cong. Rec. 15889, 89th Cong. 2d Sess., July 18, 1966.
 1. See Sec. 3.11, supra 1.
 2. See Sec. 19.7, infra.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The House has declined to alter the procedure whereby each party, 
through the action of that party's committee on committees and its 
caucus or conference, determines the committee assignments for its 
members.(3)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 3. See Sec. 9.3, supra.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Republican Committee on Committees has made recommendations 
respecting the selection of the Republican whip.(4)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 4. See 8 Cannon's Precedents Sec. Sec. 3616, 3619, 3620, 3621; 
        Riddick, Floyd M., Congressional Procedure, Chapman and Grimes 
        (Boston, 1941), pp. 36, 37. The Republican floor leader has 
        announced the selection of the party whip, ``on behalf of the 
        Committee on Committees'' (see Sec. 23.3, infra).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Electing Members From Both Parties

Sec. 11.1 In unusual circumstances, the Chairman of the Democratic 
    Committee on Committees offered a resolution electing Members from 
    both parties to the newly created Committee on Internal Security.

    In the 91st Congress, the House agreed to an amendment to its 
rules, abolishing the Committee on Un-American Activities and 
transferring the jurisdiction of that committee to a new standing 
committee of the House on internal security.(5) A resolution 
was offered by the Chairman of the Democratic Committee on Committees 
for the purpose of electing the sitting members of the Committee on Un-
American Activities to the newly created Committee on Internal 
Security.(6) The resolution elected both Democratic and 
Republican Members to the newly created committee, and referred all 
bills, resolutions, executive communications, and other papers pending 
before the Committee on Un-American Activities to the new committee.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 5. See 115 Cong. Rec. 3723, 3724, 3745-3747, 91st Cong. 1st Sess., 
        Feb. 18, 1969.
 6. See 115 Cong. Rec. 3747, 91st Cong. 1st Sess., Feb. 18, 1969.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Parliamentarian's Note: The resolution was offered by the

[[Page 194]]

Chairman of the Democratic Committee on Committees after consultation 
with and approval of the Minority Leader. Both majority and minority 
party members were elected by name, rather than by the designation, 
``sitting members of the Committee on Un-American Activities,'' so that 
their election could be more easily certified to a court in case of 
legal proceedings relating to the committee. Such procedure avoided the 
necessity of having to refer back at some future time to the previous 
resolutions electing the members to the Committee on Un-American 
Activities.

Announcement of Meeting

Sec. 11.2 The Republican floor leader made an announcement in the House 
    concerning a meeting of the party Committee on Committees.

    The Minority Leader in the 75th Congress, Bertrand H. Snell, of New 
York, made the following announcement in the House:(7)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 7. 81 Cong. Rec. 201, 75th Cong. 1st Sess., Jan. 13, 1937.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

        Mr. Snell: Mr. Speaker, there will be a meeting of the 
    Republican members of the committee on committees at 4 o'clock this 
    afternoon in the rooms of the Interstate and Foreign Commerce 
    Committee, located in the New House Office Building, and there will 
    be a Republican Conference in this Hall at 10 o'clock tomorrow 
    morning.


 
                               CHAPTER 3
 
                           Party Organization
 
                C. PARTY COMMITTEES AND INFORMAL GROUPS
 
Sec. 12. Republican Policy Committee; Research Committee

    The Republican Policy Committee studies proposed legislation, takes 
positions on matters of policy, considers legislative 
strategy,(8) and serves the Republican Conference and 
leadership in an advisory capacity. The Policy Committee was formerly 
known as the Steering Committee until it was renamed in 
1949.(9)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 8. For discussion of a Democratic committee with similar functions see 
        Sec. 13, infra.
 9. See Congressional Quarterly's Guide to the Congress of the United 
        States, Congressional Quarterly Service (Washington, D. C., 
        1971) , p. 142.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Policy Committee may consist of Republican Members serving on 
legislative committees responsible for legislation under study by the 
Policy Committee.
    An announcement of the selection of the Chairman of the Policy 
Committee has frequently been made in the House.(10) By 
virtue of his status as a party leader, the Chairman of the Policy 
Committee

[[Page 195]]

has on occasion assumed the functions of the floor leader, particularly 
during formal affairs such as the extension of certain courtesies and 
the fulfillment of ceremonial duties.(11)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
10. See Sec. 12. 1, infra.
11. See Sec. Sec. 12.2, 12.3, infra.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Committee on Research, through the use of task forces, does 
research in areas relating to particular issues, and presents reports 
and recommendations to the Republican 
Conference.                          -------------------

Announcement as to Chairmen

Sec. 12.1 The conference chairman has on occasion announced in the 
    House the names of the persons selected by the conference as 
    Chairmen of the Policy Committee and the Committee on Research.

    In the 90th Congress, following the announcement of the selection 
of the minority whip, the Chairman of the Republican Conference 
announced as follows:(12)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
12. 113 Cong. Rec. 27, 90th Cong. 1st Sess. Jan. 10. 1967.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

        Mr. [Melvin R.] Laird [of Wisconsin]: . . . The conference has 
    also directed me to notify the House officially that the Republican 
    Members have selected as Chairman of the Republican Committee on 
    Policy the gentleman from Arizona, the Honorable John J. Rhodes, 
    and has chosen as Chairman of the Republican Committee on Research 
    and Planning the gentleman from New York, the Honorable Charles E. 
    Goodell.

    In the 89th Congress, the conference chairman, immediately after 
announcing his party's selection of a Minority Leader, announced the 
election by the conference of a Chairman of the Republican Policy 
Committee.(13) Similarly, in the 88th Congress, an 
announcement was made respecting the selection of the minority whip and 
the Chairman of the Policy Committee.(14)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
13. 111 Cong. Rec. 20, 89th Cong. 1st Sess., Jan. 4, 1965.
14. 109 Cong. Rec. 506, 88th Cong. 1st Sess., Jan. 17, 1963.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Duties of Chairman

Sec. 12.2 The Chairman of the Republican Policy Committee, in the stead 
    of the Minority Leader, was appointed to the committee to notify 
    the President of the intention of the House to adjourn.

    In the 91st Congress, the Majority Leader and the acting Minority 
Leader, the Chairman of the Republican Policy Committee, were appointed 
to the committee to notify the President of the intention of the House 
to adjourn.

[[Page 196]]

The proceedings were as follows:(15)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
15. 116 Cong. Rec. 44599, 91st Cong. 2d Sess., Jan. 2, 1971.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

        Mr. [Carl] Albert [of Oklahoma]: Mr. Speaker, I offer a 
    resolution (H. Res. 1338) and ask for its immediate consideration.
        [The Clerk read the resolution, which authorized the 
    appointment of a committee to join with a similar committee of the 
    Senate and inform the President of the readiness of Congress to 
    adjourn. The resolution was agreed to.]
        The Speaker:(16) The Chair appoints as Members on 
    the part of the House of the committee to notify the President the 
    gentleman from Oklahoma, Mr. Albert, and the gentleman from 
    Arizona, Mr. Rhodes.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
16. John W. McCormack (Mass.).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sec. 12.3 Acting in the stead of the Minority Leader, the Chairman of 
    the Republican Policy Committee offered a resolution expressing the 
    praise of the House for the manner in which the Speaker had 
    performed his duties.

    In the 91st Congress, the Chairman of the Republican Policy 
Committee, John J. Rhodes, of Arizona, acting in the stead of the 
Minority Leader, offered a resolution thanking Speaker John W. 
McCormack, of Massachusetts, for the exemplary manner in which the 
Speaker had performed his duties. The proceedings were as 
follows:(17)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
17. 116 Cong. Rec. 44600, 44601, 91st Cong. 2d Sess., Jan. 2, 1971.
            Parliamentarian's Note: Mr. Gerald R. Ford (Mich.) the 
        Minority Leader and Mr. Leslie C. Arends (Ill.), the minority 
        whip, had left the city and had requested Mr. Rhodes and Mr. 
        Richard H. Poff (Va.) to act in their stead with respect to the 
        proceedings described above.
            In the 90th Congress, a similar resolution was offered by 
        the Chairman of the Republican Policy Committee, who was acting 
        for the Minority Leader. 114 Cong. Rec. 31371, 90th Cong. 2d 
        Sess., Oct. 14 1968.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

        The Speaker. The gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Poff) will take 
    the Chair.
        Mr. Poff assumed the Chair.
        The Speaker Pro Tempore (Mr. Poff). The Chair recognizes the 
    gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Rhodes).
        Mr. Rhodes of Arizona. Mr. Speaker, I offer a privileged 
    resolution (H. Res. 1340) and ask for its immediate consideration.
        The Clerk read the resolution as follows:

                                  H. Res. 1340

            Resolved, That the thanks of the House are presented to the 
        Honorable John W. McCormack, Speaker of the House of 
        Representatives, for the able, impartial, and dignified manner 
        in which he has presided over the deliberations and performed 
        the arduous duties of the Chair during the present term of 
        Congress; and be it further
            Resolved, That the House of Representatives hereby extends 
        to its be

[[Page 197]]

        loved Speaker, the Honorable John W. McCormack, sincere wishes 
        for a long, pleasant, and well-earned retirement.

        The Speaker Pro Tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman 
    from Arizona.
        Mr. Rhodes. Mr. Speaker, it is a proud duty which I perform in 
    offering this resolution in appreciation to our great Speaker, the 
    Honorable John McCormack of Massachusetts.

[Mr. Rhodes continued his remarks, sharing his personal memories of the 
Speaker and expressing appreciation of the Speaker's record of 
service.]


 
                               CHAPTER 3
 
                           Party Organization
 
                C. PARTY COMMITTEES AND INFORMAL GROUPS
 
Sec. 13. Steering Committee

    The Republican Conference in 1919 authorized the creation of a 
steering committee to be nominated by the Committee on Committees and 
elected by the party conference.(18) The committee created 
by the Republicans is now known as the Policy Committee.(19)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
18. See 8 Cannon's Precedents Sec. 3621.
19. The Policy Committee is discussed in Sec. 12, supra.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    A Democratic Steering Committee was created in the 73d Congress to 
consist of 15 Members elected to represent geographical 
zones.(20) Cannon stated that, ``the Steering Committee is 
not responsible to the caucus, and the election of its members . . . is 
not subject to caucus ratification or rejection'';(1) that, 
``members of the Steering Committee are directly responsible to the 
membership of the zone from which elected and are subject to recall at 
any time'';(2) and that, ``the Chairman of the Steering 
Committee is elected by the committee and is ineligible to succeed 
himself.''(3)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
20. See 8 Cannon's Precedents Sec. 3622.
 1. 8 Cannon's Precedents Sec. 3622.
 2. Id.
 3. Id.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The purposes of the Steering Committee as originally created were 
to consult with the various geographical groups on pending legislation, 
to promote unity among the groups, and to advise the party leadership 
as to legislative scheduling and floor strategy.(4)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 4. See Congressional Quarterly's Guide to the Congress of the United 
        States, Congressional Quarterly Service (Washington, D.C., 
        1971), pp. 142, 604. See also 8 Cannon's Precedents Sec. 3622, 
        discussing the functions of the steering committee.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Democratic Steering Committee was relatively inactive for many 
years. But changes in the committee's composition and functions were 
included in an addendum to the 1973 caucus rules and, more recently, 
the committee has assumed new importance as the

[[Page 198]]

Steering and Policy Committee. The current role of the committee, 
including its role in the determination of standing committee 
assignments for party members, will be discussed more extensively in 
supplements to this edition. Briefly, the committee at present is 
composed of the party leadership in addition to those members elected 
on a geographical basis or appointed by the Speaker. Its main functions 
are to make recommendations regarding party policy, legislative 
priorities, and the scheduling of matters for House or caucus action.
    In the 89th Congress, resolutions were adopted authorizing payments 
from the contingent fund of the House to be applied to salaries for 
certain employees of the Steering Committee(5) and to 
expenses of the committee.(6)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 5. See Sec. 13.1, infra.
 6. See Sec. 13.2, infra.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Members of the Democratic Steering Committee from its inauguration 
to Mar. 21, 1945, are listed in an appendix to the Congressional Record 
of the 79th Congress. In that Congress, Mr. William M. Whittington, of 
Mississippi, asked and was given permission to extend his remarks in 
the appendix of the Record and to include therein the membership rolls 
of the Democratic Steering Committee from its inauguration, in addition 
to a partial list of the Chairmen of the Democratic 
Caucus.(7) The list includes the ex officio members of the 
committee in each of the Congresses. In the 73d Congress, the ex 
officio members were the Speaker, floor leader, caucus chairman, 
Chairman of the Committee on Rules, and the whip. Beginning with the 
76th Congress, the Chairman of the Committee on Ways and Means and the 
Chairman of the Committee on Appropriations were also designated as ex 
officio members of the Steering Committee. At present,(8) ex 
officio members include the Speaker, the floor leader, the whip, the 
caucus chairman, the secretary of the caucus and the Chairman of the 
Congressional Campaign Committee.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 7. The list appears in the appendix to the Record, 91 (part 10) Cong. 
        Rec. A1367, A1368, 79th Cong. 1st Sess., Mar. 21, 1945 
        (extension of remarks of Mr. William M. Whittington).
 8. See Congressional Quarterly's Guide to the Congress of the United 
        States, Congressional Quarterly Service (Washington, D.C., 
        1971), p. 142; and Ripley, Randall B., Party Leaders in the 
        House of Representatives, The Brookings Institution 
        (Washington, D.C., 1967), p. 
        47.                          -------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Compensation for Employees

Sec. 13.1 The House on occasion has provided by resolution

[[Page 199]]

    for compensation to be payable from the contingent fund of the 
    House to employees of the Democratic Steering Committee.

    On Aug. 24, 1965,(9) the following resolution was 
adopted by the House:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 9. 111 Cong. Rec. 21545, 89th Cong. 1st Sess. A resolution authorizing 
        an increase in the compensation of the positions referred to in 
        H. Res. 543, 89th Cong. 1st Sess. (1965), was rejected in the 
        91st Congress. See 116 Cong. Rec. 27449, 27451, 91st Cong. 2d 
        Sess., Aug. 5, 1970.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                  H. Res. 543

        Resolved, That, effective September 1, 1965, there shall be 
    payable from the contingent fund of the House of Representatives, 
    until otherwise provided by law, compensation at a basic rate per 
    annum not exceeding the maximum rate authorized by the 
    Classification Act of 1949, as amended, to one employee of each of 
    the following:
        (1) the House Democratic Steering Committee; and
        (2) the House Republican Conference.

Later in the first session of the 89th Congress,(10) 
compensation for an additional employee of the Steering Committee was 
authorized by the following resolution:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
10. 111 Cong. Rec. 28563, Oct. 22, 1965.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                  H. Res. 625

        Resolved, That, effective November 1, 1965, there shall be 
    payable from the contingent fund of the House of Representatives, 
    until otherwise provided by law, compensation at a basic rate not 
    exceeding $4,180 per annum to one additional employee of each of 
    the following:
        (1) the House Democratic Steering Committee; and
        (2) the House Republican Conference.

Expense Allowance

Sec. 13.2 The House adopted a resolution providing for payment for 
    certain expenses of the Democratic Steering Committee from the 
    contingent fund of the House.

    In the second session of the 89th Congress,(11) the 
following resolution was agreed to by the House:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
11. 112 Cong. Rec. 170, Jan. 13, 1966.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                  H. Res. 661

        Resolved, That, effective January 3, 1966, there shall be 
    payable from the contingent fund of the House of Representatives, 
    until otherwise provided by law, not to exceed $5,000 annually for 
    necessary expenses, other than salaries, to each of the following:
        (1) the House Democratic Steering Committee; and
        (2) the House Republican Conference.


 
                               CHAPTER 3
 
                           Party Organization
 
                C. PARTY COMMITTEES AND INFORMAL GROUPS
 
Sec. 14. Patronage Committee

    Formerly, the patronage of the House was distributed through a

[[Page 200]]

patronage committee nominated by the Committee on Committees and 
elected by the majority caucus. Thus, in 1911, a caucus 
resolution(12) provided for a committee that would 
distribute the appointive positions in the House organization among the 
members of ``the various state delegations.'' And in 1918, the 
Republicans being in the majority, Republican members received from the 
temporary Chairman of their Committee on Committees instructions 
relating to the distribution of patronage.(13)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
12. See 8 Cannon's Precedents Sec. 3627.
13. See 8 Cannon's Precedents Sec. 3628.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    At the present time, the distribution of jobs through patronage is 
a very informal process. Many jobs on Capitol Hill, including a number 
in the offices of the Doorkeeper and the Sergeant at Arms of the House, 
are awarded through patronage, but no clear criteria exist by which the 
control of patronage is distributed to Members of the House. State 
delegations may be assigned quotas of jobs to be awarded under the 
patronage system.(14)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
14. See Congressional Quarterly's Guide to the Congress of the United 
        States, Congressional Quarterly Service (Washington, D.C., 
        1971), p. 428. For more detailed discussion of the Patronage 
        Committee, see Ch. 7, infra.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------


 
                               CHAPTER 3
 
                           Party Organization
 
                C. PARTY COMMITTEES AND INFORMAL GROUPS
 
Sec. 15. Official Objectors' Committees

    On the Consent and Private Calendars are placed bills of a 
noncontroversial nature, susceptible of passage by the House without 
extensive debate.(15) Objection may be made, however, to 
consideration of any bill that has been called on either calendar, in 
which case disposition of the bill proceeds according to the rules of 
the House. For the purpose of determining whether objection should be 
made to any bills that have been called up on either calendar, official 
objectors appointed to act for each party analyze carefully the bills 
to be considered.(16) Official Objectors' Committees are 
appointed by each party's floor leader.(17)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
15. For general discussion of the Private and Consent Calendars, see 
        Ch. 22, infra.
16. See Sec. Sec. 15.2, 15.4, infra.
17. See Sec. Sec. 15.1, 15.3, infra.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Proceedings relating to bills on the Private Calendar are set forth 
in a House rule providing, in part, that,(18)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
18. Rule XXIV clause 6, House Rules and Manual Sec. 893 (1973).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

        On the first Tuesday of each month . . . the Speaker shall 
    direct the Clerk to call the bills and resolutions on the Private 
    Calendar. Should objection be

[[Page 201]]

    made by two or more Members to the consideration of any bill or 
    resolution so called, it shall be recommitted to the committee 
    which reported the bill or resolution, and no reservation of 
    objection shall be entertained by the Speaker. . . .
        On the third Tuesday . . . the Speaker may direct the Clerk to 
    call the bills and resolutions on the Private Calendar, preference 
    to be given to omnibus bills containing bills or resolutions which 
    have previously been objected to. . . .

    Proceedings relating to bills on the Consent Calendar are also set 
forth in the rules. Thus, it is provided(19) that,
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
19. Rule XIII clause 4, House Rules and Manual Sec. 746 (1973).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

        . . . On the first and third Mondays of each month . . . the 
    Speaker shall direct the Clerk to call the bills in numerical 
    order, which have been for three legislative days upon the 
    ``Consent Calendar.'' Should objection be made to the consideration 
    of any bill so called it shall be carried over on the calendar 
    without prejudice to the next day when the ``Consent Calendar'' is 
    again called, and if objected to by three or more Members it shall 
    immediately be stricken from the Calendar. . . .

    The objectors of both parties for the Consent Calendar may agree on 
and announce to the House certain rules or criteria by which the 
objectors will be guided in their consideration of bills on the 
calendar.(20) Similarly, objectors for the Private Calendar 
generally annouce agreements they have made respecting their 
consideration of bills on the Private Calendar.(1)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
20. See Sec. 15.2, infra.
 1. See Sec. 15.5, infra.                          -------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Objectors for Consent Calendar--Appointment

Sec. 15.1 Official objectors for the Consent Calendar are appointed by 
    each party's floor leader, who announces such appointments in the 
    House.

    In the 91st Congress, Mr. Wayne N. Aspinall, of Colorado, one of 
the objectors for the Consent Calendar, presented in the House a 
statement of the rules of operation of the official objectors for the 
Consent Calendar. Such statement read in part as follows:(2)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 2. 115 Cong. Rec. 6543, 91st Cong. 1st Sess., Mar. 17, 1969.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

        On February 18, the majority and minority floor leaders 
    appointed their respective members of the official objectors 
    committees, the gentleman from Oklahoma, Mr. [Carl] Albert, 
    appointed three members of his party and the gentleman from 
    Michigan, Mr. Gerald R. Ford, appointed three members of his party. 
    The objectors committees are unofficial committees of the House of 
    Representatives, existing at the request and at the pleasure of

[[Page 202]]

    the respective floor leaders of the two parties who, in order to 
    facilitate the proper screening of legislation which may be placed 
    on the Consent Calendar, designate members of each side of the 
    aisle charged with the specific responsibility of seeing to it that 
    legislation passing by such procedure is in the interest of good 
    government.

    The floor leaders generally announce to the House their respective 
appointments of objectors. Sometimes, the floor leader announces his 
designation of one of the objectors as Chairman of the Official 
Objectors' Committee. In the 91st Congress, the announcement of the 
appointment of objectors was as follows:(3)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 3. 115 Cong. Rec. 3721, 91st Cong. 1st Sess., Feb. 18, 1969.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

        Mr. Gerald R. Ford [of Michigan]: Mr. Speaker, I have asked for 
    this time for the purpose of announcing the official objectors for 
    the Republican Members for the Consent Calendar. They are to be as 
    follows: the gentleman from Washington (Mr. Pelly), the gentleman 
    from Missouri (Mr. Hall), and the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. 
    Johnson).

    In the 84th Congress, the announcement of the appointment of 
Democratic objectors for the Consent Calendar was made as 
follows:(4)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 4. 101 Cong. Rec. 496, 84th Cong. 1st Sess., Jan. 20, 1955.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

        Mr. [John W.] McCormack [of Massachusetts]: Mr. Speaker, I 
    desire to announce to the House the appointment of the official 
    Democratic objectors on the Consent Calendar as follows:
        The distinguished gentleman from North Carolina, Mr. Deane, 
    Chairman of the Committee on Consent Calendar Objectors; the 
    gentleman from Colorado, Mr. Aspinall; and the gentleman from 
    Massachusetts, Mr. Boland.

    Generally, three members are appointed to the Official Objectors' 
Committee for the Consent Calendar and three members to the Committee 
of Official Objectors for the Private Calendar. There have been minor 
departures from this practice. In the 85th Congress, the appointment of 
four Republican objectors for the Consent Calendar was announced as 
follows:(5)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 5. 103 Cong. Rec. 1488, 85th Cong. 1st Sess., Feb. 4, 1957.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

        Mr. [Joseph W.] Martin [Jr., of Massachusetts]: I desire to 
    announce the appointment on the Republican side of members on the 
    official objectors committee on the Consent Calendar: the gentleman 
    from Iowa, Mr. Cunningham; the gentleman from Wisconsin, Mr. 
    Byrnes; the gentleman from Michigan, Mr. Ford; and the gentleman 
    from Nebraska, Mr. Weaver.

    In the 82d Congress, three Democratic objectors were appointed who 
served on both the Consent and the Private Calendar. The announcement 
of the appointments was as follows:(6)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 6. 97 Cong. Rec. 792, 82d Cong. 1st Sess., Jan. 31, 1951. For other 
        instances in which a Member was appointed to serve as objector 
        for both the Consent and Private Calendar, see 115 Cong. Rec. 
        3721, 91st Cong. 1st Sess., Feb. 18, 1969; and 101 Cong. Rec. 
        496, 84th Cong. 1st Sess., Jan. 20, 1955.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 203]]

        Mr. [John W.] McCormack [of Massachusetts]: Mr. Speaker . . . 
    may I say that the following named Members will be the official 
    objectors on the Democratic side for the 82nd Congress for the 
    Consent Calendar and the Private Calendar: the gentleman from 
    Arkansas [Mr. Trimble], the gentleman from North Carolina [Mr. 
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Deane], and the gentleman from Colorado [Mr. Aspinall.]

Similarly, the announcement of the appointment of Democratic objectors 
in the 81st Congress was made as follows:(7)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 7. 95 Cong. Rec. 925, 81st Cong. 1st Sess., Feb. 7, 1949.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

        Mr. McCormack: Mr. Speaker, I desire to announce the 
    appointment of the Objectors Committee on the Democratic side. The 
    distinguished gentleman from Arkansas [Mr. Trimble], the 
    distinguished gentleman from North Carolina [Mr. Deane], and the 
    distinguished gentleman from Colorado [Mr. Aspinall]. The gentleman 
    from Arkansas [Mr. Trimble], being the ranking Member, is Chairman 
    of the Objectors Committee on the Democratic side.

Agreement by Official Objectors on Rules of Operation

Sec. 15.2 It has been the practice of the official objectors to agree 
    upon certain rules and principles that will govern their 
    consideration of bills on the Consent Calendar, and to present a 
    statement of such rules and principles to the House.

    In the 91st Congress,(8) Mr. Wayne N. Aspinall, of 
Colorado, one of the official objectors, presented a statement of the 
rules of operation of the official objectors for the Consent Calendar. 
The proceedings were as follows:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 8. 115 Cong. Rec. 6543, 6544, 91st Cong. 1st Sess., Mar. 17, 1969.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

        Mr. Aspinall: Mr. Speaker . . . one of the most important 
    procedures that the House follows in considering legislation is 
    known as the Consent Calendar operation. . . . It is under this 
    procedure that most of the acts of Congress which become public 
    laws are considered by the House of Representatives.
        It has been the practice heretofore of the official objectors 
    for Consent Calendar committees--the majority members and the 
    minority members--to agree upon rules of procedure at the beginning 
    of a session. I would suggest, to the new Members especially, that 
    they read the statement regarding these rules of procedure, which 
    has the approval of and bears the initials of all the members of 
    the Consent Calendar committees, three members of the majority and 
    three members of the minority.
        The statement is as follows:

[[Page 204]]

         Statement of Rules of Operation of the Official Objectors for 
                              the Consent Calendar

            . . . For several sessions now objectors on both sides of 
        the aisle have followed certain rules for consideration of 
        Consent Calendar bills which they have made known to the 
        Members at the beginning of a session. These rules are not 
        publicized at this time to establish hard-and-fast procedures 
        but rather to advise the Members of the House as to the manner 
        in which the committee plans to operate throughout the 91st 
        Congress.
            The members of the committee feel that generally no 
        legislation should pass by unanimous consent which involves an 
        aggregate expenditure of more than $1 million; second, that no 
        bill which changes national policy or international policy 
        should be permitted to pass on the Consent Calendar but rather 
        should be afforded the opportunity of open and extended debate; 
        third, that any bill which appears on the Consent Calendar, 
        even though it does not change national or international 
        policy, or does not call for an expenditure of more than $1 
        million, should not be approved without the membership being 
        fully informed of its contents, providing it is a measure that 
        would apply to the districts of a majority of the Members of 
        the House of Representatives . . . fourth, that if a bill has 
        been placed on the Consent Calendar and the members of the 
        committee having jurisdiction over the legislation show that it 
        has not been cleared by the Bureau of the Budget, by the 
        respective Department affected by such legislation, or that 
        such reports from the committee or from the Department show 
        that the legislation is not in accord with the President's 
        program, it should not pass on the Consent Calendar. . . .

Official Objectors for Private Calendar--Appointment

Sec. 15.3 Each party's official objectors for the Private Calendar are 
    appointed by the party floor leader, who announces in the House the 
    names of those he has appointed.

    In the 89th Congress, during the course of describing procedures 
relating to the Private Calendar, Mr. Edward P. Boland, of 
Massachusetts, remarked that, ``The majority leader and minority leader 
each appoint three Members to serve as Private Calendar objectors 
during a Congress.''(9)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 9. 111 Cong. Rec. 3914, 89th Cong. 1st Sess., Mar. 2, 1965.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The following announcements, made in the 91st 
Congress,(10) represent the usual manner in which the floor 
leader notifies the House of his appointment of official objectors:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
10. 115 Cong. Rec. 3721, 91st Cong. 1st Sess., Feb. 18, 1969.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

        (Mr. Carl Albert, of Oklahoma, asked and was given permission 
    to address the House for one minute and to revise and extend his 
    remarks.)
        Mr. Albert [after announcing appointment of Consent Calendar 
    objectors]:
        I have also designated as official objectors for the majority 
    for the Private Calendar the following Members: the

[[Page 205]]

    gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Boland), the gentleman from 
    Georgia (Mr. Davis), and the gentleman from Oklahoma (Mr. 
    Edmondson). . . .
        Mr. Gerald R. Ford [of Michigan] [after announcing appointment 
    of Consent Calendar objectors]:
        Also, Mr. Speaker, the official objectors for the Republican 
    Members for the Private Calendar are to be as follows: the 
    gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Duncan), the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. 
    Clarence J. Brown), and the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Hunt).

In the 91st Congress, when Mr. Garry E. Brown, of Michigan, was 
appointed to replace a member of the Republican Objectors Committee for 
the Private Calendar, the following announcement was made by the 
Minority Leader:(11)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
11. 116 Cong. Rec. 7677, 91st Cong. 2d Sess., Mar. 17, 1970.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

        Mr. Gerald R. Ford: Mr. Speaker, I announce that the Republican 
    Members of the Private Calendar objectors committee for the 
    remainder of the 2nd session of the 91st Congress will be: the 
    gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Duncan), the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. 
    Brown), and the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Brown).

Similarly, in the 84th Congress, on Apr. 26, 1955,(12) the 
Minority Leader announced as follows:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
12. 101 Cong. Rec. 5120, 84th Cong. 1st Sess.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

        Mr. [Joseph W.] Martin [Jr., of Massachusetts]: Mr. Speaker, I 
    desire to announce that Mr. William K. Van Pelt has been placed 
    upon the list of objectors on the Private Calendar, representing 
    the minority, to take the place of the gentleman from Ohio [Mr. 
    Ayres].

    As in the case of appointments to the Official Objectors Committee 
for the Consent Calendar,(13) announcements of appointments 
to the Official Objectors Committee for the Private Calendar have 
sometimes included the designation of a chairman.(14)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
13. See Sec. 15.1, supra.
14. See 101 Cong. Rec. 496, 84th Cong. 1st Sess., Jan. 20, 1955 
        (announcement by Mr. John W. McCormack [Mass.] ).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    As noted above,(15) a Member has sometimes been 
appointed to serve on both the Official Objectors Committee for the 
Private Calendar and the Official Objectors Committee for the Consent 
Calendar.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
15. See Sec. 15.1, supra.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Functions of Official Objectors

Sec. 15.4 The Official Objectors Committees for the Private Calendar 
    study all bills placed on that calendar, and may make objection to 
    any private bill when the calendar is called.

    In the 89th Congress, Mr. Edward P. Boland, of Massachusetts,

[[Page 206]]

in the course of discussing procedures relating to the Private 
Calendar, remarked as follows:(16)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
16. 111 Cong. Rec. 3914, 89th Cong. 1st Sess., Mar. 2, 1965.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

        The objectors have the responsibility of carefully studying all 
    bills which are placed on the Private Calendar. When the Private 
    Calendar is called, the objectors are on the floor ready to object 
    to any private bill which they feel is objectionable for any 
    reason. Seated near them to provide technical assistance are the 
    majority and minority legislative clerks.

        Should any Member have a doubt or question about a particular 
    private bill, he can get assistance from the objectors, their 
    clerks, or from the Member who introduced the bill.

Agreement as to Bills to be Considered

Sec. 15.5 The official majority and minority objectors for the Private 
    Calendar agree upon rules governing their consideration of private 
    bills, and announce such rules in the House. The official objectors 
    usually agree that they will consider only those bills which have 
    been on the Private Calendar for a period of seven calendar days.

    In the 89th Congress, Mr. Edward P. Boland, of Massachusetts, in 
the course of describing procedures relating to the Private Calendar, 
announced as follows:(17)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
17. 111 Cong. Rec. 3914, 3915, 89th Cong. 1st Sess., Mar. 2, 1965. 
        Similar announcements have been made in other Congresses; see, 
        for example, 115 Cong. Rec. 6656, 91st Cong. 1st Sess., Mar. 
        18, 1969.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

        The great volume of private bills and the desire to have an 
    opportunity to study them carefully before they are called on the 
    Private Calendar has caused the six objectors to agree upon certain 
    ground rules. Those rules limit consideration of bills placed on 
    the Private Calendar only shortly before the Calendar is called. 
    The agreement is as follows:

            Reaffirming the policy initially adopted on June 3, 1958, 
        the members of the majority and minority Private Calendar 
        objectors committees have today agreed that during the 89th 
        Congress they will consider only those bills which have been on 
        the Private Calendar for a period of seven calendar days, 
        excluding the day the bills are reported and the day the 
        Private Calendar is called.
            It is agreed that the majority and minority legislative 
        clerks will not submit to the objectors any bills which do not 
        meet this requirement.
            This policy will be strictly observed except during the 
        closing days of each session when House rules are suspended.


 
                               CHAPTER 3
 
                           Party Organization
 
                C. PARTY COMMITTEES AND INFORMAL GROUPS
 
Sec. 16. Campaign Committees; Informal Party Groups

    Party campaign committees exist for the purpose of aiding in

[[Page 207]]

the election of party members to the House.(18) The campaign 
committees raise and distribute campaign funds for use in the general 
elections in order to effectuate such purpose.(19) The 
Chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee in past 
Congresses has been an ex officio member of the Steering 
Committee.(20)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
18. See the discussion of party campaign committees in Congressional 
        Quarterly's Guide to the Congress of the United States, 
        Congressional Quarterly Service (Washington, D.C., 1971), p. 
        606.
19. Certain provisions of Rule XLIII of the House rules are of interest 
        on the subject of campaign funds generally. See Rule XLIII 
        clauses 6, 7 (House Rules and Manual Sec. 939, 1973).
20. See Sec. 13, supra.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In addition to the formal party structure with which this chapter 
is primarily concerned, there exist a number of informal party groups. 
For example, the Democratic Study Group(1) conducts research 
and prepares reports with respect to issues relating to proposed 
legislation, and has been influential in promoting certain party 
reforms, such as procedures in the caucus for voting on nominations for 
standing committee chairmen. The Democratic Study Group maintains a 
``whip'' system for purposes of ensuring its members' attendance in the 
House when matters of interest to the group are under consideration.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 1. For further discussion of the Democratic Study Group, see Ripley, 
        Randall B., Party Leaders in the House of Representatives, The 
        Brookings Institution (Washington, D.C., 1967), pp. 38 (note), 
        124, 176.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Republican Wednesday Club also conducts research and furnishes 
information to its members with respect to issues that are of interest 
to the club. The status of pending legislation is discussed at meetings 
of the club.(2)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 2. For further discussion of the Wednesday Club and other Republican 
        clubs, see Ripley, Randall B., Party Leaders in the House of 
        Representatives, The Brookings Institution (Washington, D.C., 
        1967), pp. 178 and 179 (note).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The above groups are discussed merely by way of example, there 
being a number of informal groups of a political or social nature among 
the membership of the House. The membership of some of the informal 
groups is bipartisan.

[[Page 208]]


 
                               CHAPTER 3
 
                           Party Organization
 
                            D. FLOOR LEADERS
 
Sec. 17. In General


    [Note: The following is descriptive of practices in effect in some 
Congresses. For discussion of any current modification of the office or 
role of floor leader, consult supplements to this edition as they 
appear.]

    Each party's caucus or conference elects a floor 
leader;(3) the chairman of the caucus or conference 
announces the selection of his party's floor leader to the 
House.(4) At times in the past, a third party has organized 
in the House and elected a floor leader in a party caucus or 
conference.(5) If a vacancy exists in the post of floor 
leader, as where a party's floor leader has been elevated to the 
Speakership,(6) a new floor leader is elected by the caucus 
or conference in the usual manner.(7)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 3. Sec. 17.1, infra. The minority party's candidate for Speaker 
        normally becomes that party's floor leader. See Riddick, Floyd 
        M., Congressional Procedure, Chapman and Grimes (Boston, 1941), 
        p. 34.
            Collateral reference: Ripley, Randall B., Party Leaders in 
        the House of Representatives, The Brookings Institution 
        (Washington, D.C., 1967), pp. 24-28 (development of office of 
        Majority Leader); 28-32 (development of office of Minority 
        Leader); 57, 58, 61-63, 66, 67, 74, 75 (functions of party 
        floor leaders).
 4. Sec. 17.1, infra.
 5. See Sec. 17.3, infra.
 6. Majority Leaders have frequently succeeded to the Speakership. See 
        Congressional Quarterly's Guide to the Congress of the United 
        States, Congressional Quarterly Service (Washington, D.C., 
        1971), p. 141.
 7. See Sec. 17.2, infra.
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If a floor leader intends to be temporarily absent from the House, he 
may designate a person to act for him, and may announce such 
designation to the House.(8)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 8. Sec. 17.4, infra.
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    A party's floor leader, in conjunction with other party leaders, 
plays an influential role in the formulation of party policy and 
programs. He is instrumental in guiding legislation favored by his 
party through the House, or in resisting those programs of the other 
party that are considered undesirable by his own party. He is 
instrumental in devising and implementing his party's strategy on the 
floor with respect to promoting or opposing legislation.(9)

[[Page 209]]

He is kept constantly informed as to the status of legislative business 
and as to the sentiment of his party respecting particular legislation 
under consideration. Such information is derived in part from the floor 
leader's contacts with his party's members serving on House committees, 
and with the members of the party's whip organization.(10)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 9. For general discussion of the functions and duties of the floor 
        leader, see, in addition to ensuing sections in this chapter, 8 
        Cannon's Precedents Sec. 3614.
            So that the floor leaders may fulfill their floor duties 
        more easily and be available or visible to members of their 
        parties, aisle seats at tables on the floor of the House are 
        reserved for their use except in the Committee of the Whole. 
        See Cannon's Procedure in the House of Representatives, H. Doc. 
        No. 122, 86th Cong. 1st Sess. (1959), p. 221.
10. See Sec. 23, infra.
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    In his role as party leader, he protects the interests of 
individual members of his party whenever possible,(11) and 
exercises leadership with respect to legislative proceedings that 
concern the party as a whole. He appoints party members to certain 
positions that are of importance in the legislative process; thus, he 
appoints the official objectors for the Private and Consent 
Calendars(12) and, in the case of the Democratic floor 
leader, appoints the party whip.(13)
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11. See, for example, Sec. 19.4, infra.
12. See Sec. Sec. 15.1, 15.3, supra, and 20.1, infra.
13. See Sec. 20.3, infra.
            On occasion, the House has provided by simple resolution 
        for appointments to certain positions to be filled by the 
        Minority Leader, subject to the approval of the Speaker. See 95 
        Cong. Rec. 640, 641, 81st Cong. 1st Sess., Jan. 24, 1949 (H. 
        Res. 62, pertaining in part to certain assistant clerkships).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    But the floor leader is more than a partisan leader. He is an 
integral, though to some extent, unofficial,(14) part of the 
legislative machinery of the House itself. The floor leader, 
particularly the Majority Leader, exercises considerable authority with 
respect to legislative scheduling, or the order of 
business.(15) Thus, the floor leader assumes a large measure 
of responsibility for the procedural aspects of transacting legislative 
business; his knowledge of House procedures is employed to expedite the 
consideration of legislative proposals.
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14. See 8 Cannon's Precedents Sec. 3614, particularly Cannon's comment 
        that, ``The Rules contain no provision relating to the 
        selection or duties of the party floor leaders. . . .''
15. See Sec. 18, infra.
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    In addition to playing a key role in the procedural aspects of 
House business, the floor leader may assume responsibilities relating 
to resolutions of a more substantive nature, particularly resolutions 
that concern the operations of the House itself or the government as a 
whole. Thus, a floor leader

[[Page 210]]

might offer resolutions concerning the adoption of rules for the 
Congress;(16) the appointment of a committee to notify the 
President of the assembly of Congress;(17) the authorization 
of additional memberships on a committee;(18) the assignment 
of party members to House committees;(19) the consideration 
of action to be taken by the House against a Member charged with 
misconduct;(20) and an increase in the salary of the 
President.(1) Frequently, resolutions introduced in the 
House, whether by the floor leader or by others, are the culmination of 
agreements reached by the leadership, particularly the floor leaders, 
of both parties.(2)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
16. See Sec. 17.7, infra.
17. Sec. 21.3, infra.
18. Sec. 17.8, infra.
19. See Sec. 19.7, infra. See Sec. 17.12, infra, for discussion of a 
        resolution electing a committee chairman to certain joint 
        committees.
20. Sec. 17.11, infra.
 1. Sec. 17.13, infra.
 2. See, for example, Sec. 17.8, infra.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The floor leaders may be consulted, or assume some 
responsibilities, with respect to the regulation of the use of physical 
facilities of the House, or the protection of privileges relating to 
such use.(3) Moreover, the floor leaders may be asked to 
serve on commissions concerned with physical improvements to be made at 
the Capitol. Thus, in the 91st Congress, the House approved a Senate 
bill whereby the membership on the Commission on the Extension of the 
Capitol, which originally consisted of the Speaker, the President of 
the Senate, the Minority Leaders of the two Houses, and the Architect 
of the Capitol, was enlarged to include the Majority Leaders of the 
House and the Senate.(4)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 3. See Sec. Sec. 17.16, 17.17, infra.
 4. See 115 Cong. Rec. 26568, 26569, 91st Cong. 1st Sess., Sept. 23, 
        1969. See also 40 USCA Sec. 166 (note referring to Sec. 101 of 
        Act of Aug. 5, 1955, Ch. 568, 69 Statutes 515, as amended by 
        Pub. L. 91-77, Sept. 29, 1969, 83 Statutes 124). The change 
        noted above was for purposes of ensuring equal representation 
        of the two parties on the commission.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    One Majority Leader remarked,(5) with reference to 
duties of the office that transcend those of partisan leadership:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 5. 106 Cong. Rec. 19161, 86th Cong. 2d Sess., Sept. 1, 1960. The 
        remarks were those of Mr. John W. McCormack (Mass.), who later 
        as Speaker expressed the similar concern of a Speaker for the 
        rights of all Members of the House (see Sec. 1, supra).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

        One of the primary duties of the majority leader . . . I 
    consider to be that of protecting the rights of the individual 
    Member, to see that the rights of the individual Member, 
    particularly

[[Page 211]]

    of the minority party, are not trespassed upon.

    The Majority Leader frequently acts as Speaker pro 
tempore;(6) the Minority Leader has also served in this 
capacity during proceedings of a ceremonial nature.(7)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 6. Sec. 17.5, infra. See also Ch. 6, infra.
 7. See Sec. 21.10, infra.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    It is frequently the province of the floor leader to perform 
certain ceremonial duties; to make announcements concerning formal 
events; to extend certain courtesies; or to give expression to the 
gratitude, good wishes, and the like, of Members of his party or the 
House.(8)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 8. See Sec. 21, infra.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    On occasion, a floor leader has been assigned a position on a 
standing committee of the House in the same manner as other members of 
his party.(9) Ordinarily, however, floor leaders are not 
assigned to standing committees.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 9. See Sec. 17.18, infra.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    It may be mentioned that, in addition to serving on those 
committees or commissions already mentioned above and in ensuing 
sections, the Minority Leader is among those who serve on an advisory 
committee to the Secretary of the Treasury, who consults with such 
committee in determining who are major Presidential or Vice 
Presidential candidates entitled to receive secret service 
protection.(10)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
10. Pub. L. No. 90-331, June 6, 1968, 82 Stat. 170, referred to in 18 
        USC Sec. 3056 and note 
        thereto.                          -------------------
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Election of Floor Leader; Announcement

Sec. 17.1 Each party's caucus or conference elects a party floor 
    leader, and the caucus or conference chairman announces the name of 
    his party's floor leader to the House.

    In the 92d Congress, following the administration of the oath of 
office to the Members of the House, the announcements respecting the 
election of party floor leaders were made as follows:(11)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
11. 117 Cong. Rec. 13, 92d Cong. 1st Sess., Jan. 21, 1971. For examples 
        of similar proceedings, see 115 Cong. Rec. 34, 91st Cong. 1st 
        Sess., Jan. 3, 1969; and 113 Cong. Rec. 27, 90th Cong. 1st 
        Sess., Jan. 10, 1967.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

        Mr. [Olin E.] Teague of Texas: Mr. Speaker, as chairman of the 
    Democratic caucus, I have been directed to report to the House that 
    the Democratic Members have selected unanimously as majority leader 
    the gentleman from Louisiana, the Honorable Hale Boggs.
        Mr. [John B.] Anderson of Illinois: Mr. Speaker, as chairman of 
    the Republican conference, I am directed by

[[Page 212]]

    that conference to officially notify the House that the gentleman 
    from Michigan, the Honorable Gerald R. Ford, has been unanimously 
    selected as the minority leader of the House.

Election to Fill Unexpected Vacancy

Sec. 17.2 When a vacancy exists in the office of floor leader, as by 
    reason of the floor leader's elevation to the Speakership, the 
    election of a new floor leader and the announcement respecting such 
    election take place in the usual manner.

    Parliamentarian's Note: When the second session of the 87th 
Congress met on Jan. 10, 1962, a vacancy existed in the Speakership due 
to the death of Speaker Sam Rayburn, of Texas, on Nov. 16, 1961. The 
Chairman of the Democratic Caucus, Francis E. Walter, of Pennsylvania, 
called a meeting of the caucus for Jan. 9 for the purpose of selecting 
a candidate for Speaker. No other business was scheduled for this 
meeting. Before the 9th, however, it became apparent that Mr. John W. 
McCormack, of Massachusetts, would be unopposed in the caucus as the 
candidate for Speaker. His selection would create a vacancy in the 
office of the Majority Leader, a position held by Mr. McCormack during 
the first session. During the caucus, Mr. Richard Bolling, of Missouri, 
who had withdrawn as a candidate for Majority Leader before the caucus, 
asked unanimous consent that the caucus proceed to the selection of a 
new Majority Leader to serve when Mr. McCormack was elevated to the 
Speakership. There being no objection to this request, the caucus then 
chose Mr. Carl Albert, of Oklahoma, as Majority Leader. The 
announcement of such selection was made in the House as 
follows:(12)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
12. 108 Cong. Rec. 7, 87th Cong. 2d Sess., Jan. 10, 1962.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

        Mr. Walter: Mr. Speaker, as chairman of the Democratic caucus I 
    am directed to report to the House that the Democratic Members have 
    selected as majority leader the gentleman from Oklahoma, the 
    Honorable Carl Albert.

Election of Floor Leader by Third Party

Sec. 17.3 On occasion, a third party in the House has organized as a 
    caucus or conference and elected a floor leader, whose name has 
    been announced to the House in the usual manner.

    The following announcement was made in the 75th 
Congress:(13)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
13. 81 Cong. Rec. 15, 75th Cong. 1st Sess., Jan. 5, 1937.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 213]]

        Mr. [Gardner R.] Withrow [of Wisconsin]: Mr. Speaker, I 
    announce to the House that the Farmer-Labor-Progressive Party's 
    conference by unanimous consent selected Hon. Gerald J. Boileau, of 
    Wisconsin, as floor leader for the Seventy-fifth Congress. 
    [Applause.]

Announcement as to Acting Majority Leader

Sec. 17.4 On occasion, a Majority Leader expecting to be absent has 
    announced in the House the name of one to serve as acting Majority 
    Leader.

    In the 77th Congress, the Majority Leader announced as 
follows:(14)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
14. 88 Cong. Rec. 6668, 77th Cong. 2d Sess., July 27, 1942.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

        Mr. [John W.] McCormack [of Massachusetts]: Mr. Speaker, I 
    desire to announce that during my absence the gentleman from 
    Missouri [Mr. John J. Cochran] will act as majority leader.

Selection of Floor Leader as Speaker Pro Tempore

Sec. 17.5 Frequently, the Majority Leader is designated or elected 
    Speaker pro tempore.

    The following excerpt from the Record of the 91st 
Congress(15) exemplifies the manner in which the Majority 
Leader or others have assumed the chair when designated Speaker pro 
tempore. The proceedings, which took place immediately before the 
offering of the prayer, and after the Majority Leader called the House 
to order, were as follows:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
15. 115 Cong. Rec. 1075, 91st Cong. 1st Sess., Jan. 16, 1969.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

        The Speaker pro tempore laid before the House the following 
    communication from the Speaker:
                                                 January 16, 1969.

            I hereby designate the Honorable Carl Albert to act as 
        Speaker pro tempore today.
                                            John W. McCormack,
                                            Speaker of the House
                                               of Representatives.

    Similar proceedings occur regularly.(16)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
16. See, for example, 114 Cong. Rec. 3908, 90th Cong. 2d Sess., Feb. 
        22, 1968; and 113 Cong. Rec. 28948, 90th Cong. 1st Sess., Oct. 
        16, 1967. See also Ch. 6, infra.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In the 89th Congress, Majority Leader Carl Albert, of Oklahoma, 
Speaker pro tempore by designation, left the chair pending the offering 
of a resolution electing him as Speaker pro tempore during the absence 
of Speaker John W. McCormack, of Massachusetts. The proceedings and the 
resolution, which was offered by the Chairman of the Democratic Caucus, 
were as follows:(17)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
17. 112 Cong. Rec. 5, 6, 89th Cong. 2d Sess., Jan. 10, 1966.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

        The Speaker pro tempore (Mr. Albert) laid before the House the 
    following communication:

[[Page 214]]

        . . . I hereby designate the Honorable Carl Albert to act as 
    Speaker pro tempore today.
                                            John W. McCormack,
                                            Speaker of the House
                                               of Representatives.

Following the prayer, certain other business, and the call of the 
House, the proceedings were as follows:

        The Speaker Pro Tempore: The Chair requests the gentleman from 
    Louisiana [Mr. Boggs] to assume the chair.
        Mr. [Hale] Boggs assumed the chair as Speaker pro tempore.
        The Speaker Pro Tempore (Mr. Boggs): The Chair recognizes the 
    gentleman from New York [Mr. Keogh].
        Mr. [Eugene J.] Keogh: Mr. Speaker, on account of the 
    unavoidable absence of the Speaker due to the death of his beloved 
    brother, and at his request, I offer a resolution and ask for its 
    immediate consideration.
        The Clerk read the resolution as follows:

                                  H. Res. 627

            Resolved, That Hon. Carl Albert, a Representative from the 
        State of Oklahoma, be, and he is hereby, elected Speaker pro 
        tempore during the absence of the Speaker.
            Resolved, That the President of the Senate be notified by 
        the Clerk of the election of the Honorable Carl Albert as 
        Speaker pro tempore during the absence of the Speaker.

        The resolution was agreed to.
        A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
        Mr. Albert assumed the chair as Speaker pro tempore and Mr. 
    Celler administered the oath of office.

    Parliamentarian's Note: Speaker John W. McCormack whose brother 
died on Jan. 7, was not in Washington for the convening of the second 
session of the 89th Congress. Since the duration of the Speaker's 
absence was uncertain, and since there were new Members present to be 
sworn as well as business requiring signature, the election of a 
Speaker pro tempore was considered essential.
    Similar proceedings had taken place in the 88th 
Congress.(18)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
18. See 109 Cong. Rec. 22015, 88th Cong. 1st Sess., Nov. 18, 1963.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Responsibilities as to Recommittal Motion

Sec. 17.6 A floor leader on occasion has assumed certain 
    responsibilities for the form, content, and introduction of a 
    recommittal motion, although in favor of the bill that was to be 
    the subject of such motion.

    In the 91st Congress, during a debate on the deployment of an anti-
ballistic missile system, considerable discussion centered on a 
prospective motion to recommit the bill containing provisions relating 
to the system. In the course of that discussion, some of which appears 
below, Minority Leader Gerald R. Ford, of Michigan, made

[[Page 215]]

certain comments relating to his responsibilities with respect to the 
motion to recommit, and with respect to the manner in which the issues 
surrounding the anti-ballistic missile system should be presented to 
the House. The proceedings in part were as follows:(19)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
19. 115 Cong. Rec. 28451-28453, 91st Cong. 1st Sess., Oct. 3, 1969.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

        Mr. [Jonathan B.] Bingham [of New York]: . . . Turning to the 
    motion to recommit which I understand will be offered, to strike 
    not only the funds for deployment of ABM but also the funds for 
    continuing research and development, I consider the decision of the 
    minority leader that this should be the form of the motion an 
    outrageous example of the use of arbitrary power. The position 
    stated in the motion to recommit is not a position that has been 
    advocated by any Member of the House during the course of debate. 
    To word the motion to recommit in this way represents a crude 
    effort to reduce the number of votes on record against the 
    Safeguard system.
        . . . Should the ``previous question'' fail to pass, I would 
    welcome the chance to vote for the 10-percent across-the-board cut 
    in this authorization several Members hope to offer as an 
    alternative recommittal motion. . . .
        Mr. [Silvio O.] Conte [of Massachusetts]: . . . The issue . . . 
    is whether to deploy the ABM. This specific question was defeated 
    by a very close vote of 50 to 50 in the Senate. And it is that 
    specific question to which we must now direct our attention.
        Since that is the real issue . . . we must have it presented . 
    . . in a clear and precise way. . . .
        For this reason, the motion to recommit should contain 
    instructions to merely stop the deployment of the ABM. It should 
    not . . . contain instructions to stop research and development on 
    the ABM because this is not the question and because this would 
    give a highly inaccurate and unfair picture of what we in this body 
    sincerely feel.
        . . . I also understand that the gentleman who will offer the 
    motion on the ABM, the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. O'Konski), 
    which motion will cover both research and development and 
    deployment of the system, voted for the bill by proxy. In other 
    words, he voted for the ABM' but he is now introducing a motion 
    against the ABM. . . .
        Now the only one present on the minority side, the gentleman 
    from Ohio (Mr. Whalen), voted against the bill in committee. 
    Therefore, and this seems clear to me, he should be the one 
    offering the motion with his instructions attached to it. . . .
        The only way the motion to recommit can be amended is when the 
    previous question is ordered, defeat it. . . . This defeat will 
    then open up the motion to recommit to amendment. I would hope that 
    in these new amendments, after the previous question is out of the 
    picture, we could face deployment of the ABM squarely for all the 
    people to see. . . .
        Mr. Gerald R. Ford: . . . Mr. Chairman, at a later time I had 
    planned to announce what the motion to recommit would be . . . 
    [but] I believe it is appropriate. I do it now.

[[Page 216]]

        First let me say the motion to recommit will be to strike all 
    of the ABM authorizations, $746.4 million. It will not be the 
    amendment offered by the gentleman from California (Mr. Charles H. 
    Wilson) which was defeated yesterday by a vote of 219 to 105.
        Let me speak, if I may, to the gentleman from Ohio. About last 
    Tuesday, I went over to the gentleman from Ohio and said we wanted 
    to vote on the ABM on the motion to recommit. I offered to him the 
    motion to recommit on the ABM. I said he had 24 hours to discuss 
    it, to think about it, but I would appreciate within 24 hours his 
    answer. The next day the gentleman from Ohio came back and said 
    that he did not want the motion to recommit on those terms, he 
    wanted to offer a motion to cut dollars out of the authorization 
    bill.
        Am I correct or incorrect?
        Mr. [Charles W.] Whalen [Jr., of Ohio]: The gentleman is 
    exactly correct. I would hasten to add one other comment he made. 
    The gentleman indicated to me . . . [that] if I did not offer this 
    recommittal motion he would get someone who would.
        Mr. Gerald R. Ford: That is perfectly true. That is my 
    responsibility, and I intend to carry it out, and we are going to 
    carry it out this way, subject, of course, to the will of the 
    House.
        Now, may I proceed.

        The defeat yesterday by a vote of 219 to 105 I believe laid to 
    rest the denial of the deployment of the ABM. A rollcall on that 
    issue in motion to recommit at this time would be totally 
    repetitious. Therefore, I believe the time has come that we 
    actually have a vote on the basic issue, which is whether or not we 
    are going to have an ABM system.
        We have been appropriating for research, development, test, and 
    engineering for some 15 to 16 years, and now the time has come to 
    lay the matter to rest, to fish or cut bait.
        So far as I am concerned, the vote today will be on that basis.
        Under the parliamentary situation, of course, Members can try 
    to get a vote on the previous question, open it up, and then we 
    will see what happens, but from my point of view a 1-year delay in 
    the authorization will bring about dire results the committee 
    points out. . . .
        Let me say right here and now that the time has come where the 
    issue ought to be settled fundamentally. I believe I exercised good 
    sense and good judgment in offering to the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. 
    Whalen) an opportunity. He did not accept it. We have made other 
    plans, and I hope that the House as a whole backs up this decision 
    to make the basic decision one way or the other on the ABM.

    Later in the proceedings, the following motion to recommit was 
offered by Mr. Alvin E. O'Konski, of Wisconsin:(20)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
20. 115 Cong. Rec. 28487, 91st Cong. 1st Sess., Oct. 3, 1969.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

        Mr. O'Konski moves to recommit the bill H.R. 14000 to the 
    Committee on Armed Services with instructions to report it back 
    forthwith with the following amendments:
        On page 2, line 6, delete the figure ``$780,460,000'' and 
    substitute ``$434,960,000''; . . .

[[Page 217]]

    A point of order was made, based on the principle that a Member 
opposed to the bill as a whole is entitled to prior recognition, for 
purposes of offering a motion to recommit, over a Member opposed to a 
portion of the bill; it was contended that Mr. O'Konski, as one opposed 
to the bill ``only in its present form,'' should yield to one who voted 
against the entire bill. The point of order was 
overruled,(1) however, and, after the previous question was 
ordered, the motion to recommit was rejected.(2)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 1. Id.
 2. 115 Cong. Rec. 28488, 91st Cong. 1st Sess., Oct. 3, 1969.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Resolutions as to Adoption of Rules

Sec. 17.7 On occasion, the Majority Leader has offered the resolution 
    calling for adoption of House rules.

    Although the resolution pertaining to adoption of the rules at the 
beginning of a Congress is usually offered by the former Chairman of 
the Committee on Rules for that Congress,(3) the resolution 
on occasion has been offered by the Majority Leader. Thus, in the 88th 
Congress,(4) Majority Leader Carl Albert, of Oklahoma, 
offered a resolution calling for adoption of the rules of the 87th 
Congress, together with applicable provisions of the Legislative 
Reorganization Act of 1946, as amended, and with an amendment calling 
for an increase in the membership of the Committee on Rules.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 3. See Ch. 1, supra.
 4. 109 Cong. Rec. 14, 88th Cong. 1st Sess., Jan. 9, 1963.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In the 89th Congress,(5) the Majority Leader also 
offered the resolution relating to adoption of rules. The resolution 
again called for a controversial amendment affecting the Committee on 
Rules, in this instance the incorporation of the ``21-day 
rule.''(6) It is worth noting that the Majority Leader, in 
offering and participating in debate on the resolution, was acting 
under instructions of the Democratic Caucus, as the Majority Leader 
indicated in the following exchange:(7)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 5. 111 Cong. Rec. 21, 89th Cong. 1st Sess., Jan. 4, 1965.
 6. See 111 Cong. Rec. 21, 89th Cong. 1st Sess., Jan. 4, 1965.
 7. 111 Cong. Rec. 23, 89th Cong. 1st Sess., Jan. 4, 1965.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

        Mr. [Clarence J.] Brown of Ohio: . . . Will the gentleman yield 
    for me to offer a perfecting amendment? . . .
        Mr. [Carl] Albert [of Oklahoma]: May I say to the gentleman 
    that this resolution is being offered under instructions of the 
    Democratic caucus. I am the agent of the caucus for that

[[Page 218]]

    purpose. I have no authority to yield for amendment or to yield for 
    any purpose in order to allow the bill to be divided.

    In the 90th Congress,(8) Majority Leader Albert offered 
a resolution calling for adoption of House rules, including the 21-day 
rule which had been adopted in the 89th Congress. Following discussion 
of the 21-day rule and other matters, a motion to order the previous 
question with respect to the resolution was rejected.(9) An 
amendment repealing the 21-day rule was then adopted.(10)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 8. 113 Cong. Rec. 28, 90th Cong. 1st Sess., Jan. 10, 1967.
 9. 113 Cong. Rec. 31, 90th Cong. 1st Sess., Jan. 10, 1967.
10. 113 Cong. Rec. 33, 90th Cong. 1st Sess., Jan. 10, 1967.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Resolutions as to Size of Committees

Sec. 17.8 A resolution increasing the size of the Committee on 
    Government Operations was offered by the Majority Leader, the 
    minority party leadership having been consulted with respect to 
    issues relating to the resolution.

    In the 89th Congress, Majority Leader Carl Albert, of Oklahoma, 
offered a resolution increasing the size of the Committee on Government 
Operations. As indicated in the remarks of Mr. Albert, the minority 
party leadership had been consulted with respect to issues relating to 
the resolution. The resolution offered by Mr. Albert was as 
follows:(11)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
11. 111 Cong. Rec. 660, 89th Cong. 1st Sess., Jan. 14, 1965.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                  H. Res. 114

        Resolved, That during the Eighty-ninth Congress, the Committee 
    on Government Operations shall be Composed of thirty-four members.

After the resolution was read, Gerald R. Ford, of Michigan, the 
Minority Leader, asked that the Majority Leader indicate the 
distribution of the additional members of the Committee. Mr. Albert's 
reply was as follows:(12)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
12. 111 Cong. Rec. 661, 89th Cong. 1st Sess., Jan. 14, 1965.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

        This is an addition of three memberships to the Committee on 
    Government Operations two of which will be assigned to the majority 
    and one of which will be assigned to the minority.
        This is a matter which has been worked out, as a few other 
    matters have been, between the leadership on both sides for the 
    convenience of the House.

Sec. 17.9 The Majority Leader offered a resolution stating the size of 
    certain standing committees.

    On Jan. 16, 1967,(13) Majority Leader Carl Albert, of 
Oklahoma,

[[Page 219]]

offered the following resolution (H. Res. 128):
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
13. 113 Cong. Rec. 445, 90th Cong. 1st Sess.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

        Resolved, That during the Ninetieth Congress the Committee on 
    Agriculture shall be composed of thirty-five members;
        The Committee on Appropriations shall be composed of fifty-one
    members . . .

Resolutions as to Minority Employees

Sec. 17.10 The floor leader has offered resolutions relating to the 
    positions of certain minority employees in the House.

    On Jan. 27, 1949,(14) the Majority Leader, John W. 
McCormack, of Massachusetts, offered a resolution having reference to 
the appointment of certain minority employees of the House. The 
proceedings, including Mr. McCormack's remarks in explanation of the 
purposes of the resolution, were as follows:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
14. 95 Cong. Rec. 640, 641, 81st Cong. 1st Sess.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

        Mr. McCormack: Mr. Speaker, I offer  resolution (H. Res. 62) 
    and ask for its immediate consideration.
        The Clerk read the resolution, as follows:

            Resolved,
            Sec. 2. That effective January 4, 1949, the compensation of 
        the Deputy Sergeant at Arms in Charge of Pairs, Office of the 
        Sergeant at Arms, and the compensation of the special employee, 
        Office of the Doorkeeper, shall be at the basic rate of $4,000 
        per annum, respectively. . . .
            Sec. 4. There shall be paid out of the contingent fund of 
        the House, until otherwise provided by law, compensation at the 
        basic rate of $5,000 per annum for the services of an assistant 
        Journal clerk; compensation at the basic rate of $5,000 per 
        annum for the services of an assistant tally clerk; 
        compensation at the basic rate of $3,900 per annum for the 
        services of an assistant enrolling clerk; compensation at the 
        basic rate of $3,000 per annum for the services of an assistant 
        bill clerk; all of whom shall be designated by the minority 
        leader subject to the approval of the Speaker. . . .

        Mr. McCormack. Mr. Speaker, it has long been recognized by the 
    leadership of the House that it was desirous to have a corps of 
    trained personnel to function in the various key positions under 
    the service of the House. In order to accomplish that, the 
    resolution creates four assistant clerkships which shall be taken 
    out of patronage and filled by competent men who have proved their 
    worth. . . .
        If this resolution is not adopted at this time the men who held 
    the jobs as head of these various departments will leave the 
    service of the House and their experience and efficiency will be 
    lost. It is desirable that they not only assist in training the top 
    men of the various departments who will shortly be appointed but 
    will aid appreciably in ameliorating the work of these departments.
        It was contemplated in the Legislative Reorganization Act that 
    career employees should be provided for in the staffing of 
    committees but nothing

[[Page 220]]

    tangible was done concerning the employees of the House directly. 
    This resolution will take care of that need by providing a career 
    service for the employees who have proved their worth.
        In the unhappy event that the present majority of the House 
    should become the minority in the Eighty-second Congress then the 
    top men in the departments in this Congress would be designated by 
    the next minority leader to fill the clerkships that this 
    resolution provides, so that in the future there will always be 
    majority and minority employees who are experienced and 
    trustworthy.

    On June 17, 1969,(15) Minority Leader Gerald R. Ford, of 
Michigan, offered a resolution relating to the positions of certain 
minority employees in the House of Representatives. The resolution 
provided that certain designated employees be given the titles of 
``Floor Assistant to the Minority,'' ``Pair Clerk to the Minority,'' 
and ``Staff Director to the Minority,'' and contained further 
provisions relating to compensation of such employees.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
15. 115 Cong. Rec. 16196, 91st Cong. 1st Sess.
            For general discussion of employees of the House, see Ch. 
        6, infra.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Right of Member-elect to be Sworn

Sec. 17.11 In the 90th Congress, the Minority Leader offered, as a 
    substitute for a resolution previously introduced, an amendment 
    deferring administration of the oath to a Member-elect and 
    providing that a select committee consider the right of such 
    Member-elect to be sworn.

    In the 90th Congress, objection was made to the administration of 
the oath to Adam Clayton Powell, Jr., of New York, and a resolution was 
thereafter offered directing the Speaker(16) to administer 
the oath to Mr. Powell, but referring the question of Mr. Powell's 
final right to be sworn to a select committee.(17)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
16. John W. McCormack (Mass.).
17. 113 Cong. Rec. 14, 15, 90th Cong. 1st Sess., Jan. 10, 1967. For 
        general discussion of the rights of the House with respect to 
        determining the qualifications of its Members, see Chs. 7, 12, 
        infra.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Following some debate, the Member who had offered the resolution 
moved the previous question, and the motion was rejected. Immediately 
thereafter,(18) the Minority Leader offered a substitute 
amendment deferring the administration of the oath to Mr. Powell until 
the House had considered a report from a special committee on Mr. 
Powell's rights. The substitute amendment was agreed to, and the 
resolution then adopted.(19)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
18. 113 Cong. Rec. 24, 90th Cong. 1st Sess., Jan. 10, 1967.
19. 113 Cong. Rec. 26, 27, 90th Cong. 1st Sess., Jan. 10, 1967.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 221]]

Resolutions as to Election of Member to Joint Committee

Sec. 17.12 The Majority Leader offered a resolution electing a Member 
    to joint committees.

    In the 90th Congress, Majority Leader Carl Albert, of Oklahoma, 
offered a resolution electing the Chairman of the Committee on House 
Administration to certain joint committees, as follows:(20)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
20. 114 Cong. Rec. 24368, 90th Cong. 2d Sess., July 31, 1968.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                  H. Res. 1278

        Resolved, That the gentleman from Maryland, Mr. Friedel be, and 
    he is hereby elected a member of the Joint Committee on Printing, 
    and a member of the Joint Committee of Congress on the Library.
        The resolution was agreed to.

Resolutions Acting Salaries

Sec. 17.13 In the 91st Congress, the Majority Leader moved to suspend 
    the rules and pass a bill increasing the President's salary; the 
    resolution was jointly offered by the Majority and Minority Leader 
    and others.

    On Jan. 6, 1969, Majority Leader Carl Albert, of Oklahoma, moved to 
suspend the rules and pass a bill increasing the compensation of the 
President. The proceedings were as follows:(1)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 1. 115 Cong. Rec. 172, 91st Cong. 1st Sess.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

        Mr. Albert: Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass 
    the bill (H.R. 10) to increase the per annum rate of compensation 
    for the President of the United States.
        The Clerk read as follows:

            Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
        the United States of America in Congress assembled, That 
        section 102 of title 3, United States Code, is amended by 
        striking out ``$100,000'' and inserting in lieu thereof 
        ``$200,000''.
            Sec. 2. The amendment made by this Act shall take effect at 
        noon on January 20, 1969.

        The Speaker:(2) Is a second demanded
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 2. John W. McCormack (Mass.).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

        Mr. [H.R.] Gross [of Iowa]: Mr. Speaker, I demand a second.
        The Speaker: Without objection, a second will be considered as 
    ordered.
        There was no objection. . . .
        Mr. Albert: . . . Mr. Speaker, as Members all know, this is the 
    first suspension bill of the 91st Congress. Normally, the Speaker 
    would not recognize Members to call up bills under suspension of 
    the rules this early in the term and without committee 
    consideration. The only reason that this method has been used on 
    this occasion is that it presents to the House the opportunity to 
    consider this legislation before the new President takes office. 
    Members know that under article II, section 1, clause 7, of the 
    Constitution the salary of the President of the United States 
    cannot be increased during his term of office. Therefore, if the 
    matter is to be handled at all, it must be passed by both Houses of 
    the Congress and signed by the President before noon on

[[Page 222]]

    January 20. Members further know, Mr. Speaker, that committee 
    assignments have not been made and will not be made in time for 
    normal hearings and proceedings to be had in order to consider this 
    bill by the deadline.

        In view of these circumstances, the distinguished minority 
    leader and the distinguished Chairman and ranking member of the 
    Committee on Post Office and Civil Service and myself have jointly 
    offered this resolution for the consideration of the Members of the 
    House. . . .

In the ensuing debate, the following remarks were made by the Minority 
Leader:(3)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 3. 115 Cong. Rec. 174, 91st Cong. 1st Sess., Jan. 6, 1969.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

        Mr. Gerald R. Ford [of Michigan]: . . . I compliment [the 
    Majority Leader] for taking the initiative in advocating this 
    legislation for a President not of his own party. . . .

After some debate, the question was taken, and, two-thirds having voted 
in favor thereof, the rules were suspended and the bill was 
passed.(4)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 4. 115 Cong. Rec. 176, 91st Cong. 1st Sess., Jan. 6, 1969.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sec. 17.14 The Majority Leader offered a resolution relating to the 
    appointment and salaries of certain House employees.(5)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 5. See Sec. 17.10, supra, for discussion of the resolution.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Responsibilities Relating to Capitol Facilities

Sec. 17.15 The Majority and Minority Leaders of the House were included 
    in the membership of the Commission on the Extension of the 
    Capitol.

    The membership on the Commission on the Extension of the Capitol, 
which originally consisted of the Speaker, the President of the Senate, 
the Minority Leaders of the two Houses, and the Architect of the 
Capitol, was enlarged in the 91st Congress to include the Majority 
Leaders of the House and Senate.(6)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 6. 115 Cong. Rec. 26568, 26569, 91st Cong. 1st Sess., Sept. 23, 1969.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sec. 17.16 On certain occasions, the Speaker has consulted with the 
    floor leaders of both parties with respect to the regulation of 
    floor privileges.

    In the 87th Congress, the Speaker made an 
announcement(7) concerning floor privileges and related 
matters, which he indicated to have been the subject of

[[Page 223]]

consultation between the Speaker and the floor leaders.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 7. 107 Cong. Rec. 1340, 87th Cong. 1st Sess., Jan. 26, 1961 (Speaker 
        Sam Rayburn [Tex.]). The announcement related to a joint 
        session to hear an address by the President.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sec. 17.17 Regulations governing the use of the House office buildings, 
    the House garages, and the Capitol power plant were inserted in the 
    Record by the Majority Leader.

    On Sept. 15, 1965, the Majority Leader asked that there be printed 
in the Record and the Journal certain regulations adopted by the House 
Office Building Commission governing the House office buildings and 
garages and the Capitol power plant.(8)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 8. 111 Cong. Rec. 23926, 23927, 89th Cong. 1st Sess.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Election of Floor Leader to Standing Committee

Sec. 17.18 On occasion, a floor leader has been elected to a standing 
    committee of the House.

    In the 87th Congress, immediately after the House adopted a 
resolution increasing the membership of the Committee on Science and 
Astronautics, a resolution was offered electing the Majority Leader, 
John W. McCormack, of Massachusetts, to the committee. The proceedings 
were as follows:(9)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 9. 107 Cong. Rec. 7965, 87th Cong. 1st Sess., May 15, 1961.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

        Mr. [Wilbur D.] Mills [of Arkansas]: Mr. Speaker, I offer a 
    privileged resolution and ask for its immediate consideration.
        The Clerk read the resolution as follows:

                                  H. Res. 290

            Resolved, That the following-named Members be, and they are 
        hereby, elected members of the following standing committees of 
        the House of Representatives:
            Committee on Science and Astronautics: John W. McCormack, 
        Massachusetts. . . .

    In the 90th Congress, the Majority Leader, Carl Albert, of 
Oklahoma, resigned his position on the Committee on Science and 
Astronautics(10) and was elected to fill a vacancy on the 
Committee on Education and Labor.(11)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
10. Mr. Albert had been named to this committee in the resolution 
        electing Democratic Members to standing committees (113 Cong. 
        Rec. 1086, 90th Cong. 1st Sess., Jan. 23, 1967).
11. See 113 Cong. Rec. 6901, 6902, 90th Cong. 1st Sess., Mar. 16, 1967.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Parliamentarian's Note: Although the ratio on the Committee on 
Education and Labor had been fixed at nineteen to fourteen, only 
eighteen Democrats had been elected to membership thereon. The 
existence of the vacancy effectively changed the ratio on the committee 
and on all subcommittees established under the full committee. The 
election of the

[[Page 224]]

Majority Leader reinforced the Democratic advantage on the full 
committee and relieved the pressure from the minority for a larger 
proportion of minority Members on the subcommittees. His election also 
removed the impression that the vacancy had been left to exist pending 
disposition of the controversy over whether the former chairman of the 
committee, Adam Clayton Powell, Jr., of New York, was to be seated in 
the House.
    Generally, floor leaders are not appointed to and do not serve on 
standing committees.(12)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
12. In the 87th Congress, Mr. Carl Albert (Okla.) resigned from the 
        Committee on Agriculture after his selection as Majority 
        Leader. 108 Cong. Rec. 470, 87th Cong. 2d Sess., Jan. 18, 1962.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Service of Summons on Floor Leader

Sec. 17.19 The floor leaders, having been summoned to appear in Federal 
    Court, submitted the matter of such summons for the consideration 
    of the House.

    On July 8, 1965, the following proceedings took 
place:(13)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
13. 111 Cong. Rec. 15978, 89th Cong. 1st Sess.
            For a discussion of privileges of the House generally, see 
        Ch. 11, infra.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

        Mr. [Carl] Albert [of Oklahoma]: Mr. Speaker, I rise to a 
    question of the privilege of the House.
        The Speaker:(14) The gentleman will state the 
    question of privilege.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
14. John W. McCormack (Mass.).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

        Mr. Albert: Mr. Speaker, in my official capacity as a 
    Representative and as majority leader of this House, I have been 
    served with a summons issued by the U.S. District Court for the 
    District of Columbia to appear in connection with the case of the 
    All-American Protectorate, Inc. against Lyndon B. Johnson, and 
    others.

        Under the precedents of the House, I am unable to comply with 
    this summons without the consent of the House, the privileges of 
    the House being involved. I therefore submit the matter for the 
    consideration of this body.
        I send to the desk the summons.
        The Speaker: The Clerk will read the subpena. . . .
        Mr. Gerald R. Ford [of Michigan]: Mr. Speaker, I rise for the 
    same purpose as the distinguished majority leader and I would like 
    to read a statement.
        Mr. Speaker, in my official capacity as a Representative and as 
    minority leader of this House, I have been served with a summons 
    issued by the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia to 
    appear in connection with the case of the All-American 
    Protectorate, Incorporated, against Lyndon B. Johnson et al.
        Under the precedents of the House, I am unable to comply with 
    this summons without the consent of the House, the privileges of 
    the House

[[Page 225]]

    being involved. I therefore submit the matter for the consideration 
    of this body.

    Parliamentarian's Note: In the 90th Congress, the Majority and 
Minority Leaders, and others, were summoned in a civil action brought 
by Adam Clayton Powell, Jr., of New York, who was contesting his 
exclusion from the House. The Speaker(15) submitted the 
matter to the House on behalf of all those served with summonses. The 
majority whip offered a resolution authorizing the Speaker to appoint 
counsel to represent the Members;(6) the resolution was 
agreed to.(17)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
15. John W. McCormack (Mass.).
16. 113 Cong. Rec. 6040, 6041, 90th Cong. 1st Sess., Mar. 9, 1967.
17. 113 Cong. Rec. 6049, 90th Cong 1st Sess., Mar. 9, 1967.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------



 
                               CHAPTER 3
 
                           Party Organization
 
                            D. FLOOR LEADERS
 
Sec. 18. Duties as to Legislative Schedule

    The floor leaders, particularly the Majority Leader, exercise 
considerable initiative with respect to the legislative schedule, 
including the order of business and the time of recess or adjournment.
    In the course of promoting legislative business deemed of interest 
to their respective parties, the floor leaders maintain contact with 
their parties' members on committees and encourage action on particular 
bills. As a result of planning by the Majority Leader and other leaders 
of his party, and as a result of cooperation between the leadership of 
both parties, the consideration of legislation in the House generally 
proceeds on an orderly basis. It has been stated(18) that it 
is customary to notify the Majority and Minority Leaders as well as the 
Speaker of proposed requests for deviations from the authorized order 
of business. Members have been advised by the Speaker to consult with 
Majority and Minority Leaders with respect to unanimous consent 
requests for the consideration of bills;(19) moreover, it 
has been stated that the Speaker declines to entertain motions to 
suspend the rules on ``suspension days'' unless such motions have the 
approval of the Majority Leader.(20)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
18. 6 Cannon's Precedents Sec. 708.
19. Sec. 18.1, infra.
20. Sec. 18.2, infra.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Minority Leader customarily, on the floor of the House, 
addresses an inquiry to the Majority Leader concerning the schedule of 
legislative business for the following week.(1) In addition 
to announcing the legislative busi

[[Page 226]]

ness to be taken up by the House, the Majority Leader frequently makes 
announcements concerning times of recess, adjournment, or 
reassembly.(2) Such announcements are generally made 
following consultation between the leadership of the 
parties.(3)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 1. Sec. 18.6, infra.
 2. Sec. 18.6, infra.
 3. Sec. 18.7, infra.                          -------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Unanimous-Consent Requests to Consider Bills

Sec. 18.1 It has been stated that Members should consult with the 
    Majority and Minority Leaders prior to seeking unanimous consent to 
    call up bills.

    The following remarks were made in the 77th Congress:(4)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 4. 88 Cong. Rec. 7438, 77th Cong. 2d Sess., Sept. 24, 1942.
            See also Sec. 18.2, infra, discussing the Speaker's refusal 
        in one instance to recognize a Member who sought consideration 
        of a bill by suspension of the rules and by unanimous consent.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

        The Speaker:(5) . . . Permit the Chair to make a 
    statement. When Members come to the Chair and say they would like 
    unanimous consent to call up a bill, the Chair has stated several 
    times in the presence of Members that the better way to do it would 
    be to consult with the ranking minority member and also the 
    majority and minority leaders. I think that would expedite the 
    matter. . . .
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 5. Sam Rayburn (Tex.).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

        Mr. [John W.] McCormack [of Massachusetts]: Mr. Speaker, I wish 
    to say to the House that as far as any unanimous-consent requests 
    are concerned, I naturally advise Members on this side seeking to 
    bring up bills that they should consult with their minority Members 
    and also with the leadership on the minority side. I say this not 
    for the purpose of having it relate to anything that has happened, 
    but so that the House will know as a policy, that as majority 
    leader I have always followed, and always will follow, such 
    procedure, and in that the Speaker concurs. The minority leadership 
    also knows that that has been the policy and will be the policy.

Recognition for Motions to Suspend Rules

Sec. 18.2 It has been stated that the Speaker declines to entertain 
    motions to suspend the rules on ``suspension days'' unless such 
    motions have the approval of the Majority Leader.

    The following proceedings took place on Aug. 2, 1948:(6)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 6. 94 Cong. Rec. 9639, 80th Cong. 2d Sess. (Speaker Joseph W. Martin, 
        Jr., Mass.).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

        Mrs. [Helen G.] Douglas [of California]: Mr. Speaker, I move to 
    suspend the rules and discharge the Committee on Banking and 
    Currency from further consideration of S. 866.

[[Page 227]]

        The Speaker: The Chair does not recognize the gentlewoman for 
    that purpose. The majority leader has already stated that there 
    will be no suspensions today; and, under the practice of the House, 
    suspensions must be cleared through the majority leader. The 
    gentlewoman is not recognized for that purpose.
        Mrs. Douglas: Mr. Speaker, a parliamentary inquiry.
        The Speaker: The gentlewoman will state it.
        Mrs. Douglas: Under paragraph 1 of Rule XXVII it is in order, 
    is it not, for the Speaker to entertain a motion to suspend the 
    rules?
        The Speaker: Yes, it is within the discretion of the Speaker, 
    and the Speaker states that he will not recognize any Member for 
    that purpose without clearing it through the majority leader, and 
    using that discretion merely refuses to recognize the gentlewoman 
    from California.
        Mrs. Douglas: Mr. Speaker, a further parliamentary inquiry.
        The Speaker: The gentlewoman will state it.
        Mrs. Douglas: Today is the first Monday in August, and under 
    the aforementioned rule individual Members may move to suspend the 
    rules and pass important legislation. Do I understand clearly then 
    that the Chair is exercising his discretion in denying the House to 
    vote on the so-called Taft-Ellender-Wagner bill, even under the 
    procedure requiring a two-thirds vote of the Members present?
        The Speaker: The Chair will state that the rule has existed for 
    more than 50 years, and in accordance with the procedure which has 
    been followed by not only the present Speaker but every other 
    Speaker, the Chair does not recognize the gentlewoman from 
    California for that purpose.
        Mrs. Douglas: Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent for the 
    present consideration of S. 866.

        The Speaker: The Chair does not recognize the gentlewoman for 
    that purpose.

Unanimous-Consent Requests by Floor Leader

Sec. 18.3 The Majority Leader frequently makes unanimous-consent 
    requests for purposes of controlling the legislative schedule and 
    expediting legislative business.

    An illustrative unanimous-consent request made by the Majority 
Leader was that made on Feb. 19, 1970,(7) in the course of 
announcing the schedule of business, as follows:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 7. 116 Cong. Rec. 4039, 91st Cong. 2d Sess.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

        Mr. [Carl] Albert [of Oklahoma]: . . . Monday is also District-
    Day, but in view of the fact that Monday is a holiday and we have 
    no additional business for Tuesday, and in order that I may make 
    the announcement of the complete program now, I ask unanimous 
    consent that it may be in order to put District Day over until 
    Tuesday, and I would be glad to announce to Members that there are 
    nine bills, and to advise Members what those bills are. . . .

[[Page 228]]

    Similarly, on Feb. 21, 1967,(8) the Majority Leader 
requested as follow
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 8. 113 Cong. Rec. 4135, 90th Cong. 1st Sess.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

        Mr. Albert: Mr. Speaker, I note that the gentleman from 
    California [Mr. Hosmer] has a special order for 10 minutes 
    tomorrow, and the gentleman from Minnesota [Mr. Fraser] for 60 
    minutes tomorrow, which is George Washington's Birthday. I have not 
    been able to contact the gentlemen, but I ask unanimous consent 
    that these special orders go over until the following day when they 
    shall be called before special orders previously granted for that 
    day.

In anticipation of the same Washington's birthday, the acting Majority 
Leader, Hale Boggs, of Louisiana, had in the preceding week asked 
unanimous consent, ``that the business in order under the Calendar 
Wednesday rule be dispensed with on Wednesday next.''(9)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 9. 113 Cong. Rec. 3509, 90th Cong. 1st Sess., Feb. 16, 1967.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    On Mar. 30, 1966,(10) the Majority Leader made the 
following request:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
10. 112 Cong. Rec. 7220, 89th Cong. 2d Sess.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

        Mr. Albert: Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that any 
    rollcall votes, except on rules, which may be requested on Monday 
    or Tuesday of next week be put over until Wednesday next. . . .
        The purpose of the request is to enable us to proceed with 
    business on Monday and Tuesday, which are Jewish holy days. We do 
    this only on rare occasions. It is only for that reason that we are 
    asking to put over to Wednesday any votes which may be requested on 
    Monday or Tuesday, except on rules.

Sec. 18.4 The Majority Leader, on behalf of the Committee on Rules, 
    asked unanimous consent to call up a House resolution providing for 
    the consideration of a particular bill.

    In the 80th Congress, the Majority Leader, Charles A. Halleck, of 
Indiana, made a unanimous consent request as follows:(11)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
11. 94 Cong. Rec. 7108, 80th Cong. 2d Sess., June 3, 1948.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

        Mr. Halleck: Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the Committee on Rules, 
    I ask unanimous consent to call up House Resolution 621, providing 
    for the consideration of the bill (H. R. 6228) to provide for the 
    construction of shore protective works at the town of Nome, Alaska.

    [There being no objection, the Majority Leader called up the 
resolution, which read in part as follows:]

        Resolved, That immediately upon the adoption of this resolution 
    it shall be in order to move that the House resolve itself into the 
    Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union

[[Page 229]]

    for the consideration of the bill (H.R. 6228) to provide for the 
    construction of shore protective works at the town of Nome, Alaska. 
    . . .

Motion by Majority Leader to Suspend Rules

Sec. 18.5 The Majority Leader on occasion has moved to suspend the 
    rules and pass a particular bill.

    In the 91st Congress, the Majority Leader moved to suspend the 
rules and pass a bill increasing the President's salary. The 
proceedings were as follows:(12)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
12. 115 Cong. Rec. 172, 91st Cong. 1st Sess., Jan. 6, 1969.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

        Mr. [Carl] Albert [of Oklahoma]: Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend 
    the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 10) to increase the per annum 
    rate of compensation of the President of the United States. . . .
        Mr. Speaker, as Members all know, this is the first suspension 
    bill of the 91st Congress. Normally the Speaker would not recognize 
    Members to call up bills under suspension of the rules this early 
    in the term and without committee consideration. The only reason 
    that this method has been used on this occasion is that it presents 
    to the House the opportunity to consider this legislation before 
    the new President takes office. Members know that under article II, 
    section 1, clause 7, of the Constitution the salary of the 
    President of the United States cannot be increased during his term 
    of office. . . . Members further know . . . that committee 
    assignments have not been made and will not be made in time for 
    normal hearings and proceedings to be had in order to consider this 
    bill by the deadline.

Announcement of Schedule by Majority Leader

Sec. 18.6 The Majority Leader makes announcements concerning the 
    legislative schedule, including prospects for recess or 
    adjournment; frequently, the Majority Leader makes such 
    announcements in response to inquiries by the Minority Leader.

    The following exchange(13) illustrates a common 
procedure:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
13. 116 Cong. Rec. 4039, 4040, 91st Cong. 2d Sess., Feb. 19, 1970.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

        Mr. [Gerald R.] Ford [of Michigan]: Mr. Speaker, I take this 
    time for the purpose of asking the distinguished majority leader 
    the program for the rest of this week and for next week.
        Mr. [Carl] ALbert [of Oklahoma]: Mr. Speaker, will the 
    distinguished gentleman yield? . . .
        Mr. Speaker, in response to the inquiry of the distinguished 
    minority leader, we have finished the program for this week. . . .
        Monday is also District Day, but in view of the fact that 
    Monday is a holiday . . . I ask unanimous consent that it may be in 
    order to put District Day over until Tuesday, and I would be glad 
    to announce to Members that

[[Page 230]]

    there are nine bills, and to advise Members what those bills are. 
    As I understand it, they are all noncontroversial. . . .
        Mr. Albert: I did announce that I would read the list before I 
    asked that my request be acted upon. The list is as follows:
        H.R. 10335, to revise District of Columbia laws relating to the 
    civil liability of hotels. . . .
        The Speaker Pro Tempore: Is there objection to the request of 
    the gentleman from Oklahoma?
        There was no objection.
        Mr. Albert: Mr. Speaker, in view of the order which has been 
    granted, Tuesday will be District Day, and the nine bills already 
    indicated will be called.
        For Wednesday, there will be a joint meeting to receive the 
    President of the Republic of France. . . .
        For Thursday and the balance of the week, we will have H.R. 
    12025, National Forest Timber Conservation and Management Act of 
    1969, under an open rule with 2 hours of debate, and S. 2910, to 
    authorize additional funds for the Library of Congress James 
    Madison Memorial Building, which is subject to a rule being 
    granted.
        This announcement is made subject to the usual reservation that 
    conference reports may be brought up at any time and that any 
    further program may be announced later. I understand there will be 
    a conference report from the Committee on Banking and Currency on 
    Tuesday. . . .
        Mr. Speaker, if the gentleman will yield further, I would like 
    at this time to advise the House that the Easter recess will extend 
    from the close of business on Thursday, March 26, 1970, to noon 
    Monday, April 6, 1970, which is precisely in accordance with the 
    custom of recent years in the House.
        Mr. Ford: Mr. Speaker, would the gentleman agree with me that 
    in the light of this announcement, that the recess will be from the 
    conclusion of business Thursday, March 26 to Monday noon, April 6, 
    all Members ought to be forewarned, there is no mistake that there 
    is a likelihood we will have important business on Thursday and 
    important business on Monday?
        Mr. Albert: Mr. Speaker, the gentleman is correct. We must get 
    our business done, and we cannot do it if we extend the length of 
    these recesses.

    Similarly, on Feb. 16, 1967, the following exchange took place 
between the Minority Leader and the acting Majority 
Leader:(14)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
14. 113 Cong. Rec. 3509, 90th Cong. 1st Sess.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

        Mr. Gerald R. Ford: Mr. Speaker, I take this time for the 
    purpose of asking the distinguished acting majority leader, the 
    gentleman from Louisiana, the program for next week. . . .
        Mr. [Hale] Boggs [of Louisiana]: In response to the request of 
    the distinguished gentleman from Michigan, the minority leader, the 
    program for next week is as follows:
        On Monday, the Consent Calendar, followed by H.R. 2, which is 
    commonly known as the Reserve bill of rights, and which will be 
    called up under suspension of the rules. It is probable that there 
    will be a rollcall vote on that bill.
        Tuesday the Private Calendar, but so far there are no bills 
    scheduled.

[[Page 231]]

        Wednesday is a holiday, which will be observed by the usual 
    reading of George Washington's Farewell Address.
        Any further legislative business will be announced later. It is 
    my intention that when the House adjourns today, it adjourn to meet 
    on Monday.

    As a further example, the acting Majority Leader in similar fashion 
responded to inquiry made by the acting Minority Leader on Feb. 22, 
1968.(15)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
15. 114 Cong. Rec. 3912, 90th Cong. 2d Sess.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    On another occasion, where legislative business was anticipated 
late in the afternoon, after special orders, the Majority Leader 
announced such fact to the House before the commencement of special 
orders.(16)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
16. See 114 Cong. Rec. 430, 90th Cong. 2d Sess., Jan. 22, 1968 (remarks 
        of Mr. Albert).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Consultation Between Leadership

Sec. 18.7 Matters relating to the legislative schedule, including 
    prospective recess or adjournment, are frequently settled through 
    consultation between the leadership of both parties.

    The following illustrates the manner in which an announcement is 
frequently made by the Majority Leader respecting agreements among the 
leadership of the parties:(17)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
17. 115 Cong. Rec. 368, 369, 91st Cong. 1st Sess., Jan.. 9, 1969.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

        Mr. [Carl] Albert [of Oklahoma]: Mr. Speaker, in response to 
    the inquiry of the distinguished minority leader-and this 
    announcement, of course, is made after conferences between the 
    Speaker and the minority leader and other members of the leadership 
    and myself--I am pleased to announce to the membership of the House 
    the following schedule of recesses heretofore agreed to . . . .

Similarly, the following remarks were made by the Majority Leader in 
the course of discussing anticipated legislative 
business:(18)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
18. 112 Cong. Rec. 7220, 89th Cong. 2d Sess., Mar. 30, 1966.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

        Mr. Albert: Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that any roll 
    call votes, except on rules, which may be requested on Monday or 
    Tuesday of next week be put over until Wednesday next. . . .
        I have discussed this with the distinguished minority leader. 
    The purpose of the request is to enable us to proceed with business 
    on Monday and Tuesday, which are Jewish holy days.

    On Mar. 2, 1961,(19) in the course of a discussion of 
the prospective Easter recess, the Majority Leader remarked, ``I will 
say it depends on what the legislative

[[Page 232]]

situation might be as Easter approaches. . . .'' The Minority Leader 
then remarked as follows:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
19. 107 Cong. Rec. 3114, 87th Cong. 1st Sess.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

        Mr. [Charles A.] Halleck [of Indiana]: Mr. Speaker, if the 
    gentleman will yield, in fairness I ought to state that the 
    majority leader and the Speaker have conferred with me about the 
    matter of the Easter recess, and it is under very active 
    consideration. As the majority leader has pointed out, the 
    determination will be made, I am quite sure, in plenty of time for 
    Members to adjust themselves accordingly.

As a further illustration, the following announcements were made on 
Oct. 6, 1970,(20) by the Majority Leader and the Speaker:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
20. 116 Cong. Rec. 35217, 35218, 91st Cong. 2d Sess.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

        Mr. Albert:: Mr. Speaker, I take this time to advise the House 
    of recommendations that have been made by the leadership in joint 
    conference on both sides of the Capitol and on both sides of the 
    aisle.
        It is our plan to offer a resolution within the next few days 
    to provide for a House recess from the close  of business on 
    Wednesday, October 14, until noon, Monday, November 16.
        Mr. [John W.] McCormack [of Massachusetts]: Mr. Speaker, will 
    the gentleman yield?
        Mr. Albert: I yield to the distinguished Speaker of the House.

        Mr. McCormack: I might say that this is the unanimous opinion 
    of the leadership on both sides, both parties in the House and both 
    parties in the Senate, recognizing that it would be impossible by 
    either October 16 or October 23 to get through with the business 
    that we have to dispose of before this particular session is over.

    The Majority Leader and Minority Leader, of course, frequently 
cooperate in bringing specific items of legislative business to the 
attention of the House. As an example, the following remarks were made 
by the Majority Leader in the course of discussing his motion to 
suspend the rules and pass a bill increasing the President's 
salary:(1)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 1. 115 Cong. Rec. 172, 91st Cong. 1st Sess., Jan. 6, 1969. For further 
        discussion of the proceedings relating to the Majority Leader's 
        motion to suspend the rules in this case, see Sec. 17.13, 
        supra.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

        Mr. Albert: . . . The only reason that this method has been 
    used on this occasion is that it presents to the House the 
    opportunity to consider this legislation before the new President 
    takes office. . . .
        In view of these circumstances, the distinguished minority 
    leader and the distinguished chairman and ranking member on Post 
    Office and Civil Service and myself have jointly offered this 
    resolution for the consideration of the Members of the House.

Notification by Leaders as to Reassembly of Congress

Sec. 18.8 Congressional leaders, including the floor leaders of the 
    House, having been au

[[Page 233]]

    thorized by concurrent resolution, formally called for a reassembly 
    of Congress at an earlier date than that to which it had adjourned.

    The 79th Congress, having by concurrent resolution adjourned to a 
day certain, was reassembled before that day in accordance with a 
provision in such resolution for reassembly before the day fixed in the 
event that certain congressional leaders, including the floor leaders, 
decided that legislative expediency warranted reassembly.(2)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 2. 91 Cong. Rec. 8320, 79th Cong. 1st Sess., Sept. 5, 1946. See also 
        Ch. 1, Sec. 3, supra.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------



 
                               CHAPTER 3
 
                           Party Organization
 
                            D. FLOOR LEADERS
 
Sec. 19. Role as Party Leader

    In his capacity as a leader of his party, the floor leader plays a 
key role in the formation and promotion of his party's policies. 
Wherever possible, he protects the interests of his party and 
individual members thereof.
    The Republican floor leader generally introduces the resolution 
assigning members of his party to House committees,(3) and 
undertakes other responsibilities respecting such committee 
assignments.(4)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 3. Sec. 19.7, infra.
 4. Sec. 19.8, infra.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The floor leader may be consulted with respect to changes in 
committee size or composition that might affect his party's 
representation on the committee.(5)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 5. Sec. 19.9, infra.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The floor leader protects the interests of individual members of 
his party, as by ensuring that the Record or Journal accurately 
reflects the votes of Members,(6) the presence of 
Members,(7) or the legitimate reasons for a Members 
absence.(8) Where requested to make objection to certain 
unanimous-consent requests, the floor leader has done so.(9)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 6. Sec. 19.5, infra.
 7. Sec. 19.5, infra.
 8. See the remarks of Minority Leader Gerald R. Ford (Mich.) at 111 
        Cong. Rec. 20362, 89th Cong. 1st Sess., Aug. 12, 1965.
 9. Sec. 19.6, infra.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    On occasion, the floor leader has addressed remarks directly to 
members of his party on the floor of the House, for purposes of 
ascertaining(10) or influencing(11) the 
sentiments of his party with respect to particular issues.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
10. Sec. 19.2, infra.
11. Sec. 19.3, infra.                          -------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Announcements of Party Meetings

Sec. 19.1 On occasion, the floor leader has made announce

[[Page 234]]

    ments concerning meetings of the caucus, conference, or other party 
    group.

    On July 30, 1968,(12)  the Majority Leader, Carl Albert, 
of Oklahoma, announced as follows:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
12. 114 Cong. Rec. 24269, 90th Cong. 2d Sess. For discussion of recent 
        practice with respect to calling organizational meetings of the 
        caucus prior to the convening of a new Congress, see 
        supplements to this edition as they appear.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

        Mr. Albert: Mr. Speaker, I take this time to advise the 
    Democratic Members that a caucus of the Democratic Members of the 
    House is called to meet in the Hall of the House of Representatives 
    on Thursday, August 1, 1968, at 10 a.m., for the purpose of 
    electing Members to the Ways and Means Committee.

    On January 13, 1937,(13) the Republican floor leader, 
Bertrand H. Snell, of New York, announced as follows:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
13. 81 Cong. Rec. 201, 75th Cong. 1st Sess.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

        Mr. Snell: Mr. Speaker, there will be a meeting of the 
    Republican members of the committee on committees at 4 o'clock this 
    afternoon in the rooms of the Interstate and Foreign Commerce 
    Committee, located in the New House Office Building, and there will 
    be a Republican Conference in this hall at 10 o'clock tomorrow 
    morning.

Request for Indication of Sentiment

Sec. 19.2 The Minority Leader, during a debate in the Committee of the 
    Whole, requested Members of his party to informally indicate their 
    support for a certain proposition by a show of hands.

    On Aug. 6, 1963,(14) Minority Leader Charles A. Halleck, 
of Indiana. made the following request:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
14. 109 Cong. Rec. 14289, 88th Cong. 1st Sess.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

        Mr. Halleck: Mr. Chairman, I do not know whether it would be 
    parliamentary or not, but I would like to have the Republicans who 
    are here--and we are in goodly number--raise their hands to 
    indicate whether they will vote for this bill with or without the 
    amendment.

Expression of Viewpoint on Committee Assignments

Sec. 19.3 The Republican floor leader, during debate in the House, 
    indicated the position that he thought the Republicans should adopt 
    with respect to the issue to be voted on.

    In the 92d Congress, a debate took place on whether the resolution 
assigning Democratic Members to the House committees

[[Page 235]]

should be open to amendment and any such amendment be voted on by the 
House.(15) In the course of the debate, the Republican floor 
leader, Gerald R. Ford, of Michigan, remarked as 
follows:(16)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
15. See Sec. 9.3, supra, for further discussion of the proceedings.
16. 117 Cong. Rec. 1711, 92d Cong. 1st Sess., Feb. 4, 1971.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

        . . . I cannot help but make this observation. The gentleman 
    from California was unable to persuade a majority of the Democrats 
    to his point of view. I do not think that we on the Republican side 
    ought to succumb to his arguments of this occasion. Therefore, Mr. 
    Speaker, I would certainly hope and trust that the Republicans on 
    this issue, on a Democratic resolution expressing the views of the 
    Democratic Party, should not under any circumstances vote ``nay'' 
    on the motion to order the previous question. As Republicans we 
    should exercise our option to vote ``yea'' or ``present'' on the 
    previous question, because the matter is one for the Democrats to 
    decide and not for us.

Official Objectors

Sec. 19.4 The floor leader appoints his party's official objectors for 
    the Private and Consent Calendars.(17)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
17. See Sec. 20.1, infra.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Correction of Roll Call

Sec. 19.5 The floor leader, acting on behalf of a Member, may ask for 
    correction of a roll call.

    Parliamentarian's Note: The floor leader, acting on behalf of 
Members of his party, may ask that corrections be made with respect to 
roll calls so that the Record and Journal accurately reflect the votes, 
or presence or absence, of Members. Thus, the Journal of the 88th 
Congress(18) reflects the following correction:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
18. H. Jour. 455, 88th Cong. 1st Sess. (1963).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

                             Roll Call Corrections

        On motion of Mr. Albert, on behalf of Mr. Holland, by unanimous 
    consent,
        Ordered, That roll call No. 55 be corrected to show Mr. Holland 
    present and answering to his name.

Objection to Unanimous-Consent Request

Sec. 19.6 Where the Minority Leader did not hear the unanimous consent 
    request, the order of the House entered pursuant thereto was 
    vacated; the request was again made, and the Minority Leader, 
    having been requested to do so, made objection to the request.

    On May 18, 1965,(19) the following proceedings took 
place:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
19. 111 Cong. Rec. 10871, 89th Cong. 1st Sess.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 236]]

        Mr. [Harold T.] Johnson of California: Mr. Speaker, I ask 
    unanimous consent that the Committee on Public Works have 
    permission to sit during general debate this afternoon.
        The Speaker:(20) Is there objection to the request 
    of the gentleman from California?
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
20. John W. McCormack (Mass.).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

        There was no objection.
        Mr. Gerald R. Ford [of Michigan]: Mr. Speaker, I have not been 
    able to hear some of these requests. I have been told indirectly 
    that a request was just made and permission was granted for the 
    Committee on Public Works to meet this afternoon. I had talked with 
    the majority leader and indicated we had some people who were in 
    opposition to it. I did not hear the request, and I am a little 
    disappointed that it was not made so that I could hear it.
        The Speaker: Without objection, the order concerning permission 
    for the Committee on Public Works to sit this afternoon will be 
    vacated.
        There was no objection.
        Mr. Johnson of California: Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent 
    that the Committee on Public Works have permission to sit during 
    general debate this afternoon.
        The Speaker: Is there objection to the request of the gentleman 
    from California?

        Mr. Gerald R. Ford: Mr. Speaker, I have been requested to make 
    an objection, and I do make it.

Resolution Assigning Members to Committees

Sec. 19.7 The Republican floor leader introduces resolutions assigning 
    members of his party to standing committees of the House.

    As a matter of long-standing practice, the Republican(1) 
floor leader introduces the resolution assigning members of his party 
to standing committees of the House. In the 91st 
Congress,(2) for example, the resolution was introduced by 
Minority Leader Gerald R. Ford, of Michigan.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 1. The resolution assigning Democratic Members to House committees is 
        usually introduced by the Chairman of the Democratic Committee 
        on Committees. See Ch. 17, infra.
 2. 115 Cong. Rec. 2084, 2085, 91st Cong. 1st Sess., Jan. 29, 1969.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Resolutions such as the following,(3) relating to the 
committee assignment of an individual Republican Member, have been 
offered by the Republican floor leader, in this case Majority Leader 
Charles A. Halleck, of Indiana:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 3. 93 Cong. Rec. 536, 80th Cong. 1st Sess., Jan. 23, 1947.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

        Mr. Halleck: Mr. Speaker, I offer a resolution and ask for its 
    immediate consideration.
        The Clerk read the resolution (H. Res. 62), as follows:

            Resolved, That Walter H. Judd, of Minnesota, be, and he is 
        hereby, elected a member of the standing committee of the House 
        of Representatives on Expenditures in the Executive Departments 
        and to rank No. 3 thereon.

[[Page 237]]

    Parliamentarian's Note: In the 91st Congress, a resolution electing 
both Democratic and Republican Members to the newly created Committee 
on Internal Security was presented to the House by the Chairman of the 
Democratic Committee on Committees after consultation with, and with 
the approval of, the Minority Leader.(4)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 4. See Sec. 11.1, supra. The resolution appears at 115 Cong. Rec. 
        3747, 91st Cong. 1st Sess., Feb. 18, 1969.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Amendment to Resolution

Sec. 19.8 The Republican floor leader asked unanimous consent to vacate 
    the proceedings wherein the House had agreed to the resolution 
    electing minority members to standing committees, and offered an 
    amendment changing the order of certain names in the resolution.

    The following proceedings took place in the 91st 
Congress:(5)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 5. 115 Cong. Rec. 2433, 2434, 91st Cong. 1st Sess., Feb. 3, 1969.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

        Mr. Gerald R. Ford [of Michigan]: Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous 
    consent to vacate the proceedings whereby the House agreed to House 
    Resolution 176 on January 29, and ask for its immediate 
    consideration with an amendment which I send to the desk.
        The Speaker:(6) Is there objection to the request of 
    the gentleman from Michigan?
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 6. John W. McCormack (Mass.).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

        There was no objection.
        The Clerk read the resolution, as follows: . . .

            Amendment offered by Mr. Gerald R. Ford: On page 7, lines 5 
        and 6, strike out ``E. Ross Adair, Indiana; William H. Ayres, 
        Ohio;'' and insert: ``William H. Ayres, Ohio; E. Ross Adair, 
        Indiana;''

        Mr. Ford: Mr. Speaker, my amendment, which has just been read 
    by the Clerk, will correct the seniority standing of the gentleman 
    from Ohio (Mr. Ayres) on the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
        The amendment was agreed to.

Resolution Relating to Composition of Committee

Sec. 19.9 A resolution adding three memberships to the Committee on 
    Government Operations, two to be assigned to the majority and one 
    to the minority, was offered by the Majority Leader, pursuant to 
    agreement between the leadership of both parties.

    The following proceedings took place on Jan. 14, 
1965:(7)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 7. 111 Cong. Rec. 660, 661, 89th Cong. 1st Sess.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

        Mr. [Carl] Albert [of Oklahoma]: Mr. Speaker, I offer a 
    resolution, House Resolution 114, and ask for its immediate 
    consideration.
        The Clerk read the resolution, as follows:

[[Page 238]]

                                  H. Res. 114

            Resolved, That during the Eighty-ninth Congress, the 
        Committee on Government Operations shall be composed of thirty-
        four members.

        Mr. Gerald R. Ford [of Michigan]: Mr. Speaker, will the 
    gentleman yield?
        Mr. Albert: I yield to the gentleman.
        Mr. Ford: Would the gentleman from Oklahoma indicate the 
    distribution of the three additional Members?
        Mr. Albert: This is an addition of three memberships to the 
    Committee on Government Operations, two of which will be assigned 
    to the majority and one of which will be assigned to the minority.
        This is a matter which has been worked out, as a few other 
    matters have been, between the leadership on both sides for the 
    convenience of the House.



 
                               CHAPTER 3
 
                           Party Organization
 
                            D. FLOOR LEADERS
 
Sec. 20. Appointments

    The floor leaders designate members of their respective parties to 
serve as official objectors for the Private and Consent Calendars. The 
names of the persons so designated are announced in the House by the 
floor leaders soon after a new Congress convenes.(8)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 8. See the illustrative announcements as to the appointment of 
        official objectors' committees in Sec. Sec. 15.1, 15.3, supra. 
        For general discussion of the composition and functions of the 
        official objectors' committees, see Sec. Sec. 15.1-15.5, supra.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Democratic floor leader with the approval of the Speaker 
appoints the Democratic Whip, and makes an announcement in the House 
respecting such appointment.(9)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 9. Sec. 20.3, infra. The Republican whip is selected by the conference 
        (see Sec. 23.3, infra). For general discussion of the party 
        whips, see Sec. Sec. 23-25, 
        infra.                          -------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Appointment of Official Objectors

Sec. 20.1 The floor leader appoints his party's official objectors for 
    the Private and Consent Calendars, and announces in the House the 
    names of those persons so appointed.

    Thus, in the 91st Congress, announcements respecting the 
appointment of official objectors for the Private and Consent Calendars 
were made by Carl Albert, of Oklahoma, the Majority Leader, and Gerald 
R. Ford, of Michigan, the Minority Leader.(10)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
10. 115 Cong. Rec. 3721, 91st Cong. 1st Sess. Feb. 18, 1969. 
        Substantially similar announcements are made in every Congress. 
        See, for example, 105 Cong. Rec. 2580, 86th Cong. 1st Sess., 
        Feb. 18, 1959. See also the examples cited in Sec. Sec. 15.1 
        and 15.3, supra.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 239]]

Replacement of Objector

Sec. 20.2 Following the request of an objector to be relieved of his 
    duties, the Minority Leader designated another to replace such 
    objector on the Objector's Committee for the Private Calendar.

    In the 89th Congress, an objector who had been appointed to the 
Subcommittee on Private Claims of the Committee on the Judiciary was 
relieved of his assignment on the Official Objectors' Committee for the 
Private Calendar. On Feb. 10, 1965, the Minority Leader made the 
following announcement:(11)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
11. 111 Cong. Rec. 2468, 89th Cong. 1st Sess. For another instance in 
        which the Minority Leader announced the replacement of a 
        minority objector for the Private Calendar, see 116 Cong. Rec. 
        7677, 91st Cong. 2d Sess., Mar. 17, 1970.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

        Mr. Gerald R. Ford [of Michigan]: Mr. Speaker, the gentleman 
    from Michigan [Mr. Hutchinson] is a member of the subcommittee of 
    the Judiciary Committee which handles private claims, and that 
    seems to be incompatible with his service on the Private Calendar 
    objectors' committee.

        At his request, he is being relieved of his assignment on the 
    Private Calendar objectors' committee, and I have designated the 
    gentleman from California [Mr. Talcott] to take his place.

Appointment of Democratic Whip

Sec. 20.3 The Democratic floor leader with the approval of the Speaker 
    appoints his party's whip, and announces such appointment in the 
    House.

    The following announcement, made in the 83d Congress by Sam 
Rayburn, of Texas, then Minority Leader, illustrates the announcement 
customarily made by the Democratic floor leader with respect to the 
appointment of the Democratic whip:(12)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
12. See 99 Cong. Rec. 134, 83d Cong. 1st Sess., Jan. 6, 1953. The 
        Republican whip is selected by the conference. See Sec. 23.3, 
        infra. For further discussion of the party whips, see 
        Sec. Sec. 23-25, infra.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

        Mr. Rayburn: Mr. Speaker, I desire to announce to the House 
    that I have appointed as minority whip of the House of 
    Representatives the Honorable John W. McCormack. I feel sure that 
    will be pleasing to both the minority and majority.

    In the 84th Congress, the Democratic floor leader, in announcing 
the selection of a majority whip to replace one resigning from that 
position, indicated that the Speaker and floor leader, in conference, 
made the selection. The proceedings were as follows:(13)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
13. 101 Cong. Rec. 191, 84th Cong. 1st Sess., Jan. 10, 1955.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 240]]

        Mr. [John W.] McCormack [of Massachusetts]:
        Mr. Speaker, I desire to make an announcement. Those Members 
    who served in . . . past Congresses know that the distinguished 
    gentleman from Tennessee, Mr. Priest, has been the Democratic whip.
        Mr. Priest now assumes the very responsible position of 
    chairman of the very important Committee on Interstate and Foreign 
    Commerce. He has himself made the decision that the duties of that 
    chairmanship are such that he feels constrained to confine his 
    activities to that position.
        As a result of that it became necessary to select a majority 
    whip. I am very pleased to announce to my colleagues today that the 
    Speaker and I, in conference, have designated and selected the 
    distinguished gentleman from Oklahoma, Mr. Carl Albert, to be the 
    majority whip during this Congress.



 
                               CHAPTER 3
 
                           Party Organization
 
                            D. FLOOR LEADERS
 
Sec. 21. Duties; Ceremonial Functions

    The floor leaders perform various functions of a ceremonial nature.
    Thus, following the election of a Speaker, the floor leaders 
customarily form part of the committee that escorts the Speaker to the 
chair.(14) It is also customary at such time for the 
Minority Leader to address the House for purposes of introducing the 
Speaker and wishing him well.(15) Similarly, early in a 
session, the Majority Leader frequently offers a resolution appointing 
a committee to notify the President of the assembly of 
Congress,(16) and both floor leaders are appointed to such 
committee.(17) At the end of a session, the floor leaders 
are again appointed to a committee to notify the President of the 
adjournment of Congress.(18) When the President visits the 
House, the floor leaders may be designated to escort the President into 
the House.(19)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
14. Sec. 21.1, infra.
15. Sec. 21.2, infra.
16. Sec. 21.3, infra.
17. Sec. 21.4, infra.
18. Sec. 21.6, infra.
19. Sec. 21.7, infra.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Many duties or actions of the floor leaders relate to honors or 
tributes accorded to the Speaker of the House. Thus it is traditional 
for the Minority Leader, at the end of a Congress, to introduce a 
resolution thanking the Speaker for the manner in which the Speaker 
discharged the duties of the Chair.(20) More informally, the 
floor leaders have made announcements or led in paying tribute to the 
Speaker wherever appropriate to recognition of particular milestones, 
such as the an

[[Page 241]]

niversary of the election of the Speaker or the announcement by the 
Speaker of his intended retirement.(1)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
20. Sec. 21.9, infra.
 1. Sec. 21.10, infra.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    With respect to other expressions of courtesy, gratitude, praise, 
and the like, the floor leader exercises his initiative as appropriate, 
frequently undertaking to express the sentiments of the House. Such 
expressions, generally concurred in by other Members of the House, 
range from praise of officers or Members for accomplishments in the 
House, felicitations on birthdays, and good wishes in case of an 
individual's illness, to resolutions offering sympathy upon the death 
of certain persons.(2)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 2. Sec. Sec. 21.11-21.17, infra.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The floor leader, usually the Majority Leader, also from time to 
time makes announcements or undertakes duties with respect to various 
ceremonial or formal occasions, ranging from the inaugural ceremonies 
to the reception of foreign visitors.(3)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 3.  See Sec. Sec. 21.18-21.22, 
        infra.                          -------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Committee of Escort for Speaker-elect

Sec. 21.1 Following the election of a Speaker, the Clerk customarily 
    appoints the Majority and Minority Leaders to the committee that 
    escorts the Speaker-elect to the Chair.

    The proceedings in the 90th Congress, wherein floor leaders Carl 
Albert, of Oklahoma, and Gerald R. Ford, of Michigan, were among those 
appointed to the Committee of Escort, are typical of those in which the 
Clerk appoints the committee to escort the Speaker-elect to the Chair. 
After announcing that John W. McCormack, of Massachusetts, had been 
elected Speaker, the Clerk announced as follows:(4)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 4. 113 Cong. Rec. 13, 90th Cong. 1st Sess., Jan. 10, 1967.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

        The Clerk appoints the following committee to escort the 
    Speaker-elect to the chair: the gentleman from Michigan [Mr. Gerald 
    R. Ford], the gentleman from Wisconsin [Mr. Laird], the gentleman 
    from Oklahoma [Mr. Albert], the gentleman from New York [Mr. 
    Celler], the gentleman from Texas [Mr. Mahon], the gentleman from 
    Illinois [Mr. Rostenkowski], and the gentleman from Louisiana [Mr. 
    Boggs.]

    In the 89th Congress, the Majority Leader and Minority Leader 
comprised the entire Committee of Escort.(5)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 5. See 111 Cong. Rec. 17, 89th Cong. 1st Sess., Jan. 4, 1965.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    There have been departures from the above custom. For example, in 
the 75th Congress, neither

[[Page 242]]

Majority Leader Sam Rayburn, of Texas, nor the Farmer-Labor-Progressive 
party floor leader Gerald J. Boileau, of Wisconsin, was named to the 
Committee of Escort.(6)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 6. See 81 Cong. Rec. 11, 75th Cong. 1st Sess., Jan. 5, 1937. Appointed 
        were the defeated candidates for the office of Speaker, 
        Bertrand H. Snell, of New York (the Republican floor leader) 
        and George J. Schneider from Wisconsin, of the Farmer-Labor-
        Progressive Party. Also appointed were John J. O'Connor (N.Y.) 
        and Henry B. Steagall (Ala.).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Introduction of Speaker-elect

Sec. 21.2 The Minority Leader, generally the minority party's candidate 
    for Speaker, addresses the House for purposes of introducing the 
    Speaker-elect.

    The remarks of Minority Leader Gerald R. Ford, of Michigan, on the 
occasion of presenting the Speaker-elect to the House in the 89th 
Congress are illustrative of those customarily made following the 
election of the Speaker. After escorting Speaker-elect John W. 
McCormack, of Massachusetts, to the Chair, Mr. Ford addressed the House 
as follows:(7)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 7. 111 Cong. Rec. 17, 18, 89th Cong. 1st Sess., Jan. 4, 1965.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

        Mr. Speaker and my colleagues of the 89th Congress, in the 16 
    years that I have been privileged to be a Member of the House of 
    Representatives and on the eight occasions when I have seen the 
    Congress convene and the gavel pass from the individual who lost to 
    the individual selected as Speaker, the gavel has gone from a 
    Republican to a Democrat seven times. . . .
        I can say to you Mr. Speaker, that it is a privilege for me on 
    this occasion to pass the gavel to you. However, I might add, in a 
    somewhat lighter vein, that I hope this is an experience which will 
    not be duplicated too frequently in the future. . . .
        May I say in conclusion that we in the minority have in the 
    past supported you and the administration when we believed it was 
    for the best interest of the United States. .

    As a further example, Minority Leader Ford in the 91st Congress 
made the following remarks in the course of introducing Speaker-elect 
McCormack to the House:(8)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 8. 115 Cong. Rec. 14, 91st Cong. 1st Sess., Jan. 3, 1969.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

        Mr. Speaker, and old friends and new friends on both sides of 
    the aisle' I stand before you today as the acknowledged champion 
    among those who have tried to unseat the gentleman from 
    Massachusetts from the Speaker's chair. . . .
        My congratulations to all of my colleagues who have 
    successfully submitted their record of service to their 
    constituents, and a very special welcome to the new Members of the 
    91st Congress on both sides of the aisle.

Committees to Notify President

Sec. 21.3 The Majority Leader customarily offers a resolu

[[Page 243]]

    tion that a committee be appointed by the Speaker to notify the 
    President of the assembly of Congress.

    The resolution offered by the Majority Leader, Carl Albert, of 
Oklahoma, in the 90th Congress illustrates the form of the resolution 
customarily offered for purposes of forming the committee to notify the 
President of the assembly of Congress. The proceedings were as 
follows:(9)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 9. 113 Cong. Rec. 27, 90th Cong. 1st Sess., Jan. 10, 1967.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

        Mr. Albert: Mr. Speaker, I offer a resolution (H. Res. 5) and 
    ask for its immediate consideration. The Clerk read the resolution, 
    as follows:

                                   H. Res. 5

            Resolved, That a committee of three Members be appointed by 
        the Speaker on the part of the House of Representatives to join 
        with a committee on the part of the Senate to notify the 
        President of the United States that a quorum of each House has 
        been assembled, and that Congress is ready to receive any 
        communication that he may be pleased to make.

    Proceedings virtually identical to those above take place upon the 
assembly of every Congress.

Sec. 21.4 The Majority and Minority Leaders are customarily among those 
    appointed to the committee to notify the President of the assembly 
    of Congress; the Majority Leader may report on the performance of 
    the committee's duty.

    The appointments to the committee in the 90th Congress were made by 
Speaker John W. McCormack, of Massachusetts, as follows:(10)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
10. 113 Cong. Rec. 28, 90th Cong. 1st Sess., Jan. 10, 1967. 
        Substantially the same proceedings take place in every 
        Congress; see, for example, 115 Cong. Rec. 35, 91st Cong. 1st 
        Sess., Jan. 3, 1969.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

        The Speaker: The Chair appoints as members of the committee to 
    notify the President of the United States that a quorum of each 
    House has been assembled, and that Congress is ready to receive any 
    communication that he may be pleased to make, the gentleman from 
    Oklahoma [Mr. Albert], the gentleman from Louisiana [Mr. Boggs], 
    and the gentleman from Michigan [Mr. Gerald R. Ford].

    In the 92d Congress, the Majority Leader reported on the 
performance of the committee's duty, as follows:(11)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
11. 117 Cong. Rec. 15, 92d Cong. 1st Sess., Jan. 21, 1971.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

        Mr. [Hale] Boggs [of Louisiana]: Mr. Speaker, your committee on 
    the part of the House to join a like committee on the part of the 
    Senate to notify the President of the United States that a quorum 
    of each House has been assembled and is ready to receive any 
    communication that he may be pleased

[[Page 244]]

    to make, has performed that duty. The President asked us to report 
    that he will be pleased to deliver his message at 9 p.m., January 
    22, 1971, to a joint session of the two Houses.

Sec. 21.5 The Majority Leader offers a resolution authorizing the 
    appointment of a committee to notify the President as to the 
    intended adjournment of Congress.

    The following proceedings took place in the 91st 
Congress:(12)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
12. 116 Cong. Rec. 44599, 91st Cong. 2d Sess., Jan. 2, 1971.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

        Mr. [Carl] Albert [of Oklahoma]: Mr. Speaker, I offer a 
    resolution (H. Res. 1338) and ask for its immediate consideration.

        The Clerk read the resolution as follows:

                                  H. Res. 1338

            Resolved, That a committee of two Members be appointed by 
        the House to join a similar committee appointed by the Senate, 
        to wait upon the President of the United States and inform him 
        that the two Houses have completed their business of the 
        session and are ready to adjourn, unless the President has some 
        other communication to make to them.

    The resolution was agreed to.

Sec. 21.6 The Speaker appointed the Majority Leader and the acting 
    Minority Leader to the committee to notify the President as to the 
    intention of Congress to adjourn; the Majority Leader subsequently 
    reported to the House the performance of the committee's duty.

    In the 91st Congress, following the adoption of a resolution 
authorizing appointment of the committee to notify the President of the 
intended adjournment of Congress, the Speaker appointed the Majority 
Leader, Carl Albert, of Oklahoma, and the acting Minority Leader, John 
J. Rhodes, of Arizona, as the members of the committee.(13) 
Subsequently, Mr. Albert made the following report in the 
House:(14)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
13. See 116 Cong. Rec. 44599, 91st Cong. 2d Sess., Jan. 2, 1971.
14. 116 Cong. Rec. 44621, 91st Cong. 2d Sess., Jan. 2, 1971.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

        Mr. Albert: Mr. Speaker, your committee appointed to join a 
    committee of the Senate to inform the President that the Congress 
    is ready to adjourn, and to ask him if he has any further 
    communications to make to the Congress, has performed that duty. 
    The President has directed us to say that he has no further 
    communication to make to the Congress.

Committee of Escort Upon Presidential Visit

Sec. 21.7 Upon a visit by the President of the United States, the floor 
    leaders may be appointed as a committee

[[Page 245]]

    to escort the President into the Chamber.

    On Nov. 13, 1969, President Richard M. Nixon visited the House for 
the purpose of expressing his appreciation for the support shown by 
Members for certain of his policies; prior to the President's visit, 
Speaker John W. McCormack, of Massachusetts, announced as 
follows:(15)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
15. 115 Cong. Rec. 34080, 91st Cong. 1st Sess., Nov. 13, 1969.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

        The Speaker: The Chair appoints the gentleman from Oklahoma 
    (Mr. Albert) and the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Gerald R. Ford) 
    to escort the President of the United States into the Chamber.

    The committee so comprised of the Majority and Minority Leaders 
accompanied the President into the Hall of the House of 
Representatives,(16) and, following the remarks of the 
President to the House, accompanied him as he retired from the Hall of 
the House.(17)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
16. Id.
17. 115 Cong. Rec. 34081, 91st Cong. 1st Sess., Nov. 13, 1969.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Committee of Escort

Sec. 21.8 The floor leaders may be appointed to a committee of escort 
    upon a visit by a Prime Minister.

    In the 85th Congress, prior to a recess during which the Members 
received the Prime Minister of Italy, Speaker Sam Rayburn, of Texas, 
appointed the Majority Leader, John W. McCormack, of Massachusetts, and 
the Minority Leader Joseph W. Martin. Jr., of Massachusetts, and 
others, to a committee of escort for the Prime Minister.(18)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
18. See 104 Cong. Rec. 15434, 85th Cong. 2d Sess., July 29, 1958.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Resolution Thanking Speaker

Sec. 21.9 It is customary toward the end of a Congress for the Minority 
    Leader or someone acting in his behalf to offer a resolution 
    expressing the thanks of the House for the manner in which the 
    Speaker discharged the duties of the Chair.

    The following proceedings in the 86th Congress(19) are 
illustrative of those honoring the Speaker at the conclusion of a 
Congress:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
19. 106 Cong. Rec. 19162, 86th Cong. 2d Sess., Sept. 1, 1960.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

        The Speaker Pro Tempore:(20) The Chair recognizes 
    the gentleman from Indiana, the minority leader, Mr. Halleck.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
20. Leslie C. Arends (Ill.).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

        Mr. [Charles A.] Halleck [of Indiana]: Mr. Speaker, I offer a 
    resolution (H. Res. 647) and ask for its immediate consideration.
        The Clerk read the resolution as follows:

[[Page 246]]

            Resolved, That the thanks of the House are presented to the 
        Honorable Sam Rayburn, Speaker of the House of Representatives, 
        for the able, impartial, and dignified manner in which he has 
        presided over the deliberations and performed the arduous 
        duties of the Chair during the present term of Congress.

Following the reading of the resolution, Mr. Halleck addressed the 
House in support of the resolution and in praise of Speaker Rayburn.

    Proceedings such as those above take place toward the end of every 
Congress, the Chair usually being assumed for purposes of the 
proceedings by the minority whip(1) or by someone, such as 
the conference chairman,(2) acting for the whip.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 1. See, for example, 102 Cong. Rec. 15282, 84th Cong. 2d Sess., July 
        27, 1956.
 2. See, for example, 110 Cong. Rec. 24058! 88th Cong. 2d Sess., Oct. 
        3, 1964.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    On occasion, the Minority Leader, in anticipation of his absence, 
has designated someone, such as the Chairman of the Republican Policy 
Committee,(3) to act for him in offering the resolution.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 3. See, for example, 116 Cong. Rec. 44601, 91st Cong. 2d Sess., Jan. 
        2, 1971; and 114 Cong Rec. 31371, 90th Cong. 2d Sess., Oct. 14, 
        1968. (In both instances, John J. Rhodes [Ariz.], the Chairman 
        of the Republican Policy Committee, offered the resolution; in 
        the 91st Congress, Speaker John W. McCormack [Mass.], having 
        announced his plans to retire, the resolution expressed not 
        only the customary thanks of the House but also the good wishes 
        of the House upon the Speaker's anticipated retirement.)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Tributes to Speaker

Sec. 21.10 Where it has been appropriate to accord honors to the 
    Speaker, as in recognition of length of service or on the occasion 
    of the Speaker's intended retirement, the floor leaders have led 
    the House in paying tribute to the Speaker or remarking on his 
    accomplishments. On occasion, the Minority Leader has acted as 
    Speaker pro tempore when the proceedings in the House and the 
    remarks of Members have been in honor of the Speaker.

    In the 87th Congress, the Minority Leader assumed the Chair as 
Speaker pro tempore and recognized the Majority Leader, who offered a 
resolution extending congratulations to Speaker Sam Rayburn, of Texas, 
on his length of service. The proceedings were. in part as 
follows:(4)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 4. 107 Cong. Rec. 10035, 87th Cong. 1st Sess., June 12, 1961.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

        The Speaker: Will the gentleman from Indiana [Mr. Halleck] 
    kindly take the chair?

[[Page 247]]

        (Mr. Charles A. Halleck, of Indiana, assumed the chair as 
    Speaker pro tempore.)
        The Speaker Pro Tempore (Mr. Halleck): The Chair recognizes the 
    gentleman from Massachusetts [Mr. McCormack].
        Mr. [John W.] McCormack [of Massachusetts]: With great personal 
    satisfaction and pleasure I offer a resolution and ask for its 
    immediate consideration.
        The Clerk read as follows:

                                  H. Res. 333

            Resolved, That the House of Representatives hereby extends 
        its heartiest congratulations to its beloved Speaker, the 
        Honorable Sam Rayburn, who, today, has served in the high 
        office of Speaker of the House of Representatives for 16 years, 
        273 days-more than twice as long as any other Speaker in the 
        history of the United States; and be it further

            Resolved, That the House of Representatives hereby 
        expresses its deep appreciation to the Honorable Sam Rayburn 
        for his impartiality, integrity, and outstanding parliamentary 
        skill in presiding over this House; for enhancing the dignity 
        and traditions of the Speakership; and for his continuing 
        devotion to legislative duty in this House for more than 48 
        years.

    Similar proceedings took place in the 91st Congress in honor of 
Speaker John W. McCormack, of Massachusetts. Gerald R. Ford, of 
Michigan, Minority Leader, assumed the Chair as Speaker pro tempore, 
and Majority Leader Carl Albert, of Oklahoma, offered a resolution 
reading in part as follows:(5)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 5. 116 Cong. Rec. 17020, 91st Cong. 2d Sess., May 26, 1970.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                  H. Res. 1044

        Resolved, That the House of Representatives hereby extends 
    congratulations to the Honorable John W. McCormack who has served 
    continuously as Speaker of the House longer than any previous 
    occupant of that high office and whose cumulative service in that 
    position now surpasses that of all but one of his predecessors. . . 
    .

    Following the reading of the resolution, the Majority Leader 
delivered remarks in honor of Speaker McCormack, and yielded to other 
Members, including the Minority Leader,(6) who also paid 
tribute to the Speaker.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 6. 116 Cong. Rec. 17021, 91st Cong. 2d Sess., May 26, 1970.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Speaker McCormack having announced his intended retirement, various 
proceedings and announcements of a nature honoring the Speaker were 
recorded in the 91st Congress. Thus, on May 20, 1970,(7) the 
Majority Leader remarked as follows:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 7. 116 Cong. Rec. 16284, 91st Cong. 2d Sess.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

        Mr. Albert: Mr. Speaker, I was saddened to hear my dear friend 
    Speaker John W. McCormack, will tell the press today of his 
    intention to retire. It is difficult for me to contemplate the 
    House of Representatives functioning

[[Page 248]]

---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    without his wise counsel and outstanding leadership. . . .

Mr. Albert's remarks were followed by other tributes to Speaker 
McCormack.

    On June 24, 1970,(8) the Minority Leader inserted in the 
Record the transcript of proceedings held at the White House on May 27, 
honoring Speaker McCormack for his service to the nation. Similarly, on 
Dec. 17, 1970,(9) the Majority Leader announced to the House 
that Speaker McCormack in certain ceremonies had been given a book 
signed by all House employees, and that an ``Annual Award of 
Excellence'' had been established in the Speaker's name to be presented 
to the employee performing the most valuable service to the House. 
Following the remarks of the Majority Leader, Minority Leader Gerald R. 
Ford spoke briefly to congratulate the employees on their recognition 
of the Speaker's accomplishments.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 8. 116 Cong. Rec. 21304-21306, 91st Cong. 2d Sess.
 9. 116 Cong. Rec. 42190, 42191, 91st Cong. 2d Sess.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Significant anniversary dates in the careers of past distinguished 
Speakers have also been noted by the floor leader. Thus, on Sept. 16, 
1969,(10) the Majority Leader paid tribute to the late Sam 
Rayburn, as follows:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
10. 115 Cong. Rec. 25611, 91st Cong. 1st Sess.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

        Mr. Albert: Mr. Speaker, 29 years ago today, on September 16, 
    1940, the late Honorable Sam Rayburn was elected Speaker of the 
    House of Representatives for the first time. This is an important 
    anniversary although one which might have been overlooked in the 
    rush of business. . . .
        The judgment of history will confirm . . . that the principles 
    of liberal democracy which Sam Rayburn held dear beyond price, were 
    expanded and preserved by his great legislative genius. . . .

Expressions of Praise or Recognition

Sec. 21.11 The Majority Leader expressed thanks to the members of the 
    official objectors' committees for the manner in which they 
    performed their duties

    On July 30, 1955,(11) the Majority Leader expressed his 
gratitude to the objectors, among others, for work done during the 
session.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
11. See 101 Cong. Rec. 12380, 12381, 84th Cong. 1st Sess.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sec. 21.12 The Majority Leader praised the work done in the session by 
    the Speaker, the majority whip, the Minority Leader, and the 
    officers and employees of the House. His comments were followed by

[[Page 249]]

    remarks of a similar nature by the Minority Leader.

    The remarks of the Majority Leader, Carl Albert, of Oklahoma, and 
the Minority Leader, Gerald R. Ford, of Michigan, on Dec. 15, 
1967,(12) were in part as follows:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
12. 113 Cong. Rec. 37382, 37383, 90th Cong. 1st Sess.
            The proceedings described are illustrative of those 
        customarily taking place at the end of a session. As a further 
        example, see 112 Cong. Rec. 28866-28868, 89th Cong. 2d Sess., 
        Oct. 22, 1966, in which the acting Majority Leader and the 
        Minority Leader spoke in praise of those, such as the assistant 
        Parliamentarian acting in the Parliamentarian's absence, who 
        had contributed to the accomplishments of the session. (The 
        remarks of the Majority Leader, who was absent because of 
        illness, were printed in the Record at the request of the 
        acting Majority Leader.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

        Mr. Albert: Mr. Speaker, we are about to come to the end of the 
    first session of the 90th Congress. It has been a long and arduous 
    session, but it is a session which has had many rewards. . . .
        I congratulated all who have helped to write this record. 
    Particularly do I congratulate and applaud our distinguished and 
    beloved Speaker, the Honorable John W. McCormack. . . .
        I also salute my close friend and coworker, our Majority Whip 
    Hale Boggs.
        I also want to express my gratitude to the distinguished 
    minority leader of the House. . . .
        I congratulate and thank also the distinguished minority whip 
    and other members of the Republican leadership.
        I must also express my gratitude for the work of the 
    Parliamentarian without whose efforts I could not have done my job. 
    I am grateful to the Clerk, the Sergeant at Arms, the Doorkeeper, 
    the Postmaster and all the officers and employees of the House. . . 
    .
        Mr. Gerald R. Ford [of Michigan]: . . . Mr. Speaker, each of us 
    on both sides of the aisle is most appreciative of the help and 
    assistance of the employees of the House. I would like to reiterate 
    what the distinguished majority leader has said about the 
    Parliamentarian . . . but there are many others who help us on a 
    day-to-day basis.

Sec. 21.13 The floor leaders and others praised the record of service 
    of one who was terminating his employment as legislative assistant 
    to the Speaker

    The remarks of the Majority Leader, Carl Albert, of Oklahoma, and 
the Minority Leader, Charles A. Halleck, of Indiana, on Oct. 5, 
1962,(13) were in part as follows:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
13. 108 Cong. Rec. 22565, 87th Cong. 2d Sess.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

        Mr. Albert: Mr. Speaker, every Member will agree with me, I am 
    sure, that the fine work of staff members here in the House of 
    Representatives, in its committees, and in the offices of its 
    Members is an indispensable element of the legislative process. . . 
    .

[[Page 250]]

        I take this time to advise the House that one of the finest and 
    most capable persons ever to serve the House or any of its Members, 
    John Holton, legislative assistant to the Speaker, is leaving the 
    House of Representatives. . . .
        Mr. Halleck: Mr. Speaker, will the gentleman yield? . . .
        Mr. Speaker, I am sure I speak for my colleagues on this side 
    of the aisle--and certainly for myself--when I say I want to join 
    in this expression of appreciation to John Holton for his services 
    to the House of Representatives these many years. . . .

Sec. 21.14 The floor leaders and others frequently exchange birthday 
    felicitations during proceedings in the House.

    The proceedings in the 89th Congress are illustrative of the 
exchange of courtesies between the floor leaders. Following the 
announcement of the Majority Leader's birthday by Mr. Thomas J. Steed, 
of Oklahoma, the Minority Leader remarked as follows:(14)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
14. 111 Cong. Rec. 9953, 89th Cong. 1st Sess., May 10, 1965.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

        Mr. Gerald R. Ford [of Michigan]: Mr. Speaker, may I join the 
    distinguished gentleman from Oklahoma in wishing our distinguished 
    majority leader, Carl Albert, our very best wishes on this birthday 
    anniversary. We, on our side of the aisle, are proud to work with 
    him. . . . Carl Albert is a real gentleman, an outstanding leader 
    of the Democratic Party, and I am very proud and honored to call 
    him a friend. . . .

    Similar felicitations have been extended by the Majority Leader on 
the occasion of the Minority Leader's birthday.(5) The 
birthdays of other individuals have been recognized in similar fashion. 
For example, on Mar. 3, 1970, birthday greetings were extended by the 
Speaker,(16) the floor leaders, and others to the 
Parliamentarian of the House.(17)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
15. See, for example, 112 Cong. Rec. 15706, 89th Cong. 2d Sess., July 
        14. 1966.
16. John W. McCormack (Mass.).
17. 116 Cong. Rec. 5709-5711, 91st Cong. 2d Sess. For similar 
        proceedings on the occasion of the Parliamentarian's birthday, 
        see 115 Cong. Rec. 4989, 4990, 91st Cong. 1st Sess., Mar. 3, 
        1969.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Remarks Upon Hospitalization of President

Sec. 21.15 The Speaker and the Minority Leader took the floor, during 
    debate in the Committee of the Whole, to express wishes for the 
    President's recovery from illness.

    On Oct. 7, 1965, Speaker John W. McCormack, of Massachusetts, and 
Minority Leader Gerald R. Ford, of Michigan, addressed remarks to the 
House concerning the hospitalization of President Lyndon B. Johnson for 
surgery.(18)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
18. See 111 Cong. Rec. 26320, 89th Cong. 1st Sess.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 251]]

Resolution Upon Death of World Leader

Sec. 21.16 The floor leaders and others, pursuant to a special order 
    obtained by the Majority Leader, addressed the House after the 
    death of a world leader and honorary American citizen, Sir Winston 
    Churchill; the Majority Leader then offered a resolution of 
    sympathy.

    On Jan. 25, 1965, the Majority Leader made the following 
request:(19)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
19. 111 Cong. Rec. 1079, 89th Cong. 1st Sess.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

        Mr. [Carl] Albert [of Oklahoma]: Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous 
    consent that at the close of business and all special orders 
    heretofore entered into for today, I may address the House for 1 
    hour, in order that I may yield to Members on the subject of the 
    life and service of Sir Winston Churchill.

Subsequently, the following proceedings took place:(20)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
20. 111 Cong. Rec. 1154-1163, 89th Cong. 1st Sess., Jan. 25, 1965. 
        Similar proceedings have taken place upon the death of other 
        leaders; see, generally, Ch. 38, infra.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

        The Speaker:(1) Under previous order of the House, 
    the gentleman from Oklahoma [Mr. Albert] is recognized for 60 
    minutes.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 1. John W. McCormack (Mass.).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

        Mr. Albert: Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to revise and 
    extend my remarks, and further ask unanimous consent that all 
    Members speaking on this subject today may revise and extend their 
    remarks, and I also ask unanimous consent that all Members who 
    desire to do so may have 5 legislative days in which to extend 
    their remarks at this point in the Record.

Following remarks by the Majority Leader, the Minority 
Leader,(2) and others in honor of Churchill, the Majority 
Leader offered the following resolution:(3)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 2. 111 Cong. Rec. 1155, 89th Cong. 1st Sess., Jan. 25, 1965.
 3. 111 Cong. Rec. 1162, 1163, 89th Cong. 1st Sess., Jan. 25, 1965.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                  H. Res. 136

        Resolved, That the House of Representatives has learned with 
    profound sorrow of the death of Sir Winston Churchill, former Prime 
    Minister of the United Kingdom, honorary citizen of the United 
    States, beloved elder statesman of the world. . . .

        Resolved, That as a further mark of respect to the memory of 
    the late Sir Winston Churchill the House do now adjourn.

Remarks on Death of Minority Employee

Sec. 21.17 The Minority Leader announced the death of a minority 
    employee, who had been Clerk of the House, and,

[[Page 252]]

    following the remarks of the Majority Leader and others, offered a 
    resolution providing for the appointment of a committee to attend 
    the funeral services.

    In the 81st Congress, the proceedings relating to the death of John 
Andrews, a minority employee and former Clerk of the House, were as 
follows:(4)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 4. 96 Cong. Rec. 7514-7517, 81st Cong. 2d Sess., May 23, 1950.

        Mr. [Joseph W.] Martin [Jr.] of Massachusetts: Mr. Speaker, it 
    is with a heavy heart that I announce the death of a beloved 
    friend, the former Clerk of the House of Representatives, presently 
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    a minority employee, John Andrews.

Following remarks by Majority Leader John W. McCormack, of 
Massachusetts,(5) and others, the Minority Leader offered 
the following resolution:(6) 
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 5. 96 Cong. Rec. 7514, 81st Cong. 2d Sess., May 23, 1950.
 6. 96 Cong. Rec. 7517, 81st Cong. 2d Sess., May 23, 1950.

        Resolved, That the House has heard with profound sorrow of the 
    death of Hon. John Andrews, an employee and officer of the House 
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    for more than 30 years.

        Resolved, That as a mark of respect to his memory the Speaker 
    appoint a committee of 10 Members to attend the funeral services. . 
    . .

Announcements Respecting Ceremonial or Social Occasions--Inaugural 
    Ceremonies

Sec. 21.18 The floor leaders have made announcements in the House, for 
    the information and guidance of Members, relating to the inaugural 
    ceremonies.

    Announcements like the following, which was made on Jan. 17, 1969, 
by Majority Leader Carl Albert, of Oklahoma,(7) are 
frequently made by the floor leaders in preparation for the inaugural 
ceremonies:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 7. 115 Cong. Rec. 1184, 91st Cong. 1st Sess., Jan. 17, 1969. For a 
        further example of such announcements by the Majority Leader, 
        see 111 Cong. Rec. 951, 89th Cong. 1st Sess., Jan. 19, 1965. 
        For examples of announcements made by the Minority Leader, see 
        115 Cong. Rec. 1076, 1090, 91st Cong. 1st Sess., Jan. 16, 1969.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

        Mr. Albert: . . . Mr. Speaker, I desire to alert my colleagues 
    that when we adjourn today, we will meet on Monday at 10:30 
    o'clock. I urge all the Members to be here promptly because the 
    procession for Members of the House will leave in a body promptly 
    at 10:35 a.m., so that the inaugural exercises on the platform at 
    the east front might start precisely at 11 o'clock. . . .

Immediately prior to the announcement, the Majority Leader had offered 
a resolution as to the convening of the House for the inaugural 
ceremonies.(8)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 8. 115 Cong. Rec. 1184, 91st Cong. 1st Sess., Jan. 17, 1969.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 253]]

Cornerstone Ceremonies

Sec. 21.19 The Majority Leader made an announcement with regard to 
    ceremonies in which the cornerstone of a new House office building 
    would be laid.

    In the 87th Congress, the Majority Leader, Carl Albert, of 
Oklahoma, made an announcement respecting ceremonies in which the 
cornerstone of the Rayburn House Office Building would be 
laid.(9)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 9. 108 Cong. Rec. 8468, 87th Cong. 2d Sess., May 16, 1962.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ceremonies Relating to Signing of Bill

Sec. 21.20 The Majority Leader announced an invitation to Members to 
    attend ceremonies in which the President would sign a bill in the 
    rotunda of the Capitol.

    The following announcement was made by the Majority Leader, Carl 
Albert, of Oklahoma, on Aug. 5, 1965:(10):
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
10. 111 Cong. Rec. 19483, 89th Cong. 1st Sess.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

        Mr. Albert: Mr. Speaker, I take this time to advise Members of 
    the House upon the invitation of the Speaker and the majority 
    leader of the Senate the President will sign the voting rights bill 
    tomorrow at noon in the rotunda of the Capitol. All Members of the 
    House are invited by the President and the Speaker to be present at 
    this ceremony.

Announcement As to Visit of Prime Minister

Sec. 21.21 The Majority Leader made an announcement relating to the 
    anticipated visit of a foreign Prime Minister.

    On Feb. 27, 1957,(11) the Majority Leader, John W. 
McCormack, of Massachusetts, made the following announcement:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
11. 103 Cong. Rec. 2720, 85th Cong. 1st Sess.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

        Mr. McCormack: Mr. Speaker, as the Members are aware, we are 
    going to be honored this afternoon at about 3 o'clock by the 
    presence in the Chamber of one of the world's outstanding 
    statesmen, the Prime Minister of France, his Excellency Guy Mollet. 
    I want to announce that about 2:20 or 2:25 there will be a quorum 
    call so that the Members will be advised and govern themselves 
    accordingly.

Unanimous-Consent Request Relating to Visitor

Sec. 21.22 The Majority Leader has on occasion asked unanimous consent 
    that the Speaker be authorized to declare a recess for the purpose 
    of receiving a visiting Prime Minister or foreign President.

[[Page 254]]

    On several occasions, the Majority Leader has made unanimous-
consent requests such as the following, which was made on Feb. 19, 
1957,(12) by the Majority Leader, John W. McCormack, of 
Massachusetts:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
12. 103 Cong. Rec. 2251, 85th Cong. 1st Sess.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

        Mr. McCormack: Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that it may 
    be in order at any time on Wednesday, February 27, 1957, for the 
    Speaker to declare a recess for the purpose of receiving the Prime 
    Minister of the Republic of France.

    As a further example, the Majority Leader made the following 
request on May 28, 1958:(13)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
13. 104 Cong. Rec. 9743, 85th Cong. 2d Sess.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

        Mr. McCormack: Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that it may 
    be in order at any time on Thursday, June 5, 1958, for the Speaker 
    to declare a recess for the purpose of receiving in joint meeting 
    the President of the Federal Republic of Germany.



 
                               CHAPTER 3
 
                           Party Organization
 
                            D. FLOOR LEADERS
 
Sec. 22. Salary and Perquisites, Honors on Death

    Recognition of the status of the floor leaders is reflected in 
provisions of law regarding the salaries(14) and 
allowances(15) of the floor leaders and in certain 
provisions prescribing the honors to be accorded upon the death of a 
floor leader.(16)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
14. See 2 USC Sec. 31.
15. An allowance for office personnel in the office of floor leader is 
        prescribed by 2 USC Sec. 333; such allowance is in addition to 
        the clerk-hire allowance prescribed for each Member by 2 USC 
        Sec. 332. A provision pertaining to allowances for airmail and 
        special delivery stamps for the floor leaders is contained in 2 
        USC Sec. 42d(1).
16. A proclamation specifies the length of time that designated flags 
        will be flown at half-staff upon the death of a Majority Leader 
        or Minority Leader of the House. See 36 USC Sec. 175, note, 
        Proclamation No. 3044 (flag to be flown at half-staff from day 
        of death until 
        interment).                          -------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Assistants to Floor Leaders

Sec. 22.1 The House has authorized the creation of new positions in the 
    office of floor leader, or the payment from the contingent fund of 
    the House of additional compensation to assistants of the floor 
    leader.

    In the 89th Congress, the Majority Leader offered a resolution 
creating an additional position of clerk in the offices of the Speaker 
and the Minority Leader, and providing for the payment of the salaries 
of such clerks from the contingent fund of the House. The resolution, 
which was agreed to by the House, was as follows:(17)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
17. 112 Cong. Rec. 573, 89th Cong. 2d Sess., Jan. 19, 1966.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 255]]

                                  H. Res. 669

        . . . (b) There is hereby created in the office of the minority 
    leader an additional position the basic compensation of which shall 
    be at a rate not to exceed $3,000 per annum.
        (c) There shall be paid out of the contingent fund of the House 
    of Representatives, until otherwise provided by law, such sums as 
    may be necessary to carry out this resolution. . . .

    On Mar. 9, 1965, the Majority Leader offered a resolution raising 
the gross salary of, among others, the administrative assistants to the 
floor leaders. The resolution, which was agreed to by the House, was as 
follows:(18)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
18. 111 Cong. Rec. 4405, 89th Cong. 1st Sess.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                  H. Res. 258

        Resolved, That, effective March 1, 1965, there shall be payable 
    from the contingent fund of the House of Representatives, until 
    otherwise provided by law, an amount which will permit the payment 
    of basic compensation per annum, at a rate not in excess of the 
    highest amount which, together with additional compensation 
    authorized by law, will not exceed the maximum rate authorized by 
    the Classification Act of 1949, as amended, to the administrative 
    assistant of each of the following: . . .
        (2) the majority leader of the House;
        (3) the minority leader of the House . . .
        (7) each Member of the House who has served as majority leader, 
    and as minority leader(19) of the House.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
19. See also H. Res. 127, 89th Cong. 1st Sess. (1965), providing for an 
        administrative assistant for any Member who has served both as 
        Majority and as Minority Leader of the House.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    On Jan. 26, 1966, the Speaker took the floor to offer a resolution 
providing additional clerk-hire allowance for the office of the 
Majority Leader, and authorizing additional positions in the offices of 
the Minority Leader and others. The resolution was as 
follows:(20)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
20. 112 Cong. Rec. 1125, 89th Cong. 2d Sess.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                  H. Res. 690

        Resolved, That effective February 1, 1966, there shall be paid 
    out of the contingent fund of the House of Representatives, until 
    otherwise provided by law, such sums as may be necessary for:
        1. Additional clerical help in the Office of the Majority 
    Leader, not to exceed $3,000 (basic) per annum.
        2. (a) An additional position in the Office of the Minority 
    Leader, the basic compensation of which shall be at a rate not to 
    exceed $2,500 per annum. . . .

The resolution was agreed to.

[[Page 256]]


 
                               CHAPTER 3
 
                           Party Organization
 
                             E. PARTY WHIPS
 
Sec. 23. In General


    [Note: The following is descriptive of practices in effect in some 
Congresses. For discussion of any current modification of the functions 
or composition of the office of the whip, consult supplements to this 
edition as they appear.]
    Each party maintains a whip organization, presided over by the 
party whip. The Democratic floor leader with the approval of the 
Speaker appoints the Democratic whip and announces in the House the 
name of the person he has appointed to that position.(1) The 
Republican Conference chooses that party's whip, and an announcement 
concerning such selection is made in the House by the Republican floor 
leader or, on occasion, by the chairman of the 
conference.(2) A number of assistant Democratic whips 
representing various regions of the country are chosen by the 
Democratic state delegations.(3)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 1. Sec. 23.1, infra.
 2. Sec. 23.3, infra.
 3. Congressional Quarterly's Guide to the Congress of the United 
        States, Congressional Quarterly Service (Washington, D.C., 
        1971), p. 141.
            Collateral references: Ripley, Randall B., Party Leaders in 
        the House of Representatives, The Brookings Institution 
        (Washington, D.C., 1967), pp. 33-41 (development of whip 
        organizations); 64, 65, 67-72, 75, 76 (functions of whips); 
        ``The Party Whip Organization in the United States House of 
        Representatives,'' American Political Science Review, vol. 58 
        (Sept., 1964), pp. 561-576.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Democratic organization formerly included a post of ``deputy 
whip,'' but the Majority Leader in the 92d Congress announced that that 
position had been abolished and replaced by the positions of ``floor 
whips.''(4)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 4. Sec. 23.2, infra.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In the Record of the 82d Congress,(5) the Republican 
whip set forth a description of the Republican whip organization, 
consisting of the Republican whip, a deputy whip, an Eastern regional 
whip, an East Central regional whip, a Midwest regional whip, a Western 
regional whip; and various area whips.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 5. 97 Cong. Rec. 992, 82d Cong. 1st Sess., Feb. 5, 1951.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The functions of the party whips are to maintain close contact with 
party members; ascertain the sentiments of party members with respect 
to legislative issues; ensure the presence of party members on the 
floor when matters of interest to the party

[[Page 257]]

are to be voted upon; assist the floor leader in fulfilling the duties 
of party leadership; and promote party positions with respect to issues 
before the House.(6) For purposes of keeping party members 
informed of matters pending in the House, the whip sends periodic 
notices containing a description of such matters to party members.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 6. See 8 Cannon's Precedents Sec. 3615.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The office was described in these terms by Mr. Charles A. Halleck, 
of Indiana:(7)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 7. 114 Cong. Rec. 19074, 90th Cong. 2d Sess., June 27, 1968.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

        . . . In many ways, the job of whip is a thankless assignment 
    that involves a lot more than just taking polls, calling Members to 
    the floor, and putting out notices of the program for the following 
    week. And I must say, the title ``whip'' is really a misnomer. You 
    just do not line up Members--especially if you are in the 
    minority--by applying the lash. . . .
        [Success] in the office of whip [requires] a personal facility 
    for conciliation, for bringing together divergent views through 
    reason and . . . an ability to persuade. . . .

    The whip has sometimes been designated Speaker pro 
tempore,(8) or has assumed the Chair for particular 
purposes, as where the majority whip has presided over the election of 
the Majority Leader as Speaker pro tempore,(9) or where the 
minority whip has presided over proceedings honoring the Speaker of the 
House.(10) Similarly, the whip frequently acts as his 
party's floor leader when the floor leader is absent.(11)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 8. Sec. 23.5, infra.
 9. Sec. 23.6, infra.
10. Sec. 24.1, infra.
11. See Congressional Quarterly's Guide to the Congress of the United 
        States, Congressional Quarterly Service (Washington, D.C., 
        1971), p. 141.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Party whips have sometimes served in that capacity for a 
considerable length of time. Thus, as an example, many tributes were 
paid in the 91st Congress to one who had served as Republican whip for 
many years.(12)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
12. See 116 Cong. Rec. 17878, 17879, 91st Cong. 2d Sess., June 2, 
        1970.                          -------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Selection of Whip; Announcement

Sec. 23.1 The Democratic floor leader with the approval of the Speaker 
    appoints his party's whip, and announces such appointment in the 
    House.

    The following announcement by the Majority Leader in the 82d 
Congress is illustrative of announcements made by the Demo

[[Page 258]]

cratic floor leader with respect to his appointment of a party 
whip:(13)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
13. 97 Cong. Rec. 40, 82d Cong. 1st Sess., Jan. 4, 1951. For further 
        examples, see 115 Cong. Rec. 34, 91st Cong. 1st Sess., Jan. 3, 
        1969; and 99 Cong. Rec. 134, 83d Cong. 1st Sess., Jan. 6, 1953.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

        Mr. [John W.] McCormack [of Massachusetts]: Mr. Speaker, I 
    desire to announce to the House that I have reappointed as the 
    majority whip the distinguished gentleman from Tennessee, Mr. 
    Priest.

    In the 84th Congress, upon the occurrence of a vacancy in the 
office of majority whip, the Majority Leader announced the selection of 
a new whip pursuant to a conference between the Speaker and the 
Majority Leader.(14)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
14. 101 Cong. Rec. 191, 84th Cong. 1st Sess., Jan. 10, 1955.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Floor Whips

Sec. 23.2 The Majority Leader announced the abolition of the post of 
    deputy whip, and the creation of the positions of floor whips.

    In the 92d Congress, the Majority Leader made the following 
announcement, which was concerned in part with certain changes in the 
structure of the Democratic whip organization:(15)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
15. See 117 Cong. Rec. 131, 92d Cong. 1st Sess., Jan. 22, 1971. For 
        more recent changes in the composition of the Democratic Whip 
        organization, see supplements to this edition as they appear.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

        Mr. [Hale] Boggs [of Louisiana]: . . . Mr. Speaker, it is my 
    pleasure to announce that we have named the distinguished gentleman 
    from Massachusetts (Mr. O'Neill) as the majority whip of the 
    Democratic Party.
        Mr. Speaker, I would like to conclude the announcement by 
    saying that in consultation with the distinguished Speaker, the 
    position of deputy whip has been abolished and in place thereof we 
    have created the position of two floor whips which will be held by 
    the gentleman from California (Mr. McFall), who will fill one spot, 
    and the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Brademas), who will fill the 
    other spot.

Election of Republican Whip

Sec. 23.3 The Republican Conference selects the Republican whip, and an 
    announcement concerning such selection is made in the House by the 
    Republican floor leader or the conference chairman.

    On Jan. 22, 1971, the following announcement was made by the 
Minority Leader, Gerald R. Ford, of Michigan:(16)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
16. 117 Cong. Rec. 131, 92d Cong. 1st Sess.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

        Mr. Speaker, it is my privilege to announce for the benefit of 
    the membership as a whole, the election of the Honorable Leslie 
    Arends, of Illinois, to

[[Page 259]]

---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    be the Republican whip for the ninth consecutive Congress.

Similarly, in the 82d Congress, the floor leader made the following 
announcement:(17)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
17. 97 Cong. Rec. 40, 82d Cong. 1st Sess., Jan. 4, 1951.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

        Mr. [Joseph W.] Martin [Jr.] of Massachusetts: Mr. Speaker, I 
    would like to announce to the House that the gentleman from 
    Illinois, Mr. Leslie C. Arends, has been elected Republican whip.

    In the 83d Congress, the Republican Majority Leader, Charles A. 
Halleck, of Indiana, announced:(18)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
18. 99 Cong. Rec. 134, 83d Cong. 1st Sess., Jan. 6, 1953. The 
        Republican whip was formerly selected by the party committee on 
        committees (see Congressional Quarterly's Guide to the Congress 
        of the United States, Congressional Quarterly Service 
        [Washington, D.C., 1971], p. 141).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

        Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the Committee on Committees, I hereby 
    wish to announce the selection of Hon. Leslie C. Arends, of 
    Illinois, as majority whip.

    In the 91st Congress, the conference chairman, John B. Anderson, of 
Illinois, made the announcement concerning the selection of the 
minority whip, as follows:(19)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
19. 115 Cong. Rec. 34, 91st Cong. 1st Sess., Jan 3, 1969. For other 
        examples of occasions on which the selection of the Republican 
        whip has been announced by the conference chairman, see 
        Sec. 3.7, supra.

        Mr. Speaker, as chairman of the Republican Conference, I am 
    directed by that conference to notify the House officially that the 
    Republican Members have selected as minority whip the gentleman 
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    from Illinois, the Honorable Leslie C. Arends.

Republican Whip Organization

Sec. 23.4 The Republican whip extended his remarks in the Record to 
    include a description of the Republican whip organization.

    On Feb. 5, 1951, Mr. Leslie C. Arends, of Illinois, was permitted 
to extend his remarks in the Record to include the following 
description of the Republican whip organization.(20)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
20. 97 Cong. Rec. 992, 82d Cong. 1st Sess.

        Republican whip, Leslie C. Arends, Illinois; deputy whip, Ralph 
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    A. Gamble, New York.

        Eastern Regional whip, W. Sterling Cole, New York--8 states, 50 
    members: Maine (3), New Hampshire (2), Vermont (1), Connecticut 
    (4), Delaware (1), A. N. Sadlak; Massachusetts (8), W. H. Bates; 
    New York (22), Katherine St. George; New Jersey (9), T. Millet 
    Hand. . . .

In similar fashion, Mr. Arends named the East Central regional

[[Page 260]]

whip, the Midwest regional whip, and the Western regional whip; 
indicated the state delegations represented by such whips; and named 
those persons in the whip organization who represented particular 
states or groups of states within a region.

Designation of Majority Whip as Speaker Pro Tempore

Sec. 23.5 The majority whip has been designated Speaker pro tempore.

    On May 29, 1958, Carl Albert, of Oklahoma, the majority whip, 
assumed the Chair. The proceedings were as follows:(1)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 1. 104 Cong. Rec. 9854, 85th Cong. 2d Sess.
            For instances in which the minority whip has assumed the 
        Chair to preside over proceedings relating to the customary 
        resolution expressing the gratitude of the House for the manner 
        in which the Speaker performed his duties, see Sec. 24.1, 
        infra.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

        The Speaker Pro Tempore: The Chair lays before the House the 
    following communication from the Speaker:

                                  May 29, 1958

            I hereby designate the Honorable Carl Albert to act as 
        Speaker pro tempore today.

                                                  Sam Rayburn,
                                                  Speaker of the
                                         House of Representatives.

Election of Speaker Pro Tempore Presided Over by Whip

Sec. 23.6 The majority whip on occasion has assumed the Chair for 
    purposes of presiding over the election of the Majority Leader as 
    Speaker pro tempore.

    On Nov. 18, 1963, the Majority Leader, Carl Albert, of Oklahoma, 
called the House to order and laid before the House a communication 
from the Speaker designating Mr. Albert as Speaker pro tempore. 
Subsequently, the majority whip, Hale Boggs, of Illinois, assumed the 
Chair and presided over proceedings in which Mr. Albert was elected 
Speaker pro tempore. The proceedings were as follows:(2)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 2. 109 Cong. Rec. 22015, 88th Cong. 1st Sess., Nov. 18, 1963.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

        Mr. Boggs assumed the Chair.
        Mr. [Carl] Vinson [of Georgia]: Mr. Speaker, I send to the desk 
    a privileged resolution and ask for its immediate consideration.
        The Clerk read the resolution as follows:

                                  H. Res. 567

            Resolved, That Honorable Carl Albert . . . is hereby 
        elected Speaker pro tempore during the absence of the Speaker. 
        . . .

        The resolution was agreed to.

    Similar proceedings have taken place in other Congresses. Thus,

[[Page 261]]

in the 85th Congress, on Apr. 15, 1958, Majority Leader John W. 
McCormack, of Massachusetts, Speaker pro tempore by designation, 
requested the majority whip, Carl Albert, of Oklahoma, to assume the 
Chair.(3) After Mr. Albert assumed the Chair, a resolution 
was agreed to electing the Majority Leader Speaker pro tempore during 
the absence of the Speaker.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 3. 104 Cong. Rec. 6436, 85th Cong. 2d Sess. As to illustrative 
        instances in which the minority whip has assumed the Chair to 
        preside over proceedings of a ceremonial nature, see Sec. 24.1, 
        infra.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Request for Division of Question

Sec. 23.7 The minority whip requested a division of the question on the 
    resolution electing House officers.

    On Jan. 10, 1967, following the introduction of the resolution 
relating to the election of House officers, the Republican Conference 
Chairman announced that he intended to offer a substitute for the 
resolution. In response to an inquiry from the Chair as to whether a 
division of the question was desired, Mr. Leslie C. Arends, of 
Illinois, the Republican whip, made the request as 
follows:(4)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 4. 113 Cong. Rec. 27, 90th Cong. 1st Sess. The resolution naming the 
        majority party's candidates for the offices of Clerk, Sergeant 
        At Arms, Doorkeeper, Postmaster, and Chaplain is generally 
        offered by the chairman of the majority caucus (see Sec. 3.9, 
        supra). Frequently, the chairman of the minority caucus or 
        conference has offered a substitute for the resolution and at 
        the same time requested a division of the question to allow a 
        separate vote on the office of Chaplain (see Sec. 3.9, supra).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

        Mr. Arends: Mr. Speaker, I request that there be a division of 
    the question on the resolution so that we may have a separate vote 
    on the Office of the Chaplain.



 
                               CHAPTER 3
 
                           Party Organization
 
                             E. PARTY WHIPS
 
Sec. 24. Duties and Functions

    It is frequently the province of the whip, as it is that of other 
leaders in the House, to perform duties of a ceremonial nature, make 
announcements respecting ceremonial or formal occasions, and extend 
various courtesies.

Resolution Thanking Speaker

Sec. 24.1 The minority whip, or someone acting for him, has customarily 
    assumed the Chair to preside over the consideration of a 
    resolution, offered at the end of a Congress, expressing the 
    gratitude of the House for the manner in which the Speaker has 
    performed the duties of the Chair.

[[Page 262]]

    The proceedings of Sept. 1, 1960, illustrative of honors accorded 
the Speaker at the end of a Congress, were as follows:(5)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 5. 106 Cong. Rec. 19161, 19162, 86th Cong. 2d Sess.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

        The Speaker:(6) Will the gentleman from Illinois 
    [Mr. Arends](7) kindly take the chair?
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 6. Sam Rayburn (Tex.).
 7. Mr. Leslie C. Arends (Ill.) was the minority whip.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

        Mr. Arends assumed the Chair as Speaker pro tempore. . . .
        Mr. [Charles A.] Halleck [of Indiana]: Mr. Speaker, I offer a 
    resolution (H. Res. 647) and ask for its immediate consideration.
        The Clerk read the resolution, as follows:

            Resolved, That the thanks of the House are presented to the 
        Honorable Sam Rayburn, Speaker of the House of Representatives, 
        for the able, impartial, and dignified manner in which he has 
        presided over the deliberations and performed the arduous 
        duties of the Chair during the present term of Congress.

    Similarly proceedings have taken place in other 
Congresses,(8) although on occasion another Member has been 
designated to act for the whip in presiding over the 
resolution.(9)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 8. See Sec. Sec. 12.3, 21.9, supra.
 9. See Sec. 12.3, supra.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Committee to Notify President

Sec. 24.2 The majority whip has frequently been appointed to the 
    committee to notify the President that Congress has assembled.

    In the 90th(10) and 91st(11) Congresses, for 
example, the Speaker on each occasion appointed a committee comprised 
of the majority and minority floor leaders and the majority whip, to 
join with a similar committee from the Senate, to notify the President 
that a quorum of each House had assembled and the Congress was ready to 
receive any communication that the President might be pleased to 
make.(12)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
10. See 113 Cong. Rec. 327, 328, 90th Cong. 1st Sess., Jan. 10, 1967.
11. See 115 Cong. Rec. 35, 91st Cong. 1st Sess., Jan. 3, 1969.
12. See, for further discussion of the selection of the committee to 
        notify the President, Sec. Sec. 3.15, 21.4, supra.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Announcements or Requests Relating to Formal Occasions

Sec. 24.3 The party whips have on occasion made announcements or 
    requests relating to formal occasions, visits by dignitaries, and 
    the like.

    The whips have made announcements respecting formal occasions. As 
an example, the minority whip, a member of the Joint Inaugural 
Committee, made an announcement on Jan. 16,

[[Page 263]]

1953,(13) respecting transportation arrangements on the 
occasion of the inauguration ceremonies.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
13. 99 Cong. Rec. 421, 83d Cong. 1st Sess.

    On Apr. 29, 1957, the majority whip, Carl Albert, of Oklahoma, made 
a unanimous-consent request that it should be in order on a designated 
day for the Speaker to declare a recess for the purpose of receiving 
the President of the Republic of Viet Nam.(14)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
14. 103 Cong. Rec. 6127, 85th Cong. 1st Sess. For similar requests made 
        by the Majority Leader, see Sec. 21.22, supra.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Expressions of Courtesy

Sec. 24.4 The party whips have frequently made remarks in the House in 
    recognition of particular events, or extended courtesies as 
    appropriate.

    Illustrative of the remarks made by the party whips in recognition 
of particular events were those made by the majority whip, Hale Boggs, 
of Louisiana, on the occasion of a visit by members of the Indian 
Parliament. The remarks in part were as follows:(15)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
15. 109 Cong. Rec. 11746, 11747, 88th Cong. 1st Sess., June 26, 1963.

        Mr. Boggs: Mr. Speaker, one of the significant events of recent 
    years has been the exchange of visits by the members of the free 
    parliaments of the world. We are very fortunate today to have in 
    our midst a distinguished delegation of parliamentarians from the 
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    great country of India. . . .

    By way of further illustration, party whips have made appropriate 
remarks in the House on the occasion of consideration of a resolution 
commending John W. McCormack, of Massachusetts, on his length of 
service as Speaker,(16) on the occasion of the 
Parliamentarian's birthday,(17) and the like.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
16. 116 Cong. Rec. 17022, 17023, 91st Cong. 2d Sess., May 26, 1970.
17. 116 Cong. Rec. 5710, 91st Cong. 2d Sess., Mar. 3, 1970 (remarks of 
        Mr. Leslie C. Arends [Ill.]).

    On the last day of the 89th Congress, the majority whip, Mr. Boggs, 
acting for the Majority Leader, praised the work of the Congress and 
its Members and employees;(18) yielded to others for similar 
remarks; and asked unanimous consent that the Majority Leader be 
permitted to extend his remarks, of a similar nature, in the 
Record.(19)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
18. 112 Cong. Rec. 28866-28868, 89th Cong. 2d Sess., Oct. 22, 1966.
19. 112 Cong. Rec. 28867, 89th Cong. 2d Sess., Oct. 22, 1966.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 264]]



 
                               CHAPTER 3
 
                           Party Organization
 
                             E. PARTY WHIPS
 
Sec. 25. Allowances--Clerk-Hire Allowance

    By statute,(20) a specified allowance is given for 
office personnel in the offices of the majority and minority whips, in 
addition to the clerk-hire allowances given to Members generally. 
Similarly, a statute(1) contains specific provisions 
relating to allowances for airmail and special delivery stamps in the 
offices of the majority and minority whips.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
20. 2 USC Sec. 333.
 1. 1. 2 USC Sec. 42d.                          -------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Allowances

Sec. 25.1 On occasion, the clerk-hire allowance of the whips has been 
    increased, or new positions created in the offices of the whips, 
    and payments authorized from the contingent fund of the House.

    In the 83d Congress, a resolution was offered relating to the 
employment of administrative assistants in the offices of the majority 
and minority whips; the proceedings were as follows:(2)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 2. 99 Cong. Rec. 1219, 83d Cong. 1st Sess., Feb. 18, 1953.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

        Mr. [Charles A.] Halleck [of Indiana]: Mr. Speaker, I offer a 
    privileged resolution (H. Res. 147) and ask for its immediate 
    consideration.
        The Clerk read as follows:

            Resolved, That in order to enable the majority whip and the 
        minority whip each to employ an administrative assistant at a 
        rate of basic compensation not to exceed $8,000 per annum, 
        there shall be paid out of the contingent fund of the House, 
        until otherwise provided by law, compensation for the 
        employment of such administrative assistants.

        The resolution was agreed to.

    Similarly, on Mar. 9, 1965,(3) the following resolution 
relating in part to the compensation of administrative assistants to 
the party whips, was adopted:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 3. 111 Cong. Rec. 4405, 89th Cong. 1st Sess.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                  H. Res. 258

        Resolved, That, effective March 1, 1965, there shall be payable 
    from the contingent fund of the House of Representatives, until 
    otherwise provided by law, an amount which will permit the payment 
    of basic compensation per annum, at a rate not in excess of the 
    highest amount which, together with additional compensation 
    authorized by law, will not exceed the maximum rate authorized by 
    the Classification Act of 1949, as amended, to the administrative 
    assistant of each of the following: . . .
        (4) the majority whip of the House;
        (5) the minority whip of the House . . .

    As a further illustration, a resolution adopted on Jan. 26, 
1966,(4)

[[Page 265]]

authorized additional clerical help in the offices of, among others, 
the majority and minority whips, as follows.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 4. 112 Cong. Rec. 1125, 89th Cong. 2d Sess.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                  H. Res. 690

        Resolved, That effective February 1, 1966, there shall be paid 
    out of the contingent fund of the House of Representatives, until 
    otherwise provided by law, such sums as may be necessary for: . . .
        (b) An additional position in the Office of the Majority Whip, 
    the basic compensation of which shall be at a rate not to exceed 
    $2,500 per annum.
        (c) An additional position in the Office of the Minority Whip, 
    the basic compensation of which shall be at a rate not to exceed 
    $2,500 per annum.
