[Deschler's Precedents, Volume 4, Chapters 15 - 17]
[Chapter 15. Investigations and Inquiries]
[A. Basis of Authority to Investigate; Creating Committees]
[Â§ 1. In General; Subjects of Authorizing Resolutions]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]


[Page 2279-2303]
 
                               CHAPTER 15
 
                      Investigations and Inquiries
 
       A. BASIS OF AUTHORITY TO INVESTIGATE; CREATING COMMITTEES
 
Sec. 1. In General; Subjects of Authorizing Resolutions



    Although the congressional power of investigation is not explicitly 
granted by the Constitution, it has been exercised by the House since 
1792.(1) It is well established that the power to 
investigate is implied from the power to legislate granted in article 
I, section 1 of the Constitution. Thus, the Supreme Court has stated 
that the power of inquiry, with process to enforce it, is an essential 
and appropriate auxiliary to the legislative function.(2) 
The Court has further stated:
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 1. The House in that year rejected a resolution requesting the 
        President to investigate the defeat of General St. Clair's army 
        and instead asserted its own right to investigate by requesting 
        the President to cause proper executive officers to deliver to 
        the House documents pertinent to the matter. See 3 Hinds' 
        Precedents Sec. 1725.
            For earlier coverage of the subject matter of this chapter 
        generally, see, for example, 3 Hinds' Precedents 
        Sec. Sec. 1666-1724 (punishment of witnesses for contempt); 
        Sec. Sec. 1725-1826 (powers of investigation and conduct of 
        investigations); Sec. Sec. 1856-1910 (inquiries of the 
        executive); 6 Cannon's Precedents Sec. Sec. 335-353 (punishment 
        of witnesses for contempt); Sec. Sec. 354-393 (power of 
        investigation and conduct of investigations); and 
        Sec. Sec. 404-437 (inquiries of the executive).
            See also Leading Cases on Congressional Investigatory Power 
        (Committee Print, Joint Committee on Congressional Operations, 
        94th Cong. 2d Sess.).
 2. McGrain v Daugherty, 273 U.S. 135, 174.
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        The power of the Congress to conduct investigations is inherent 
    in the legislative process. That power is broad. It encompasses 
    inquiries concerning the administration of existing laws as well as 
    proposed or possibly needed statutes. It includes surveys of 
    defects in our social, economic or political system for the purpose 
    of enabling the Congress to remedy them. It comprehends probes into 
    departments of the Federal Government to expose corruption, 
    inefficiency or waste.(3)
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 3. Watkins v United States, 354 U.S. 178, 187 (1957).
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    The scope of the power of inquiry is as broad as the power to enact 
and appropriate under the Constitution.(4) Subjects of inves

[[Page 2280]]

tigation that have specifically been approved by the courts include the 
existence of subversive activities in education,(5) labor 
and industry,(6) the extent of corruption in labor 
unions,(7) and the denial of civil rights by particular 
organizations.(8)
    Although the power of investigation is broad, it is not unlimited. 
It may be exercised only ``in aid of the legislative function.'' 
(9) Accordingly, it has been stated that, generally, there 
is no congressional power ``to expose for the sake of exposure,'' 
(10) and that, in any event, Congress cannot inquire into 
matters which are within the exclusive province of one of the other 
branches of government,(11) or which are reserved

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 4. Barenblatt v United States, 360 U.S. 109, 111 (1959). See also The 
        Constitution of the United States of America, Analysis and 
        Interpretation, S. Doc. No. 92-82, 92d Cong. 2d Sess., p. 80 
        (1972).
 5. Barenblatt v United States, 360 U.S. 109 (1959); Deutch v United 
        States, 367 U.S. 456 (1961).
 6. Watkins v United States, 354 U.S. 178 (1957); Flaxer v United 
        States, 358 U.S. 147 (1958); Wilkinson v United States, 365 
        U.S. 399 (1961).
 7. Hutcheson v United States, 369 U.S. 599 (1962). See also The 
        Constitution of the United States of America, Analysis and 
        Interpretation, S. Doc. No. 92-82, 92d Cong. 2d Sess., pp. 84, 
        85 (1972).
 8. Shelton v United States, 404 F2d 1292 (D.C. Cir. 1968), cert. 
        denied, 393 U.S. 1024 (1969).
 9. Kilbourn v Thompson, 103 U.S. 168 (1881). Beginning with In re 
        Chapman, 166 U.S. 661 (1897) and McGrain v Daugherty, 273 U.S. 
        135 (1927) and until prior to United States v Rumely, 345 U.S. 
        543 (1952), courts presumed existence of a legislative purpose. 
        After that period, as investigations began to arouse criticism 
        for infringing individual liberties, however, courts began to 
        construe narrowly the resolutions describing authority of 
        committees (see Rumely) and went so far as to impose a specific 
        burden on the government in contempt prosecutions to show 
        affirmatively the source of authority for each investigation. 
        See United States v Lamont, 236 F2d 312 (2d Cir. 1956) and 
        Moreland, Allen B., Congressional Investigations and Private 
        Persons, 40 So. Cal. L. Rev. 189, 230-236 (1967) for a 
        discussion of legislative purpose. See also Sec. 6, infra, for 
        discussion of a closely related topic, the pertinence of the 
        inquiry.
10. Watkins v United States, 354 U.S. 178, 200 (1957). In making this 
        statement, however, Chief Justice Warren pointed out that this 
        view did not apply to Congress' function to inquire into and 
        publicize corruption, maladministration or inefficiency in 
        agencies of government. Id., 211 n. 33.
11. Barenblatt v United States, 360 U.S. 109, 111, 112 (1959). See also 
        Sec. 3, infra, for a discussion of executive branch refusals to 
        provide information.
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[[Page 2281]]

to the states.(12) In imposing such limitations upon the 
power to investigate, the courts have, as in other areas, traditionally 
refused to inquire into the motives of legislators.(13)

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12. See United States v DiCarlo, 102 F Supp 597 (N.D. Ohio 1952) for 
        rejection of an allegation that the Senate encroached state 
        powers by creating a special committee to investigate organized 
        crime in interstate commerce.
13. Tenney v Brandhove, 341 U.S. 367 (1951) and United States v 
        O'Brien, 391 U.S. 367 (1968).
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    A further requirement for the validity of an investigation is that 
it must have been expressly or impliedly authorized in accordance with 
congressional procedures. As an example, the House, may authorize a 
select or standing committee to investigate a particular subject, or a 
committee may authorize a subcommittee to investigate a 
subject.(14) In the usual practice, resolutions authorizing 
the Speaker to appoint Members to select or special committees to 
investigate designated subjects are assigned to and reported by the 
Committee on Rules,(15) which calls them up as 
privileged.(16) In addition, congressional investigations 
may be initiated pursuant to statute,(17) motion to 
recommit,(18) joint (19) or

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14. See Sec. 1.1, infra, for the full text of an authorizing resolution 
        and House Rules and Manual Sec. 976 (1973), for the form of an 
        authorizing resolution. Mr. Justice Frankfurter characterized 
        such a resolution, one to investigate lobbying activities (see 
        Sec. 1.5, infra, for a discussion of this resolution), as the 
        committee's ``controlling charter'' which delimits its ``right 
        to exact testimony.'' United States v Rumely, 345 U.S. 41, 44 
        (1953).
            Parliamentarian's Note: Recent changes in procedures 
        relating to authorization of standing committees will be 
        discussed in supplements to this edition as they appear.
15. House Rules and Manual Sec. 717 (1973).
16. See Rule XI clauses 22, 23, and 24, House Rules and Manual 
        Sec. Sec. 726, 729, and 732 in the edition published at the 
        commencement of 1973; at the end of the 93d Congress first 
        session these clauses were numbered 23, 24, and 25, 
        respectively.
17. See, for example, 26 USC Sec. Sec. 8001, 8022, which establish the 
        Joint Committee on Internal Revenue Taxation, and confer 
        investigatory duties, respectively.
18. See, for example, 112 Cong. Rec. 1762, 1763, 89th Cong. 2d Sess., 
        Feb. 2, 1966, for a motion to recommit a resolution directing 
        the Speaker to certify to a U.S. Attorney a contempt citation 
        against Robert M. Shelton allegedly of the Ku Klux Klan, to a 
        select committee of seven members appointed by the Speaker to 
        examine the sufficiency of these citations in light of relevant 
        judicial decisions.
19. See, for example, 114 Cong. Rec. 21012-31, 90th Cong. 2d Sess., 
        July 12, 1968, for House approval of H.J. Res. 1, establishing 
        a joint committee to investigate crime. The final action in the 
        Senate was referral to the Committee on the Judiciary.
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[[Page 2282]]

concurrent resolution,(20) or rule of the 
House.(1)

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20. See, for example, 91 Cong. Rec. 346-350, 79th Cong. 1st Sess., Jan. 
        18, 1945, for House approval of H. Con. Res. 18, establishing 
        the Joint Committee on the Organization of the Congress. This 
        measure was amended by the Senate at 91 Cong. Rec. 1010, 79th 
        Cong. 1st Sess., Feb. 12, 1945; the House concurred in the 
        Senate amendments at 91 Cong. Rec. 1272-74, 79th Cong. 1st 
        Sess., Feb. 19, 1945.
 1. See Rule XI clauses 2(b), 11(b), and 19 (c), House Rules and Manual 
        Sec. Sec. 679, 703A, and 720 (1973), authorizing the Committees 
        on Appropriations, Internal Security, and Standards of Official 
        Conduct, respectively, to conduct investigations and studies.
            Note: Recent changes in Rule XI and in the procedure for 
        authorizing investigations by rule will be discussed in 
        supplements to this edition as they appear. Meanwhile, see 
        Rules X and XI, House Rules and Manual (1975 and 1977) for 
        discussion of changes in investigating, oversight, and subpena 
        authorities of standing committees since the 93d Congress.
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    The determination of whether a particular investigation is within 
the scope of the congressional power, or whether procedural 
requirements of the investigation have been met, may be important when 
such questions as the alleged contempt of witnesses arise. Thus, courts 
have held that persons may not be convicted of contumacy arising out of 
an investigation which the House lacked authority to conduct. Subjects 
that have, in this context, been held not to be proper matters for 
legislative action have included the withdrawal of congressional 
consent to establish a bi-state compact, the port of New York 
authority.(2) Similarly, courts have refused to convict a 
witness for contumacy arising out of a subcommittee investigation of 
Communist activities in the field of labor, where such investigation 
had not been approved by a majority of the parent Committee on 
UnAmerican Activities as was required by the committee 
rule.(3) In another instance, the authorizing resolution was 
construed not to sanction the investigation of ac

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 2. See Tobin v United States, 306 F2d 270 (D.C. cir. 1962); cert. 
        denied, 371 U.S. 902 (1962) which held that the express 
        reservation of Congress' right ``to alter, amend or repeal'' 
        its initial consent granted in 1921 could not be implied from 
        art. I, Sec. 10 clause 3 of the Constitution which provides 
        that no state shall without the consent of Congress enter into 
        any agreement or compact with another state.
 3. Gojack v United States, 384 U.S. 702 (1966).
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[[Page 2283]]

tivities of a lobbyist that were related to his efforts to influence 
public opinion by the distribution of literature, and that were 
unrelated to any representations made by him to Congress.(4)

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 4. United States v Rumely, 345 U.S. 543 (1952). See Sec. 1.5, infra, 
        for the resolution establishing a select committee to 
        investigate lobbying activities.
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    Discussed in ensuing sections are particular subjects on which 
Congress may legislate and appropriate and which are therefore proper 
matters for investigation; (5) inquiries directed to the 
executive branch; (6) procedures for investigative hearings; 
(7) and things incidental to the authority to investigate, 
such as the power to punish witnesses for contempt.(8)
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 5. See Sec. Sec. 1.1-1.46, infra.
 6. See Sec. Sec. 2-5, infra.
 7. See Sec. Sec. 6-16, infra.
 8. See Sec. Sec. 17-22, infra.
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    Principles affecting the investigation of certain specific subjects 
have been treated in other chapters. These subjects include 
impeachment; (9) election contests; (10) conduct 
of Members; (11) and qualification and disqualification of 
Members.(12) In addition, the broad subject of committee 
structure and procedures is treated elsewhere.(13)
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 9. See Ch. 14, supra.
10. See Ch. 9, supra.
11. See Ch. 12, supra.
12. See Ch. 7, supra.
13. See Ch. 17. infra.
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                         Collateral References
Barth, Alan, Government by Investigation, Viking Press, New York 
    (1955).
The Constitution of the United States of America, Analysis and 
    Interpretation, S. Doc. No. 92-82, 92d Cong. 2d Sess., pp. 79-81, 
    83-86 (1972).
De Grazia, Alfred, ed., Congress: The First Branch of Government, 
    American Enterprise Institute for Public Policy Research, 
    Washington, D.C. (1966).
Dimock, Marshall Edward, Congressional Investigating Committees, AMS 
    Press, New York, 1971 (reprint of a 1928 work).
Frantz, Laurent, Wilkinson, Braden, and Deutch: The Legislative 
    Investigation Case, 21 Law in Transition (continuation of National 
    Lawyer's Guild Rev.) 219 (1962).
Landis, Constitutional Limitations on the Congressional Power of 
    Investigation, 40 Harv. L. Rev. 153 (1926).
Levi, Edward H., et al., Congressional Investigations, A Symposium, 18 
    U. of Chic. L. Rev. 421 (1951).
McGreary, M. Nelson, The Development of Congressional Investigative 
    Power, Octagon Books, Inc. (1966).
McKay, R. B., Congressional Investigations and the Supreme Court, 51 
    Cal. L. Rev. 276 (1963).
Moreland, Allen B., Congressional Investigations and Private Persons, 
    40 So. Cal. L. Rev. 189 (1967).
Newman, Frank C., Supreme Court, Congressional Investigations and 
    Influence

[[Page 2284]]

    Peddling, N. Y. U. L. Rev. 796 June (1958).
Senate Committee on the Judiciary, Congressional Power of 
    Investigation, S. Doc. No. 99, 82d Cong. 2d Sess. (1954).
Shapiro, M., Judicial Review: Political Reality and Legislative 
    Purpose: The Supreme Court's Supervision of Congressional 
    Investigations, 15 Vand. L. Rev. 535 (1962).
Taylor, Telford, Grand Inquest: The Story of Congressional 
    Investigations, Simon and Schuster, New York (1955).
Warren, W. C., Congressional Investigations: Some Observations, 21 
    Food, Drug, Cosm. L. Jour. 40 
    (1966)                          -------------------

Privacy, Human Values, and Democratic Institutions

Sec. 1.1 Form of resolution establishing select committee. The House 
    rejected a resolution establishing a select committee to 
    investigate privacy, human values, and democratic institutions.

    On Feb. 8, 1972,(14) the House rejected a resolution 
(called up as privileged by direction of the Committee on Rules) 
establishing a select committee. The proceedings were as follows:
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14. 118 Cong. Rec. 3181-3200, 92d Cong. 2d Sess. The resolution was 
        reported on May 19, 1971 (H. Rept. No. 218).
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        Mr. [Ray J.] Madden [of Indiana]: Mr. Speaker, by direction of 
    the Committee on Rules, I call up House Resolution 164 and ask for 
    its immediate consideration.
        The Clerk read the resolution as follows:

                                  H. Res. 164

            Whereas the development of technology is advancing at an 
        unparalleled rate of speed and is rapidly coming to affect 
        every level of American life; and
            Whereas the operations of industry and Government are 
        coming more and more to rely on highly sophisticated computer 
        technology to assist them in their operations; and
            Whereas the full significance and the effects of technology 
        on society and on the operations of industry and Government are 
        largely unknown; and
            Whereas computers and other technological innovations aid 
        in the gathering and centralization of massive information of 
        all kinds of individuals and, consequently, call into question 
        the effect of technology on the right of privacy; and
            Whereas Congress needs a committee ready and able to 
        evaluate the effects of technology on the operations of 
        Government, on the democratic institutions and processes basic 
        to the United States, and on the basic human and civil rights 
        of our citizens: Now, therefore, be it
            Resolved, That there is hereby created a select committee 
        to be known as the Select Committee on Privacy, Human Values, 
        and Democratic Institutions to be composed of nine Members of 
        the House of Representatives to be appointed by the Speaker, 
        one of whom he shall designate as chairman. Any vacancy 
        occurring in the membership of the committee shall be filled in 
        the same manner in which the original appointment was made.
            The committee is authorized and directed to conduct a full 
        and com

[[Page 2285]]

        plete investigation and study of the development and 
        proliferation of technology in American society, including the 
        role and effectiveness of computer technology in the operations 
        of industry and Government, the consequences of using computers 
        to solve social questions which traditionally have been 
        addressed without the assistance of computers and other 
        machines, and the effects of technology and machines on 
        democratic institutions and processes. The committee shall also 
        study the use of computers and other technical instruments in 
        gathering and centralizing information on individuals and the 
        effect of such activity on the human and civil rights.
            For the purpose of carrying out this resolution the 
        committee, or any subcommittee thereof authorized by the 
        committee to hold hearings, is authorized to sit and act during 
        the present Congress at such times and places and within the 
        United States, including any Commonwealth or possession 
        thereof, whether the House is in session, has recessed, or has 
        adjourned, to hold such hearings, and to require, by subpoena 
        or otherwise, the attendance and testimony of such witnesses 
        and the production of such books, records, correspondence, 
        memorandums, papers, and documents, as it deems necessary; 
        except that neither the committee nor any subcommittee thereof 
        may sit while the House is meeting unless special leave to sit 
        shall have been obtained from the House. Subpoenas may be 
        issued under the signature of the chairman of the committee or 
        any member of the committee designated by him, and may be 
        served by any person designated by such chairman or member.
            The committee shall report to the House as soon as 
        practicable during the present Congress the results of its 
        investigation and study, together with such recommendations as 
        it deems advisable. Any such report which is made when the 
        House is not in session shall be filed with the Clerk of the 
        House.

        With the following committee amendment:

            On page 3, line 5: Strike the words ``act during the'' and 
        insert ``act, subject to clause 31 of Rule XI of the Rules of 
        the House of Representatives, during the''.

        The committee amendment was agreed to. . . .
        Mr. Madden: Mr. Speaker, I move the previous question on the 
    resolution.
        The previous question was ordered.
        The Speaker: (15) The question is on the resolution.
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15. Carl Albert (Okla.).
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        Mr. [Fletcher] Thompson of Georgia: Mr. Speaker, on that I 
    demand the yeas and nays.
        The yeas and nays were ordered. . . .
        The question was taken; and there were--yeas 168, nays 216, not 
    voting 47 . . . .
        So the resolution was rejected.

Congressional Operations and Practices

Sec. 1.2 The House established a select committee to investigate House 
    Rules X and XI, which relate to the structure, jurisdiction, and 
    procedure of committees.

    On Jan. 31, 1973,(16)  the House by a vote of yeas 282 
to nays 91

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16. 119 Cong. Rec. 2812-16, 93d Cong. 1st Sess. The resolution was 
        reported on Jan. 30, 1973 (H. Rept. No. 2).
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[[Page 2286]]

agreed to House Resolution 132, reported from the Committee on Rules, 
creating a select committee to study the operation and implementation 
of Rules X and XI, focusing on committee structure, number and optimum 
size of committees, their jurisdiction, number of subcommittees, 
committee rules and procedures, media coverage of meetings, staffing, 
space, equipment, and other committee facilities.

    Parliamentarian's Note: Consideration of House Resolution 132 was 
provided for by the adoption of House Resolution 176 [119 Cong. Rec. 
2804, 93d Cong. 1st Sess.], called up by direction of the Committee on 
Rules. Since House Resolution 132 would not have been privileged 
(because it contained provisions affecting contingent funds), House 
Resolution 176 provided for the immediate consideration of House 
Resolution 132, debate to be controlled by the Committee on Rules and 
the previous question considered as ordered.

Sec. 1.3 The House agreed to a resolution creating a special committee 
    to investigate and report on campaign expenditures and practices by 
    candidates for the House.

    On Aug. 4, 1970,(17)  the House by voice vote approved 
House Resolution 1062, authorizing the Speaker to appoint a special 
committee to investigate and report to the House on candidate 
expenditures and donations of services and funds received as well as 
violations of election laws. The resolution was called up by Mr. Thomas 
P. O'Neill, Jr., of Massachusetts, who referred to it as authorizing 
the biennial special committee to investigate campaign expenditure.'' 
(18) 
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17. 116 Cong. Rec. 27125, 27126, 91st Cong. 2d Sess. The resolution was 
        reported on June 11, 1970 (H. Rept. No. 1187) from the 
        Committee on Rules.
18. See also 112 Cong. Rec. 19079-81, 89th Cong. 2d Sess., Aug. 11, 
        1966; and 90 Cong. Rec. 6392, 6393-98, 78th Cong. 2d Sess., 
        June 21, 1944, for other examples of voice vote approvals of H. 
        Res. 929 and 551, respectively, creating special committees to 
        investigate campaign expenditures.
            Parliamentarian's Note: Since the 93d Congress, the special 
        committee has not been reconstituted. On Aug. 21, 1974, the 
        House agreed to H. Res. 737, a privileged resolution reported 
        from the Committee on Rules, authorizing the Committee on House 
        Administration to conduct investigations within its 
        jurisdiction (including elections of Members) and authorizing 
        that committee to issue subpenas. 120 Cong. Rec. 29653, 29654, 
        93d Cong. 2d Sess.

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[[Page 2287]]

Sec. 1.4 The House established a select committee to study and 
    investigate the welfare and education of congressional pages.

    On Sept. 30, 1964,(19)  the House by voice vote approved 
House Resolution 847 (called up as privileged by direction of the 
Committee on Rules), to create a select committee to investigate the 
welfare and education of congressional pages including dining, 
recreational, educational, and physical training facilities and 
opportunities as well as rates of pay, hours of work, and other working 
conditions.
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19. 110 Cong. Rec. 23187, 23188, 88th Cong. 2d Sess. The resolution was 
        reported on Sept. 16, 1964 (H. Rept. No. 1887).
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Sec.  1.5 The House established a select committee to investigate 
    lobbying activities.

    On Aug. 12, 1949,(20) , the House by voice vote approved 
House Resolution 298 (called up as privileged by direction of the 
Committee on Rules), creating a select committee of seven members to 
investigate all lobbying activities and all activities of federal 
agencies intended to influence, encourage, promote, or retard 
legislation.
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20. 95 Cong. Rec. 11385-89, 81st Cong. 1st Sess. The resolution was 
        reported on Aug. 3, 1949 (H. Rept. No. 1185).
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Structure and Operation of the Executive Branch

Sec.  1.6 The House established a select committee to study executive 
    agencies.

    On Apr. 29, 1936,(1)  the House by a roll call vote of 
yeas 269 to nays 44 approved House Resolution 460 (called up as 
privileged by direction of the Committee on Rules), authorizing the 
Speaker to appoint a select committee of five members to study 
activities of executive departments, bureaus, boards, commissions, and 
agencies to determine whether any of these agencies should be abolished 
or coordinated with other agencies in the interest of simplification, 
efficiency, and economy.
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 1. 80 Cong. Rec. 6375, 6376, 6385, 6386, 74th Cong. 2d Sess. The 
        resolution was reported on Apr. 28, 1936 (H. Rept. No. 2504).
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    This resolution, called up by Mr. John J. O'Connor, of New York, 
had been requested by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, in a Mar. 20, 
1936, letter to Speaker Joseph W. Byrns, of Tennessee, seeking 
cooperation of the House in incorporating agencies created during the 
depression into the regular executive organization.(2) 
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 2. See 80 Cong. Rec. 6376, 74th Cong. 2d Sess., for the text of this 
        letter.

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[[Page 2288]]

Sec. 1.7 The House established a special committee to investigate acts 
    of executive agencies.

    On Feb. 11, 1943,(3)  the House by a roll call vote of 
yeas 294 to nays 50, approved House Resolution 102 (called up as 
privileged by direction of the Committee on Rules), establishing a 
special committee of five members to investigate any action, rule, 
procedure, regulation, order, or directive taken or promulgated by any 
department or independent agency of the federal government where 
complaint is made that any action or rule (1) is beyond the scope of 
the department or agency, (2) invades constitutional rights, 
privileges, or immunities of citizens, or (3) inflicts penalties for 
noncompliance without an opportunity to present a 
defense.(4) 
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 3. 89 Cong Rec. 872, 883, 884, 78th Cong. 1st Sess. The resolution was 
        reported on Feb. 8, 1943 (H. Rept. No. 104).
 4. Authority to continue this subcommittee was granted by a roll call 
        vote of yeas 254 to nays 55 on H. Res. 88, on Jan. 18, 1945. 91 
        Cong. Rec. 344-346, 79th Cong. 1st Sess.
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Sec. 1.8 The House rejected a resolution establishing a select 
    committee to investigate the transfer of certain government 
    agencies and bureaus from the District of Columbia.

    On July 15, 1941,(5)  the House by a vote of yeas 72 to 
nays 204, rejected House Resolution 257 (called up as privileged by 
direction of the Committee on Rules), creating a select committee of 
five members to investigate the feasibility and desirability of 
transfer-ring any government agencies and bureaus to locations outside 
the District of Columbia and to investigate the location, extent, and 
cost of office space and other facilities rented by the various federal 
departments, bureaus, and agencies within and without the District of 
Columbia.
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 5. 87 Cong. Rec. 6073, 6082, 6083, 77th Cong. 1st Sess. The resolution 
        was reported on July 10, 1941 (H. Rept. No. 932).
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Specific Agencies

Sec. 1.9 The House approved a resolution establishing a select 
    committee to investigate the organization, personnel, and 
    activities of the Federal Communications Commission.

    On Jan. 19, 1943,(6)  the House by voice vote approved 
House Res

[[Page 2289]]

olution 21 (called up as privileged by direction of the Committee on 
Rules), establishing a select committee of five members to determine 
whether the Federal Communications Commission acted in accordance with 
law and the public interest in its organization, selection of 
personnel, and conduct of its activities.
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 6. 89 Cong. Rec. 233, 235, 78th Cong. 1st Sess. The resolution was 
        reported on Jan. 18, 1943 (H. Rept. No. 8).
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Sec. 1.10 The House established a select committee to investigate 
    activities of the Farm Security Administration.

    On Mar. 18, 1943,(7)  the House by voice vote approved 
House Resolution 119 (called up as privileged by direction of the 
Committee on Rules), creating a select committee to investigate 
activities of the Farm Security Administration to determine whether 
congressional policies were being followed.(8) 
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 7. 89 Cong. Rec. 2194, 78th Cong. 1st Sess. The resolution was 
        reported on Mar. 11, 1945 (H. Rept. No. 241).
 8. See 89 Cong. Rec. 1859, 78th Cong. 1st Sess., for text of the 
        resolution.
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Sec. 1.11 The House established a select committee to investigate the 
    financial position of the White County Bridge Commission.

    On May 25, 1955,(9)  the House by a roll call vote of 
yeas 205 to nays 166, approved House Resolution 244 (called up as 
privileged by direction of the Committee on Rules), creating a select 
committee of three members to investigate and study the White County 
Bridge Commission, established by Public Law 37 of the 77th Congress, 
to ascertain whether that bridge, located near New Harmony, Ind., 
should be toll free, and to study receipts and expenditures of the 
commission since it was established in 1941.
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 9. 101 Cong. Rec. 7036, 7043, 7044, 84th Cong. 1st Sess. The 
        resolution was reported on May 24, 1955 (H. Rept. No. 614).
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Sec. 1.12 The House approved a resolution establishing a select 
    committee to investigate the National Labor Relations Board.

    On July 20, 1939,(10)  the House on a roll call vote of 
254 yeas to 134 nays approved House Resolution 258 (called up as 
privileged by direction of the Committee on Rules), establishing a 
select committee of five members to investigate the fairness of the 
National Labor Relations Board in its dealings with labor organizations 
and employers; the effect of the National Labor Relations Act on 
disputes between employers and em

[[Page 2290]]

ployees, on employment, and on general economic conditions; the 
desirability of amendments to the National Labor Relations Act; whether 
the Board has attempted to write into the National Labor Relations Act 
intents and purposes not justified by the act; and the need for 
legislation further to define and clarify the meaning of the term 
``interstate commerce'' and the relationship between employers and 
employees.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
10. 84 Cong. Rec. 9582, 9592, 9593, 76th Cong. 1st Sess. The resolution 
        was reported on July 18, 1939 (H. Rept. No. 1215).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Economics

Sec. 1.13 The House rejected a resolution creating a special committee 
    to study prices paid for the necessities of life.

    On June 27, 1941,(11)  the House by a roll call vote of 
yeas 100 to nays 200, rejected House Resolution 212 (called up as 
privileged by direction of the Committee on Rules), to establish a 
select committee of five members to study prices paid for the 
necessities of life, and various problems facing purchasers of goods in 
the markets of the country.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
11. 87 Cong. Rec. 5624, 5634, 77th Cong. 1st Sess. The resolution was 
        reported on June 24, 1941 (H. Rept. No. 848).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sec. 1.14 The House established a special committee known as the 
    Committee on Post-War Economic Policy and Planning.

    On Jan. 26, 1944,(12)  the House by voice vote approved 
House Resolution 408 (called up as privileged by direction of the 
Committee on Rules), creating a special committee of 18 members to 
investigate all matters relating to post-war economic policy and 
programs; to gather and study information, plans, and suggestions; and 
to report to the House periodically.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
12. 90 Cong. Rec. 753, 762, 763, 78th Cong. 2d Sess. The resolution was 
        reported on Jan. 25, 1944 (H. Rept. No. 1021).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sec. 1.15 The House established a select committee to investigate 
    supplies and shortages of food, particularly meat.

    On Mar. 27, 1945,(13)  the House on a roll call vote of 
292 yeas to 7 nays approved House Resolution 195 (called up as 
privileged by direction of the Committee on Rules), creating a select 
committee to investigate shortages of food, particularly civilian meat 
supplies; factors relating to production and distribution of essential 
foodstuffs, particularly meat;

---------------------------------------------------------------------------
13. 91 Cong. Rec. 2862, 2863, 79th Cong. 1st Sess. The resolution was 
        reported on Mar. 21, 1945 (H. Rept. No. 356).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 2291]]

the presence of black markets in all kinds of meat; and the diversion 
of meat from normal, legitimate commercial channels of 
trade.(14) 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------
14. See 91 Cong. Rec. 2784, 79th Cong. 1st Sess., Mar. 26, 1945, for 
        text of this resolution.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sec. 1.16 The House established a select committee to investigate 
    newsprint supplies.


    On Feb. 26, 1947,(15)  the House by a roll call vote of 
yeas 269 to nays 100, approved House Resolution 58 (called up as 
privileged by direction of the Committee on Rules), creating a select 
committee to study and investigate the need for adequate American 
supplies of newsprint, printing and wrapping paper, paper products, 
paper pulp and pulpwood; possible means of increasing these supplies by 
domestic production or import; and the assistance that could be 
rendered by American agencies or officers to increase supplies.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
15. 93 Cong. Rec. 1457, 1458, 1465, 80th Cong. 1st Sess. The resolution 
        was reported on Feb. 18, 1947 (H. Rept. No. 41).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sec. 1.17 The House established a select committee to investigate 
    transactions on commodity exchanges.

    On Dec. 18, 1947,(16)  the House by voice vote approved 
House Resolution 403 (called up as privileged by direction of the 
Committee on Rules), creating a select committee to investigate 
purchases and sales of commodities, including any activities of federal 
departments and agencies which have affected or may affect food prices 
as well as private acts and official activities of federal authorities 
in connection with the purchase or sale of other commodities.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
16. 93 Cong. Rec. 11640, 11648, 80th Cong. 1st Sess. The resolution was 
        reported on Dec. 17, 1947 (H. Rept. No. 1221).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sec. 1.18 The House established a select committee to investigate the 
    disposition of surplus property.

    On May 9, 1946,(17)  the House by voice vote approved 
House Resolution 385 (called up as privileged by direction of the 
Committee on Rules),(18)  creating a se

[[Page 2292]]

lect committee to study and investigate contracts entered into between 
the United States and purchasers and lessees of surplus real and 
personal property; methods by which such contracts were awarded and 
opportunities to bid on the contracts; the effects of this program of 
disposition; the disposition of surplus outside the United States; the 
advisability of governmental operation of facilities and the effect of 
governmental competition with private business in such operations; the 
adequacy or inadequacy of present statutes; and other matters deemed 
appropriate by the committee.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
17. 92 Cong. Rec. 4750, 79th Cong. 2d Sess. The resolution was reported 
        on Apr. 9, 1946 (H. Rept. No. 1889).
18. See 92 Cong. Rec. 4568, 79th Cong. 2d Sess., May 7, 1946, for the 
        text of this resolution, and for discussion of the division of 
        time for debate. In this instance, the Chairman of the 
        Committee on Rules obtained unanimous consent to provide an 
        additional hour for debate. Since the chairman was opposed to 
        the resolution and had made the request in the absence of the 
        Member in charge of the resolution, some discussion ensued as 
        to the effect of the request in the circumstances.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Small Business

Sec. 1.19 The House established a select committee to investigate and 
    study war-time problems of small business.

    On Jan. 18, 1945,(19)  the House by voice vote approved 
House Resolution 64 (called up as privileged by direction of the 
Committee on Rules), creating a select committee of nine members to 
investigate and study the problems of small business arising because of 
World War II, with particular reference to (1) whether the 
potentialities of small business were being adequately developed and 
utilized and, if not, what factors hindered development; (2) whether 
adequate consideration was being given to small business needs; (3) 
whether small business was being treated fairly; and (4) the need for a 
sound program for the solution of post-war problems of small 
business.(20) 
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
19. 91 Cong. Rec. 337, 341, 79th Cong. 1st Sess. The resolution was 
        reported on Jan. 16, 1945 (H. Rept. No. 21).
20. The nine-member Select Committee on Small Business with the same 
        jurisdiction was created on Jan. 22, 1943, by voice vote 
        approval of H. Res. 18. 89 Cong. Rec. 309, 310, 317, 78th Cong. 
        1st Sess.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sec. 1.20 The House established a select committee to investigate 
    problems of small business.

    On Feb. 5, 1969,(1)  the House by voice vote approved 
House Resolution 66 (called up as privileged by direction of the 
Committee on Rules), creating a select committee of 15 members to 
investigate problems affecting small business, including impediments to 
normal operations, growth, and development; administration of federal 
laws; and adequacy of gov

[[Page 2293]]

ernment service to the needs of small business.(2) 
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 1. 115 Cong. Rec. 2778, 91st Cong. 1st Sess. The resolution was 
        reported on Jan. 23, 1969 (H. Rept. No. 7).
 2. See also, for example, 113 Cong. Rec. 2148-50, 90th Cong. 1st 
        Sess., Feb. 1, 1967, in which the House by voice vote approved 
        H. Res. 53, establishing a select committee to investigate 
        problems of small business and providing the same jurisdiction 
        as would H. Res. 66, of the 91st Congress. Authority for a 
        select committee on small business had been granted biennially 
        since 1941 (H. Res. 294, 77th Congress).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Parliamentarian's Note: After adopting the rules for the 92d 
Congress on Jan. 22, 1971,(3) establishing the permanent 
Select Committee on Small Business (Rule X clause 3) the House by voice 
vote approved House Resolution 19 (called up as privileged by direction 
of the Committee on Rules), which dealt with the size of the committee, 
conferred subpena power, and authorized domestic travel.(4) 
Beginning in the 94th Congress, the Committee on Small Business became 
a standing committee of the House (see Rule X clause 1(s), House Rules 
and Manual, 1975).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 3. 117 Cong. Rec. 143, 144, 92d Cong. 1st Sess. See 117 Cong. Rec. 14, 
        92d Cong. 1st Sess., Jan. 21, 1971, for the text of H. Res. 5, 
        relating to adoption of the rules.
 4. See 117 Cong. Rec. 4593-95, 92d Cong. 1st Sess., Mar. 2, 1971, for 
        the text of and vote on H. Res. 19.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Taxation

Sec. 1.21 The House established a special committee to investigate tax-
    exempt foundations.

    On July 27, 1953,(5) the House by a roll call vote of 
yeas 209 to nays 163, approved House Resolution 217 (called up as 
privileged by direction of the Committee on Rules), creating a special 
committee to investigate and study tax-exempt educational and 
philanthropic foundations to determine whether their funds were being 
used for the purposes for which they were established, or for un-
American and subversive activities, propaganda, attempts to influence 
legislation, or other political purposes.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 5. 99 Cong. Rec. 10015, 10030, 83d Cong. 1st Sess. The resolution was 
        reported on July 13, 1953 (H. Rept. No. 773).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sec. 1.22 The House substituted the Committee on Ways and Means for a 
    select committee to investigate duplication and overlapping of 
    taxes.

    On Sept. 27, 1951,(6) the House, after voice vote 
adoption of a Committee on Rules amendment substituting the Committee 
on Ways and Means for a select com

---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 6. 97 Cong. Rec. 12263, 12265, 82d Cong. 1st Sess. H. Res. 414 was 
        reported from the Committee on Rules on Sept. 26, 1951 (H. 
        Rept. No. 1056), and subsequently called up as privileged.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 2294]]

mittee of five members to investigate means and methods of eliminating 
overlapping between and duplication of sources of federal, state, and 
local taxes, approved House Resolution 414 authorizing such 
investigation by voice vote.

Domestic Military Activities

Sec. 1.23 The House established the select committee to investigate the 
    seizure of property of Montgomery Ward & Co.

    On May 5, 1944,(7) the House by a roll call vote of yeas 
300 to nays 60, approved House Resolution 521 (called up as privileged 
by direction of the Committee on Rules), creating a select committee of 
seven members to investigate the seizure by the Army of property of 
Montgomery Ward & Co., on Apr. 26, 1944, pursuant to Executive Order 
No. 9438.(8)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 7. 90 Cong. Rec. 4047, 4069, 4070, 78th Cong. 2d Sess. The resolution 
        was reported on May 2, 1944 (H. Rept. No. 1410).
 8. See Public Papers and Addresses of Franklin D. Roosevelt, 1944, 
        1945, Harper and Brothers Publishers (N.Y.), note p. 453, for a 
        discussion of this and other executive orders to seize property 
        of Montgomery Ward & Co.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Military Preparedness

Sec. 1.24 The House established a select committee known as the 
    Committee on Post-War Military Policy.

    On Mar. 28, 1944,(9) the House by voice vote created a 
select committee of 23 members to investigate all matters relating to 
post-war military requirements of the United States, to gather and 
study information, plans, and suggestions, and to report findings and 
conclusions to the House.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 9. 90 Cong. Rec. 3199, 3207, 78th Cong. 2d Sess. See H. Res. 465 
        (called up as privileged by the Committee on Rules. The 
        resolution was reported on Mar. 24, 1944 (H. Rept. No. 1286).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sec. 1.25 After defeating the motion for the previous question, the 
    House laid on the table a resolution reported by the Committee on 
    Rules to create a special committee to investigate national 
    defense.

    On Mar. 11, 1941,(10) after defeating the motion for the 
previous question, the House by voice vote laid on the table House 
Resolution 120 (called up as privileged by direction of the Committee 
on Rules), creating a select committee to investigate all federal 
activities relating to the national

---------------------------------------------------------------------------
10. 87 Cong. Rec. 2182, 2189, 2190, 77th Cong. 1st Sess. The resolution 
        was reported on Mar. 10, 1941 (H. Rept. No. 222).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 2295]]

defense and to prepare, compile, and analyze data pertinent thereto to 
enable Congress to determine the need for appropriations or further 
legislation facilitating or abolishing any such activities.

Foreign Military Operations and Foreign Affairs

Sec. 1.26 The House agreed to a resolution establishing a select 
    committee to travel to Southeast Asia, investigate all aspects of 
    American military involvement there, and report back to the House 
    within 45 days.

    On June 8, 1970,(11) the House by a vote of 224 yeas to 
101 nays approved House Resolution 976 (called up as privileged by 
direction of the Committee on Rules), directing the Speaker to appoint 
a select committee of 12 members, including two from the Committee on 
Armed Services, two from the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and eight 
from the House at large, to travel to Southeast Asia to investigate all 
aspects of American military involvement and report to the House within 
45 days.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
11. 116 Cong. Rec. 18656-71, 91st Cong. 2d Sess. The resolution was 
        reported on June 4, 1970 (H. Rept. No. 1160).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sec. 1.27 The House established a select committee to investigate the 
    Katyn Forest massacre.

    On Sept. 18, 1951,(12) the House by voice vote approved 
House Resolution 390 (called up as privileged by direction of the 
Committee on Rules), creating a select committee of seven members to 
study and investigate the facts, evidence, and extenuating 
circumstances relating to the massacre of thousands of Polish officers 
buried in a mass grave in the Katyn Forest on the banks of the Dnieper, 
near Smolensk, when it was a Nazi-occupied territory formerly 
controlled by the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
12. 97 Cong. Rec. 11545, 11554, 82d Cong. 1st Sess. The resolution was 
        reported on Aug. 16, 1951 (H. Rept. No. 885).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sec. 1.28 The House established a select committee to investigate the 
    seizure of Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia by the Union of Soviet 
    Socialist Republics.

    On July 27, 1953,(13) the House by voice vote approved 
House Resolution 346 (called up as privileged by direction of the 
Committee on Rules), creating a select committee to study and inves

[[Page 2296]]

tigate the seizure and forced incorporation of Lithuania, Latvia, and 
Estonia by the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics and the treatment of 
the people in such areas during and following the seizure and 
incorporation.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
13. 99 Cong. Rec. 10031, 10037, 83d Cong. 1st Sess. The resolution was 
        reported on July 23, 1953 (H. Rept No. 903).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Veterans' Benefits

Sec. 1.29 The House established a select committee to investigate 
    alleged abuses in the education and training program for World War 
    II veterans.

    On Aug. 28, 1950,(14) the House by voice vote approved 
House Resolution 474 (called up as privileged by direction of the 
Committee on Rules), creating a select committee of nine members to 
investigate and study alleged abuses in the education and training 
program for World War II veterans, and action taken or not taken by the 
Veterans' Administration and state authorities to prevent abuses under 
the Servicemen's Readjustment Act, as amended.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
14. 96 Cong. Rec. 13629, 13632, 81st Cong. 2d Sess. The resolution was 
        reported on Aug. 16, 1950 (H. Rept. No. 2927).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sec. 1.30 The House established a select committee to investigate 
    education, training, and loan guaranty programs for veterans.

    On Feb. 2, 1951,(15) the House by voice vote approved 
House Resolution 93 (called up as privileged by direction of the 
Committee on Rules), creating a select committee of nine members to 
investigate, study, and evaluate alleged abuses in education, training, 
and loan guaranty programs for World War II veterans, and the action 
taken or not taken by the Veterans' Administration and state agencies 
to prevent abuses arising under the national service life insurance 
program (38 USC Sec. 701).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
15. 97 Cong. Rec. 876, 82d Cong. 1st Sess. The resolution was reported 
        on Jan. 29, 1951 (H. Rept. No. 19).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sec. 1.31 The House established a select committee to investigate and 
    study the benefits under federal law for the survivors of deceased 
    members of the armed forces.

    On Feb. 2, 1955,(16) the House by voice vote approved 
House Resolution 35 (called up as privileged by direction of the 
Committee on Rules), creating a select committee of five members to 
investigate federal benefits for sur

---------------------------------------------------------------------------
16. 101 Cong. Rec. 1079-81, 84th Cong. 1st Sess. The resolution was 
        reported on Jan. 31, 1955 (H. Rept. No. 13).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 2297]]

vivors of members and former members of the armed forces.

Un-American Activities

Sec. 1.32 The House established a special committee to investigate un-
    American propaganda activities.

    On May 26, 1938,(17) the House by voice vote approved 
House Resolution 282 (called up as privileged by direction of the 
Committee on Rules), authorizing the Speaker to appoint a special 
committee of seven members to investigate un-American propaganda 
activities in the United States, domestic diffusion of such propaganda, 
and all other questions relating thereto.(18)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
17. 83 Cong. Rec. 7568, 7586, 75th Cong. 3d Sess. The resolution was 
        reported on May 10, 1938 (H. Rept. No. 2319).
18. Authority for the select committee to investigate un-American 
        propaganda with the same jurisdiction as the above resolution 
        was continued, by subsequent privileged resolutions reported 
        from the Committee on Rules, as follows: by roll call vote of 
        302 yeas to 94 nays, on H. Res. 65 on Feb. 10, 1943 (89 Cong. 
        Rec. 795, 809, 810, 78th Cong. 1st Sess.); 331 yeas to 46 nays, 
        on H. Res. 420 on Mar. 11, 1942 (88 Cong. Rec. 2282, 2297, 77th 
        Cong. 2d Sess.); 354 yeas to 6 nays, on H. Res. 90 on Feb. 11, 
        1941 (87 Cong. Rec. 886-899, 77th Cong. 1st Sess.); 344 yeas to 
        21 nays, on H. Res. 321 on Jan. 23, 1940 (86 Cong. Rec. 572, 
        604, 605, 76th Cong. 3d Sess.); and 344 yeas to 35 nays, on H. 
        Res. 26 on Feb. 3, 1939 (84 Cong. Rec. 1098, 1127, 1128, 76th 
        Cong. 1st Sess.). An amendment to the rules, contained in H. 
        Res. 5, established the standing Committee on Un-American 
        Activities on Jan. 3, 1945 (91 Cong. Rec. 10-15, 79th Cong. 1st 
        Sess.). The Committee on Internal Security, established on Feb. 
        18, 1969 (115 Cong. Rec. 3723, 3746, 91st Cong. 1st Sess.) by 
        approval on a vote of 306 yeas to 80 nays, of H. Res. 89, 
        reported as privileged from the Committee on Rules, assumed the 
        jurisdiction of the Committee on Un-American Activities. 
        Commencing with the 94th Congress, the Committee on Internal 
        Security was abolished and its jurisdiction, files and staff 
        transferred to the Committee on the Judiciary (see Rule X 
        clause 1(m), House Rules and Manual, 1975).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sec. 1.33 The House tabled a resolution to create a special committee 
    to investigate un-American activities.

    On Apr. 8, 1937,(19) the House on a division vote of 
yeas 184 to nays 38, laid on the table House Resolution 88 (called up 
as privileged by direction of the Committee on Rules), creating a 
special committee of seven members

---------------------------------------------------------------------------
19. 81 Cong. Rec. 3283, 3290, 75th Cong. 1st Sess. The resolution was 
        reported on Apr. 1, 1937 (H. Rept. No. 534).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 2298]]

to investigate organizations or groups of individuals operating within 
the United States which diffuse slanderous or libelous un-American 
propaganda of a religious, racial, or subversive nature tending to 
incite to the use of force and violence; and to investigate the extent 
and use of United States mail and postal services for the diffusion of 
these materials.

    Parliamentarian's Note: The House had previously created the 
Special Committee to Investigate Communist Activities, chaired by 
Hamilton Fish, Jr., of New York, and the Special Committee on Un-
American Activities, chaired by John W. McCormack, of Massachusetts, in 
1930 and 1934, respectively. Authority for each of these special 
committees had expired at the time House Resolution 88 was 
introduced.(20)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
20. See the remarks of Mr. Lindsay C. Warren (N.C.), at 81 Cong. Rec. 
        3287, 76th Cong. 1st Sess., Apr. 8, 1937.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Scientific Activities

Sec. 1.34 The House established the Select Committee on Astronautics 
    and Space Exploration.

    On Mar. 5, 1958,(1) the House by voice vote approved 
House Resolution 496, which had been submitted by Majority Leader John 
W. McCormack, of Massachusetts, by unanimous consent. The resolution 
was for purposes of creating the Select Committee on Astronautics and 
Space Exploration of 13 members to investigate all aspects of and 
problems relating to the exploration of outer space and the control, 
development, and use of astronautical resources, personnel, and 
facilities.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 1. 104 Cong. Rec. 3443, 85th Cong. 2d Sess.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    On July 21, 1958,(2) the standing Committee on Science 
and Astronautics was established by voice vote approval of House 
Resolution 580 (called up as privileged by direction of the Committee 
on Rules), amending Rule X clause 1 by adding subclause 
(q).(3)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 2. 104 Cong. Rec. 14513, 14514, 85th Cong. 2d Sess.
 3. The resolution was reported on May 29, 1958 (H. Rept. No. 1837). 
        See Sec. 1.44, infra, for a discussion of Senate establishment 
        of the Special Committee on Astronautical and Space Exploration 
        and a successor standing committee, the Committee on 
        Astronautical and Space Sciences.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sec. 1.35 The House established a select committee to investigate 
    research programs.

    On Sept. 11, 1963,(4) the House by a roll call vote of 
336 yeas to 0

---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 4. 109 Cong. Rec. 16744, 16753, 16754, 88th Cong. 1st Sess. The 
        resolution was reported on Aug. 28, 1963 (H. Rept. No. 718).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 2299]]

nays approved House Resolution 504 (called up as privileged by 
direction of the Committee on Rules), creating a select committee of 
nine members to investigate expenditures for research programs, 
government departments and agencies which conduct research and amounts 
expended thereby, and facilities for coordinating research programs, 
including grants to colleges and universities.

Chemicals in Food Production

Sec. 1.36 The House established a select committee to investigate the 
    use of chemicals in the production of food products.

    On June 20, 1950,(5) the House by voice vote approved 
House Resolution 323 (called up as privileged by direction of the 
Committee on Rules), creating a select committee of seven members to 
investigate and study the use of chemicals, pesticides, and 
insecticides in the production of food products and fertilizers and 
their effects on the health and welfare of the nation, stability of the 
agricultural economy, soil, health of animals, and vegetation.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 5. 96 Cong. Rec. 8933-36, 81st Cong. 2d Sess. The resolution was 
        reported on June 12, 1950 (H. Rept. No. 2214).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Airplane Crashes

Sec. 1.37 The House established a select committee to investigate 
    crashes of commercial airplanes in 1940 and 1941.

    On Mar. 6, 1941,(6) the House by voice vote approved 
House Resolution 125 (called up as privileged by direction of the 
Committee on Rules), creating a select committee of five members to 
investigate air crashes and other accidents in the United States in 
1940 and 1941 occurring on commercial airlines; to ascertain pertinent 
facts relating to the construction of flying and ground equipment and 
the management and operation of airlines; to examine laws and 
regulations relating to operation and inspection of airplanes and 
safety equipment, and the liability of airlines for loss of life or 
injury to persons or property; and to investigate other matters as 
deemed necessary by the committee.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 6. 87 Cong. Rec. 1930, 1931, 1940, 77th Cong. 1st Sess. The resolution 
        was reported on Mar. 4, 1941 (H. Rept. No. 183).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Migration of Destitute Citizens

Sec. 1.38 The House established a select committee to inves

[[Page 2300]]

    tigate the interstate migration of destitute citizens.

    On Apr. 22, 1940,(7) the House by voice vote approved 
House Resolution 63 (called up as privileged by direction of the 
Committee on Rules), creating a select committee of five members to 
investigate the social and economic needs and interstate migration of 
destitute persons.(8)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 7. 86 Cong. Rec. 4880, 4884, 76th Cong. 3d Sess. The resolution was 
        reported on Apr. 19, 1940 (H. Rept. No. 1998).
 8. Authority for this select committee was continued by voice vote 
        approval of H. Res. 113, on Mar. 31, 1941. 87 Cong. Rec. 2730, 
        2736, 77th Cong. 1st Sess. The resolution which was privileged, 
        was reported on Mar. 31 from the Committee on Rules (H. Rept. 
        No. 350). It was called up that same day, by direction of the 
        Committee on Rules, by Mr. Lawrence Lewis [Colo.], who asked 
        unanimous consent for its consideration.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Pensions

Sec. 1.39 The House established a select committee to investigate old-
    age pension plans.

    On Mar. 10, 1936,(9) the House by voice vote approved 
House Resolution 443, authorizing the Speaker to appoint eight members 
to a select committee to inquire into old-age pension plans with 
respect to which legislation had been submitted to the House, 
particularly the plan embodied in a House bill (H.R. 7154), providing 
for retirement annuities; and to examine the conduct, history, and 
records of persons or groups promoting such plans. The resolution was, 
by unanimous consent, submitted by Mr. C. Jasper Bell, of Missouri, and 
was intended as a modification and clarification of House Resolution 
418, which had previously been reported from the Committee on Rules (H. 
Rept. No. 2005), and adopted.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 9. 80 Cong. Rec. 3506, 3507, 74th Cong. 2d Sess. See Id. at p. 2360 
        (Feb. 19, 1936), for adoption of the related resolution H. Res. 
        418.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Offensive Literature

Sec. 1.40 The House established a select committee to investigate 
    current literature.

    On May 12, 1952,(10) the House by voice vote approved 
House Resolution 596 (called up as privileged by direction of the 
Committee on Rules), creating a select committee of nine members to 
investigate and study the extent to which current literature, books, 
and magazines containing im

---------------------------------------------------------------------------
10. 98 Cong. Rec. 5061, 5062, 5069, 82d Cong. 2d Sess. The resolution 
        was reported on Apr. 30, 1952 (H. Rept. No. 1837).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 2301]]

moral, obscene, or otherwise offensive matter, or placing an improper 
emphasis on crime, violence, and corruption, were being made available 
to Americans through the mail and otherwise, and to determine the 
adequacy of existing law to prevent the publication and distribution of 
this literature.
Crime

Sec. 1.41 The House established a select committee to study crime in 
    the United States.

    On May 1, 1969,(11) the House by a roll call vote of 
yeas 345 to nays 18, approved House Resolution 17, reported as 
privileged from the Committee on Rules, establishing a select committee 
of seven members to investigate all aspects of crime in the United 
States including causes and effects; preparation of statistics; 
exchange of information among federal, state, local, and foreign law 
enforcement agencies; treatment and rehabilitation of offenders; and 
prevention and control.(12)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
11. 115 Cong. Rec. 11087, 11100, 11101, 91st Cong. 1st Sess. The 
        resolution was reported on Apr. 22, 1969 (H. Rept. No. 150).
12. The House by voice vote approved H. Res. 115, which authorized an 
        investigation of the same issues on Mar. 9, 1971. 117 Cong. 
        Rec. 5587, 5588, 5610, 92d Cong. 1st Sess.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Energy

Sec. 1.42 The House rejected a resolution establishing a select 
    committee to investigate energy resources.

    On May 26, 1971,(13) the House by a roll call vote of 
yeas 128 and nays 218, rejected House Resolution 155 (called up as 
privileged by direction of the Committee on Rules), creating a select 
committee of seven members to investigate availability and ownership of 
oil, gas, coal, and nuclear energy reserves; reasons and possible 
solutions for delay in new starts of fossil fueled power plants; 
effects of pricing practices; effects of import of low sulfur fuels; 
measures to increase transportation of fuel materials and close the gap 
between supply and demand of electric energy; and the environmental 
effects of the electricity industry
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
13. 117 Cong. Rec. 16984, 17002, 17003, 92d Cong. 1st Sess. The 
        resolution was reported on May 19, 1971 (H. Rept. No. 217).

---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sit-down Strikes

Sec. 1.43 The House laid on the table a resolution to create a special 
    committee to investigate sit-down strikes.

[[Page 2302]]

    On Apr. 8, 1937,(14) the House by voice vote agreed to a 
motion to table House Resolution 162 (called up as privileged by 
direction of the Committee on Rules), to authorize the Speaker to 
appoint a special committee to investigate the causes and management of 
sit-down strikes and state and local efforts to prevent them, as well 
as persons instigating such strikes.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
14. 81 Cong. Rec. 3291, 3301, 75th Cong. 1st Sess. The resolution was 
        reported on Apr. 2, 1937 (H. Rept. No. 555)

---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Senate Precedents

Sec. 1.44 The Senate established the Special Committee on Astronautical 
    and Space Exploration.

    On Feb. 6, 1958,(15) the Senate on a roll call vote of 
78 yeas to 1 nay approved Senate Resolution 256, establishing a special 
committee of 13 Senators to investigate all aspects and problems 
relating to the exploration of outer space and control, development, 
and use of astronautical resources, personnel, equipment, and 
facilities.(16)
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15. 104 Cong. Rec. 1804, 1806, 85th Cong. 2d Sess.
16. The Senate established the standing Committee on Astronautical and 
        Space Sciences which assumed the functions of the select 
        committee on July 24, 1958. See 104 Cong. Rec. 14857, 14858, 
        85th Cong. 2d Sess., for voice vote approval of S. Res. 327. 
        See also Sec. 1.34, supra, for House establishment of the 
        Select Committee on Astronautics and Space Exploration and the 
        successor standing committee, the Committee on Science and 
        Astronautics.

Sec. 1.45 The Senate established a special committee to investigate 
    contracts under the national defense program.

    On Mar. 1, 1941,(17) the Senate by voice vote approved 
Senate Resolution 71, establishing a special committee of seven 
Senators to investigate the operation of the program for procurement 
and construction of supplies, materials, munitions, vehicles, aircraft, 
vessels, plants, camps, and other articles and facilities in connection 
with the national defense. Areas of inquiry included (1) types and 
terms of contracts awarded on behalf of the United States; (2) methods 
by which contracts are awarded and contractors selected; (3) 
utilization of small business facilities; (4) geographic distribution 
of contracts and location of plants and facilities; (5) effect of the 
program with respect to labor and migration of labor; (6) perform

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17. 87 Cong. Rec. 1615, 77th Cong. 1st Sess.
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[[Page 2303]]

ance of contracts and accountings required of contractors; (7) benefits 
accruing to contractors with respect to amortization for taxation and 
other purposes; and (8) practices of management or labor, and prices, 
fees, and charges which interfere with the defense program or unduly 
increase its cost.


Sec. 1.46 The Senate established the Select Committee on Presidential 
    Campaign Activities to investigate the extent, if any, of illegal, 
    improper, or unethical activities engaged in by persons involved in 
    the Presidential election of 1972.

    On Feb. 7, 1973,(18) the Senate by a roll call vote of 
77 yeas to 0 nays approved Senate Resolution 60, establishing the 
Select Committee on Presidential Campaign Activities to investigate the 
extent, if any, of involvement in illegal, improper, or unethical 
conduct by persons in the Presidential campaign of 1972. Areas of 
inquiry included (1) breaking, entering, and bugging of headquarters or 
offices of the Democratic National Committee in the Watergate Building; 
(2) electronic surveillance of the Democratic National Committee; (3) 
surreptitious removal of documents; (4) preparation, transmission, or 
receipt of reports on the aforementioned activities; (5) whether any 
person alone or with others planned the aforementioned activities; (6) 
whether participants in the aforementioned activities were induced by 
bribery, coercion, or threats to plead guilty or conceal or fail to 
reveal such activities; (7) efforts to disrupt, hinder, impede, or 
sabotage campaign activities; (8) whether any person alone or with 
others induced activities mentioned in (7) above or paid participants; 
(9) fabrication, dissemination, or publication of false charges or 
information to discredit Presidential aspirants; (10) planning of 
activities mentioned in (7), (8), or (9); (11) financial transactions 
and storage; (12) compliance or noncompliance with congressional acts 
which require reporting of receipt or disbursement of money; (13) 
whether secret funds were kept; (14) whether documents or other 
physical evidence were concealed, suppressed, or destroyed; and (15) 
any other activities having a tendency to prove or disprove that 
persons acting alone or with others engaged in illegal, improper, or 
unethical activities in connection with the Presidential election of 
1972.

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18. 119 Cong. Rec. 3849-51, 93d Cong. 1st Sess.
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