[Constitution, Jefferson's Manual, and the Rules of the House of Representatives, 106th Congress]
[106th Congress]
[House Document 105-358]
[Rules of the House of Representatives]
[Pages 323-904]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



[[Page 323]]




   RULES OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, WITH NOTES AND ANNOTATIONS   



 
                               __________



Approval of the Journal
                         Rule I.--THE SPEAKER




621. Journal; Speaker's approval.

  1. The Speaker shall take the Chair on every legislative day precisely 
at the hour to which the House last adjourned and immediately call the 
House to order.  Having 
examined and approved the Journal of the last day's proceedings, the 
Speaker shall announce to the House his approval thereof. The Speaker's 
approval of the Journal shall be deemed agreed to unless a Member, 
Delegate, or Resident Commissioner demands a vote thereon. If such a 
vote is decided in the affirmative, it shall not be subject to a motion 
to reconsider. If such a vote is decided in the negative, then one 
motion that the Journal be read shall be privileged, shall be decided 
without debate, and shall not be subject to a motion to reconsider.


  This clause was adopted in 1789, amended in 1811, 1824 (II, 1310), 
1971 (Jan. 22, 1971, pp. 14, 140-44, with the implementation of the 
Legislative Reorganization Act of 1970, 84 Stat. 1140), and 1979 (H. 
Res. 5, 96th Cong., Jan. 15, 1979, pp. 7, 16). Clerical and stylistic 
changes were effected when the House recodified its rules in the 106th 
Congress (H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 1999, p. ----).


[[Page 324]]

95th Congress, the House by standing order formalized the practice of 
varying its convening time to accommodate committee meetings on certain 
days of the week and to maximize time for floor action on other days (H. 
Res. 7, Jan. 4, 1977, p. ----; H. Res. 949, Jan. 19, 1978, p. ----; H. 
Res. 9, Jan. 15, 1979, p. ----; H. Res. 522, Jan. 22, 1980, p. ----; H. 
Res. 8, Jan. 5, 1981, p. ----; H. Res. 313, Jan. 25, 1982, p. ----; H. 
Res. 8, Jan. 3, 1983, p. ----; H. Res. 388, Jan. 23, 1984, p. ----; H. 
Res. 9, Jan. 3, 1985, p. ----; H. Res. 355, Jan. 21, 1986, p. ----; H. 
Res. 7, Jan. 6, 1987, p. 19; H. Res. 348, Jan. 25, 1988, p. ----; H. 
Res. 7, Jan. 3, 1989, p. ----; H. Res. 304, Jan. 23, 1990, p. ----; H. 
Res. 7, Jan. 3, 1991, p. ----; H. Res. 330, Jan. 28, 1992, p. ----; H. 
Res. 7, Jan. 5, 1993, p. ----; H. Res. 327, Jan. 25, 1994, p. ----; H. 
Res. 8, Jan. 4, 1995, p. 547; H. Res. 327, Jan. 3, 1996, p. 36; H. Res. 
9, Jan. 7, 1997, p. ----; H. Res. 337, Jan. 27, 1998, p. ----). In the 
first session of the 106th Congress, the House provided that it would 
meet at 2 p.m. on Mondays, 11 a.m. on Tuesdays, and 10 a.m. on the 
balance of the week through May 9, after which it would meet at noon on 
Mondays, 10 a.m. on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, and 9 a.m. on 
the balance of the week for the remainder of the session (H. Res. 14, 
Jan. 6, 1999, p. ----). The House retains the right to vary from this 
schedule by use of the motion to adjourn to a day or time certain as 
provided in clause 4 of rule XVI. By special order, the House may 
provide for a session of the House on a Sunday, traditionally a ``dies 
non'' under the precedents of the House (Dec. 17, 1982, p. 31946; Dec. 
18, 1987, p. 36352; Nov. 19, 1989, p. 30029; Aug. 20, 1994, p. 23367; 
Nov. 7, 1997, p. ----; Oct. 10, 1998, p. ----). Beginning in the second 
session of the 103d Congress, the House has by unanimous consent agreed 
to convene at an earlier hour on Mondays and Tuesdays for morning-hour 
debate and then recess to the hour established for convening under this 
clause (Feb. 11, 1994, p. 2244; May 23, 1994, p. 11459; June 8, 1994, p. 
12305; June 10, 1994, p. 12684; Jan. 4, 1995, p. 547; Feb. 16, 1995, p. 
5096; May 12, 1995, p. 12765; see Sec. 951, infra).
  The hour of meeting is fixed by standing order, and has traditionally 
been set at 12 m. (I, 104-109, 116, 117; IV, 4325); but beginning in the


[[Page 325]]

(H. Res. 5, Jan. 15, 1979, pp. 7, 16). If a quorum fails to respond on a 
motion incident to the approval, reading, or amendment of the Journal, 
and there is an objection to the vote, a call of the House under clause 
6 of rule XX is automatic (Feb. 2, 1977, p. 3342).
  Immediately after the Members are called to order prayer is offered by 
the Chaplain (IV, 3056), and the Speaker declines to entertain a point 
of no quorum before prayer is offered (VI, 663; clause 7 of rule XX). 
Prior to the 96th Congress, clause 1 of rule I directed the Speaker to 
announce his approval of the Journal on the appearance of a quorum after 
having called the House to order. Under that form of the rule, a point 
of order of no quorum could be made after the prayer and before the 
approval of the Journal when the House convened, notwithstanding the 
provisions of former clause 6(e) of rule XV (now clause 7 of rule XX), 
allowing such points of order in the House only when the Speaker had put 
the pending motion or proposition to a vote (Oct. 3, 1977, p. 31987). 
Similarly, prior practice had permitted a point of no quorum prior to 
the reading of the Journal (IV, 2733; VI, 625) or during its reading 
(VI, 624). In the 96th Congress, the House eliminated the necessity for 
the appearance of a quorum before the Speaker's announcement of his 
approval of the Journal

  Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, the Speaker may postpone until a 
later time on the same legislative day a record vote on the Speaker's 
approval of the Journal. Where the House adjourns on consecutive days 
without having approved the Journal of the previous days' proceedings, 
the Speaker puts the question de novo in chronological order as the 
first order of business on the subsequent day (Nov. 3, 1987, p. 30592).

  Prior to the 92d Congress, the reading of the Journal was mandatory, 
could not be dispensed with except by unanimous consent (VI, 625; Sept. 
19, 1962, p. 19941), or by motion to suspend the rules (IV, 2747-2750). 
It had to be read in full when demanded by any Member (IV, 2739-2741; 
VI, 627, 628; Feb. 22, 1950, p. 2152), but the demand came too late 
after the Journal was approved (VI, 626). Under the rule as in effect 
from the 92d Congress through the 95th Congress, any Member could offer 
a privileged, nondebatable motion that the Journal be read pending the 
Speaker's announcement of his approval and before agreement by the House 
(Apr. 23, 1975, p. 11482).

  The Journal of the last day of a session is not read on the first day 
of the next session (IV, 2742). No business is transacted before the 
reading (IV, 2751-2756; VI, 629, 630, 637); not even consideration of a 
conference report (VI, 630). However, the motion to adjourn (IV, 2757; 
Speaker Wright, Nov. 2, 1987, p. 30387) and the swearing-in of a Member 
(I, 172) could take precedence, and a question of privilege relating to 
a breach of privilege (such as an assault) occurring during the reading 
or approval of the Journal may interrupt its reading or approval (II, 
1630).

  Once begun, the reading may not be interrupted, even by business so 
highly privileged as a conference report (V, 6443; rule XXII); but a 
parliamentary inquiry (VI, 624), or an arraignment of impeachment may 
interrupt (VI, 469); and in cases of disorder the reading has been 
suspended (II, 1630; IV, 2759).


  Under the prior rule, the Speaker's examination and approval of the 
Journal was preliminary to the reading and did not preclude subsequent 
amendment by the House itself (IV, 2734-2738). If the Speaker's approval 
of the Journal is rejected, a motion to amend takes precedence of a 
motion to approve (IV, 2760; VI, 633), and a Member offering an 
amendment is recognized under the hour rule (Mar. 19, 1990, p. 4488); 
but the motion is not admissible after the previous question is demanded 
on the motion to approve (IV, 2770; VI, 633; VIII, 2684; Sept. 13, 1965, 
p. 23600).


[[Page 326]]

Preservation of order
<>   2. The Speaker shall preserve order and decorum and, in case 
of disturbance or disorderly conduct in the galleries or in the lobby, 
may cause the same to be cleared.

                                                        Rule I, clause 2
Rule I, clause 2

  This clause was adopted in 1789 and amended in 1794 (II, 1343). 
Clerical and stylistic changes were effected when the House recodified 
its rules in the 106th Congress (H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 1999, p. ----).

  The Speaker may name a Member who is disorderly, but may not, of his 
own authority, censure or punish him (II, 1344, 1345; VI, 237). In cases 
of extreme disorder in the Committee of the Whole the Speaker has taken 
the chair and restored order without a formal rising of the Committee 
(II, 1348, 1648-1653, 1657); and the Speaker, as an exercise of his 
authority under this clause, has on his own initiative declared the 
House in recess in an emergency (83d Cong., p. 2324). A former Member 
must observe the rules of decorum while on the floor, and the Speaker 
may request the Sergeant-at-Arms to assist him in maintaining such 
decorum (Sept. 17, 1997, p. ----).

  The authority to have the galleries cleared has been exercised but 
rarely (II, 1352; Speaker Albert, Jan. 18, 1972, p. 9). On one occasion, 
acting on the basis of police reports and other evidence, the Speaker 
ordered the galleries cleared before the House convened (May 10, 1972, 
p. 16576) and then informed the House of his decision. In an early 
instance the Speaker ordered the arrest of a person in the gallery; but 
this exercise of power was questioned (II, 1605).


[[Page 327]]

speech, and the use of all exhibits was prohibited during the 
consideration of a bill in the Committee of the Whole (Oct. 11, 1990, p. 
28650). The Speaker may permit the display of an exhibit in the 
Speaker's lobby during debate on a measure (May 20, 1999, p. ----).
  While Members are permitted to use exhibits such as charts during 
debate (subject to the permission of the House under clause 6 of rule 
XVII), the Speaker may direct the removal of a chart from the well of 
the House which is not being utilized during debate (Apr. 1, 1982, p. 
6304; Apr. 19, 1990, p. 7402). The Speaker's responsibility to preserve 
decorum requires that he disallow the use of exhibits in debate which 
would be demeaning to the House, or to any Member of the House, or which 
would be disruptive of the decorum thereof (Sept. 13, 1989, p. 20362; 
Oct. 16, 1990, p. 29647; Oct. 1, 1991, p. 24828; Nov. 16, 1995, p. ----; 
Jan. 3, 1996, p. 42). The Speaker has disallowed the use of a person on 
the floor as a guest of the House as an ``exhibit'' (Dec. 19, 1995, p. 
----; Jan. 22, 1996, p. 682). The Speaker may inquire as to a Member's 
intentions, as to the use of exhibits, before conferring recognition to 
address the House (Mar. 21, 1984, p. 6187). In the 101st Congress both 
the Speaker and the Chairman of the Committee of the Whole reinforced 
the Chair's authority to control the use of exhibits in debate, 
distinguishing between the constitutional authority of the House to make 
its own rules and first amendment rights of free

  At the request of the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct, the 
Speaker announced that (1) all handouts distributed on or adjacent to 
the floor must bear the name of a Member authorizing the distribution; 
(2) the content of such handouts must comport with the standards 
applicable to words used in debate; (3) failure to comply with these 
standards may constitute a breach of decorum and thus give rise to a 
question of privilege; (4) staff are prohibited in the Chamber or rooms 
leading thereto from distributing handouts and from attempting to 
influence Members with regard to legislation; and (5) Members should 
minimize the use of handouts to enhance the quality of debate (Sept. 27, 
1995, p. ----; Mar. 20, 1996, p. 5644).

  Questions having been raised concerning proper attire for Members in 
the Chamber (thermostat controls having been raised to comply with a 
Presidential directive conserving energy in the summer months), the 
Speaker announced he considered traditional attire for Members 
appropriate, including coats and ties for male Members and appropriate 
attire for female Members, but that he would recognize for a question of 
privileges of the House to relax such standards. The Speaker also 
requested a Member in violation of those standards to remove himself 
from the Chamber and appear in appropriate attire, and refused to 
recognize such Member until he did so (Speaker O'Neill, July 17, 1979, 
p. 19008). The House later agreed to a resolution (presented as a 
question of the privileges of the House) requiring Members to wear 
proper attire as determined by the Speaker (July 17, 1979, p. 19072.


  Recognition is within the discretion of the Chair, and in order to 
uphold order and decorum in the House as required under clause 2 of rule 
I, the Speaker may deny a Member recognition to address the House under 
the ``one-minute rule'' (Aug. 27, 1980, p. 23456), and may deny further 
recognition to a Member proceeding out of order beyond the one minute 
for which recognized (Mar. 16, 1988, p. 4081). It is a breach of decorum 
for a Member to continue to speak beyond the time for which the Member 
has been recognized or yielded to (Mar. 22, 1996, p. 6086). Even prior 
to adoption of the rules, the Speaker may maintain decorum by directing 
a Member engaging in such breach of decorum to be removed from the well 
and by directing the Sergeant-at-Arms to present the mace as the 
traditional symbol of order (Jan. 3, 1991, p. 58). A Member's 
comportment may constitute a breach of decorum even though the content 
of that Member's speech is not, itself, unparliamentary (July 29, 1994, 
p. 18609). Under this standard the Chair may deny further recognition to 
a Member engaged in unparliamentary debate who ignores repeated 
admonitions by the Chair to proceed in order (unless the Member is 
permitted to proceed by order of the House) (Sept. 18, 1996, p. ----).


[[Page 328]]

Control of Capitol facilities
                                                        Rule I, clause 3
Rule I, clause 3




623. Speaker's control of the Hall, corridors, and 
rooms.

  3.  Except as otherwise provided by rule or law, the Speaker shall 
have general control of the Hall of the House, the corridors and 
passages in the part of the Capitol assigned to the use of the House, 
and the disposal of unappropriated rooms in that part of the Capitol.


  This clause was adopted in 1811 and amended in 1824, 1885 (II, 1354), 
and April 5, 1911 (VI, 261). Clerical and stylistic changes were 
effected when the House recodified its rules in the 106th Congress (H. 
Res. 5, Jan. 6, 1999, p. ----).


  Control of the appropriated rooms in the House portion of the Capitol 
is exercised by the House itself (V, 7273-7279), but repairs and 
alterations have been authorized by statute (V, 7280-7281; 59 Stat. 
472). On January 15, 1979, the Speaker announced his directive 
concerning free access by Members in the corridors approaching the 
Chamber (p. 19). The Speaker has declined to recognize for a unanimous-
consent request to change the decor in the Chamber, stating that he 
would take the suggestion under advisement in exercising his authority 
under this clause (Mar. 2, 1989, p. 3220). The Speaker has announced 
that a joint Republican Conference and Democratic Caucus meeting would 
be held in the Chamber following the adjournment of the House on that 
day (July 27, 1998, p. ----).

                                                        Rule I, clause 4
Rule I, clause 4
Signature of documents




624. Speaker's signature to acts, warrants, subpoenas, 
etc.

  4.  The Speaker shall sign all acts and joint resolutions passed by 
the two Houses and all writs, warrants, and subpoenas of, or issued by 
order of, the House. The Speaker may sign enrolled bills and joint 
resolutions whether or not the House is in session.



[[Page 329]]

  The Speaker was given authority to sign acts, warrants, subpoenas, 
etc., in 1794 (II, 1313). The last sentence of this clause, granting the 
Speaker standing authority to sign enrolled bills, even if the House is 
not in session, was added in the 97th Congress (H. Res. 5, Jan. 5, 1981, 
pp. 98-113). Before the House recodified its rules in the 106th 
Congress, clauses 4 and 5 had occupied a single clause (H. Res. 5, Jan. 
6, 1999, p. ----).



Sec. 625. Signing of enrolled bills.

  Enrolled  bills are 
signed first by the Speaker (IV, 3429). He has declined to sign in the 
absence of a quorum (IV, 3458), or pending a motion to reconsider (V, 
5705); and the report of a committee as to the accuracy of the 
enrollment is first submitted, unless, as in rare instances only, the 
House by consent waives the requirement (IV, 3452). In cases of error 
the House has permitted the Speaker's signature to be vacated (IV, 3453, 
3455-3457; VII, 1077-1080). Under the modern practice, the Committee of 
the Whole may rise informally without motion to enable the Speaker to 
assume the Chair and to sign an enrolled bill and lay it before the 
House (Jan. 28, 1980, p. 888; Apr. 30, 1980, p. 9505).





Sec. 626. Signing of warrants, subpoenas, 
etc.

  Warrants,  subpoenas, etc., during recesses of Congress are signed only by 
authority specially given (III, 1753, 1763, 1806). The issuing of 
warrants must be specially authorized by the House (I, 287) or pursuant 
to a standing rule (clause 6 of rule XX; Sec. 1026, infra). Instance 
wherein the House authorized the Speaker to warrant for the arrest of 
absentees (VI, 638). The Speaker also signs the articles, replications, 
etc., in impeachments (III, 2370, 2455; Dec. 19, 1998, p. ----); and 
certifies cases of contumacious witnesses for action by the courts (III, 
1691, 1769; VI, 385; 2 U.S.C. 194). A subpoena validly issued by a 
committee authorized by the House under clause 2(m) of rule XI to issue 
subpoenas need only be signed by the chairman of that committee, whereas 
when the House issues an order or warrant, the Speaker must issue the 
summons under his hand and seal, and it must be attested by the Clerk 
(III, 1668; see H. Rept. 96-1078, p. 22).


                                                        Rule I, clause 5
Rule I, clause 5
Questions of order




627. Questions of order.

  5.  The Speaker shall decide all 
questions of order, subject to appeal by a Member, Delegate, or Resident 
Commissioner. On such an appeal a Member, Delegate, or Resident 
Commissioner may not speak more than once without permission of the 
House.


  This rule was adopted in 1789 and amended in 1811. Before the House 
recodified its rules in the 106th Congress, clauses 4 and 5 had occupied 
a single clause (H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 1999, p. ----).


[[Page 330]]

during a division are decided peremptorily (V, 5926), and when they 
arise out of any other question must be decided before that question (V, 
6864). In rare instances the Speaker has declined to rule until he has 
taken time for examination of the question (III, 2725; VI, 432; VII, 
2106; VIII, 2174, 2396, 3475).


Sec. 628. Practice governing the Speaker in deciding 
points of order.

  The  Speaker may require that a question of order be 
presented in writing (V, 6865). When enough of a proposition has been 
read to show that it is out of order, the question of order may be 
raised without waiting for the reading to be completed (V, 6886, 6887; 
VIII, 2912, 3378, 3437), though the Chair may decline to rule until the 
entire proposition has been read (Dec. 14, 1973, pp. 41716-18). 
Questions arising


  Debate on a point of order, being for the Chair's information, is 
within the Chair's discretion (see, e.g., V, 6919, 6920; VIII, 3446-
3448; Deschler-Brown Precedents, vol. 13, ch. 29, sec. 67.3; Jan. 24, 
1996, p. 1248; Sept. 12, 1996, p. ----; Oct. 10, 1998, p. ----). Debate 
is confined to the question of order and may not extend to the merits of 
the proposition against which it lies or to parliamentarily similar 
propositions permitted to remain in the pending bill by waivers of 
points of order (July 18, 1995, p. ----). Members must address the Chair 
and cannot engage in colloquies on the point of order (Sept. 18, 1986, 
p. 24083), nor can they offer pro forma amendments to debate the point 
of order (July 21, 1998, p. ----). To ensure that the arguments recorded 
on a question of order are those actually heard by the Chair before 
ruling, the Chair will not entertain a unanimous-consent request to 
permit a Member to revise and extend remarks on a point of order (Sept. 
22, 1976, p. 31873; May 15, 1997, p ----; July 24, 1998, p. ----). A 
Member may raise multiple points of order simultaneously, and the Chair 
may hear argument and rule on each question individually (Mar. 28, 1996, 
pp. 6931, 6933; or the Chair may choose to rule on only one of the 
points of order raised (July 24, 1998, p. ----). Where a Member 
incorrectly demands the ``regular order,'' rather than making a point of 
order to assert that remarks are not confined to the question under 
debate, the Chair may treat the demand as a point of order and rule 
thereon (May 1, 1996, p. 9889).

  The Chair is constrained to give precedent its proper influence (II, 
1317; VI, 248). While the Chair will normally not disregard a decision 
of the Chair previously made on the same facts (IV, 4045), such 
precedents may be examined and reversed where shown to be erroneous (IV, 
4637; VI, 639; VII, 849; VIII, 2794, 3435; Sept. 12, 1986, p. 23178). 
The authoritative source for proper interpretations of the rules are 
statements made directly from the Chair and not comments made by the 
Speaker in other contexts (May 25, 1995, p. 14437; Sept. 19, 1995, p. 
25454). Preserving the authority and binding force of parliamentary law 
is as much the duty of each Member of the House as it is the duty of the 
Chair (VII, 1479). The Speaker's decisions are recorded in the Journal 
(IV, 2840, 2841), but responses to parliamentary inquiries are not so 
recorded (IV, 2842).


[[Page 331]]

9551; May 13, 1948, p. 5817; Oct. 10, 1998, p. ----), or on the 
propriety or expediency of a proposed course of action (II, 1275, 1325, 
1326, 1337; IV, 3091-3093, 3127). He is not required to decide a 
question not directly presented by the proceedings (II, 1314), and it is 
not his duty to decide a hypothetical question (VI, 249, 253; Nov. 20, 
1989, p. 30225), including: (1) the germaneness of an amendment not yet 
offered (Dec. 12, 1985, p. 36167; May 5, 1988, p. 9936; May 18, 1988, p. 
11404) or previously offered and entertained without a point of order 
(June 6, 1990, p. 13194); (2) the admissibility under existing Budget 
Act allocations of an amendment not yet offered, particularly where the 
Chair's response might depend on the disposition of a prior amendment on 
which proceedings had been postponed (June 27, 1994, p. 14593); (3) the 
admissibility under clause 2 of rule XXI of an amendment already pending 
(July 29, 1998, p. ----), against which all points of order had been 
waived (July 27, 1995, p. ----); and (4) the admissibility of an 
amendment at a future date, pending a ruling of the Chair on its 
immediate admissibility (June 25, 1997, p. ----). The Chair does not 
take cognizance of complaints relating to pairs (VIII, 3087). He passes 
on the validity of conference reports (V, 6409, 6410, 6414-6416; VIII, 
3256, 3264), but not on the sufficiency of the accompanying statements 
as distinguished from the form (V, 6511-6513), or on the question of 
whether a conference report violates instructions of the House (V, 6395; 
VIII, 3246). As to reports of committees, he does not decide as to their 
sufficiency (II, 1339; IV, 4653), or whether the committee has followed 
instructions (II, 1338; IV, 4404, 4689); or on matters arising in the 
Committee of the Whole (V, 6927, 6928, 6932-6937; Dec. 12, 1985, p. 
36173); but he has decided as to the validity of the authorization of a 
report (IV, 4592, 4593) and has indicated that a point of order could be 
raised at a proper time where the content of a filed report varies from 
that approved by the committee (May 16, 1989, p. 9356). An objection to 
the use of an exhibit under clause 6 of rule XVII (former rule XXX) is 
not a point of order on which the Chair must rule but, instead, requires 
that the Chair put the question whether the exhibit may be used, on 
which no debate is in order (July 31, 1996, pp. 20694, 20700). A 
complaint that certain remarks that might be uttered in debate would 
improperly disclose executive-session material of a committee is not 
cognizable as a point of order in the House where the Chair is not aware 
of the executive-session status of the information (Nov. 5, 1997, p. --
--). A request that the voting display be turned on during debate is not 
in order (Oct. 12, 1998, p. ----).
  The Chair does not decide on the legislative or legal effect of 
propositions (II, 1274, 1323, 1324; VI, 254; VII, 2112; VIII, 2280, 
2841; Mar. 16, 1983, p. 5669; May 13, 1998, p. ----), on the consistency 
of proposed action with other acts of the House (II, 1327-1336; VII, 
2112, 2136; VIII, 3237, 3458), whether Members have abused leave to 
print (V, 6998-7000; VIII, 3475), on the constitutional powers of the 
House (II, 1255, 1318-1320, 1490; IV, 3507; VI, 250, 251; VIII, 2225, 
3031, 3071, 3427; July 21, 1947, pp. 9522,


[[Page 332]]

101st Cong., Feb. 7, 1990, p. 1515, and report of House Administration 
task force on Record inserted by Speaker Foley, Oct. 27, 1990, p. 
37124). However, the Chair ruled that the requirement of former clause 9 
of rule XIV (now clause 8 of rule XVII) that the Record be a 
substantially verbatim account of remarks made during House proceedings, 
extended to statements and rulings of the Chair (Jan. 20, 1995, p. 
1866).
  Prior to the 104th Congress, precedents and applicable guidelines 
allowed the Chair to refine a ruling on a point of order in the Record 
in order to clarify the ruling without changing its substance, including 
one sustained by the House on appeal (Feb. 19, 1992, p. 2461; see H. 
Res. 230, 99th Cong., July 31, 1985, p. 21783; and H. Rept. 99-228 (in 
accordance with existing accepted practices, the Chair may make such 
technical or parliamentary corrections or insertions in transcript as 
may be necessary to conform to rule, custom, or precedent); see also H. 
Res. 330,

  In interpreting the language of a special order adopted by the House, 
the Chair will not look behind the unambiguous language of the 
resolution itself (June 18, 1986, p. 14267). Questions concerning 
informal guidelines of the Committee on Rules for advance submission of 
amendments for possible inclusion under a ``modified closed'' rule may 
not be raised under the guise of parliamentary inquiry (May 5, 1988, p. 
9938). Because the Chair refrains from issuing advisory opinions on 
hypothetical or anticipatory questions of order, the Chair will not 
interpret a special order before it is adopted by the House (Oct. 14, 
1986, p. 30862; Nov. 18, 1993, p. ----; July 27, 1995, p. ----; Jan. 5, 
1996, p. 366; Mar. 28, 1996, p. 7064). Thus, the Chair has declined to 
identify provisions in a bill as ostensible objects of a waiver in the 
pending resolution providing a special order for that bill (Oct. 19, 
1995, pp. 28503, 28504; Oct. 26, 1995, p. ----; Mar. 28, 1996, p. 7064); 
or to determine whether a bill, for which the pending resolution 
provides a special order waiving any requirement for a three-fifths vote 
on passage, actually ``carries'' a Federal income tax rate increase 
under clause 5(b) of rule XXI (Oct. 26, 1995, p. ----). The Chair will 
not compare the text made in order by a pending special order as 
original text for further amendment with the text reported by the 
committee of jurisdiction (Oct. 19, 1995, p. 28503). Similarly, the 
Chair will not issue an advisory opinion on how debate on a pending 
resolution will bear on the Chair's ultimate interpretation of the 
resolution as an order of the House (Sept. 18, 1997, p. ----).

  Recognition for parliamentary inquiry lies in the discretion of the 
Chair (VI, 541; Apr. 7, 1992, p. 8273). The Speaker may recognize and 
respond to a parliamentary inquiry although the previous question may 
have been demanded (Mar. 27, 1926, p. 6469). While the Chair may in his 
discretion recognize Members for parliamentary inquiries when no other 
Member is occupying the floor for debate, when another Member has the 
floor he must yield for a parliamentary inquiry (Oct. 1, 1986, p. 27465; 
July 13, 1989, p. 14633). The Chair may take a parliamentary inquiry 
under advisement, especially where not related to the pending 
proceedings (VIII, 2174; Apr. 7, 1992, p. 8273). The Chair responds to 
parliamentary inquiries relating in a practical sense to the pending 
proceedings but does not respond to requests to place them in historical 
context (June 25, 1992, p. 16174; Jan. 3, 1996, pp. 36-41; Nov. 5, 1997, 
p. ----). The Speaker may entertain a parliamentary inquiry during a 
record vote if it relates to the vote (Oct. 9, 1997, p. ----).


[[Page 333]]

Chair has declined to anticipate whether bill language would trigger 
certain executive actions or to interpret a pending proposition (Sept. 
20, 1989, p. 20969; May 13, 1998, p. ----). The Chair will neither 
respond to a parliamentary inquiry involving the propriety of words 
spoken in debate pending a demand that those words be ``taken down'' as 
unparliamentary (June 8, 1995, p. 15267) nor respond to inquiry as to 
the veracity of remarks in debate (June 5, 1996, p. 13195). The Chair 
has declined to answer parliamentary inquiries requiring the Chair to 
reexamine and explain the validity of a prior ruling (Oct. 26, 1995, p. 
----); requiring the Chair to anticipate the precedential effect of a 
ruling (Oct. 10, 1998, p. ----); requiring the Chair to judge the 
accuracy of the content of an exhibit (Nov. 10, 1995, p. ----); 
requiring the Chair to indicate which side of the aisle has failed under 
the Speaker's guidelines to clear a unanimous-consent request (Feb. 1, 
1996, p. 2260); and requiring the Chair to respond to political 
commentary (June 25, 1998, p. ----). The Chair may clarify a prior 
response to a parliamentary inquiry (July 31, 1996, p. 20700).
  A proper parliamentary inquiry relates to an interpretation of a House 
rule, not of a statute or of the Constitution (Oct. 10, 1998, p. ----). 
The

  The Speaker rarely submits a question directly to the House for its 
decision (IV, 3173, 3282, 4930; V, 5014, 5323, 6701; VI, 49; Speaker 
Longworth, Apr. 8, 1926, p. 7148), and rarely raises and submits a 
question on his own initiative (II, 1277, 1315, 1316; VIII, 3405). Even 
as to questions of privilege he usually, in later practice, makes a 
preliminary decision instead of submitting the question directly to the 
House (III, 2648, 2649, 2650, 2654, 2678; Speaker Wright, Mar. 11, 1987, 
p. 5404).



Sec. 629. Practice, governing appeals.

  The  right of appeal 
insures the House against the arbitrary control of the Speaker and 
cannot be taken away from the House (V, 6002). While a decision of the 
Chair on a point of order is subject to appeal on demand of any Member, 
a Member cannot secure a recorded vote on a point of order absent an 
appeal and the Chair's putting the question thereon (June 20, 1996, p. 
14847).



[[Page 334]]

a point of order of no quorum when a pending question has not been put 
to a vote (Sept. 16, 1977, p. 29594); or from the Chair's determination 
that a Member's time in debate has expired (Mar. 22, 1996, p. 6086).
  Appeals may not be entertained: from responses to parliamentary 
inquiries (V, 6955; VIII, 3457); when dilatory (V, 5715-5722; VIII, 
2822); from decisions on recognition (II, 1425-1428; VI, 292; VIII, 
2429, 2646, 2762; July 23, 1993, p. 16820; Apr. 4, 1995, p. 10297); from 
decisions on dilatoriness of motions (V, 5731); while another is pending 
(V, 6939-6941); on a question on which an appeal has just been decided 
(IV, 3036; V, 6877); between the motion to adjourn and vote thereon (V, 
5361); during a call of the yeas and nays (V, 6051); from the count by 
the Chair of the number rising to demand tellers (VIII, 3105) or a 
recorded vote (June 24, 1976, p. 20390) or the yeas and nays (Sept. 12, 
1978, p. 28950) or rising to object to a request under the former rule 
that required a committee have permission to sit under the five-minute 
rule (Sept. 12, 1978, p. 28984); from the Chair's count of a quorum 
(July 24, 1974, p. 25012); from the Chair's call of a voice vote (July 
13, 1994, p. 16403; Aug. 10, 1994, p. 20766); from decision refusing 
recapitulation of a vote (VIII, 3128); from the Speaker's refusal under 
clause 7 of rule XX (former clause 6(e) of rule XV) to entertain

  An appeal may be entertained from a decision of the Chair on the 
propriety of an exhibit (Nov. 16, 1995, p. ----); that a Member has 
engaged in personalities in debate (Sept. 28, 1996, p. ----); or that an 
amendment proposes to change a portion of the bill already passed in the 
reading (Sept. 25, 1997, p. ----). The Speaker may vote to sustain his 
own decision (IV, 4569; V, 5686, 6956, 6957).


  The appeal may be debated (VII, 1608; VIII, 2347, 2375, 3453-3455); 
unless the motion is made to lay on the table (V, 5301; Mar. 16, 1988, 
p. 4086), or the previous question is ordered (V, 5448, 5449). An appeal 
from a decision relating to the priority of business (V, 6952), or 
irrelevancy of debate (V, 5056-5063) is not debatable. In practice in 
the House, a Member favorable to the ruling usually moves to lay the 
appeal on the table, thus shutting off debate (e.g., Oct. 8, 1968, p. 
30215; Apr. 6, 1995, p. ----). A motion to postpone an appeal has been 
held in order (VIII, 2613). Debate in the House is under the hour rule 
(V, 4978), but may be closed at any time by the adoption of a motion for 
the previous question (V, 6947); or to lay on the table (VIII, 3453). 
Debate on an appeal in the Committee of the Whole is under the five-
minute rule (VII, 1608; VIII, 2347, 2556a, 3454, 3455), and may be 
closed by motion to close debate or to rise and report (V, 6947, 6950; 
VIII, 3453).

                                                        Rule I, clause 6
Rule I, clause 6
Form of a question




630. Putting of the question by the Speaker.

  6.  The Speaker 
shall rise to put a question but may state it sitting. The Speaker shall 
put a question in this form: ``Those in favor (of the question), say 
`Aye.' ''; and after the affirmative voice is expressed, ``Those 
opposed, say `No.' ''. After a vote by voice under this clause, the 
Speaker may use such voting procedures as may be invoked under rule XX.


  This clause was adopted in 1789 (II, 1311). Before the House 
recodified its rules in the 106th Congress, clause 6 consisted of this 
clause and current clause 1(a), clause 1(b), and clause 2(a) of rule XX 
(H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 1999, p. ----).


[[Page 335]]

yeas and nays (Speaker Foley, Mar. 9, 1992, p. 4698). It is not in order 
for a Member having the floor in debate to conduct a ``straw vote'' or 
otherwise ask for a show of support for a proposition. See Procedure, 
ch. 30, sec. 3.1.

  The motion as stated by the Chair in putting the question and not as 
stated by the Member in offering the motion, is the proposition voted on 
(VI, 247). Under this paragraph the Speaker must put the pending 
question to a voice vote prior to entertaining a demand for a recorded 
vote or the

                                                        Rule I, clause 7
Rule I, clause 7
Discretion to vote




631. The Speaker's vote. Tie vote.

  7.  The Speaker is not 
required to vote in ordinary legislative proceedings, except when his 
vote would be decisive or when the House is engaged in voting by ballot.


  This clause was adopted in 1789, with amendment in 1850 (V, 5964) and 
1911. Before the House recodified its rules in the 106th Congress, 
clause 7 (former clause 6) consisted of this clause and current clause 
1(c) of rule XX (H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 1999, p. ----).


  The Speaker's name is not on the roll from which the yeas and nays are 
called (V, 5970) and is not called unless on his request (V, 5965). It 
is then called at the end of the roll (V, 5965; VIII, 3075), the Clerk 
calling him by name. On an electronic vote, the Chair directs the Clerk 
to record him and verifies that instruction by submitting a vote card 
(Oct. 17, 1990, p. 30229). The Chair may vote to make a tie and so 
decide a question in the negative, as he may vote to break a tie and so 
decide a question in the affirmative (VIII, 3100; Aug. 14, 1957, p. 
14783). The duty of giving a decisive vote may be exercised after the 
intervention of other business, or after the announcement of the result 
or on another day, if a correction of the roll shows a condition wherein 
his vote would be decisive (V, 5969, 6061-6063; VIII, 3075); and he also 
exercises the right to withdraw his vote in case a correction shows it 
to have been unnecessary (V, 5971). The Speaker has the same right as 
other Members to vote (V, 5966, 5967) but rarely exercise it (V, 5964, 
footnote), and the Chair may not vote twice (V, 5964). The Chair may be 
counted on a vote by tellers (V, 5996, 5997; VIII, 3100, 3101).

                                                        Rule I, clause 8
Rule I, clause 8
Speaker pro tempore



632. Speaker pro tempore.

  8.  (a) The Speaker may appoint a 
Member to perform the duties of the Chair. Except as specified in 
paragraph (b), such an appointment may not extend beyond three 
legislative days.



[[Page 336]]

the Chair for a period not exceeding 10 days, subject to the approval of 
the House. If the Speaker is absent and has omitted to make such an 
appointment, then the House shall elect a Speaker pro tempore to act 
during the absence of the Speaker.
  (b)(1) In the case of his illness, the Speaker may appoint a Member to 
perform the duties of


  (2) With the approval of the House, the Speaker may appoint a Member 
to act as Speaker pro tempore only to sign enrolled bills and joint 
resolutions for a specified period of time.

  This clause was adopted in 1811, and amended in 1876 (II, 1377) and in 
1920 (VI, 263). Before the House recodified its rules in the 106th 
Congress, clause 8 (former clause 7) and clause 9 had occupied a single 
clause (H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 1999, p. ----).



Sec. 634. Election, oath, and designation of Speaker pro 
tempore.

  The  right of the House to elect a Speaker pro tempore in the 
absence of the Speaker was exercised before the rule was adopted (II, 
1405), although the House sometimes preferred to adjourn (I, 179). An 
elected Speaker pro tempore in the earlier practice was not sworn (I, 
229; II, 1386); but the Senate and sometimes the President were notified 
of his election (II, 1386-1389, 1405-1412; VI, 275). On August 31, 1961 
(p. 17765), the House adopted House Resolution 445, electing Hon. John 
W. McCormack as Speaker pro tempore in the absence and terminal illness 
of Speaker Rayburn. The resolution provided that the Clerk notify the 
President and the Senate. The chairman of the Democratic Caucus then 
administered the oath. Elected Speakers pro tempore have signed enrolled 
bills, appointed select committees, administered the oath of office to a 
Member-elect (Mar. 17, 1998, p. ----), etc., functions not exercised by 
a Speaker pro tempore by designation (II, 1399, 1400, 1404; VI, 274, 
277; Sept. 21, 1961, p. 20572; June 21, 1984, p. 17708), but the clause 
was amended in the 99th Congress (H. Res. 7, Jan. 3, 1985, p. 393) to 
authorize the Speaker, with House approval, to designate a Speaker pro 
tempore to sign enrolled bills. The House agreed by unanimous consent to 
the Speaker's appointment under this clause of two Members in the 
alternative to act as Speakers pro tempore to sign enrollments through a 
date certain (Aug. 6, 1998, p. ----).



[[Page 337]]

he calls to the chair temporarily during the day's sitting (II, 1379, 
1400). The presence of the Speaker either at the opening of morning-hour 
debates or at the opening of the regular session on a day satisfies the 
requirement that the Speaker be present to convene the House at least 
every fourth day. A Speaker pro tempore elected under clause 8 of rule I 
may in turn designate another Member to act as Speaker pro tempore on a 
day certain (II, 1384; VI, 275; Feb. 23, 1996, p. 2807). Members of the 
minority have been called to the chair on occasions of ceremony (II, 
1383; VI, 270; Jan. 31, 1951, p. 779; Jan. 6, 1999, p. ----), but in 
rare instances on other occasions (II, 1382, 1390; III, 2596; VI, 264).

  A call of the House may take place with a Speaker pro tempore in the 
chair (IV, 2989), and the Speaker pro tempore may issue his warrant for 
the arrest of absent Members under a call of the House (VI, 688). When 
the Speaker is not present at the opening of a session, including 
morning-hour debates, he designates a Speaker pro tempore in writing 
(II, 1378, 1401); but he does not always name in open House the Member 
whom

                                                        Rule I, clause 9
Rule I, clause 9
Term limit




635. Term limit.

  9.  A person may not serve as Speaker for 
more than four consecutive Congresses (disregarding for this purpose any 
service for less than a full session in any Congress).



  This clause was added in the 104th Congress (sec. 103(a), H. Res. 6, 
Jan. 4, 1995, p. 462). Before the House recodified its rules in the 
106th Congress, this clause and clause 8 had occupied a single clause 
(former clause 7) (H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 1999, p. ----).

                                                       Rule I, clause 10
Rule I, clause 10
Designation of travel




636. Travel authority.

  10.  The Speaker may designate a 
Member, Delegate, Resident Commissioner, officer, or employee of the 
House to travel on the business of the House within or without the 
United States, whether the House is meeting, has recessed, or has 
adjourned. Expenses for such travel may be paid from applicable accounts 
of the House described in clause 1(i)(1) of rule X on vouchers approved 
and signed solely by the Speaker.



[[Page 338]]

gress, clause 10 (former clause 8) consisted of this clause and current 
clause 10 of rule XXV (H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 1999, p. ----). See also 
Sec. Sec. 769, 770, infra, for discussion of the Speaker's authority 
under section 502(b) of the Mutual Security Act of 1954 (22 U.S.C. 1754) 
to authorize use of counterpart funds for Members and employees for 
foreign travel, except where authorized by the chairman of the committee 
for members and employees thereof.

  This clause was adopted in the 94th Congress (H. Res. 5, Jan. 14, 
1975, p. 20). In the 105th Congress this clause was amended to update 
archaic references to the ``contingent fund'' (H. Res. 5, Jan. 7, 1997, 
p. ----). A clerical correction was effected at the beginning of the 
106th Congress with respect to the description of ``applicable 
accounts'' (H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 1999, p. ----). Before the House 
recodified its rules in the 106th Con

                                                       Rule I, clause 11
Rule I, clause 11
Committee appointment




637. Select and conference committees.

  11. The  Speaker 
shall appoint all select, joint, and conference committees ordered by 
the House. At any time after an original appointment, the Speaker may 
remove Members, Delegates, or the Resident Commissioner from, or appoint 
additional Members, Delegates, or the Resident Commissioner to, a select 
or conference committee. In appointing Members, Delegates, or the 
Resident Commissioner to conference committees, the Speaker shall 
appoint no less than a majority who generally supported the House 
position as determined by the Speaker, shall name those who are 
primarily responsible for the legislation, and shall, to the fullest 
extent feasible, include the principal proponents of the major 
provisions of the bill or resolution passed or adopted by the House.



[[Page 339]]

95th Congress (H. Res. 5, Jan. 4, 1977, pp. 53-70). Before the House 
recodified its rules in the 106th Congress, this provision was found in 
former clause 6(f) of rule X (H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 1999, p. ----).
  The provision of this clause relating to select committees was adopted 
in 1880, and the provision relating to conference committees was first 
adopted in 1890, although the practice of leaving the appointment of 
conference committees to the Speaker had existed from the earliest years 
of the House's history (IV, 4470; VIII, 2192). The provision authorizing 
the Speaker to add or remove conferees after his initial appointment was 
added in the 103d Congress (H. Res. 5, Jan. 5, 1993, p. 49). The 
provision requiring the Speaker to appoint a majority of Members who 
generally supported the House position became effective on January 3, 
1975 (H. Res. 988, 93d Cong., Oct. 8, 1974, p. 34470). The provision 
requiring the Speaker to appoint Members primarily responsible for the 
legislation was added in the

  Prior to 1880 the House might take from the Speaker the appointment of 
a select committee (IV, 4448, 4470; VIII, 2192) and on several occasions 
did so in fact (IV, 4471-4476). In the earlier usage of the House the 
Member moving a select committee was appointed its chairman (II, 1275; 
III, 2342; IV, 4514-4516). However, in modern practice, except for 
matters of ceremony, the inconvenience and even impropriety of the usage 
has caused it often to be disregarded (IV, 4517-4523, 4671).

  It is within the discretion of the Chair as to whom he appoints as 
conferees (June 24, 1932, p. 13876; July 8, 1947, p. 8469), and his 
discretion is not subject to challenge on a point of order even though 
clause 11 requires the Speaker to appoint as conferees Members who are 
primarily responsible for the legislation (Speaker O'Neill, Oct. 12, 
1977, p. 33434). A motion to instruct the Speaker as to the number and 
composition of a conference committee on the part of the House is not in 
order (VIII, 2193, 3221), and a motion to instruct conferees does not 
necessarily form the basis for the Speaker's determination under this 
clause as to which Members support the legislation (May 9, 1990, p. 
9830).


[[Page 340]]

solve when their report is acted upon, conference appointments should 
not be construed as jurisdictional precedent (Speaker Foley, June 3, 
1992, p. 13288). The Speaker may fill a vacancy on a conference 
committee by appointment but may not accept a resignation from a 
conference committee (as contrasted with his authority to remove) absent 
an order of the House (Nov. 4, 1987, p. 30808). On June 21, 1977, 
Speaker O'Neill first exercised his discretionary authority to appoint a 
principal proponent of an adopted floor amendment as an additional 
limited conferee on that issue (p. 20132).
  The Speaker may appoint conferees from committees (1) which have not 
reported a measure, (2) which have jurisdiction over provisions of a 
non-germane Senate amendment to a House amendment to a Senate bill 
originally narrower in scope (Speaker O'Neill, Nov. 28, 1979, p. 33904), 
or (3) which have jurisdiction over provisions of an original Senate 
bill where the House amendment was narrower in scope (Speaker O'Neill, 
July 28, 1980, p. 19875; July 11, 1985, p. 18545). The Speaker may also 
appoint one who, although not a member of the committee of jurisdiction, 
is a principal proponent of the measure (Speaker Gingrich, Feb. 1, 1995, 
p. ----). The Speaker has appointed as sole conferees on a nongermane 
portion of a Senate bill or amendment only members from the committee 
having jurisdiction over the subject matter thereof (Speaker O'Neill, 
Aug. 27, 1980, p. 23548; July 24, 1986, p. 17644), and also members from 
such committees as additional rather than exclusive conferees on other 
nongermane portions of the Senate bill (July 24, 1986, p. 17644). Where 
a comprehensive matter is committed to conference, the Speaker may 
appoint separate groups of conferees from several committees for 
concurrent or exclusive consideration of provisions within their 
respective jurisdictions (Feb. 7, 1990, p. 1522; May 9, 1990, p. 9830). 
Pursuant to this clause the Speaker may by the terms of his appointment 
empower a group of exclusive conferees to report in total disagreement 
(June 10, 1988, p. 14077; Sept. 20, 1989, p. 20955). Pursuant to this 
clause the Speaker may remove a conferee (Mar. 10, 1998, p. ----; Oct. 
5, 1998, p. ----). In the 102d Congress the Speaker reiterated his 
announced policy of simplifying conference appointments by noting on the 
occasion of a relatively complex appointment that, inasmuch as 
conference committees are select committees that dis


  For a further discussion of the Speaker's authority to appoint 
conferees, see Sec. 536, supra.

                                                       Rule I, clause 12
Rule I, clause 12
Declaration of recess




638. Authority to declare recesses.

  12.  To suspend the 
business of the House for a short time when no question is pending 
before the House, the Speaker may declare a recess subject to the call 
of the Chair.



  This clause was added in the 103d Congress (H. Res. 5, Jan. 5, 1993, 
p. 49). Having postponed proceedings on a pending question, the Speaker 
may declare a recess for a short time under clause 12 of rule I (there 
being no question then pending before the House) (Apr. 30, 1998, p. ----
).

                                                       Rule I, clause 13
Rule I, clause 13
Other responsibilities




639. Drug testing in the House.

  13.  The Speaker, in 
consultation with the Minority Leader, shall develop through an 
appropriate entity of the House a system for drug testing in the House. 
The system may provide for the testing of a Member, Delegate, Resident 
Commissioner, officer, or employee of the House, and otherwise shall be 
comparable in scope to the system for drug testing in the executive 
branch pursuant to Executive Order 12564 (Sept. 15, 1986). The expenses 
of the system may be paid from applicable accounts of the House for 
official expenses.



[[Page 341]]

the House recodified its rules in the 106th Congress (H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 
1999, p. ----).




[106th Congress House Rules Manual -- House Document No. 105-358]
[From the U.S. Government Printing Office Online Database]
[Page 341-358]

 
  This clause was added in the 105th Congress (H. Res. 5, Jan. 7, 1997, 
p. ----). Clerical and stylistic changes to this clause were effected 
when



Elections
               Rule II.--OTHER OFFICERS AND OFFICIALS                  




640. Election, oath, and removal of officers.

  1.  There 
shall be elected at the commencement of each Congress, to continue in 
office until their successors are chosen and qualified, a Clerk, a 
Sergeant-at-Arms, a Chief Administrative Officer, and a Chaplain. Each 
of these officers shall take an oath to support the Constitution of the 
United States, and for the true and faithful exercise of the duties of 
his office to the best of his knowledge and ability, and to keep the 
secrets of the House. Each of these officers shall appoint all of the 
employees of his department provided for by law. The Clerk, Sergeant-at-
Arms, and Chief Administrative Officer may be removed by the House or by 
the Speaker.



[[Page 342]]

trative Officer (an elected officer) from the former Director of Non-
legislative and Financial Services (an officer appointed jointly by the 
Speaker and the Majority and Minority Leaders under clause 1 of rule VI 
of the 103d Congress), see Sec. 665, infra.
  When the House recodified its rules, it consolidated former rules II 
through VII, former clauses 10 and 11 of rule I, former clause 6 of rule 
XIII, and former clause 5 of rule XVI under rule II (H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 
1999, p. ----). A rudimentary form of this clause was adopted in 1789, 
and was amended several times prior to 1880, when it assumed the form it 
retained for more than a century (I, 187). During the 102d Congress, 
section 2 of the House Administrative Reform Resolution of 1992 amended 
the clause to abolish the Office of the Postmaster (see Sec. 668, infra) 
and to empower the Speaker to remove elected officers (H. Res. 423, Apr. 
9, 1992, p. 9039). The 104th Congress made conforming changes to the 
clause to reflect the abolishment of the Office of the Doorkeeper and 
the establishment of an elected Chief Administrative Officer (sec. 
201(a), H. Res. 6, Jan. 4, 1995, p. 463). Clerical and stylistic changes 
were effected when the House recodified its rules in the 106th Congress 
(H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 1999, p. ----). For a discussion of the former 
Office of the Doorkeeper, see Sec. 664, infra; and for a discussion of 
the evolution of the Chief Adminis

  The House having discarded a theory that the rules might be imposed by 
one House on its successor (V, 6743-6745), it follows that this clause 
is not operative at the organization. Before the House recodified its 
rules in the 106th Congress, the House was required under former rule II 
to elect its Speaker and other officers by viva voce vote (I, 204, 208); 
but the officers mentioned in the rule were, even then, usually chosen 
by resolution, which is not a viva voce election (I, 193, 194). A 
majority vote is required for the election of officers of both Houses of 
Congress (VI, 23). The act of 1789 provides that the oath of office 
shall be administered to the Speaker by any Member and by the Speaker to 
the Clerk (I, 130). The Speaker also at the same time administers the 
oath to the other elective officers (I, 81). The Member of longest 
continuous service has traditionally administered the oath to the 
Speaker (I, 131). However, on some occasions the Speaker has selected 
the Member to administer the oath (VI, 6, 7). The requirement that the 
officers be sworn to keep the secrets of the House had become obsolete 
(I, 187), but the 104th Congress adopted a requirement that Members, 
officers, and employees subscribe an oath of secrecy regarding 
classified information (clause 13 of rule XXIV). In the 102d Congress 
clause 4(d)(1)(B) of rule X was amended to require the Committee on 
House Administration to provide policy direction for, and oversight of, 
the Clerk, Sergeant-at-Arms, Chief Administrative Officer, and Inspector 
General (H. Res. 423, Apr. 9, 1992, p. 9040).


  The House has declined to interfere with the Clerk's power of removing 
his subordinates (I, 249). Employees under the Clerk and other officers 
are to be assigned only to the duties for which they are appointed (V, 
7232). The Sergeant-at-Arms having died, the Clerk was elected by the 
House to serve temporarily also as Sergeant-at-Arms without additional 
compensation (July 8, 1953, p. 8242). The Legislative Reorganization Act 
of 1946 (2 U.S.C. 75a-1) authorizes the Speaker to fill temporary 
vacancies in the offices of Clerk, Sergeant-at-Arms, Chief 
Administrative Officer, and Chaplain. A former version of the Act also 
permitted temporary appointments to the former offices of Doorkeeper and 
Postmaster. The Speaker has exercised his authority to fill temporary 
vacancies in the offices of Sergeant-at-Arms (Jan. 6, 1954, p. 8; June 
30, 1972, p. 23665; Feb. 28, 1980, p. 4350; and Mar. 12, 1992, p. 5519), 
Clerk (Nov. 15, 1975, p. 36901; Jan. 1, 1999, p. ----), Chaplain (Mar. 
14, 1966, p. 5712), Doorkeeper (Dec. 20, 1974, p. 41855), and Chief 
Administrative Officer (Jan. 9, 1997, p. ----). A resolution electing a 
House officer is presented as a question of privilege (July 31, 1997, p. 
----).


[[Page 343]]

Clerk
                                                       Rule II, clause 2
Rule II, clause 2




641. Clerk; commencement of first session.

  2.  (a) At the 
commencement of the first session of each Congress, the Clerk shall call 
the Members, Delegates, and Resident Commissioner to order and proceed 
to record their presence by States in alphabetical order, either by call 
of the roll or by use of the electronic voting system. Pending the 
election of a Speaker or Speaker pro tempore, the Clerk shall preserve 
order and decorum and decide all questions of order, subject to appeal 
by a Member, Delegate, or Resident Commissioner.


  In 1880 several rules, adopted at different periods from 1794 to 1846, 
were consolidated into this clause, which, before the House recodified 
its rules in the 106th Congress, was found in rule III (H. Res. 5, Jan. 
6, 1999, p. ----). Paragraph (a) was initially framed in 1880, on a 
basis furnished by a rule of 1860 (I, 64), and amended in 1911.



Sec. 642. Other duties of the Clerk.

  Various  other 
administrative duties, similar to those specified in this clause, are 
imposed on the Clerk by law (I, 253; Legislative Reorganization Act of 
1946, 60 Stat. 812); and the law also makes it his duty to furnish 
stationery, blank books, etc., to the committees and officers of the 
House (V, 7322); to exercise discretionary authority as to reprinting of 
bills and documents (V, 7319); to receive the testimony taken in 
election contests (I, 703, 705; see also Federal Contested Election Act, 
P.L. 91-138, 83 Stat. 284), and to serve as an ex officio member of the 
Federal Election Commission established pursuant to Public Law 94-283; 2 
U.S.C. 437c. Instance of Clerk serving temporarily also as Sergeant-at-
Arms (July 8, 1953, p. 8242).


  The Clerk is required to make certain reports on receipts and 
expenditures (2 U.S.C. 102, 103, 113), which are available to the 
public. But members of the public have no statutory or constitutional 
right to examine the actual financial records which are used in 
preparing such reports (Trimble v. Johnston, 173 F. Supp. 651, D.C. Cir. 
1959).


[[Page 344]]

electronic device to establish a quorum (Jan. 5, 1981, pp. 93-96). For a 
discussion of procedure in the House before the adoption of rules, 
including the procedure by which the Clerk conducts the election of the 
Speaker, see Sec. Sec. 27 and 60, supra. The Clerk, in presiding before 
the election of the Speaker, recognizes Members (I, 74). The Members-
elect have, before the election of the Speaker or adoption of rules, 
authorized the Clerk and Sergeant-at-Arms of the last House to preserve 
order (I, 101); but usually such action has not been taken, although an 
occasion might arise to make it necessary (I, 76, 77).


Sec. 643. Clerk's duties at organization.

  As  rules are not 
usually adopted until after the election of the Speaker, this paragraph 
is not in force at the time of organization of a new House. The 
procedure at organization does, however, follow a practice conforming to 
the terms of the paragraph (I, 81), although the House may depart from 
it. Since the 97th Congress, for example, the House has permitted by 
unanimous consent the alphabetical roll call of Members by States to be 
conducted by


  While the Speaker ceases to be an officer of the House with the 
expiration of a Congress, the Clerk, by old usage, continues in a new 
Congress (I, 187, 188, 235, 244).-



Sec. 644. The roll of Memberselect.

  The  roll of Members is 
made up by the Clerk from the credentials, in accordance with a 
provision of law (I, 14-62; VI, 2; 2 U.S.C. 26). A certificate of 
election in due form having been filed, the Clerk placed the name of the 
Member-elect on the roll, although he was subsequently advised that a 
State Supreme Court had issued a writ restraining the Secretary of State 
from issuing such certificate (Jan. 3, 1949, p. 8). The call of the roll 
may not be interrupted, especially by one not on that roll (I, 84), and 
a person not on the roll may not be recognized (I, 86). A motion to 
proceed to the election of the Speaker is of higher privilege than a 
motion to correct the roll (I, 19-24). The House has declined to permit 
enrollment by the Clerk to be final as to prima facie right (I, 376, 
589, 592).





Sec. 645. Clerk as presiding officer at 
organizations.

  In  early years the authority of the Clerk to decide 
questions of order pending the election of a Speaker was questioned (I, 
65). The Clerks often declined to make decisions (I, 68-72; V, 5325). 
However, in 1855 and 1997 the Clerk decided a question of order; and in 
1997 the Clerk was sustained on appeal (I, 91; Jan. 7, 1997, p. ----). 
During the existence of a rule that applied the rules of a prior House 
to a successor House (1860 through 1890) (I, 64; V, 6743-6747) the 
Clerks made several rulings (I, 76, 77; VI, 623). In a case of vacancy 
arising after the adoption of rules, this rule would be operative and 
conclude questions as to the Clerk's authority. The Clerk having died, 
and in the absence of the Sergeant-at-Arms, the Doorkeeper of the 79th 
Congress presided at organization of the 80th Congress (Jan. 3, 1947, p. 
33). The Clerk, having been appointed pursuant to 2 U.S.C. 75a-1 by the 
previous Speaker at the end of the 105th Congress to fill a vacancy 
caused by resignation of the Clerk elected for that Congress, presided 
at the organization of the 106th Congress (Jan. 6, 1999, p. ----).



[[Page 345]]

delivered to each Member, Delegate, and the Resident Commissioner a list 
of the reports that any officer or Department is required to make to 
Congress, citing the law or resolution in which the requirement may be 
contained and placing under the name of each officer the list of reports 
he is required to make.



Sec. 646. Clerk furnishes a list of reports.

  (b)  At the 
commencement of every regular session of Congress, the Clerk shall make 
and cause to be printed and



  Before the House recodified its rules in the 106th Congress, this 
provision was found in former clause 2 of rule II (H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 
1999, p. ----). The paragraph was initially adopted in 1822 (I, 252).

  (c) The Clerk shall--



Sec. 647. Clerk's duty as to Journal and 
documents.

      (1) note  all questions of order, with the decisions thereon, the 
record of which shall be appended to the Journal of each session;


      (2) enter on the Journal the hour at which the House adjourns;

      (3) complete the printing and distribution of the Journal to 
Members, Delegates, and the Resident Commissioner, together with an 
accurate and complete index, as soon as possible after the close of a 
session; and


      (4) send a printed copy of the Journal to the executive of and to 
each branch of the legislature of every State as may be requested by 
such State officials.


[[Page 346]]

lution (see Sec. 665, infra). Clerical corrections were effected at the 
beginning of the 104th Congress (sec. 223(f), H. Res. 6, Jan. 4, 1995, 
p. 469) and the 106th Congress (H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 1999, p. ----). 
During the 104th Congress the requirement to send a printed copy of the 
Journal to each branch of every State legislature was changed to an 
authorization to send such copies on request (H. Res. 254, Nov. 30, 
1995, p. ----).

  Before the House recodified its rules in the 106th Congress, this 
paragraph (except subparagraph (2)) was found in former clause 3 of rule 
III; and subparagraph (2) was found in former clause 5 of rule XVI (H. 
Res. 5, Jan. 6, 1999, p. ----). Subparagraph (2) was adopted initially 
in 1837 and amended in 1880 (V, 6740). Former provisions directing the 
Clerk to make all contracts, keep contingent and stationery accounts, 
and pay officers and employees were stricken by section 3 of the House 
Administrative Reform Resolution of 1992 (H. Res. 423, 102d Cong., Apr. 
9, 1992, p. 9050), to relieve the Clerk of functions to be transferred 
to the Director of Non-legislative and Financial Services pursuant to 
section 7 of that reso




Sec. 648. Attests and seals process and certifies passage 
of bills.

  (d)  The Clerk shall attest and affix the seal of the House to 
all writs, warrants, and subpoenas issued by order of the House and 
certify the passage of all bills and joint resolutions.



  Before the House recodified its rules in the 106th Congress, this 
paragraph was found in former clause 3 of rule III (H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 
1999, p. ----). When the House issues an order or warrant, the Speaker 
must issue the summons under his hand and seal, and it must be attested 
by the Clerk; but when the power is granted to a committee to send for 
persons and papers under clause 2(m) of rule XI, a summons signed by the 
chairman of the committee is sufficient (III, 1668).




Sec. 649. Calendars printed.

  (e)  The Clerk shall cause the 
calendars of the House to be printed and distributed each legislative 
day.



  Before the House recodified its rules in the 106th Congress, paragraph 
(e) was found in former clause 6 of rule XIII (H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 1999, 
p. ----). This paragraph was adopted initially in the 62d Congress, 
April 5, 1911 (VI, 743), and amended December 8, 1931 (pp. 10, 83).

  (f) The Clerk shall--



Sec. 650. Documents.

      (1) retain  in the library at the 
Office of the Clerk for the use of the Members, Delegates, Resident 
Commissioner, and officers of the House, and not to be withdrawn 
therefrom, two copies of all the books and printed documents deposited 
there; and



[[Page 347]]

requested by that Member, Delegate, or Resident Commissioner that has 
been printed by order of either House of Congress in any Congress in 
which the Member, Delegate, or Resident Commissioner served.

      (2) deliver or mail to any Member, Delegate, or the Resident 
Commissioner an extra copy, in binding of good quality, of each document


  Before the House recodified its rules in the 106th Congress, 
paragraphs (c) and (f) were found in former clause 3 of rule III (H. 
Res. 5, Jan. 6, 1999, p. ----). They were amended in the 92d Congress to 
include Delegates and the Resident Commissioner among those entitled to 
the listed services (H. Res. 5, Jan. 22, 1971, pp. 140-44; H. Res. 1153, 
Oct. 13, 1972, pp. 36013-15).




Sec. 651. Official to act as Clerk upon designation.

  (g)  The 
Clerk shall provide for his temporary absence or disability by 
designating an official in the Office of the Clerk to sign all papers 
that may require the official signature of the Clerk and to do all other 
official acts that the Clerk may be required to do under the rules and 
practices of the House, except such official acts as are provided for by 
statute. Official acts done by the designated official shall be under 
the name of the Clerk. The designation shall be in writing and shall be 
laid before the House and entered on the Journal.



[[Page 348]]

p. ----). It was adopted initially on January 18, 1912 (VI, 25) and was 
amended January 3, 1953 (p. 16). Form of designation of a Clerk pro 
tempore (VI, 26).

  Before the House recodified its rules in the 106th Congress, this 
paragraph was found in former clause 4 of rule III (H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 
1999,




Sec. 652. Authority to receive messages.

  (h)  The Clerk may 
receive messages from the President and from the Senate at any time when 
the House is not in session.



  Before the House recodified its rules in the 106th Congress, this 
paragraph was found in former clause 5 of rule III (H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 
1999, p. ----). It was adopted initially in the 97th Congress (H. Res. 
5, Jan. 5, 1981, pp. 98-113). In the case of Kennedy v. Sampson, 511 
F.2d 430 (D.C. Cir. 1974) (see Sec. 113, supra, accompanying Const., 
art. I, sec. 7, cl. 2) a United States Court of Appeals held that a bill 
could not be pocket-vetoed by the President during an ``intrasession'' 
adjournment of Congress to a day certain for more than three days, where 
the House of origin has made appropriate arrangements for the receipt of 
Presidential messages during the adjournment. Under this clause the 
Clerk may receive messages during recesses as well as during 
adjournments (Dec. 22, 1987, p. 37966).



Sec. 653. Administration of vacant Member's 
office.

  (i)(1)  The Clerk shall supervise the staff and manage the office of a 
Member, Delegate, or Resident Commissioner who has died, resigned, or 
been expelled until a successor is elected. The Clerk shall perform 
similar duties in the event that a vacancy is declared by the House in 
any congressional district because of the incapacity of the person 
representing such district or other reason. Whenever the Clerk is acting 
as a supervisory authority over such staff, he shall have authority to 
terminate employees and, with the approval of the Committee on House 
Administration, may appoint such staff as is required to operate the 
office until a successor is elected.



  (2) For 60 days following the death of a former Speaker, the Clerk 
shall maintain on the House payroll, and shall supervise in the same 
manner, staff appointed under House Resolution 1238, Ninety-first 
Congress (as enacted into permanent law by chapter VIII of the 
Supplemental Appropriations Act, 1971) (2 U.S.C. 31b-5).


[[Page 349]]

(sec. 202(b), H. Res. 6, Jan. 4, 1995, p. 464; H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 1999, 
p. ----).

-  (j) In <> addition to any other 
reports required by the Speaker or the Committee on House 
Administration, the Clerk shall report to the Committee on House 
Administration not later than 45 days following the close of each 
semiannual period ending on June 30 or on December 31 on the financial 
and operational status of each function under the jurisdiction of the 
Clerk. Each report shall include financial statements and a description 
or explanation of current operations, the implementation of new policies 
and procedures, and future plans for each function.
  Before the House recodified its rules in the 106th Congress, this 
paragraph was found in former clause 6 of rule III (H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 
1999, p. ----). It was adopted initially in the 98th Congress (H. Res. 
5, Jan. 3, 1983, p. 34). It was amended in the 104th and 106th 
Congresses to reflect changes in the name of the Committee on House 
Administration




Sec. 655. Cooperation with others.

  (k)  The Clerk shall fully 
cooperate with the appropriate offices and persons in the performance of 
reviews and audits of financial records and administrative operations.



  Before the House recodified its rules in the 106th Congress, 
paragraphs (j) and (k) were found in former clauses 7 and 8 of rule III 
(H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 1999, p. ----). They were adopted initially in the 
104th Congress (sec. 201(b), H. Res. 6, Jan. 4, 1995, p. 463). A 
conforming change was effected at the beginning of the 106th Congress in 
the name of the Committee on House Administration (H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 
1999, p. ----).

                                                       Rule II, clause 3
Rule II, clause 3
Sergeant-at-Arms--


[[Page 350]]

authority thereof, directed to him by the Speaker.



656. SergeantatArms enforces authority of House.

  3. (a)   
The Sergeant-at-Arms shall attend the House during its sittings and 
maintain order under the direction of the Speaker or other presiding 
officer. The Sergeant-at-Arms shall execute the commands of the House, 
and all processes issued by


  Before the House recodified its rules in the 106th Congress, this 
paragraph was found in former clause 1 of rule IV (H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 
1999, p. ----). It was adopted initially in 1789, with additions and 
amendments in 1838, 1877, 1890 (I, 257), 1911 (VI, 29), and 1971. 
Amendments adopted in the 92d Congress clarified the responsibility of 
the Sergeant-at-Arms to keep the accounts for the pay and mileage of the 
Delegates from the District of Columbia, Guam, and the Virgin Islands 
and the Resident Commissioner from Puerto Rico as well as for Members 
(H. Res. 5, Jan. 22, 1971, p. 144; H. Res. 1153, Oct. 13, 1972, pp. 
36013-15). In the 94th Congress, the provisions of House Resolution 732, 
directing the Sergeant-at-Arms to enter into agreements with State 
officials, with the approval of the Committee on House Administration, 
to withhold State income taxes from the pay of each Member subject to 
such State income tax and requesting such withholding, were enacted into 
permanent law (90 Stat. 1448; 2 U.S.C. 60e-1b). Former provisions of 
this clause directing the Sergeant-at-Arms to keep the accounts for the 
pay and mileage of Members and Delegates and the Resident Commissioner 
from Puerto Rico were stricken by section 4 of the House Administrative 
Reform Resolution of 1992 (H. Res. 423, 102d Cong., Apr. 9, 1992, p. 
9039), to relieve the Sergeant-at-Arms of functions to be transferred to 
the Director of Non-legislative and Financial Services pursuant to 
section 7 of that resolution (see Sec. 665, supra). During the 102d 
Congress, the House adopted a resolution presented by the Majority 
Leader as a question of the privileges of the House to terminate all 
bank and check-cashing operations in the Office of the Sergeant-at-Arms 
and direct the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct to review GAO 
audits of such operations (Oct. 3, 1991, p. 25435). When former rule IV 
was rewritten entirely in the 104th Congress, clause 1 was restated 
without change (sec. 201(c), H. Res. 6, Jan. 4, 1995, p. 463).

  The Sergeant-at-Arms is authorized to make payments from the 
contingent fund of the House (now referred to as ``applicable accounts 
of the House described in clause 1(i)(1) of rule X''), under rules 
prescribed by the Committee on House Administration, to defray the 
expenses of the funeral of a deceased Member of the House and the 
expenses of any delegation of Members of Congress duly appointed to 
attend (76 Stat. 686; 2 U.S.C. 124).


[[Page 351]]

  The Speaker ordered that documents received in a communication from an 
independent counsel advising the House of substantial and credible 
information that may constitute grounds for impeachment of the President 
be kept under armed guard of the Sergeant-at-Arms until the House 
determined which documents to make available to the public (Sept. 9, 
1998, p. ----).

  At the organization of the House in a new Congress the election of 
Speaker occurs before the adoption of rules. Therefore this rule is not 
in force at that time, and in case of necessity a special rule may be 
adopted conferring the authority, as was done in 1849 and 1859 (I, 101, 
102).


-- <>   (b) The symbol of the office of the Sergeant-at-Arms shall 
be the mace, which shall be borne by him while enforcing order on the 
floor.

  Duties are imposed on the Sergeant-at-Arms by law (I, 258): Control of 
Capitol police; and the making up of the roll of Members-elect and 
presiding over the organization of a new Congress in case of vacancy in 
the Office of the Clerk, or the absence or disability of that officer (2 
U.S.C. 26). The death of the Sergeant-at-Arms being announced, the House 
passed appropriate resolutions and adjourned as a mark of respect (VI, 
32; July 8, 1953, p. 8263). The Clerk having died, and in the absence of 
the Sergeant-at-Arms, the Doorkeeper of the 79th Congress presided at 
the organization of the 80th Congress (Jan. 3, 1947, p. 33). In the 83d 
Congress the Sergeant-at-Arms having died, the Clerk was elected to 
serve temporarily both as Clerk and Sergeant-at-Arms (July 8, 1953, p. 
8242), and upon resignation by the Clerk from his additional position of 
Sergeant-at-Arms, the Speaker, pursuant to 2 U.S.C. 75a-1, appointed a 
temporary Sergeant-at-Arms (Jan. 6, 1954, p. 8). The Sergeant-at-Arms 
having resigned in the 96th Congress, the Speaker appointed a temporary 
Sergeant-at-Arms pursuant to the statute (Feb. 28, 1980, pp. 4349-50); 
and the same occurred in the 102d Congress (Mar. 12, 1992, p. 5519). 
Instance where the Senate by resolution removed its Sergeant-at-Arms 
(VI, 37).


  Before the House recodified its rules in the 106th Congress, this 
paragraph was found in former clause 2 of rule IV (H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 
1999, p. ----). It was adopted initially in 1789 (II, 1346). When former 
rule IV was rewritten entirely in the 104th Congress, the paragraph was 
restated without change (sec. 201(c), H. Res. 6, Jan. 4, 1995, p. 463). 
An attempt to enforce order without the mace gave rise to a question of 
privilege (II, 1347). Extreme disorder arising on the floor, the Speaker 
directed the Sergeant-at-Arms to enforce order with the mace (VI, 258; 
VIII, 2530).



Sec. 658. Doorkeeping.

  (c)  The Sergeant-at-Arms shall 
enforce strictly the rules relating to the privileges of the Hall of the 
House and be responsible to the House for the official conduct of his 
employees.



[[Page 352]]

during its sittings; and from 15 minutes before the hour of the meeting 
of the House each day until 10 minutes after adjournment, he shall see 
that the floor is cleared of all persons except those privileged to 
remain.

  (d) The Sergeant-at-Arms may not allow a person to enter the room over 
the Hall of the House


-  (e) <> In addition to any other 
reports required by the Speaker or the Committee on House 
Administration, the Sergeant-at-Arms shall report to the Committee on 
House Administration not later than 45 days following the close of each 
semiannual period ending on June 30 or on December 31 on the financial 
and operational status of each function under the jurisdiction of the 
Sergeant-at-Arms. Each report shall include financial statements and a 
description or explanation of current operations, the implementation of 
new policies and procedures, and future plans for each function.
  Before the House recodified its rules in the 106th Congress, 
paragraphs (c) and (d) were found in former clauses 3 and 4 of rule IV 
(H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 1999, p. ----). They were adopted initially in the 
104th Congress to transfer functions incident to the abolishment of the 
Office of the Doorkeeper (sec. 201(c), H. Res. 6, Jan. 4, 1995, p. 463). 
For the history of the Office of the Doorkeeper, see Sec. 664, infra.




Sec. 660. Cooperation with others.

  (f) The  Sergeant-at-Arms 
shall fully cooperate with the appropriate offices and persons in the 
performance of reviews and audits of financial records and 
administrative operations.



  Before the House recodified its rules in the 106th Congress, 
paragraphs (e) and (f) were found in former clauses 5 and 6 of rule IV 
(H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 1999, p. ----). They were adopted initially in the 
104th Congress (sec. 201(c), H. Res. 6, Jan. 4, 1995, p. 463). A 
conforming change was effected at the beginning of the 106th Congress in 
the name of the Committee on House Administration (H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 
1999, p. ----).


[[Page 353]]

Chief Administrative Officer
                                                       Rule II, clause 4
Rule II, clause 4



661. Duties.

  4.  (a) The Chief Administrative Officer shall 
have operational and financial responsibility for functions as assigned 
by the Committee on House Administration and shall be subject to the 
policy direction and oversight of the Committee on House 
Administration.-




Sec. 662. Semiannual reports.

  (b)  In addition to any other 
reports required by the Committee on House Administration, the Chief 
Administrative Officer shall report to the Committee on House 
Administration not later than 45 days following the close of each 
semiannual period ending on June 30 or December 31 on the financial and 
operational status of each function under the jurisdiction of the Chief 
Administrative Officer. Each report shall include financial statements 
and a description or explanation of current operations, the 
implementation of new policies and procedures, and future plans for each 
function.





Sec. 663. Cooperation with others.

  (c)  The Chief 
Administrative Officer shall fully cooperate with the appropriate 
offices and persons in the performance of reviews and audits of 
financial records and administrative operations.



[[Page 354]]

the Sergeant-at-Arms incident to the abolishment of the Office of the 
Doorkeeper.
  Before the House recodified its rules in the 106th Congress, clause 4 
was found in former rule V (H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 1999, p. ----). It was 
adopted initially in this form in the 104th Congress (sec. 201(c), H. 
Res. 6, Jan. 4, 1995, p. 463). It was amended in the 105th Congress to 
eliminate the supervisory role of the Speaker over the Chief 
Administrative Officer (H. Res. 5, Jan. 7, 1997, p. ----). A conforming 
change was effected at the beginning of the 106th Congress in the name 
of the Committee on House Administration (H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 1999, p. --
--). The earlier form of the rule enumerated the duties of the 
Doorkeeper, which were transferred to



Sec. 664. Former Office of Doorkeeper.

  Before  the 104th 
Congress (sec. 201(c), H. Res. 6, Jan. 4, 1995, p. 463), rule V 
enumerated the duties of the Doorkeeper, who enforced the rules relating 
to the privileges of the Hall of the House. The earlier form of the rule 
was adopted in 1838 and amended in 1869, 1880 (I, 260), and 1890 (V, 
7295). By law the Doorkeeper was assigned certain administrative duties 
(I, 262), including certain housekeeping functions. Through his 
employees and appointees, the Doorkeeper also discharged various duties 
not enumerated in the law or in the rules, such as announcing at the 
door of the Hall of the House all messengers from the President and the 
Senate (V, 6591). The Clerk having died, and the Sergeant-at-Arms having 
been absent, the Doorkeeper of the 79th Congress presided at the 
organization of the 80th Congress (Jan. 3, 1947, p. 33). In the 78th 
Congress, the House adopted a resolution on the death of the Doorkeeper 
and appointed a committee to attend his funeral (Jan. 28, 1943, pp. 421-
22).-





Sec. 665. Former Director of Nonlegislative and 
Financial Services.

  The Chief  Administrative Officer supplanted the Director of 
Non-legislative and Financial Services formerly provided for under 
clause 1 of rule VI in the 103d Congress, which corresponded to an 
erstwhile rule LII of the 102d Congress. Certain functions and entities 
formerly within the purview of elected officers were transferred to the 
Director of Non-legislative and Financial Services pursuant to section 7 
of the House Administrative Reform Resolution of 1992 (H. Res. 423, Apr. 
9, 1992, p. 9040). Section 7(b) of that resolution vested the Committee 
on House Administration with authority to prescribe regulations 
providing for the orderly transfer of such functions and entities and 
any other transfers necessary for the improvement of non-legislative and 
financial services in the House, so long as not transferring a function 
or entity within the jurisdiction of the committee under rule X. Section 
13 of the resolution provided that previous responsibility for a 
function or entity would remain fixed until such function or entity were 
transferred. Pursuant to clause 1 of rule VI of the 103d Congress (then 
still designated as rule LII of the 102d Congress), the Speaker, the 
Majority Leader, and the Minority Leader jointly appointed the first 
Director of Non-legislative and Financial Services of the House on 
October 23, 1992 (Oct. 29, 1992, p. 34802).


                                                       Rule II, clause 5
Rule II, clause 5
Chaplain




666. Duties of the Chaplain.

  5. The  Chaplain shall offer a 
prayer at the commencement of each day's sitting of the House.



[[Page 355]]

adopted initially in 1880 (I, 272), but the sessions of the House were 
opened with prayer from the first, and the Chaplain was an officer of 
the House before the adoption of the rule (I, 273-282). The Chaplain 
takes the oath prescribed for the officers of the House (VI, 31; Feb. 1, 
1950, p. 1311). Prayer by the Chaplain is not business requiring the 
presence of a quorum and the Speaker declines to entertain a point of no 
quorum before prayer is offered (VI, 663; clause 7(a)(1) of rule XX). 
There is no precedent for prayer to be offered by the Chaplain during a 
continuous session of the House, absent an adjournment or recess 
(compare Apr. 22 and 23, 1985, pp. 8753 and 8959). Form of resignation 
of the Chaplain (Feb. 28, 1921, p. 4075; Jan. 30, 1950, p. 1097). The 
election of a Chaplain emeritus (VI, 31; Jan. 30, 1950, p. 1095).
  Before the House recodified its rules in the 106th Congress, this 
clause was found in former rule VII (H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 1999, p. ----). 
It was


  During the 97th Congress, the Supreme Court held that employment of a 
chaplain for the legislative body of Nebraska did not violate the 
Establishment Clause of the first amendment to the Constitution (Marsh 
v. Chambers, 463 U.S. 783 (1983)). The Court of Appeals cited the Marsh 
decision as controlling authority in a similar challenge to the House 
Chaplain (Murray v. Buchanan, 729 F.2d 689 (D.C. Cir. 1983)). The House 
adopted a privileged resolution articulating its position in the Murray 
case (H. Res. 413, Mar. 30, 1982, p. 5890).

                                                       Rule II, clause 6
Rule II, clause 6
Office of Inspector General



667. Inspector General.

  6. (a)  There is established an 
Office of Inspector General.


  (b) The Inspector General shall be appointed for a Congress by the 
Speaker, the Majority Leader, and the Minority Leader, acting jointly.

  (c) Subject to the policy direction and oversight of the Committee on 
House Administration, the Inspector General shall only--

      (1) conduct periodic audits of the financial and administrative 
functions of the House and of joint entities;


[[Page 356]]

      (2) inform the officers or other officials who are the subject of 
an audit of the results of that audit and suggesting appropriate 
curative actions;

      (3) simultaneously notify the Speaker, the Majority Leader, the 
Minority Leader, and the chairman and ranking minority member of the 
Committee on House Administration in the case of any financial 
irregularity discovered in the course of carrying out responsibilities 
under this clause;

      (4) simultaneously submit to the Speaker, the Majority Leader, the 
Minority Leader, and the chairman and ranking minority member of the 
Committee on House Administration a report of each audit conducted under 
this clause; and


      (5) report to the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct 
information involving possible violations by a Member, Delegate, 
Resident Commissioner, officer, or employee of the House of any rule of 
the House or of any law applicable to the performance of official duties 
or the discharge of official responsibilities that may require referral 
to the appropriate Federal or State authorities under clause 3(a)(3) of 
rule XI.

  Before the House recodified its rules in the 106th Congress, this 
clause was found in former rule VI (H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 1999, p. ----). 
It was adopted initially in this form at the beginning of the 104th 
Congress (sec. 201(c), H. Res. 6, Jan. 4, 1995, p. 463). Later in the 
104th Congress and in the 106th Congress it was amended to effect a 
technical correction (H. Res. 254, Nov. 30, 1995, p. ----; H. Res. 5, 
Jan. 6, 1999, p. ----). Its predecessor form was composed in the 103d 
Congress (H. Res. 5, Jan. 5, 1993, p. 49) by combining two rules adopted 
in the House Administrative Reform Resolution of 1992 (H. Res. 423, 102d 
Cong., Apr. 9, 1992, p. 9040). For the history of former rule VI before 
1992, see Sec. 668, infra.


[[Page 357]]

Officer; see clause 4 of rule II, Sec. Sec. 661-663, supra), and 
paragraph (b) (former clause 2) corresponded to an erstwhile rule LIII 
of the 102d Congress (relating to the Inspector General). The 104th 
Congress rewrote clause 2 of rule VI (as it was composed in the 103d 
Congress) to occupy all of rule VI and to: broaden the auditing 
responsibilities beyond the offices of the elected officers (paragraph 
(c)(1), former clause 2(c)(1)); add requirements for simultaneous 
reporting (paragraphs (c)(3) and (4), former clauses 2(c)(3) and (4)); 
delete a provision relating to classification of employees (former 
clause 2(d)); and add the responsibility to report certain information 
to the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct (paragraph (c)(5)) 
(sec. 201, H. Res. 6, Jan. 4, 1995, p. 464). The 104th Congress also 
mandated that the Inspector General, in consultation with the Speaker 
and the Committee on House Administration, procure an independent and 
comprehensive audit of House financial records and administrative 
operations and report the results thereof in accord with this rule (sec. 
107, H. Res. 6, Jan. 4, 1995, p. 463).
  In the form of the rule adopted in the 103d Congress, paragraph (a) 
(former clause 1) corresponded to an erstwhile rule LII of the 102d 
Congress (relating to the Director of Non-legislative and Financial 
Services, who in the 104th Congress was supplanted by the Chief 
Administrative


  Pursuant to clause 2(b) of the form of the rule adopted in the 103d 
Congress, the Speaker, the Majority Leader, and the Minority Leader 
jointly appointed the first Inspector General of the House of 
Representatives (Nov. 10, 1993, p. 28591).




Sec. 668. Former Office of the Postmaster.

  Until  the 102d 
Congress, former rule VI provided for an Office of the Postmaster, who 
superintended the post offices of the House and the delivery of its 
mail. The earlier form of the rule was adopted in 1838 and amended in 
1880 (I, 270), 1911 (VI, 34), 1971 (H. Res. 5, 92d Cong., p. 144), and 
1972 (H. Res. 1153, 92d Cong., pp. 36013-15). The Office of the 
Postmaster was abolished during the 102d Congress by sections 2 and 5 of 
the House Administrative Reform Resolution of 1992 (H. Res. 423, Apr. 9, 
1992, p. 9040).


                                                       Rule II, clause 7
Rule II, clause 7
Office of the Historian




669. Historian.

  7.  There is established an Office of the 
Historian of the House of Representatives. The Speaker shall appoint and 
set the annual rate of pay for employees of the Office of the Historian.



[[Page 358]]

agement, supervision, and administration of the office was under the 
direction of the Speaker and was staffed by a professional historian 
appointed by the Speaker on a nonpartisan basis. In 1984 the Office of 
the Bicentennial was removed from the standing rules and established by 
law for the remainder of its existence in P.L. 98-367 (2 U.S.C. 29c).

  Before the House recodified its rules in the 106th Congress, this 
provision was found in former clause 10 of rule I (H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 
1999, p. ----). It was adopted initially in the 101st Congress (H. Res. 
5, Jan. 3, 1989, p. 72). The second sentence was added in the 106th 
Congress (H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 1999, p. ----). An earlier form of this 
clause provided for the seven-year establishment of an Office for the 
Bicentennial to coordinate the commemoration of the two-hundredth 
anniversary of the House of Representatives (H. Res. 621, 97th Cong., 
Dec. 17, 1982, p. 31951). The man

                                                       Rule II, clause 8
Rule II, clause 8
Office of General Counsel




670. General Counsel.

  8.  There is established an Office of 
General Counsel for the purpose of providing legal assistance and 
representation to the House. Legal assistance and representation shall 
be provided without regard to political affiliation. The Office of 
General Counsel shall function pursuant to the direction of the Speaker, 
who shall consult with a Bipartisan Legal Advisory Group, which shall 
include the majority and minority leaderships. The Speaker shall appoint 
and set the annual rate of pay for employees of the Office of General 
Counsel.




[106th Congress House Rules Manual -- House Document No. 105-358]
[From the U.S. Government Printing Office Online Database]
[Page 359-363]

[[Page 359]]


 
  Before the House recodified its rules in the 106th Congress, this 
provision was found in former clause 11 of rule I (H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 
1999, p. ----). It was adopted intially in the 103d Congress (H. Res. 5, 
Jan. 5, 1993, p. 49). The previous year, in section 12 of the House 
Administrative Reform Resolution of 1992 (H. Res. 423, Apr. 9, 1992, p. 
9040), the House had directed the Committee on House Administration to 
provide for an Office of General Counsel in a manner ensuring 
appropriate coordination with and participation by both the majority and 
minority leaderships in matters of representation and litigation.

    Rule III.--THE MEMBERS, DELEGATES, AND RESIDENT COMMISSIONER OF    



Voting
                              PUERTO RICO




671. Personal interest.

  1.  Every Member shall be present 
within the Hall of the House during its sittings, unless excused or 
necessarily prevented, and shall vote on each question put, unless he 
has a direct personal or pecuniary interest in the event of such 
question.


  When the House recodified its rules, it consolidated former rule VIII, 
rule XII, and clause 6(h) of rule X under rule III, except that viable 
provisions of former clause 2 of rule VIII were transferred to current 
clause 3 of rule XX. This clause was adopted initially in 1789, with 
amendment in 1890 (V, 5941). Before the House recodified its rules in 
the 106th Congress, this clause was found in former clause 1 of rule 
VIII (H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 1999, p. ----).

  Leaves of absence are presented pending the motion to adjourn (IV, 
3151), and are usually granted by general consent, but sometimes are 
opposed or even refused (II, 1142-1145). Application for leave of 
absence is properly presented by filing with the Clerk the printed form 
to be secured at the desk rather than by oral request from the floor 
(VI, 199). Whether or not they are privileged is a matter of doubt (II, 
1146, 1147). Excuses for absence, as distinguished from leaves of 
absence, may be granted by less than a quorum (IV, 3000-3002). The 
statutes provide that deductions may be made from the salaries of 
Members who are absent without sufficient excuse (II, 1149, 1150); and 
while this law has been enforced (IV, 3011, footnote; VI, 30, 198), its 
general application is not practical under modern conditions. Form of 
resolution for the arrest of Members absent without leave (VI, 686).


[[Page 360]]

5951; VIII, 3071; Speaker Albert, Dec. 2, 1975, p. 38135; Speaker 
O'Neill, Mar. 1, 1979, p. 3748; July 30, 1996, p. 19952), and the 
Speaker has denied his own power to deprive a Member of the 
constitutional right to vote (V, 5956; Speaker Albert, Dec. 2, 1975, p. 
38135; Speaker O'Neill, Mar. 1, 1979, p. 3748). Members may not vote in 
the House by proxy (VII, 1014). Instance where a Member submitted his 
resignation from a committee on grounds of disqualifying personal 
interest (VIII, 3074).


Sec. 672. Member's control of his own vote.

  It  has been 
found impracticable to enforce the provision requiring every Member to 
vote (V, 5942-5948), and such question, even if entertained, may not 
interrupt a pending record vote (V, 5947). The weight of authority also 
favors the idea that there is no authority in the House to deprive a 
Member of the right to vote (V, 5937, 5952, 5959, 5966, 5967; VIII, 
3072). In one or two early instances the Speaker has decided that 
because of personal interest, a Member should not vote (V, 5955, 5958); 
but on all other occasions and in the later practice the Speaker has 
held that the Member himself and not the Chair should determine this 
question (V, 5950,


  The House has frequently excused Members from voting in cases of 
personal interest (III, 2294; V, 5962; Aug. 2, 1949, pp. 10591, 10592; 
Oct. 20, 1951, p. 13746; July 21, 1954, p. 11262; July 28, 1955, p. 
11930; July 12, 1956, p. 12566).




Sec. 673. Nature of disqualifying personal interest.

  It  is a 
principle of ``immemorial observance'' that a Member should withdraw 
when a question concerning himself arises (V, 5949); but it has been 
held that the disqualifying interest must be such as affects the Member 
directly (V, 5954, 5955, 5963), and not as one of a class (V, 5952; 
VIII, 3071, 3072; Speaker Bankhead, May 31, 1939, p. 6359; Speaker 
Albert, Dec. 2, 1975, p. 38135). In a case where question affected the 
titles of several Members to their seats, each refrained from voting in 
his own case, but did vote on the identical cases of his associates (V, 
5957, 5958). While a Member should not vote on the direct questions 
affecting himself, he has sometimes voted on incidental questions (V, 
5960, 5961).




Sec. 674. Voting.

  2.  (a) A Member may not authorize any 
other person to cast his vote or record his presence in the House or the 
Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union.



  (b) No other person may cast a Member's vote or record a Member's 
presence in the House or the Committee of the Whole House on the state 
of the Union.



[[Page 361]]


Delegates and the Resident Commissioner
  Before the House recodified its rules in the 106th Congress, this 
clause was found in former clause 3 of rule VIII (H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 
1999, p. ----). The Committee on Standards of Official Conduct 
recommended this addition to the rules in its May 15, 1980, report on 
voting anomalies which had occurred in the House (H. Rept. 96-991), and 
the House adopted the rule in the 97th Congress (H. Res. 5, Jan. 5, 
1981, pp. 98-113). Even prior to the addition of this clause, however, 
``ghost voting'' was considered unethical (VII, 1014; Dec. 18, 1987, p. 
36274).




675. Committee service.

  3.  (a) Each Delegate and the 
Resident Commissioner shall be elected to serve on standing committees 
in the same manner as Members of the House and shall possess in such 
committees the same powers and privileges as the other members of the 
committee.


  Before the House recodified its rules in the 106th Congress, this 
provision was found in former rule XII (H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 1999, p. ----
). Paragraph (a) resumed basically this form in the 104th Congress (sec. 
212, H. Res. 6, Jan. 4, 1995, p. ----). The first form of paragraph (a) 
was adopted in 1871, and it was perfected by amendments in 1876, 1880, 
1887, and 1892 (II, 1297). Reference to the Resident Commissioner was 
first found in 1904 (II, 1306). Paragraph (a) was again amended on 
January 2, 1947 (Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946), August 2, 1949 
(p. 10618), February 2, 1951 (p. 883), January 22, 1971 (H. Res. 5, 92d 
Cong., p. 144), January 3, 1973 (H. Res. 6, 93d Cong., p. 26), and 
January 3, 1991 (H. Res. 5, 102d Cong., p. 39). Paragraph (a) was 
completely revised in the 103d Congress (H. Res. 5, Jan. 5, 1993, p. 49) 
to provide that each of the Delegates and the Resident Commissioner be 
elected to committees of the House on the same bases, vote in any 
committees on which they serve, and vote on questions arising in the 
Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union. The latter power 
was affected by former clause 2(d) of rule XXIII (providing for 
immediate reconsideration in the House of questions resolved in the 
Committee of the Whole by a margin within which the votes of Delegates 
and the Resident Commissioner were decisive; see Sec. 984, infra).

  The constitutionality of granting to Delegates the right to vote in 
the Committee of the Whole under the former rule, as circumscribed by 
former clause 2(d) of rule XXIII, was upheld based on the premise that 
immediate ``revote'' where votes cast by Delegates had been decisive 
rendered their votes merely symbolic and not an investment of true 
legislative power (Michel v. Anderson, 14 F.3d 623 (D.C. Cir. 1994)). 
The changes effected in the 103d Congress were revoked in the 104th 
Congress (sec. 212, H. Res. 6, Jan. 4, 1995, p. ----).


[[Page 362]]

was established by Public Law 91-405 (84 Stat. 845). The offices of 
Delegate from the Territories of Guam and the Virgin Islands were 
established by Public Law 92-271 (86 Stat. 118). The office of Delegate 
from American Samoa was established by Public Law 95-556 (92 Stat. 2078) 
and was first filled by the general Federal election of 1980. The Act of 
May 17, 1932, changed the name of Porto Rico to Puerto Rico (48 U.S.C. 
731a).
  The office of Delegate was established by ordinance of the Continental 
Congress and confirmed by a law of Congress (I, 400, 421). The nature of 
the office has been the subject of much discussion (I, 400, 403, 473); 
and except as provided by law (I, 431, 526) the qualifications of the 
Delegate also have been a matter of discussion (I, 421, 423, 469, 470, 
473). A territory or district must be organized by law before the House 
will admit a Delegate (I, 405, 407, 411, 412). The office of Delegate 
from the District of Columbia

  Under an earlier practice, Delegates did not vote in committee (VI, 
243); but this had not always been so (II, 1301). The Resident 
Commissioner, who under the rules of the 91st and earlier Congresses, 
was designated as an additional member of the Committees on Agriculture, 
Armed Services, and Interior and Insular Affairs, is now elected to 
committees in the same fashion as are other Members and may exercise in 
those committees on which he serves the same powers as other members, 
including the right to vote.

  The law provides that on the floor of the House a Delegate may debate 
(II, 1290), and he may in debate call a Member to order (II, 1295). He 
may make any motion which a Member may make except the motion to 
reconsider (II, 1291, 1292). A Delegate may make a point of order (VI, 
240). A Delegate has even moved an impeachment (II, 1303). However, a 
resolution offered from the floor to permit the Delegate of the District 
of Columbia to vote on the articles of impeachment against the President 
was held not to constitute a question of the privileges of the House 
under rule IX (Dec. 18, 1998, p. ----). He may be appointed a teller 
(II, 1302); but the law forbids him to vote (II, 1290). He has been 
recognized to object to the consideration of a bill (VI, 241), to a 
unanimous-consent request to concur in a Senate amendment (June 29, 
1984, p. 20267), and has made reports for committees (July 1, 1958, p. 
12870). The rights and prerogatives of a Delegate in parliamentary 
matters are not limited to legislation affecting his own territory (VI, 
240).

  At the organization of the House, the Delegates and Resident 
Commissioner are sworn (I, 400, 401); but the Clerk does not put them on 
the roll (I, 61, 62; Jan. 6, 1999, p. ----). In the 103d Congress on 
recorded votes in the Committee of the Whole, their names were listed 
alphabetically with the names of Members (Feb. 3, 1993, p. 2035).

  A Delegate resigns in a communication addressed to the Speaker (II, 
1304). He may be arrested and censured for disorderly conduct (II, 
1305), but there has been disagreement as to whether he should be 
expelled by a majority or two-thirds vote (I, 469).



[[Page 363]]


  The privileges of the floor with the right to debate were extended to 
Resident Commissioners in the 60th Congress (VI, 244). Prior to the 
independence of the Philippines it was represented in the House by a 
Resident Commissioner (Deschler's Precedents, vol. 3, ch. 7, sec. 3.3).




Sec. 676. Appointment to select and conference 
committees.

    (b) The Delegates and the Resident Commissioner may be 
appointed to any select committee and to any conference committee.






[106th Congress House Rules Manual -- House Document No. 105-358]
[From the U.S. Government Printing Office Online Database]
[Page 363-370]

 
  Before the House recodified its rules in the 106th Congress, paragraph 
(b) was found in former clause 6(h) of rule X (H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 1999, 
p. ----). Paragraph (b), effective January 3, 1975, initially authorized 
the appointment of Delegates and the Resident Commissioner to certain 
conferences (H. Res. 988, 93d Cong., Oct. 8, 1974, p. 34470). Paragraph 
(b) was amended in the 96th Congress to authorize their appointment to 
select committees (H. Res. 5, Jan. 15, 1979, pp. 7-16), and again in the 
103d Congress to authorize their appointment to any conference (H. Res. 
5, Jan. 5, 1993, p. 49).



Use and admittance
                    Rule IV.--THE HALL OF THE HOUSE




677. Use of the Hall of the House.

  1. The Hall  of the House 
shall be used only for the legislative business of the House and for 
caucus and conference meetings of its Members, except when the House 
agrees to take part in any ceremonies to be observed therein. The 
Speaker may not entertain a motion for the suspension of this clause.



  When the House recodified its rules in the 106th Congress, it 
consolidated former rules XXXI, XXXII, and XXXIII under rule IV, and 
clause 1 was found in former rule XXXI (H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 1999, p. ----
). Rules relating to the use of the Hall were adopted as early as 1804. 
The present form of this clause dates from 1880 (V, 7270). It was 
renumbered January 3, 1953 (p. 24).

                                                       Rule IV, clause 2
Rule IV, clause 2


[[Page 364]]



Sec. 678. Persons and officials admitted to the floor 
during sessions of the House.

  2.  (a) Only the following persons shall be 
admitted to the Hall of the House or rooms leading thereto:


      (1) Members of Congress, Members-elect, and contestants in 
election cases during the pendency of their cases on the floor.

      (2) The Delegates and the Resident Commissioner.

      (3) The President and Vice President of the United States and 
their private secretaries.

      (4) Justices of the Supreme Court.

      (5) Elected officers and minority employees nominated as elected 
officers of the House.

      (6) The Parliamentarian.

      (7) Staff of committees when business from their committee is 
under consideration.

      (8) Not more than one person from the staff of a Member, Delegate, 
or Resident Commissioner when that Member, Delegate, or Resident 
Commissioner has an amendment under consideration (subject to clause 5).

      (9) The Architect of the Capitol.

      (10) The Librarian of Congress and the assistant in charge of the 
Law Library.

      (11) The Secretary and Sergeant-at-Arms of the Senate.

      (12) Heads of departments.

      (13) Foreign ministers.

      (14) Governors of States.

      (15) Former Members, Delegates, and Resident Commissioners; former 
Parliamentarians of the House; and former elected officers and minority 
employees nominated as elected officers of the House (subject to clause 
4).


[[Page 365]]

the respondent in an investigation undertaken by the Committee on 
Standards of Official Conduct when a recommendation of that committee is 
under consideration in the House.
      (16) One attorney to accompany a Member, Delegate, or Resident 
Commissioner who is

      (17) Such persons as have, by name, received the thanks of 
Congress.


  (b) The Speaker may not entertain a unanimous consent request or a 
motion to suspend this clause.

  Before the House recodified its rules in the 106th Congress, this 
provision was found in former clause 1 of rule XXXII (H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 
1999, p. ----). It was subjected to many changes from 1802 until 1880 
(V, 7823; VIII, 3634) and was renumbered in the 83d Congress (Jan. 3, 
1953, p. 24). The rule was amended in the 92d Congress to include the 
Delegate from the District of Columbia among those having the privilege 
of the floor (H. Res. 5, Jan. 22, 1971, p. 144), and later in that same 
Congress was again revised to permit all Delegates to enjoy the 
privilege (H. Res. 1153, Oct. 13, 1972, pp. 36021-23). The latter 
revision was necessary because of the enactment of Public Law 92-271, 
which created the positions of Delegate from Guam and Delegate from the 
Virgin Islands. Officers and elected employees, both present and former, 
were given floor privileges by the adoption of this same resolution (H. 
Res. 1153, 92d Cong., p. ----) but had in fact, by custom, been 
permitted on the floor prior to this change in the clause. This clause 
was substantially amended in the 94th Congress (H. Res. 1435, Oct. 1, 
1976, pp. 35175-80) and was amended by the Ethics Reform Act of 1989 to 
permit floor privileges for one attorney for a Member-respondent during 
consideration of a disciplinary resolution (P.L. 101-194, Nov. 30, 
1989).

  The portion of this clause which permits clerks of committees access 
to the floor during the consideration of business from their committee 
has been interpreted by the Speaker to allow four professional staff 
members and one clerk on the floor at one time (Speaker Albert, June 8, 
1972, p. 20318; Speaker O'Neill, Jan. 26, 1977, p. 2333). The 
Legislative Reorganization Act of 1970, section 503(3) (84 Stat. 1140, 
1202; 2 U.S.C. 281b(3)) also allows two staff members of the Legislative 
Counsel access to the floor to assist the committee.


[[Page 366]]

  The portion of the clause forbidding the Speaker to entertain requests 
for suspension of the rule applies also to the Chairman of the Committee 
of the Whole (V, 7285). ``Heads of departments'' means members of the 
President's Cabinet, and not subordinate executive officers, and 
``foreign ministers'' means ministers from foreign governments only. 
``Governors of States'' does not include governors of territories (V, 
7283; VIII, 3634).


  An alleged violation of the rule relating to admission to the floor 
presents a question of privilege (III, 2624, 2625; VI, 579), but not a 
higher question of privilege than an election case (III, 2626). In one 
case where a former Member was abusing the privilege, he was excluded by 
direction of the Speaker (V, 7288), but in another case the Speaker 
declared it a matter for the House and not the Chair to consider (V, 
7286). In one case an alleged abuse was inquired into by a select 
committee (V, 7287). See Sec. 680 for the rule constraining conduct of 
former Members, Delegates, the Resident Commissioner, officers, and 
staff while on the floor. The Speaker announced his intention to 
strictly enforce the rule to prevent a proliferation of committee and 
other staff on the floor (Aug. 22, 1974, p. 30027; Jan. 19, 1981, p. 
402; Jan. 25, 1983, p. 224). The Speaker announced that committee staff 
would be required to display staff badges on the floor in exchange for 
identification cards prior to admission to the floor (Speaker O'Neill, 
Jan. 21, 1986, p. 5; Jan. 5, 1993, p. 105). It is not in order to refer 
to persons temporarily on the floor of the House as guests of the House, 
such as Members' children (Apr. 28, 1994, p. 8783; Dec. 19, 1995, p. --
--; Jan. 22, 1996, p. 682; Apr. 30, 1998, p. ----), other children (May 
18, 1995, p. 13490), or Senators exercising floor privileges (May 18, 
1995, p. 13491).

                                                       Rule IV, clause 3
Rule IV, clause 3



Sec. 679. Admission to the floor when the House is not 
sitting.

  3. (a)  Except as provided in paragraph (b), all persons not entitled 
to the privilege of the floor during the session shall be excluded at 
all times from the Hall of the House and the cloakrooms.



  (b) Before 15 minutes of the hour of the meeting of the House, persons 
employed in its service, accredited members of the press entitled to 
admission to the press gallery, and other persons on request of a 
Member, Delegate, or Resident Commissioner by card or in writing, may be 
admitted to the Hall of the House.


  Before the House recodified its rules in the 106th Congress, this 
provision was found in former clause 2 of rule XXXII (H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 
1999, p. ----). It was adopted initially in 1902 (V, 7346).

                                                       Rule IV, clause 4
Rule IV, clause 4


[[Page 367]]

nominated as elected officers of the House shall be entitled to the 
privilege of admission to the Hall of the House and rooms leading 
thereto only if--


Sec. 680. Former Members and officers.

  4.  (a) Former 
Members, Delegates, and Resident Commissioners; former Parliamentarians 
of the House; and former elected officers and minority employees


      (1) they do not have any direct personal or pecuniary interest in 
any legislative measure pending before the House or reported by a 
committee; and

      (2) they are not in the employ of, or do not represent, any party 
or organization for the purpose of influencing, directly or indirectly, 
the passage, defeat, or amendment of any legislative measure pending 
before the House, reported by a committee, or under consideration in any 
of its committees or subcommittees.


  (b) The Speaker shall promulgate such regulations as may be necessary 
to implement this rule and to ensure its enforcement.


[[Page 368]]

(Speaker Foley, June 9, 1994, p. 12387). Intent to lobby will be assumed 
where the former Member is employed or retained as a lobbyist to 
influence legislative measures as described in (2) above (Aug. 1, 1996, 
p. 21031). The Speaker has emphasized that the rule applies not only to 
the floor but also to ``rooms leading thereto,'' and has construed the 
latter phrase to include the Speaker's Lobby and the cloakrooms (Speaker 
Gingrich, May 24, 1995, p. 14300; Aug. 1, 1996, p. 21031).
  Before the House recodified its rules in the 106th Congress, this 
provision was found in former clause 3 of rule XXXII (H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 
1999, p. ----). This clause was added initially in the 94th Congress (H. 
Res. 1435, Oct. 1, 1976, pp. 35175-80) to consolidate in one clause and 
to clarify the restrictions on admittance to the floor of former 
Members, officers, and employees and to give the Speaker the power to 
promulgate regulations to enforce the rule. As early as 1945 the Chair 
held that former Members do not have the privilege of the floor when 
they are personally interested in legislation (Speaker Rayburn, Oct. 2, 
1945, p. 9251). Pursuant to the authority under this clause, the Speaker 
issued regulations addressing former Members (Jan. 6, 1977, p. 321; June 
7, 1978, p. 16625; Speaker Foley, June 9, 1994, p. 12387; Speaker 
Gingrich, May 24, 1995, p. 14300; Speaker Gingrich, Aug. 1, 1996, p. 
21031). A former Member is not entitled to the privileges of the floor 
under this clause if he (1) has a direct personal or pecuniary interest 
in legislation under consideration in the House or reported by any 
committee, or (2) represents any party or organization for the purpose 
of influencing the disposition of legislation pending before the House, 
reported by any committee or under consideration in any committee or 
subcommittee (June 7, 1978, p. 16625). The essence of the rule is the 
former Member's status as one with a personal or pecuniary interest and 
not whether the former Member may have a present intent to lobby


  A former Member must observe the rules of proper decorum while on the 
floor, and the Chair may direct the Sergeant-at-Arms to assist the Chair 
in maintaining such decorum (Sept. 17, 1997, p. ----). A former Member 
may not manifest approval or disapproval of the proceedings (VIII, 
3635). In the 105th Congress the House adopted a resolution offered as a 
question of the privileges of the House alleging indecorous behavior of 
a former Member and instructing the Sergeant-at-Arms to ban the former 
Member from the floor, and rooms leading thereto, until the resolution 
of a contested election to which he was party (H. Res. 233, Sept. 18, 
1997, p. ----).

                                                       Rule IV, clause 5
Rule IV, clause 5




Sec. 681. Members' staff.

  5. A person  from the staff of a 
Member, Delegate, or Resident Commissioner may be admitted to the Hall 
of the House or rooms leading thereto under clause 2 only upon prior 
notice to the Speaker. Such persons, and persons from the staff of 
committees admitted under clause 2, may not engage in efforts in the 
Hall of the House or rooms leading thereto to influence Members with 
regard to the legislation being amended. Such persons shall remain at 
the desk and are admitted only to advise the Member, Delegate, Resident 
Commissioner, or committee responsible for their admission. A person who 
violates this clause may be excluded during the session from the Hall of 
the House and rooms leading thereto by the Speaker.



[[Page 369]]

but not of a measure's sponsor or during special-order speeches. The 
Speaker promulgated regulations for the implementation of this clause on 
January 26, 1977 (p. 2333). In the 97th Congress the Speaker announced 
that personal staff of Members did not have the privilege of the floor 
and that committee staff, permitted on the floor when business from 
their committees is under consideration, were required to remain 
unobtrusively by the committee tables (Aug. 18, 1982, p. 21934). Staff 
permitted on the floor under this clause are not permitted to pass out 
literature or otherwise attempt to influence Members in their votes 
(Aug. 1, 1990, p. 21519; Sept. 27, 1995, p. ----) and may not applaud 
during debate (June 14, 1995, p. 15896).

  Before the House recodified its rules in the 106th Congress, this 
provision was found in former clause 4 of rule XXXII (H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 
1999, p. ----). This clause was added initially in the 95th Congress (H. 
Res. 5, Jan. 4, 1977, pp. 53-70) to extend the privilege of the floor to 
one person from the staff of a Member who has an amendment under 
consideration

                                                       Rule IV, clause 6
Rule IV, clause 6
Gallery



682. The various galleries and admission 
thereto.

  6. (a)  The Speaker shall set aside a portion of the west gallery for 
the use of the President, the members of the Cabinet, justices of the 
Supreme Court, foreign ministers and suites, and the members of their 
respective families. The Speaker shall set aside another portion of the 
same gallery for the accommodation of persons to be admitted on the 
cards of Members, Delegates, or the Resident Commissioner.



  (b) The Speaker shall set aside the southerly half of the east gallery 
for the use of the families of Members of Congress. The Speaker shall 
control one bench. On the request of a Member, Delegate, Resident 
Commissioner, or Senator, the Speaker shall issue a card of admission to 
his family, which may include their visitors. No other person shall be 
admitted to this section.

  Before the House recodified its rules in the 106th Congress, this 
provision was found in former rule XXXIII (H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 1999, p. 
----). It was adopted initially in 1880 (V, 7302) and renumbered January 
3, 1953 (p. 24).



[[Page 370]]

Prohibition on campaign contributions
  On special occasions the House sometimes makes a special rule for 
admission to the galleries (V, 7303), as on the occasion of the 
electoral count (III, 1961), of an address by the President, and of 
public funerals.




683. Prohibition on distribution of campaign 
contributions.

  7. A  Member, Delegate, Resident Commissioner, officer, or 
employee of the House, or any other person entitled to admission to the 
Hall of the House or rooms leading thereto by this rule, may not 
knowingly distribute a political campaign contribution in the Hall of 
the House or rooms leading thereto.






[106th Congress House Rules Manual -- House Document No. 105-358]
[From the U.S. Government Printing Office Online Database]
[Page 370-372]

 
  Before the House recodified its rules in the 106th Congress, this 
provision was found in former clause 5 of rule XXXIII (H. Res. 5, Jan. 
6, 1999, p. ----). It was added initially in the 105th Congress (H. Res. 
5, Jan. 7, 1997, p. ----).



                    Rule V.--BROADCASTING THE HOUSE



Sec. 684. Broadcasting of House proceedings.

  1.  The Speaker 
shall administer a system subject to his direction and control for 
closed-circuit viewing of floor proceedings of the House in the offices 
of all Members, Delegates, the Resident Commissioner, and committees and 
in such other places in the Capitol and the House Office Buildings as he 
considers appropriate. Such system may include other telecommunications 
functions as the Speaker considers appropriate. Any such 
telecommunications shall be subject to rules and regulations issued by 
the Speaker.



[[Page 371]]

such broadcasts and recordings to news media, for the storage of audio 
and video recordings of the proceedings, and for the closed-captioning 
of the proceedings for hearing-impaired persons.
  2. (a) The Speaker shall administer a system subject to his direction 
and control for complete and unedited audio and visual broadcasting and 
recording of the proceedings of the House. The Speaker shall provide for 
the distribution of

  (b) All television and radio broadcasting stations, networks, 
services, and systems (including cable systems) that are accredited to 
the House Radio and Television Correspondents' Galleries, and all radio 
and television correspondents who are so accredited, shall be provided 
access to the live coverage of the House.

  (c) Coverage made available under this clause, including any recording 
thereof--

      (1) may not be used for any political purpose;

      (2) may not be used in any commercial advertisement; and

      (3) may not be broadcast with commercial sponsorship except as 
part of a bona fide news program or public affairs documentary program.


  3. The Speaker may delegate any of his responsibilities under this 
rule to such legislative entity as he considers appropriate.

  Before the House recodified its rules in the 106th Congress, this 
provision was found in former clause 9 of rule I (H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 
1999, p. ----). It was adopted initially in the 96th Congress (H. Res. 
5, Jan. 15, 1979, p. 7). The requirement that the televised broadcasts 
of the proceedings of the House be closed captioned for hearing-impaired 
individuals was added in the 101st Congress (H. Res. 5, Jan. 3, 1989, p. 
72). The authority of the Speaker to make rules governing 
telecommunications functions within the House was added in the 102d 
Congress (H. Res. 5, Jan. 3, 1991, p. 39).


[[Page 372]]

proceedings, of a test authorized by the Speaker under his general 
control over the Hall of the House for the audiovisual broadcast of 
House proceedings within the Capitol and House Office Buildings (H. Res. 
404, Mar. 15, 1977, p. 7608). The resolution directed the Committee on 
Rules to report to the House at the earliest practicable date its 
findings and recommendations, including whether such coverage should be 
made available to the public. The committee reported and the House 
adopted another resolution that: (1) authorized the Speaker to establish 
a closed-circuit system for in-House broadcasting of House proceedings; 
(2) directed the Committee on Rules to study methods for providing 
complete audio and visual broadcasting of House proceedings and to 
report to the House thereon; and (3) directed the Speaker after receipt 
of the committee's report to establish a system subject to his direction 
and control for audio and visual broadcast and recording of House 
proceedings and to provide for distribution and access to the news media 
(H. Res. 866, Oct. 27, 1977, pp. 35425-37). The Speaker, after receipt 
of that report (H. Rept. 95-881, Feb. 15, 1978), directed implementation 
of full audio coverage, with distribution to the media, on June 8, 1978 
(p. 16746). Public Law 95-391 (Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 
1979) contained the following proviso in section 306 relating to the 
broadcasting of House proceedings: ``No funds in this bill may be used 
to implement a system for televising and broadcasting the proceedings of 
the House pursuant to House Resolution 866, Ninety-Fifth Congress, under 
which the TV cameras in the Chamber purchased by the House are 
controlled and operated by persons not in the employ of the House.''
  In the 95th Congress the House considered as a question of the 
privileges of the House and adopted a resolution directing the Committee 
on Rules to investigate the impact on the safety, dignity, and integrity 
of House



[106th Congress House Rules Manual -- House Document No. 105-358]
[From the U.S. Government Printing Office Online Database]
[Page 373-384]

[[Page 373]]

 
  Pursuant to his authority under this rule, the Speaker directed the 
Clerk in the 98th Congress to immediately implement periodic wide-angle 
television coverage of all ``special-order'' speeches at the end of 
legislative business (with captions at the bottom of the screen 
indicating that legislative business has been completed) (May 10, 1984, 
p. 11894) but not during ``interim'' special orders (Dec. 19, 1985, p. 
38106). However, in the 103d and 104th Congresses, the Speaker 
prohibited wide-angle coverage but continued the caption at the bottom 
of the screen not only during special-order speeches but also during 
morning-hour debates (Speaker Foley, Feb. 11, 1994, p. 2244; Speaker 
Gingrich, Jan. 4, 1995, p. 551). In the 99th Congress, the House adopted 
a resolution, raised as a question of the privileges of the House, 
authorizing and directing the Speaker to provide for the audio and 
visual broadcast coverage of the Chamber while Members are voting (H. 
Res. 150, Apr. 30, 1985, p. 9821). Although paragraph (a) requires 
complete and unedited broadcast coverage of House proceedings, the House 
held (by tabling an appeal of a ruling of the Chair) that it does not 
require in-House microphone amplification of disorderly conduct by a 
Member following expiration of his recognition for debate (Mar. 16, 
1988, p. 4081).



Official reporters
         Rule VI.--OFFICIAL REPORTERS AND NEWS MEDIA GALLERIES         




685. Reporters of debates and committee 
stenographers.

  1.  Subject to the direction and control of the Speaker, 
the Clerk shall appoint, and may remove for cause, the official 
reporters of the House, including stenographers of committees, and shall 
supervise the execution of their duties.


  Before the House recodified its rules in the 106th Congress, this 
provision was found in former clause 1 of rule XXXIV (H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 
1999, p. ----). From 1874 until March 1, 1978, the appointment and 
removal of the official reporters, and the manner of the execution of 
their duties, was vested in the Speaker (V, 6958); effective March 1, 
1978 (H. Res. 959, Jan. 23, 1978, p. 431) those responsibilities were 
vested in the Clerk, subject to the direction and control of the 
Speaker.

  The reporters of debates have borne an important part in the evolution 
by which the House has built up the system of a daily verbatim report of 
its proceedings, made by its own corps of reporters (V, 6959). Since 
these reporters have become officers of the House a correction of the 
Congressional Record has been held a question of privilege (V, 7014-
7016).




Sec. 686. Rules relating to Congressional 
Record.

  The  arrangement, style, etc., of the Congressional Record is 
prescribed by the Joint Committee on Printing pursuant to 44 U.S.C. 901, 
904 (see also VIII, 3500). The rules of the Joint Committee on Printing 
governing publication of the Congressional Record are as follows:


  1. Arrangement of the daily Congressional Record.--The Public Printer 
shall arrange the contents of the daily Congressional Record as follows: 
The Senate proceedings shall alternate with the House proceedings in 
order of placement in consecutive issues insofar as such an arrangement 
is feasible, and Extensions of Remarks and Daily Digest shall follow: 
Provided, That the makeup of the Congressional Record shall proceed 
without regard to alternation whenever the Public Printer deems it 
necessary in order to meet production and delivery schedules.


[[Page 374]]

type. No italic or black type nor words in capitals or small capitals 
shall be used for emphasis or prominence; nor will unusual indentions be 
permitted. These restrictions do not apply to the printing of or 
quotations from historical, official, or legal documents or papers of 
which a literal reproduction is necessary.
  2. Type and style.--The Public Printer shall print the report of the 
proceedings and debates of the Senate and House of Representatives, as 
furnished by the official reporters of the Congressional Record, in 8-
point type; and all matter included in the remarks or speeches of 
Members of Congress, other than their own words, and all reports, 
documents, and other matter authorized to be inserted in the 
Congressional Record shall be printed in 7-point type; and all roll 
calls shall be printed in 6-point

  3. Only as an aid in distinguishing the manner of delivery in order to 
contribute to the historical accuracy of the Record, statements or 
insertions in the Record where no part of them was spoken will be 
preceded and followed by a ``bullet'' symbol, i.e.,  (now 
applicable only in Senate).

  4. Return of manuscript.--When manuscript is submitted to Members for 
revision it should be returned to the Government Printing Office not 
later than 9 o'clock p.m. in order to insure publication in the 
Congressional Record issued on the following morning; and if all of the 
manuscript is not furnished at the time specified, the Public Printer is 
authorized to withhold it from the Congressional Record for 1 day. In no 
case will a speech be printed in the Congressional Record of the day of 
its delivery if the manuscript is furnished later than 12 o'clock 
midnight.

  5. Tabular matter.--The manuscript of speeches containing tabular 
statements to be published in the Congressional Record shall be in the 
hands of the Public Printer not later than 7 o'clock p.m. to insure 
publication the following morning. When possible, manuscript copy for 
tabular matter should be sent to the Government Printing Office 2 or 
more days in advance of the date of publication in the Congressional 
Record. Proof will be furnished promptly to the Member of Congress to be 
submitted by him instead of manuscript copy when he offers it for 
publication in the Congressional Record.

  6. Proof furnished.--Proofs or ``leave to print'' and advance speeches 
will not be furnished the day the manuscript is received but will be 
submitted the following day, whenever possible to do so without causing 
delay in the publication of the regular proceedings of Congress. Advance 
speeches shall be set in the Congressional Record style of type, and not 
more than six sets of proofs may be furnished to Members without charge.

  7. Notation of withheld remarks.--If manuscript or proofs have not 
been returned in time for publication in the proceedings, the Public 
Printer will insert the words ``Mr. ---- addressed the Senate (House or 
Committee). His remarks will appear hereafter in Extensions of Remarks'' 
and proceed with the printing of the Congressional Record.

  8. Thirty-day limit.--The Public Printer shall not publish in the 
Congressional Record any speech or extension of remarks which has been 
withheld for a period exceeding 30 calendar days from the date when its 
printing was authorized: Provided, That at the expiration of each 
session of Congress the time limit herein fixed shall be 10 days, unless 
otherwise ordered by the committee.


[[Page 375]]

Provided, That upon the final adjournment of each session of Congress 
the time limit shall be 10 days, unless otherwise ordered by the 
committee: Provided further, That no Member of Congress shall be 
entitled to make more than one revision. Any revision shall consist only 
of corrections of the original copy and shall not include deletions of 
correct material, substitutions for correct material, or additions of 
new subject matter.
  9. Corrections.--The permanent Congressional Record is made up for 
printing and binding 30 days after each daily publication is issued; 
therefore all corrections must be sent to the Public Printer within that 
time:

  10. The Public Printer shall not publish in the Congressional Record 
the full report or print of any committee or subcommittee when the 
report or print has been previously printed. This rule shall not be 
construed to apply to conference reports. However, inasmuch as rule XXII 
(Sec. 1082, infra) provides that conference reports be printed in the 
daily edition of the Congressional Record, they shall not be printed 
therein a second time.

  11. Makeup of the Extensions of Remarks.--Extensions of Remarks in the 
Congressional Record shall be made up by successively taking first an 
extension from the copy submitted by the official reporters of one House 
and then an extension from the copy of the other House, so that Senate 
and House extensions appear alternately as far as possible. The sequence 
for each House shall follow as closely as possible the order or 
arrangement in which the copy comes from the official reporters of the 
respective Houses.

  The official reporters of each House shall designate and distinctly 
mark the lead item among their extensions. When both Houses are in 
session and submit extensions, the lead item shall be changed from one 
House to the other in alternate issues, with the indicated lead item of 
the other House appearing in second place. When only one House is in 
session, the lead item shall be an extension submitted by a Member of 
the House in session. This rule shall not apply to Congressional Records 
printed after the sine die adjournment of the Congress.

  12. Official reporters.--The official reporters of each House shall 
indicate on the manuscript and prepare headings for all matter to be 
printed in Extensions of Remarks and shall make suitable reference 
thereto at the proper place in the proceedings.


[[Page 376]]

  13. Two-page rule--Cost estimate from Public Printer.--(1) No 
extraneous matter in excess of two printed Record pages, whether printed 
in its entirety in one daily issue or in two or more parts in one or 
more issues, shall be printed in the Congressional Record unless the 
Member announces, coincident with the request for leave to print or 
extend, the estimate in writing from the Public Printer of the probable 
cost of publishing the same. (2) No extraneous matter shall be printed 
in the House proceedings or the Senate proceedings, with the following 
exceptions: (a) Excerpts from letters, telegrams, or articles presented 
in connection with a speech delivered in the course of debate; (b) 
communications from State legislatures; (c) addresses or articles by the 
President and the Members of his Cabinet, the Vice President, or a 
Member of Congress. (3) The official reporters of the House or Senate or 
the Public Printer shall return to the Member of the respective House 
any matter submitted for the Congressional Record which is in 
contravention of these provisions.

      house supplement to ``laws and rules for publication of the 


            congressional record''--effective august 12, 1986

  1. Extensions of Remarks in the daily Congressional Record.--When the 
House has granted leave to print (1) a newspaper or magazine article, or 
(2) any other matter not germane to the proceedings, it shall be 
published under Extensions of Remarks. This rule shall not apply to 
quotations which form part of a speech of a Member, or to an authorized 
extension of his own remarks: Provided, That no address, speech, or 
article delivered or released subsequently to the sine die adjournment 
of a session of Congress may be printed in the Congressional Record. 
One-minute speeches delivered during the morning business of Congress 
shall not exceed 300 words. Statements exceeding this will be printed 
following the business of the day.

  2. Any extraneous matter included in any statement by a Member, either 
under the 1-minute rule or permission granted to extend at this point, 
will be printed in the ``Extensions of Remarks'' section, and that such 
material will be duly noted in the Member's statement as appearing 
therein.

  3. Under the general leave request by the floor manager of specific 
legislation only matter pertaining to such legislation will be included 
as per the request. This, of course, will include tables and charts 
pertinent to the same, but not newspaper clippings and editorials.

  4. In the makeup of the portion of the Record entitled ``Extensions of 
Remarks,'' the Public Printer shall withhold any Extensions of Remarks 
which exceed economical press fill or exceed production limitations. 
Extensions withheld for such reasons will be printed in succeeding 
issues, at the direction of the Public Printer, so that more uniform 
daily issues may be the end result and, in this way, when both Houses 
have a short session the makeup would be in a sense made easier so as to 
comply with daily proceedings, which might run extremely heavy at times.

  5. The request for a Member to extend his or her remarks in the body 
of the Record must be granted to the individual whose remarks are to be 
inserted.

  6. All statements for ``Extensions of Remarks,'' as well as copy for 
the body of the Congressional Record must be submitted on the Floor of 
the House to the Official Reporters of Debates and must carry the actual 
signature of the Member. Extensions of Remarks will be accepted up to 15 
minutes after adjournment of the House. To insure printing in that day's 
proceedings, debate transcripts still out for revision must be returned 
to the Office of Official Reporters of Debates, Room HT-60, the Capitol, 
(1) by 5 p.m., or 2 hours following adjournment, whichever occurs later; 
or (2) within 30 minutes following adjournment when the House adjourns 
at 11 p.m., or later.


[[Page 377]]

the remarks involved. Unparliamentary remarks may be deleted only by 
permission or order of the House. Consistent with rule 9 of the Joint 
Committee on Printing Rules, any revision shall consist only of 
technical, grammatical, or typographical corrections of the original 
copy and shall not include deletions of correct material, substitutions 
for correct material, or additions of new subject matter. By obtaining 
unanimous consent to revise and extend, a Member will be able to relax 
the otherwise strict prohibition contained in clause 8 of rule XVII only 
in two respects: (1) to revise by technical, grammatical, and 
typographical corrections; and (2) to extend remarks in a distinctive 
type style to follow the remarks actually uttered. In no event would the 
actually uttered remarks be removable.

  7. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XVII of the Rules of the House, the 
Congressional Record shall be a substantially verbatim account of 
remarks made during the proceedings of the House, subject only to 
technical, grammatical, and typographical corrections authorized by the 
Member making



Sec. 687. Substantially verbatim account.

  The requirement  of 
rule 7 of the supplemental rules outlined above that the Congressional 
Record be a substantially verbatim account of remarks actually rendered 
was included as former clause 9 of rule XIV in the 104th Congress 
(current clause 8 of rule XVII), with the prescription that that rule 
constitute a standard of conduct under former clause 4(e)(1)(B) of rule 
X (current clause 3(a)(2) of rule XI) (sec. 213, H. Res. 6, Jan. 4, 
1995, p. 468). Under clause 8 of rule XVII (former clause 9 of rule 
XIV), remarks actually delivered may not be deleted and remarks inserted 
must appear in distinctive type (Jan. 4, 1995, p. 541). The Speaker has 
instructed the Official Reporters of Debates to adhere strictly to the 
requirement of rule 7 of the supplemental rules (Mar. 2, 1988, p. 2963; 
Feb. 3, 1993, p. 1980; Jan. 3, 1996, p. ----). The Chair announced the 
Record-printing policy regarding remarks in debate uttered in languages 
other than English, to deny transcription in the foreign language and to 
require Members to submit translations for distinctive printing in the 
Record in English as a revision of remarks (Mar. 4, 1998, p. ----). 
Because the Record is maintained as a substantially verbatim account of 
the proceedings of the House (44 U.S.C. 901), the Speaker will not 
entertain a unanimous-consent request to give a special-order speech 
``off the Record'' (June 24, 1992, p. 16131).



[[Page 378]]

  The Record is for the proceedings of the House and Senate only, and 
matters not connected therewith are rigidly excluded (V, 6962). It is 
not, however, the official record, that function being fulfilled by the 
Journal (IV, 2727). As a general principle the Speaker has no control 
over the Record (V, 6984, 7017), but words spoken by a Member after he 
has been called to order may be excluded by direction of the Speaker (V, 
6975-6978; VIII, 3466, 3471; July 29, 1994, p. 18609). But the House, 
and not the Speaker, determines what liberty shall be allowed to a 
Member who has leave to extend his remarks (V, 6997-7000; VIII, 3475), 
whether or not a copyrighted article shall be printed therein (V, 6985), 
as to an alleged abuse of the leave to print (V, 7012; VIII, 3474), or 
as to a proposed amendment (V, 6983).



Sec. 688. Relations of the Committee of the Whole 
to the Congressional Record.

  As a general  rule the Committee of the Whole has no 
control over the Congressional Record (V, 6986); but the Chairman in the 
preservation of order, may direct the exclusion of disorderly words 
spoken by a Member after he has been called to order (V, 6987). In a 
case wherein the Committee conceived that a letter read in Committee 
involved a breach of privilege, it reported the matter to the House for 
action, and the House struck the letter from the Record (V, 6986). The 
Chairman of the Committee of the Whole does not determine the privileges 
of a Member under a general leave to print in the Record, that being for 
the House alone (V, 6988). Neither may the Committee of the Whole grant 
a general leave to print, although for convenience it does permit 
individual Members to extend their remarks (V, 7009, 7010; VIII, 3488-
3490; Aug. 31, 1965, p. 22385), nor may the Committee of the Whole 
permit the inclusion of extraneous material (Jan. 23, 1936, p. 950; Feb. 
1, 1937, p. 656; Sept. 19, 1967, p. 26032).




Sec. 689. Correction of the Congressional 
Record.

  While the  House controls the Congressional Record, the Speaker with the 
assent of the House laid down the principle that words spoken by a 
Member in order might not be changed by the House, as this would be 
determining what a Member should utter on the floor (V, 6974; VI, 583; 
VIII, 3469, 3498). Neither should one House strike out matter placed in 
the Record by permission of the other House (V, 6966). But the House may 
correct the speech of one of its Members so that it may record 
faithfully what he actually said (V, 6972). Where a Member interrupts 
another during debate without being yielded or otherwise recognized (as 
on a point of order) his remarks are not printed in the Record (Speaker 
O'Neill, Feb. 7, 1985, p. 2229). Where a Member had uttered disorderly 
words on the floor without objection, the House yet decided that it was 
not precluded from action when the words, after being withheld for 
revision, appeared in the Record, and struck them out (V, 6979, 6981; 
VI, 582; VIII, 2538, 3463, 3472).



[[Page 379]]

p. 2461; see H. Res. 230, 99th Cong., July 31, 1985, p. 21783, and H. 
Rept. 99-228). In accordance with existing accepted practices, the 
Speaker customarily made such technical or parliamentary corrections or 
insertions in the transcript of a ruling or statement by the Chair as 
may have been necessary to conform to rule, custom, or precedent (see 
also H. Res. 330, 101st Cong., Feb. 7, 1990, p. 1515, and report of 
House Administration task force on Record inserted by Speaker Foley, 
Oct. 27, 1990, p. 37124). However, in the 104th Congress the Speaker 
ruled that the requirement of clause 8 of rule XVII (former clause 9 of 
rule XIV) that the Record be a substantially verbatim account of remarks 
made during House proceedings extended to statements and rulings of the 
Chair (Jan. 20, 1995, p. 1866).
  The House has also ordered stricken from the Record printed speeches 
condemned as unparliamentary for reflections on Members, committees of 
the House, the House itself (V, 7017), and the Senate (V, 5129). In the 
101st Congress a resolution presented as a question of privilege was 
adopted which directed the Committee on House Administration to report 
with respect to certain unauthorized deletions from the Record. A task 
force of that committee recommended that deletion of unparliamentary 
remarks be permitted only by consent of the House and not by the Member 
uttering the words under authority to revise and extend (Oct. 27, 1990, 
p. 37124). That recommendation has been incorporated into the Rules of 
the House (clause 8(b) of rule XVII). Through the 103d Congress, under 
applicable precedents and guidelines, the Chair could refine a ruling on 
a point of order in the Record in order to clarify the ruling without 
changing its substance, including one sustained by the House on appeal 
(Feb. 19, 1992,

  It is improper for a Member to have published in the Record the 
individual votes of Members on a question of which the yeas and nays 
have not been entered on the Journal (V, 6982). A correction of the 
Record which involves a motion and a vote is recorded in the Journal 
(IV, 2877). Propositions to make corrections are sometimes considered by 
the Committee on House Administration. In debating a resolution to 
strike from the Record disorderly language a Member may not read the 
language (V, 7004); but it was held that as part of a personal 
explanation relating to matter excluded as out of order a Member might 
read the matter, subject to a point of order if the reading should 
develop anything in violation of the rules of debate (V, 5079). It has 
also been held that a Member may not, in a controversy over a proposed 
correction of the Record as to a matter of business, demand as a matter 
of right the reading of the reporter's notes (V, 6967; VIII, 3460). The 
Speaker declines to entertain unanimous-consent requests to correct the 
Record on a vote taken by electronic device, based upon the presumed 
accuracy of the electronic system and the ability and responsibility of 
each Member to verify his vote (Feb. 6, 1973, p. 3558; Apr. 18, 1973, p. 
13081; Dec. 3, 1974, p. 37897).



Sec. 690. Privileges of propositions to correct 
the Congressional Record.

  A motion or  resolution for the correction of the 
Congressional Record which involves a question of privilege may be made 
properly after the reading and approval of the Journal (V, 7013; VIII, 
3496), and is not in order pending the approval of the Journal (V, 
6989), but is privileged after that (V, 7014-7019; VIII, 3461, 3463).



[[Page 380]]

sec. 18.1-18.2), or where a Member has improperly altered his remarks 
during an exchange of colloquy with another Member (sec. 18.9). Mere 
typographical errors in the Congressional Record or ordinary revisions 
of a Member's remarks do not give rise to privileged motions for the 
correction of the Record (Apr. 25, 1985, p. 9419), since such changes 
for the permanent edition of the Record may be made without the 
permission of the House (Deschler's Precedents, vol. 1, ch. 5, sec. 19) 
and the House does not change the Record merely to show what a Member 
should have said during debate (sec. 18).
  A question of privilege as to an alleged error in the Record may not 
be raised until the Record has appeared (V, 7020), and a resolution to 
omit from the manuscript copy certain remarks declared out of order is 
not privileged (V, 7021). Unparliamentary words having been stricken 
from the Record by order of the House, a question of privilege may not 
arise therefrom (VI, 596). Privileged motions to correct the 
Congressional Record involve cases where the integrity of House 
proceedings is in question, such as where unparliamentary words have 
been spoken in debate (see Sec. 961, infra) or inserted in the Record 
(Deschler's Precedents, vol. 1, ch. 5, sec. 17), where the remarks of 
one Member have been attributed to another (

  A motion to correct the Record has been entertained to allow a Member 
to print in subsequent edition of the daily Record the correct text of 
an amendment which he had offered on a previous day and which had been 
substantially misprinted in the daily Record for the day on which it was 
offered (Deschler's Precedents, vol. 1, ch. 5, sec. 18.6).



Sec. 691. Privilege of Member to revise his 
remarks in the Congressional Record.

  The traditional  practice to allow a Member, with 
the approval of the House and under conditions set forth by the Joint 
Committee on Printing, to revise his remarks before publication in the 
Congressional Record (V, 6971, 7024; VIII, 3500) should be interpreted 
in light of clause 8 of rule XVII and rule 7 of the supplemental rules 
of the Joint Committee on Printing, which require the Record to be a 
substantially verbatim account of remarks made during House proceedings 
(see Sec. 686, supra, and Sec. Sec. 967, 968, infra). In any event, a 
Member should not change the notes of his own speech in such a way as to 
affect the remarks of an opponent in controversy without bringing the 
correction to the attention of that Member (V, 6972; VIII, 3461), and 
alterations which place a different aspect on the remarks of a colleague 
require authorization by the House (VIII, 3463, 3497). A Member is not 
entitled to inspect the reporter's notes of remarks which do not contain 
reflections on himself, delivered by another Member and withheld for 
revision (V, 6964). Where a Member so revised his remarks as to affect 
the import of words uttered by another Member, the House corrected the 
Record (V, 6973).



[[Page 381]]

where a Member, under leave to print, made charges against another 
Member, the House ordered the speech stricken out (V, 7004). The 
principle that a Member shall not be called to order for words spoken in 
debate if business has intervened does not apply to a case where leave 
to print has been violated (V, 7005). Where a Member gets leave to 
insert one matter he may not print another (V, 7001; VIII, 3462, 3479, 
3480). Leave to extend remarks does not permit a Member to insert in the 
Record statements and letters of others unless the leave granted 
specifies such matter as extraneous (VIII, 3475, 3481) whether the 
extension be under general leave for all Members or individually. In the 
Committee of the Whole leave for an extension of remarks should not be 
granted except in connection with remarks actually delivered and, if 
under the five-minute rule, relevant to the bill; and the extension 
under such circumstances should be brief (Speaker Longworth, Mar. 18, 
1926, p. 5854). Neither the House nor the Committee of the Whole permit 
the insertion of an entire colloquy between two or more Members not 
actually delivered (Aug. 10, 1982, pp. 20266, 20267; Oct. 3, 1985, p. 
26028; Dec. 15, 1995, p. ----). The Chairman of the Committee of the 
Whole has declined to entertain a request for an extension of remarks 
actually delivered under the five-minute rule but not relevant to the 
bill under consideration (Mar. 18, 1926, p. 5861). Where a Member abused 
a leave to print on the last day of the session, the House at the next 
session condemned the abuse and declared the matter not a legitimate 
part of the official debates (V, 7017). An abuse of the leave to print 
gives rise to a question of privilege (V, 7005-7008, 7011; VIII, 3163, 
3491, 3495), and a resolution or motion to expunge from the Record in 
such a case is offered as a question of privilege (V, 7012; VIII, 3475, 
3491). An inquiry by the House as to an alleged abuse of the leave to 
print does not necessarily entitle the Member implicated to the floor on 
a question of privilege (V, 7012). Clause 8 of rule XVII (former clause 
9 of rule XIV) requires substantive remarks inserted under leave to 
revise and extend to be printed in distinctive type and precludes 
deletion under such permission of words actually uttered (Jan. 4, 1995, 
p. 541).


Sec. 692. ``Leave to print'' in the Congressional 
Record.

  The practice  of inserting in the Congressional Record speeches not actually 
delivered on the floor has grown up by consent of the House as the 
membership has increased and it has become difficult at times for every 
Member to express at length on the floor his reasons for his attitude on 
public questions (V, 6990-6996, 6998-7000). The House quite generally 
stipulates, in granting leave to print, that it shall be exercised 
without unreasonable freedom (V, 7002, 7003). General leave to print may 
be granted only by the House, although in the Committee of the Whole a 
Member, by unanimous consent, may be given leave to extend his remarks 
(V, 7009, 7010; VIII, 3488-3490). When a Member under leave to print 
places in the Record that which would not have been in order if uttered 
on the floor, the House may exclude the speech in whole or in part (V, 
7005-7008; VIII, 3495; Oct. 2, 1992, p. 30709; Sept. 27, 1996, p. ----). 
Thus,


  A motion that a Member be permitted to extend his remarks in the 
Record is not privileged (Feb. 8, 1950, p. 1661), and under the rules of 
the Joint Committee on Printing, one Member cannot obtain permission for 
other individual Members to extend their remarks (rule 5 of House 
Supplement, Sec. 686, supra).


[[Page 382]]

to require the identification in the Record by ``bullet'' symbols of 
statements or insertions no part of which were actually delivered in 
debate (Feb. 20, 1978, p. 3676). Where the House permitted all Members 
leave to revise and extend their remarks on a certain subject, those 
Members who actually spoke during the debate could revise their remarks 
to appear as if actually delivered, but Members' statements no part of 
which were spoken were preceded and followed by a ``bullet'' symbol 
(Nov. 15, 1983, p. 32729). Then in the 99th Congress, the House adopted 
a resolution requesting the Joint Committee on Printing to adopt 
temporary rules to require distinctive type styles rather than bulleting 
of remarks not actually spoken in debate (H. Res. 230, July 31, 1985, p. 
21783), and also adopted a resolution requesting that those rules be 
made permanent (H. Res. 514, Aug. 12, 1986, p. 20980). Under regulations 
of the Joint Committee on Printing, remarks delivered or inserted under 
leave to revise and extend in connection with a ``one-minute speech'' 
made before legislative business are printed after legislative business 
if exceeding 300 words (Speaker O'Neill, Apr. 5, 1978, p. 8846). See 
Sec. 686, supra.
  Where extraneous material proposed to be inserted in the body or in 
the Extension of Remarks portion of the Record exceeds two Record pages, 
the rules of the Joint Committee on Printing require that the Member 
state an estimate of printing cost when permission is requested to make 
the insertion (Feb. 12, 1962, p. 2207; May 24, 1972, p. 18653), and it 
is the Member's responsibility and not that of the Chair to ascertain 
the cost of printing extraneous material and obtaining consent of the 
House when necessary (Feb. 11, 1994, p. 2245). The Joint Committee on 
Printing amended the rules for publication of the Record, effective 
March 1, 1978,


News media galleries
  Based upon several unauthorized insertions of extensions of remarks in 
the Record, the Speaker announced that henceforth all extensions of 
remarks must be signed by the Member submitting them (Aug. 15, 1974, p. 
28385).


[[Page 383]]

reporters, and may regulate their occupation. The Speaker may admit to 
the floor, under such regulations as he may prescribe, one additional 
representative of each press association.



693. Unofficial reporters in the press gallery and on the 
floor.

  2.  A portion of the gallery over the Speaker's chair as may be 
necessary to accommodate representatives of the press wishing to report 
debates and proceedings shall be set aside for their use. Reputable 
reporters and correspondents shall be admitted thereto under such 
regulations as the Speaker may prescribe from time to time. The Standing 
Committee of Correspondents for the Press Gallery, and the Executive 
Committee of Correspondents for the Periodical Press Gallery, shall 
supervise such galleries, including the designation of its employees, 
subject to the direction and control of the Speaker. The Speaker may 
assign one seat on the floor to Associated Press reporters and one to 
United Press International


  Before the House recodified its rules in the 106th Congress, this 
provision was found in former clause 2 of rule XXXIV. When it was 
transferred to this clause, it also was amended to reflect the existing 
practice of including the Periodical Press Gallery under the ambit of 
the rule (H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 1999, p. ----). This provision was first 
adopted in 1857 and has been amended from time to time (V, 7304; VIII, 
3642; Jan. 3, 1953, p. 24; Jan. 22, 1971, p. 144). See also Consumers 
Union v.T1 Periodical Correspondents' Association, 1515 F.2d 1341 (D.C. 
Cir. 1975), cert. den. 423 U.S. 1051 (1976) (action in enforcing 
correspondents' association regulations is within legislative immunity 
granted by the Speech or Debate Clause).




Sec. 694. Unofficial reporters in the radio gallery and on 
the floor.

  3.  A portion of the gallery as may be necessary to accommodate 
reporters of news to be disseminated by radio, television, and similar 
means of transmission, wishing to report debates and proceedings, shall 
be set aside for their use. Reputable reporters and correspondents shall 
be admitted thereto under such regulations as the Speaker may prescribe. 
The Executive Committee of the Radio and Television Correspondents' 
Galleries shall supervise such gallery, including the designation of its 
employees, subject to the direction and control of the Speaker. The 
Speaker may admit to the floor, under such regulations as he may 
prescribe, one representative of the National Broadcasting Company, one 
of the Columbia Broadcasting System, and one of the American 
Broadcasting Company.



[[Page 384]]

----). It was adopted initially on April 20, 1939 (p. 4561), and was 
amended on May 30, 1940 (p. 7208) and on January 22, 1971 (p. 144).




[106th Congress House Rules Manual -- House Document No. 105-358]
[From the U.S. Government Printing Office Online Database]
[Page 384-388]

 
  Before the House recodified its rules in the 106th Congress, this 
provision was found in former clause 3 of rule XXXIV (H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 
1999, p.



Archiving
                    Rule VII.--RECORDS OF THE HOUSE



695. Duties of Clerk and committees as to custody of 
papers before committees.

  1. (a)  At the end of each Congress, the chairman of 
each committee shall transfer to the Clerk any noncurrent records of 
such committee, including the subcommittees thereof.


  (b) At the end of each Congress, each officer of the House elected 
under rule II shall transfer to the Clerk any noncurrent records made or 
acquired in the course of the duties of such officer.

  2. The Clerk shall deliver the records transferred under clause 1, 
together with any other noncurrent records of the House, to the 
Archivist of the United States for preservation at the National Archives 
and Records Administration. Records so delivered are the permanent 
property of the House and remain subject to this rule and any order of 
the House.
Public availability

  3. (a) The Clerk shall authorize the Archivist to make records 
delivered under clause 2 available for public use, subject to paragraph 
(b), clause 4, and any order of the House.


[[Page 385]]

  (b)(1) A record shall immediately be made available if it was 
previously made available for public use by the House or a committee or 
a subcommittee.

  (2) An investigative record that contains personal data relating to a 
specific living person (the disclosure of which would be an unwarranted 
invasion of personal privacy), an administrative record relating to 
personnel, or a record relating to a hearing that was closed under 
clause 2(g)(2) of rule XI shall be made available if it has been in 
existence for 50 years.

  (3) A record for which a time, schedule, or condition for availability 
is specified by order of the House shall be made available in accordance 
with that order. Except as otherwise provided by order of the House, a 
record of a committee for which a time, schedule, or condition for 
availability is specified by order of the committee (entered during the 
Congress in which the record is made or acquired by the committee) shall 
be made available in accordance with the order of the committee.

  (4) A record (other than a record referred to in subparagraph (1), 
(2), or (3)) shall be made available if it has been in existence for 30 
years.

  4. (a) A record may not be made available for public use under clause 
3 if the Clerk determines that such availability would be detrimental to 
the public interest or inconsistent with the rights and privileges of 
the House. The Clerk shall notify in writing the chairman and ranking 
minority member of the Committee on House Administration of any such 
determination.


[[Page 386]]

and, in the case of a record of a committee, later orders of the 
committee.
  (b) A determination of the Clerk under paragraph (a) is subject to 
later orders of the House

  5. (a) This rule does not supersede rule VIII or clause 11 of rule X 
and does not authorize the public disclosure of any record if such 
disclosure is prohibited by law or executive order of the President.

  (b) The Committee on House Administration may prescribe guidelines and 
regulations governing the applicability and implementation of this rule.

  (c) A committee may withdraw from the National Archives and Records 
Administration any record of the committee delivered to the Archivist 
under this rule. Such a withdrawal shall be on a temporary basis and for 
official use of the committee.
Definition of record

  6. In this rule the term ``record'' means any official, permanent 
record of the House (other than a record of an individual Member, 
Delegate, or Resident Commissioner), including--

      (a) with respect to a committee, an official, permanent record of 
the committee (including any record of a legislative, oversight, or 
other activity of such committee or a subcommittee thereof); and


      (b) with respect to an officer of the House elected under rule II, 
an official, permanent record made or acquired in the course of the 
duties of such officer.


[[Page 387]]

----). That rule was adopted initially in 1880 (V, 7260). Clause 2 
(which derived from section 140(a) of the Legislative Reorganization Act 
of 1946 (60 Stat. 812)) was added in the 83d Congress when the rule was 
also renumbered (H. Res. 5, Jan. 3, 1953, p. 24). It was amended on 
January 22, 1971 (p. 144). It was again amended in the 99th Congress to 
change the reference from the General Services Administration to the 
National Archives and Records Administration (H. Res. 114, Oct. 14, 
1986, p. 30821). The rule was rewritten entirely in the 101st Congress 
(H. Res. 5, Jan. 3, 1989, p. 73) to incorporate the provisions of H. 
Res. 419 as reported from the Committee on Rules in the 100th Congress 
(H. Rept. 100-1054). Clerical corrections were effected to reflect 
changes in the name of the Committee on House Administration in the 
104th and 106th Congresses (sec. 202(b), H. Res. 6, Jan. 4, 1995, p. 
467; H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 1999, p. ----).
  Before the House recodified its rules in the 106th Congress, clauses 1 
through 6 were found in former rule XXXVI (H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 1999, p.


Withdrawal of papers
  The Clerk has historically been authorized to permit the Administrator 
of General Services (now Archivist) to make available for use certain 
records of the House transferred to the National Archives (H. Res. 288, 
June 16, 1953, p. 6641). Under this rule, an order of the House is 
required for the release of noncurrent records of the House (Mar. 22, 
1991, p. 7549).




696. Custody of papers in the files of the House.

  7.  A 
memorial or other paper presented to the House may not be withdrawn from 
its files without its leave. If withdrawn certified copies thereof shall 
be left in the office of the Clerk. When an act passes for the 
settlement of a claim, the Clerk may transmit to the officer charged 
with the settlement thereof the papers on file in his office relating to 
such claim. The Clerk may lend temporarily to an officer or bureau of 
the executive departments any papers on file in his office relating to 
any matter pending before such officer or bureau, taking proper receipt 
therefor.


  Before the House recodified its rules in the 106th Congress, this 
provision was found in former rule XXXVII (H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 1999, p. 
----). It was adopted initially in 1873 and amended in 1880 (V, 7256). 
It was renumbered January 3, 1953 (p. 24).


[[Page 388]]

give no place to the motion to withdraw, it is made by unanimous consent 
(V, 7259). The House formerly adopted a privileged resolution at the 
beginning of each Congress authorizing the Clerk to furnish certified 
copies of certain types of House papers subpoenaed by courts upon 
determination of relevancy by the court, but not permitting production 
of executive session papers or transfer of original papers (Jan. 3, 
1973, p. 30).
  The House usually allows the withdrawal of papers only in cases where 
there has been no adverse report. As the rules for the order of business




[106th Congress House Rules Manual -- House Document No. 105-358]
[From the U.S. Government Printing Office Online Database]
[Page 388-391]

 
  See rule VIII, infra for current procedure for response to subpoenas 
for papers of the House.



                   Rule VIII.--RESPONSE TO SUBPOENAS



Sec. 697. Response to subpoenas.

  1.  When a Member, Delegate, 
Resident Commissioner, officer, or employee of the House is properly 
served with a subpoena or other judicial order directing appearance as a 
witness relating to the official functions of the House or for the 
production or disclosure of any document relating to the official 
functions of the House, such Member, Delegate, Resident Commissioner, 
officer, or employee shall comply, consistently with the privileges and 
rights of the House, with the subpoena or other judicial order as 
hereinafter provided, unless otherwise determined under this rule.



[[Page 389]]

shall promptly be laid before the House by the Speaker.
  2. Upon receipt of a properly served subpoena or other judicial order 
described in clause 1, a Member, Delegate, Resident Commissioner, 
officer, or employee of the House shall promptly notify the Speaker of 
its receipt in writing. Such notification shall promptly be laid before 
the House by the Speaker. During a period of recess or adjournment of 
longer than three days, notification to the House is not required until 
the reconvening of the House, when the notification

  3. Once notification has been laid before the House, the Member, 
Delegate, Resident Commissioner, officer, or employee of the House shall 
determine whether the issuance of the subpoena or other judicial order 
described in clause 1 is a proper exercise of jurisdiction by the court, 
is material and relevant, and is consistent with the privileges and 
rights of the House. Such Member, Delegate, Resident Commissioner, 
officer, or employee shall notify the Speaker before seeking judicial 
determination of these matters.

  4. Upon determination whether a subpoena or other judicial order 
described in clause 1 is a proper exercise of jurisdiction by the court, 
is material and relevant, and is consistent with the privileges and 
rights of the House, the Member, Delegate, Resident Commissioner, 
officer, or employee of the House shall immediately notify the Speaker 
of the determination in writing.


[[Page 390]]

shall promptly be laid before the House by the Speaker.
  5. The Speaker shall inform the House of a determination whether a 
subpoena or other judicial order described in clause 1 is a proper 
exercise of jurisdiction by the court, is material and relevant, and is 
consistent with the privileges and rights of the House. In so informing 
the House, the Speaker shall generally describe the records or 
information sought. During a period of recess or adjournment of longer 
than three days, such notification is not required until the reconvening 
of the House, when the notification

  6. (a) Except as specified in paragraph (b) or otherwise ordered by 
the House, upon notification to the House that a subpoena or other 
judicial order described in clause 1 is a proper exercise of 
jurisdiction by the court, is material and relevant, and is consistent 
with the privileges and rights of the House, the Member, Delegate, 
Resident Commissioner, officer, or employee of the House shall comply 
with the subpoena or other judicial order by supplying certified copies.

  (b) Under no circumstances may minutes or transcripts of executive 
sessions, or evidence of witnesses in respect thereto, be disclosed or 
copied. During a period of recess or adjournment of longer than three 
days, the Speaker may authorize compliance or take such other action as 
he considers appropriate under the circumstances. Upon the reconvening 
of the House, all matters that transpired under this clause shall 
promptly be laid before the House by the Speaker.

  7. A copy of this rule shall be transmitted by the Clerk to the court 
when a subpoena or other judicial order described in clause 1 is issued 
and served on a Member, Delegate, Resident Commissioner, officer, or 
employee of the House.


[[Page 391]]

ber, Delegate, Resident Commissioner, officer, or employee, or of the 
House itself, to assert such privileges or rights before a court in the 
United States.

  8. Nothing in this rule shall be construed to deprive, condition, or 
waive the constitutional or legal privileges or rights applicable or 
available at any time to a Member, Delegate, Resident Commissioner, 
officer, or employee of the House, or of the House itself, or the right 
of such Mem

  Before the House recodified its rules in the 106th Congress, this 
provision was found in former rule L (H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 1999, p. ----). 
It was added initially in the 97th Congress (H. Res. 5, Jan. 5, 1981, p. 
98). Until the 95th Congress, whenever a Member, officer, or employee 
received a subpoena, the House would decide by adopting a resolution 
granting authority to the person to respond. This case-by-case approach 
was changed in the 95th and 96th Congresses (H. Res. 10, Jan. 4, 1977, 
p. 73; H. Res. 10, Jan. 15, 1979, p. 19) when general authority was 
granted to respond to subpoenas and a procedure was established for 
automatic compliance without the necessity of a House vote. This 
standing authority was clarified and revised later in the 96th Congress 
(H. Res. 722, Sept. 17, 1980, pp. 25777-90) and forms the basis for the 
present rule.

  In the 102d Congress the House considered as questions of the 
privileges of the House resolutions: responding to a subpoena for 
records of the ``bank'' in the Office of the Sergeant-at-Arms (Apr. 29, 
1992, p. 9753); responding to a contemporaneous request for such records 
from a Special Counsel (Apr. 29, 1992, p. 9763); and authorizing an 
officer of the House to release certain documents in response to another 
such request from the Special Counsel (May 28, 1992, p. 12790). A 
response to an administrative subpoena also raises a question of the 
privileges of the House (Deschler's Precedents, vol. 3, ch. 11, sec. 
14.8). A Member or employee receiving such a subpoena informs the House 
(July 30, 1998, p. ----; May 3, 1999, p. ----).




[106th Congress House Rules Manual -- House Document No. 105-358]
[From the U.S. Government Printing Office Online Database]
[Page 391-406]

 
  Under clause 2, the Speaker promptly lays before the House a 
communication notifying him of the receipt of a subpoena, but the rule 
does not require that the text of a subpoena be printed in the Record 
(July 31, 1992, p. 20602).



                   Rule IX.--QUESTIONS OF PRIVILEGE


[[Page 392]]

Commissioner, individually, in their representative capacity only.


Sec. 698. Definition of questions of privilege.

  1.  Questions 
of privilege shall be, first, those affecting the rights of the House 
collectively, its safety, dignity, and the integrity of its proceedings; 
and second, those affecting the rights, reputation, and conduct of 
Members, Delegates, or the Resident




Sec. 699. Precedence of questions of 
privilege.

  2. (a)(1) A resolution  reported as a question of the privileges of the House, or 
offered from the floor by the Majority Leader or the Minority Leader as 
a question of the privileges of the House, or offered as privileged 
under clause 1, section 7, article I of the Constitution, shall have 
precedence of all other questions except motions to adjourn. A 
resolution offered from the floor by a Member, Delegate, or Resident 
Commissioner other than the Majority Leader or the Minority Leader as a 
question of the privileges of the House shall have precedence of all 
other questions except motions to adjourn only at a time or place, 
designated by the Speaker, in the legislative schedule within two 
legislative days after the day on which the proponent announces to the 
House his intention to offer the resolution and the form of the 
resolution. Oral announcement of the form of the resolution may be 
dispensed with by unanimous consent.


  (2) The time allotted for debate on a resolution offered from the 
floor as a question of the privileges of the House shall be equally 
divided between (A) the proponent of the resolution, and (B) the 
Majority Leader, the Minority Leader, or a designee, as determined by 
the Speaker.



[[Page 393]]


  (b) A question of personal privilege shall have precedence of all 
other questions except motions to adjourn.


  This rule was adopted in 1880 (III, 2521). It merely defined what had 
been long established in the practice of the House but what the House 
had hitherto been unwilling to define (II, 1603). It was amended in the 
103d Congress to authorize the Speaker to designate a time within a 
period of two legislative days for the consideration of a resolution to 
be offered from the floor by a Member other than the Majority Leader or 
the Minority Leader as a question of the privileges of the House after 
that Member has announced to the House his intention to do so and the 
content of the resolution, and to divide the time for debate on a 
resolution offered from the floor as a question of the privileges of the 
House (H. Res. 5, Jan. 5, 1993, p. 49). Clause 2 was amended in the 
106th Congress to permit the announcement of the form of the resolution 
to be dispensed with by unanimous consent, and clerical and stylistic 
changes were effected when the House recodified its rules in the 106th 
Congress (H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 1999, p. ----).




Sec. 700. Questions of privileges of the House.

  The  body of 
precedent relating to questions of privilege includes rulings that span 
the adoption of standing rule IX in 1880. The rule was adopted ``to 
prevent the large consumption of time which resulted from Members 
getting the floor for all kinds of speeches under the pretext of raising 
a question of privilege'' (III, 2521). In a landmark decision on 
constitutional assertions of privilege, Speaker Gillett placed 
significant reliance on the history of rule IX by observing that it 
``was obviously adopted for the purpose of hindering the extension of 
constitutional or other privilege'' (VI, 48). Under House practice, a 
resolution offered as a question of the privileges of the House is read 
in full by the Clerk (Oct. 10, 1998, p. ----).



[[Page 394]]

tions directing temporary seating of a certified Member-elect pending 
determination of final right notwithstanding prior House action 
declining to seat either claimant (Feb. 7, 1985, p. 2220; Mar. 4, 1985, 
p. 4277); and (4) a resolution proposing directly to dispose of a 
contest over the title to a seat in the House (Nov. 8, 1997, p. ----; 
Nov. 9, 1997, p. ----; Jan. 28, 1998, p. ----) or to dispose of such 
contest upon the expiration of a specified day (Oct. 23, 1997, p. ----; 
Oct. 29, 1997, p. ----; Oct. 30, 1997, p. ----; Nov. 5, 1997, p. ----).


Sec. 701. Questions relating to organization.

  The  privileges 
of the House also include questions relating to its organization (I, 22-
24, 189, 212, 290), and the title of its Members to their seats (III, 
2579-2587), which may be raised as questions of the privileges of the 
House even though the subject has been previously referred to committee 
(I, 742; III, 2584; VIII, 2307). Such resolutions include those: (1) to 
declare prima facie right to a seat, or to declare a vacancy, where the 
House has referred the questions of prima facie and final rights to an 
elections committee for investigation (H. Res. 1, Jan. 3, 1985, p. 381; 
H. Res. 52, Feb. 7, 1985, p. 2220; H. Res. 97, Mar. 4, 1985, p. 4277; H. 
Res. 121, Apr. 2, 1985, p. 7118; H. Res. 148, Apr. 30, 1985, p. 9801); 
(2) various questions incidental to the right to a seat (I, 322, 328, 
673, 742; II, 1207; III, 2588; VII, 2316), such as a resolution 
declaring a vacancy in the House because a Member-elect is unable to 
take the oath of office and to serve as a Member or to expressly resign 
the office due to an incapacitating illness (H. Res. 80, Feb. 24, 1981, 
p. 2916); (3) a resolution declaring neither of two claimants seated 
pending a committee report and decision of final right to the seat by 
the House (Jan. 3, 1961, pp. 23-25; Jan. 3, 1985, p. 381), including 
incidental provisions providing compensation for both claimants and 
office staffing by the Clerk (Jan. 3, 1985, p. 381) and resolu



  A resolution electing a House officer is presented as a question of 
privilege (July 31, 1997, p. ----). A resolution declaring vacant the 
Office of the Speaker is presented as a matter of high constitutional 
privilege (VI, 35). For further discussion with respect to the 
organization of the House and the title of its Members to seats, see 
Sec. Sec. 18-30, 46-51, 56, and 58-60, supra.



Sec. 702. Questions relating to constitutional 
prerogatives.

  The  privileges of the House, as distinguished from that of 
the individual Member, include questions relating to its constitutional 
prerogatives in respect to revenue legislation and appropriations (see, 
e.g., II, 1480-1501; VI, 315; Nov. 8, 1979, p. 31517; Oct. 1, 1985, p. 
25418; June 16, 1988, p. 14780; June 21, 1988, p. 15425; Aug. 12, 1994, 
p. 21655). For a more thorough record of revenue bills returned to the 
Senate, see Sec. 102, supra. Such a question of privilege may be raised 
at any time when the House is in possession of the papers (June 20, 
1968, Deschler's Precedents, vol. 3, ch. 13, sec. 14.2; Aug. 19, 1982, 
p. 22127), but not otherwise (Apr. 6, 1995, p. ----). The constitutional 
prerogatives of the House also include its function with respect to 
treaties (II, 1502-1537); impeachments and matters incidental thereto 
(see Sec. 604, supra); bills ``pocket vetoed'' during an intersession 
adjournment (Nov. 21, 1989, p. 31156); its power to punish for contempt, 
whether of its own Members (II, 1641-1665), of witnesses who are 
summoned to give information (II, 1608, 1612; III, 1666-1724), or of 
other persons (II, 1597-1640); and questions relating to legal 
challenges involving the prerogatives of the House (Jan. 29, 1981, p. 
1304; Mar. 30, 1982, p. 5890), including a resolution responding to a 
court challenge to the prerogative of the House to establish a Chaplain 
(Mar. 30, 1982, p. 5890). A resolution laying on the table a message 
from the President containing certain averments inveighing disrespect 
toward Members of Congress was considered as a question of the 
privileges of the House asserting a breach of privilege in a formal 
communication to the House (VI, 330). For a discussion of the 
relationship of the House and its Members to the courts, see 
Sec. Sec. 290-291b, supra.



[[Page 395]]

stitution nor the prohibition in the seventh clause of section 9 of that 
article against any withdrawal from the Treasury except by enactment of 
an appropriation renders a measure purporting to exercise or limit the 
exercise of those powers a question of the privileges of the House, 
because rule IX is concerned not with the privileges of the Congress, as 
a legislative branch, but only with the privileges of the House, as a 
House (Speaker Gingrich, Feb. 7, 1995, p. 3905; Dec. 22, 1995, p. ----; 
Jan. 3, 1996, p. 40; Jan. 24, 1996, p. 1248; Feb. 1, 1996, p. 2245; Oct. 
10, 1998, p. ----). On the other hand, an extraordinary question 
relating to the House vote required by the Constitution to pass a joint 
resolution extending the ratification period of a proposed 
constitutional amendment was raised as a question of privilege where the 
House had not otherwise made a separate determination on that procedural 
question and where consideration of the joint resolution had been made 
in order (Speaker O'Neill, Aug. 15, 1978, p. 26203).

  The ordinary rights and functions of the House under the Constitution 
are exercised in accordance with the rules without precedence as matters 
of privilege (III, 2567). For example, a legislative proposition 
presented as a question of constitutional privilege under the provisions 
of the 14th amendment was held not to involve a question of privilege 
(VI, 48). Similarly, neither the enumeration of legislative powers in 
article I of the Con


[[Page 396]]

that question (Nov. 4, 1991, p. 29968); and (12) a resolution alleging a 
chronology of litigation relating to the immunity of a Member from civil 
liability for bona fide official acts and expressing the views of the 
House thereon (May 12, 1988, p. 10574). For a discussion of disciplinary 
resolutions meting out punishment for violations of standards of 
official conduct, which constitute questions of the privileges of the 
House, see Sec. Sec. 62-66, supra.


Sec. 703. Questions relating to official 
conduct.

  The  privileges of the House include certain questions relating to 
the conduct of Members, officers, and employees (see, e.g., I, 284, 285; 
III, 2628, 2645-2647). Under that standard, the following resolutions 
have been held to constitute questions of the privileges of the House: 
(1) a resolution directing the Committee on Standards of Official 
Conduct to investigate illegal solicitation of political contributions 
in the House Office Building by unnamed sitting Members (July 10, 1985, 
p. 18397); (2) a resolution establishing an ad hoc committee to 
investigate allegations of ``ghost'' employment in the House (Apr. 9, 
1992, p. 9029); (3) a resolution to further investigate the conduct of a 
Member on which it has reported to the House (Aug. 5, 1987, p. 22458); 
(4) a resolution directing the Committee on Standards of Official 
Conduct to report to the House the status of an investigation pending 
before the committee (Nov. 17, 1995, p. ----; Nov. 30, 1995, p. ----); 
(5) a resolution appointing an outside counsel (Sept. 19, 1996, p. ----; 
Sept. 24, 1996, p. ----); (6) a resolution to commit other matters to an 
outside counsel already appointed by the committee (June 27, 1996, p. 
15917); (7) a resolution directing the committee to release the report 
of an outside counsel (Sept. 19, 1996, p. ----; Sept. 24, 1996, p. ----
); (8) a resolution making allegations concerning the propriety of 
responses by officers of the House to court subpoenas for papers of the 
House without notice to the House, and directions to a committee to 
investigate such allegations (Feb. 13, 1980, p. 2768); (9) a resolution 
making allegations of improper representation by counsel of the legal 
position of Members in a brief filed in the Court and directions for 
withdrawal of the brief (Mar. 22, 1990, p. 4996); (10) a resolution 
making allegations of unauthorized actions by a committee employee to 
intervene in judicial proceedings (Feb. 5, 1992, p. 1601); (11) a 
resolution directing the Clerk to notify interested parties that the 
House regretted the use of official resources to present to the Supreme 
Court of Florida a legal brief arguing the unconstitutionality of 
congressional term limits, and that the House had no position on



[[Page 397]]

ceedings of its task force to investigate that matter, where the 
investigation was ordered as a question of privilege and its results had 
been ordered reported to the House (July 22, 1992, p. 18796; July 23, 
1992, p. 19125); directing the Committee on House Administration to 
redress the inaccurate naming of a Member in minority views accompanying 
a report on that matter (July 23, 1992, p. 19121); directing the public 
release of official papers of the House relating to an investigation by 
the Committee on House Administration's task force to investigate the 
operation and management of the Office of the Postmaster (July 22, 1993, 
p. 16634); directing the public release of transcripts and other 
relevant documents relating to an investigation by the Committee on 
House Administration's task force to investigate the operation and 
management of the Office of the Postmaster unless two designees of the 
bipartisan leadership agree to the contrary (June 9, 1994, p. 12437); 
and directing the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct to defer 
any investigation relating to the operation of the former Post Office 
until assured that its inquiry would not interfere with an ongoing 
criminal investigation, as well as a resolution directing the Committee 
on Standards of Official Conduct to proceed with the investigation (Mar. 
2, 1994, p. 3672).
  In the 102d and 103d Congresses, a large number of resolutions 
relating to the operation of the ``bank'' in the Office of the Sergeant-
at-Arms and the management of the Office of the Postmaster were 
presented as questions of the privileges of the House. The former 
category included resolutions: terminating all bank and check-cashing 
operations in the Office of the Sergeant-at-Arms and directing the 
Committee on Standards of Official Conduct to review GAO audits of such 
operations (Oct. 3, 1991, p. 25435); instructing the Committee on 
Standards of Official Conduct to disclose the names and pertinent 
account information of Members and former Members found to have abused 
the privileges of the ``bank'' in the Office of the Sergeant-at-Arms 
(Mar. 12, 1992, p. 5519); instructing the Committee on Standards of 
Official Conduct to disclose further account information respecting 
Members and former Members having checks held by that entity (Mar. 12, 
1992, p. 5534); mandating full and accurate disclosure of pertinent 
information concerning the operation of that entity (Mar. 12, 1992, p. 
5551); responding to a subpoena for records of that entity (Apr. 29, 
1992, p. 9453); responding to a contemporaneous request for such records 
from a Special Counsel (Apr. 29, 1992, p. 9763); and authorizing an 
officer of the House to release certain documents in response to another 
such request from the Special Counsel (May 28, 1992, p. 12790). The 
latter category included resolutions: directing the Committee on House 
Administration to conduct a thorough investigation of the operation and 
management of the Office of the Postmaster in light of recent press 
allegations of wrongdoing (Feb. 5, 1992, p. 1589); to create a select 
committee to investigate the same matter (Feb. 5, 1992, p. 1599); 
requiring an explanation of a reported interference with authorized 
access to a committee investigation of that matter (Apr. 9, 1992, p. 
9024); to redress a perception of obstruction of justice by recusing the 
General Counsel to the Clerk from matters relating to the investigation 
of that matter (Apr. 9, 1992, p. 9076); directing the Speaker to explain 
the lapse of time before the House received notice that several Members 
and an officer of the House had received subpoenas to testify before a 
Federal grand jury investigating that matter (May 14, 1992, p. 11309); 
directing the Committee on House Administration to transmit to the 
Committee on Standards of Official Conduct and to the Department of 
Justice all records obtained by its task force to investigate that 
matter (July 22, 1992, p. 18786); directing the Committee on Standards 
of Official Conduct to investigate violations of confidentiality by 
staff engaged in the investigation of that matter (July 22, 1992, p. 
18795); directing the Committee on House Administration to release 
transcripts of the pro


  In the 105th Congress a 12-member bipartisan task force appointed by 
the Majority and Minority Leaders conducted a comprehensive review of 
the House ethics process. During the deliberations of the task force, 
the House imposed a moratorium on raising certain questions of privilege 
under this rule with respect to official conduct and on the filing or 
processing of ethics complaints. The moratorium was imposed in the 
expectation that the recommendations of the task force would include 
rules changes relating to establishment and enforcement of standards of 
official conduct for Members, officers, and employees of the House (Feb. 
12, 1997, p. ----). The moratorium was extended through September 10, 
1997 (July 30, 1997, p. ----). The task force recommendations ultimately 
were reported from the Committee on Rules and were adopted with certain 
amendments (H. Res. 168, Sept. 18, 1997, p. ----).



Sec. 704. Questions relating to integrity of 
proceedings.

  The  privileges of the House include questions relating to the 
integrity of its proceedings, including the processes by which bills are 
considered (III, 2597-2601, 2614; IV, 3383, 3388, 3478), such as the 
constitutional question of the vote required to pass a joint resolution 
extending the State ratification period of a proposed constitutional 
amendment (Speaker O'Neill, Aug. 15, 1978, p. 26203). Privileges of the 
House also include: (1) resignation of a Member from a select or 
standing committee (Speaker Albert, June 16, 1975, p. 19054; Speaker 
O'Neill, Mar. 8, 1977, pp. 6579-82); (2) newspaper charges affecting the 
honor and dignity of the House (VII, 911); and (3) the conduct of 
representatives of the press (II, 1630, 1631; III, 2627; VI, 553).



[[Page 398]]

former Member and instructing the Sergeant-at-Arms to ban the former 
Member from the floor, and rooms leading thereto, until the resolution 
of a contested election to which he was party (H. Res. 233, Sept. 18, 
1997, p. ----).
  Admission to the floor of the House constitutes a question of 
privilege (III, 2624-2626), including a resolution alleging indecorous 
behavior of a

  The accuracy and propriety of reports in the Congressional Record also 
constitute a question of privileges of the House (V, 7005-7023; VIII, 
3163, 3461, 3463, 3464, 3491, 3499; Apr. 20, 1936, p. 5704; May 11, 
1936, p. 7019; May 7, 1979, p. 10099), including: (1) a resolution 
asserting that a Member's remarks spoken in debate were omitted from the 
printed Record, directing that the Record be corrected and requiring the 
Clerk to report on the circumstances and possible corrective action 
(July 29, 1983, p. 21685); (2) resolutions directing the Committee on 
Rules to investigate and report to the House within a time certain on 
alleged alterations of the Congressional Record (Jan. 24, 1984, p. 250); 
and (3) resolutions addressing whether the Record should constitute a 
verbatim transcript (May 8, 1985, p. 11072; Feb. 7, 1990, p. 1515). 
Although a motion to correct the Congressional Record based on improper 
alterations or insertions may be raised as a question of privilege, mere 
typographical errors or ordinary revisions of a Member's remarks do not 
form the basis for privileged motions to correct the Record (Apr. 25, 
1985, p. 9419; see Sec. 690, supra).

  The protection of House records constitutes a question of the 
privileges of the House, especially when records are demanded by the 
courts (III, 2604, 2659, 2660-2664; VI, 587; Sept. 18, 1992, p. 25750; 
see also Sec. 291, supra). Privileges of the House involving records 
also include: (1) a resolution furnishing certain requested information 
to an Independent Counsel investigating covert arms transactions with 
Iran (June 4, 1992, p. 13664); (2) a resolution responding to a request 
of a law enforcement official regarding the timing of the public release 
of official papers of the House (July 22, 1993, p. 16624); (3) a 
resolution directing a committee to investigate press publication of a 
report that the House had ordered not to be released (Speaker Albert, 
Feb. 19, 1976, p. 3914); (4) a resolution directing the public release 
of transcripts and other relevant documents relating to an investigation 
by the Committee on House Administration's task force to investigate the 
operation and management of the Office of the Postmaster unless two 
designees of the bipartisan leadership agreed to the contrary (June 9, 
1994, p. 12437); and (5) a resolution alleging that a Member willfully 
abused his power as chairman of a committee by unilaterally releasing 
records of the committee in contravention of its rules (adopted 
``protocol''), and expressing disapproval of such conduct (May 14, 1998, 
p. ----). However, a resolution directing a standing committee to 
release executive-session material referred to it as such by special 
rule of the House was held to propose a change in the rules and, 
therefore, not to constitute a question of the privileges of the House 
under rule IX (Sept. 23, 1998, p. ----).


[[Page 399]]

tained unauthorized alterations of the statements of subcommittee 
members in the prior Congress and that unauthorized alterations may have 
occurred in other committee hearing transcripts, and proposing the 
creation of a select committee to investigate and report back by a date 
certain (June 29, 1983, p. 18279); (2) a resolution alleging the 
unauthorized creation and falsification of documents distributed to the 
general public at a committee hearing and resolving that the Speaker 
take appropriate measures to ensure the integrity of the legislative 
process and report his actions and recommendations to the House (Oct. 
25, 1995, p. 29373); and (3) a resolution requesting the Senate to 
return a House-passed bill and accompanying papers to the House if an 
error had been made by the Clerk in preparing the message to the Senate 
(Oct. 1, 1982, p. 27172). The privileges of the House also include: (1) 
the integrity of its Journal (II, 1363; III, 2620) and messages (III, 
2613); (2) unreasonable delay in transmitting an enrolled bill to the 
President (Oct. 8, 1991, p. 25761); and (3) a concurrent resolution 
directing the Clerk of the House and the Secretary of the Senate to 
produce official duplicates of certain legislative papers (Oct. 5, 1992, 
p. 32064).
  A question regarding the accuracy of House documents constitutes a 
question of privileges of the House (V, 7329), including: (1) a 
resolution asserting that a printed transcript of joint subcommittee 
hearings con

  A resolution alleging that the Chair had improperly ordered the 
interruption of audio broadcast coverage of certain House proceedings 
constitutes a question of privileges of the House (Mar. 17, 1988, p. 
4180), as does a resolution providing for an experiment in the 
telecasting and broadcasting of House proceedings (Speaker O'Neill, Mar. 
15, 1977, p. 7607). Similarly, a resolution authorizing and directing 
the Speaker to provide for the audio and visual broadcast coverage of 
the Chamber while Members are voting has been held to present a question 
of the privileges of the House, because rule V (former clause 9 of rule 
I) requires complete and unedited audio and visual coverage of House 
proceedings and coverage of record votes had not been implemented (Apr. 
30, 1985, p. 9821).


  Alleged improprieties in committee procedures, including charges of 
committee inaction (III, 2610), secret committee conferences (VI, 578), 
refusal to make staff study available to certain Members and to the 
public (Feb. 14, 1939, p. 1370), refusal to give hearings or allow 
petitions to be read (III, 2607), refusal to permit committee member to 
take photostatic copies of committee files (Aug. 14, 1957, p. 14739), 
and a determination whether a committee violated House rules by voting 
to take allegedly defamatory testimony in open session (June 30, 1958, 
p. 12690), were all held not to give rise to a question of the 
privileges of the House.


[[Page 400]]

ing the appointment of a select committee to inquire into alleged fire 
safety deficiencies in the environs of the House (May 10, 1988, p. 
10286).



Sec. 705. Questions relating to comfort and 
convenience.

  The  privileges of the House include questions relating to the 
comfort and convenience of Members and employees (III, 2629-2636), such 
as resolutions concerning the proper attire for Members in the Chamber 
when the temperature is uncomfortably warm (July 17, 1979, p. 19008); as 
well as questions relating to safety, such as resolutions requiring an 
investigation into the safety of Members in view of alleged structural 
deficiencies in the West Front of the Capitol (July 25, 1980, pp. 19762-
64); and direct



[[Page 401]]

at the start of each legislative day would enhance the dignity and 
integrity of the proceedings of the House and directing that the Speaker 
implement such a recitation as the practice of the House was held to 
propose a change in the rules and therefore not to give rise to a 
question of the privileges of the House (Sept. 9, 1988, p. 23298). A 
resolution directing that the reprogramming process established in law 
for legislative branch appropriations be subjected to third-party review 
for conformity with external standards of accounting but alleging no 
deviation from duly constituted procedure was held not to give rise to a 
question of the privileges of the House (Speaker Foley, sustained by 
tabling of appeal, May 20, 1992, p. 12005). A resolution to permit the 
Delegate of the District of Columbia to vote on articles of impeachment 
of the President in contravention of statutory law and the Rules of the 
House was held to be tantamount to change in the rules and therefore not 
to constitute a question of the privileges of the House under rule IX 
(Dec. 18, 1998, p. ----). A resolution directing a standing committee to 
release executive-session material referred to it as such by special 
rule of the House was held to propose a change in the rules and, 
therefore, not to constitute a question of the privileges of the House 
under rule IX (Sept. 23, 1998, p. ----).


Sec. 706. May not effect change in rules.

  A motion  to amend 
the Rules of the House does not present a question of privilege (Speaker 
Cannon, sustained by the House, thereby overruling the decision of March 
19, 1910 (VIII, 3376), which held such motion privileged (VIII, 3377)), 
and a question of the privileges of the House may not be invoked to 
effect a change in the rules or standing orders of the House or their 
interpretation (Speaker O'Neill, Dec. 6, 1977, pp. 38470-73; Sept. 9, 
1988, p. 23298; July 30, 1992, p. 20339; Jan. 31, 1996, p. 1887), 
including directions to the Speaker infringing upon his discretionary 
power of recognition under clause 2 of rule XVII (former clause 2 of 
rule XIV) (July 25, 1980, pp. 19762-64), for example, by requiring that 
he give priority in recognition to any Member seeking to call up a 
matter highly privileged pursuant to a statutory provision, over a 
member from the Committee on Rules seeking to call up a privileged 
report from that committee (Speaker Wright, Mar. 11, 1987, p. 5403), or 
by requiring that he state the question on overriding a veto before 
recognizing for a motion to refer (thereby overruling prior decisions of 
the Chair to change the order of precedence of motions) (Speaker Wright, 
Aug. 3, 1988, p. 20281). Similarly, a resolution alleging that, in light 
of an internationally objectionable French program of nuclear test 
detonations, for the House to receive the President of France in a joint 
meeting would be injurious to its dignity and to the integrity of its 
proceedings, and resolving that the Speaker withdraw the pending 
invitation and refrain from similar invitations, was held not to present 
a question of the privileges of the House because it proposed a 
collateral change in an order of the House previously adopted (that the 
House recess for the purpose of receiving the President of France) and a 
new rule for future cases (Jan. 31, 1996, p. 1887). A resolution 
collaterally challenging the validity or fairness of an adopted rule of 
the House by delaying its implementation was held not to give rise to a 
question of the privileges of the House (Speaker Foley, sustained by 
tabling of appeal, Feb. 3, 1993, p. 1974). A resolution directing that 
the party ratios of all standing committees, subcommittees, and staffs 
thereof be changed within a time certain to reflect overall party ratios 
in the House was held to constitute a change in the Rules of the House 
and not to constitute a proper question of the privileges of the House 
(the standing rules already providing mechanisms for selecting committee 
members and staff) (Jan. 23, 1984, p. 78). On the other hand, although 
the Rules of the House establish a procedure for fixing the ratio of 
majority to minority members on full committees and also provide that 
subcommittees are subject to the direction and control of the full 
committee (clause 1 of rule XI), a question of the privileges of the 
House is raised where it is alleged that subcommittee ratios should 
reflect full committee ratios established by the House and failure to do 
so denies representational rights at the subcommittee level (Oct. 4, 
1984, p. 30042). A resolution alleging that a recitation of the Pledge 
of Allegiance



  A question of the privileges of the House may not be invoked to 
prescribe a special order of business for the House, because otherwise 
any Member would be able to attach privilege to a legislative measure 
merely by alleging impact on the dignity of the House based upon House 
action or inaction (Speaker Albert, June 27, 1974, p. 21596; July 31, 
1975, p. 26250; Dec. 22, 1995, p. ----; Jan. 3, 1996, p. 40; Jan. 24, 
1996, p. 1248). For example, a resolution alleging that the inability of 
the House to enact certain legislation constituted an impairment of the 
dignity of the House, the integrity of its proceedings, and its place in 
public esteem, and resolving that the House be considered to have passed 
such legislation, does not give rise to a question of the privileges of 
the House (Jan. 3, 1996, p. 40; Jan. 24, 1996, p. 1248). Similarly, a 
resolution precluding an adjournment of the House until a specified 
legislative measure is considered does not constitute a question of the 
privileges of the House (Feb. 1, 1996, p. 2247). See also Sec. 702, 
supra, for a discussion of legislative propositions purporting to 
present questions of the privileges of the House.


[[Page 402]]

It is evident, therefore, that a question of privilege takes precedence 
over a matter merely privileged under the rules (III, 2526-2530; V, 
6454; VIII, 3465). Certain matters of business, arising under provisions 
of the Constitution mandatory in nature, have been held to have a 
privilege which superseded the rules establishing the order of business, 
as bills providing for census or apportionment (I, 305-308), bills 
returned with the objections of the President (IV, 3530-3536), 
propositions of impeachment (see Sec. 604, supra), and questions 
incidental thereto (III, 2401, 2418; V, 7261; July 22, 1986, p. 17306; 
Dec. 2, 1987, p. 33720; Jan. 3, 1989, p. 84; Feb. 7, 1989, p. 1726), 
matters relating to the count of the electoral vote (III, 2573-2578), 
resolutions relating to adjournment and recess of Congress (V, 6698, 
6701-6706; Nov. 13, 1997, p. ----), and a resolution declaring the 
Office of the Speaker vacant (VI, 35); but under later decisions certain 
of these matters which have no other basis in the Constitution or in the 
rules for privileged status, such as bills relating to census and 
apportionment, have been held not to present questions of privilege, and 
the effect of such decisions is to require all questions of privilege to 
come within the specific provisions of this rule (VI, 48; VII, 889; Apr. 
8, 1926, p. 7147) (see Sec. 702, supra).


Sec. 707. As distinct from privileged questions.

  The  clause 
of the rule giving questions of privilege precedence of all other 
questions except a motion to adjourn is a recognition of a well-
established principle in the House, for it is an axiom of the 
parliamentary law that such a question ``supersedes the consideration of 
the original question, and must be first disposed of'' (III, 2522, 2523; 
VI, 595). As the business of the House began to increase it was found 
necessary to give certain important matters a precedence by rule, and 
such matters are called ``privileged questions.'' But as they relate 
merely to the order of business under the rules, they are to be 
distinguished from ``questions of privilege'' which relate to the safety 
or efficiency of the House itself as an organ for action (III, 2718).



  A resolution that presents a proper question of the privileges of the 
House (alteration of subcommittee hearing transcripts) may propose the 
creation of a select investigatory committee with subpoena authority to 
report back to the House by a date certain (June 29, 1983, p. 18104), 
but may not appropriate funds for the investigating committee from the 
contingent fund (now referred to as ``applicable accounts of the House 
described in clause 1(i)(1) of rule X'') (VI, 395).


[[Page 403]]

in a prior Congress (since the second phrase of this clause speaks to 
the ``rights, reputation, and conduct of Members, individually'') (June 
28, 1983, p. 17674). A printed characterization by an officer of the 
House of a Member's proposed amendments as ``dilatory and frivolous'' 
may give rise to a question of personal privilege (Aug. 1, 1985, p. 
22542) as may the fraudulent use of a Member's official stationery as a 
``dear colleague'' letter (Sept. 17, 1986, p. 23605). While a Member may 
be recognized on a question of personal privilege to complain about an 
abuse of House rules as applied to debate in which he was properly 
participating, he may not raise a question of personal privilege merely 
to complain that microphones had been turned off during disorderly 
conduct following expiration of his recognition for debate (Mar. 16, 
1988, p. 4085).


Sec. 708. Questions of personal privilege.

  The  privilege of 
the Member rests primarily on the Constitution, which gives to him a 
conditional immunity from arrest (Sec. 90, supra) and an unconditional 
freedom of debate in the House (III, 2670, Sec. 92, supra). A menace to 
the personal safety of Members from an insecure ceiling in the Hall was 
held to involve a question of the highest privilege (III, 2685); and an 
assault on a Member within the Capitol when the House was not in 
session, from a cause not connected with the Member's representative 
capacity, was also held to involve a question of privilege (II, 1624). 
But there has been doubt as to the right of the House to interfere for 
the protection of Members, who outside the Hall, get into difficulties 
not connected with their official duties (II, 1277; III, 2678; 
footnote). Charges against the conduct of a Member are held to involve 
privilege when they relate to his representative capacity (III, 1828-
1830, 2716; VI, 604, 612; VIII, 2479); but when they relate to conduct 
at a time before he became a Member they have not been entertained as of 
privilege (II, 1287; III, 2691, 2723, 2725). While questions of personal 
privilege normally involve matters touching on a Member's reputation, a 
Member may be recognized for a question of personal privilege based on a 
violation of his rights as a Member, such as unauthorized printed 
alterations in his statements made during a subcommittee hearing


  Speaker Wright rose to a question of personal privilege to respond to 
a ``statement of alleged violations'' pending in the Committee on 
Standards of Official Conduct; and, pending the committee's disposition 
of his motion to dismiss, announced his intention to resign as Speaker 
and as a Member (May 31, 1989, p. 10440). Speaker Gingrich rose to a 
question of personal privilege to discuss his own official conduct 
previously resolved by the House, which question was based upon press 
accounts (Apr. 17, 1997, p. ----). A Member rose to a question of 
personal privilege to discuss his own official conduct relative to his 
account with the ``bank'' operated by the Sergeant-at-Arms, which 
question was based on press accounts (Mar. 19, 1992, p. 6074). A Member 
rose to a question of personal privilege based on press accounts 
concerning allegations by other Members that he, as a committee 
chairman, had been ``buying votes'' (Mar. 26, 1998, p. ----).



[[Page 404]]


  A distinction has been drawn between charges made by one Member 
against another in a newspaper or in a press release (July 28, 1970, p. 
26002) or in a ``Dear Colleague'' letter (Aug. 4, 1989, p. 19139; May 
14, 1996, p. 11081), and the same when made on the floor (III, 1827, 
2691, 2717). Charges made in newspapers against Members in their 
representative capacities involve privilege (III, 1832, 2694, 2696-2699, 
2703, 2704; VI, 576, 621; VIII, 2479), even though the names of 
individual Members are not given (III, 1831, 2705, 2709; VI, 616, 617). 
But vague charges in newspaper articles (III, 2711; VI, 570), criticisms 
(III, 2712-2714; VIII, 2465), or even misrepresentations of the Member's 
speeches or acts or responses in an interview (III, 2707, 2708; Aug. 3, 
1990, p. 22135), have not been entertained. A question of personal 
privilege may not ordinarily be based merely on words spoken in debate 
(July 23, 1987, p. 20861; Mar. 16, 1988, p. 4085; Nov. 16, 1989, p. 
29569; Sept. 25, 1996, p. ----). However, a Member may raise a question 
of personal privilege based upon press accounts of another Member's 
remarks, in debate or off the floor, which impugn his character or 
motives (May 15, 1984, pp. 12207, 12211; May 31, 1984, p. 14620), or 
based upon newspaper accounts of televised press coverage of a committee 
hearing at which he was criticized derogatorily (Mar. 3, 1988, p. 3196).



Sec. 709. Precedence of questions of privileges of the 
House.

  The  body of precedent relating to the precedence of questions of 
privilege spans both the adoption of standing rule IX in 1880 and its 
amendment to require notice in certain cases in 1993.


  A question of privilege which relates to a breach of privilege (an 
assault) occurring during the reading of the Journal may interrupt its 
reading (II, 1630). A question of privilege may interrupt the reading of 
the Journal (II, 1630; VI, 637), the consideration of a bill under a 
special order (III, 2524, 2525), a rule providing for a vote without 
intervening motion (VI, 560), a proposition to suspend the rules (III, 
2553; VI, 553, 565), the consideration of certain matters on which the 
previous question has been ordered (III, 2532; VI, 561; VIII, 2688), 
business in order on Calendar Wednesday (VI, 394; VII, 908-910), reports 
from the Rules Committee before consideration has begun (VIII, 3491; 
Mar. 11, 1987, p. 5403), call of the Consent Calendar on Monday (VI, 
553), before that Calendar was repealed in the 104th Congress (H. Res. 
168, June 20, 1995, p. 16574), and motions to resolve into the Committee 
of the Whole (VI, 554; VIII, 3461). A question of the privileges of the 
House takes precedence over unfinished business, privileged under 
clauses 1 and 3 of rule XIV (former rule XXIV) (Speaker Albert, June 4, 
1975, p. 16860). Since a resolution raising a question of the privileges 
of the House takes precedence over a motion to suspend the rules, it may 
be offered and voted on between motions to suspend the rules on which 
the Speaker has postponed record votes until after debate on all 
suspensions (May 17, 1983, p. 12486). In general, one question of 
privilege may not take precedence over another (III, 2534, 2552, 2581), 
and the Chair's power of recognition determines which of two matters of 
equal privilege is considered first (July 24, 1990, p. 18916). While 
under rule IX a question of the privileges of the House takes precedence 
over all other questions except the motion to adjourn, the Speaker may, 
pursuant to his power of recognition under clause 2 of rule XVII (former 
clause 2 of rule XIV), entertain unanimous-consent requests for ``one-
minute speeches'' pending recognition for a question of privilege, since 
such unanimous-consent requests, if granted, temporarily waive the 
standing Rules of the House relating to the order of business (Speaker 
O'Neill, July 10, 1985, p. 18394; Feb. 6, 1989, pp. 1676-82).

  A Member's announcement of intent to offer a resolution as a question 
of privilege may take precedence over a special order reported from the 
Committee on Rules; but, where a special order is pending, such 
announcements are counted against debate on the resolution absent 
unanimous consent to the contrary (Oct. 28, 1997, p. ----).


[[Page 405]]

of privilege related to the first and discuss both on one recognition 
(VI, 562). While a resolution raising a question of the privileges of 
the House has precedence over all other questions, it is nevertheless 
subject to disposition by the ordinary motions permitted under clause 4 
of rule XVI, and by the motion to commit under clause 2 of rule XIX 
(former clause 1 of rule XVII) (Speaker Albert, Feb. 19, 1976, p. 3914; 
Apr. 28, 1983, p. 10423; Mar. 22, 1990, p. 4996).

  While a question of privilege is pending, a message of the President 
is received (V, 6640-6642), but is read only by unanimous consent (V, 
6639). A motion to reconsider may also be entered but may not be 
considered (V, 5673-5676). It has been held that only one question of 
privilege may be pending at a time (III, 2533), but having presented one 
question of privilege, a Member, before discussing it, may submit a 
second question




Sec. 711. Precedence of questions of personal 
privilege.

  When  a Member proposes merely to address the House on a question 
of personal privilege, and does not bring up a resolution affecting the 
dignity or integrity of the House for action, the practice as to 
precedence is somewhat different. Thus, a Member rising to a question of 
personal privilege may not interrupt a call of the yeas and nays (V, 
6051, 6052, 6058, 6059; VI, 554, 564), or take from the floor another 
Member who has been recognized for debate (V, 5002; VIII, 2459, 2528; 
Sept. 29, 1983, p. 26508; July 23, 1987, p. 20861), but he may interrupt 
the ordinary legislative business (III, 2531). A Member may address the 
House on a question of personal privilege even after the previous 
question has been ordered on a pending bill (VI, 561; VIII, 2688). Under 
modern practice, a question of personal privilege may not be raised in 
the Committee of the Whole (Sept. 4, 1969, p. 24372; Dec. 13, 1973, p. 
41270), the proper remedy being that a demand that words uttered in the 
Committee of the Whole be taken down pursuant to clause 4 of rule XVII 
(former clause 5 of rule XIV); yet a breach of privilege occurring in 
the Committee of the Whole relates to the dignity of the House and is so 
treated (II, 1657). A question of personal privilege may not be raised 
while a question of the privileges of the House is pending (Apr. 30, 
1985, p. 9808; May 1, 1985, p. 10003). A committee chairman rose to a 
question of personal privilege based on press accounts containing 
statements impugning his character and motive by alleging intentional 
violation of rules as chairman of a committee conducting an 
investigation (May 12, 1998, p. ----).



<>   Whenever 
it is asserted on the floor that the privileges of the House are 
invaded, the Speaker entertains the question (II, 1501), and may then 
refuse recognition if the resolution is not admissible as a question of 
privilege under the rule. A proper question of privilege may be renewed 
(Nov. 17, 1995, p. ----). Although the early custom was for the Speaker 
to submit to the House the question whether a resolution involved the 
privileges of the House (III, 2718), the modern practice is for the 
Speaker to rule directly on the question (VI, 604; Speaker Wright, Mar. 
11, 1987, p. 5404; Feb. 3, 1995, p. 3571; Feb. 7, 1995, p. 3905), 
subject to appeal where appropriate (Speaker Albert, June 27, 1974, p. 
21596).

[[Page 406]]



Sec. 712. Questions of privilege in relation to 
quorum.

    During a call of the House in the absence of a quorum, only 
such questions of privilege as relate immediately to those proceedings 
may be presented (III, 2545). See also Sec. 1024, infra.


  Under the form of the rule adopted in the 103d Congress, the Speaker 
may in his discretion recognize a Member other than the Majority or 
Minority Leader to proceed immediately on a resolution offered as a 
question of the privileges of the House without first designating a 
subsequent time or place in the legislative schedule within two 
legislative days (Speaker Foley, Feb. 3, 1993, p. 1974); and he is not 
required to announce the time designated to consider a resolution at the 
time the resolution is noticed but may announce his designation at a 
later time (Feb. 11, 1994, p. 2209). The Speaker does not rule on the 
privileged status of a resolution at the time that resolution is 
noticed, but only when the resolution is called up within two 
legislative days (Feb. 11, 1994, p. 2209; Sept. 13, 1994, p. 24389; Feb. 
3, 1995, p. 3571).



[106th Congress House Rules Manual -- House Document No. 105-358]
[From the U.S. Government Printing Office Online Database]
[Page 407-510]

[[Page 407]]

 
  Common fame has been held sufficient basis for raising a question 
(III, 2538, 2701); a telegraphic dispatch may also furnish a basis (III, 
2539). A report relating to the contemptuous conduct of a witness before 
a committee gives rise to a question of the privileges of the House and 
may, under this rule, be considered on the same day reported 
notwithstanding the requirement of clause 4(a) of rule XIII (former 
clause 2(l)(6) of rule XI) that reports from committees be available to 
Members for at least three calendar days prior to their consideration 
(Speaker Albert, July 13, 1971, pp. 24720-23). But a Member may not, as 
matter of right, require the reading of a book or paper on suggesting 
that it contains matter infringing on the privileges of the House (V, 
5258). In presenting a question of personal privilege the Member is not 
required in the first instance to offer a motion or resolution, but he 
must take this preliminary step in raising a question of general 
privileges (III, 2546, 2547; VI, 565-569; VII, 3464). A proposition of 
privilege may lose its precedence by association with a matter not of 
privilege (III, 2551; V, 5890; VI, 395). Debate on a question of 
privilege is under the hour rule (V, 4990; VIII, 2448), but the previous 
question may be moved (II, 1256; V, 5459, 5460; VIII, 2672); since the 
103d Congress, however, the rule has provided for divided control of the 
hour in the case of a resolution offered from the floor. Consideration 
of a resolution as a question of the privileges of the House has 
included an hour of debate on a motion to refer under clause 4 of rule 
XVI; a separate hour of debate on the resolution, itself, under clause 2 
of rule XVII (former clause 2 of rule XIV); and a motion to commit (not 
debatable after the ordering of the previous question) under clause 2 of 
rule XIX (former clause 1 of rule XVII) (Mar. 12, 1992, p. 5557). Debate 
on a letter of resignation is controlled by the Member moving the 
acceptance of the resignation (Mar. 8, 1977, pp. 6579-82) if the 
resigning Member does not seek recognition (June 16, 1975, p. 19054). 
Debate on a question of personal privilege must be confined to the 
statements or issues which gave rise to the question of privilege (V, 
5075-77; VI, 576, 608; VIII, 2448, 2481; May 31, 1984, p. 14623).



Committees and their legislative jurisdictions
                  Rule X.--ORGANIZATION OF COMMITTEES                  




714. Number and jurisdiction of standing 
committees.

  1.  There shall be in the House the following standing 
committees, each of which shall have the jurisdiction and related 
functions assigned by this clause and clauses 2, 3, and 4. All bills, 
resolutions, and other matters relating to subjects within the 
jurisdiction of the standing committees listed in this clause shall be 
referred to those committees, in accordance with clause 2 of rule XII, 
as follows:


  Under the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946 (60 Stat. 812), the 
44 committees of the 79th Congress were consolidated into 19, effective 
January 2, 1947. The total number of standing committees grew over time 
with the creation of the Committee on Science and Astronautics (now 
Science), established on July 21, 1958 (p. 14513); the Committee on 
Standards of Official Conduct, established on April 13, 1967 (p. 9425); 
the Committee on the Budget, established on July 12, 1974, by the 
Congressional Budget Act of 1974 (88 Stat. 297); and the Committee on 
Small Business, established as a standing committee effective January 3, 
1975 (H. Res. 988, 93d Cong., Oct. 8, 1974, p. 34470). The Committee on 
Internal Security was abolished in the 94th Congress (H. Res. 5, Jan. 
14, 1975, p. 20) thereby setting the total number of standing committees 
at 22.


[[Page 408]]

  The 104th Congress reduced the total number to 19 by abolishing the 
Committees on the District of Columbia, Merchant Marine and Fisheries, 
and Post Office and Civil Service (sec. 202(a), H. Res. 6, Jan. 4, 1995, 
p. 464). Matters formerly in the jurisdiction of the Committees on the 
District of Columbia and Post Office and Civil Service were transferred 
to the Committee on Government Reform (formerly Government Reform and 
Oversight); and matters formerly in the jurisdiction of the Committee on 
Merchant Marine and Fisheries were transferred to the Committees on 
Resources (formerly Natural Resources), Transportation and 
Infrastructure (formerly Public Works and Transportation), Armed 
Services (formerly National Security during the 104th and 105th 
Congresses), and Science (formerly Science, Space, and Technology (sec. 
202(a), H. Res. 6, Jan. 4, 1995, p. 464).

  A Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence was established in the 
95th Congress (H. Res. 658, July 14, 1977, pp. 22932-49). Before the 
House recodified its rules in the 106th Congress, the Select Committee 
was found in former rule XLVIII (current clause 11 of rule X) (H. Res. 
5, Jan. 6, 1999, p. ----). A permanent Select Committee on Aging was 
added to clause 6 of this rule effective January 3, 1975 (H. Res. 988, 
93d Cong., Oct. 8, 1974, p. 34470) until stricken in the 103d Congress 
(H. Res. 5, Jan. 5, 1993, p. 49).

  Although earlier forms of the rule specified the number of Members 
comprising each of the standing committees, those specifications were 
eliminated in the 93d Congress, leaving to the House the authority to 
establish the sizes of committees by the numbers elected to each 
standing committee pursuant to clause 5 of rule X. The rules still 
specify part of the composition of the Committee on the Budget (clause 
5(a)(2) of rule X) as well as the overall size and preferred composition 
of the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence (clause 11(a) of rule 
X).

  The Speaker refers public bills in accordance with clause 1 of rule X, 
but when the House itself refers a bill it may send it to any committee 
without regard to the rules of jurisdiction (IV, 4375; V, 5527; VII, 
2131) and jurisdiction is thereby conferred (IV, 4362-4364; VII, 2105). 
Motions for change of reference of public bills and resolutions must be 
authorized by the committee claiming jurisdiction (clause 7 of rule XII; 
VII, 2121; Feb. 13, 1918, p. 2070; Jan. 10, 1941, p. 100), must be made 
immediately following the reading of the Journal (VII, 1809, 2119, 
2120), must apply to a single bill and not to a class of bills (VII, 
2125), must apply to a bill erroneously referred (VII, 2125), may be 
amended (VII, 2127), may not be divided (VII, 2125), and may not be 
debated (VII, 2126, 2128), but are not in order on Calendar Wednesday 
(VII, 2117), and are not privileged if the original reference was not 
erroneous (VII, 2125). The re-referral of most bills is accomplished by 
unanimous consent (see Procedure, ch. 17, sec. 17-38).

  Prior to the 94th Congress, a bill could not be divided among two or 
more committees, even though it might contain matters properly within 
the jurisdiction of several committees (IV, 4372). The Committee Reform 
Amendments of 1974 added former clause 5 of rule X (current clause 2 of 
rule XII), permitting the Speaker to refer any matter to more than one 
committee (H. Res. 988, 93d Cong., Oct. 8, 1974, p. 34470). That 
provision was amended in the 104th Congress to require the Speaker to 
designate a primary committee among those to which a matter is initially 
referred (sec. 205, H. Res. 6, Jan. 4, 1995, p. 467).


[[Page 409]]

subject, the reference could nevertheless be to the committee having 
jurisdiction of the original bill (IV, 4373, 4374); normally, however 
such amended measures are held at the Speaker's table until disposed of 
by the House. The erroneous reference of a public bill under this rule, 
if it remains uncorrected, gives jurisdiction (IV, 4365-4371; VII, 
2108), but such is not the case with a private bill or petition (IV, 
3364, 4382-4389) unless the reference be made by action of the House 
itself (IV, 4390, 4391; VII 2131). A point of order as to the reference 
of a private bill is good when the bill comes up for consideration, 
either in the House or in the Committee of the Whole (IV, 4382-4389; 
VII, 2116, 2132; VIII, 2262) or at any time prior to passage (VII, 
2116). The reference of a bill to a committee involving the same subject 
matter as a bill previously reported confers jurisdiction anew upon the 
committee to consider and report the bill subsequently introduced (VIII, 
2311).
  A committee having jurisdiction of a subject by means of a petition 
(IV, 3365) properly referred (IV, 4361) can report on the subject 
thereof. It has generally been held that a committee may not report a 
bill whereof the subject matter has not been referred to it by the House 
(IV, 4355-4360, 4372; VII, 1029, 2101, 2102). Where a House bill is 
returned from the Senate with a substitute amendment relating to a new 
and different


  Clause 4 of rule XII prohibits the reception or consideration of 
certain private bills relating to claims, pensions, construction of 
bridges, and the correction of military or naval records. In the 104th 
Congress the House adopted a rule to prohibit introduction or 
consideration of any bill or resolution expressing a commemoration by 
designation of a specified period of time (current clause 5 of rule XII, 
former clause 2 of rule XXII) (sec. 216, H. Res. 6, Jan. 4, 1995, p. 
468).

  (a) Committee on Agriculture.



Sec. 715. Agriculture.

      (1)  Adulteration of seeds, insect 
pests, and protection of birds and animals in forest reserves.


      (2) Agriculture generally.

      (3) Agricultural and industrial chemistry.

      (4) Agricultural colleges and experiment stations.

      (5) Agricultural economics and research.

      (6) Agricultural education extension services.

      (7) Agricultural production and marketing and stabilization of 
prices of agricultural products, and commodities (not including 
distribution outside of the United States).

      (8) Animal industry and diseases of animals.

      (9) Commodity exchanges.


[[Page 410]]

      (10) Crop insurance and soil conservation.

      (11) Dairy industry.

      (12) Entomology and plant quarantine.

      (13) Extension of farm credit and farm security.

      (14) Inspection of livestock, poultry, meat products, and seafood 
and seafood products.

      (15) Forestry in general and forest reserves other than those 
created from the public domain.

      (16) Human nutrition and home economics.

      (17) Plant industry, soils, and agricultural engineering.

      (18) Rural electrification.

      (19) Rural development.


      (20) Water conservation related to activities of the Department of 
Agriculture.

  This Committee was established in 1820 (IV, 4149). In 1880 the subject 
of forestry was added to its jurisdiction, and the Committee was 
conferred authority to receive estimates of and to report appropriations 
(IV, 4149). However, on July 1, 1920, authority to report appropriations 
for the Department of Agriculture was transferred to the Committee on 
Appropriations (VII, 1860).

  The basic form of the present jurisdictional statement was made 
effective January 2, 1947, as a part of the Legislative Reorganization 
Act of 1946 (60 Stat. 812). Subparagraph (7) was altered by the 93d 
Congress, effective January 3, 1975, to include jurisdiction over 
agricultural commodities (including the Commodity Credit Corporation) 
while transferring jurisdiction over foreign distribution and 
nondomestic production of commodities to the Committee on International 
Relations (H. Res. 988, 93d Cong., Oct. 8, 1974, p. 34470). 
Nevertheless, the Committee has retained a limited jurisdiction over 
measures to release CCC stocks for such foreign distribution (Sept. 14, 
1989, p. 20428). Previously unstated jurisdictions over commodities 
exchanges and rural development were codified effective January 3, 1975.


[[Page 411]]

and stylistic changes were effected when the House recodified its rules 
in the 106th Congress (H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 1999, p. ----).
  The 104th Congress consolidated the Committee's jurisdiction over 
inspection of livestock and meat products to include inspection of 
poultry, seafood, and seafood products, and added subparagraph (20) 
relating to water conservation (sec. 202(a), H. Res. 6, Jan. 4, 1995, p. 
464). Clerical

  The Committee has had jurisdiction of bills for establishing and 
regulating the Department of Agriculture (IV, 4150), for inspection of 
livestock and meat products, regulation of animal industry, diseases of 
animals (IV, 4154; VII, 1862), adulteration of seeds, insect pests, 
protection of birds and animals in forest reserves (IV, 4157; VII, 
1870), the improvement of the breed of horses, even with the cavalry 
service in view (IV, 4158; VII, 1865).

  The Committee, having charge of the general subject of forestry, has 
reported bills relating to timber, and forest reserves other than those 
created from the public domain (IV, 4160). It has also exercised 
jurisdiction of bills: relating to agricultural colleges and experiment 
stations (IV, 4152), incorporation of agricultural societies (IV, 4159), 
and establishment of a highway commission (IV, 4153); to discourage 
fictitious and gambling transactions in farm products (IV, 4161; VII, 
1861); to regulate the transportation, sale, and handling of dogs and 
cats intended for use in research and the licensing of animal research 
facilities (July 29, 1965, p. 18691); and to designate an agricultural 
research center (May 14, 1996, p. ----). The Committee shares with the 
Committee on the Judiciary jurisdiction over a bill comprehensively 
amending the Immigration and Nationality Act and including food stamp 
eligibility requirements for aliens (Sept. 19, 1995, p. ----).

  The House referred the President's message dealing with the 
refinancing of farm-mortgage indebtedness to the Committee, thus 
conferring jurisdiction (Apr. 4, 1933, p. 1209).


  The Committee has jurisdiction over a bill relating solely to 
executive level positions in the Department of Agriculture (Mar. 2, 
1976, p. 4958) and has jurisdiction over bills to develop land and water 
conservation programs on private and non-Federal lands (June 7, 1976, p. 
16768).

  (b) Committee on Appropriations.



Sec. 716. Appropriations.

      (1)    Appropriation of the 
revenue for the support of the Government.


      (2) Rescissions of appropriations contained in appropriation Acts.

      (3) Transfers of unexpended balances.



[[Page 412]]


      (4) Bills and joint resolutions reported by other committees that 
provide new entitlement authority as defined in section 3(9) of the 
Congressional Budget Act of 1974 and referred to the committee under 
clause 4(a)(2).

  This Committee was established in 1865, when all the general 
appropriation bills were confided to its care. In 1885 a portion of the 
bills were distributed to other committees. On July 1, 1920, the 
Committee again was given jurisdiction over all appropriations by an 
amendment to the rules adopted June 1, 1920 (VII, 1741).



Sec. 717. Responsibilities under Budget Act.

  Effective  July 
12, 1974, special Presidential messages on rescissions and deferrals of 
budget authority submitted pursuant to sections 1012 and 1013 of the 
Impoundment Control Act of 1974 (2 U.S.C. 683-4), as well as rescission 
bills and impoundment resolutions defined in section 1011 (2 U.S.C. 682) 
and required in section 1017 (2 U.S.C. 688) to be referred to the 
appropriate committee, are referred to the Committee on Appropriations 
if the proposed rescissions or deferrals involve funds already 
appropriated or obligated. Also effective July 12, 1974, the 
Congressional Budget Act of 1974 (sec. 404(a)) added to the Committee's 
jurisdiction, and later perfected by the Committee Reform Amendments of 
1974 (H. Res. 988, 93d Cong., Oct. 8, 1974, p. 34470), subparagraphs 
(2), (3), and (4).


  In the 95th Congress this paragraph was amended to correct a 
typographical error (H. Res. 5, Jan. 4, 1977, p. 53). Subparagraph (4) 
was amended in the 105th and 106th Congresses to conform to changes made 
by the Budget Enforcement Act of 1997 (sec. 10116, P.L. 105-33; H. Res. 
5, Jan. 6, 1999, p. ----). When the House recodified its rules in the 
106th Congress, it transferred an undesignated portion of this paragraph 
to clause 3(f)(2) of rule XIII (H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 1999, p. ----).

  While this Committee has authority to report appropriations, the power 
to report legislation relating thereto belongs to other committees (IV, 
4033; clause 2 of rule XXI), and a general appropriation bill reported 
from this Committee may not contain items of appropriation not 
authorized by law or provisions amending existing law (except 
retrenchments and rescissions of appropriations) (clause 2 of rule XXI), 
and may not contain reappropriations of unexpended balances except 
within agencies (clause 2 of rule XXI). General appropriation bills may 
not be considered in the House until hearings have been available for 
three days (clause 4 of rule XIII).


[[Page 413]]

to the House recommendations for terminating or modifying such 
provisions (clause 4(a)(3) of rule X). The requirement of section 139 of 
the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946 (60 Stat. 812) that the 
Committees on Appropriations of the House and Senate develop a standard 
appropriation classification schedule was superseded by section 202(a) 
of the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1970 (84 Stat. 1167), which now 
imposes that responsibility upon the Secretary of the Treasury and the 
Office of Management and Budget. The further requirement of section 139 
of the 1946 Act that the Appropriations Committees study existing 
permanent appropriations and recommend which, if any, should be 
discontinued was made the responsibility of all standing committees of 
the House by clauses 4(e) of rule X, through enactment of section 253 of 
the 1970 Act (84 Stat. 1175).

  The authority to conduct studies and examinations of the organization 
and operation of executive departments and agencies was first given to 
this Committee on February 11, 1943 (p. 884); continued by resolution of 
January 9, 1945 (p. 135); and incorporated into permanent law in section 
202(b) of the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946 (60 Stat. 812). 
This authority was first made part of the standing rules on January 3, 
1953 (pp. 17, 24), and is now listed as a special oversight 
responsibility of the Committee in clause 3 of rule X, effective January 
3, 1975 (former clause 2(b)(3) of rule X) (H. Res. 988, 93d Cong., Oct. 
8, 1974, p. 34470). The Committee is also authorized and directed to 
hold hearings on the budget as a whole in open session within 30 days of 
its submission (clause 4(a)(1)(A) of rule X), and to study on a 
continuing basis provisions of law providing spending authority or 
permanent budget authority and to report

  (c) Committee on Armed Services.



Sec. 718. Armed Services.

      (1)  Ammunition depots; forts; 
arsenals; and Army, Navy, and Air Force reservations and establishments.


      (2) Common defense generally.

      (3) Conservation, development, and use of naval petroleum and oil 
shale reserves.

      (4) The Department of Defense generally, including the Departments 
of the Army, Navy, and Air Force, generally.

      (5) Interoceanic canals generally, including measures relating to 
the maintenance, operation, and administration of interoceanic canals.

      (6) Merchant Marine Academy and State Maritime Academies.

      (7) Military applications of nuclear energy.

      (8) Tactical intelligence and intelligence-related activities of 
the Department of Defense.


[[Page 414]]

and merchant marine officers and seamen as these matters relate to the 
national security.
      (9) National security aspects of merchant marine, including 
financial assistance for the construction and operation of vessels, 
maintenance of the U.S. shipbuilding and ship repair industrial base, 
cabotage, cargo preference,

      (10) Pay, promotion, retirement, and other benefits and privileges 
of members of the armed forces.

      (11) Scientific research and development in support of the armed 
services.

      (12) Selective service.

      (13) Size and composition of the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, and Air 
Force.

      (14) Soldiers' and sailors' homes.


      (15) Strategic and critical materials necessary for the common 
defense.

  This Committee was established January 2, 1947, as a part of the 
Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946 (60 Stat. 812), combining the 
Committee on Military Affairs with the Committee on Naval Affairs, both 
of which had been created in 1822 (IV, 4179, 4189) and had had 
jurisdiction over appropriations from 1885 to 1920 (IV, 4179, 4189; VII, 
1741). The Committee was redesignated the Committee on National Security 
in the 104th Congress (sec. 202(a), H. Res. 6, Jan. 4, 1995, p. 464) and 
was redesignated again the Committee on Armed Services in the 106th 
Congress (H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 1999, p. ----). Clerical and stylistic 
changes were effected when the House recodified its rules in the 106th 
Congress, including the deletion of a redundant undesignated recitation 
of a special oversight function (H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 1999, p. ----).

  Much of the present legislative jurisdiction in this paragraph was 
adopted on January 3, 1953 (p. 17), to reflect jurisdiction over the 
Department of Defense, which was created in the National Security Act of 
1947 (61 Stat. 495). In the 95th Congress, when the Joint Committee on 
Atomic Energy was abolished, this Committee gained jurisdiction over 
military applications of nuclear energy (H. Res. 5, Jan. 4, 1977, p. 
53). The special oversight function of the Committee in clause 3(g) 
(former clause 3(a)) were assigned by the Committee Reform Amendments of 
1974, effective January 3, 1975 (H. Res. 988, 93d Cong., Oct. 8, 1974, 
p. 34470). The 104th Congress added subparagraph (8) for clarification 
and subparagraphs (5), (6), and (9) to reflect the transfer of those 
matters from the former Committee on Merchant Marine and Fisheries (sec. 
202(a), H. Res. 6, Jan. 4, 1995, p. 464), and later amended subparagraph 
(8) to effect a technical correction (H. Res. 254, Nov. 30, 1995, p. --
--).


[[Page 415]]

title 10 of the United States Code to permit suits against the United 
States for damage to reputation of members of Armed Forces acquitted of 
charges of crimes against civilians in combat zones (July 15, 1970, p. 
24451); for construction of facilities at Walter Reed Medical Center 
(Oct. 3, 1966, p. 24859); to require military commissary, post exchange, 
and medical care privileges for veterans with sufficient service-
connected disabilities (Feb. 3, 1976, p. 1972); of a private character 
to waive the statutory time limit on the award of the Congressional 
Medal of Honor on individuals (Feb. 22, 1982, p. 1812); including 
authorization of appropriations to the Department of Energy for resource 
applications for naval petroleum and oil shale reserves (May 1, 1978, p. 
11946); and effecting the transfer of military property to a State to be 
designated by the State as a wilderness area (Nov. 15, 1995, p. ----).
  The Committee has jurisdiction over bills: relating to military 
housing construction (Feb. 21, 1962, p. 2684; Apr. 18, 1967, p. 9981); 
amending


  The Committee exercised jurisdiction with the Committee on Interior 
and Insular Affairs (now Resources) over a resolution expressing the 
sense of Congress regarding continued operation of the Hanford Nuclear 
Reactor to produce power for the Bonneville Power Administration (July 
17, 1986, p. 16888).

  (d) Committee on Banking and Financial Services.



Sec. 719. Banking and Financial Services.

      (1)  Banks and 
banking, including deposit insurance and Federal monetary policy.


      (2) Bank capital markets activities generally.

      (3) Depository institutions securities activities generally, 
including activities of any affiliates (except for functional regulation 
under applicable securities laws not involving safety and soundness).

      (4) Economic stabilization, defense production, renegotiation, and 
control of the price of commodities, rents, and services.

      (5) Financial aid to commerce and industry (other than 
transportation).

      (6) International finance.


[[Page 416]]

      (7) International financial and monetary organizations.

      (8) Money and credit, including currency and this issuance of 
notes and redemption thereof; gold and silver, including the coinage 
thereof; valuation and revaluation of the dollar.

      (9) Public and private housing.


      (10) Urban development.

  This Committee was established in 1865 as the Committee on Banking and 
Currency (IV, 4082). In the Committee Reform Amendments of 1974, 
effective January 3, 1975, its name was changed to Banking, Currency and 
Housing (H. Res. 988, 93d Cong., Oct. 8, 1974, p. 34470). In the 95th 
Congress its name was changed to Banking, Finance and Urban Affairs (H. 
Res. 5, Jan. 4, 1977, pp. 53-70). In the 104th Congress its name was 
changed to Banking and Financial Services (sec. 202(a), H. Res. 6, Jan. 
4, 1995, p. 464).


[[Page 417]]

Committee on Commerce, and jurisdiction over urban mass transportation 
to what is now the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure (H. 
Res. 988, 93d Cong., Oct. 8, 1974, p. 34470). In the 104th Congress 
subparagraphs (2) and (3) were added (sec. 202(a), H. Res. 6, Jan. 4, 
1995, p. 464). Clerical and stylistic changes were effected when the 
House recodified its rules in the 106th Congress (H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 
1999, p. ----).
  The Committee was given much of its present jurisdiction in the 
Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946 (60 Stat. 812), by which it 
absorbed the jurisdiction of the former Committee on Coinage, Weights, 
and Measures (created in 1864) (IV, 4090), except jurisdiction over 
matters relating to the standardization of weights and measures and the 
metric system was given to the Committee on Interstate and Foreign 
Commerce and was later transferred to the Committee on Science and 
Astronautics (now Science) in the 85th Congress (H. Res. 580, July 21, 
1958, p. 14513). In the 92d Congress jurisdiction over the impact on the 
economy of tax-exempt foundations and charitable trusts was transferred 
from the Subcommittee on Foundations of the Select Committee on Small 
Business, along with all that subcommittee's files, to this Committee 
(H. Res. 320, Apr. 27, 1971, p. 12081). Prior to the end of the 93d 
Congress, the Committee had legislative jurisdiction over the problems 
of small business under its general jurisdiction over financial aid to 
commerce and industry; but with the adoption of the Committee Reform 
Amendments of 1974, effective January 3, 1975, that jurisdiction was 
transferred to the standing Committee on Small Business, the permanent 
Select Committee on Small Business was abolished, and this Committee was 
specifically given jurisdiction over Federal monetary policy, money and 
credit, urban development, economic stabilization, defense production, 
and renegotiation (the latter matter formerly within the jurisdiction of 
the Committee on Ways and Means), international finance, and 
international financial and monetary organizations (formerly within the 
jurisdiction of the Committee on International Relations), while 
jurisdiction over the Commodity Credit Corporation was transferred to 
the Committee on Agriculture, jurisdiction over export controls and 
international economic policy to the Committee on International 
Relations, jurisdiction over construction of nursing home facilities to 
what is now the


  The Committee has reported on subjects relating to the strengthening 
of public credit, issues of notes, and State taxation and redemption 
thereof (IV, 4084), propositions to maintain the parity of the money of 
the United States (IV, 4089; VII, 1792), the issue of silver 
certificates as currency (IV, 4087, 4088), national banks and current 
deposits of public money (IV, 4083; VII, 1790), the incorporation of an 
international bank (IV, 4086), subjects relating to the Freedman's Bank 
(IV, 4085), and Federal Reserve System, farm loan act, home loan bills, 
stabilization of the dollar, War Finance Corporation, Federal Reserve 
bank buildings (VII, 1793, 1795). The Committee has jurisdiction of 
bills providing consolidation of grant-in-aid programs for urban 
development (Mar. 18, 1970, p. 7887), bills providing for U.S. 
participation in the International Development Association (Mar. 9, 
1960, p. 5046), bills to authorize GSA to acquire land in D.C. for 
transfer to the International Monetary Fund (May 1, 1962, p. 7428), 
bills relating to flood insurance (Dec. 4, 1975, p. 38701), and over an 
executive communication proposing regulations for college housing 
programs (notwithstanding that the requirement for such regulations was 
contained in higher education legislation reported from the Committee on 
Education and Labor) (June 15, 1982, p. 13638).

  (e) Committee on the Budget.



Sec. 720. 
Budget.

      (1) Concurrent resolutions on the  budget (as defined in section 3(4) of the Congressional Budget 
Act of 1974), other matters required to be referred to the committee 
under titles III and IV of that Act, and other measures setting forth 
appropriate levels of budget totals for the United States Government.


      (2) Budget process generally.


[[Page 418]]

order issued under part C of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit 
Control Act of 1985.

      (3) Establishment, extension, and enforcement of special controls 
over the Federal budget, including the budgetary treatment of off-budget 
Federal agencies and measures providing exemption from reduction under 
any

  This Committee was established in the 93d Congress, effective July 12, 
1974, by section 101 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 (88 Stat. 
299). The separate subpoena authority conferred upon the Committee by 
section 101(b) of that Act has been superseded by the general grant of 
subpoena authority to all committees in clause 2(m) of rule XI (H. Res. 
988, 93d Cong., Oct. 8, 1974, p. 34470). The Committee is also charged 
with the special oversight functions as described in clause 3(b) and 
clause 4(b) of rule X.

  Before the House recodified its rules in the 106th Congress, this 
paragraph consisted of the committee's legislative jurisdiction (current 
paragraph (d)), its oversight jurisdiction (current clause 4 of rule X), 
and its composition (current clause 5(a)(2) of rule X (H. Res. 5, Jan. 
6, 1999, p. ----).


[[Page 419]]

the Budget has secondary jurisdiction over a bill amending title 49 of 
the United States Code and providing off-budget treatment for the 
Highway Trust Fund, the Airport and Airway Trust Fund, the Inland 
Waterways Trust Fund, and the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund (Dec. 6, 
1995, p. ----). In the 105th Congress the jurisdictional statement in 
subparagraph (3), previously confined to the congressional budget 
process, was broadened to encompass also the executive budget process 
formerly included in the jurisdiction of the Committee on Government 
Reform and Oversight (now Government Reform) (H. Res. 5, Jan. 7, 1997, 
p. ----). Clerical and stylistic changes were effected when the House 
recodified its rules in the 106th Congress (H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 1999, p. 
----).

  In the 99th Congress this paragraph was again amended by section 
232(h) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985, 
to confer jurisdiction over Senate joint or concurrent resolutions 
constituting congressional responses to a Presidential sequestration 
order issued pursuant to a report of the Comptroller General under 
section 252(b) of that Act (P.L. 99-177, Dec. 12, 1985). It was again 
amended by the Budget Enforcement Act of 1990 to conform subparagraph 
(2) to changes in the congressional budget laws (tit. XIII, P.L. 101-
508). The 104th Congress amended the paragraph to expand the limited 
legislative jurisdiction of the Committee by: (1) adding other measures 
setting forth appropriate levels of budget totals to subparagraph (2); 
(2) granting the Committee jurisdiction over the congressional budget 
process generally in a new subparagraph (3); and (3) granting the 
Committee jurisdiction over special controls over the Federal budget in 
a new subparagraph (4), including receiving from the former Committee on 
Government Operations (now Government Reform) jurisdiction over 
budgetary treatment of off-budget Federal agencies and measures 
providing exemption from sequestration orders issued under the Balanced 
Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act (sec. 202(a), H. Res. 6, Jan. 
4, 1995, p. 464). Three re-referrals from the Committee on Government 
Reform to the Committee on the Budget marked this migration of off-
budget treatment jurisdiction: (1) the Committee on the Budget has 
primary jurisdiction over a bill excluding from the budget the Civil 
Service Retirement and Disability Fund (although the Committee on 
Government Reform retains programmatic jurisdiction over that Fund); (2) 
the Committee on the Budget has primary jurisdiction over a bill 
excluding from the budget the Highway Trust Fund, the Airport and Airway 
Trust Fund, the Inland Waterways Trust Fund, and the Harbor Maintenance 
Trust Fund (although the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure 
retains programmatic jurisdiction); and (3) the Committee on

  (f) Committee on Commerce.

      (1) Biomedical research and development.



Sec. 721. Commerce.

        (2) Consumer affairs and consumer 
protection.


      (3) Health and health facilities (except health care supported by 
payroll deductions).

      (4) Interstate energy compacts.

      (5) Interstate and foreign commerce generally.

      (6) Exploration, production, storage, supply, marketing, pricing, 
and regulation of energy resources, including all fossil fuels, solar 
energy, and other unconventional or renewable energy resources.

      (7) Conservation of energy resources.

      (8) Energy information generally.


[[Page 420]]

      (9) The generation and marketing of power (except by federally 
chartered or Federal regional power marketing authorities); reliability 
and interstate transmission of, and ratemaking for, all power; and 
siting of generation facilities (except the installation of 
interconnections between Government waterpower projects).

      (10) General management of the Department of Energy and management 
and all functions of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.

      (11) National energy policy generally.

      (12) Public health and quarantine.

      (13) Regulation of the domestic nuclear energy industry, including 
regulation of research and development reactors and nuclear regulatory 
research.

      (14) Regulation of interstate and foreign communications.

      (15) Securities and exchanges.


The committee shall have the same jurisdiction with respect to 
regulation of nuclear facilities and of use of nuclear energy as it has 
with respect to regulation of nonnuclear facilities and of use of 
nonnuclear energy.

      (16) Travel and tourism.

  The Committee dates from 1795 (IV, 4096). Effective January 3, 1975 
(H. Res. 988, 93d Cong., Oct. 8, 1974, p. 34470), the name of the 
Committee was changed from Interstate and Foreign Commerce to Commerce 
and Health. Effective January 14, 1975, it was redesignated as 
Interstate and Foreign Commerce (H. Res. 5, 94th Cong., p. 20). In the 
96th Congress it was redesignated again as Energy and Commerce and given 
much of its present jurisdiction, effective January 3, 1981 (H. Res. 
549, Mar. 25, 1980, pp. 6405-10; note publication of intercommittee 
memoranda of understanding). In the 104th Congress it was redesignated 
again as the Committee on Commerce (sec. 202(a), H. Res. 6, Jan. 4, 
1995, p. 464).


[[Page 421]]

on National Security (now Armed Services) has jurisdiction over the 
Panama Canal (sec. 202(a), H. Res. 6, Jan. 4, 1995, p. 464). In the 85th 
Congress matters relating to the Bureau of Standards, standardization of 
weights and measures, and the metric system (conferred on the Committee 
by the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946, 60 Stat. 812), were 
transferred to the Committee on Science and Astronautics (now Science) 
(July 21, 1958, p. 14513). In the Committee Reform Amendments of 1974, 
effective January 3, 1975, the Committee obtained specific jurisdiction 
over consumer affairs and consumer protection (subpara. (2)), travel and 
tourism (subpara. (16)), health and health facilities, except health 
care supported by payroll deductions (subpara. (3)) (a matter formerly 
within the jurisdiction of the Committee on Ways and Means), and 
biomedical research and development (subpara. (1)), and was released of 
jurisdiction over civil aeronautics to the Committee on Public Works and 
Transportation (now Transportation and Infrastructure), jurisdiction 
over civil aviation research and development, energy and environmental 
research and development, and the National Weather Service to the 
Committee on Science and Technology (now Science), and jurisdiction over 
trading with the enemy to the Committee on Foreign Affairs (now 
International Relations) (H. Res. 988, 93d Cong., Oct. 8, 1974, p. 
34470). In the 95th Congress, when the legislative jurisdiction of the 
Joint Committee on Atomic Energy in the House was transferred to various 
standing committees, this Committee was given the same jurisdiction over 
nuclear energy as it had over nonnuclear energy and facilities (H. Res. 
5, Jan. 4, 1977, pp. 53-70). In the 96th Congress the Committee obtained 
specific jurisdiction over national energy policy generally (subpara. 
(11)), measures relating to exploration, production, storage, supply, 
marketing, pricing, and regulation of energy resources (subpara. (6)), 
measures relating to conservation of energy resources (subpara. (7)), 
measures relating to energy information generally (subpara. (8)), 
measures relating to the generation, marketing, interstate transmission 
of, and ratemaking for power as well as the siting of generation 
facilities, with certain exceptions (subpara. (9)), interstate energy 
compacts (subpara. (4)), and measures relating to general management of 
the Department of Energy and all functions of the Federal Energy 
Regulatory Commission (subpara. (10)) (H. Res. 549, Mar. 25, 1980, pp. 
6405-10). In the 104th Congress the Committee's jurisdiction over inland 
waterways and railroads (including railroad labor, retirement, and 
unemployment) was transferred to the Committee on Transportation and 
Infrastructure, and jurisdiction over measures relating to the 
commercial application of energy technology was transferred to the 
Committee on Science, while the Committee on Commerce obtained exclusive 
jurisdiction over regulation of the domestic nuclear energy industry 
(subpara. (13)) from the former Committee on Natural Resources (now 
Resources) (sec. 202(a), H. Res. 6, Jan. 4, 1995, p. 464). Clerical and 
stylistic changes were effected when the House recodified its rules in 
the 106th Congress (H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 1999, p. ----).

[[Page 422]]

  In the 74th Congress the jurisdictional statement of the Committee was 
amended to include jurisdiction over bills relating to radio; to deprive 
the Committee jurisdiction over bills relating to water transportation, 
Coast Guard, lifesaving service, lighthouses, lightships, ocean 
derelicts, Coast and Geodetic Survey, and the Panama Canal; and to vest 
jurisdiction over those subjects in the former Committee on Merchant 
Marine and Fisheries (VII, 1814, 1847), but with the demise of the 
latter Committee in the 104th Congress, the latter subjects now reside 
in the jurisdiction of the Committee on Transportation and 
Infrastructure, except that the Committee

  The Committee has the special oversight responsibility under clause 
3(c) of rule X as well as the general oversight responsibility required 
by clause 2 of rule X. This special oversight responsibility was 
expanded in the 96th Congress to include all energy, effective January 
3, 1981 (H. Res. 549, Mar. 25, 1980, pp. 6405-10). In the 104th Congress 
it was again expanded to include nonmilitary nuclear energy and research 
and development including the disposal of nuclear waste (sec. 202(a), H. 
Res. 6, Jan. 4, 1995, p. 464), though a conforming change in clause 3(c) 
was inadvertently omitted.

  The Committee formerly reported the river and harbor appropriation 
bill, but in 1883 a Committee on Rivers and Harbors was created for that 
role (IV, 4096), and since the 66th Congress such appropriations have 
been reported by the Committee on Appropriations.

  The Committee has general jurisdiction of bills affecting domestic and 
foreign commerce, except such as may affect the revenue (IV, 4097). It 
also has jurisdiction of bills authorizing the construction of marine 
hospitals and the acquisition of sites therefor (IV, 4110; VII, 1816), 
the general subjects of quarantine and the establishment of quarantine 
stations (IV, 4109), health, spread of leprosy and other contagious 
diseases, international congress of hygiene, etc. (IV, 4111), bills 
declaring as to whether or not streams are navigable and for preventing 
or regulating hindrances to navigation (IV, 4101; VII, 1810; Mar. 9, 
1999, p. ----), such as bridges (IV, 4099; VII, 1812) and dams, except 
such bridges and dams as are a part of river improvements (IV, 4100; 
VII, 1810). This Committee formerly had jurisdiction of bills proposing 
construction of bridges across navigable streams which are now banned 
under clause 4 of rule XII (see Sec. 822, infra; see also General Bridge 
Act, 33 U.S.C. 525, 533).


[[Page 423]]

requirements on the assets of ``open-end investment companies'' that 
offer their depositors accounts transacted by negotiable instrument 
(Mar. 18, 1981, p. 4610), as well as over a Developmental Disabilities 
Assistance and Bill of Rights Act that focused on health matters rather 
than job training (June 1, 1981, p. 11028; Nov. 3, 1993, p. 27274). In 
the 94th Congress, the Committee gained jurisdiction over bills amending 
the Lead-Based Paint Poisoning Prevention Act and bills dealing with 
nursing home construction as public health matters (June 10, 1975, p. 
18009).

  Before the 104th Congress the Committee considered bills regulating 
railroads in their interstate commerce relations (IV, 414) and exercised 
jurisdiction with the Committees on Education and Labor (now Education 
and the Workforce) and Public Works and Transportation (now 
Transportation and Infrastructure) over bills providing labor 
protections to workers in the transportation industry, including 
railroad employees (Feb. 24, 1993, p. 3577). The Committee considers 
bills relating to commercial travelers as agents of interstate commerce 
and the branding of articles going into such commerce (IV, 4115), the 
prevention of the carriage of indecent and harmful pictures or 
literature (IV, 4116), the adulteration and misbranding of foods and 
drugs (IV, 4112), and protection of game through prohibition of 
interstate transportation (IV, 4117). The Committee has jurisdiction 
over bills imposing safety standards on motor vehicles purchased by the 
U.S. Government (Feb. 16, 1959, p. 2420), bills creating civil remedies 
for false advertising or other violations of commercial ethics (June 4, 
1962, p. 9601), and bills to assist financing of the Arctic Winter Games 
in Alaska (June 7, 1972, p. 19935). The Committee has exercised 
jurisdiction, with the Committee on Banking, Finance and Urban Affairs 
(now Banking and Financial Services), over a bill to amend the Federal 
Reserve Act to impose reserve

  (g) Committee on Education and the Workforce.

      (1) Child labor.



Sec. 722. Education and the Workforce.

        (2) Gallaudet 
University and Howard University and Hospital.


      (3) Convict labor and the entry of goods made by convicts into 
interstate commerce.

      (4) Food programs for children in schools.

      (5) Labor standards and statistics.

      (6) Education or labor generally.

      (7) Mediation and arbitration of labor disputes.

      (8) Regulation or prevention of importation of foreign laborers 
under contract.

      (9) Workers' compensation.

      (10) Vocational rehabilitation.

      (11) Wages and hours of labor.

      (12) Welfare of miners.


      (13) Work incentive programs.


[[Page 424]]

again the Committee on Education and the Workforce (H. Res. 5, Jan. 7, 
1997, p. ----).
  This Committee was established as the Committee on Education and Labor 
on January 2, 1947, as part of the Legislative Reorganization Act of 
1946 (60 Stat. 812), combining the Committee on Education (created in 
1867) (IV, 4242) and the Committee on Labor (created in 1883) (IV, 
4244). When it was redesignated as the Committee on Economic and 
Educational Opportunities in the 104th Congress, the jurisdictional 
statement remained unchanged except by the combination of labor 
standards and labor statistics in a single subparagraph (5) (sec. 
202(a), H. Res. 6, Jan. 4, 1995, p. 464). In the 105th Congress the 
Committee was redesignated

  By the Committee Reform Amendments of 1974, effective January 3, 1975, 
the Committee gained jurisdiction over food programs for children in 
schools, an expansion of earlier jurisdiction over school-lunch programs 
(subpara. (4)), work incentive programs (subpara. (13)), and Indian 
education, a matter formerly within the specific jurisdiction of the 
Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs (now Resources); jurisdiction 
of the Committee over international education matters was specifically 
transferred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs (now International 
Relations); and its special oversight function was inserted in clause 
3(c) of rule X (current clause 3(d) of rule X) (H. Res. 988, 93d Cong., 
Oct. 8, 1974, p. 34470). Clerical and stylistic changes were effected 
when the House recodified its rules in the 106th Congress, including the 
deletion of obsolete references to the Columbia Institution for the 
Deaf, Dumb, and Blind, Freedmen's Hospital, and the United States 
Employees' Compensation Commission and the deletion of a redundant 
undesignated recitation of general and special oversight functions (H. 
Res. 5, Jan. 6, 1999, p. ----).

  The jurisdiction of this Committee over education and vocational 
rehabilitation does not include those subjects as they relate to 
veterans, which fall under the jurisdiction of the Committee on 
Veterans' Affairs.


  The Committee has jurisdiction over bills dealing with juvenile 
delinquency (Jan. 22, 1959, p. 1027), runaway youth (July 12, 1973, p. 
23633; Sept. 10, 1973, p. 28970), human services programs administered 
by HEW (June 21, 1972, p. 21733), education of Indians (Apr. 15, 1975, 
p. 10247; June 10, 1991, p. 14049), including the Native American 
Programs Act (Oct. 30, 1997, p. ----), and compensation for work 
injuries to Federal employees (Apr. 16, 1975, p. 10339); over bills 
amending the Community Services Block Grant Act to continue antipoverty 
programs originally authorized by the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964 
(Nov. 4, 1993, p. 27359); and over an executive communication proposing 
draft legislation to amend the Labor Management Relations Act and the 
Employee Retirement Income Security Act (Mar. 24, 1983, p. 7402). The 
Committee shares with the Committee on the Judiciary original 
jurisdiction over a bill comprehensively amending the Immigration and 
Nationality Act and including provisions addressing the enforcement of 
labor laws (Sept. 19, 1995, p. ----).

  (h) Committee on Government Reform.


[[Page 425]]



Sec. 723. Government Reform.

      (1)  Federal civil service, 
including intergovernmental personnel; and the status of officers and 
employees of the United States, including their compensation, 
classification, and retirement.


      (2) Municipal affairs of the District of Columbia in general 
(other than appropriations).

      (3) Federal paperwork reduction.

      (4) Government management and accounting measures generally.

      (5) Holidays and celebrations.

      (6) Overall economy, efficiency, and management of government 
operations and activities, including Federal procurement.

      (7) National archives.

      (8) Population and demography generally, including the Census.

      (9) Postal service generally, including transportation of the 
mails.

      (10) Public information and records.

      (11) Relationship of the Federal Government to the States and 
municipalities generally.


      (12) Reorganizations in the executive branch of the Government.

  In the 82d Congress the name of this Committee was changed from 
Expenditures in the Executive Departments to Government Operations (July 
3, 1952, p. 9217). In the 104th Congress it was changed to Government 
Reform and Oversight (sec. 202(a), H. Res. 6, Jan. 4, 1995, p. 464), and 
in the 106th Congress it was changed to Government Reform (H. Res. 5, 
Jan. 6, 1999, p. ----). The former Committee on Expenditures in the 
Executive Departments was established December 5, 1927 (VII, 2041), and 
took the place of 11 separate committees on expenditures in the several 
executive departments. The first of these committees was established in 
1816, and others were added as new departments were created (IV, 4315). 
They reported bills relating to the efficiency and integrity of the 
public service (IV, 4320), and creation and abolition of offices (IV, 
4318).


[[Page 426]]

former Committee on Post Office and Civil Service) (H. Res. 988, 93d 
Cong., Oct. 8, 1974, p. 34470). In the 104th Congress (sec. 202(a), H. 
Res. 6, Jan. 4, 1995, p. 464), the Committee assumed the jurisdictions 
of the former Committee on the District of Columbia (subparas. (2)) and 
the former Committee on Post Office and Civil Service except that 
relating to the Franking Commission (subparas. (1), (5), (8), and (9)); 
and subparagraphs (3) and (10) were added to clarify existing 
jurisdiction. At the same time the Committee's jurisdiction over 
measures relating to off-budget treatment of agencies or programs, which 
had been added by the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act 
of 1985 (P.L. 99-177, Dec. 12, 1985), was transferred to the Committee 
on the Budget. Three re-referrals from the Committee on Government 
Reform and Oversight (now Government Reform) to the Committee on the 
Budget marked this migration of off-budget treatment jurisdiction: (1) 
the Committee on the Budget has primary jurisdiction over a bill 
excluding from the budget the Civil Service Retirement and Disability 
Fund (although the Committee on Government Reform and Oversight (now 
Government Reform) retains programmatic jurisdiction over that Fund); 
(2) the Committee on the Budget has primary jurisdiction over a bill 
excluding from the budget the Highway Trust Fund, the Airport and Airway 
Trust Fund, the Inland Waterways Trust Fund, and the Harbor Maintenance 
Trust Fund (although the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure 
retains programmatic jurisdiction); and (3) the Committee on the Budget 
has secondary jurisdiction over a bill amending title 49 of the United 
States Code and providing off-budget treatment for the Highway Trust 
Fund, the Airport and Airway Trust Fund, the Inland Waterways Trust 
Fund, and the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund (Dec. 6, 1995, p. ----). The 
Committee was also released from jurisdiction over measures relating to 
exemptions from executive orders sequestering budget authority, which 
had been added by the Budget Enforcement Act of 1990 (tit. XIII, P.L. 
101-508). In the 105th Congress any residual jurisdiction over budget 
process was transferred to the Committee on the Budget (H. Res. 5, Jan. 
7, 1997, p. ----). The 104th Congress assigned the Committee its 
responsibilities to coordinate committee oversight plans under clause 
2(d) (sec. 203(a), H. Res. 6, Jan. 4, 1995, p. 467). In the 104th 
Congress the Committee was also given the responsibility to consider and 
report recommendations concerning alternatives to commemorative 
legislation, although no such report was made to the House (sec. 216(b), 
H. Res. 6, Jan. 4, 1995, p. 468). Clerical and stylistic changes were 
effected when the House recodified its rules in the 106th Congress, 
including the deletion of a redundant undesignated recitation of general 
and special oversight functions (H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 1999, p. ----).
  In addition to the jurisdiction vested in the Committee by the 
Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946 (60 Stat. 812), the Committee 
Reform Amendments of 1974, effective January 3, 1975, assigned the 
Committee jurisdiction over measures relating to the overall economy and 
efficiency of Government operations and activities, including Federal 
procurement, intergovernmental relationships, and general revenue 
sharing (the latter from the Committee on Ways and Means), and the 
National Archives (from the


[[Page 427]]

24, 1969, p. 35509); providing payment of travel costs for Federal 
employment applicants (Feb. 15, 1967, p. 3466); and a bill to rename an 
existing post office building (Aug. 4, 1995, p. ----; Oct. 1, 1998, p. 
----). The Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and not this 
Committee, has jurisdiction over a measure redesignating a general-
purpose Federal building as a post office (Apr. 24, 1997, p. 22085). The 
Committee has exercised jurisdiction over countercyclical programs of 
revenue-sharing grants to State and local governments, such as that 
contained in Title II of the Public Works Employment Act of 1976 (Feb. 
1, 1977, p. 3057). The Committee shares jurisdiction over a bill to 
facilitate the reorganization of an agency by instituting a separation 
pay program to encourage eligible employees to voluntarily resign or 
retire (Aug. 2, 1993, p. 18161). The Committee has jurisdiction over a 
bill explicitly waiving the Federal Property and Administrative Services 
Act and directing the Administrator of General Services to convey excess 
real property (Oct. 2, 1998, p. ----). This Committee, and not the 
Committee on the Judiciary, has jurisdiction over a bill authorizing a 
pay adjustment for administrative law judges (June 10, 1999, p. ----; 
July 31, 1999, p. ----).
  The Committee has exercised jurisdiction of bills: establishing the 
Rural Electrification Administration as an independent agency and 
transferring certain functions thereto (Mar. 19, 1959, p. 4692); 
establishing a Commission on Population Growth (Sept. 23, 1969, p. 
26568); establishing a Cabinet Committee on Opportunities for Spanish-
Speaking Americans (Nov.


  The specific subpoena authority conferred upon the Committee in the 
standing rules on February 10, 1947 (p. 942) was superseded by the 
general conferral of subpoena authority on all committees in clause 2(m) 
of rule XI. By the Committee Reform Amendments of 1974, effective 
January 3, 1975, the Committee was given the general function under 
clause 4(c)(1) of examining and reporting upon reports of the 
Comptroller General, evaluating laws reorganizing the legislative and 
executive branches, and studying intergovernmental relationships 
domestically and with international organizations to which the United 
States belongs (H. Res. 988, 93d Cong., Oct. 8, 1974, p. 34470).

  (i) Committee on House Administration.



Sec. 724. House Administration.

      (1)  Appropriations from 
accounts for committee salaries and expenses (except for the Committee 
on Appropriations); House Information Resources; and allowance and 
expenses of Members, Delegates, the Resident Commissioner, officers, and 
administrative offices of the House.


      (2) Auditing and settling of all accounts described in 
subparagraph (1).


[[Page 428]]

dent Commissioner, and committees; and reporters of debates, subject to 
rule VI.
      (3) Employment of persons by the House, including staff for 
Members, Delegates, the Resi

      (4) Except as provided in paragraph (q)(11), the Library of 
Congress, including management thereof; the House Library; statuary and 
pictures; acceptance or purchase of works of art for the Capitol; the 
Botanic Garden; and purchase of books and manuscripts.

      (5) The Smithsonian Institution and the incorporation of similar 
institutions (except as provided in paragraph (q)(11)).

      (6) Expenditure of accounts described in subparagraph (1).

      (7) Franking Commission.

      (8) Printing and correction of the Congressional Record.

      (9) Accounts of the House generally.

      (10) Assignment of office space for Members, Delegates, the 
Resident Commissioner, and committees.

      (11) Disposition of useless executive papers.

      (12) Election of the President, Vice President, Members, Senators, 
Delegates, or the Resident Commissioner; corrupt practices; contested 
elections; credentials and qualifications; and Federal elections 
generally.

      (13) Services to the House, including the House Restaurant, 
parking facilities, and administration of the House Office Buildings and 
of the House wing of the Capitol.


[[Page 429]]

      (14) Travel of Members, Delegates, and the Resident Commissioner.

      (15) Raising, reporting, and use of campaign contributions for 
candidates for office of Representative, of Delegate, and of Resident 
Commissioner.


      (16) Compensation, retirement, and other benefits of the Members, 
Delegates, the Resident Commissioner, officers, and employees of 
Congress.

  This Committee was created as the Committee on House Administration on 
January 2, 1947, as a part of the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946 
(60 Stat. 812), combining the Committees on Accounts (created in 1803) 
(IV, 4328), Enrolled Bills (created in 1789) (IV, 4350), Disposition of 
Executive Papers (created in 1889) (IV, 4419), Printing (created in 
1846), Elections (created in 1794 and divided into three committees in 
1895) (IV, 4019), Election of President, Vice President, and 
Representatives in Congress (created in 1893) (IV, 4299), and Memorials 
(created January 3, 1929, VII, 2080).


  The Committee was redesignated as the Committee on House Oversight in 
the 104th Congress, obtaining from the former Committee on Post Office 
and Civil Service jurisdiction over the Franking Commission (also known 
as the House Commission on Congressional Mailing Standards) in 
subparagraph (7), while transferring to the Committee on Resources 
jurisdiction over erection of monuments to the memory of individuals 
(sec. 202(a), H. Res. 6, Jan. 4, 1995, p. 464). References in 
subparagraphs (1) and (2) to the ``contingent fund'' were eliminated 
without changing the Committee's jurisdiction over the accounts that the 
fund comprised. In the 105th Congress subparagraph (1) was amended to 
effect a technical correction (H. Res. 5, Jan. 7, 1997, p. ----). In the 
106th Congress the Committee was redesignated House Administration, and 
the House recodified its rules to effect clerical and stylistic changes, 
including the deletion of a redundant undesignated recitation of general 
and special oversight functions (H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 1999, p. ----).



Sec. 725. House facilities.

  The  Committee has jurisdiction 
over measures relating to the House Restaurant, which was first under 
the jurisdiction of the former Committee on Accounts, then under the 
supervision of the Architect of the Capitol (H. Res. 590, 76th Cong., 
Sept. 5, 1940, p. 11552, as made permanent law by P.L. 76-812, 40 U.S.C. 
174k), and then under the supervision of the Select Committee on the 
House Restaurant (H. Res. 472, 91st Cong., July 10, 1969, p. 19080; H. 
Res. 111, 93d Cong., Feb. 7, 1973, p. ----), which was not reestablished 
after the 93d Congress.



[[Page 430]]

House, a matter formerly assigned to a select committee (subpara. (13)) 
(H. Res. 988, 93d Cong., Oct. 8, 1974, p. 34470). In the 94th Congress 
the Committee was given jurisdiction over campaign contributions to 
candidates for the House, a matter formerly within the jurisdiction of 
the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct (subpara. (15)), and over 
compensation, retirement, and other benefits of Members, officers, and 
employees of Congress (subpara. (16)) (H. Res. 5, Jan. 14, 1975, p. 20).
  By the Committee Reform Amendments of 1974, effective January 3, 1975, 
the Committee obtained jurisdiction over parking facilities of the


  The Committee has jurisdiction over resolutions authorizing committees 
to employ additional professional and clerical personnel (Feb. 7, 1966, 
p. 2373). The Committee has supervisory authority over the House barber 
shops, beauty shops, House Information Resources, and the Office of 
Placement and Management (the latter formerly within the jurisdiction of 
the former Joint Committee on Congressional Operations and of the former 
Select Committee on Congressional Operations).




Sec. 726. Enrolled bills.

  The  Committee has absorbed the 
Committee on Enrolled Bills which was established in 1789 by a joint 
rule of the two Houses. This rule lapsed in 1876 with the other joint 
rules; but in 1880 the Rules of the House were amended to recognize the 
joint committee (IV, 4350, 4416; VII, 2099). The Committee and the 
Secretary of the Senate make comparisons of bills of their respective 
Houses for enrollment, and the two cooperate in the interchange of bills 
for signature.





Sec. 727. Library.

  Under  the Reorganization Act the 
Committee has jurisdiction of some of the subjects formerly within the 
jurisdiction of the Joint Committee on the Library, such as matters 
relating to the Library of Congress and the House Library, statuary and 
pictures, acceptance or purchase of works of art for the Capitol, the 
Botanic Gardens, management of the Library of Congress, purchase of 
books and manuscripts, matters relating to the Smithsonian Institution, 
and the incorporation of similar institutions. Excepted are measures 
relating to the construction or reconstruction, maintenance, and care of 
the buildings and grounds of the Botanic Gardens, the Library of 
Congress, and the Smithsonian Institution, which fall under the 
jurisdiction of the Committee on Transportation (now Transportation and 
Infrastructure). The House Members of the Joint Committee on the 
Library, provided for by law (2 U.S.C. 132b), are elected by resolution 
each Congress.




Sec. 728. Congressional Record.

  The  Committee has 
jurisdiction of matters relating to printing and correction of the 
Congressional Record, formerly within the jurisdiction of the Committee 
on Printing. The House Members of the Joint Committee on Printing, 
provided for by law (44 U.S.C. 1), are elected by resolution each 
Congress.



[[Page 431]]

of a Committee on Election of the President, Vice President, and 
Representatives in Congress (IV, 4303).
  The Committee has jurisdiction of measures relating to the election of 
the President, Vice President, or Members of Congress; corrupt 
practices; contested elections; credentials and qualifications; Federal 
elections generally, and the electoral count, which formerly was within 
the jurisdiction


  The special oversight function in clause 4(d)(1) of examining enrolled 
bills was assigned to the Committee by the Committee Reform Amendments 
of 1974, effective January 3, 1975 (H. Res. 988, 93d Cong., Oct. 8, 
1974, p. 34470), but its former responsibility to report on Members' 
travel has been supplanted by the function of providing policy direction 
to and oversight of the Clerk, Sergeant-at-Arms, Chief Administrative 
Officer, and Inspector General (sec. 10, H. Res. 423, Apr. 9, 1992, p. 
9040; sec. 201(e), H. Res. 6, Jan. 4, 1995, p. 463; see rule II and 
Sec. 752, infra).

  (j) Committee on International Relations.



Sec. 729. International Relations.

      (1)  Relations of the 
United States with foreign nations generally.


      (2) Acquisition of land and buildings for embassies and legations 
in foreign countries.

      (3) Establishment of boundary lines between the United States and 
foreign nations.

      (4) Export controls, including nonproliferation of nuclear 
technology and nuclear hardware.

      (5) Foreign loans.

      (6) International commodity agreements (other than those involving 
sugar), including all agreements for cooperation in the export of 
nuclear technology and nuclear hardware.

      (7) International conferences and congresses.

      (8) International education.

      (9) Intervention abroad and declarations of war.

      (10) Diplomatic service.

      (11) Measures to foster commercial intercourse with foreign 
nations and to safeguard American business interests abroad.


[[Page 432]]

      (12) International economic policy.

      (13) Neutrality.

      (14) Protection of American citizens abroad and expatriation.

      (15) The American National Red Cross.

      (16) Trading with the enemy.


      (17) United Nations organizations.

  This Committee was established in 1822 (IV, 4162), and from 1885 to 
1920 had authority to report appropriations. In the 94th Congress the 
name of the Committee was changed from Foreign Affairs to International 
Relations (H. Res. 163, Mar. 19, 1975, p. 7343). In the 96th Congress it 
was changed back to Foreign Affairs (H. Res. 89, Feb. 5, 1979, p. 1848). 
In the 104th Congress the name was again changed to International 
Relations (sec. 202(a), H. Res. 6, Jan. 4, 1995, p. 464).

  In addition to the jurisdiction vested in the Committee by the 
Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946 (60 Stat. 812), the Committee 
Reform Amendments of 1974, effective January 3, 1975, gave the Committee 
jurisdiction over measures relating to: international economic policy 
(subpara. (12)) and export controls (subpara. (4)), matters formerly 
within the jurisdiction of the Committee on Banking and Currency (now 
Banking and Financial Services); international commodity agreements 
other than sugar (subpara. (6)), formerly within the jurisdiction of the 
Committee on Agriculture; trading with the enemy (subpara. (16)), 
formerly within the jurisdiction of the Committee on Interstate and 
Foreign Commerce (now Commerce); and international education (subpara. 
(8)); while transferring jurisdiction over international financial and 
monetary organizations to the Committee on Banking and Currency (now 
Banking and Financial Services), and jurisdiction over international 
fishing agreements to the Committee on Merchant Marine and Fisheries 
(now Resources) (H. Res. 988, 93d Cong., Oct. 8, 1974, p. 34470). When 
the legislative jurisdiction in the House of the Joint Committee on 
Atomic Energy was abolished in the 95th Congress (H. Res. 5, Jan. 4, 
1977, pp. 53-70), the Committee was given jurisdiction over 
nonproliferation of nuclear technology and hardware (subpara. (4)), and 
over international agreements on nuclear exports (subpara. (6)). 
Clerical and stylistic changes were effected when the House recodified 
its rules in the 106th Congress, including the deletion of a redundant 
undesignated recitation of general and special oversight functions (H. 
Res. 5, Jan. 6, 1999, p. ----).


[[Page 433]]

ferences and congresses (IV, 4177; VII, 1884), the incorporation of the 
American National Red Cross and protection of its insignia (IV, 4173), 
intervention abroad and declarations of war (IV, 4164; VII 1880), 
affairs of the consular service, including acquisition of land and 
buildings for legations in foreign capitals (IV, 4163; VII, 1879), 
creation of courts of the United States in foreign countries (IV, 4167), 
treaty regulations as to protection of fur seals (IV, 4170), matters 
relating to the Philippines (see 60 Stat. 315), and measures 
establishing a District of Columbia corporation to support private 
American organizations engaged in communications with foreign nations 
(June 21, 1971, p. 21062).
  It has a broad jurisdiction over foreign relations, including bills to 
establish boundary lines between the United States and foreign nations, 
to determine naval strengths, and to regulate bridges and dams on 
international waters (IV, 4166; see also the ``General Bridge Act,'' 33 
U.S.C. 525, 533), for the protection of American citizens abroad and 
expatriation (IV, 4169; VII, 1883), for extradition with foreign 
nations, for international arbitration, relating to violations of 
neutrality (IV, 4178a), international con

  The Committee has also considered measures for fostering commercial 
intercourse with foreign nations and for safeguarding American business 
interests abroad (IV, 4175), and even the subjects of commercial 
treaties and reciprocal arrangements (IV, 4174), although in later 
practice the Committee on Ways and Means has considered such matters 
(IV, 4021). The Committee has exercised a general but not exclusive 
jurisdiction over legislation relating to claims having international 
relations (IV, 4168; VII, 1882). Pursuant to its jurisdiction over 
international education, the Committee (and not former Committee on 
Education and Labor) has exercised jurisdiction over bills establishing 
scholarship programs for foreign students (May 10, 1988, p. 10305). The 
Committee has jurisdiction over a communication from the President 
notifying the House, consistent with the War Powers Resolution, of the 
deployment abroad of U.S. armed forces to participate in an embargo 
against another nation (Nov. 4, 1993, p. 27393).


  The special oversight function of the Committee set forth in clause 
3(d) of rule X (current clause 3(f) of rule X) was made effective 
January 3, 1975 (H. Res. 988, 93d Cong., Oct. 8, 1974, p. 34470).

  (k) Committee on the Judiciary.



Sec. 730. Judiciary.

      (1)  The judiciary and judicial 
proceedings, civil and criminal.


      (2) Administrative practice and procedure.

      (3) Apportionment of Representatives.

      (4) Bankruptcy, mutiny, espionage, and counterfeiting.

      (5) Civil liberties.

      (6) Constitutional amendments.

      (7) Federal courts and judges, and local courts in the Territories 
and possessions.

      (8) Immigration and naturalization.


[[Page 434]]

      (9) Interstate compacts generally.

      (10) Claims against the United States.

      (11) Meetings of Congress; attendance of Members, Delegates, and 
the Resident Commissioner; and their acceptance of incompatible offices.

      (12) National penitentiaries.

      (13) Patents, the Patent and Trademark Office, copyrights, and 
trademarks.

      (14) Presidential succession.

      (15) Protection of trade and commerce against unlawful restraints 
and monopolies.

      (16) Revision and codification of the Statutes of the United 
States.

      (17) State and territorial boundary lines.




Sec. 731. Internal Security.

      (18)  Subversive activities 
affecting the in-
ternal security of the United States.



[[Page 435]]

subparagraph (13) (sec. 202(a), H. Res. 6, Jan. 4, 1995, p. 464). 
Clerical and stylistic changes were effected when the House recodified 
its rules in the 106th Congress, including an update of a reference to 
the Patent and Trademark Office (H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 1999, p. ----).
  This Committee dates from 1813 (IV, 4054). The essential jurisdiction 
defined in the rule was made effective January 2, 1947, as a part of the 
Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946 (60 Stat. 812), and combined the 
Committees on Revision of Laws (created 1868, IV, 4293), Patents 
(created in 1837) (IV, 4254), Immigration and Naturalization (created in 
1893) (IV, 4309), Claims (created in 1794) (IV, 4262), and War Claims 
(created in 1883) (IV, 4269). By the Committee Reform Amendments of 
1974, effective January 3, 1975, the Committee's jurisdiction over 
holidays and celebrations was transferred to the former Committee on 
Post Office and Civil Service (now under Government Reform) (H. Res. 
988, 93d Cong., Oct. 8, 1974, p. 34470). In the 94th Congress the 
Committee on Internal Security was abolished and jurisdiction over 
communist and other subversive activities affecting the internal 
security of the United States was transferred to this Committee 
(subpara. (18)) (H. Res. 5, Jan. 14, 1975, p. 20), though an 
accompanying provision for the transfer of records and staff of the 
Internal Security Committee to the Judiciary Committee was deleted as 
obsolete in the 95th Congress (H. Res. 5, Jan. 4, 1977, pp. 53-70), and 
the specific reference to communism was deleted as unnecessary in the 
104th Congress (sec. 202(a), H. Res. 6, Jan. 4, 1995, p. 464). The 104th 
Congress also inserted ``the judiciary'' in subparagraph (1); added 
subparagraph (2) for clarification; combined former subparagraphs (6) 
and (9) in a new subparagraph (7); and combined former subparagraphs 
(13) and (14) in a new

  Under subparagraph (14) the Committee has jurisdiction over 
Presidential nominations to fill vacancies in the office of Vice 
President, submitted pursuant to the 25th amendment to the Constitution 
(Oct. 13, 1973, p. 34032; Aug. 20, 1974, p. 29366). The Committee has 
reported Articles of Impeachment of the President (Aug. 20, 1974, pp. 
29219-81; Dec. 17, 1998, p. ----). Where the House has voted 
impeachment, members of the Committee have been appointed as managers on 
the part of the House in presenting the charges to the Senate for trial 
(H. Res. 501, 99th Cong., July 22, 1986, p. 17306; H. Res. 511, 100th 
Cong., Aug. 3, 1988, p. 20223; H. Res. 12, 101st Cong., Jan. 3, 1989, p. 
84; Dec. 19, 1998, p. ----; Jan. 6, 1999, p. ----).

  The Committee on the Judiciary considers charges against judges of the 
Federal courts (IV, 4062), legislative propositions relating to the 
service of the Department of Justice (IV, 4067), bills relating to local 
courts in the District of Columbia, Alaska, and the territories (IV, 
4068), the establishment of a court of patent appeals (IV, 4075), 
relations of labor to courts and corporations (IV, 4072), crimes, 
penalties, extradition (IV, 4069; VII, 1747), construction and 
management of national penitentiaries (IV, 4070), matters relating to 
trusts and corporations (IV, 4057, 4059, 4060; VII, 1764), claims of 
States against the United States (IV, 4080), general legislation 
relating to international and other claims (IV, 4078, 4079, 4081), 
including measures extending the terms of members of the Foreign Claims 
Settlement Commission (Nov. 14, 1991, p. 32130), bills relating to the 
Office of President (IV, 4077), to the flag (IV, 4055), bankruptcy (IV, 
4065), removal of political disabilities (IV, 4058), prohibition of 
traffic in intoxicating liquors (IV, 4061; VII, 1773), mutiny and 
willful destruction of vessels (IV, 4145), counterfeiting (IV, 4071; 
VII, 1753), settlement of State and territorial boundary lines (IV, 
4060; VII, 1768), meeting of Congress and attendance of Members and 
their acceptance of incompatible offices (IV, 4077, VI, 65).

  The Committee also has jurisdiction over joint resolutions proposing 
amendments to the Constitution (IV, 4056; VII, 1779). It also reports on 
important questions of law relating to subjects naturally within the 
jurisdiction of other committees (IV, 4063). Although the Committee has 
historically exercised jurisdiction over lobbying activities, the 
Committee on Standards of Official Conduct was assigned such 
jurisdiction during a brief period (H. Res. 1031, 91st Cong., July 8, 
1970, p. 23141; H. Res. 5, 94th Cong., Jan. 14, 1975, p. 20).


[[Page 436]]

lishing an Academy of Criminal Justice (Apr. 5, 1965, p. 6822), to 
eliminate racketeering in the interstate sale of cigarettes (Feb. 9, 
1972, p. 3429), providing workmen's compensation for non-Federal firemen 
killed during civil disorder (May 6, 1968, p. 11798), authorizing the 
Attorney General to consent to a modification of a certain trust on 
behalf of the Library of Congress (Aug. 17, 1959, p. 16051), amending an 
omnibus pension act to increase the amount of pension granted a certain 
class of persons (Feb. 15, 1960, p. 2523), and imposing criminal 
sanctions under the Controlled Substances Act (Nov. 14, 1983, p. 32457). 
The Committee has exclusive jurisdiction over the Legal Services 
Corporation (Nov. 19, 1975, p. 37288) and over the extension of 
workmen's benefits to non-Federal policemen and firemen (Dec. 12, 1975, 
p. 40204). The Committee has exercised jurisdiction, with the Committee 
on Education and Labor (now Education and the Workforce), over bills to 
amend the Walsh-Healey Act regarding hours of work under government 
contracts (May 15, 1985, p. 11946). This Committee, and not the 
Committee on Public Works and Transportation (now Transportation and 
Infrastructure), exercised jurisdiction over a bill extending the 
authority for the Marshal of the Supreme Court and the Supreme Court 
Police to protect the Chief Justice, Associate Justices, officers, and 
employees of the Supreme Court beyond its building and grounds (Nov. 22, 
1993, p. 32074). The Committee on Government Reform, and not this 
Committee, has jurisdiction over pay adjustments for administrative law 
judges (July 31, 1991, p. ----; June 10, 1999, p. ----).
  The Committee also has jurisdiction over bills regulating the 
authority of States to impose taxes on interstate commerce (June 18, 
1959, p. 11317), imposing conflict of interest standards and civil and 
criminal penalties relating thereto on government employees (Feb. 25, 
1960, p. 3484), estab


  The Committee has the general oversight responsibility set forth in 
clause 2(b).

  (l) Committee on Resources.



Sec. 732. Resources.

      (1)  Fisheries and wildlife, 
including research, restoration, refuges, and conservation.


      (2) Forest reserves and national parks created from the public 
domain.

      (3) Forfeiture of land grants and alien ownership, including alien 
ownership of mineral lands.

      (4) Geological Survey.

      (5) International fishing agreements.

      (6) Interstate compacts relating to apportionment of waters for 
irrigation purposes.


[[Page 437]]

easements of public lands for irrigation projects; and acquisition of 
private lands when necessary to complete irrigation projects.
      (7) Irrigation and reclamation, including water supply for 
reclamation projects and

      (8) Native Americans generally, including the care and allotment 
of Native American lands and general and special measures relating to 
claims that are paid out of Native American funds.

      (9) Insular possessions of the United States generally (except 
those affecting the revenue and appropriations).

      (10) Military parks and battlefields, national cemeteries 
administered by the Secretary of the Interior, parks within the District 
of Columbia, and the erection of monuments to the memory of individuals.

      (11) Mineral land laws and claims and entries thereunder.

      (12) Mineral resources of public lands.

      (13) Mining interests generally.

      (14) Mining schools and experimental stations.

      (15) Marine affairs, including coastal zone management (except for 
measures relating to oil and other pollution of navigable waters).

      (16) Oceanography.

      (17) Petroleum conservation on public lands and conservation of 
the radium supply in the United States.

      (18) Preservation of prehistoric ruins and objects of interest on 
the public domain.


[[Page 438]]

      (19) Public lands generally, including entry, easements, and 
grazing thereon.

      (20) Relations of the United States with Native Americans and 
Native American tribes.


      (21) Trans-Alaska Oil Pipeline (except ratemaking).

  The Committee on Public Lands was created in 1805 (IV, 4194). Its name 
has since been changed to Interior and Insular Affairs (Feb. 2, 1951, p. 
883); to Natural Resources (H. Res. 5, Jan. 5, 1993, p. 49); and to 
Resources (sec. 202(a), H. Res. 6, Jan. 4, 1995, p. 464).

  The core of the jurisdiction reflected in this paragraph was assigned 
to the Committee effective January 2, 1947, as a part of the Legislative 
Reorganization Act of 1946 (60 Stat. 812), which consolidated in this 
Committee the jurisdictions of the former Committees on Mines and Mining 
(created in 1865) (IV, 4223), Insular Affairs (created in 1899) (IV, 
4213), Irrigation and Reclamation (created in 1893) (IV, 4307), Indian 
Affairs (created in 1821) (IV, 4204), and territories (created in 1825) 
(IV, 4208), though vesting the subject of welfare of men working in 
mines, formerly under the jurisdiction of a Committee on Mines and 
Mining, in the Committee on Education and Labor (now Education and the 
Workforce). Until the Reorganization Act, military parks, battlefields, 
and national cemeteries were under jurisdiction of a Committee on 
Military Affairs. Jurisdiction over cemeteries of the United States in 
which veterans may be buried, except those administered by the Secretary 
of the Interior, was transferred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs 
in the 90th Congress (H. Res. 241, Oct. 20, 1967).

  In Committee Reform Amendments of 1974, effective January 3, 1975, the 
Committee gained jurisdiction over parks within the District of 
Columbia, formerly within the jurisdiction of the Committee on Public 
Works and Transportation (now Transportation and Infrastructure) 
(subpara. (10)), and lost specific jurisdiction over Indian education 
and over Hawaii and Alaska, generally (H. Res. 988, 93d Cong., Oct. 8, 
1974, p. 34470). By that same resolution, the Committee was given 
special oversight functions in clause 3.


[[Page 439]]

mittee on Commerce (sec. 202(a), H. Res. 6, Jan. 4, 1995, p. 464). At 
the same time, the statements of special oversight functions formerly 
found in this paragraph and in former paragraph (e) of this clause were 
adjusted to reflect the transfer of nonmilitary nuclear energy and 
research and development including disposal of nuclear waste from this 
Committee to the Committee on Commerce, though conforming changes in 
former paragraphs (e) and (h) of clause 3 were inadvertently omitted. 
Clerical and stylistic changes were effected when the House recodified 
its rules in the 106th Congress, (H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 1999, p. ----).
  The 104th Congress expanded the jurisdiction of the Committee by: 
adding subparagraphs (1), (5), (15), and (16) to reflect the transfer of 
those matters from the former Committee on Merchant Marine and 
Fisheries; inserting the subject of monuments in memory of individuals 
in subparagraph (10) to reflect the transfer of that matter from the 
Committee on House Administration; adding subparagraph (21), an 
exceptional treatment of pipeline jurisdiction otherwise vested in the 
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure; and deleting the subject 
of regulation of the domestic nuclear energy industry to reflect the 
transfer of that jurisdiction, which this Committee had acquired when 
the 95th Congress abolished the Joint Committee on Atomic Energy (H. 
Res. 5, Jan. 4, 1977, pp. 53-70) and which it shared with the Committee 
on Commerce, to the Com


[[Page 440]]

mittee, has jurisdiction over the transfer of military property to a 
State to be designated by the State as a wilderness area (Nov. 15, 1995, 
p. ----). The Committee on Agriculture, and not this Committee, has 
jurisdiction over the designation of an agricultural research center 
(May 14, 1996, p. 11070). The Committee on Education and the Workforce, 
and not this Committee, has jurisdiction over a bill amending the Native 
American Programs Act of 1974 (an Indian education matter) (Oct. 30, 
1997, p. ----).
  The Committee reports on subjects relating to the mineral resources of 
the public lands (IV, 4202), forfeiture of land grants and alien 
ownership (IV, 4201), validation of certain conveyances of erstwhile 
public lands by a railway company (July 11, 1995, p. 18397), public 
lands of Alaska (IV, 4196), forest reserves (IV, 4197), and national 
parks created out of the public domain (IV, 4199; VII, 1925), including 
measures relating to criminal trespass provisions applying only within 
national forests created from the public domain (July 18, 1977, p. 
23434); to admission of States (IV, 4208); to preservation of 
prehistoric ruins and objects of interest on the public domain (IV, 
4199); and sometimes to projects of general legislation relating to 
various classes of land claims (IV, 4203). The Committee also has 
jurisdiction over bills relating to proceeds from disposal of oil shale 
on public lands (other than naval oil shale reserves) (Aug. 3, 1967, p. 
21179); bills to exclude certain lands in the Outer Continental Shelf 
from mineral leasing provisions of the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act 
(May 16, 1963, p. 8777); bills reinstating a U.S. oil and gas lease 
(Aug. 5, 1959, p. 15190); bills addressing U.S. claims to lands along 
the Colorado River forming state boundaries (June 28, 1967, p. 17738); 
bills designating national forest lands created from the public domain 
as wilderness (May 6, 1969, p. 11459); bills including additional units 
in the Missouri River Basin project (Sept. 8, 1959, p. 18587); bills 
establishing a commission on development of Pennsylvania Avenue in D.C. 
as a national historic site (Oct. 21, 1965, p. 27803); bills authorizing 
the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a feasibility investigation of 
potential water resource development (May 1, 1975, p. 12764); bills to 
establish a commission to consider the creation of a (Hudson) River 
compact (July 21, 1975, p. 23653); bills to name a building constructed 
as part of a Federal recreation area (June 8, 1988, p. 13803); bills 
addressing the siting on Federal parkland of an established national 
memorial (Sept. 24, 1991, p. 23731); and (with the Committee on 
Agriculture) bills exchanging a Federal tree nursery for certain State 
mining patents touching a western forest (Sept. 17, 1991, p. 23193). The 
Committee on National Security (now Armed Services), and not this Com


  The authority of the Committee to report as privileged bills for the 
forfeiture of land grants to railroad and other corporations, bills 
preventing speculation in the public lands, bills for the preservation 
of the public lands for the benefit of actual and bona fide settlers, 
and bills for the admission of new States was eliminated in the 
Committee Reform Amendments of 1974, effective January 3, 1975 (H. Res. 
988, 93d Cong., Oct. 8, 1974, p. 34470).

  (m) Committee on Rules.



Sec. 733. Rules.

      (1)  Rules and joint rules (other than 
those relating to the Code of Official Conduct) and the order of 
business of the House.



      (2) Recesses and final adjournments of Congress.

  This Committee, which had existed as a select committee from 1789, 
became a standing committee in 1880 (IV, 4321; VII, 2047). The 
jurisdiction defined in this paragraph became effective January 2, 1947, 
as a part of the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946 (60 Stat. 812). 
Clerical and stylistic changes were effected when the House recodified 
its rules in the 106th Congress, including the deletion of a redundant 
undesignated pararaph permitting the Committee to sit during sessions of 
the House (H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 1999, p. ----). That undesignated 
paragraph, originally designated as subparagraph (3) (H. Res. 5, Jan. 5, 
1993, p. 49), was derived from section 134(c) of the Legislative 
Reorganization Act of 1946, even though the Committee had authority to 
sit during sessions of the House since 1893 (IV, 4546). Effective 
January 3, 1975, however, the authority for all committees to sit and 
act whether the House is in session or has adjourned rendered this 
provision obsolete (H. Res. 988, 93d Cong., Oct. 8, 1974, p. 34470).


[[Page 441]]

Jan. 28, 1975, p. 1611), and in the 99th through 101st Congresses, 13 
Members were named to the Committee on nominations from the respective 
party caucuses (see, e.g., H. Res. 34, 35, Jan. 30, 1985, pp. 1271, 
1273).
  The Speaker was first made a member of the Committee in 1858 (IV, 
4321), and ceased to be a member on March 19, 1910 (VII, 2047). However, 
the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946 deleted from the former rule 
the prohibition against the Speaker serving on the Committee. The size 
of the Committee was increased from 12 to 15 members for the 87th 
Congress (Jan. 31, 1961, p. 1589), and the increase in the Committee's 
size was incorporated as a part of the rules in the 88th Congress (Jan. 
9, 1963, p. ----). Effective January 3, 1975, however, the rules were 
amended to eliminate prescriptions of committee sizes (H. Res. 988, 93d 
Cong., Oct. 8, 1974, p. 34470), and in the 94th through the 98th 
Congresses 16 Members were named to the Committee on nominations from 
the respective party caucuses (see, e.g., H. Res. 76, Jan. 20, 1975, p. 
803; H. Res. 101,

  The subject of recesses and adjournments was formerly under the 
jurisdiction of the Committee on Ways and Means. In section 402(b) of 
the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 (P.L. 93-344, July 12, 1974), the 
Committee was given specific authority to report emergency waivers of 
the required reporting date for bills and resolutions authorizing new 
budget authority. That authority was incorporated into this rule, 
effective January 3, 1975 (H. Res. 988, 93d Cong., Oct. 8, 1974, p. 
34470), but was repealed as obsolete in the 102d Congress (H. Res. 5, 
Jan. 3, 1991, p. 39). Jurisdiction over rules relating to official 
conduct and financial disclosure was transferred to the Committee on 
Standards of Official Conduct on April 3, 1968 (H. Res. 1099, 90th 
Cong.), but in the 95th Congress, jurisdiction over rules relating to 
financial disclosure by Members, officers, and employees of the House 
was returned to this Committee (H. Res. 5, Jan. 4, 1977, pp. 53-70).


  The jurisdiction of this Committee is primarily over propositions to 
make or change the rules (V, 6770, 6776; VII, 2047), for the creation of 
committees (IV, 4322; VII, 2048), and directing them to make 
investigations (IV, 4322-4324; VII, 2048). Effective January 3, 1975, 
however, the authority for all committees to conduct investigations and 
studies was made a part of the standing rules (clause 1(b) of rule XI), 
as was the authority to issue subpoenas (clause 2(m) of rule XI) (H. 
Res. 988, 93d Cong., Oct. 8, 1974, p. 34470). The Committee also reports 
resolutions relating to the hour of daily meeting and the days on which 
the House shall sit (IV, 4325), and orders relating to the use of the 
galleries during the electoral count (IV, 4327).



Sec. 734. Special orders of business.

  Since  1883 the 
Committee on Rules has reported special orders providing times and 
methods for consideration of special bills or classes of bills, thereby 
enabling the House by majority vote to forward particular legislation, 
instead of being forced to use for the purpose the motion to suspend the 
rules, which requires a two-thirds vote (IV, 3152; V, 6870; for forms 
of, IV, 3238-3263).


  Special orders may still be made by suspension of the rules (IV, 3154) 
or by unanimous consent (IV, 3165, 3166; VII, 758); but it is not in 
order, by motion in the House, to provide that a subject be made a 
special order by a motion to postpone to a day certain (IV, 3164). But 
before the adoption of rules, and consequently before there is a rule as 
to the order of business, a Member may offer a special order for 
immediate consideration (V, 4971, 5450). A special order reported by the 
Committee on Rules must be agreed to by a majority vote of the House 
(IV, 3169).


[[Page 442]]

A motion to rescind a special order is not privileged under the rules 
regulating the order of business (IV, 3173, 3174; V, 5323).
  It is not in order to move to postpone a special order providing for 
the consideration of a class of bills (V, 4958), but a bill which comes 
before the House by the terms of a special order merely assigning the 
day for its consideration may be postponed by a majority vote (IV, 3177-
3182).

  A motion to amend the rules of the House does not present a question 
of privilege (VIII, 3377, overruling VIII, 3376; see also rule IX and 
Sec. 706, supra), and it is not in order by raising a question of the 
privileges of the House under rule IX to move to direct the Committee on 
Rules to consider a request to report a special order of business 
(Speaker Albert, June 27, 1974, p. 21599), or to direct the Committee on 
Rules to meet, to elect a temporary chairman (in the temporary absence 
of the chairman) and consider special orders of business (Speaker 
Albert, July 31, 1975, p. 26250).


  For further discussion of the Committee on Rules, see Sec. Sec. 857-
859, infra.

  (n) Committee on Science.



Sec. 735. Science.

      (1)  All energy research, development, 
and demonstration, and projects therefor, and all federally owned or 
operated nonmilitary energy laboratories.


      (2) Astronautical research and development, including resources, 
personnel, equipment, and facilities.

      (3) Civil aviation research and development.

      (4) Environmental research and development.

      (5) Marine research.

      (6) Commercial application of energy technology.

      (7) National Institute of Standards and Technology, 
standardization of weights and measures, and the metric system.

      (8) National Aeronautics and Space Administration.

      (9) National Space Council.

      (10) National Science Foundation.

      (11) National Weather Service.


[[Page 443]]

      (12) Outer space, including exploration and control thereof.

      (13) Science scholarships.


      (14) Scientific research, development, and demonstration, and 
projects therefor.

  The standing Committee on Science and Astronautics was established in 
the 85th Congress and given jurisdiction formerly vested in a Select 
Committee on Astronautics and Space Exploration established a few months 
earlier (Mar. 5, 1958, p. 3443), as well as the former jurisdiction of 
the Committee on Interstate and Foreign Commerce (now Commerce) over the 
Bureau of Standards (now the National Institute of Standards and 
Technology) and science scholarships (July 21, 1958, p. 14513). By the 
Committee Reform Amendments of 1974, effective January 3, 1975, the 
Committee was redesignated as the Committee on Science and Technology 
and given additional jurisdiction over civil aviation research and 
development, environmental research and development, nonnuclear energy 
research and development, and the National Weather Service (now part of 
the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) (H. Res. 988, 93d 
Cong., Oct. 8, 1974, p. 34470). At the same time the Committee was given 
the general and special oversight functions set forth in clause 2(b) and 
former clause 3(f) (current clause 3(j)). When the House abolished the 
Joint Committee on Atomic Energy in the 95th Congress, this Committee 
was given jurisdiction over nuclear research and development, as well 
(H. Res. 5, Jan. 4, 1977, pp. 53-70). Its jurisdiction over energy 
research and development (now subpara. (1)) was amended in the 96th 
Congress, effective January 3, 1981, to specifically include energy 
demonstration projects and federally owned nonmilitary energy 
laboratories (H. Res. 549, Mar. 25, 1980, pp. 6405-10). In the 100th 
Congress, the Committee was redesignated as the Committee on Science, 
Space, and Technology (H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 1987, p. 6). In the 103d 
Congress the jurisdictional statement of the Committee was updated to 
reflect the renaming of executive branch entities (H. Res. 5, Jan. 5, 
1993, p. 49). The 104th Congress again renamed the Committee as the 
Committee on Science and expanded its jurisdiction by adding 
subparagraph (5), from the former Committee on Merchant Marine and 
Fisheries, and subparagraph (6), from the Committee on Energy and 
Commerce (now Commerce) (sec. 202(a), H. Res. 6, Jan. 4, 1995, p. 464). 
Clerical and stylistic changes were effected when the House recodified 
its rules in the 106th Congress, including the deletion of a redundant 
undesignated recitation of general and special oversight functions (H. 
Res. 5, Jan. 6, 1999, p. ----).


[[Page 444]]

sources), over bills to test the commercial viability of oil shale 
technologies within the naval oil shale reserves or on other public 
lands (Sept. 26, 1978, p. 31623); and with four other committees over a 
bill coordinating Federal agencies' research into ground water 
contamination, including that done by the Environmental Protection 
Agency (Mar. 15, 1989, p. 4163).

  The Committee has jurisdiction over proposals dealing with U.S. 
participation in the World Science Pan-Pacific Exposition (June 24, 
1959, p. 11810); over a resolution condemning Soviet Union internal 
exile of an individual, and recommending that Government agencies 
including NASA, the National Bureau of Standards and the National 
Science Foundation defer official travel to that country (Jan. 30, 1980, 
p. 1320); with the Committees on Armed Services and Interior and Insular 
Affairs (now Re

  (o) Committee on Small Business.



Sec. 736. Small Business.

      (1)  Assistance to and 
protection of small business, including financial aid, regulatory 
flexibility, and paperwork reduction.



      (2) Participation of small-business enterprises in Federal 
procurement and Government contracts.

  A Select Committee on Small Business was first established in the 77th 
Congress (H. Res. 294, pp. 9418-28) and was reconstituted each Congress 
thereafter by resolution reported from the Committee on Rules until made 
permanent in the 92d Congress (H. Res. 5, Jan. 22, 1971, p. 144).


  The Committee Reform Amendments of 1974 established a standing 
Committee on Small Business, effective January 3, 1975, and vested it 
with legislative jurisdiction formerly held by the Committee on Banking 
and Currency (now Banking and Financial Services) (subpara. (1)) and the 
Committee on the Judiciary (subpara. (2)) (H. Res. 988, 93d Cong., Oct. 
8, 1974, p. 34470). At the same time the general and special oversight 
functions were set forth in clause 2(b) and in former clause 3(g) 
(current clause 3(k)). The 104th Congress expanded the jurisdiction of 
the Committee over assistance to and protection of small business by 
inserting the references to regulatory flexibility and paperwork 
reduction in subparagraph (1) (sec. 202(a), H. Res. 6, Jan. 4, 1995, p. 
464; see also Feb. 9, 1995, p. 4328) and later effected a technical 
correction (H. Res. 254, Nov. 30, 1995, p. ----). Clerical and stylistic 
changes were effected when the House recodified its rules in the 106th 
Congress, including the deletion of a redundant undesignated recitation 
of general and special oversight functions (H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 1999, p. 
----).

  (p) Committee on Standards of Official Conduct.




Sec. 737. Standards of Official Conduct.

        The Code of 
Official Conduct.



[[Page 445]]

9425). Its precursor was the Select Committee on Standards and Conduct, 
created in the 89th Congress (H. Res. 1013, Oct. 19, 1966, pp. 27713-
30). At various times in its history, the legislative jurisdiction of 
the Committee has included jurisdiction over measures relating to (1) 
financial disclosure by Members, officers, and employees of the House 
(H. Res. 1099, 90th Cong., Apr. 3, 1968, p. ----); (2) the raising, 
reporting, and use of campaign contributions for candidates for the 
House (H. Res. 988, 93d Cong., Oct. 8, 1974, p. 34470); and (3) lobbying 
activities (H. Res. 1031, 91st Cong., July 8, 1970, p. 23141). However, 
legislative jurisdiction over measures relating to financial disclosure 
was transferred to the Committee on Rules in the 95th Congress (H. Res. 
5, Jan. 4, 1977, pp. 53-70); legislative jurisdiction over measures 
relating to campaign contributions for candidates for the House was 
transferred to House Administration, and legislative jurisdiction over 
measures relating to lobbying activities was removed from the Committee 
(thereby devolving on the Committee on the Judiciary) in the 94th 
Congress (H. Res. 5, Jan. 14, 1975, p. 20). Clerical and stylistic 
changes were effected when the House recodified its rules in the 106th 
Congress, including the deletion of a redundant undesignated recitation 
of general and special functions (H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 1999, p. ----).
  In the 90th Congress the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct 
was established as a standing committee (H. Res. 418, Apr. 13, 1967, p.

  Two rules relating to the official conduct of Members are outside the 
confines of rule XXIV, the ``Code of Official Conduct,'' as follows: 
rule XXV, limitations on use of official funds, and rule XXVI, 
limitations on outside earned income and acceptance of gifts.

  Under clause 5(a) of rule XIII, the Committee is empowered to report 
as privileged resolutions recommending action by the House of 
Representatives with respect to the official conduct of an individual 
Member, officer, or employee of the House.

  In addition to its legislative jurisdiction, the Committee has the 
general oversight responsibility set forth in clause 2(b) and the 
additional functions of conducting the investigations and making the 
reports and recommendations required by clause 5 of rule XIII or by 
resolution of the House (see, e.g., H. Res. 252, 95th Cong., Feb. 9, 
1977, pp. 3966-75, directing investigation of gifts from Korean 
Government; H. Res. 1042, 94th Cong., Feb. 16, 1976, pp. 3158-61, 
directing investigation of unauthorized publication of report of Select 
Committee on Intelligence; and H. Res. 608, 96th Cong., Mar. 27, 1980, 
pp. 6995-98, relating to ``Abscam'').


[[Page 446]]

government ethics laws as they apply to Members, officers, and employees 
of the House (H. Res. 5, Jan. 15, 1979, p. 7). In the 102d Congress 
those responsibilities were enlarged to include also the functions 
designated in title V of the Act and the specified sections of title 5, 
United States Code (H. Res. 5, Jan. 3, 1991, p. 39).
  The Committee has investigated rollcall procedures in the House and 
recommended installation of a modernized voting system (June 19, 1969, 
p. 16629). In the 95th Congress the Committee was authorized by section 
515 of Public Law 95-105 to act as the ``employing agency'' for the 
House of Representatives under the Foreign Gifts and Decorations Act, 
and the Committee promulgated regulations under that statute concerning 
acceptance of foreign gifts and decorations by Members and employees 
(Jan. 23, 1978, p. 452). In the 96th Congress the Committee was assigned 
as additional responsibilities the functions designated in title I of 
the Ethics in Government Act of 1978 (P.L. 95-521) relating to the 
administration of

  The Committee has compiled statutory and rule-based ethical standards 
in the House Ethics Manual (102d Cong., 2d Sess.). In the Manual, the 
Committee incorporates its advisory opinions issued under clause 3(a)(4) 
of rule X, together with advisory opinions issued by the former Select 
Committee on Ethics, in its discussions of various ethical issues, 
including gifts, outside income, financial disclosure, staff rights and 
duties, official allowances and franking, casework considerations, 
campaign financing and practices, and involvement with official and 
unofficial organizations.



Sec. 738. Former Select Committees on 
Ethics.

  In the 95th  Congress, the House established a Select Committee on Ethics 
and granted it exclusive legislative jurisdiction over bills that 
incorporated into permanent law provisions of House rules addressing 
financial ethics of Members, officers, and employees (H. Res. 383, Mar. 
9, 1977, pp. 6811-16). The Select Committee was also granted 
jurisdiction to promulgate implementing regulations and to issue 
advisory opinions. The resolution creating the Select Committee provided 
that it would expire on December 31, 1977, but the Committee and its 
functions ultimately were extended through the completion of its 
official business (H. Res. 871, Oct. 31, 1977, p. 35957). The advisory 
opinions compiled by the former Select Committee on Ethics have been 
incorporated in the House Ethics Manual (102d Cong., 2d Sess.).



  In the 105th Congress a new subparagraph (3) was added at the end of 
former clause 4(e) of rule X to establish a Select Committee on Ethics 
only to resolve an inquiry originally undertaken by the standing 
Committee on Standards of Official Conduct in the 104th Congress (H. 
Res. 5, Jan. 7, 1997, p. ----). The Select Committee filed one report to 
the House (H. Rept. 105-1, H. Res. 31, Jan. 21, 1997, p. ----).

  (q) Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.



Sec. 739. Transportation and Infrastructure.

      (1)  Coast 
Guard, including lifesaving service, lighthouses, lightships, ocean 
derelicts, and the Coast Guard Academy.


      (2) Federal management of emergencies and natural disasters.

      (3) Flood control and improvement of rivers and harbors.


[[Page 447]]

      (4) Inland waterways.

      (5) Inspection of merchant marine vessels, lights and signals, 
lifesaving equipment, and fire protection on such vessels.

      (6) Navigation and laws relating thereto, including pilotage.

      (7) Registering and licensing of vessels and small boats.

      (8) Rules and international arrangements to prevent collisions at 
sea.

      (9) The Capitol Building and the Senate and House Office 
Buildings.

      (10) Construction or maintenance of roads and post roads (other 
than appropriations therefor).

      (11) Construction or reconstruction, maintenance, and care of 
buildings and grounds of the Botanic Garden, the Library of Congress, 
and the Smithsonian Institution.

      (12) Merchant marine (except for national security aspects 
thereof).

      (13) Purchase of sites and construction of post offices, 
customhouses, Federal courthouses, and Government buildings within the 
District of Columbia.

      (14) Oil and other pollution of navigable waters, including 
inland, coastal, and ocean waters.

      (15) Marine affairs, including coastal zone management, as they 
relate to oil and other pollution of navigable waters.


[[Page 448]]

      (16) Public buildings and occupied or improved grounds of the 
United States generally.

      (17) Public works for the benefit of navigation, including bridges 
and dams (other than international bridges and dams).

      (18) Related transportation regulatory agencies.

      (19) Roads and the safety thereof.

      (20) Transportation, including civil aviation, railroads, water 
transportation, transportation safety (except automobile safety), 
transportation infrastructure, transportation labor, and railroad 
retirement and unemployment (except revenue measures related thereto).


      (21) Water power.


[[Page 449]]

a specific road in a bill providing for another specific road or in a 
general road bill (H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 1999, p. ----).
  The Committee was created effective January 2, 1947, as a part of the 
Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946 (60 Stat. 812), combining the 
Committees on Flood Control (created in 1916) (VII, 2069), Public 
Buildings and Grounds (created in 1837) (IV, 4231), Rivers and Harbors 
(created in 1883) (IV, 4118)), and Roads (created in 1913) (VII, 2065). 
The authority of the Committee to report as privileged bills authorizing 
the improvement of rivers and harbors was eliminated by the Committee 
Reform Amendments of 1974, effective January 3, 1975 (H. Res. 988, 93d 
Cong., Oct. 8, 1974, p. 34470). At the same time the Committee's 
jurisdiction over parks in the District of Columbia was transferred to 
the Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs (now Resources); and it 
gained jurisdiction over transportation, including civil aviation 
(except railroads, railroad labor, and railroad pensions), over roads 
and the safety thereof, over water transportation subject to the 
jurisdiction of the Interstate Commerce Commission, and over related 
transportation regulatory agencies with certain exceptions. The 104th 
Congress changed the name of the Committee from Public Works and 
Transportation to Transportation and Infrastructure and expanded its 
jurisdiction by: adding subparagraphs (1), (6)-(8), (12), and (15) to 
reflect the transfer of those matters from the former Committee on 
Merchant Marine and Fisheries; adding subparagraph (4) and enlarging 
subparagraph (20) to reflect the transfer of those matters from the 
Committee on Energy and Commerce (now Commerce); and adding subparagraph 
(2) and inserting the reference to inland, coastal, and ocean waters in 
subparagraph (14), as clarifying consolidations of formerly 
fractionalized subjects (sec. 202(a), H. Res. 6, Jan. 4, 1995, p. 464). 
Clerical and stylistic changes were effected when the House recodified 
its rules in the 106th Congress. The 106th Congress also adopted a 
substantive amendment to this provision deleting the prohibition against 
including a provision for

  The Committee has jurisdiction over proposals establishing Treasury 
revolving funds for the Southeastern and Southwestern Power 
Administrations (July 2, 1959, p. 12629); directing the Secretary of the 
Army to provide school facilities for dependents of Corps of Engineers 
construction workers (June 17, 1968, p. 17429); conveying Corps of 
Engineers flood-control project lands (July 15, 1965, p. 17002) or 
naming reservoirs within such projects (Oct. 3, 1989, p. 22770) or 
allocating or limiting water use therefrom (Feb. 28, 1990, p. 2893); 
directing the Secretary of the Army to renew the license of an American 
Legion Post to use a parcel of land on a Corps of Engineer project (May 
10, 1988, p. 10282); authorizing construction of an annex to the 
National Gallery of Art by the Smithsonian Institution (Apr. 10, 1968, 
p. 9553); addressing the location and development of the J. F. Kennedy 
Center for the Performing Arts (Sept. 15, 1965, p. 23927; Oct. 21, 1965, 
p. 27803); transferring land under the control of the Corps of Engineers 
to Indian tribes (Jan. 29, 1976, p. 1577); amending the Interstate 
Commerce Act to regulate truck transportation (Feb. 24, 1976, p. 4109; 
Mar. 1, 1979, p. 3754); concerning the treatment of a U.S. air freight 
carrier by the Japanese Ministry of Transport pursuant to an 
understanding negotiated under the International Air Transportation 
Competition Act of 1979 (not a Trade Act matter) (July 28, 1988, p. 
19536); and over an executive communication amending Public Law 90-553, 
reported by the Committee, to authorize the transfer, conveyance, lease 
and improvement of, and construction on, certain property in the 
District of Columbia, for use as a headquarters site for an 
international organization, as sites for governments of foreign 
countries (Sept. 10, 1981, p. 20598). The Committee on Government Reform 
and Oversight (now Government Reform), and not this Committee, has 
jurisdiction over a bill renaming an existing post office building (Aug. 
4, 1995, p. 22085; Oct. 1, 1998, p. ----), but this Committee, and not 
the Committee on Government Reform and Oversight (now Government 
Reform), has jurisdiction over a bill redesignating a general-purpose 
Federal building as a post office (Apr. 24, 1997, p. ----). This 
Committee, and not the Committee on Ways and Means, has jurisdiction 
over a bill designating a customs building (Dec. 12, 1995, p. ----). The 
Committee on Resources, and not this Committee, has jurisdiction over a 
bill to validate certain conveyances of erstwhile public lands by a 
railway company (July 11, 1995, p. 18397). The Committee on Government 
Reform, and not this Committee, has jurisdiction over a bill 
transferring real property administered by the Coast Guard where the 
bill explicitly waives the Federal Property and Administrative Services 
Act and directs the Administrator of General Services to convey the 
property (Oct. 2, 1998, p. ----).


[[Page 450]]

presenting a threat to human health and the environment, including 
navigable waters (Mar. 21, 1984, p. 6186); with the Committee on 
Government Operations (now Government Reform) over a bill to require the 
Administrator of General Services to convey certain real property (a 
Federal building) to the Museum for the American Indian and providing 
for renovation and alteration of the property (Oct. 28, 1987, p. 29685); 
with the Committee on House Administration over a bill authorizing the 
Smithsonian Institution to construct, expand, and renovate facilities at 
the Cooper-Hewitt Museum in New York (July 21, 1987, p. 20309), and over 
a bill authorizing appropriations to plan, design, construct, and equip 
museum space for the Smithsonian (July 18, 1991, p. 18830); with several 
other committees over bills to convert from a defense economy by, inter 
alia,  authorizing economic assistance for public works and economic 
development (June 24, 1991, p. 16021; June 11, 1992, p. 14470); and with 
the Committee on Education and Labor (now Education and the Workforce) 
over bills providing labor protections to workers, including airline 
employees, in the transportation industry (June 24, 1991, p. 16020; Feb. 
24, 1993, p. 3577).
  The Committee has shared jurisdiction: with the Committee on Energy 
and Commerce (now Commerce) over a bill amending the Solid Waste 
Disposal Act to provide for the cleanup of hazardous waste sites or 
discharges


  In the 101st Congress, the Committee reported a bill requiring a 
cooling-off period in a labor-management dispute between an airline and 
its unions under the Railway Labor Act (H.R. 1231, Mar. 13, 1989, p. 
4032).

  (r) Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

      (1) Veterans' measures generally.



Sec. 740. Veterans' Affairs.

      (2)  Cemeteries of the 
United States in which veterans of any war or conflict are or may be 
buried, whether in the United States or abroad (except cemeteries 
administered by the Secretary of the Interior).


      (3) Compensation, vocational rehabilitation, and education of 
veterans.

      (4) Life insurance issued by the Government on account of service 
in the Armed Forces.

      (5) Pensions of all the wars of the United States, general and 
special.

      (6) Readjustment of servicemen to civil life.

      (7) Soldiers' and sailors' civil relief.


      (8) Veterans' hospitals, medical care, and treatment of veterans.


[[Page 451]]

diction formerly exercised by the Committees on World War Veterans' 
Legislation (VII, 2077); Invalid Pensions (IV, 4258); and Pensions (IV, 
4260). Jurisdiction over veterans' cemeteries administered by the 
Department of Defense was transferred from the Committee on Interior and 
Insular Affairs (now Resources) in the 90th Congress (H. Res. 241, Oct. 
20, 1967, p. 29560). Vocational rehabilitation, except that pertaining 
to veterans, is under the jurisdiction of the Committee on Education and 
the Workforce. The Committee has jurisdiction over bills to amend the 
Soldiers and Sailors Civil Relief Act of 1940 to permit certain 
declarations of fact in lieu of affidavits (Feb. 4, 1959, p. 1812), and 
over bills to amend the Servicemen's and Veterans' Survivor Benefits Act 
relating to service-connected deaths of retired members of the uniformed 
services (May 18, 1959, p. 8273). Clerical and stylistic changes were 
effected when the House recodified its rules in the 106th Congress (H. 
Res. 5, Jan. 6, 1999, p. ----).

  This Committee was established January 2, 1947, as a part of the 
Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946 (60 Stat. 812), and was vested 
with juris

  (s) Committee on Ways and Means.



Sec. 741. Ways and Means.

      (1)  Customs, collection 
districts, and ports of entry and delivery.


      (2) Reciprocal trade agreements.

      (3) Revenue measures generally.

      (4) Revenue measures relating to insular possessions.

      (5) Bonded debt of the United States, subject to the last sentence 
of clause 4(f).

      (6) Deposit of public monies.

      (7) Transportation of dutiable goods.

      (8) Tax exempt foundations and charitable trusts.


      (9) National social security (except health care and facilities 
programs that are supported from general revenues as opposed to payroll 
deductions and except work incentive programs).


[[Page 452]]

jurisdiction was also amended on April 5, 1911 (p. 58), and further 
defined in the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946 (60 Stat. 812), 
which transferred the subject of recesses and final adjournments from 
this Committee to the Committee on Rules.
  A select Committee on Ways and Means dates from 1789. It was made a 
standing committee in 1802. Originally it considered both revenue and 
appropriations, but in 1865 the appropriation bills were given to the 
Committee on Appropriations and certain other bills to the Committee on 
Banking and Currency (now Banking and Financial Services) (IV, 4020). 
Its

  By the Committee Reform Amendments of 1974, effective January 3, 1975, 
the Committee gained legislative jurisdiction over tax exempt 
foundations and charitable trusts (subpara. (8)), formerly within the 
jurisdiction of the Committee on Banking and Currency (now Banking and 
Financial Services), because of their impact on the economy, while it 
was released from: jurisdiction over health care and facilities programs 
supported from general revenues to the Committee on Energy and Commerce 
(now Commerce); jurisdiction over work incentive programs to the 
Committee on Education and Labor (now Education and the Workforce); 
jurisdiction over general revenue sharing to the Committee on Government 
Operations (now Government Reform); and jurisdiction over renegotiation 
to the Committee on Banking, Finance and Urban Affairs (now Banking and 
Financial Services) (H. Res. 988, 93d Cong., Oct. 8, 1974, p. 34470).

  The Committee's jurisdiction over the bonded debt of the United States 
(subpara. (5)) was made subject to the last sentence of clause 4(f) 
(former clause 4(g)) of rule X in the 96th Congress by Public Law 96-78 
(93 Stat. 589). Clerical and stylistic changes were effected when the 
House recodified its rules in the 106th Congress (H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 
1999, p. ----).

  The revenue jurisdiction of the Committee extends to such subjects as 
transportation of dutiable goods, collection districts, ports of entry 
and delivery (IV, 4026), customs unions, reciprocity treaties (IV, 
4021), revenue relations of the United States with Puerto Rico (IV, 
4025), the revenue bills relating to agricultural products generally, 
excepting oleomargarine (IV, 4022), and tax on cotton and grain futures. 
The Committee formerly had jurisdiction as to seal herds and other 
revenue-producing animals in Alaska but this jurisdiction was changed in 
the 68th Congress to the former Committee on Merchant Marine and 
Fisheries (VII, 1725, 1851). As exemplified by sequential referrals in 
the 96th Congress, the Committee has jurisdiction of reported bills 
creating major oilspill and hazardous waste trust funds in the Treasury, 
funded by assessments on all quantities of oil, petrochemical 
feedstocks, and other hazardous substances sold for sale, where the 
scope and size of the funds and the method of assessment (similar to an 
excise tax) represented the collection of general revenue to fund 
particular Federal activities, a type of financing mechanism over which 
the Ways and Means Committee has traditionally exercised jurisdiction 
(May 20, 1980, p. 11862).


[[Page 453]]

tion to individuals with military or Federal service (Apr. 28, 1976, p. 
11590), providing extended and increased unemployment compensation (Apr. 
16, 1975, p. 10346), and over private bills waiving provisions of the 
Tariff Act to require reliquidation of certain imported materials as 
duty-free (July 13, 1982, p. 16014). The Committee on Transportation and 
Infrastructure, and not this Committee, has jurisdiction over a bill to 
designate a customs administrative building (Dec. 12, 1995, p. ----).
  The Committee has jurisdiction over subjects relating to the Treasury 
of the United States and the deposit of the public moneys (IV, 4028), 
but it failed to make good a claim to the subjects of ``national 
finances'' and ``preservation of the Government credit'' (IV, 4023). The 
Committee has jurisdiction over bills providing tax incentives for 
persons investing in Indian property (Feb. 1, 1964, p. 1582), providing 
unemployment compensa

  The Committee has exercised jurisdiction, with the Committee on Energy 
and Commerce (now Commerce), over executive communications reporting on 
inpatient hospital services under title XVIII (medicare) and under title 
XIX (medicaid) of the Social Security Act (Dec. 21, 1982, p. 33261); 
with the Committee on Public Works and Transportation (now 
Transportation and Infrastructure) over executive communications 
proposing draft legislation reauthorizing the Surface Transportation Act 
but also containing a revenue title raising taxes to fund surface 
transportation programs (Mar. 20, 1986, p. 5804); with the former 
Committee on Merchant Marine and Fisheries (succeeded by the Committee 
on Resources) over a bill amending the Fishermen's Protective Act to 
authorize the President to prohibit the importation of any product from 
a country violating an international fishery conservation program (Mar. 
21, 1989, p. 5077); and with three other committees over a bill imposing 
certain international economic sanctions including tariffs (May 27, 
1992, p. 12658).


General oversight responsibilities
  The Committee in the earlier practice reported resolutions 
distributing the President's annual message (IV, 4030), but since the 
first session of the 64th Congress this practice has been discontinued 
(VIII, 3350).



742. General oversight.

  2. (a)  The various standing 
committees shall have general oversight responsibilities as provided in 
paragraph (b) in order to assist the House in--


                                                        Rule X, clause 2
Rule X, clause 2

      (1) its analysis, appraisal, and evaluation of--

          (A) the application, administration, execution, and 
effectiveness of Federal laws; and

          (B) conditions and circumstances that may indicate the 
necessity or desirability of enacting new or additional legislation; and


[[Page 454]]

additional legislation as may be necessary or appropriate.
      (2) its formulation, consideration, and enactment of changes in 
Federal laws, and of such

  (b)(1) In order to determine whether laws and programs addressing 
subjects within the jurisdiction of a committee are being implemented 
and carried out in accordance with the intent of Congress and whether 
they should be continued, curtailed, or eliminated, each standing 
committee (other than the Committee on Appropriations) shall review and 
study on a continuing basis--

      (A) the application, administration, execution, and effectiveness 
of laws and programs addressing subjects within its jurisdiction;

      (B) the organization and operation of Federal agencies and 
entities having responsibilities for the administration and execution of 
laws and programs addressing subjects within its jurisdiction;

      (C) any conditions or circumstances that may indicate the 
necessity or desirability of enacting new or additional legislation 
addressing subjects within its jurisdiction (whether or not a bill or 
resolution has been introduced with respect thereto); and

      (D) future research and forecasting on subjects within its 
jurisdiction.


[[Page 455]]

under this clause. The establishment of an oversight subcommittee does 
not limit the responsibility of a subcommittee with legislative 
jurisdiction in carrying out its oversight responsibilities.


Sec. 743. Oversight subcommittees.

  (2)  Each committee to 
which subparagraph (1) applies having more than 20 members shall 
establish an oversight subcommittee, or require its subcommittees to 
conduct oversight in their respective jurisdictions, to assist in 
carrying out its responsibilities


  (c) Each standing committee shall review and study on a continuing 
basis the impact or probable impact of tax policies affecting subjects 
within its jurisdiction as described in clauses 1 and 3.

  (d)(1) Not later than February 15 of the first session of a Congress, 
each standing committee shall, in a meeting that is open to the public 
and with a quorum present, adopt its oversight plan for that Congress. 
Such plan shall be submitted simultaneously to the Committee on 
Government Reform and to the Committee on House Administration. In 
developing its plan each committee shall, to the maximum extent 
feasible--

      (A) consult with other committees that have jurisdiction over the 
same or related laws, programs, or agencies within its jurisdiction with 
the objective of ensuring maximum coordination and cooperation among 
committees when conducting reviews of such laws, programs, or agencies 
and include in its plan an explanation of steps that have been or will 
be taken to ensure such coordination and cooperation;


[[Page 456]]

      (B) give priority consideration to including in its plan the 
review of those laws, programs, or agencies operating under permanent 
budget authority or permanent statutory authority; and

      (C) have a view toward ensuring that all significant laws, 
programs, or agencies within its jurisdiction are subject to review 
every 10 years.

  (2) Not later than March 31 in the first session of a Congress, after 
consultation with the Speaker, the Majority Leader, and the Minority 
Leader, the Committee on Government Reform shall report to the House the 
oversight plans submitted by committees together with any 
recommendations that it, or the House leadership group described above, 
may make to ensure the most effective coordination of oversight plans 
and otherwise to achieve the objectives of this clause.


  (e) The Speaker, with the approval of the House, may appoint special 
ad hoc oversight committees for the purpose of reviewing specific 
matters within the jurisdiction of two or more standing committees.


[[Page 457]]

session of a Congress its oversight plans for that Congress, such plans 
to be submitted to the Committees on Government Reform and Oversight 
(now Government Reform) and House Oversight (now House Administration). 
The Committee on Government Reform is required to report such plans to 
the House by March 31, with recommendations to ensure coordination among 
committees. The 104th Congress also added paragraph (e) to authorize the 
Speaker to appoint special ad hoc oversight committees to review matters 
within the jurisdiction of more than one standing committee (sec. 
203(a), H. Res. 6, Jan. 4, 1995, p. 467). The 106th Congress deleted a 
provision added in the 104th Congress making consideration of 
resolutions funding each committee contingent on submission of its 
oversight plans to the committees specified; deleted the exception for 
the Budget Committee from the general oversight responsibilities listed 
in clause 2(b); effected clerical corrections to conform references to a 
renamed committee; and effected clerical and stylistic changes when the 
House recodified its rules (H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 1999, p. ----).

  Clause 2(a), and the first requirement of clause 2(b)(1) that each 
standing committee shall review the application, etc. of all laws within 
its jurisdiction, was originally contained in section 118(b) of the 
Legislative Reorganization Act of 1970 (84 Stat. 1140) and was made part 
of the standing rules on January 22, 1971 (H. Res. 5, p. 144). Effective 
January 3, 1975, general oversight responsibilities set forth in the 
remainder of the clause were incorporated into the rule (H. Res. 988, 
93d Cong., Oct. 8, 1974, p. 34470). On January 14, 1975, the size of 
those standing committees required by clause 2(b)(2) (former clause 
2(b)(1)) to establish an oversight subcommittee or to require its 
subcommittees to conduct oversight was increased from 15 to more than 20 
(H. Res. 5, 94th Cong., p. 20). In the 100th Congress the requirement 
that representatives from the Committee on Government Operations (now 
Government Reform) meet with other committees at the beginning of each 
Congress to discuss oversight plans and that that Committee report to 
the House its oversight coordination recommendations within 60 days 
after convening of the first session was deleted (H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 
1987, p. 6). The 104th Congress added the requirement that each standing 
committee adopt by February 15 of the first

                                                        Rule X, clause 3
Rule X, clause 3
Special oversight functions



744. Special oversight.

  3.  (a) The Committee on 
Appropriations shall conduct such studies and examinations of the 
organization and operation of executive departments and other executive 
agencies (including an agency the majority of the stock of which is 
owned by the United States) as it considers necessary to assist it in 
the determination of matters within its jurisdiction.


  (b) The Committee on the Budget shall study on a continuing basis the 
effect on budget outlays of relevant existing and proposed legislation 
and report the results of such studies to the House on a recurring 
basis.


[[Page 458]]

  (c) The Committee on Commerce shall review and study on a continuing 
basis laws, programs, and Government activities relating to nuclear and 
other energy and nonmilitary nuclear energy research and development 
including the disposal of nuclear waste.

  (d) The Committee on Education and the Workforce shall review, study, 
and coordinate on a continuing basis laws, programs, and Government 
activities relating to domestic educational programs and institutions 
and programs of student assistance within the jurisdiction of other 
committees.

  (e) The Committee on Government Reform shall review and study on a 
continuing basis the operation of Government activities at all levels 
with a view to determining their economy and efficiency.

  (f) The Committee on International Relations shall review and study on 
a continuing basis laws, programs, and Government activities relating to 
customs administration, intelligence activities relating to foreign 
policy, international financial and monetary organizations, and 
international fishing agreements.

  (g) The Committee on Armed Services shall review and study on a 
continuing basis laws, programs, and Government activities relating to 
international arms control and disarmament and the education of military 
dependents in schools.

  (h) The Committee on Resources shall review and study on a continuing 
basis laws, programs, and Government activities relating to Native 
Americans.


[[Page 459]]

  (i) The Committee on Rules shall review and study on a continuing 
basis the congressional budget process, and the committee shall report 
its findings and recommendations to the House from time to time.

  (j) The Committee on Science shall review and study on a continuing 
basis laws, programs, and Government activities relating to nonmilitary 
research and development.


  (k) The Committee on Small Business shall study and investigate on a 
continuing basis the problems of all types of small business.

  The oversight authority conferred on the Committee on Appropriations 
in paragraph (a) (former clause 2(b)(3)) was first given that committee 
on February 11, 1943 (p. 884), continued by resolution of January 9, 
1945 (p. 135), and incorporated into permanent law in section 202(b) of 
the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946, and made a part of the 
standing rules on January 3, 1953 (pp. 17, 24). The special oversight 
responsibilities of the Committee on the Budget set forth in paragraph 
(b) were made part of the rules effective July 12, 1974 by section 
101(c) of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 (88 Stat. 300). Paragraph 
(c) (former paragraph (h)) was added on January 4, 1977, upon the 
abolition of the legislative jurisdiction in the House of the Joint 
Committee on Atomic Energy (H. Res. 5, 95th Cong., pp. 53-70). The 
special oversight responsibilities of the Committee on Commerce over 
nuclear energy to all energy programs became effective January 3, 1981 
(H. Res. 549, Mar. 25, 1980, pp. 6405-10). The oversight authority 
conferred on the Committee on Government Operations (now Government 
Reform) in paragraph (e) (former clause 2(b)(2)) was first made 
effective as part of the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946 (60 
Stat. 812). In the 104th Congress conforming amendments to the special 
oversight functions of the Committees on Resources and Commerce were 
adopted to reflect the transfer of jurisdiction over nonmilitary nuclear 
energy from the Committee on Resources to the Committee on Commerce (H. 
Res. 254, Nov. 30, 1995, p. ----). Paragraph (i) was added by section 
226 of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 
(P.L. 99-177). The remainder of the clause became effective January 3, 
1975 (H. Res. 988, 93d Cong., Oct. 8, 1974, p. 34470). This clause has 
been amended several times to conform references to renamed committees 
(H. Res. 89, Feb. 5, 1979, p. 1848; H. Res. 549, Mar. 25, 1980, pp. 
6405-10; H. Res. 5, Jan. 5, 1993, p. ----; sec. 202(b), H. Res. 6, Jan. 
4, 1995, p. 464; H. Res. 5, Jan. 7, 1997, p. ----; H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 
1999, p. ----). Clerical and stylistic changes were effected when the 
House recodified its rules in the 106th Congress, including the transfer 
to this clause of oversight functions of the Committees on Government 
Reform and Appropriations found in clause 2 (H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 1999, p. 
----).


[[Page 460]]

on House Administration, to be chaired by the chairman of the Committee 
on House Administration and to be composed of members of the Committee 
on House Administration, one-half from the majority party and one-half 
from the minority party. The paragraph was rewritten in the 103d 
Congress to provide that the Speaker, the Majority and Minority Leaders, 
and the chairman and ranking minority member of the Committee on House 
Administration be informed of tie votes in that subcommittee (H. Res. 5, 
Jan. 5, 1993, p. 49), but the paragraph was deleted entirely in the 
104th Congress (sec. 201(d), H. Res. 6, Jan. 4, 1995, p. 463).

  Section 9 of the House Administrative Reform Resolution of 1992 (H. 
Res. 423, Apr. 9, 1992, p. 9040) added a paragraph in this clause 
creating a bipartisan Subcommittee on Administrative Oversight of the 
Committee

                                                        Rule X, clause 4
Rule X, clause 4
Additional functions of committees



745. Committee on Appropriations; budget 
hearings.

  4.  (a)(1)(A)The Committee on Appropriations shall, within 30 
days after the transmittal of the Budget to Congress each year, hold 
hearings on the Budget as a whole with particular reference to--


      (i) the basic recommendations and budgetary policies of the 
President in the presentation of the Budget; and

      (ii) the fiscal, financial, and economic assumptions used as bases 
in arriving at total estimated expenditures and receipts.

  (B) In holding hearings under subdivision (A), the committee shall 
receive testimony from the Secretary of the Treasury, the Director of 
the Office of Management and Budget, the Chairman of the Council of 
Economic Advisers, and such other persons as the committee may desire.


[[Page 461]]

mittee may by the same procedure close one subsequent day of hearing. A 
transcript of all such hearings shall be printed and a copy thereof 
furnished to each Member, Delegate, and the Resident Commissioner.


Sec. 746. Procedure for budget hearings.

  (C)  A hearing under 
subdivision (A), or any part thereof, shall be held in open session, 
except when the committee, in open session and with a quorum present, 
determines by record vote that the testimony to be taken at that hearing 
on that day may be related to a matter of national security. The com



  (D) A hearing under subdivision (A), or any part thereof, may be held 
before a joint meeting of the committee and the Committee on 
Appropriations of the Senate in accordance with such procedures as the 
two committees jointly may determine.


-  (2) <> Pursuant to section 401(b)(2) of the Congressional 
Budget Act of 1974, when a committee reports a bill or joint resolution 
that provides new entitlement authority as defined in section 3(9) of 
that Act, and enactment of the bill or joint resolution, as reported, 
would cause a breach of the committee's pertinent allocation of new 
budget authority under section 302(a) of that Act, the bill or joint 
resolution may be referred to the Committee on Appropriations with 
instructions to report it with recommendations (which may include an 
amendment limiting the total amount of new entitlement authority 
provided in the bill or joint resolution). If the Com

[[Page 462]]

mittee on Appropriations fails to report a bill or joint resolution so 
referred within 15 calendar days (not counting any day on which the 
House is not in session), the committee automatically shall be 
discharged from consideration of the bill or joint resolution, and the 
bill or joint resolution shall be placed on the appropriate calendar.
  This part of clause 4 was originally contained in section 242(c)(1) of 
the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1970 and was made part of the 
standing rules in the 92d Congress (H. Res. 5, Jan. 22, 1971, p. 144). 
Paragraph (a)(1)(C), requiring open hearings, was first adopted in the 
93d Congress (H. Res. 259, Mar. 7, 1973, pp. 6713-20) and was amended in 
the 94th Congress to limit the effect of a vote to close a hearing to 
that day and one subsequent day (H. Res. 5, Jan. 14, 1975, p. 20). 
Clerical and stylistic changes were effected when the House recodified 
its rules in the 106th Congress (H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 1999, p. ----).

  (3) In addition, the Committee on Appropriations shall study on a 
continuing basis those provisions of law that (on the first day of the 
first fiscal year for which the congressional budget process is 
effective) provide spending authority or permanent budget authority and 
shall report to the House from time to time its recommendations for 
terminating or modifying such provisions.


  (4) In the manner provided by section 302 of the Congressional Budget 
Act of 1974, the Committee on Appropriations (after consulting with the 
Committee on Appropriations of the Senate) shall subdivide any 
allocations made to it in the joint explanatory statement accompanying 
the conference report on such concurrent resolution, and promptly report 
the subdivisions to the House as soon as practicable after a concurrent 
resolution on the budget for a fiscal year is agreed to.


[[Page 463]]

105-33). Subparagraph (3) was also contained in the Congressional Budget 
Act of 1974 in section 402(f), and was likewise incorporated into the 
rules effective January 3, 1975 (H. Res. 988, 93d Cong., Oct. 8, 1974, 
p. 34470). The requirements of subparagraph (4) (former paragraph (h)) 
was originally contained in section 302(b) of the Congressional Budget 
Act of 1974 (P.L. 93-344, July 12, 1974) and was incorporated into this 
rule effective January 3, 1975 (H. Res. 988, 93d Cong., Oct. 8, 1974, p. 
34470). It was amended by the Budget Enforcement Act of 1990 (tit. XIII, 
P.L. 101-508) to conform to the enactment of title VI of the Budget Act. 
It was again amended by the Budget Enforcement Act of 1997 (sec. 10118, 
P.L. 105-33) to conform to the subsequent repeal of title VI. Clerical 
and stylistic changes were effected when the House recodified its rules 
in the 106th Congress, including the transfer of former paragraph (h) to 
this paragraph as new subparagraph (4) (H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 1999, p. ----
).

  Subparagraph (2) first became effective on July 12, 1974, by inclusion 
in section 401(b)(2) of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 (88 Stat. 
317), was incorporated into the rules effective January 3, 1975 (H. Res. 
988, 93d Cong., Oct. 8, 1974, p. 34470), was amended in the 95th 
Congress to correct an error in cross-reference (H. Res. 5, Jan. 4, 
1977, pp. 53-70), and was again amended in the 105th Congress to reflect 
the repeal of the collective definition of ``new spending authority'' 
and the revision of various remaining parts (Budget Enforcement Act of 
1997 (sec. 10116, P.L.

  (b) The Committee on the Budget shall--



Sec. 748. Budget.

      (1)  review on a continuing basis the 
conduct by the Congressional Budget Office of its functions and duties;


      (2) hold hearings and receive testimony from Members, Senators, 
Delegates, the Resident Commissioner, and such appropriate 
representatives of Federal departments and agencies, the general public, 
and national organizations as it considers desirable in developing 
concurrent resolutions on the budget for each fiscal year;

      (3) make all reports required of it by the Congressional Budget 
Act of 1974;

      (4) study on a continuing basis those provisions of law that 
exempt Federal agencies or any of their activities or outlays from 
inclusion in the Budget of the United States Government, and report to 
the House from time to time its recommendations for terminating or 
modifying such provisions;


[[Page 464]]

sional budget process, and report to the House from time to time the 
results of such studies, together with its recommendations; and
      (5) study on a continuing basis proposals designed to improve and 
facilitate the congres


      (6) request and evaluate continuing studies of tax expenditures, 
devise methods of coordinating tax expenditures, policies, and programs 
with direct budget outlays, and report the results of such studies to 
the House on a recurring basis.


  Paragraph (b)(1) became a part of the rules on July 12, 1974 by 
enactment of section 101(c) of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 (88 
Stat. 300). Subparagraph (2), contained in section 301(d) of that Act, 
subparagraph (3), subparagraph (4), contained in section 606 of that 
Act, and subparagraph (5), contained in section 703 of that Act, all 
were made part of the rules effective January 3, 1975 (H. Res. 988, 93d 
Cong., Oct. 8, 1974, p. 34470). Paragraph (b)(2) was amended in the 99th 
Congress by section 232 of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit 
Control Act of 1985 (P.L. 99-177, Dec. 12, 1985) to remove reference to 
the first concurrent resolution on the budget. Before the House 
recodified its rules in the 106th Congress, subparagraph (6) was found 
in former clause 1(d)(5)(C) of rule X (H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 1999, p. ----
).



Sec. 749. Government Reform.

  (c)(1)  The Committee on 
Government Reform shall--


      (A) receive and examine reports of the Comptroller General of the 
United States and submit to the House such recommendations as it 
considers necessary or desirable in connection with the subject matter 
of the reports;

      (B) evaluate the effects of laws enacted to reorganize the 
legislative and executive branches of the Government; and


[[Page 465]]

and international organizations of which the United States is a member.
      (C) study intergovernmental relationships between the United 
States and the States and municipalities and between the United States


      (2) In addition to its duties under subparagraph (1), the 
Committee on Government Reform may at any time conduct investigations of 
any matter without regard to clause 1, 2, 3, or this clause conferring 
jurisdiction over the matter to another standing committee. The findings 
and recommendations of the committee in such an investigation shall be 
made available to any other standing committee having jurisdiction over 
the matter involved and shall be included in the report of any such 
other committee when required by clause 3(c)(4) of rule XIII.


  Paragraph (c)(1) became effective January 2, 1947 as part of the 
Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946 (60 Stat. 812). Paragraph (c)(2) 
was made a function of the Committee on Government Operations (now 
Government Reform) effective January 3, 1975 (H. Res. 988, 93d Cong., 
Oct. 8, 1974, p. 34470). The Committee was renamed in the 104th and 
106th Congresses (sec. 202(b), H. Res. 6, Jan. 4, 1995, p. 464; H. Res. 
5, Jan. 6, 1999, p. ----). Clerical and stylistic changes were effected 
when the House recodified its rules in the 106th Congress (H. Res. 5, 
Jan. 6, 1999, p. ----).



Sec. 750. House Administration.

  (d)(1)  The Committee on 
House Administration shall--



[[Page 466]]

dent of the Senate, and report to the House the fact and date of their 
presentment;


Sec. 751. Enrolled bills.

  (A) examine all bills, amendments, and joint resolutions after passage 
by the House and, in cooperation with the Senate, examine all bills and 
joint resolutions that have passed both Houses to see that they 
are  correctly enrolled and forthwith 
present those bills and joint resolutions that originated in the House 
to the President in person after their signature by the Speaker and the 
Presi




Sec. 752. Direction of officers.

  (B)  provide policy 
direction for, and oversight of, the Clerk, Sergeant-at-Arms, Chief 
Administrative Officer, and Inspector General;




Sec. 753. Acceptance of gifts.

  (C)  have the function of 
accepting on behalf of the House a gift, except as otherwise provided by 
law, if the gift does not involve a duty, burden, or condition, or is 
not made dependent on some future performance by the House; and


  (D) promulgate regulations to carry out subdivision (C).




Sec. 754. Approval of certain settlements.

  (2)  An employing 
office of the House may enter into a settlement of a complaint under the 
Congressional Accountability Act of 1995 that provides for the payment 
of funds only after receiving the joint approval of the chairman and 
ranking minority member of the Committee on House Administration 
concerning the amount of such payment.



[[Page 467]]

Financial Services and to provide for policy direction and oversight of 
certain administrative officials and elected officers. In the 104th 
Congress the rule was amended (1) to reflect the change in the name of 
the Committee on House Administration to the Committee on House 
Oversight and (2) to reflect the abolishment of the Director of Non-
legislative and Financial Services (sec. 201, H. Res. 6, Jan. 4, 1995, 
p. ----). Later in the 104th Congress the provision for the acceptance 
of gifts was added as paragraph (d)(3) (H. Res. 250, Nov. 16, 1995, p. 
----). In the 105th Congress paragraph (d) was redesignated as (d)(1), 
its former subparagraphs (1) through (3) were redesignated as (1)(A) 
through (1)(C), and a new paragraph (d)(2) was added to require approval 
by the Committee for monetary settlements of certain employment claims 
(H. Res. 5, Jan. 7, 1997, p. ----). The 104th Congress also prohibited 
the establishment or continuation of any legislative service 
organization (as that term had been understood in the 103d Congress) and 
directed the Committee on House Oversight (now House Administration) to 
take such steps as were necessary to ensure an orderly termination and 
accounting for funds of any legislative service organization in 
existence on January 3, 1995 (sec. 222, H. Res. 6, Jan. 4, 1995, p. 
469). Clerical and stylistic changes were effected when the House 
recodified its rules in the 106th Congress (H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 1999, p. 
----).

  The requirements set forth in paragraph (d)(1) were originally the 
responsibility of the Committee on Enrolled Bills created in 1789 (IV, 
4350), and became the responsibility of the Committee on House 
Administration when that Committee was created effective January 2, 1947 
as part of the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946 (60 Stat. 812). 
The Committee's duty to arrange for memorial services of Members was 
eliminated from the rules effective January 3, 1975 (H. Res. 988, 93d 
Cong., Oct. 8, 1974, p. 34470). Former paragraph (d)(3) required the 
Committee to provide a committee scheduling service, which was provided 
through House Information Resources and was made mandatory on all 
committees and subcommittees in the 97th Congress (H. Res. 5, Jan. 5, 
1981, pp. 98-113). The requirement was stricken altogether when two 
provisions were added by section 10 of the House Administrative Reform 
Resolution of 1992 (H. Res. 423, 102d Cong., Apr. 9, 1992, p. 9040) to 
ensure the orderly transfer of functions and entities from elected 
officers to the Director of Non-legislative and


[[Page 468]]



Sec. 755. Annual appropriations.

  (e)(1)  Each standing 
committee shall, in its consideration of all public bills and public 
joint resolutions within its jurisdiction, ensure that appropriations 
for continuing programs and activities of the Federal Government and the 
government of the District of Columbia will be made annually to the 
maximum extent feasible and consistent with the nature, requirement, and 
objective of the programs and activities involved. In this subparagraph 
programs and activities of the Federal Government and the government of 
the District of Columbia includes programs and activities of any 
department, agency, establishment, wholly owned Government corporation, 
or instrumentality of the Federal Government or of the government of the 
District of Columbia.



  (2) Each standing committee shall review from time to time each 
continuing program within its jurisdiction for which appropriations are 
not made annually to ascertain whether the program should be modified to 
provide for annual appropriations.


Budget Act responsibilities
  The provisions of this paragraph derive from section 253(c) of the 
Legislative Reorganization Act of 1970 (84 Stat. 1140), and were made 
part of the rules in the 92d Congress (H. Res. 5, Jan. 22, 1971, p. 
144). Clerical and stylistic changes were effected when the House 
recodified its rules in the 106th Congress (H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 1999, p. 
----).



756. Concurrent resolution on Budget.

  (f)(1)  Each standing 
committee shall submit to the Committee on the Budget not later than six 
weeks after the President submits his budget, or at such time as the 
Committee on the Budget may request--


      (A) its views and estimates with respect to all matters to be set 
forth in the concurrent resolution on the budget for the ensuing fiscal 
year that are within its jurisdiction or functions; and

      (B) an estimate of the total amounts of new budget authority, and 
budget outlays resulting therefrom, to be provided or authorized in all 
bills and resolutions within its jurisdiction that it intends to be 
effective during that fiscal year.


[[Page 469]]

should be set forth in the concurrent resolution on the budget and serve 
as the basis for an increase or decrease in the statutory limit on such 
debt under the procedures provided by rule XXIII.

  (2) The views and estimates submitted by the Committee on Ways and 
Means under subparagraph (1) shall include a specific recommendation, 
made after holding public hearings, as to the appropriate level of the 
public debt that


  The requirements of paragraph (f)(1) were originally contained in 
section 301(c) of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 (P.L. 93-344, 
July 12, 1974), and was incorporated into this rule effective January 3, 
1975 (H. Res. 988, 93d Cong., Oct. 8, 1974, p. 34470). The requirement 
of paragraph (f)(2) that the Committee on Ways and Means include a 
specific recommendation as to the appropriate level of the public debt 
in its views and estimates submitted to the Committee on the Budget was 
added in the 96th Congress by Public Law 96-78 (93 Stat. 589) and was 
originally intended to apply to concurrent resolutions on the budget for 
fiscal years beginning on or after October 1, 1980. However, in the 96th 
Congress the provisions of that public law amending the Rules of the 
House were made applicable to the third concurrent resolution on the 
budget for fiscal year 1980 as well as the first concurrent resolution 
on the budget for fiscal 1981 (H. Res. 642, Apr. 23, 1980, pp. 8789-90). 
The deadline for submitting views and estimates to the Budget Committee 
has changed several times (Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control 
Act of 1985, sec. 232(c), P.L. 99-177; Budget Enforcement Act of 1997, 
sec. 10104, P.L. 105-33; H. Res. 5, 106th Cong., Jan. 6, 1999, p. ----). 
A former paragraph directing standing committees to submit 
reconciliation recommendations to the Budget Committee was deleted in 
the 106th Congress (H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 1999, p. ----), but committees 
are still required to submit such recommendations under section 310 of 
the Congressional Budget Act of 1974. Clerical and stylistic changes 
were effected when the House recodified its rules in the 106th Congress 
(H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 1999, p. ----).

                                                        Rule X, clause 5
Rule X, clause 5
Election and membership of standing committees


[[Page 470]]

shall be privileged if offered by direction of the party caucus or 
conference concerned.



757. Electing committees.

  5.  (a)(1) The standing committees 
specified in clause 1 shall be elected by the House within seven 
calendar days after the commencement of each Congress, from nominations 
submitted by the respective party caucus or conference. A resolution 
proposing to change the composition of a standing committee



  The old rule entrusting the appointment of committees to the Speaker 
was adopted in 1789 and amended in 1790 and in 1860 (IV, 4448-4476). 
Committees are now elected on resolution offered from the floor (VIII, 
2171) and it is in order to move the previous question on each 
resolution (VIII, 2174). The resolution is not divisible (clause 5 of 
rule XVI), and is privileged (VIII, 2179, 2183). The requirement that 
nominations to standing committees be submitted by the respective party 
caucuses was made part of the rules effective January 3, 1975, by the 
Committee Reform Amendments of 1974 (H. Res. 988, 93d Cong., Oct. 8, 
1974, p. 34470). That same resolution also eliminated the designations 
in the rules of the numbers of Members comprising the standing 
committees, thereby permitting the House to establish committee size by 
the numbers of Members elected to each committee pursuant to this 
paragraph. The role of the party caucuses in presenting privileged 
resolutions to the House electing Members to committees is discussed in 
detail in Deschler's Precedents, vol. 4, ch. 17, sec. 9. In the 99th 
Congress the requirement for early election of standing committees 
within the first seven calendar days and the conferral of privileged 
status on resolutions from the party caucuses to change the composition 
of standing committees were added by section 227 of the Balanced Budget 
and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (P.L. 99-177, Dec. 12, 1985). 
Before the House recodified its rules in the 106th Congress, this 
provision was found in former clause 6 of rule X (H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 
1999, p. ----).



Sec. 758. Budget, composition of.

  (2)(A)  The Committee on 
the Budget shall be composed of members as follows:


      (i) Members, Delegates, or the Resident Commissioner who are 
members of other standing committees, including five who are members of 
the Committee on Appropriations and five who are members of the 
Committee on Ways and Means;

      (ii) one Member from the elected leadership of the majority party; 
and

      (iii) one Member from the elected leadership of the minority 
party.


[[Page 471]]

than one from the elected leadership of a party may not serve on the 
committee during more than four Congresses in a period of six successive 
Congresses (disregarding for this purpose any service for less than a 
full session in a Congress).
  (B) Except as permitted by subdivision (C), a member of the Committee 
on the Budget other


  (C) A member of the Committee on the Budget who served as either the 
chairman or the ranking minority member of the committee in the 
immediately previous Congress and who did not serve in that respective 
capacity in an earlier Congress may serve as either the chairman or the 
ranking minority member of the committee during one additional Congress.


[[Page 472]]

may serve in either capacity during a fifth, so long as he would not 
thereby exceed two consecutive terms as chairman or as ranking minority 
member (sec. 202(a), H. Res. 6, Jan. 4, 1995, p. 464). Before the House 
recodified its rules in the 106th Congress, this provision was found in 
former clause 1(d) of rule X (H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 1999, p. ----). The 
tenure limitation of clause 5(a)(2)(B) was suspended during the 106th 
Congress (sec. 2(b), H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 1999, p. ----).
  This paragraph (former clause 1(d) of rule X) was amended in the 96th 
Congress to relax the limitation on Members' service on the Budget 
Committee to three Congresses (from two) in any period of five 
successive Congresses, to exempt representatives from the party 
leaderships from the limitation, and to permit an incumbent chairman who 
had served on the Committee for three Congresses and as chairman for not 
more than one Congress to be eligible for reelection as chairman for one 
additional Congress (H. Res. 5, Jan. 15, 1979, p. 8). It was again 
amended in the 100th Congress to eliminate as obsolete the words 
``beginning after 1974'' following ``any period of five successive 
Congresses'' as a measure of permissible terms of service on the 
Committee (H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 1987, p. 6). It was further amended in the 
101st Congress to permit, in that Congress only, a minority Member who 
had served on the Committee for three terms to run within his party's 
caucus for the position of ranking minority member and thus be able to 
serve on the Committee for one additional Congress, and to permit a 
Member elected as ranking minority member during his third term on the 
Committee to serve one additional term on the Committee should he be 
reelected as the ranking minority member (H. Res. 5, Jan. 3, 1989, p. 
72). It was again amended in the 102d Congress to extend the waiver of 
the tenure restriction for the ranking minority member of the Committee 
(H. Res. 5, Jan. 3, 1991, p. 39), but in the 103d Congress that 
provision was stricken as obsolete (H. Res. 5, Jan. 5, 1993, p. 49). In 
the 104th Congress the limitation on a Member's service on the Committee 
was relaxed to four Congresses (from three) in any period of six 
successive Congresses, with the exception that a Member who has served 
as chairman or as ranking minority member during a fourth such Congress


  In the 94th Congress the membership of the Committee was increased to 
25 (from 23), with 13 (rather than 11) members elected from committees 
other than Appropriations and Ways and Means (H. Res. 5, Jan. 14, 1975, 
p. 20). The membership was increased again in the 97th Congress to 30, 
with 28 from other standing committees and two from the respective 
leaderships (H. Res. 5, Jan. 5, 1981, pp. 98-113), and again in the 98th 
Congress to 31 (unanimous-consent order, Feb. 7, 1983, p. 1791). The 
99th Congress amended this paragraph to remove any numerical limitation 
on the membership of the Committee (H. Res. 7, Jan. 3, 1985, p. 393).



Sec. 759. Committee on Standards of Official 
Conduct.

  (3)(A)  The Committee on Standards of Official Conduct shall be 
composed of 10 members, five from the majority party and five from the 
minority party.


  (B) Except as permitted by subdivision (C), a member of the Committee 
on Standards of Official Conduct may not serve on the committee during 
more than three Congresses in a period of five successive Congresses 
(disregarding for this purpose any service for less than a full session 
in a Congress).

  (C) A member of the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct may 
serve on the committee during a fourth Congress in a period of five 
successive Congresses only as either the chairman or the ranking 
minority member of the committee.


[[Page 473]]

Delegates, or the Resident Commissioner from his respective party who 
are not members of the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct to be 
available to serve on investigative subcommittees of that committee 
during that Congress. The lists of Members, Delegates, or the Resident 
Commissioner so named shall be announced to the House.
  (4)(A) At the beginning of a Congress, the Speaker or his designee and 
the Minority Leader or his designee each shall name 10 Members,


  (B) Whenever the chairman and the ranking minority member of the 
Committee on Standards of Official Conduct jointly determine that 
Members, Delegates, or the Resident Commissioner named under subdivision 
(A) should be assigned to serve on an investigative subcommittee of that 
committee, each of them shall select an equal number of such Members, 
Delegates, or Resident Commissioner from his respective party to serve 
on that subcommittee.



[[Page 474]]


  Prior to the 93d Congress, the rule that established the size of the 
Committee on Standards of Official Conduct at 12 members also required 
that six members be elected from the majority and six from the minority 
party. Effective in the 93d Congress, the ratio of the committee was 
codified in the first sentence of subparagraph (3)(A) (former clause 
6(a)(2)) (H. Res. 988, Oct. 8, 1974, p. 34470). The Ethics Reform Act of 
1989 added a sentence to limit service on the committee (P.L. 101-194, 
Nov. 30, 1989), which was amended in the 105th and 106th Congresses 
(sec. 2, H. Res. 168, Sept. 18, 1997, p. ----; H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 1999, 
p. ----). A requirement that two members from each party rotate off the 
committee was adopted in the 105th Congress (sec. 2, H. Res. 168, Sept. 
18, 1997, p. ----), but was deleted in the 106th Congress (H. Res. 5, 
Jan. 6, 1999, p. ----). Subparagraph (4) (former clause 6(a)(3)) was 
adopted in the 105th Congress (sec. 1, H. Res. 168, Sept. 18, 1997, p. 
----). Before the House recodified its rules in the 106th Congress, this 
provision was found in former clause 6(a) of rule X (H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 
1999, p. ----). The 106th Congress also formally reduced the size of the 
committee to 10 members, which was the de facto size of the committee in 
the 105th Congress even though the Ethics Reform Act of 1989 required 
each party caucus to nominate seven Members (sec. 803(b), P.L. 101-194, 
Nov. 30, 1989; H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 1999, p. ----).



Sec. 760. Party membership as basis for election.

  (b)(1) Membership on a standing committee during the course of 
a  Congress 
shall be contingent on continuing membership in the party caucus or 
conference that nominated the Member, Delegate, or Resident Commissioner 
concerned for election to such committee. Should a Member, Delegate, or 
Resident Commissioner cease to be a member of a particular party caucus 
or conference, that Member, Delegate, or Resident Commissioner shall 
automatically cease to be a member of each standing committee to which 
he was elected on the basis of nomination by that caucus or conference. 
The chairman of the relevant party caucus or conference shall notify the 
Speaker whenever a Member, Delegate, or Resident Commissioner ceases to 
be a member of that caucus or conference. The Speaker shall notify the 
chairman of each affected committee that the election of such Member, 
Delegate, or Resident Commissioner to the committee is automatically 
vacated under this subparagraph.


  (2)(A) Except as specified in subdivision (B), a Member, Delegate, or 
Resident Commissioner may not serve simultaneously as a member of more 
than two standing committees or more than four subcommittees of the 
standing committees.


[[Page 475]]

  (B)(i) Ex officio service by a chairman or ranking minority member of 
a committee on each of its subcommittees under a committee rule does not 
count against the limitation on subcommittee service.

  (ii) Service on an investigative subcommittee of the Committee on 
Standards of Official Conduct under paragraph (a)(4) does not count 
against the limitation on subcommittee service.

  (iii) Any other exception to the limitations in subdivision (A) must 
be approved by the House on the recommendation of the relevant party 
caucus or conference.


  (C) In this subparagraph the term ``subcommittee'' includes a panel 
(other than a special oversight panel of the Committee on Armed 
Services), task force, special subcommittee, or other subunit of a 
standing committee that is established for a cumulative period longer 
than six months in a Congress.

  The requirement that membership on standing committees be contingent 
on continuing membership in a party caucus or conference, along with the 
mechanism for the automatic vacating of a Member's election to committee 
should his party relationship cease, was added to the rules in the 98th 
Congress (H. Res. 5, Jan. 3, 1983, p. 34). The limitation on full 
committee and subcommittee assignments was added in the 104th Congress 
(sec. 204, H. Res. 6, Jan. 4, 1995, p. 467; see H. Res. 11, Jan. 4, 
1995, p. 549). The exception for special service on an investigative 
subcommittee of the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct from the 
limitation on subcommittee service was added in the 105th Congress (sec. 
1, H. Res. 168, Sept. 18, 1997, p. ----). A technical correction was 
effected in the 106th Congress to conform references to a renamed 
committee (H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 1999, p. ----).



[[Page 476]]


  The Speaker lays before the House communications relative to the 
removal of a Member from committee pursuant to this clause (see, e.g., 
Sept. 11, 1984, p. 24790; Feb. 22, 1989, p. 2500; May 10, 1995, p. 
12396; July 19, 1999, p. ----). The earlier practice was, and the most 
recent practice is, for the minority party to handle committee 
assignments for third-party Members (VIII, 2184-2185; H. Res. 11, Jan. 
4, 1995, p. 549). During the 102d and 103d Congresses, the majority 
leadership took that responsibility by separate resolution for a Member 
who had joined neither major party caucus (see H. Res. 45, Jan. 24, 
1991, p. 2171); however, during the 104th through 106th Congresses, when 
control of the House shifted, the minority leadership retained 
responsibility for the committee assignments of such third-party Member.



Sec. 761. Committee chairmen.

  (c)(1)  One of the members of 
each standing committee shall be elected by the House, on the nomination 
of the majority party caucus or conference, as chairman thereof. In the 
temporary absence of the chairman, the member next in rank (and so on, 
as often as the case shall happen) shall act as chairman. Rank shall be 
determined by the order members are named in resolutions electing them 
to the committee. In the case of a permanent vacancy in the elected 
chairmanship of a committee, the House shall elect another chairman.



  (2) A member of a standing committee may not serve as chairman of the 
same standing committee, or of the same subcommittee of a standing 
committee, during more than three consecutive Congresses (disregarding 
for this purpose any service for less than a full session in a 
Congress).

  The requirement that nominations for chairmen be submitted by the 
majority party caucus was made part of the rules effective January 3, 
1975 (H. Res. 988, 93d Cong., Oct. 8, 1974, p. 34470). The sentence 
addressing temporary and permanent vacancies in chairmanships was first 
adopted on April 5, 1911 (VIII, 2201), and was continued in the 
Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946 (60 Stat. 812). The 104th 
Congress added the sentence setting term limits for committee and 
subcommittee chairmen (sec. 103(b), H. Res. 6, Jan. 4, 1995, p. 462). 
Before the House recodified its rules in the 106th Congress, this 
provision was found in former clause 6(c) of rule X (H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 
1999, p. ----).


[[Page 477]]

mittee until otherwise ordered by the House (H. Res. 396, Mar. 23, 1994, 
p. 6093).

  In the 102d Congress a resolution included as a matter properly 
incidental to its election of the chairman of a standing committee a 
proviso that his powers and duties be exercised by the vice chairman 
until otherwise ordered by the House (H. Res. 43, Jan. 24, 1991, p. 
2169; Feb. 6, 1991, p. 3198). In the 103d Congress a privileged 
resolution, offered at the direction of the Democratic Caucus, 
authorized a named acting chairman to exercise the powers and duties of 
a chairman of a standing com



Sec. 762. Requirement for subcommittees.

  (d)(1)  Except as 
permitted by subparagraph (2), a committee may have not more than five 
subcommittees.



  (2) A committee that maintains a subcommittee on oversight may have 
not more than six subcommittees. The Committee on Appropriations may 
have not more than 13 subcommittees. The Committee on Government Reform 
may have not more than seven subcommittees.


  This paragraph was adopted in the 104th Congress (sec. 101(b), H. Res. 
6, Jan. 4, 1995, p. 462), replacing a requirement that all standing 
committees having more than 20 members (except the Committee on the 
Budget) establish at least four subcommittees (H. Res. 5, Jan. 14, 1975, 
p. 20). In the 106th Congress the paragraph was amended to delete the 
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure from the list of 
exceptions to the general rule and to add a new exception for committees 
that maintain a subcommittee on oversight (H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 1999, p. 
----). Before the House recodified its rules in the 106th Congress, this 
provision was found in former clause 6(d) of rule X (H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 
1999, p. ----). Notwithstanding clause 5(d) the Committee on Government 
Reform was permitted to have not more than eight subcommittees during 
the 106th Congress (sec. 2(d), H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 1999, p. ----).


  (e) The House shall fill a vacancy on a standing committee by election 
on the nomination of the respective party caucus or conference.


[[Page 478]]

and part of the 82d Congresses until July 3, 1952 (p. 9217) when it was 
modified so that Members elected to serve on the Committees on the 
District of Columbia, Government Operations, Un-American Activities, or 
House Administration could be elected to serve on not more than two 
standing committees. It was restored to its original form by amendment 
on January 13, 1953 (p. 368) so that there was no limitation in House 
rules on the number of committees to which a Member may be elected until 
the 104th Congress added paragraph (b)(2) (see Sec. 760, supra). Party 
caucuses or conferences have also placed restrictions on committee 
assignments. The role of the respective party caucus or conference in 
making nominations to fill vacancies in standing committees was made 
part of the rule in the 98th Congress (H. Res. 5, Jan. 3, 1983, p. 34). 
Before the House recodified its rules in the 106th Congress, this 
provision was found in former clause 6(e) of rule X (H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 
1999, p. ----).
  This paragraph was first adopted in the 62d Congress (VIII, 2178). At 
the beginning of the 80th Congress it was amended to prevent a Member 
from serving on more than one standing committee, except that Members 
elected to serve on the Committees on District of Columbia or Un-
American Activities (renamed the Committee on Internal Security and 
jurisdiction redefined on Feb. 19, 1969, p. 3723) could be elected to 
serve on not more than two standing committees, and that Members of the 
majority party, serving on the Committee on Expenditures in the 
Executive Departments (changed to Committee on Government Operations 
July 3, 1952, p. 9217) or House Administration could be elected to serve 
on not more than two standing committees. This limitation was continued 
through the 80th, 81st,


Expense resolutions
  Form of resolution electing a Member to a committee and fixing his 
rank thereon (Jan. 23, 1947, p. 536; H. Res. 157, May 25, 1995, p. 
14424). The House by unanimous consent fixed the relative rank of two 
Members on a committee where an error had been made on the original 
appointment (Jan. 20, 1947, p. 481). The House has filled a vacancy on a 
standing committee (H. Res. 43, Jan. 24, 1991, p. 2169) with a Member 
subsequently designated by his party caucus as ``temporary'' (in order 
to avoid caucus limitations on committee assignments) (Feb. 5, 1991, p. 
2814).

                                                        Rule X, clause 6
Rule X, clause 6


[[Page 479]]

available on the previous calendar day. For the information of the 
House, such report shall--


Sec. 763. Primary expense resolution.

  6.  (a) Whenever a 
committee, commission, or other entity (other than the Committee on 
Appropriations) is granted authorization for the payment of its expenses 
(including staff salaries) for a Congress, such authorization initially 
shall be procured by one primary expense resolution reported by the 
Committee on House Administration. A primary expense resolution may 
include a reserve fund for unanticipated expenses of committees. An 
amount from such a reserve fund may be allocated to a committee only by 
the approval of the Committee on House Administration. A primary expense 
resolution reported to <> the 
House may not be considered in the House unless a printed report thereon 
was


      (1) state the total amount of the funds to be provided to the 
committee, commission, or other entity under the primary expense 
resolution for all anticipated activities and programs of the committee, 
commission, or other entity; and

      (2) to the extent practicable, contain such general statements 
regarding the estimated foreseeable expenditures for the respective 
anticipated activities and programs of the committee, commission, or 
other entity as may be appropriate to provide the House with basic 
estimates of the expenditures contemplated by the primary expense 
resolution.



Sec. 765. 
Additional expense resolution.

  (b) After the date of adoption by the House  of a primary expense resolution for a 
committee, commission, or other entity for a Congress, authorization for 
the payment of additional expenses (including staff salaries) in that 
Congress may be procured by one or more supplemental expense resolutions 
reported by the Committee on House Administration, as necessary. A 
supplemental expense resolution reported to the House may not be 
considered in the House unless a printed report thereon was available on 
the previous calendar day. For the information of the House, such report 
shall--



[[Page 480]]

mental expense resolution and the purposes for which those additional 
funds are available; and
      (1) state the total amount of additional funds to be provided to 
the committee, commission, or other entity under the supple

      (2) state the reasons for the failure to procure the additional 
funds for the committee, commission, or other entity by means of the 
primary expense resolution.

  (c) The preceding provisions of this clause do not apply to--



Sec. 766. Exception for certain initial 
funding.

      (1) a  resolution providing for the payment from committee salary 
and expense accounts of the House of sums necessary to pay compensation 
for staff services performed for, or to pay other expenses of, a 
committee, commission, or other entity at any time after the beginning 
of an odd-numbered year and before the date of adoption by the House of 
the primary expense resolution described in paragraph (a) for that year; 
or




[[Page 481]]


      (2) a resolution providing each of the standing committees in a 
Congress additional office equipment, airmail and special-delivery 
postage stamps, supplies, staff personnel, or any other specific item 
for the operation of the standing committees, and containing an 
authorization for the payment from committee salary and expense accounts 
of the House of the expenses of any of the foregoing items provided by 
that resolution, subject to and until enactment of the provisions of the 
resolution as permanent law.

  Paragraphs (a)-(c) of this clause were contained originally in section 
110(b) of the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1970 (84 Stat. 1140) and 
was added to the rules in the 92d Congress (H. Res. 5, Jan. 22, 1971, p. 
144). Effective January 3, 1975 (H. Res. 988, 93d Cong., Oct. 8, 1974, 
p. 34470), the authority of all committees to incur expenses, including 
travel expenses, was made contingent upon adoption by the House of 
resolutions reported pursuant to this clause (clause 1(b) of rule XI). 
The clause was amended in the 95th Congress (H. Res. 5, Jan. 4, 1977, 
pp. 53-70) to extend its applicability to all committees, commissions, 
and entities rather than just to standing committees. Paragraphs (a)-(c) 
were amended in the 104th Congress to institute biennial funding of 
committee expenses and to require that all committee staff salaries and 
expenses (including statutory staff) be authorized by expense resolution 
(sec. 101(c), H. Res. 6, Jan. 4, 1995, p. 462). In the 105th Congress 
paragraph (a) was amended to permit a primary expense resolution to 
include a reserve fund for unanticipated expenses of committees (H. Res. 
5, Jan. 7, 1997, p. ----). A technical correction to paragraphs (a) and 
(b) was effected in the 106th Congress to conform references to a 
renamed committee (H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 1999, p. ----). Before the House 
recodified its rules in the 106th Congress, this provision was found in 
former clause 5 of rule XI (H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 1999, p. ----).

  The Committee on Appropriations is not covered by this clause, but is 
reimbursed by funds in appropriation acts for expenses of examinations 
of estimates of appropriations in the field (31 U.S.C. 22a). An 
exemption from this clause for the Committee on the Budget was effective 
from the enactment of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 through the 
103d Congress.


  Based on the exception stated in paragraph (c), a resolution 
establishing a task force of members of a standing committee and 
providing for the payment of its expenses from the contingent fund of 
the House (now referred to as ``applicable accounts of the House 
described in clause 1(i)(1) of rule X'') was held not to be subject to a 
point of order under clause 5(a) for lack of report language detailing 
the funding provided, since the resolution was called up at the 
beginning of the session prior to consideration of a primary expense 
resolution for all committees for that calendar year (Feb. 5, 1992, p. 
1621).


[[Page 482]]

and that the minority party is treated fairly in the appointment of such 
staff.



Sec. 767. Funds for committee staffs; expense 
resolutions.

  (d)  From the funds made available for the appointment of 
committee staff by a primary or additional expense resolution, the 
chairman of each committee shall ensure that sufficient staff is made 
available to each subcommittee to carry out its responsibilities under 
the rules of the committee



  Paragraph (d) was adopted in the 104th Congress (sec. 101(c)(4), H. 
Res. 6, Jan. 4, 1995, p. 462). A preceding form of the paragraph, first 
adopted in the 94th Congress, authorized the chairman and ranking 
minority member of a subcommittee each to appoint one staff member to 
the subcommittee (H. Res. 5, Jan. 14, 1975, p. 20). As adopted in the 
93d Congress to take effect on the first day of the 94th Congress, the 
paragraph had required that each standing committee, upon request of a 
majority of its minority members, devote one-third of its staffing funds 
to the needs of the minority (H. Res. 988, Oct. 8, 1974, p. 34470). As 
originally adopted in the 92d Congress, the paragraph had required that 
the minority be accorded fair consideration in the appointment of 
committee staff (H. Res. 5, Jan. 22, 1971, p. 144). Before the House 
recodified its rules in the 106th Congress, this provision was found in 
former clause 5(d) of rule X (H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 1999, p. ----).


  (e) Funds authorized for a committee under this clause and clauses 7 
and 8 are for expenses incurred in the activities of the committee.


  Before the House recodified its rules in the 106th Congress, this 
provision was found in former clause 2(n)(1) of rule XI (H. Res. 5, Jan. 
6, 1999, p. ----).

                                                        Rule X, clause 7
Rule X, clause 7
Interim funding



768. Interim funding.

  7. (a)  For the period beginning at 
noon on January 3 and ending at midnight on March 31 in each odd-
numbered year, such sums as may be necessary shall be paid out of the 
committee salary and expense accounts of the House for continuance of 
necessary investigations and studies by--


      (1) each standing and select committee established by these rules; 
and

      (2) except as specified in paragraph (b), each select committee 
established by resolution.


[[Page 483]]

this paragraph for a select committee established by resolution in the 
preceding Congress only if--
  (b) In the case of the first session of a Congress, amounts shall be 
made available under

      (1) a resolution proposing to reestablish such select committee is 
introduced in the present Congress; and

      (2) the House has not adopted a resolution of the preceding 
Congress providing for termination of funding for investigations and 
studies by such select committee.

  (c) Each committee described in paragraph (a) shall be entitled for 
each month during the period specified in paragraph (a) to 9 percent (or 
such lesser percentage as may be determined by the Committee on House 
Administration) of the total annualized amount made available under 
expense resolutions for such committee in the preceding session of 
Congress.

  (d) Payments under this paragraph shall be made on vouchers authorized 
by the committee involved, signed by the chairman of the committee, 
except as provided in paragraph (e), and approved by the Committee on 
House Administration.


[[Page 484]]

  (e) Notwithstanding any provision of law, rule of the House, or other 
authority, from noon on January 3 of the first session of a Congress 
until the election by the House of the committee concerned in that 
Congress, payments under this paragraph shall be made on vouchers signed 
by--

      (1) the member of the committee who served as chairman of the 
committee at the expiration of the preceding Congress; or

      (2) if the chairman is not a Member, Delegate, or Resident 
Commissioner in the present Congress, then the ranking member of the 
committee as it was constituted at the expiration of the preceding 
Congress who is a member of the majority party in the present Congress.

  (f)(1) The authority of a committee to incur expenses under this 
paragraph shall expire upon adoption by the House of a primary expense 
resolution for the committee.

  (2) Amounts made available under this paragraph shall be expended in 
accordance with regulations prescribed by the Committee on House 
Administration.


  (3) This clause shall be effective only insofar as it is not 
inconsistent with a resolution reported by the Committee on House 
Administration and adopted by the House after the adoption of these 
rules.


[[Page 485]]

provision was found in former clause 5(f) of rule XI (H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 
1999, p. ----).
  This clause (former clause 5(f) of rule XI) was originally adopted in 
the 99th Congress to provide automatic interim funding for committees at 
the beginning of a Congress (H. Res. 7, Jan. 3, 1985, p. 393). 
Resolutions providing such interim funding had been routinely adopted at 
the convening of Congress before the adoption of this standing 
authority. In the 100th Congress, the provision was amended to make the 
automatic committee funding mechanism applicable to the first three 
months of the second session of a Congress, as well as the first 
session, and to authorize the Committee on House Administration to 
establish interim funding for any committee at a percentage lower than 9 
percent of the total annualized amount (H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 1987, p. 6). 
In the 104th and 106th Congresses technical corrections were effected to 
conform references to a renamed committee (sec. 202(b), H. Res. 6, Jan. 
4, 1995, p. 464; H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 1999, p. ----). Before the House 
recodified its rules in the 106th Congress, this


  At its organization the 104th Congress suspended the operation of 
paragraph (f) in favor of special provisions for interim funding in 
light of its abolishment of three standing committees, its reduction in 
the overall number of committee staff, and its institution of biennial 
primary expense resolutions (sec. 101(c)(3), H. Res. 6, Jan. 4, 1995, p. 
462).

                                                        Rule X, clause 8
Rule X, clause 8
Travel



769. Committee travel.

  8. (a)  Local currencies owned by the 
United States shall be made available to the committee and its employees 
engaged in carrying out their official duties outside the United States 
or its territories or possessions. Appropriated funds, including those 
authorized under this clause and clauses 6 and 8, may not be expended 
for the purpose of defraying expenses of members of a committee or its 
employees in a country where local currencies are available for this 
purpose.


  (b) The following conditions shall apply with respect to travel 
outside the United States or its territories or possessions:

      (1) A member or employee of a committee may not receive or expend 
local currencies for subsistence in a country for a day at a rate in 
excess of the maximum per diem set forth in applicable Federal law.

      (2) A member or employee shall be reimbursed for his expenses for 
a day at the lesser of--


[[Page 486]]

          (A) the per diem set forth in applicable Federal law; or

          (B) the actual, unreimbursed expenses (other than for 
transportation) he incurred during that day.



Sec. 770. Travel reports.

      (3)  Each member or employee of 
a committee shall make to the chairman of the committee an itemized 
report showing the dates each country was visited, the amount of per 
diem furnished, the cost of transportation furnished, and funds expended 
for any other official purpose and shall summarize in these categories 
the total foreign currencies or appropriated funds expended. Each report 
shall be filed with the chairman of the committee not later than 60 days 
following the completion of travel for use in complying with reporting 
requirements in applicable Federal law and shall be open for public 
inspection.


  (c)(1) In carrying out the activities of a committee outside the 
United States in a country where local currencies are unavailable, a 
member or employee of a committee may not receive reimbursement for 
expenses (other than for transportation) in excess of the maximum per 
diem set forth in applicable Federal law.

  (2) A member or employee shall be reimbursed for his expenses for a 
day, at the lesser of--

      (A) the per diem set forth in applicable Federal law; or


[[Page 487]]

      (B) the actual unreimbursed expenses (other than for 
transportation) he incurred during that day.

  (3) A member or employee of a committee may not receive reimbursement 
for the cost of any transportation in connection with travel outside the 
United States unless the member or employee actually paid for the 
transportation.


  (d) The restrictions respecting travel outside the United States set 
forth in paragraph (c) also shall apply to travel outside the United 
States by a Member, Delegate, Resident Commissioner, officer, or 
employee of the House authorized under any standing rule.

  Prior to the adoption of this clause (former clause 2(n) of rule XI) 
and of clause 1(b) of rule XI under the Committee Reform Amendments of 
1974, effective January 3, 1975 (H. Res. 988, 93d Cong., Oct. 8, 1974, 
p. 34470), each committee was given separate authority to incur expenses 
in connection with their investigations and studies, and certain 
committees were authorized to use local currencies for foreign committee 
travel, in resolutions reported from the Committee on Rules in each 
Congress. This clause was amended in the 95th Congress (H. Res. 5, Jan. 
4, 1977, pp. 53-70) to clarify the availability of local currencies for 
travel outside the United States and its territories and possessions, to 
require reports within 60 days for use in complying with statutory 
reporting requirements, and to authorize the Committee on House 
Administration to recommend in expense resolutions expenses for foreign 
as well as domestic travel. This clause was further amended on March 2, 
1977 (H. Res. 287, 95th Cong., pp. 5933-53) to limit all travel expenses 
to the maximum per diem rate or actual, unreimbursed expenses, whichever 
is less. Before the House recodified its rules in the 106th Congress, 
this provision was found in former clause 2(n) of rule XI, except that 
the ``lame duck'' travel prohibitions formerly found in clause 2(n)(5) 
of rule XI and clause 8 of rule I were transferred to rule XXV (H. Res. 
5, Jan. 6, 1999, p. ----).


  Under section 502(b) of the Mutual Security Act of 1954 (22 U.S.C. 
1754), foreign local currencies owned or purchased by the United States 
may be used for foreign travel expenses by members or employees of 
standing or select committees when authorized by the chairman thereof, 
and by other Members or employees when authorized by the Speaker. 
Consolidated committee reports prepared on a quarterly basis, and 
individual reports required within 30 days after the travel involved, 
must be forwarded to the Clerk of the House and published in the 
Congressional Record.


[[Page 488]]

Committee staffs
                                                        Rule X, clause 9
Rule X, clause 9


[[Page 489]]

Each professional staff <> member appointed 
under this subparagraph shall be assigned to the chairman and the 
ranking minority member of the committee, as the committee considers 
advisable.


771. Thirty professional staff.

  9.  (a)(1) Subject to 
subparagraph (2) and paragraph (f), each standing committee may appoint, 
by majority vote, not more than 30 professional staff members to be 
compensated from the funds provided for the appointment of committee 
staff by primary and additional expense resolutions.





Sec. 773. Minority.

  (2)  Subject to paragraph (f) whenever a 
majority of the minority party members of a standing committee (other 
than the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct or the Permanent 
Select Committee on Intelligence) so request, not more than 10 persons 
(or one-third of the total professional committee staff appointed under 
this clause, whichever is fewer) may be selected, by majority vote of 
the minority party members, for appointment by the committee as 
professional staff members under subparagraph (1). The committee shall 
appoint persons so selected whose character and qualifications are 
acceptable to a majority of the committee. If the committee determines 
that the character and qualifications of a person so selected are 
unacceptable, a majority of the minority party members may select 
another person for appointment by the committee to the professional 
staff until such appointment is made. Each professional staff member 
appointed under this subparagraph shall be assigned to such committee 
business as the minority party members of the committee consider 
advisable.



[[Page 490]]

  This clause (former clause 6 of rule XI) had its origins in section 
202 of the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946 (60 Stat. 812), which 
allocated up to four nonpartisan professionals to each committee other 
than Appropriations and specifically provided for clerical staff, and 
which was incorporated into the rules on January 3, 1953 (p. 24). 
Section 302(b) of the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1970 (84 Stat. 
1140), which increased the authorized maximum for professional staff 
from four to six and added the concept of minority staffing, was 
incorporated into the rules in the 92d Congress (H. Res. 5, Jan. 22, 
1971, p. 144). In the 93d Congress the maximum was increased from six to 
18, the minority entitlement within that number was increased from two 
to six, a requirement that professional staff be appointed without 
regard to political affiliation was eliminated, and prohibitions against 
consideration of race, creed, sex, or age in the appointment of staff 
were added (H. Res. 988, Oct. 8, 1974, p. 34470). An exemption for the 
Committee on the Budget was included in section 901 of the Congressional 
Budget Act of 1974 (88 Stat. 330), was later omitted under the Committee 
Reform Amendments of 1974 (H. Res. 988, Oct. 8, 1974, p. 34470), and was 
reinserted by the 94th Congress (H. Res. 5, Jan. 14, 1975, p. 20). The 
requirement added in 1975 that staff positions made available to 
subcommittee chairmen and ranking minority members pursuant to former 
provisions of clause 5 of rule XI be provided from staff positions 
available under this clause unless provided in a primary or additional 
expense resolution was eliminated in the 104th Congress (sec. 101(c)(5), 
H. Res. 6, Jan. 4, 1995, p. 462). The 98th Congress added the Permanent 
Select Committee on Intelligence to the exception for the Committee on 
Standards of Official Conduct (H. Res. 58, Mar. 1, 1983, p. 3241). The 
101st Congress added an exemption for the Committee on Rules (H. Res. 5, 
Jan. 3, 1989, p. 72). The Ethics Reform Act of 1989 struck the 
antidiscrimination provisions as redundant (P.L. 101-194, Nov. 30, 
1989). The 104th Congress eliminated the former distinction between 
professional and clerical staff, set the authorized maximum for 
committee staff under expense resolutions at 30, eliminated subcommittee 
entitlement to staff, and set the entitlement of the full committee 
minority within that number at one-third (sec. 101(c)(5), H. Res. 6, 
Jan. 4, 1995, p. 462). The 104th Congress also mandated that the total 
number of staff of House committees be at least one-third less than the 
corresponding total in the 103d Congress (sec. 101(a), H. Res. 6, Jan. 
4, 1995, p. 462). Before the House recodified its rules in the 106th 
Congress, this provision was found in former clause 6 of rule XI (H. 
Res. 5, Jan. 6, 1999, p. ----).

  Additional staff of committees are authorized by the Committee on 
House Administration and agreed to by the House. There is no legal power 
to fill a vacancy in the clerkship of a committee after one Congress has 
expired and before the next House has been organized (IV, 4539). An 
assault upon the clerk of a committee within the walls of the Capitol 
was held to be a breach of privilege (II, 1629). The pay of clerks has 
been the subject of several decisions (IV, 4536-4538).




Sec. 774. Consultants and training.

  Committees  may, with the 
approval of the Committee on House Administration, procure the temporary 
or intermittent services of consultants and obtain specialized training 
for professional staff, subject to expense resolutions, under the 
Legislative Reorganization Act of 1970, sections 303 and 304 (2 U.S.C. 
72a(i) and (j)).




Sec. 775. Staff duties.

  (b)(1)  The professional staff 
members of each standing committee--


      (A) may not engage in any work other than committee business 
during congressional working hours; and

      (B) may not be assigned a duty other than one pertaining to 
committee business.



Sec. 776. ``Associate'' or ``shared'' staff.

  (2) Subparagraph (1) does not apply to staff designated by a 
committee  as 
``associate'' or ``shared'' staff who are not paid exclusively by the 
committee, provided that the chairman certifies that the compensation 
paid by the committee for any such staff is commensurate with the work 
performed for the committee in accordance with clause 8 of rule XXIV.



[[Page 491]]

  (3) The use of any ``associate'' or ``shared'' staff by a committee 
shall be subject to the review of, and to any terms, conditions, or 
limitations established by, the Committee on House Administration in 
connection with the reporting of any primary or additional expense 
resolution.


  (4) This paragraph does not apply to the Committee on Appropriations.


  The Ethics Reform Act of 1989 prescribed that staff work be confined 
to committee business during congressional working hours but maintained 
exceptions for the Committees on the Budget and Rules (P.L. 101-194, 
Nov. 30, 1989). The 104th Congress eliminated exceptions by committee in 
favor of exceptions for ``associate'' or ``shared'' staff (sec. 
101(c)(5), H. Res. 6, Jan. 4, 1995, p. 462), and later also effected a 
technical correction (H. Res. 254, Nov. 30, 1995, p. ----). A technical 
correction also was effected in the 106th Congress to conform references 
to a renamed committee (H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 1999, p. ----). Before the 
House recodified its rules in the 106th Congress, this provision was 
found in former clause 6 of rule XI (H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 1999, p. ----).




Sec. 777. Pay.

  (c)  Each employee on the professional or 
investigative staff of a standing committee shall be entitled to pay at 
a single gross per annum rate, to be fixed by the chairman and that does 
not exceed the maximum rate of pay as in effect from time to time under 
applicable provisions of law.




[[Page 492]]


  This provision (former clause 6(c) of rule XI) was derived from 
section 477(c) of the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1970 (84 Stat. 
1140) and was incorporated into the rules in the 92d Congress (H. Res. 
5, Jan. 22, 1971, p. 144). Under the Committee Reform Amendments of 
1974, effective January 3, 1975 (H. Res. 988, 93d Cong., Oct. 8, 1974, 
p. 34470), the maximum salary was set at level V of the Executive 
Schedule, rather than at the highest rate of basic pay under section 
5332(a) of Title V, U.S. Code as specified in the 1970 Reorganization 
Act, and effective in the 95th Congress (H. Res. 5, Jan. 4, 1977, pp. 
53-70), the authority for two professional staff to be paid at level IV 
of the Executive Schedule was added to the clause. Under section 311 of 
the Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 1988 (2 U.S.C. 60a-2a), the 
maximum salary for staff members is now set by pay order of the Speaker. 
At the beginning of the 101st Congress, references to particular levels 
of the executive schedule were deleted (H. Res. 5, Jan. 3, 1989, p. 72). 
In the 104th Congress this paragraph was amended to reflect the 
elimination of the former distinction between ``professional'' and 
``clerical'' staff (sec. 101(c)(5), H. Res. 6, Jan. 4, 1995, p. 462). 
Before the House recodified its rules in the 106th Congress, this 
provision was found in former clause 6 of rule XI (H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 
1999, p. ----).




Sec. 778. Staff, Committee on Appropriations.

  (d)  Subject to 
appropriations hereby authorized, the Committee on Appropriations may 
appoint by majority vote such staff as it determines to be necessary (in 
addition to the clerk of the committee and assistants for the minority). 
The staff appointed under this paragraph, other than minority 
assistants, shall possess such qualifications as the committee may 
prescribe.



  This paragraph (former clause 6(d) of rule XI) derives from section 
202(b) of the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946 (60 Stat. 812), 
which was incorporated into the rules on January 3, 1953 (p. 24). The 
exemption was extended to the Committee on the Budget by section 901 of 
the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 (88 Stat. 330). The reference to 
that committee was inadvertently omitted by the 93d Congress (H. Res. 
988, Oct. 8, 1974, p. 34470) and reinserted by the 94th Congress (H. 
Res. 5, Jan. 14, 1975, p. 20). The 104th Congress deleted the exemption 
for the Committee on the Budget (sec. 101(c)(5), H. Res. 6, Jan. 4, 
1995, p. 462). Before the House recodified its rules in the 106th 
Congress, this provision was found in former clause 6(d) of rule X (H. 
Res. 5, Jan. 6, 1999, p. ----).




Sec. 779. Detailed employees.

  (e)  A committee may not 
appoint to its staff an expert or other personnel detailed or assigned 
from a department or agency of the Government except with the written 
permission of the Committee on House Administration.



  This paragraph was contained in section 202(f) of the Legislative 
Reorganization Act of 1946 (60 Stat. 812) and was incorporated into the 
rules on January 3, 1953 (p. 24). In the 104th and 106th Congresses it 
was amended to conform references to a renamed committee (sec. 202(b), 
H. Res. 6, Jan. 4, 1995, p. 464; H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 1999, p. ----).


[[Page 493]]

by the minority and acceptable to the committee. A person so appointed 
shall serve as an additional member of the professional staff of the 
committee until such a vacancy occurs (other than a vacancy in the 
position of head of the professional staff, by whatever title 
designated), at which time that person is considered as appointed to 
that vacancy. Such a person shall be paid from the applicable accounts 
of the House described in clause 1(i)(1) of rule X. If such a vacancy 
occurs on the professional staff when seven or more persons have been so 
appointed who are eligible to fill that vacancy, a majority of the 
minority party members shall designate which of those persons shall fill 
the vacancy.
  (f) If a request for the appointment of a minority professional staff 
member under paragraph (a) is made when no vacancy exists for such an 
appointment, the committee nevertheless may appoint under paragraph (a) 
a person selected

  (g) Each staff member appointed pursuant to a request by minority 
party members under paragraph (a), and each staff member appointed to 
assist minority members of a committee pursuant to an expense resolution 
described in paragraph (a) of clause 6, shall be accorded equitable 
treatment with respect to the fixing of the rate of pay, the assignment 
of work facilities, and the accessibility of committee records.



[[Page 494]]


  (h) Paragraph (a) may not be construed to authorize the appointment of 
additional professional staff members of a committee pursuant to a 
request under paragraph (a) by the minority party members of that 
committee if 10 or more professional staff members provided for in 
paragraph (a)(1) who are satisfactory to a majority of the minority 
party members are otherwise assigned to assist the minority party 
members.


  Paragraphs (f)-(h) (former clause 6(f)-(h) of rule XI) are derived 
from section 302(c) of the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1970 (84 
Stat. 1140) and were incorporated into the rules in the 92d Congress (H. 
Res. 5, Jan. 22, 1971, p. 144). Effective January 3, 1975 (H. Res. 988, 
93d Cong., Oct. 8, 1974, p. 34470), conforming changes were made in 
paragraphs (f) and (h) to reflect increased minority professional and 
clerical staff permitted to committees under paragraphs (a) and (b) of 
this clause. In the 104th Congress paragraphs (f)-(h) were amended to 
reflect the elimination of the former distinction between 
``professional'' and ``clerical'' staff (sec. 101(c)(5), H. Res. 6, Jan. 
4, 1995, p. 462). The 104th Congress also mandated that the total number 
of staff of House committees be at least one-third less than the 
corresponding total in the 103d Congress (sec. 101(a), H. Res. 6, Jan. 
4, 1995, p. 462). In the 105th Congress paragraph (f) was amended to 
update an archaic reference to the ``contingent fund'' (H. Res. 5, Jan. 
7, 1997, p. ----). Before the House recodified its rules in the 106th 
Congress, this provision was found in former clause 6 of rule XI (H. 
Res. 5, Jan. 6, 1999, p. ----).




Sec. 780. Nonpartisan staff.

  (i)  Notwithstanding paragraph 
(a)(2), a committee may employ nonpartisan staff, in lieu of or in 
addition to committee staff designated exclusively for the majority or 
minority party, by an affirmative vote of a majority of the members of 
the majority party and of a majority of the members of the minority 
party.


  Section 202(a) of the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946 (60 Stat. 
812), which was incorporated into the rules on January 3, 1953 (p. 24), 
required committee professional staffs to be appointed on a permanent 
basis without regard to political affiliation. The concept of minority 
staffing was added by section 302(b) of the Legislative Reorganization 
Act of 1970. Under the Committee Reform Amendments of 1974, effective 
January 3, 1975 (H. Res. 988, 93d Cong., Oct. 8, 1974, p. 34470), 
paragraph (i) (former clause 6(i) of rule XI) was added to permit 
committees to employ nonpartisan staff upon an affirmative vote of the 
majority of the members of each party. In the 104th Congress it was 
amended to reflect the elimination of the former distinction between 
``professional'' and ``clerical'' staff (sec. 101(c)(5), H. Res. 6, Jan. 
4, 1995, p. 462). Before the House recodified its rules in the 106th 
Congress, this provision was found in former clause 6(i) of rule XI (H. 
Res. 5, Jan. 6, 1999, p. ----).


[[Page 495]]

of the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1945, was deleted; that clause 
required committees to report semiannually to the Clerk, for printing in 
the Congressional Record, on the names, professions and salaries of 
committee employees.



Sec. 781. Reports on staff.

  Effective  in the 95th Congress 
(H. Res. 5, Jan. 4, 1977, pp. 53-70), former clause 6(j) of rule XI, 
which was added on January 3, 1953 (p. 24) and which was contained in 
section 134(b)


                                                       Rule X, clause 10
Rule X, clause 10
Select and joint committees




782. Party membership as basis for 
appointment.

  10. (a)  Membership on a select or joint committee appointed by 
the Speaker under clause 11 of rule I during the course of a Congress 
shall be contingent on continuing membership in the party caucus or 
conference of which the Member, Delegate, or Resident Commissioner 
concerned was a member at the time of appointment. Should a Member, 
Delegate, or Resident Commissioner cease to be a member of that caucus 
or conference, that Member, Delegate, or Resident Commissioner shall 
automatically cease to be a member of any select or joint committee to 
which he is assigned. The chairman of the relevant party caucus or 
conference shall notify the Speaker whenever a Member, Delegate, or 
Resident Commissioner ceases to be a member of a party caucus or 
conference. The Speaker shall notify the chairman of each affected 
select or joint committee that the appointment of such Member, Delegate, 
or Resident Commissioner to the select or joint committee is 
automatically vacated under this paragraph.




[[Page 496]]


  This party membership requirement for select and joint committees, 
analogous to clause 5(b), was added in the 98th Congress (H. Res. 5, 
1983, Jan. 3, 1983, p. 34). Before the House recodified its rules in the 
106th Congress, this provision was found in former clause 6(g) of rule X 
(H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 1999, p. ----).




Sec. 783. Select and joint committee compliance.

  (b)  Each 
select or joint committee, other than a conference committee, shall 
comply with clause 2(a) of rule XI unless specifically exempted by law.


  Before the House recodified its rules in the 106th Congress, paragraph 
(b) was found in clause 2(a) of rule XI (H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 1999, p. --
--). The extension of clause 2(a) requirements to select and joint 
committees was added to clause 2(a) when that rule was rewritten by the 
Committee Reform Amendments of 1974 (H. Res. 988, 93d Cong., Oct. 8, 
1974, p. 34470).




Sec. 784. Aging.

  A  paragraph (i) of former clause 6 of rule 
X was incorporated into the rules effective January 3, 1975 (H. Res. 
988, 93d Cong., Oct. 8, 1974, p. 34470), to provide for a permanent 
Select Committee on Aging. That provision was stricken in the 103d 
Congress (H. Res. 5, Jan. 5, 1993, p. 49).


                                                       Rule X, clause 11
Rule X, clause 11
Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence



785. Permanent Select Committee on 
Intelligence.

  11. (a)(1) There is  established a Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence 
(hereafter in this clause referred to as the ``select committee''). The 
select committee shall be composed of not more than 16 Members, 
Delegates, or the Resident Commissioner, of whom not more than nine may 
be from the same party. The select committee shall include at least one 
Member, Delegate, or the Resident Commissioner from each of the 
following committees:


      (A) the Committee on Appropriations;

      (B) the Committee on Armed Services;

      (C) the Committee on International Relations; and

      (D) the Committee on the Judiciary.


[[Page 497]]

and may not be counted for purposes of determining a quorum thereof.
  (2) The Speaker and the Minority Leader shall be ex officio members of 
the select committee but shall have no vote in the select committee

  (3) The Speaker and Minority Leader each may designate a member of his 
leadership staff to assist him in his capacity as ex officio member, 
with the same access to committee meetings, hearings, briefings, and 
materials as employees of the select committee and subject to the same 
security clearance and confidentiality requirements as employees of the 
select committee under this clause.

  (4)(A) Except as permitted by subdivision (B), a Member, Delegate, or 
Resident Commissioner, other than the Speaker or the Minority Leader, 
may not serve as a member of the select committee during more than four 
Congresses in a period of six successive Congresses (disregarding for 
this purpose any service for less than a full session in a Congress).

  (B) A member of the select committee who served as either the chairman 
or the ranking minority member of the select committee in the 
immediately previous Congress and who did not serve in that respective 
capacity in an earlier Congress may serve as either the chairman or the 
ranking minority member of the select committee during one additional 
Congress.

  (b)(1) There shall be referred to the select committee proposed 
legislation, messages, petitions, memorials, and other matters relating 
to the following:


[[Page 498]]

tional Foreign Intelligence Program as defined in section 3(6) of the 
National Security Act of 1947.
      (A) The Central Intelligence Agency, the Director of Central 
Intelligence, and the Na

      (B) Intelligence and intelligence-related activities of all other 
departments and agencies of the Government, including the tactical 
intelligence and intelligence-related activities of the Department of 
Defense.

      (C) The organization or reorganization of a department or agency 
of the Government to the extent that the organization or reorganization 
relates to a function or activity involving intelligence or 
intelligence-related activities.

      (D) Authorizations for appropriations, both direct and indirect, 
for the following:

          (i) The Central Intelligence Agency, the Director of Central 
Intelligence, and the National Foreign Intelligence Program as defined 
in section 3(6) of the National Security Act of 1947.

          (ii) Intelligence and intelligence-related activities of all 
other departments and agencies of the Government, including the tactical 
intelligence and intelligence-related activities of the Department of 
Defense.

          (iii) A department, agency, subdivision, or program that is a 
successor to an agency or program named or referred to in (i) or (ii).


[[Page 499]]

standing committee shall be referred by the Speaker to that standing 
committee. Proposed legislation initially reported by another committee 
that contains matter within the jurisdiction of the select committee 
shall be referred by the Speaker to the select committee if requested by 
the chairman of the select committee.
  (2) Proposed legislation initially reported by the select committee 
(other than provisions solely involving matters specified in 
subparagraph (1)(A) or subparagraph (1)(D)(i)) containing any matter 
otherwise within the jurisdiction of a

  (3) Nothing in this clause shall be construed as prohibiting or 
otherwise restricting the authority of any other committee to study and 
review an intelligence or intelligence-related activity to the extent 
that such activity directly affects a matter otherwise within the 
jurisdiction of that committee.

  (4) Nothing in this clause shall be construed as amending, limiting, 
or otherwise changing the authority of a standing committee to obtain 
full and prompt access to the product of the intelligence and 
intelligence-related activities of a department or agency of the 
Government relevant to a matter otherwise within the jurisdiction of 
that committee.


[[Page 500]]

sistent with paragraph (g) to protect national security.
  (c)(1) For purposes of accountability to the House, the select 
committee shall make regular and periodic reports to the House on the 
nature and extent of the intelligence and intelligence-related 
activities of the various departments and agencies of the United States. 
The select committee shall promptly call to the attention of the House, 
or to any other appropriate committee, a matter requiring the attention 
of the House or another committee. In making such report, the select 
committee shall proceed in a manner con

  (2) The select committee shall obtain annual reports from the Director 
of the Central Intelligence Agency, the Secretary of Defense, the 
Secretary of State, and the Director of the Federal Bureau of 
Investigation. Such reports shall review the intelligence and 
intelligence-related activities of the agency or department concerned 
and the intelligence and intelligence-related activities of foreign 
countries directed at the United States or its interests. An 
unclassified version of each report may be made available to the public 
at the discretion of the select committee. Nothing herein shall be 
construed as requiring the public disclosure in such reports of the 
names of persons engaged in intelligence or intelligence-related 
activities for the United States or the divulging of intelligence 
methods employed or the sources of information on which the reports are 
based or the amount of funds authorized to be appropriated for 
intelligence and intelligence-related activities.


[[Page 501]]

  (3) Within six weeks after the President submits a budget under 
section 1105(a) of title 31, United States Code, or at such time as the 
Committee on the Budget may request, the select committee shall submit 
to the Committee on the Budget the views and estimates described in 
section 301(d) of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 regarding matters 
within the jurisdiction of the select committee.

  (d)(1) Except as specified in subparagraph (2), clauses 8(a), (b), and 
(c) and 9(a), (b), and (c) of this rule, and clauses 1, 2, and 4 of rule 
XI shall apply to the select committee to the extent not inconsistent 
with this clause.

  (2) Notwithstanding the requirements of the first sentence of clause 
2(g)(2) of rule XI, in the presence of the number of members required 
under the rules of the select committee for the purpose of taking 
testimony or receiving evidence, the select committee may vote to close 
a hearing whenever a majority of those present determines that the 
testimony or evidence would endanger the national security.

  (e) An employee of the select committee, or a person engaged by 
contract or otherwise to perform services for or at the request of the 
select committee, may not be given access to any classified information 
by the select committee unless such employee or person has--

      (1) agreed in writing and under oath to be bound by the Rules of 
the House, including the jurisdiction of the Committee on Standards of 
Official Conduct and of the select committee concerning the security of 
classified information during and after the period of his employment or 
contractual agreement with the select committee; and


[[Page 502]]

such employee or person will be given access by the select committee.
      (2) received an appropriate security clearance, as determined by 
the select committee in consultation with the Director of Central 
Intelligence, that is commensurate with the sensitivity of the 
classified information to which

  (f) The select committee shall formulate and carry out such rules and 
procedures as it considers necessary to prevent the disclosure, without 
the consent of each person concerned, of information in the possession 
of the select committee that unduly infringes on the privacy or that 
violates the constitutional rights of such person. Nothing herein shall 
be construed to prevent the select committee from publicly disclosing 
classified information in a case in which it determines that national 
interest in the disclosure of classified information clearly outweighs 
any infringement on the privacy of a person.

  (g)(1) The select committee may disclose publicly any information in 
its possession after a determination by the select committee that the 
public interest would be served by such disclosure. With respect to the 
disclosure of information for which this paragraph requires action by 
the select committee--

      (A) the select committee shall meet to vote on the matter within 
five days after a member of the select committee requests a vote; and

      (B) a member of the select committee may not make such a 
disclosure before a vote by the select committee on the matter, or after 
a vote by the select committee on the matter except in accordance with 
this paragraph.


[[Page 503]]

procedures, that has been submitted to it by the executive branch, and 
that the executive branch requests be kept secret, the select committee 
shall notify the President of such vote.
  (2)(A) In a case in which the select committee votes to disclose 
publicly any information that has been classified under established 
security

  (B) The select committee may disclose publicly such information after 
the expiration of a five-day period following the day on which notice of 
the vote to disclose is transmitted to the President unless, before the 
expiration of the five-day period, the President, personally in writing, 
notifies the select committee that he objects to the disclosure of such 
information, provides his reasons therefor, and certifies that the 
threat to the national interest of the United States posed by the 
disclosure is of such gravity that it outweighs any public interest in 
the disclosure.

  (C) If the President, personally in writing, notifies the select 
committee of his objections to the disclosure of information as provided 
in subdivision (B), the select committee may, by majority vote, refer 
the question of the disclosure of such information, with a 
recommendation thereon, to the House. The select committee may not 
publicly disclose such information without leave of the House.


[[Page 504]]

  (D) Whenever the select committee votes to refer the question of 
disclosure of any information to the House under subdivision (C), the 
chairman shall, not later than the first day on which the House is in 
session following the day on which the vote occurs, report the matter to 
the House for its consideration.

  (E) If the chairman of the select committee does not offer in the 
House a motion to consider in closed session a matter reported under 
subdivision (D) within four calendar days on which the House is in 
session after the recommendation described in subdivision (C) is 
reported, then such a motion shall be privileged when offered by a 
Member, Delegate, or Resident Commissioner. In either case such a motion 
shall be decided without debate or intervening motion except one that 
the House adjourn.

  (F) Upon adoption by the House of a motion to resolve into closed 
session as described in subdivision (E), the Speaker may declare a 
recess subject to the call of the Chair. At the expiration of the 
recess, the pending question, in closed session, shall be, ``Shall the 
House approve the recommendation of the select committee?''.


[[Page 505]]

  (G) Debate on the question described in subdivision (F) shall be 
limited to two hours equally divided and controlled by the chairman and 
ranking minority member of the select committee. After such debate the 
previous question shall be considered as ordered on the question of 
approving the recommendation without intervening motion except one 
motion that the House adjourn. The House shall vote on the question in 
open session but without divulging the information with respect to which 
the vote is taken. If the recommendation of the select committee is not 
approved, then the question is considered as recommitted to the select 
committee for further recommendation.

  (3)(A) Information in the possession of the select committee relating 
to the lawful intelligence or intelligence-related activities of a 
department or agency of the United States that has been classified under 
established security procedures, and that the select committee has 
determined should not be disclosed under subparagraph (1) or (2), may 
not be made available to any person by a Member, Delegate, Resident 
Commissioner, officer, or employee of the House except as provided in 
subdivision (B).

  (B) The select committee shall, under such regulations as it may 
prescribe, make information described in subdivision (A) available to a 
committee or a Member, Delegate, or Resident Commissioner, and permit a 
Member, Delegate, or Resident Commissioner to attend a hearing of the 
select committee that is closed to the public. Whenever the select 
committee makes such information available, it shall keep a written 
record showing, in the case of particular information, which committee 
or which Member, Delegate, or Resident Commissioner received the 
information. A Member, Delegate, or Resident Commissioner who, and a 
committee that, receives information under this subdivision may not 
disclose the information except in a closed session of the House.


[[Page 506]]

in violation of subparagraph (3) and report to the House concerning any 
allegation that it finds to be substantiated.
  (4) The Committee on Standards of Official Conduct shall investigate 
any unauthorized disclosure of intelligence or intelligence-related 
information by a Member, Delegate, Resident Commissioner, officer, or 
employee of the House

  (5) Upon the request of a person who is subject to an investigation 
described in subparagraph (4), the Committee on Standards of Official 
Conduct shall release to such person at the conclusion of its 
investigation a summary of its investigation, together with its 
findings. If, at the conclusion of its investigation, the Committee on 
Standards of Official Conduct determines that there has been a 
significant breach of confidentiality or unauthorized disclosure by a 
Member, Delegate, Resident Commissioner, officer, or employee of the 
House, it shall report its findings to the House and recommend 
appropriate action. Recommendations may include censure, removal from 
committee membership, or expulsion from the House, in the case of a 
Member, or removal from office or employment or punishment for contempt, 
in the case of an officer or employee.

  (h) The select committee may permit a personal representative of the 
President, designated by the President to serve as a liaison to the 
select committee, to attend any closed meeting of the select committee.


[[Page 507]]

to carry out any of the following activities, unless the funds shall 
previously have been authorized by a bill or joint resolution passed by 
the House during the same or preceding fiscal year to carry out such 
activity for such fiscal year:
  (i) Subject to the Rules of the House, funds may not be appropriated 
for a fiscal year, with the exception of a bill or joint resolution 
continuing appropriations, or an amendment thereto, or a conference 
report thereon, to, or for use of, a department or agency of the United 
States

      (1) The activities of the Central Intelligence Agency and the 
Director of Central Intelligence.

      (2) The activities of the Defense Intelligence Agency.

      (3) The activities of the National Security Agency.

      (4) The intelligence and intelligence-related activities of other 
agencies and subdivisions of the Department of Defense.

      (5) The intelligence and intelligence-related activities of the 
Department of State.

      (6) The intelligence and intelligence-related activities of the 
Federal Bureau of Investigation, including all activities of the 
Intelligence Division.

  (j)(1) In this clause the term ``intelligence and intelligence-related 
activities'' includes--


[[Page 508]]

the collection, analysis, production, dissemination, or use of such 
information;
      (A) the collection, analysis, production, dissemination, or use of 
information that relates to a foreign country, or a government, 
political group, party, military force, movement, or other association 
in a foreign country, and that relates to the defense, foreign policy, 
national security, or related policies of the United States and other 
activity in support of

      (B) activities taken to counter similar activities directed 
against the United States;

      (C) covert or clandestine activities affecting the relations of 
the United States with a foreign government, political group, party, 
military force, movement, or other association;

      (D) the collection, analysis, production, dissemination, or use of 
information about activities of persons within the United States, its 
territories and possessions, or nationals of the United States abroad 
whose political and related activities pose, or may be considered by a 
department, agency, bureau, office, division, instrumentality, or 
employee of the United States to pose, a threat to the internal security 
of the United States; and

      (E) covert or clandestine activities directed against persons 
described in subdivision (D).

  (2) In this clause the term ``department or agency'' includes any 
organization, committee, council, establishment, or office within the 
Federal Government.


[[Page 509]]

  (3) For purposes of this clause, reference to a department, agency, 
bureau, or subdivision shall include a reference to any successor 
department, agency, bureau, or subdivision to the extent that a 
successor engages in intelligence or intelligence-related activities now 
conducted by the department, agency, bureau, or subdivision referred to 
in this clause.


  (k) Clause 12(a) of rule XXII does not apply to meetings of a 
conference committee respecting legislation (or any part thereof) 
reported by the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence.



Sec. 786.

  This clause (former rule XLVIII) was  adopted in 
the 95th Congress (H. Res. 658, July 14, 1977, pp. 22932-49) and has had 
several technical amendments: (1) to change the size of the Select 
Committee from 13 to 14 members (H. Res. 70, 96th Cong., Jan. 25, 1979, 
p. 1023); (2) to reflect a change in the name of a committee (H. Res. 
89, 96th Cong., Feb. 5, 1979, p. 1848); (3) to change the size to not 
more than 16 members (H. Res. 33, 99th Cong., Jan. 30, 1985, p. 1271); 
(4) to change the size to not more than 17 members and to change the 
cross-reference in clause 7(c)(1) to include paragraph (a) or (b) (H. 
Res. 5, 100th Cong., Jan. 6, 1987, p. 6); (5) to change the size to not 
more than 19 members (H. Res. 5, 101st Cong., Jan. 3, 1989, p. 73) and 
to permit the Speaker to attend meetings and have access to information 
(H. Res. 268, Nov. 14, 1989, p. 28789); (6) to strike obsolete language 
relating to tenure restrictions in clause 1 and relating to the 
requirement for authorizations of appropriations in clause 9 (H. Res. 5, 
102d Cong., Jan. 3, 1991, p. 39); and (7) to make certain conforming 
changes (Budget Enforcement Act of 1997, sec. 10104, P.L. 105-33; H. 
Res. 5, Jan. 6, 1999, p. ----). Before the House recodified its rules in 
the 106th Congress, this provision was found in former rule XLVIII (H. 
Res. 5, Jan. 6, 1999, p. ----).


  More substantive amendments have been adopted as follows: (1) clause 4 
was amended to make former clause 6(c) of rule XI (current clause 9(c) 
of rule X) applicable to salaries of the staff of the Select Committee 
(H. Res. 5, Jan. 15, 1979, pp. 7-16); (2) paragraph (d) (former clause 
4) was amended to make an exception to the provisions of clause 2(g)(2) 
of rule XI (requiring a majority of the membership of a committee be 
present in order to vote to close a hearing) to allow the Select 
Committee to vote to go into executive session if a majority of the 
members present, there being in attendance the requisite number under 
the Select Committee rules for the purpose of taking testimony, 
determine that it is necessary to do so for national security reasons 
(but in no event to be determined by less than two members) (H. Res. 
165, Mar. 29, 1979, p. 6820); and (3) paragraph (d) (former clause 4) 
was amended to provide the Select Committee with permanent professional 
and clerical staff as provided by former clauses 6(a) and (b) of rule XI 
(current clauses 9(a) and (b) of rule X) (H. Res. 58, Mar. 1, 1983, p. 
3241).


[[Page 510]]

(rather than the Majority Leader) an ex officio member of the panel (as 
opposed to his former free access to its meetings and information); (4) 
to clarify jurisdiction over the National Foreign Intelligence Program 
and the tactical intelligence and intelligence-related activities of the 
Department of Defense; (5) to clarify staffing arrangements for the 
Speaker and the Minority Leader as ex officio members; and (6) to 
conform references to renamed committees (sec. 221, H. Res. 6, Jan. 4, 
1995, p. 469).
  In the 104th Congress the rule was amended in several different 
respects: (1) to limit the size of the panel to 16, with no more than 
nine members from the same party; (2) to set the tenure limitation at 
four Congresses within a period of six Congresses, with exceptions for 
ongoing service as chairman or ranking minority member; (3) to make the 
Speaker

  The resolution creating the Select Committee directed the committee to 
make a study with respect to intelligence and intelligence-related 
activities of the U.S. and to report thereon, together with appropriate 
recommendations, not later than the close of the 95th Congress (sec. 3, 
H. Res. 658; see H. Rept. 95-1795, Oct. 14, 1978), and transferred to 
the Select Committee all records, files, documents, and other materials 
of the Select Committee on Intelligence of the 94th Congress in the 
possession, custody, or control of the Clerk of the House.

  The Select Committee has concurrent jurisdiction with the Committee on 
the Judiciary over bills concerning electronic surveillance of foreign 
intelligence (Nov. 4, 1977, p. 37070); concurrent jurisdiction with the 
Committees on Science, Space, and Technology (now Science) and Foreign 
Affairs (now International Relations) over a bill establishing a 
satellite monitoring commission (Mar. 15, 1988, p. 3847); and sole 
jurisdiction over a resolution of inquiry directing the Secretary of 
Defense to furnish to the House documents and information on Cuban or 
other foreign military or paramilitary presence in Panama or the Canal 
Zone (Apr. 6, 1978, p. 9105).

  Paragraph (g)(2) places restrictions on the Select Committee only with 
respect to the public disclosure of classified information in the 
possession of that committee, and does not prevent the House from 
determining to release any matter properly presented to it in secret 
session pursuant to clause 9 of rule XVII (former rule XXIX) (Feb. 25, 
1980, p. 3618).





[106th Congress House Rules Manual -- House Document No. 105-358]
[From the U.S. Government Printing Office Online Database]
[Page 510-562]

 
  For a discussion of the role of the Permanent Select Committee on 
Intelligence in regulating access to the classified records of the 
former Select Committee on U.S. National Security and Military/
Commercial Concerns With the People's Republic of China, see Sec. 1112a, 
infra.



In general
      Rule XI.--PROCEDURES OF COMMITTEES AND UNFINISHED BUSINESS       


[[Page 511]]



787. Committee procedure.

  1.  (a)(1)(A) Except as provided 
in subdivision (B), the Rules of the House are the rules of its 
committees and subcommittees so far as applicable.


  (B) A motion to recess from day to day, and a motion to dispense with 
the first reading (in full) of a bill or resolution, if printed copies 
are available, each shall be privileged in committees and subcommittees 
and shall be decided without debate.


  (2) Each subcommittee is a part of its committee and is subject to the 
authority and direction of that committee and to its rules, so far as 
applicable.

  Paragraph (a)(1) was first adopted December 8, 1931 (VIII, 2215), and 
amended March 23, 1955, pp. 3569, 3585. In the 92d Congress (H. Res. 5, 
Jan. 22, 1971, p. 144), paragraph (a)(2) was incorporated into the 
rules, together with the reference to subcommittees contained in 
paragraph (a)(1), having been contained in the Legislative 
Reorganization Act of 1970 (84 Stat. 1140). This clause was amended in 
the 99th Congress to allow a privileged motion in committee and 
subcommittee to dispense with the first reading of a measure where 
printed copies are available (H. Res. 7, Jan. 3, 1985, p. 393). Clerical 
and stylistic changes were effected when the House recodified its rules 
in the 106th Congress (H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 1999, p. ----). See 
Jefferson's Manual at Sec. 412, supra, for the requirement that a bill 
or resolution be read in full upon demand, prior to being read by 
paragraphs of sections for amendment.


  Each committee may appoint subcommittees (VI, 532), which should 
include majority and minority representation (IV, 4551), and confer on 
them powers delegated to the committee itself (VI, 532) except such 
powers as are reserved to the full committee by the Rules of the House; 
but express authority has also been given subcommittees by the House 
(III, 1754-1759, 1801, 2499, 2504, 2508, 2517; IV, 4548).


[[Page 512]]



Sec. 788. Investigative authority.

  (b)(1)  Each committee may 
conduct at any time such investigations and studies as it considers 
necessary or appropriate in the exercise of its responsibilities under 
rule X. Subject to the adoption of expense resolutions as required by 
clause 6 of rule X, each committee may incur expenses, including travel 
expenses, in connection with such investigations and studies.


  (2) A proposed investigative or oversight report shall be considered 
as read in committee if it has been available to the members for at 
least 24 hours (excluding Saturdays, Sundays, or legal holidays except 
when the House is in session on such a day).

  (3) A report of an investigation or study conducted jointly by more 
than one committee may be filed jointly, provided that each of the 
committees complies independently with all requirements for approval and 
filing of the report.


  (4) After an adjournment sine die of the last regular session of a 
Congress, an investigative or oversight report may be filed with the 
Clerk at any time, provided that a member who gives timely notice of 
intention to file supplemental, minority, or additional views shall be 
entitled to not less than seven calendar days in which to submit such 
views for inclusion in the report.


  Paragraph (b)(1) was incorporated into the rules under the Committee 
Reform Amendments of 1974, effective January 3, 1975 (H. Res. 988, 93d 
Cong., Oct. 8, 1974, p. 34470), and, together with clauses 2(m) and 2(n) 
of rule XI, eliminated the necessity that each committee obtain such 
authority each Congress by a separate resolution reported from the 
Committee on Rules. Paragraphs (b)(2), (b)(3), and (b)(4) were added in 
the 105th Congress (H. Res. 5, Jan. 7, 1997, p. ----). Clerical and 
stylistic changes were effected when the House recodified its rules in 
the 106th Congress (H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 1999, p. ----).


[[Page 513]]

counts of the House described in clause 1(i)(1) of rule X.



Sec. 789. Printing and binding.

  (c)  Each committee may have 
printed and bound such testimony and other data as may be presented at 
hearings held by the committee or its subcommittees. All costs of 
stenographic services and transcripts in connection with a meeting or 
hearing of a committee shall be paid from the applicable ac



  Paragraph (c) was made part of the rules by the Committee Reform 
Amendments of 1974, effective January 3, 1975 (H. Res. 988, 93d Cong., 
Oct. 8, 1974, p. 34470). In the 105th and 106th Congresses, it was 
amended to update a reference to the ``contingent fund'' (H. Res. 5, 
Jan. 7, 1997, p. ----; H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 1999, p. ----). Clerical and 
stylistic changes were effected when the House recodified its rules in 
the 106th Congress (H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 1999, p. ----).



Sec. 790. Activity reports.

  (d)(1)  Each committee shall 
submit to the House not later than January 2 of each odd-numbered year a 
report on the activities of that committee under this rule and rule X 
during the Congress ending at noon on January 3 of such year.


  (2) Such report shall include separate sections summarizing the 
legislative and oversight activities of that committee during that 
Congress.

  (3) The oversight section of such report shall include a summary of 
the oversight plans submitted by the committee under clause 2(d) of rule 
X, a summary of the actions taken and recommendations made with respect 
to each such plan, a summary of any additional oversight activities 
undertaken by that committee, and any recommendations made or actions 
taken thereon.


[[Page 514]]

  (4) After an adjournment sine die of the last regular session of a 
Congress, the chairman of a committee may file an activities report 
under subparagraph (1) with the Clerk at any time and without approval 
of the committee, provided that--

      (A) a copy of the report has been available to each member of the 
committee for at least seven calendar days; and


      (B) the report includes any supplemental, minority, or additional 
views submitted by a member of the committee.

  The provisions of paragraph (d)(1) were first made requirements of the 
rules in the 92d Congress (H. Res. 5, Jan. 22, 1971, p. 144, 
incorporating the provisions of sec. 118(b) of the Legislative 
Reorganization Act of 1970 (84 Stat. 1140)), and effective on January 3, 
1975 (H. Res. 988, 93d Cong., Oct. 8, 1974, p. 34470) exemptions from 
the reporting requirements for the Committees on Appropriations, the 
Budget, House Administration, Rules, and Standards of Official Conduct 
were removed, so the paragraph from that point applied to all 
committees. The 104th Congress added paragraphs (d)(2) and (d)(3) to 
require that activity reports include separate sections on legislative 
and oversight activities, including a summary comparison of oversight 
plans and eventual recommendations and actions (sec. 203(b), H. Res. 6, 
Jan. 4, 1995, p. 467). Paragraph (d)(4) was added in the 105th Congress 
(H. Res. 5, Jan. 7, 1997, p. ----). Clerical and stylistic changes were 
effected when the House recodified its rules in the 106th Congress (H. 
Res. 5, Jan. 6, 1999, p. ----).


  Under the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995, the Committee on Rules 
is required to include in its activity report a separate item 
identifying all waivers of points of order relating to Federal mandates, 
listed by bill or joint resolution number and subject matter (sec. 
107(b), P.L. 104-4; 109 Stat. 63).

                                                       Rule XI, clause 2
Rule XI, clause 2
Adoption of written rules



791. Committee rules.

  2.  (a)(1) Each standing committee 
shall adopt written rules governing its procedure. Such rules--


      (A) shall be adopted in a meeting that is open to the public 
unless the committee, in open session and with a quorum present, 
determines by record vote that all or part of the meeting on that day 
shall be closed to the public;


[[Page 515]]

having the force and effect of Rules of the House; and
      (B) may not be inconsistent with the Rules of the House or with 
those provisions of law

      (C) shall in any event incorporate all of the succeeding 
provisions of this clause to the extent applicable.


  (2) Each committee shall submit its rules for publication in the 
Congressional Record not later than 30 days after the committee is 
elected in each odd-numbered year.

  The requirement that standing committees adopt written rules was first 
incorporated into the rules in the 92d Congress (H. Res. 5, Jan. 22, 
1971, p. 144), having been included in the Legislative Reorganization 
Act of 1970 (84 Stat. 1140). Under the Committee Reform Amendments of 
1974, clause 2(a) became effective in essentially its present form on 
January 3, 1975 (H. Res. 988, 93d Cong., Oct. 8, 1974, p. 34470). In the 
94th Congress it was amended to permit a record vote to close the 
committee meeting at which committee rules are adopted only on the day 
of the meeting (H. Res. 5, Jan. 14, 1975, p. 20). In the 102d Congress 
it was amended to allow a committee 30 days after the election of its 
members, rather than after the convening of the Congress, to publish its 
rules in the Congressional Record (H. Res. 5, Jan. 3, 1991, p. 39). The 
provision requiring publication of committee rules in the Congressional 
Record derived from statute (2 U.S.C. 190a-2 (repealed 1979)). A court 
interpreted that statute to be mandatory in a case where a Senate 
committee failed to publish in the Record a rule regarding a quorum for 
the purpose of taking sworn testimony. In overturning a perjury 
conviction, the court held that the unpublished committee rule was not 
valid. United States v. Reinecke, 524 F.2d 435 (D.C. Cir. 1975). 
Clerical and stylistic changes were effected when the House recodified 
its rules in the 106th Congress (H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 1999, p. ----).

  Committees have historically adopted rules under which they function 
(I, 707; III, 1841, 1842; VIII, 2214). Committee rules are compiled by 
the Committee on Rules each Congress as a committee print. It is the 
responsibility of the committees, and not the House, to construe and 
enforce additional committee rules on the calling of committee meetings 
(Speaker Albert, July 22, 1974, pp. 24436-47). This provision requires a 
select committee to publish its adopted rules in the Record (June 25, 
1998, p. ----).


[[Page 516]]

for reporting bills and resolutions (clause 2(l) of rule XI) or failure 
to adhere to the former prohibition against committees meeting without 
permission while the House is operating under the five-minute rule 
(former clause 2(i) of rule XI) may in some instances be the basis for a 
point of order in the House, resulting in the recommitment of the bill. 
But a point of order does not ordinarily lie in the House against 
consideration of a bill by reason of defective committee procedures 
occurring prior to the time the bill is ordered reported to the House 
(Procedure, ch. 17, sec. 11.1).


Sec. 792. Committee procedure generally.

  Failure  to follow 
certain procedural requirements imposed on committees by this rule may 
invalidate committee actions. Violation of the requirements as to open 
meetings and hearings and other hearing irregularities improperly 
overruled (see clause 2(g)(5) of rule XI) or the prescribed committee 
procedures


  Many of the procedures applicable to committees derive from 
Jefferson's Manual, which govern the House and its committees in all 
cases to which they are applicable (clause 1 of rule XXVIII). A 
committee may act only when together, and not by separate consultation 
and consent, nothing being the report (or recommendation) of the 
committee except what has been agreed to in committee actually assembled 
(see Jefferson's Manual at Sec. 407, supra). A measure before a 
committee for consideration must be read for amendment by section as in 
the House (see Jefferson's Manual at Sec. Sec. 412-414, supra), and 
reading of the measure and of amendments thereto must be in full. The 
procedures applicable in the House as in the Committee of the Whole (see 
Sec. Sec. 424 and 427, supra) generally apply to proceedings in 
committees of the House of Representatives, except that since a measure 
considered in committee must be read for amendment, a motion to limit 
debate under the five-minute rule in committee must be confined to the 
portion of the bill then pending. The previous question may only be 
moved on the measure in committee if the entire measure has been read, 
or considered as read, for amendment.

  Committees generally conduct their business under the five-minute rule 
but may employ the ordinary motions which are in order in the House, 
such as under clause 4 of rule XVI, and may also employ the motion to 
limit debate under the five-minute rule on a proposition which has been 
read.
Regular meeting days


[[Page 517]]

Additional and special meetings


793. Committee meetings.

  (b)  Each standing committee shall 
establish regular meeting days for the conduct of its business, which 
shall be not less frequent than monthly. Each such committee shall meet 
for the consideration of a bill or resolution pending before the 
committee or the transaction of other committee business on all regular 
meeting days fixed by the committee unless otherwise provided by written 
rule adopted by the committee.


  (c)(1) The chairman of each standing committee may call and convene, 
as he considers necessary, additional and special meetings of the 
committee for the consideration of a bill or resolution pending before 
the committee or for the conduct of other committee business, subject to 
such rules as the committee may adopt. The committee shall meet for such 
purpose under that call of the chairman.


[[Page 518]]

considered. Immediately upon the filing of the request, the clerk of the 
committee shall notify the chairman of the filing of the request. If the 
chairman does not call the requested special meeting within three 
calendar days after the filing of the request (to be held within seven 
calendar days after the filing of the request) a majority of the members 
of the committee may file in the offices of the committee their written 
notice that a special meeting of the committee will be held. The written 
notice shall specify the date and hour of the special meeting and the 
measure or matter to be considered. The committee shall meet on that 
date and hour. Immediately upon the filing of the notice, the clerk of 
the committee shall notify all members of the committee that such 
special meeting will be held and inform them of its date and hour and 
the measure or matter to be considered. Only the measure or matter 
specified in that notice may be considered at that special meeting.
Temporary absence of chairman
  (2) Three or more members of a standing committee may file in the 
offices of the committee a written request that the chairman call a 
special meeting of the committee. Such request shall specify the measure 
or matter to be


  (d) A member of the majority party on each standing committee or 
subcommittee thereof shall be designated by the chairman of the full 
committee as the vice chairman of the committee or subcommittee, as the 
case may be, and shall preside during the absence of the chairman from 
any meeting. If the chairman and vice chairman of a committee or 
subcommittee are not present at any meeting of the committee or 
subcommittee, the ranking majority member who is present shall preside 
at that meeting.

  Paragraphs (b), (c), and (d) were first adopted on December 8, 1931 
(VIII, 2208), were amended on January 3, 1953 (p. 24), and were revised 
both by the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1970 (84 Stat. 1140) and 
in the 92d Congress (H. Res. 5, Jan. 22, 1971, p. 144). In the 102d 
Congress paragraph (d) was amended to provide that the ranking majority 
Member of each committee and subcommittee be designated as its vice 
chairman (H. Res. 5, Jan. 3, 1991, p. 39). In the 104th Congress 
paragraph (d) was amended to permit the chairman of a full committee to 
designate vice chairmen of the committee and its subcommittees (sec. 
223(c), H. Res. 6, Jan. 4, 1995, p. 477). Clerical and stylistic changes 
were effected when the House recodified its rules in the 106th Congress 
(H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 1999, p. ----).

  A committee scheduled to meet on stated days, when convened on such 
day with a quorum present may proceed to the transaction of business 
regardless of the absence of the chairman (VIII, 2213, 2214). A 
committee meeting being adjourned for lack of a quorum, a majority of 
the members of the committee may not, without the consent of the 
chairman, call a meeting of the committee on the same day (VIII, 2213).
Committee records


[[Page 519]]



794. Required records.

  (e)(1)(A)  Each committee shall keep 
a complete record of all committee action which shall include--


      (i) in the case of a meeting or hearing transcript, a 
substantially verbatim account of remarks actually made during the 
proceedings, subject only to technical, grammatical, and typographical 
corrections authorized by the person making the remarks involved; and

      (ii) a record of the votes on any question on which a record vote 
is demanded.



Sec. 795. Public availability.

  (B)(i)  Except as provided in 
subdivision (B)(ii) and subject to paragraph (k)(7), the result of each 
such record vote shall be made available by the committee for inspection 
by the public at reasonable times in its offices. Information so 
available for public inspection shall include a description of the 
amendment, motion, order, or other proposition, the name of each member 
voting for and each member voting against such amendment, motion, order, 
or proposition, and the names of those members of the committee present 
but not voting.


  (ii) The result of any record vote taken in executive session in the 
Committee on Standards of Official Conduct may not be made available for 
inspection by the public without an affirmative vote of a majority of 
the members of the committee.


[[Page 520]]

House, and each Member, Delegate, and the Resident Commissioner shall 
have access thereto.


Sec. 796. Committee files.

  (2)(A)  Except as provided in 
subdivision (B), all committee hearings, records, data, charts, and 
files shall be kept separate and distinct from the congressional office 
records of the member serving as its chairman. Such records shall be the 
property of the


  (B) A Member, Delegate, or Resident Commissioner, other than members 
of the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct, may not have access 
to the records of that committee respecting the conduct of a Member, 
Delegate, Resident Commissioner, officer, or employee of the House 
without the specific prior permission of that committee.

  (3) Each committee shall include in its rules standards for 
availability of records of the committee delivered to the Archivist of 
the United States under rule VII. Such standards shall specify 
procedures for orders of the committee under clause 3(b)(3) and clause 
4(b) of rule VII, including a requirement that nonavailability of a 
record for a period longer than the period otherwise applicable under 
that rule shall be approved by vote of the committee.


  (4) Each committee shall make its publications available in electronic 
form to the maximum extent feasible.


[[Page 521]]

Effective on January 3, 1975 (H. Res. 988, 93d Cong., Oct. 8, 1974, p. 
34470), the requirement that proxy votes in committee be made available 
for public inspection was eliminated from this paragraph since proxies 
were prohibited as of that date, but in the 94th Congress clause 2(f) of 
rule XI was amended to permit proxies in committee, and this paragraph 
was likewise amended to reinsert the requirement of availability for 
public inspection (H. Res. 5, Jan. 14, 1975, p. 20). When proxy voting 
was again eliminated in the 104th Congress, the reference thereto in the 
third sentence of paragraph (e)(1) was deleted (sec. 104(b), H. Res. 6, 
Jan. 4, 1995, p. 463). Paragraph (e)(2) derives from section 202(d) of 
the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946 (60 Stat. 812), was made a 
part of the rules in the 83d Congress (H. Res. 5, Jan. 3, 1953, p. 24), 
and was amended in the 95th Congress (H. Res. 5, Jan. 4, 1977, pp. 53-
70) to restrict the access of Members to certain records of the 
Committee on Standards of Official Conduct. Paragraph (e)(3) was added 
in the 101st Congress (H. Res. 5, Jan. 3, 1989, p. 72). Paragraph (e)(4) 
was added in the 105th Congress (H. Res. 5, Jan. 7, 1997, p. ----). 
Clerical and stylistic changes were effected when the House recodified 
its rules in the 106th Congress (H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 1999, p. ----).
  The first sentence of paragraph (e)(1) was rewritten entirely in the 
104th Congress (sec. 206, H. Res. 6, Jan. 4, 1995, p. 475). Its 
predecessor, requiring a complete record of all committee actions, 
including votes on any question on which a roll call was demanded, was 
enacted as section 133(b) of the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946 
(60 Stat. 812) and made part of the standing rules on January 3, 1953 
(p. 24). The requirement that committee roll calls be subject to public 
inspection was added by section 104(b) of the Legislative Reorganization 
Act of 1970 (84 Stat. 1140) and made a part of the rules in the 92d 
Congress (H. Res. 5, Jan. 22, 1971, p. 144). The qualified exception for 
the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct from the requirement of 
public availability of record votes was added in the 105th Congress 
(sec. 8, H. Res. 168, Sept. 18, 1997, p. ----).


[[Page 522]]

  A Member's right to access to committee records under this clause does 
not entitle him to make photostatic copies of such records (Speaker 
Rayburn, Aug. 14, 1957, pp. 14737-39), and such records may not be 
brought into the well of the House if the committee has not authorized 
such action (Speaker Rayburn, June 3, 1960, p. 11820). Furthermore, such 
access allows a Member to examine executive session materials only in 
committee rooms and does not permit a Member to copy or to take personal 
notes from such materials, to keep such notes or copies in his personal 
office files, or to release such materials to the public without the 
consent of the committee or subcommittee under clause 2(k)(7) of rule XI 
(Speaker O'Neill, Dec. 6, 1977, pp. 38470-73). This clause allowing all 
Members access to committee records and materials which are the property 
of the House does not necessarily apply to records within the possession 
of the executive branch which the members of the committee have been 
allowed to examine under limited conditions at the discretion of the 
executive agency in possession of such materials (Speaker O'Neill, July 
31, 1980, p. 20765). Also, this clause does not apply to records (an 
executive communication not yet referred to committee) in the possession 
of the House (Sept. 9, 1998, p. ----). In the 105th Congress the House 
adopted a resolution restricting Members' access to documents received 
from an independent counsel (said to relate to possible grounds for 
impeachment of the President) and referred to the Committee on the 
Judiciary (H. Res. 525, Sept. 11, 1998, p. ----). Compare this clause 
with clause 11(g)(3) of rule X, which only permits access of nonmembers 
of the Select Committee on Intelligence to classified information in the 
possession of that committee when authorized by that committee.

  While all Members have access to committee records under this clause, 
testimony or evidence taken in executive sessions of a committee is 
under the control and subject to the regulation of the committee and, 
under clause 2(k)(7) of rule XI (Sec. 803, infra), cannot be released 
without the consent of the committee (June 26, 1961, p. 11233; see also 
Procedure, ch. 17, sec. 15). A resolution directing a standing committee 
to release executive-session material referred to it as such by special 
rule of the House was held to propose a change in the rules and, 
therefore, not to constitute a question of the privileges of the House 
under rule IX (Sept. 23, 1998, p. ----).


Prohibition against proxy voting
  In implementing clause 2(e), committees may prescribe regulations to 
govern the manner of access to their records, such as requiring 
examination only in committee rooms. See, for example, the rules of the 
Committees on the Budget, International Relations, and Armed Services, 
as compiled by the Committee on Rules.




797. Ban on proxies.

  (f)  A vote by a member of a committee 
or subcommittee with respect to any measure or matter may not be cast by 
proxy.


  The 104th Congress adopted paragraph (f) in this form (sec. 104, H. 
Res. 6, Jan. 4, 1995, p. 463). An earlier form of the provision was 
enacted as section 106(b) of the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1970 
(84 Stat. 1140) and made part of the standing rules in the 92d Congress 
(H. Res. 5, Jan. 22, 1971, p. 144). Clerical and stylistic changes were 
effected when the House recodified its rules in the 106th Congress (H. 
Res. 5, Jan. 6, 1999, p. ----).


Open meetings and hearings
  The original form of this paragraph permitted committees to adopt 
written rules permitting proxies in writing, designating the persons to 
execute them and specifying the measures or matters to which they 
applied. Effective January 3, 1975 (H. Res. 988, 93d Cong., Oct. 8, 
1974, p. 34470), proxies in committee were prohibited, but in the 94th 
Congress (H. Res. 5, Jan. 14, 1975, p. 20), the rule was amended to 
permit proxies in committees with additional restrictions requiring an 
assertion that the grantor was absent on official business or otherwise 
unable to attend, requiring the Member to sign and date the proxy, and 
permitting general proxies for procedural matters.


[[Page 523]]

subcommittee thereof (other than the Committee on Standards of Official 
Conduct or its subcommittees) shall be open to the public, including to 
radio, television, and still photography coverage, except when the 
committee or subcommittee, in open session and with a majority present, 
determines by record vote that all or part of the remainder of the 
meeting on that day shall be in executive session because disclosure of 
matters to be considered would endanger national security, would 
compromise sensitive law enforcement information, would tend to defame, 
degrade, or incriminate any person, or otherwise would violate a law or 
rule of the House. Persons, other than members of the committee and such 
noncommittee Members, Delegates, Resident Commissioner, congressional 
staff, or departmental representatives as the committee may authorize, 
may not be present at a business or markup session that is held in 
executive session. This subparagraph does not apply to open committee 
hearings, which are governed by clause 4(a)(1) of rule X or by 
subparagraph (2).


798. Open meetings and hearings.

  (g)(1)  Each meeting for 
the transaction of business, including the markup of legislation, by a 
standing committee or



[[Page 524]]

mony, evidence, or other matters to be considered would endanger 
national security, would compromise sensitive law enforcement 
information, or would violate a law or rule of the House.
  (2)(A) Each hearing conducted by a committee or subcommittee (other 
than the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct or its 
subcommittees) shall be open to the public, including to radio, 
television, and still photography coverage, except when the committee or 
subcommittee, in open session and with a majority present, determines by 
record vote that all or part of the remainder of that hearing on that 
day shall be closed to the public because disclosure of testi

  (B) Notwithstanding the requirements of subdivision (A), in the 
presence of the number of members required under the rules of the 
committee for the purpose of taking testimony, a majority of those 
present may--

      (i) agree to close the hearing for the sole purpose of discussing 
whether testimony or evidence to be received would endanger national 
security, would compromise sensitive law enforcement information, or 
would violate clause 2(k)(5); or

      (ii) agree to close the hearing as provided in clause 2(k)(5).

  (C) A Member, Delegate, or Resident Commissioner may not be excluded 
from non-
participatory attendance at a hearing of a committee or subcommittee 
(other than the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct or its 
subcommittees) unless the House by majority vote authorizes a particular 
committee or subcommittee, for purposes of a particular series of 
hearings on a particular article of legislation or on a particular 
subject of investigation, to close its hearings to Members, Delegates, 
and the Resident Commissioner by the same procedures specified in this 
subparagraph for closing hearings to the public.


[[Page 525]]

paragraph to close one subsequent day of hearing, except that the 
Committee on Appropriations, the Committee on Armed Services, and the 
Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, and the subcommittees 
thereof, may vote by the same procedure to close up to five additional, 
consecutive days of hearings.
  (D) The committee or subcommittee may vote by the same procedure 
described in this sub

  (3) The chairman of each committee (other than the Committee on Rules) 
shall make public announcement of the date, place, and subject matter of 
a committee hearing at least one week before the commencement of the 
hearing. If the chairman of the committee, with the concurrence of the 
ranking minority member, determines that there is good cause to begin a 
hearing sooner, or if the committee so determines by majority vote in 
the presence of the number of members required under the rules of the 
committee for the transaction of business, the chairman shall make the 
announcement at the earliest possible date. An announcement made under 
this subparagraph shall be published promptly in the Daily Digest and 
made available in electronic form.


[[Page 526]]

amount and source (by agency and program) of each Federal grant (or 
subgrant thereof) or contract (or subcontract thereof) received during 
the current fiscal year or either of the two previous fiscal years by 
the witness or by an entity represented by the witness.
  (4) Each committee shall, to the greatest extent practicable, require 
witnesses who appear before it to submit in advance written statements 
of proposed testimony and to limit their initial presentations to the 
committee to brief summaries thereof. In the case of a witness appearing 
in a nongovernmental capacity, a written statement of proposed testimony 
shall include a curriculum vitae and a disclosure of the

  (5)(A) Except as provided in subdivision (B), a point of order does 
not lie with respect to a measure reported by a committee on the ground 
that hearings on such measure were not conducted in accordance with this 
clause.

  (B) A point of order on the ground described in subdivision (A) may be 
made by a member of the committee that reported the measure if such 
point of order was timely made and improperly disposed of in the 
committee.


  (6) This paragraph does not apply to hearings of the Committee on 
Appropriations under clause 4(a)(1) of rule X.


[[Page 527]]

tees, when voting in open session with a quorum present, to close a 
hearing on that particular day and for up to five additional days, for a 
total of not to exceed six days (H. Res. 5, Jan. 3, 1983, p. 34). In the 
104th Congress the paragraph was amended to require that meetings and 
hearings open to the public also be open to broadcast and photographic 
media; subparagraph (2) was further amended to permit closed meetings 
only on specified conditions and to delete an exception for meetings 
relating to internal budget or personnel matters and to specify a new 
condition (sensitive law enforcement information) for closing hearings 
(sec. 105, H. Res. 6, Jan. 4, 1995, p. 463). The paragraph was also 
amended to conform references to renamed committees (sec. 202(b), H. 
Res. 6, Jan. 4, 1995, p. 467; H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 1999, p. ----). In the 
105th Congress subparagraphs (1) and (2) were again amended to reflect 
an amendment to former clause 4(e)(3) of rule X (currently clause 3 of 
rule XI) requiring meetings of the Committee on Standards of Official 
Conduct to occur in executive session (except for adjudicatory 
subcommittee meetings or full committee sanction hearings) unless opened 
by an affirmative vote of a majority of members (sec. 5, H. Res. 168, 
Sept. 18, 1997, p. ----). Subparagraphs (3)-(6) derive from sections 
111(b), 113(b), 115(b), and 242(c) respectively of the Legislative 
Reorganization Act of 1970 (84 Stat. 1140) and became part of the rules 
in the 92d Congress (H. Res. 5, Jan. 22, 1971, p. 144). Effective 
January 3, 1975 (H. Res. 988, 93d Cong., Oct. 8, 1974, p. 34470), these 
provisions were inadvertently omitted from the rules, and were therefore 
reinserted in the 94th Congress (H. Res. 5, Jan. 14, 1975, p. 20). 
Subparagraph (3) was amended in the 97th Congress (H. Res. 5, Jan. 5, 
1981, pp. 98-113) to add the requirement of prompt entering of public 
notice of committee meetings into the committee scheduling service of 
the House Information Resources. Subparagraph (3) was again amended in 
the 104th Congress to permit the calling of a hearing on less than seven 
days' notice upon a determination of good cause either by vote of the 
committee or subcommittee or by its chairman with the concurrence of its 
ranking minority member (H. Res. 43, Jan. 31, 1995, p. 3028). In the 
105th and 106th Congresses subparagraphs (3) and (2) (respectively) were 
amended to effect a technical correction (H. Res. 5, Jan. 7, 1997, p. --
--; H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 1999, p. ----). Subparagraph (4) was rewritten in 
the 105th Congress to encourage committees to elicit curricula vitae and 
disclosures of certain interests from nongovernmental witnesses (H. Res. 
5, Jan. 7, 1997, p. ----). Clerical and stylistic changes were effected 
when the House recodified its rules in the 106th Congress (H. Res. 5, 
Jan. 6, 1999, p. ----).
  Subparagraphs (1) and (2) relating to open committee meetings and 
hearings, were first made part of the rules on March 7, 1973 (H. Res. 
259, 93d Cong., pp. 6713-20). They were amended in the 94th Congress (H. 
Res. 5, Jan. 14, 1975, p. 20), to limit to one day (in case of a 
committee meeting) or to one day plus one subsequent day (in the case of 
a hearing) the period during which a committee may close its session. 
They were again amended in the 95th Congress (H. Res. 5, Jan. 4, 1977, 
pp. 53-70), to require that a majority (rather than a quorum) be present 
when a committee or subcommittee votes to close a meeting or hearing and 
to provide that a noncommittee Member cannot be excluded from a hearing 
except by a vote of the House. However, subparagraph (2) was amended in 
the 96th Congress (H. Res. 5, Jan. 15, 1979, p. 8) to permit a majority 
of those present under the rules of the committee for the purpose of 
taking testimony (not less than two members as provided in clause 
2(h)(2) of rule XI) to vote to close a hearing either to discuss whether 
the testimony would endanger national security or would violate clause 
2(k)(5) of this rule, or to proceed to close the hearing as provided by 
clause 2(k)(5). In the 98th Congress subparagraph (2) was amended 
further to permit the Committees on Appropriations, Armed Services, and 
Intelligence, and their subcommit



[[Page 528]]


Quorum requirements
  In the 105th Congress the House adopted a resolution restricting 
access to meetings and hearings held by the Committee on the Judiciary 
on a communication received from an independent counsel relating to 
possible grounds for impeachment of the President (H. Res. 525, Sept. 
11, 1998, p. ----).




799. Requirement of quorum.

  (h)(1)  A measure or 
recommendation may not be reported by a committee unless a majority of 
the committee is actually present.


  This subparagraph (former clause 2(l)(2)(A) is from section 133(d) of 
the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946 (60 Stat. 812) and was made a 
part of the rules on January 3, 1953 (p. 24). Before the House 
recodified its rules in the 106th Congress, this provision was found in 
former clause 2(l)(2)(A) of rule XI (H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 1999, p. ----). 
The point of order that a bill was reported from a committee without a 
formal meeting and a quorum present comes too late if debate has started 
on a bill in the House (VIII, 2223; Feb. 24, 1947, p. 1374). No 
committee report is valid unless authorized with a quorum of the 
committee actually present at the time the vote is taken (IV, 4584; 
VIII, 2211, 2212, 2221, 2222), and while Speakers have indicated that 
committee members may come and go during the course of the vote if the 
roll call indicates that a quorum was present (VIII, 2222), where it is 
admitted that a quorum was not in the room at any time during the vote 
and the committee transcript does not show a quorum acting as a quorum, 
the Chair will sustain the point of order (VIII, 2212). In the 103d 
Congress, this provision was amended to provide that responses to roll 
calls in committee be deemed contemporaneous and to require that a point 
of no quorum with respect to a committee report be timely asserted in 
committee or considered waived (H. Res. 5, Jan. 5, 1993, p. 49), but in 
the 104th Congress both of those features were deleted from the rule 
(sec. 207, H. Res. 6, Jan. 4, 1995, p. 467).


  Where the committee transcript was not conclusive and the manager of 
the bill gave absolute assurance that a majority of the full committee 
was actually present when the bill was ordered reported the Speaker 
overruled a point of order made under this provision (Oct. 22, 1987, p. 
28807). A point of no quorum pending a committee vote on ordering a 
measure reported may provoke a quorum call requiring a majority of the 
committee to be present in the committee room. A committee may act only 
when together, nothing being the report of the committee except what has 
been agreed to in committee actually assembled (see Jefferson's Manual 
at Sec. 407, supra).


[[Page 529]]



Sec. 800. Reduced quorum.

  (2)  Each committee may fix the 
number of its members to constitute a quorum for taking testimony and 
receiving evidence, which may not be less than two.



  (3) Each committee (other than the Committee on Appropriations, the 
Committee on the Budget, and the Committee on Ways and Means) may fix 
the number of its members to constitute a quorum for taking any action 
other than the reporting of a measure or recommendation, which may not 
be less than one-third of the members.

  Subparagraphs (2) and (3) (former subparagraphs (1) and (2)) were 
adopted in the 84th Congress and only related to the authority of a 
committee to fix a quorum of not less than two for taking testimony (H. 
Res. 151, Mar. 23, 1955, pp. 3569, 3585). In the 95th Congress (H. Res. 
5, Jan. 4, 1977, pp. 53-70) subparagraph (3) (former subparagraph (2)) 
was added to authorize committees to fix a quorum less than a majority 
for certain other action. Before the House recodified its rules in the 
106th Congress, paragraph (h) consisted only of subparagraphs (2) and 
(3) (H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 1999, p. ----). Under clause 2(g) of this rule, 
a majority of a committee or subcommittee must be present when a 
committee or subcommittee votes to close a meeting or hearing. Under 
clause 2(m) of this rule a majority of a committee or subcommittee must 
be present to authorize and issue a subpoena. Under subparagraph (1) a 
majority of a committee or subcommittee must be present to order a 
measure or recommendation reported.


Limitation on committee sittings
  By unanimous consent the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct 
was authorized to receive evidence and take testimony before a quorum of 
one of its members for the remainder of the second session of the 100th 
Congress (Oct. 13, 1988, p. 30467). Authority for a committee to conduct 
depositions or interrogatories before one member or staff of the 
committee must be specifically conferred by the House (see, e.g., H. 
Res. 167, 105th Cong., June 20, 1997, p. ----).




801. Committees not to sit.

  (i)  A committee may not sit 
during a joint session of the House and Senate or during a recess when a 
joint meeting of the House and Senate is in progress.



[[Page 530]]

proscribe sittings during the five-minute rule by the Legislative 
Reorganization Act of 1970 (sec. 117(b); 84 Stat. 1140) and this 
revision was made part of the standing rules in the 92d Congress (H. 
Res. 5, Jan. 22, 1971, p. 14). Effective January 3, 1975 (H. Res. 988, 
93d Cong., Oct. 8, 1974, p. 34470), the committees exempted from this 
clause were Appropriations, Budget, and Rules; and in the 95th Congress 
(H. Res. 5, Jan. 4, 1977, pp. 53-70), the Committee on Standards of 
Official Conduct was also exempted. The Committee on Ways and Means was 
traditionally permitted to sit during proceedings under the five-minute 
rule by unanimous consent granted each Congress (Jan. 29, 1975, p. 1677) 
until it was exempted from the rule in the 97th Congress (H. Res. 5, 
Jan. 5, 1981, pp. 98-113). A provision that special leave to sit be 
granted if ten Members did not object was added to the clause in the 
95th Congress (H. Res. 5, Jan. 4, 1977, pp. 53-70). An exemption for the 
Committee on House Administration and the prohibition against committee 
meetings during joint meetings or joint sessions were added in the 101st 
Congress (H. Res. 5, Jan. 3, 1989, p. 72). In the 103d Congress the 
prohibition against sitting during proceedings under the five-minute 
rule was stricken altogether (H. Res. 5, Jan. 5, 1993, p. 49), but in 
the 104th Congress the former rule was reinstated with exemptions for 
the Committees on Appropriations, the Budget, Rules, Standards of 
Official Conduct, and Ways and Means, and also with the provision for a 
privileged motion by the Majority Leader (sec. 208, H. Res. 6, Jan. 4, 
1995, p. 467), on which he controlled one hour of debate (Jan. 23, 1995, 
p. 2209). In the 105th Congress so much of paragraph (i) as related to 
proceedings under the five-minute rule was again stricken (H. Res. 5, 
Jan. 7, 1997, p. ----). Clerical and stylistic changes were effected 
when the House recodified its rules in the 106th Congress (H. Res. 5, 
Jan. 6, 1999, p. ----).

Calling and questioning of witnesses
  A clause regulating when committees could sit had its origin in 1794. 
It was omitted from rule XI in the adoption of rules for the 80th 
Congress but remained effective as part of the Legislative 
Reorganization Act of 1946, the applicable provisions of which were 
continued as a part of the Rules of the House. While the rule formerly 
prohibited committees from sitting at any time when the House was in 
session, it was narrowed to



802. Witnesses.

  (j)(1)  Whenever a hearing is conducted by a 
committee on a measure or matter, the minority members of the committee 
shall be entitled, upon request to the chairman by a majority of them 
before the completion of the hearing, to call witnesses selected by the 
minority to testify with respect to that measure or matter during at 
least one day of hearing thereon.



[[Page 531]]

ing the questioning of witnesses in a hearing until such time as each 
member of the committee who so desires has had an opportunity to 
question each witness.
  (2)(A) Subject to subdivisions (B) and (C), each committee shall apply 
the five-minute rule dur

  (B) A committee may adopt a rule or motion permitting a specified 
number of its members to question a witness for longer than five 
minutes. The time for extended questioning of a witness under this 
subdivision shall be equal for the majority party and the minority party 
and may not exceed one hour in the aggregate.


  (C) A committee may adopt a rule or motion permitting committee staff 
for its majority and minority party members to question a witness for 
equal specified periods. The time for extended questioning of a witness 
under this subdivision shall be equal for the majority party and the 
minority party and may not exceed one hour in the aggregate.



[[Page 532]]


Investigative hearing procedures
  Paragraph (j)(1) was contained in section 114(b) of the Legislative 
Reorganization Act of 1970 (84 Stat. 1140) and was made a part of the 
rules in the 92d Congress (H. Res. 5, Jan. 22, 1971, p. 144). Paragraph 
(j)(2) was added to the rules on that latter date. While a majority of 
the minority members of a committee are entitled to call witnesses 
selected by the minority for at least one day of hearings, no rule of 
the House requires the calling of witnesses on opposing sides of an 
issue (Oct. 14, 1987, p. 27921). In the 105th Congress paragraph (j)(2) 
was redesignated as (2)(A) and two new subparagraphs were added as 
(2)(B) and (2)(C) to enable committees to permit extended examinations 
of witnesses (for 30 additional minutes by designated members) or by 
staff (H. Res. 5, Jan. 7, 1997, p. ----). A technical correction was 
effected in the 106th Congress to clarify the procedure to extend 
questioning, and clerical and stylistic changes were effected when the 
House recodified its rules in the same Congress (H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 
1999, p. ----).



803. Hearing procedure.

  (k)(1)  The chairman at an 
investigative hearing shall announce in an opening statement the subject 
of the investigation.


  (2) A copy of the committee rules and of this clause shall be made 
available to each witness.

  (3) Witnesses at investigative hearings may be accompanied by their 
own counsel for the purpose of advising them concerning their 
constitutional rights.

  (4) The chairman may punish breaches of order and decorum, and of 
professional ethics on the part of counsel, by censure and exclusion 
from the hearings; and the committee may cite the offender to the House 
for contempt.

  (5) Whenever it is asserted that the evidence or testimony at an 
investigative hearing may tend to defame, degrade, or incriminate any 
person--

      (A) notwithstanding paragraph (g)(2), such testimony or evidence 
shall be presented in executive session if, in the presence of the 
number of members required under the rules of the committee for the 
purpose of taking testimony, the committee determines by vote of a 
majority of those present that such evidence or testimony may tend to 
defame, degrade, or incriminate any person; and


[[Page 533]]

tend to defame, degrade, or incriminate any person.
In either case the committee shall afford such person an opportunity 
voluntarily to appear as a witness, and receive and dispose of requests 
from such person to subpoena additional witnesses.
      (B) the committee shall proceed to receive such testimony in open 
session only if the committee, a majority being present, determines that 
such evidence or testimony will not

  (6) Except as provided in subparagraph (5), the chairman shall receive 
and the committee shall dispose of requests to subpoena additional 
witnesses.

  (7) Evidence or testimony taken in executive session, and proceedings 
conducted in executive session, may be released or used in public 
sessions only when authorized by the committee, a majority being 
present.

  (8) In the discretion of the committee, witnesses may submit brief and 
pertinent sworn statements in writing for inclusion in the record. The 
committee is the sole judge of the pertinence of testimony and evidence 
adduced at its hearing.


  (9) A witness may obtain a transcript copy of his testimony given at a 
public session or, if given at an executive session, when authorized by 
the committee.


[[Page 534]]

to permit a committee or subcommittee to hear testimony asserted to be 
defamatory in executive session upon a determination by a majority of 
those present that such testimony is indeed defamatory, degrading, or 
incriminating. In the 105th Congress subparagraph (5) was amended to 
clarify a majority of those voting (a full quorum being present) may 
decide to proceed in open session (H. Res. 5, Jan. 7, 1997, p. ----). 
Clerical and stylistic changes were effected when the House recodified 
its rules in the 106th Congress (H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 1999, p. ----). The 
requirements of clause 2(g)(1) and (2), and of 2(m)(2)(A), of this rule 
that a majority of the committee or subcommittee shall constitute a 
quorum for the purposes of closing meetings or hearings or issuing 
subpoenas have been construed to require, under clause 2(k)(7) of this 
rule, that a majority shall likewise constitute a quorum to release or 
make public any evidence or testimony received in any closed meeting or 
hearing and any other executive session record of the committee or 
subcommittee. See also clauses 11(c) and 11(g) of rule X, which provide 
that executive session material transmitted by the Permanent Select 
Committee on Intelligence to another committee of the House becomes the 
executive session material of the recipient committee by virtue of the 
nature of the material and the injunction of clause 11(g) of rule X 
which prohibit disclosure of information provided to committees or 
Members of the House except in a secret session. A resolution directing 
a standing committee to release executive-session material referred to 
it as such by special rule of the House was held to propose a change in 
the rules and, therefore, not to constitute a question of the privileges 
of the House under rule IX (Sept. 23, 1998, p. ----).

Supplemental, minority, or additional views
  The provisions of paragraph (k) were first incorporated into the rules 
in the 84th Congress (H. Res. 151, Mar. 23, 1955, pp. 3569, 3585). The 
requirement of paragraph (k)(2) that a copy of committee rules be 
furnished to each witness was added in the 92d Congress (H. Res. 5, Jan. 
22, 1971, p. 144), and the former requirement of paragraph (k)(9) that a 
witness must pay the cost of a transcript copy of his testimony was 
eliminated under the Committee Reform Amendments of 1974, effective 
January 3, 1975 (H. Res. 988, 93d Cong., Oct. 8, 1974, p. 34470). 
Paragraph (k)(5) was amended in the 96th Congress (H. Res. 5, Jan. 15, 
1979, pp. 7-16)



[[Page 535]]




804. Minority views.

  (l)  If at the time of approval of a 
measure or matter by a committee (other than the Committee on Rules) a 
member of the committee gives notice of intention to file supplemental, 
minority, or additional views for inclusion in the report to the House 
thereon, that member shall be entitled to not less than two additional 
calendar days after the day of such notice (excluding Saturdays, 
Sundays, and legal holidays except when the House is in session on such 
a day) to file such views, in writing and signed by that member, with 
the clerk of the committee.



Power to sit and act; subpoena power
  This provision was originally included in section 107 of the 
Legislative Reorganization Act of 1970 (84 Stat. 1140) and was 
incorporated into the rules in the 92d Congress (H. Res. 5, Jan. 22, 
1971, p. 144). In the 104th Congress it was amended to count as a 
``calendar day'' any day on which the House is in session (H. Res. 254, 
Nov. 30, 1995, p. ----). In the 105th Congress it was further amended to 
reduce the guaranteed time for composing separate views from three full 
days to two full days after the day of notice (H. Res. 5, Jan. 7, 1997, 
p. ----). Before the House recodified its rules in the 106th Congress, 
paragraph (l) consisted of this paragraph and current clause 2(c) of 
rule XIII (H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 1999, p. ----).



805. Power to sit and to issue subpoenas; oaths.

  (m)(1)  For 
the purpose of carrying out any of its functions and duties under this 
rule and rule X (including any matters referred to it under clause 2 of 
rule XII), a committee or subcommittee is authorized (subject to 
subparagraph (2)(A))--


      (A) to sit and act at such times and places within the United 
States, whether the House is in session, has recessed, or has adjourned, 
and to hold such hearings as it considers necessary; and

      (B) to require, by subpoena or otherwise, the attendance and 
testimony of such witnesses and the production of such books, records, 
correspondence, memoranda, papers, and documents as it considers 
necessary.

  (2) The chairman of the committee, or a member designated by the 
chairman, may administer oaths to witnesses.


[[Page 536]]

authorized by the committee or subcommittee, a majority being present. 
The power to authorize and issue subpoenas under subparagraph (1)(B) may 
be delegated to the chairman of the committee under such rules and under 
such limitations as the committee may prescribe. Authorized subpoenas 
shall be signed by the chairman of the committee or by a member 
designated by the committee.
  (3)(A)(i) Except as provided in subdivision (A)(ii), a subpoena may be 
authorized and issued by a committee or subcommittee under subparagraph 
(1)(B) in the conduct of an investigation or series of investigations or 
activities only when

  (ii) In the case of a subcommittee of the Committee on Standards of 
Official Conduct, a subpoena may be authorized and issued only by an 
affirmative vote of a majority of its members.

  (B) A subpoena duces tecum may specify terms of return other than at a 
meeting or hearing of the committee or subcommittee authorizing the 
subpoena.


  (C) Compliance with a subpoena issued by a committee or subcommittee 
under subparagraph (1)(B) may be enforced only as authorized or directed 
by the House.


[[Page 537]]

105th Congress (sec. 15, H. Res. 168, Sept. 18, 1997, p. ----). In the 
106th Congress subparagraph (3)(B) was added, and clerical and stylistic 
changes were effected when the House recodified its rules in the same 
Congress (H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 1999, p. ----).
  Prior to the adoption of clause 2(m) under the Committee Reform 
Amendments of 1974, effective January 3, 1975 (H. Res. 988, 93d Cong., 
Oct. 8, 1974, p. 34470), only the Committees on Appropriations, the 
Budget, Government Operations, Internal Security, and Standards of 
Official Conduct were permitted by the standing rules to perform the 
functions as specified in subparagraphs (1)(A) and (1)(B), and other 
standing and select committees were given those authorities by separate 
resolutions reported from the Committee on Rules each Congress. In the 
94th Congress the paragraph was amended to require authorized subpoenas 
to be signed by the chairman of the full committee or any member 
designated by the committee (H. Res. 5, Jan. 14, 1975, p. 20); and in 
the 95th Congress the paragraph was altered to permit subcommittees, as 
well as full committees, to authorize subpoenas and to allow the 
delegation of such authority to the chairman of the full committee (H. 
Res. 5, Jan. 4, 1977, pp. 53-70). The special rule for authorizing and 
issuing a subpoena of a subcommittee of the Committee on Standards of 
Official Conduct was adopted in the

  A subpoena issued under this clause need only be signed by the 
chairman of the committee or by any member designated by the committee, 
whereas when the House issues an order or warrant the Speaker must under 
clause 4 of rule I issue the summons under his hand and seal, and it 
must be attested by the Clerk pursuant to clause 2(c) of rule II (former 
clause 3 of rule III) (III, 1668; see H. Rept. 96-1078, p. 22). Pursuant 
to 2 U.S.C. 191, the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House 
of Representatives, or a chairman of any joint committee established by 
a joint or concurrent resolution of the two Houses of Congress, or of a 
committee of the whole, or of any committee of either House of Congress, 
is empowered to administer oaths to witnesses in any case under their 
examination, and any Member of either House of Congress may administer 
oaths to witnesses in any matter depending in either House of Congress 
of which he is a Member, or any committee thereof.


  While under this clause the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct 
may issue subpoenas in investigating the conduct of a Member, officer, 
or employee of the House (the extent of the committee's jurisdiction 
under rule X and functions under clause 3 of rule XI), where the House 
mandates a possible investigation by that committee of other persons not 
directly associated with the House, the committee's jurisdiction is 
thereby enlarged and a broader subpoena authority must be conferred on 
the committee (Mar. 3, 1976, p. 5165). Subparagraph (3)(B) (former 
subparagraph (2)(B)) has been interpreted to require authorization by 
the full House before a subcommittee chairman could intervene in a law 
suit in order to gain access to documents subpoenaed by the 
subcommittee. In re Beef Industry Antitrust Litigation, 589 F.2d 786 
(5th Cir. 1979). The authority conferred in clause 2(m)(1)(B) to require 
information ``by subpoena or otherwise'' has not been interpreted to 
authorize depositions and interrogatories. That authority must be 
conferred by separate action of the House (see Sec. 800, supra).

                                                       Rule XI, clause 3
Rule XI, clause 3
Committee on Standards of Official Conduct



806. Standards of Official Conduct; additional 
duties.

  3. (a) The  Committee on Standards of Official Conduct has the following 
functions:



[[Page 538]]

tablish or enforce standards of official conduct for Members, Delegates, 
the Resident Commissioner, officers, and employees of the House. A 
letter of reproval or other administrative action of the committee 
pursuant to an investigation under subparagraph (2) shall only be issued 
or implemented as a part of a report required by such subparagraph.
      (1) The committee may recommend to the House from time to time 
such administrative actions as it may consider appropriate to es

      (2) The committee may investigate, subject to paragraph (b), an 
alleged violation by a Member, Delegate, Resident Commissioner, officer, 
or employee of the House of the Code of Official Conduct or of a law, 
rule, regulation, or other standard of conduct applicable to the conduct 
of such Member, Delegate, Resident Commissioner, officer, or employee in 
the performance of his duties or the discharge of his responsibilities. 
After notice and hearing (unless the right to a hearing is waived by the 
Member, Delegate, Resident Commissioner, officer, or employee), the 
committee shall report to the House its findings of fact and 
recommendations, if any, for the final disposition of any such 
investigation and such action as the committee may consider appropriate 
in the circumstances.


[[Page 539]]

law applicable to the performance of his duties or the discharge of his 
responsibilities that may have been disclosed in a committee 
investigation.
      (3) The committee may report to the appropriate Federal or State 
authorities, either with the approval of the House or by an affirmative 
vote of two-thirds of the members of the committee, any substantial 
evidence of a violation by a Member, Delegate, Resident Commissioner, 
officer, or employee of the House, of a

      (4) The committee may consider the request of a Member, Delegate, 
Resident Commissioner, officer, or employee of the House for an advisory 
opinion with respect to the general propriety of any current or proposed 
conduct of such Member, Delegate, Resident Commissioner, officer, or 
employee. With appropriate deletions to ensure the privacy of the person 
concerned, the committee may publish such opinion for the guidance of 
other Members, Delegates, the Resident Commissioner, officers, and 
employees of the House.

      (5) The committee may consider the request of a Member, Delegate, 
Resident Commissioner, officer, or employee of the House for a written 
waiver in exceptional circumstances with respect to clause 4 of rule 
XXIV.

  (b)(1)(A) Unless approved by an affirmative vote of a majority of its 
members, the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct may not report a 
resolution, report, recommendation, or advisory opinion relating to the 
official conduct of a Member, Delegate, Resident Commissioner, officer, 
or employee of the House, or, except as provided in subparagraph (2), 
undertake an investigation of such conduct.


[[Page 540]]

man and ranking minority member jointly may appoint members to serve as 
an investigative subcommittee.
  (B)(i) Upon the receipt of information offered as a complaint that is 
in compliance with this rule and the rules of the committee, the chair

  (ii) The chairman and ranking minority member of the committee jointly 
may gather additional information concerning alleged conduct that is the 
basis of a complaint or of information offered as a complaint until they 
have established an investigative subcommittee or either of them has 
placed on the agenda of the committee the issue of whether to establish 
an investigative subcommittee.

  (2) Except in the case of an investigation undertaken by the committee 
on its own initiative, the committee may undertake an investigation 
relating to the official conduct of an individual Member, Delegate, 
Resident Commissioner, officer, or employee of the House only--

      (A) upon receipt of information offered as a complaint, in writing 
and under oath, from a Member, Delegate, or Resident Commissioner and 
transmitted to the committee by such Member, Delegate, or Resident 
Commissioner; or


[[Page 541]]

If a complaint is not disposed of within the applicable periods set 
forth in the rules of the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct, 
the chairman and ranking minority member shall establish jointly an 
investigative subcommittee and forward the complaint, or any portion 
thereof, to that subcommittee for its consideration. However, if at any 
time during those periods either the chairman or ranking minority member 
places on the agenda the issue of whether to establish an investigative 
subcommittee, then an investigative subcommittee may be established only 
by an affirmative vote of a majority of the members of the committee.
      (B) upon receipt of information offered as a complaint, in writing 
and under oath, from a person not a Member, Delegate, or Resident 
Commissioner provided that a Member, Delegate, or Resident Commissioner 
certifies in writing to the committee that he believes the information 
is submitted in good faith and warrants the review and consideration of 
the committee.

  (3) The committee may not undertake an investigation of an alleged 
violation of a law, rule, regulation, or standard of conduct that was 
not in effect at the time of the alleged violation. The committee may 
not undertake an investigation of such an alleged violation that 
occurred before the third previous Congress unless the committee 
determines that the alleged violation is directly related to an alleged 
violation that occurred in a more recent Congress.


[[Page 542]]

proceeding of the committee relating to that conduct.
  (4) A member of the committee shall be ineligible to participate as a 
member of the committee in a committee proceeding relating to the 
member's official conduct. Whenever a member of the committee is 
ineligible to act as a member of the committee under the preceding 
sentence, the Speaker shall designate a Member, Delegate, or Resident 
Commissioner from the same political party as the ineligible member to 
act in any

  (5) A member of the committee may disqualify himself from 
participating in an investigation of the conduct of a Member, Delegate, 
Resident Commissioner, officer, or employee of the House upon the 
submission in writing and under oath of an affidavit of disqualification 
stating that the member cannot render an impartial and unbiased decision 
in the case in which the member seeks to be disqualified. If the 
committee approves and accepts such affidavit of disqualification, the 
chairman shall so notify the Speaker and request the Speaker to 
designate a Member, Delegate, or Resident Commissioner from the same 
political party as the disqualifying member to act in any proceeding of 
the committee relating to that case.

  (6) Information or testimony received, or the contents of a complaint 
or the fact of its filing, may not be publicly disclosed by any 
committee or staff member unless specifically authorized in each 
instance by a vote of the full committee.

  (7) The committee shall have the functions designated in titles I and 
V of the Ethics in Government Act of 1978, in sections 7342, 7351, and 
7353 of title 5, United States Code, and in clause 11(g)(4) of rule X.


[[Page 543]]

of a majority of its members, opens the meeting to the public.
  (c)(1) Notwithstanding clause 2(g)(1) of rule XI, each meeting of the 
Committee on Standards of Official Conduct or a subcommittee thereof 
shall occur in executive session unless the committee or subcommittee, 
by an affirmative vote

  (2) Notwithstanding clause 2(g)(2) of rule XI, each hearing of an 
adjudicatory subcommittee or sanction hearing of the Committee on 
Standards of Official Conduct shall be held in open session unless the 
committee or subcommittee, in open session by an affirmative vote of a 
majority of its members, closes all or part of the remainder of the 
hearing on that day to the public.

  (d) Before a member, officer, or employee of the Committee on 
Standards of Official Conduct, including members of a subcommittee of 
the committee selected under clause 5(a)(4) of rule X and shared staff, 
may have access to information that is confidential under the rules of 
the committee, the following oath (or affirmation) shall be executed:


[[Page 544]]

      ``I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will not disclose, to any 
person or entity outside the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct, 
any information received in the course of my service with the committee, 
except as authorized by the committee or in accordance with its rules.''
Copies of the executed oath shall be retained by the Clerk as part of 
the records of the House. This paragraph establishes a standard of 
conduct within the meaning of paragraph (a)(2). Breaches of 
confidentiality shall be investigated by the Committee on Standards of 
Official Conduct and appropriate action shall be taken.

  (e)(1) If a complaint or information offered as a complaint is deemed 
frivolous by an affirmative vote of a majority of the members of the 
Committee on Standards of Official Conduct, the committee may take such 
action as it, by an affirmative vote of a majority of its members, 
considers appropriate in the circumstances.


  (2) Complaints filed before the One Hundred Fifth Congress may not be 
deemed frivolous by the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct.

  The investigative authority contained in this clause (former clause 
4(e) of rule X) was first conferred upon the commitee in the 90th 
Congress (H. Res. 1099, Apr. 3, 1968, p. 8802). Effective January 3, 
1975, the former requirement in paragraph (b)(1)(A) (former clause 
4(e)(2)(A) of rule X) that seven committee members must authorize an 
investigation was changed to permit a majority of the commitee to 
provide that authorization (H. Res. 988, 93d Cong., Oct. 8, 1974, p. 
34470). That provision was further amended in the 105th Congress to 
permit the chairman and ranking minority member, with respect to a 
properly filed complaint, to gather additional information or to 
establish an investigative subcommittee (sec. 11, H. Res. 168, Sept. 18, 
1997, p. ----). Paragraph (b)(5) (former clause 4(e)(2)(E) of rule X) 
was added in the 95th Congress (H. Res. 5, Jan. 4, 1977, pp. 53-70), to 
provide a mechanism for a committee member to disqualify himself from 
participating in an investigation, and paragraph (b)(6) (former clause 
4(e)(2)(F) of rule X) was added in the 96th Congress (H. Res. 5, Jan. 
15, 1979, p. 8).

  This provision was amended in several particulars by the Ethics Reform 
Act of 1989 (P.L. 101-194): (1) paragraph (a)(1) (former clause 
4(e)(1)(A) of rule X) was amended to enable a letter of reproval or 
other administrative action of the commitee to be implemented as part of 
a report to the House, with no action required of the House; (2) 
paragraph (a)(2) (former clause 4(e)(1)(B) of rule X) was amended to 
require the commitee to report to the House its findings of fact and any 
recommendations respecting the final disposition of a matter in which it 
votes to undertake an investigation; (3) a new paragraph (a)(4) (former 
clause 4(e)(1)(E) of rule X) was added to empower the commitee to 
consider requests that the rule restricting the acceptance of gifts be 
waived in exceptional circumstances; and (4) paragraph (b)(3) (former 
clause 4(e)(2)(C) of rule X) was amended to set a general limitation on 
actions for committee consideration of ethics matters.


[[Page 545]]

on Ethics only to resolve a specific inquiry originally undertaken by 
the standing Committee on Standards of Official Conduct in the 104th 
Congress but not concluded (H. Res. 5, Jan. 7, 1997, p. ----). The 
select commitee filed one report to the House (H. Rept. 105-1, H. Res. 
31, Jan. 21, 1997, p. ----). The current form of paragraph (c) (former 
clause 4(e)(3) of rule X) was adopted later in the 105th Congress (sec. 
5, H. Res. 168, Sept. 18, 1997, p. ----).
  In the beginning of the 105th Congress a subparagraph (3) was added at 
the end of former clause 4(e) of rule X to establish a Select Committee

  Additional amendments to this provision were adopted in the 105th 
Congress as follows: (1) paragraphs (d) and (3) (former clauses 4(e)(4) 
and 4(e)(5)) were adopted (sec. 6 and sec. 19, H. Res. 168, Sept. 18, 
1997, p. ----); (2) paragraph (b)(2) (former clause 4(e)(2)(B) of rule 
X) was amended to address the disposition of a complaint after 
expiration of periods set forth in the commitee rules and to specify 
parameters for the filing of complaints by non-Members (sec. 11, H. Res. 
168, Sept. 18, 1997, p. ----); and (3) paragraph (a)(3) (former clause 
4(e)(1)(C) of rule X) was amended to permit the commitee to report to 
the appropriate authorities substantial evidence of a violation of law 
by an affirmative vote of two-thirds of the members of the commitee 
without the approval of the House (sec. 18, H. Res. 168, Sept. 18, 1997, 
p. ----). Before the House recodified its rules in the 106th Congress, 
this provision was found in former clause 4(e) of rule X and paragraph 
(b)(7) was found in former clause 1(p) of rule X (H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 
1999, p. ----).


  The Ethics Reform Act of 1989 (P.L. 101-194) contains free-standing 
provisions requiring: (1) that the respective party caucuses nominate 
seven majority and seven minority members, although in the 104th 
Congress only five returning majority and five returning minority 
members were initially elected (H. Res. 41, H. Res. 42, Jan. 20, 1995, 
p. 1909), and in the 105th Congress only the chairman and ranking 
minority member were elected initially pending recommendations by a 12-
member bipartisan task force informally appointed by the Majority and 
Minority Leaders to conduct a comprehensive review of the House ethics 
process (H. Res. 12, Jan. 7, 1997, p. ----; H. Res. 44, Feb. 10, 1997, 
p. ----); (2) that the commitee adopt rules establishing investigative 
and adjudicative subcommittees; and (3) that the commitee adopt rules 
establishing an Office on Advice and Education (see sec. 803(b), (c), 
(d), and (i), P.L. 101-194, 2 U.S.C. 29d). The texts of those provisions 
are set forth below. Section 803(b), (c), and (d) should be read in 
light of H. Res. 168, adopted in the 105th Congress, and reaffirmed in 
the 106th (sec. 2(c), H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 1999, p. ----), and described 
later in this annotation.


 ``Sec. 803. Reforms Respecting the Committee on Standards of Official 
                               __________


                               Conduct.--


[[Page 546]]

                                  * * *


  ``(b) committee composition.--The respective party caucus or 
conference of the House of Representatives shall each nominate to the 
House of Representatives at the beginning of each Congress 7 members to 
serve on the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct.

  ``(c) investigative subcommittees.--The Committee on Standards of 
Official Conduct shall adopt rules providing--

          ``(1) for the establishment of a 4 or 6-member investigative 

        subcommittee (with equal representation from the majority and 

        minority parties) whenever the committee votes to undertake any 

        investigation;

          ``(2) that the senior majority and minority members on an 

        investigative subcommittee shall serve as the chairman and 

        ranking minority member of the subcommittee; and

          ``(3) that the chairman and ranking minority member of the 

        full committee may only serve as non-voting, ex officio members 


        on an investigative subcommittee.
``Clause 5(d) of rule XI of the Rules of the House of Representatives 
shall not apply to any investigative subcommittee.

  ``(d) adjudicatory subcommittees.--The Committee on Standards of 
Official Conduct shall adopt rules providing--

          ``(1) that upon the completion of an investigation, an 

        investigative subcommittee shall report its findings and 

        recommendations to the committee;

          ``(2) that, if an investigative subcommittee by majority vote 

        of its membership adopts a statement of alleged violation, the 

        remaining members of the committee shall comprise an 

        adjudicatory subcommittee to hold a disciplinary hearing on the 

        violation alleged in the statement;

          ``(3) that any statement of alleged violation and any written 

        response thereto shall be made public at the first meeting or 

        hearing on the matter which is open to the public after the 

        respondent has been given full opportunity to respond to the 

        statement in accordance with committee rules, but, if no public 

        hearing or meeting is held on the matter, the statement of 

        alleged violation and any written response thereto shall be 

        included in the committee's final report to the House of 

        Representatives as required by clause 4(e)(1)(B) of rule X of 

        the Rules of the House of Representatives;

          ``(4) that a quorum for an adjudicatory subcommittee for the 

        purpose of taking testimony and conducting any business shall 

        consist of a majority of the membership of the subcommittee plus 

        one; and

          ``(5) that an adjudicatory subcommittee shall determine, after 

        receiving evidence, whether the counts in the statement have 


[[Page 547]]

        been proved and shall report its findings to the committee.
``Clause 5(d) of rule XI of the Rules of the House of Representatives 
shall not apply to any adjudicatory subcommittee.


                                  * * *

  ``(i) advice and education.--(1) The Committee on Standards of 
Official Conduct shall establish within the Committee an Office on 
Advice and Education (hereinafter in this subsection referred to as the 
`Office') under the supervision of the chairman.

          ``(2) The Office shall be headed by a director who shall be 

        appointed by the chairman, in consultation with the ranking 

        minority member, and shall be comprised of such staff as the 

        chairman determines is necessary to carry out the 

        responsibilities of the Office.

          ``(3) The primary responsibilities of the Office shall 

        include:

                  ``(A) Providing information and guidance to Members, 

                officers and employees of the House regarding any laws, 

                rules, regulations, and other standards of conduct 

                applicable to such individuals in their official 

                capacities, and any interpretations and advisory 

                opinions of the committee.

                  ``(B) Submitting to the chairman and ranking minority 

                member of the committee any written request from any 

                such Member, officer or employee for an interpretation 

                of applicable laws, rules, regulations, or other 

                standards of conduct, together with any recommendations 

                thereon.

                  ``(C) Recommending to the committee for its 

                consideration formal advisory opinions of general 

                applicability.

                  ``(D) Developing and carrying out, subject to the 

                approval of the chairman, periodic educational briefings 

                for Members, officers and employees of the House on 

                those laws, rules, regulations, or other standards of 

                conduct applicable to them.

          ``(4) No information provided to the Committee on Standards of 

        Official Conduct by a Member, officer or employee of the House 

        of Representatives when seeking advice regarding prospective 

        conduct of such Member, officer or employee may be used as the 

        basis for initiating an investigation under clause 4(e)(1)(B) of 

        rule X of the Rules of the House of Representatives, if such 

        Member, officer or employee acts in accordance with the written 


        advice of the committee.''.


                               __________


[[Page 548]]

ommendations of the task force with certain amendments (H. Res. 168, 
105th Cong., p. ----), which included not only changes to the standing 
Rules of the House but also free-standing directives to the Committee on 
Standards of Official Conduct, which where reaffirmed for the 106th 
Congress (sec. 2(c), H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 1999, p. ----). The texts of 
those free-standing provisions are set forth below.

  In the 105th Congress a 12-member bipartisan task force was informally 
appointed by the Majority and Minority Leaders to conduct a 
comprehensive review of the House ethics process. At the same time an 
order of the House was adopted imposing a moratorium on filing or 
processing ethics complaints and on raising certain questions of 
privilege under rule IX with respect to official conduct. The moratorium 
was imposed in the expectation that the recommendations of the task 
force would include changes relating to the Committee on Standards of 
Official Conduct and the process by which the House enforces standards 
of official conduct (Feb. 12, 1997, p. ----). The moratorium was 
extended through September 10, 1997 (July 30, 1997, p. ----). On 
September 18, 1997, the House adopted the rec


                               __________


                              ``H. Res. 168


``SEC. 3. COMMITTEE AGENDAS.
                                  * * *


``SEC. 4. COMMITTEE STAFF.
  ``The Committee on Standards of Official Conduct shall adopt rules 
providing that the chairman shall establish the agenda for meetings of 
the committee, but shall not preclude the ranking minority member from 
placing any item on the agenda.

  ``(a) Committee Rules.--The Committee on Standards of Official Conduct 
shall adopt rules providing that:

          ``(1)(A) The staff is to be assembled and retained as a 

        professional, nonpartisan staff.

          ``(B) Each member of the staff shall be professional and 

        demonstrably qualified for the position for which he is hired.

          ``(C) The staff as a whole and each member of the staff shall 

        perform all official duties in a nonpartisan manner.

          ``(D) No member of the staff shall engage in any partisan 

        political activity directly affecting any congressional or 

        presidential election.

          ``(E) No member of the staff or outside counsel may accept 

        public speaking engagements or write for publication on any 

        subject that is in any way related to his or her employment or 

        duties with the committee without specific prior approval from 

        the chairman and ranking minority member.

          ``(F) No member of the staff or outside counsel may make 

        public, unless approved by an affirmative vote of a majority of 

        the members of the committee, any information, document, or 

        other material that is confidential, derived from executive 

        session, or classified and that is obtained during the course of 

        employment with the committee.

          ``(2)(A) All staff members shall be appointed by an 

        affirmative vote of a majority of the members of the committee. 

        Such vote shall occur at the first meeting of the membership of 

        the committee during each Congress and as necessary during the 

        Congress.

          ``(B) Subject to the approval of Committee on House Oversight, 

        the committee may retain counsel not employed by the House of 

        Representatives whenever the committee determines, by an 

        affirmative vote of a majority of the members of the committee, 

        that the retention of outside counsel is necessary and 


[[Page 549]]

        appropriate.

          ``(C) If the committee determines that it is necessary to 

        retain staff members for the purpose of a particular 

        investigation or other proceeding, then such staff shall be 

        retained only for the duration of that particular investigation 

        or proceeding.

          ``(3) Outside counsel may be dismissed prior to the end of a 

        contract between the committee and such counsel only by an 

        affirmative vote of a majority of the members of the committee.

          ``(4) Only subparagraphs (C), (E), and (F) of paragraph (1) 

        shall apply to shared staff.


``SEC. 5. MEETINGS AND HEARINGS.

  ``(b) Additional Committee Staff.--In addition to any other staff 
provided for by law, rule, or other authority, with respect to the 
Committee on Standards of Official Conduct, the chairman and ranking 
minority member each may appoint one individual as a shared staff member 
from his or her personal staff to perform service for the committee. 
Such shared staff may assist the chairman or ranking minority member on 
any subcommittee on which he serves.


                                  * * *

  ``(b) Committee Rules.--The Committee on Standards of Official Conduct 
shall adopt rules providing that--

          ``(1) all meetings of the committee or any subcommittee 

        thereof shall occur in executive session unless the committee or 

        subcommittee by an affirmative vote of a majority of its members 

        opens the meeting or hearing to the public; and

          ``(2) any hearing held by an adjudicatory subcommittee or any 

        sanction hearing held by the committee shall be open to the 

        public unless the committee or subcommittee by an affirmative 

        vote of a majority of its members closes the hearing to the 


        public.


``SEC. 7. PUBLIC DISCLOSURE.
                                  * * *


  ``The Committee on Standards of Official Conduct shall adopt rules 
providing that, unless otherwise determined by a vote of the committee, 
only the chairman or ranking minority member, after consultation with 
each other, may make public statements regarding matters before the 
committee or any subcommittee thereof.


``SEC. 10. REQUIREMENTS TO CONSTITUTE A COMPLAINT.
                                  * * *



[[Page 550]]


``SEC. 11. DUTIES OF CHAIRMAN AND RANKING MINORITY MEMBER REGARDING 
PROPERLY FILED COMPLAINTS.
  ``The Committee on Standards of Official Conduct shall amend its rules 
regarding complaints to provide that whenever information offered as a 
complaint is submitted to the committee, the chairman and ranking 
minority member shall have 14 calendar days or 5 legislative days, 
whichever occurs first, to determine whether the information meets the 
requirements of the committee's rules for what constitutes a complaint.

  ``(a) Committee Rules.--The Committee on Standards of Official Conduct 
shall adopt rules providing that whenever the chairman and ranking 
minority member jointly determine that information submitted to the 
committee meets the requirements of the committee's rules for what 
constitutes a complaint, they shall have 45 calendar days or 5 
legislative days, whichever is later, after the date that the chairman 
and ranking minority member determine that information filed meets the 
requirements of the committee's rules for what constitutes a complaint, 
unless the committee by an affirmative vote of a majority of its members 
votes otherwise, to--

          ``(1) recommend to the committee that it dispose of the 

        complaint, or any portion thereof, in any manner that does not 

        require action by the House, which may include dismissal of the 

        complaint or resolution of the complaint by a letter to the 

        Member, officer, or employee of the House against whom the 

        complaint is made;

          ``(2) establish an investigative subcommittee; or

          ``(3) request that the committee extend the applicable 45-

        calendar day or 5-legislative day period by one additional 45-

        calendar day period when they determine more time is necessary 


        in order to make a recommendation under paragraph (1).


                                  * * *


  ``(c) Disposition of Properly Filed Complaints by Chairman and Ranking 
Minority Member if no Action Taken by Them Within Prescribed Time 
Limit.--The Committee on Standards of Official Conduct shall adopt rules 
providing that if the chairman and ranking minority member jointly 
determine that information submitted to the committee meets the 
requirements of the committee rules for what constitutes a complaint, 
and the complaint is not disposed of within the applicable time periods 
under subsection (a), then they shall establish an investigative 
subcommittee and forward the complaint, or any portion thereof, to that 
subcommittee for its consideration. However, if, at any time during 
those periods, either the chairman or ranking minority member places on 
the agenda the issue of whether to establish an investigative 
subcommittee, then an investigative subcommittee may be established only 
by an affirmative vote of a majority of the members of the committee.


``SEC. 12. DUTIES OF CHAIRMAN AND RANKING MINORITY MEMBER REGARDING 
INFORMATION NOT CONSTITUTING A COMPLAINT.
                                  * * *


[[Page 551]]

requirements for what constitutes a complaint set forth in the committee 
rules, they may--
  ``The Committee on Standards of Official Conduct shall adopt rules 
providing that whenever the chairman and ranking minority member jointly 
determine that information submitted to the committee does not meet the

          ``(1) return the information to the complainant with a 

        statement that it fails to meet the requirements for what 

        constitutes a complaint set forth in the committee's rules; or

          ``(2) recommend to the committee that it authorize the 


``SEC. 13. INVESTIGATIVE AND ADJUDICATORY SUBCOMMITTEES.
        establishment of an investigative subcommittee.

  ``The Committee on Standards of Official Conduct shall adopt rules 
providing that--

          ``(1)(A) investigative subcommittees shall be comprised of 4 

        Members (with equal representation from the majority and 

        minority parties) whenever such subcommittee is established 

        pursuant to the rules of the committee; and

          ``(B) adjudicatory subcommittees shall be comprised of the 

        members of the committee who did not serve on the investigative 

        subcommittee (with equal representation from the majority and 

        minority parties) whenever such subcommittee is established 

        pursuant to the rules of the committee;

          ``(2) at the time of appointment, the chairman shall designate 

        one member of the subcommittee to serve as chairman and the 

        ranking minority member shall designate one member of the 

        subcommittee to serve as the ranking minority member of the 

        investigative subcommittee or adjudicatory subcommittee; and

          ``(3) the chairman and ranking minority member of the 

        committee may serve as members of an investigative subcommittee, 


``SEC. 14. STANDARD OF PROOF FOR ADOPTION OF STATEMENT OF ALLEGED 
VIOLATION.
        but may not serve as non-voting, ex officio members.


``SEC. 15. SUBCOMMITTEE POWERS.
  ``The Committee on Standards of Official Conduct shall amend its rules 
to provide that an investigative subcommittee may adopt a statement of 
alleged violation only if it determines by an affirmative vote of a 
majority of the members of the committee that there is substantial 
reason to believe that a violation of the Code of Official Conduct, or 
of a law, rule, regulation, or other standard of conduct applicable to 
the performance of official duties or the discharge of official 
responsibilities by a Member, officer, or employee of the House of 
Representatives has occurred.


  ``(a) Subpoena Power.--


                                  * * *

          ``(2) Committee rules.--The Committee on Standards of Official 

        Conduct shall adopt rules providing that an investigative 

        subcommittee or an adjudicatory subcommittee may authorize and 

        issue subpoenas only when authorized by an affirmative vote of a 


[[Page 552]]

        majority of the members of the subcommittee.

  ``(b) Expansion of Scope of Investigations.--The Committee on 
Standards of Official Conduct shall adopt rules providing that an 
investigative subcommittee may, upon an affirmative vote of a majority 
of its members, expand the scope of its investigation approved by an 
affirmative vote of a majority of the members of the committee.

  ``(c) Amendments of Statements of Alleged Violation.--The Committee on 
Standards of Official Conduct shall adopt rules to provide that--

          ``(1) an investigative subcommittee may, upon an affirmative 

        vote of a majority of its members, amend its statement of 

        alleged violation anytime before the statement of alleged 

        violation is transmitted to the committee; and

          ``(2) if an investigative subcommittee amends its statement of 

        alleged violation, the respondent shall be notified in writing 

        and shall have 30 calendar days from the date of that 

        notification to file an answer to the amended statement of 


``SEC. 16. DUE PROCESS RIGHTS OF RESPONDENTS.
        alleged violation.

  ``The Committee on Standards of Official Conduct shall amend its rules 
to provide that--

          ``(1) not less than 10 calendar days before a scheduled vote 

        by an investigative subcommittee on a statement of alleged 

        violation, the subcommittee shall provide the respondent with a 

        copy of the statement of alleged violation it intends to adopt 

        together with all evidence it intends to use to prove those 

        charges which it intends to adopt, including documentary 

        evidence, witness testimony, memoranda of witness interviews, 

        and physical evidence, unless the subcommittee by an affirmative 

        vote of a majority of its members decides to withhold certain 

        evidence in order to protect a witness, but if such evidence is 

        withheld, the subcommittee shall inform the respondent that 

        evidence is being withheld and of the count to which such 

        evidence relates;

          ``(2) neither the respondent nor his counsel shall, directly 

        or indirectly, contact the subcommittee or any member thereof 

        during the period of time set forth in paragraph (1) except for 

        the sole purpose of settlement discussions where counsels for 

        the respondent and the subcommittee are present;

          ``(3) if, at any time after the issuance of a statement of 

        alleged violation, the committee or any subcommittee thereof 

        determines that it intends to use evidence not provided to a 

        respondent under paragraph (1) to prove the charges contained in 

        the statement of alleged violation (or any amendment thereof), 

        such evidence shall be made immediately available to the 

        respondent, and it may be used in any further proceeding under 

        the committee's rules;

          ``(4) evidence provided pursuant to paragraph (1) or (3) shall 

        be made available to the respondent and his or her counsel only 

        after each agrees, in writing, that no document, information, or 


[[Page 553]]

        other ma

        terials obtained pursuant to that paragraph shall be made public 

        until--

                  ``(A) such time as a statement of alleged violation is 

                made public by the committee if the respondent has 

                waived the adjudicatory hearing; or

                  ``(B) the commencement of an adjudicatory hearing if 

                the respondent has not waived an adjudicatory hearing;

        ``but the failure of respondent and his counsel to so agree in 

        writing, and therefore not receive the evidence, shall not 

        preclude the issuance of a statement of alleged violation at the 

        end of the period referred to in paragraph (1);

          ``(5) a respondent shall receive written notice whenever--

                  ``(A) the chairman and ranking minority member 

                determine that information the committee has received 

                constitutes a complaint;

                  ``(B) a complaint or allegation is transmitted to an 

                investigative subcommittee;

                  ``(C) that subcommittee votes to authorize its first 

                subpoena or to take testimony under oath, whichever 

                occurs first; and

                  ``(D) an investigative subcommittee votes to expand 

                the scope of its investigation;

          ``(6) whenever an investigative subcommittee adopts a 

        statement of alleged violation and a respondent enters into an 

        agreement with that subcommittee to settle a complaint on which 

        that statement is based, that agreement, unless the respondent 

        requests otherwise, shall be in writing and signed by the 

        respondent and respondent's counsel, the chairman and ranking 

        minority member of the subcommittee, and the outside counsel, if 

        any;

          ``(7) statements or information derived solely from a 

        respondent or his counsel during any settlement discussions 

        between the committee or a subcommittee thereof and the 

        respondent shall not be included in any report of the 

        subcommittee or the committee or otherwise publicly disclosed 

        without the consent of the respondent; and

          ``(8) whenever a motion to establish an investigative 

        subcommittee does not prevail, the committee shall promptly send 


``SEC. 17. COMMITTEE REPORTING REQUIREMENTS.
        a letter to the respondent informing him of such vote.

  ``The Committee on Standards of Official Conduct shall amend its rules 
to provide that--

          ``(1) whenever an investigative subcommittee does not adopt a 

        statement of alleged violation and transmits a report to that 

        effect to the committee, the committee may by an affirmative 

        vote of a majority of its members transmit such report to the 

        House of Representatives; and

          ``(2) whenever an investigative subcommittee adopts a 

        statement of alleged violation, the respondent admits to the 


[[Page 554]]

        violations set forth in

        such statement, the respondent waives his or her right to an 

        adjudicatory hearing, and the respondent's waiver is approved by 

        the committee--

                  ``(A) the subcommittee shall prepare a report for 

                transmittal to the committee, a final draft of which 

                shall be provided to the respondent not less than 15 

                calendar days before the subcommittee votes on whether 

                to adopt the report;

                  ``(B) the respondent may submit views in writing 

                regarding the final draft to the subcommittee within 7 

                calendar days of receipt of that draft;

                  ``(C) the subcommittee shall transmit a report to the 

                committee regarding the statement of alleged violation 

                together with any views submitted by the respondent 

                pursuant to subparagraph (B), and the committee shall 

                make the report together with the respondent's views 

                available to the public before the commencement of any 

                sanction hearing; and

                  ``(D) the committee shall by an affirmative vote of a 

                majority of its members issue a report and transmit such 

                report to the House of Representatives, together with 

                the respondent's views previously submitted pursuant to 

                subparagraph (B) and any additional views respondent may 

                submit for attachment to the final report; and

          ``(3) members of the committee shall have not less than 72 

        hours to review any report transmitted to the committee by an 

        investigative subcommittee before both the commencement of a 

        sanction hearing and the committee vote on whether to adopt the 


        report.


``SEC. 20. TECHNICAL AMENDMENTS.
                                  * * *

  ``The Committee on Standards of Official Conduct shall--

          ``(1) clarify its rules to provide that whenever the committee 

        votes to authorize an investigation on its own initiative, the 

        chairman and ranking minority member shall establish an 

        investigative subcommittee to undertake such investigation;

          ``(2) revise its rules to refer to hearings held by an 

        adjudicatory subcommittee as adjudicatory hearings; and

          ``(3) make such other amendments to its rules as necessary to 


``SEC. 21. EFFECTIVE DATE.
        conform such rules to this resolution.


  ``This resolution and the amendments made by it apply with respect to 
any complaint or information offered as a complaint that is or has been 
filed during this Congress.''


                               __________


[[Page 555]]

mittee to take depositions with one Member present, notwithstanding 
clause 2(h) of rule XI, to serve subpoenas within or without the United 
States, and to participate by special counsel in relevant judicial 
proceedings (see H. Res. 252, 95th Cong., Feb. 9, 1977, pp. 3966-75; H. 
Res. 608, Mar. 27, 1980, pp. 6995-98; H. Res. 254, June 30, 1983, p. 
18279), and to investigate persons other than Members, officers and 
employees with expanded subpoena authority (see H. Res. 1054, 94th 
Cong., Mar. 3, 1976, pp. 5165-68). By unanimous consent the committee 
was authorized to receive evidence and take testimony before a quorum of 
one of its Members for the remainder of the second session of the 100th 
Congress (Oct. 13, 1988, p. 30467). By resolutions considered as 
questions of the privileges of the House, the committee has been 
directed to investigate illegal solicitation of political contributions 
in the House Office Building by unnamed sitting Members (July 10, 1985, 
p. 18397); to review GAO audits of the operations of the ``bank'' in the 
Office of the Sergeant-at-Arms (Oct. 3, 1991, p. 25435), to disclose the 
names and pertinent account information of Members and former Members 
found to have abused the privileges of that entity (Mar. 12, 1992, p. 
5519), and to disclose further account information respecting Members 
and former Members having checks held by that entity (Mar. 12, 1992, p. 
5534); and to investigate violations of confidentiality by staff engaged 
in the investigation of the operation and management of the Office of 
the Postmaster (July 22, 1992, p. 18786). In compliance with one such 
direction of the House, the Acting Chairman of the Committee on 
Standards of Official Conduct inserted in the Record names and pertinent 
account information of Members and former Members found to have abused 
the privileges of the ``bank'' in the Office of the Sergeant-at-Arms (H. 
Res. 393, Apr. 1, 1992, p. 7888).
  On occasions where the House has directed the committee to conduct 
specific investigations by separate resolution, it has authorized the 
com

  Under clause 3(b)(4) (former clause 4(e)(2)(D) of rule X), a member of 
the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct is ineligible to 
participate in a committee proceeding relating to that member's official 
conduct. Upon notification to the Speaker of such ineligibility, the 
Speaker designates another Member of the same political party as the 
ineligible member to serve on the committee during proceedings relating 
to that conduct (Speaker O'Neill, Feb. 5, 1980, p. 1908; July 23, 1996, 
p. 18596). Under clause 3(b)(5) (former clause 4(e)(2)(E) of rule X), a 
member of the committee may be recused from serving on the committee 
during proceedings relating to a pending investigation by submitting an 
affidavit of disqualification to the committee stating that the member 
cannot render an impartial and unbiased decision relating to that 
investigation. If the committee accepts the affidavit, the chairman 
notifies the Speaker and requests the Speaker to designate another 
Member from the same political party as the disqualified member to serve 
on the committee during proceedings relating to that investigation 
(Speaker O'Neill, Mar. 18, 1980).


[[Page 556]]

(former clause 4(e)(1)(D) of rule X), together with advisory opinions 
issued by the former Select Committee on Ethics, in its discussions of 
various ethical issues, including gifts, outside income, financial 
disclosure, staff rights and duties, official allowances and franking, 
casework considerations, campaign financing and practices, and 
involvement with official and unofficial organizations.

  The committee has compiled statutory and rule-based ethical standards 
in the House Ethics Manual (102d Cong., 2d Sess.). In the Manual, the 
committee incorporates its advisory opinions issued under clause 3(a)(4)

                                                       Rule XI, clause 4
Rule XI, clause 4
Audio and visual coverage of committee proceedings



807. Coverage of committee proceedings.

  4.  (a) The purpose 
of this clause is to provide a means, in conformity with acceptable 
standards of dignity, propriety, and decorum, by which committee 
hearings or committee meetings that are open to the public may be 
covered by audio and visual means--


      (1) for the education, enlightenment, and information of the 
general public, on the basis of accurate and impartial news coverage, 
regarding the operations, procedures, and practices of the House as a 
legislative and representative body, and regarding the measures, public 
issues, and other matters before the House and its committees, the 
consideration thereof, and the action taken thereon; and

      (2) for the development of the perspective and understanding of 
the general public with respect to the role and function of the House 
under the Constitution as an institution of the Federal Government.


[[Page 557]]

the candidacy of any person for elective public office.
  (b) In addition, it is the intent of this clause that radio and 
television tapes and television film of any coverage under this clause 
may not be used, or made available for use, as partisan political 
campaign material to promote or oppose



Sec. 808. Media coverage.

  (c) It is,  further, the intent of 
this clause that the general conduct of each meeting (whether of a 
hearing or otherwise) covered under authority of this clause by audio or 
visual means, and the personal behavior of the committee members and 
staff, other Government officials and personnel, witnesses, television, 
radio, and press media personnel, and the general public at the hearing 
or other meeting, shall be in strict conformity with and observance of 
the acceptable standards of dignity, propriety, courtesy, and decorum 
traditionally observed by the House in its operations, and may not be 
such as to--


      (1) distort the objects and purposes of the hearing or other 
meeting or the activities of committee members in connection with that 
hearing or meeting or in connection with the general work of the 
committee or of the House; or

      (2) cast discredit or dishonor on the House, the committee, or a 
Member, Delegate, or Resident Commissioner or bring the House, the 
committee, or a Member, Delegate, or Resident Commissioner into 
disrepute.


[[Page 558]]

  (d) The coverage of committee hearings and meetings by audio and 
visual means shall be permitted and conducted only in strict conformity 
with the purposes, provisions, and requirements of this clause.



Sec. 809. When permitted.

  (e) Whenever  a hearing or meeting 
conducted by a committee or subcommittee is open to the public, those 
proceedings shall be open to coverage by audio and visual means. A 
committee or subcommittee chairman may not limit the number of 
television or still cameras to fewer than two representatives from each 
medium (except for legitimate space or safety considerations, in which 
case pool coverage shall be authorized).




Sec. 810. Committee rules.

  (f) Each  committee shall adopt 
written rules to govern its implementation of this clause. Such rules 
shall contain provisions to the following effect:


      (1) If audio or visual coverage of the hearing or meeting is to be 
presented to the public as live coverage, that coverage shall be 
conducted and presented without commercial sponsorship.

      (2) The allocation among the television media of the positions or 
the number of television cameras permitted by a committee or 
subcommittee chairman in a hearing or meeting room shall be in 
accordance with fair and equitable procedures devised by the Executive 
Committee of the Radio and Television Correspondents' Galleries.


[[Page 559]]

      (3) Television cameras shall be placed so as not to obstruct in 
any way the space between a witness giving evidence or testimony and any 
member of the committee or the visibility of that witness and that 
member to each other.

      (4) Television cameras shall operate from fixed positions but may 
not be placed in positions that obstruct unnecessarily the coverage of 
the hearing or meeting by the other media.

      (5) Equipment necessary for coverage by the television and radio 
media may not be installed in, or removed from, the hearing or meeting 
room while the committee is in session.

      (6)(A) Except as provided in subdivision (B), floodlights, 
spotlights, strobelights, and flash-
guns may not be used in providing any method of coverage of the hearing 
or meeting.

      (B) The television media may install additional lighting in a 
hearing or meeting room, without cost to the Government, in order to 
raise the ambient lighting level in a hearing or meeting room to the 
lowest level necessary to provide adequate television coverage of a 
hearing or meeting at the current state of the art of television 
coverage.


[[Page 560]]

equitable pool arrangement devised by the Standing Committee of Press 
Photographers.
      (7) In the allocation of the number of still photographers 
permitted by a committee or subcommittee chairman in a hearing or 
meeting room, preference shall be given to photographers from Associated 
Press Photos and United Press International Newspictures. If requests 
are made by more of the media than will be permitted by a committee or 
subcommittee chairman for coverage of a hearing or meeting by still 
photography, that coverage shall be permitted on the basis of a fair and



Sec. 811. Press photographers.

      (8)  Photographers may not 
position themselves between the witness table and the members of the 
committee at any time during the course of a hearing or meeting.


      (9) Photographers may not place themselves in positions that 
obstruct unnecessarily the coverage of the hearing by the other media.

      (10) Personnel providing coverage by the television and radio 
media shall be currently accredited to the Radio and Television 
Correspondents' Galleries.



Sec. 812. Accreditation.

      (11)  Personnel providing 
coverage by still photography shall be currently accredited to the Press 
Photographers' Gallery.



      (12) Personnel providing coverage by the television and radio 
media and by still photography shall conduct themselves and their 
coverage activities in an orderly and unobtrusive manner.


[[Page 561]]

and paragraph (e) was amended to eliminate the requirement that a 
committee vote to permit broadcast and photographic coverage of open 
hearings and meetings and to prohibit chairmen from limiting coverage to 
less than two representatives from each medium, except where space or 
safety considerations warrant pool coverage (sec. 105, H. Res. 6, Jan. 
4, 1995, p. 463). Later in the 104th Congress this clause was again 
amended to make conforming changes in its heading and in paragraph (f) 
(H. Res. 254, Nov. 30, 1995, p. ----). Before the House recodified its 
rules in the 106th Congress, this provision was found in former clause 3 
of rule XI (H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 1999, p. ----).

  The rule permitting broadcasting of committee hearings was contained 
in section 116(b) of the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1970 (84 
Stat. 1140) and became part of the rules in the 92d Congress (H. Res. 5, 
Jan. 22, 1971, p. 144). In the 93d Congress (H. Res. 1107, July 22, 
1974, p. 24447), the rule was amended to permit committees to adopt 
rules allowing coverage of committee meetings as well as hearings. 
Paragraphs (e), (f)(3), (f)(5), and (f)(8) of this clause were amended 
in the 99th Congress to remove the limit on the number of television 
cameras (previously four) and press photographers (previously five) 
covering committee proceedings, and to provide the committee or 
subcommittee chairman with the discretion to determine the appropriate 
number (H. Res. 7, Jan. 3, 1985, p. 393). At the beginning of the 104th 
Congress paragraph (d) was amended to delete the former characterization 
of broadcast and photographic coverage of committee meetings and 
hearings as ``a privilege made available by the House,''

                                                       Rule XI, clause 5
Rule XI, clause 5
Pay of witnesses




813. Fees of witnesses before the House or 
committees.

  5.  Witnesses appearing before the House or any of its 
committees shall be paid the same per diem rate as established, 
authorized, and regulated by the Committee on House Administration for 
Members, Delegates, the Resident Commissioner, and employees of the 
House, plus actual expenses of travel to or from the place of 
examination. Such per diem may not be paid when a witness has been 
summoned at the place of examination.



  This clause (former rule XXXV) was adopted in 1872, with amendments in 
1880 (III, 1825), 1930 (VI, 393), April 19, 1955 (p. 4722), August 12, 
1969 (H. Res. 495, 91st Cong., p. 23355), and July 28, 1975 (H. Res. 
517, 94th Cong. p. 25258). The last amendment eliminated the specific 
per diem and travel rate of reimbursement and allowed actual travel 
costs and per diem for witnesses requested or subpoenaed to appear at 
the same rate as established by the Committee on House Administration 
for Members and employees. In the 104th and 106th Congresses it was 
amended to conform references to a renamed committee (sec. 202(b), H. 
Res. 6, Jan. 4, 1995, p. 467; H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 1999, p. ----). Before 
the House recodified its rules in the 106th Congress, this provision was 
found in former rule XXXV (H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 1999, p. ----). For 
further provisions relating to witnesses, see clauses 2(j) and (k) of 
rule XI (Sec. Sec. 802-803, supra).


[[Page 562]]

Unfinished business of the session
                                                       Rule XI, clause 6
Rule XI, clause 6




814. Resumption of business of a preceding 
session.

  6. All business  of the House at the end of one session shall be resumed at 
the commencement of the next session of the same Congress in the same 
manner as if no adjournment had taken place.


  At first the Congress attempted to follow the rule of the English 
Parliament that business unfinished in one session should begin anew at 
the next; but in 1818, after an investigation of a joint committee in 
1816, a rule was adopted that House bills remaining undetermined in the 
House should be continued at the next session after six days. This rule 
did not reach House bills sent to the Senate; but in 1848 the two Houses 
remedied this omission by a joint rule. Business referred to committees 
of the House was still subject to the old rule of Parliament; but in 
1860 the present rule was adopted as a supplement to the rule of 1818. 
In 1890, desiring to do away with the limitation of the six days and 
apparently overlooking the main purpose of the rule of 1818, the House 
rescinded that portion of this provision which dated from 1818. Also, in 
1876 the joint rules were abrogated, leaving no provision, except the 
headline of the rule, for the continuance of business not before 
committees. The practice, however, had become so well established that 
no question has ever been raised (V, 6727). Before the House recodified 
its rules in the 106th Congress, this provision was found in former rule 
XXVI (H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 1999, p. ----).



[106th Congress House Rules Manual -- House Document No. 105-358]
[From the U.S. Government Printing Office Online Database]
[Page 563-576]

[[Page 563]]


 
  The business of conferences between the two Houses is not interrupted 
by an adjournment of a session which does not terminate the Congress (V, 
6260-6262), and even where one House asks a conference at one session 
the other may agree to it in the next session (V, 6286). Where bills 
were enrolled and signed by the presiding officers of the two Houses at 
the close of one session they were sent to the President and approved at 
the beginning of the next session (IV, 3486-3488).



Messages
        Rule XII.--RECEIPT AND REFERRAL OF MEASURES AND MATTERS        




815. Entry of messages in the Journal and 
Record.

  1.  Messages received from the Senate, or from the President, 
shall be entered on the Journal and published in the Congressional 
Record of the proceedings of that day.


  This provision was adopted in 1867 and amended in 1880 (V, 6593). It 
was renumbered January 3, 1953 (p. 24). Before the House recodified its 
rules in the 106th Congress, this provision was found in former rule 
XXXIX (H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 1999, p. ----).


  The House may receive a message from the Senate when the Senate is not 
in session (VIII, 3338).

                                                      Rule XII, clause 2
Rule XII, clause 2
Referral



816. Referral procedures.

  2.  (a) The Speaker shall refer 
each bill, resolution, or other matter that relates to a subject listed 
under a standing committee named in clause 1 of rule X in accordance 
with the provisions of this clause.



[[Page 564]]

  (b) The Speaker shall refer matters under paragraph (a) in such manner 
as to ensure to the maximum extent feasible that each committee that has 
jurisdiction under clause 1 of rule X over the subject matter of a 
provision thereof may consider such provision and report to the House 
thereon. Precedents, rulings, or procedures in effect before the Ninety-
Fourth Congress shall be applied to referrals under this clause only to 
the extent that they will contribute to the achievement of the 
objectives of this clause.

  (c) In carrying out paragraphs (a) and (b) with respect to the 
referral of a matter, the Speaker--

      (1) shall designate a committee of primary jurisdiction;

      (2) may refer the matter to one or more additional committees for 
consideration in sequence, either initially or after the matter has been 
reported by the committee of primary jurisdiction;

      (3) may refer portions of the matter reflecting different subjects 
and jurisdictions to one or more additional committees;

      (4) may refer the matter to a special, ad hoc committee appointed 
by the Speaker with the approval of the House, and including members of 
the committees of jurisdiction, for the specific purpose of considering 
that matter and reporting to the House thereon;

      (5) may subject a referral to appropriate time limitations; and


      (6) may make such other provision as may be considered 
appropriate.


[[Page 565]]

on Armed Services (military applications of nuclear energy), Interior 
and Insular Affairs (now Resources) (regulation of the domestic nuclear 
energy industry, since transferred to the Committee on Commerce in the 
104th Congress), Foreign Affairs (now International Relations) 
(nonproliferation of nuclear energy and international nuclear export 
agreements), Interstate and Foreign Commerce (now Commerce) (the same 
jurisdiction over nuclear energy as exercised over other energy), and 
Science and Technology (now Science) (nondefense nuclear research and 
development). In addition, the Committee on Interstate and Foreign 
Commerce (now Commerce) was given oversight jurisdiction over all laws, 
programs, and government activities affecting nuclear energy. Paragraph 
(e) was deleted entirely in the 97th Congress (H. Res. 5, Jan. 5, 1981, 
p. 98). At the same time the House deleted former paragraph (d) which 
formerly required the Congressional Research Service of the Library of 
Congress to prepare factual descriptions of each bill or resolution 
introduced in the House to be published in the Congressional Record. 
Before the House recodified its rules in the 106th Congress, this 
provision was found in former clause 5 of rule X (H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 
1999, p. ----).
  This provision became effective as part of the rules on January 3, 
1975 (H. Res. 988, 93d Cong., Oct. 8, 1974, p. 34470). Prior to that 
time a bill or resolution could not be divided for reference among two 
or more committees, although it contained matter properly within the 
jurisdiction of several committees (IV, 4361). Paragraph (c) was amended 
on January 4, 1977 (H. Res. 5, pp. 53-70) to authorize the Speaker to 
place an appropriate time limit for consideration by the first committee 
or committees to which referred. In the 104th Congress paragraph (c) was 
again amended to require the Speaker to initially designate a committee 
of primary jurisdiction in each referral of a measure to more than one 
committee (sec. 205, H. Res. 6, Jan. 4, 1995, p. 467). A paragraph (e) 
was added to the clause on January 4, 1977 (H. Res. 5, pp. 53-70) to 
abolish the legislative jurisdiction in the House of the Joint Committee 
on Atomic Energy. The legislative jurisdiction of the Joint Committee 
was divided among the Committees

  An order of the House that no organizational or legislative business 
be conducted on certain days (first by provision of a concurrent 
resolution, but extended by unanimous consent) was considered not to 
deprive Members of the privilege of introducing bills and resolutions 
during pro forma sessions on those days, such measures being numbered on 
the day introduced but not noted in the Record or referred to committee 
until the day on which business was resumed (H. Con. Res. 260, 102d 
Cong., Nov. 26, 1991, p. 35840; see Jan. 22, 1992, p. 149, and Jan. 28, 
1992, p. 745).


[[Page 566]]

initial reference to committees and set appropriate time limitations 
(pursuant to the clause as amended in the 95th Congress) on the initial 
reference to each committee (Speaker O'Neill, Feb. 16, 1977, p. 4532); 
may sequentially refer a bill reported by one committee, with a 
committee amendment, to another committee for consideration of the bill 
and amendment of the previous committee (Speaker O'Neill, Oct. 13, 1977, 
p. 33716); may sequentially refer to a third committee a portion of an 
amendment in the nature of a substitute recommended by one of two 
committees to which the bill had been referred, after the second 
committee reports the bill (Speaker O'Neill, May 22, 1985, p. 13126); 
may refer sequentially to two committees only a portion of the amendment 
reported by the primary committee for consideration of such provisions 
within that portion as fall within their respective jurisdictions 
(Speaker Wright, Sept. 9, 1987, p. 23648); may discharge a reported bill 
from the Union Calendar for sequential reference to another committee 
(Speaker O'Neill, Apr. 27, 1978, p. 11742; June 19, 1986, p. 14741; June 
12, 1990, p. 13670); may discharge a committee from further 
consideration of a bill not reported by it within the time period for 
which the bill was referred by the Speaker and place the bill on the 
appropriate calendar (May 8, 1978, p. 12924); may jointly refer 
designated portions of a bill to a second committee while referring the 
entire bill to another committee (Speaker O'Neill, Mar. 3, 1982, p. 
3155); may delimit the period for sequential consideration of a bill in 
terms of legislative days (June 30, 1988, p. 16597); may sequentially 
refer a bill without day (Sept. 27, 1988, p. 25827); may sequentially 
refer a bill back to the first-reporting committee when it is reported 
from the second-reporting committee with a nongermane amendment within 
the jurisdiction of the first committee and not within the bounds of the 
initial referral (Oct. 4, 1988, p. 28242); and may refer a bill 
primarily to one committee (as now required by paragraph (c)) while also 
referring it initially to additional committees for time periods to be 
subsequently determined when the primary committee reports, in each case 
for consideration of matters within their respective jurisdictions 
(Speaker Gingrich, Jan. 4, 1995, p. 123). A bill initially referred to 
more than one committee and reported by the primary committee with an 
amendment in the nature of a substitute may be sequentially referred to 
yet another committee for consideration of specified portions of the 
introduced bill (Sept. 12, 1995, p. 24791).
  Pursuant to his authority under this clause, subject to paragraph (c), 
the Speaker may refer a bill to a special ad hoc committee appointed by 
him with the approval of the House (from the members of the committees 
with legislative jurisdiction) for consideration and report on that 
particular bill (Speaker Albert, Apr. 22, 1975, p. 11261); may jointly 
refer a report of a select committee filed with the Clerk to standing 
committees of the House for their study (Speaker Albert, Feb. 16, 1976, 
p. 3158); may divide a communication or bill for reference where the 
proposition is divisible by jurisdiction (Feb. 4, 1975, p. 2253; Apr. 
26, 1999, p. ----); may refer a bill to more than one committee for 
their respective consideration of such provisions of the bill as fall 
within their jurisdiction (Speaker Albert, Feb. 25, 1976, p. 4315); may 
sequentially refer a bill reported from a committee to other committees 
for a time certain for consideration of such portions of the bill as 
fall within their respective jurisdictions (Speaker Albert, Apr. 9, 
1976, p. 10265; May 17, 1976, p. 14093); or may limit a sequential 
referral to matters having a direct effect on subjects within the 
committee's jurisdiction (Speaker O'Neill, June 7, 1983, p. 14699); and 
may extend the time period of a sequentially referred bill and may refer 
the bill to yet another committee under the same sequential referral 
conditions (Speaker Albert, June 1, 1976, p. 16588); may divide a matter 
for


[[Page 567]]

by the primary committee would delete portions of the bill within the 
jurisdiction of the sequential committee) (Speaker Hastert, May 10, 
1999, p. ----). In the 96th Congress, the Speaker had followed a more 
restrictive policy, permitting a sequential committee to review (1) 
those portions of introduced text within its jurisdiction and (2) those 
portions of an amendment within its jurisdiction when the introduced 
version also dictated a sequential referral to the committee (Speaker 
O'Neill, Apr. 15, 1980, p. 7760). The Speaker first exercised the 
authority to base referrals on committee amendments by sequentially 
referring a bill reported from the Committee on Public Works and 
Transportation (now Transportation and Infrastructure), relating only to 
Corps of Engineers water projects as introduced but amended in committee 
to address general water resource policy affecting irrigation and 
reclamation projects and soil conservation programs, to the Committees 
on Agriculture and Interior and Insular Affairs (now Resources) for 
consideration of provisions of the committee amendment within their 
jurisdiction (Speaker O'Neill, May 20, 1981, p. 10361). Thus the Speaker 
may sequentially refer a reported bill to another committee solely for 
consideration of provisions of the first committee's amendment within 
its jurisdiction and not for consideration of the entire bill (Apr. 5, 
1982, p. 6580), may sequentially refer a reported bill to two other 
committees for different periods of time, solely for consideration of 
designated sections of the first committee's recommended amendment (May 
18, 1982, p. 10418; Aug. 1, 1985, p. 22681), may discharge from the 
Union Calendar and sequentially refer to another committee a bill solely 
for consideration of designated portions of the first committee's 
amendment (May 21, 1982, p. 11169), and may sequentially refer a bill 
which has been initially referred to several committees but reported 
only by one, for consideration of the reporting committee's amendment 
(June 17, 1982, p. 14069; Sept. 5, 1990, p. 23477), and may sequentially 
refer a bill referred to more than one committee when the first 
committee reports, for a period ending a number of days after the next 
committee reports (Speaker O'Neill, Aug. 1, 1985, p. 22681), or after 
all committees report (June 10, 1988, p. 14079).
  The Speaker announced a new application of his authority on sequential 
referrals in the 97th Congress, namely that the sequential referral of 
any bills or resolutions from a committee initially reporting a bill 
would be based upon the subject matter contained in any amendment 
recommended by the reporting committee, as well as upon the original 
text of the bill or resolution (Speaker O'Neill, Jan. 5, 1981, pp. 115, 
116), or, as announced in the 100th Congress, in certain cases, based 
only upon the text of a reported substitute amendment in lieu of 
original text (Speaker Wright, Jan. 6, 1987, p. 22). The Speaker also 
may base a sequential referral only on the text of the bill as 
introduced (where the amendment recommended

  On the last day of an expiring sequential referral, a committee has 
until midnight to file its report with the Clerk (Oct. 9, 1991, p. 
26045).


[[Page 568]]

a date certain (Speaker O'Neill, July 31, 1985, p. 21936). In the 98th 
Congress, the Speaker exercised his authority under this clause to 
sequentially refer a joint resolution making continuing appropriations, 
reported as privileged by the Committee on Appropriations, to the 
committee having legislative jurisdiction over a legislative provision 
in the resolution, without a time limitation on the sequential referral 
(H.J. Res. 367, Sept. 22, 1983, p. 25523).
  Before paragraph (c) was amended in the 104th Congress to require the 
Speaker to designate a committee of primary jurisdiction, the Speaker 
announced at the convening of the 98th Congress that he would exercise 
his authority, in situations which warranted it, to designate a primary 
committee among those to which a bill was jointly referred, and to 
impose time limits on committees having a secondary interest following 
the report of the primary committee under a joint referral (Speaker 
O'Neill, Jan. 3, 1983, p. 54; Jan. 5, 1993, p. 105). The Speaker may 
exercise this authority by referring a bill concurrently to two 
committees, with a time limit on one of the committees ending within a 
certain period after the other committee reports to the House (Jan. 27, 
1983, p. 937; Feb. 2, 1983, p. 1492; Apr. 9, 1987, p. 8665) or with a 
time limit on one committee ending with

  Pursuant to the Speaker's authority under clause 2 of rule XIV (former 
clause 2 of rule XXIV), relating to messages from the Senate, he has 
discretionary authority to refer from the Speaker's table to standing 
committees, Senate amendments to House-passed bills, under any 
conditions permitted under this provision for introduced bills; he may 
for example impose a time limitation for consideration only of a portion 
of the Senate amendment, not germane to the original House bill, by the 
standing committee with subject-matter jurisdiction, without referring 
the remainder of the Senate amendment to the House committee with 
jurisdiction over the original House bill (Speaker O'Neill, H.R. 31, 
Mar. 26, 1981, p. 5397). Beginning with the 98th Congress, the Speaker 
announced a policy of referring nongermane Senate amendments under 
certain conditions (Jan. 3, 1983, p. 54; Jan. 5, 1993, p. 105).

  Resolutions authorizing the Speaker to establish an ad hoc committee 
for the consideration of a particular bill under paragraph (c) of this 
clause, and extending the reporting date for such a committee, are 
privileged when offered from the floor at the Speaker's request (Speaker 
Albert, Apr. 22, 1975, p. 11261; Jan. 26, 1976, p. 876; Speaker O'Neill, 
Jan. 11, 1977, pp. 894-98; Apr. 21, 1977, pp. 11550-56).

  The Speaker may refer to an ad hoc committee, established with the 
approval of the House, bills, resolutions, and other matters (including 
messages and communications) for the purpose of considering such matters 
and reporting to the House thereon, and the resolution creating such a 
committee may specify whether referrals to such a committee shall be by 
initial or sequential reference or by any of the other methods provided 
by this clause (H. Res. 508, Apr. 21, 1977, pp. 11550-56; Speaker 
O'Neill, July 11, 1977, p. 22183; July 20, 1977, p. 24167). Further, 
under paragraph (c), the Speaker may divide a bill into two or more 
parts for initial reference to different committees and may also jointly 
refer a portion of the bill to some of those committees, and may set 
appropriate time limitations for reporting by every standing committee 
to which the bill is initially referred (Speaker O'Neill, May 2, 1977, 
p. 13184).



[[Page 569]]


  Clause 7 provides the mechanism for changes of referrals erroneously 
made.




Sec. 817. Restriction on the reference of claims.

  (d)  A bill 
for the payment or adjudication of a private claim against the 
Government may not be referred to a committee other than the Committee 
on International Relations or the Committee on the Judiciary, except by 
unanimous consent.



  The present form of this paragraph was made effective January 2, 1947, 
as a part of the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946 (60 Stat. 812). 
It was amended several times to conform references to renamed committees 
(H. Res. 163, Mar. 19, 1975, p. 7343; H. Res. 89, Feb. 5, 1979, p. 1848; 
sec. 202(b), H. Res. 6, Jan. 4, 1995, p. 467). The old rule, adopted in 
1885 and amended May 29, 1936, provided that private claims bills be 
referred to a Committee on Invalid Pensions, Claims, War Claims, Public 
Lands, and Accounts, in addition to the Committees on Foreign Affairs 
(now International Relations) and the Judiciary. Certain private bills, 
resolutions and amendments are barred (see Sec. 822, infra). Under this 
paragraph unanimous consent is required for the reference of a bill for 
the payment of a private claim to a committee other than the Committee 
on the Judiciary or the Committee on International Relations (May 4, 
1978, p. 12615). Before the House recodified its rules in the 106th 
Congress, this provision was found in former clause 4 of rule XXI (H. 
Res. 5, Jan. 6, 1999, p. ----).

                                                      Rule XII, clause 3
Rule XII, clause 3
Petitions, memorials, and private bills




818. Introduction and reference of petitions, 
memorials, and private bills.

  3. If a  Member, Delegate, or Resident 
Commissioner has a petition, memorial, or private bill to present, he 
shall endorse his name, deliver it to the Clerk, and may specify the 
reference or disposition to be made thereof. Such petition, memorial, or 
private bill (except when judged by the Speaker to be obscene or 
insulting) shall be entered on the Journal with the name of the Member, 
Delegate, or Resident Commissioner presenting it and shall be printed in 
the Congressional Record.



[[Page 570]]

1842 it was found necessary, in order to save time, to provide that 
petitions and memorials should be filed with the Clerk. In 1870, 1879, 
and 1887 the practice as to petitions was extended to private bills, at 
first as to certain classes and later so that all should be filed with 
the Clerk (IV, 3312, 3365; VII, 1024). Before the House recodified its 
rules in the 106th Congress, this provision was found in former clause 1 
of rule XXII (H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 1999, p. ----).
  At the first organization of the House in 1789 the rules then adopted 
provided for the presentation of petitions to the House by the Speaker 
and Members, and for the introduction of bills by motion for leave. In



Sec. 819. Duties of Speaker and Members 
in presenting petitions.

  Petitions, memorials,  and other papers addressed to the House may 
be presented by the Speaker as well as by a Member (IV, 3312). Petitions 
from the country at large are presented by the Speaker in the manner 
prescribed by the rule (III, 2030; IV, 3318; VII, 1025). A Member may 
present a petition from the people of a State other than his own (IV, 
3315, 3316). The House itself may refer one portion of a petition to one 
committee and another portion to another committee (IV, 3359, 3360), but 
ordinarily the reference of a petition does not come before the House 
itself. A committee may receive a petition only through the House (IV, 
4557).




Sec. 820. As to division of bills for 
reference.

  The parliamentary  law provides that the House may commit a portion of a bill, 
or a part to one committee and part to another (V, 5558), yet under the 
practice of the House until January 3, 1975, a bill or joint resolution 
could not be divided for reference, although it might contain matters 
properly within the jurisdiction of several committees (IV, 4372, 4376). 
On that date, the Speaker was given authority over referral of bills as 
prescribed in clause 2 of this rule (former clause 5 of rule X).





Sec. 821. Fraudulent introduction of a 
bill.

  The fraudulent  introduction of a bill involves a question of privilege, and a 
bill so introduced was ordered stricken from the files (IV, 3388). As 
the result of the unauthorized introduction of several bills without the 
knowledge of the Members listed as sponsors, the Speaker directed that 
all bills and resolutions must be signed by the prime sponsor thereof in 
order to be accepted for introduction (Speaker Albert, Feb. 3, 1972, p. 
2521).


                                                      Rule XII, clause 4
Rule XII, clause 4



Sec. 822. Certain private bills prohibited.

  4. A  private 
bill or private resolution (including an omnibus claim or pension bill), 
or amendment thereto, may not be received or considered in the House if 
it authorizes or directs--



[[Page 571]]

Code, or for a pension (other than to carry out a provision of law or 
treaty stipulation);
      (a) the payment of money for property damages, for personal 
injuries or death for which suit may be instituted under the Tort Claims 
Procedure provided in title 28, United States

      (b) the construction of a bridge across a navigable stream; or


      (c) the correction of a military or naval record.


  This paragraph derives from section 131 of the Legislative 
Reorganization Act of 1946 (60 Stat. 812) and was made a part of the 
standing rules January 3, 1953 (p. 24). Before the House recodified its 
rules in the 106th Congress, this provision was found in former clause 
2(a) of rule XXII (H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 1999, p. ----). The prohibition 
relating to correction of a miltary record does not apply to a private 
bill that changes the computation of retired pay for a former member of 
the armed services (after exhaustion of administrative remedies) but 
does not directly correct his military record (Sept. 18, 1984, p. 
25824).

                                                      Rule XII, clause 5
Rule XII, clause 5
Prohibition on commemorations



823. Commemoratives prohibited.

  5. (a)  A bill or 
resolution, or an amendment thereto, may not be introduced or considered 
in the House if it establishes or expresses a commemoration.



  (b) In this clause the term ``commemoration'' means a remembrance, 
celebration, or recognition for any purpose through the designation of a 
specified period of time.


  The 104th Congress added the prohibition against commemorative 
legislation and directed the Committee on Government Reform and 
Oversight (now Government Reform) to consider alternative means for 
establishing commemorations, including the creation of an independent or 
executive branch commission for such purpose, and to report to the House 
any recommendations thereon (sec. 216, H. Res. 6, Jan. 4, 1995, p. 468). 
Before the House recodified its rules in the 106th Congress, this 
provision was found in former clause 2(b) of rule XXII (H. Res. 5, Jan. 
6, 1999, p. ----).


[[Page 572]]

Excluded matters
                                                      Rule XII, clause 6
Rule XII, clause 6




824. Correction of errors in reference; and relation to 
jurisdiction.

  6. A  petition, memorial, bill, or resolution excluded under 
this rule shall be returned to the Member, Delegate, or Resident 
Commissioner from whom it was received. A petition or private bill that 
has been inappropriately referred may, by direction of the committee 
having possession of it, be properly referred in the manner originally 
presented. An erroneous reference of a petition or private bill under 
this clause does not confer jurisdiction on a committee to consider or 
report it.


  This clause of the rule was first adopted in 1880, although the 
portion relating to the return of certain petitions and bills was 
adapted from an older rule of 1842 (IV, 3312, 3365). In the 104th 
Congress it was amended to conform to the new prohibition against 
commemorative legislation (sec. 216, H. Res. 6, Jan. 4, 1995, p. 468). 
Before the House recodified its rules in the 106th Congress, this 
provision was found in former clause 3 of rule XXII (H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 
1999, p. ----).


  Errors in reference of petitions, memorials, or private bills are 
corrected at the Clerk's table, without action by the House, at the 
suggestion of the committee holding possession (IV, 4379). As provided 
in the rule, the erroneous reference of a private House bill does not 
confer jurisdiction, and a point of order is good when the bill comes up 
for consideration either in the House or in the Committee of the Whole 
(IV, 4382-4389). But in cases wherein the House itself refers a private 
House or Senate bill a point of order may not be raised as to 
jurisdiction (IV, 4390, 4391; VII, 2131). The Speaker may correct the 
erroneous referral of a bill as private by referring it to the 
appropriate (Union) calendar as a public bill when reported (June 1, 
1988, p. 13184).

                                                      Rule XII, clause 7
Rule XII, clause 7
Sponsorship


[[Page 573]]

the Speaker to be referred. The titles and references of all bills, 
memorials, petitions, resolutions, and other documents referred under 
this rule shall be entered on the Journal and printed in the 
Congressional Record. An erroneous reference may be corrected by the 
House in accordance with rule X on any day immediately after the Pledge 
of Allegiance to the Flag by unanimous consent or motion. Such a motion 
shall be privileged if offered by direction of a committee to which the 
bill has been erroneously referred or by direction of a committee 
claiming jurisdiction and shall be decided without debate.


825. Introduction, reference, and change of 
reference of public bills, memorials, and resolutions.

  7. (a) All  other bills, 
memorials, petitions, and resolutions, endorsed with the names of 
Members, Delegates, or the Resident Commissioner introducing them, may 
be delivered to


  (b)(1) The primary sponsor of a public bill or public resolution may 
name cosponsors. The name of a cosponsor added after the initial 
printing of a bill or resolution shall appear in the next printing of 
the bill or resolution on the written request of the primary sponsor. 
Such a request may be submitted to the Speaker at any time until the 
last committee authorized to consider and report the bill or resolution 
reports it to the House or is discharged from its consideration.


[[Page 574]]

The Speaker may not entertain a request to delete the name of the 
primary sponsor of a bill or resolution. A deletion shall be indicated 
by date in the next printing of the bill or resolution.
  (2) The name of a cosponsor of a bill or resolution may be deleted by 
unanimous consent. The Speaker may entertain such a request only by the 
Member, Delegate, or Resident Commissioner whose name is to be deleted 
or by the primary sponsor of the bill or resolution, and only until the 
last committee authorized to consider and report the bill or resolution 
reports it to the House or is discharged from its consideration.

  (3) The addition or deletion of the name of a cosponsor of a bill or 
resolution shall be entered on the Journal and printed in the 
Congressional Record of that day.


  (4) A bill or resolution shall be reprinted on the written request of 
the primary sponsor. Such a request may be submitted to the Speaker only 
when 20 or more cosponsors have been added since the last printing of 
the bill or resolution.

  The rule of 1789 provided that all bills should be introduced on 
report of a committee or by motion for leave. By various modifications 
it was first provided that all classes of private bills should be 
introduced by filing them with the Clerk, and in 1890 this system was by 
this rule extended to all public bills (IV, 3365). In the 105th Congress 
paragraph (a) was amended to effect a technical correction (H. Res. 5, 
Jan. 7, 1997, p. ----). Before the House recodified its rules in the 
106th Congress, this provision was found in former clause 4 of rule XXII 
(H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 1999, p. ----).

  At its organization for the 106th Congress the House resolved that the 
first 10 bill numbers be reserved for assignment by the Speaker during a 
specified period (sec. 2(g), H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 1999, p. ----).

  The motion for a change of reference and subsidiary motions take 
precedence over motions to go into the Committee of the Whole for the 
consideration of appropriation bills and the consideration of conference 
reports (VII, 2124), and may not be debated (VII, 2126-2128). But the 
motion is not in order on Calendar Wednesday (VII, 2117), and is not 
privileged under the rule if the original reference was not erroneous 
(VII, 2125). The motion may be amended, but the amendment, like the 
original motion, is subject to the requirement that it be authorized by 
the committee (VII, 2127). The motion must apply to a single bill and 
not to a class of bills (VII, 2125).


[[Page 575]]

1975 (H. Res. 988, 93d Cong., Oct. 8, 1974, p. 34470), refer a bill 
sequentially to other committees. All bills and resolutions must be 
signed by the primary sponsor thereof (Speaker Albert, Feb. 3, 1972, p. 
2521).
  According to the later practice the erroneous reference of a public 
bill, if it remain uncorrected, in effect gives jurisdiction to the 
committee receiving it (IV, 4365-4371; VII, 1489, 2108-2113; VIII, 
2312). And it is too late to move a change of reference after such 
committee has reported the bill (VII, 2110; VIII, 2312), but the Speaker 
may, pursuant to authority granted him by clause 2 (former clause 5 of 
rule X) effective January 3,

  Joint sponsorship of public bills by not more than 25 Members was 
authorized in the 90th Congress (H. Res. 42, Apr. 25, 1967, p. 10712). 
Prior thereto a special committee had reported against this practice and 
the report had been adopted by the House (VII, 1029). Effective January 
3, 1979 (H. Res. 86, 95th Cong., Oct. 10, 1978, p. 34929), paragraph (b) 
was added to allow unlimited co-sponsorship and to provide a mechanism 
for Members to add their names as co-sponsors to bills or resolutions 
which have already been introduced, up until the bill is finally 
reported from committee, and on January 15, 1979, the Speaker announced 
his directive for the processing of lists of co-sponsors pursuant to the 
new clause (Speaker O'Neill, Jan. 15, 1979, p. 19).

  Although, prior to the 106th Congress, paragraph (b)(2) only permitted 
a co-sponsoring Member himself to request unanimous consent for his 
deletion as a co-sponsor, the primary sponsor of a measure was permitted 
to request unanimous consent to delete the name of a co-sponsor he had 
inadvertently or erroneously listed (Feb. 9, 1982, p. ----). This 
practice was codified in the 106th Congress (H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 1999, p. 
----). Unanimous-consent requests to delete Members' names as co-
sponsors are not entertained after the last committee authorized to 
consider the bill has reported to the House (Oct. 8, 1985, p. 26668), 
and the Speaker has vacated unanimous-consent orders of the House to 
delete co-sponsors when advised that the bill had already been reported 
(Aug. 5, 1987, p. 22458). A Member may request unanimous consent that 
his name be deleted as a co-sponsor of an unreported bill during its 
consideration under suspension of the rules and prior to a final vote 
thereon (June 9, 1986, p. 12979).

  By unanimous consent a Member may add his own name as a co-sponsor of 
an unreported bill where the primary sponsor is no longer a Member of 
the House (Aug. 4, 1983, p. 23188), and a designated Member may be 
authorized to sign and submit lists of additional co-sponsors where the 
actual primary sponsor is no longer a Member (June 23, 1989, p. 13271), 
but the Chair will not otherwise entertain a request to add co-sponsors 
by a Member other than the primary sponsor, whether to include only 
himself (Mar. 5, 1991, p. 5026; Oct. 25, 1995, p. 29352) to include all 
Members (Dec. 18, 1985, p. 37765), or to include a specified additional 
sponsor (Jan. 28, 1985, p. 1141; May 23, 1985, p. 13421). Such requests 
by a primary sponsor are made through the hopper not later than the last 
day on which any committee is authorized to consider and report the 
measure to the House (Nov. 4, 1997, p. ----).


[[Page 576]]

duced but not noted in the Record or referred to committee until the day 
on which business was resumed (H. Con. Res. 260, 102d Cong., Nov. 26, 
1991, p. 35840; Jan. 22 and 28, 1992, pp. 149, 745).
  An order of the House that no organizational or legislative business 
be conducted on certain days (first by provision of a concurrent 
resolution, but extended by unanimous consent) was considered not to 
deprive Members of the privilege of introducing bills and resolutions 
during pro forma sessions on those days, such measures being numbered on 
the day intro


  At its organization for the 104th Congress the House resolved that 
each of the first 20 bills and each of the first two joint resolutions 
introduced in the House in that Congress could have more than one Member 
reflected as a primary sponsor (sec. 223(g), H. Res. 6, Jan. 4, 1995, p. 
469); and the Speaker stated that all signatures of ``primary'' sponsors 
would be required on the bills (Speaker Gingrich, Jan. 4, 1995, p. 551). 
A Member was subsequently added as a ``primary'' sponsor by unanimous 
consent (Jan. 18, 1995, p. 1447).




Sec. 826. Introduction of bills, resolutions, or memorials 
by request.

  (5)  When a bill or resolution is introduced ``by request,'' 
those words shall be entered on the Journal and printed in the 
Congressional Record.



  This provision was adopted in 1888 (IV, 3366). Before the House 
recodified its rules in the 106th Congress, it was found in former 
clause 6 of rule XXII (H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 1999, p. ----). It has never 
been the practice of the House to permit the names of the persons 
requesting the introduction of the bill to be printed in the Record.

                                                      Rule XII, clause 8
Rule XII, clause 8
Executive communications




827. Reception and reference of executive 
communications, including estimates.

  8. Estimates  of appropriations and all other 
communications from the executive departments intended for the 
consideration of any committees of the House shall be addressed to the 
Speaker for referral as provided in clause 2 of rule XIV.




[106th Congress House Rules Manual -- House Document No. 105-358]
[From the U.S. Government Printing Office Online Database]
[Page 577-610]

[[Page 577]]



 
  This rule was adopted in 1867 and amended in 1880 (V, 6593). It was 
renumbered January 3, 1953 (p. 24). Before the House recodified its 
rules in the 106th Congress, this provision was found in former rule XL 
(H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 1999, p. ----). Formerly estimates of appropriations 
were transmitted through the Secretary of the Treasury (IV, 3573-3576, 
4045), but under the Budget Act they are transmitted by the President.



Calendars
              Rule XIII.--CALENDARS AND COMMITTEE REPORTS              



828. Calendar for reports of committees.

  1. (a)  All 
business reported by committees shall be referred to one of the 
following three calendars:


      (1) A Calendar of the Committee of the Whole House on the state of 
the Union, to which shall be referred public bills and public 
resolutions raising revenue, involving a tax or charge on the people, 
directly or indirectly making appropriations of money or property or 
requiring such appropriations to be made, authorizing payments out of 
appropriations already made, releasing any liability to the United 
States for money or property, or referring a claim to the Court of 
Claims.

      (2) A House Calendar, to which shall be referred all public bills 
and public resolutions not requiring referral to the Calendar of the 
Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union.


      (3) A Private Calendar as provided in clause 5 of rule XV, to 
which shall be referred all private bills and private resolutions.


[[Page 578]]

calendars is governed by text of bills as referred to committees and 
amendments reported by committees are not considered (VIII, 2392).
  This provision was adopted in 1880 and amended in 1911 (VI, 742); but 
as early as 1820 a rule was adopted creating calendars for the 
Committees of the Whole. Clerical and stylistic changes were effected 
when the House recodified its rules in the 106th Congress (H. Res. 5, 
Jan. 6, 1999, p. ----), including a change in subparagraph (3) from the 
``Calendar of the Committee of the Whole House'' to the ``Private 
Calendar.'' Bills not requiring consideration in Committee of the Whole 
were considered when reported, but in 1880 the House Calendar was 
created to remedy the delays in making reports caused by such 
consideration (IV, 3115). Reference of bills to

  A motion to correct an error in referring a bill to the proper 
calendar presents a question of privilege (III, 2614, 2615); but a mere 
clerical error in the calendar does not give rise to such question (III, 
2616). A bill improperly reported is not entitled to a place on the 
calendar (IV, 3117).

  A bill on the wrong calendar may be transferred to the proper calendar 
as of date of original reference by direction of the Speaker (VI, 744-
748; VII, 859, 2406; Dec. 7, 1950, p. 16307; Apr. 26, 1984, p. 10242; 
Sept. 10, 1990, p. 23677). But the Speaker has no authority to change 
calendar reference made by the House (VI, 749; VII, 859). Reports from 
the Court of Claims do not remain on the calendar from Congress to 
Congress, even when a law seems so to provide (IV, 3298-3302). In 
determining whether a bill should be placed on the House or Union 
Calendar, clause 3 of rule XVIII should be consulted. The Speaker may 
correct the erroneous referral of a bill as private by referring it to 
the appropriate (Union) calendar as a public bill when reported (June 1, 
1988, p. 13184).


  Although the Speaker has no general authority to remove a reported 
bill from the Union Calendar (other than to correct the erroneous 
reference of a reported bill between calendars), he may discharge a bill 
therefrom for reference to another committee when required (1) by 
section 401(b) of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974, permitting 15-
day referral to the Committee on Appropriations of reported bills 
providing new entitlement authority in excess of that allocated to the 
reporting committee in connection with the most recently agreed-to 
concurrent resolution on the budget (Speaker O'Neill, Sept. 8, 1977, p. 
28153), or (2) by clause 2 of rule XII (former clause 5 of rule X), 
authorizing and directing the Speaker to assure that each committee has 
responsibility to consider legislation within its jurisdiction by 
fashioning sequential referrals where appropriate (Speaker O'Neill, Apr. 
27, 1978, p. 11742; June 19, 1986, p. 14741).



Sec. 829. Corrections Calendar.

  (b) There  is established a 
Corrections Calendar as provided in clause 6 of rule XV.





Sec. 830. Motion to discharge.

  (c)  There is established a 
Calendar of Motions to Discharge Committees as provided in clause 2 of 
rule XV.



  Paragraph (b) was added when the House recodified its rules in the 
106th Congress to provide a cross reference to the ``Corrections 
Calendar'' in rule XV (H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 1999, p. ----). Before the 
House recodified its rules in the 106th Congress, paragraph (c) was 
found in former clause 5 of rule XIII (H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 1999, p. ----
).


[[Page 579]]

Filing and printing of reports
                                                     Rule XIII, clause 2
Rule XIII, clause 2



831. Nonprivileged reports filed with the 
Clerk.

  2. (a)(1)  Except as provided in subparagraph (2), all reports of 
committees (other than those filed from the floor as privileged) shall 
be delivered to the Clerk for printing and reference to the proper 
calendar under the direction of the Speaker in accordance with clause 1. 
The title or subject of each report shall be entered on the Journal and 
printed in the Congressional Record.





Sec. 832. Adverse reports.

  (2)  A bill or resolution reported 
adversely shall be laid on the table unless a committee to which the 
bill or resolution was referred requests at the time of the report its 
referral to an appropriate calendar under clause 1 or unless, within 
three days thereafter, a Member, Delegate, or Resident Commissioner 
makes such a request.


  A technical amendment was effected by the 93d Congress (H. Res. 988, 
Oct. 8, 1974, p. 34470). Clerical and stylistic changes were effected 
when the House recodified its rules in the 106th Congress (H. Res. 5, 
Jan. 6, 1999, p. ----).

  A resolution of inquiry is referred to the House Calendar even when 
reported adversely (VI, 411).



Sec. 833. Requirement that reports of committees be in 
writing and be printed.

  When  the House codified its rules in the 106th 
Congress, it deleted the portion of clause 2 of rule XVIII that required 
the printing of reports. That provision was redundant because this 
provision carries the same requirement (H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 1999, p. ----
). Former clause 2 of rule XVIII was adopted in 1880 (V, 5647).



[[Page 580]]

reported (VIII, 2307-2309), but see clause 4(c) of rule XIII, which 
states that no general appropriation bill shall be considered until 
printed hearings and report thereon have been available for three 
calendar days, and clause 2 of rule XIII, pertaining to the 
consideration of matters reported by committees, and clause 8 of rule 
XXII, pertaining to the requirement that conference reports and 
amendments reported in disagreement from conference be available before 
consideration.
  The House insists on its requirement that all reports must be in 
writing (IV, 4655) and does not receive verbal reports as to bills (IV, 
4654). But the sufficiency of a report is passed on by the House and not 
by the Speaker (II, 1339; IV, 4653). A report is not necessarily signed 
by all those concurring (II, 1274) or even by any of those concurring, 
but minority, supplemental, and additional views are signed by those 
submitting them (IV, 4671; VIII, 2229; see clause 2(l)(5) of rule XI). 
Under this rule, the printing requirement is not a condition precedent 
to consideration of the matter

  Under clause 4(a) of rule XIII, a measure or matter may not be called 
up for consideration until the third calendar day (excluding Saturdays, 
Sundays, and legal holidays) on which the report thereon has been 
available to the Members of the House, and printed hearings on 
appropriation bills must be available for the same time period. Expense 
resolutions reported from the Committee on House Oversight have a one-
day layover under clause 6 of rule X; and reports from the Committee on 
Rules may be called up on the same legislative day filed subject to the 
two-thirds vote requirement of clause 6 of rule XIII, except that 
reports from the Committee on Rules merely waiving the three-day 
availability requirement may be immediately considered and do not 
require a two-thirds vote.

  Unless filed with the report, minority, supplemental or additional 
views may be presented only with the consent of the House (IV, 4600; 
VIII, 2231, 2248). See clause 2(c) of rule XIII for the procedure by 
which such views may be filed as part of the committee report.


  A supplemental report to correct a technical error in a committee 
report may be filed without the consent of the House (clause 3(a)(2) of 
rule XIII). It has been held that the fact that a report was not printed 
by the Public Printer as originally made to the House does not prevent 
the consideration of the matter reported (VIII, 2307). A committee may 
not file its report on a bill after the House has passed the bill (Sept. 
30, 1985, p. 25270).



Sec. 834. Chairman's duty.

  (b)(1)  It shall be the duty of 
the chairman of each committee to report or cause to be reported 
promptly to the House a measure or matter approved by the committee and 
to take or cause to be taken steps necessary to bring the measure or 
matter to a vote.



[[Page 581]]

report, signed by a majority of the members of the committee, has been 
filed with the clerk of the committee. The clerk of the committee shall 
immediately notify the chairman of the filing of such a request. This 
subparagraph does not apply to a report of the Committee on Rules with 
respect to a rule, joint rule, or order of business of the House, or to 
the reporting of a resolution of inquiry addressed to the head of an 
executive department.



Sec. 835. Filing by majority of committee.

  (2)  In any event, 
the report of a committee on a measure that has been approved by the 
committee shall be filed within seven calendar days (exclusive of days 
on which the House is not in session) after the day on which a written 
request for the filing of the


  Subparagraph (1) (former clause 2(l)(1)(A) of rule XI) is derived from 
section 133(c) of the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946 (60 Stat. 
812) and was made a part of the standing rules on January 3, 1953 (p. 
24). It is sufficient authority for the chairman to call up a bill on 
Calendar Wednesday (Speaker Rayburn, Feb. 22, 1950, p. 2162). 
Subparagraph (2) (former clause 2(l)(1)(B) of rule XI) is derived from 
section 105 of the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1970 (84 Stat. 
1140) and was made part of the rules in the 92d Congress (H. Res. 5, 
Jan. 22, 1971, p. 144). Former clause 2(l)(1)(C) of rule XI was added by 
the Committee Reform Amendments of 1974, effective January 3, 1975 (H. 
Res. 988, 93d Cong., Oct. 8, 1974, p. 34470), to incorporate section 307 
of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 (88 Stat. 313), requiring the 
Committee on Appropriations to strive to complete committee action on 
all regular appropriation bills before reporting any of them to the 
House, and to submit a report comparing specified spending levels, but 
was repealed by section 232(e) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency 
Deficit Control Act of 1985 (P.L. 99-177, Dec. 12, 1985). An obsolete 
reference in former subdivision (B) to the former subdivision (C) was 
deleted in the 104th Congress (sec. 223(f), H. Res. 6, Jan. 4, 1995, p. 
469). Before the House recodified its rules in the 106th Congress, this 
provision was found in former clause 2(l)(1) of rule XI (H. Res. 5, Jan. 
6, 1999, p. ----).


  Absent a special order of the House, committee reports must be 
submitted while the House is in session, except for committees that 
honor the guarantee of clause 2(c) of rule XIII for composing separate 
views (see Sec. 836, infra) (Dec. 17, 1982, p. 31951).


[[Page 582]]

part of, the report filed by the committee with respect to a measure or 
matter. When time guaranteed by clause 2(l) of rule XI has expired (or, 
if sooner, when all separate views have been received), the committee 
may arrange to file its report with the Clerk not later than one hour 
after the expiration of such time. This clause and provisions of clause 
2(l) of rule XI do not preclude the immediate filing or printing of a 
committee report in the absence of a timely request for the opportunity 
to file supplemental, minority, or additional views as provided in 
clause 2(l) of rule XI.



Sec. 836. Filing with minority views.

  (c)  All supplemental, 
minority, or additional views filed under clause 2(l) of rule XI by one 
or more members of a committee shall be included in, and shall be a



  The first sentence of this paragraph was originally included in 
section 107 of the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1970 (84 Stat. 
1140) and was made a part of the rules in the 92d Congress (H. Res. 5, 
Jan. 22, 1971, p. 144). The remainder of the paragraph (establishing 
standing authority for committees to file reports with the Clerk after 
honoring the guarantee of the rule) was adopted in the 105th Congress 
(H. Res. 5, Jan. 7, 1997, p. ----). Before the House recodified its 
rules in the 106th Congress, this provision was found in former clause 
2(l)(5) of rule XI (H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 1999, p. ----).

                                                     Rule XIII, clause 3
Rule XIII, clause 3
Content of reports



837. Single volume.

  3. (a)(1)  Except as provided in 
subparagraph (2), the report of a committee on a measure or matter shall 
be printed in a single volume that--


      (A) shall include all supplemental, minority, or additional views 
that have been submitted by the time of the filing of the report; and


[[Page 583]]

      (B) shall bear on its cover a recital that any such supplemental, 
minority, or additional views (and any material submitted under 
paragraph (c)(3) or (4)) are included as part of the report.




Sec. 838. Technical error.

  (2)  A committee may file a 
supplemental report for the correction of a technical error in its 
previous report on a measure or matter.


  Clause 3 (former clause 2(l)(5) of rule XI) was originally included in 
section 107 of the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1970 (84 Stat. 
1140) and was incorporated into the rules in the 92d Congress (H. Res. 
5, Jan. 22, 1971, p. 144). This paragraph permits the filing of a 
supplemental report to correct a technical error in a previous report. A 
supplemental report filed under this clause is subject to the three-day 
availability under clause 4 of this rule (Deschler's Precedents, vol. 4, 
ch. 17, sec. 64.1). Before the House recodified its rules in the 106th 
Congress, this provision was found in former clause 2(l)(5) of rule XI, 
and the former companion provision of clause 2(l)(5) of rule XI 
entitling members to supplemental, minority, or additional views was 
transferred to new clause 2(l) of rule XI (H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 1999, p. 
----).




Sec. 839. Vote on reporting.

  (b)  With respect to each record 
vote on a motion to report a measure or matter of a public nature, and 
on any amendment offered to the measure or matter, the total number of 
votes cast for and against, and the names of members voting for and 
against, shall be included in the committee report. The preceding 
sentence does not apply to votes taken in executive session by the 
Committee on Standards of Official Conduct.



[[Page 584]]

rected pursuant to clause 3(a)(2) by a supplemental report; however, a 
point of order would not lie if the error was introduced by the 
Government Printing Office (Jan. 19, 1995, p. 1613).

  The requirement of subparagraph (b) (former clause 2(l)(2)(B) of rule 
XI) was contained in section 104(b) of the Legislative Reorganization 
Act of 1970 (84 Stat. 1140), was incorporated into the rules in the 92d 
Congress (H. Res. 5, Jan. 22, 1971, p. 144), and was restated in the 
104th Congress to require that reports also reflect the total number of 
votes cast for and against any public measure or matter and any 
amendment thereto and the names of those voting for and against (sec. 
209, H. Res. 6, Jan. 4, 1995, p. 468). The last sentence was adopted in 
the 105th Congress (sec. 8, H. Res. 168, Sept. 18, 1997, p. ----). 
Before the House recodified its rules in the 106th Congress, this 
provision was found in former clause 2(l)(2)(B) of rule XI (H. Res. 5, 
Jan. 6, 1999, p. ----). If the accompanying report erroneously reflects 
information required by this paragraph, a bill would be subject to a 
point of order against its consideration, unless cor



Sec. 840. Content of reports.

  (c)  The report of a committee 
on a measure that has been approved by the committee shall include, 
separately set out and clearly identified, the following:


      (1) Oversight findings and recommendations under clause 2(b)(1) of 
rule X.

      (2) The statement required by section 308(a) of the Congressional 
Budget Act of 1974, except that an estimate of new budget authority 
shall include, when practicable, a comparison of the total estimated 
funding level for the relevant programs to the appropriate levels under 
current law.

      (3) An estimate and comparison prepared by the Director of the 
Congressional Budget Office under section 402 of the Congressional 
Budget Act of 1974 if timely submitted to the committee before the 
filing of the report.


      (4) A summary of oversight findings and recommendations by the 
Committee on Government Reform under clause 4(c)(2) of rule X if such 
findings and recommendations have been submitted to the reporting 
committee in time to allow it to consider such findings and 
recommendations during its deliberations on the measure.


[[Page 585]]

of sections 308(a) and 402 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 (88 
Stat. 297). Subparagraph (2) (former clause 2(l)(3)(B) of rule XI) was 
amended in the 99th Congress by section 232(f) of the Balanced Budget 
and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (P.L. 99-177, Dec. 12, 1985) 
to include new entitlement and credit authority in conformity with 
section 308(a)(1) of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974, as amended by 
that law. It was again amended in the 104th Congress to require 
estimates of new budget authority, when practicable, to compare the 
total estimated funding for the program to the appropriate level under 
current law (sec. 102(a), H. Res. 6, Jan. 4, 1995, p. 462). In the 104th 
and 106th Congresses, it was amended to conform references to a renamed 
committee (sec. 202(b), H. Res. 6, Jan. 4, 1995, p. 467; H. Res. 5, Jan. 
6, 1999, p. ----). This provision was amended in the 105th Congress to 
reflect the repeal of the collective definition of ``new spending 
authority'' and the revision of various remaining parts and to effect a 
technical and conforming change (Budget Enforcement Act of 1997 (sec. 
10116, P.L. 105-33)).

  This provision (former clause 2(l)(3) of rule XI) became effective 
January 3, 1975 (H. Res. 988, 93d Cong., Oct. 8, 1974, p. 34470). It was 
amended in the 95th Congress (H. Res. 5, Jan. 4, 1977, pp. 53-70), to 
correct a cross-reference, and in the 103d Congress (H. Res. 5, Jan. 5, 
1993, p. 49) to correct the typographical transposition of a phrase. 
Subparagraphs (2) and (3) (former clauses 2(l)(3)(B) and 2(l)(3)(C) of 
rule XI) are requirements



Sec. 841. Constitutional authority.

  (d)  Each report of a 
committee on a public bill or public joint resolution shall contain the 
following:



      (1) A statement citing the specific powers granted to Congress in 
the Constitution to enact the law proposed by the bill or joint 
resolution.

  This reporting requirement subsequently replaced former clause 2(l)(4) 
of rule XI, which became a part of the rules under the Committee Reform 
Amendments of 1974, effective January 3, 1975 (H. Res. 988, 93d Cong., 
Oct. 8, 1974, p. 34470). In its original form the provision required an 
analytical statement of inflationary impact, but in the 105th Congress 
it was converted to require a statement of constitutional authority (H. 
Res. 5, Jan. 7, 1997, p. ----). If a point of order were sustained under 
this subparagraph, the measure would be ``recommitted'' to await 
possible return to the Calendar by the filing of a supplemental report 
pursuant to clause 3(a)(2) correcting the technical error (Feb. 13, 
1995, p. 4591).


[[Page 586]]



Sec. 842. Application of laws to legislative 
branch.

  Under  the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995, each report 
accompanying a bill or joint resolution relating to terms and conditions 
of employment or access to public services or accommodations must 
describe the manner in which the provisions apply to the legislative 
branch or a statement of the reasons the provisions do not apply; and 
any Member may raise a point of order against the consideration of a 
bill or joint resolution not complying with this requirement, which may 
be waived in the House by majority vote (sec. 102(b)(3), P.L. 104-1; 109 
Stat. 6).





Sec. 843. Unfunded mandates.

  The  Unfunded Mandates Reform 
Act of 1995 (P.L. 104-4; 109 Stat. 48) added a new part B to title IV of 
the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 (2 U.S.C. 658-658g) that imposes 
several requirements on committees with respect to measures effecting 
``Federal mandates'' (secs. 423-424; 2 U.S.C. 658b-c) and establishes 
points of order to permit separate votes on whether to enforce those 
requirements (sec. 425; 2 U.S.C. 658d). See Sec. 1127, infra.




Sec. 844. Estimate of cost.

      (2)(A)  An estimate by the 
committee of the costs that would be incurred in carrying out the bill 
or joint resolution in the fiscal year in which it is reported and in 
each of the five fiscal years following that fiscal year (or for the 
authorized duration of any program authorized by the bill or joint 
resolution if less than five years);


      (B) a comparison of the estimate of costs described in subdivision 
(A) made by the committee with any estimate of such costs made by a 
Government agency and submitted to such committee; and

      (C) when practicable, a comparison of the total estimated funding 
level for the relevant programs with the appropriate levels under 
current law.

      (3)(A) In subparagraph (2) the term ``Government agency'' includes 
any department, agency, establishment, wholly owned Government 
corporation, or instrumentality of the Federal Government or the 
government of the District of Columbia.


[[Page 587]]

estimate and comparison prepared by the Director of the Congressional 
Budget Office under section 402 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 
has been included in the report under paragraph (c)(3).

      (B) Subparagraph (2) does not apply to the Committee on 
Appropriations, the Committee on House Administration, the Committee on 
Rules, or the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct, and does not 
apply when a cost

  This provision was adopted in the 92d Congress (H. Res. 5, Jan. 22, 
1971, p. 144) as part of the implementation of section 252(b) of the 
Legislative Reorganization Act of 1970 (84 Stat. 1140) and was amended 
in the 95th Congress (H. Res. 5, Jan. 4, 1977, pp. 53-70) to remove 
references to the Joint Committee on Atomic Energy. Subparagraph (3)(B) 
(former clause 7(d)) was amended in the 97th Congress (H. Res. 5, Jan. 
5, 1981, pp. 98-113) to render committee cost estimates optional where 
an estimate by the Congressional Budget Office is included in the 
report. It was amended by the Budget Enforcement Act of 1990 (2 U.S.C. 
900 note) to require five-year estimates of revenue changes in 
legislative reports. In the 104th Congress it was amended to require 
estimates of new budget authority, when practicable, to compare the 
total estimated funding for the program to the appropriate level under 
current law (sec. 102(b), H. Res. 6, Jan. 4, 1995, p. ----). In the 
104th and 106th Congresses subparagraph (3)(B) (former clause 7(d)) was 
amended to conform references to a renamed committee (sec. 202(b), H. 
Res. 6, Jan. 4, 1995, p. 467; H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 1999, p. ----). In the 
105th Congress it was again amended to effect a technical change (Budget 
Enforcement Act of 1997 (sec. 10116, P.L. 105-33)). Before the House 
recodified its rules in the 106th Congress, this provision was found in 
former clause 7 of this rule (H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 1999, p. ----).

  A committee cost estimate identifying certain spending authority as 
recurring annually and indefinitely was held necessarily to address the 
five-year period required by section 308 of the Congressional Budget Act 
of 1974 (Nov. 20, 1993, p. 31354).




Sec. 845. Unfunded mandates.

  The  Unfunded Mandates Reform 
Act of 1995 (P.L. 104-4; 109 Stat. 48) added a new part B to title IV of 
the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 (2 U.S.C. 658-658b-c) that imposes 
several requirements on the Director of the Congressional Budget Office 
and on committees of the House with respect to measures effecting 
``Federal mandates'' (secs. 423-424; 2 U.S.C. 658b-c) and establishes 
points of order to permit separate votes on whether to enforce those 
requirements (sec. 425; 2 U.S.C. 658d). See Sec. 1127, infra, and 
Sec. 843, supra.



[[Page 588]]

it shall include in its report or in an accompanying document--


Sec. 846. ``Ramseyer Rule.''

  (e)(1)  Whenever a committee 
reports a bill or joint resolution proposing to repeal or amend a 
statute or part thereof,


      (A) the text of a statute or part thereof that is proposed to be 
repealed; and

      (B) a comparative print of any part of the bill or joint 
resolution proposing to amend the statute and of the statute or part 
thereof proposed to be amended, showing by appropriate typographical 
devices the omissions and insertions proposed.


  (2) If a committee reports a bill or joint resolution proposing to 
repeal or amend a statute or part thereof with a recommendation that the 
bill or joint resolution be amended, the comparative print required by 
subparagraph (1) shall reflect the changes in existing law proposed to 
be made by the bill or joint resolution as proposed to be amended.

  The first part of this paragraph (former clause 3) was adopted January 
28, 1929 (VIII, 2234), was redesignated January 3, 1953 (p. 24), and the 
subparagraph (2) (former proviso in clause 3(2)) was added September 22, 
1961 (p. 20823). Before the House recodified its rules in the 106th 
Congress, this provision was found in former clause 3 of this rule (H. 
Res. 5, Jan. 6, 1999, p. ----).


[[Page 589]]

conform to the rule, further proceedings were de novo and the bill must 
have been considered again and reported by the committee as if no 
previous report had been made (VIII, 2249). Special orders providing for 
consideration of bills, unless specifically waiving points of order, do 
not preclude the point of order that reports on such bills fail to 
indicate proposed changes in existing law (VIII, 2245). The rule applies 
to appropriation bills where such bills include legislative provisions 
(VIII, 2241) and reports on appropriation bills are also subject to the 
requirements of clause 3(f) of rule XIII, requiring a concise statement 
of the effect of any direct or indirect changes in the application of 
existing law. In order to fall within the purview of the rule the bill 
must seek to repeal or amend specifically an existing law (VIII, 2235, 
2239, 2240). Where the comparative print contained certain errors in 
punctuation and capitalization and utilized abbreviations not appearing 
in existing provisions of law, the Speaker held that the committee 
report was in substantial compliance with the rule and overruled a point 
of order against the report (July 25, 1966, p. 16842; July 30, 1968, pp. 
24252-54). The point of order that a report fails to comply with the 
rule is properly made when the bill is called up in the House and comes 
too late after the House has resolved into the Committee of the Whole 
for its consideration (VIII, 2243-2245).

  Technical failure of a committee report to comply with the 
``Ramseyer'' rule may be remedied by a supplemental report (VIII, 2247). 
While the filing of such a corrective report formerly required the 
consent of the House (VIII, 2248), it may now be filed with the Clerk 
pursuant to clause 3(a)(2). Although a bill proposes but one minor and 
obvious change in existing law, the failure of the report to indicate 
the change is in violation of the rule (VIII, 2236). The statute 
proposed to be amended must be quoted in the report and it is not 
sufficient that it is incorporated in the bill (VIII, 2238). Under the 
rule the committee report on a bill amending existing law by the 
addition of a proviso should quote in full the section immediately 
preceding the proposed amendment (VIII, 2237). Bills held to be in 
violation of the rule have been automatically recommitted to the 
respective committees reporting them (VIII, 2237, 2245, 2250). Before 
the adoption of clause 3(a)(2) of this rule in 1970 (permitting the 
filing of a supplemental report to correct a technical error, a bill 
having been recommitted for failure to



Sec. 847. Content of reports on appropriation 
bills.

  (f)(1)  A report of the Committee on Appropriations on a general 
appropriation bill shall include--


      (A) a concise statement describing the effect of any provision of 
the accompanying bill that directly or indirectly changes the 
application of existing law; and


      (B) a list of all appropriations contained in the bill for 
expenditures not previously authorized by law (except classified 
intelligence or national security programs, projects, or activities).



[[Page 590]]


  This provision (former clause 3 of rule XXI) became a part of the 
rules under the Committee Reform Amendments of 1974, effective January 
3, 1975 (H. Res. 988, 93d Cong., Oct. 8, 1974, p. 34470). This provision 
was amended on January 14, 1975 (H. Res. 5, 94th Cong., p. 32) to 
confine its applicability to general appropriation bills, and again in 
the 104th Congress to add the last requirement concerning unauthorized 
items (sec. 215(d), H. Res. 6, Jan. 4, 1995, p. 468). Before the House 
recodified its rules in the 106th Congress, this provision was found in 
former clause 3 of rule XXI (H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 1999, p. ----).

  (2) Whenever the Committee on Appropriations reports a bill or joint 
resolution including matter specified in clause 1(b)(2) or (3) of rule 
X, it shall include--

      (A) in the bill or joint resolution, separate headings for 
``Rescissions'' and ``Transfers of Unexpended Balances''; and


      (B) in the report of the committee, a separate section listing 
such rescissions and transfers.


  This provision (former clause 1(b) of rule X) was added by the 
Committee Reform Amendments of 1974 (H. Res. 988, 93d Cong., Oct. 8, 
1974, p. 34470). Before the House recodified its rules in the 106th 
Congress, this provision was found in former clause 1(b) of rule X (H. 
Res. 5, Jan. 6, 1999, p. ----).



Sec. 848. Comparative print.

  (g)  Whenever the Committee on 
Rules reports a resolution proposing to repeal or amend a standing rule 
of the House, it shall include in its report or in an accompanying 
document--


      (1) the text of any rule or part thereof that is proposed to be 
repealed; and


      (2) a comparative print of any part of the resolution proposing to 
amend the rule and of the rule or part thereof proposed to be amended, 
showing by appropriate typographical devices the omissions and 
insertions proposed.


[[Page 591]]

but does not apply to resolutions providing temporary waivers of rules 
during the consideration of particular legislative business (Speaker 
Albert, Mar. 20, 1975, p. 7676; Mar. 24, 1975, p. 8418), or to a special 
order of business resolution providing for the consideration of a bill 
with textual modifications that would effect certain changes in House 
rules on enactment of the bill into law, but not itself repealing or 
amending any rule (May 27, 1993, p. 11597).

  This provision (former clause 4(d) of rule XI) was added to the rules 
under the Committee Reform Amendments of 1974, effective January 3, 1975 
(H. Res. 988, 93d Cong., Oct. 8, 1974, p. 34470), and is similar to the 
``Ramseyer Rule'' requirements of paragraph (e) relating to bills and 
joint resolutions repealing or amending existing law. Before the House 
recodified its rules in the 106th Congress, this provision was found in 
former clause 4(d) of rule XI (H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 1999, p. ----). This 
clause is applicable to resolutions reported from the Committee on Rules 
which propose direct permanent repeal or amendment of a rule of the 
House,



Sec. 849. Tax complexity analysis.

  (h)(1)  It shall not be in 
order to consider a bill or joint resolution reported by the Committee 
on Ways and Means that proposes to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 
1986 unless--


      (A) the report includes a tax complexity analysis prepared by the 
Joint Committee on Internal Revenue Taxation in accordance with section 
4022(b) of the Internal Revenue Service Restructuring and Reform Act of 
1998; or


      (B) the chairman of the Committee on Ways and Means causes such a 
tax complexity analysis to be printed in the Congressional Record before 
consideration of the bill or joint resolution.


  This provision was added by the Internal Revenue Service Restructuring 
and Reform Act of 1998 as a new clause 2(l)(8) of rule XI, effective 
after January 1, 1999 (sec. 4022, P.L. 105-206). This provision was 
transferred to clause 3(h) of rule XIII when the House recodified its 
rules in the 106th Congress (H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 1999, p. ----).


[[Page 592]]

namic estimate of such legislation only in response to a timely request 
from the chairman of the Committee on Ways and Means, after consultation 
with the ranking minority member. A dynamic estimate under this 
paragraph may be used only for informational purposes.
  (2) A report from the Committee on Ways and Means on a bill or joint 
resolution designated by the Majority Leader, after consultation with 
the Minority Leader, as major tax legislation may include a dynamic 
estimate of the changes in Federal revenues expected to result from 
enactment of the legislation. The Joint Committee on Internal Revenue 
Taxation shall render a dy


  (3) In this paragraph the term ``dynamic estimate'' means a projection 
based in any part on assumptions concerning probable effects of 
macroeconomic feedback. A dynamic estimate shall include a statement 
identifying all such assumptions.


  This provision was added in the 105th Congress (H. Res. 5, Jan. 7, 
1997, p. ----). Before the House recodified its rules in the 106th 
Congress, this provision was found in former clause 7(e) of rule XIII 
(H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 1999, p. ----).

                                                     Rule XIII, clause 4
Rule XIII, clause 4
Availability of reports-



850. Threeday layover.

  4. (a)(1)  Except as specified in 
subparagraph (2), it shall not be in order to consider in the House a 
measure or matter reported by a committee until the third calendar day 
(excluding Saturdays, Sundays, or legal holidays except when the House 
is in session on such a day) on which each report of a committee on that 
measure or matter has been available to Members, Delegates, and the 
Resident Commissioner.


  (2) Subparagraph (1) does not apply to--

      (A) a resolution providing a rule, joint rule, or order of 
business reported by the Committee on Rules considered under clause 6;


[[Page 593]]

of rule X reported by the Committee on House Administration considered 
under clause 6 of rule X;
      (B) a resolution providing amounts from the applicable accounts 
described in clause 1(i)(1)

      (C) a resolution presenting a question of the privileges of the 
House reported by any committee;

      (D) a measure for the declaration of war, or the declaration of a 
national emergency, by Congress; and

      (E) a measure providing for the disapproval of a decision, 
determination, or action by a Government agency that would become, or 
continue to be, effective unless disapproved or otherwise invalidated by 
one or both Houses of Congress. In this subdivision the term 
``Government agency'' includes any department, agency, establishment, 
wholly owned Government corporation, or instrumentality of the Federal 
Government or of the government of the District of Columbia.


  (b) A committee that reports a measure or matter shall make every 
reasonable effort to have its hearings thereon (if any) printed and 
available for distribution to Members, Delegates, and the Resident 
Commissioner before the consideration of the measure or matter in the 
House.


[[Page 594]]

5, Jan. 3, 1991, p. 39). It was amended in the 104th Congress to count 
as a ``calendar day'' any day on which the House is in session (H. Res. 
254, Nov. 30, 1995, p. ----), and again in the 105th Congress to achieve 
like treatment in the case of a concurrent resolution on the budget (H. 
Res. 5, Jan. 7, 1997, p. ----). The rule was later amended in the 105th 
Congress to conform to a change in the layover requirement for a 
concurrent resolution on the budget (Budget Enforcement Act of 1997 
(sec. 10109, P.L. 105-33)). In the 106th Congress two technical and 
conforming corrections were effected. The 106th Congress also recodified 
the rules, transferring this provision from former clause 2(l)(6) of 
rule XI, which consisted of this provision and current clause 6(a)(2) of 
this rule (H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 1999, p. ----).
  This provision (former clause 2(l)(6) of rule XI) was originally 
contained in section 108 of the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1970 
(84 Stat. 1140) and was incorporated into the rules in the 92d Congress 
(H. Res. 5, Jan. 22, 1971, p. 144). It was amended in the 94th Congress 
(H. Res. 5, Jan. 14, 1975, p. 20), in the 95th Congress (H. Res. 5, Jan. 
4, 1977, pp. 53-70), and in the 96th Congress (H. Res. 5, Jan. 15, 1979, 
p. 8). In the 102d Congress it was amended to clarify the availability 
requirements for reported measures, including concurrent resolutions on 
the budget (H. Res.

  The availability requirement is not applicable to privileged reports 
from the Committee on Rules or to bills before the House which have not 
been reported from committee (Speaker Albert, Aug. 10, 1976, p. 26793). 
The Committee on Rules has the authority under clause 5(a) of rule XIII 
(former clause 4(a) of rule XI) to report a special order making in 
order the text of an introduced bill as a substitute original text for a 
reported bill, and no point of order lies that such introduced text has 
not been available for three days under this rule, which only applies to 
the consideration of reported measures themselves (Oct. 9, 1986, p. 
29973). The exceptions from the three-day layover requirement were 
expanded in the 97th Congress (H. Res. 5, Jan. 5, 1981, p. 98) to 
include resolutions called up pursuant to legislative veto provisions in 
laws having the effect of approving or invalidating the actions of any 
government agency (and not just agencies of the executive branch). That 
exception allows the consideration of a measure disapproving an 
executive branch decision pursuant to statute within three days of the 
expiration of the congressional review period, notwithstanding the 
three-day availability requirement (concurrent resolution disapproving a 
regulation of the Federal Trade Commission pursuant to the Federal Trade 
Commission Improvements Act, P.L. 96-252) (May 26, 1982, pp. 12027-30). 
A report from a committee raising a question of the privileges of the 
House, such as a report relating to the contemptuous conduct of a 
witness before the committee, may be considered notwithstanding the 
availability requirements of this clause (Speaker Albert, July 13, 1971, 
pp. 24720-23; see also VI, 48; Deschler's Precedents, vol. 3, ch. 14, 
sec. 7.4, fn. 10, and Oct. 8, 1998, p. ----, with respect to impeachment 
reports; and Feb. 12, 1998, p. ----, with respect to a resolution 
dismissing an election contest reported as privileged under clause 
5(a)(3) of rule XIII).-



[[Page 595]]




Sec. 851. Oneday layover.

  A committee  expense resolution 
reported by the Committee on House Oversight pursuant to clause 5 of 
rule XIII need only be available for one day. However, other resolutions 
reported from that committee which are privileged (such as a resolution 
authorizing the printing of material as a House document), but which do 
not constitute questions of the privileges of the House, are subject to 
this clause (Speaker Albert, Mar. 6, 1975, p. 5537).





Sec. 852. Printed hearings and reports on appropriation 
bills.

  (c)  A general appropriation bill reported by the Committee on 
Appropriations may not be considered in the House until the third 
calendar day (excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and legal holidays except 
when the House is in session on such a day) on which printed hearings of 
the Committee on Appropriations thereon have been available to Members, 
Delegates, and the Resident Commissioner.



Privileged reports, generally
  This provision from section 139(a) of the Legislative Reorganization 
Act of 1946 was made a part of the standing rules January 3, 1953 (p. 
24), and was amended (by the addition of the parenthetical clause) on 
January 22, 1971 (p. 144). In the 104th Congress it was amended to count 
as a ``calendar day'' any day on which the House is in session (H. Res. 
254, Nov. 30, 1995, p. ----). Before the House recodified its rules in 
the 106th Congress, this provision was found in former clause 7 of rule 
XXI; and a requirement that the report also be available for three days 
was deleted as redundant because reports on general appropriation bills 
are covered under the availability requirements of paragraph (a) (H. 
Res. 5, Jan. 6, 1999, p. ----). In counting the ``three calendar days'' 
specified in the clause, the date the bill is filed or the date on which 
it is to be called up for consideration are counted, but not both (May 
26, 1969, p. 13720).

                                                     Rule XIII, clause 5
Rule XIII, clause 5



Sec. 853. Privileged reports.

  5. (a)  The following 
committees shall have leave to report at any time on the following 
matters, respectively:


      (1) The Committee on Appropriations, on general appropriation 
bills and on joint resolutions continuing appropriations for a fiscal 
year after September 15 in the preceding fiscal year.


[[Page 596]]

      (2) The Committee on the Budget, on the matters required to be 
reported by such committee under titles III and IV of the Congressional 
Budget Act of 1974.

      (3) The Committee on House Administration, on enrolled bills, on 
contested elections, on matters referred to it concerning printing for 
the use of the House or the two Houses, on expenditure of the applicable 
accounts of the House described in clause 1(i)(1) of rule X, and on 
matters relating to preservation and availability of noncurrent records 
of the House under rule VII.

      (4) The Committee on Rules, on rules, joint rules, and the order 
of business.

      (5) The Committee on Standards of Official Conduct, on resolutions 
recommending action by the House with respect to a Member, Delegate, 
Resident Commissioner, officer, or employee of the House as a result of 
an investigation by the committee relating to the official conduct of 
such Member, Delegate, Resident Commissioner, officer, or employee.


  (b) A report filed from the floor as privileged under paragraph (a) 
may be called up as a privileged question by direction of the reporting 
committee, subject to any requirement concerning its availability to 
Members, Delegates, and the Resident Commissioner under clause 4 or 
concerning the timing of its consideration under clause 6.


[[Page 597]]

the public lands and reserving public lands for the benefit of actual 
and bona fide settlers, and for the admission of new States, to the 
Committee on Public Works (now Transportation and Infrastructure) on 
bills authorizing the improvement of rivers and harbors, to the 
Committee on Veterans' Affairs on general pension bills, and to the 
Committee on Ways and Means on bills raising revenue, were eliminated 
from the rule. In the 94th Congress (H. Res. 5, Jan. 14, 1975, p. 20), 
the rule was further amended to reinsert ``contested elections'' under 
the authority of the Committee on House Administration, a matter 
inadvertently omitted by the 93d Congress (H. Res. 988, Oct. 8, 1974, p. 
34470). The rule was amended in the 97th Congress (H. Res. 5, Jan. 5, 
1981, pp. 98-113) to permit joint resolutions continuing appropriations 
to be privileged if reported after a certain date. In the 101st Congress 
(H. Res. 5, Jan. 3, 1989, p. 72), the rule was amended to include under 
the authority of the Committee on House Administration all matters 
relating to preservation and availability of noncurrent House records. 
In the 104th and 106th Congresses, it was amended to conform references 
to a renamed committee (sec. 202(b), H. Res. 6, Jan. 4, 1995, p. 467; H. 
Res. 5, Jan. 6, 1999, p. ----). In the 105th Congress it was amended to 
update an archaic reference to the ``contingent fund'' (H. Res. 5, Jan. 
7, 1997, p. ----). Before the House recodified its rules in the 106th 
Congress, this provision was found in former clause 4 of rule XI; as 
part of that recodification, former clause 9 of rule XVI (restating the 
privilege of general appropriation bills) was deleted as obsolete (H. 
Res. 5, Jan. 6, 1999, p. ----).
  The origins of this provision appear as early as 1812, but it was in 
1886 that the various provisions were consolidated in one rule. The rule 
was amended by the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946 (60 Stat. 
812), on February 2, 1951 (p. 883), and by the Committee Reform 
Amendments of 1974, effective January 3, 1975 (H. Res. 988, 93d Cong., 
Oct. 8, 1974, p. 34470). On the latter date the privileges given to the 
Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs (now Resources) on bills for 
the forfeiture of land grants to railroad and other corporations, 
preventing speculation in


[[Page 598]]

constituting questions of privilege (see generally Deschler's 
Precedents, vol. 3, ch. 14, sec. 7.4, fn. 10, discussing ruling of 
Speaker Albert, July 13, 1971, on a reported contempt); and reports on 
the official conduct of a Member (e.g., H. Res. 31, Jan. 21, 1997, p. --
--) are exempt from the requirements of former clause 2(l)(6) (current 
clause 4 of this rule) (H. Res. 988, 93d Cong., Oct. 8, 1974, p. 34470). 
Other committees enumerated in this clause may still utilize the 
privilege after the report on the bill or resolution has been available 
for at least three calendar days (excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and 
legal holidays except when the House is in session on such a day). Once 
called up for consideration, the matter so reported remains privileged 
until disposed of (IV, 3145). The House proceeds to the consideration of 
privileged questions only on motion directed to be made by the several 
committees reporting such questions (VIII, 2310). Privileged questions 
reported adversely have the same status so far as their privilege is 
concerned as those reported favorably (VI, 413; VIII, 2310).
  At the time these privileges originated all reports were made on the 
floor, and often with great difficulty because of the pressure of 
business (IV, 4621), and by giving this privilege the most important 
matters of business were greatly expedited. In 1890 a rule was adopted 
providing that reports should be made by filing with the Clerk, but 
privileged reports must still be made from the floor (IV, 3146; VIII, 
2230). A privileged report from the Committee on Rules may be filed at 
any time when the House is in session, including during special-order 
speeches (Oct. 14, 1986, p. 30861). Prior to the original adoption of 
the provisions contained in former clause 2(l)(6) of rule XI in the 92d 
Congress (current clause 4 of rule XIII) (H. Res. 5, Jan. 22, 1971, p. 
144), the right of reporting at any time was held to give the right of 
immediate consideration by the House (IV, 3131, 3132, 3142-3147; VIII, 
2291, 2312). However, from that date until the effective date of the 
provision of former clause 2(l)(6) (current clause 4 of this rule) on 
January 3, 1975 (H. Res. 988, 93d Cong., Oct. 8, 1974, p. 34470), only 
the Committees on House Administration, Rules (subject to the two-thirds 
vote requirement of clause 6 of this rule), and Standards of Official 
Conduct could call up a matter in the House for immediate consideration 
as soon as the report was filed. Now only reports from the Committee on 
Rules on rules, joint rules, and the order of business under clause 6 of 
this rule; reports from the Committee on House Administration on 
committee expense resolutions under clause 5(a) of this rule; reports



Sec. 854. Privileged reports defined.

  The  matters reported 
under the provisions of this clause are denominated ``privileged 
reports'' or ``privileged questions,'' and since the privilege relates 
merely to the order of business under the rules, they must be 
distinguished from ``questions of privilege'' which relate to the safety 
or dignity of the House itself defined in rule IX (III, 2718). 
Therefore, ``questions of privilege'' take precedence over these matters 
which are privileged under the rules (III, 2426-2530; V, 6454; VIII, 
3465).


  Privileged questions interrupt the regular order of business as 
established by former rule XXIV (current rule XIV), but when they are 
disposed of the regular order continues on from the point of 
interruption (IV, 3070, 3071). But the Speaker has declined to allow a 
call of committees to be interrupted by a privileged report (IV, 3132). 
The presence of matter not privileged with privileged matter destroys 
the privileged character of a bill (IV, 4622, 4624, 4633, 4640, 4643; 
VIII, 2289; Speaker Rayburn, May 21, 1958, pp. 9212-16), or resolution 
(VIII, 2300), and when the text of a bill contains nonprivileged matter, 
privilege may not be created by a committee amendment in the nature of a 
substitute not containing the nonprivileged matter (IV, 4623).

  The House may give a committee leave to report at any time only by the 
process of changing the rules (III, 1770).


[[Page 599]]

dated by the fact that at the time the rule was reported, the bill was 
not on the calendar (VIII, 2259; Speaker McCormack, Aug. 19, 1964, p. 
20212). The authority to report special orders of business includes 
authority to recommend consideration of measures and amendments thereto 
the subject of which might be separately pending before a standing 
committee (Apr. 15, 1986, p. 7531); to make in order the consideration 
of the text of an introduced bill as original text in a reported bill 
(Oct. 9, 1986, p. 29973); to permit consideration of a previously 
unnumbered and unsponsored measure which comes into existence by virtue 
of adoption by the House of the special order (Speaker O'Neill, Apr. 16, 
1986, p. 7610); to recommend a ``hereby'' resolution, for example, that 
a concurrent resolution correcting the enrollment of a bill be 
considered as adopted by the House upon the adoption of the special 
order (Speaker Wright, May 4, 1988, p. 9865), or that a Senate amendment 
pending at the Speaker's table and otherwise requiring consideration in 
Committee of the Whole under clause 3 of rule XXII (former clause 1 of 
rule XX) be ``hereby'' considered as adopted upon adoption of the 
special order (Deschler's Precedents, vol. 6, ch. 21, sec. 16.11; Feb. 
4, 1993, p. 2500); to provide that an amendment containing an 
appropriation in violation of clause 4 of rule XXI (former clause 5(a)) 
be considered as adopted in the House when the reported bill is under 
consideration (Feb. 24, 1993, p. 3542); to provide that an amendment 
containing an appropriation in violation of clause 2 of rule XXI be 
considered as adopted in the House when the reported bill is under 
consideration (July 27, 1993, p. 17129); and to provide that a 
nongermane amendment otherwise in violation of clause 7 of rule XVI be 
considered as adopted in the House when the bill is under consideration 
(Feb. 24, 1993, p. 3542; July 27, 1993, p. 17129). The Committee on 
Rules has also reported as privileged a joint resolution repealing a 
statutory joint rule (mandatory July adjournment, sec. 132 of the 
Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946) (July 27, 1990, p. 20178). The 
Committee on Rules has reported as privileged a special order of 
business nearly identical to one previously rejected by the House, but 
held not to constitute ``another of the same substance'' within the 
meaning of Jefferson's section XLIII (reconsideration) because it 
provided a different scheme for general debate (July 27, 1993, p. 
17115).


Sec. 855. The privilege of individual committees for 
reports.

  The  privilege given by this clause to the Committee on Rules is 
confined to ``action touching rules, joint rules, and order of 
business'' and this committee may not report as privileged a concurrent 
resolution providing for a Senate investigating committee (VIII, 2255), 
or provide for the appointment of a clerk (VIII, 2256); but the 
privilege has been held to include the right to report special orders 
for the consideration of individual bills or classes of bills (V, 6774), 
or the consideration of a specified amendment to a bill and prescribing 
a mode of considering such amendment (VIII, 2258). A special rule 
providing for the consideration of a bill is not invali


  A resolution consisting solely of privileged matter, albeit in two 
separate jurisdictions empowered to report at any time under clause 
4(a), has been referred to a primary committee, reported therefrom as 
privileged, referred sequentially, and reported as privileged from the 
sequential committee as well (H. Res. 258, 102d Cong., Nov. 8, 1991, p. 
30979; Nov. 19, 1991, p. 32903).


[[Page 600]]

  The right of the Committee on Appropriations to report at any time is 
confined strictly to general appropriation bills (IV, 4629-4632; VIII, 
2282-2284) and does not include appropriations for specific purposes 
(VIII, 2285). Before privilege was extended to continuing appropriation 
bills (in 1981), the rule was not construed to extend to resolutions 
extending appropriations (VIII, 2282-2284).

  Reports from the Committee on House Administration authorizing 
appropriations from the Treasury directly for compensation of employees 
(IV, 4645) or fixing the salaries of employees are not privileged (VIII, 
2302).



Sec. 856. Privileged motion for consideration of revenue and 
appropriation bills.

    As early as 1835 the necessity of giving the 
appropriation bills precedence became apparent, and in 1837 former 
clause 9 of rule XVI was adopted to establish that principle, but was 
deleted in recodification as redundant to this rule. Former clause 4(a) 
of rule XI was amended by the Committee Reform Amendments of 1974, 
effective January 3, 1975 (H. Res. 988, 93d Cong., Oct. 8, 1974, p. 
34470) to eliminate the authority of the Committee on Ways and Means to 
report as privileged bills raising revenue, and former clause 9 of rule 
XVI was amended in the 104th Congress (H. Res. 254, Nov. 30, 1995, p. --
--) to delete as obsolete the reference to bills raising revenue (see 
Sec. 853, supra). However, the privilege to call up general 
appropriation bills in both rules was retained. When both types of 
reports were privileged under the rule prior to the 94th Congress, 
motions to consider revenue bills and appropriation bills were of equal 
privilege (IV, 3075, 3076).



  The motion may designate the particular appropriation bill to be 
considered (IV, 3074). The motion is privileged at any time after the 
approval of the Journal (subject to relevant report and hearing 
availability requirements), but only if offered at the direction of the 
committee (July 23, 1993, p. 16820). The motion is in order on District 
Mondays (VI, 716-718; VII, 876, 1123); and takes precedence of the 
motion to go into Committee of the Whole House to consider the Private 
Calendar (IV, 3082-3085; VI, 719, 720). Before the adoption of clause 4 
of rule XIII (the former Consent Calendar) it could be made on a 
``suspension day'' as on other days (IV, 3080). On Wednesdays the 
privilege of the motion is limited by clause 7 of rule XXIV. It may not 
be amended (VI, 52, 723), debated (VI, 716), laid on the table, or 
indefinitely postponed (VI, 726), and the previous question may not be 
demanded on it (IV, 3077-3079). Although highly privileged, it may not 
take precedence of a motion to reconsider (IV, 3087), or a motion to 
change the reference of a bill (VII, 2124). The motion is less highly 
privileged than the motion to discharge a committee from further 
consideration of a bill under clause 3 of rule XXVII (VII, 1011, 1016), 
and on consent days the call of the former Consent Calendar (abolished 
in the 104th Congress) took precedence (VII, 986).

                                                     Rule XIII, clause 6
Rule XIII, clause 6
Privileged reports by the Committee on Rules


[[Page 601]]

consideration on the same day it is presented to the House except--


857. Reports from Committee on Rules.

  6. (a)  A report by 
the Committee on Rules on a rule, joint rule, or the order of business 
may not be called up for


      (1) when so determined by a vote of two-thirds of the Members 
voting, a quorum being present;

      (2) in the case of a resolution proposing only to waive a 
requirement of clause 4 or of clause 8 of rule XXII concerning the 
availability of reports; or

      (3) during the last three days of a session of Congress.

  (b) Pending the consideration of a report by the Committee on Rules on 
a rule, joint rule, or the order of business, the Speaker may entertain 
one motion that the House adjourn. After the result of such a motion is 
announced, the Speaker may not entertain any other dilatory motion until 
the report shall have been disposed of.

  (c) The Committee on Rules may not report--

      (1) a rule or order proposing that business under clause 7 of rule 
XV be set aside by a vote of less than two-thirds of the Members voting, 
a quorum being present;



[[Page 602]]


      (2) a rule or order that would prevent the motion to recommit a 
bill or joint resolution from being made as provided in clause 2(b) of 
rule XIX, including a motion to recommit with instructions to report 
back an amendment otherwise in order, if offered by the Minority Leader 
or a designee, except with respect to a Senate bill or resolution for 
which the text of a House-passed measure has been substituted.

  The Committee on Rules, ``by uniform practice of the House,'' 
exercised the privilege of reporting at any time as early as 1888. The 
right to report at any time is confined to privileged matters (VIII, 
2255). This was probably the survival of a practice which existed as 
early as 1853 of giving the privilege of reporting at any time to this 
committee for a session (IV, 4650). In 1890 the committee was included 
among the committees whose reports were privileged by rule. The present 
rule (former clause 4(b) of rule XI) was adopted in 1892 (IV, 4621), 
amended on March 15, 1909. Clause 6(a)(1) (former matter found in 
parentheses in clause 4(b) of rule XI) was adopted January 18, 1924 (pp. 
1139, 1141), and the rule was further amended by the Committee Reform 
Amendments of 1974, effective January 3, 1975 (H. Res. 988, 93d Cong., 
Oct. 8, 1974, p. 34470), to limit its application to reports from the 
Committee on Rules on rules, joint rules, and orders of business. In the 
94th Congress it was amended to permit the immediate consideration of a 
resolution reported from the Committee on Rules waiving the two-hour 
layover requirement (H. Res. 868, Feb. 26, 1976, p. 4625). In the 104th 
Congress the provision was amended to prohibit the Committee on Rules 
from recommending a rule or order that would prevent a motion by the 
Minority Leader or his designee to recommit with instructions to report 
back an amendment otherwise in order except in the case of a Senate bill 
or resolution for which the text of a House-passed measure is being 
substituted (sec. 210, H. Res. 6, Jan. 4, 1995, p. 468). Before the 
House recodified its rules in the 106th Congress, this provision was 
found in former clause 4(b) of rule XI (H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 1999, p. ----
). For rulings under the earlier form of the rule, see Sec. 859, infra.

  Pursuant to this clause, a privileged report from the Committee on 
Rules may be considered on the same legislative day only by a two-thirds 
vote, but a report properly filed by the committee at any time prior to 
the convening of the House on the next legislative day may be called up 
for immediate consideration without the two-thirds requirement (Speaker 
Albert, July 31, 1975, p. 26243), including a report filed during 
special-order speeches after legislative business on that prior 
legislative day (Oct. 14, 1986, p. 30861), and if the House continues in 
session into a second calendar day and then meets again that day, or 
convenes for two legislative days on the same calendar day, any report 
filed on the first legislative day may be called up on the second 
without the question of consideration being raised (Speaker O'Neill, 
Dec. 16, 1985, p. 36755; Speaker Wright, Oct. 29, 1987, p. 29937). This 
clause does not require that a privileged resolution, and the report 
thereon, from the Committee on Rules be printed before it is called up 
for consideration (Speaker O'Neill, Feb. 2, 1977, p. 3344).


[[Page 603]]

consideration, and waiving the requirement that copies of conference 
reports or amendments reported from conference in disagreement be 
available for two hours before their consideration (see Aug. 10, 1984, 
p. 23978).
  In the case of certain resolutions reported from the Committee on 
Rules, the two-thirds vote requirement for consideration on the same day 
reported does not apply. This clause provides for the immediate 
consideration of a resolution from the Rules Committee waiving the 
requirement that copies of reports and reported measures be available 
for three days before their

  Although highly privileged, a report from the Committee on Rules 
yields to questions of privilege (VIII, 3491; Mar. 11, 1987, p. 5403), 
and is not in order after the House has voted to go into Committee of 
the Whole (V, 6781). Also a conference report has precedence of it, even 
when the yeas and nays and previous question have been ordered (V, 
6449). Formerly if a report from the Committee on Rules contained 
substantive propositions, a separate vote could be had on each 
proposition (VIII, 2271, 2272, 2274, 3167); but these decisions were 
nullified by the adoption of clause 5(b)(2) of rule XVI (former clause 
6). A report from the Committee on Rules takes precedence over a motion 
to consider a measure which is ``highly privileged'' pursuant to a 
statute enacted as an exercise in the rulemaking authority of the House, 
acknowledging the constitutional authority of the House to change its 
rules at any time (Speaker Wright, Mar. 11, 1987, p. 5403). Before the 
House adopts rules, the Speaker may recognize a Member to offer for 
immediate consideration a special order providing for the consideration 
of a resolution adopting the rules (V, 5450; Jan. 4, 1995, p. 447).

  The Committee on Rules may report and call up as privileged 
resolutions temporarily waiving or altering any rule of the House, 
including statutory provisions enacted as an exercise of the House's 
rulemaking authority which would otherwise prohibit the consideration of 
a bill being made in order by the resolution. (Speaker Albert, Mar. 20, 
1975, p. 7676; Mar. 24, 1975, p. 8418), or which would otherwise 
establish an exclusive procedure for consideration of a particular type 
of measure (Speaker O'Neill, Apr. 16, 1986, p. 7610; Speaker Wright, 
Mar. 11, 1987, p. 5403). No rule of the House precludes the Committee on 
Rules from reporting a special order making in order specified 
amendments that have not been preprinted as otherwise required by an 
announced policy of that committee (Oct. 23, 1991, p. 28097). No point 
of order lies against a resolution reported from the Committee on Rules 
that waives points of order against a measure or provides special 
procedures for its consideration, where no law constituting a rule of 
the House prohibits consideration of such a resolution (resolution 
providing for consideration of a budget resolution, where a statute 
(P.L. 96-389, reaffirmed congressional commitment to balanced Federal 
budgets but did not dictate what legislation could be considered or 
otherwise constitute a rule of the House) (June 10, 1982, p. 13353).


[[Page 604]]

that the majority and minority floor and committee leaderships have no 
objection (Nov. 14, 1991, p. 32083).
  The Chair has declined to entertain a unanimous-consent request to 
alter a special order previously adopted by the House to admit an 
additional (nongermane) amendment during further consideration of a bill 
unless assured of certain clearances, consistent with the Speaker's 
announced policy (see Sec. 956, infra) of conferring recognition for 
unanimous-consent requests for the consideration of unreported bills and 
resolutions only when assured



Sec. 858. Dilatory motions not permitted.

  In  the later 
practice it has been held that the question of consideration may not be 
raised against a report from the Committee on Rules (V, 4961-4963; VIII, 
2440, 2441). The clause forbidding dilatory motions has been construed 
strictly  (V, 5740-5742), and in the later practice the following have 
been excluded: (1) the motion to commit after the ordering of the 
previous question (V, 5593-5601; VIII, 2270, 2750; Feb. 22, 1984, p. 
2965); (2) an appeal from the Chair's decision not to entertain the 
question of consideration or a motion to lay the pending resolution on 
the table (V, 5739); and (3) the motion to postpone to a day certain 
(Oct. 9, 1986, p. 29972). A motion to reconsider the vote on ordering 
the previous question has been held not dilatory (V, 5739). Before 
debate has begun on a report from the Committee on Rules, a question of 
the privileges of the House takes precedence (VIII, 3491; Mar. 11, 1987, 
p. 5403). In the event that the previous question is rejected on a 
privileged resolution from the Committee on Rules, the provisions of 
clause 6(b) prohibiting ``dilatory'' motions no longer strictly apply; 
the resolution is subject to amendment, further debate, or a motion to 
table or refer, and the Member who lead the opposition to the previous 
question has the prior right to recognition (Oct. 19, 1966, pp. 27713, 
27725-29; May 29, 1980, pp. 12667-78), subject to being preempted by a 
preferential motion offered by another Member (Aug. 13, 1982, pp. 20969, 
20975-78). The member of the Committee on Rules calling up a privileged 
resolution on behalf of the committee may offer an amendment, and House 
rules do not require a specific authorization from the committee (Sept. 
25, 1990, p. 25575). A motion to table such a pending amendment is 
dilatory and not in order under this provision, but the motion to 
reconsider the vote on ordering the previous question on the rule and 
amendment thereto is not (see V, 5739; Sept. 25, 1990, p. 25575), and 
may be laid on the table without carrying with it the resolution itself 
(Sept. 25, 1990, p. 25575). Only one motion to adjourn is admissible 
during the consideration of a report from the Committee on Rules (July 
23, 1997, p. ----), and the motion may not be made when another Member 
has the floor (Sept. 27, 1993, p. 22608). Where the House adjourns 
during the consideration of a report from the Committee on Rules, 
further consideration of the report becomes the unfinished business on 
the following day, and debate resumes from the point where interrupted 
(Sept. 27, 1993, p. 22609; Sept. 28, 1993, p. 22719). The Chair has held 
that a virtually consecutive invocation of former rule XXX (current 
clause 6 of rule XVII), resulting in a second pair of votes on use of a 
chart and on reconsideration thereof, was not dilatory under this clause 
(or former clause 10 of rule XVI (current clause 1 of rule XVI)) (July 
31, 1996, p. 20693).



[[Page 605]]

  A motion to recommit a special rule from the Committee on Rules is not 
in order (VIII, 2270, 2753).



Sec. 859. Restrictions on authority of Committee on 
Rules.

  From  1934 until the amendment to this provision in the 104th 
Congress (sec. 210, H. Res. 6, Jan. 4, 1995, p. 468), it was 
consistently held that the Committee on Rules could recommend a special 
order that limited, but did not totally prohibit, a motion to recommit 
pending passage of a bill or joint resolution, as by precluding the 
motion from containing instructions relating to specified amendments 
(Speaker Rainey, sustained on appeal, Jan. 11, 1934, pp. 479-83); or by 
omitting to preserve the availability of amendatory instructions in the 
case that the bill is entirely rewritten by the adoption of a substitute 
made in order as original text (Speaker Foley, June 4, 1991, p. 13170; 
Speaker Foley, Nov. 25, 1991, p. 34460); or by expressly allowing only a 
simple (``straight'') motion to recommit (without instructions) 
(sustained by tabling of appeal, Oct. 16, 1990, p. 29657; sustained by 
tabling of appeal, Feb. 26, 1992, p. 3441; Speaker Foley, sustained by 
tabling of appeal, May 7, 1992, p. 10586; Speaker Foley, sustained by 
tabling of appeal, June 16, 1992, p. 14973; Nov. 21, 1993, p. 31544; 
Nov. 22, 1993, p. 31815). A special order providing for consideration of 
a bill under suspension of the rules does not prevent a motion to 
recommit from being made ``as provided in clause 4 of rule XVI,'' i.e., 
after the previous question is ordered on passage, a procedure not 
applicable to a motion to suspend the rules (Speaker Foley, June 21, 
1990, p. 15229). See Deschler's Precedents, vol. 6, ch. 21, sec. 26.11; 
see generally Deschler's Precedents, vol. 7, ch. 23, sec. 25.


  The caveat against including in a special order matter privileged to 
be reported by another committee (Deschler's Precedents, vol. 6, ch. 21, 
sec. 17.13) does not extend to a ``hereby'' resolution (e.g., that a 
concurrent resolution correcting the enrollment of a bill within the 
jurisdiction of another committee be considered as adopted by the House 
upon the adoption of the special order), so long as not precluding the 
motion to recommit a bill or joint resolution (Speaker Wright, May 4, 
1988, p. 9865).

  A special rule providing that a House bill with Senate amendments be 
taken from the Speaker's table, that the Senate amendments be disagreed 
to, that the Senate's request for a conference be agreed to, and that 
the Speaker appoint conferees without intervening motion, is not in 
violation of this provision, since not precluding a motion to recommit 
after the ordering of the previous question on passage of the bill, and 
since the motion to recommit the conference report would remain 
available (VIII, 2266); but where such a resolution provided for the 
appointment of conferees without intervening motion in the case where 
the House is to ask for a conference, giving the Senate the right of 
first acting on the conference report, it was held in contravention of 
the rule because it both precluded a motion to commit the Senate 
amendment before conference and permitted the Senate to act first on the 
conference report, thereby denying the minority of the House any 
opportunity of making a motion to recommit (VIII, 2264).


[[Page 606]]

after the previous question, a resolution making possible that ultimate 
result by permitting motions to suspend the rules for a week was held in 
order (VIII, 2267).
  While the Committee on Rules is forbidden to report special orders 
abrogating the Calendar Wednesday rule or excluding the motion to 
recommit




Sec. 860. Unfunded mandates.

  The  Unfunded Mandates Reform 
Act of 1995 (P.L. 104-4; 109 Stat. 48) added a new part B to title IV of 
the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 (2 U.S.C. 658-658g) that, effective 
on January 1, 1996, or 90 days after appropriations are made available 
to the Congressional Budget Office pursuant to the 1995 Act (whichever 
is earlier), imposes several requirements on committees with respect to 
``Federal mandates'' (secs. 423-424; 2 U.S.C. 658b-c), establishes 
points of order to permit separate votes on whether to enforce those 
requirements (sec. 425; 2 U.S.C. 658d), and permits a vote on the 
consideration of a rule or order waiving such points of order in the 
House (sec. 426(a); 2 U.S.C. 658e(a)). See Sec. 1127, infra.




Sec. 861. Filing reports.

  (d)  The Committee on Rules shall 
present to the House reports concerning rules, joint rules, and the 
order of business, within three legislative days of the time when they 
are ordered. If such a report is not considered immediately, it shall be 
referred to the calendar. If such a report on the calendar is not called 
up by the member of the committee who filed the report within seven 
legislative days, any member of the committee may call it up as a 
privileged question on the day after the calendar day on which the 
member announces to the House his intention to do so. The Speaker shall 
recognize a member of the committee who rises for that purpose.




[[Page 607]]


  (e) An adverse report by the Committee on Rules on a resolution 
proposing a special order of business for the consideration of a public 
bill or public joint resolution may be called up as a privileged 
question by a Member, Delegate, or Resident Commissioner on a day when 
it is in order to consider a motion to discharge committees under clause 
2 of rule XV.


  This provision was initially adopted January 18, 1924, amended 
December 8, 1931 (VIII, 2268), January 3, 1949 (p. 16), January 3, 1951 
(p. 18), January 4, 1965 (p. 24) (inserting the so-called ``21-day 
rule''), January 10, 1967 (H. Res. 7, p. 28) (deleting the ``21-day 
rule'' in effect in the 89th Congress), January 3, 1975 (H. Res. 988, 
93d Cong., Oct. 8, 1974, p. 34470). Before the House recodified its 
rules in the 106th Congress, this provision was found in former clause 
4(c) of rule XI (H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 1999, p. ----). A special order 
reported from the Committee on Rules and not called up within seven 
legislative days may be called up by any member of that committee, 
including a minority member (Nov. 13, 1979, p. 32185; May 6, 1982, p. 
8905). In the 100th Congress this paragraph was amended to require the 
member of the Committee on Rules calling up a report seven legislative 
days after its filing to have given one calendar day's notice to the 
House (H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 1987, p. 6).




Sec. 862.

  (f)  If the House has adopted a resolution making 
in order a motion to consider a bill or resolution, and such a motion 
has not been offered within seven calendar days thereafter, such a 
motion shall be privileged if offered by direction of all reporting 
committees having initial jurisdiction of the bill or resolution.



  This provision was contained in section 109 of the Legislative 
Reorganization Act of 1970 (84 Stat. 1140) and became part of the rules 
in the 92d Congress (H. Res. 5, Jan. 22, 1971, p. 144). Before the House 
recodified its rules in the 106th Congress, this provision was found in 
former clause 2(l)(7) of rule XI (H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 1999, p. ----). In 
modern practice, this subparagraph is normally inapplicable in light of 
clause 2(b) of rule XVIII, which provides for the House resolving into 
the Committee of the Whole by declaration of the Speaker pursuant to a 
special order of business rather than by adoption of a motion.



[[Page 608]]




Sec. 863. Specifying waivers.

  (g)  Whenever the Committee on 
Rules reports a resolution providing for the consideration of a measure, 
it shall (to the maximum extent possible) specify in the resolution the 
object of any waiver of a point of order against the measure or against 
its consideration.



  This provision (former clause 4(e) of rule XI) was adopted in this 
form in the 104th Congress (sec. 211, H. Res. 6, Jan. 4, 1995, p. 468). 
Before the House recodified its rules in the 106th Congress, this 
provision was found in former clause 4(e) of rule XI (H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 
1999, p. ----).

                                                     Rule XIII, clause 7
Rule XIII, clause 7
Resolutions of inquiry




864. Resolution of inquiry.

  7. A  report on a resolution of 
inquiry addressed to the head of an executive department may be filed 
from the floor as privileged. If such a resolution is not reported to 
the House within 14 legislative days after its introduction, a motion to 
discharge a committee from its consideration shall be privileged.


  The House has exercised the right, from its earliest days, to call on 
the President and heads of departments for information. The first rule 
on the subject was adopted in 1820 for the purpose of securing greater 
care and deliberation in the making of requests. The present form of 
rule, in its essential features, dates from 1879 (III, 1856), while the 
time period for a committee to report was extended from one week to 14 
legislative days in the 98th Congress (H. Res. 5, Jan. 3, 1983, p. 34). 
Before the House recodified its rules in the 106th Congress, this 
provision was found in former clause 5 of rule XXII (H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 
1999, p. ----).


[[Page 609]]



Sec. 865. Forms of resolutions of inquiry and 
delivery thereof.

  Resolutions of  inquiry are usually simple rather than concurrent in 
form (III, 1875), and are never joint resolutions (III, 1860). A 
resolution authorizing a committee to request information has been 
treated as a resolution of inquiry (III, 1860). It has been considered 
proper to use the word ``request'' in asking for information from the 
President and ``direct'' in addressing the heads of departments (III, 
1856, footnote, 1895). It is usual for the House in calling on the 
President for information, especially with relation to foreign affairs, 
to use the qualifying clause ``if not incompatible with the public 
interest'' (II, 1547; III, 1896-1901; V, 5759; VI, 436). But in some 
instances the House has made its inquiries of the President without 
condition, and has even made the inquiry imperative (III, 1896-1901). 
Resolutions of inquiry are delivered under direction of the Clerk (III, 
1879) and are answered by subordinate officers of the Government either 
directly or through the President (III, 1908-1910).




Sec. 866. Privileged status of resolutions of 
inquiry.

  The practice of  the House gives to resolutions of inquiry a privileged 
status. Thus, they are privileged for report and consideration at any 
time after their reference to a committee (III, 1870; VI, 413, 414), but 
not before (III, 1857), and are in order for consideration only on 
motion directed to be made by the committee reporting the same (VI, 413; 
VIII, 2310). They are privileged for consideration on ``Suspension 
days'' and took precedence of the former Consent Calendar (VI, 409) 
before its abolishment in the 104th Congress (H. Res. 168, June 20, 
1995, p. 16574), but are not in order on Calendar Wednesday (VII, 896-
898). And only resolutions addressed to the President and the heads of 
the executive departments have the privilege (III, 1861-1864; VI, 406). 
To enjoy the privilege a resolution should call for facts rather than 
opinions (III, 1872, 1873; VI, 413, 418-432; July 7, 1971, pp. 23810-
11), should not require investigations (III, 1872-1874; VI, 422, 427, 
429, 432), and should not present a preamble (III, 1877, 1878; VI, 422, 
427); but if a resolution on its face calls for facts, the Chair will 
not investigate the probability of the existence of the facts called for 
(VI, 422). However, a resolution inquiring for such facts as would 
inevitably require the statement of an opinion to answer such inquiry is 
not privileged (Speaker Longworth, Feb. 11, 1926, p. 3805).


  Questions of privilege (as distinguished from privileged questions) 
have sometimes arisen in cases wherein the head of a department has 
declined to respond to an inquiry and the House has desired to demand a 
further answer (III, 1891; VI, 435); but a demand for a more complete 
reply (III, 1892) or a proposition to investigate as to whether or not 
there has been a failure to respond may not be presented as involving 
the privileges of the House (III, 1893).


[[Page 610]]

hour of debate and may move to lay the resolution on the table during 
that time (July 7, 1971, pp. 23807-10; Oct. 20, 1971, pp. 37055-57).


Sec. 867. Discharge of a committee from a 
resolution of inquiry.

  Committees are  required to report resolutions of inquiry back 
to the House within one week (now 14 days) of the reference, and this 
time is construed to be legislative days (VIII, 3368; Speaker Rayburn, 
Feb. 9, 1950, p. 1755) exclusive of either the first or last day (III, 
1858, 1859). If a committee refuses or neglects to report the resolution 
back, the House may reach the resolution only by a motion to discharge 
the committee (III, 1865). The ordinary motion to discharge a committee 
is not privileged (VIII, 2316); but the practice of the House has given 
privilege to the motion in cases of resolutions of inquiry (III, 1866-
1870). And this motion to discharge is privileged at the end of the time 
period, though the resolution may have been delayed in reaching the 
committee (III, 1871). The motion to discharge is not debatable (III, 
1868; VI, 415). However, if the motion is agreed to, the resolution is 
debatable under the hour rule unless the previous question is ordered 
(VI, 416, 417). If a committee reports a privileged resolution of 
inquiry (favorably or adversely), it may then be called up only by an 
authorized member of the reporting committee and not by another Member 
of the House (VI, 413; VIII, 2310). The Member calling up a privileged 
resolution of inquiry reported from committee is recognized to control 
one





[106th Congress House Rules Manual -- House Document No. 105-358]
[From the U.S. Government Printing Office Online Database]
[Page 610-620]

 


Sec. 868. Resolutions of inquiry as related to 
the Executive.

  The President  having failed to respond to a resolution of inquiry, 
the House respectfully reminded him of the fact (III, 1890). In 1796 the 
House declared that its constitutional requests of the Executive for 
information need not be accompanied by a statement of purposes (II, 
1509). As to the kind of information which may be required, especially 
as to the papers that may be demanded, there has been much discussion 
(III, 1700, 1738, 1888, 1902, 1903; VI, 402, 435). There have been 
several conflicts with the Executive (II, 1534, 1561; III, 1884, 1885-
1889, 1894) over demands for papers and information, especially when the 
resolutions have called for papers relating to foreign affairs (II, 
1509-1513, 1518, 1519).




               Rule XIV.--ORDER AND PRIORITY OF BUSINESS



Sec. 869. The rule for the order of business in the House.

  1. The daily order of business (unless varied by the application of 
other rules and except for the disposition of matters of higher 
precedence) shall be as follows:
   
First. Prayer by the Chaplain. l   Second. Reading and approval of the 
Journal, unless postponed under clause 9(a) of rule XX.


  Third. The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.

  Fourth. Correction of reference of public bills.

  Fifth. Disposal of business on the Speaker's table as provided in 
clause 2.

  Sixth. Unfinished business as provided in clause 3.

  Seventh. The morning hour for the consideration of bills called up by 
committees as provided in clause 4.


[[Page 611]]

  Eighth. Motions that the House resolve into the Committee of the Whole 
House on the state of the Union subject to clause 5.


  Ninth. Orders of the day.

  Originally the House had no rule prescribing an order of business, but 
certain simple usages were gradually established by practice before the 
first rule on the subject was adopted in 1811. The rule was amended 
frequently to arrange the business to give the House as large a freedom 
as possible in selecting for consideration and completing the 
consideration of the bills that it deems most important. The basic form 
of the rule has been in place since 1890 (IV, 3056). The 98th Congress 
made a conforming change to the second order of business relating to the 
postponement of the vote on approval of the Journal (H. Res. 5, Jan. 3, 
1983, p. 34). The 104th Congress added the present third order of 
business respecting the Pledge of Allegiance (sec. 218, H. Res. 6, Jan. 
4, 1995, p. 468). Before the House recodified its rules in the 106th 
Congress, this provision was found in former clause 1 of rule XXIV (H. 
Res. 5, Jan. 6, 1999, p. ----).

  The Speaker does not entertain a point of no quorum before the prayer 
is offered (VI, 663). Under clause 7 of rule XX, a point of no quorum 
may not be entertained unless a question is pending (see Sec. 1027, 
infra).


[[Page 612]]

6443) and motions to discharge or instruct conferees (clause 7(c) of 
rule XXII).


Sec. 870. Privileged interruptions of the order of 
business in the House.

  This rule  does not, however, bind the House to a daily 
routine, since the system of making certain important subjects 
privileged (see clause 5 of rule XIII and rule XXII) permits the 
interruption of the order of business by matters which, in fact, often 
supplant it entirely for days at a time. In the 106th Congress the 
recodification acknowledged in the parenthetical of this clause that the 
prescribed daily order of business could be superseded by operation of 
other rules (H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 1999, p. ----). But on any day, when the 
order of business is interrupted by a privileged matter, the business in 
order goes on from the place of interruption (IV, 3070, 3071) unless the 
House adjourns. After an adjournment the House begins again at the 
beginning. While privileged matters may interrupt the order of business, 
they may do so only with the consent of a majority of the House, 
expressed as to appropriation bills by the vote on going into Committee 
of the Whole to consider such bills, and as to matters like conference 
reports, questions of privilege, etc., by raising and voting on the 
question of consideration. The only exceptions to the principle that a 
majority may prevent interruption is contained in clauses 5 and 7 of 
rule XV, providing for a call of the Private Calendar on the first 
Tuesday of each month and a call of committees on Wednesdays. By this 
combination of an order of business with privileged interruptions the 
House is enabled to give precedence to its most important business 
without at the same time losing the power by majority vote to go to any 
other bills on its calendars.
<>   The privileged matters which may interrupt the order of 
business include: l  (1) General appropriation bills (clause 5 of rule 
XIII; IV, 3072). l  (2) Conference reports (clause 7(a) of rule XXII; V,


  (3) Special orders reported by the Committee on Rules for 
consideration by the House (clause 5 of rule XIII; IV, 3070-3076, 4621).

  (4) Consideration of amendments between the Houses after disagreement 
(IV, 3149, 3150).

  (5) Questions of privilege (rule IX; III, 2521).

  (6) Privileged bills reported under the right to report at any time 
(clauses 5 and 7 of rule XIII; IV, 3142-3144, 4621).

  (7) Call of committees on Wednesdays for bills on House and Union 
Calendars (clause 7 of rule XV).

  (8) Private business on Tuesday (clause 5 of rule XV).

  (9) Motions on the second and fourth Mondays of the month to discharge 
committees on public bills and resolutions (clause 2 of rule XV), and 
consideration of District of Columbia business (clause 4 of rule XV; IV, 
3304).

  (10) Consideration of bills on the Corrections Calendar (clause 6 of 
rule XV), and motions to suspend the rules and pass bills out of the 
regular order (clause 1 of rule XV; V, 6790).

  (11) Bills coming over from a previous day with the previous question 
ordered (V, 5510-5517).

  (12) Bills returned with the objections of the President (IV, 3534-
3536).

  (13) Motions to send a bill to conference (under clause 1 of rule 
XXII; Aug. 1, 1972, p. 26153).

  In addition to these matters, the House by practice permits its order 
of business to be interrupted, at the discretion of the Speaker, for the 
reception of messages (V, 6602). Prior to the 104th Congress, addressing 
the House out of order by unanimous consent, the Speaker announced that 
on at least two subsequent days he would recognize designated Members 
after approval of the Journal to lead the House in the Pledge of 
Allegiance to the Flag (Speaker Wright, Sept. 9, 1988, p. 23310). 
Requests of Members for leaves of absence are in practice put before the 
House at the time of adjournment (IV, 3151).


[[Page 613]]

the regular order (see, e.g., Speaker Foley, Nov. 14, 1991, p. 32128; 
Dec. 15, 1995, p. ----). A Member objecting to a unanimous-consent 
request or demanding the regular order when another has reserved the 
right to object must stand to be observed by the Chair (Nov. 7, 1991, p. 
30633; June 23, 1992, p. 15703). The Speaker, however, usually signifies 
his objection by declining to put the request of the Member, thus saving 
the time of the House. The Speaker's guidelines for recognition for 
unanimous-consent requests for consideration of unreported measures are 
issued pursuant to clause 2 of rule XVII and are discussed in Sec. 956, 
infra. The request for unanimous consent began to be used about 1832 
when the House first felt a pressure of business and the necessity of 
adhering to a fixed order (IV, 3155-3159). In 1909, by the adoption of 
former clause 4 of rule XIII, a Consent Calendar was established, which 
was abolished in the 104th Congress (H. Res. 168, June 20, 1995, p. 
16574). For discussion of unanimous-consent requests and reservations of 
objections, see House Practice (1996), pp. 861-68, and Sec. 956, infra. 
Unanimous consent for the immediate consideration of a measure in the 
House does not preclude a demand for a record vote when the Chair puts 
the question on final passage, since it merely permits consideration of 
a matter not otherwise privileged (Dec. 16, 1987, p. 35816).



Sec. 872. The interruption of the order of business 
by the request for unanimous consent.

  When the  House has no rule establishing 
an order of business, as at the beginning of a session before the 
adoption of rules, it is in order for any Member who is recognized by 
the Chair to offer a proposition relating to the order of business 
without asking consent of the House (IV, 3060). But after the adoption 
of the rule for the order of business, interruptions are confined to 
matters privileged to interrupt or to cases wherein the House gives 
unanimous consent for an interruption. A request for unanimous consent 
to consider a bill is in effect a request to suspend the order of 
business temporarily (IV, 3059). Therefore any Member, including the 
Speaker, may object, or reserve the right to object and inquire, for 
example, about the reasons for the request, or demand the ``regular 
order'' (IV, 3058). Debate under a reservation of objection proceeds at 
the sufferance of the House and may not continue after a demand for




Sec. 873. Disposal of 
business on the Speaker's table.

    2. Business on the Speaker's table  shall be disposed of as follows:


      (a) Messages from the President shall be referred to the 
appropriate committees without debate.

      (b) Communications addressed to the House, including reports and 
communications from heads of departments and bills, resolutions, and 
messages from the Senate, may be referred to the appropriate committees 
in the same manner and with the same right of correction as public bills 
and public resolutions presented by Members, Delegates, or the Resident 
Commissioner.


[[Page 614]]

tained as provided in clauses 1, 2, and 4 of rule XXII.
      (c) Motions to dispose of Senate amendments on the Speaker's table 
may be enter


      (d) Senate bills and resolutions substantially the same as House 
measures already favorably reported and not required to be considered in 
the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union may be 
disposed of by motion. Such a motion shall be privileged if offered by 
direction of all reporting committees having initial jurisdiction of the 
House measure.

  A rule to govern disposition of business on the Speaker's table (to be 
distinguished from the table of the House, which is the Clerk's table) 
was adopted in 1832. In 1880 and 1885 efforts were made to so modify the 
rule as to prevent delays in business on the Speaker's table, but it was 
not until 1890 that the present rule was adopted (IV, 3089). Before the 
House recodified its rules in the 106th Congress, this provision and 
clause 2 of rule XXII had occupied a single clause (former clause 2 of 
rule XXIV) (H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 1999, p. ----).


[[Page 615]]



Sec. 874. Matters on Speaker's table for action by the 
House or by the Speaker alone.

  Such  portions of messages from the Senate as 
require action by the House, all messages from the President except 
those transmitting his objections to bills (IV, 3534-3536), and all 
communications and reports from the heads of departments go to the 
Speaker's table when received, to be disposed of under this rule. Simple 
resolutions of the Senate that do not require any action by the House 
are not referred (VII, 1048). All of the President's messages and such 
portions of Senate messages as, being House bills with Senate 
amendments, that do not require consideration in Committee of the Whole 
are laid before the House for action; but communications other than 
messages from the President, all portions of Senate messages requiring 
consideration in Committee of the Whole (IV, 3101), and Senate bills of 
all kinds (with the exception noted in the rule) are referred to the 
appropriate standing committees under direction of the Speaker without 
action by the House (IV, 3107, 3111; VI, 727). Under clause 2 of former 
rule XXIV (current rule XIV), the Speaker may temporarily retain custody 
of an executive communication addressed to him (or may pursuant to 
former clause 1 of rule IV (current clause 3(a) of rule II) order the 
Sergeant-at-Arms to assume custody) pending House disposition of a 
special order reported from the Committee on Rules relating to a 
referral of the communication to committee (Sept. 9, 1998, p. ----).


  A House bill returned with Senate amendments involving a new matter of 
appropriation, whether with or without a request for a conference, may 
be referred directly to a standing committee (VI, 731), and on being 
reported therefrom is referred directly to the Committee of the Whole 
(IV, 3094, 3095, 3108-3110). The usual practice, however, is to take 
from the Speaker's table and send to conference by unanimous consent 
(VI, 732). The Speaker's authority under this clause includes the 
discretionary authority to refer from the Speaker's table Senate 
amendments to House-passed bills, to standing committees, under any 
conditions permitted under current clause 2 of rule XII (former clause 5 
of rule X) for referral of introduced bills; he may for example impose a 
time limitation for consideration only of a portion of the Senate 
amendment, not germane to the original House bill, by the standing 
committee with subject-matter jurisdiction, without referring the 
remainder of the Senate amendment to the House committee with 
jurisdiction over the original House bill (Speaker O'Neill, H.R. 31, 
Mar. 26, 1981, p. 5397). The Speaker announced his policy regarding 
referral of nongermane Senate amendments to committee (Jan. 3, 1983, p. 
54; Jan. 6, 1987, p. 21); and his policy regarding recognition for 
unanimous-consent requests to dispose of Senate amendments at the 
Speaker's table (Apr. 26, 1984, p. 10194; Feb. 4, 1987, p. 2676) 
discussed in Sec. 956, infra. A Senate bill to come before the House 
directly from the table must conform to the conditions prescribed by the 
rule (IV, 3098, 3099; VI, 727, 734, 737), and must have come to the 
House after and not before the House bill ``substantially the same'' has 
been placed on the House Calendar (IV, 3096; VI, 727, 736, 738). In the 
event the House bill has passed before the Senate bill is received, the 
Senate bill may nevertheless be disposed of on motion directed by the 
committee (VI, 734, 735). The House bill must be correctly on the House 
Calendar (VI, 736). In determining whether the House bill is 
substantially the same as the Senate bill, amendments recommended by the 
House committee must be considered (VI, 734, 736). The rule applies to 
private as well as to public Senate bills (IV, 3101), and to concurrent 
resolutions as well as to bills (IV, 3097). Although a committee must 
authorize the calling up of the Senate bill (VI, 739), the actual motion 
need not be made by a member of the committee (IV, 3100). The authority 
of a committee to call up a bill must be given at a formal meeting of 
the committee (VIII, 2211, 2212, 2222).


[[Page 616]]

from the Committee on Ways and Means (V, 6621, 6622) but since the first 
session of the 64th Congress the practice has been discontinued (VIII, 
3350). A portion of the annual message has been referred directly to a 
select committee (V, 6628). A message other than an annual message is 
usually referred directly to a standing committee by direction of the 
Speaker (IV, 4053; VIII, 3346), but may be referred by the House itself 
on motion by a Member (V, 6631; VIII, 3348), and such motion is 
privileged (VIII, 3348). This reference may be to a select as well as to 
a standing committee (V, 6633, 6634).



Sec. 875. Reference of President's messages from the 
Speaker's table.

  A  message of the President on the Speaker's table is 
regularly laid before the House only at the time prescribed by the order 
of business (V, 6635-6638). While it is always read in full and entered 
on the Journal and the Congressional Record (V, 6963), the accompanying 
documents are not read on demand of a Member or entered in the Journal 
or Record (V, 5267-5271; VII, 1108). The annual message of the President 
is usually referred to the Committee of the Whole House on the state of 
the Union by the House on motion (V, 6631). In the earlier practice it 
was distributed to appropriate standing committees by resolutions 
reported





Sec. 876. Unfinished business.

  3.  Consideration of 
unfinished business in which the House may have been engaged at an 
adjournment, except business in the morning hour and proceedings 
postponed under clause 9 of rule XX, shall be resumed as soon as the 
business on the Speaker's table is finished, and at the same time each 
day thereafter until disposed of. The consideration of all other 
unfinished business shall be resumed whenever the class of business to 
which it belongs shall be in order under the rules.


  The first rule relating to unfinished business was adopted in 1794. 
Changes were made in 1860 and 1880, but the rule finally became 
unsatisfactory, because of delays caused by it, and in 1890 the present 
form was adopted (IV, 3112). Before the House recodified its rules in 
the 106th Congress, this provision was found in former clause 3 of rule 
XXIV (H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 1999, p. ----).


[[Page 617]]

does not recur as unfinished business on a succeeding day, even though 
the yeas and nays may have been ordered on it (IV, 3114). The question 
of consideration, also, when not disposed of at an adjournment, does not 
recur as unfinished business on a succeeding day (V, 4947, 4948), but 
may be again raised on a subsequent day when the matter is again called 
up as unfinished business (VIII, 2438). Where the House adjourns during 
the consideration of a report from the Committee on Rules, further 
consideration of the report becomes the unfinished business on the 
following day, and debate resumes from the point where interrupted 
(Sept. 27, 1993, p. 22609; Sept. 28, 1993, p. 22719). When the House 
adjourns on the second legislative day after postponement of a question 
under clause 8 of rule XX without resuming proceedings thereon, the 
question remains unfinished business on the next legislative day (Oct. 
1, 1997, p. ----). When the House adjourns while a motion to instruct 
under clause 7(c) of rule XXII is pending, the motion to instruct 
becomes unfinished business on the next day and does not need to be 
renoticed (Oct. 1, 1997, p. ----).


Sec. 877. Construction of rule as to unfinished 
business.

  This  clause should be understood in light of clause 8 of rule XX, 
which permits the Chair to postpone record votes on certain questions to 
a designated time within two legislative days (see Sec. 1030, infra). 
The ``business in which the House may be engaged at an adjournment'' 
means, literally, business in the House, as distinguished from the 
Committee of the Whole; and it further means business in which the House 
is engaged in its general legislative time, as distinguished from the 
special periods set aside for classes of business, like the morning hour 
for calls of committee, Tuesdays for private bills, etc. In general, all 
business unfinished in the general legislative time goes over as 
unfinished business under the rule, but there are a few exceptions. 
Thus, a motion relating to the order of business




Sec. 878. Effect of previous question.

  When the  House 
adjourns before voting on a proposition on which the previous question 
has been ordered, either directly or by the terms of a special order 
(IV, 3185), the matter comes up the next day as unfinished business (V, 
5510-5517; VIII, 2691; Aug. 2, 1989, p. 18187). If several bills come 
over in this situation, they have precedence in the order in which the 
several motions for the previous question were made (V, 5518). When the 
previous question is ordered on a bill undisposed of at adjournment on 
Friday, the bill comes up for disposition on the next legislative day 
(VIII, 2694). A bill going over from Calendar Wednesday with the 
previous question ordered on it should be disposed of on the next 
legislative day (VII, 967), but when the previous question is ordered on 
a bill undisposed of when the House adjourns Tuesday, the bill goes over 
until Thursday (VII, 890-894; VIII, 2674, 2691). A bill coming over from 
a preceding day with the previous question ordered was of equal 
privilege with business on the former Consent Calendar (VII, 990).




Sec. 879. Business unfinished in periods set apart 
for classes of business.

  The rule  excepts by its terms certain classes of 
business which are considered in periods set apart for classes of 
business, viz: l  (a) Bills considered in the morning hour and on 
Calendar Wednesday for the call of committees. l  (b) Bills in Committee 
of the Whole.


  (c) Private bills considered on Tuesdays.

  (d) District of Columbia bills.

  (e) Bills brought up under the rule setting apart days for motions to 
suspend the rules, the Corrections Calendar, motions to discharge 
committees, and bills under consideration after a committee has been 
discharged.


[[Page 618]]

  A bill brought up in the morning hour and undisposed of when the call 
ceases for the day remains as unfinished business in the morning hour 
(IV, 3113, 3120), i.e., it is considered when the House next goes to a 
call of committees. Business unfinished when the Committee of the Whole 
rises remains unfinished, to be considered first in order when the House 
next goes into Committee of the Whole to consider that business (IV, 
4735, 4736).


  On District of Columbia day business unfinished on the preceding 
District day is in order for consideration, but does not come before the 
House unless called up (IV, 3307; VII, 879). Unless postponed under 
clause 8 of rule XX, a motion to suspend the rules, which is undisposed 
of on one suspension day, goes over as unfinished business to the next 
suspension day, individual motions going over to a committee day, and 
vice versa (V, 6814-6816; VII, 1005; VIII, 3411, 3412).




Sec. 880. The morning hour for the call of 
committees.

  4. After the  unfinished business has been disposed of, the Speaker 
shall call each standing committee in regular order and then select 
committees. Each committee when named may call up for consideration a 
bill or resolution reported by it on a previous day and on the House 
Calendar. If the Speaker does not complete the call of the committees 
before the House passes to other business, the next call shall resume at 
the point it left off, giving preference to the last bill or resolution 
under consideration. A committee that has occupied the call for two days 
may not call up another bill or resolution until the other committees 
have been called in their turn.


  The morning hour is one of the oldest devices of the rules for 
devoting an early portion of the session to a specific class of 
business. Until 1885 it was the hour for the reception of reports from 
committees. In 1890 it was provided that reports should be filed with 
the clerk, and the morning hour was by this rule devoted to a call of 
committees for the consideration of House Calendar bills (IV, 3181). 
Since the adoption of the Calendar Wednesday rule (clause 7 of rule XV), 
the morning hour has been used but rarely. Before the House recodified 
its rules in the 106th Congress, this provision was found in former 
clause 4 of rule XXIV (H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 1999, p. ----).


[[Page 619]]

the Speaker has declined to permit the call to be interrupted by a 
privileged report (IV, 3132) or by unanimous consent (IV, 3130). Where 
the business for which the call is interrupted is concluded, the call is 
resumed unless there be other interrupting business or the House 
adjourns (IV, 3133). A bill once brought up on the call continues before 
the House in that order of business until disposed of (IV, 3120), unless 
withdrawn by authority of the committee before action which puts it in 
possession of the House (IV, 3129); and may not be made a special order 
for a future day by a motion to postpone to a day certain (IV, 3164). In 
order to be called up in this order a bill must actually be on the House 
Calendar, and properly there, in order to be considered (IV, 3122-3126), 
and a bill on the Union Calendar may not be brought up on call of 
committees under this clause (VI, 753). If the authority of the 
committee to call up a bill is disputed, the Chair does not consider it 
his duty to decide the question (IV, 3127), but the Chair may base its 
decision on statements from the chairman and other members of the 
committee (IV, 3128).



Sec. 881. Procedure in the morning 
hour.

  Originally the  morning hour was a fixed period of 60 minutes (IV, 3118); but 
under the present rule it does not terminate until the call is exhausted 
or until the House adjourns (IV, 3119), unless the House on motion made 
at the end of 60 minutes votes to go into Committee of the Whole House 
on the state of the Union (clause 5 of rule XIV; IV, 3134), or unless 
other privileged matter intervenes (IV, 3131, 3132). Before the 
expiration of the 60 minutes





Sec. 882. Interruption of the call of committees by 
motion to go into Committee of the Whole House on the state of the 
Union.

  5. After  consideration of bills or resolutions under clause 4 for one 
hour, it shall be in order, pending consideration thereof, to entertain 
a motion that the House resolve into the Committee of the Whole House on 
the state of the Union or, when authorized by a committee, that the 
House resolve into the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the 
Union to consider a particular bill. Such a motion shall be subject to 
only one amendment designating another bill. If such a motion is decided 
in the negative, another such motion may not be considered until the 
matter that was pending when such motion was offered is disposed of.



[[Page 620]]

  This portion of the rule was adopted in 1890 as part of the plan for 
enabling the House at will to go at any time to any public bill on its 
calendars (IV, 3134). Before the House recodified its rules in the 106th 
Congress, this provision was found in former clause 5 of rule XXIV (H. 
Res. 5, Jan. 6, 1999, p. ----).


6. <>   All questions relating to the priority of business 
shall be decided by a majority without debate.



Sec. 883. Conditions of the motion to go into 
Committee of the Whole at the end of one hour.

  The words  of the rule ``one hour 
after'' have been interpreted to mean a less time in case the call of 
committees shall have exhausted itself before the expiration of one hour 
(IV, 3135); but not otherwise (IV, 3141). After the House has been in 
Committee of the Whole under this order and has risen and reported, and 
the report has been acted on by the House, other motions to go into 
Committee to consider other bills are in order (IV, 3136). The motion to 
go into Committee generally may be made by the individual Member (IV, 
3138), but when it is proposed to designate a particular bill he must 
have the authority of a committee (IV, 3138). The amendment to the 
motion to consider a particular bill must refer to a bill on the Union 
Calendar (IV, 3139). This order of business is used entirely for 
nonprivileged bills and is not used in the House for consideration of 
bills in Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union if 
otherwise privileged under clause 5 of rule XIII.


  This provision was adopted in 1803 to prevent obstructive debate (IV, 
3061). Before the House recodified its rules in the 106th Congress, this 
provision was found in former rule XXV (H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 1999, p. ----
). The question of consideration under clause 3 of rule XVI and the 
motion that the House resolve itself into the Committee of the Whole are 
not debatable (VIII, 2447; IV, 3062, 3063).




[106th Congress House Rules Manual -- House Document No. 105-358]
[From the U.S. Government Printing Office Online Database]
[Page 620-641]

 
  This rule may not be invoked to establish an order of business or to 
inhibit the Speaker's power of recognition (Speaker Albert, July 31, 
1975, p. 26249). It has been held that appeals from decisions of the 
Chair as to priority of business are not debatable under this rule (V, 
6952).



Suspensions, Mondays and Tuesdays
              Rule XV.--BUSINESS IN ORDER ON SPECIAL DAYS              


[[Page 621]]

and Tuesdays and during the last six days of a session of Congress.



885. Motions to suspend the rules.

  1. (a)  A rule may not be 
suspended except by a vote of two-thirds of the Members voting, a quorum 
being present. The Speaker may not entertain a motion that the House 
suspend the rules except on Mondays


  This provision (former clause 1 of rule XXVII) has been built up 
gradually on an old rule of 1794, which provided that no rule should be 
rescinded without one day's notice. In 1822 a clause was added that no 
rule should be suspended except by a two-thirds vote; and in 1828 it was 
provided that the order of business, as established by the rules, should 
not be changed except by a two-thirds vote. This provision marks the 
great purpose of the motion, which was to give a means of getting 
consideration for bills which could not get forward under the rule for 
the order of business. Originally in order on any day, the motion was, 
in 1847, restricted to Mondays of each week, and, in 1880, to the first 
and third Mondays of each month. In 1874 the old limit of 10 days at the 
end of the session was reduced to six days. In the 93d Congress, the 
rule was amended to permit the Speaker to recognize for such motions on 
the first and third Mondays and on the Tuesdays immediately following 
those days and to eliminate the distinction between days on which 
committees and individuals had preference (H. Res. 6, Jan. 3, 1973, pp. 
26, 27); and in the 95th Congress, the rule was amended to permit the 
Speaker to recognize for such motions on every Monday and Tuesday (H. 
Res. 5, Jan. 4, 1977, 95th Cong., pp. 53-70). Before the House 
recodified its rules in the 106th Congress, this provision was found in 
former clause 1 of rule XXVII (H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 1999, p. ----). 
Originally of great use in establishing the order of business, when the 
older and more defective rules for the order of business existed, the 
use of the motion has changed since the House in 1890 adopted rules for 
the order of business which enables the House on any day to go to any 
public bills on its calendars. About the same time the perfection of the 
process of getting bills before the House out of order by a majority 
vote through a report from the Committee on Rules further diminished the 
importance of the motion to suspend the rules (V, 6790).


[[Page 622]]

as well as to the other rules of the House (V, 6796), and may even be 
used to deny the right to have read a paper on which the House is to 
vote (V, 5278-5284). While it has been held that the right of a Member 
to have read the paper on which he is called to vote is not changed by 
the fact that the procedure is by suspension of the rules (V, 5277; 
VIII, 3400), the precedents are not uniform in this regard, and in 
earlier instances the separate motion to suspend the rules and dispense 
with reading of pendings bills, amendments, and Senate amendments was 
held in order (V, 5278-84). Under the modern practice, only the motion 
``to suspend the rules and pass'' is itself read and is held to suspend 
all rules inconsistent with its purposes, including a rule requiring 
that a recess be taken (V, 5752), or that a quorum be present when a 
bill is reported from committee (Sept. 22, 1992, p. 26932). Thus only 
the title of the bill is normally read by the Clerk, and amendments 
included in the motion are not reported separately, but the Chair may, 
in his discretion, where objection is made to that procedure, require 
the reading of an amendment which is not printed or otherwise available 
(July 17, 1950, p. 10448). Where a motion to suspend the rules and agree 
to a resolution which provided for concurring in a Senate amendment with 
an amendment consisting of the text of a bill introduced in the House, 
the Speaker ruled that reading of the resolution itself was sufficient 
and that it could be re-read to the House only by unanimous consent 
(Dec. 21, 1973, pp. 43251-63). It may be used also to change a rule (V, 
6862), or to make a new rule, as was more frequently done in the earlier 
years of the House when it was the only way for making a special order 
except by unanimous consent (IV, 3152-3162). In the later practice 
special orders may still be made by motion to suspend the rules (IV, 
3154); but usually they are made by majority vote of the House on a 
report from the Committee on Rules (IV, 3169). The motion to suspend may 
include a series of actions, as the discharge of a committee from 
consideration of a bill and the passage of it (V, 6850), the 
reconsideration of the vote passing a bill, amendment of it, and passage 
again (V, 6849), the permission to a committee to report several bills 
(V, 6857), an order to the Clerk to incorporate in the engrossment of a 
general appropriation bill a provision not otherwise in order (IV, 
3845), an authorization to the House to entertain a specified motion to 
suspend the rules on a future day, not a suspension day (IV, 3845), a 
motion to take a bill (V, 6288; VIII, 3425), or a motion to reconsider, 
from the table (V, 5640). A motion to suspend the rules may provide for 
the passage of a bill regardless of whether it has been reported or 
referred to any calendar or even previously introduced (VIII, 3421; July 
16, 1996, p. 17228), may include an amendment without the formality of 
committee approval (June 22, 1992, p. 15617), and may provide for 
agreeing to a conference report which has been ruled out of order by the 
Speaker (Dec. 20, 1974, p. 41860). One motion to suspend the rules 
having been rejected, the Speaker may recognize for a similar motion 
(Dec. 21, 1973, pp. 43270-81).

[[Page 623]]



Sec. 886. Nature of the motion to suspend the 
rules.

  While originally  the motion was used to suspend the rule on the order of 
business in order to consider a particular bill (V, 6852, 6853), in the 
later practice it is more usual to move ``to suspend the rules and 
pass'' the bill (V, 6846, 6847), and a division of the question may not 
be demanded, either as to the two branches of the motion or as to 
distinct substantive propositions in the subject of the motion (V, 6141-
6143). The motion may not be amended (V, 5322, 5405, 6858; Dec. 21, 
1973, pp. 43251-63; June 4, 1985, pp. 13983, 13986, 13989), postponed 
(V, 5322), or laid on the table (V, 5405). The motion to reconsider may 
not be applied to a negative vote on the motion (V, 5645, 5646; VIII, 
2781; Sept. 28, 1996, p. ----), although it may be applied to an 
affirmative vote (Sept. 28, 1996, p. ----). The motion to refer may not 
be applied to the bill which it is proposed to pass under suspension of 
the rules (V, 6860). The motion to suspend the rules applied to the 
parliamentary law of Jefferson's Manual



[[Page 624]]

the use of the Hall of the House (clause 1 of rule IV; V, 7270) or 
prohibiting the introduction of persons in the galleries (clause 7 of 
rule XVII; VI, 197). Where a special rule requires that the object of a 
motion to suspend the rules be announced on the floor at least one hour 
prior to the Chair's entertaining the motion, unanimous consent is 
required to permit the Chair to entertain the motion prior to that time 
(Sept. 28, 1996, p. ----).


Sec. 887. Precedence of the motion to suspend the 
rules.

  In the  early practice, when the motion to suspend the rules was used 
to enable a matter to be taken up for consideration out of order, it was 
not admitted when a subject was already before the House (V, 5278, 6836, 
6837, 6852, 6853). A bill taken up under this early practice might be 
amended (V, 6842, 6856) by the House, or withdrawn by the mover, in 
which case another Member might not present it (V, 6854, 6855). In the 
later practice, where the motion includes both suspension of the rules 
and action on the subject it is admitted, although another matter be 
pending (V, 6834), although the yeas and nays may have been demanded on 
another highly privileged motion (V, 6835), or although the previous 
question may have been ordered or moved on another matter (V, 6827; see 
also Sept. 17, 1990, p. 24695; V, 6831-6833; VIII, 3418). Earlier 
rulings, however, did not, while a series of Senate amendments were 
pending, permit a motion to suspend the rules in order to permit a vote 
to be taken on the amendments in gross (V, 6828, 6830). But in the 
earlier practice, while a matter was pending, a motion to suspend the 
rules in order to dispense with the reading otherwise required was 
admitted (V, 5278). The motion to suspend the rules has been ruled out 
of order when the House is considering a bill under a special order (V, 
6838); and when a question of high privilege under rule IX is before the 
House a motion to suspend the rules and consider another matter is not 
in order (V, 6825, 6826; VI, 553, 565). But the motion to suspend the 
rules has been held of equal privilege with the motion to instruct 
conferees after 20 days of conference, which under former clause 1(c) of 
rule XXVIII (current clause 7(c) of rule XXII) is of the highest 
privilege (Mar. 1, 1988, pp. 2749, 2751, 2754). A motion to suspend the 
rules and approve the Journal was held in order, although the Journal 
had not been read and the then highly privileged motion to fix the day 
to which the House should adjourn was pending (IV, 2758). While the 
motion is of high privilege, it may be superseded by a question of the 
privilege of the House (III, 2553; VI, 565). Pursuant to clause 1(b) of 
rule XV the Speaker may entertain one motion to adjourn pending a motion 
to suspend the rules, but after that vote shall not entertain any other 
motion until the vote is taken on the motion to suspend the rules. 
Moreover, in the absence of a motion to suspend, the ordinary motions 
relating to business of the House may be made on suspension days as on 
other days (IV, 3080). The motion to suspend the rules may be made on 
days other than suspension days by unanimous consent (V, 6795) or by 
adoption of a resolution reported by the Rules Committee. On suspension 
days the motion to suspend the rules has been admitted at the discretion 
of the Speaker since 1881 (V, 6791-6794, 6845; VIII, 3402-3404), and no 
appeal may be taken from the Speaker's denial of recognition (II, 1425), 
and no advance notice to Members of bills to be called up under 
suspension of the rules is required (Mar. 20, 1978, p. 7535), but the 
rules forbid the Speaker to entertain a motion to suspend the rules 
relating to the privilege of the floor (clause 2(b) of rule IV; V, 7283; 
VIII, 3634),




Sec. 888. Individual and committee motions to suspend 
the rules.

  Prior to  the 93d Congress, the rule gave to individuals preference 
on the first Monday of the month for making motions to suspend the 
rules, and preference on the third Mondays for committees to make the 
motion (V, 6790). In rare instances the Speaker has called the 
committees in regular order for motions to suspend the rules, but this 
method is not required (V, 6810, 6811). In the earlier practice the 
committee motion must have been formally and specifically authorized by 
the committee (V, 6805-6807); but after the motion was seconded and 
debate had begun it was too late to raise a question as to the 
authorization (V, 6808). Under the later practice authorization by a 
committee is not required (VIII, 3410). The committee may not present a 
bill which has not been referred to it (V, 6813) and is not within its 
jurisdiction (V, 6848). A bill offered on a committee suspension day, in 
the early practice, could carry with it only such amendments as were 
authorized by a committee (V, 6812), but in the modern practice the 
formality of committee approval is not required (June 22, 1992, p. 
15617). If on a committee day an individual motion was made and 
seconded, it was then too late to make a point of order (V, 6809).



[[Page 625]]

on the vote for a second, under clause 6 of rule XX the yeas and nays 
were ordered (IV, 3053-3055; Dec. 21, 1973, pp. 43251-63). Where the 
Chair allocates the time in opposition to the motion to the ranking 
minority member of the reporting committee, a challenge that that member 
does not qualify by being opposed, in order to control such time, must 
be made when the time is allocated by the Chair (May 15, 1984, p. 12215; 
Speaker Wright, June 2, 1987, p. 14223). The motion to suspend the rules 
may be withdrawn at any time before the Chair puts the question and a 
voice vote is taken thereon (July 27, 1981, p. 17563; July 16, 1996, p. 
17228).



Sec. 889. The second of the motion to suspend the 
rules.

  Prior to  the 102d Congress, certain motions to suspend the rules were 
required to be seconded, if demanded, by a majority by tellers, but this 
requirement was eliminated from the rule in the 102d Congress (H. Res. 
5, Jan. 3, 1991, p. 39). This requirement for a second was adopted in 
1874, was rescinded two years later, but was again adopted in 1880. The 
object of it was to prevent consumption of the time of the House by 
forcing consideration of undesirable propositions (V, 6797). The 
requirement (former clause 2 of rule XXVII) was amended in the 96th 
Congress (H. Res. 5, Jan. 15, 1979, pp. 7-16) so that a second was not 
required where printed copies of the proposed measure were available. 
Copies of reports on bills considered under suspension are not required 
to be available in advance. The constitutional right of a Member to 
demand the yeas and nays, or the right of a Member under clause 1(b) of 
rule XX to demand a recorded vote, did not exist on the question of 
ordering a second under the former clause 2 of rule XXVII, which only 
permitted the ordering of a second by tellers if a quorum was present 
(V, 6032-6036; VIII, 3109; Dec. 16, 1981, p. 31851). The fact that a 
majority of the Members of the House did not pass between the tellers on 
the question of ordering a second did not conclusively show that a 
quorum was not present in the Chamber, and the Speaker could count the 
House to determine whether a quorum was actually present (Dec. 16, 1981, 
p. 31851). But where a quorum failed





Sec. 890. Dilatory motions pending motions to suspend 
rules.

  (b)  Pending a motion that the House suspend the rules, the Speaker 
may entertain one motion that the House adjourn. After the result of 
such a motion is announced, the Speaker may not entertain any other 
motion until the vote is taken on the suspension.



  This provision (former clause 8 of rule XVI) was adopted in 1868 (V, 
5743), and amended in 1911 (VIII, 2823). A motion for a recess (V, 5748-
5751) and for a call of the House when there was no doubt of the 
presence of a quorum (V, 5747) were held to be dilatory motions within 
the meaning of the rule. But where a motion to suspend the rules has 
been made and, after one motion to adjourn has been acted on, a quorum 
has failed, another motion to adjourn has been admitted (V, 5744-5746).




Sec. 891. The 40 minutes of debate on motion to suspend 
the rules.

  (c)  A motion that the House suspend the rules is debatable for 
40 minutes, one-half in favor of the motion and one-half in opposition 
thereto.



[[Page 626]]

the bill, in which event some Member in favor is recognized for debate 
(VIII, 3416). Where recognition for the 20 minutes in opposition is 
contested, the Speaker will accord priority first on the basis of true 
opposition, then on the basis of committee membership, and only then on 
the basis of party affiliation, the latter preference inuring to the 
minority party (VIII, 3415; Nov. 18, 1991, p. 32510; Sept. 27, 1996, p. 
----). The Chair will not examine the degree of opposition to the motion 
by a member of the committee who seeks the time in opposition (Aug. 3, 
1999, p. ----). When the mover and the opponent divide their time with 
others, the practice as to alternation of recognitions is not insisted 
on so rigidly as in other debate (II, 1442). Debate should be confined 
to the object of the motion and may not range to the merits of a bill 
not scheduled for suspension on that day (Nov. 23, 1991, p. 34189).
  This provision (former clause 2 of rule XXVII) was adopted 1880 (V, 
6821). It was amended and redesignated from clause 3 to clause 2 of rule 
XXVII in the 102d Congress to conform to the repeal of the former clause 
2, relating to the requirement of a second (H. Res. 5, Jan. 3, 1991, p. 
39). Before the House recodified its rules in the 106th Congress, this 
provision was found in former clause 2 of rule XXVII. Former clause 2 
consisted of paragraph (b) and another provision currently found in 
clause 1(a) of rule XIX permitting 40 minutes debate on an otherwise 
debatable question on which the previous question has been ordered 
without debate (H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 1999, p. ----). Before the adoption 
of this provision in 1880 (V, 6821) the motion to suspend the rules was 
not debatable (V, 5405, 6820). The 40 minutes of debate is divided 
between the mover and a Member opposed to the bill, unless it develops 
that the mover is opposed to


  This paragraph formerly included a provision dealing with the 
Speaker's authority to postpone further proceedings on motions to 
suspend the rules and pass bills or resolutions. It was added in the 93d 
Congress (H. Res. 998, Apr. 9, 1974, pp. 10195-99), amended in the 95th 
Congress (H. Res. 5, Jan. 4, 1977, pp. 53-70), and amended further in 
the 96th Congress (H. Res. 5, Jan. 15, 1979, pp. 7-16). It was deleted 
entirely in the 97th Congress (H. Res. 5, Jan. 5, 1981, pp. 98-113) when 
all of the Speaker's postponing authorities were consolidated into 
clause 5 of rule I (current clause 8 of rule XX).

                                                       Rule XV, clause 2
Rule XV, clause 2
Discharge motions, second and fourth Mondays



892. Motion to discharge a committee.

  2. (a)  Motions to 
discharge committees shall be in order on the second and fourth Mondays 
of a month.


  (b)(1) A Member may present to the Clerk a motion in writing to 
discharge--

      (A) a committee from consideration of a public bill or public 
resolution that has been referred to it for 30 legislative days; or


[[Page 627]]

has been referred to a standing committee for 30 legislative days.
      (B) the Committee on Rules from consideration of a resolution that 
has been referred to it for seven legislative days and that proposes a 
special order of business for the consideration of a public bill or 
public resolution that has been reported by a standing committee or

  (2) Only one motion may be presented for a bill or resolution. A 
Member may not file a motion to discharge the Committee on Rules from 
consideration of a resolution providing for the consideration of more 
than one public bill or public resolution or admitting or effecting a 
nongermane amendment to a public bill or public resolution.


[[Page 628]]

  (c) A motion presented under paragraph (b) shall be placed in the 
custody of the Clerk, who shall arrange a convenient place for the 
signatures of Members. A signature may be withdrawn by a Member in 
writing at any time before a motion is entered on the Journal. The Clerk 
shall make signatures a matter of public record, causing the names of 
the Members who have signed a discharge motion during a week to be 
published in a portion of the Congressional Record designated for that 
purpose on the last legislative day of the week and making cumulative 
lists of such names available each day for public inspection in an 
appropriate office of the House. The Clerk shall devise a means for 
making such lists available to offices of the House and to the public in 
electronic form. When a majority of the total membership of the House 
shall have signed the motion, it shall be entered on the Journal, 
printed with the signatures thereto in the Record, and referred to the 
Calendar of Motions to Discharge Committees.

  (d)(1) On the second and fourth Mondays of a month (except during the 
last six days of a session of Congress), immediately after the Pledge of 
Allegiance to the Flag, a motion to discharge that has been on the 
calendar for at least seven legislative days shall be privileged if 
called up by a Member whose signature appears thereon. When such a 
motion is called up, the House shall proceed to its consideration under 
this paragraph without intervening motion except one motion to adjourn. 
Privileged motions to discharge shall have precedence in the order of 
their entry on the Journal.

  (2) When a motion to discharge is called up, the bill or resolution to 
which it relates shall be read by title only. The motion is debatable 
for 20 minutes, one-half in favor of the motion and one-half in 
opposition thereto.

  (e)(1) If a motion prevails to discharge the Committee on Rules from 
consideration of a resolution, the House shall immediately consider the 
resolution, pending which the Speaker may entertain one motion that the 
House adjourn. After the result of such a motion to adjourn is 
announced, the Speaker may not entertain any other dilatory motion until 
the resolution has been disposed of. If the resolution is adopted, the 
House shall immediately proceed to its execution.


[[Page 629]]

bill or resolution shall be privileged if offered by a Member whose 
signature appeared on the motion to discharge. The motion to proceed is 
not debatable. If the motion to proceed is adopted, the bill or 
resolution shall be considered immediately under the general rules of 
the House. If unfinished before adjournment of the day on which it is 
called up, the bill or resolution shall remain the unfinished business 
until it is disposed of. If the motion to proceed is rejected, the bill 
or resolution shall be referred to the appropriate calendar, where it 
shall have the same status as if the committee from which it was 
discharged had duly reported it to the House.
  (2) If a motion prevails to discharge a standing committee from 
consideration of a public bill or public resolution, a motion that the 
House proceed to the immediate consideration of such

  (f)(1) When a motion to discharge originated under this clause has 
once been acted on by the House, it shall not be in order to entertain 
during the same session of Congress--

      (A) a motion to discharge a committee from consideration of that 
bill or resolution or of any other bill or resolution that, by relating 
in substance to or dealing with the same subject matter, is 
substantially the same; or

      (B) a motion to discharge the Committee on Rules from 
consideration of a resolution providing a special order of business for 
the consideration of that bill or resolution or of any other bill or 
resolution that, by relating in substance to or dealing with the same 
subject matter, is substantially the same.


[[Page 630]]

dered out of order under subparagraph (1) shall be stricken from that 
calendar.

  (2) A motion to discharge on the Calendar of Motions to Discharge 
Committees that is ren

  This clause (former clause 3 of rule XXVII) was adopted December 8, 
1931 and amended January 3, 1935 (VII, 1007). It displaced a rule 
providing for a motion to instruct a committee to report a public bill 
or resolution. The first discharge rule was adopted in the 61st Congress 
(June 17, 1910, pp. 8439, 8445). It was amended during the 62d Congress 
(Apr. 4-5, 1911, pp. 18, 80). It was further amended in the 62d Congress 
(H. Res. 407, Feb. 3, 1912, p. 1685), the 68th Congress (H. Res. 146, 
Jan. 18, 1924, p. 1143), and the 69th Congress (H. Res. 6, Dec. 7, 1925, 
p. 383). This provision was redesignated from clause 4 to clause 3 in 
the 102d Congress to conform to the repeal of the former clause 2 of 
rule XXVII, relating to the requirement of a second; it was at the same 
time amended to enable debate on a resolution discharged from the 
Committee on Rules (H. Res. 5, Jan. 3, 1991, p. 39). Under the previous 
form of the rule, where the Committee on Rules was discharged from 
further consideration of a resolution the House immediately voted on 
adoption of the resolution (Speaker Rayburn, Jan. 24, 1944, p. 631).

  In the 103d Congress, after a successful petition under this clause 
placed on the calendar a motion to discharge the Committee on Rules from 
further consideration of a resolution to require publication of the 
names of Members who had signed pending discharge petitions, the clause 
was so amended (H. Res. 134, Sept. 28, 1993, p. 22698). In the 104th 
Congress the clause was amended to ensure the periodic publication of 
such names (sec. 219, H. Res. 6, Jan. 4, 1995, p. 468). Before the 103d 
Congress signatures on a motion to discharge a committee were not made 
public until the requisite number had signed the motion (VII, 1008; Apr. 
12, 1934, p. 6489). In the 105th Congress the clause was amended to 
clarify that, to be a proper object of a discharge petition, a 
resolution providing a special rule must address the consideration of 
only one measure and must not propose to admit or effect a nongermane 
amendment (H. Res. 5, Jan. 7, 1997, p. ----).

  The phrase ``a majority of the total membership of the House'' was 
construed to mean 218 Members (Speaker Byrns, Apr. 15, 1936, p. 5509), 
not including Delegates or the Resident Commissioner. The word ``days'' 
has been construed to mean ``legislative days'' (Speaker Bankhead, Dec. 
10, 1937, p. 1300). The rule does not authorize signature of discharge 
motions by proxy (VII, 1014). When a Member withdraws his signature from 
a discharge petition at any time before it garners 218 signatures and is 
entered on the Journal, the withdrawal is printed in the Record (Apr. 
23, 1998, p. ----).


[[Page 631]]

from further consideration of a resolution providing for an 
investigating committee (Apr. 23, 1934, p. 7161).
  The rule does not apply to a bill that has been reported by a 
committee during the interval between the placing of a motion to 
discharge on the calendar and the day when such motion is called up for 
action in the House (Apr. 23, 1934, p. 7156). The Committee on Rules may 
not be discharged

  The death or resignation of a Member who has signed a motion does not 
invalidate his signature (May 31, 1934, p. 10159). It may be withdrawn 
by his successor (Dec. 7, 1943, p. 10388; Jan. 17, 1946, p. 96; Mar. 5, 
1946, p. 1968; July 30, 1946, pp. 10464, 10491; Mar. 2, 1948, pp. 1993, 
2001; Jan. 16, 1950, p. 436). The seven days that the motion must be on 
the calendar before it may be called up begins to run as of the day the 
motion is placed on the calendar (Dec. 14, 1937, p. 1517). A discharge 
petition in the 102d Congress received the requisite number of 
signatures on the same day it was filed (May 20, 1992, p. 12222), and 
subsequently by unanimous consent the House dispensed with the motion to 
discharge and agreed to consider the object of the petition (a special 
order of business resolution) on a date certain under the same terms as 
if discharged by motion (June 4, 1992, p. 13618). In the 103d Congress a 
discharge petition also received the requisite number of signatures on 
the same day it was filed (Feb. 24, 1994, p. 2999).

  The right to close 20 minute debate on a motion to discharge a 
committee is reserved to the proponents of the motion (VII, 1010a); and 
the chairman of the committee being discharged, if opposed to the 
motion, has been recognized to control the 10 minutes in opposition 
(Aug. 10, 1970, p. 27999).

  Where a measure not requiring consideration in the Committee of the 
Whole House on the state of the Union is brought before the House by a 
successful motion to discharge, the Member moving its consideration is 
recognized in the House under the hour rule (Aug. 10, 1970, p. 28004).

  The point of order provided in clause 4 of rule XXI (former clause 
5(a) of rule XXI) does not apply to an appropriation in a bill taken 
away from a committee by the motion to discharge (VII, 1019a).


  Under Jefferson's Manual (Sec. 364, supra) a line of Members waiting 
to sign a discharge petition should proceed to the rostrum from the far 
right-hand aisle and should not stand between the Chair and Members 
engaging in debate (Oct. 24, 1997, p. ----).

                                                       Rule XV, clause 3
Rule XV, clause 3
Adverse report by the Committee on Rules, second and fourth Mondays


[[Page 632]]

it is in order to consider a motion to discharge committees under clause 
2.



893. Adverse report by Rules Committee.

  3. An  adverse 
report by the Committee on Rules on a resolution proposing a special 
order of business for the consideration of a public bill or public joint 
resolution may be called up under clause 6(e) of rule XIII as a 
privileged question by a Member, Delegate, or Resident Commissioner on a 
day when



  This provision was initially adopted January 18, 1924, amended 
December 8, 1931 (VIII, 2268), January 3, 1949 (p. 16), January 3, 1951 
(p. 18), January 4, 1965 (p. 24) (inserting the so-called ``21-day 
rule''), January 10, 1967 (H. Res. 7, p. 28) (deleting the ``21-day 
rule'' in effect in the 89th Congress), January 3, 1975 (H. Res. 988, 
93d Cong., Oct. 8, 1974, p. 34470). Before the House recodified its 
rules in the 106th Congress, this provision was found only in former 
clause 4(c) of rule XI. It is currently found in both this provision and 
clause 6(e) of rule XIII (H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 1999, p. ----).

                                                       Rule XV, clause 4
Rule XV, clause 4
District of Columbia business, second and fourth Mondays




894. District of Columbia.

  4.  The second and fourth Mondays 
of a month shall be set apart for the consideration of such District of 
Columbia business as may be called up by the Committee on Government 
Reform after the disposition of motions to discharge committees and 
after the disposal of such business on the Speaker's table as requires 
reference only.


  The first rule allocating a fixed day for District of Columbia 
business was adopted in 1870. In 1890 the rule (former clause 8 of rule 
XXIV) was amended (IV, 3304). It was again amended December 8, 1931 
(VII, 872). In the 104th Congress it was amended to reflect that the 
jurisdiction of the former Committee on the District of Columbia had 
been subsumed within the amalgamated jurisdiction of the newly 
designated Committee on Government Reform and Oversight (and in the 
106th Congress to reflect a change in the name of a committee) (sec. 
202, H. Res. 6, Jan. 4, 1995, p. ----; H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 1999, p. ----
). Before the House recodified its rules in the 106th Congress, this 
provision was found in former clause 8 of rule XXIV (H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 
1999, p. ----).


[[Page 633]]

unless called up (IV, 3307; VII, 879, 880). The question of 
consideration may not be demanded against District business generally, 
but may be demanded against any bill as it is presented (IV, 3308, 
3309).
  The Committee on Government Reform and Oversight (now Government 
Reform) may not, on a District day, call up a bill reported from another 
committee (IV, 3311). If certain of the committee's bills are on one of 
the calendars of the Committees of the Whole, a motion to go into 
committee to consider them is in order (IV, 3310). Bills reported from 
the District Committee (now Government Reform) are not so privileged as 
to prevent their being taken up under call of committees on Wednesday 
(VII, 937). Business unfinished on one District day does not come up on 
the next


  On District days it is in order to go into the Committee of the Whole 
to consider revenue or general appropriation bills (VI, 716-718; VII, 
876, 1123). Consideration of conference reports is in order on District 
Monday (VIII, 3202). District of Columbia business is in order on the 
second and fourth Mondays of the month before or after other business 
(such as motions to suspend the rules), and the fact that the House has 
considered some District of Columbia business before motions to suspend 
the rules does not affect the eligibility of further such business after 
suspensions have been completed (Sept. 17, 1984, p. 25523).

                                                       Rule XV, clause 5
Rule XV, clause 5
Private Calendar, first and third Tuesdays


[[Page 634]]

or more Members, Delegates, or the Resident Commissioner object to the 
consideration of a bill or resolution so called, it shall be recommitted 
to the committee that reported it. No other business shall be in order 
before completion of the call of the Private Calendar on this day unless 
two-thirds of the Members voting, a quorum being present, agree to a 
motion that the House dispense with the call.


895. Interruption of the regular order on Tuesdays for 
consideration of the Private Calendar.

  5. (a)  On the first Tuesday of a 
month, the Speaker shall direct the Clerk to call the bills and 
resolutions on the Private Calendar after disposal of such business on 
the Speaker's table as requires reference only. If two


  (b)(1) On the third Tuesday of a month, after the disposal of such 
business on the Speaker's table as requires reference only, the Speaker 
may direct the Clerk to call the bills and resolutions on the Private 
Calendar. Preference shall be given to omnibus bills containing the 
texts of bills or resolutions that have previously been objected to on a 
call of the Private Calendar. If two or more Members, Delegates, or the 
Resident Commissioner object to the consideration of a bill or 
resolution so called (other than an omnibus bill), it shall be 
recommitted to the committee that reported it. Two-thirds of the Members 
voting, a quorum being present, may adopt a motion that the House 
dispense with the call on this day.

  (2) Omnibus bills shall be read for amendment by paragraph. No 
amendment shall be in order except to strike or to reduce amounts of 
money or to provide limitations. An item or matter stricken from an 
omnibus bill may not thereafter during the same session of Congress be 
included in an omnibus bill. Upon passage such an omnibus bill shall be 
resolved into the several bills and resolutions of which it is composed. 
The several bills and resolutions, with any amendments adopted by the 
House, shall be engrossed, when necessary, and otherwise considered as 
passed severally by the House as distinct bills and resolutions.



[[Page 635]]


  (c) The Speaker may not entertain a reservation of the right to object 
to the consideration of a bill or resolution under this clause. A bill 
or resolution considered under this clause shall be considered in the 
House as in the Committee of the Whole. A motion to dispense with the 
call of the Private Calendar under this clause shall be privileged. 
Debate on such a motion shall be limited to five minutes in support and 
five minutes in opposition.



Sec. 896. Tuesday as a day for private 
business.

  This  provision (former clause 6 of rule XXIV) was adopted in the 
62d Congress in lieu of special orders under which pension and private 
business formerly had been considered. The rule was amended on April 23, 
1932 (VII, 846) and was adopted in its present form on March 27, 1935 
(pp. 4480-89, 4538). When the House recodified its rules in the 106th 
Congress, this provision was transferred from former clause 6 of rule 
XXIV and the archaic reference to the ``Calendar of the Committee of the 
Whole House'' was changed to the ``Private Calendar'' (H. Res. 5, Jan. 
6, 1999, p. ----). A Member serving as an ``official objector'' for the 
Private Calendar has periodically included in the Record an explanation 
of how bills on the Private Calendar are considered (see, e.g., Dec. 5, 
1995, p. ----; June 17, 1997, p. ----). Clause 4 of rule XII prohibits 
consideration of certain private bills. Under former clause 6(e)(2) of 
rule XV (current clause 7(b) of rule XX), the Speaker may in his 
discretion recognize a Member to move a call of the House prior to the 
call of the Private Calendar (July 8, 1987, p. 18972).




Sec. 897. Methods of considering omnibus 
bills.

  During the  consideration of omnibus bills the Chair declines to recognize 
Members for unanimous-consent requests to address the House (May 7, 
1935, p. 7100); motions to strike out the last word are not in order, 
and requests for extension of time under the five-minute rule are not 
entertained (Speaker Byrns, Mar. 17, 1936, pp. 3890, 3894).


  An omnibus private bill is normally passed over by the Clerk when the 
Private Calendar is called on the first Tuesday of the month, but the 
House may prescribe, by special order, that such omnibus bills shall be 
passed over (June 27, 1968, p. 19106). During the consideration of the 
First Omnibus Bill of 1968, seven roll calls occurred and seven of the 
15 bills carried therein were stricken by motion (Sept. 17, 1968, pp. 
27165-84). Amendments to the bill were strictly limited by the rule to 
those striking out or reducing amounts of money carried in the bill or 
to provide limitations, and debate on those permissible motions was 
under the five-minute rule. After the passage of an omnibus bill, it is 
resolved into the various private bills of which it is composed and each 
is engrossed and messaged to the Senate as if individually passed; thus 
it is possible, after passage of the omnibus bill, to lay on the table a 
private House or Senate bill which was included therein (by unanimous 
consent) (Sept. 17, 1968, p. 27184).


[[Page 636]]

tion and it is consistent with the discretionary authority of the Chair 
to dispense with the call of the entire Calendar (appeal from the 
Chair's ruling laid on the table) (Nov. 17, 1981, p. 27770).

  On the third Tuesday of the month, the calendar is not called unless 
the Speaker so directs (Oct. 16, 1990, p. 29646); and when he does 
direct the Clerk to call the Private Calendar, omnibus bills on the 
Calendar are called before individual bills thereon (Feb. 17, 1970, pp. 
3605-13). A motion to dispense with the call of the Private Calendar on 
the third Tuesday of each month, when the call of the Calendar is within 
the discretion of the Chair, is likewise in order in the Chair's 
discretion (although this clause only specifically provides for a motion 
to dispense with the call on the first Tuesday of each month), since no 
rule or precedent prohibits the mo

                                                       Rule XV, clause 6
Rule XV, clause 6
Corrections Calendar, second and fourth Tuesdays



898. Corrections Calendar.

  6. (a)  After a bill has been 
favorably reported and placed on either the Union or House Calendar, the 
Speaker, after consultation with the Minority Leader, may direct the 
Clerk also to place the bill on the ``Corrections Calendar.'' At any 
time on the second and fourth Tuesdays of a month, the Speaker may 
direct the Clerk to call a bill that has been on the Corrections 
Calendar for three legislative days.


  (b) A bill called from the Corrections Calendar shall be considered in 
the House, is debatable for one hour equally divided and controlled by 
the chairman and ranking minority member of the primary committee of 
jurisdiction, and shall not be subject to amendment except those 
recommended by the primary committee of jurisdiction or offered by the 
chairman of the primary committee or a designee. The previous question 
shall be considered as ordered on the bill and any amendments thereto to 
final passage without intervening motion except one motion to recommit 
with or without instructions.


[[Page 637]]

against its consideration, does not cause its removal from the Calendar 
to which it was originally referred.

  (c) The approval of three-fifths of the Members voting, a quorum being 
present, shall be required to pass a bill called from the Corrections 
Calendar. The rejection of a bill so called, or the sustaining of a 
point of order against it or


  This clause (former clause 4 of rule XIII) was amended in the 104th 
Congress to abolish the Consent Calendar and establish in its place a 
Corrections Calendar (H. Res. 168, June 20, 1995, p. 16574). Later in 
the 104th Congress several technical changes were effected, and 
paragraph (b) was amended to admit amendments by a designee of the 
chairman of the primary committee (H. Res. 254, Nov. 30, 1995, p. 
14974). In the 105th Congress paragraph (a) was amended to permit bills 
to be called from the Calendar at any time on a ``corrections day'' and 
in any order (H. Res. 5, Jan. 7, 1997, p. ----). Before the House 
recodified its rules in the 106th Congress, this provision was found in 
former clause 4 of rule XIII (H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 1999, p. ----). The 
Speaker may discharge a bill from the Corrections Calendar at any time 
(June 24, 1996, p. ----). In the 105th Congress the House established a 
Corrections Calendar Office to assist the Speaker in management of the 
Calendar (H. Res. 7, Jan. 7, 1997, p. ----).



Sec. 899. Former Consent Calendar.

  The  original form of 
former clause 4 of rule XIII, providing for the former Consent Calendar, 
was adopted March 15, 1909, amended January 18, 1924; December 7, 1925; 
December 8, 1931; and April 23, 1932 (VII, 972). Bills must have been on 
the printed calendar three legislative working days in order to be 
eligible for consideration (VII, 992, 994). When a House bill was on the 
Consent Calendar, by unanimous consent the House committee could have 
been discharged from the consideration of a Senate bill on the same 
subject, and the Senate bill considered in lieu of the House bill (VII, 
1004). The status of bills on the Consent Calendar was not affected by 
their consideration from another calendar and such bills could have been 
called up for consideration from the Consent Calendar while pending as 
unfinished business in the House or Committee of the Whole (VII, 1006).



  The former rule did not preclude the Speaker from recognizing Members 
to suspend the rules before completion of the Consent Calendar (decided 
by the House, VIII, 3405; also held by Speaker Clark, Oct. 5, 1914, p. 
16182, and by Speaker Gillett, Sept. 4, 1919, p. 5128). Recognition to 
suspend the rules did not preclude the continuation of the call of the 
calendar later in the day (VII, 991). The call of the Consent Calendar 
on days devoted to its consideration took precedence of the motion to go 
into the Committee of the Whole to consider revenue or appropriation 
bills (VII, 986), and a contested-election case could not supplant the 
call of the Calendar (VII, 988), but the Speaker could recognize a 
Member to call up a conference report before directing the call of the 
Consent Calendar (May 4, 1970, pp. 13991-95).


[[Page 638]]

Calendar Call of Committees, Wednesdays
                                                       Rule XV, clause 7
Rule XV, clause 7



900. Calendar Wednesday business.

  7. (a)  On Wednesday of 
each week, business shall not be in order before completion of the call 
of the committees (except as provided by clause 4 of rule XIV) unless 
two-thirds of the Members voting, a quorum being present, agree to a 
motion that the House dispense with the call. Such a motion shall be 
privileged. Debate on such a motion shall be limited to five minutes in 
support and five minutes in opposition.


  (b) A bill or resolution on either the House or the Union Calendar, 
except bills or resolutions that are privileged under the Rules of the 
House, may be called under this clause. A bill or resolution called up 
from the Union Calendar shall be considered in the Committee of the 
Whole House on the state of the Union without motion, subject to clause 
3 of rule XVI. General debate on a measure considered under this clause 
shall be confined to the measure and may not exceed two hours equally 
divided between a proponent and an opponent.

  (c) When a committee has occupied the call under this clause on one 
Wednesday, it shall not be in order on a succeeding Wednesday to 
consider unfinished business previously called up by that committee 
until the other committees have been called in their turn unless--

      (1) the previous question has been ordered on such unfinished 
business; or


[[Page 639]]

      (2) the House adopts a motion to dispense with the call under 
paragraph (a).

  (d) If any committee has not been called under this clause during a 
session of a Congress, then at the next session of that Congress the 
call shall resume where it left off at the end of the preceding session.

  (e) This rule does not apply during the last two weeks of a session of 
Congress.


  (f) The Speaker may not entertain a motion for a recess on a Wednesday 
except during the last two weeks of a session of Congress.



Sec. 901. Decisions on Calendar Wednesday.

  The first  portion 
of this rule (former clause 7 of rule XXIV) was adopted March 1, 1909, 
and amended March 15, 1909. The last sentence of paragraph (b) (first 
proviso of former clause 7 of rule XXIV) and paragraph (c) (second 
proviso of former clause 7 of rule XXIV) were adopted January 18, 1916. 
Paragraph (d) (the last proviso of former clause 7 of rule XXIV) was 
adopted December 8, 1931 (VII, 881), and was amended in the 102d 
Congress to specify that the alphabetical call of the committees under 
Calendar Wednesday resumes where left off between sessions within a 
Congress (H. Res. 5, Jan. 3, 1991, p. 39). The rule applies to 
unprivileged bills only, and when a bill otherwise unprivileged is given 
a privileged status by unanimous consent or by rule it is automatically 
rendered ineligible for consideration on Calendar Wednesday (VII, 932-
935). House Calendar bills have no preference over Union Calendar bills 
(VII, 938). The motion to dispense with a call of committees under this 
rule is privileged and may be made prior to the consideration of 
District of Columbia business under clause 4 of this rule (June 11, 
1973, pp. 19028-30).


  When a bill on the Union Calendar is called up on Calendar Wednesday 
the House automatically resolves itself into the Committee of the Whole 
House on the state of the Union (VII, 939; Jan. 25, 1984, p. 358), and 
when a Union Calendar bill is the unfinished business the Speaker 
declares the House in Committee of the Whole without motion (VII, 940, 
942).

  The question of consideration may be raised on a bill on the House 
Calendar on Calendar Wednesday, even after one Wednesday has been 
devoted to its consideration (VIII, 2447), and the question of 
consideration is properly raised on Union Calendar bills in the House 
before automatically going into Committee of the Whole House on the 
state of the Union (VII, 952).


[[Page 640]]

clause 4 of rule XIV (former clause 4 of rule XXIV), the morning hour, 
and another under Calendar Wednesday (VII, 944). Prior to the adoption 
of paragraph (c) (the second proviso of former clause 7 of rule XXIV), 
it was held that one committee could not occupy more than two Calendar 
Wednesdays (except for unfinished business) until other committees were 
called, notwithstanding the fact that the call rested on said committee 
(VII, 944), but the adoption of the second proviso of the rule has 
defined the status of debate and unfinished business more explicitly. It 
was formerly held that a bill undisposed of on Calendar Wednesday became 
the unfinished business on the following Calendar Wednesday (VII, 965), 
but since the adoption of paragraph (c) (the second proviso of former 
clause 7 of rule XXIV), one committee can occupy but one Calendar 
Wednesday for the consideration of its business (unless the House by 
two-thirds vote shall otherwise determine).
  During the 61st and 62d Congresses it was held that the call of 
committees rested where the call left off on the preceding day, whether 
the last call was on a Wednesday or during the morning hour on another 
day, thus making but one committee call under the two rules. But under 
the later practice there have been two distinct calls of committees, one 
under

  The same rule of debate applies to House Calendar bills called up on 
Calendar Wednesday as on other days, and the Member in charge of the 
bill may move the previous question at any time (VII, 955).

  The previous question having been ordered on a bill undisposed of when 
the House adjourns Tuesday, the bill goes over as unfinished business 
until Thursday, and is not in order for consideration on Calendar 
Wednesday (VII, 890-894). The previous question having been ordered on a 
bill on Calendar Wednesday, the bill becomes the unfinished business on 
Thursday (VII, 895, 967).

  It is in order to consider a vetoed bill on Calendar Wednesday, since 
such a question is privileged under the Constitution of the United 
States (VII, 912), but a bill privileged by reason of the Rules of the 
House cannot be called up on Calendar Wednesday (VII, 932); for example, 
a general appropriation bill (VII, 904), or a bill under consideration 
by reason of a special order, unless the special order expressly sets 
aside Calendar Wednesday (VII, 773), or a conference report (VII, 899). 
A motion to reconsider an action taken on a bill on Tuesday may be 
entered, but may not be considered on Calendar Wednesday (VII, 905). 
Privileged bills may be reported but not considered on Calendar 
Wednesday (VII, 907), except by unanimous consent (Jan. 25, 1984, p. 
357). The Speaker has entertained a unanimous-consent request for 
business (to send a bill to conference) before the call of committees on 
Calendar Wednesday (Mar. 28, 1984, p. 6869). District of Columbia 
business is eligible for consideration on Calendar Wednesday (VII, 937). 
Once the call of committees on Calendar Wednesday is completed, other 
business may be conducted (VII, 921).


[[Page 641]]

  The Committee on Rules cannot report a rule which is aimed strictly or 
directly toward setting aside Calendar Wednesday, but the committee is 
not thereby prevented from reporting a resolution couched in general 
terms which may indirectly accomplish that ultimate result, such as a 
resolution providing for six days' suspension of the rules (VIII, 2267).

  The motion to grant a committee an additional Wednesday under 
paragraph (c) (the second proviso of former clause 7 of rule XXIV) is in 
order prior to the Wednesday on which the committee is called (VII, 
946).

  It has been held that if no Member opposed to the bill desires to 
claim the hour specified in the rule for general debate against the 
bill, the time may be claimed by some Member who is in favor of the bill 
(VII, 962), but this principle has been questioned (VII, 961).




[106th Congress House Rules Manual -- House Document No. 105-358]
[From the U.S. Government Printing Office Online Database]
[Page 641-691]

 
  Clause 2(b) of rule XIII (former clause 2(l)(1) of rule XI), requiring 
the chairman of each committee to report or cause to be reported 
promptly measures approved by his committee and to take such necessary 
steps to bring the matter to a vote, is sufficient authority for the 
chairman to call up a bill on Calendar Wednesday, but any other 
committee member must obtain specific authority of his committee to call 
up a reported bill on Calendar Wednesday (IV, 3128; VII, 928, 929; Feb. 
22, 1950, p. 2162; Feb. 1, 1984, p. 1193; Sept. 12, 1984, p. 25100). 
Prior to the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946 and the subsequent 
adoption of former clause 2(l)(1)(A) of rule XI, authority to call up a 
bill on Calendar Wednesday must have been given to a chairman by his 
committee (IV, 3127). A Member not authorized to do so may not call up 
such bill under the Calendar Wednesday rule (IV, 3128; VII, 928, 929).



Motions
                   Rule XVI.--MOTIONS AND AMENDMENTS




902. Motions reduced to writing and entered on the 
Journal.

  1.  Every motion entertained by the Speaker shall be reduced to 
writing on the demand of a Member, Delegate, or Resident Commissioner 
and, unless it is withdrawn the same day, shall be entered on the 
Journal with the name of the Member, Delegate, or Resident Commissioner 
offering it. A dilatory motion may not be entertained by the Speaker.



[[Page 642]]

and former clause 10 of rule XVI under this clause (H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 
1999, p. ----).
  The first sentence of this clause was made up in 1880 of old rules 
adopted in 1789 and 1806 (V, 5300). The last sentence of this clause 
(former clause 10 of rule XVI) was adopted in 1890 (V, 5706) to make 
permanent a principle already enunciated in a ruling of the Speaker, who 
had declared that the ``object of a parliamentary body is action, and 
not stoppage of action'' (V, 5713). When the House recodified its rules, 
it consolidated clause 1

  Because of this provision it has been held not in order to amend or 
strike out a Journal entry setting forth a motion exactly as made (IV, 
2783, 2789). A motion not entertained is not entered on the Journal (IV, 
2813, 2844-2846). See Sec. 71, supra, for discussion of Journal entries. 
Any Member may demand that a motion be reduced to writing and in the 
proper form, including the motion to adjourn (Sept. 27, 1993, p. 22608; 
Jan. 4, 1995, p. 509), and the demand may be initiated by the Chair 
(July 24, 1986, p. 17641). Consistent with this clause, the Chairman of 
the Committee of the Whole requires that each amendment be reduced to 
writing (July 22, 1994, p. 17617).




Sec. 903. Dilatory motions.

  The  Speaker has declined to 
entertain debate or appeal on a question as to the dilatoriness of a 
motion, as to do so would be to nullify the rule (V, 5731); but has 
recognized that the authority conferred by the rule should not be 
exercised until the object of the dilatory motion ``becomes apparent to 
the House'' (V, 5713-5714). For example, the Chair has held that a 
virtually consecutive invocation of former rule XXX (current clause 6 of 
rule XVII), resulting in a second pair of votes on use of a chart and on 
reconsideration thereof, was not dilatory under this provision (or 
former clause 4(b) of rule XI (current clause 6(b) of rule XIII)) (July 
31, 1996, p. 20700). Usually, but not always, the Speaker awaits a point 
of order from the floor before acting (V, 5715-5722). The rule has been 
applied to the motions to adjourn (V, 5721, 5731-5733; VIII, 2796, 
2813), to reconsider (V, 5735; VIII, 2797, 2815, 2822), to fix the time 
of five-minute debate in Committee of the Whole (V, 5734; VIII, 2817), 
and to lay on the table (VIII, 2816); and to the question of 
consideration (V, 5731-5733). The point of ``no quorum'' has also been 
ruled out (V, 5724-5730; VIII, 2801, 2808), and former clause 6 of rule 
XV (current clause 7 of rule XX), as adopted in the 93d Congress and as 
amended in the 95th Congress prevents the making of a point of no quorum 
under certain circumstances. A demand for tellers has been held dilatory 
(V, 5735, 5736; VIII, 2436, 2818-2821); but the constitutional right of 
the Member to demand the yeas and nays may not be overruled (V, 5737; 
VIII, 3107). (For ruling by Speaker Gillett construing dilatory motions, 
see VIII, 2804.) See also Sec. 857, supra, for discussion of dilatory 
motions pending consideration of Rules Committee report, and 
Sec. Sec. 857-858, supra, for rule prohibiting offering of dilatory 
amendments printed in the Record.



[[Page 643]]

Withdrawal
                                                      Rule XVI, clause 2
Rule XVI, clause 2




904. Stating and withdrawing of motions.

  2.  When a motion 
is entertained, the Speaker shall state it or cause it to be read aloud 
by the Clerk before it is debated. The motion then shall be in the 
possession of the House but may be withdrawn at any time before a 
decision or amendment thereon.


  The provisions of this clause were adopted first in 1789. At that time 
a second was required for every motion, but in practice this requirement 
became obsolete very early, and it was dropped from the rule in 1880 (V, 
5304). Clerical and stylistic changes were effected when the House 
recodified its rules in the 106th Congress (H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 1999, p. 
----).

  The House always insists that the motion shall be stated or read 
before debate shall begin (V, 4983) and the Clerk's reading may be 
dispensed with only by unanimous consent (Dec. 15, 1975, p. 40671; see 
also Sec. 432, supra). It is the duty of the Speaker to put a motion in 
order under the rules and practice without passing on its constitutional 
effect (IV, 3550; VIII, 2225, 3031, 3071, 3427). In a case wherein a 
clerk presiding during organization of the House declined to put a 
question, a Member-elect put the question from the floor (I, 67).

  Under certain circumstances, a Member may make a double motion (V, 
5637).


[[Page 644]]

and the same right to withdraw an amendment exists in the House as in 
Committee of the Whole (IV, 4935; June 26, 1973, p. 21315) and in 
standing committees where general procedures in the House as in the 
Committee of the Whole apply (Sec. 427, supra); but unanimous consent to 
withdraw an amendment is required in Committee of the Whole (V, 5221, 
5753; VI, 570; VIII, 2465, 2859, 3405), unless withdrawal authority was 
conferred by the House (July 22, 1999, p. ----). Withdrawal of a pending 
resolution is not in order when the absence of a quorum has been 
announced by the Chair (Oct. 14, 1970, pp. 36665-69). A motion that the 
House resolve into the Committee of the Whole for the consideration of a 
bill may be withdrawn pending a point of order against consideration of 
the bill, and if the motion is withdrawn the Chair is not obligated to 
rule on the point of order (VIII, 3405; Dec. 3, 1979, p. 34385). 
Unanimous consent is not required to withdraw a pending unanimous-
consent request (Speaker O'Neill, Dec. 16, 1985, p. 36575).


Sec. 905. Conditions of withdrawal of motions.

  Even  after 
the affirmative side has been taken on a division the withdrawal of a 
motion has been permitted (V, 5348), also after a viva voce vote and the 
ordering and appointment of tellers (V, 5349). While the House was 
dividing on a second of the previous question (this second is no longer 
required) on a motion to refer a resolution, the Member was permitted to 
withdraw the resolution (V, 5350); also a motion was once withdrawn 
after the previous question had been ordered on an appeal from a 
decision on a point of order as to the motion (V, 5356). A motion to 
suspend the rules could be withdrawn at any time before a second was 
ordered (V, 6844; VIII, 3405, 3419), even on another suspension day (V, 
6844) but not after a second was ordered, except by unanimous consent 
(VIII, 3420); but where a second is not required on a motion to suspend 
the rules under former clause 2 of rule XXVII (current clause 1 of rule 
XV), the motion may be withdrawn at any time before action is taken 
thereon (July 27, 1981, p. 17563). A motion may be withdrawn although an 
amendment may have been offered and be pending (V, 5347; VI, 373; VIII, 
2639), and in the House an amendment, whether simple or in the nature of 
a substitute, may be withdrawn at any time before an amendment is 
adopted thereto or decision is had thereon (VI, 587; VIII, 2332, 2764);


  A decision which prevents withdrawal may consist of the ordering of 
the yeas and nays (V, 5353), either directly on the motion or on a 
motion to lay it on the table (V, 5354), the ordering of the previous 
question (V, 5355; June 29, 1995, p. ----), or the demand therefor (V, 
5489), or the refusal to lay on the table (V, 5351, 5352; VIII, 2640). 
Where the Speaker has put the question on adoption of a resolution to a 
voice vote without the ordering of the previous question, and the yeas 
and nays have not been ordered, the resolution may be withdrawn (V, 
5349; Feb. 26, 1985, p. 3501). A privileged resolution called up in the 
House is debated under the hour rule; and the Member calling up such a 
resolution is recognized for an hour notwithstanding the fact that the 
resolution has been previously considered, debated, and then withdrawn 
before action thereon (Apr. 8, 1964, pp. 7303-08).

  Where proceedings are postponed on a motion for the previous question 
pending a point of no quorum on a voice vote thereon (pursuant to former 
clause 5 of rule I (current clause 8 of rule XX)), the manager may 
withdraw the motion when it is again before the House as unfinished 
business. See proceedings of July 24, 1989, where the motion for the 
previous question was withdrawn and an amendment was offered to a 
special order (p. 15818).


  A Member having the right to withdraw a motion before a decision 
thereon has the resulting power to modify the motion (V, 5358; Oct. 23, 
1990, p. 32667), and a Member having the right to withdraw a motion to 
instruct conferees before a decision thereon has the resulting power to 
modify the motion by offering a different motion at the same stage of 
proceedings (July 14, 1993, p. 15661). A motion being withdrawn, all 
proceedings on an appeal arising from a point of order related to it 
fell thereby (V, 5356).


[[Page 645]]

Question of consideration
                                                      Rule XVI, clause 3
Rule XVI, clause 3




906. The question of consideration.

  3.  When a motion or 
proposition is entertained, the question, ``Will the House now consider 
it?'' may not be put unless demanded by a Member, Delegate, or Resident 
Commissioner.


  The question of consideration is an outgrowth of the practice of the 
House, and was in use as early as 1808. The rule was adopted in 1817 in 
order to limit its use. Clerical and stylistic changes were effected 
when the House recodified its rules in the 106th Congress (H. Res. 5, 
Jan. 6, 1999, p. ----). It is the means by which the House protects 
itself from business that it does not wish to consider (V, 4936; VIII, 
2436). The refusal to consider does not amount to the rejection of a 
bill or prevent its being brought before the House again (V, 4940), and 
an affirmative vote does not prevent the question of consideration from 
being raised on a subsequent day when the bill is again called up as 
unfinished business (VIII, 2438). It has once been held that a question 
of privilege which the House has refused to consider may be brought up 
again on the same day (V, 4942). The question of consideration is not 
debatable (VIII, 2447), and thus not subject to the motion to lay on the 
table (Oct. 4, 1994, p. 27643). See also clause 6 of rule XIV (Sec. 884, 
supra), which provides that questions relating to the priority of 
business are not debatable.



Sec. 907. Raising the question of consideration.

  A  Member 
may demand the question of consideration, although the Member in charge 
of the bill may claim the floor for debate (V, 4944, 4945; VI, 404); but 
after debate has begun the demand may not be made (V, 4937-4939). It has 
been admitted, however, after the making of a motion to lay on the table 
(V, 4943). The demand for the question of consideration may not be 
prevented by a motion for the previous question (V, 5478), but after the 
previous question is ordered it may not be demanded (V, 4965, 4966), 
even on another day, unless other business has intervened (V, 4967, 
4968). The question of consideration being pending, a motion to refer is 
not in order (V, 5554).



[[Page 646]]

  The intervention of an adjournment does not destroy the right to raise 
the question of consideration (V, 4946), but this right did not hold 
good in a case where the yeas and nays had been ordered and the House 
had adjourned pending the failure of a quorum on the roll call (V, 
4949). A question of consideration undisposed of at an adjournment does 
not recur as unfinished business on a succeeding day (V, 4947, 4948). It 
is not in order to reconsider the vote whereby the House refuses to 
consider a bill (V, 5626, 5627), although it is in order to reconsider 
an affirmative vote on the question of consideration (Oct. 4, 1994, p. 
27644).



Sec. 908. Questions subject to the question of 
consideration.

  The  question of consideration may be demanded against a 
matter of the highest privilege, such as the right of a Member to his 
seat (V, 4941), a question involving the privilege of the House (VI, 
560), against the motion to reconsider (VIII, 2437), but not against a 
bill returned with the President's objection (V, 4960, 4970). It may not 
be raised against a proposition before the House for reference merely, 
as a petition (V, 4964). It may not be demanded against a class of 
business in order under a special order or rule, but may be demanded 
against each bill individually (IV, 3308, 3309; V, 4958, 4959). It may 
be raised against a bill which has been made a special order (IV, 3175; 
V, 4953-4957), unless the order provides for immediate consideration (V, 
4960), and it may be raised against a bill on the Union Calendar on 
Calendar Wednesday before resolving into the Committee of the Whole even 
after one Wednesday has been devoted to it (VIII, 2447); but it may not 
be raised against a report from the Committee on Rules relating to the 
order of considering individual bills (V, 4961-4963; VIII, 2440, 2441).


  The question of consideration may not be raised on a motion relating 
to the order of business (V, 4971-4976; VIII, 2442; May 21, 1958, p. 
9216); to a motion to discharge a committee (V, 4977); or against a 
motion to take from the Speaker's table Senate bills substantially the 
same as House bills already favorably reported and on the House Calendar 
(VIII, 2443). On a motion to go into Committee of the Whole to consider 
a bill the House expresses its wish as to consideration by its vote on 
this motion (V, 4973-4976; VI, 51; VIII, 2442; May 21, 1958, p. 9216).



Sec. 909. Relation of question of consideration to points of 
order.

  A  point of order against the eligibility for consideration of a 
bill which if sustained might prevent consideration should be made and 
decided before the question of consideration is put (V, 4950, 4951; VII, 
2439), but if the point relates merely to the manner of considering, it 
should be passed on afterwards (V, 4950). In general, after the House 
has decided to consider, a point of order raised with the object of 
preventing consideration, in whole or part, comes too late (IV, 4598; V, 
4952, 6912-6914), but on a conference report the question of 
consideration may be demanded before points of order are raised against 
the substance of the report (VIII, 2439; Speaker Albert, Sept. 28, 1976, 
p. 33019).



[[Page 647]]

respect to the proposition against which they are lodged (after 20 
minutes of debate) (sec. 426(b); 2 U.S.C. 658e(b)). See Sec. 1127, 
infra.



Sec. 910. Unfunded mandates.

  The  Unfunded Mandates Reform 
Act of 1995 (P.L. 104-4; 109 Stat. 48) added a new part B to title IV of 
the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 (2 U.S.C. 658-658g) that imposes 
several requirements on committees with respect to ``Federal mandates'' 
(secs. 423-424; 2 U.S.C. 658b-c), establishes points of order to to 
permit separate votes on whether to enforce those requirements (sec. 
425; 2 U.S.C. 658d), and permits a vote on the question of consideration 
of a rule or order waiving such points of order in the House (sec. 
426(a); 2 U.S.C. 658e(a)). The latter provision also prescribes that 
such points of order be disposed of by the question of consideration 
with


                                                      Rule XVI, clause 4
Rule XVI, clause 4
Precedence of motions



911. Precedence of privileged motions.

  4.  (a) When a 
question is under debate, only the following motions may be entertained 
(which shall have precedence in the following order):


      (1) To adjourn.

      (2) To lay on the table.

      (3) For the previous question.

      (4) To postpone to a day certain.

      (5) To refer.

      (6) To amend.

      (7) To postpone indefinitely.

  (b) A motion to adjourn, to lay on the table, or for the previous 
question shall be decided without debate. A motion to postpone to a day 
certain, to refer, or to postpone indefinitely, being decided, may not 
be allowed again on the same day at the same stage of the question.

  (c)(1) It shall be in order at any time for the Speaker, in his 
discretion, to entertain a motion--

      (A) that the Speaker be authorized to declare a recess; or

      (B) that when the House adjourns it stand adjourned to a day and 
time certain.


  (2) Either motion shall be of equal privilege with the motion to 
adjourn and shall be decided without debate.


[[Page 648]]

3, 1973, pp. 26-27), and amended in the 102d Congress to enable a 
privileged, nondebatable motion for recess authority (H. Res. 5, Jan. 3, 
1991, p. 39). When the House recodified its rules in the 106th Congress, 
the provision of this clause addressing the motion for the previous 
question was transferred to clause 2 of rule XIX (H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 
1999, p. ----).
  The first form of this clause appears in 1789, but amendments have 
been made at various times (V, 5301; VIII, 2757). Paragraph (c) (former 
final two sentences of the clause) were added in the 93d Congress to 
enable a privileged, nondebatable motion to fix the adjournment (H. Res. 
6, Jan.

  The application of the first sentence of the clause is confined to 
cases wherein a question is ``under debate'' (V, 5379). It has been held 
that a question ceases to be ``under debate'' after the previous 
question has been ordered (V, 5415). But with the exception of the 
motion to adjourn it is obvious that the motions specified in this rule 
can only be used when some question is ``under debate.''


[[Page 649]]

a motion to adjourn pending a vote on a proposition, where a special 
order provided that the House vote thereon without intervening motion 
(IV, 3211-3213).


Sec. 912. The motion to adjourn.

  The  motion to adjourn not 
only has the highest precedence when a question is under debate, but, 
with certain restrictions, it has the highest privilege under all other 
conditions. Even questions of privilege (III, 2521), such as a motion 
privileged under the Constitution (VIII, 2641), the filing of a 
privileged report pursuant to former clause 4(a) of rule XI (current 
clause 5 of rule XIII) (Apr. 29, 1985, p. 9699), a motion to suspend the 
rules (Aug. 11, 1992, p. 23086), and the motion to reconsider yield to 
it (V, 5605), and a conference report may defer it only until the report 
is before the House (V, 6451-6453). Pursuant to clause 6(b) of rule XIII 
or clause 1(b) of rule XV, only one motion to adjourn is in order, 
pending consideration of a privileged report from the Committee on Rules 
or a motion that the House suspend the rules, respectively. The motion 
may be made after the yeas and nays are ordered and before the roll call 
has begun (V, 5366), before the reading of the Journal (IV, 2757) or the 
Speaker's approval thereof (Speaker Wright, Nov. 2, 1987, p. 30386), 
pending a motion to reconsider (Sept. 20, 1979, p. 25512), after the 
House rejects a motion to table a motion to instruct conferees and 
before the vote occurs on the motion to instruct (May 29, 1980, pp. 
12717-19), or when the Speaker is absent and the Clerk is presiding (I, 
228), and in the absence of a quorum has precedence over the motion for 
a call of the House (VIII, 2642), takes priority of a motion to dispense 
with further proceedings under the call (VIII, 2643), and takes 
precedence of a motion directing the Sergeant-at-Arms to arrest 
absentees during a call of the House (June 6, 1973, p. 18403). But the 
motion to adjourn may not interrupt a Member who has the floor (V, 5369, 
5370; VIII, 2646; Mar. 25, 1993, p. 6373; Oct. 1, 1997, p. ----) as, for 
example, by virtue of unanimous-consent permission to announce to the 
House the legislative program (Dec. 14, 1982, p. 30549), or a call of 
the yeas and nays (V, 6053), or the actual act of voting by other means 
(V, 5360), or be made after the House has voted to go into Committee of 
the Whole (IV, 4728; V, 5367, 5368), or defer the right of a Member to 
take the oath (I, 622) and may not be repeated in the absence of 
intervening business (Speaker Albert, July 31, 1975, p. 26243); and when 
no question is under debate it may not displace a motion to fix the day 
to which the House shall adjourn (V, 5381). The Speaker has refused to 
recognize for


  When the House has fixed the hour of daily meeting, the simple motion 
to adjourn may neither be amended (V, 5754) by specifying a particular 
day (V, 5360) or hour (V, 5364) (but see Sec. 913, infra, for a 
discussion of the equally privileged motion to fix the day and time to 
which the House shall adjourn); nor by stating the purposes of 
adjournment (V, 5371, 5372; VIII, 2647). However, when the hour of daily 
meeting is not fixed, the motion to adjourn may fix it (V, 5362, 5363). 
A motion to adjourn is in order in simple form only (VIII, 2647), is not 
debatable (V, 5359), may not be laid on the table (Aug. 3, 1990, p. 
22195), is not in order in Committee of the Whole (IV, 4716), and is not 
entertained when the Committee of the Whole rises to report proceedings 
incident to securing a quorum (VI, 673; VIII, 2436). After the motion is 
made neither another motion nor an appeal may intervene before the 
taking of the vote (V, 5361). When the House adopts the motion to 
adjourn, it must adjourn immediately; and a unanimous-consent request 
that the House proceed to the calling of special-order speeches is not 
in order (Sept. 27, 1993, p. 22608).


[[Page 650]]

able and the precedence conferred on the motion to table only applies to 
a question that is ``under debate'' (Nov. 17, 1981, p. 27770).


Sec. 913. Motion to fix the day to which the House shall 
adjourn and motion to authorize the Speaker to declare a 
recess.

  The  motion to fix the day and time to which the House shall 
adjourn, in its present form, was included in this clause of rule XVI 
and given privileged status in the 93d Congress (H. Res. 6, Jan. 3, 
1973, p. 26). At several times during the 19th Century, the motion to 
fix the day to which the House should adjourn was included within the 
rule as to the precedence of motions but was dropped because of its use 
in obstructive tactics (V, 5301, 5379). The following precedents relate 
to the use of the motion in its earlier form: No question being under 
debate, a motion to fix the day to which the House should adjourn, 
already made, was held not to give way to a motion to adjourn (V, 5381). 
But if the motion to adjourn be made first, the motion to fix the day or 
for a recess is not entertained (V, 5302). The motion to fix the day is 
not debatable under the practice of the House (V, 5379, 5380; VIII, 
2648, 3367), requires a quorum for adoption (IV, 2954; June 19, 1975, p. 
19789; June 22, 1976, p. 19755), and is only in order if offered on the 
day on which the adjournment applies (Sept. 23, 1976, p. 32104). The 
House may convene and adjourn twice on the same calendar day pursuant to 
a motion under this clause that when the House adjourn it adjourn to a 
time certain later in the day, thereby meeting for two legislative days 
on the same calendar day (Nov. 17, 1981, p. 27771; Oct. 29, 1987, p. 
29933; June 29, 1995, p. ----). When the Speaker exercises his 
discretion to entertain at any time a motion that when the House adjourn 
it stand adjourned to a day and time certain, the motion is of equal 
privilege with the simple motion to adjourn and takes precedence over a 
pending question on which the vote has been objected to for lack of a 
quorum (Nov. 17, 1981, p. 27770). The motion is not subject to the 
motion to lay on the table since it is not debat


  Under the express terms of clause 4, the motion to authorize the 
Speaker to declare a recess is nondebatable and has equal privilege with 
the motion to adjourn. The House (without the consent of the Senate) may 
authorize the Speaker to declare a recess for up to three days (Dec. 15, 
1995, p. ----).



Sec. 914. Motion to lay on the table.

  The  motion to lay on 
the table is used in the House for a final, adverse disposition of a 
matter without debate (V, 5389), and is in order before the Member 
entitled to prior recognition for debate has begun his remarks (V, 5391-
5395; VIII, 2649, 2650). Under the explicit terms of this clause, the 
motion is not debatable (Oct. 17, 1991, p. 26749). The motion is 
applicable to a motion to reconsider (VIII, 2652, 2659), a motion to 
postpone to a day certain (VIII, 2654, 2657), a resolution presenting a 
question of privilege (VI, 560), a privileged resolution offered at the 
direction of a party caucus electing Members to committees (Feb. 5, 
1997, p. ----), an appeal from a decision of the Chair (VIII, 3453), a 
motion to discharge a committee from a resolution of inquiry (VI, 415), 
a proposal to investigate with a view to impeachment (VI, 541), a 
concurrent resolution to adjourn sine die (Mar. 27, 1936, p. 4512), and 
a resolution to expel a Member (Oct. 1, 1976, p. 35111). But a question 
of privilege (affecting the right of a Member to a seat) that has been 
laid on the table may be taken therefrom on motion made and agreed to by 
the House (V, 5438). The motion to lay on the table has the precedence 
given it by the rule, but may not be made after the previous question is 
ordered (V, 5415-5422; VIII, 2655), or even after the yeas and nays have 
been ordered on the demand for the previous question (V, 5408, 5409); 
but pending the demand for the previous question on a motion that is 
under debate, the motion to lay the primary motion on the table is 
preferential and is voted on first (Speaker Albert, Sept. 22, 1976, pp. 
31876-82; Speaker O'Neill, July 10, 1985, pp. 18397-18400). The previous 
question having been ordered on a bill to final passage, the motion to 
lay the bill on the table may not then be offered pending a motion to 
reconsider the vote whereby the bill had been passed or rejected (Sept. 
20, 1979, p. 25512).



[[Page 651]]

a proposed amendment to the table (V, 5435, 5436); the original question 
does not accompany an appeal (V, 5434); a resolution does not accompany 
another resolution with which it is connected, or a preamble (V, 5248, 
5430); and a petition does not accompany the motion to receive it when 
the latter is laid on the table (V, 5431-5433); a bill does not 
accompany a motion to instruct conferees which is laid on the table 
(VIII, 2658).
  When a bill is laid on the table, pending motions connected therewith 
go to the table also (V, 5426, 5427); and when a proposed amendment is 
laid on the table the pending bill goes there also (V, 5423; VIII, 
2656), and if a pending amendment to a special order reported from the 
Committee on Rules were tabled, it would carry the resolution with it 
and is thus considered dilatory under former clause 4(b) of rule XI 
(current clause 6(b) of rule XIII) (Sept. 25, 1990, p. 25575). This rule 
holds good as to a House bill with Senate amendments (V, 5424, 6201-
6203; Sept. 28, 1978, p. 32334), but laying on the table the motion to 
postpone consideration of Senate amendments was held not to carry to the 
table pending motions for their disposition (VIII, 2657). The Journal 
does not accompany

  A motion to lay on the table a motion to reconsider the vote by which 
an amendment to a resolution had been agreed to would not carry the 
resolution to the table (VIII, 2652).

  The motion is not in order in Committee of the Whole (IV, 4719, 4720; 
VIII, 2330, 2556a, 3455; Mar. 16, 1995, p. 8112; July 21, 1999, p. ----
), or on motions to go into the Committee of the Whole (VI, 726). It may 
not be amended (V, 5754), for example, to operate for a specified time 
(Oct. 17, 1991, p. 26749), or applied to the motions for adjournment 
(Aug. 3, 1990, p. 22195), the previous question (V, 5410, 5411; Oct. 4, 
1994, p. 27649), to suspend the rules (V, 5405), to commit after the 
previous question is ordered (V, 5412-5414; VIII, 2653, 2655), or to any 
motion relating to the order of business (V, 5403, 5404). It may not be 
applied to a motion to discharge a committee under former clause 3 of 
rule XXVII (current clause 2 of rule XV) (June 11, 1945, p. 5892) but 
may be applied to the motion to discharge a committee from consideration 
of a resolution of inquiry (V, 5407). It is generally not applicable to 
motions that are neither debatable nor amendable and hence cannot be 
applied to a motion to dispense with further proceedings under a call of 
the House (Speaker McCormack, Aug. 27, 1962, pp. 17651-54), or to a 
motion that when the House adjourn it stand adjourned to a day and time 
certain (Nov. 17, 1981, p. 27770). The motion to lay on the table is 
applicable to debatable secondary or privileged motions for disposal of 
another matter; thus a motion to refer (V, 5433; Aug. 13, 1982, pp. 
20969, 20975-78) or a motion to recede and concur in a Senate amendment 
in disagreement may be laid on the table (Speaker O'Neill, Feb. 22, 
1978, p. 4072) without carrying the pending matter to the table. The 
motion is not applicable to a conference report (V, 6540).


[[Page 652]]

ished business in the House, recognition for debate does not begin anew 
but recommences from the point where it was interrupted (June 10, 1980, 
p. 13801). It is not in order to postpone pending business to Calendar 
Wednesday (VIII, 2614), but if so postponed by consent, when 
consideration is concluded on that Wednesday, the remainder of the day 
is devoted to business in order under the Calendar Wednesday rule (VII, 
970). The motion is not available in Committee of the Whole (July 14, 
1998, p. ----), but a motion that a bill be reported with the 
recommendation that it be postponed is in order in the Committee of the 
Whole proceeding under the general rules of the House (IV, 4765; VIII, 
2372), is debatable (VIII, 2372), and is a preferential motion (VIII, 
2372, 2615), but debate is confined to the advisability of postponement 
only (VIII, 2372). It has been held in order to postpone an appeal 
(VIII, 2613). A bill under consideration in the morning hour may not be 
made a special order by a motion to postpone to a day certain (IV, 
3164).


Sec. 915. The motions to postpone.

  As  indicated in the rule, 
the motions to postpone are two in number and distinct: One to postpone 
to a day certain; the other to postpone indefinitely. Each must apply to 
the whole and not a part of the pending proposition (V, 5306). Neither 
may be entertained after the previous question is ordered (V, 5319-5321; 
VIII, 2616, 2617), or be applied to a special order providing for the 
consideration of a class of bills (V, 4958); but when a bill comes 
before the House under the terms of a special order that assigns a day 
merely, a motion to postpone may be applied to the bill (IV, 3177-3182). 
Business postponed to a day certain is in order on that day immediately 
after the approval of the Journal and disposition of business on the 
Speaker's table, unless displaced by more highly privileged business 
(VIII, 2614). Where consideration of a measure postponed to a day 
certain resumes as unfin


  The motion to postpone to a day certain may not specify the hour (V, 
5307). The motion may be amended (V, 5754; VIII, 2824). It is debatable 
within narrow limits only (V, 5309, 5310), the merits of the bill to 
which it is applied not being within those limits (V, 5311-5315; VIII, 
2372, 2616, 2640).

  The motion to postpone indefinitely opens to debate all the merits of 
the proposition to which it is applied (V, 5316). It may not be applied 
to the motion to refer (V, 5317), to suspend the rules (V, 5322), or 
motion to resolve into the Committee of the Whole (VI, 726), and it is 
reasonable to infer that it is equally inapplicable to the other 
secondary or privileged motions enumerated in the rule and to motions 
relating to the order of business. However, the motion to postpone 
indefinitely may be applied to the motion that the House resolve itself 
into the Committee of the Whole pursuant to the provisions of a statute, 
enacted under the rulemaking power of the House of Representatives, that 
specifically allows such a motion in the consideration of a resolution 
disapproving a certain executive action (Mar. 10, 1977, p. 7021; Aug. 3, 
1977, p. 26528).


[[Page 653]]

debatable, whether a minority Member or a Member opposed to the question 
to which the motion is applied is entitled to a priority of recognition, 
and whether the prohibition against a special order reported from the 
Committee on Rules denying a motion to recommit a bill or joint 
resolution pending final passage is applicable. For a discussion of the 
motion to recommit, see the annotations under clause 2 of rule XIX. The 
motion may not be used in direct form in Committee of the Whole (IV, 
4721; VIII, 2326); and where a bill is being considered under the 
provisions of a resolution stating that ``at the conclusion of the 
consideration of the bill for amendment under the five-minute rule the 
Committee shall rise and report the bill back to the House with such 
amendments as may have been adopted,'' a motion that the Committee rise 
and report to the House with the recommendation that the bill be 
recommitted to the legislative committee reporting it is not in order 
(Aug. 10, 1950, p. 12219). It may be made after the engrossment and 
third reading of a bill, even though the previous question may not have 
been ordered (V, 5562, 5563).


Sec. 916. The motions to refer.

  The  parliamentary motion to 
refer is explicitly recognized and given status in four different 
situations under House rules: The ordinary motion provided for in this 
clause; the motion to recommit with or without instructions after the 
previous question has been ordered on a bill or joint resolution to 
final passage, provided in clause 2 of rule XIX; the motion to commit, 
with or without instructions, pending the motion for or after ordering 
of the previous question as provided in clause 1 of rule XIX (V, 5569); 
and the motion to refer, with or without instructions, pending a vote in 
the House to strike out the enacting clause as provided in clause 9 of 
rule XVIII. The terms ``refer,'' ``commit,'' and ``recommit'' are 
sometimes used interchangeably (V, 5521; VIII, 2736), but when used in 
the precise manner and situation contemplated in each rule, reflect 
certain differences based upon whether the question to which applied is 
``under debate,'' whether the motion itself is


  If the previous question is rejected on a preferential motion to 
dispose of Senate amendments in disagreement, the preferential motion 
remains ``under debate'' and the motion to refer may be offered under 
this clause (Speaker Albert, Sept. 16, 1976, p. 30887). A motion to 
refer takes precedence over motion to amend when a question is under 
debate (such as where the previous question has been rejected), and the 
Chair recognizes the Member seeking to offer the preferential motion 
before the less preferential motion is read (Aug. 13, 1982, pp. 20969, 
20975-78).

  The simple motion to refer under the first sentence of this clause is 
debatable within narrow limits (V, 5054) and may be offered by any 
Member (who need not qualify as being in opposition to the pending 
question) when that question is ``under debate,'' i.e., when the 
previous question has not been moved or ordered, but the merits of the 
proposition sought to be referred may not be brought into the debate (V, 
5564-5568; VI, 65, 549; VIII, 2740). The motion to refer with 
instructions is also debatable (V, 5561); but the previous question is 
preferential (Mar. 22, 1990, p. 4997).


[[Page 654]]



Sec. 917. Instructions with the motion to refer.

  The  motion 
to refer may specify that the reference shall be to a select as well as 
a standing committee (IV, 4401) without regard for rules of jurisdiction 
(IV, 4375; V, 5527) and may provide for reference to another committee 
than that reporting the bill (VIII, 2696, 2736), or to the Committee of 
the Whole (V, 5552, 5553), and even that the committee be endowed with 
power to send for persons and papers (IV, 4402). Unless the previous 
question is ordered the motion may be amended (VIII, 2712, 2738), in 
part (V, 5754); by substitute (VIII, 2698, 2738, 2759); or by adding 
instructions (V, 5521, 5570, 5582-5584; VIII, 2695, 2762; Aug. 13, 1982, 
pp. 20969, 20975-78).





Sec. 918. Repetition of motions.

  The  rule specifies that the 
motions to postpone and refer shall not be repeated on the same day at 
the same stage of the question (V, 5301, 5591; VIII, 2738, 2760). Under 
the practice, also, a motion to adjourn may be repeated only after 
intervening business (V, 5373; VIII, 2814), debate (V, 5374), the 
ordering of the yeas and nays (V, 5376, 5377), decision of the Chair on 
a question of order (V, 5378), reception of a message (V, 5375). The 
motion to lay on the table may also be repeated after intervening 
business (V, 5398-5400); but the ordering of the previous question (V, 
5709), a call of the House (V, 5401), or decision of a question of order 
have been held not to be such intervening business, it being essential 
that the pending matter be carried to a new stage in order to permit a 
repetition of the motion (V, 5709).


                                                      Rule XVI, clause 5
Rule XVI, clause 5
Divisibility



919. Division of the question.

  5.  (a) Except as provided in 
paragraph (b), a question shall be divided on the demand of a Member, 
Delegate, or Resident Commissioner before the question is put if it 
includes propositions so distinct in substance that, one being taken 
away, a substantive proposition remains.


  (b)(1) A motion or resolution to elect members to a standing committee 
of the House, or to a joint standing committee, is not divisible.

  (2) A resolution or order reported by the Committee on Rules providing 
a special order of business is not divisible.




Sec. 920. Motion to strike out and insert not 
divisible.

  (c)  A motion to strike and insert is not divisible, but 
rejection of a motion to strike does not preclude another motion to 
amend.



[[Page 655]]

entered on the Journal) was transferred to clause 2(c)(2) of rule II, 
paragraphs (a) and (b) were found in former clause 6, and paragraph (c) 
was found in the first part of former clause 7 (H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 1999, 
p. ----).
  Paragraphs (a) and (b) (former clause 6) was first adopted in 1789, 
and was amended in 1837 (V, 6107). Paragraph (b)(1) (first part of the 
former proviso) was adopted April 2, 1917 (VIII, 2175), and paragraph 
(b)(2) (last part of the former proviso) was adopted May 3, 1933 (VIII, 
3164). Paragraph (c) (first part of former clause 7) was adopted in 
1811, and amended in 1822 (V, 5767). When the House recodified its rules 
in the 106th Congress, former clause 5 of this rule (requiring time of 
adjournment to be

  The House may by adoption of a resolution reported from the Committee 
on Rules suspend the rule providing for the division of a question (VII, 
775).



Sec. 921. Principles governing the division of the 
question.

  The  principle that there must be at least two substantive 
propositions in order to justify division is insisted on rigidly (V, 
6108-6113), as failure to do so produces difficulties (III, 1725). The 
question may not be divided after it has been put (V, 6162), or after 
the yeas and nays have been ordered (V, 6160, 6161); but division of the 
question may be demanded after the previous question is ordered (V, 
5468, 6149; VIII, 3173). In passing on a demand for division the Chair 
considers only substantive propositions and not the merits of the 
question presented (V, 6122). It seems to be most proper, also, that the 
division should depend on grammatical structure rather than on the 
legislative propositions involved (I, 394; V, 6119), but a question 
presenting two propositions grammatically is not divisible if either 
does not constitute a substantive proposition when considered alone 
(VII, 3165). Thus a resolution censuring a Member and adopting a report 
of a committee thereon, which recommends censure on the basis of the 
committee's findings, is not divisible since those questions are 
substantially equivalent (Speaker O'Neill, Oct. 13, 1978, p. 37016); and 
an adjournment resolution that also authorizes the receipt of veto 
messages from the President during the adjournment is not subject to a 
division of the question, as the receipt authority would be nonsensical 
standing alone (June 30, 1976, p. 21702). However, a concurrent 
resolution on the budget is subject to a demand for a division of the 
question if, for example, the resolution grammatically and substantively 
relates to different fiscal years (May 7, 1980, pp. 10185-87), or 
includes a separate, hortatory section having its own grammatical and 
substantive meaning (Speaker Foley, Mar. 5, 1992, p. 4657).



[[Page 656]]

  Decisions have been made that a resolution affecting two individuals 
may be divided, although such division may involve a reconstruction of 
the text (I, 623; V, 6119-6121). The better practice seems to be, 
however, that this reconstruction of the text should be made by the 
adoption of a substitute amendment of two branches, rather than by 
interpretation of the Chair (II, 1621). But merely formal words, such as 
``resolved,'' may be supplied by interpretation of the Chair (V, 6114-
6118). A resolution with two resolve clauses separately certifying the 
contemptuous conduct of two individuals is divisible (Feb. 27, 1986, p. 
3040). A measure containing a series of simple resolutions (V, 6149), 
and a resolution confirming several nominations (Speaker Albert, Mar. 
19, 1975, p. 7344) may be divided. A resolution of impeachment 
presenting discrete articles may be divided (VI, 545; Dec. 18, 1998, p. 
----).

  Except on resolutions to elect Members to committees or on resolutions 
reported from the Committee on Rules providing a special order of 
business, where division of the question is prohibited by this clause, a 
resolution reported from the Committee on Rules may be divided where 
otherwise appropriate. Thus a resolution reported from that committee 
establishing several select committees in grammatically divisible 
titles, not being a special order of business, is subject to a demand 
for a division of the question (Jan. 8, 1987, p. 1036). However, it is 
not in order to demand a division of a subject incorporated by reference 
in the pending text, as when a resolution to adopt a series of rules, 
not made a part of the resolution, was before the House, it was held not 
in order to demand a separate vote on each rule (V, 6159).

  The question on engrossment and third reading under former clause 1 of 
rule XXI (current clause 8(c) of rule XVI) is not divisible (Speaker 
Foley, Aug. 3, 1989, p. 18544); and in voting on the engrossment or 
passage of a bill or joint resolution, a separate vote may not be 
demanded on the various portions (V, 6144-6146; VIII, 3172), or on the 
preamble (V, 6147).

  Where an amendment is offered to an appropriation bill providing that 
no part of the appropriation may be paid to named individuals, the 
amendment may be divided for a separate vote on each name (Feb. 5, 1943, 
p. 645). An amendment (to a joint resolution making continuing 
appropriations) containing separate paragraphs appropriating funds for 
different programs may be substantively and grammatically divisible 
although preceded by the same prefatory language applicable to all the 
paragraphs, and the Clerk will read each paragraph as including the 
prefatory language prior to the Chair's putting the question thereon 
(Nov. 8, 1983, p. 31495). A division may be demanded on an amendment to 
strike out various unrelated phrases (VIII, 3166; Mar. 28, 1984, p. 
6898). An amendment proposing to change a figure in one paragraph of an 
appropriation bill and also to insert a new (``fetch-back'') paragraph 
at another point in the bill is divisible (July 15, 1993, p. 15843). 
Absent a contrary order, the question may be divided on an amendment en 
bloc comprising discrete instructions to amend, even though unanimous 
consent has just been granted for the en bloc consideration (July 25, 
1990, p. 19174; July 18, 1991, p. 18851).


[[Page 657]]

(V, 6127, 6128). When, however, an amendment simply adding or inserting 
is proposed, it is in order to divide the amendment (V, 6129-6133). To a 
motion to strike certain words and insert others, a simple motion to 
strike out the words may not be offered as a substitute, as it would 
have the effect of dividing the motion to strike out and insert (June 
29, 1939, pp. 8282, 8284; June 19, 1979, pp. 15566-68).
  A division of the question may not be demanded on a motion to strike 
out and insert (V, 5767, 6123; VIII, 3169), including substitutes for 
pending amendments (V, 6127; VIII, 3168; Aug. 17, 1972, pp. 28887-90; 
July 2, 1980, pp. 18288-92), although an amendment comprising two 
discrete instructions to strike and insert may be divided (June 4, 1998, 
p. ----) and a perfecting amendment to an amendment may be divided if 
not in the form of a motion to strike out and insert (V, 6131). When it 
is proposed to strike out and insert not one but several connected 
matters, it is not in order to demand a separate vote on each of those 
matters (V, 6124, 6125), as when an amendment in the nature of a 
substitute containing several resolutions is proposed; but after this 
amendment has been agreed to, it is in order to demand a division of the 
original resolution as amended

  A division may be demanded on the motion to recede from disagreement 
to a Senate amendment and concur therein (see Sec. 525, supra; V, 6209; 
VIII, 3197-3199, 3203), but may not be demanded on Senate amendments 
when sending to conference (V, 6151-6156; VIII, 3175). A division of the 
question may not be demanded, with respect to a motion to concur in a 
Senate amendment with an amendment, between concurring and amending 
(VIII, 3176), and may not be demanded on separate parts of the proposed 
amendment if it is not properly divisible under the same tests that 
apply to any other amendment (Aug. 3, 1973, pp. 28124-26; Oct. 11, 1984, 
p. 32188). Thus a proposed amendment to a Senate amendment is not 
divisible if in the form of a motion to strike out and insert (Oct. 15, 
1986, p. 32135). Each Senate amendment must be voted on as a whole 
(VIII, 3175) but the Committee of the Whole having reported a Senate 
amendment with the recommendation that it be agreed to with an 
amendment, a separate vote was had on the amendment to the Senate 
amendment (VIII, 2420). When Senate amendments to a House bill are 
considered in the House, a separate vote may be had on each amendment 
(VIII, 2383, 2400, 3191), and separate votes may be had on nongermane 
portions of Senate amendments as provided in clause 10 of rule XXII.

  When a motion is made to lay several connected propositions on the 
table a division is not in order (V, 6138-6140), nor is a division in 
order where the previous question is moved on two related propositions, 
as on a special order reported from the Committee on Rules and a pending 
amendment thereto (Sept. 25, 1990, p. 25575). On a motion to commit with 
instructions it is not in order to demand a separate vote on the 
instructions or various branches thereof (V, 6134-6137; VIII, 2737, 
3170; Speaker Rayburn, Apr. 11, 1956, p. 6157; June 29, 1993, p. 14618). 
However, an amendment reported forthwith pursuant to instructions 
contained in a successful motion to recommit may be divided on the 
question of its adoption if composed of substantively and grammatically 
distinct propositions (June 29, 1993, p. 14618). A motion to recommit a 
bill to conference with various instructions may not be divided (Sept. 
29, 1994, p. 27681). However, a motion to instruct conferees after 20 
days of conference (when multiple motions are in order) may be divided 
(Speaker Byrns, May 26, 1936, p. 7951), provided that separate 
substantive propositions are presented (Speaker Rayburn, May 9, 1946, p. 
4750).


[[Page 658]]

a motion to suspend the rules (V, 6141-6143; VIII, 3171). On a decision 
of the Speaker involving two distinct questions, there may be a division 
on appeal (V, 6157). A proposition reported from the Committee of the 
Whole as an entire and distinct amendment may not be divided, but must 
be voted on in the House as a whole (IV, 4883-4892). An amendment 
reported forthwith pursuant to instructions contained in a successful 
motion to recommit may be divided on the question of its adoption if 
composed of substantively and grammatically distinct propositions (June 
29, 1993, p. 14618). A separate vote may not be demanded in the House on 
an amendment adopted in the Committee of the Whole to an amendment 
(VIII, 2422, 2426, 2427).
  A division of the question may not be demanded on bills or joint 
resolutions for reference (IV, 4376) or change of reference (VII, 2125), 
a motion to elect Members to committees of House (VIII, 2175, 3164), a 
question against which a point of order is pending (VIII, 3432), a 
proposition under

  After the vote on the first member of the question, the second is open 
to debate and amendments, unless the previous question is ordered (see 
Sec. 482, supra). Where a motion to concur in a Senate amendment is 
divided pursuant to a special rule permitting that procedure, the Chair 
puts the question first on the first portion of the Senate amendment, 
and then on the remaining portion (Mar. 4, 1993, p. 4163). Where a 
division of the question is demanded on a portion of an amendment, the 
Chair puts the question first on the remaining portions of the 
amendment, and that portion on which the division is demanded remains 
open for further debate and amendment (Oct. 21, 1981, pp. 24785-89). 
However, where no further debate or amendment is in order on the divided 
portion, the Chair may put the question first on the divided portion(s) 
and then immediately on the remaining portion (Aug. 17, 1972, Deschler's 
Precedents, vol. 9, ch. 27, sec. 22.14; June 8, 1995, p. 15302). Where a 
division of the question is demanded on more than one portion of an 
amendment, the Chair may put the question first on the remaining 
portions of the amendment (if any), then (after further debate) on the 
first part on which a division is demanded, and then (after further 
debate) on the last part on which a division is demanded (Oct. 21, 1981, 
pp. 24785-89). Where the question on adopting an amendment is divided by 
special rule (rather than on demand from the floor), the Chair puts the 
question on each divided portion of the amendment in the order in which 
it appears (May 23, 1996, p. 12316).


  A demand for a division of the question on a separate portion of an 
amendment may be withdrawn before the question is put on the first 
portion thereof (July 15, 1993, p. 15843), but once the Chair has put 
the question on the first portion of the amendment, a demand for a 
division may be withdrawn only by unanimous consent (Sept. 9, 1976, pp. 
29538-40).

                                                      Rule XVI, clause 6
Rule XVI, clause 6
Amendments


[[Page 659]]

order to offer a further amendment by way of substitute for the original 
motion to amend, to which one amendment may be offered but which may not 
be voted on until the original amendment is perfected. An amendment may 
be withdrawn in the House at any time before a decision or amendment 
thereon. An amendment to the title of a bill or resolution shall not be 
in order until after its passage or adoption and shall be decided 
without debate.



922. Amendments to text and to title.

  6.  When an amendable 
proposition is under consideration, a motion to amend and a motion to 
amend that amendment shall be in order, and it also shall be in


  This provision (former rule XIX) was adopted in 1880, with an 
amendment adding the portion in relation to the title in 1893. The rule 
of 1880, however, merely stated in form of rule what had been the 
practice of the House for many years (V, 5753). Before the House 
recodified its rules in the 106th Congress, this provision was found in 
former rule XIX (H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 1999, p. ----). For further 
discussion see House Practice (1996), pp. 25-29, and Deschler's 
Precedents, vol. 9, ch. 27, secs. 15-19.


[[Page 660]]

amendments are disposed of prior to voting on substitutes for the 
original amendment and amendments thereto (July 26, 1984, p. 21253). An 
amendment in the third degree is not specified by the rule and is not 
permissible (V, 5754; VIII, 2580, 2888, 2891), even when the third 
degree is in the nature of a substitute for an amendment to a substitute 
(V, 5791; VIII, 2889). However, a substitute amendment may be amended by 
striking out all after its first word and inserting a new text (V, 5793, 
5794), as this, while in effect a substitute, is not technically so, for 
the substitute always proposes to strike out all after the enacting or 
resolving words in order to insert a new text (V, 5785, footnote) or to 
replace all the words of an amendment; and the Chair will not look 
behind the form of the amendment in determining whether it is a 
perfecting amendment or a substitute (June 13, 1994, p. 12731). To 
qualify as a substitute, an amendment must treat in the same manner the 
same subject carried by the amendment for which offered (VIII, 2879). It 
must also result in language similar but not identical to the original 
text proposed to be changed by the initial amendment (Deschler's 
Precedents, vol. 9, ch. 27, sec. 18.15). To an amendment inserting new 
text in a bill, an amendment not only inserting similar language but 
also striking out original text of the bill is not in order as a 
substitute (VIII, 2880; Sept. 8, 1976, p. 29237). To an amendment adding 
a new section, an amendment making perfecting changes in the bill rather 
than in the amendment is not a proper perfecting amendment, but may if 
germane be offered as a substitute for the amendment (Apr. 26, 1984, p. 
10213). Where, pursuant to a special rule, a committee amendment in the 
nature of a substitute, printed in the bill, is being read as original 
text for purpose of amendment, there may be pending to that text the 
four stages of amendment permitted by this rule (Apr. 23, 1969, p. 
10066). An amendment in the nature of a substitute may be proposed 
before amendments to the pending portion of original text have been 
acted on, but may not be voted on until such amendments have been 
disposed of (V, 5787). When a bill is considered by sections or 
paragraphs an amendment in the nature of a substitute is properly 
offered after the reading for amendment is concluded (V, 5788). But when 
it is proposed to offer a single substitute for several paragraphs of a 
bill that is being considered by paragraphs, the substitute may be moved 
to the first paragraph, with notice that, if agreed to, motions will be 
made to strike out the remaining paragraphs (V, 5795; VIII, 2898, 2900-
2903; July 29, 1969, p. 21218). The substitute amendment, as well as the 
original proposition, may be perfected by amendments before the vote on 
it is taken (V, 5786). Where there is pending an amendment in the nature 
of a substitute, it is in order to offer a perfecting amendment to the 
pending portion of original text (VIII, 2861; Apr. 27, 1976, p. 11411; 
see also Procedure, ch. 27, sec. 13.8). An amendment in the nature of a 
substitute having been agreed to, the vote is then taken on the original 
proposition as amended (II, 983; V, 5799, 5800), and no further 
amendment is in order (Speaker O'Neill, Mar. 26, 1985, p. 6274). The 
substitute provided for in this rule has been construed as a substitute

[[Page 661]]

for the amendment and not as a substitute for the original text (VIII, 
2883). If a perfecting amendment to an amendment in the nature of a 
substitute, striking out all after the short title and inserting a new 
text, is agreed to, further amendments to the text so perfected are not 
in order, but amendments are in order to add new language at the end of 
the amendment in the nature of a substitute as amended (May 16, 1979, p. 
11420). An amendment offered as a substitute and rejected may again be 
offered as an original amendment without presenting an equivalent 
question, since in the first case the question is the relationship 
between the substitute and the amendment to which offered and in the 
second case the question is the relationship between the original 
amendment and the text of the bill (V, 5797; VIII, 2843), and an 
amendment considered with others en bloc and rejected may be offered 
separately at a subsequent time (Deschler's Precedents, vol. 9, ch. 27, 
sec. 35.15; Nov. 4, 1991, p. 29932). Thus, while an amendment that is 
amended by a substitute and then adopted as amended may not be reoffered 
in its original form if it would directly change the amended portion of 
the bill, where an amendment inserting new language in a bill is amended 
by a substitute inserting language in a different part of the bill and 
then adopted as amended, the original amendment may again be offered to 
the bill notwithstanding its displacement by the substitute, as the vote 
on the amendment as amended by the substitute is not equivalent to a 
direct vote on the original amendment (June 25, 1987, p. 17416). Under a 
``modified-closed'' rule permitting only amendments printed in the 
report accompanying the rule, the Chair will permit an amendment to be 
offered in the form actually submitted for printing rather than 
requiring that it be offered in the erroneous form printed (Mar. 10, 
1994, p. 4405). Under the five-minute rule, the proponent of an 
amendment may not yield to another to offer an amendment to the 
amendment; rather an amendment to the amendment may be offered after the 
proponent of the pending amendment has explained it (Sept. 7, 1995, p. 
24071).


Sec. 923. Conditions of the motion to amend.

  It  is not in 
order to offer more than one motion to amend of the same nature at a 
time (V, 5755; VIII, 2831), and two independent amendments may be voted 
on at once only by unanimous consent of the House (V, 5979). Amendments 
en bloc, once pending, are open to perfecting amendment at any point 
(June 12, 1991, p. 14337). An amendment must contain instructions to the 
Clerk as to the portion of the bill it seeks to amend and is subject to 
a point of order if not in proper form (Oct. 3, 1985, p. 25970). An 
amendment may not propose to change portions of a measure not yet read 
for amendment (Mar. 24, 1999, p. ----). A Member may not amend or modify 
his own amendment except by unanimous consent (Oct. 1, 1985, p. 25453); 
and where the Chair recognizes the proponent of an amendment to propound 
such a unanimous-consent request before commencing debate, the Chair 
does not charge time consumed under a reservation of objection against 
the proponent's time for debate on the amendment (Feb. 3, 1993, p. ----; 
May 27, 1993, p. ----). Discrete propositions to strike out and insert 
provisions on diverse pages and lines of a bill and to insert a new 
section on a separate subject may constitute separate amendments which 
may be offered en bloc only by unanimous consent, even when the bill has 
been considered as read and open to amendment at any point (Sept. 16, 
1981, Deschler's Precedents, vol. 9, ch. 27, sec. 11.26). But the four 
motions specified by the rule may be pending at one and at the same time 
(V, 5793; VIII, 2883, 2887). Once a perfecting amendment to an amendment 
is disposed of, the original amendment, as amended or not, remains open 
to further perfecting amendment (June 20, 1991, p. 15610), and all such



[[Page 662]]



Sec. 924. Relation of point of order to motion to 
amend.

  A  point of order against an amendment is timely if made or 
reserved prior to formal recognition of the proponent to commence debate 
thereon (July 16, 1991, p. 18391), but thereafter comes too late (V, 
6894, 6898-6899) except as provided in clauses 4 and 5(a) of rule XXI. 
To preclude a point of order, debate should be on the merits of the 
proposition (V, 6901). When enough of an amendment has been read to show 
that it is out of order, a point of order may be raised without waiting 
for the reading to be completed (V, 6886-6887; VIII, 2912, 3437), though 
the Chair may decline to rule until the entire proposition has been read 
(Dec. 14, 1973, pp. 41716-18). A timely reservation of a point of order 
by one Member inures to the benefit of any other Member who desires to 
press a point of order (V, 6906; July 18, 1990, p. 17930).




Sec. 925. Withdrawal of the motion to amend.

  While  the rule 
provides that either an ordinary or substitute amendment may be 
withdrawn in the House (V, 5753) or ``in the House as in Committee of 
the Whole'' (IV, 4935; June 26, 1973, p. 21315), it may not be withdrawn 
or modified in Committee of the Whole except by unanimous consent (V, 
5221; VIII, 2564, 2859).




Sec. 926. Precedence of the motion to amend.

  Pursuant  to 
clause 4 of rule XVI, the motion for the previous question takes 
precedence of a motion to amend (Nov. 8, 1971, p. 39944); and if the 
previous question is not ordered, the motion to refer also has 
precedence of the motion to amend (V, 5555; VI, 373). Amendments 
reported by a committee are acted on before those offered from the floor 
(V, 5773; VIII, 2862, 2863), but a floor amendment to the text of a 
pending section is considered before a committee amendment adding a new 
section at the end of the pending section (Oct. 4, 1972, pp. 33779-82), 
and there is a question as to the extent to which the chairman of the 
committee reporting a bill should be recognized to offer amendments to 
perfect it in preference to other Members (II, 1450). Amendments may not 
be offered by proxy (VIII, 2830). The motion to strike out the enacting 
clause has precedence of the motion to amend, and may be offered while 
an amendment is pending (V, 5328-5331; VIII, 2622-2624); but the motion 
to amend takes precedence over a motion that the Committee of the Whole 
rise and report the bill with the recommendation that it pass (July 27, 
1937, p. 7699).




Sec. 927. Relation of the motion to amend to other 
motions.

  With  some exceptions an amendment may attach itself to secondary 
and privileged motions (V, 5754). Thus, the motions to postpone, refer, 
amend, for a recess, and to fix the day to which the House shall adjourn 
may be amended (V, 5754; VIII, 2824). But the motions for the previous 
question, to lay on the table, to adjourn (V, 5754) and to go into 
Committee of the Whole to consider a privileged bill may not be amended 
(IV, 3078, 3079; VI, 723-725).



  An amendment to the title of a bill is not in order in Committee of 
the Whole (Jan. 29, 1986, p. 682).

                                                      Rule XVI, clause 7
Rule XVI, clause 7
Germaneness




928. Germane amendments.

  7.  No motion or proposition on a 
subject different from that under consideration shall be admitted under 
color of amendment.



[[Page 663]]

  This clause was adopted in 1789, and amended in 1822 (V, 5767, 5825). 
Before the House recodified its rules in the 106th Congress, this clause 
and clause 5(c) had occupied a single former clause 7 (H. Res. 5, Jan. 
6, 1999, p. ----).

  It introduced a principle not then known to the general parliamentary 
law (V, 5825), but of high value in the procedure of the House (V, 
5866). Prior to the adoption of rules, when the House is operating under 
general parliamentary law, as modified by the usage and practice of the 
House, an amendment may be subject to the point of order that it is not 
germane to the proposition to which offered (Jan. 3, 1969, p. 23). The 
principle of the rule applies to a proposition by which it is proposed 
to modify the pending bill, and not to a portion of the bill itself (V, 
6929); thus a point of order will not lie that an appropriation in a 
general appropriation bill is not germane to the rest of the bill (Dec. 
16, 1963, p. 24753). In general, an amendment simply striking out words 
already in a bill may not be ruled out as not germane (V, 5805; VIII, 
2918) unless such action would change the scope and meaning of the text 
(VIII, 2917-2921; Mar. 23, 1960, p. 6381); and a pro forma amendment 
``to strike out the last word'' has been considered germane (July 28, 
1965, p. 18639). While a committee may report a bill or resolution 
embracing different subjects, it is not in order during consideration in 
the House to introduce a new subject by way of amendment (V, 5825). The 
rule that amendments should be germane applies to amendments reported by 
committees (V, 5806), but a resolution providing for consideration of 
the bill with committee amendments may waive points of order (Oct. 10, 
1967, p. 28406), and the point of order under this rule does not apply 
to a special order reported from the Committee on Rules ``self-
executing'' the adoption in the House of a nongermane amendment to a 
bill, since the amendment is not separately before the House during 
consideration of the special order (Feb. 24, 1993, p. 3542; July 27, 
1993, p. 17117). A resolution reported from the Committee on Rules 
providing for the consideration of a bill relating to a certain subject 
may be amended neither by an amendment that would substitute the 
consideration of an unrelated proposition (V, 5834-5836; VIII, 2956; 
Sept. 14, 1950, p. 14844) nor an amendment that would permit the 
additional consideration of a nongermane amendment to the bill (May 29, 
1980, pp. 12667-73; Aug. 13, 1982, p. 20972). The Chair will not 
interpret as a point of order under a specific rule of the House, on 
which he must rule, an objection to a substitute as narrowing the scope 
of a pending amendment, absent some stated or necessarily implied 
reference to the germaneness or other rule (June 25, 1987, p. 17415). 
The burden of proof is on the proponent of an amendment to establish its 
germaneness (VIII, 2995), and where an amendment is equally susceptible 
to more than one interpretation, one of which will render it not 
germane, the Chair will rule it out of order (June 20, 1975, p. 19967).


[[Page 664]]

be germane to the portion of the bill to which it is offered (V, 5822; 
VIII, 2927, 2931; July 14, 1970, pp. 24033-35), though it may be germane 
to more than one portion of a bill (Mar. 27, 1974, p. 8508), and when 
offered as a separate paragraph is not required to be germane to the 
paragraph immediately preceding or following it (VII, 1162; VIII, 2932-
2935).


Sec. 929. Proposition to which amendment must be 
germane.

  Under  the later practice an amendment should be germane to the 
particular paragraph or section to which it is offered (V, 5811-5820; 
VIII, 2922, 2936; Oct. 14, 1971, pp. 36194, 36211; Sept. 19, 1986, p. 
24729), without reference to subject matter of other titles not yet read 
(July 31, 1990, p. 20816), and an amendment inserting an additional 
section should


  The test of germaneness in the case of a motion to recommit with 
instructions is the relationship of the instructions to the bill taken 
as a whole (and not merely to the separate portion of the bill 
specifically proposed to be amended in the instructions) (Mar. 28, 1996, 
p. 6932).

  Subject to clause 2(c) of rule XXI (requiring that limitation 
amendments to general appropriation bills be offered at the end of the 
reading of the bill for amendment), an amendment limiting the use of 
funds by a particular agency funded in a general appropriation bill may 
be germane to the paragraph carrying the funds, or to any general 
provisions portion of the bill affecting that agency or all agencies 
funded by the bill (July 16, 1979, p. 18807). However, to a paragraph 
containing funds for an agency but not transferring funds to that 
account from other paragraphs in the bill, an amendment increasing that 
amount by transfer from an account in another paragraph is not germane, 
since affecting budget authority for a different agency not the subject 
of the pending paragraph (July 17, 1985, p. 19436).

  In passing on the germaneness of an amendment, the Chair considers the 
relationship between the amendment and the bill as modified by the 
Committee of the Whole (Apr. 23, 1975, p. 11545; July 8, 1987, p. 
19013).

  An amendment adding a new section to a bill being read by titles must 
be germane to the pending title (Sept. 17, 1975, p. 28925), but where a 
bill is considered as read and open to amendment at any point, an 
amendment must be germane to the bill as a whole and not to a particular 
section (Sept. 29, 1975, p. 30761; Jan. 30, 1986, p. 1052). Where a 
title of a bill is open to amendment at any point, the germaneness of an 
amendment perfecting one section therein depends on its relationship to 
the title as a whole and not merely on its relationship to the one 
section (June 25, 1991, p. 16152). An amendment in the form of a new 
title, when offered at the end of a bill containing several diverse 
titles on a general subject, need not be germane to the portion of the 
bill to which offered, it being sufficient that the amendment be germane 
to the bill as a whole in its modified form (Nov. 4, 1971, p. 39267; 
July 2, 1974, p. 22029; Sept. 18, 1975, p. 29322; July 11, 1985, p. 
18601; Oct. 8, 1985, pp. 26548-51). While the heading of the final title 
of a bill as ``miscellaneous'' does not thereby permit amendments to 
that title which are not germane thereto, the inclusion of sufficiently 
diverse provisions in such title affecting various provisions in the 
bill may permit further amendments which need only be germane to the 
bill as a whole (Apr. 10, 1979, pp. 8034-37).


[[Page 665]]

ed, must be germane to the bill in the form passed by the House; thus 
where a House-passed bill contained several sections and titles amending 
diverse portions of the Internal Revenue Code relating to tax credits, a 
modified Senate provision adding a new section dealing with another tax 
credit was held germane to the House-passed measure as a whole (Speaker 
Albert, Mar. 26, 1975, p. 8900); but a Senate provision in a conference 
report, on a Senate bill with a House amendment in the nature of a 
substitute, which authorized appointment of a special prosecutor for any 
criminal offenses committed by certain Federal officials was held not 
germane to the bill as passed by the House, which related to offenses 
directly related to official duties and responsibilities of Federal 
officials (Oct. 12, 1978, pp. 36459-61).
  Under clause 10 of rule XXII, a portion of a conference report 
incorporating part of a Senate amendment in the nature of a substitute 
to a House bill, or incorporating part of a Senate bill that the House 
has amend

  The test of germaneness of an amendment to or a substitute for an 
amendment in the nature of a substitute is its relationship to the 
substitute and not its relationship to the bill to which the amendment 
in the nature of a substitute has been offered (July 19, 1973, p. 24958; 
July 22, 1975, p. 23990; June 1, 1976, pp. 16051-56; July 28, 1982, pp. 
18355-58, 18361), and an amendment to a substitute is not required to 
affect the same page and line numbers as the substitute in order to be 
germane, it being sufficient that the amendment is germane to the 
subject matter of the substitute (Aug. 1, 1979, pp. 21944-47). When an 
amendment in the nature of a substitute is offered at the end of the 
first section of a bill, the test of germaneness is the relationship 
between the amendment and the entire bill, and the germaneness of an 
amendment in the nature of a substitute for a bill is not necessarily 
determined by an incidental portion of the amendment which if offered 
separately might not be germane to the portion of the bill to which 
offered (July 8, 1975, p. 21633).

  The test of germaneness of an amendment offered as a substitute for a 
pending amendment is its relationship to the pending amendment and not 
its relationship to the underlying bill (Feb. 14, 1995, p. 4714).

  An amendment germane to the bill as a whole, but hardly germane to any 
one section, may be offered at an appropriate place with notice of 
motions to strike out the following sections which it would supersede 
(V, 5823; July 29, 1969, p. 21221). Where a perfecting amendment to the 
text is offered pending a vote on a motion to strike out the same text, 
the perfecting amendment must be germane to the text to which offered, 
not to the motion to strike (Oct. 3, 1969, p. 28454).


[[Page 666]]

propose as part of a motion to recommit any proposition that would not 
have been germane if proposed as an amendment to the bill in the House 
(V, 5529-5541; VIII, 2708-2712; Mar. 2, 1967, p. 5155), and the 
instructions must be germane to the bill as perfected in the House (Nov. 
19, 1993, p. 30513), even where the instructions do not propose a direct 
amendment to the bill but merely direct the committee to pursue an 
unrelated approach (Speaker O'Neill, Mar. 2, 1978, p. 5272; July 16, 
1991, p. 18397) or direct the committee not to report the bill back to 
the House until an unrelated contingency occurs (VIII, 2704). Under the 
same rationale as amendments to a motion to instruct conferees, 
amendments to a motion to recommit to a standing committee with 
instructions must be germane to the subject matter of the bill (see V, 
6888; VIII, 2711).


Sec. 930. Instructions to committees and amendments 
thereto.

  The  rule that amendments must be germane applies to amendments to 
the instructions in a motion to instruct conferees (VIII, 3230, 3235), 
and the test of germaneness of an amendment to a motion to instruct 
conferees, in addition to the measurement of scope of conference, is the 
relationship of the amendment to the subject matter of the House or 
Senate version of the bill (Deschler-Brown Precedents, vol. 11, ch. 28, 
sec. 28.2). The rule of germaneness similarly applies to the 
instructions in a motion to recommit a bill to a committee of the House, 
as it is not in order to


  The fact that an amendment is offered in conjunction with a motion to 
recommit a bill with instructions to a standing committee does not 
affect the requirement that the subject matter of the amendment be 
germane and within the jurisdiction of the committee reporting the bill 
(Mar. 2, 1967, p. 5155; July 16, 1991, p. 18397).


[[Page 667]]

Senate provisions are compared, is that finally committed to conference, 
taking into consideration all amendments adopted by the House, including 
House amendments to Senate amendments (July 28, 1983, p. 21401). Clause 
10 of rule XXII permits points of order against motions to concur or 
concur with amendment in nongermane Senate amendments, the stage of 
disagreement having been reached, and, if such points of order are 
sustained, permits separate motions to reject such nongermane matter. 
Clause 10 of rule XXII is not applicable to a provision contained in a 
motion to recede and concur with an amendment (the stage of disagreement 
having been reached) which is not contained in any form in the Senate 
version, the only requirement in such circumstances being that the 
motion as a whole be germane to the Senate amendment as a whole under 
clause 7 of rule XVI (Oct. 4, 1978, pp. 33502-06; June 30, 1987, p. 
18294).


Sec. 931. Senate amendments and matter contained in 
conference reports.

  In  the consideration of Senate amendments to a House 
bill an amendment must be germane to the particular Senate amendment to 
which it is offered (V, 6188-6191; VIII, 2936; May 14, 1963, p. 8506; 
Dec. 13, 1980, p. 34097), and it is not sufficient that an amendment to 
a Senate amendment is germane to the original House bill if it is not 
germane to the subject matter of a Senate amendment that merely inserts 
new matter and does not strike out House provisions (V, 6188; VIII, 
2936). But where a Senate amendment proposes to strike out language in a 
House bill, the test of the germaneness of a motion to recede and concur 
with an amendment is the relationship between the language in the motion 
and the provisions in the House bill proposed to be stricken, as well as 
those to be inserted, by the Senate amendment (June 8, 1943, p. 5511; 
June 15, 1943, p. 5899; Dec. 12, 1974, p. 39272). The test of the 
germaneness of an amendment to a motion to concur in a Senate amendment 
with an amendment is the relationship between the amendment and the 
motion, and not between the amendment and the Senate amendment to which 
the motion has been offered (Aug. 3, 1973, Deschler-Brown Precedents, 
vol. 11, ch. 28, sec. 27.6). Formerly, a Senate amendment was not 
subject to the point of order that it was not germane to the House bill 
(VIII, 3425), but under changes in the rules points of order may be made 
and separate votes demanded on portions of Senate amendments and 
conference reports containing language that would not have been germane 
if offered in the House. Clause 10 of rule XXII permits points of order 
against language in a conference report which was originally in the 
Senate bill or amendment and which would not have been germane if 
offered to the House-passed version, and permits a separate motion to 
reject such portion of the conference report if found nongermane (Oct. 
15, 1986, p. 31498). For purposes of that rule, the House-passed 
version, against which



[[Page 668]]

of appropriations in the absence of timely enactment of a regular 
appropriation bill (June 18, 1997, p. ----); to a bill regulating 
immigration, an amendment reaffirming an agreement with Japan (VIII, 
3050); to a bill opposing concessional loans to a country and outlining 
principles governing the conduct of industrial cooperation projects of 
U.S. nationals in that country, an amendment waiving provisions of other 
law by requiring changes in tariff schedules to achieve overall trade 
reciprocity between that country and the United States (Nov. 6, 1997, p. 
----); to a resolution authorizing the deployment of troops to implement 
a peace agreement, an amendment expressing support for the armed forces 
in carrying out such mission (Mar. 11, 1999, p. ----); to a bill 
addessing enforcement of State liquor laws, an amendment addressing 
enforcement of State firearm laws (Aug. 3, 1999, p. ----).


Sec. 932. Subject matter as test of 
germaneness.

  An  amendment must relate to the subject matter under 
consideration. Thus, the following are not germane: To a bill seeking to 
eliminate wage discrimination based on the sex of the employee, an 
amendment to make the provisions of the bill applicable to 
discrimination based on race (July 25, 1962, p. 14778); to a bill 
establishing an office in the Department of the Interior to manage 
biological information, an amendment addressing socioeconomic matters 
(Oct. 26, 1993, p. 26082); to a bill authorizing military assistance to 
Israel and funds for the United Nations emergency force in the Middle 
East, an amendment expressing the sense of Congress that the President 
conduct negotiations to obtain a peace treaty in the Middle East and the 
resumption of diplomatic and trade relations between Arab nations and 
the United States and Israel (Dec. 11, 1973, p. 40842); to a concurrent 
resolution expressing congressional concern over certain domestic 
policies of a foreign government and urging that government to improve 
those internal problems in order to enhance better relations with the 
United States, amendments expressing the necessity for United States 
diplomatic initiatives as a consequence of that foreign government's 
policies (July 12, 1978, pp. 20500-05); to a resolution amending several 
clauses of a rule of the House but confined in its scope to the issue of 
access to committee hearings and meetings, an amendment to another 
clause of that rule relating to committee staffing (Mar. 7, 1973, p. 
6714); to a title of a bill that only addresses the administrative 
structure of a new department and not its authority to carry out 
transferred programs, an amendment prohibiting the department from 
withholding funds to carry out certain objectives (June 12, 1979, p. 
14485); to an amendment authorizing the use of funds for a specific 
study, an amendment naming any program established in the bill for an 
unrelated purpose for a specified Senator (Aug. 15, 1986, p. 22075); to 
one of two reconciliation bills reported by the Budget Committee, an 
amendment making a prospective indirect change to the other 
reconciliation bill not then pending before the House (June 25, 1997, p. 
----); to a bill reauthorizing the National Sea Grant College Program, a 
proposal to amend existing law to provide for automatic continuation


  An amendment that is germane, not being ``on a subject different from 
that under consideration,'' belongs to a class illustrated by the 
following: to a bill providing for an interoceanic canal by one route, 
an amendment providing for a different route (V, 5909); to a bill 
providing for the reorganization of the Army, an amendment providing for 
the encouragement of marksmanship (V, 5910); to a proposition to create 
a board of inquiry, an amendment specifying when it shall report (V, 
5915); to a bill relating to ``oleomargarine and other imitation dairy 
products,'' an amendment on the subject of ``renovated butter'' (V, 
5919); to a resolution rescinding an order for final adjournment, an 
amendment fixing a new date therefor (V, 5920); to a proposition 
directing a feasibility investigation, an amendment requiring the 
submission of legislation to implement that investigation (Dec. 14, 
1973, p. 41747); and to a section of a bill prescribing the functions of 
a new Federal Energy Administration by conferring wide discretionary 
powers upon the Administrator, an amendment directing the Administrator 
to issue preliminary summer guidelines for citizen fuel use (as a 
further delineation of those functions) (Mar. 6, 1974, p. 5436).


[[Page 669]]

  A bill comprehensively addressing a subject requires careful analysis 
to determine whether an amendment addresses a different subject. For 
example, to an amendment in the nature of a substitute comprehensively 
amending several sections of the Clean Air Act with respect to the 
impact of shortages of energy resources on standards imposed under that 
Act, an amendment to another section of the Act suspending temporarily 
the authority of the Administrator of the EPA to control automobile 
emissions was held germane (Dec. 14, 1973, p. 41688). On the other hand, 
to a bill comprehensively restructuring the production and distribution 
of food, an amendment proposed in a motion to recommit to provide 
nutrition assistance, including food stamps and soup kitchen programs, 
was held not germane (Feb. 26, 1996, p. 3257).



Sec. 933. Fundamental purpose as test of 
germaneness.

  The  fundamental purpose of an amendment must be germane to 
the fundamental purpose of the bill (VIII, 2911). The Chair discerns the 
fundamental purpose of a bill by examining the text of the bill and its 
report language (Deschler-Brown, vol. 10, ch. 28, sec. 5.6; Aug. 3, 
1999, p. ----), rather than the motives that circumstances may suggest 
(V, 5783, 5803; Dec. 13, 1973, pp. 41267-69; Aug. 15, 1974, p. 28438). 
To a bill that comprehensively addresses a subject matter, an amendment 
that relates to that subject matter may not be ruled out as nongermane 
merely because the amendment may be characterized as private legislation 
benefitting certain individuals offered to a public bill (May 30, 1984, 
p. 14495). Similarly, to a bill proposing to accomplish a result by 
methods comprehensive in scope, an amendment in the nature of a 
substitute seeking to achieve the same result was held germane where it 
was shown that additional provisions not contained in the original bill 
were merely incidental conditions or exceptions that were related to the 
fundamental purpose of the bill (Aug. 2, 1973, pp. 27673-75; July 8, 
1975, p. 21633; Sept. 29, 1980, pp. 27832-52). On the other hand, an 
amendment may relate to the same subject matter yet still stray from 
adherence to a common fundamental purpose, by, for example, singling out 
one constituent element of a larger subject for specific and unrelated 
scrutiny (Aug. 3, 1999, p. ----).



[[Page 670]]

based on reported economic projections under which either would achieve 
the same, necessarily temporary result by method of direct or indirect 
amendment to the same existing law (May 13, 1987, p. 12344); to a bill 
subjecting employers who fail to apprise their workers of health risks 
to penalties under other laws and regulations, a substitute subjecting 
such employers to penalties prescribed in the substitute itself (Oct. 
14, 1987, p. 27885); to an amendment freezing the obligation of funds 
for fiscal year 1996 for missile defense until the Secretary of Defense 
rendered a specified readiness certification, an amendment permitting an 
increase in the obligation of such funds on the basis of legislative 
findings concerning readiness, as each proposition addressed the 
relationship between 1996 funding levels for missile defense and 
readiness (Feb. 15, 1995, p. 5026).
  In order to be germane, an amendment must not only have the same end 
as the matter sought to be amended, but must contemplate a method of 
achieving that end that is closely allied to the method encompassed in 
the bill or other matter sought to be amended (Aug. 11, 1970, p. 28165). 
Thus the following are germane: to a bill raising revenue by several 
methods of taxation, an amendment proposing a tax on undistributed 
profits (the Committee of the Whole overruling the Chair) (VII, 3042); 
to a proposition to accomplish a result through regulation by a 
governmental agency, an amendment to accomplish the same fundamental 
purpose through regulation by another governmental agency (Dec. 15, 
1937, pp. 1572-89; June 9, 1941, p. 4905; Dec. 19, 1973, p. 42618); to a 
bill to achieve a certain purpose by conferring discretionary authority 
to set fair labor standards upon an independent agency, an amendment in 
the nature of a substitute to attain that purpose by a more inflexible 
method (prescribing fair labor standards) (Dec. 15, 1937, pp. 1590-94; 
Oct. 14, 1987, p. 27885); to a proposition to accomplish the broad 
purpose of settling land claims of Alaska natives by a method general in 
scope, an amendment accomplishing the same purpose by a method more 
detailed in its provisions (Oct. 20, 1971, p. 37079); to an amendment 
comprehensively amending the Natural Gas Act to deregulate interstate 
sales of new natural gas and regulate aspects of intrastate gas use, a 
substitute providing regulatory authority for interstate and intrastate 
gas sales of large producers (Feb. 4, 1976, p. 2387); to a bill 
providing a temporary extension of existing authority, an amendment 
achieving the same purpose by providing a nominally permanent authority 
was held germane where both the bill and the amendment were


[[Page 671]]

stitute to require by regulation that any fuel sold in commerce require 
a certain percentage of synthetic fuels, as broader in scope and an 
unrelated method (June 26, 1979, pp. 16663-74); to a bill to provide 
financial assistance to domestic agriculture through price support 
payments, an amendment to protect domestic agriculture by restricting 
imports in competition therewith as proposing an unrelated method of 
assistance within the jurisdiction of another committee (Oct. 14, 1981, 
p. 23899); to a bill authorizing financial assistance to unemployed 
individuals for employment opportunities, an amendment providing instead 
for tax incentives to stimulate employment as employing an unrelated 
method within the jurisdiction of a different committee of the House 
(Sept. 21, 1983, p. 25145); to a bill relating to one government agency, 
an amendment having as its fundamental purpose a change in the law 
relating to another agency, even though it contemplated a consultative 
role for the agency covered by the bill (July 8, 1987, p. 19014); to a 
proposition changing congressional budget procedures to require 
consideration of balanced budgets, an amendment changing concurrent 
resolutions on the budget to joint resolutions, bringing executive 
enforcement mechanisms into play (July 18, 1990, p. 17920); to a bill to 
promote technological advancement by fostering Federal research and 
development, and amendment exhorting to do so by changes in tax and 
antitrust laws (July 16, 1991, p. 18397); to a bill extending 
unemployment compensation benefits during a period of economic 
recession, an amendment to stimulate economic growth by tax incentives 
and regulatory reform (Sept. 17, 1991, p. 23156); an amendment to change 
a direct appropriation of new budget authority from the general fund 
into a reappropriation (in effect a rescission) of funds previously 
appropriated for an entirely different purpose in a special reserve 
account (Feb. 28, 1985, p. 4146); to a bill addressing substance abuse 
through prevention and treatment, an amendment imposing civil penalties 
on drug dealers (Sept. 16, 1998, p. ----); to a resolution impeaching 
the President, an amendment censuring the President (Dec. 19, 1998, p. 
----); to a bill authorizing a State attorney general to bring a civil 
action in Federal court against a person who has violated a State law 
regulating intoxicating liquor, an amendment singling out certain 
violations of liquor laws on the basis of their regard for any and all 
firearms issues (Aug. 3, 1999, p.----); to the same bill, an amendment 
creating new Federal laws to regulate intoxicating liquor (Aug. 3, 1999, 
p. ----).
  However, an amendment to accomplish a similar purpose by an unrelated 
method, not contemplated by the bill, is not germane. Thus, the 
following are not germane: to a bill providing relief to foreign 
countries through government agencies, an amendment providing for relief 
to be made through the International Red Cross (Dec. 10, 1947, pp. 
11242-44); to a bill to aid in the control of crime through research and 
training an amendment to accomplish that result through regulation of 
the sale of firearms (Aug. 8, 1967, pp. 21846-50); to a bill providing 
assistance to Vietnam war victims, amendments containing foreign policy 
declarations as to culpability in the Vietnam war (Apr. 23, 1975, p. 
11510); to a bill conserving energy by civil penalties on manufacturers 
of autos with low gas mileage, an amendment conserving energy by tax 
rebates to purchasers of high-mileage autos (June 12, 1975, p. 18695); 
to a proposition whose fundamental purpose was registration and public 
disclosure by, but not regulation of the activities of, lobbyists, 
amendments prohibiting lobbying in certain places, restricting monetary 
contributions by lobbyists, and providing civil penalties for violating 
Rules of the House in relation to floor privileges (Sept. 28, 1976, p. 
33070) (but to a similar bill, an amendment requiring disclosure of any 
lobbying communication made on the floor of the House or Senate or in 
adjoining rooms, but not regulating such conduct, was held germane (Apr. 
26, 1978, p. 11641)); to a bill seeking to accomplish a purpose by one 
method (creation of an executive branch agency), an amendment 
accomplishing that result by a method not contemplated in the bill 
(creation of office within legislative branch as function of committee 
oversight) (Nov. 5, 1975, p. 35041); to a bill authorizing foreign 
military assistance programs, an amendment authorizing contributions to 
an international agency for nuclear missile inspections (Mar. 3, 1976, 
p. 5226); to a joint resolution proposing a constitutional amendment for 
representation of the District of Columbia in Congress, a motion to 
recommit with instructions that the Committee on the Judiciary consider 
a resolution retroceding populated portions of the District to Maryland 
(Speaker O'Neill, Mar. 2, 1978, p. 5272); to an amendment to achieve a 
national production goal for synthetic fuels for national defense needs 
by loans and grants and development of demonstration synthetic fuel 
plants, a sub


[[Page 672]]

various agricultural commodities, an amendment repealing price control 
authority for all commodities under an act reported from the Committee 
on Banking and Currency (now Banking and Financial Services) (July 19, 
1973, p. 24950); to a bill reported from the Committee on Ways and Means 
providing for a temporary increase in the public debt ceiling for the 
current fiscal year (not directly amending the Second Liberty Bond Act), 
an amendment proposing permanent changes in that Act and also affecting 
budget and appropriation procedures (matters within the jurisdiction of 
other House committees) (Nov. 7, 1973, p. 36240); to a bill relating to 
intelligence activities of the executive branch, an amendment effecting 
a change in the Rules of the House by directing a committee to impose an 
oath of secrecy on its members and staff (May 1, 1991, p. 9669); to a 
bill reported by the Committee on Government Operations (now Government 
Reform) creating an executive agency to protect consumers, an amendment 
conferring on congressional committees with oversight over consumer 
protection the authority to intervene in judicial or administrative 
proceedings (a rulemaking provision within the jurisdiction of the 
Committee on Rules) (Nov. 6, 1975, p. 35373); to a proposition reported 
from the Committee on Public Works and Transportation (now 
Transportation and Infrastructure), authorizing funds for local public 
works employment, an amendment to mandate expenditure of already 
appropriated funds (as a purported disapproval of deferral of such funds 
under the Impoundment Control Act) and to set discount rates for 
reclamation and public works projects, subjects within the jurisdictions 
of the Committees on Appropriations and Interior and Insular Affairs 
(now Resources) (May 3, 1977, p. 13242); to a bill reported from the 
Committee on Armed Services authorizing military procurement and 
personnel strengths for one fiscal year, a proposition imposing 
permanent prohibitions and conditions on troop withdrawals from the 
Republic of Korea since including statements of policy within the 
jurisdiction of the Committee on Foreign Affairs (now International 
Relations) (May 24, 1978, pp. 15293-95); to a bill reported from the 
Committee on Government Operations (now Government Reform) creating a 
new department, transferring the administration of existing laws to it, 
and authorizing appropriations to carry out the Act subject to 
provisions in existing law, an amendment prohibiting the use of funds so 
authorized to carry out a designated funding program transferred to the 
department, where the purpose of the authorization is to allow 
appropriations in general appropriation bills for the department to 
carry out its functions but where changes in the laws to be administered 
by the department remain within the jurisdiction of other committees of 
the House (June 19, 1979, p. 15570); to a bill reported by the Committee 
on Public Works (now Transportation and Infrastructure) authorizing 
funds for highway construction and mass transportation systems using 
motor vehicles, an amendment relating to urban mass transit (then within 
the jurisdiction of the Committee on Banking and Currency, now Banking 
and Financial Services) and the railroad industry (then within the 
jurisdiction of the Committee on Interstate and Foreign Com

[[Page 673]]

merce, now Commerce) (Oct. 5, 1972, p. 34115); to a bill reported from 
the Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs (now Resources) 
designating certain areas in a State as wilderness, an amendment 
providing unemployment benefits to workers displaced by the designation 
(a subject in the jurisdiction of other committees) (Mar. 21, 1983, p. 
6347); to a bill reported from the Committee on Science and Technology 
(now Science) authorizing environmental research and development 
activities of an agency, an amendment expressing the sense of Congress 
with respect to that agency's regulatory and enforcement authority, 
within the jurisdiction of the Committee on Energy and Commerce (now 
Commerce) (Feb. 9, 1984, p. 2423); to a bill authorizing environmental 
research and development activities of an agency for two years, an 
amendment adding permanent regulatory authority for that agency by 
amending a law not within the jurisdiction of the committee reporting 
the bill (June 4, 1987, p. 14757); to a bill reported

[[Page 674]]

from the Committee on Education and Labor (now Education and the 
Workforce) dealing with education, an amendment regulating telephone 
communications (a matter within the jurisdiction of the Committee on 
Energy and Commerce, now Commerce) (Apr. 19, 1988, p. 7355); to a bill 
addressing various research programs and authorities, an amendment 
addressing matters of fiscal and economic policy and regulation (July 
16, 1991, p. 18391; Sept. 22, 1992, pp. 26734, 26741); to a bill 
reported from the Committee on Armed Services amending several laws 
within that committee's jurisdiction on military procurement and policy, 
an amendment to the Renegotiation Act, a matter within the jurisdiction 
of the Committee on Banking, Finance and Urban Affairs (now Banking and 
Financial Services) and not solely related to military contracts (June 
26, 1985, pp. 17417-19) and an amendment requiring reports on Soviet 
Union compliance with arms control commitments, a matter exclusively 
within the jurisdiction of the Committee on Foreign Affairs (now 
International Relations) (Deschler-Brown Precedents, vol. 10, ch. 28, 
sec. 4.26); to a bill reported from the Committee on Energy and Commerce 
(now Commerce), relating to mentally ill individuals, an amendment 
prohibiting the use of general revenue sharing funds (within the 
jurisdiction of the Committee on Government Operations, now Government 
Reform) (Jan. 30, 1986, p. 1053); to a bill reported from the Committee 
on Merchant Marine and Fisheries (now Transportation and Infrastructure) 
authorizing various activities of the Coast Guard, an amendment urging 
the Secretary of State in consultation with the Coast Guard to elicit 
cooperation from other nations concerning certain Coast Guard and 
military operations (a matter within the jurisdiction of the Committee 
on Foreign Affairs, now International Relations) (July 8, 1987, p. 
19013); to a bill reported by the Committee on Banking, Finance and 
Urban Affairs (now Banking and Financial Services) dealing with housing 
and community development grant and credit programs, an amendment 
expressing the sense of Congress on tax policy (the deductibility of 
mortgage interest), a matter within the jurisdiction of the Committee on 
Ways and Means (Aug. 1, 1990, p. 21256); to a bill reported from the 
Committee on Education and Labor (now Education and the Workforce) 
authorizing a variety of civilian national service programs, an 
amendment establishing a contingent military service obligation (a 
matter within the selective service jurisdiction of the Committee on 
Armed Services) (July 28, 1993, p. 17398); to a bill reauthorizing 
programs administered by two agencies within one committee's 
jurisdiction, an amendment more general in scope affecting agencies 
within the jurisdiction of other committees (May 12, 1994, p. 10024); to 
a bill reported by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure 
reforming and privatizing Amtrak, an amendment rescinding previously 
appropriated funds for certain administrative expenses, a matter within 
the jurisdiction of the Committee on Appropriations (Nov. 30, 1995, p. 
----); to a measure expressing a sense of Congress with respect to the 
availability of public funds for expenses incurred in the evaluation of 
a problem, an amendment addressing legislative responses to that 
problem, within the jurisdiction of other committees (Feb. 4, 1998, p. 
----); to a bill reported from Government Reform and Oversight proposing 
to alter responsibilities of executive branch agencies under an existing 
law, an amendment proposing to extend the application of that law to 
entities of the legislative branch, a matter within the jurisdiction of 
the Committee on House Administration (Mar. 12, 1998, p. ----); to a 
resolution authorizing the deployment of troops to implement a peace 
agreement within the jurisdiction of the Committee on International 
Relations, an amendment expressing support for the armed forces carrying 
such mission within the jurisdiction of both the Committees on Armed 
Services and International Relations (Mar. 11, 1999, p. ----).


Sec. 934. Committee jurisdiction as test of 
germaneness.

  An  amendment when considered as a whole should be within the 
jurisdiction of the committee reporting the bill (Jan. 29, 1976, p. 
1582; July 25, 1979, pp. 20601-03; June 27, 1985, pp. 17417-19), 
although committee jurisdiction over the subject of an amendment and of 
the original bill is not the exclusive test of germaneness (Aug. 2, 
1973, pp. 27673-75), and the Chair relates the amendment to the bill in 
its perfected form (Aug. 17, 1972, p. 28913). Thus, the following are 
not germane: To a bill reported from the Committee on Agriculture 
providing price support programs for


  Committee jurisdiction is not the sole test of germaneness where: (1) 
the proposition to which the amendment is offered is so comprehensive 
(overlapping several committees' jurisdictions) as to diminish the 
pertinency of that test; (2) the amendment does not demonstrably affect 
a law within another committee's jurisdiction (July 21, 1976, p. 23167; 
Oct. 8, 1985, pp. 26548-51); (3) the portion of the bill also contains 
language, related to the amendment, not within the jurisdiction of the 
committee reporting the bill (Apr. 2, 1976, p. 9254; Aug. 10, 1984, p. 
23975); or (4) the bill has been amended to include matter within the 
jurisdiction of another committee thus permitting further similar 
amendments to be germane (July 11, 1985, p. 18601; Sept. 19, 1986, p. 
24769). Thus, to a bill reported from the Committee on Agriculture 
relating to the food stamp program, an amendment requiring the 
collection from certain recipients of the money value of food stamps 
received, by the Secretary of the Treasury after consultation with the 
Secretary of Agriculture, was held not germane since the performance of 
new duties by the Secretary of the Treasury and by the Internal Revenue 
Service that do not affect the application of the Internal Revenue Code, 
is not a matter solely within the jurisdiction of the Committee on Ways 
and Means (July 27, 1977, pp. 25249-52).


[[Page 675]]

law in the jurisdiction of another committee, an amendment directly 
changing the separate law to extend its benefits to merchant mariners 
was held not germane (Sept. 9, 1992, p. 23951); but where the pending 
bill incorporates by reference provisions of a law from another 
committee and conditions the bill's effectiveness upon actions taken 
pursuant to a section of that law, an amendment to alter that section of 
the law may be germane (Apr. 8, 1974, pp. 10108-10).
  To a bill amending an existing law to grant to merchant mariners 
benefits substantially equivalent to those granted to veterans in a 
separate

  The test of the germaneness of an amendment in the nature of a 
substitute for a bill is its relationship to the bill as a whole, and is 
not necessarily determined by the content of an incidental portion of 
the amendment which, if considered separately, might be within the 
jurisdiction of another committee (Aug. 2, 1973, p. 27673; June 1, 1976, 
pp. 16021-25). However, the House may by adopting a special rule allow a 
point of order that a section of a committee amendment in the nature of 
a substitute would not have been germane if offered separately to the 
bill as introduced (May 23, 1978, pp. 15094-96; May 24, 1978, pp. 15293-
95; Aug. 11, 1978, p. 25705).

  The fact that an amendment is offered in conjunction with a motion to 
recommit a bill with instructions does not affect the requirement that 
the subject matter of the amendment be germane and within the 
jurisdiction of the committee reporting the bill (Mar. 2, 1967, p. 
5155). Thus the following are not germane: to a bill reported from the 
Committee on Foreign Affairs (now International Relations) addressing 
U.S. claims against Iraq, a motion to recommit with instructions to 
prohibit the admission of former members of Iraq's armed forces to the 
United States as refugees (a matter within the jurisdiction of the 
Committee on the Judiciary) is not germane (Apr. 28, 1994, p. 8803); and 
to a bill amending a law reported by the Committee on Banking and 
Financial Services opposing concessional loans to a country and 
outlining principles governing the conduct of industrial cooperation 
projects of U.S. nationals in that country, an amendment proposed in a 
motion to recommit waiving provisions of other law by requiring changes 
in tariff schedules to achieve overall trade reciprocity between that 
country and the United States, a subject within the jurisdiction of the 
Committee on Ways and Means (Nov. 6, 1997, p. ----).


[[Page 676]]

for the appointment of a select committee to investigate a certain 
subject, an amendment proposing an inquiry of the executive on that 
subject (V, 5891); to a bill granting a right of way to a railroad, an 
amendment providing for the purchase of the railroad by the Government 
(V, 5887); to a provision for the erection of a building for a mint, an 
amendment to change the coinage laws (V, 5884); to a resolution 
proposing expulsion, an amendment proposing censure (VI, 236); to a 
resolution authorizing the administration of the oath to a Member-elect, 
an amendment authorizing such oath administration but adding several 
conditions of punishment predicated on acts committed in a prior 
Congress (Jan. 3, 1969, pp. 23-25); to a general tariff bill, an 
amendment creating a tariff board (May 6, 1913, p. 1234; Speaker Clark, 
May 8, 1913, p. 1381); to a proposition to sell two battleships and 
build a new battleship with the proceeds, a proposition to devote the 
proceeds to building wagon roads (VIII, 2973); to a bill authorizing a 
State attorney general to bring a civil action in Federal court against 
a person who has violated a State law regulating intoxicating liquor, an 
amendment singling out certain violations of liquor laws on the basis of 
their regard for any and all firearms issues (Aug. 3, 1999, p.----).


Sec. 935. Various tests of germaneness are not 
exclusive.

  The  standards by which the germaneness of an amendment may be 
measured, as set forth in Sec. Sec. 932-934, supra, are not exclusive; 
an amendment and the matter to which offered may be related to some 
degree under the tests of subject matter, purpose, and jurisdiction, and 
still not be considered germane under the precedents. Thus, the 
following have been held not to be germane: To a proposition relating to 
the terms of Senators, an amendment changing the manner of their 
election (V, 5882); to a bill relating to commerce between the States, 
an amendment relating to commerce within the several States (V, 5841); 
to a proposition to relieve destitute citizens of the United States in 
Cuba, a proposition declaring a state of war in Cuba and proclaiming 
neutrality (V, 5897); to a proposition



[[Page 677]]

for the relief of other persons who are not aliens (May 14, 1975, p. 
14360); to a bill providing relief for agricultural producers, an 
amendment extending such relief to commercial fishermen, another class 
within the jurisdiction of another committee (Apr. 24, 1978, p. 11080); 
to a bill governing the political activities of Federal civilian 
employees, an amendment to cover members of the uniformed services (June 
7, 1977, p. 17713); to a bill covering the civil service system for 
Federal civilian employees, an amendment bringing other classes of 
employees (postal and District of Columbia employees) within the scope 
of the bill (Sept. 7, 1978, pp. 28437-39; Oct. 9, 1985, pp. 26951-54); 
to a portion of an appropriation bill containing funds for a certain 
purpose to be expended by one agency, an amendment containing funds for 
another agency for the same purpose (July 24, 1981, p. 17226); to an 
amendment exempting national defense budget authority from the reach of 
a proposed Presidential rescission authority, an amendment exempting 
social security (Feb. 2, 1995, p. 5501); to a Senate amendment striking 
an earmarking from an appropriation bill, a House amendment reinserting 
part of the amount but adding other earmarking for unrelated programs 
(Nov. 15, 1989, p. 29019); to a Senate amendment relating to a 
feasibility study of a land transfer in one State, a House amendment 
requiring an environmental study of land in another State (Nov. 15, 
1989, p. 29035); to a bill prohibiting certain uses of polygraphy in the 
private sector, an amendment applying the terms of the bill to the 
Congress (Nov. 4, 1987, p. 30870); to a bill to determine the 
equitability of Federal pay practices under statutory systems applicable 
to agencies of the executive branch, an amendment to extend the scope of 
the determination to pay practices in the legislative branch (ruling 
sustained by Committee of Whole, Sept. 28, 1988, p. 26422); to a special 
appropriation bill providing funds and authority for agricultural credit 
programs but containing no transfers of funds, reappropriations, or 
rescissions, an amendment (contained in a motion to recommit) deriving 
funds for the bill by transfer of unobligated balances in the Energy 
Security Reserve and thus decreasing and transferring funds provided for 
a program unrelated to the subject matter or method of funding provided 
in the bill (Feb. 28, 1985, p. 4146); to a bill prohibiting importation 
of goods made in whole or in part by convict, pauper, or detained labor, 
or made in whole or in part from materials that have been made in whole 
or in part in any manner manipulated by convict or prison labor, an 
amendment prohibiting importation of goods produced by child labor, a 
second discrete class (VIII, 2963); similarly, to an amendment 
authorizing grants to States for purchase of one class of equipment 
(photographic and fingerprint equipment) for law enforcement purposes, 
an amendment including assistance for the purchase of a different class 
of equipment (bulletproof vests) (Oct. 12, 1979, pp. 28121-24); to a 
bill repealing section 14(b) of the National Labor Relations Act and 
making conforming changes in two related sections of labor law--all 
pertaining solely to the so-called ``right-to-work'' issue--an amendment 
excluding from the applicability of certain labor-management agreements

[[Page 678]]

members of religious groups (July 28, 1965, p. 18633); to a bill 
relating to the design of certain coin currency, an amendment specifying 
the metal content of other coin currency (Sept. 12, 1973, p. 29376); to 
a proposition to accomplish a single purpose without amending a certain 
existing law, an amendment to accomplish another individual purpose by 
changing that existing law (Dec. 14, 1973, pp. 41723-25); to a bill 
regulating poll closing time in Presidential general elections, an 
amendment extending its provisions to Presidential primary elections 
(Jan. 29, 1986, p. 684); to a bill authorizing grants to private 
entities furnishing health care to underserved populations, an amendment 
authorizing grants to States to control a public health hazard was held 
not germane as relating to a different category of recipient (Mar. 5, 
1986, p. 3604); to a bill siting a certain type of repository for a 
specified kind of nuclear waste, an amendment prohibiting the 
construction at another site of another type of repository for another 
kind of nuclear waste (July 21, 1992, p. 18718); to a bill addressing 
violent crimes, an amendment addressing nonviolent crimes, such as 
crimes of fraud and deception or crimes against the environment (May 7, 
1996, pp. 10342, 10343); to a bill naming a facility after a specific 
person, an amendment proposing to substitute the name of a different 
person is not germane (VIII, 2955) where it could not be shown that the 
amendment intended a return to the facility's existing designation (Feb. 
4, 1998, p. ----); to a joint resolution addressing whether public funds 
should be available for specified endeavors of one group, an amendment 
addressing the same question for unrelated endeavors of another group 
(Feb. 4, 1998, p. ----); to a bill proposing to alter responsibilities 
of executive branch agencies under an existing law, an amendment 
proposing to extend the application of that law to entities of the 
legislative branch (Mar. 12, 1998. p. ----).


Sec. 936. One individual proposition not germane to 
another.

  One  individual proposition may not be amended by another 
individual proposition even though the two belong to the same class 
(VIII, 2951-2953, 2963-2966, 3047; Jan. 29, 1986, p. 684; Oct. 22, 1990, 
p. 32346; Oct. 24, 1991, p. 28561). Thus, the following are not germane: 
To a bill proposing the admission of one territory into the Union, an 
amendment for admission of another territory (V, 5529); to a bill 
amending a law in one particular, amending the law in another particular 
(VIII, 2949); to a proposition to appropriate or to authorize 
appropriations for only one year (and containing no provisions extending 
beyond that year), an amendment to extend the authorization or 
appropriation to another year (VIII, 2913; Nov. 13, 1980, pp. 29523-28; 
see also May 2, 1979, p. 9564; Oct. 12, 1979, pp. 28097-99); to a 
measure earmarking funds in an appropriation bill, an amendment 
authorizing the program for which the appropriation is made (Nov. 15, 
1989, p. 29019); to a bill for the relief of one individual, an 
amendment proposing similar relief for another (V, 5826-5829); to a 
resolution providing a special order for one bill, an amendment to 
include another bill (V, 5834-5836); to a provision for extermination of 
the cotton-boll weevil, an amendment including the gypsy moth (V, 5832); 
to a provision for a clerk for one committee, an amendment for a clerk 
to another committee (V, 5833); to a Senate amendment dealing with use 
of its contingent fund for art restoration in that body, a proposed 
House amendment for use of the House contingent fund for a similar but 
broader purpose (May 24, 1990, p. 12203); to a bill prohibiting 
transportation of messages relative to dealing in cotton futures, an 
amendment adding wheat, corn, etc. (VIII, 3001); to a bill prohibiting 
cotton futures, an amendment prohibiting wheat futures (VIII, 3001); to 
a bill for the relief of certain aliens, an amendment



[[Page 679]]

7446); to a bill to enable the Department of HEW to investigate and 
prosecute fraud and abuse in medicare and medicaid health programs, an 
amendment to prohibit any officer or employee from disclosing any 
identifiable medical record absent patient approval (Sept. 23, 1977, pp. 
30534-35); to an amendment to a budget resolution changing one 
functional category only, an amendment changing several other categories 
and covering an additional fiscal year (May 2, 1979, pp. 9556-64); to a 
bill authorizing funds for radio broadcasting to Cuba, an amendment 
broadening the bill to include broadcasting to all dictatorships in the 
Caribbean Basin (Aug. 10, 1982, p. 20256); to a bill relating to 
aircraft altitude over units of the National Park System, an amendment 
relating to aircraft collision avoidance generally (Sept. 18, 1986, p. 
24084); to a proposition prohibiting the use of funds appropriated for a 
fiscal year for a specified purpose, an amendment prohibiting the use of 
funds appropriated for that or any prior fiscal year for an unrelated 
purpose is not germane (June 30, 1987, p. 18294); to a proposition 
providing for a training vessel for one state maritime academy, an 
amendment relating to training vessels for all state maritime academies 
is not germane (June 30, 1987, p. 18296); to a proposition waiving a 
requirement in existing law that an authorizing law be enacted prior to 
the obligation of certain funds, an amendment affirmatively enacting 
bills containing not only that authorization but also other policy 
matters (Sept. 28, 1988, p. 26108); to a proposition pertaining only to 
a certain appropriation account in a bill, an amendment relating not 
only to that account but also to funds in other acts (Sept. 30, 1988, p. 
27148); to a proposition raising an employment ceiling for one year, an 
amendment proposing also to address in permanent law a hiring preference 
system for such employees (Oct. 11, 1989, p. 24089); to an omnibus farm 
bill, with myriad programs to improve agricultural economy, an amendment 
to the Animal Welfare Act but not limited to agricultural pursuits (Aug. 
1, 1990, p. 21573); to a bill authorizing Federal funding for qualifying 
State national service programs, an amendment conditioning a portion of 
such funding on the enactment of State laws immunizing volunteers in 
nonprofit or public programs, generally, from certain legal liabilities 
(July 28, 1993, p. 17401); to an amendment addressing particular 
educational requirements imposed on educational agencies by the 
underlying bill, an amendment addressing any requirements imposed on 
educational agencies by the underlying bill (Mar. 21, 1994, p. 5771); to 
a bill reauthorizing programs administered by the Economic Development 
Administration and the Appalachian Regional Commission, an amendment 
providing for the waiver of any Federal regulation that would interfere 
with economic development (May 12, 1994, p. 10024); to a bill 
prohibiting a certain class of abortion procedures, an amendment 
prohibiting any or all abortion procedures (Mar. 20, 1997, p. ----); and 
to a bill addressing a class of imported goods (those produced by forced 
labor), an amendment addressing all imported goods from one specified 
country (Nov. 5, 1997, p. ----).

[[Page 680]]



Sec. 937. A general provision not germane to a specific 
subject.

  A  specific subject may not be amended by a provision general in 
nature, even when of the class of the specific subject (V, 5843-5846; 
VIII, 2997, 2998; July 31, 1985, pp. 21832-34; see also Procedure, ch. 
28, sec. 8). Thus the following are not germane: To a bill for the 
admission of one territory into the Union, an amendment providing for 
the admission of several other territories (V, 5837); to a bill relating 
to all corporations engaged in interstate commerce, an amendment 
relating to all corporations (V, 5842); to a bill proscribing certain 
picketing in the District of Columbia, an amendment making the 
provisions thereof applicable throughout the United States (Aug. 22, 
1966, p. 20113); to a joint resolution proposing an amendment to the 
Constitution prohibiting the United States or any State from denying 
persons 18 years of age or older the right to vote, an amendment 
requiring the United States and all States to treat persons 18 years and 
older as having reached the age of majority for all purposes under the 
law (Mar. 23, 1971, p. 7567); to a bill dealing with enforcement of 
United Nations sanctions against one country in relation to a specific 
trade commodity, an amendment imposing United States sanctions against 
all countries for all commodities and communications (Mar. 14, 1977, p.


  To a bill limited in its applicability to certain departments and 
agencies of government, an amendment applicable to all departments and 
agencies is not germane (Sept. 27, 1967, p. 26957). Thus, the following 
are not germane: to a bill establishing an office without regulatory 
authority in the Department of the Interior to manage biological 
information, an amendment addressing requirements of compensation for 
constitutional takings by other regulatory agencies (Oct. 26, 1993, p. 
26076); to a bill amending an authority of an agency under an existing 
law, an amendment independently expressing the sense of Congress on 
regulatory agencies generally (May 14, 1992, p. 11287); to a proposition 
authorizing activities of certain government agencies for a temporary 
period, an amendment permanently changing existing law to cover a 
broader range of government activities (May 5, 1988, p. 9938); and to a 
joint resolution continuing funding within one executive department, 
neither an amendment addressing funding for other departments nor one 
addressing the compensation of Federal employees on government-wide 
bases (Dec. 20, 1995, pp. ----, ----).

  To a bill modifying an existing law as to one specific particular, an 
amendment relating to the terms of the law other than those dealt with 
by the bill is not germane (V, 5806-5808). Thus, the following are not 
germane: to a bill amending the war-time prohibition act in one 
particular, an amendment repealing that act (VIII, 2949); to a 
proposition temporarily suspending certain requirements of the Clean Air 
Act, an amendment temporarily suspending other requirements of all other 
environmental protection laws (Dec. 14, 1973, p. 41751); to an amendment 
striking from a bill one activity from those covered by the law being 
amended, a substitute striking out the entire subsection of the bill, 
thereby eliminating the applicability of existing law to a number of 
activities (Sept. 23, 1982, p. 24963); to a bill amending an existing 
law to authorize a program, an amendment restricting authorizations 
under that or any other act (Dec. 10, 1987, p. 34676); to a bill 
proposing a temporary change in law, an amendment making permanent 
changes in that law (Nov. 19, 1991, p. 32893); and to a bill amending an 
existing law in one particular, an amendment amending other laws and 
more comprehensive in scope (Nov. 19, 1993, pp. 30513, 30515, 30517).


[[Page 681]]

  A bill dealing with an individual proposition but rendered general in 
its scope by amendment is then subject to further amendment by 
propositions of the same class (VIII, 3003). While a specific 
proposition covering a defined class may not be amended by a proposition 
more general in scope, the Chair may consider all pending provisions 
being read for amendment in determining the generality of the class 
covered by that proposition (Jan. 30, 1986, p. 1051).


[[Page 682]]

of the Senate amendment to additional borrowers within the same class 
was held germane (June 30, 1987, p. 18308). To an amendment addressing a 
range of criminal prohibitions, an amendment addressing another criminal 
prohibition within that range was held germane (Oct. 17, 1991, p. 
26767). To a bill addressing violent crimes, an amendment addressing 
violent crimes involving the environment was held germane (May 7, 1996, 
p. 10344).


Sec. 938. Specific subjects germane to general propositions 
of the class.

  A  general subject may be amended by specific propositions 
of the same class (VIII, 3002, 3009, 3012; see also Procedure, ch. 28, 
sec. 9). Thus, the following have been held to be germane: To a bill 
admitting several territories into the Union, an amendment adding 
another territory (V, 5838); to a bill providing for the construction of 
buildings in each of two cities, an amendment providing for similar 
buildings in several other cities (V, 5840); to a resolution embodying 
two distinct phases of international relationship, an amendment 
embodying a third (V, 5839); to an amendment prohibiting indirect 
assistance to several countries, an amendment to include additional 
countries within that prohibition (Aug. 3, 1978, p. 24244); and to a 
portion of a bill providing two categories of economic assistance to 
foreign countries, an amendment adding a further specific category is 
germane (Apr. 9, 1979, pp. 7755-57). And where a bill seeks to 
accomplish a general purpose (support of arts and humanities) by diverse 
methods, an amendment that adds a specific method to accomplish that 
result (artist employment through National Endowment for the Arts) may 
be germane (Apr. 26, 1976, p. 11101; see also June 12, 1979, p. 14460). 
But to a resolution authorizing a class of employees in the service of 
the House, an amendment providing for the employment of a specified 
individual was held not to be germane (V, 5848-5849). To a proposition 
relating in many diverse respects to the political rights of the people 
of the District of Columbia, an amendment conferring upon that 
electorate the additional right of electing a nonvoting Delegate to the 
Senate was held germane (Oct. 10, 1973, p. 33656). To a bill bringing 
two new categories within the coverage of existing law, an amendment to 
include a third category of the same class was held germane (Nov. 27, 
1967, p. 33769). To a bill containing definitions of several of the 
terms used therein, an amendment modifying one of the definitions and 
adding another may be germane (Sept. 26, 1967, p. 26878). To a bill 
authorizing a broad program of research and development, an amendment 
directing specific emphasis in the administration of the program is 
germane (Dec. 19, 1973, p. 42607). To a bill providing for investigation 
of relationships between environmental pollution and cancer, an 
amendment to investigate the impact of personal health habits, such as 
cigarette smoking, on that relationship was held germane (Sept. 15, 
1976, pp. 30496-98). To a supplemental appropriation bill containing 
funds for several departments and agencies, an amendment in the form of 
a new chapter providing funds for capital outlays for subway 
construction in the District of Columbia was held germane (May 11, 1971, 
p. 14437). To a proposal authorizing military procurement, including 
purchase of food supplies, an amendment authorizing establishment that 
fiscal year of a military preparedness grain reserve was held germane as 
a more specific authorization (July 20, 1982, pp. 17073, 17074, 17092, 
17093). To a Senate amendment providing for prepayment of loans by those 
within a certain class of borrowers who meet a specified criterion, a 
proposed House amendment eliminating the criterion to broaden the 
applicability



[[Page 683]]

p. 34090); to a general appropriation bill providing funds for one 
fiscal year, an amendment changing a permanent appropriation in existing 
law and changing congressional procedures for consideration of that 
general appropriation bill in future years is more general in scope and 
in part within the jurisdiction of the Committee on Rules and therefore 
is not germane (June 29, 1987, p. 18083); and to a temporary 
authorization bill prescribing the use of an agency's funds for two 
years but not amending permanent law, an amendment permanently changing 
the organic law governing that agency's operations is not germane (Dec. 
2, 1982, p. 28537, concerning Sept. 28, 1982, p. 25465). However, to a 
bill authorizing appropriations for a department for one fiscal year, 
where the effect of the department's activities pursuant to that 
authorization may extend beyond such year, an amendment directing a 
specific use of those funds to perform an activity that may not be 
completed within the fiscal year was nevertheless germane, since limited 
to funds in the bill (Oct. 18, 1979, p. 28763). Similarly, to a one-year 
authorization bill containing diverse limitations and directions to the 
agency in question during such year, an amendment further directing the 
agency to obtain information from the private sector, and to make such 
information public during such year, was held germane (Oct. 18, 1979, 
pp. 28815-17). While an amendment making a permanent change in existing 
law has been held not germane to a bill proposing a temporary change in 
that law, where it is apparent that the fundamental purpose of the 
amendment is to have only temporary effect and to accomplish the same 
result as the bill it may be germane. Thus to a bill providing a 
temporary extension of existing authority, an amendment achieving the 
same purpose by providing a nominally permanent authority was held 
germane where both the bill and the amendment were based on reported 
economic projections under which either would achieve the same, 
necessarily temporary result by method of direct or indirect amendment 
to the same existing law (May 13, 1987, p. 12344). However, to a 
proposal continuing the availability of appropriated funds and also 
imposing diverse legislative conditions upon the availability of 
appropriations, an amendment directly and permanently changing existing 
law as to the eligibility of recipients of funds was held to be 
nongermane (Dec. 10, 1981, pp. 30536-38). To a bill extending an 
existing law in modified form, an amendment proposing further 
modification of that law may be germane (Apr. 23, 1969, p. 10067; Feb. 
19, 1975, p. 3596). But to a bill amending a law in one particular, an 
amendment repealing the law is not germane (Jan. 14, 1964, p. 423). To a 
bill amending a general law in several particulars, an amendment 
providing for the repeal of the whole law was held germane (V, 5824), 
but the bill amending the law must so vitally affect the whole law as to 
bring the entire act under consideration before the Chair will hold an 
amendment repealing the law or amending any section of the law germane 
to the bill (VIII, 2944; Apr. 2, 1924, p. 5437). Where a bill repeals a 
provision of law, an amendment modifying that provision rather than 
repealing it may be germane (Oct. 30, 1969, p. 32466); but the 
modification must

[[Page 684]]

relate to the provision of law being repealed (July 28, 1965, p. 18636). 
Generally to a bill amending one existing law, an amendment changing the 
provisions of another law or prohibiting assistance under any other law 
is not germane (May 11, 1976, p. 13419; Aug. 12, 1992, p. 23238). To a 
bill amending the Bretton Woods Act in relation to the International 
Monetary Fund, an amendment prohibiting the alienation of gold to the 
IMF or to any other international organization or its agents was held 
not germane (July 27, 1976, p. 24040). However, to a bill 
comprehensively amending several laws within the same class, an 
amendment further amending one of those laws on a subject within that 
class is germane (May 12, 1976, p. 13530); and to a bill authorizing 
funding for the intelligence community for one fiscal year and making 
diverse changes in permanent laws relating thereto, an amendment 
changing another permanent law to address accountability for 
intelligence activities was held germane (Oct. 17, 1990, p. 30171). To a 
title of a bill dealing with a number of unrelated authorities of the 
Secretary of Agriculture, an amendment amending another act within the 
jurisdiction of the Committee on Agriculture to require the adoption of 
a minimum standard for the contents of ice cream was held germane since 
restricted to the authority of the Secretary of Agriculture (July 22, 
1977, pp. 24558-70). But to a section of a bill amending a section of 
the National Labor Relations Act dealing with procedural rules governing 
labor elections and organizations, an amendment changing the same 
section of law to require promulgation of rules defining certain conduct 
as an unfair labor practice was held not germane, where neither the 
pending section nor the bill itself addressed the subject of unfair 
labor practices dealt with in another section of the law (Oct. 5, 1977, 
p. 32507). To a bill narrowly amending one subsection of existing law 
dealing with one specific criminal activity, an amendment postponing the 
effective date of the entire section, affecting other criminal 
provisions and classes of persons as well as the one amended by the 
bill, or an amendment to another subsection of the law dealing with a 
related but separate prohibition was held not germane (May 16, 1979, pp. 
11470-72), but to an amendment adding sundry punitive sections to the 
Federal criminal code, an amendment creating an exception to the 
prohibition of another such section was held germane (Oct. 17, 1991, p. 
26767).


Sec. 939. Amendments to bills amending existing law.

  To  a 
bill amending a general law on a specific point an amendment relating to 
the terms of the law rather than to those of the bill was ruled not to 
be germane (V, 5808; VIII, 2707, 2708); thus a bill amending several 
sections of one title of the United States Code does not necessarily 
bring the entire title under consideration so as to permit an amendment 
to any portion thereof (Oct. 11, 1967, p. 28649), and where a bill 
amends existing law in one narrow particular, an amendment proposing to 
modify such existing law in other particulars will generally be ruled 
out as not germane (Aug. 16, 1967, p. 22768; VIII, 2709, 2839, 3013, 
3031; May 12, 1976, p. 13532). To a bill narrowly amending an anti-
discrimination provision in the Education Amendments of 1972 only to 
clarify the definition of a discriminating entity subject to the 
statutory penalties (denial of Federal funding), amendments re-defining 
a class of discrimination (sex), expanding the definition of persons who 
are the subject of discrimination (to include the unborn), and deeming a 
new entity (Congress) to be a recipient of Federal assistance (a class 
not necessarily covered by the class covered by the bill), were ruled 
not to be germane (June 26, 1984, pp. 18847, 18857, 18861). But to the 
same bill, an amendment merely defining a word used in the bill was held 
germane (June 26, 1984, p. 18865). Unless a bill so extensively amends 
existing law as to open up the entire law to amendment, the germaneness 
of an amendment to the bill depends on its relationship to the subject 
of the bill and not to the entire law being amended (Oct. 28, 1975, p. 
34031). But a bill amending several sections of an existing law may be 
sufficiently broad to permit amendments that are germane to other 
sections of that law not mentioned in the bill (Feb. 19, 1975, p. 3596; 
Sept. 14, 1978, p. 29487). To a bill continuing and re-enacting an 
existing law amendments germane to the existing act sought to be 
continued have been held germane to the pending bill (VIII, 2940, 2941, 
2950, 3028; Oct. 31, 1963, p. 20728; June 1, 1976, p. 16045); but where 
a bill merely extends an official's authority under existing law, an 
amendment permanently amending that law has been held not in order 
(Sept. 29, 1969, pp. 27341-43). Thus where a bill authorized 
appropriations to an agency for one year but did not amend the organic 
law by extending the existence of that agency, an amendment extending 
the life of another entity mentioned in the organic law was held not 
germane (May 20, 1976, p. 14912). An amendment making permanent changes 
in the law relating to organization of an agency is not germane to a 
title of a bill only authorizing appropriations for such agency for one 
fiscal year (Nov. 29, 1979,



[[Page 685]]

bill authorizing funds for military procurement and construction, an 
amendment declaring that none of the funds be used to carry out military 
operations in North Vietnam (Mar. 2, 1967, p. 5143); an amendment to an 
authorization bill that conditions the expenditure of funds covered by 
the bill by restricting their availability during months in which there 
is an increase in the public debt, as long as the amendment does not 
directly affect other provisions of law or impose contingencies 
textually predicated upon other unrelated actions of Congress (Sept. 25, 
1979, pp. 26150-52); an amendment proposing a conditional restriction on 
the availability of funds to carry out an activity, that merely requires 
observation of similar activities of another country, which similar 
conduct already constitutes the policy basis for the funding of that 
governmental activity (May 16, 1984, p. 12510); an amendment restricting 
the payment of Federal funds in a bill to States that enact certain laws 
relating to the activities being funded (July 28, 1993, p. 17403); an 
amendment that conditions the availability of funds authorized in the 
bill by adopting as a measure of their availability the expenditure 
during the fiscal year of a comparable percentage of funds authorized by 
other acts as long as the amendment does not directly affect the use of 
other funds (July 26, 1973, p. 26210); to a bill authorizing certain 
housing programs, an amendment restricting the amounts of direct 
spending in the bill to the levels set in the concurrent resolution on 
the budget as merely a measure of availability of funds in the bill and 
not a provision directly affecting the congressional budget process 
(June 11, 1987, p. 15540); to a proposition restricting the availability 
of funds to a certain category of recipients, an amendment further 
restricting the availability of funds to a subcategory of the same 
recipients (Sept. 25, 1979, pp. 26135-43); to a bill authorizing 
appropriations for an agency, an amendment prohibiting the use of funds 
for any purpose to which the funds may otherwise be applied (Nov. 5, 
1981, p. 26716); an amendment that conditions the availability of funds 
covered by a bill by adopting as a measure of their availability the 
monthly increases in the public debt as long as the amendment does not 
directly affect other provisions of law or impose unrelated 
contingencies (Sept. 25, 1979, pp. 26150-52); to a bill authorizing 
defense assistance to a foreign nation, an amendment delaying the 
availability of that assistance until that nation's former ambassador 
testified before a House committee, which had been directed by the House 
to investigate gifts by that nation's representatives to influence 
Members and employees, as a contingency that sought to compel the 
furnishing of information related to efforts to induce defense 
assistance to that nation (Aug. 2, 1978, p. 23932); to a provision 
authorizing funds for a fiscal year, an amendment restricting the 
availability of funds appropriated pursuant thereto for a specified 
purpose until enactment of a subsequent law authorizing that purpose 
(July 21, 1983, p. 20198); to a bill authorizing humanitarian and 
evacuation assistance to war refugees, an amendment making such 
authorization contingent on a report to Congress on costs of a portion 
of the evacuation program (but not requiring implementation of any new

[[Page 686]]

program) (Apr. 23, 1975, p. 11529); and to an amendment precluding the 
availability of an authorization for part of a fiscal year and then 
permitting availability for the remainder of the year based upon a 
contingency, an amendment constituting a prohibition on the availability 
of the same funds for the entire fiscal year (May 16, 1984, p. 12567).


Sec. 940. Amendments imposing conditions, 
qualifications, and limitations.

  Restrictions,  qualifications, and limitations 
sought to be added by way of amendment must be germane to the provisions 
of the bill. Conditioning the availability of funds may be germane if 
the condition is related to the general purpose and within the scope of 
the pending proposition (Deschler-Brown Precedents, vol. 11, ch. 28, 
secs. 29-34). Thus, the following are germane: to a bill authorizing the 
funding of a variety of programs that satisfy several stated 
requirements in order to accomplish a general purpose, an amendment 
conditioning the availability of those funds upon implementation by 
their recipients of another program related to that general purpose 
(June 18, 1973, p. 20100); to a


  On the other hand, the following conditions on the availability of 
funds are not germane: an amendment conditioning the use of funds on the 
conduct of congressional hearings addressing an unrelated subject (July 
22, 1994, p. 17613); to a proposition conditioning the availability of 
funds upon the enactment of an authorizing statute for the enforcing 
agency, a substitute conditioning the availability of some of those 
funds upon a prohibition of certain imports into the United States, a 
contingency unrelated to that to which offered (Nov. 7, 1985, p. 30984); 
to a bill authorizing funds for military assistance to certain foreign 
countries, an amendment to make the availability of those funds 
contingent upon efforts by those countries to control narcotic traffic 
to the United States, and to authorize the President to offer the 
assistance of Federal agencies for that purpose, where the subjects of 
narcotics and the accessibility of Federal agencies are not contained in 
the bill (June 17, 1971, p. 20589); to a bill authorizing funds for 
foreign assistance, an amendment placing restrictions on funds 
authorized or appropriated in prior years (Aug. 24, 1967, p. 24002); to 
an amendment changing a dollar amount in a bill, a substitute therefor 
not only changing the figure but also restricting the use of any funds 
in furtherance of a certain activity (June 7, 1972, p. 19920); to a 
proposal to restrict availability of agency funds for a year and 
amending the organic law as it relates to the internal functions 
thereof, an amendment further restricting funding but also applying with 
respect to the use of funds in the bill provisions of criminal and other 
laws not applicable thereto (Oct. 26, 1989, p. 26269); to a provision 
prohibiting aid to a certain country unless certain conditions were met, 
an amendment prohibiting aid to another country until that nation took 
certain acts, and referring to funds provided in other acts (Nov. 17, 
1967, p. 32968); and an amendment conditioning the availability of funds 
to certain recipients based upon their compliance with Federal law not 
otherwise applicable to them and within the jurisdiction of other House 
committees (conditioning defense funds for procurement contracts with 
foreign contractors on their compliance with domestic law regarding 
discrimination) (June 16, 1983, p. 16060).


[[Page 687]]

enactment of certain revenue legislation (Oct. 25, 1979, p. 29639); to a 
bill authorizing radio broadcasting to Cuba, an amendment prohibiting 
the use of those funds until Congress has considered a constitutional 
amendment mandating a balanced budget (Aug. 10, 1982, p. 20250).
  An amendment delaying the availability of authorizations pending 
unrelated determinations involving agencies and committee jurisdictions 
not within the purview of the bill is also not germane (Feb. 7, 1973, p. 
3708; July 8, 1981, p. 15010; July 9, 1981, p. 15218). Thus, the 
following are not germane: to a bill authorizing military assistance to 
Israel and funds for a U.N. emergency force in the Middle East, an 
amendment postponing the availability of funds to Israel until the 
President certifies the existence of a designated level of domestic 
energy supplies (Dec. 11, 1973, p. 40837); an amendment delaying the 
availability of an appropriation pending the

  Similarly, while it may be in order on a general appropriation bill to 
delay the availability of certain funds therein if the contingency does 
not impose new duties on executive officials, the contingency must be 
related to the funds being withheld and cannot affect other funds in the 
bill not related to that factual situation (VII, 1596, 1600), may not be 
made applicable to a trust fund provided (IV, 4017), or may not be made 
applicable to money appropriated in other acts (IV, 3927, VIII, 1495, 
1597-1599). Thus, to a general appropriation bill containing funds not 
only for a former President but also for other departments and agencies, 
an amendment delaying the availability of all funds in the bill until 
the former President had made restitution of a designated amount of 
money is not germane (Oct. 2, 1974, p. 33620). On the other hand, to a 
general appropriation bill providing funds for the Department of 
Agriculture and including specific allocation of funds for pest control, 
an amendment was germane that prohibited the use of funds for use of 
pesticides prohibited by State or local law (May 26, 1969, p. 13753).

  It is not in order to amend a bill to delay the effectiveness of the 
legislation pending an unrelated contingency (VIII, 3035, 3037). Thus 
the following are not germane: An amendment delaying the bill's 
effectiveness pending unrelated determinations involving agencies and 
committee jurisdictions not within the purview of the bill (Feb. 7, 
1973, p. 3708; July 8, 1981, p. 15010; July 9, 1981, p. 15218); an 
amendment delaying the bill's effectiveness pending enactment of 
unrelated State legislation (June 29, 1967, p. 17921; July 28, 1993, p. 
17401); to a bill proposing relief for women and children in Germany, an 
amendment delaying the effectiveness of such relief until a soldier's 
compensation act shall have been enacted (VIII, 3035); to a bill naming 
an airport, an amendment conditioning the naming on approval by an 
entity without jurisdiction over the administration of the airport (Feb. 
4, 1998, p. ----). On the other hand, the following are germane: an 
amendment delaying operation of a proposed enactment pending an 
ascertainment of a fact when the fact to be ascertained relates to the 
subject matter of the bill (VIII, 3029; Dec. 15, 1982, pp. 30957-61); an 
amendment postponing the effective date of a title of a bill to a date 
certain (July 25, 1973, p. 25828); to a provision to become effective 
immediately, an amendment deferring the time at which it shall become 
effective, without involving affirmative legislation (VIII, 3030).


[[Page 688]]

official to prohibit the exportation of petroleum products for use in 
Indochina military operations (Dec. 14, 1973, p. 41753); to a provision 
conferring Presidential authority to establish priorities among users of 
petroleum products and requiring priority to education and 
transportation users, an amendment restricting such regulatory authority 
by requiring that petroleum products allocated for public school 
transportation be used only between the student's home and the closest 
school (Dec. 13, 1973, pp. 41267-69); to a bill extending the 
authorities of one government agency, including requirements for 
consultation with several other agencies, an amendment requiring that 
agency to perform a function based upon an analysis furnished by yet 
another agency, as an additional limitation on the authority of the 
agency being extended which did not separately mandate the performance 
of an unrelated function by another entity (July 27, 1978, p. 23107); to 
a proposition authorizing a program to be undertaken, a substitute 
providing for a study to determine the feasibility of undertaking the 
same type of program, as a more limited approach involving the same 
agency (June 26, 1985, pp. 17453, 17458, 17460) (in effect overruling 
VIII, 2989); and to a bill limiting an official's authority to construe 
legal authorities transferred to him in the bill, an amendment further 
restricting his authority to construe under any circumstances certain 
other laws to be administered by him (as an additional, although more 
restrictive, curtailment of existing authorities transferred by the 
bill) (June 11, 1979, pp. 14226-38).
  Where a proposition confers broad discretionary power on an executive 
official, an amendment is germane which directs that official to take 
certain actions in the exercise of the authority or proposes to limit 
such authority (VIII, 3022). Thus the following are germane: to an 
amendment in the nature of a substitute authorizing the Federal Energy 
Administrator to restrict exports of certain energy resources, an 
amendment directing that

  An amendment providing a privileged procedure for expedited review of 
an agency's regulations is not germane where the bill does not contain 
such procedures (Aug. 13, 1982, pp. 20969, 20975-78). On the other hand 
to a bill authorizing an agency to undertake certain activities, an 
amendment allowing Congress to disapprove regulations issued pursuant 
thereto if the disapproval mechanism does not amend the rules or 
procedures of the House is germane (May 4, 1976, p. 12348); and to a 
bill directing the furnishing of certain intelligence information to the 
House without amending any House procedure, an amendment imposing 
relevant conditions of security on the handling of such information in 
committee (also without amending any House procedure) for the period 
covered by the bill is also germane (June 11, 1991, p. 14204).


[[Page 689]]

ment conditioning benefits upon agreement by its recipient to be 
governed by certain safety regulations may be germane if related to the 
activity giving rise to the liability (July 29, 1987, p. 21448). On the 
other hand, it is not germane to condition or restrict assistance to a 
particular class of recipient upon a related contingency such as action 
or inaction by another class of recipient or agent not covered by the 
bill (Mar. 5, 1986, p. 3613).
  It is germane to condition or restrict assistance to a particular 
class of recipient covered by the underlying measure. Thus, the 
following are germane: to a bill providing aid to shipping, an amendment 
to limit such aid to ships equipped with saving devices (VIII, 3027), to 
a bill authorizing the insurance of vessels, an amendment denying such 
insurance to vessels charging exorbitant rates (VIII, 3023); to a 
proposition denying benefits to recipients failing to meet a certain 
qualification, a substitute denying the same benefits to some recipients 
but excepting others (July 28, 1982, pp. 18355-58, 18361). While a bill 
relating to benefits based on indemnification of liability arising out 
of an activity does not ordinarily admit as germane amendments relating 
to regulation of that activity, an amend

  To a bill not only granting consent of Congress to an interstate 
compact but also imposing conditions on the granting of that consent, an 
amendment stating an additional related condition to that consent and 
not directly changing the compact may be germane (Oct. 7, 1997, p. ----
). To a bill regulating immigration, an amendment providing that the 
operation of the act should not conflict with an agreement with Japan is 
not germane (VIII, 3050).


  Amendments providing exceptions or exemptions must also be within the 
scope of the proposition. Thus, to a bill requiring that a certain 
percentage of autos sold in the United States be manufactured 
domestically, and imposing an import restriction for autos on persons 
violating that requirement, an amendment waiving those restrictions with 
respect to a foreign nation where the President has issued a 
proclamation that that nation is not imposing unfair import restrictions 
on any United States product was held not germane, dealing with overall 
trade issues rather than domestic content requirement for autos sold in 
the United States (Nov. 2, 1983, p. 30776). However, an amendment to the 
same bill prohibiting its implementation if resulting in United States 
violation to resolve conflicts under those agreements, was held germane 
since the bill already comprehensively addressed those subject matters 
by disclaiming any purpose to amend international agreements or to 
confer court jurisdiction relative thereto, and by conferring court 
jurisdiction over adjudication of penalties assessed under the bill 
(Nov. 2, 1983, p. 30546). Similarly, the following are germane: to a 
bill providing for the deportation of aliens, an amendment to exempt a 
portion of such aliens from deportation (VIII, 3029); to a bill 
prohibiting the issuance of injunctions by the courts in labor disputes, 
an amendment to except all labor disputes affecting public utilities 
(VIII, 3024).

                                                      Rule XVI, clause 8
Rule XVI, clause 8
Readings



941. Reading, engrossment, and passage of bills.

  8.  Bills 
and joint resolutions are subject to readings as follows:



[[Page 690]]

      (a) A first reading is in full when the bill or joint resolution 
is first considered.

      (b) A second reading occurs only when the bill or joint resolution 
is read for amendment in a Committee of the Whole House on the state of 
the Union under clause 5 of rule XVIII.


      (c) A third reading precedes passage when the Speaker states the 
question: ``Shall the bill [or joint resolution] be engrossed [when 
applicable] and read a third time?'' If that question is decided in the 
affirmative, then the bill or joint resolution shall be read the final 
time by title and then the question shall be put on its passage.

  This provision (former clause 1 of rule XXI) rule was adopted in 1789, 
amended in 1794, 1880 (IV, 3391), and on Jan. 4, 1965 (H. Res. 8, 89th 
Cong.). This latest amendment eliminated the provision which permitted a 
Member to demand the reading in full of the engrossed copy of a House 
bill. Before the House recodified its rules in the 106th Congress, this 
provision was found in former clause 1 of rule XXI. The recodification 
also clarified paragraphs (a) and (b) to reflect the modern practice of 
first and second readings (H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 1999, p. ----).



Sec. 942. First and second readings.

  Formerly a  bill was 
read for the first time by title at the time of its introduction, but 
since 1890 all bills have been introduced by filing them with the Clerk, 
thus rendering a reading by title impossible at that time (IV, 3391). 
But the titles of all bills introduced are printed in the Journal and 
Record, thus carrying out the real purposes of the rule.



[[Page 691]]

2335, 2436). The Speaker may object to a request for unanimous consent 
that a bill may be acted on without being read (IV, 3390; VII, 1054).
  Under paragraph (a), the first reading of a bill is in full and occurs 
when the bill is considered in the House (IV, 3391) or in the Committee 
of the Whole (Apr. 28, 1977, p. 12635). The initial step of 
consideration in the Committee of the Whole is sometimes referred to as 
the ``first reading'' and is customarily dispensed with by unanimous 
consent or special rule. Thus, under paragraph (b), the second reading 
of a bill comprises its reading for amendment in the Committee of the 
Whole (Apr. 28, 1977, p. 12635). Any Member may demand a full reading of 
a bill before general debate begins in the Committee of the Whole or, if 
considered in the House, when first taken up for action (IV, 3391, 
4738). However, waiving of the first reading in full is normally 
effected by unanimous consent, suspension of the rules, or a special 
rule providing for the consideration of the bill. A motion to dispense 
with the reading of a bill in full is not in order (VIII,



Sec. 943. The third reading after 
engrossment.

  The right to  demand the reading in full of the engrossed copy of a 
bill formerly guaranteed by the rule, existed only immediately after it 
had passed to be engrossed and before it had been read a third time by 
title (IV, 3400, 3403, 3404; VII, 1061); or before the yeas and nays had 
been ordered on passage (IV, 3402). The right to demand the reading in 
full caused the bill to be laid aside until engrossed even though the 
previous question had been ordered (IV, 3395-3399; VII, 1062). A 
privileged motion may not intervene before the third reading (IV, 3405), 
and the question on engrossment and third reading is not subject to a 
demand for division of the question (Aug. 3, 1989, p. 18544). A vote on 
passage must first be reconsidered to remedy the omission to read a bill 
a third time (IV, 3406). Senate bills are not engrossed in the House; 
but are ordered to a third reading. The demand for the reading of the 
engrossed copy of a Senate bill cannot be made in the House (VIII, 
2426).





[106th Congress House Rules Manual -- House Document No. 105-358]
[From the U.S. Government Printing Office Online Database]
[Page 691-717]

 


Sec. 944. Voting on bills.

  A bill in  the House (as 
distinguished from the Committee of the Whole) is amended pending the 
engrossment and third reading (V, 5781; VI, 1051, 1052). The question on 
engrossment and third reading being decided in the negative the bill is 
rejected (IV, 3420, 3421). A bill must be considered and voted on by 
itself (IV, 3408). Where the two Houses pass similar but distinct bills 
on the same subject it is necessary that one or the other House act 
again on the subject (IV, 3386). The requirement of a two-thirds vote 
for proposed constitutional amendments has been construed in the later 
practice to apply only to the vote on the final passage (V, 7029, 7030; 
VIII, 3504). A bill having been rejected by the House, a similar but not 
identical bill on the same subject was afterwards held to be in order 
(IV, 3384).




Decorum
                    Rule XVII.--DECORUM AND DEBATE


[[Page 692]]

Delegate, or Resident Commissioner may speak from the Clerk's desk.


945. Obtaining the floor for debate; and relevancy and 
decorum therein.

  1. (a)  A Member, Delegate, or Resident Commissioner who 
desires to speak or deliver a matter to the House shall rise and 
respectfully address himself to ``Mr. Speaker'' and, on being 
recognized, may address the House from any place on the floor. When 
invited by the Chair, a Member,


  (b)(1) Remarks in debate shall be confined to the question under 
debate, avoiding personality.

  (2)(A) Except as provided in subdivision (B), debate may not include 
characterizations of Senate action or inaction, references to individual 
Members of the Senate, or quotations from Senate proceedings.


  (B) Debate may include references to actions taken by the Senate or by 
committees thereof that are a matter of public record; references to the 
pendency or sponsorship in the Senate of bills, resolutions, and 
amendments; factual descriptions relating to Senate action or inaction 
concerning a measure then under debate in the House; and quotations from 
Senate proceedings on a measure then under debate in the House that are 
relevant to the making of legislative history establishing the meaning 
of that measure.

  This clause (former clause 1 of rule XIV) was adopted in 1880, but was 
made up, in its main provisions, from older rules, which dated from 1789 
and 1811 (V, 4979). Subparagraph (2), relating to references to the 
Senate, had its origins in the 100th Congress (H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 1987, 
p. 6) but was amended in the 101st Congress (H. Res. 5, Jan. 3, 1989, p. 
72) to narrowly expand the range of permissible references. Before the 
House recodified its rules in the 106th Congress, this provision was 
found in former clause 1 of rule XIV (H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 1999, p. ----). 
This rule, and rulings of the Chair with respect to references in debate 
to the Senate, are discussed in Sec. 371, supra; see also Sec. 361, 
supra.


[[Page 693]]

only and not to other entities such as the press or the television 
audience, and the Chair enforces this rule on its own initiative (see, 
e.g., Nov. 8, 1979, p. 31519; Sept. 29, 1983, p. 26501; Dec. 17, 1987, 
p. 36139); (3) Members should not refer to or address any occupant of 
the galleries; (4) Members should refer to other Members in debate only 
in the third person, by state designation (Speaker O'Neill, June 14, 
1978, p. 17615; Oct. 2, 1984, p. 28520; Mar. 7, 1985, p. 5028); (5) 
Members should refrain from using profanity or vulgarity in debate (Mar. 
5, 1991, p. 5036; Feb. 18, 1993, p. 2973; Nov. 17, 1995, p. ----; July 
23, 1998, p. ----); (6) the Chair may interrupt a Member engaging in 
personalities with respect to another Member of the House, as the Chair 
does with respect to references to the Senate or the President (Jan. 4, 
1995, p. 551); and (7) Members should refrain from discussing the 
President's personal character (May 10, 1994, p. 9697). The Speaker has 
deplored the tendency to address remarks directly to the President (or 
others not in the Chamber) in the second person, and cautions Members on 
his own initiative (see, e.g., Oct. 16, 1989, p. 24715; Oct. 17, 1989, 
p. 24764; Jan. 24, 1990, p. 426; Oct. 9, 1991, p. 25999). Even when 
referring in debate to the Speaker, himself, a Member directs his 
remarks to the occupant of the Chair and addresses him as ``Mr. 
Speaker'' pursuant to this clause (Nov. 1, 1983, p. 30267).
  The Speaker, who has a responsibility under rule I to maintain and 
enforce decorum in debate, and the Chairman of the Committee of the 
Whole, who enforces decorum in debate under rule XVIII, have reminded 
and advised Members that: (1) clause 1 requires Members seeking 
recognition to rise and to address themselves to the question under 
debate, avoiding personality; (2) Members should address their remarks 
to the Chair

  Members should refrain from speaking disrespectfully of the Speaker or 
arraigning the personal conduct of the Speaker, and under the precedents 
the sanctions for such violations transcend the ordinary requirements 
for timeliness of challenges (II, 1248; Jan. 4, 1995, p. 551; Jan. 18, 
1995, p. 1441; Jan. 19, 1995, p. 1599). Engaging in personalities with 
respect to the Speaker's conduct is not in order even though possibly 
relevant to a pending resolution granting him certain authority (Sept. 
24, 1996, p. ----).

  This clause has also been interpreted to proscribe the wearing of 
badges by Members to communicate a message, since Members must rise and 
address the Speaker to deliver any matter to the House (Speaker O'Neill, 
Apr. 15, 1986, p. 7525; Feb. 22, 1995, p. 5435; Mar. 29, 1995, p. 9662; 
Oct. 19, 1995, pp. 28522, 28540, 28646; Nov. 17, 1995, p. 5435; Mar. 7, 
1996, p. 4083; Sept. 26, 1996, p. ----; July 24, 1998, p. ----). A 
Member's comportment may constitute a breach of decorum even though the 
content of that Member's speech is not, itself, unparliamentary (July 
29, 1994, p. 18609). Under this standard the Chair may deny recognition 
to a Member who has engaged in unparliamentary debate and ignored 
repeated admonitions by the Chair to proceed in order, subject to the 
will of the House on the question of his proceeding in order (Sept. 18, 
1996, p. ----).

  For further discussion of personalities in debate with respect to 
references to the official conduct of a Member, see Sec. Sec. 361-363, 
supra; with respect to references to the President, see Sec. 370, supra; 
and with respect to references to the Senate, see Sec. Sec. 371-374, 
supra.


[[Page 694]]

or leadership listings, it is a general rule that a motion must be made 
before a Member may proceed in debate (V, 4984, 4985), and this motion 
may be required to be reduced to writing (V, 4986). A motion must also 
be stated by the Speaker or read by the Clerk before debate may begin 
(V, 4982, 4983, 5304). The withdrawal of a motion precludes further 
debate on it (V, 4989). But sometimes when a communication or a report 
has been before the House it has been debated before any specific motion 
has been made in relation to it (V, 4987, 4988). In a few cases, such as 
conference reports and reports from the Committee of the Whole, the 
motion to agree is considered as pending without being offered from the 
floor (IV, 4896; V, 6517).
  Aside from ``special-order,'' ``morning-hour,'' or ``one-minute'' 
debate, where no question is pending and recognition is by unanimous 
consent

  In presenting a question of personal privilege the Member is not 
required in the first instance to make a motion or offer a resolution, 
but such is not the rule in presenting a case involving the privileges 
of the House (III, 2546, 2547; VI, 565, 566, 580). Personal explanations 
merely are made by unanimous consent (V, 5065).


[[Page 695]]

VI, 193), but the latter may exercise his own discretion as to whether 
or not he will yield (V, 5007, 5008; VI, 193; VIII, 2463, 2465). It is 
not in order to disrupt a Member's remarks in debate by repeatedly 
interrupting to ask whether he will yield after he has declined to do so 
(Apr. 9, 1992, p. 9040; Nov. 13, 1997, p. ----). Where a Member 
interrupts another during debate without being yielded to or otherwise 
recognized (as on a point of order), his remarks are not printed in the 
Record (Speaker O'Neill, Feb. 7, 1985, p. 2229; July 21, 1993, p. 16545; 
July 29, 1994, p. 18609; Dec. 21, 1995, p. ----). Members should not 
engage in disruption while another is speaking (Dec. 20, 1995, p. ----; 
June 27, 1996, p. 15915).


Sec. 946. Interruption of a Member in debate.

  A  Member 
having the floor may not be taken off his feet by an ordinary motion, 
even the highly privileged motion to adjourn (V, 5369, 5370; VIII, 
2646), or the motion to table (Mar. 18, 1992, p. 6022). He may not be 
deprived of the floor by a parliamentary inquiry (VIII, 2455-2458), a 
question of privilege (V, 5002; VIII, 2459), a motion that the Committee 
rise (VIII, 2325), or a demand for the previous question (VIII, 2609; 
Mar. 18, 1992, p. 6022), but he may be interrupted for a conference 
report (V, 6451; VIII, 3294). It is a custom also for the Speaker to 
request a Member to yield for the reception of a message. A Member may 
yield the floor for a motion to adjourn or that the Committee of the 
Whole rise without losing his right to continue when the subject is 
again continued (V, 5009-5013), but where the House has by resolution 
vested control of general debate in the Committee of the Whole in 
designated Members, their control of general debate may not be abrogated 
by another Member moving to rise, unless they yield for that purpose 
(May 25, 1967, p. 14121; June 10, 1999, p. ----). A Member may also 
resume his seat while a paper is being read in his time without losing 
his right to the floor (V, 5015). A Member who, having the floor, moved 
the previous question was permitted to resume the floor on withdrawing 
the motion (V, 5474). But a Member may not yield to another Member to 
offer an amendment without losing the floor (V, 5021, 5030, 5031; VIII, 
2476), and a Member may not offer an amendment in time secured for 
debate only (VIII, 2474), or request unanimous consent to offer an 
amendment unless yielded to for that purpose by the Member controlling 
the floor (Sept. 24, 1986, p. 25589). A Member recognized under the 
five-minute rule in the Committee of the Whole may not yield to another 
Member to offer an amendment, as it is within the power of the Chair to 
recognize each Member to offer amendments (Apr. 19, 1973, p. 13240; Dec. 
12, 1973, p. 41171). A Member desiring to interrupt another in debate 
should address the Chair for permission of the Member speaking (V, 5006;




Sec. 947. Speaker in debate.

  The  Speaker may of right speak 
from the Chair on questions of order and be first heard (II, 1367), but 
with this exception he may speak from the Chair only by leave of the 
House and on questions of fact (II, 1367-1372). On occasions 
comparatively rare Speakers have called Members to the Chair and 
participated in debate on questions of order or matters relating their 
own conduct or rights, usually without asking consent of the House (II, 
1367, 1368, 1371; III, 1950; V, 6097). In more recent years, Speakers 
have frequently entered into debate from the floor on substantive 
legislative issues before the House for decision, and the right to 
participate in debate in the Committee of the Whole is without question 
(see, e.g., Apr. 30, 1987, p. 10811).




Sec. 948. Member must confine himself to the subject.

  It  has 
always been held, and generally quite strictly, that in the House the 
Member must confine himself to the subject under debate (V, 5043-5048; 
VI, 576; VIII, 2481, 2534). The Chair normally waits for the question of 
relevancy of debate to be raised and does not take initiative (Sept. 27, 
1990, p. 26226; Mar. 23, 1995, p. 8986; Nov. 14, 1995, pp. ----, ----; 
Dec. 15, 1995, p. ----; Mar. 12, 1996, p. 4149).



[[Page 696]]

order (Sept. 27, 1990, p. 26226; July 25, 1995, p. ----; Sept. 20, 1995, 
p. 15838; Dec. 15, 1995, p. ----; May 1, 1996, p. 9888; May 8, 1996, p. 
10511; May 15, 1996, p. 1131; Mar. 13, 1997, p. ----). Debate on a 
resolution providing authorities to expedite the consideration of end-
of-session legislation may neither range to the merits of a measure that 
might or might not be considered under such authorities nor engage in 
personalities with respect to the official conduct of the Speaker, even 
as asserted to relate to the question of granting the authorities 
proposed (Sept. 24, 1996, p. ----). If a unanimous-consent request for a 
Member to address the House for one hour specifies the subject of the 
address, the occupant of the Chair during that speech may enforce the 
rule of relevancy in debate by requiring that the remarks be confined to 
the subject so specified (Jan. 23, 1984, p. 93). Debate on a question of 
personal privilege must be confined to the statements or issue which 
gave rise to the question of privilege (V, 5075-5077; VI, 576, 608; 
VIII, 2448, 2481; May 31, 1984, p. 14623). Debate on a privileged 
resolution recommending disciplinary action against a Member, while it 
may include comparisons with other such actions taken by or reported to 
the House for purposes of measuring severity of punishment, may not 
extend to the conduct of another sitting Member not the subject of a 
committee report (Dec. 18, 1987, p. 36271). The question whether a 
Member should be relieved from committee service is debatable only 
within very narrow limits (IV, 4510; June 16, 1975, p. 19056). Debate on 
a resolution electing a Member to a committee is confined to the 
election of that Member and should not extend to that committee's agenda 
(July 10, 1995, p. 18258).
  During debate on a bill a Member must maintain a constant nexus 
between debate and the subject of the bill (Nov. 14, 1995, p. ----; Mar. 
12, 1996, p. 4450). Debate on a motion to amend must be confined to the 
amendment, and may neither include the general merits of the bill (V, 
5049-5051), nor range to the merits of a proposition not included in the 
underlying resolution (Jan. 31, 1995, p. 3032). Similarly, debate on a 
motion to recommit with instructions should be confined to the subject 
of the motion rather than dwelling on the general merits of the bill 
(Mar. 7, 1996, p. 4092). However, the Chair has accorded Members 
latitude in debating a series of amendments in the nature of a 
substitute to a concurrent resolution on the budget (Mar. 25, 1999, p. 
----). On a motion to suspend the rules, debate is confined to the 
object of the motion and may not range to the merits of a bill not 
scheduled for such consideration (Nov. 23, 1991, p. 34189). Debate on a 
special order providing for the consideration of a bill may range to the 
merits of the bill to be made in order (Sept. 26, 1989, p. 21532; Oct. 
16, 1990, p. 29668; Oct. 1, 1991, p. 24836), since the question of 
consideration of the bill is involved, but should not range to the 
merits of a measure not to be considered under that special

  While the Speakers have entertained appeals from their decisions as to 
irrelevancy, they have held that such appeals were not debatable (V, 
5056-5063).


  In Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union during 
general debate the Member need not confine himself to the subject (V, 
5233-5238; VIII, 2590; June 28, 1974, p. 21743); but this privilege does 
not extend to the Committee of the Whole (V, 5239; VIII, 2590). All 
five-minute debate in Committee of the Whole is confined to the subject 
(V, 5240-5256), even on a pro forma amendment (VIII, 2591), in which 
case debate must relate to an issue in the pending portion of the bill 
(VIII, 2592, 2593); thus, where a general provisions title is pending 
debate may relate to any agency funded by the bill (June 13, 1991, p. 
14692).



[[Page 697]]




949. Speaker's power of recognition.

                                                     Rule XVII, clause 2
Rule XVII, clause 2
Recognition
   2. When two or more 
Members, Delegates, or the Resident Commissioner rise at once, the 
Speaker shall name the Member, Delegate, or Resident Commissioner who is 
first to speak. * * *


  This provision was adopted in 1789 (V, 4978). Before the House 
recodified its rules in the 106th Congress, this provision was found in 
former clause 2 of rule XIV (H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 1999, p. ----).


--  Recognition <> for one-minute speeches by unanimous consent and the order 
of recognition are entirely within the discretion of the Speaker (Nov. 
15, 1983, p. 32657). When the House has a heavy legislative schedule, 
the Speaker may refuse to recognize Members for that purpose until the 
completion of legislative business (Procedure, ch. 21, sec. 7.5; July 
24, 1980, p. 19386). It is not in order to raise as a question of the 
privileges of the House a resolution directing the Speaker to recognize 
for such speeches, since a question of privilege cannot amend or 
interpret the Rules of the House (July 25, 1980, pp. 19762-64). The 
modern practice of limiting recognition before legislative business to 
one minute began August 2, 1937 (p. 8004) and was reiterated by Speaker 
Rayburn on March 6, 1945 (Deschler's Precedents, vol. 6, ch. 21, sec. 
6.1).
  In the early history of the House, when business proceeded on 
presentation by individual Members, the Speaker recognized the Member 
who arose first; and in case of doubt there was an appeal from his 
recognition (II, 1429-1434). But as the membership and business of the 
House increased it became necessary to establish and adhere to a fixed 
order of business, and recognitions, instead of pertaining to the 
individual Member, necessarily came to pertain to the bill or other 
business which would be before the House under the rule regulating the 
order of business. Hence the necessity that the Speaker should not be 
compelled to heed the claims of Members as individuals was expressed in 
1879 in a report from the Committee on Rules, which declared that ``in 
the nature of the case discretion must be lodged with the presiding 
officer'' (II, 1424). And in 1881 the Speaker declined to entertain an 
appeal from his decision on a question of recognition (II, 1425-1428), 
establishing thereby a practice which continues (VI, 292; VIII, 2429, 
2646, 2762). It has also been determined that a Member may not invoke 
clause 6 of rule XIV (former rule XXV) (Sec. 884, supra), providing that 
questions relating to the priority of business shall be decided by a 
majority without debate, to inhibit the Speaker's power of recognition 
under this clause (Speaker Albert, July 31, 1975, p. 26249).


[[Page 698]]

cial orders were granted (Speaker O'Neill, Aug. 8, 1984, p. 22963; Jan. 
5, 1993, p. 106). But since February 24, 1994, the Speaker's announced 
policies for recognition for special-order speeches has been as follows: 
(1) recognition does not extend beyond midnight; (2) recognition is 
granted first for speeches of five minutes or less; (3) recognition for 
longer speeches is limited (except on Tuesdays) to four hours equally 
divided between the majority and minority; (4) the first hour for each 
party is reserved to its respective Leader or his designees; (5) time 
within each party is allotted in accord with a list submitted to the 
Chair by the respective Leader; (6) the first recognition within a 
category alternates between the parties from day to day, regardless of 
when requests were granted; (7) Members may not enter requests for five-
minute special orders earlier than one week in advance; and (8) the 
respective Leaders may establish additional guidelines for entering 
requests (Feb. 11, 1994, p. 2244; May 23, 1994, p. 1154; June 10, 1994, 
p. ----; Jan. 4, 1995, p. 551; Feb. 16, 1995, p. 5096; May 12, 1995, p. 
12765; Jan. 21, 1997, p. ----).
  Since the 98th Congress the Speaker has followed announced policies of 
(1) alternating recognition for one-minute speeches and special-order 
speeches between majority and minority Members and (2) recognizing for 
special-order speeches of five minutes or less before longer speeches 
(Speaker O'Neill, Aug. 8, 1984, p. 22963; Jan. 4, 1995, p. 551). In the 
101st Congress, the Chair continued the practice of alternating 
recognition for one-minute speeches but began a practice of recognizing 
Members suggested by their party leadership before others in the well 
(Apr. 19, 1990, p. 7406). From August 8, 1984, through February 23, 
1994, the Speaker also followed an announced policy of recognizing 
Members of the same party within a given category in the order in which 
their requests for spe

  While the Chair's calculation of time consumed under one-minute 
speeches is not subject to challenge, the Chair endeavors to recognize 
majority and then minority Members by allocating time in a nonpartisan 
manner (Aug. 4, 1982, p. 19319). Prior to legislative business, the 
Speaker will traditionally recognize a Member only once by unanimous 
consent for a one-minute speech, and will not entertain a second request 
(May 1, 1985, p. 9995). The Chair will not entertain a unanimous-consent 
request to extend a five-minute special order (Mar. 7, 1995, p. 7152) or 
to extend a special order beyond midnight (Oct. 7, 1998, p. ----). The 
Chair will recognize for subdivisions of the first hour reserved for 
special orders only on designations (and reallocations) by the 
leadership concerned (Oct. 2, 1998, p. ----).-


[[Page 699]]

accord with lists supplied by their respective Leaders. During morning-
hour debate it is not in order to request that a name be removed from a 
list of cosponsors of a bill (Apr. 26, 1994, p. 8544). Under the 
customary order of the House establishing morning-hour debate, the Chair 
does not entertain a unanimous-consent request to extend a five-minute 
period of recognition (Apr. 28, 1998, p. ----).-


Sec. 951. Morninghour debates.

  Beginning  in the second 
session of the 103d Congress, the House has by unanimous consent agreed 
(without prejudice to the Speaker's ultimate power of recognition under 
this rule) to convene 90 minutes early on Mondays and Tuesdays for 
morning-hour debate (Feb. 11, 1994, p. 2244; May 23, 1994, p. 11459; 
June 8, 1994, p. 12305; June 10, 1994, p. 12684; Jan. 4, 1995, p. 551; 
Feb. 16, 1995, p. 5096; Jan. 21, 1997, p. ----; Jan. 19, 1999, p. ----). 
On May 12, 1995, the House extended and modified the above order to 
accommodate earlier convening times after May 14 of each year. The 
modified order changes morning-hour debates on Tuesdays after May 14 of 
each year as follows: (1) the House convenes one hour early (rather than 
90 minutes); (2) time for debate is limited to 25 minutes for each party 
(rather than 30 minutes); and (3) in no event is morning-hour debate to 
continue beyond 10 minutes before the House is to convene (May 12, 1995, 
p. 12765). The above-cited orders of the House also: (1) postpone the 
Prayer, approval of the Journal, and the Pledge of Allegiance during 
morning-hour debates; and (2) require the Chair to recognize Members for 
not more than five minutes each, alternating between the majority and 
minority parties in




Sec. 952. ``Oxford''style debates.

  In  the 103d Congress the 
House agreed by unanimous consent to conduct at a time designated by the 
Speaker structured debate on a mutually agreeable topic announced by the 
Speaker, with four participants from each party in a format announced by 
the Speaker (Feb. 11, 1994, p. 2244; Mar. 11, 1994, p. 4772; May 23, 
1994, p. 11459; June 8, 1994, p. 12305; June 10, 1994, p. 12648). 
Pursuant to that authority the House conducted three ``Oxford''-style 
debates (Mar. 16, 1994, p. 5088; May 4, 1994, p. 9300; July 20, 1994, p. 
17245). As a precursor to those structured debates, special-order time 
was used for a ``Lincoln-Douglas''-style debate involving five Members, 
with one Member acting as ``moderator'' by controlling the hour under 
this clause (Nov. 3, 1993, p. 27312).



[[Page 700]]

by offering a debatable motion of higher privilege than the pending 
motion, deprive the Member in charge of the bill of possession of the 
floor for debate (II, 1460-1463; VI, 290, 297-299; VIII, 2454, 3193, 
3197, 3259; House Practice (1996), p. 834). The Member in charge of the 
bill and having the floor may demand the previous question, although 
another Member may propose to offer a motion of higher privilege (VIII, 
2684); but the motion of higher privilege must be put before the 
previous question (V, 5480; VIII, 2684). The Member who has been 
recognized to call up a measure in the House has priority of recognition 
to move the previous question thereon, even over the chairman of the 
committee reporting that measure (Oct. 1, 1986, p. 27468). The fact that 
a Member has the floor on one matter does not necessarily entitle him to 
prior recognition on a motion relating to another matter (II, 1464). It 
is because the Speaker is governed by these usages that he often asks, 
when a Member seeks recognition, ``For what purpose does the gentleman 
rise?''. By this question he determines whether the Member proposes 
business or a motion which is entitled to precedence and he may deny 
recognition (VI, 289-291, 293; Aug. 13, 1982, pp. 20969, 20975-78; 
Speaker Wright, Feb. 17, 1988, p. 1583; Feb. 27, 1992, p. 3656) and from 
such denial there is no appeal (II, 1425; VI, 292; VIII, 2429, 2646, 
2762; Feb. 27, 1992, p. 3656). Recognition for parliamentary inquiry 
lies in the discretion of the Chair (VI, 541), who may take a 
parliamentary inquiry under advisement (VIII, 2174), especially where 
not related to the pending proceedings (Apr. 7, 1992, p. 8273).


Sec. 953. Speaker governed by usage in 
recognitions.

  Although  there is no appeal from the Speaker's recognition, he is 
not a free agent in determining who is to have the floor. The practice 
of the House establishes rules from which he may not depart. When the 
order of business brings before the House a certain bill he must first 
recognize, for motions for its disposition, the Member who represents 
the committee which has reported it (II, 1447; VI, 306, 514). This is 
not necessarily the chairman of the committee, for a chairman who, in 
committee, has opposed the bill, must yield the prior recognition to a 
member of his committee who has favored the bill (II, 1449). Usually, 
however, the chairman has charge of the bill and is entitled at all 
stages to prior recognition for allowable motions intended to expedite 
it (II, 1452, 1457; VI, 296, 300). Once the proponent of a pending 
motion has been recognized for debate thereon, a unanimous-consent 
request to modify the motion may be entertained only if the proponent 
yields for that purpose (Jan. 5, 1996, p. 348). This principle does not, 
however, apply to the Chairman of the Committee of the Whole (II, 1453). 
The Member who originally introduces the bill which a committee reports 
has no claims to recognition as opposed to the claims of the members of 
the committee, but in cases where a proposition is brought directly 
before the House by a Member the mover is entitled to prior recognition 
for motions and debate (II, 1446, 1454; VI, 302-305, 417; VIII, 2454, 
3231). And this principle applies to the makers of certain motions. 
Thus, the Member on whose motion the enacting clause of a bill is 
stricken out in Committee of the Whole is entitled to prior recognition 
when the bill is reported to the House (V, 5337; VIII, 2629), and in a 
case where a Member raised an objection in the joint session to count 
the electoral vote the Speaker recognized him first when the Houses had 
separated to consider the objection (III, 1956). But a Member may not,


  The Chair may follow a tradition of the House to allow the highest 
ranking party-elected Members (Speaker, Majority Leader, and Minority 
Leader) additional time to make their remarks in important debate (Oct. 
25, 1995, p. ----; Dec. 18, 1998, p. ----).



Sec. 954. Loss of right to recognition by Member in 
charge.

  When  an essential motion made by the Member in charge of a bill is 
decided adversely, the right to prior recognition passes to the Member 
who the Speaker perceives to be leading the opposition to the motion 
(II, 1465-1468; VI, 308). Under this principle control of a measure 
passes when the House disagrees to a recommendation of the committee 
reporting the measure (II, 1469-1472) or when the Committee of the Whole 
reports the measure adversely (IV, 4897; VIII, 2430). Similarly, this 
principle applies when a motion for the previous question is rejected 
(VI, 308). However, a Member who led the opposition to ordering the 
previous question may be preempted by a motion of higher precedence 
(Aug. 13, 1982, pp. 20969, 20975-78). On the other hand, the mere defeat 
of an amendment proposed by the Member in charge does not cause the 
right to prior recognition to pass to an opponent (II, 1478, 1479).



[[Page 701]]

of order, which is equivalent to its rejection by the House, does not 
give the Member raising the question of order the right to the floor 
(VIII, 3284) and exerts no effect on the right to recognition (VI, 313). 
In most cases, when the House refuses to order the previous question on 
a conference report, it then rejects the report (II, 1473-1477; V, 
6396). However, control of a Senate amendment reported from conference 
in disagreement passes to an opponent when the House rejects a motion to 
dispose thereof (Aug. 6, 1993, p. 19582).
  Rejection of a conference report after the previous question has been 
ordered thereon does not cause recognition to pass to a Member opposed 
to the report, and the manager retains control to offer the initial 
motion to dispose of amendments in disagreement (Speaker Albert, May 1, 
1975, p. 12761). Similarly, the invalidation of a conference report on a 
point



Sec. 955. Prior right of Members to recognition for 
debate.

  In  debate the members of the committee--except the Committee of 
the Whole (II, 1453)--are entitled to priority of recognition for debate 
(II, 1438, 1448; VI, 306, 307), but a motion to lay a proposition on the 
table is in order before the Member entitled to prior recognition for 
debate has begun his remarks (V, 5391-5395; VI, 412; VIII, 2649, 2650).


  In recognizing for general debate under general House rules the Chair 
alternates between those favoring and those opposing the pending matter, 
preferring members of the committee reporting the bill (II, 1439-1444). 
When a member of a committee has occupied the floor in favor of a 
measure the Chair attempts to recognize a Member opposing next, even 
though he be not a member of the committee (II, 1445). The principle of 
alternation is not insisted on rigidly where a limited time is 
controlled by Members, as in the 40 minutes of debate on motions for 
suspension of the rules and the previous question (II, 1442).


[[Page 702]]

to bills (Nov. 14, 1991, p. 32083; Dec. 20, 1995, p. ----); (5) requests 
to permit expedited consideration of measures on subsequent days, as by 
waiving the requirement that a bill be referred to committee for 30 
legislative days before a motion to discharge may be presented under 
clause 2 of rule XV (former clause 3 of rule XXVII) (June 9, 1992, p. 
13900); and (6) requests relating to Senate-passed bills on the 
Speaker's table (Oct. 25, 1995, p. 29347; Jan. 3, 1996, p. 58; Aug. 2, 
1999, p. ----), including one identical to a House-passed bill (Feb. 4, 
1998, p. ----) and a Senate concurrent resolution to correct an 
enrollment (Oct. 20, 1998, p. ----). In addition, with respect to 
unanimous-consent requests to dispose of Senate amendments to House 
bills on the Speaker's table, the Chair will entertain such a request 
only if made by the chairman of the committee with jurisdiction, or by 
another committee member authorized to make the request (Apr. 26, 1984, 
p. 10194; Feb. 4, 1987, p. 2675; Jan. 3, 1996, p. 86; Jan. 4, 1996, pp. 
200, 210; Deschler's Precedents, vol. 6, ch. 21, sec. 1.23). The Chair 
has declined to entertain a unanimous-consent request to print a 
separate volume of tributes given in memory of a deceased former Member 
absent concurrence of the Joint Committee on Printing (Aug. 1, 1996, p. 
21247). The Speaker's enforcement of this policy is not subject to 
appeal (Apr. 4, 1995, p. 10298). ``Floor leadership'' in this context 
has been construed to apply only to the Minority Leader and not to the 
entire hierarchy of minority leadership, where the Chair had been 
assured that the Minority Leader had been consulted (Apr. 25, 1985, p. 
9415). It is not a proper parliamentary inquiry to ask the Chair to 
indicate which side of the aisle has failed under the Speaker's 
guidelines to clear a unanimous-consent request (Feb. 1, 1996, p. ----), 
but the Chair may indicate his cognizance of a source of objection for 
the Record (Feb. 4, 1998, p. ----). For a discussion of recognition for 
unanimous-consent requests to vary procedures in the Committee of the 
Whole governed by a special order adopted by the House, see Sec. 993, 
infra.



Sec. 956. Exceptions to the usages constraining the Speaker 
as to recognitions.

  As  to motions to suspend the rules, which are in 
order on Mondays and Tuesdays of each week, the Speaker exercises a 
discretion to decline to recognize (V, 6791-6794, 6845; VIII, 3402-
3404). He also may decline to recognize a Member who desires to ask 
unanimous consent to set aside the rules in order to consider a bill not 
otherwise in order, this being the way of signifying his objection to 
the request. But this authority did not extend to the former Consent 
Calendar. The Speaker has announced and enforced a policy of conferring 
recognition for unanimous-consent requests for the consideration of 
unreported bills and resolutions only when assured that the majority and 
minority floor and committee leaderships have no objection (see, e.g., 
Dec. 15, 1981, p. 31590; May 4, 1982, p. 8613; Nov. 16, 1983, p. 33138; 
Jan. 25, 1984, p. 354; Jan. 26, 1984, p. 449; Jan. 31, 1984, p. 1063; 
Oct. 2, 1984, p. 28516; Feb. 4, 1987, p. 2675; Jan. 3, 1989, p. 89; Jan. 
3, 1991, p. 64; Jan. 5, 1993, p. 106; Apr. 4, 1995, p. 12097). This 
policy has been extended to: (1) requests relating to reported bills 
(July 23, 1993, p. 16820); (2) requests for immediate consideration of 
matters (separately unreported) comprising a portion of a measure 
already passed by the House (Dec. 19, 1985, p. 38356); (3) requests to 
consider a motion to suspend the rules and pass an unreported bill (on a 
nonsuspension day) (Aug. 12, 1986, p. 21126; Mar. 30, 1998, p. ----); 
(4) requests to permit consideration of (nongermane) amendments





Sec. 957. The hour rule in debate.

  2.  * * * A Member, 
Delegate, or Resident Commissioner may not occupy more than one hour in 
debate on a question in the House or in the Committee of the Whole House 
on the state of the Union except as otherwise provided in this rule.


  This provision (former clause 2 of rule XIV) dates from 1841, when the 
increase of membership had made it necessary to prevent the making of 
long speeches which sometimes occupied three or four hours each (V, 
4978). Before the House recodified its rules in the 106th Congress, this 
provision was found in former clause 2 of rule XIV (H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 
1999, p. ----).


[[Page 703]]

has been placed within the control of those representing the two sides 
of a question, it must be assigned to Members in accordance with this 
rule (V, 5004, 5005; VIII, 2462). A Member recognized to call up a 
privileged resolution may yield the floor upon expiration of his hour 
without moving the previous question, thereby permitting another Member 
to be recognized for a successive hour (Dec. 18, 1998, p. ----). Under 
this clause a Member recognized for one hour for a ``special-order'' 
speech in the House may not extend that time, even by unanimous consent 
(Feb. 9, 1966, p. 2794; July 12, 1971, pp. 24594, 24603; Oct. 23, 1997, 
p. ----). In the 104th Congress the Speaker announced his intention to 
strictly enforce time limitations on debate (Jan. 4, 1995, pp. 457-552).
  This provision applies to debate on a question of privilege, as well 
as to debate on other questions (V, 4990; VIII, 2448). When the time for 
debate


  For a discussion of morning-hour debates and ``Oxford''-style debates, 
see Sec. Sec. 951-952, supra.

                                                     Rule XVII, clause 3
Rule XVII, clause 3
Managing debate



958. The opening and closing of general debate.

  3. (a)  The 
Member, Delegate, or Resident Commissioner who calls up a measure may 
open and close debate thereon. When general debate extends beyond one 
day, that Member, Delegate, or Resident Commissioner shall be entitled 
to one hour to close without regard to the time used in opening.




Sec. 959. Member to speak but once to the same question; 
right to close controlled debate.

  (b)  Except as provided in paragraph (a), 
a Member, Delegate, or Resident Commissioner may not speak more than 
once to the same question without leave of the House.



  (c) A manager of a measure who opposes an amendment thereto is 
entitled to close controlled debate thereon.


[[Page 704]]

  Paragraphs (a) and (c) (former clause 3 of rule XIV) were adopted in 
1847 and perfected in 1880 (V, 4996). Paragraph (b) (former clause 6 of 
rule XIV) was adopted in 1789, and amended in 1840 (V, 4991). Before the 
House recodified its rules in the 106th Congress, paragraphs (a) and (c) 
were found in former clause 3 of rule XIV and paragraph (b) was found in 
former clause 6 of rule XIV. The recodification also added paragraph (c) 
to codify modern practice (H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 1999, p. ----).

  In the later practice this right to close may not be exercised after 
the previous question is ordered (V, 4997-5000). This clause applies to 
general debate in Committee of the Whole (Mar. 26, 1985, p. 6283). A 
majority manager of the bill who represents the primary committee of 
jurisdiction is entitled to close general debate (in this case, as 
against another manager representing an additional committee of 
jurisdiction) (May 13, 1998, p. ----). Where an order of the House 
divides debate on an unreported measure among four Members, the Chair 
will recognize for closing speeches in the reverse order of the original 
allocation (Mar. 24, 1999, p. ----). Similarly, where general debate on 
an adversely reported measure was controlled by two Members allocated 
time under a previous order of the House and by two other Members 
deriving subdivisions of that time under a later order by unanimous 
consent, the Chair recognized for closing speeches in the reverse order 
of the original allocation concluding with the Member who opened the 
debate (July 22, 1998, p. ----; July 27, 1999, p. ----). Where a Member 
derived debate time from the manager of a measure by unanimous consent, 
that Member also derived the right to close debate thereon (Apr. 15, 
1999, p. ----). Where a member of the minority was recognized under a 
special order to call up a Senate concurrent resolution from the 
Speaker's desk, he was recognized to open and close debate thereon (Apr. 
28, 1999, p. ----).

  A Member who has spoken once to the main question may speak again to 
an amendment (V, 4993, 4994). It is too late to make the point that a 
Member has spoken already if no one claims the floor until he has made 
some progress in his speech (V, 4992). Paragraph (b) is often 
circumscribed by modern practice and by special orders of business that 
vest control of debate in designated Members and permit them to yield 
more than once to other Members. For a discussion of the right of a 
Member to speak more than once under the five-minute rule, see Sec. 981, 
infra. The right to close may not be exercised after the previous 
question has been ordered (V, 4997-5000). The right to close does not 
belong to a Member who has merely moved to reconsider the vote on a bill 
which he did not report (V, 4995). The right of a contestant in an 
election case to close when he is permitted to speak in the contest has 
been a matter of discussion (V, 5001).


[[Page 705]]

an unreported compromise text is made in order as original text in lieu 
of committee amendments (Oct. 19, 1995, p. 28650), or where the 
committee reported the measure without recommendation (Feb. 12, 1997, p. 
----). Where the pending text includes a provision recommended by a 
committee of sequential referral, a member of that committee is entitled 
to close debate against an amendment thereto (June 15, 1989, pp. 12084-
87). By recommending an amendment in the nature of a substitute, a 
reporting committee implicitly opposes a further amendment that could 
have been included therein, such that a committee representative who 
controls time in opposition may close debate thereon (June 4, 1992, p. 
13572; June 13, 1995, p. 15836). Where the rule providing for the 
consideration of an unreported measure designates managers who do not 
serve on a committee of jurisdiction, those managers are entitled to 
close controlled debate against an amendment thereto (Sept. 18, 1997, p. 
----). The majority manager of the bill will be recognized to control 
time in opposition to an amendment thereto, without regard to the party 
affiliation of the proponent, where the special order allocated control 
to ``a Member opposed'' (May 13, 1998, p. ----). The right to close 
debate in opposition to an amendment devolves to the Member who derived 
debate time by unanimous consent from a manager who originally had the 
right to close debate (Sept. 10, 1998, p. ----).
  As codified in paragraph (c), the manager of a bill or other 
representative of the committee position and not the proponent of an 
amendment has the right to close debate on an amendment on which debate 
has been limited and allocated under the five-minute rule in Committee 
of the Whole (VIII, 2581; July 16, 1981, p. 16043; Apr. 4, 1984, p. 
7841; June 5, 1985, p. 14302; July 10, 1985, p. 18496; Oct. 24, 1985, p. 
28824; May 2, 1988, p. 9638; May 5, 1988, p. 9961), including the 
minority manager (June 29, 1984, p. 20253; Aug. 14, 1986, p. 21660; July 
26, 1989, p. 16403; Oct. 27, 1997, p. ----). The Chair will assume that 
the manager of a measure is representing the committee of jurisdiction 
even where the measure called up is unreported (Apr. 15, 1996, p. 7421; 
July 24, 1998, p. ----), where


  Under certain circumstances, however, the proponent of the amendment 
may close debate where he represents the position of the reporting 
committee (Aug. 14, 1986, p. 21660); for example, the proponent of a 
``manager's amendment'' may close controlled debate thereon (May 13, 
1998, p. ----). Similarly, the proponent may close debate where neither 
a committee representative nor a Member assigned a managerial role by 
the governing special order oppose the amendment (Aug. 15, 1986, p. 
22057; May 6, 1998, p. ----; July 14, 1998, p. ----). Where a committee 
representative is allocated control of time in opposition to an 
amendment not by recognition from the Chair but by unanimous-consent 
request of a third Member who was allocated the time by the Chair, then 
the committee representative is not entitled to close debate as against 
the proponent (July 24, 1997, p. ----). Similarly, the proponent of the 
amendment may close debate where no representative from the reporting 
committee opposes an amendment to a multijurisdictional bill (Mar. 9, 
1995, p. 7467); where the measure is unreported and has no ``manager'' 
under the terms of a special rule (Apr. 24, 1985, p. 9206); or where a 
measure is being managed by a single reporting committee and the Member 
controlling time in opposition, though a member of the committee having 
jurisdiction over the amendment, does not represent the reporting 
committee (Nov. 9, 1995, p. ----).


[[Page 706]]

Call to order
                                                     Rule XVII, clause 4
Rule XVII, clause 4



960. The call to order for words spoken in 
debate.

  4. (a)  If a Member, Delegate, or Resident Commissioner, in speaking 
or otherwise, transgresses the Rules of the House, the Speaker shall, or 
a Member, Delegate, or Resident Commissioner may, call to order the 
offending Member, Delegate, or Resident Commissioner, who shall 
immediately sit down unless permitted on motion of another Member, 
Delegate, or the Resident Commissioner to explain. If a Member, 
Delegate, or Resident Commissioner is called to order, the Member, 
Delegate, or Resident Commissioner making the call to order shall 
indicate the words excepted to, which shall be taken down in writing at 
the Clerk's desk and read aloud to the House.




[[Page 707]]


  (b) The Speaker shall decide the validity of a call to order. The 
House, if appealed to, shall decide the question without debate. If the 
decision is in favor of the Member, Delegate, or Resident Commissioner 
called to order, the Member, Delegate, or Resident Commissioner shall be 
at liberty to proceed, but not otherwise. If the case requires it, an 
offending Member, Delegate, or Resident Commissioner shall be liable to 
censure or such other punishment as the House may consider proper. A 
Member, Delegate, or Resident Commissioner may not be held to answer a 
call to order, and may not be subject to the censure of the House 
therefor, if further debate or other business has intervened.

  The first sentence of paragraph (a) and all but the last sentence of 
paragraph (b) (former clause 4 of rule XIV) was adopted in 1789 and 
amended in 1822 and 1880 (V, 5175). The last sentence of paragraph (a) 
and the last sentence of paragraph (b) (former clause 5 of rule XIV) was 
adopted in 1837 and amended in 1880, although the practice of writing 
down objectionable words had been established in 1808. When the House 
recodified its rules in the 106th Congress, it consolidated former 
clauses 4 and 5 of rule XIV into a single clause (H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 
1999, p. ----).



Sec. 961. Words taken down and other calls to order 
for unparliamentary debate.

  Members  transgressing the rules of debate and 
decorum may be called to order by the Speaker (VIII, 2481, 2521, 3479), 
a Member (II, 1344; V, 5154, 5161-5163, 5175, 5192), or a Delegate (II, 
1295). A Member may initiate a call to order either by making a point of 
order that a Member is transgressing the rules or by formally demanding 
that words be taken down under this clause (Sept. 12, 1996, pp. ----, --
--; Sept. 17, 1996, p. ----; Sept. 18, 1996, p. ----; Sept. 25, 1996, p. 
----). A Member's comportment in debate may constitute a breach of 
decorum even though the content of the Member's speech is not, itself, 
unparliamentary (July 29, 1994, p. 18609). Except for naming the 
offending Member, the Speaker may not otherwise censure or punish him 
(II, 1345; VI, 237; Sept. 18, 1996, p. ----; see also Sec. 366, supra). 
The House may by proper motions under this clause dictate the 
consequences of a ruling by the Chair that a Member was out of order 
(May 26, 1983, p. 14048).


  As discussed in Sec. 374, supra, it is customary for the Chair to 
initiate the call to order a Member who criticizes the actions of the 
Senate, its Members, or its committees, whether in debate or through an 
insertion in the Record (Speaker Albert, Apr. 17, 1975, p. 10458; Oct. 
7, 1975, p. 32055; Feb. 27, 1997, p. ----). On the other hand, the Chair 
customarily awaits an initiative from the floor to call to order a 
Member engaging in personalities in debate with respect to another 
Member of the House (June 29, 1987, p. 18072; Jan. 4, 1995, p. 551; Feb. 
27, 1997, p. ----). The Chair may take initiative to call to order a 
Member engaging in verbal outburst following expiration of his 
recognition for debate (Mar. 16, 1988, p. 4081). The Chair may deny 
further recognition to an offending Member, subject to the will of the 
House on the question of his proceeding in order (Speaker O'Neill, June 
16, 1982, p. 13843; July 29, 1994, p. 18609; Sept. 18, 1996, p. ----). 
The Chair may admonish a Member for words spoken in debate and request 
that they be removed from the Record even prior to a demand that the 
words be taken down (Sept. 24, 1992, p. 27345).


[[Page 708]]

the Chair to determine whether a point of order from the floor is 
intended as a demand that words be taken down is not such intervening 
debate or business as would render the demand untimely (Oct. 2, 1984, p. 
28522). Unanimous consent is not required for a Member to withdraw his 
demand that words be taken down prior to a ruling by the Chair (June 18, 
1986, p. 14232).
  This clause (former clause 5) prohibits the taking down of words after 
intervening business (V, 5177; VIII, 2536; Sept. 16, 1991, p. 23032; 
Mar. 28, 1996, p. 6934). However, a Member on his feet and seeking 
recognition at the appropriate time may yet be recognized to demand that 
words be taken down even though brief debate may have intervened, and a 
request that a Member uttering objectionable words yield does not 
forfeit the right to demand that the words be taken down (VIII, 2528). 
Action taken by

  While a demand that a Member's words be taken down is pending, that 
Member should be seated immediately (July 29, 1994, p. 18609; Jan. 25, 
1995, p. 2352), and no Member may engage the Chair until the demand has 
been disposed of (Nov. 9, 1995, p. ----; Nov. 15, 1995, p. ----). Where 
two Members consecutively demand that each others' words be taken down 
as unparliamentary, the Chair advises both Members to be seated and then 
directs the Clerk to report the first words objected to (June 19, 1996, 
p. 14655). An offending Member may be directed by the Chair to be seated 
even if a formal demand that the Member's words be taken down is not 
pending; for example, where a Member declines to proceed in order at the 
directive of the Chair after points of order have been sustained against 
unparliamentary references in debate, the Chair may, under rule I and 
this rule, deny the Member further recognition as a disposition of the 
question of order, subject to the will of the House on the question of 
proceeding in order (Sept. 12, 1996, p.----; Sept. 17, 1996, p. ----; 
Sept. 18, 1996, p. ----; see also Sec. 366, supra; ).

  The words having been read from the desk, the Chair decides whether 
they are in order (II, 1249; V, 5163, 5169, 5187), as read by the Clerk 
and not as otherwise alleged to have been uttered (June 9, 1992, p. 
13902). When a Member denies that the words taken down are the exact 
words used by himself, the question as to the words is put to the House 
for decision (V, 5179, 5180). Where demands are made to take down words 
both as spoken in a one-minute speech and as reiterated when the 
offending Member is permitted by unanimous consent to explain, the Chair 
may rule simultaneously on both (July 25, 1996, p. 19170). A decision of 
the Chair on a point of order that a Member is engaging in personalities 
is subject to appeal (Sept. 28, 1996, p. ----).

  The rule permits a motion that an offending Member be permitted to 
explain before the Chair rules on the words taken down, and the Chair 
has discretion to ask for explanation before ruling on the words (Feb. 
1, 1940, p. 954). The Chair also may recognize an offending Member, 
permitted by unanimous consent, to explain words ruled out of order 
(Nov. 10, 1971, p. 40442).


[[Page 709]]

floor, and other Members may proceed to debate the same subject (July 
25, 1996, p. 19170). The offending Member will not lose the floor if the 
House permits the Member to proceed in order (see, e.g., May 10, 1990, 
p. 9992), which motion may be stated on the initiative of the Chair 
(Oct. 8, 1991, p. 25757; Mar. 29, 1995, p. 9676; July 25, 1996, p. 1970) 
or offered by any Member (July 25, 1996, p. 1970). The motion is not 
inconsistent with the immediate consequence of the call to order because 
this clause (former clause 4) also permits the House to determine the 
extent of the sanction for a given breach (Oct. 10, 1991, p. 26102). The 
motion is debatable within narrow limits of relevance under the hour 
rule, and consequently also is subject to the motion to lay on the table 
(Speaker Foley, Oct. 8, 1991, p. 25757).
  If words taken down are ruled out of order, the Member loses the floor 
(V, 5196-5199; Jan. 25, 1995, p. 2352) and may not proceed on the same 
day without the permission of the House (Jan. 29, 1946, p. 533; Aug. 21, 
1974, p. 29652; Jan. 25, 1995, p. 2352; Apr. 17, 1997, p. ----), even on 
yielded time (V, 5147), and may not insert unspoken remarks in the 
Record (Jan. 25, 1995, p. 2352), but still may exercise his right to 
vote or to demand the yeas and nays (VIII, 2546). The ruling does not 
take the issue off the

  Where a Member has been called to order not in response to a formal 
demand that words be taken down but in response to a point of order, the 
former practice was to test the opinion of the House by a motion ``that 
the gentleman be allowed to proceed in order'' (V, 5188, 5189; VIII, 
2534). Under the modern practice the Chair either may invite the 
offending Member to proceed in order (see, e.g., Sept. 12, 1996, p. ----
) or, particularly where admonitions have been ignored, may deny the 
Member recognition for the balance of the time for which he was 
recognized, subject to the will of the House, as by a vote on the 
question whether the Member should be permitted to proceed in order 
(Sept. 12, 1996, p. ----; Sept. 17, 1996, p. ----; Sept. 18, 1996, p. --
--; Sept. 25, 1996, p. ----).

  Words taken down and ruled out of order by the Chair are subject to a 
motion that they be stricken or expunged from the Record. This motion 
has precedence (VIII, 2538-2541; Aug. 21, 1974, p. 29652), is often 
stated on the initiative of the Chair (May 10, 1990, p. 9992), and is 
debatable within narrow limits (VIII, 2539; Speaker Martin, June 12, 
1947, p. 6896). However, the motion may not be entertained in the 
Committee of the Whole (Feb. 18, 1941, p. 1126) or offered by the Member 
called to order (Feb. 11, 1941, pp. 894, 899), although that Member may 
ask unanimous consent to withdraw his words (VIII, 2528, 2538, 2540, 
2543, 2544; July 16, 1998, p. ----).

  When disorderly words are spoken in the Committee of the Whole, they 
are taken down and read at the Clerk's desk, and the Committee rises 
automatically (VIII, 2533, 2538, 2539) and reports them to the House 
(II, 1257-1259, 1348). Action in the House on words reported from the 
Committee of the Whole is limited to the words reported (VIII, 2528), 
and it is not in order as a question of privilege in the House to 
propose censure of a Member for disorderly words spoken in Committee of 
the Whole but not reported therefrom (V, 5202). After words reported to 
the House from Committee of the Whole have been disposed of (by decision 
of the Chair and any associated action by the House), the Committee 
resumes its sitting without motion (VIII, 2539, 2541).


[[Page 710]]

although business may have intervened in certain exceptional cases, such 
as when disorderly words are part of an occurrence constituting a breach 
of privilege (II, 1657), when a Member's language has been investigated 
by a committee (II, 1655), when a Member has reiterated on the floor 
certain published charges (III, 2637), when a Member has uttered words 
alleged to be treasonable (II, 1252), or when a Member has uttered an 
attack on the Speaker (II, 1248; Jan. 4, 1995, p. 551; Jan. 19, 1995, p. 
1599).
  The House has censured a Member for disorderly words (II, 1253, 1254, 
1259, 1305; VI, 236). The House may proceed to censure or other action


  For a discussion of resolving the use of objectional exhibits that are 
a breach of decorum, see Sec. 622, supra; and for a discussion of 
resolving the use of objectional exhibits that are not necessarily a 
breach of decorum, see clause 6, Sec. 963, infra.

                                                     Rule XVII, clause 5
Rule XVII, clause 5
Comportment




962. Decorum of Members in the Hall.

  5.  When the Speaker is 
putting a question or addressing the House, a Member, Delegate, or 
Resident Commissioner may not walk out of or across the Hall. When a 
Member, Delegate, or Resident Commissioner is speaking, a Member, 
Delegate, or Resident Commissioner may not pass between the person 
speaking and the Chair. During the session of the House, a Member, 
Delegate, or Resident Commissioner may not wear a hat or remain by the 
Clerk's desk during the call of the roll or the counting of ballots. A 
person may not smoke or use any personal, electronic office equipment, 
including cellular phones and computers, on the floor of the House. The 
Sergeant-at-Arms is charged with the strict enforcement of this clause.


  Until the 104th Congress this clause (former clause 7 of rule XIV) was 
made up of provisions adopted in 1789, 1837, 1871, and 1896. In the 
104th Congress a reference to the former Doorkeeper was deleted and the 
prohibition against using personal electronic office equipment was added 
(secs. 201 and 223, H. Res. 6, Jan. 4, 1995, pp. 463, 469). Before the 
House recodified its rules in the 106th Congress, this provision was 
found in former clause 7 of rule XIV (H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 1999, p. ----).


[[Page 711]]

gress the Speaker announced that the prohibition against Members wearing 
hats included doffing the hat in tribute to a group (Speaker Foley, June 
22, 1993, p. 13569; June 10, 1996, p. 13560). In the 96th Congress, the 
Speaker announced that he considered as proper the customary and 
traditional attire for Members, including a coat and tie for male 
Members and appropriate attire for female Members (where thermostat 
controls had been raised in the summer to conserve energy); the House 
then adopted a resolution, offered as a question of the privileges of 
the House, requiring Members to wear proper attire as determined by the 
Speaker, and denying noncomplying Members the privilege of the floor 
(July 17, 1979, pp. 19008, 19073). In the 97th Congress, the Speaker 
announced during a vote by electronic device that Members were not 
permitted under the traditions of the House to wear overcoats on the 
House floor (Dec. 16, 1981, p. 31847).
  Originally Members wore their hats during sessions, as in Parliament, 
and the custom was not abolished until 1837 (II, 1136). In the 103d Con

  The prohibition against using personal electronic office equipment was 
affirmed by response to a parliamentary inquiry (Feb. 23, 1995, p. 
5640). The Chair announced that the use of cellular telephones was not 
permitted on the floor of the House or in the gallery (July 13, 1999, p. 
----).

  Smoking is not permitted in the Hall during sessions of the House 
(Oct. 15, 1990, p. 29248), nor during sittings of the Committee of the 
Whole (Aug. 14, 1986, p. 21707); and the prohibition extends to smoking 
behind the rail (Feb. 23, 1995, p. 5640).

  On the opening day of the 101st Congress, the Speaker prefaced his 
customary announcement of policies concerning such aspects of the 
legislative process as recognition for unanimous-consent requests and 
privileges of the floor with a general statement concerning decorum in 
the House, including particular adjurations against engaging in 
personalities, addressing remarks to spectators, and passing in front of 
the Member addressing the Chair (Jan. 3, 1989, p. 88; see also Jan. 5, 
1993, p. 105; Jan. 4, 1995, p. 551). In the 104th Congress the Speaker 
announced: (1) that Members should not traffic, or linger in, the well 
of the House while another Member is speaking (Feb. 3, 1995, p. 3541; 
Mar. 3, 1995, p. 6721; Dec. 15, 1995, p. ----); and (2) that Members 
should not engage in disruption while another Member is speaking (Dec. 
20, 1995, p. ----). Under this provision the Chair may require a line of 
Members waiting to sign a discharge petition to proceed to the rostrum 
from the far right-hand aisle and require the line not to stand between 
the Chair and Members engaging in debate (Oct. 24, 1997, p. ----).

  Hissing and jeering is not proper decorum in the House (May 21, 1998, 
p. ----).


[[Page 712]]

thereto, until the resolution of a contested election to which he was 
party (H. Res. 233, Sept. 18, 1997, p. ----).

  A former Member must observe proper decorum under this clause, and the 
Chair may direct the Sergeant-at-Arms to assist the Chair in maintaining 
such decorum (Sept. 17, 1997, p. ----). In the 105th Congress the House 
adopted a resolution offered as a question of the privileges of the 
House alleging indecorous behavior of a former Member and instructing 
the Sergeant-at-Arms to ban the former Member from the floor, and rooms 
leading

                                                     Rule XVII, clause 6
Rule XVII, clause 6
Exhibits




963. Objections to use of exhibits.

  6.  When the use of an 
exhibit in debate is objected to by a Member, Delegate, or Resident 
Commissioner, its use shall be decided without debate by a vote of the 
House.


  This provision was rewritten in the 103d Congress (H. Res. 5, Jan. 5, 
1993, p. 49) to address the use of exhibits in debate rather than the 
reading from papers. Before the House recodified its rules in the 106th 
Congress, this provision was found in former rule XXX (H. Res. 5, Jan. 
6, 1999, p. ----). When the use of an exhibit in debate is objected to 
under this rule, the Chair immediately puts the question on whether use 
of the exhibit shall be permitted (unless determining a breach of 
decorum under clause 2 of rule I) (Nov. 1, 1995, p. ----; Nov. 10, 1995, 
p. 20689; July 31, 1996, p. ----). The Chair puts the question without 
debate, and without requiring the objecting Member to state the basis 
for the objection (Nov. 10, 1995, p. 20689). As such, an objection under 
this rule is not a point of order: it may be resolved by withdrawal of 
the exhibit; that failing, it amounts to a demand that the Chair put to 
the House the question whether the exhibit may be used (July 31, 1996, 
p. ----). It is not a proper parliamentary inquiry to ask the Chair to 
judge the accuracy of the content of an exhibit (Nov. 10, 1995, p. ----
). The Chair has held that a second virtually consecutive invocation of 
this provision, resulting in a second pair of votes on use of a chart 
and on reconsideration thereof, was not dilatory under former clause 10 
of rule XVI (current clause 1 of rule XVI) or former clause 4(b) of rule 
XI (current clause 6(b) of rule XIII) (July 31, 1996, p. 20700). It is 
not in order to request that the voting display be turned on during 
debate as an exhibit to accompany a Member's debate (Oct. 12, 1998, p. 
----).


[[Page 713]]

panying record of testimony should be read (V, 5261, 5262). In general 
the reading of a report was held to be in the nature of debate (V, 
5292); but where a report presented facts and conclusions but no 
legislative proposition, it was read if submitted for action (IV, 4663). 
Where a paper is offered as involving a matter of privilege it may be 
read to the House (III, 2597; VI, 606; VIII, 2599), rather than by the 
Speaker privately (III, 2546), but a Member may not, as a matter of 
right, require the reading of a book or paper on suggestion that it 
contains matter infringing on the privileges of the House (V, 5258).


Sec. 964. History of former rule on reading of 
papers.

  The earlier  form of the rule (former rule XXX), originally adopted in 1794 
and amended in 1802 and 1880 (V, 5257), addressed reading from papers. 
It recognized the right of a Member under the general parliamentary law 
to have read the paper on which the House is to vote (V, 5258), but when 
that paper had been read once, the reading could not be repeated unless 
by order of the House (V, 5260). The right could be abrogated by 
suspension of the rules (V, 5278-5284; VIII, 3400); but was not 
abrogated simply by the fact that the current procedure was taking place 
under the rule for suspension (V, 5273-5277). On a motion to refer a 
report, the reading of it could be demanded as a matter of right, but 
the latest ruling left to the House to determine whether or not an accom


  The former rule XXX prohibiting the reading of papers in debate was 
held to apply to the exhibition of articles as evidence or in 
exemplification in debate (VIII, 2452, 2453; June 2, 1937, p. 6104; Aug. 
5, 1949, p. 10859), and the new form of the rule adopted in the 103d 
Congress (H. Res. 5, Jan. 5, 1993, p. 49) marks the modern relevance of 
that application. While Members may use exhibits such as charts during 
debate subject to this rule, the Speaker may, pursuant to his authority 
to preserve order and decorum under rule I (see Sec. 622, supra), direct 
the removal of a chart from the well of the House which is not being 
utilized during debate (Apr. 1, 1982, p. 6304), or which is otherwise 
disruptive of decorum.




Sec. 965. Earlier practice.

  The reading  of papers other than 
the one on which the vote was about to be taken was usually permitted 
without question (V, 5258), and the Member in debate usually read such 
papers as he pleased, but this privilege was subject to the authority of 
the House if another Member objected (V, 5285-5291; VIII, 2597, 2602; 
Dec. 19, 1974, p. 41425; Dec. 10, 1987, p. 34669). This principle 
applied even to the Member's own written speech (V, 5258; VIII, 2598), 
to a report which he proposed to have read in his own time or to read in 
his place (V, 5293), and to excerpts from the Congressional Record 
(VIII, 2597). But, on a motion to lay on the table, a demand for the 
reading of a paper other than the one to which the motion applied was 
overruled (V, 5297); and after the previous question were ordered a 
Member could not ask the decision of the House as to the reading of a 
paper not before the House for action (V, 5296), even though it be the 
report of the committee (V, 5294, 5295). For further discussion, see 
Sec. Sec. 432-436, supra. The consent of the House pursuant to the 
former form of this rule for a Member to read a paper in debate only 
permitted the Member seeking such permission to read as much of the 
paper as possible in the time yielded or allotted to that Member, and 
did not necessarily grant permission to read or to insert the entire 
document (Mar. 1, 1979, p. 3748). Where a Member objected to another's 
reading from a paper the Chair put the question without debate, and it 
was not in order under the guise of parliamentary inquiry to debate that 
question by indicating that the objection was a dilatory tactic (Dec. 
10, 1987, p. 34672).



[[Page 714]]

Galleries
                                                     Rule XVII, clause 7
Rule XVII, clause 7




966. Gallery occupants not to be introduced.

  7.  During a 
session of the House, it shall not be in order for a Member, Delegate, 
or Resident Commissioner to introduce to or to bring to the attention of 
the House an occupant in the galleries of the House. The Speaker may not 
entertain a request for the suspension of this rule by unanimous consent 
or otherwise.



  This clause was adopted April 10, 1933 (VI, 197). Before the House 
recodified its rules in the 106th Congress, this provision was found in 
former clause 8 of rule XIV (H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 1999, p. ----).

                                                     Rule XVII, clause 8
Rule XVII, clause 8
Congressional Record



967. Revisions of remarks in debate.

  8. (a)  The 
Congressional Record shall be a substantially verbatim account of 
remarks made during the proceedings of the House, subject only to 
technical, grammatical, and typographical corrections authorized by the 
Member, Delegate, or Resident Commissioner making the remarks.


  (b) Unparliamentary remarks may be deleted only by permission or order 
of the House.




Sec. 968. Standard of conduct.

  (c)  This clause establishes a 
standard of conduct within the meaning of clause 3(a)(2) of rule XI.



  This clause was adopted in the 104th Congress (sec. 213, H. Res. 6, 
Jan. 4, 1995, p. 468). Before the House recodified its rules in the 
106th Congress, this provision was found in former clause 9 of rule XIV 
(H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 1999, p. ----). Under paragraph (a) a unanimous-
consent request to revise and extend remarks permits a Member (1) to 
make technical, grammatical, and typographical corrections to remarks 
uttered and (2) to include in the Record additional remarks not uttered 
to appear in a distinctive typeface; however, such a unanimous-consent 
request does not permit a Member to remove remarks actually uttered 
(Jan. 4, 1995, p. 541). Paragraph (a) also applies to statements and 
rulings of the Chair (Jan. 20, 1995, p. ----).


[[Page 715]]

Secret sessions
                                                     Rule XVII, clause 9
Rule XVII, clause 9




969. Secret session of the House.

  9.  When confidential 
communications are received from the President, or when the Speaker or a 
Member, Delegate, or Resident Commissioner informs the House that he has 
communications that he believes ought to be kept secret for the present, 
the House shall be cleared of all persons except the Members, Delegates, 
Resident Commissioner, and officers of the House for the reading of such 
communications, and debates and proceedings thereon, unless otherwise 
ordered by the House.


  This provision (former rule XXIX), in a somewhat different form, was 
adopted in 1792, although secret sessions had been held by the House 
before that date. They continued to be held at times with considerable 
frequency until 1830. In 1880, at the time of the general revision of 
the rules, the House concluded to retain the rule, although it had been 
long in disuse (V, 7247; VI, 434). Before the House recodified its rules 
in the 106th Congress, this provision was found in former rule XXIX (H. 
Res. 5, Jan. 6, 1999, p. ----).

  The two Houses have legislated in secret session, transmitting their 
messages also in secrecy (V, 7250); but the House has declined to be 
bound to secrecy by act of the Senate (V, 7249). Motions to remove the 
injunction of secrecy should be made with closed doors (V, 7254). In 
1843 a confidential message from the President was referred without 
reading; but no motion was made for a secret session (V, 7255).

  The House and not the Committee of the Whole determines whether the 
Committee may sit in executive session, and an inquiry relative to 
whether the Committee of the Whole should sit in secret session is 
properly addressed to the Speaker and not to the Chairman of the 
Committee of the Whole (May 9, 1950, p. 6746; June 6, 1978, p. 16376; 
June 20, 1979, p. 15710). A Member seeking to offer the motion that the 
House resolve itself into secret session must qualify, as provided by 
the rule, by asserting that the Member has a secret communication to 
make to the House (June 6, 1978, p. 16376).


[[Page 716]]

that the galleries would be cleared of all persons, that the Chamber 
would be cleared of all persons except Members and those officers and 
employees specified by the Speaker whose attendance was essential to the 
functioning of the secret session, who would be required to sign an oath 
of secrecy, and that all proceedings in the secret session must be kept 
secret until otherwise ordered by the House (June 20, 1979, pp. 15711-
13). Where the House has concluded a secret session and has not voted to 
release the transcripts of that session, the injunction of secrecy 
remains and the Speaker may informally refer the transcripts to 
appropriate committees for their evaluation and report to the House as 
to ultimate disposition to be made (June 20, 1979, pp. 15711-13).
  On June 20, 1979, the House adopted by voice vote a motion that the 
House resolve itself into secret session pursuant to this rule (the 
first such occasion since 1830), where the Member offering the motion 
had ensured the Speaker that he had confidential communications to make 
to the House as required by the rule (pp. 15711-13). The Speaker pro 
tempore announced on that occasion before the commencement of the secret 
session

  The following procedures apply during a secret session. The motion for 
a secret session is not debatable (June 20, 1979, p. ----; Mar. 31, 
1998, p. ----). The Member who offers the motion may be recognized for 
one hour of debate after the House resolves into secret session, and the 
normal rules of debate, including the principle that no motions would be 
in order unless he yields for that purpose, apply. The Speaker having 
found that a Member has qualified to make the motion for a secret 
session, having confidential communications to make, no point of order 
lies that the material in question must be submitted to the Members to 
make that determination (the motion for a secret session having been 
adopted by the House). No point of order lies in secret session that 
employees designated by the Speaker as essential to the proceedings, who 
have signed an oath of secrecy, may not be present. A motion in secret 
session to make public the proceedings therein is debatable for one 
hour, within narrow limits of relevancy. At the conclusion of debate in 
secret session, a Member may be recognized to offer a motion that the 
session be dissolved (July 17, 1979, pp. 19057-59).

  The House conducted another secret session in the 96th Congress to 
receive confidential communications consisting of classified information 
in the possession of the Committee on Foreign Affairs (now International 
Relations) and the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, which 
those committees had authorized to be used in a secret session of the 
House if ordered; on that occasion the Speaker overruled a point of 
order against the motion for a secret session since the Speaker must 
rely on the assurance of a Member that he has confidential 
communications to make to the House, and since the Speaker was aware 
that the committee with possession of the materials had authorized those 
materials to be used in a secret session (Feb. 25, 1980, p. 3618). 
Another secret session was held in the 98th Congress pending 
consideration of a bill amending the Intelligence Authorization Act to 
prohibit United States support for military or paramilitary operations 
in Nicaragua (July 19, 1983, p. 19776).


[[Page 717]]

  The House may subsequently by unanimous consent order printed in the 
Congressional Record proceedings in secret session, with appropriate 
deletions and revisions agreeable to the committees to which the secret 
transcript has been referred for review (July 17, 1979, p. 19049).





[106th Congress House Rules Manual -- House Document No. 105-358]
[From the U.S. Government Printing Office Online Database]
[Page 717-742]

 
Rule XVIII.--THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE HOUSE ON THE STATE OF THE UNION


Resolving into the Committee of the Whole
  Under his authority in clause 3 of rule I, the Speaker convened a 
classified briefing for Members on the House floor when the House was 
not in session (Mar. 18, 1999, p. ----).




970. Selection of Chairman of Committee of the Whole; and 
his power to preserve order.

  1.  Whenever the House resolves into the 
Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union, the Speaker 
shall leave the chair after appointing a Chairman to preside. In case of 
disturbance or disorderly conduct in the galleries or lobby, the 
Chairman may cause the same to be cleared.


  This provision (former clause 1(a) of rule XXIII), adopted in 1880, 
was made from two older rules dating from 1789 and modified in 1794 to 
provide for the appointment of the Chairman instead of the inconvenient 
method of election by the committee (IV, 4704). It was amended in the 
103d Congress to permit Delegates and the Resident Commissioner to 
preside in the Committee of the Whole (H. Res. 5, Jan. 5, 1993, p. 49), 
but that authority was repealed in the 104th Congress (sec. 212(b), H. 
Res. 6, Jan. 4, 1995, p. 468). Delegates presided in two instances 
during the 103d Congress (Oct. 6, 1994, p. 28533; Oct. 7, 1994, p. 
29167). Before the House recodified its rules in the 106th Congress, 
this provision was found in former clause 1(a) of rule XXIII (H. Res. 5, 
Jan. 6, 1999, p. ----).


[[Page 718]]

of a Member under general ``leave to print'' (V, 6988). The Chairman 
decides questions of order arising in the Committee independently of the 
Speaker (V, 6927, 6928), but has declined to consider a question that 
had arisen in the House just before the Committee began to sit (IV, 
4725, 4726) or a question that may arise in the House in the future 
(June 21, 1995, p. 16682). He recognizes for debate (V, 5003); but like 
the Speaker is forbidden to recognize for requests to suspend the rule 
of admission to the floor (V, 7285). He may direct the Committee to rise 
when the hour previously fixed for adjournment of the House arrives, or 
when the hour previously fixed by the House for consideration of other 
business arrives, in which case he reports in the regular way (IV, 4785; 
VIII, 2376; Aug. 22, 1974, p. 30077); but if the Committee happens to be 
in session at the hour fixed for the meeting of the House on a new 
legislative day, it rests with the Committee and not with the Chairman 
to determine whether or not the Committee shall rise (V, 6736, 6737).



Sec. 971. Functions of the Chairman of the Committee of 
the Whole.

  The  Sergeant-at-Arms attends the sittings of the Committee of 
the Whole and, under direction of the Chairman, maintains order (I, 
257). His decisions on questions of order may be appealed; and in 
stating the appeal, the question is put as in the House: ``Shall the 
decision of the Chair stand as the judgment of the Committee?'' and a 
majority vote sustains the ruling (Aug. 1, 1989, p. 17159). In rare 
cases wherein the Chairman has been defied or insulted he has directed 
the Committee to rise, left the chair and, on the chair being taken by 
the Speaker, has reported the facts to the House (II, 1350, 1651, 1653). 
While the Committee of the Whole does not control the Congressional 
Record, the Chairman may direct the exclusion of disorderly words spoken 
by a Member after he has been called to order (V, 6987), but may not 
determine the privileges


                                                    Rule XVIII, clause 2
Rule XVIII, clause 2



Sec. 972. Speaker's declaration into Committee of the 
Whole pursuant to special order.

  2. (a)  Except as provided in paragraph (b) 
and in clause 7 of rule XV, the House resolves into the Committee of the 
Whole House on the state of the Union by motion. When such a motion is 
entertained, the Speaker shall put the question without debate: ``Shall 
the House resolve itself into the Committee of the Whole House on the 
state of the Union for consideration of this matter?'', naming it.



  (b) After the House has adopted a resolution reported by the Committee 
on Rules providing a special order of business for the consideration of 
a measure in the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union, 
the Speaker may at any time, when no question is pending before the 
House, declare the House resolved into the Committee of the Whole for 
the consideration of that measure without intervening motion, unless the 
special order of business provides otherwise.


[[Page 719]]

mittee of the Whole (H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 1999, p. ----). Paragraph (b) 
was added in the 98th Congress (H. Res. 5, Jan. 3, 1983, p. 34). Before 
the House recodified its rules in the 106th Congress, paragraph (b) was 
found in former clause 1(b) of rule XXIII (H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 1999, p. 
----).

  Paragraph (a) was adopted when the House recodified its rules in the 
106th Congress to codify the form of the motion to resolve into the Com

                                                    Rule XVIII, clause 3
Rule XVIII, clause 3
Measures requiring initial consideration in the Committee of the Whole




973. Subjects requiring consideration in Committee of the 
Whole.

  3.  All bills, resolutions, or Senate amendments (as provided in 
clause 3 of rule XXII) involving a tax or charge on the people, raising 
revenue, directly or indirectly making appropriations of money or 
property or requiring such appropriations to be made, authorizing 
payments out of appropriations already made, releasing any liability to 
the United States for money or property, or referring a claim to the 
Court of Claims, shall be first considered in the Committee of the Whole 
House on the state of the Union. A bill, resolution, or Senate amendment 
that fails to comply with this clause is subject to a point of order 
against its consideration.


  The first form of this rule was adopted in 1794, and it has been 
perfected by amendments in 1874 and 1896 (IV, 4792). Before the House 
recodified its rules in the 106th Congress, this provision was found in 
former clause 3 of rule XXIII (H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 1999, p. ----).


[[Page 720]]

ered in the House (VIII, 2415, 2416). Authorizations of expenditures 
from the contingent fund, under the later ruling (IV, 4862-4867) do not 
fall within the specifications of the rule (IV, 4868). A bill providing 
for an expenditure which is to be borne otherwise than by the Government 
(IV, 4831; VIII, 2400), or relating to money in the Treasury in trust 
(IV, 4835, 4836, 4853; VIII, 2413), is not governed by the rule. But 
where a bill sets in motion a train of circumstances destined ultimately 
to involve certain expenditures, it must be considered in Committee of 
the Whole (IV, 4827; VIII, 2399), as well as bills ultimately 
authorizing officials in certain contingencies to part with property 
belonging to the United States (VIII, 2399). The requirements of the 
rule apply to amendments as well as to bills (IV, 4793, 4794; VIII, 
2331), and also to any portion of a bill requiring an appropriation, 
even though it be merely incidental to the bill's main purpose (IV, 
4825). Under the later practice general (as well as private and special) 
bills providing for the adjudication and payment of claims are held to 
be within the requirements of the rule (IV, 4856-4859).


Sec. 974. Construction of the rule, requiring 
consideration in Committee of the Whole.

  To require  consideration in Committee of 
the Whole, a bill must show on its face that it falls within the 
requirements of the rule (IV, 4811-4817; VIII, 2391), but where the 
expenditure is a mere matter of speculation (IV, 4818-4821; VIII, 2388), 
or where the bill might involve a charge, but does not necessarily do so 
(IV, 4809, 4810), the rule does not apply. In passing upon the question 
as to whether a proposition involves a charge upon the Treasury, the 
Speaker is confined to the provisions of the text and may not take into 
consideration personal knowledge not directly deducible therefrom (VIII, 
2386, 2391). Resolutions reported by the Committee on House 
Administration (now House Oversight) appropriating from the contingent 
fund (now referred to as ``applicable accounts of the House described in 
clause 1(i)(1) of rule X'') of the House are consid




Sec. 975. Subjects not requiring consideration in 
Committee of the Whole.

  The  House may consider in Committee of the Whole 
subjects not specified in the rule (IV, 4822); for example, major 
amendments to the Rules of House have been considered in Committee of 
the Whole pursuant to special orders (H. Res. 988, Committee Reform 
Amendments of 1974, considered in Committee of the Whole pursuant to H. 
Res. 1395, Sept. 30, 1974, p. 32953; H.R. 17654, Legislative 
Reorganization Act of 1970, considered in Committee of the Whole 
pursuant to H. Res. 1093, July 13, 1970, p. 23901). While conference 
reports were formerly considered in Committee of the Whole, they may not 
be sent there on the suggestion of the point of order that they contain 
matter ordinarily requiring consideration therein (V, 6559-6561). When a 
bill is made a special order (IV, 3216-3224), or when unanimous consent 
is given for its consideration (IV, 4823; VIII, 2393), the effect is to 
discharge the Committee of the Whole and bring the bill before the House 
itself for its consideration (IV, 3216; VII, 788), and in such event the 
bill is considered either in the House pursuant to a special order or 
``in the House as in the Committee of the Whole'' (VIII, 2393). When a 
bill once considered in Committee of the Whole is recommitted, it is 
not, when again reported, necessarily subject to the point of order that 
it must be considered in Committee of the Whole (IV, 4828, 4829; V, 
5545, 5546, 5591).



[[Page 721]]

4844, 4845; VIII, 2413). And while a bill removing the rate of postage 
has been held to be within the rule as involving a tax or charge (IV, 
4861), taxes on bank circulation have not been so considered (IV, 4854, 
4855).


Sec. 976. General practice as to consideration in 
Committee of the Whole.

  Provisions  placing liability jointly on the United States 
and the District of Columbia (IV, 4833), granting an easement on public 
lands or in streets belonging to the United States (IV, 4840-4842), 
dedicating public land to be forever used as a public park (IV, 4837, 
4838), providing site for statue (VIII, 2405), confirming grants of 
public lands (IV, 4843) and creating new offices (IV, 4824, 4846), have 
been held to require consideration in Committee of the Whole. Indian 
lands have not been considered property of the Government within the 
meaning of the rule (IV,



  The mere making of a unanimous-consent request to dispense with the 
reading of an amendment and to revise and extend remarks thereon is not 
such intervening business as would render a point of order untimely 
under this clause, where the Member making the point of order is on his 
feet seeking recognition (July 16, 1991, p. 18391; see Procedure, ch. 
31, sec. 5.7).

                                                    Rule XVIII, clause 4
Rule XVIII, clause 4
Order of business



977. Order of business in Committee of the 
Whole.

  4. (a)  Subject to subparagraph (b) business on the calendar of the 
Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union may be taken up 
in regular order, or in such order as the Committee may determine, 
unless the measure to be considered was determined by the House at the 
time of resolving into the Committee of the Whole.



  (b) Motions to resolve into the Committee of the Whole for 
consideration of bills and joint resolutions making general 
appropriations have precedence under this clause.

  The early practice left the order of taking up bills to be determined 
entirely by the Committee, but in 1844 the House began by rule to 
regulate the order, and in 1880 adopted the present rule (IV, 4729). 
When the House recodified its rules in the 106th Congress, this 
provision was transferred from former clause 4 of rule XXIII (H. Res. 5, 
Jan. 6, 1999, p. ----). At that time references in this provision to 
revenue bills and rivers and harbors bills were deleted to conform it to 
changes made to the Rules of House by the Committee Reform Amendments of 
1974 (H. Res. 988, 93d Cong., Oct. 8, 1974, p. 34470), which revoked the 
privilege to report such bills at any time.


[[Page 722]]

or change that vote is not in order (IV, 4765). When there is unfinished 
business in Committee of the Whole, it is usually first in order (IV, 
4735; VIII, 2334).

  The power of the Committee to determine the order of considering bills 
on its calendar is construed to authorize a motion to establish an order 
(IV, 4730) or a motion to take up a specified bill out of its order (IV, 
4731, 4732; VIII, 2333). Except in cases wherein the rules make specific 
provisions therefor a motion is not in order in the House to fix the 
order in which business on the calendars of the Committee of the Whole 
shall be taken up (IV, 4733). The Committee of the Whole having voted to 
consider a particular bill, and consideration having begun, a motion to 
reconsider

                                                    Rule XVIII, clause 5
Rule XVIII, clause 5
Reading for amendment-



978. General debate and amendment under the fiveminute 
rule in Committee of the Whole.

  5. (a)  Before general debate commences on a 
measure in the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union, 
it shall be read in full. When general debate is concluded or closed by 
order of the House, the measure under consideration shall be read for 
amendment. A Member, Delegate, or Resident Commissioner who offers an 
amendment shall be allowed five minutes to explain it, after which the 
Member, Delegate, or Resident Commissioner who shall first obtain the 
floor shall be allowed five minutes to speak in opposition to it. There 
shall be no further debate thereon, but the same privilege of debate 
shall be allowed in favor of and against any amendment that may be 
offered to an amendment. An amendment, or an amendment to an amendment, 
may be withdrawn by its proponent only by the unanimous consent of the 
Committee of the Whole.



[[Page 723]]

cloakroom and at least one copy to the minority cloakroom.

  (b) When a Member, Delegate, or Resident Commissioner offers an 
amendment in the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union, 
the Clerk shall promptly transmit five copies of the amendment to the 
majority committee table and five copies to the minority committee 
table. The Clerk also shall deliver at least one copy of the amendment 
to the majority

  A rule of 1789 provided that bills should be read and debated in 
Committee of the Whole and in the House by clauses. Although that rule 
has disappeared, the practice continues in Committee of the Whole, 
although not in the House. Originally there was unlimited debate in 
Committee of the Whole both as to the bill generally and also as to any 
amendment; but in 1841 the rule that no Member should speak more than an 
hour was applied both to the Committee of the Whole and the House. At 
the same time another rule was adopted to prevent indefinite 
prolongation of debate in Committee of the Whole by permitting the House 
by majority vote to order the discharge of the Committee of the Whole 
from the consideration of a bill after acting, without debate, on 
pending amendments and any other amendments that might be offered. The 
effect of this was to empower the House to close general debate at any 
time after it had actually begun in the Committee; and thereby to 
require amendments to be voted on without debate. In 1847 a rule 
provided that any Member proposing an amendment should have five minutes 
in which to explain it, and in 1850 an amendment to the rule also 
permitted five minutes in opposition and guarded against abuse by 
forbidding the withdrawal of an amendment when once offered (V, 5221). 
In the 104th Congress the Speaker announced his intention to strictly 
enforce time limitations on debate (Jan. 4, 1995, p. 457). Paragraph 
(b), placing upon the Clerk the responsibility for providing copies of 
amendments, was part of the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1970 (sec. 
124; 84 Stat. 1140) and was added to the rule in the 92d Congress (H. 
Res. 5, Jan. 22, 1971, p. 144). Before the House recodified its rules in 
the 106th Congress, this provision was found in former clause 5(a) of 
rule XXIII (H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 1999, p. ----). The recodification also 
conformed paragraph (a) to the recodified clause 8 of rule XVI to 
reflect the modern practice of first and second readings (H. Res. 5, 
Jan. 6, 1999, p. ----). The fact that copies of an amendment have not 
been made available as required in this clause is not grounds for a 
point of order against the amendment (June 21, 1974, p. 20609; Mar. 25, 
1976, p. 7997).


[[Page 724]]

House to limit debate on a bill in the Committee of the Whole must apply 
to the whole and not to a part of a bill (V, 5207). A proposition for a 
division of time may not be made as a part of it (V, 5210, 5211). The 
motion may not be made in Committee of the Whole (V, 5217; VIII, 2548); 
but, in absence of an order by the House, the Committee of the Whole may 
by unanimous consent determine as to general debate (V, 5232; VIII, 
2553). Where the House has fixed the time the Committee may not, even by 
unanimous consent, extend it (V, 5212-5216; VIII, 2321, 2550; Mar. 27, 
1984, p. 6599). The general debate must close before amendments may be 
offered (IV, 4744; V, 5221); and it is closed by the fact that no Member 
desires to participate further (IV, 4745). Where no member of a 
committee designated to control time is present at the appropriate time 
during general debate in Committee of the Whole, the Chair may presume 
the time to have been yielded back (June 11, 1984, p. 15744). Motions 
for disposition of the bill are not in order before general debate is 
closed (IV, 4778); nor may a Member, in time yielded to him for general 
debate, move that the Committee rise (May 25, 1967, p. 14121) or yield 
to another for such motion (Feb. 22, 1950, p. 2178).-


Sec. 979. Motion to close general debate in 
Committee of the Whole.

  The motion  to close general debate in Committee of the 
Whole, successor in the practice to the motion to discharge provided by 
the rule of 1841, is made in the House pending the motion that the House 
resolve itself into Committee, and not after the House has voted to go 
into Committee (V, 5208); and though not debatable, the previous 
question is sometimes ordered on it to prevent amendment (V, 5203); and 
in case the previous question is ordered, the 40 minutes debate under 
clause 1(a) of rule XIX (former clause 2 of rule XXVII) is not allowed 
(VIII, 2555, 2690). General debate must have already begun in Committee 
of the Whole before the motion to limit it is in order in the House (V, 
5204-5206). The motion may not apply to a series of bills (V, 5209) and 
the motion in the



[[Page 725]]

new section at the end of the bill does not preclude subsequent 
amendments to previous sections of the bill (Apr. 17, 1986, p. 7861). 
But the chairman may direct a return to a section whereon, by error, no 
action was had on a pending amendment (IV, 4750). Points of order 
against a paragraph should be made before the next paragraph is read (V, 
6931; VIII, 2351). The paragraph or section having been read, and an 
amendment offered, the right to explain or oppose that amendment has 
precedence of a motion to amend it (IV, 4751). In this debate 
recognitions are governed by the conditions of the pending question 
rather than by the general relations of majority and minority (V, 5223). 
The Member recognized may not yield time (V, 5035-5037; May 8, 1987, p. 
11832; Dec. 10, 1987, p. 34686) unless he remains on his feet (June 10, 
1998, p. ----); and he must confine himself to the subject (V, 5240-
5256; VIII, 2591). Where debate on an amendment is limited or allocated 
by special order to a proponent and an opponent, the five-minute rule is 
abrogated and the Members controlling the debate may yield and reserve 
time; whereas debate time on amendments under the five-minute rule 
cannot be reserved (Aug. 1, 1990, p. 21425). A Member recognized under 
the five-minute rule may not yield to another Member to offer an 
amendment (Dec. 12, 14, 1973, pp. 41171, 41716; Sept. 8, 1976, p. 29243; 
Mar. 7, 1995, p. ----).


Sec. 980. Reading and amendment under the 
fiveminute rule.

  The reading  of the bill for amendment is not specifically 
required by the present form of the rule; but is done under a practice 
which was originally instituted by the rule of 1789 and has continued, 
although the rule was eliminated, undoubtedly by inadvertence, in the 
codification of 1880 (V, 5221). Revenue, general appropriation, 
lighthouse, and river and harbor bills are generally read by paragraphs; 
other bills by sections (IV, 4738, 4740); and while the matter is very 
largely in the discretion of the Chair (VIII, 2341, 2344, 2346), the 
Committee of the Whole has overruled his decision (VIII, 2347). A bill 
(or the remainder of a bill) may be considered as having been read and 
open to amendment by unanimous consent but not by motion (June 18, 1976, 
p. 19296). A Senate amendment, however, is read in entirety, and not by 
either paragraphs or sections (V, 6194) and an amendment in the nature 
of a substitute offered from the floor must also be read in its entirety 
and is then open to amendment at any point, and a unanimous-consent 
request in Committee of the Whole that it be read by sections for 
amendment is not in order (Mar. 25, 1975, p. 8490). To a bill read by 
paragraph, a motion to strike an entire title, encompassing multiple 
paragraphs, is not in order (Aug. 5, 1998, p. ----). The Committee of 
the Whole may not, even by unanimous consent, prohibit the offering of 
an amendment otherwise in order under the five-minute rule (July 31, 
1984, p. 21701; Mar. 7, 1995, p. 11931). When a paragraph or section has 
been passed it is not in order to return thereto (IV, 4742, 4743) except 
by unanimous consent (IV, 4746, 4747; Deschler's Precedents, vol. 8, ch. 
26, sec. 2.26) or when, the reading of the bill being concluded and a 
motion to rise being decided in the negative, the Committee on motion 
votes to return (IV, 4748). Where a bill is considered as read and open 
to amendment at any point, adoption of an amendment adding a


  Where the Chair recognizes the proponent of an amendment to propound a 
unanimous-consent request to modify the text of the amendment before 
commencing debate thereon, the Chair does not charge time consumed under 
a reservation of objection against the proponent's time for debate on 
the amendment (Feb. 3, 1993, p. 1978; May 27, 1993, p. 11931).-


[[Page 726]]

1951, p. 8566). A Member who has offered a substantive amendment and 
then debated it for five minutes may not extend his time by offering a 
pro forma amendment, as it is not in order for the offeror of an 
amendment to amend his own amendment except by unanimous consent (Oct. 
14, 1987, p. 27898). A pro forma amendment may be offered after a 
substitute has been adopted and before the vote on the amendment, as 
amended, by unanimous consent only, since the amendment has been amended 
in its entirety and no further amendments, including pro forma 
amendments, are in order (Oct. 18, 1983, p. 28185; June 28, 1995, p. 
17633). A Member recognized on a pro forma amendment may not allocate or 
reserve time, though he may in yielding indicate to the Chair when he 
intends to reclaim his time (May 19, 1987, p. 12811; July 13, 1994, p. 
16438). The Chair endeavors to alternate recognition to offer pro forma 
amendments between majority and minority Members (giving priority to 
committee members) rather than between sides of the question (Mar. 21, 
1994, p. 5730).



Sec. 981. Pro forma amendments under the fiveminute 
rule.

  The pro  forma amendment to ``strike out the last word'' has long been 
used for purposes of debate or explanation where an actual amendment is 
not contemplated (V, 5778; VIII, 2591); but a pro forma amendment must 
be voted on unless withdrawn (VIII, 2874). A Member who has occupied 
five minutes on a pro forma amendment to debate a pending substantive 
amendment may not lengthen this time by making another pro forma 
amendment (V, 5222; VIII, 2560), may not offer another pro forma 
amendment after intervening debate on a pending amendment, even on a 
subsequent day (July 14, 1998, p. ----), and may not extend debate time 
by offering a substantive amendment while other Members are seeking 
recognition (July 28, 1965, p. 18631). A Member recognized to offer a 
pro forma amendment under the five-minute rule may not during that time 
offer a substantive amendment but must be separately recognized for that 
purpose by the Chair (Nov. 19, 1987, p. 32880). A Member may speak in 
opposition to a pending amendment and subsequently offer a pro forma 
amendment and debate that (June 30, 1955, p. 9614); a Member may offer a 
second degree amendment and then offer a pro forma amendment to debate 
the underlying first degree amendment (June 28, 1995, p. 17633); and a 
Member who has debated a substantive amendment may thereafter rise in 
opposition to a pro forma amendment thereto (July 20,


                                                    Rule XVIII, clause 6
Rule XVIII, clause 6
Quorum and voting



982. Failure of a quorum in Committee of the 
Whole.

  6. (a)  A quorum of a Committee of the Whole House on the state of the 
Union is 100 Members. The first time that a Committee of the Whole finds 
itself without a quorum during a day, the Chairman shall invoke the 
procedure for a quorum call set forth in clause 2 of rule XX, unless he 
elects to invoke an alternate procedure set forth in clause 3 or clause 
4(a) of rule XX. If a quorum appears, the Committee of the Whole shall 
continue its business. If a quorum does not appear, the Committee of the 
Whole shall rise, and the Chairman shall report the names of absentees 
to the House.


  (b)(1) The Chairman may refuse to entertain a point of order that a 
quorum is not present during general debate.


[[Page 727]]

of the Union is operating under the five-minute rule and the Chairman 
has put the pending proposition to a vote.
  (2) After a quorum has once been established on a day, the Chairman 
may entertain a point of order that a quorum is not present only when 
the Committee of the Whole House on the state

  (3) Upon sustaining a point of order that a quorum is not present, the 
Chairman may announce that, following a regular quorum call under 
paragraph (a), the minimum time for electronic voting on the pending 
question shall be five minutes.

  (c) When ordering a quorum call in the Committee of the Whole House on 
the state of the Union, the Chairman may announce an intention to 
declare that a quorum is constituted at any time during the quorum call 
when he determines that a quorum has appeared. If the Chairman 
interrupts the quorum call by declaring that a quorum is constituted, 
proceedings under the quorum call shall be considered as vacated, and 
the Committee of the Whole shall continue its sitting and resume its 
business.


  (d) A quorum is not required in the Committee of the Whole House on 
the state of the Union for adoption of a motion that the Committee rise.


[[Page 728]]

the Committee on the bill then pending (and the fact that a quorum of 
the Committee has previously been established on another bill on that 
day is irrelevant during consideration (Sept. 19, 1984, p. 26082)). 
Where a recorded vote on a prior amendment or motion during the five-
minute rule on that bill on that day has established a quorum, a 
subsequent point of no quorum during debate is precluded (June 3, 1992, 
p. 13336), although a subsequent call of the Committee may be ordered by 
unanimous consent (May 10, 1984, p. 11869; Dec. 17, 1985, p. 37469; June 
25, 1986, p. 15551).
  It was the early practice for the Committee of the Whole to rise on 
finding itself without a quorum (IV, 2977), and it was not until 1847 
that a rule (former clause 2(a) of rule XXIII) was adopted. The rule was 
amended in 1880, again in 1890 (which included the concept that a quorum 
in the Committee should be one hundred rather than a quorum of the House 
(IV, 2966)), and in 1971 (Jan. 22, 1971, p. 144). On October 13, 1972 
(H. Res. 1123, p. 36012) the rule was amended to reflect the 
installation of the electronic voting system in the House Chamber, and 
on January 4, 1977 (H. Res. 5, 95th Cong., pp. 53-70) it was 
substantially changed to allow quorum calls only under the five-minute 
rule where the Chairman has put the question on a pending proposition, 
after a quorum of the Committee of the Whole has been once established 
on that day. The Chairman of the Committee of the Whole must entertain a 
point of order of no quorum during the five-minute rule if a quorum has 
not yet been established in

  The clause was amended again in the 96th Congress (H. Res. 5, Jan. 15, 
1979, pp. 7-16) to permit the Committee to continue its business 
following the appearance of a quorum so that the Speaker need not take 
the chair to receive the Committee's report of absentees as in previous 
practice, and to enable the Chairman to reduce to five minutes the 
period for a recorded vote immediately following a regular quorum call. 
A vote by division is not such intervening business as would preclude a 
five-minute vote under this clause (July 22, 1994, p. 17609). In the 
97th Congress (H. Res. 5, Jan. 5, 1981, p. 98) the rule was amended to 
allow the Chairman the discretion whether or not to entertain a point of 
order of no quorum during general debate only.

  The provision permitting the Chair to vacate proceedings under the 
call in his discretion when a quorum appears, were added in the 93d 
Congress (H. Res. 998, Apr. 9, 1974, pp. 10195-99). The Speaker 
interpreted that provision to permit the Chairman of the Committee of 
the Whole to announce in advance, at the time that the absence of a 
quorum is ascertained, that he will vacate proceedings when a quorum 
appears, and to convert to a regular quorum call if a quorum does not 
appear at any time during the call (May 13, 1974, p. 14148).

  The Chair need not convert to a regular quorum call precisely at the 
expiration of 15 minutes if 100 Members have not responded on a 
``notice'' quorum call but may continue to exercise his discretion to 
vacate proceedings at any time during the entire period permitted for 
the conduct of the call by clause 2 of rule XX (July 17, 1974, p. 
23673).

  Under the modern practice, when a Committee of the Whole finds itself 
without a quorum, the Chairman normally directs that Members record 
their presence by electronic device. The Chair may however, in his 
discretion, order that Members respond by the alternative procedures in 
clause 3 of rule XX (alphabetical call of the roll) or clause 4(a) of 
rule XX (clerk tellers) (for the use of clerk tellers for a ``notice'' 
quorum call in Committee of the Whole, see July 13, 1983, p. 18858).


[[Page 729]]

of the Committee and not of the House (IV, 2970, 2971) but if such 
quorum fails to appear, a quorum of the House is required (VI, 674). It 
was formerly held that after the Committee has risen and reported its 
roll call, a motion to adjourn is in order before direction as to 
resumption of the session (IV, 2969), but under the later practice the 
Committee immediately resumed its session without intervening motion or 
unanimous-consent requests (VI, 672, 673; VIII, 2377, 2379, 2436). The 
failure of a quorum of the House to answer on this roll call does not 
interfere with the authority of the Speaker to direct the Committee to 
resume its session (IV, 2969). The Chairman's count of a quorum is not 
subject to verification by tellers (VIII, 2369, 2436), may not be 
challenged by an appeal (July 24, 1974, p. 25012), and he may count 
those present and not voting in determining whether a quorum is present 
(VI, 641). On a division vote totaling less than 100, the Chair has 
relied on his immediately prior count on a point of no quorum and on his 
observation of several Members present but not voting on the division 
vote in finding the presence of a quorum of the Committee of the Whole 
(June 29, 1988, p. 16504). No quorum being present when a vote is taken 
in Committee of the Whole, and the Committee having risen before a 
quorum appeared, such vote is invalid, and the question is put de novo 
when the Committee resumes its business (VI, 676, 677). While an 
``automatic'' roll call (under clause 6(a) of rule XX) is not in order 
in Committee of the Whole, a point of order of no quorum may intervene 
between the announcement of a division vote result and prior to 
transaction of further business, and a demand for a recorded vote 
following the quorum call is not thereby precluded (Oct. 9, 1975, p. 
32598). Where a recorded vote is refused but the Chair has not announced 
the result of a voice vote on an amendment, and the demand for a 
division vote remains possible, the question remains pending and the 
Chair is obligated to entertain a point of order of no quorum under this 
provision (June 6, 1979, p. 13648).
  Before the installation of the electronic system, a quorum in the 
Committee was established by a call of the roll. At one time the roll 
was called but once (IV, 2967); but in the later practice it was called 
twice as on other roll calls (VI, 668). Where the Committee has risen to 
report the absence of a quorum, it resumes its session by direction of 
the Speaker on the appearance of a quorum (IV, 2968; VI, 674). The 
quorum which must appear to permit the Committee to continue its 
business is a quorum



Sec. 983. Rising and reports of Committee of the 
Whole.

  The presence  of a quorum is not necessary for adoption of a motion that the 
Committee of the Whole rise (IV, 2975, 2976, 4914; clause 6(d) of rule 
XVIII; Mar. 5, 1980, p. 4801; Oct. 3, 1985, p. 26096; May 21, 1992, p. 
12394); but when the Committee rises without a quorum, it may not report 
the bills it has acted on (IV, 2972, 2973), and such bills as have been 
laid aside to be reported remain in the Committee until the next 
occasion, when the Committee rises without question as to a quorum (IV, 
4913). A simple motion that the Committee of the Whole rise is 
privileged (VIII, 2369) and takes precedence over a motion to amend (May 
21, 1992, p. 12394); however the motion cannot interrupt a Member who 
has the floor (VIII, 2370, 2371) and may be ruled out when dilatory 
(VIII, 2800). For a further discussion of the motion to rise, see 
Sec. 334, supra.



[[Page 730]]

risen after completing its consideration of a bill or resolution and 
before the Chairman of the Committee has reported the bill or resolution 
back to the House. The fact that the vote whereby the Committee rises 
does not show a quorum (IV, 4914) or that a point of no quorum has been 
made without an ascertainment thereof (IV, 2974), does not prevent a 
report of the bills already acted on. The Chairman having announced the 
absence of a quorum in Committee of the Whole, a motion to rise is in 
order and if a quorum develops on the vote by which the motion is 
rejected the roll is not called and the Committee proceeds with its 
business (VIII, 2369). The passage of a bill by the House is not 
invalidated by the fact that the Committee of the Whole reported it on 
an erroneous supposition that a record vote had disclosed a quorum (IV, 
2972).

  Under clause 6 of rule XVIII (former clause 6 of rule XV), as added in 
the 93d Congress (H. Res. 998, Apr. 9, 1974, p. 10199), a point of order 
of no quorum may not be entertained, on a day on which a quorum has been 
established, during the period after the Committee of the Whole has


  (e) In the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union, the 
Chairman shall order a recorded vote on a request supported by at least 
25 Members.


-  (f) <> In the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the 
Union, the Chairman may reduce to five minutes the minimum time for 
electronic voting without any intervening business or debate on any or 
all pending amendments after a record vote has been taken on the first 
pending amendment.

  This provision was adopted in the 96th Congress (H. Res. 5, Jan. 15, 
1979, pp. 7-16). Before the House recodified its rules in the 106th 
Congress, this provision was found in former clause 2(b) of rule XXIII 
(H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 1999, p. ----).

  This paragraph was added in the 102d Congress (H. Res. 5, Jan. 3, 
1991, p. 39). Before the House recodified its rules in the 106th 
Congress, this provision was found in former clause 2(c) of rule XXIII 
(H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 1999, p. ----). A vote by division is not such 
intervening business as would preclude a five-minute vote under this 
clause (July 22, 1994, p. 17609).


[[Page 731]]

adopted by the House have routinely provided the Chairman of the 
Committee of the Whole authority to postpone and cluster requests for 
recorded votes. Where a special rule provides such authority, use of 
that authority, and the order of clustering, is entirely within the 
discretion of the Chair (Aug. 5, 1998, p. ----).
  Other than the authority granted under this clause, the Chairman of 
the Committee of the Whole may not entertain a unanimous-consent request 
to reduce below 15 minutes the minimum time for recorded votes in the 
Committee of the Whole (June 18, 1987, p. 16764) or to postpone and 
cluster votes on amendments (July 13, 1995, p. ----; Sept. 27, 1995, p. 
----; July 14, 1998, p. ----). In recent years, however, special rules



Sec. 985. Former provision for de novo vote where Delegates 
decisive.

    When the 103d Congress enabled voting by the Delegates and 
the Resident Commissioner in the Committee of the Whole, it also added a 
paragraph (d) to former clause 2 of rule XXIII to provide for immediate 
reconsideration in the House of questions resolved in the Committee of 
the Whole House on the state of the Union by a margin within which the 
votes of Delegates and the Resident Commissioner have been decisive (H. 
Res. 5, Jan. 5, 1993, p. 49). When the 104th Congress repealed the 
authority for the Delegates and the Resident Commissioner to vote in the 
Committee of the Whole, it also repealed former clause 2(d) (sec. 
212(c), H. Res. 6, Jan. 4, 1995, p. 468).



  Under the former paragraph (d), whether the votes cast by the 
delegates were decisive was determined by a ``but for'' test, the 
question being whether the result would have been different if their 
votes were not counted (May 19, 1993, p. 10409). An amendment adopted by 
immediate proceedings de novo in the House under the former paragraph 
(d) did not disturb the sequence of a ``king-of-the-hill'' procedure 
established by a special rule waiving all points of order against 
subsequent amendments (Mar. 17, 1994, p. 5388).

                                                    Rule XVIII, clause 7
Rule XVIII, clause 7
Dispensing with the reading of an amendment




986. Motion to dispense with reading.

  7.  It shall be in 
order in the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union to 
move that the Committee of the Whole dispense with the reading of an 
amendment that has been printed in the bill or resolution as reported by 
a committee, or an amendment that a Member, Delegate, or Resident 
Commissioner has caused to be printed in the Congressional Record. Such 
a motion shall be decided without debate.



[[Page 732]]

its rules in the 106th Congress, this provision was found in former 
clause 5(b) of rule XXIII (H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 1999, p. ----).

  This provision was added in the 97th Congress (H. Res. 5, Jan. 5, 
1981, pp. 98-113) to permit a motion to dispense with the reading of 
certain amendments in the Committee of the Whole. Before the House 
recodified

                                                    Rule XVIII, clause 8
Rule XVIII, clause 8
Closing debate-



987. Closing the fiveminute debate in Committee of the 
Whole.

  8. (a)  Subject to paragraph (b) at any time after the Committee of the 
Whole House on the state of the Union has begun five-minute debate on 
amendments to any portion of a bill or resolution, it shall be in order 
to move that the Committee of the Whole close all debate on that portion 
of the bill or resolution or on the pending amendments only. Such a 
motion shall be decided without debate. The adoption of such a motion 
does not preclude further amendment, to be decided without debate.


  (b) If the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union 
closes debate on any portion of a bill or resolution before there has 
been debate on an amendment that a Member, Delegate, or Resident 
Commissioner has caused to be printed in the Congressional Record at 
least one day before its consideration, the Member, Delegate, or 
Resident Commissioner who caused the amendment to be printed in the 
Record shall be allowed five minutes to explain it, after which the 
Member, Delegate, or Resident Commissioner who shall first obtain the 
floor shall be allowed five minutes to speak in opposition to it. There 
shall be no further debate thereon.


[[Page 733]]

Commissioner proposing it, the number of the bill or resolution to which 
it will be offered, and the point in the bill or resolution or amendment 
thereto where the amendment is intended to be offered. The amendment 
shall appear in a portion of the Record designated for that purpose. 
Amendments to a specified measure submitted for printing in that portion 
of the Record shall be numbered in the order printed.

  (c) Material submitted for printing in the Congressional Record under 
this rule shall indicate the full text of the proposed amendment, the 
name of the Member, Delegate, or Resident

  This clause (former clause 6 of rule XXIII) was adopted in 1860, with 
amendments in 1880 and 1885 (V, 5221, 5224). Paragraph (b), permitting 
10 minutes for debate on an amendment that has been printed in the 
Record even after the Committee of the Whole closes debate, was inserted 
in the 92d Congress (H. Res. 5, Jan. 22, 1971, p. 144) following the 
enactment of an identical provision in section 119 of the Legislative 
Reorganization Act of 1970 (84 Stat. 1140). In the 105th Congress that 
provision was amended to accommodate the printing of amendments to 
measures not yet reported (H. Res. 5, Jan. 7, 1997, p. ----). The third 
sentence, relating to the procedure for submitting and the printing of 
amendments, was added in the 93d Congress (H. Res. 1387, Nov. 25, 1974, 
p. 37270). The last sentence, relating to the numbering of printed 
amendments, was added in the 104th Congress (sec. 217, H. Res. 6, Jan. 
4, 1995, p. 468). Before the House recodified its rules in the 106th 
Congress, this provision was found in former clause 6 of rule XXIII (H. 
Res. 5, Jan. 6, 1999, p. ----).


[[Page 734]]

offered in the precise form printed (June 26, 1979, p. 16682), but where 
such a substitute amendment has not been printed in the Record it may 
not be debated unless time is yielded within the original 10 minutes 
(Dec. 10, 1987, p. 34710). Where a special order requires amendments to 
be printed in the Record to qualify during the consideration of a bill 
under the five-minute rule, but makes no designation concerning 
offerors, any printed amendment may be offered by any Member (Mar. 22, 
1990, p. 5017); but only the Member causing the amendment to be printed 
is entitled to the time for debate guaranteed by this clause.
  The Speaker announced that amendments to be printed in the Record 
pursuant to this clause must be deposited in a separate box at the 
Rostrum or with the Official Reporters of Debates within 15 minutes 
following adjournment, and must bear the Member's original signature 
(Nov. 25, 1974, p. 37270). Although ordinarily the expiration of time 
for debate on a bill and all amendments thereto precludes debate on 
amendments offered thereafter (July 18, 1968, p. 22110), debate on an 
amendment printed in the Record may nevertheless proceed for 10 minutes 
under this clause (Aug. 2, 1973, p. 27715). Printing an amendment in the 
Record under this clause permits debate notwithstanding a limitation of 
debate only if the amendment has been properly offered, and does not 
permit the offering of an amendment not otherwise in order under the 
rules (Apr. 23, 1975, p. 11491); and the guaranteed five minutes may be 
claimed only if the offeror of the amendment is the Member who caused it 
to be printed under the rule (June 1, 1976, p. 16044; June 29, 1989, p. 
13928; June 19, 1991, p. ----). The guaranteed time applies to an 
amendment offered as a substitute for another amendment, rather than as 
a primary amendment, if

  The motion to close five-minute debate is not in order until such 
debate has begun (V, 5225; VIII, 2567), which means after one five-
minute speech (V, 5226; VIII, 2573). The motion to strike the enacting 
clause under clause 9 (former clause 7) of this rule is preferential to 
the motion to close debate (June 28, 1995, p. 17647; July 13, 1995, p. 
18872). Although any Member may move, or request unanimous consent, to 
limit debate under the five-minute rule, the manager of the bill has 
priority in recognition for such purpose (June 19, 1984, p. 17055). The 
House, as well as the Committee of the Whole, may close five-minute 
debate after it has begun (V, 5229, 5231), but rarely exercises this 
right. The motion to close debate, while not debatable (Apr. 23, 1975, 
p. 11534; June 5, 1975, p. 17187, July 14, 1998, p. ----), may be 
amended (V, 5227; VIII, 2578). A time limitation imposed by the 
Committee of the Whole under this clause may be rescinded or modified 
only by unanimous consent (Sept. 17, 1975, p. 28904). While the 
Committee of the Whole may limit debate on amendments, it may not 
restrict the offering of amendments in contravention of a special order 
adopted by the House (June 25, 1985, p. 17201). The Committee of the 
Whole by unanimous consent may limit and allocate control of time for 
debate on amendments not yet offered (May 6, 1998, p. ----). The motion 
may be ruled out when dilatory (V, 5734).


[[Page 735]]

6, 1970, p. 14452; Oct. 7, 1976, p. 26305). Unlike time placed under a 
Member's control, five-minute debate (or time derived therefrom under a 
limitation) may not be reserved or yielded in blocks except by unanimous 
consent (Mar. 2, 1976, p. 4992; May 11, 1976, p. 13416; June 14, 1977, 
p. 18833). A motion to limit debate on a pending amendment may neither 
allocate the time proposed to remain nor vary the order of recognition 
to close debate, though the Committee of the Whole may do either 
separately by unanimous consent (July 12, 1988, p. 17767). The Committee 
of the Whole may: (1) by motion, limit debate on a pending committee 
amendment in the nature of a substitute (considered as read) and on all 
amendments thereto to a time certain; and then (2) by unanimous-consent 
request or motion, separately limit debate on each perfecting amendment 
as it is offered (Mar. 16, 1983, p. 5794).
  The closing of debate on the last section of a bill does not preclude 
debate on a substitute for the whole text (V, 5228). Where there is a 
time limitation on debate on a pending amendment in the nature of a 
substitute and all amendments thereto, but not on the underlying 
original text, debate on perfecting amendments to the original text 
proceeds under the five-minute rule absent another time limitation (Apr. 
13, 1983, p. 8402). Where the time for debate on a pending amendment in 
the form of a motion to strike and all amendments thereto has been 
limited, a subsequently offered perfecting amendment considered as 
preferential to (rather than as an amendment to) the motion to strike 
remains separately debatable outside the limitation (July 20, 1995, p. 
----). Where five-minute debate has been limited to a certain number of 
minutes without reference to a time certain, the time consumed by 
reading of amendments, quorum calls, points of order and votes does not 
reduce the amount of time remaining for debate (Oct. 3, 1969, p. 28459; 
Nov. 9, 1971, p. 40060); but where debate has been limited to a time 
certain, such activities as reading and voting obviously consume time 
otherwise allocable to Members wishing to speak (May

  Under a limitation on debate the Chair may, in his discretion, either: 
(1) permit continued debate under the five-minute rule; (2) divide the 
remaining time among those desiring to speak; or (3) divide the 
remaining time between a proponent and an opponent to be yielded by them 
to other Members (May 25, 1982, p. 11672). The Chair also may, in his 
discretion, give priority in recognition under a limitation to those 
Members seeking to offer amendments, over other Members standing at the 
time the limitation was agreed to (May 26, 1977, pp. 16950-52). Where 
the Committee of the Whole has limited time for debate on a bill and all 
amendments thereto to a time certain several hours away, the Chair may, 
in his discretion, continue to proceed under the five-minute rule until 
he desires to allocate remaining time on possible amendments, and may 
then divide that time among proponents of anticipated amendments and 
committee members opposing those amendments (July 16, 1981, p. 16044). 
The Chair has discretion to reallocate time to conform to the limit set 
by unanimous consent of the Committee of the Whole (Mar. 16, 1995, p. 
8115).


  As codified in clause 3(c) of rule XVII (and except as indicated in 
Sec. 959, supra) the manager of the bill, and not the proponent of the 
pending amendment, has the right to close controlled debate on an 
amendment (July 16, 1981, p. 16043), even where he is also the proponent 
of a pending amendment to the amendment (Mar. 16, 1983, p. 5792).

                                                    Rule XVIII, clause 9
Rule XVIII, clause 9
Striking the enacting clause


[[Page 736]]

stitute a rejection of the bill or resolution. Whenever a bill or 
resolution is reported from the Committee of the Whole with such adverse 
recommendation and the recommendation is rejected by the House, the bill 
or resolution shall stand recommitted to the Committee of the Whole 
without further action by the House. Before the question of concurrence 
is submitted, it shall be in order to move that the House refer the bill 
or resolution to a committee, with or without instructions. If a bill or 
resolution is so referred, then when it is again reported to the House 
it shall be referred to the Committee of the Whole without debate.



988. The motion to strike out the enacting words of a 
bill.

  9.  A motion that the Committee of the Whole House on the state of 
the Union rise and report a bill or resolution to the House with the 
recommendation that the enacting or resolving clause be stricken shall 
have precedence of a motion to amend, and, if carried in the House, 
shall con


  The practice of rejecting a bill by striking out the enacting words 
dates from a time as early as 1812, but the first rule on the subject 
was not adopted until 1822. By amendments in 1860, 1870, and 1880 the 
rule has been brought into its present form (V, 5326). The rule before 
1880 applied in the House as well as in Committee of the Whole. In the 
revision of 1880 for the first time it was classified among the rules 
relating to the Committee of the Whole, but there is nothing to indicate 
that this change was intended to limit the scope of the motion. It was 
probably a recognition merely of the fact that the motion was used most 
frequently in Committee of the Whole (V, 5326, 5332). Before the House 
recodified its rules in the 106th Congress, this provision was found in 
former clause 7 of rule XXIII (H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 1999, p. ----). The 
motion must be in writing and in the proper form (July 24, 1986, p. 
17641; Aug. 15, 1986, p. 22071; Sept. 12, 1986, p. 23178).


[[Page 737]]

but after the stage of amendment has been passed the motion to strike 
out the enacting words is not in order (IV, 4782; VIII, 2368). Where a 
bill is being considered under a special order which permits only 
committee amendments and no amendments thereto, a motion that the 
Committee rise and report with the recommendation that the enacting 
clause be stricken is not in order where no committee amendments are in 
fact offered (Apr. 16, 1970, p. 12092).


Sec. 989. Practice as to use of the motion to 
strike out the enacting clause.

  The motion  may not be made until the first 
section of the bill has been read (V, 5327; VIII, 2619). Having 
precedence of a motion to amend, it may be offered while an amendment is 
pending (V, 5328-5331; VIII, 2622, 2624, 2627). The motion takes 
precedence over the motion to amend and therefore over the motion to 
rise and report at the end of the reading of a general appropriation 
bill for amendment under clause 2(d) of rule XXI (July 24, 1986, p. 
17641). The motion also takes precedence over a motion to limit debate 
on pending amendments (June 28, 1995, p. 17647; July 13, 1995, p. 
18874). Where a special order provides that a bill shall be open to 
amendment in Committee of the Whole, a motion to strike out the enacting 
words is in order (VII, 787); contra (IV, 3215),


  The motion is debatable as to the merits of the bill, but may not go 
beyond its provisions (V, 5336). The debate on the motion is, in 
Committee of the Whole, governed by the five-minute rule (V, 5333-5335; 
VIII, 2618, 2628-2631); only two five-minute speeches are in order (V, 
5335; VIII, 2629), and time may not be reserved (May 22, 1991, p. 
11830); thus where a Member recognized for five minutes in opposition to 
the motion yields back his time another Member may not claim the unused 
portion thereof (Mar. 3, 1988, p. 3241). Members of the committee 
managing the bill have priority in recognition for debate in opposition 
to the motion (May 5, 1988, p. 9955; June 26, 1991, p. 16436). The Chair 
will not announce in advance the Member to be recognized in opposition 
to the motion (July 17, 1996, p. 17543). The motion is not debatable 
after the expiration of time for debate on the pending bill and all 
amendments thereto (July 9, 1965, p. 16280; July 19, 1973, p. 24961; 
June 19, 1975, p. 19785), but it is debatable where the limitation is 
only on an amendment in the nature of a substitute being read as an 
original bill for the purpose of amendment under a special order (June 
20, 1975, p. 19966). For more concerning debate on the motion, see 
Deschler's Precedents, vol. 5, ch. 19, sec. 12.

  A second motion on the same legislative day to strike out the enacting 
clause is not entertained in the absence of any material modification of 
the bill (VIII, 2636), but the motion may be repeated on a subsequent 
legislative day without change in the bill (May 6, 1950, p. 6571). The 
rejection of a proposed amendment to the bill does not qualify as a 
modification of the bill (June 21, 1962, p. 11369), nor does the 
adoption of an amendment to a proposed amendment to the bill. However, 
adoption of an amendment to an amendment in the nature of a substitute 
read as an original bill pursuant to a special order does qualify as a 
modification of the bill (June 20, 1975, p. 19970). A motion that is 
withdrawn by unanimous consent rather than voted on by the Committee 
does not preclude the offering of another motion on the same day without 
a material modification of the bill (May 9, 1996, p. 10758).


[[Page 738]]

be moved on the motion to concur without applying to further action on 
the bill (V, 5342). When the House disagrees to the action of the 
Committee in striking out the enacting words and does not refer it under 
the provisions of the rule, it goes back to the Committee of the Whole, 
where it becomes unfinished business (V, 5326, 5345, 5346; VIII, 2633). 
Notwithstanding that consideration of the pending bill was governed by a 
``modified-closed'' rule permitting only specified amendments, pending 
the concurrence of the House with a recommendation of the Committee of 
the Whole that the enacting clause be stricken, the House could by 
instructions in a motion to refer under this clause direct the Committee 
of the Whole to consider additional germane amendments (Apr. 14, 1994, 
p. 7452). When the enacting words of a bill are stricken out the bill is 
rejected (V, 5326); and when the enacting clause of a Senate measure is 
stricken, the bill is rejected (V, 5326), and the Senate is so informed 
(IV, 3423; VIII, 2638; June 20, 1946, p. 7211; Oct. 4, 1972, p. 33787).
  A point of order against the motion should be made before debate 
thereon has begun (V, 6902; VIII, 3442; May 6, 1950, p. 6571), and when 
challenged the Member offering the motion must qualify as being opposed 
to the bill (Mar. 13, 1942, p. 2439; May 6, 1950, p. 6571; June 14, 
1979, p. 14995; Jan. 26, 1995, p. 2521). When a bill is reported from 
the Committee of the Whole with the recommendation that the enacting 
words be stricken out, the motion to strike out is debatable (V, 5337-
5340), but a motion to lay on the table is not in order (V, 5337). The 
previous question may


  When, on Calendar Wednesday, the House disagrees to the recommendation 
of the Committee of the Whole that the enacting words be stricken out, 
the House automatically resolves itself into Committee of the Whole for 
its further consideration (VII, 943). When the bill is thus again taken 
up in Committee of the Whole it is taken up as unfinished business and 
is open to amendment, and the motion to strike out the enacting words 
may be again offered (VIII, 2633).

                                                   Rule XVIII, clause 10
Rule XVIII, clause 10
Concurrent resolution on the budget



990. Reading concurrent resolution on budget for 
amendment.

  10. (a)  At the conclusion of general debate in the Committee of the 
Whole House on the state of the Union on a concurrent resolution on the 
budget under section 305(a) of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974, the 
concurrent resolution shall be considered as read for amendment.


  (b) It shall not be in order in the House or in the Committee of the 
Whole House on the state of the Union to consider an amendment to a 
concurrent resolution on the budget, or an amendment thereto, unless the 
concurrent resolution, as amended by such amendment or amendments--


[[Page 739]]

      (1) would be mathematically consistent except as limited by 
paragraph (c); and

      (2) would contain all the matter set forth in paragraphs (1) 
through (5) of section 301(a) of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974.

  (c)(1) Except as specified in subparagraph (2), it shall not be in 
order in the House or in the Committee of the Whole House on the state 
of the Union to consider an amendment to a concurrent resolution on the 
budget, or an amendment thereto, that proposes to change the amount of 
the appropriate level of the public debt set forth in the concurrent 
resolution, as reported.


  (2) Amendments to achieve mathematical consistency under section 
305(a)(5) of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974, if offered by 
direction of the Committee on the Budget, may propose to adjust the 
amount of the appropriate level of the public debt set forth in the 
concurrent resolution, as reported, to reflect changes made in other 
figures contained in the concurrent resolution.


  Paragraph (a) (first sentence of former clause 8 of rule XXIII) was 
added to the rules on January 4, 1977 (H. Res. 5, 95th Cong., pp. 53-
70). Paragraph (b) (second sentence of former clause 8 of rule XXIII) 
was adopted in the 96th Congress (H. Res. 5, Jan. 15, 1979, pp. 7-16). 
In the 96th Congress paragraph (b) was amended further and paragraph (c) 
(third sentence of former clause 8 of rule XXIII) was added by Public 
Law 96-78 (93 Stat. 589) and was originally intended to apply to 
concurrent resolutions on the budget for fiscal years beginning on or 
after October 1, 1980 (fiscal 1980). However, in the 96th Congress the 
provisions of that public law amending the Rules of House were made 
applicable to the third concurrent resolution on the budget for fiscal 
year 1980 as well as the first concurrent resolution on the budget for 
fiscal year 1981 (H. Res. 642, Apr. 23, 1980, p. 8789). Before the House 
recodified its rules in the 106th Congress, this provision was found in 
former clause 8 of rule XXIII (H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 1999, p. ----).


[[Page 740]]

Unfunded mandates
                                                   Rule XVIII, clause 11
Rule XVIII, clause 11



991. Unfunded mandates.

  11. (a)  In the Committee of the 
Whole House on the state of the Union, an amendment proposing only to 
strike an unfunded mandate from the portion of the bill then open to 
amendment, if otherwise in order, may be precluded from consideration 
only by specific terms of a special order of the House.



  (b) In this clause the term ``unfunded mandate'' means a Federal 
intergovernmental mandate the direct costs of which exceed the threshold 
otherwise specified for a reported bill or joint resolution in section 
424(a)(1) of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974.


  This provision (former clause 5(c) of rule XXIII) was added by the 
Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (sec. 107(a), P.L. 104-4; 109 Stat. 
63). It was amended later in the 104th Congress to effect a technical 
correction (H. Res. 254, Nov. 30, 1995, p. ----), and in the 105th 
Congress to clarify that it applies to intergovernmental mandates (H. 
Res. 5, Jan. 7, 1997, p. ----). Before the House recodified its rules in 
the 106th Congress, this provision was found in former clause 5(c) of 
rule XXIII (H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 1999, p. ----).

                                                   Rule XVIII, clause 12
Rule XVIII, clause 12
Applicability of Rules of the House




992. Application of Rules of House to the Committee of 
the Whole.

  12.  The Rules of the House are the rules of the Committee of 
the Whole House on the state of the Union so far as applicable.


  This clause was adopted in 1789 (IV, 4737). Before the House 
recodified its rules in the 106th Congress, this provision was found in 
former clause 9 of rule XXIII (H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 1999, p. ----).


[[Page 741]]

amendment to a committee amendment (Aug. 2, 1977, p. 26161); (2) to 
permit a substitute to be read by sections for amendment where the 
special rule did not so provide (Dec. 12, 1973, p. 41153); (3) to extend 
the time limitation for consideration of amendments beyond that set by a 
special order requiring the Chair to put the question on the pending 
amendments at the expiration of certain hours of consideration (Apr. 10, 
1986, p. 7079; Oct. 30, 1991, p. 29213; Aug. 3, 1999, p. ----); (4) to 
restrict ``en blocking'' authority granted in a special order (Sept. 11, 
1986, p. 22871; June 21, 1989, p. 12744); (5) to change the scheme for 
control (Oct. 9, 1986, p. 29984) or duration (Aug. 1, 1989, p. 17143; 
Mar. 12, 1991, p. 5799; Mar. 17, 1993, p. 5385; June 17, 1999, p. ---- 
(Chair corrected himself)) of general debate specified by the House; (6) 
to reduce below 15 minutes the minimum time for recorded votes in the 
Committee of the Whole (June 18, 1987, p. 16764); (7) to postpone and 
cluster votes on amendments (July 13, 1995, p. 18872; Sept. 27, 1995, p. 
----; July 14, 1998, p. ----); (8) to preempt the Chair's discretion 
(granted by a special order) to postpone and cluster votes or to 
schedule further consideration of a pending measure to a subsequent day 
(June 4, 1992, p. 13625; July 13, 1995, p. 18872; Aug. 2, 1999, p. ----
); (9) to permit an amendment offered by another Member to an amendment 
rendered unamendable by a special order or to permit a subsequent 
amendment changing such unamendable amendment already adopted (Nov. 18, 
1987, p. 32643; July 26, 1989, p. 16411; July 24, 1996, p. 18907); (10) 
to permit consideration of an amendment out of the order specified in a 
special rule (May 25, 1988, p. 12275; Oct. 3, 1990, p. 27354; Oct. 31, 
1991, p. 29359; Nov. 19, 1993, p. 30472; June 10, 1998, p. ----); (11) 
to permit consideration of an additional amendment or to authorize a 
supplemental report from the Committee on Rules in lieu of the original 
report referred to in the special order (July 28, 1988, p. 19491; 
Speaker Wright, Aug. 11, 1988, p. 22105; June 10, 1998, p. ----; July 
29, 1999, p. ----); (12) to permit another to offer an amendment vested 
in a specified Member (May 1, 1990, p. 9030); or (13) to permit a 
division of the question on an amendment rendered indivisible by a 
special order (July 16, 1996, p. 17318).


Sec. 993. Modification of special 
orders.

  Unanimous-consent  requests may not be entertained in the Committee of the Whole 
by the Chair if their effect is to materially modify procedures required 
by a special rule or order adopted by the House. For example, the 
following unanimous-consent requests may not be entertained in the 
Committee of the Whole: (1) to permit a perfecting amendment to be 
offered to the underlying bill where a special rule permitted its 
consideration only as a perfecting



[[Page 742]]

p. 11646; Mar. 22, 1995, p. 8769; June 27, 1995, p. 17329; Nov. 2, 1995, 
p. ----); (6) to permit en bloc consideration of several amendments 
under a ``modified-closed'' special order providing for the sequential 
consideration of designated separate amendments (Aug. 10, 1994, p. 
20768); (7) to permit one of two committees controlling time for general 
debate pursuant to a special order to yield control of its time to the 
other (Aug. 18, 1994, p. 23118); and (8) to permit the offering of pro 
forma amendments for the purpose of debate under a ``modified-closed'' 
special order limiting both amendments and debate thereon (July 17, 
1996, p. 17563; July 24, 1996, p. 18896).
  Unanimous-consent requests have been entertained in Committee of the 
Whole: (1) to permit the modification of a designated amendment made in 
order by a special rule, once offered (Sept. 1, 1976, p. 28877; Nov. 19, 
1993, p. 30472; July 24, 1996, p. 18906); (2) to permit a page reference 
to be included in a designated amendment made in order as printed where 
the printed amendment did not include that reference (Apr. 1, 1976, p. 
9091); (3) to permit a supporter of an amendment to claim debate time 
allocated by special order to an opponent, where no opponent seeks 
recognition (May 23, 1990, p. 11988); (4) to shorten the time set by 
special order for debate on a particular amendment (Aug. 1, 1990, p. 
21510; Mar. 29, 1995, p. 9742); (5) to lengthen the time set by special 
order for debate on a particular amendment under terms of control 
congruent with those set by the order of the House (May 11, 1988, p. 
10495; May 21, 1991,




[106th Congress House Rules Manual -- House Document No. 105-358]
[From the U.S. Government Printing Office Online Database]
[Page 742-757]

 
  By unanimous consent the House may delegate to the Committee of the 
Whole authority to entertain unanimous-consent requests to change 
procedures contained in an adopted special order (Aug. 11, 1986, p. 
20633). The Member offering an amendment in the Committee of the Whole 
pursuant to a special order of the House has the burden of proving that 
it meets the description of the amendment made in order (July 17, 1996, 
p. 17553).



Previous question
           Rule XIX.--MOTIONS FOLLOWING THE AMENDMENT STAGE            


[[Page 743]]

the bill or resolution to its passage, adoption, or rejection.



994. The previous question.

  1. (a)  There shall be a motion 
for the previous question, which, being ordered, shall have the effect 
of cutting off all debate and bringing the House to a direct vote on the 
immediate question or questions on which it has been ordered. Whenever 
the previous question has been ordered on an otherwise debatable 
question on which there has been no debate, it shall be in order to 
debate that question for 40 minutes, equally divided and controlled by a 
proponent of the question and an opponent. The previous question may be 
moved and ordered on a single question, on a series of questions 
allowable under the rules, or on an amendment or amendments, or may 
embrace all authorized motions or amendments and include


  The House adopted a rule for the previous question in 1789, but it was 
not turned into an instrument for closing debate until 1811. The history 
of the motion for the previous question is discussed in V, 5443, 5446; 
VIII, 2661. In 1880, the previous question rule was amended to apply to 
single motions or a series of motions as well as to amendments, and the 
motion to commit pending the motion for the previous question or after 
the previous question is ordered to passage was added (V, 5443). From 
1880 to 1890, the previous question could only be ordered to the 
engrossment and third reading, and then again ordered on passage, but in 
1890 the rule was changed to permit ordering the previous question to 
final passage (V, 5443). When the House recodified its rules in the 
106th Congress, it consolidated former clause 1 of rule XVII and a 
provision included in former clause 2 of rule XXVII, permitting 40 
minutes debate on which the previous question has been ordered without 
there having been debate under this clause. The 106th Congress also 
transferred the provision addressing the motion to commit from clause 1 
of rule XVII to clause 2 of this rule (H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 1999, p. ----
).


[[Page 744]]



Sec. 995. Effect of previous question on 
debate.

  The  previous question is the only motion used for closing debate 
in the House itself (V, 5456; VIII, 2662). It is not in order in 
Committee of the Whole (IV, 4716; Apr. 25, 1990, p. 8257) but is in 
order in the House as in Committee of the Whole (VI, 639). The motion 
may not include a provision that it shall take effect at a certain time 
(V, 5457). Forty minutes of debate are allowed whenever the previous 
question is ordered on a proposition on which there has been no debate 
(V, 6821; VIII, 2689; Sept. 13, 1965, p. 23602); but if there has been 
debate, even though brief, before the ordering of the previous question, 
the 40 minutes are not allowed (V, 5499-5501). This preliminary debate 
should be on the merits of the question if the 40 minutes of debate are 
to be denied for reason of it (V, 5502). The 40 minutes should be 
demanded before division has begun on the main question (V, 5496). It 
may not be demanded on incidental motions, but is confined to the main 
question (V, 5497, 5498; VIII, 2687). It may not be demanded on a 
proposition that has been debated in Committee of the Whole (V, 5505), 
or on a conference report if the subject matter of the report was 
debated before being sent to conference (V, 5506, 5507). When the 
previous question is ordered merely on an amendment that has not been 
debated, the 40 minutes are allowed (V, 5503); but the same liberty of 
debate is not allowed when the question covers both an undebated 
amendment and the original proposition (V, 5504). It was also denied on 
a resolution to correct an error in an enrolled bill (V, 5508). The 40 
minutes is divided, one half to those favoring and the other half to 
those opposing (V, 5495).




Sec. 996. Application of the previous 
question.

  The  provisions of the rule define the application of the 
previous question with considerable accuracy. It may not be moved on 
more than one bill except by the unanimous consent of the House (V, 
5461-5465), or on motions to agree to a conference report and also to 
dispose of differences not included in the report (V, 5464) and when 
ordered on a motion to send to conference applies to that motion alone 
and does not extend to a subsequent motion to instruct conferees (VIII, 
2675). It may apply to the main question and a pending motion to refer 
(V, 5466; VI, 373; VIII, 2678), or to a pending resolution and a pending 
amendment thereto (Sept. 25, 1990, p. 25575; July 16, 1998, p. ----). 
When a bill is reported from the Committee of the Whole with the 
recommendation that the enacting words be stricken out, it may be 
applied to the motion to concur without covering further action on the 
bill (V, 5342). During consideration ``in the House as in Committee of 
the Whole'' it may be demanded while Members still desire to offer 
amendments (IV, 4926-4929; VI, 639), but it may not be moved on a single 
section of a bill (IV, 4930). When ordered on a resolution with a 
preamble there is doubt of its application to the preamble, unless the 
motion specifies (V, 5469, 5470). It may be moved on a series of 
resolutions, but this does not preclude a division of the resolutions on 
the vote (V, 5468), although where two propositions on which the 
previous question is moved are related, as in the case of a special 
order reported from the Committee on Rules and a pending amendment 
thereto, a division is not in order (Sept. 25, 1990, p. 25575). The 
previous question is often ordered on nondebatable propositions to 
prevent amendment (V, 5473, 5490), but may not be moved on a motion that 
is both nondebatable and unamendable (IV, 3077). It applies to questions 
of privilege as to other questions (II, 1256; V, 5459, 5460; VIII, 
2672).



[[Page 745]]

previous question even after he has surrendered the floor in debate 
(VIII, 2682, 3231). Where a Member controlling the time on a bill or 
resolution in the House yields for the purpose of amendment, another 
Member may move the previous question before the Member offering the 
amendment is recognized to debate it (Nov. 8, 1971, p. 39944; July 24, 
1979, p. 20385). Where under a rule of the House debate time on a motion 
or proposition is equally divided and controlled by the majority and the 
minority, or between those in favor and those opposed (see, e.g., 
clauses 1, 2, and 6 of rule XV), or where a block of time for debate has 
been yielded by the manager, the previous question may not be moved 
until the other side has used or yielded back its time; and the Chair 
may vacate the adoption of the previous question where it was improperly 
moved while the other side was still seeking time (Oct. 3, 1989, p. 
22842). The previous question may not be demanded on a proposition 
against which a point of order is pending (VIII, 3433).


Sec. 997. The right to move the previous 
question.

  The  Member in charge of the bill and having the floor may demand 
the previous question although another Member may propose a motion of 
higher privilege (VIII, 2684), but the motion of higher privilege must 
be put first (V, 5480; VIII, 2609, 2684), and if the Member in charge of 
the bill claims the floor in debate another Member may not demand the 
previous question (II, 1458); but having the floor, unless yielded to 
for debate only, any Member may make the motion although the effect may 
be to deprive the Member in charge of the bill (V, 5476; VIII, 2685). 
The Member who has called up a measure in the House has priority of 
recognition to move the previous question thereon, even over the 
chairman of the reporting committee (Oct. 1, 1986, p. 27468). And if, 
after debate, the Member in charge of the bill does not move the 
previous question, another Member may (V, 5475); but where a Member 
intervenes on a pending proceeding to make a preferential motion, such 
as the motion to recede from a disagreement with the Senate, he may not 
move the previous question on that motion as against the rights of the 
Member in charge (II, 1459), and the Member in charge is entitled to 
recognition to move the




Sec. 998. Relation of the previous question to 
motions.

  The  motion to lay on the table may not be applied to the previous 
question (V, 5410, 5411); nor may it be applied to the main question 
after the previous question has been ordered (V, 5415-5422; VIII, 2655), 
or after the yeas and nays have been ordered on the demand for the 
previous question (V, 5408, 5409).


  The motion to postpone may not be applied to the main question after 
the previous question has been ordered (V, 5319-5321; VIII, 2617). The 
previous question may be applied both to the main question and a pending 
motion to refer (V, 5342; VI, 373).



[[Page 746]]




Sec. 999. The 40 minutes of debate on undebated 
propositions.

  Although  this clause allows 40 minutes of debate when the 
previous question is ordered on a proposition on which there has been no 
debate (V, 6821; Mar. 22, 1990, p. 4996), any previous debate on the 
merits of the main proposition precludes the 40 minutes (V, 5499-5502). 
The demand for 40 minutes of debate: must come before the vote is taken 
on the main question (V, 5496); is not available when the question on 
which the previous question is ordered is otherwise nondebatable, such 
as the motion to close debate (VIII, 2555, 2690); is not available on an 
undebated amendment where the motion for the previous question covers 
both the amendment and the original proposition, which has been debated 
(V, 5504); and is not available on incidental motions (V, 5497-5498), on 
propositions previously debated in Committee of the Whole (V, 5505), on 
conference reports accompanying measures that were debated before being 
sent to conference (V, 5506-5507), or on ancillary measures, such as a 
concurrent resolution to correct an enrolled bill (V, 5508). Debate 
allowed under this provision is equally divided and controlled between 
the person demanding the time and a Member representing the opposition 
(Sept. 13, 1965, pp. 23602-06; May 8, 1985, p. 11073). Priority in 
recognition for time in opposition is accorded to a Member truly opposed 
(VIII, 2689).





Sec. 1000. Questions of order pending the motion for the 
previous question.

  (b)  Incidental questions of order arising during the 
pendency of a motion for the previous question shall be decided, whether 
on appeal or otherwise, without debate.


  This provision was adopted in 1837 to prevent delay by debate on 
points of order after the demand for the previous question (V, 5448). 
Before the House recodified its rules in the 106th Congress, this 
provision was found in former clause 3 of rule XVII (H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 
1999, p. ----). Under the present practice, since debate on points of 
order is entirely within the control of the Chair, he may recognize and 
respond to a parliamentary inquiry although the previous question may 
have been demanded (Mar. 27, 1926, p. 6469).


  A question of privilege relating to the integrity of action of the 
House itself has been distinguished from ordinary questions of order and 
has been thrown open to debate after the ordering of the previous 
question (III, 2532).

                                                      Rule XIX, clause 2
Rule XIX, clause 2
Recommit



1001. Recommit.

  2. (a)  After the previous question has been 
ordered on passage or adoption of a measure, or pending a motion to that 
end, it shall be in order to move that the House recommit (or commit, as 
the case may be) the measure, with or without instructions, to a 
standing or select committee. For such a motion to recommit, the Speaker 
shall give preference in recognition to a Member, Delegate, or Resident 
Commissioner who is opposed to the measure.



[[Page 747]]

  (b) Except as provided in paragraph (c), if a motion that the House 
recommit a bill or joint resolution on which the previous question has 
been ordered to passage includes instructions, it shall be debatable for 
10 minutes equally divided between the proponent and an opponent.


  (c) On demand of the floor manager for the majority, it shall be in 
order to debate the motion for one hour equally divided and controlled 
by the proponent and an opponent.

  That portion of the clause relating to debate on the motion to 
recommit with instructions (former clause 4 of rule XVI) was included as 
section 123 of the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1970 and was made a 
part of the standing rules in the 92d Congress (H. Res. 5, Jan. 22, 
1971, p. 14). That provision was also amended in the 99th Congress to 
provide that on the demand of the majority floor manager of a bill or 
joint resolution, the 10 minutes of debate on a motion to recommit with 
instructions, the previous question having been ordered, may be extended 
to one hour, equally divided and controlled (H. Res. 7, Jan. 3, 1985, p. 
393). When the House recodified its rules in the 106th Congress, it 
consolidated the last sentence of former clause 1 of rule XVII and 
provisions of former clause 4 of rule XVI, addressing the motion to 
recommit, under this clause (H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 1999, p. ----). For a 
general discussion of the motion to refer see Sec. 916, supra. When the 
previous question is ordered on a bill to final passage, debate on a 
straight motion to recommit under this clause is no longer in order and 
only a motion to recommit with instructions is debatable for the 10 
minutes specified in the rule (June 22, 1995, p. 16844). Prior to the 
amendment of this clause in the 92d Congress, no debate was permitted on 
a motion to recommit with instructions after the previous question was 
ordered (V, 5561, 5582-5584; VIII, 2741). The 10 minutes of debate 
provided under this clause on motions to recommit with instructions does 
not apply to a motion to recommit with instructions a simple or 
concurrent resolution or conference report, since the clause limits its 
applicability to bills and joint resolutions (Nov. 15, 1973, p. 37151; 
Mar. 29, 1976, p. 8444; Speaker O'Neill, June 19, 1986, p. 14698). The 
manager of a bill or joint resolution, if opposed, and not the proponent 
of a motion to recommit with instructions has the right to close 
controlled debate on a motion to recommit (Speaker Wright, Dec. 3, 1987, 
p. 34066); the Member recognized for five minutes in favor of the motion 
may not reserve time (Speaker Wright, June 29, 1988, p. 16510; June 29, 
1989, p. 13938).


[[Page 748]]

yield to another Member to offer an amendment to the motion if the 
previous question has not been ordered on the motion to recommit 
(Speaker Albert, July 19, 1973, p. 24967).
  The ordering of the previous question on a bill and all amendments to 
final passage precludes debate (other than that specified in clause 2 of 
rule XIX) on a motion to recommit but does not exclude amendments to 
such motion (V, 5582; VIII, 2741) and unless the previous question is 
ordered on a motion to recommit with instructions, the motion is open to 
amendment germane to the bill (see V, 6888; VIII, 2711), and a 
substitute striking out all of the proposed instructions and 
substituting others cannot be ruled out as interfering with the right of 
the minority to move recommitment (VIII, 2759). The Member offering a 
motion to recommit a bill with instructions may, at the conclusion of 
the 10 minutes of debate thereon,

  It is not in order to propose as instructions anything that might not 
be proposed directly as an amendment such as to propose an amendment 
that is not germane (V, 5529-5541, 5834, 5889; VIII, 2705, 2707, 2708), 
such as to amend or eliminate an amendment adopted by the House (V, 
5531; VIII, 2712, 2714, 2715, 2720-2724), to propose an amendment in 
violation of clauses 2, 4, or 5 of rule XXI (V, 5533-5540; Sept. 1, 
1976, p. 28883; Sept. 19, 1983, p. 24646; Speaker Foley, Aug. 1, 1989, 
p. 17159, and Aug. 3, 1989, p. 18546, each time sustained by tabling of 
appeal; July 1, 1992, p. 17294; June 22, 1995, p. 16844); but it has 
been held in order to reoffer an amendment rejected by the House (VIII, 
2728). Where a special rule providing for the consideration of a bill 
prohibited the offering of amendments to a certain title of the bill 
during its consideration (in both the House and the Committee of the 
Whole), it was held not in order to offer a motion to recommit with 
instructions to incorporate an amendment in the restricted title (Jan. 
11, 1934, pp. 479-83); however, that precedent should be read in light 
of clause 6(c)(2) of rule XIII which precludes the Rules Committee from 
reporting a rule that would prevent a motion to recommit from including 
amendatory instructions. Where an amendment in the nature of a 
substitute has been adopted, and no motion to recommit with an amendment 
is in order, the minority has sometimes used a motion that directs a 
committee to study an issue and to report ``promptly'' its 
recommendations (Mar. 29, 1990, p. 1834). Instructions must be germane 
to the bill regardless of whether they directly propose an amendment 
thereto (Sept. 23, 1992, p. 27178). In the 104th Congress the rules were 
amended to preclude the Committee on Rules from reporting a special 
order that would prevent the Minority Leader or his designee from 
offering a motion to recommit with instructions to report back an 
amendment otherwise in order (but for the adoption of a prior 
amendment). See Sec. 857, supra.


[[Page 749]]

it is before the committee as a new subject (IV, 4557; V, 5558), but the 
committee must confine itself to the instructions, if there be any (IV, 
4404; V, 5526). Where the House has recommitted a bill to a committee 
with instructions to report it back forthwith with certain amendments, 
the amendments must be adopted by the House after the report by the 
committee (VIII, 2734).
  It has been a practice to permit a motion to recommit with 
instructions that the committee report ``forthwith,'' in which case the 
chairman makes report at once without awaiting action by the committee 
(V, 5545-5547; VIII, 2730), and the bill is before the House for 
immediate consideration (V, 5550; VIII, 2735). If one motion to recommit 
is ruled out, a proper motion is admissible (VIII, 2736, 2760, 2761, 
2763). Similarly, if the House votes pursuant to section 426(b)(3) of 
the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 not to consider a motion to 
recommit against which a Member has made a point of order under section 
425(a) of that Act, a proper motion to recommit remains available (Mar. 
28, 1996, p. 6932). The motion may be withdrawn in the House at any time 
before action or decision thereon (VIII, 2764). The simple motion to 
recommit and the motion to recommit with instructions are of equal 
privilege and have no relative precedence (VIII, 2714, 2758, 2762; Nov. 
25, 1970, p. 38997). When a bill is recommitted


[[Page 750]]

  As stated in this clause, recognition to offer the motion to recommit, 
whether a ``straight'' motion or with instructions, is the prerogative 
of a Member who is opposed to the bill or joint resolution (Speaker 
Martin, Mar. 19, 1954, p. 3967); and the Speaker looks first to the 
Minority Leader or his designee (as imputed by the form of former clause 
4(b) of rule XI adopted in the 104th Congress (current clause 6(c) of 
rule XIII)), then to minority members of the committee reporting the 
bill, in order of their rank on the committee (Speaker Garner, Jan. 6, 
1932, p. 1396; Speaker Byrns, July 2, 1935, p. 10638), then to other 
Members on the minority side (Speaker Rayburn, Aug. 16, 1950, p. 12608). 
Until a qualifying minority Member has had his motion read by the Clerk, 
he is not entitled to the floor so as to prevent another qualifying 
senior minority member from the reporting committee from seeking 
recognition to offer the motion to recommit (Speaker O'Neill, Apr. 24, 
1979, p. 8360). If no Member of the minority qualifies, a majority 
Member who is opposed to the bill may be recognized (Speaker Garner, 
Apr. 1, 1932, p. 7327). The priority of recognition of a Member of the 
minority who is opposed is not diminished by the fact that the minority 
party may have successfully led the opposition to the previous question 
on the special order governing consideration of the bill and offered a 
``modified-closed'' rule permitting only minority Members to offer 
perfecting amendments to the majority text (June 26, 1981, p. 14740). 
But while the motion to recommit is the prerogative of the minority if 
opposed, a Member who in the Speaker's determination leads the 
opposition to the previous question on the motion to recommit, such as 
the chairman of the committee reporting the bill, is entitled to offer 
an amendment to the motion to recommit, regardless of party affiliation 
(June 26, 1981, pp. 14791-93). A Member who is opposed to the bill ``in 
its present form'' (i.e., in the form before the House when the motion 
is made) qualifies to offer the motion (Speaker Martin, Apr. 15, 1948, 
p. 4547; Speaker McCormack, Mar. 12, 1964, p. 5147; Speaker Albert, Feb. 
19, 1976, p. 3920). The Chair does not assess the degree of a Member's 
opposition (Oct. 23, 1991, p. 28258). These principles of recognition 
have been applied to motions to ``commit'' or ``recommit'' simple or 
concurrent resolutions as well under former clause 1 of rule XVII 
(current clause 1 of rule XIX) in situations where the resolution or a 
similar measure has been reported from committee (Nov. 28, 1979, p. 
33914).



Sec. 1002. The motion to commit in relation to the 
previous question.

  The  motion to commit under this rule applies to 
resolutions of the House alone as well as to bills (V, 5572, 5573; VIII, 
2742), and to a motion to amend the Journal (V, 5574). It does not apply 
to a report from the Committee on Rules providing a special order of 
business (V, 5593-5601; VIII, 2270, 2750), or to a pending amendment to 
a proposition in the House (V, 5573). Although a motion to commit under 
this clause, with instructions to report forthwith with an amendment, 
has been allowed after the previous question has been ordered on a 
motion to dispose of Senate amendments before the stage of disagreement 
(V, 5575; VIII, 2744, 2745), a motion to commit under this rule does not 
apply to a motion disposing of Senate amendments after the stage of 
disagreement where utilized to displace a pending preferential motion 
(Speaker Albert, Sept. 16, 1976, p. 30887).


  The motion to commit may be made pending the demand for the previous 
question on the passage, whether a bill or resolution be under 
consideration (V, 5576); but when the demand covers all stages of the 
bill to the final passage the motion to commit is made only after the 
third reading, and is not in order pending the demand or before the 
engrossment or third reading (V, 5578-5581). When separate motions for 
the previous question are made, respectively, on the third reading and 
on the passage of a bill, the motion to commit should be made only after 
the previous question is ordered on the passage (V, 5577). When the 
previous question has been ordered on a simple resolution (as 
distinguished from a joint resolution) and a pending amendment, the 
motion to commit should be made after the vote on the amendment (V, 
5585-5588). A motion to commit has been entertained after ordering of 
the previous question even before the adoption of rules at the beginning 
of a Congress (VIII, 2755; Jan. 5, 1981, p. 111).

  It was formerly held that the opponents of a bill had no claim to 
prior recognition to make the motion (II, 1456), but under this clause 
the prior right to recognition is given to an opponent on a bill or 
joint resolution pending final passage. The right to move to recommit a 
House bill with a Senate amendment belongs to a Member who is opposed to 
the whole bill in preference to a Member who is merely opposed to the 
Senate amendment (VIII, 2772). Where the previous question has been 
ordered on both the pending resolution and its preamble, a Member may 
qualify to offer a motion to recommit on the basis of his opposition to 
the preamble, even though it is not otherwise subject to separate vote 
or amendment (Feb. 12, 1998, p. ----). A Member rising in opposition to 
a motion to recommit must likewise qualify as opposed to the motion 
(Apr. 29, 1999, p. ----).


[[Page 751]]

to commit a resolution called up as a privileged matter without having 
been referred to committee does not depend on opposition to the 
resolution or on party affiliation (Speaker Albert, Feb. 19, 1976, p. 
3920). When the House refused to order a bill to be engrossed and read a 
third time the motion to commit may not be made (V, 5602, 5603).
  An opponent has priority in recognition to offer a motion to commit a 
simple or concurrent resolution under this clause, and the Speaker looks 
first to the Minority Leader or his designee (as he would for a motion 
to recommit), and then to minority members on the committee of 
jurisdiction in order of seniority (VIII, 2764; Nov. 28, 1979, p. 33914; 
Procedure, ch. 23, sec. 13.1), except that recognition to offer a motion 
under this clause

  The motion to refer under this rule after the previous question is 
ordered is not debatable (V, 5582), except as provided in clause 2 of 
rule XIX; but may be amended, as by adding instructions, unless such 
amendment be precluded by moving the previous question (V, 5582-5584; 
VIII, 2695). Unless the previous question is ordered, an amendment 
(including one in the nature of a substitute) is in order on a motion to 
commit with instructions (VIII, 2698, 2759), but the amendment should be 
germane (V, 6888; VIII, 2711).

  The motion to recommit may not be accompanied by preamble or otherwise 
include argument, explanation, or other matter in the nature of debate 
(V, 5589; VIII, 2749). Thus, a motion to recommit a bill to a standing 
committee with recommendations for producing legislation that the 
President could sign was held inadmissible in both form and content 
(Feb. 27, 1992, p. 3778). The motion may not be laid on the table after 
the previous question has been ordered (V, 5412-5414). Only one motion 
to commit is in order (V, 5577, 5582, 5585; VIII, 2763), but where a 
bill is recommitted under this motion the previous question being 
pending but not ordered on final passage and, having been reported 
again, is again amended and subjected to the previous question, another 
motion to commit is in order after the engrossment and third reading (V, 
5591). And where one motion to recommit was ruled out of order, the 
Speaker entertained a proper motion to recommit (VIII, 2763).


  When a special order declares that at a certain time the previous 
question shall be considered as ordered on a bill to the final passage, 
it has usually, but not always, been held that a motion to commit is 
precluded (IV, 3207-3209). Under clause 6(c) of rule XIII (former clause 
4(b) of rule XI) the Committee on Rules is prohibited from reporting 
such special order that precludes the motion to recommit in clause 2 of 
rule XIX (VIII, 2260, 2262-2264; see also Sec. 1001, supra). That 
provision was amended in the 104th Congress to further prohibit the 
Committee on Rules from denying the Minority Leader or his designee the 
right to include proper amendatory instructions in a motion to recommit 
(sec. 210, H. Res. 6, Jan. 4, 1995, p. 460). Where a special order 
providing for consideration of a matter in the House provides that the 
previous question shall be considered as ordered thereon without 
intervening motion, and does not simply state that the previous question 
be considered as ordered after debate, the previous question is 
considered as ordered from the beginning of the debate, precluding the 
consideration of any intervening motion (Mar. 12, 1980, pp. 5387-93).


[[Page 752]]

Reconsideration
                                                      Rule XIX, clause 3
Rule XIX, clause 3




1003. The motion to reconsider.

  3.  When a motion has been 
carried or lost, it shall be in order on the same or succeeding day for 
a Member on the prevailing side of the question to enter a motion for 
the reconsideration thereof. The entry of such a motion shall take 
precedence over all other questions except the consideration of a 
conference report or a motion to adjourn, and may not be withdrawn after 
such succeeding day without the consent of the House. Once entered, a 
motion may be called up for consideration by any Member. During the last 
six days of a session of Congress, such a motion shall be disposed of 
when entered.


  The motion to reconsider used in the Continental Congress and in the 
House of Representatives from its first organization, in 1789, was first 
made the subject of a rule in 1802; and at various times this rule has 
been perfected by amendments (V, 5605). Before the House recodified its 
rules in the 106th Congress, this provision was found in former clause 1 
of rule XVIII (H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 1999, p. ----).

  The motion is not used in Committee of the Whole (IV, 4716-4718; VIII, 
2324, 2325), but is in order in the House as in Committee of the Whole 
(VIII, 2793). It is not in order in the House during the absence of a 
quorum when the vote proposed to be reconsidered requires a quorum (V, 
5606). But on votes incident to a call of the House the motion to 
reconsider may be entertained and also laid on the table, although a 
quorum may not be present (V, 5607, 5608).


[[Page 753]]

2775, 2785; Sept. 23, 1992, p. 27196); but a Member who was absent (V, 
5619), or who was paired in favor of the majority contention and did not 
vote, may not make the motion (V, 5614; VIII, 2774). When proxy voting 
was permitted in committee, it was generally held that a member who was 
not present at a vote, but cast his vote by proxy, did not qualify to 
make the motion to reconsider thereon. Any Member may object to the 
Chair's statement that by unanimous consent the motion to reconsider a 
vote is laid on the table, and the objecting Member need not have voted 
on the prevailing side, but if objection is made, the Chair's statement 
is ineffective and only a Member who voted on the prevailing side may 
offer the motion to reconsider the vote (Aug. 15, 1986, p. 22139). The 
Chair, having voted on the prevailing side, may offer the motion to 
reconsider by stating the pendency of the motion (Oct. 9, 1997, p. ----
).


Sec. 1004. Maker of the motion to reconsider.

  The  mover of a 
proposition is entitled to prior recognition to move to reconsider (II, 
1454). A Member may make the motion at any time without thereby 
abandoning a prior motion made by himself and pending (V, 5610). A 
Delegate or Resident Commissioner may not make the motion in the House 
(rule III; II, 1292; VI, 240). The provision of the rule that the motion 
may be made by any Member of the majority is construed, in case of a tie 
vote, to mean any Member of the prevailing side (V, 5615, 5616), and the 
same construction applies in case of a two-thirds vote (II, 1656; V, 
5617, 5618; VIII, 2778-2780). Where the yeas and nays have not been 
ordered recorded in the Journal, any Member, irrespective of whether he 
voted with the majority or not, may make the motion to reconsider (V, 
5611-5613, 5689; VIII,



[[Page 754]]

Wednesday (VII, 905); is subject to the question of consideration (VIII, 
2437), and may be laid on the table (VIII, 2652, 2659). The motion to 
reconsider is in order in the procedure of standing committees, and may 
be made on the same day on which the action is taken to which it is 
proposed to be applied, or on the next day thereafter on which the 
committee convenes with a quorum present at a properly scheduled meeting 
at which business of that class is in order (VIII, 2213).


Sec. 1005. Precedence of the motion to 
reconsider.

  The  precedence given the motion by the rule permits it to be 
made even after the previous question has been demanded (V, 5656) or 
while it is operating (V, 5657-5662; VIII, 2784). The motion to 
reconsider the vote on the engrossment of a bill may be admitted after 
the previous question has been moved on a motion to postpone (V, 5663), 
and a motion to reconsider the vote on the third reading may be made and 
acted on after a motion for the previous question on the passage has 
been made (V, 5656). It also takes precedence of the motion to go into 
Committee of the Whole to consider an appropriation bill (VIII, 2785), 
or even of a demand that the House return to committee after the 
appearance of a quorum (IV, 3087). But in a case wherein the House had 
passed a bill and disposed of a motion to reconsider the vote on its 
passage, it was held to be too late to reconsider the vote sustaining 
the decision of the Chair which brought the bill before the House (V, 
5652), and that a motion to vacate those proceedings was not in order 
(Speaker O'Neill, Dec. 17, 1985, pp. 37472-74). After a conference has 
been agreed to and the managers for the House appointed, it is too late 
to move to reconsider the vote whereby the House acted on the amendments 
in disagreement (V, 5664). While the motion has high privilege for 
entry, it may not be considered while another question is before the 
House (V, 5673-5676; July 2, 1980, p. 18354), or while the House is 
dividing (VIII, 2791). A motion to reconsider a secondary motion to 
postpone which has previously been offered and rejected is highly 
privileged, even after the manager of the main proposition has yielded 
time to another Member and before that Member has begun his remarks (May 
29, 1980, p. 12663). When it relates to a bill belonging to a particular 
class of business, consideration of the motion is in order only when 
that class of business is in order (V, 5677-5681; VIII, 2786). It may 
then be called up at any time; but is not the regular order until called 
up (V, 5682; VIII, 2785, 2786). When once entered it may remain pending 
indefinitely, even until a succeeding session of the same Congress (V, 
5684). The motion to reconsider an action taken on a bill on Tuesday may 
be entered but may not be considered on Calendar




Sec. 1006. Application of the motion to reconsider.

  A  motion 
to reconsider may be entertained, although the bill or resolution to 
which it applies may have gone to the other House or the President (V, 
5666-5668). However, unanimous consent is required to initiate 
reconsideration of a measure passed by both Houses (IV, 3466-3469). The 
Senate may not reconsider the confirmation of a nomination after a 
commission has been issued by the President to a nominee and the latter 
has taken the oath and entered upon the duties of his office (U.S. v. 
Smith, 286 U.S. 6). The fact that the House had informed the Senate that 
it had agreed to a Senate amendment to a House bill was held not to 
prevent a motion to reconsider the vote on agreeing (V, 5672). When a 
motion is made to reconsider a vote on a bill that has gone to the 
Senate, a motion to recall the bill is privileged (V, 5669-5671). The 
motion to reconsider may be applied once only to a vote ordering the 
previous question (V, 5655; VIII, 2790), and may not be applied to a 
vote ordering the previous question that has been partially executed (V, 
5653, 5654); but a vote agreeing to an order of the House has been 
reconsidered, although the execution of the order had begun (III, 2028; 
V, 5665). The vote ordering the previous question on a special order 
reported from the Committee on Rules may be reconsidered and is not 
dilatory under clause 6(b) of rule XIII (former clause 4(b) of rule XI) 
(Sept. 25, 1990, p. 25575).



[[Page 755]]

dent (VIII, 2778). A vote whereby a second is ordered may be 
reconsidered (V, 5642). The motion to reconsider a vote on a proposition 
having been once agreed to, and the said vote having again been taken, a 
second motion to reconsider may not be made unless the nature of the 
proposition has been changed by amendment (V, 5685-5688; VIII, 2788; 
Sept. 20, 1979, p. 25512). After disposition of a conference report and 
amendments reported from conference in disagreement, it is in order on 
the same day to move to reconsider the vote on a motion disposing of one 
of the amendments; but laying on the table a motion to reconsider the 
vote whereby the House has amended a Senate amendment does not preclude 
the House from acting on a subsequent Senate amendment to that House 
amendment, or considering any other proper motion to dispose of an 
amendment that might remain in disagreement after further Senate action 
(Oct. 5, 1983, p. 27323). For a discussion of the application of the 
motion to reconsider in committees, see Sec. 416, supra.
  The motion may not be applied to negative votes on motions to adjourn 
(V, 5620-5622), or for a recess (V, 5625), or to go into Committee of 
the Whole (V, 5641). The motion to reconsider may be applied however to 
an affirmative vote on the motion to resolve into the Committee of the 
Whole while the Speaker is still in the chair (V, 5368; Apr. 20, 1978, 
p. 10990). A motion to reconsider the vote by which the House had 
decided a question of parliamentary procedure was held not to be in 
order (VIII, 2776). Motions to reconsider negative votes on motions to 
fix the day to which the House shall adjourn have been the subject of 
conflicting rulings (V, 5623, 5624). It is in order to reconsider a vote 
postponing a bill to a day certain (V, 5643; May 29, 1980, p. 12663). It 
is not in order to reconsider a negative decision of the question of 
consideration (V, 5626, 5627), although it is in order to reconsider an 
affirmative vote on the question of consideration (Oct. 4, 1994, p. 
27644). It is not in order to reconsider a negative vote on the motion 
to suspend the rules (V, 5645, 5646; VIII, 2781; Sept. 28, 1996, p. ----
), although it is in order to reconsider an affirmative vote on that 
motion (Sept. 28, 1996, p. ----). It is not in order to reconsider a 
vote on reconsideration of a bill returned with the objections of the 
Presi


[[Page 756]]

ordering of the yeas and nays on a question before the question has been 
finally decided (V, 5689-5691, 6029; VIII, 2790; Sept. 24, 1997, p. ----
); but where the House had voted to reconsider the vote whereby it had 
rejected a bill but had not separately reconsidered the ordering of a 
recorded vote, the Speaker put the question de novo and entertained a 
new demand for a recorded vote (Sept. 20, 1979, p. 25512).


Sec. 1007. Effect of the motion to reconsider.

  A  bill is not 
considered passed or an amendment agreed to if a motion to reconsider is 
pending, the effect of the motion being to suspend the original 
proposition (V, 5704); and the Speaker declines to sign an enrolled bill 
until a pending motion to reconsider has been disposed of (V, 5705). But 
when the Congress expires leaving undisposed a motion to reconsider the 
vote whereby a simple resolution of the House has been agreed to, it is 
probable that the resolution would be operative; and where a bill has 
been enrolled, signed by the Speaker, and approved by the President, it 
is undoubtedly a law, even though a motion to reconsider may not have 
been disposed of (V, 5704, note). A Member-elect may not take the oath 
until a motion to reconsider the vote determining his title is disposed 
of (I, 335); but when, in such a case, the motion is disposed of, the 
right to be sworn is complete (I, 622). When the motion to reconsider is 
decided in the affirmative the question immediately recurs on the 
question reconsidered (V, 5703). When a vote whereby an amendment has 
been agreed to is reconsidered the amendment becomes simply a pending 
amendment (V, 5704). When the vote ordering the previous question is 
reconsidered it is in order to withdraw the motion for the previous 
question, the ``decision'' having been nullified (V, 5357). When the 
previous question has been ordered on a series of motions and its force 
has not been exhausted the reconsideration of the vote on one of the 
motions does not throw it open to debate (V, 5493); under the earlier 
practice, when a vote taken under the operation of the previous question 
was reconsidered, the main question stood divested of the previous 
question, and was debatable and amendable without reconsideration 
separately of the motion for the previous question (V, 5491-5492, 5700), 
but under the modern practice, where the House adopts a motion to 
reconsider a vote on a question on which the previous question has been 
ordered, the question to be reconsidered is neither debatable nor 
amendable (unless the vote on the previous question is separately 
reconsidered) (July 2, 1980, p. 18355). It is in order to move to 
reconsider the




Sec. 1008. The vote on the motion to reconsider.

  The  motion 
to reconsider is agreed to by majority vote, even when the vote 
reconsidered requires two-thirds for affirmative action (II, 1656; V, 
5617, 5618; VIII, 2795), or when only one-fifth is required for 
affirmative action, as in votes ordering the yeas and nays (V, 5689-
5692, 6029; VIII, 2790). But one motion to reconsider the yeas and nays 
having been acted on, another motion to reconsider is not in order (V, 
6037).




Sec. 1009. Relation of the motion to reconsider to the 
motion to lay on the table.

  A  vote on the motion to lay on the table may 
be reconsidered whether the decision be in the affirmative (V, 5628, 
5695, 6288; VIII, 2785) or in the negative (V, 5629). It is in order to 
reconsider the vote laying an appeal on the table (V, 5630), although 
during proceedings under a call of the House this motion was once ruled 
out (V, 5631). The motion to reconsider may not be applied to the vote 
whereby the House has laid another motion to reconsider on the table (V, 
5632-5640; June 20, 1967, p. 16497); and a motion to reconsider may be 
laid on the table only before the Chair has put the question on the 
motion to a vote (Sept. 20, 1979, p. 25512).





Sec. 1010. Debate on the motion to reconsider.

  A  motion to 
reconsider is debatable only if the motion proposed to be reconsidered 
was debatable (V, 5694-5699; VIII, 2437, 2792; Sept. 13, 1965, p. 
23608); so the motion to reconsider a vote ordering the previous 
question is not debatable (Sept. 25, 1990, p. 25575) and the application 
of the previous question makes a motion to reconsider nondebatable (V, 
5701; VIII, 2792; Sept. 20, 1979, p. 25512; July 2, 1980, p. 18355). 
Where a resolution providing for the order of business was agreed to 
without adoption of the previous question, the Speaker advised that a 
motion to reconsider would be debatable and that the Member moving the 
reconsideration would be recognized to control the one hour of debate 
(Speaker McCormack, Sept. 13, 1965, p. 23608).


                                                      Rule XIX, clause 4
Rule XIX, clause 4




Sec. 1011. Application of motion to reconsider to bills in 
committees.

  4.  A bill, petition, memorial, or resolution referred to a 
committee, or reported therefrom for printing and recommitment, may not 
be brought back to the House on a motion to reconsider.



[[Page 757]]

(V, 5647). Before the House recodified its rules in the 106th Congress, 
this provision was found in former clause 2 of rule XVIII, and in 
recodification a provision requiring written reports was deleted as 
redundant of the requirement contained in clause 2 of rule XIII (H. Res. 
5, Jan. 6, 1999, p. ----). There is a question as to whether or not the 
rule applies to a case wherein the House, after considering a bill, 
recommits it (V, 5648-5650). After a committee has reported a bill it is 
too late to reconsider the vote by which it was referred (V, 5651).



[106th Congress House Rules Manual -- House Document No. 105-358]
[From the U.S. Government Printing Office Online Database]
[Page 757-781]

 
  This clause (former clause 2 of rule XVIII) was first adopted in 1860, 
and amended in 1872, to prevent a practice of using the privilege of the 
motion to reconsider to secure consideration of bills otherwise not in 
order



                   Rule XX.--VOTING AND QUORUM CALLS



Sec. 1012. Voting viva voce, by division, by electronic 
device.

  1. (a)  The House shall divide after the Speaker has put a question to 
a vote by voice as provided in clause 6 of rule I if the Speaker is in 
doubt or division is demanded. Those in favor of the question shall 
first rise from their seats to be counted, and then those opposed.



  (b) If a Member, Delegate, or Resident Commissioner requests a 
recorded vote, and that request is supported by at least one-fifth of a 
quorum, the vote shall be taken by electronic device unless the Speaker 
invokes another procedure for recording votes provided in this rule. A 
recorded vote taken in the House under this paragraph shall be 
considered a vote by the yeas and nays.


[[Page 758]]

vote'' and voting by means of electronic device installed in the Chamber 
in 1972, were contained in a House resolution on October 13, 1972, and 
were made effective by adoption of the rules of the 93d Congress (H. 
Res. 6, Jan. 3, 1973, p. 26). The general provision for demanding a vote 
by tellers was repealed in the 103d Congress (H. Res. 5, Jan. 5, 1993, 
p. 49). The provision providing that a recorded vote taken pursuant 
thereto shall be considered a vote by the yeas and nays was added in the 
105th Congress (H. Res. 5, Jan. 7, 1997, p. ----). Before the House 
recodified its rules in the 106th Congress, this provision was found in 
former clause 5(a) of rule I (H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 1999, p. ----).
  This provision (former clause 5(a) of rule I) was adopted in 1789 and 
its present form reflects the revisions and amendments of 1860, 1880 
(II, 1311), 1972 (H. Res. 1123, Oct. 13, 1972, pp. 36005-08), and 1993 
(H. Res. 5, Jan. 5, 1993, p. 49). From January 22, 1971 (when H. Res. 5 
of the 92d Congress was adopted incorporating provisions in the 
Legislative Reorganization Act of 1970, 84 Stat. 1140), until October 
13, 1972, this rule provided a two-step procedure for ordering ``tellers 
with clerks'' prior to installation of the electronic voting system, and 
for the first time permitted Members to be recorded on votes in 
Committee of the Whole. The last two sentences of this paragraph 
permitting a single-step ``recorded

  One of the suppositions on which parliamentary law is founded is that 
the Speaker will not betray his duty to make an honest count on a 
division (V, 6002) and the integrity of the Chair in counting a vote 
should not be questioned in the House (VIII, 3115; July 11, 1985, p. 
18550), and the Chair's count of Members demanding a recorded vote is 
not appealable (June 24, 1976, p. 20390). A vote by division takes no 
cognizance of Members present but not voting, and consequently the 
number of votes counted by division has no tendency to establish a lack 
of a quorum (June 29, 1988, p. 16504).


[[Page 759]]

is put de novo on the proposition as unfinished business (since a demand 
for a division may be made by any Member), whereas a demand for the yeas 
and nays if refused by the House may not be renewed (Mar. 18, 1980, p. 
5739). Ordinarily, however, only one demand for a vote by division on a 
pending question is in order (July 26, 1984, p. 21259; June 29, 1994, p. 
15206).
  In a full House (total membership of 435), a recorded vote is ordered 
by one-fifth of a quorum (44), but in Committee of the Whole a recorded 
vote is ordered by 25 (clause 6(e) of rule XVIII), rather than 20 in 
both cases as in prior practice (V, 5986; Dec. 20, 1974, p. 41793). The 
former right to demand tellers was not precluded by the fact that the 
yeas and nays had been refused (V, 5998; VIII, 3103), that a point of no 
quorum has been made against a division vote on the question on which 
tellers were requested (VIII, 3104, by a point of no quorum and a call 
of the House following a division vote on the question on which tellers 
were demanded (Sept. 25, 1969, p. 27041), or by the intervention of a 
quorum call following the refusal of the Committee of the Whole to order 
a recorded vote (Feb. 27, 1974, p. 4447). But only one request for a 
recorded vote on a pending question is in order (Jan. 21, 1976, p. 508), 
and a demand for a recorded vote cannot interrupt a vote by division 
which is in progress (June 10, 1975, p. 18048). While a request for a 
recorded vote once denied may not be renewed, the request remains 
pending where the Chair interrupts the count of Members standing in 
favor of the request in order to count for a quorum pursuant to a point 
of order that a quorum is not present (Aug. 5, 1982, pp. 19658, 19659). 
Recognition by the Chair for a parliamentary inquiry, or remarks uttered 
without recognition, immediately following the Chair's announcement of a 
voice vote on an amendment is not such intervening business as to 
prevent a demand for a recorded vote thereon where the Chair has not 
announced the final disposition of the amendment (May 23, 1984, p. 
13928; July 26, 1984, p. 21249; June 10, 1998, p. ----). Where a 
division vote is demanded on a proposition in the House and the vote 
thereon is then postponed pursuant to paragraph (b) of this clause a 
division may again be demanded when the question

  In Committee of the Whole, a request for a recorded vote on an 
amendment once denied may not be renewed even where the absence of a 
quorum is disclosed immediately following the refusal to order a 
recorded vote (June 6, 1979, p. 13648; Oct. 25, 1983, p. 29227). A 
record vote may be had in the House on a separate vote on an amendment 
adopted in the Committee of the Whole by a division vote after a 
recorded vote has been refused (May 13, 1998, p. ----).




Sec. 1013. Former ordering of tellers and taking of the 
vote.

  Under  the precedents recorded before the abolition of tellers, it was 
the duty of the Member to serve as teller when appointed by the Chair 
(V, 5987); but when Members of one side had declined, the second teller 
was appointed from the other side (V, 5988) or the position was left 
vacant (V, 5989). A Delegate could have been appointed teller (II, 
1302). Where there was doubt as to the count by tellers, the Chair could 
have ordered the vote taken again (V, 5991; July 19, 1946, p. 9466), but 
this must have been done before the result was announced (V, 5993-5995; 
VIII, 3098). The Chair could have counted without passing between the 
tellers (V, 5996, 5997; VIII, 3100, 3101).



  (c) In case of a tie vote, a question shall be lost.


  This provision was adopted in 1789. Before the House recodified its 
rules in the 106th Congress, it was found in former clause 6 of rule I 
(H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 1999, p. ----).

                                                       Rule XX, clause 2
Rule XX, clause 2


[[Page 760]]

clause 3. Except as otherwise permitted under clause 9 or 10 of this 
rule or under clause 6 of rule XVIII, the minimum time for a record vote 
or quorum call by electronic device shall be 15 minutes.



Sec. 1014. Use of electronic equipment in recording 
roll calls.

  2. (a)  Unless the Speaker directs otherwise, the Clerk shall 
conduct a record vote or quorum call by electronic device. In such a 
case the Clerk shall enter on the Journal and publish in the 
Congressional Record, in alphabetical order in each category, the names 
of Members recorded as voting in the affirmative, the names of Members 
recorded as voting in the negative, and the names of Members answering 
present as if they had been called in the manner provided in


  The permissive use of an electronic voting system was incorporated in 
the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1970 (sec. 121; 84 Stat. 1140) and 
was made a part of the standing rules in the 92d Congress (H. Res. 5, 
Jan. 22, 1971, p. 144). The electronic system was first utilized in the 
House on January 23, 1973 (p. 1793). The clause in its essential form 
was adopted the next year (former clause 5(a) of rule XV) (H. Res. 1123, 
Oct. 13, 1972, p. 36012).

  The Speaker has the discretion to continue to use the electronic 
system, even though the electronic display panels are temporarily 
inoperative, where the voting stations continue in operation and Members 
are able to verify their votes, or to use a backup voting procedure, 
such as calling the roll, where voting stations are inoperative (Speaker 
O'Neill, Sept. 19, 1985, p. 24245).

  The Speaker inserted in the Record a detailed statement describing 
procedures to be followed during votes and quorum calls by electronic 
device and by the backup procedures therefor (Jan. 15, 1973, pp. 1054-
57). The Speaker may direct that a call of the House be conducted by an 
alphabetical call of the roll by the Clerk where, in his discretion, he 
does not utilize the electronic voting device (Mar. 7, 1973, p. 6699), 
and pursuant to this clause and clause 6 (former clause 4 of rule XV) 
the Speaker may, in his discretion, direct the Clerk to call the roll, 
in lieu of taking the vote by electronic device, where a quorum fails to 
vote on any question and objection is made for that reason (May 16, 
1973, p. 15850). The Speaker declines to entertain unanimous-consent 
requests to correct the Journal and Record on votes taken by electronic 
device (Apr. 18, 1973, p. 13081; May 10, 1973, p. 15282; June 17, 1986, 
p. 14038), but the Speaker may announce a change in the result of a vote 
taken by electronic device where required to correct an error in 
identifying a signature on a voting card submitted in the well (June 11, 
1981).


[[Page 761]]

time during the conduct of the call (July 17, 1974, p. 23673). Since the 
Chair has the discretion to close the vote and to announce the result at 
any time after 15 minutes have elapsed, those precedents guaranteeing 
Members in the Chamber the right to have their votes recorded even if 
the Chair has announced the result (i.e., V, 6064, 6065; VIII, 2143), 
which predate the use of an electronic voting system, do not require the 
Chair to hold open indefinitely a vote taken by electronic device (Mar. 
14, 1978, p. 6838), and in the 103d Congress the Speaker inserted in the 
Record his announcement that, in order to expedite the conduct of votes 
by electronic device, the Cloakrooms were directed not to forward to the 
Chair individual requests to hold a vote open (Speaker Foley, Jan. 6, 
1993, p. 106). In the 104th and 105th Congresses the Speaker announced 
that each occupant of the Chair would have his full support in striving 
to close each electronic vote at the earliest opportunity and that 
Members should not rely on signals relayed from outside the Chamber to 
assume that votes will be held open until they arrive (Speaker Gingrich, 
Jan. 4, 1995, p. 552; June 10, 1998, p. ----); however, the Chair will 
not close a vote while a Member is in the well attempting to vote (Feb. 
10, 1995, p. 4385; June 22, 1995, p. 16814). At the end of a 15-minute 
vote, after the electronic voting stations are closed but before the 
Speaker's announcement of the result, a Member may cast an initial vote 
or change a vote by ballot card in the well (Speaker Albert, Sept. 23, 
1975, p. 29850; Speaker Wright, Oct. 29, 1987, p. 30239). In 1975, 
Speaker Albert announced that changes could no longer be made at the 
electronic stations but would have to be made by ballot card in the well 
(Speaker Albert, Sept. 17, 1975, p. 28903). In 1976, Speaker Albert 
announced that changes could be made electronically during the first 10 
minutes of a 15-minute voting period, but changes during the last 5 
minutes would have to be made by ballot card in the well (Speaker 
Albert, Mar. 22, 1976, p. 7394). In 1977, Speaker O'Neill announced that 
changes could be made electronically at any time during a vote reduced 
to five minutes under the rules (Speaker O'Neill, Jan. 4, 1977, pp. 53-
70).
  On a call of the House, or a vote, conducted by electronic device, 
Members are permitted a minimum of 15 minutes to respond, but it is 
within the discretion of the Chair, following the expiration of 15 
minutes, to allow additional time for Members to record their presence, 
or vote, before announcing the result (June 6, 1973, p. 18403; Oct. 9, 
1997, p. ----), and since this clause is incorporated by reference into 
(clause 6 of rule XVIII (former clause 2 of rule XXIII)), the Chairman 
of the Committee of the Whole need not convert to a regular quorum call 
precisely at the expiration of 15 minutes if 100 Members have not 
appeared on a notice quorum call, but he may continue to exercise his 
discretion under that clause at any


  A request that the voting display be turned on during debate is not in 
order (Oct. 12, 1998, p. ----).


  (b) When the electronic voting system is inoperable or is not used, 
the Speaker or Chairman may direct the Clerk to conduct a record vote or 
quorum call as provided in clause 3 or 4.


  When the House recodified its rules in the 106th Congress, this 
provision was added as a cross reference to the backup procedures found 
in clauses 3 and 4(a) and to clarify the Chair's discretion to choose 
either backup procedure (H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 1999, p. ----).


[[Page 762]]

--  3. <> The 
Speaker may direct the Clerk to conduct a record vote or quorum call by 
call of the roll. In such a case the Clerk shall call the names of 
Members, alphabetically by surname. When two or more have the same 
surname, the name of the State (and, if necessary to distinguish among 
Members from the same State, the given names of the Members) shall be 
added. After the roll has been called once, the Clerk shall call the 
names of those not recorded, alphabetically by surname. Members 
appearing after the second call, but before the result is announced, may 
vote or announce a pair.

                                                       Rule XX, clause 3
Rule XX, clause 3

  The first form of this clause (former clause 1 of rule XV) was adopted 
in 1789, and amendments were added in 1870, 1880, 1890 (V, 6046), 1969 
(H. Res. 7, 91st Cong., Jan. 3, 1969, p. 35), and 1972 (H. Res. 1123, 
92d Cong., Oct. 13, 1972, pp. 36005-012). The latter amendment, which 
became effective immediately prior to noon on January 3, 1973, 
introduced the concept and use of the electronic voting system. Before 
the House recodified its rules in the 106th Congress, this provision was 
found in former clause 1 of rule XV (H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 1999, p. ----).

  The names of Members who have not been sworn are not entered on the 
roll from which the yeas and nays are called for entry on the Journal 
(V, 6048; VI, 638; VIII, 3122).


[[Page 763]]

  Commencing in 1879 the Clerk, in calling the roll, called Members by 
the surnames with the prefix ``Mr.'' instead of calling the full names 
(V, 6047), but since the 62d Congress the practice has been discontinued 
in the interest of brevity (VIII, 3121). The Speaker's name is not on 
the voting roll and is not ordinarily called (V, 5970). When he votes 
his name is called at the close of the roll (V, 5965). In case of a tie 
which is revealed by a correction of the roll, he has voted after 
intervening business or even on another day (V, 5969, 6061-6063; VIII, 
3075). Where the Speaker through an error of the Clerk in reporting the 
yeas and nays announces a result different from that actually had, the 
status of the question is governed by the vote as recorded and 
subsequent announcement by the Speaker of the changed result is 
authoritative, or he may entertain a motion for correction of the 
Journal in accordance with the vote as finally ascertained (VIII, 3162).

  Under this clause, as under clause 6, the roll is called twice, and 
those Members appearing after their names are called but before the 
announcement of the result may vote or announce a live pair. Under the 
former practice, prior to the amendment adopted on January 3, 1969, a 
Member who had failed to respond on either the first or second call of 
the roll could not be recorded before the announcement of the result (V, 
6066-6070; VIII, 3134-3150) unless he qualified by declaring that he had 
been within the Hall, listening, when his name should have been called 
and failed to hear it (V, 6071-6072; VIII, 3144-3150), and then only on 
the theory that his name may have been inadvertently omitted by the 
Clerk (VIII, 3137). Under the former practice where the roll was called 
by the Clerk, either before announcement of the result (V, 6064) or 
after such announcement (VIII, 3125), the Speaker could order the vote 
recapitulated (V, 6049, 6050; VIII, 3128). A Member may not change his 
vote on recapitulation if the result has been announced (VIII, 3124), 
but errors in the record of such votes may be corrected (VIII, 3125). A 
motion that a vote be recapitulated is not privileged (VIII, 3126). The 
Speaker has declined to order a recapitulation of a vote taken by 
electronic device (Speaker Albert, July 30, 1975, p. 25841).



Sec. 1016. Bell system.

  The  legislative call system was 
designed to alert Members to certain occurrences on the floor of the 
House. The Speaker has directed that the bells and lights comprising the 
system be utilized as follows (Jan. 23, 1979, p. 701):


  Tellers--one ring and one light on left. Since teller votes were 
discontinued at the beginning of the 103d Congress, this signal is no 
longer utilized.

  Recorded vote, yeas and nays, or automatic record vote taken either by 
electronic system or by use of tellers with ballot cards--two bells and 
two lights on left indicate a vote in House or in Committee of the Whole 
by which Members are recorded by name. Bells are repeated five minutes 
after the first ring. When by unanimous consent waiving the five-minute 
minimum set by clause 9 (former clause 5(b)(3) of rule I) the House 
authorized the Speaker to put remaining postponed questions to two-
minute electronic votes, two bells were rung (Oct. 4, 1988, pp. 28126, 
28148).

  Recorded vote, yeas and nays, or automatic record electronic vote on 
recommittal to be immediately followed by possible five-minute vote on 
final passage--two bells rung at beginning of motion to recommit, 
followed by five bells, indicate that Chair will order five-minute votes 
if recorded vote, yeas and nays, or automatic vote is ordered 
immediately thereafter on final passage or adoption. Two bells repeated 
five minutes after first ring.


[[Page 764]]

is ordered on additional amendments on which separate votes have been 
demanded. Two bells repeated five minutes after first ring. Five bells 
on each subsequent amendment if roll call ordered.
  Recorded vote, yeas and nays, or automatic record electronic vote on 
the first of several amendments reported to the House from the Committee 
of the Whole--two bells rung at beginning of first amendment on which 
separate vote is demanded, followed by five bells, indicate that Chair 
will order five-minute vote if recorded vote, yeas and nays, or 
automatic vote

  Recorded vote, yeas and nays, or automatic roll call by call of the 
roll--two bells, followed by a brief pause, then two bells indicate such 
a vote taken by a call of the roll in the House. The bells are repeated 
when the Clerk reaches the ``R's'' in the first call of the roll.

  Regular quorum call--three bells and three lights on left indicate a 
quorum call either in the House or in Committee of the Whole by 
electronic system or by clerks. The bells are repeated five minutes 
after the first ring. Where quorum call is by call of the roll, three 
bells followed by a brief pause, then three more bells, with the process 
repeated when the Clerk reaches the ``R's'' in the first call of the 
roll, are utilized.

  Regular quorum call in Committee of the Whole, which will possibly be 
immediately followed by five-minute electronic recorded vote--three 
bells rung at beginning of quorum call, followed by five bells, indicate 
that Chair will order five-minute vote if recorded vote is ordered on 
pending question. Three bells repeated five minutes after first ring.

  Notice or short quorum call in Committee of the Whole--one long bell 
followed by three regular bells, and three lights on left, indicate that 
the Chair has exercised his discretion under clause 6 of rule XVIII and 
will vacate proceedings when a quorum of the Committee appears. Bells 
are repeated every five minutes unless (a) the call is vacated by 
ringing of one long bell and extinguishing of three lights, or (b) the 
call is converted into a regular quorum call and three regular bells are 
rung.

  Adjournment--four bells and four lights on left.

  Any five-minute vote--five bells and five lights on left.

  Postponed votes on (a) motions to suspend the rules; (b) final votes 
on bills, resolutions, or conference reports; or (c) previous question 
on questions that are, themselves, susceptible of postponement--two 
bells, followed by five bells, indicate start of 15-minute vote on first 
postponed question in each such series. Two bells repeated five minutes 
after first ring. Five bells on all subsequent five-minute votes in each 
series on which Speaker has reduced vote time.

  Recess of the House--six bells and six lights on left.

  Civil Defense Warning--twelve bells, sounded at two-second intervals, 
with six lights illuminated.

  The light on the far right--seven--indicates that the House is in 
session.

  Failure of the signal bells to announce a vote does not warrant 
repetition of the roll call (VIII, 3153-3155, 3157) nor does such a 
failure permit a Member to be recorded following the conclusion of the 
call (June 9, 1938, p. 8662).


[[Page 765]]

may change it to ``yea'' or ``nay'' (V, 6060). But a vote given by a 
Member may not be withdrawn without leave of the House (V, 5930).


Sec. 1017. Changes and corrections of votes.

  Before  the 
result of a vote has been finally and conclusively pronounced by the 
Chair, but not thereafter, a Member may change his vote (V, 5931-5933, 
6093, 6094; VIII, 3070, 3123, 3124, 3160), and a Member who has answered 
``present''


  When a vote actually given fails to be recorded during a call of the 
roll (V, 6061-6063) the Member may, before the approval of the Journal, 
demand as a matter of right that correction be made (V, 5969; VIII, 
3143). But statements of other Members as to alleged errors in a 
recorded vote must be very definite and positive to justify the Speaker 
in ordering a change of the roll (V, 6064, 6099). The Speaker declines 
to entertain requests to correct the Journal and Record on votes taken 
by electronic device, based upon the technical accuracy of the 
electronic system if properly utilized and upon the responsibility of 
each Member to correctly cast and verify his vote (Apr. 18, 1973, p. 
13081; May 10, 1973, p. 15282). By unanimous consent the House may 
vacate proceedings on a recorded vote conducted in the Committee of the 
Whole and require a vote de novo where it is alleged that Members were 
improperly prevented from being recorded (June 22, 1995, p. 16815).




Sec. 1018. Interruptions of the roll call.

  When  once begun 
the roll call may not be interrupted even by a motion to adjourn (V, 
6053; VIII, 3133), a parliamentary inquiry (VIII, 3132), a question of 
personal privilege (V, 6058, 6059; VI, 554, 564), the arrival of the 
time fixed for another order of business (V, 6056) or for a recess (V, 
6054, 6055; VIII, 3133), or the presentation of a conference report (V, 
6443). But it is interrupted for the reception of messages and by the 
arrival of the hour fixed for adjournment sine die (V, 6715-6718). 
Incidental questions arising during the roll call, such as the refusal 
of a Member to vote (V, 5946-5948), are considered after the completion 
of the call and the announcement of the vote (V, 5947). The rules do not 
preclude a Member from announcing after a recorded vote on which he 
failed to answer, how he would have voted if present (Speaker Rayburn, 
June 27, 1957, p. 10521; contra VIII, 3151), but neither the rules nor 
the practice permit a Member to announce after a recorded vote how 
absent colleagues would have voted if present (VI, 200; Apr. 3, 1933, p. 
1139; Apr. 28, 1933, p. 2587; May 20, 1933, p. 3834; Mar. 16, 1934, pp. 
4691, 4700; Apr. 14, 1937, pp. 3489, 3490; Apr. 15, 1937, p. 3563).


                                                       Rule XX, clause 4
Rule XX, clause 4


[[Page 766]]

shall be noted, but the doors may not be closed except when ordered by 
the Speaker. The minimum time for a record vote or quorum call by 
tellers shall be 15 minutes.



Sec. 1019. Quorum call by clerks.

  4. (a)  The Speaker may 
direct a record vote or quorum call to be conducted by tellers. In such 
a case the tellers named by the Speaker shall record the names of the 
Members voting on each side of the question or record their presence, as 
the case may be, which the Clerk shall enter on the Journal and publish 
in the Congressional Record. Absentees


  This paragraph was adopted as part of the general revision of this 
rule (former rule XV) which was required by the implementation of the 
electronic voting system (H. Res. 1123, 92d Cong., Oct. 13, 1972, p. 
36012). Before the House recodified its rules in the 106th Congress, 
this provision was found in former clause 2(b) of rule XV (H. Res. 5, 
Jan. 6, 1999, p. ----). The Speaker, in his discretion, may direct that 
the presence of Members be recorded by this procedure in lieu of using 
the electronic system, or the Chair may, in his discretion, direct that 
a quorum call be taken by an alphabetical call of the roll (Mar. 7, 
1973, p. 6699). The Chairman of the Committee of the Whole also may 
direct that a quorum call be conducted by depositing quorum tally cards 
with clerk tellers, rather than by electronic device or a call of the 
roll (July 13, 1983, p. 18858).


  Exercising his authority under this paragraph, the Speaker ordered the 
doors to the Chamber closed and locked during a call of the House and 
instructed the Doorkeeper to enforce the rule and let no Members leave 
the Hall (Deschler's Precedents, vol. 5, ch. 20, sec. 6.3). This clause 
does not give the Speaker the authority to lock the doors during a 
recorded vote (June 11, 1997, p. ----).




Sec. 1020. Count of those not voting to make a quorum of 
record on a roll call.

  (b)  On the demand of a Member, or at the suggestion 
of the Speaker, the names of Members sufficient to make a quorum in the 
Hall of the House who do not vote shall be noted by the Clerk, entered 
on the Journal, reported to the Speaker with the names of the Members 
voting, and be counted and announced in determining the presence of a 
quorum to do business.



[[Page 767]]

to note names of Members under this rule even on a vote for which a 
quorum is not necessary (VIII, 3152).

  This clause was adopted in 1890 (IV, 2905), but it merely formalized a 
principle already established by a decision of the Chair (IV, 2895). It 
was much in use in the first years after its adoption (III, 2620; IV, 
2905-2907); but with the decline of obstruction in the House and the 
adoption of clause 6 (former clause 4 of rule XV) of this rule the 
necessity for its use has disappeared to a large extent. Before the 
House recodified its rules in the 106th Congress, this provision was 
found in former clause 3 of rule XV (H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 1999, p. ----). 
The Speaker may direct the Clerk

                                                       Rule XX, clause 5
Rule XX, clause 5



Sec. 1021. The call of the House.

  5. (a)  In the absence of a 
quorum, a majority comprising at least 15 Members, which may include the 
Speaker, may compel the attendance of absent Members.



  (b) Subject to clause 7(b) a majority of those present may order the 
Sergeant-at-Arms to send officers appointed by him to arrest those 
Members for whom no sufficient excuse is made and shall secure and 
retain their attendance. The House shall determine on what condition 
they shall be discharged. Unless the House otherwise directs, the 
Members who voluntarily appear shall be admitted immediately to the Hall 
of the House and shall report their names to the Clerk to be entered on 
the Journal as present.


[[Page 768]]

  The essential portions of this provision were adopted in 1789 and 
1795, with minor amendments in 1888, 1890 (IV, 2982), and 1971 (H. Res. 
5, 92d Cong., Jan. 22, 1971, p. 144). Later in the 92d Congress several 
provisions of this rule, including this clause, were amended to reflect 
the implementation of the electronic voting system (H. Res. 1123, Oct. 
13, 1972, pp. 36005-12). The provisions relating to the calling of the 
roll by the Clerk were deleted. Calls of the House are now taken by the 
electronic device unless the Speaker, in his discretion orders the use 
of the alternative procedure in clause 2(b). Together with clause 7 
(former clause 6(e)(2) of rule XV) this provision was further amended in 
the 96th Congress (H. Res. 5, Jan. 15, 1979, pp. 7-16) to conform to the 
requirement in that provision that further proceedings under the call 
shall be dispensed with unless the Speaker in his discretion recognizes 
for a call of the House or a motion to compel attendance under this 
paragraph. This clause must be read in light of clause 7 (former clause 
6(e) of rule XV), which prohibits the point of order that a quorum is 
not present unless the Speaker has put a question to a vote. Before the 
House recodified its rules in the 106th Congress, this provision was 
found in former clause 2(a) of rule XV (H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 1999, p. ----
).



Sec. 1022. Ordering and conducting the call.

  Under  this rule 
a call may not be ordered by less than 15, and without that number 
present the motion for a call is not entertained (IV, 2983). It must be 
ordered by majority vote, and a minority of 15 or more favoring a call 
on such vote is not sufficient (IV, 2984). A quorum not being present no 
motion is in order but for a call of the House or to adjourn (IV, 2950, 
2988; VI, 680), and at this stage the motion to adjourn has precedence 
over the motion for a call of the House (VIII, 2642).


  While the following precedents predate the use of the electronic 
voting and recording system, they are retained in the Manual because of 
their general applicability with respect to calls of the House. A roll 
call under paragraph (a) may not be interrupted by a motion to dispense 
with further proceedings under the call (IV, 2992), and a recapitulation 
of the names of those who appear after their names have been called may 
not be demanded (IV, 2933). But during proceedings under the call the 
roll may be ordered to be called again by those present (IV, 2991).

  During a call less than a quorum may revoke leaves of absence (IV, 
3003, 3004) and excuse a Member from attendance (IV, 3000, 3001), but 
may not grant leaves of absence (IV, 3002). The roll is sometimes called 
for excuses, and motions to excuse are in order during this call (IV, 
2997), but neither the motion to excuse nor an incidental appeal are 
debatable (IV, 2999). After the roll has been called for excuses, and 
the House has ordered the arrest of those who are unexcused, a motion to 
excuse an absentee is in order when he is brought to the bar (IV, 3012).



Sec. 1023. Arrest of Members.

  An  order of arrest for absent 
Members may be made after a single calling of the roll (IV, 3015, 3016), 
and a warrant issued on direction of those present, such motion having 
precedence of a motion to dispense with proceedings under the call (IV, 
3036). The Sergeant-at-Arms is required to arrest Members wherever they 
may be found (IV, 3017), and leave for a committee to sit during 
sessions does not release its Members from liability to arrest (IV, 
3020). A motion to require the Sergeant-at-Arms to report progress in 
securing a quorum is in order during a call of the House (VI, 687). A 
Member who appears and answers is not subject to arrest (IV, 3019), and 
in a case where a Member complained of wrongful arrest the House ordered 
the Sergeant-at-Arms to investigate and amend the return of his warrant 
(IV, 3021). A Member once arrested having escaped it was held that he 
might not be brought back on the same warrant (IV, 3022). A privileged 
motion to compel the attendance of absent Members is in order after the 
Chair has announced that a quorum has not responded on a negative 
recorded vote on a motion to adjourn (Nov. 2, 1987, p. 30386).



[[Page 769]]

leaves of absence and directed the Sergeant-at-Arms to deduct from the 
salary of Members compensation for days absent without leave (VI, 30, 
198), but this penalty has been of rare occurrence (IV, 3013, 3014, 
3025). Form of resolution for the arrest of Members absent without leave 
(VI, 686). Having rejected a motion to adjourn, less than a quorum of 
the House rejected a motion directing the Sergeant-at-Arms to arrest 
absent Members, rejected a second motion to adjourn, and then adopted a 
motion authorizing the Speaker to compel the attendance of absent 
members (Nov. 2, 1987, p. 30387).
  The former practice of presenting Members at the bar during a call of 
the House (IV, 3030-3035) is obsolete, and Members now report to the 
Clerk and are recorded without being formally excused unless brought in 
under compulsion (VI, 684). Those present on a call may prescribe a fine 
as a condition of discharge, and the House has by resolution revoked all

  The motion to dispense with further proceedings under the call of the 
House is not in order when a motion to arrest absent Members is pending 
(IV, 3029, 3037); is not entertained until a quorum responds on the 
call, but may be agreed to by less than a quorum thereafter (IV, 3038, 
3040; VI, 689; Sept. 11, 1968, p. 26453; Dec. 22, 1970, p. 43311); is 
neither debatable nor subject to amendment, thus the motion to lay it on 
the table is not in order (Aug. 27, 1962, p. 17653; Dec. 18, 1970, p. 
42504).




Sec. 1024. Motions during a call.

  During  the call, which in 
later practice has been invoked only in absence of a quorum, incidental 
motions may be agreed to by less than a quorum (IV, 2994, 3029; VI, 
681), and under clause 7 (former clause 6(a)(4) of rule XV) a point of 
order of no quorum may not be made during the offering, consideration, 
and disposition of any motion incidental to a call of the House. This 
includes motions for the previous question (V, 5458), to reconsider and 
to lay the motion to reconsider on the table (V, 5607, 5608), to 
adjourn, which is in order even in the midst of the call of the roll for 
excuses (IV, 2998) or while the House is dividing on a motion for a call 
of the House (VIII, 2644), and which takes precedence over a motion to 
dispense with further proceedings under the call (VIII, 2643), and an 
appeal from a decision of the Chair (IV, 3010, 3037; VI, 681). The yeas 
and nays may also be ordered (IV, 3010), but a question of privilege may 
not be raised unless it be something connected immediately with the 
proceedings (III, 2545). Motions not strictly incidental to the call are 
not admitted, as for a recess (IV, 2995, 2996), to excuse a Member from 
voting even when otherwise in order (IV, 3007), to enforce the statute 
relating to deductions of pay of Members for absence (IV, 3011; VI, 
682), to construe a rule or make a new rule (IV, 3008), or to order a 
change of a Journal record (IV, 3009). A motion for a call of the House 
is not debatable (VI, 683, 688). The motion to compel the attendance of 
absent Members, being neither debatable nor amendable, is not subject to 
a motion to lay on the table (Speaker Wright, Nov. 2, 1987, p. 30389).


                                                       Rule XX, clause 6
Rule XX, clause 6


[[Page 770]]



Sec. 1025. The call of the House in the new 
form.

  6. (a)  When a quorum fails to vote on a question, a quorum is not 
present, and objection is made for that cause (unless the House shall 
adjourn)--


      (1) there shall be a call of the House;

      (2) the Sergeant-at-Arms shall proceed forthwith to bring in 
absent Members; and

      (3) the yeas and nays on the pending question shall at the same 
time be considered as ordered.

  (b) The Clerk shall record Members by the yeas and nays on the pending 
question, using such procedure as the Speaker may invoke under clause 2, 
3, or 4. Each Member arrested under this clause shall be brought by the 
Sergeant-at-Arms before the House, whereupon he shall be noted as 
present, discharged from arrest, and given an opportunity to vote; and 
his vote shall be recorded. If those voting on the question and those 
who are present and decline to vote together make a majority of the 
House, the Speaker shall declare that a quorum is constituted, and the 
pending question shall be decided as the requisite majority of those 
voting shall have determined. Thereupon further proceedings under the 
call shall be considered as dispensed with.



[[Page 771]]


  (c) At any time after Members have had the requisite opportunity to 
respond by the yeas and nays, but before a result has been announced, 
the Speaker may entertain a motion that the House adjourn if seconded by 
a majority of those present, to be ascertained by actual count by the 
Speaker. If the House adjourns on such a motion, all proceedings under 
this clause shall be considered as vacated.

  This clause (former clause 4 of rule XV) was adopted in 1896 (IV, 
3041; VI, 690); and amended in 1972 to make its provisions subject to 
clause 2 (former clause 5) of this rule (H. Res. 1123, 92d Cong., p. 
36012). Before the House recodified its rules in the 106th Congress, 
this provision was found in former clause 4 of rule XV (H. Res. 5, Jan. 
6, 1999, p. ----). Where objection is raised to a vote in the House on 
the ground that a quorum is not present, and a quorum is in fact not 
present, the Speaker may direct that the call of the House be taken by 
electronic device under clause 2 (former clause 5), or may, in his 
discretion, direct the Clerk to call the roll pursuant to this clause 
(May 16, 1973, p. 15860).

  It applies only to votes wherein a quorum is required, and hence does 
not apply to an affirmative vote on a motion to adjourn (July 25, 1949, 
p. 10092; Nov. 4, 1983, p. 30946), or motions incidental to a call of 
the House which may be agreed to by less than a quorum (IV, 2994, 3029; 
VI, 681), or to a call when there is no question pending (IV, 2990). 
While a quorum is not required to adjourn, a point of no quorum on a 
negative vote on adjournment, if sustained, precipitates a call of the 
House under the rule (VI, 700; June 4, 1951, pp. 6097, 6098; June 15, 
1951, p. 6621). Where less than a quorum rejects a motion to adjourn, 
the House may not consider business but may dispose of motions to compel 
the attendance of absent Members (Nov. 2, 1987, p. 30387).


[[Page 772]]

  When a Member objects to a vote on the ground that a quorum is not 
present and makes the point of order under this clause, the Speaker may 
count the House and determine the presence of a quorum, and is not 
required to announce his actual count under the first sentence of this 
clause (Sept. 30, 1981, p. 22456). Where the Speaker ascertains the 
presence of a quorum by actual count following an objection to a vote 
under this clause, or on a rejected demand for the yeas and nays and a 
division vote is then had on the pending question, the division vote is 
intervening business (see VIII, 2804) permitting another objection to 
the lack of a quorum, and the Speaker must again count the House (Mar. 
17, 1976, p. 6792; Aug. 2, 1979, p. 22006). But where the announced 
absence of a quorum has resulted in a record vote under this clause (on 
the Speaker's approval of the Journal), the House may not, even by 
unanimous consent, vacate the vote in order to conduct another voice 
vote in lieu of the record vote, since no business, including a 
unanimous-consent agreement, is in order in the announced absence of a 
quorum (July 13, 1983, p. 18844; Feb. 24, 1988, p. 2450). The House 
having authorized the Speaker to compel the attendance of absent 
Members, the Speaker announced that the Sergeant-at-Arms would proceed 
with necessary and efficacious steps, and that pending the establishment 
of a quorum no further business, including unanimous-consent requests 
for recess authority, could be entertained (Nov. 2, 1987, p. 30389).




Sec. 1026. Conduct of the call in the new form.

  Under  this 
clause the roll is called over twice, and those appearing after their 
names are called may vote (IV, 3052). A motion to adjourn may be made 
before the call begins (IV, 3050). After the roll has been called, and 
while the proceedings to obtain a quorum are going on, motions to excuse 
Members are in order (IV, 3051). The Sergeant-at-Arms is required to 
detain those who are present and bring in absentees (IV, 3045-3048), and 
he does this without the authority of a resolution adopted by those 
present (IV, 3049). There is doubt as to whether or not a warrant is 
necessary but it is customary for the Speaker to issue one on the 
authority of the rule (IV, 3043; VI, 702). When arrested, Members are 
arraigned at the bar, and either vote or are noted as present, after 
which they are discharged (IV, 3044). When a quorum fails to vote on a 
yea-and-nay vote on a motion which requires a quorum to be present, and 
a quorum is not present, the Chair takes notice of the fact, and unless 
the House adjourns, a call of the House is ordered by the Chair under 
this rule, and the vote is taken on the question de novo (IV, 3045, 
3052; VI, 679). An automatic roll call results under this rule when the 
objection that a quorum is not present and voting is made after a viva 
voce vote (VI, 697). An automatic roll call under this rule is not in 
order in Committee of the Whole (Aug. 2, 1966, p. 17844). Pursuant to 
clause 8, where the Speaker has announced that he will postpone further 
proceedings on motions to suspend the rules on that day if any votes are 
objected to under this clause, and objection is then made to any such 
votes, further proceedings are automatically postponed and the question 
is put de novo when that vote recurs as unfinished business, when 
further proceedings are postponed, the point of order that a quorum is 
not present is considered as withdrawn, since no longer in order (a 
question not being pending after the Speaker's announcement of 
postponement). See clause 7, infra.


                                                       Rule XX, clause 7
Rule XX, clause 7



Sec. 1027. Quorum; when not required.

  7. (a)  The Speaker may 
not entertain a point of order that a quorum is not present unless a 
question has been put to a vote.



[[Page 773]]

Speaker recognizes for a motion to compel attendance of Members under 
clause 5(b).


Sec. 1028. Speaker's discretion to recognize for motion 
for call of House.

  (b)  Subject to paragraph (c) the Speaker may recognize 
a Member, Delegate, or Resident Commissioner to move a call of the House 
at any time. When a quorum is established pursuant to a call of the 
House, further proceedings under the call shall be considered as 
dispensed with unless the





Sec. 1029. Relation of previous question to failure of a 
quorum.

  (c)  A call of the House shall not be in order after the previous 
question is ordered unless the Speaker determines by actual count that a 
quorum is not present.


  Paragraphs (a) and (b) were adopted in the 93d Congress (H. Res. 998, 
Apr. 9, 1974, pp. 10195-99) and amended in the 95th Congress (H. Res. 5, 
Jan. 4, 1977, pp. 53-70) and in the 96th Congress (H. Res. 5, Jan. 15, 
1979, pp. 7-16) to dispense with further proceedings under any call of 
the House when a quorum appears unless the Speaker at his discretion 
recognizes for a motion. Paragraph (c) (former clause 2 of rule XVII) 
was adopted in 1860 (V, 5447). Before the House recodified its rules in 
the 106th Congress, paragraphs (a) and (b) were found in former clause 6 
of rule XV and paragraph (c) was found in former clause 2 of rule XVII. 
The 106th Congress also transferred former clause 6(b) of rule XV to 
clause 6(d) of rule XVIII (H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 1999, p. ----).

  Under this clause the Speaker may not entertain a point of order of no 
quorum when he has not put a question to a vote in the House (Speaker 
O'Neill, Jan. 11, 1977, p. 891; Jan. 31, 1977, p. 2640; Sept. 30, 1997, 
p. ----; July 21, 1998, p. ----). The Chair may not entertain a point of 
order of no quorum pending a request that a committee be permitted to 
sit under the five-minute rule, since the Chair has not put the question 
on a pending proposition to a vote (June 18, 1980, p. 15316). But under 
this clause the Speaker may at any time in his discretion recognize a 
Member of his choice to move a call of the House (Speaker O'Neill, Jan. 
19, 1977, p. 1719; Jan. 31, 1977, p. 2640; Aug. 6, 1986, p. 19370), or 
may choose not to do so (Sept. 30, 1997, p. ----), even, for example, 
prior to the call of the Private Calendar, which is in order after 
approval of the Journal and disposition of business on the Speaker's 
table (July 8, 1987, p. 18972).

  The Speaker's refusal to entertain a point of order of no quorum when 
a pending question has not been put to a vote is not subject to an 
appeal, since the clause contains an absolute and unambiguous 
prohibition against entertaining such a point of order (Sept. 16, 1977, 
p. 29562). During debate on a measure in the House the Speaker will not 
respond to an inquiry as to the number of Members present in the 
Chamber, since a point of no quorum is not admissible unless he has put 
the pending question to a vote (Oct. 28, 1987, p. 29682).


[[Page 774]]

of order of no quorum during debate only nor a point of order against 
the enforcement of this clause lies independently under the Constitution 
(Sept. 8, 1977, p. 28114; Sept. 12, 1977, p. 28800; Feb. 27, 1986, p. 
3060). See also clause 7(c) of rule XX, providing that after the 
previous question is ordered a call of the House shall only be in order 
if the Speaker determines by actual count of the House that a quorum is 
not present.

  In adopting this rule, the House has presumably determined that the 
mere conduct of debate in the House, where the Chair has not put the 
pending motion or proposition to a vote, is not such business as 
requires a quorum under the Constitution (art. I, sec. 5, cl. 1), and 
neither a point

                                                       Rule XX, clause 8
Rule XX, clause 8
Postponement of proceedings



1030. Postponing record votes on passage.

  8. (a)(1)  When a 
recorded vote is ordered, or the yeas and nays are ordered, or a vote is 
objected to under clause 6 on any of the questions specified in 
subparagraph (2), the Speaker may postpone further proceedings on that 
question to a designated place in the legislative schedule on that 
legislative day (in the case of the question of agreeing to the 
Speaker's approval of the Journal) or within two legislative days (in 
the case of any other question).


  (2) The questions described in the subparagraph (1) are as follows:

      (A) The question of passing a bill or joint resolution.

      (B) The question of adopting a resolution or concurrent 
resolution.

      (C) The question of agreeing to a motion to instruct managers on 
the part of the House (except that proceedings may not resume on such a 
motion under clause 7(c) of rule XXII if the managers have filed a 
report in the House).


[[Page 775]]

      (D) The question of agreeing to a conference report.

      (E) The question of agreeing to a motion to recommit a bill 
considered under clause 6 of rule XV.

      (F) The question of ordering the previous question on a question 
described in subdivision (A), (B), (C), (D), or (E).

      (G) The question of agreeing to an amendment to a bill considered 
under clause 6 of rule XV.

      (H) The question of agreeing to a motion to suspend the rules.

  (b) At the time designated by the Speaker for further proceedings on 
questions postponed under paragraph (a), the Speaker shall resume 
proceedings on each postponed question in the order in which it was 
considered.

  (c) The Speaker may reduce to five minutes the minimum time for 
electronic voting on a question postponed under this clause, or on a 
question incidental thereto, that follows another electronic vote 
without intervening business, so long as the minimum time for electronic 
voting on the first in any series of questions is 15 minutes.


  (d) If the House adjourns on a legislative day designated for further 
proceedings on questions postponed under this clause without disposing 
of such questions, then on the next legislative day the unfinished 
business is the disposition of such questions in the order in which they 
were considered.


[[Page 776]]

in the 97th Congress (H. Res. 5, Jan. 5, 1981, pp. 98-113) to place all 
authority for the postponing of further proceedings on certain questions 
into this clause. This consolidation was accomplished with the addition 
of the authority to postpone further proceedings on reports from the 
Committee on Rules and the authority to postpone further proceedings on 
motions to suspend the rules and pass bills or adopt resolutions. The 
authority for the Speaker to postpone further proceedings on agreeing to 
his approval of the Journal until later that legislative day was added 
in the 98th Congress (H. Res. 5, Jan. 3, 1983, p. 34). The authority for 
the Speaker to postpone further proceedings on motions to instruct 
conferees after 20 calendar days in conference was added in the 101st 
Congress (H. Res. 5, Jan. 3, 1989, p. 72). The authority for the Speaker 
to postpone further proceedings on the original motion to instruct 
conferees was added in the 106th Congress (H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 1999, p. 
----). In the 104th Congress the list of questions susceptible of 
postponement was reordered and expanded to include a vote on ordering 
the previous question on another question that is, itself, susceptible 
of postponement (sec. 223(a), H. Res. 6, Jan. 4, 1995, p. 469). In the 
105th Congress subparagraph (1) was amended to enable postponement of 
certain questions during consideration of bills called from the 
Corrections Calendar, i.e., agreeing to an amendment, ordering the 
previous question on a motion to recommit, and agreeing to a motion to 
recommit (H. Res. 5, Jan. 7, 1997, p. ----). In the 106th Congress the 
Speaker's authority to reduce to five minutes the minimum time for 
electronic voting on a question postponed under this clause was expanded 
to include questions incidental thereto and to permit the first 
postponed vote in a series to be a five-minute vote if it immediately 
follows a 15-minute vote. Before the House recodified its rules in the 
106th Congress, this provision was found in former clause 5(b) of rule I 
(H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 1999, p. ----).
  This provision (former clause 5(b) of rule I) was added in the 96th 
Congress (H. Res. 5, Jan. 15, 1979, p. 7), and subparagraph (1) was 
amended

  The Speaker first exercised his authority to postpone a record vote on 
the approval of the Journal on November 10, 1983 (p. 32097). That 
authority includes the power to postpone a division vote on the approval 
of the Journal that is objected to under clause 6 of rule XX (former 
clause 4 of rule XV) (Sept. 21, 1993, p. 21820). However, on questions 
not enumerated in this paragraph, such as the initial motion to instruct 
conferees prior to the 106th Congress, unanimous consent was required to 
permit the Speaker to postpone such record votes (Oct. 6, 1986, p. 
28704).


[[Page 777]]

been postponed--either de novo if objection to the vote has been made 
under clause 6 of rule XX (former clause 4 of rule XV) or for a ``yea 
and nay'' or recorded vote if previously ordered by the House in the 
order in which the motions had been entered (June 4, 1974, pp. 17521-
47). Clause 8(a) of rule XX (former clause 5(b) of rule I) does not 
require the Chair's customary announcement at the beginning of 
consideration of motions to suspend the rules that the Chair intends to 
postpone possible record votes (Nov. 14, 1995, p. ----).
  Pursuant to clause 7 of rule XX (former clause 6(e) of rule XV), 
prohibiting a point of order of no quorum unless the Speaker has put the 
pending proposition to a vote, the Speaker announces, after postponing a 
vote on a motion to suspend the rules where objection has been made to 
the vote on the grounds that a quorum is not present, that the point of 
order is considered as withdrawn, since the Chair is no longer putting 
the question (May 16, 1977, p. 14785). At the conclusion of debate on 
all motions to suspend the rules on a legislative day, the Speaker 
announces that he will put the question on each motion on which further 
proceedings have

  Under the authority to postpone further proceedings on a specified 
question to a designated time within two legislative days, the Speaker 
may simultaneously designate separate times for the resumption of 
proceedings on separate postponed questions (Mar. 3, 1992, p. 4072). 
Once the Speaker has postponed record votes to a designated place in the 
legislative schedule, he may subsequently redesignate the time when the 
votes will be taken within the appropriate period (June 6, 1984, p. 
15080; Oct. 3, 1988, pp. 27782, 27878).


[[Page 778]]

precedence over a motion to suspend the rules, it may be offered and 
voted on between motions to suspend the rules on which the Speaker has 
postponed record votes until after debate on all suspensions (May 17, 
1983, p. 12486). Under this clause the Speaker is not required to 
announce his intention to postpone at the beginning of consideration of 
a motion to suspend the rules (although that is customarily the 
courtesy) but may postpone further proceedings after a record vote is 
ordered or an objection is raised under clause 6 of rule XX (former 
clause 4 of rule XV) (Feb. 23, 1993, p. 3281). When the House adjourns 
on the second legislative day after postponement of a question under 
this clause without resuming proceedings thereon, the question remains 
unfinished business on the next legislative day (Oct. 1, 1997, p. ----). 
In recent years special rules adopted by the House have routinely 
provided the Chairman of the Committee of the Whole authority to 
postpone and cluster requests for recorded votes. For a discussion of 
such authority, see Sec. 984, supra.

  Following the first postponed vote on motions to suspend the rules, 
the Speaker may in his discretion reduce to not less than five minutes 
the time for taking votes on any or all of the subsequent motions on 
which votes have been postponed (June 4, 1974, p. 17547). Having 
clustered record votes on motions to suspend the rules and then having 
clustered record votes on passage of other measures considered 
immediately after debate on the suspension motions, the Speaker may, 
pursuant to this clause, conduct all the postponed votes in one sequence 
and reduce to five minutes the time for all electronic votes after the 
first suspension vote (May 17, 1983, p. 12508; Oct. 2, 1989, p. 22724). 
But the Chair may decline, in his discretion, to recognize for a 
unanimous-consent request to reduce to five minutes the first vote in 
the series, since the bell and light system would not give adequate 
notice of the initial five-minute vote (Oct. 8, 1985, p. 26666). 
However, prior to the 106th Congress, where a series of votes had been 
postponed pursuant to this clause to occur following a 15-minute vote on 
another measure not a part of that series, the vote on the first 
postponed measure could have been reduced to five minutes only by 
unanimous consent (May 24, 1983, p. 13595; July 22, 1996, p. 18410). By 
unanimous consent waiving the five-minute minimum set by paragraph (c) 
(former clause 5(b)(3) of rule I), the House has authorized the Speaker 
to put remaining postponed questions to two-minute electronic votes 
(Oct. 4, 1988, pp. 28126, 28148). The Speaker may ``cluster'' postponed 
votes on a motion to suspend the rules and on adoption of a resolution 
in the order in which those questions were considered on the preceding 
day (July 19, 1983, p. 19774). The requirement that the Speaker put each 
question on motions to suspend the rules in the order in which 
postponed, does not prevent the Speaker from entertaining a unanimous-
consent request for the consideration of a similar Senate measure 
following passage of a House bill and prior to the next postponed vote 
(Feb. 15, 1983, p. 2175). Since a resolution raising a question of the 
privileges of the House takes



Sec. 1031. Former pairs.

  Former  clause 2 of rule VIII 
(proposed to be recodified as clause 8 of rule XX) was adopted in 1880, 
although the practice of pairing had then existed in the House for many 
years (V, 5981). The language of the clause was slightly altered by 
amendment in 1972 to reflect the installation of electronic voting in 
the 93d Congress (H. Res. 1123, Oct. 13, 1972, pp. 36005-12). It was 
amended in the 94th Congress (H. Res. 5, Jan. 14, 1975, p. 20) to permit 
pairs to be announced in the Committee of the Whole. Former clause 2 of 
rule VIII was deleted in the 106th Congress (H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 1999, p. 
----). The Rules of the House continue to permit the announcement of a 
live pair under clause 3 of rule XX (Sec. 1015, supra).



  Prior to the 106th Congress, pairs were not announced at a time other 
than that prescribed by the former rule (V, 6046), and the voting 
intentions of an absent Member were not otherwise announced by a 
colleague (VIII, 3151). Prior to the 94th Congress pairs were not 
permitted in Committee of the Whole (V, 5984; Speaker Albert, Jan. 15, 
1973, p. 1054). The House did not consider questions arising out of the 
breaking of a pair (V, 5982, 5983, 6095; VIII, 3082, 3085, 3087-3089, 
3093), or permit a Member to vote after the call on the plea that he had 
refrained because of misunderstanding as to a pair (V, 6080, 6081). 
Discussion of the origin of the practice of pairing in the House and 
Senate (VIII, 3076). On questions requiring a two-thirds majority 
Members were paired two in the affirmative against one in the negative 
(VIII, 3088; Nov. 15, 1983, p. 32685). For Speaker Clark's 
interpretation of the rule and practice of the House of Representatives 
as to pairs, see VIII, 3089.


[[Page 779]]

Five-minute votes--
                                                       Rule XX, clause 9
Rule XX, clause 9



1032. ``15and5'' voting.

  9.  The Speaker may reduce to five 
minutes the minimum time for electronic voting--


      (a) after a record vote on a motion for the previous question, on 
any underlying question that follows without intervening business, or on 
a question incidental thereto;

      (b) after a record vote on an amendment reported from the 
Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union, on any 
subsequent amendment to that bill or resolution reported from the 
Committee of the Whole, or on a question incidental thereto;

      (c) after a record vote on a motion to recommit a bill, 
resolution, or conference report, on the question of passage or 
adoption, as the case may be, of such bill, resolution, or conference 
report, or on a question incidental thereto, if the question of passage 
or adoption follows without intervening business the vote on the motion 
to recommit; or


      (d) as provided in clause 6(b)(3) of rule XVIII, clause 6(f) of 
rule XVIII, or clause 8 of this rule.


[[Page 780]]

was added in the 103d Congress (H. Res. 5, Jan. 5, 1993, p. 49) to 
permit the Speaker to reduce to five minutes the vote on adoption of a 
special order of business resolution immediately following a 15-minute 
recorded vote on ordering the previous question thereon, former clause 5 
was organized into paragraphs. In the 104th Congress clause 9(a) (former 
clause 5(b)(1) of rule XV) was broadened to cover any previous question 
situation (sec. 223(e), H. Res. 6, Jan. 4, 1995, p. 469). In the 106th 
Congress the Speaker's authority to reduce to five minutes the minimum 
time for electronic voting on a question under this clause was expanded 
to include questions incidental thereto. The 106th Congress also, when 
the House recodified its rules, transferred this provision from former 
clause 5(b) of rule XV (H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 1999, p. ----).
  The authority now found in clause 9(c) (former clause 5(b)(3) of rule 
XV) was first added as an undesignated last sentence of former clause 5 
in the 96th Congress (H. Res. 5, Jan. 15, 1979, pp. 7-16) to permit the 
Speaker to reduce to five minutes the vote on final passage immediately 
following a 15-minute recorded vote on a motion to recommit. The 
authority now found in clause 9(b) (former clause 5(b)(2) of rule XV) 
was first added as an undesignated penultimate sentence of clause 5 in 
the 101st Congress (H. Res. 5, Jan. 3, 1989, p. 72) to permit the 
Speaker to reduce to five minutes any record votes on amendments 
reported to the House from Committee of the Whole after a 15-minute vote 
on the first of such amendments. When the authority found in clause 9(a) 
(former clause 5(b)(1) of rule XV)

  Five-minute votes are now permitted at the discretion of the Chair in 
six circumstances: (1) under clause 8, on additional questions on which 
the Speaker has postponed further proceedings immediately following a 
15-minute vote; (2) under clause 9(a), on an underlying question (or on 
a question incidental thereto) immediately following a 15-minute 
recorded vote on ordering the previous question thereon; (3) under 
clause 9(b), on second and subsequent separate votes in the House on 
amendments reported from Committee of the Whole (or on a question 
incidental thereto) immediately following a 15-minute vote on the first 
such separate vote; (4) under clause 9(c), on final passage (or on a 
question incidental thereto) immediately following a 15-minute recorded 
vote on recommittal; (5) under clause 6(b)(3) of rule XVIII, on a 
pending question immediately following a regular quorum call in 
Committee of the Whole; and (6) under clause 6(f) of rule XVIII, on any 
or all pending amendments immediately following a 15-minute recorded 
vote on the first such pending amendment in Committee of the Whole. In 
recent years special rules adopted by the House have routinely provided 
the Chairman of the Committee of the Whole authority to postpone and 
cluster requests for recorded votes. For a discussion of such authority, 
see Sec. 984, supra. This clause does not give the Chair the authority 
to reduce to five minutes the vote on a motion to recommit occurring 
immediately after a recorded vote on an amendment reported from the 
Committee of the Whole, and the Chair will not entertain a unanimous-
consent request to reduce that vote to five minutes after Members had 
already left the Chamber with the expectation that the next vote would 
be a 15-minute vote (June 29, 1994, p. 15107; July 14, 1999, p. ----).


  In the 95th Congress, the Speaker announced that changes could be made 
electronically at any time during a vote reduced to five minutes under 
the rules (Speaker O'Neill, Jan. 4, 1977, pp. 53-70).


[[Page 781]]

Automatic yeas and nays
                                                      Rule XX, clause 10
Rule XX, clause 10




1033. Yeas and nays ordered on certain questions.

  10.  The 
yeas and nays shall be considered as ordered when the Speaker puts the 
question on passage of a bill or joint resolution, or on adoption of a 
conference report, making general appropriations, or increasing Federal 
income tax rates (within the meaning of clause 5 of rule XXI), or on 
final adoption of a concurrent resolution on the budget or conference 
report thereon.



  This clause was adopted in the 104th Congress (sec. 214, H. Res. 6, 
Jan. 4, 1995, p. 468). Before the House recodified its rules in the 
106th Congress, this provision was found in former clause 7 of rule XV 
(H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 1999, p. ----).

                                                      Rule XX, clause 11
Rule XX, clause 11
Ballot votes




1034. Elections by ballot.

  11.  In a case of ballot for 
election, a majority of the votes shall be necessary to an election. 
When there is not such a majority on the first ballot, the process shall 
be repeated until a majority is obtained. In all balloting blanks shall 
be rejected, may not be counted in the enumeration of votes, and may not 
be reported by the tellers.




[106th Congress House Rules Manual -- House Document No. 105-358]
[From the U.S. Government Printing Office Online Database]
[Page 782-821]

[[Page 782]]


 
  This rule was first adopted in 1789 and was amended in 1837 (V, 6003). 
It was renumbered January 3, 1953 (p. 24). The last election by ballot 
seems to have occurred in 1868 (V, 6003).



Reservation of certain points of order
                Rule XXI.--RESTRICTIONS ON CERTAIN BILL                




1035. Reservation of points of order.

  1.  At the time a 
general appropriation bill is reported, all points of order against 
provisions therein shall be considered as reserved.



  This clause was added in the 104th Congress (sec. 215(e), H. Res. 6, 
Jan. 4, 1995, p. 468), rendering unnecessary the former practice that a 
Member reserve points of order when a general appropriation bill was 
referred to the calendar of the Committee of the Whole House on the 
state of the Union, in order that provisions in violation of rule XXI 
could be stricken in the Committee of the Whole (see Sec. 1044, infra). 
Before the House recodified its rules in the 106th Congress, this 
provision was found in former clause 8 of rule XXI (H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 
1999, p. ----).

                                                      Rule XXI, clause 2
Rule XXI, clause 2
General appropriation bills and amendments



1036. Unauthorized appropriations in reported 
general appropriation bills or amendments thereto.

  2. (a)(1)  An appropriation 
may not be reported in a general appropriation bill, and may not be in 
order as an amendment thereto, for an expenditure not previously 
authorized by law, except to continue appropriations for public works 
and objects that are already in progress.



[[Page 783]]

originally appropriated that are reported by the Committee on 
Appropriations.


Sec. 1037. Reappropriations prohibited.

  (2)  A 
reappropriation of unexpended balances of appropriations may not be 
reported in a general appropriation bill, and may not be in order as an 
amendment thereto, except to continue appropriations for public works 
and objects that are already in progress. This subparagraph does not 
apply to transfers of unexpended balances within the department or 
agency for which they were




Sec. 1038. Legislation in reported general appropriation 
bills; exceptions.

  (b)  A provision changing existing law may not be 
reported in a general appropriation bill, including a provision making 
the availability of funds contingent on the receipt or possession of 
information not required by existing law for the period of the 
appropriation, except germane provisions that retrench expenditures by 
the reduction of amounts of money covered by the bill (which may include 
those recommended to the Committee on Appropriations by direction of a 
legislative committee having jurisdiction over the subject matter) and 
except rescissions of appropriations contained in appropriation Acts.



[[Page 784]]



Sec. 1039. Legislation or limitations in amendments to 
general appropriation bills.

  (c)  An amendment to a general appropriation 
bill shall not be in order if changing existing law, including an 
amendment making the availability of funds contingent on the receipt or 
possession of information not required by existing law for the period of 
the appropriation. Except as provided in paragraph (d), an amendment 
proposing a limitation not specifically contained or authorized in 
existing law for the period of the limitation shall not be in order 
during consideration of a general appropriation bill.




Sec. 1040. Motion to rise and report as preferential to 
limitation or retrenchment amendments.

  (d)  After a general appropriation 
bill has been read for amendment, a motion that the Committee of the 
Whole House on the state of the Union rise and report the bill to the 
House with such amendments as may have been adopted shall, if offered by 
the Majority Leader or a designee, have precedence over motions to amend 
the bill. If such a motion to rise and report is rejected or not 
offered, amendments proposing limitations not specifically contained or 
authorized in existing law for the period of the limitation or proposing 
germane amendments that retrench expenditures by reductions of amounts 
of money covered by the bill may be considered.




Sec. 1041. Designated emergencies in reported 
appropriation bills.

  (e)  A provision other than an appropriation 
designated an emergency under section 251(b)(2) or section 252(e) of the 
Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act, a rescission of 
budget authority, or a reduction in direct spending or an amount for a 
designated emergency may not be reported in an appropriation bill or 
joint resolution containing an emergency designation under section 
251(b)(2) or section 252(e) of such Act and may not be in order as an 
amendment thereto.



[[Page 785]]

transfer appropriations among objects in the bill without increasing the 
levels of budget authority or outlays in the bill. When considered en 
bloc under this paragraph, such amendments may amend portions of the 
bill not yet read for amendment (following disposition of any points of 
order against such portions) and is not subject to a demand for division 
of the question in the House or in the Committee of the Whole.



Sec. 1042. Offsetting amendments en bloc to appropriation 
bills.

  (f)  During the reading of an appropriation bill for amendment in 
the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union, it shall be 
in order to consider en bloc amendments proposing only to




Sec. 1043. Clause 2 of rule XXI, generally.

  The  25th 
Congress in 1837 was the first to adopt a rule prohibiting 
appropriations in a general appropriation bill or amendment thereto not 
previously authorized by law, in order to prevent delay of appropriation 
bills because of contention over propositions of legislation. In 1838 
that Congress added the exception to permit unauthorized appropriations 
for continuation of works in progress and for contingencies for carrying 
on departments of the Government. The rule remained in that form until 
the 44th Congress in 1876, when William S. Holman of Indiana persuaded 
the House to amend the rule to permit germane legislative retrenchments. 
In 1880, the 46th Congress dropped the exception which permitted 
unauthorized appropriations for contingencies of Government departments, 
and modified the ``Holman Rule'' to define retrenchments as the 
reduction of the number and salary of officers of the United States, the 
reduction of compensation of any person paid out of the Treasury of the 
United States, or the reduction of the amounts of money covered by the 
bill. That form of the retrenchment exception remained in place until 
the 49th Congress in 1885, when it was dropped until the 52d Congress in 
1891, and then reinserted through the 53d Congress until 1894. It was 
again dropped in the 54th Congress from 1895 until reinserted in the 62d 
Congress in 1911 (IV, 3578; VII, 1125).


  The clause remained unamended until January 3, 1983, when the 98th 
Congress restructured it in the basic form of paragraphs (a)-(d). 
Clerical and stylistic changes were effected when the House recodified 
its rules in the 106th Congress, including a change to clause 2(a)(2) to 
clarify that the point of order lies against the offending provision in 
the text and not against consideration of the entire bill. At that time 
former clause 6 was transferred to clause 2(a)(2) and former clause 2(a) 
became clause 2(a)(1) (H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 1999, p. ----).

  Paragraph (a)(1) (former paragraph (a)) retained the prohibition 
against unauthorized appropriations in general appropriation bills and 
amendments thereto except in continuation of works in progress.


[[Page 786]]

ing rules in the 83d Congress (Jan. 3, 1953, p. 24). Previously, a 
reappropriation of an unexpended balance for an object authorized by law 
was in order on a general appropriation bill (IV, 3591, 3592; VII, 1156, 
1158). This provision was amended in the 99th Congress by section 228(b) 
of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (P.L. 
99-177, Dec. 12, 1985) to permit the Committee on Appropriations to 
report transfers of unexpended balances within the department or agency 
for which originally appropriated.
  Paragraph (a)(2) (former clause 6), from section 139(c) of the 
Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946 (2 U.S.C. 190f(c)), was made part 
of the stand

  Paragraph (b) narrowed the ``Holman Rule'' exception from the 
prohibition against legislation to cover only retrenchments reducing 
amounts of money included in the bill as reported, and permitted 
legislative committees with proper jurisdiction to recommend such 
retrenchments to the Appropriations Committee for discretionary 
inclusion in the reported bill. The last exception in paragraph (b), 
permitting the inclusion of legislation rescinding appropriations in 
appropriation Acts, was added in the 99th Congress by the Balanced 
Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (sec. 228(a), P.L. 99-
177). The latter feature of the paragraph does not extend to a 
rescission of contract authority provided by a law other than an 
appropriation Act (Sept. 22, 1993, p. 22138; May 15, 1997, p. ----; July 
23, 1997, p. ----). In the 105th Congress paragraph (b) was amended to 
treat as legislation a provision reported in a general appropriation 
bill that makes funding contingent on whether circumstances not made 
determinative by existing law are ``known'' (H. Res. 5, Jan. 7, 1997, p. 
----).

  Paragraph (c) retained the prohibition against amendments changing 
existing law but permitted limitation amendments during the reading of 
the bill by paragraph only if specifically authorized by existing law 
for the period of the limitation. In the 105th Congress paragraph (c) 
was amended to treat as legislation an amendment to a general 
appropriation bill that makes funding contingent on whether 
circumstances not made determinative by existing law are ``known'' (H. 
Res. 5, Jan. 7, 1997, p. ----). The exception for limitations is 
strictly construed to apply only where existing law requires or permits 
the inclusion of limiting language in an appropriation Act, and not 
merely where the limitation is alleged to be ``consistent with existing 
law'' (June 28, 1988, p. 16267). Although the Committee on 
Appropriations may include a limitation in its reported bill, if it is 
stricken with other legislative language on a point of order it may be 
reinserted during the reading only if in compliance with clause 2(c) or 
in accordance with clause 2(d) (June 18, 1991, p. 15199).


[[Page 787]]

the motion preferential to any motion to amend at that stage (H. Res. 5, 
Jan. 7, 1997, p. ----). Where the reading of a general appropriation 
bill for amendment has been completed (or dispensed with), including the 
last paragraph of the bill containing the citation to the short title 
(July 30, 1986, p. 18214), the Chair (under the former form of the rule, 
which made the preferential motion available to any Member) might first 
inquire whether any Member sought to offer an amendment (formerly, one 
not prohibited by clauses 2(a) or (c)) prior to recognizing Members to 
offer limitation or retrenchment amendments (June 2, 1983, p. 14317; 
Sept. 22, 1983, p. 25406; Oct. 27, 1983, p. 29630), including pro forma 
amendments (Aug. 2, 1989, p. 18126). Pursuant to clause 2(d), a motion 
that the Committee rise and report the bill to the House with such 
amendments as may have been adopted is not debatable (Apr. 23, 1987, p. 
9613) and takes precedence over any amendment (formerly only over a 
limitation or retrenchment amendment) (July 30, 1985, p. 21534; July 23, 
1986, p. 17431; Apr. 23, 1987, p. 9613), but only after completion of 
the reading and disposition of amendments not otherwise precluded (June 
30, 1992, p. 17135). Thus a motion that the Committee rise and report 
the bill to the House with the recommendation that it be recommitted, 
with instructions to report back to the House (forthwith or otherwise) 
with an amendment proposing a limitation, does not take precedence over 
the motion to rise and report the bill to the House with such amendments 
as may have been adopted (sustained on appeal, Sept. 19, 1983, p. 
24647). An amendment not only reducing an amount in a paragraph of an 
appropriation bill but also limiting expenditure of those funds on a 
particular project (i.e., a limitation not contained in existing law) 
was held not in order during the reading of that paragraph but only at 
the end of the bill under clause 2(d) (July 23, 1986, p. 17431; June 15, 
1988, p. 14719). Where language of limitation was stricken from a 
general appropriation bill on a point of order that it changed existing 
law, an amendment proposing to reinsert the limitation without its 
former legislative content was held not in order before completion of 
the reading for amendment (Sept. 23, 1993, p. 22214). A motion that the 
Committee of the Whole rise and report to the House with the 
recommendation that the enacting clause be stricken out takes precedence 
over the motion to amend under clause 9 of rule XVIII (former clause 7 
of rule XXIII) and thus over the motion to rise and report under clause 
2(d) (July 24, 1986, p. 17641).
  Paragraph (d) provided a new procedure for consideration of 
retrenchment and other limitation amendments only when reading of a 
general appropriation bill has been completed and only if the Committee 
of the Whole does not adopt a motion to rise and report the bill back to 
the House (H. Res. 5, Jan. 3, 1983, p. 34). In the 104th Congress 
paragraph (d) was amended to limit the availability of its preferential 
motion to rise and report to the Majority Leader or his designee (sec. 
215(a), H. Res. 6, Jan. 4, 1995, p. 468). In the 105th Congress it was 
further amended to make

  Paragraphs (e) and (f) were added in the 104th Congress (sec. 215, H. 
Res. 6, Jan. 4, 1995, p. 468).


[[Page 788]]

vide funds until regular appropriation bills are enacted (Sept. 21, 
1967, p. 26370), nor a joint resolution providing an appropriation for a 
single Government agency and permitting a transfer of a portion of those 
funds to another agency (Oct. 25, 1979, p. 29627), nor a joint 
resolution transferring funds already appropriated from one specific 
agency to another (Mar. 26, 1980, p. 6716), nor a joint resolution 
transferring unobligated balances to the President to be available for 
specified purposes but containing no new budget authority (Mar. 3, 1988, 
p. 3239), are ``general appropriation bills'' within the purview of this 
clause. A point of order under this rule does not apply to a special 
order reported from the Committee on Rules ``self-executing'' the 
adoption in the House of an amendment changing existing law (July 27, 
1993, p. 17117).


Sec. 1044. Points of order on general 
appropriation bills.

  As the rule  applies only to general appropriation bills, 
which are not enumerated or defined in the rules (VII, 1116) bills 
appropriating only for one purpose have been held not to be ``general'' 
within the meaning of this rule (VII, 1122). Neither a resolution 
providing an appropriation for a single Government agency (Jan. 31, 
1962, p. 1352), nor a joint resolution only containing continuing 
appropriations for diverse agencies to pro


  As all bills making or authorizing appropriations require 
consideration in Committee of the Whole, it follows that the enforcement 
of the rule must ordinarily occur during consideration in Committee of 
the Whole, where the Chair, in response to a point of order, may rule 
out any portion of the bill in conflict with the rule (IV, 3811; Sept. 
8, 1965, pp. 23140, 23182). Portions of the bill thus stricken are not 
reported back to the House.

  Prior to the adoption of clause 1 (former clause 8) in the 104th 
Congress (see Sec. 1035, supra), it was necessary that some Member 
reserve points of order when a general appropriation bill was referred 
to the calendar of the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the 
Union, in order that provisions in violation of the rule could be 
stricken in the Committee (V, 6921-6925; VIII, 3450; Feb. 6, 1926, p. 
3456). Where points of order had been reserved pending a unanimous-
consent request that the committee be permitted to file its report when 
the House would not be in session, it was not necessary that they be 
reserved again when the report ultimately was presented as privileged 
when the House was in session, as the initial reservation carried over 
to the subsequent filing (Mar. 1, 1983, p. 3241). In an instance where 
points of order were not reserved against an appropriation bill when it 
was reported to the House and referred to the Committee of the Whole, 
points of order in the Committee of the Whole against a proposition in 
violation of this clause were overruled on the ground that the Chairman 
of the Committee of the Whole lacked authority to pass upon the question 
(Apr. 8, 1943, p. 3150, 3153). The enforcement of the rule also occurs 
in the House in that a motion to recommit a general appropriation bill 
may not propose an amendment containing legislation (Sept. 1, 1976, p. 
28883) or a limitation not considered in the Committee of the Whole 
(Speaker Foley, Aug. 1, 1989, p. 17159; Aug. 3, 1989, p. 18546); and 
such amendment is precluded whether the Committee of the Whole has risen 
and reported automatically pursuant to a special rule or, instead, by a 
motion at the end of the reading for amendment (June 22, 1995, p. 
16844).


[[Page 789]]

  By unanimous consent the Committee of the Whole may vacate proceedings 
under specified points of order (June 7, 1991, p. 13973).

  Points of order against unauthorized appropriations or legislation on 
general appropriation bills may be made as to the whole or only a 
portion of a paragraph (IV, 3652; V, 6881). The fact that a point is 
made against a portion of a paragraph does not prevent another point 
against the whole paragraph (V, 6882; July 31, 1985, p. 21895), nor does 
it prevent another Member from demanding that the original point of 
order be extended to the entire paragraph (July 16, 1998, p. ----). If a 
portion of a proposed amendment is out of order, it is sufficient for 
the rejection of the whole amendment (V, 6878-6880); and if a point of 
order is sustained against any portion of a package of amendments 
considered en bloc, all the amendments are ruled out of order and must 
be reoffered separately, or those which are not subject to a point of 
order may be considered en bloc by unanimous consent (Sept. 16, 1981, 
pp. 20735-38; June 21, 1984, p. 17687). Where a point is sustained 
against the whole of a paragraph the whole must go out, but it is 
otherwise when the point is made only against a portion (V, 6884, 6885). 
General appropriation bills are read ``scientifically'' only by 
paragraph headings and appropriation amounts, and points of order 
against a paragraph must be made before an amendment is offered thereto 
or before the Clerk reads the next paragraph heading and amount 
(Deschler's Precedents, vol. 8, ch. 26, sec. 2.26). A point of order 
against a paragraph under this clause may be made only after that 
paragraph has been read by the Clerk, and not prior to its reading 
pending consideration of an amendment inserting language immediately 
prior thereto (June 6, 1985, pp. 14605, 14609). Where the reading of a 
paragraph of a general appropriation bill has been dispensed with by 
unanimous consent, the Chair inquires whether there are points of order 
against the paragraph before entertaining amendments or directing the 
Clerk to read further, but he does not make such an inquiry where the 
Clerk has actually read the paragraph (May 31, 1984, p. 14608). Where 
the bill is considered as having been read and open to amendment by 
unanimous consent, points of order against provisions in the bill must 
be made before amendments are offered, and cannot be reserved pending 
subsequent action on amendments (Dec. 1, 1982, p. 28175). Where a 
chapter is considered as read by unanimous consent and open to amendment 
at any point, no amendments are offered and the Clerk begins to read the 
next chapter, it is too late to make a point of order against a 
paragraph in the preceding chapter (June 11, 1985, p. 15181). It is too 
late to rule out the entire paragraph after points of order against 
specific portions have been sustained and an amendment to the paragraph 
has been offered (June 27, 1974, pp. 21670-72).


[[Page 790]]

1968, p. 15357; Nov. 30, 1982, p. 28062). Where a provision is 
susceptible to more than one interpretation, that burden may be met by a 
showing that only the requirements of existing law, and not any new 
requirements, are recited in the language (Sept. 23, 1993, p. 22206). 
The Chair may overrule a point of order that appropriations for a 
certain agency are unauthorized upon citation to an organic statute 
creating the agency, absent any showing that the organic law has been 
overtaken by a scheme of periodic reauthorization; the Chair may hear 
further argument and reverse his ruling, however, where existing law not 
previously called to the Chair's attention would require the ruling to 
be reversed (VIII, 3435; June 8, 1983, p. 14854, where a law amending 
the statute creating the Bureau of the Mint with the express purpose of 
requiring annual authorizations was subsequently called to the Chair's 
attention). Reported provisions in a general appropriation bill 
described in the accompanying report as directly or indirectly changing 
the application of existing law are presumably legislation, absent 
rebuttal by the committee (May 31, 1984, p. 14591). The burden of proof 
to show that an appropriation contained in an amendment is authorized by 
law is on the proponent of the amendment (May 11, 1971, p. 14471; Oct. 
29, 1991, p. 28791; July 26, 1995, p. ----; July 27, 1995, pp. ----, --
--; July 31, 1995, p. ----; May 15, 1997, p. ----) and the burden is on 
the proponent of an amendment to a general appropriation bill to prove 
that language offered under the guise of a limitation does not change 
existing law (July 17, 1975, p. 23239; June 16, 1976, p. 18666; July 18, 
1995, p. ----) including the burden to prove that the duties imposed are 
merely ministerial or already required under existing law (July 26, 
1998, p. ----). If the amendment is susceptible to more than one 
interpretation, it is incumbent upon the proponent to show that it is 
not in violation of the rule (Procedure, ch. 25, sec. 6.3; July 28, 
1980, p. 19924). The mere recitation in an amendment that a 
determination is to be made pursuant to existing laws and regulations, 
absent a citation to the law imposing such responsibility, is not 
sufficient proof by the proponent of an amendment to overcome a point of 
order that the amendment constitutes legislation (Sept. 16, 1980, p. 
25606). The authorization must be enacted before the appropriation may 
be included in an appropriation bill; thus delaying the availability of 
an appropriation pending enactment of an authorization does not protect 
the item of appropriation against a point of order under this clause 
(Apr. 26, 1972, p. 14455).
  In the administration of the rule, it is the practice that those 
upholding an item of appropriation should have the burden of showing the 
law authorizing it (IV, 3597; VII, 1179, 1233, 1276). Thus the burden of 
proving the authorization for language carried in an appropriation bill, 
or that the language in the bill constitutes a valid limitation which 
does not change existing law, falls on the proponents and managers of 
the bill (May 28,


[[Page 791]]

a point of order under clause 2(c) of rule XXI that an amendment to an 
appropriation bill constitutes legislation (July 24, 1996, p. 18898).
  The inclusion of funds in a general appropriation bill in the form of 
a ``not to exceed'' limitation does not obviate a point of order that 
the funds are not authorized by law (June 21, 1988, p. 15440). The fact 
that legislative jurisdiction over the subject matter of an amendment 
may rest with the Committee on Appropriations does not immunize the 
amendment from the application of clause 2(c) of rule XXI (July 17, 
1996, p. 17550; July 24, 1996, p. 18898). The ``works in progress 
exception'' under clause 2(a) of rule XXI is a defense to a point of 
order against an unauthorized appropriation reported in a general 
appropriation bill and is not a defense to

  For a discussion of perfecting amendments to unauthorized 
appropriations or legislation permitted to remain in a general 
appropriation bill by failure to raise or by waiver of a point of order, 
see Sec. 1057, infra. 


[[Page 792]]

in order in the agricultural appropriation bill (IV, 3649). It has once 
been held that this law would also authorize appropriations for the 
instrumentalities of such investigations (IV, 3615); but these would not 
include the organization of a bureau to conduct the work (IV, 3651). The 
law does not authorize general investigations by the department (IV, 
3652), or cooperation with State investigations (IV, 3650; VII, 1301, 
1302), or the investigation of foods in relation to commerce (IV, 3647, 
3648; VII, 1298), or the compiling of tests at an exposition (IV, 3653). 
A paragraph of a general appropriation bill both establishing and 
funding a commission was ruled out as constituting legislation and 
carrying unauthorized appropriations (June 29, 1988, p. 16470). A 
paragraph appropriating funds for matching grants to States was held 
unauthorized where the authorizing law did not require State matching 
funds (June 28, 1993, p. 14418). A paragraph funding a project from the 
Highway Trust Fund was held unauthorized where such funding was 
authorized only from the general fund (Sept. 23, 1993, p. 22175). A 
paragraph providing funds for the President to meet ``unanticipated 
needs'' was held unauthorized (July 16, 1998, p. ----).


Sec. 1045. Authorization of law for 
appropriations.

  The authorization  by existing law required in the rule to justify 
appropriations may be made also by a treaty if it has been ratified by 
both the contracting parties (IV, 3587); however, where existing law 
authorizes appropriations for the U.S. share of facilities to be 
recommended in an agreement with another country containing specified 
elements, an agreement in principle with that country predating the 
authorization law and lacking the required elements is insufficient 
authorization (June 28, 1993, p. 14421). An Executive order does not 
constitute sufficient authorization in law absent proof of its 
derivation from a statute enacted by Congress authorizing the order and 
expenditure of funds (June 15, 1973, p. 19855; June 25, 1974, p. 21036). 
Thus a Reorganization Plan submitted by the President pursuant to 5 
U.S.C. 906 has the status of statutory law when it becomes effective and 
is sufficient authorization to support an appropriation for an office 
created by Executive order issued pursuant to the Reorganization Plan 
(June 21, 1974, p. 20595). A resolution of the House has been held 
sufficient authorization for an appropriation for the salary of an 
employee of the House (IV, 3656-3658) even though the resolution may 
have been agreed to only by a preceding House (IV, 3660). Previous 
enactment of items of appropriation unauthorized by law does not justify 
similar appropriations in subsequent bills (VII, 1145, 1150, 1151) 
unless if through appropriations previously made, a function of the 
Government has been established which would bring it into the category 
of continuation of works in progress (VII, 1280), or unless legislation 
in a previous appropriation act has become permanent law (May 20, 1964, 
p. 11422). The omission to appropriate during a series of years for an 
object authorized by law does not repeal the law, and consequently an 
appropriation when proposed is not subject to the point of order (IV, 
3595). The law authorizing each head of a department to employ such 
numbers of clerks, messengers, copyists, watchmen, laborers, and other 
employees as may be appropriated for by Congress from year to year is 
held to authorize appropriations for those positions not otherwise 
authorized by law (IV, 3669, 3675, 4739); but this law does not apply to 
offices not within departments or not at the seat of Government (IV, 
3670-3674). A permanent law authorizing the President to appoint certain 
staff, together with legislative provisions authorizing additional 
employment contained in an appropriation bill enacted for that fiscal 
year, constituted sufficient authorization for a lump sum supplemental 
appropriation for the White House for the same fiscal year (Nov. 30, 
1973, p. 38854). By a general provision of law appropriations for 
investigations and the acquisition and diffusion of information by the 
Agriculture Department on subjects related to agriculture are generally


  The failure of Congress to enact into law separate legislation 
specifically modifying eligibility requirements for grant programs under 
existing law does not necessarily render appropriations for those 
programs subject to a point of order, where more general existing law 
authorizes appropriations for all of the programs proposed to be 
modified by new legislation pending before Congress (June 8, 1978, p. 
16778). But whether organic statutes or general grants of authority in 
law constitute sufficient authorization to support appropriations 
depends on whether the general laws applicable to the function or 
department in question require specific or annual authorizations (June 
14, 1978, pp. 17616, 17622, 17626, 17630) or on whether a periodic 
authorization scheme has subsequently occupied the field (Sept. 9, 1997, 
p. ----). An authorization of ``such sums as may be necessary'' is 
sufficient to support any dollar amount, but has no tendency to relieve 
other conditions of the authorization law (June 28, 1993, p. 1442). 
Where existing law authorizes certain appropriations from a particular 
trust fund without fiscal year limitation, language that such an 
appropriation remain available until expended does not constitute 
legislation (July 15, 1993, p. 15848).

  Pursuant to clause 11(i) of rule X (former clause 9 of rule XLVIII), 
no funds may be appropriated to certain agencies carrying out 
intelligence and intelligence-related activities, unless such funds have 
been authorized by law for the fiscal year in question.


[[Page 793]]

3640), and findings filed under the Bowman Act do not constitute 
authorization (IV, 3643).


Sec. 1046. Authorization for claims and 
salaries.

  Judgments of  courts certified to Congress in accordance with law or 
authorized by treaty (IV, 3634, 3635, 3644) and audited under authority 
of law have been held to be authorization for appropriations for the 
payment of claims (IV, 3634, 3635). But unadjudicated claims (IV, 3628), 
even though ascertained and transmitted by an executive officer (IV, 
3625-


  An appropriation for an object not otherwise authorized does not 
constitute authorization to justify a continuance of the appropriation 
another year (IV, 3588, 3589; VII, 1128, 1145, 1149, 1191), and the mere 
appropriation for a salary does not create an office so as to justify 
appropriations in succeeding years (IV, 3590, 3672, 3697), it being a 
general rule that propositions to appropriate for salaries not 
established by law or to increase salaries fixed by law are out of order 
(IV, 3664-3667, 3676-3679). An exception to these general principles is 
found in the established practice that in the absence of a general law 
fixing a salary the amount appropriated in the last appropriation bill 
has been held to be the legal salary (IV, 3687-3696). A law having 
established an office and fixed a salary, it is not in order to provide 
for an unauthorized office and salary in lieu of it (IV, 3680).



Sec. 1047. Authorizations for public works.

  An  appropriation 
for a public work in excess of a fixed limit of cost (IV, 3583, 3584; 
VII, 1133), or for extending a service beyond the limits assigned by an 
executive officer exercising a lawful discretion (IV, 3598), or by 
actual law (IV, 3582, 3585), or for purposes prohibited by law are out 
of order (IV, 3580, 3581, 3702), as is an appropriation from the Highway 
Trust Fund where the project is specifically authorized from the general 
fund (Sept. 23, 1993, p. 22175). But the mere appropriation of a sum to 
complete a work does not fix a limit of cost such as would exclude 
future appropriations (IV, 3761). A declaration of policy in an act 
followed by specific provisions conferring authority upon a governmental 
agency to perform certain functions is not construed to authorize 
appropriations for purposes germane to the policy but not specifically 
authorized by the act (VII, 1200). A point of order will not lie against 
an amendment proposing to increase a lump sum for public works projects 
where language in the bill limits use of the lump sum appropriation to 
projects as authorized by law (Procedure, ch. 25, sec. 5.5), but where 
language in the bill limits use of the lump sum both to projects 
``authorized by law'' and ``subject, where appropriate, to enactment of 
authorizing legislation,'' that paragraph constitutes an appropriation 
in part for some unauthorized projects and is not in order (June 6, 
1985, p. 14617).



[[Page 794]]

a project governed by a lapsed authorization and may not be invoked to 
fund a project that is not yet under construction (July 31, 1995, p. --
--). Where existing law (40 U.S.C. 606) specifically prohibits the 
making of an appropriation to construct or alter any public building 
involving more than $500,000 unless approved by the House and Senate 
Public Works Committees, an appropriation for such purposes not 
authorized by both committees is out of order notwithstanding the 
``works in progress'' exemption, since the law specifically precludes 
the appropriation from being made (June 8, 1983, p. 14855). An 
appropriation from the Highway Trust Fund for an ongoing project was 
held not in order under the ``works in progress'' exception where the 
Internal Revenue Code ``occupied the field'' with a comprehensive 
authorization scheme not embracing the specified project (Sept. 22, 
1993, p. 22140; Sept. 23, 1993, p. 22173). Interruption of a work does 
not necessarily remove it from the privileges of the rule (IV, 3705-
3708); but the continuation of the work must not be so conditioned in 
relation to place as to become a new work (IV, 3704). It has been held 
that a work has not been begun within the meaning of the rule when an 
appropriation has been made for a site for a public building (IV, 3785), 
or when a commission has been created to select a site or when a site 
has actually been selected for a work (IV, 3762-3763), or when a survey 
has been made (IV, 3782-3784). By ``public works and objects already in 
progress'' are meant tangible matters like buildings, roads, etc., and 
not duties of officials in executive departments (IV, 3709-3713), or the 
continuance of a work indefinite as to completion and intangible in 
nature like the gauging of streams (IV, 3714, 3715). A general system of 
roads on which some work has been done cannot be admitted as a work in 
progress (VII, 1333), nor can an extension of an existing road (Sept. 
22, 1993, p. 22140). Concerning reappropriation for continuation of 
public works in progress, see Sec. 1031, supra.


Sec. 1048. Continuation of a public work by 
appropriations.

  The rule  requiring appropriations to be authorized by existing 
law except those ``in continuance of appropriations for such public 
works and objects as are already in progress'' (IV, 3578); and the 
``works in progress'' exception has historically been applied only in 
cases of general revenue funding (Sept. 22, 1993, p. 22140; Sept. 23, 
1993, p. 22173). But an appropriation in violation of existing law or to 
extend a service beyond a fixed limit is not in order as the continuance 
of a public work (IV, 3585, 3702-3724; VII, 1332; Sept. 23, 1993, pp. 
22173; Deschler's Precedents, vol. 8, ch. 26, sec. 8.9). The ``works in 
progress'' exception may not be invoked to fund



[[Page 795]]

ted as in continuation of a work (IV, 3777, 3778), although it is not in 
order as such to provide for a new building in place of one destroyed 
(IV, 3606). Nor is it in order to repair paving adjacent to a public 
building but in a city street, although it may have been laid originally 
by the Government (IV, 3779). The purchase of adjoining land for a work 
already established has been admitted under this principle (IV, 3766-
3773) and also additions to existing buildings in cases where no limits 
of cost have been shown (IV, 3774, 3775). But the purchase of a separate 
and detached lot of land is not admitted (IV, 3776). The continuation of 
construction at the Kennedy Library, a project owned by the United 
States and funded by a prior year's appropriation, has been admitted 
notwithstanding the absence of any current authorization (June 14, 1988, 
p. 14335). A provision of law authorizing Commissioners of the District 
of Columbia to take over and operate the fish wharves of the city of 
Washington was held insufficient authority to admit an appropriation for 
reconstructing the fish wharf (VII, 1187).


Sec. 1049. Examples illustrating the continuation of 
a public work.

  Thus the  continuation of the following works has been admitted: 
A topographical survey (IV, 3796, 3797; VII, 1382), a geological map 
(IV, 3795), marking of a boundary line (IV, 3717), marking graves of 
soldiers (IV, 3788), a list of claims (IV, 3717), and recoinage of coins 
in the Treasury (IV, 3807); but the following works have not been 
admitted: Investigation of materials, like coal (IV, 3721), scientific 
investigations (IV, 3719; VII, 1345), duties of a commission (IV, 3720; 
VII, 1344), extension of foreign markets for goods (IV, 3722), printing 
of a series of opinions indefinite in continuance (IV, 3718), free 
evening lectures in the District of Columbia (IV, 3789), certain ongoing 
projects from the Highway Trust Fund (Sept. 22, 1993, pp. 22140; Sept. 
23, 1993, pp. 22173), extension of an existing road (Sept. 22, 1993, p. 
22140), continuation of an extra compensation for ordinary facility for 
carrying the mails (IV, 3808), although the continuation of certain 
special mail facilities has been admitted (IV, 3804-3806). But 
appropriations for rent and repairs of buildings or Government roads 
(IV, 3793, 3798) and bridges (IV, 3803) have been admit




Sec. 1050. New buildings at existing 
institutions as in continuance of a public work.

  Appropriations for  new buildings at 
Government institutions have sometimes been admitted (IV, 3741-3750) 
when intended for the purposes of the institution (IV, 3747); but later 
decisions, in view of the indefinite extent of the practice made 
possible by the early decisions, have ruled out propositions to 
appropriate for new buildings in navy yards (IV, 3755-3759) and other 
establishments (IV, 3751-3754). Appropriations for new schoolhouses in 
the District of Columbia (IV, 3750; VII, 1358), for new Army hospitals 
(IV, 3740), for new lighthouses (IV, 3728), armor-plate factories (IV, 
3737-3739), and for additional playgrounds for children in the District 
of Columbia (IV, 3792) have also been held not to be in continuation of 
a public work.



[[Page 796]]



Sec. 1051. New vessel for naval and other services 
as in continuation of a public work.

  By a former  broad construction of the rule an 
appropriation of a new and not otherwise authorized vessel of the Navy 
had been held to be a continuance of a public work (IV, 3723, 3724); but 
this line of decisions has been overruled (VII, 1351; Jan. 22, 1926, p. 
2621). While appropriations for new construction and procurement of 
aircraft and equipment for the Navy are not in order, appropriations for 
continuing experiments and development work on all types of aircraft are 
in order (Jan. 22, 1926, p. 2623). This former interpretation was 
confined to naval vessels, and did not apply to vessels in other 
services, like the Coast and Geodetic Survey or Lighthouse Service (IV, 
3725, 3726), or to floating or stationary drydocks (IV, 3729-3736). The 
construction of a submarine cable in extension of one already laid was 
held not to be the continuation of a public work (IV, 3716), but an 
appropriation for the Washington-Alaska military cable has been held in 
order (VII, 1348).




Sec. 1052. Legislation on appropriation bills 
generally.

  The provision of  the rule forbidding in any general appropriation bill a 
provision changing existing law is construed to mean the enactment of 
law where none exists (IV, 3812, 3813), such as permitting funds to 
remain available until expended or beyond the fiscal year covered by the 
bill, where existing law permits no such availability (Aug. 1, 1973, p. 
27288), or immediately upon enactment (July 29, 1986, p. 17981; June 28, 
1988, p. 16255) or merely permits availability to the extent provided in 
advance in appropriation Acts but not explicitly beyond the fiscal year 
in question (July 21, 1981, p. 16687). Language waiving the provisions 
of existing law that did not specifically permit inclusion of such a 
waiver in an appropriation bill (Nov. 13, 1975, p. 36271; June 20, 1996, 
p. 14847), has been ruled out, as has language identical to that 
contained in an authorization bill previously passed by the House but 
not yet signed into law (Aug. 4, 1978, p. 24436), or a proposition for 
repeal of existing law (VII, 1403). Although clause 2(b) permits the 
Committee on Appropriations to report rescissions of appropriations, an 
amendment proposing a rescission constitutes legislation under clause 
2(c) (May 26, 1993, p. 11319), as does a provision proposing a 
rescission of contract authority (July 29, 1998, p. ----). A proposal to 
amend existing law to provide for automatic continuation of 
appropriations in the absence of timely enactment of a regular 
appropriation bill constitutes legislation in contravention of clause 
2(c) (July 17, 1996, p. 17550; July 24, 1996, p. 18898). A proposal to 
designate an appropriation as ``emergency spending'' within the meaning 
of the budget-enforcement laws is fundamentally legislative in character 
(Sept. 8, 1999, pp. ----, ----, ----, ----, ----, ----, ----, ----,).


  Existing law may be repeated verbatim in an appropriation bill (IV, 
3814, 3815), but the slightest change of the text causes it to be ruled 
out (IV, 3817; VII, 1391, 1394; June 4, 1970, p. 18405). It is in order 
to include language descriptive of authority provided in law for the 
operation of Government agencies and corporations so long as the 
description is precise and does not change that authority in any respect 
(June 15, 1973, p. 19843; Aug. 3, 1978, p. 24249); and while language 
merely reciting the applicability of current law to the use of earmarked 
funds is permitted, an amendment that elevates existing guidelines to 
mandates for spending has been ruled out (July 12, 1989, p. 14432).


[[Page 797]]

  Although the object to be appropriated for may be described without 
violating the rule (IV, 3864), an amendment proposing an appropriation 
under a heading that indicates an unauthorized purpose as its object has 
been ruled out (Oct. 29, 1991, p. 28814). The fact that an item has been 
carried in appropriation bills for many years does not exempt it from a 
point of order as being legislation (VII, 1445, 1656). The reenactment 
from year to year of a law intended to apply during the year of its 
enactment only is not relieved, however, from the point that it is 
legislation (IV, 3822).

  Limits of cost for public works may not be made or changed (IV, 3761, 
3865-3867; VII, 1446), or contracts authorized (IV, 3868-3870; May 14, 
1937, p. 4595).

  The Chair may examine legislative history established during debate on 
an amendment against which a point of order has been reserved to resolve 
any ambiguity therein when ruling on the eventual point of order (June 
14, 1978, p. 17651), and may inquire after its author's intent when 
attempting to construe an ambiguous amendment (Oct. 29, 1991, p. 28818).



Sec. 1053. Contingencies and congressional 
actions.

  An  amendment making an appropriation contingent upon a 
recommendation (June 27, 1979, p. 17054) or action not specifically 
required by law (July 23, 1980, pp. 19295-97; July 29, 1980, pp. 20098-
20100) is legislation. For example, a provision limiting the use of 
funds in a bill ``unless'' or ``until'' an action contrary to existing 
law is taken constitutes legislation (Deschler's Precedents, vol. 8, ch. 
26, sec. 47.1; July 24, 1996, p. 18888). Where existing law requires an 
agency to furnish certain information to congressional committees upon 
request, without a subpoena, it is not in order on an appropriation bill 
to make funding for that agency contingent upon its furnishing 
information to subcommittees upon request (July 29-30, 1980, p. 20475), 
or contingent upon submission of an agreement by a Federal official to 
Congress and congressional review thereof (July 31, 1986, p. 18370). 
Similarly, it is not in order on a general appropriation bill to 
condition funds on legal determinations to be made by a Federal court 
and an executive department (June 28, 1988, p. 16261; see Deschler's 
Precedents, vol. 8, ch. 26, sec. 47.2).



[[Page 798]]

law to restrict its availability until all general appropriation bills 
are presented to the President was held to constitute legislation (June 
29, 1987, p. 18083); and an amendment limiting funds in the bill for 
certain peacekeeping operations unless authorized by Congress was held 
to constitute legislation (June 27, 1994, p. 14613). A section in a 
general appropriation bill directly contravening existing law to subject 
the use of local funds to congressional approval was held to constitute 
legislation where it was shown that some local (D.C.) funds deriving 
from interest accounts were available to the Financial Control Board 
without subsequent congressional approval (Aug. 6, 1998, p. ----).
  Amendments making the availability of funds in a general appropriation 
bill contingent upon subsequent congressional action have, under the 
most recent precedents, been ruled out as legislation. An amendment 
prohibiting the availability of funds to enforce certain Executive 
orders, unless those orders were approved by concurrent resolutions of 
the Congress, was held to be legislation imposing new requirements of 
further legislative action (June 30, 1942, p. 5826). An amendment 
providing that a certain appropriation did not grant authority for a 
certain use of funds unless specific approval of Congress was 
subsequently granted was held to be legislation (May 15, 1947, p. 5378). 
Two subsequent rulings upholding the admissibility of amendments making 
the availability of funds in a general appropriation bill contingent 
upon subsequent congressional action (June 11, 1968, p. 16692; Sept. 6, 
1979, p. 23360) have, in turn, been superseded by four more recent 
rulings. A provision making the availability of certain funds contingent 
upon subsequent congressional action on legislative proposals resolving 
the policy issue was held to constitute legislation (Nov. 18, 1981, p. 
28064); an amendment making the availability of funds therein contingent 
upon subsequent enactment of legislation containing specified findings 
was ruled out as legislation requiring new legislative and executive 
branch policy determinations not required by law (Nov. 2, 1983, p. 
30503); an amendment changing a permanent appropriation in existing

  It is not in order on a general appropriation bill to require a 
congressional committee to promulgate regulations to limit the use of an 
appropriation (June 13, 1979, p. 14670), or otherwise to direct the 
activities of a committee (June 24, 1992, pp. 16087); nor is it in order 
to direct the Selective Service Administration to issue regulations to 
bring its classifications into conformance with a Supreme Court decision 
(July 20, 1989, p. 15405). Also a proposition to change a rule of the 
House is subject to the point of order (IV, 3819). A provision 
constituting congressional disapproval of a deferral of budget authority 
proposed by the President pursuant to the Impoundment Control Act is not 
in order if included in a general appropriation bill rather than in a 
separate resolution of disapproval under that Act (July 29, 1982, pp. 
18625, 18626). An amendment making the availability of funds in a 
general appropriation bill contingent upon a substantive determination 
by a state or local government official or agency which is not otherwise 
required by existing law has been ruled out as legislation (July 25, 
1985, p. 20569).



Sec. 1054. Construing or amending existing 
law.

  A provision  proposing to construe existing law is itself legislative and 
therefore not in order (IV, 3936-3938; May 2, 1951, p. 4747; July 26, 
1951, p. 8982). However, an official's general responsibility to 
construe the language of a limitation on the use of funds, absent 
imposition of an affirmative direction not required by law, does not 
destroy the validity of the limitation (June 27, 1974, pp. 21687-94).



[[Page 799]]

ing existing law concerning Federal diversity jurisdiction is 
legislation (July 1, 1987, p. 18638).
  Where it is asserted that duties ostensibly occasioned by a limitation 
are already imposed by existing law, the Chair may take cognizance of 
judicial decisions and rule the limitation out on the basis that the 
case law is not uniform, current, or finally dispositive (June 16, 1977, 
pp. 19365-74; June 7, 1978, p. 16676). For example, a limitation 
prohibiting the use of funds for an inspection conducted by a regulatory 
agency without a search warrant has been held out of order as imposing a 
new duty not uniformly required by case law (June 16, 1977, pp. 19365-
74). Similarly, an amendment denying the use of funds for an agency to 
apply certain provisions of law under court decisions in effect on a 
prior date has been held out of order as requiring the official to apply 
noncurrent case law (June 7, 1978, p. 16655). A paragraph of a general 
appropriation bill chang

  A provision in an appropriation bill prescribing a rule of 
construction is legislation (Deschler's Precedents, vol. 8, ch. 26, sec. 
25.15), as is a provision construing a limitation in a bill by 
affirmatively declaring the meaning of the prohibition (May 17, 1988, p. 
11305). Similarly, a limitation that prescribes definitions for terms 
contained in the limitation may be legislation (Deschler's Precedents, 
vol. 8, ch. 26, secs. 25.7, 25.11). On the other hand, language 
excepting certain appropriations from the sweep of a broader limitation 
may be in order (Deschler's Precedents, vol. 8, ch. 26, sec. 25.2). It 
also has been held in order to except from the operation of a specific 
limitation on expenditures certain of those expenditures that are 
authorized by law by prohibiting a construction of the limitation in a 
way that would prevent compliance with that law (Deschler's Precedents, 
vol. 8, ch. 26, sec. 25.10; June 18, 1991, p. 15218).

  The mere recitation in an amendment that a determination is to be made 
pursuant to existing laws and regulations, absent a citation to the law 
imposing such responsibility, is not sufficient proof by the proponent 
of an amendment to overcome a point of order that the amendment 
constitutes legislation (Sept. 16, 1980, p. 25606; May 8, 1986, p. 
10156). A limitation denying the use of funds to apply certain 
provisions of the Internal Revenue Code other than under regulations in 
effect on a prior date is legislation since requiring an official to 
apply regulations no longer current in order to render an appropriation 
available (June 7, 1978, p. 16655; Aug. 19, 1980, pp. 21978-80).



Sec. 1055. Imposing duties or requiring 
determinations.

  Propositions to  establish affirmative directions for executive 
officers (IV, 3854-3859; VII, 1443; July 31, 1969, p. 21675; June 18, 
1979, p. 15286; July 1, 1987, pp. 18654 and 18655; June 27, 1994, p. 
14572), even in cases where they may have discretion under the law so to 
do (IV, 3853; June 4, 1970, p. 18401; Aug. 8, 1978, p. 24959), or to 
affirmatively take away an authority or discretion conferred by law (IV, 
3862, 3863; VII, 1975; Mar. 30, 1955, p. 4065; June 21, 1974, p. 20600; 
July 31, 1985, p. 21909), are subject to the point of order. While any 
limitation in an appropriation bill (see Sec. 483, supra) places some 
minimal duties on Federal officials, who must determine the effect of 
such a limitation on appropriated funds, an amendment or language in an 
appropriation bill may not impose additional duties, not required by 
law, or make the appropriation contingent upon the performance of such 
duties (May 28, 1968, p. 15350). Language in the form of a conditional 
limitation requiring determinations by Federal officials will be held to 
change existing law unless the proponent can show that the new duties 
are merely incidental to functions already required by law and do not 
involve substantive new determinations (July 26, 1985, p. 20807).



[[Page 800]]

requires them to make investigations, compile evidence, or make 
judgments and determinations not otherwise required of them by law, such 
as to judge intent or motives, then it assumes the character of 
legislation and is subject to a point of order (July 31, 1969, pp. 
21653, 21675, where the words ``in order to overcome racial imbalance'' 
were held to impose additional duties, and Nov. 30, 1982, p. 28062, 
where the words ``to interfere with'' the rulemaking authority of any 
regulatory agency were held to implicitly require the Office of 
Management and Budget to make determinations not discernibly required by 
law in evaluating and executing its responsibilities). An amendment 
limiting funds for an agency or any ``successor agency'' requires a 
determination of ``successor agency'' status (Sept. 26, 1997, p. ----).
  Where an amendment to or language in a general appropriation bill 
implicitly places new duties on officers of the Government or implicitly


[[Page 801]]

tion applied to projects for which indexes were already required by law 
(Sept. 23, 1993, p. 22206). The fact that an executive official may have 
been directed by an Executive order to consult another executive 
official prior to taking an action does not permit inclusion of language 
directing the official being consulted to make determinations not 
specifically required by law (July 22, 1980, p. 19087). An exception to 
a limitation on funds for the Office of Personnel Management to enter 
contracts for health benefit plans that required determinations of 
``equivalence'' of benefits was held to impose new duties (July 16, 
1998, p. ----). However, an exception to the same limitation that merely 
excepted certain specified coverage and plans was held not to impose new 
duties (July 16, 1998, p. ----).
  An amendment authorizing the President to reduce each appropriation in 
the bill by not more than 10 percent was ruled out as legislation 
conferring new authority on the President (May 31, 1984, p. 14617; June 
6, 1984, p. 15120). A limitation on the use of funds, or an exception 
therefrom, may not be accompanied by language stating or requiring a 
finding of a motive or purpose in carrying out the limitation (Aug. 8, 
1978, p. 24969; July 22, 1980, p. 19087; Sept. 16, 1980, p. 25604; Sept. 
22, 1981, p. 21577). A paragraph prohibiting the use of funds to perform 
abortions except where the mother's life would be endangered if the 
fetus were carried to term (or where the pregnancy was a result of rape 
or incest) is legislation, since requiring Federal officials to make new 
determinations and judgments not required of them by law, regardless 
whether private or State officials administering the funds in question 
routinely make such determinations (June 17, 1977, p. 1969; June 30, 
1993, p. 14871; July 16, 1998, p. ----). The fact that such a provision 
relating to abortion funding may have been included in appropriation 
Acts in prior years applicable to funds in those laws does not permit 
the inclusion of similar language requiring such determinations, not 
required by law, with respect to funds for the fiscal year in question 
(Sept. 22, 1983, p. 25406); and where the provision, applicable to 
Federal funds, was permitted to remain in a bill (no point of order 
having been made), an amendment striking the word ``Federal,'' and 
thereby broadening the provision to include District of Columbia funds 
as well, was ruled out (Nov. 15, 1989, p. 29004). But to such a 
provision permitted to remain in a general appropriation bill, an 
amendment exempting instead cases where the health of the mother would 
be endangered if the fetus were carried to term was held not to 
constitute further legislation by requiring any different or more 
onerous determinations (June 27, 1984, p. 19113). An amendment 
prohibiting the use of funds in an appropriation bill for the General 
Services Administration to dispose of U.S.-owned ``agricultural'' land 
declared surplus was ruled out as legislation, since the determination 
whether surplus lands are ``agricultural'' was not required by law (Aug. 
20, 1980, pp. 22156-58); but a limitation precluding funds for any 
transit project exceeding a specified cost-effectiveness index was held 
not to impose new duties where the Chair was persuaded that the limita


[[Page 802]]

Building Fund to an agency not paying a level of assessment specified 
elsewhere (and not necessarily applicable) (July 16, 1998, p. ----).
  An amendment limiting use of funds in a bill may not condition the 
availability of funds or the exercise of contract authority upon an 
interpretation of local law where that interpretation is not required by 
existing law (July 17, 1981, p. 16327); may not require new 
determinations of full Federal compliance with mandates imposed upon 
States (July 22, 1981, p. 16829); may not require the evaluation of the 
theoretical basis of a program (July 22, 1981, p. 16822); may not 
require new determinations of propriety or effectiveness (Oct. 6, 1981, 
p. 23361; May 25, 1988, p. 12275), or satisfactory quality (Aug. 1, 
1986, p. 18647) or incorporate by reference determinations already made 
in administrative processes not affecting programs funded by the bill 
(Oct. 6, 1981, p. 23361); may not require new determinations of rates of 
interest payable (July 29, 1982, p. 18624; Dec. 9, 1982, p. 29691); may 
not apply standards of conduct to foreign entities where existing law 
requires such conduct only by domestic entities (July 17, 1986, p. 
16951); may not require the enforcement of a standard where existing law 
only requires inspection of an area (July 30, 1986, p. 18189); may not 
prohibit the availability of funds for the purchase of ``nondomestic'' 
goods and services (Sept. 12, 1986, p. 23178); may not mandate 
contractual provisions (May 18, 1988, p. 11389); may not authorize the 
adjustment of wages of Government employees (June 21, 1988, p. 15451; 
Apr. 26, 1989, p. 7525) or permit an increase in Members' office 
allowances only ``if requested in writing'' (Oct. 21, 1990, p. 31708); 
may not convert an existing legal prerequisite for the issuance of a 
regulatory permit into a prerequisite for even the preliminary 
processing of such a permit (July 22, 1992, p. 18825); may not mandate 
reductions in various appropriations by a variable percentage calculated 
in relation to ``overhead'' (Deschler's Precedents, vol. 8, ch. 26, sec. 
5.6; June 24, 1992, p. 16110); may not require an agency to investigate 
and determine whether private airports are collecting certain fees for 
each enplaning passenger (Sept. 23, 1993, p. 22213); may not require an 
agency to investigate and determine whether a person or entity entering 
into a contract with funds under the pending bill is subject to a legal 
proceeding commenced by the Federal Government and alleging fraud (Sept. 
17, 1997, p. ----); and may not require an agency to determine whether 
building services are ``usually'' provided through the Federal

  Over a period dating from 1908, the House had developed a line of 
precedent to the effect that language restricting the availability of 
funds in a general appropriation bill could be a valid limitation if, 
rather than imposing new duties on a disbursing official or requiring 
new determinations of that official, it simply and passively addressed 
the state of knowledge of the official (VII, 1695; cf. Aug. 1, 1989, p. 
17156, and June 22, 1995, p. 16844 (limitations in recommittal ruled out 
on basis of form rather than of legislative content)). This reasoning 
culminated in a ruling in the 104th Congress admitting as a valid 
limitation an amendment prohibiting the use of funds in the bill to 
execute certain accounting transactions when specified conditions were 
``made known'' to the disbursing official (July 17, 1996, p. 17542). In 
the 105th Congress this entire line of precedent was overtaken by 
changes in paragraphs (b) and (c) of this clause that treat as 
legislation a provision that makes funding contingent on whether 
circumstances not determinative under existing law are ``known'' (H. 
Res. 5, Jan. 7, 1997, p. ----; July 15, 1997, p. ----; July 24, 1997, p. 
----).


[[Page 803]]

requirement (June 28, 1993, p. 14418). Where existing law prescribes a 
formula for the allocation of funds among several categories, an 
amendment merely reducing the amount earmarked for one of the categories 
is not legislation, so long as it does not textually change the 
statutory formula (July 24, 1995, p. ----).


Sec. 1056. Mandating expenditures.

  A provision  which 
mandates a distribution of funds in contravention of an allocation 
formula in existing law is legislation (July 29, 1982, pp. 18637, 18638; 
Oct. 5, 1983, p. 27335; Aug. 2, 1989, p. 18123; July 24, 1995, p. ----), 
as is an amendment which by such a mandate interferes with an executive 
official's discretionary authority (Mar. 12, 1975, p. 6338), as in an 
amendment requiring not less than a certain sum to be used for a 
particular purpose where existing law does not mandate such expenditure 
(June 18, 1976, p. 19297; July 29, 1982, p. 18623), or where an 
amendment earmarks appropriated funds to the arts to require their 
expenditure pursuant to standards otherwise applicable only as 
guidelines (July 12, 1989, p. 14432). Where existing law directed a 
Federal official to provide for sale of certain Government property to a 
private organization in ``necessary'' amounts, an amendment providing 
that no such property be withheld from distribution from qualifying 
purchasers is legislation, since requiring disposal of all property and 
restricting discretionary authority to determine ``necessary'' amounts 
(Aug. 7, 1978, p. 24707). An amendment directing the use of funds to 
assure compliance with an existing law, where existing law does not so 
mandate, also is legislation (June 24, 1976, p. 20370). So-called 
``hold-harmless'' provisions which mandate a certain level of 
expenditure for certain purposes or recipients, where existing law 
confers discretion or makes ratable reductions in such expenditures, 
also constitute legislation (Apr. 16, 1975, p. 10357; June 25, 1976, p. 
20557). A transfer of available funds from one department to another 
with directions as to the use to which those funds must be put is 
legislation (and also a reappropriation in violation of clause 2(a)(2) 
of this rule) (Dec. 8, 1982, p. 29449). A provision requiring states to 
match funds provided in an appropriation bill was held to constitute 
legislation where existing law contained no such




Sec. 1057. Waivers; amending legislation permitted 
to remain.

  The House  may, by agreeing to a report from the Committee on Rules or 
by adopting an order under suspension of the rules, allow legislation on 
general appropriation bills (IV, 3260-3263, 3839-3845). Where an 
unauthorized appropriation or legislation is permitted to remain in a 
general appropriation bill by failure to raise or by waiver of a point 
of order, an amendment merely changing that amount and not adding 
legislative language or earmarking separate funds for another 
unauthorized purpose is in order (IV, 3823-3835, 3838; VII, 1405, 1413-
1415; June 9, 1954, p. 5963; July 27, 1954, p. 12287; Oct. 1, 1975, p. 
31058; June 8, 1977, p. 17941; July 17, 1985, p. 19435; Sept. 11, 1985, 
p. 23398; June 14, 1988, p. 14341). However, this does not permit an 
amendment which adds additional legislation (IV, 3836, 3837, 3862; VII, 
1402-1436; Dec. 9, 1971, p. 4595; Aug. 1, 1973, p. 27291; June 10, 1977, 
p. 1802; July 30, 1985, p. 21532; July 23, 1986, p. 17446; June 26, 
1987, p. 17655; June 28, 1988, pp. 16203, 16213; Aug. 2, 1989, p. 18172; 
Nov. 15, 1989, p. 29004, June 23, 1998, p. ----), proposes a new 
unauthorized purpose (Dec. 8, 1971, p. 45487; Aug. 7, 1978, pp. 24710-
12; May 25, 1988, p. 12256), earmarks for unauthorized purposes (July 
17, 1985, p. 19435; July 17, 1986, p. 16918; July 26, 1995, p. ----; 
June 5, 1996, p. 13120), earmarks by directing a new use of funds not 
required by law (July 26, 1985, pp. 20811, 20813), increases an 
unauthorized amount indirectly by inserting new language at another 
portion of the bill (July 12, 1995, p. ----; Sept. 17, 1998, p. ----), 
or increases an authorized amount above the authorized ceiling (Aug. 4, 
1999, p. ----). An amendment adding a new paragraph indirectly 
increasing an unauthorized amount contained in a prior paragraph passed 
in the reading is subject to a point of order because the new paragraph 
is adding a further unauthorized amount not textually protected by the 
waiver (July 12, 1995, p. ----; July 16, 1997, p. ----, p.----; Sept. 9, 
1997, p. ----). However, a new paragraph indirectly reducing an 
unauthorized amount permitted to remain in a prior paragraph passed in 
the reading is not subject to a point of order because it is not adding 
a further unauthorized amount (July 16, 1997, p. ----).



[[Page 804]]

dressed by an amendment offered en bloc under that clause as budget 
authority and outlay neutral (July 22, 1997, p. ----).
  Where by unanimous consent an amendment is offered en bloc to a 
paragraph containing an unauthorized amount not yet read for amendment, 
the amendment increasing that unauthorized figure is subject to a point 
of order since at that point it is not being offered to a paragraph 
which has been read and permitted to remain (June 21, 1984, p. 17687). 
As required by clause 2(f), the Chair will query for points of order 
against the provisions of an appropriation bill not yet reached in the 
reading but ad

  To a legislative provision permitted to remain conferring assistance 
on a certain class of recipients, an amendment adding another class is 
further legislation and is not merely perfecting in nature (June 22, 
1983, p. 16851). On the other hand, to a legislative provision permitted 
to remain, an amendment particularizing a definition in the language was 
held not to constitute additional legislation where it was shown that 
the definition being amended already contemplated inclusion of the 
covered class (Aug. 5, 1998, p. ----). An amendment to a general 
appropriation bill is not subject to a point of order as adding 
legislation if containing, verbatim, a legislative provision already 
contained in the bill and permitted to remain (Aug. 27, 1980, p. 23519).

  To a legislative provision in a general appropriation bill permitted 
to remain, exempting cases where the life of the mother would be 
endangered if a fetus were carried to term from a denial of funds for 
abortions, an amendment exempting instead cases where the health of the 
mother would be endangered if the fetus were carried to term was held 
not to constitute further legislation, since determinations on the 
endangerment of life necessarily subsume determinations on the 
endangerment of health, and the amendment did not therefore require any 
different or more onerous determinations (June 27, 1984, p. 19113).

  To a paragraph permitted to remain though containing a legislative 
proviso restricting the obligation of funds until a date within the 
fiscal year, an amendment striking the delimiting date, thus applying 
the restriction for the entire year, was held to be perfecting (July 30, 
1990, p. 20442); but striking the date and inserting a new trigger (the 
enactment of other legislation), was held to be additional legislation 
(July 30, 1990, p. 20442). An amendment in the form of a motion to 
strike that would extend the legislative reach of the pending text was 
held to propose additional legislation (July 17, 1996, p. 17533). To a 
legislative title permitted to remain, which placed certain restrictions 
on recipients of a defined set of Federal payments and benefits, an 
amendment extending the restrictions to persons benefiting from a 
certain tax status determined on wholly unrelated criteria was held to 
add further legislation (Aug. 3, 1995, p. ----). The Chair examined an 
entire legislative provision permitted to remain when ruling that an 
amendment to a portion of the provision was merely perfecting (July 15, 
1999, p. ----).


[[Page 805]]

reported back from conference in disagreement, a motion to concur in the 
Senate amendment with a further amendment is in order, even if the 
proposed amendment adds legislation to that contained in the Senate 
amendment, and the only test is whether the proposed amendment is 
germane to the Senate amendment reported in disagreement (IV, 3909; 
VIII, 3188, 3189; Speaker McCormack, Dec. 15, 1970, p. 41504; Aug. 1, 
1979, pp. 22007-11; Speaker O'Neill, Dec. 12, 1979, p. 35520; June 30, 
1987, p. 18308).


Sec. 1058. Senate amendments.

  The principle  seems to be 
generally well accepted that the House proposing legislation on a 
general appropriation bill should recede if the other House persists in 
its objection (IV, 3904-3908), and clause 5 of rule XXII (Sec. 1076, 
infra) prohibits House conferees from agreeing to a Senate amendment 
which proposes legislation on an appropriation bill without specific 
authority from the House. But where a Senate amendment proposing 
legislation on a general appropriation bill is, pursuant to the edict of 
clause 5 of rule XXII,




Sec. 1059. Limitations on appropriation bills 
generally.

  Although the  rule forbids on any general appropriation bill a provision 
``changing existing law,'' which is construed to mean legislation 
generally, the practice of the House has established the principle that 
certain ``limitations'' may be admitted. Just as the House may decline 
to appropriate for a purpose authorized by law, so may it by limitation 
prohibit the use of the money for part of the purpose while 
appropriating for the remainder of it (IV, 3936; VII, 1595). The 
language of the limitation provides that no part of the appropriation 
under consideration shall be used for a certain designated purpose (IV, 
3917-3926; VII, 1580). This designated purpose may reach the question of 
qualifications, for while it is not in order to legislate as to the 
qualifications of the recipients of an appropriation (Deschler's 
Precedents, vol. 8, ch. 26, secs. 53, 57.15), the House may specify that 
no part of the appropriation shall go to recipients lacking certain 
qualifications (IV, 3942-3952; VII, 1655; June 4, 1970, p. 18412; June 
27, 1974, p. 21662; Oct. 9, 1974, p. 34712; June 9, 1978, p. 16990). The 
limitation must apply solely to the money of the appropriation under 
consideration (VII, 1597, 1600, 1720; Feb. 26, 1958, p. 2895), and may 
not be made applicable to money appropriated in other acts (IV, 3927, 
3928; VII, 1495, 1525; June 28, 1971, p. 22442; June 27, 1974, pp. 
21670-72; May 13, 1981, p. 9663), and may not require funds available to 
an agency in any future fiscal year for a certain purpose be subject to 
limitations specified in advance in appropriations Acts (May 8, 1986, p. 
10156). A restriction on authority to incur obligations is legislative 
in nature and not a limitation on funds (July 13, 1987, p. 19507; Sept. 
23, 1993, p. 22204).



[[Page 806]]

such language also constitutes an appropriation it must be authorized by 
law (June 21, 1988, p. 15439). A provision limiting the use of funds in 
a bill ``unless'' or ``until'' a specified action not required by 
existing law has been taken constitutes legislation (Deschler's 
Precedents, vol. 8, ch. 26, sec. 47.1; July 24, 1996, p. 18888).
  The fact that existing law authorizes funds to be available until 
expended or without regard to fiscal year limitation does not prevent 
the Committee on Appropriations from limiting their availability to the 
fiscal year covered by the bill unless existing law mandates 
availability beyond the fiscal year (June 25, 1974, p. 21040; see also 
Procedure, ch. 25, secs. 9-17). The fact that a provision would 
constitute legislation for only a year does not make it a limitation in 
order under the rule (IV, 3936). Nor may a proposition to construe a law 
be admitted (IV, 3936-3938). Care should also be taken that the language 
of limitation be not such as, when fairly construed, would change 
existing law (IV, 3976-3983) or justify an executive officer in assuming 
an intent to change existing law (IV, 3984; VII, 1706). Although the 
Committee on Appropriations may include in a general appropriation bill 
language not in existing law limiting the use of funds in the bill, if



Sec. 1060. Effect of limitation on executive 
discretion.

  The limitation  may not be applied directly to the official functions of 
executive officers (IV, 3957-3966; VII, 1673, 1678, 1685), but it may 
restrict executive discretion so far as this may be done by a simple 
negative on the use of the appropriation (IV, 3968-3972; VII, 1583, 
1653, 1694; Sept. 14, 1972, p. 30749; June 21, 1974, p. 20601; Oct. 9, 
1974, p. 34716). An appropriation may be withheld from a designated 
object by a negative limitation on the use of funds, although contracts 
may be left unsatisfied thereby (IV, 3987; July 10, 1975, p. 22005); but 
coupling a denial of an appropriation with a negative restriction on 
official duties constitutes by reason of the use of a double negative an 
affirmative direction and is not in order (VII, 1690-1692). Similarly, 
using a double negative to limit the availability of funds to prohibit 
the obligation of funds for an unauthorized project (effectively 
authorizing an unauthorized project) is not in order (Sept. 23, 1993, p. 
22209).


  But such limitations must not give affirmative directions (IV, 3854-
3859, 3975; VII, 1637), and must not impose new duties upon an executive 
officer (VII, 1676; June 11, 1968, p. 16712; July 31, 1969, pp. 21631-
33); and may not directly interfere with discretionary authority in law 
by establishing a level of funding below which expenditures may not be 
made (VII, 1704; July 20, 1978, p. 21856).

  In construing a proposed limitation, if the Chair finds the purpose to 
be legislative, in that the intent is to restrict executive discretion 
to a degree that may be fairly termed a change in policy rather than a 
matter of administrative detail, he should sustain the point of order, 
as where a limitation is accompanied by language stating a legislative 
motive or purpose in carrying out the limitation (Aug. 8, 1978, p. 
24969), or where existing law and the Constitution require a census to 
be taken of all persons and an amendment seeks to preclude the use of 
funds to exclude another class ``known'' to the secretary (Aug. 1, 1989, 
p. 17156). However, language in a general appropriation bill may, by 
negatively refusing to include funds for all or part of an authorized 
executive function, thereby affect policy to the extent of its denial of 
availability of funds (VII, 1694; Oct. 9, 1974, p. 34716).


[[Page 807]]

sec. 48.8). The burden is on the proponent to show that such a proposal 
does not change existing law by restricting the timing of the 
expenditure of funds rather than their availability for specified 
objects (Deschler's Precedents, vol. 8, ch. 26, secs. 64.23 and 80.5).
  It is not in order, even by language in the form of a limitation, to 
restrict not the use or amount of appropriated funds but the 
discretionary authority conferred by law to administer their 
expenditure, such as by limiting the percentage of funds that may be 
apportioned for expenditure within a certain period of time (Deschler's 
Precedents, vol. 8, ch. 26, sec. 51.23), or by precluding the obligation 
of certain funds in the bill until funds provided by another Act have 
been obligated (Deschler's Precedents, vol. 8, ch. 26,

  As long as a limitation on the use of funds restricts the expenditure 
of Federal funds carried in the bill without changing existing law, the 
limitation is in order, even if the Federal funds in question are 
commingled with non-Federal funds which would have to be accounted for 
separately in carrying out the limitation (Aug. 20, 1980, p. 22171). An 
amendment providing that no Federal funds provided in the District of 
Columbia general appropriation bill be used to perform abortions is not 
legislation, since Federal officials have the responsibility to account 
for all appropriations for the annual Federal payment and for 
disbursement of all taxes collected by the District of Columbia, 
pursuant to the D.C. Code (July 17, 1979, p. 19066).


[[Page 808]]

agency to take into consideration levels of unemployment insurance in 
determining payment levels (June 18, 1980, p. 15355). A limitation 
precluding funds for any transit project exceeding a specified cost-
effectiveness index was held not to impose new duties where the Chair 
was persuaded that the limitation applied to projects for which indexes 
were already required by law (Sept. 23, 1993, p. 22206). A limitation 
precluding the use of funds to enforce FAA regulations to require 
domestic air carriers to surrender more than a specified number of 
``slots'' at a given airport in preference of international air carriers 
was held not to impose new duties on FAA officials because existing 
regulations already required the FAA to determine the origin of 
withdrawn slots (Sept. 23, 1993, p. 22212). An exception stating that 
the limitation does not prohibit the use of funds for designated Federal 
activities which are already authorized by law in more general terms, 
was held in order as not containing legislation (June 27, 1979, pp. 
17033-35), as was an exception from a valid limitation prohibiting 
construction of that limitation in such a way as to prevent funding of a 
particular authorized activity (Mar. 24, 1944, p. 3095; June 18, 1991, 
p. 15218). An amendment prohibiting the use of funds in the bill by the 
Forest Service to construct roads or prepare timber sales in certain 
roadless areas was held not to impose new duties, where the executive 
was already charged by law with ongoing responsibility to maintain a 
comprehensive and detailed inventory of all land and renewable resources 
of the National Forest System (July 18, 1995, p. ----). The following 
amendments also have been in order as merely constricting the range of 
objects for which funds might be used: denying use of funds to eliminate 
an existing legal requirement for sureties on custom bonds (June 27, 
1984, p. 19101); denying use of funds by any Federal official in any 
manner which would prevent a provision of existing law from being 
enforced (relating to import restrictions) (June 27, 1984, p. 19101); 
denying use of funds for any reduction in Customs Service regions or for 
any consolidation of Customs Service offices (June 27, 1984, p. 19102); 
denying use of funds to carry out (or pay the salaries of persons who 
carry out) tobacco crop and insurance programs (July 20, 1995, p. ----). 
An amendment in the form of a limitation prohibiting the use of funds in 
a general appropriation bill for the construction of certain facilities 
unless such construction were subject to a project agreement was held 
not in order during the reading of the bill, even though existing law 
directed Federal officials to enter into such project agreements, on the 
ground that limitation amendments are in order during the reading only 
where existing law requires or permits the inclusion of limiting 
language in an appropriation Act, and not merely where the limitation is 
alleged to be ``consistent with existing law'' (June 28, 1988, p. 
16267). Similarly, language in a general appropriation bill containing 
an averment necessary to qualify for certain scorekeeping under the 
Budget Act was conceded to be legislation (July 20, 1989, p. 15374), 
even though the Budget Act contemplates that expenditures may be 
mandated to occur before or following a fiscal period if the law making 
those expenditures specifies

[[Page 809]]

that the timing is the result of a ``significant'' policy change (July 
20, 1989, p. 15374).



Sec. 1061. Limitations consistent with existing 
law.

  An amendment  denying the use of funds in the bill to pay the salaries of 
Federal officials who perform certain functions under existing law is a 
proper limitation if the description of those duties precisely follows 
existing law and does not require them to perform new duties (June 24, 
1976, p. 20373), just as an amendment denying such funds to a Federal 
official not in compliance with an existing law which he is charged with 
enforcing is a valid limitation placing no new duties on that Federal 
official (Sept. 10, 1981, p. 20110). The fact that a limitation on the 
use of funds may indirectly interfere with an executive official's 
discretionary authority by denying the use of funds (June 24, 1976, p. 
20408) or may impose certain incidental burdens on executive officials 
(Aug. 25, 1976, p. 27737) does not destroy the character of the 
limitation as long as it does not directly amend existing law and is 
descriptive of functions and findings already required to be undertaken 
by existing law. As it is in order by way of a limitation to deny the 
use of funds for implementation of an Executive order, an amendment 
precisely describing the contents of the Executive order does not 
constitute legislation solely for that reason (Mar. 16, 1977, p. 7748). 
And the fact that the regulation for which funds are denied may have 
been promulgated pursuant to court order and pursuant to constitutional 
provisions is an argument on the merits of the amendment and does not 
render it legislative in nature (Aug. 19, 1980, pp. 21981-84). An 
amendment prohibiting the use of funds to carry out any ruling of the 
Internal Revenue Service which rules that taxpayers are not entitled to 
certain charitable deductions was held in order as a limitation, since 
merely descriptive of an existing ruling already promulgated and not 
requiring any new determinations as to the applicability of the 
limitation to other categories of taxpayers (July 16, 1979, pp. 18808-
10). An amendment reducing the availability of funds for trade 
adjustment assistance by amounts of unemployment insurance entitlements 
was held in order where the law establishing trade adjustment assistance 
already required the disbursing



               ``holman rule'' on retrenching expenditures



Sec. 1062. Legislation reducing 
expenditures.

  Decisions under  the so-called ``Holman Rule'' in clause 2 of rule XXI 
have been rare in the modern practice of the House. The trend in 
construing language in general appropriation bills or amendments thereto 
has been to minimize the importance of the ``Holman Rule'' in those 
cases where the decision can be made on other grounds. The practice of 
using limitations in appropriation bills has been perfected in recent 
years so that most modern decisions by the Chair deal with distinctions 
between such limitations and matters which are considered to be 
legislation (see Sec. Sec. 1059-1961, supra). Under the modern practice, 
the ``Holman Rule'' only applies where an obvious reduction is achieved 
by the provision in question and does not apply to limiting language 
unaccompanied by a reduction of funds in the bill (July 16, 1979, pp. 
18808-10). It has no application to an amendment to an appropriation 
bill which does not legislate but is merely a negative limitation citing 
but not changing existing law (June 18, 1980, p. 15355).


  A paragraph containing legislation reported in an appropriation bill 
to be in order must on its face show a retrenchment of a type which 
conforms to the requirements of the rule (Mar. 17, 1926, p. 5804).


[[Page 810]]

  The reduction of expenditure must appear as a necessary result, in 
order to bring an amendment or provision within the exception to the 
rule. It is not sufficient that such reduction would probably, or would 
in the opinion of the Chair, result therefrom (IV, 3887; VII, 1530-
1534). Thus, an amendment to a general appropriation bill providing that 
appropriations made in that act are hereby reduced by $7 billion, though 
legislative in form, was held in order under the ``Holman Rule'' 
exception (Apr. 5, 1966, p. 7689), but an amendment providing for 
certain reductions of appropriations carried in the bill based on the 
President's budget estimates was held not to show a reduction on its 
face and to provide merely speculative reductions (Deschler's 
Precedents, vol. 8, ch. 26, sec. 5.6; June 24, 1992, p. 16110). An 
amendment authorizing the President to reduce each appropriation in the 
bill by not more than 10 percent was ruled out as legislation conferring 
new authority on the President (May 31, 1984, p. 14617; June 6, 1984, p. 
15120). An amendment reducing an unauthorized amount permitted to remain 
in a general appropriation bill is in order as a retrenchment under this 
clause (Oct. 1, 1975, p. 31058). An amendment to a general appropriation 
bill denying the availability of funds to certain recipients but which 
requires Federal officials to make additional determinations as to the 
qualifications of recipients is legislation and is not a retrenchment of 
expenditures where it is not apparent that the prohibition will reduce 
the amounts covered by the bill (June 26, 1973, p. 21389).

  The amendment must not only show on its face an attempt to retrench 
but must also be germane to some provision in the bill even though 
offered by direction of the committee having jurisdiction of the subject 
matter of the amendment (VII, 1549; Dec. 16, 1911, p. 442). An amendment 
providing that appropriations ``herein and heretofore made'' shall be 
reduced by $70 million through the reduction of Federal employees as the 
President determines was held to be legislative and not germane to the 
bill, since it went to funds other than those carried therein, and was 
therefore not within the ``Holman Rule'' exception (Oct. 18, 1966, p. 
27425).

  An amendment reducing an amount in an appropriation bill for the 
Postal Service and prohibiting the use of funds therein to implement 
special bulk third-class rates for political committees was held in 
order since not specifically requiring new determination and since 
constituting a retrenchment of expenditures even if assumed to be 
legislative (July 13, 1979, pp. 18453-55).

  As long as an amendment calls for an obvious reduction at some point 
in time during the fiscal year, the amendment is in order under the 
``Holman Rule'' even if the reduction takes place in the future in an 
amount actually determined when the reduction takes place (for example, 
by formula) (VII, 1491, 1505; July 30, 1980, pp. 20499-20503). To an 
amendment that is in order under the ``Holman Rule,'' containing 
legislation but retrenching expenditures by formula for every agency 
funded by the bill, an amendment exempting from that reduction several 
specific programs does not add further legislation and is in order (July 
30, 1980, pp. 20499-20503).

  A motion to recommit the District of Columbia appropriation bill with 
instructions to reduce the proportion of the fund appropriated from the 
Public Treasury from one-half, as provided in the bill, to one-fourth of 
the entire appropriation is in order, since the effect of the amendment 
if adopted would reduce the expenditure of public money although not 
reducing the amount of the appropriation (VII, 1518).

  The term ``retrenchment'' means the reduction of the amount of money 
to be taken out of the Federal Treasury by the bill, and therefore a 
reduction of the amount of money to be contributed toward the expenses 
of the District of Columbia is in order as a retrenchment (VII, 1502).

  An amendment proposed to an item for the recoinage of uncurrent 
fractional silver, which amendment struck out the amount appropriated 
and added a provision for the coinage of all the bullion in the Treasury 
into standard silver dollars, the cost of such coinage and recoinage to 
be paid out of the Government's seigniorage, was held not to be in order 
under the rule; first, because not germane to the subject matter of the 
bill (the sundry civil); second, because it did not appear that any 
retrenchment of expenditure would result, the seigniorage being the 
property of the Government as other funds in the Treasury (VII, 1547).


[[Page 811]]

provide routes and make contracts in certain cases, with the further 
provision ``and the amount of appropriation herein for star routes is 
hereby reduced to $500.'' A point of order made against the first or 
legislative part of the amendment was sustained, which decision was, on 
appeal, affirmed by the committee (VII, 1555).
  To an item of appropriation for inland transportation of mails by star 
routes an amendment was offered requiring the Postmaster General to

  To a clause appropriating for the foreign mail service an amendment 
reducing the appropriation, and in addition repealing the act known as 
the ``subsidy act,'' was held not in order because the repealing of this 
act was not germane to the appropriation bill; and that to be in order 
both branches of the amendment must be germane to the bill (VII, 1548).

  A provision in the agricultural appropriation bill transferring the 
supervision of the importation of animals from the Treasury to the 
Department of Agriculture is out of order, being a provision changing 
law and not retrenching expenditure (IV, 3886).

  Where a paragraph containing new legislation provides in one part for 
a discharge of employees, which means a retrenchment, and in another 
part embodies legislation to bring about the particular retrenchment 
which in turn shows on its face an expenditure the amount of which is 
not apparent, the Chair is unable to hold that the net result will 
retrench expenditures. But where the additional legislation does not 
show on its face an additional expenditure, the Chair will not speculate 
as to a possible expenditure under the additional legislation (VII, 
1500).



[[Page 812]]


  As explained in the annotation in Sec. 1043, supra, the amendment of 
clause 2(b) in the 98th Congress narrowed the ``Holman Rule'' exception 
to the general prohibition against legislation to cover only 
retrenchments reducing amounts of money covered by the bill, and not 
retrenchments resulting from reduction of the number and salary of 
officers of the United States or of the compensation of any person paid 
out of the U.S. Treasury. Accordingly, the Chair held out of order an 
amendment mandating the reduction of certain Federal salaries and 
expenses as not confined to a reduction of funds in the bill (June 17, 
1994, p. 13422). Paragraph (b) also eliminated separate authority 
conferred upon legislative committees or commissions with proper 
jurisdiction to report amendments retrenching expenditures, and 
permitted legislative committees to recommend such retrenchments by 
reduction of amounts covered by the bill to the Appropriations Committee 
for discretionary inclusion in the reported bill. Paragraph (d) as added 
in the 98th Congress provides a new procedure for consideration of all 
retrenchment amendments only when reading of the bill has been completed 
and only if the Committee of the Whole does not adopt a motion to rise 
and report the bill back to the House. Other decisions which involved 
interpretation of the ``Holman Rule,'' but which do not reflect the 
current form or interpretation of that rule, are found in IV, 3846, 
3885-3892; VII, 1484, 1486-1492, 1498, 1500, 1515, 1563, 1564, 1569; 
June 1, 1892, p. 4920.



Sec. 1063. Reappropriations.

  This  provision from section 
139(c) of the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946 (2 U.S.C. 190f(c)) 
was made part of the standing rules in the 83d Congress (Jan. 3, 1953, 
p. 24). Previously, a reappropriation of an unexpended balance for an 
object authorized by law was in order on a general appropriation bill 
(IV, 3591, 3592; VII, 1156, 1158). This clause was amended in the 99th 
Congress by section 228(b) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit 
Control Act of 1985 (P.L. 99-177, Dec. 12, 1985) to permit the Committee 
on Appropriations to report certain transfers of unexpended balances. 
Consistent with clause 2 of rule XXI, and as codified in the 106th 
Congress (H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 1999, p. ----), violations of this clause 
are enforced only against specific provisions in general appropriation 
bills containing reappropriations rather than against consideration of 
the bill (see, e.g., Procedure, ch. 25, sec. 18).


  A provision in a general appropriation bill, or an amendment thereto, 
providing that funds for a certain purpose are to be derived by 
continuing the availability of funds previously appropriated for a prior 
fiscal year is in violation of clause 2(a)(2) (former clause 6 of rule 
XXI) (Aug. 20, 1951, p. 10393; Mar. 29, 1960, p. 6862; June 17, 1960, p. 
13138; June 20, 1973, p. 20530; July 29, 1982, p. 18625; June 28, 1988, 
p. 16255), and a reappropriation of unexpended prior year balances 
prohibited by this clause is not in order under the guise of a ``Holman 
Rule'' exception to clause 2 of rule XXI (Oct. 18, 1966, p. 27424). An 
amendment to a general appropriation bill making any appropriations 
which are available for the current fiscal year available for certain 
new purposes was held out of order under clause 2(a)(2) since it was not 
confined to the funds in the bill and would permit reappropriation of 
unexpended balances (Oct. 1, 1975, p. 31090). That appropriations may be 
authorized in law for a specified object does not permit an amendment to 
a general appropriation bill to include legislative language mandating 
the reappropriation of funds from other Acts (July 28, 1992, p. 19652).

  This rule, however, is not applicable when the reappropriation 
language is identical to legislative authorization language enacted 
subsequent to the adoption of the rule, since the law is a more recent 
expression of the will of the House (Sept. 5, 1961, p. 18133), nor when 
a measure transferring unobligated balances of previously appropriated 
funds contains legislative provisions and rules changes but no 
appropriation of new budget authority and is neither in the form of an 
appropriation bill nor the subject of a privileged report by the 
Committee on Appropriations under rule XIII (Mar. 3, 1988, p. 3239).

  The return of an unexpended balance to the Treasury is in order (IV, 
3594).


[[Page 813]]

p. ----). An amendment otherwise in order under this paragraph may 
nevertheless be in violation of clause 2(a)(1) if increasing an 
appropriation above the authorized amount contained in the bill (Aug. 4, 
1999, p. ----).



Sec. 1063a. Offsetting en bloc amendments.

  Under  paragraph 
2(f) an amendment en bloc changing amounts in a paragraph not yet read 
for amendment must be outlay neutral. It is not sufficient that the 
offsetting amendment is merely budget authority neutral (Aug. 4, 1999,


                                                      Rule XXI, clause 3
Rule XXI, clause 3
Transportation obligation limitations




1064. Transportation obligation limitations.

  3.  It shall 
not be in order to consider a bill, joint resolution, amendment, or 
conference report that would cause obligation limitations to be below 
the level for any fiscal year set forth in section 8103 of the 
Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century, as adjusted, for the 
highway category or the mass transit category, as applicable.



  The Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (sec. 8101(e), P.L. 
105-178) added this provision as a new clause 9 of rule XXI. In the 
106th Congress, this provision was transferred to clause 3 (H. Res. 5, 
Jan. 6, 1999, p. ----). The Omnibus Consolidated and Emergency 
Supplemental Appropriations Act, 1999 (sec. 108, div. C, P.L. 105-277; 
112 Stat. 2681-586), included the following provision: ``Sec. 108. For 
the purpose of any Rule of the House of Representatives, notwithstanding 
any other provision of law, any obligation limitation relating to 
surface transportation projects under section 1602 of P.L. 105-178 shall 
be assumed to be administered on the basis of sound program management 
practices that are consistent with past practices of the administering 
agency permitting States to decide High Priority Project funding 
priorities within state program allocations.'' This clause and the cited 
law should be read together notwithstanding subsequent readoption of 
clause 3 because the two are not mutually inconsistent.

                                                      Rule XXI, clause 4
Rule XXI, clause 4
Appropriations on legislative bills


[[Page 814]]

appropriation in such a bill, joint resolution, or amendment thereto may 
be raised at any time during pendency of that measure for amendment.



1065. Restriction of power to report appropriations.

  4.  A 
bill or joint resolution carrying an appropriation may not be reported 
by a committee not having jurisdiction to report appropriations, and an 
amendment proposing an appropriation shall not be in order during the 
consideration of a bill or joint resolution reported by a committee not 
having that jurisdiction. A point of order against an


  This portion of the rule was adopted June 1, 1920 (VII, 2133). When 
the House recodified its rules in the 106th Congress (H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 
1999, p. ----), this clause was returned to clause 4 where it had been 
until moved to former clause 5(a) of rule XXI in the 93d Congress (H. 
Res. 988, 93d Cong., Oct. 8, 1974, p. 34470).

  A point of order under this rule cannot be raised against a motion to 
suspend the rules (VIII, 3426), against a motion to discharge a 
nonappropriating committee from consideration of a bill carrying an 
appropriation (VII, 2144), or against a Senate amendment to an 
appropriation bill (VII, 1572), but it may be directed against an item 
of appropriation in a Senate bill (VII, 2136, 2147; July 30, 1957, pp. 
13056, 13181), and if the House deletes a provision in a Senate bill 
under this rule, the bill is messaged to the Senate with the deletion in 
the form of an amendment. The point of order may be made against an 
appropriation in a Senate bill that, although not reported in the House, 
is considered in lieu of a reported House ``companion bill'' (VII, 2137; 
Mar. 29, 1933, p. 988). This clause applies to an amendment proposed to 
a Senate amendment to a House bill not reported from the Committee on 
Appropriations (Oct. 1, 1980, pp. 28638-42). The rule does not apply to 
private bills since the committees having jurisdiction of bills for the 
payment of private claims may report bills making appropriations within 
the limits of their jurisdiction (VII, 2135; Dec. 12, 1924, p. 538). The 
point of order under this rule does not apply to an appropriation in a 
bill which has been taken away from a nonappropriating committee by a 
motion to discharge (VII, 1019a). The point of order under this rule 
does not apply to a special order reported from the Committee on Rules 
``self-executing'' the adoption in the House to a reported bill of an 
amendment containing an appropriation, since the amendment is not 
separately before the House during consideration of the special order 
(Feb. 24, 1993, p. 3542).


[[Page 815]]

in the House version and included in a conference report on a bill will 
not lie, since the only rule prohibiting such inclusion (clause 5 of 
rule XXII) is limited to language originally contained in a Senate 
amendment where the House conferees have not been specifically 
authorized to agree thereto (May 1, 1975, p. 12752). Where the House has 
adopted a resolution waiving points of order against certain 
appropriations in a legislative bill, a point of order may nevertheless 
be raised against an amendment to the bill containing an identical 
provision, since under this rule a point of order may be raised against 
the amendment ``at any time'' (Apr. 23, 1975, p. 11512). A point of 
order against a direct appropriation in a bill initially reported from a 
legislative committee and then sequentially referred to and reported 
adversely by the Committee on Appropriations was conceded and sustained 
as in violation of this clause (Nov. 10, 1975, p. 35611).
  The provision in this clause that a point of order against an 
amendment containing an appropriation to a legislative bill may be made 
``at any time'' has been interpreted to require that the point of order 
be raised during the pendency of the amendment under the five-minute 
rule (Mar. 18, 1946, p. 2365; Apr. 28, 1975, pp. 12043), and a point of 
order will lie against an amendment during its pendency, even in its 
amended form, although the point of order is against the amendment as 
amended by a substitute and no point of order was raised against the 
substitute prior to its adoption (Apr. 23, 1975, p. 12043). But the 
point of order must be raised during the initial consideration of the 
bill or amendment under the five-minute rule, and a point of order 
against similar language permitted to remain

  The point of order should be directed to the item of appropriation in 
the bill and not to the act of reporting the bill (VII, 2143), and 
cannot be directed to the entire bill (VII, 2142; Apr. 28, 1975, p. 
12043).


[[Page 816]]

officer to pay a certain sum out of unexpended balances is equivalent to 
an appropriation and not in order (VII, 2154). Language authorizing the 
use of funds of the Shipping Board is not in order (VII, 2147). A 
direction to pay out of Indian trust funds is not in order (VII, 2149). 
A provision in an authorization bill making excess foreign currencies 
immediately available for a new purpose is in violation of this clause 
(Aug. 3, 1971, p. 29109). Provisions authorizing the collection of fees 
or user charges by Federal agencies and making the revenues collected 
therefrom available without further appropriation have been ruled out in 
violation of this clause (June 17, 1937, pp. 5915-18; Mar. 29, 1972, pp. 
10749-51), and the transfer of existing Federal funds into a new 
Treasury trust fund to be immediately available for a new purpose has 
been construed as an appropriation (June 20, 1974, pp. 20273-75), as has 
a provision in a legislative bill transferring unexpended balances of 
appropriations from an existing agency to a new agency created therein 
(Apr. 9, 1979, p. 7774). A provision in an omnibus reconciliation bill 
reported by the Budget Committee (pursuant to section 310(c)(2) of the 
Budget Act upon recommendation from the Energy and Commerce Committee) 
making a direct appropriation to carry out a part of the Energy Security 
Act was ruled out in violation of this clause (Oct. 24, 1985, p. 28812). 
An amendment requiring the diversion of previously appropriated funds in 
lieu of the enactment of new budget authority if a maximum deficit 
amount under the Deficit Control Act of 1985 is exceeded, though its 
stated purpose may be to avoid the sequestration of funds, may 
nevertheless be in violation of this clause as an appropriation on a 
legislative bill (Aug. 10, 1988, p. 21719).
  The point of order provided for in this clause is not applicable to 
propositions authorizing the Secretary of the Treasury to use proceeds 
from the sale of bonds under the Second Liberty Bond Act (public debt 
transactions) for the purpose of making loans, since such loans do not 
constitute ``appropriations'' within the purview of the rule (June 28, 
1949, pp. 8536-38; Aug. 2, 1950, p. 11599), and is not applicable to 
language exempting loan guarantees in a legislative bill from statutory 
limitations on expenditures (July 16, 1974, p. 23344). Legislation 
authorizing the availability of certain loan receipts is not an 
appropriation where it can be shown that the actual availability of 
those receipts remains contingent upon subsequent enactment of an 
appropriation act (Sept. 10, 1975, p. 28300). The term ``appropriation'' 
in the rule means the payment of funds from the Treasury, and the words 
``warranted and make available for expenditure for payments'' are 
equivalent to ``is hereby appropriated'' and therefore not in order 
(VII, 2150). The words ``available until expended,'' making an 
appropriation already made for one year available for ensuing years, are 
not in order (VII, 2145). Language reappropriating, making available, or 
diverting an appropriation or a portion of an appropriation already made 
for one purpose to another (VII, 2146; Mar. 29, 1933, p. 988; Aug. 10, 
1988, p. 21719), or for one fiscal year to another (Mar. 26, 1992, p. 
7223), is not in order. An amendment expanding the definition in 
existing law of recipients under a Federal subsidy program was held to 
permit a new use of funds already appropriated in violation of this 
clause (May 11, 1976, pp. 13409-11); and a provision in a legislative 
bill authorizing the use, without a subsequent appropriation, of funds 
directly appropriated by a previous statute for a new purpose 
constitutes an appropriation prohibited by this clause (Oct. 1, 1980, 
pp. 28637-40). But a modification of such a provision making payments 
for such new purposes ``effective only to the extent and in such amounts 
as are provided in advance in appropriation acts'' does not violate this 
clause (Oct. 1, 1980, pp. 28638-42). A direction to a departmental


  An amendment increasing the duties of a commission is not necessarily 
an appropriation (VII, 1578). Language authorizing payment from an 
appropriation to be made or authorizing payment from an appropriation 
that has not yet been made is in order (Jan. 31, 1923, p. 2794). Section 
401(a) of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 (88 Stat. 317) prohibits 
consideration in the House of any bill or resolution or amendment which 
provides new spending authority (as that term is defined in that 
section) unless that measure also provides that such new spending 
authority is to be available only to the extent provided in 
appropriation act (see Sec. 1127, supra). See also Procedure, ch. 25, 
sec. 3, addressing appropriations on legislative bills generally.

                                                      Rule XXI, clause 5
Rule XXI, clause 5
Tax and tariff measures and amendments


[[Page 817]]

measure shall not be in order during the consideration of a bill or 
joint resolution reported by a committee not having that jurisdiction. A 
point of order against a tax or tariff measure in such a bill, joint 
resolution, or amendment thereto may be raised at any time during 
pendency of that measure for amendment.



1066. Restriction on bills and amendments carrying 
taxes or tariffs.

  5. (a)  A bill or joint resolution carrying a tax or tariff 
measure may not be reported by a committee not having jurisdiction to 
report tax or tariff measures, and an amendment in the House or proposed 
by the Senate carrying a tax or tariff


  This provision was added in the 98th Congress (H. Res. 5, Jan. 3, 
1983, p. 34). Before the House recodified its rules in the 106th 
Congress, this provision was found in former clause 5(b) of rule XXI (H. 
Res. 5, Jan. 6, 1999, p. ----). A point of order under this paragraph 
against a provision in a bill is in order at any time during 
consideration of the bill for amendment in Committee of the Whole (Aug. 
1, 1986, p. 18649). On October 4, 1989, the Chairman of the Committee of 
the Whole, before ruling on several points of order under this 
paragraph, enunciated several guidelines to distinguish taxes and 
tariffs on the one hand and user or regulatory fees and other forms of 
revenue on the other (p. 23260). On the opening day of the 102d 
Congress, Speaker Foley inserted in the Congressional Record a statement 
of jurisdictional concepts underlying those same distinctions and 
indicated his intention to exercise his referral authority under rule X 
in a manner consistent with this paragraph (Jan. 3, 1991, p. 64; see 
also Jan. 5, 1993, p. 105).


[[Page 818]]

  Although in the case of most points of order against provisions in 
bills or against amendments the burden is on the proponent of the 
provision to show that it does not violate the cited rule, in the case 
of a point of order under this paragraph against a provision in or an 
amendment to a general appropriation bill affecting the use of funds 
therein (otherwise traditionally in order if admissible under clause 2 
of rule XXI), the burden is on the Member making the point of order to 
show a necessary, certain, and inevitable change in revenue collections 
or tax statuses or liabilities (there being no other funds available 
that fiscal year under existing law) (Sept. 12, 1984, pp. 25108, 25109, 
25120; July 26, 1985, p. 20806; Aug. 1, 1986, p. 18649; July 13, 1990, 
p. 17473; June 18, 1991, p. 15189). Thus, in determining whether a 
limitation in a general appropriation bill constitutes a tax or tariff 
measure proscribed by this paragraph, the Chair will consider argument 
as to whether the limitation effectively and inevitably changes revenue 
collections and tax status or liability (Aug. 1, 1986, p. 18649). 
Similarly, in determining whether an amendment to a general 
appropriation bill proposing a change in IRS funding priorities 
constitutes a tax measure proscribed by this paragraph, the Chair will 
consider argument as to whether the change would necessarily or 
inevitably result in a loss or gain in tax liability and in tax 
collection (June 18, 1991, p. 15189).

  A limitation on the use of funds contained in a general appropriation 
bill was held to violate this paragraph by denying the use of funds by 
the Customs Service to enforce duty-free entry laws with respect to 
certain imported commodities, thereby requiring the collection of 
revenues not otherwise provided for by law (Oct. 27, 1983, p. 29611). 
Similar rulings were issued: (1) where it was shown that the imposition 
of the restriction on IRS funding for the fiscal year would effectively 
and inevitably preclude the IRS or the Customs Service from collecting 
revenues otherwise due and owing by law or require collection of revenue 
not legally due or owing (July 26, 1985, p. 20806; Aug. 1, 1986, pp. 
18649, 18650; July 17, 1996, p. 17563); and (2) where a provision in a 
general appropriation bill prohibited the use of funds to impose or 
assess certain taxes due under specified portions of the Internal 
Revenue Code (July 13, 1990, p. 17473). In the 98th Congress, the Chair 
sustained points of order under this paragraph against motions to concur 
in three Senate amendments to a general appropriation bill (not reported 
by the Committee on Ways and Means): (1) an amendment denying the use of 
funds in that or any other Act by the IRS to impose or assess any tax 
due under a designated provision of the Internal Revenue Code, thereby 
rendering the tax uncollectable through the use of any funds available 
to the agency (Sept. 12, 1984, p. 25108); (2) an amendment directing the 
Secretary of the Treasury to admit free of duty certain articles 
imported by a designated organization (Sept. 12, 1984, p. 25109); and 
(3) an amendment to the Tariff Act of 1930 to expand the authority of 
the Customs Service to seize and use the proceeds from the sale of 
contraband imports to defray operational expenses, and to offset owed 
customs duties under one section of that law (Sept. 12, 1984, p. 25120). 
An amendment to a general appropriation bill proposing to divert an 
increase in funding for the IRS from spot-checks to targeted audits was 
held not to constitute a tax within the meaning of this paragraph 
because it did not necessarily affect revenue collection levels or tax 
liabilities (June 18, 1991, p. 15189).


[[Page 819]]

gas leaseholdings in the Outer Continental Shelf, with receipts to be 
used to offset costs of various ocean protection programs (Oct. 4, 1989, 
p. 23261); (3) an amendment to the Internal Revenue Code relating to the 
tax deductibility of pension fund contributions (Oct. 4, 1989, p. 
23262); (4) a fee incident to termination of employee benefit plans, 
with receipts to be applied to enforcement and administration of plans 
remaining with the system (Oct. 4, 1989, p. 23262); and (5) a fee 
incident to the filing of various pension benefit plan reports required 
by law, with revenues to be transferred to the Department of Labor for 
the enforcement of that law (Oct. 5, 1989, p. 23328).
  In the 99th Congress, the following provisions in a reconciliation 
bill reported from the Budget Committee were ruled out as tax measures 
not reported from the Committee on Ways and Means: (1) containing a 
recommendation from the Committee on Education and Labor (now Education 
and the Workforce) excluding certain interest on obligations from the 
Student Loan Marketing Association from application of the Internal 
Revenue Code, affecting interest deductions against income taxes (Oct. 
24, 1985, pp. 28776, 28827); and (2) containing a recommendation from 
the Committee on Merchant Marine and Fisheries expanding tax benefits 
available to shipowners through a capital construction fund (Oct. 24, 
1985, pp. 28802, 28827). In the 101st Congress, the following provisions 
in an omnibus budget reconciliation bill were ruled out: (1) a fee per 
passenger on cruise vessels, with revenues credited as proprietary 
receipts of the Coast Guard to be used for port safety, security, 
navigation, and antiterrorism activities (Oct. 4, 1989, p. 23260); (2) a 
per acre ``ocean protection fee'' on oil and



[[Page 820]]


Passage of tax rate increases-
  To a bill reported from the Committee on Education and Labor (now 
Education and the Workforce) authorizing financial assistance to 
unemployed individuals for employment opportunities, an amendment 
providing instead for tax incentives to stimulate employment was held to 
be a tax measure in violation of this paragraph (Sept. 21, 1983, p. 
25145). A provision in a bill reported from the Committee on Foreign 
Affairs (now International Relations) imposing a uniform fee at ports of 
entry to be collected by the Customs Service as a condition of 
importation of a commodity was held to constitute a tariff within the 
meaning of this paragraph (June 4, 1985, p. 14009), as was an amendment 
to a bill reported from that committee amending the tariff schedules to 
deny ``most favored nation'' trade treatment to a certain nation (July 
11, 1985, p. 18590). A provision in a general appropriation bill 
creating a new tariff classification was held to constitute a tariff 
under this paragraph (June 15, 1994, p. 13103). A motion to concur in a 
Senate amendment constituting a tariff measure (imposing an import ban 
on certain dutiable goods) to a bill reported by a committee not having 
tariff jurisdiction was ruled out under this paragraph (Sept. 30, 1988, 
p. 27316). A proposal to increase a fee incident to the filing of a 
securities registration statement, with the proceeds to be deposited in 
the general fund of the Treasury as offsetting receipts, was held to 
constitute a tax within the meaning of this paragraph because the amount 
of revenue derived and the manner of its deposit indicated a purpose to 
defray costs of Government, generally (Oct. 23, 1990, p. 32650). To a 
bill reported by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, an 
amendment increasing a user fee was ruled out as a tax measure where the 
fee overcollected to offset a reduction in another fee, thus attenuating 
the relationship between the amount of the fee and the cost of the 
Government activity for which it was assessed (May 9, 1995, p. 12180). 
To a bill reported by the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology 
(now Science), an amendment proposing sundry changes in the Federal 
income tax by direct amendments to the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 was 
ruled out of order as carrying a tax measure in violation of this 
paragraph (Sept. 16, 1992, p. 25205).




1067. Threefifths vote to increase income tax rates.

  (b)  A 
bill or joint resolution, amendment, or conference report carrying a 
Federal income tax rate increase may not be considered as passed or 
agreed to unless so determined by a vote of not less than three-fifths 
of the Members voting, a quorum being present. In this paragraph the 
term ``Federal income tax rate increase'' means any amendment to 
subsection (a), (b), (c), (d), or (e) of section 1, or to section 11(b) 
or 55(b), of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, that imposes a new 
percentage as a rate of tax and thereby increases the amount of tax 
imposed by any such section.




[[Page 821]]


Consideration of retroactive tax rate increases
  This provision was added in the 104th Congress (sec. 106(a), H. Res. 
6, Jan. 4, 1995, p. 463), and in the 105th Congress it was amended to 
clarify the definition of ``Federal income tax rate increase'' as 
limited to a specific amendment to one of the named subsections (H. Res. 
5, Jan. 7, 1997, p. ----). Before the House recodified its rules in the 
106th Congress, this provision was found in former clause 5(c) of rule 
XXI (H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 1999, p. ----). On one occasion the Chair held 
that a provision repealing a ceiling on total tax liability attributable 
to a net capital gain was not subject to the original version of this 
paragraph (Apr. 5, 1995, p. ----). This paragraph does not apply to a 
concurrent resolution (Speaker Gingrich, May 18, 1995, p. ----). A 
resolution reported from the Rules Committee waiving this paragraph may 
be adopted by majority vote (Oct. 26, 1995, p. ----). The Speaker rules 
on the applicability of this paragraph only pending the question of 
final passage of a measure alleged to carry a Federal income tax rate 
increase, and not in advance upon adoption of a special order waiving 
that provision (Oct. 26, 1995, p. ----).



1068. Prohibition against retroactive income tax rate 
increase.

  (c)  It shall not be in order to consider a bill, joint 
resolution, amendment, or conference report carrying a retroactive 
Federal income tax rate increase. In this paragraph--


      (1) the term ``Federal income tax rate increase'' means any 
amendment to subsection (a), (b), (c), (d), or (e) of section 1, or to 
section 11(b) or 55(b), of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, that 
imposes a new percentage as a rate of tax and thereby increases the 
amount of tax imposed by any such section; and


      (2) a Federal income tax rate increase is retroactive if it 
applies to a period beginning before the enactment of the provision.





[106th Congress House Rules Manual -- House Document No. 105-358]
[From the U.S. Government Printing Office Online Database]
[Page 821-845]

 
  This paragraph was added in the 104th Congress (sec. 106(b), H. Res. 
6, Jan. 4, 1995, p. 463), and it was amended in the 105th Congress to 
clarify the definition of ``Federal income tax rate increase'' (H. Res. 
5, Jan. 7, 1997, p. ----). Before the House recodified its rules in the 
106th Congress, this provision was found in former clause 5(d) of rule 
XXI (H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 1999, p. ----).



Senate amendments
                Rule XXII.--HOUSE AND SENATE RELATIONS                 


[[Page 822]]

shall be privileged in the discretion of the Speaker if offered by 
direction of the primary committee and of all reporting committees that 
had initial referral of the bill or resolution.



1069. Motion for conference.

  1.  A motion to disagree to 
Senate amendments to a House bill or resolution and to request or agree 
to a conference with the Senate, or a motion to insist on House 
amendments to a Senate bill or resolution and to request or agree to a 
conference with the Senate,


  This provision (proviso in former clause 1 of rule XX), added by the 
89th Congress (H. Res. 8, Jan. 4, 1965, p. 21), provides a method 
whereby bills can be sent to conference by majority vote. As contained 
in section 126(a) of the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1970 (84 
Stat. 1140) and adopted as part of the Rules of the House in the 92d 
Congress (H. Res. 5, Jan. 22, 1971, p. 144), this clause included 
language relating to separate votes on nongermane Senate amendments that 
was, in the 93d Congress, modified and transferred to former clause 5 of 
rule XXVIII (current clause 10 of rule XXII) (H. Res. 998, Apr. 9, 1974, 
pp. 10195-99). Before the House recodified its rules in the 106th 
Congress, clauses 1 and 3 of this rule occupied a single clause (former 
clause 1 of rule XX) (H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 1999, p. ----).




Sec. 1070. Motion for conference.

  The motion to  send a bill 
to conference under this clause is in order notwithstanding the fact 
that the stage of disagreement has not been reached (Aug. 1, 1972, p. 
26153). On a bill that has been initially referred and reported in the 
House, the motion must be authorized by all committees reporting thereon 
(Sept. 26, 1978, p. 31623). This clause was recodified in the 106th 
Congress to reflect this practice (H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 1999. p. ----). 
However, a committee receiving sequential referral of a bill or not 
reporting thereon need not authorize the motion (Oct. 4, 1994, p. 
27643). On a Senate bill with a House amendment consisting of the text 
of two corresponding House bills that were previously reported to the 
House, the motion must be authorized by the committees reporting those 
corresponding bills (Oct. 1, 1998, p.----). Where such a motion has been 
rejected by the House, it may be repeated if the committee having 
jurisdiction over the subject matter again authorizes its chairman to 
make the motion (Oct. 3, 1972, p. 33502; see also Procedure, ch. 32, 
sec. 5). The motion to send to conference is in order only if the 
Speaker in his discretion recognized for that purpose, and the Speaker 
will not recognize for the motion where he has referred a nongermane 
Senate amendment in question to a House committee with jurisdiction and 
they have not yet had the opportunity to consider the amendment (June 
28, 1984, p. 19770).


                                                     Rule XXII, clause 2
Rule XXII, clause 2



[[Page 823]]




Sec. 1071. Privilege of certain Senate amendments.

  2.  A 
motion to dispose of House bills with Senate amendments not requiring 
consideration in the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the 
Union shall be privileged.



  This provision was adopted in 1890 (IV, 3089) as part of the rule 
governing disposal of business on the Speaker's table (former clause 2 
of rule XXIV). When the House recodified its rules in the 106th 
Congress, former clause 2 of rule XXIV was transferred to clause 2 of 
rule XIV, except this provision (H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 1999, p. ----). For 
a discussion of referral of Senate amendments at the Speaker's table see 
Sec. 873, supra.

                                                     Rule XXII, clause 3
Rule XXII, clause 3




Sec. 1072. Consideration of Senate amendments in Committee 
of the Whole.

  3.  Except as permitted by clause 1, before the stage of 
disagreement, a Senate amendment to a House bill or resolution shall be 
subject to the point of order that it must first be considered in the 
Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union if, originating 
in the House, it would be subject to such a point under clause 3 of rule 
XVIII.


  This provision was adopted in 1880 to prevent Senate amendments of the 
class described from escaping consideration in Committee of the Whole 
(IV, 4796). Before the House recodified its rules in the 106th Congress, 
clauses 1 and 3 of this rule occupied a single clause (former clause 1 
of rule XX) (H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 1999, p. ----).


[[Page 824]]

of this clause that certain Senate amendments be considered in Committee 
of the Whole applies only before the stage of disagreement has been 
reached on the Senate amendment, and it is too late to raise a point of 
order that Senate amendments should have been considered in Committee of 
the Whole after the House has disagreed thereto and the amendments 
reported from conference in disagreement (Oct. 20, 1966, p. 28240; Dec. 
4, 1975, p. 38714). The Committee on Rules may recommend a special order 
of business providing that a Senate amendment pending at the Speaker's 
table and otherwise requiring consideration in Committee of the Whole 
under this clause be ``hereby'' adopted, which special order, if 
adopted, would obviate the requirement of this clause (Deschler's 
Precedents, vol. 6, ch. 21, sec. 16.11; Feb. 4, 1993, p. 2500).


Sec. 1073. Consideration of Senate amendments in 
Committee of the Whole.

  While  a Senate amendment that is merely a 
modification of a House proposition, like the increase or decrease of 
the amount of an appropriation, and does not involve new and distinct 
expenditure, may not be required to be considered in Committee of the 
Whole (IV, 4797-4806; VIII, 2382-2385), where the question was raised 
against a Senate amendment which on its face apparently placed a charge 
upon the Treasury the Speaker held it devolved upon those opposing the 
point of order to cite proof to the contrary (VIII, 2387). When in the 
House an amendment is offered to provide an appropriation for another 
purpose than that of the Senate amendment, the House goes into Committee 
of the Whole to consider it (IV, 4795). When an amendment is referred, 
the entire bill goes to the Committee of the Whole (IV, 4808), but the 
committee considers only the Senate amendment (V, 6192). It usually 
considers all the amendments, although they may not all be within the 
rule requiring such consideration (V, 6195). In Committee of the Whole a 
Senate amendment, even though it be very long, is considered as an 
entirety and not by paragraphs or sections (V, 6194). When reported from 
the Committee of the Whole, Senate amendments are voted on en bloc and 
only those amendments are voted on severally on which a separate vote is 
demanded (VIII, 3191). It has been held that each amendment is subject 
to general debate and amendment under the five-minute rule (V, 6193, 
6196). The requirement





Sec. 1074. Stage of disagreement between Houses.

  When  the 
stage of disagreement has been reached on a bill with amendments of the 
other House, motions to dispose of said amendments are privileged in the 
House (clause 4 of rule XXII; IV, 3149, 3150; VI, 756; VIII, 3185, 
3194). The stage of disagreement between the two Houses is reached after 
the House in possession of the papers has either disagreed to the 
amendment(s) of the other House or has insisted on its own amendment to 
a measure of the other House (Sept. 16, 1976, p. 30868), and not merely 
where the other House has returned a bill with an amendment (Dec. 7, 
1977, p. 38728). Thus where the House concurred in a Senate amendment to 
a House bill with an amendment, insisted on the amendment and requested 
a conference, and the Senate then concurred in the House amendment with 
a further amendment, the matter was privileged in the House for further 
disposition since the House had communicated its insistence and request 
for a conference to the Senate (Speaker Albert, Sept. 16, 1976, p. 
30868).


                                                     Rule XXII, clause 4
Rule XXII, clause 4




Sec. 1075. Privilege when stage of disagreement 
reached.

  4.  When the stage of disagreement has been reached on a bill or 
resolution with House or Senate amendments, a motion to dispose of any 
amendment shall be privileged.



  This provision was adopted when the House recodified its rules in the 
106th Congress to codify the privilege of a motion to dispose of an 
amendment after the stage of disagreement has been reached (a practice 
described in Sec. 1074, supra) (H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 1999, p. ----).

                                                     Rule XXII, clause 5
Rule XXII, clause 5


[[Page 825]]

amendment first is given by the House by a separate vote with respect 
thereto. If specific authority is not granted, the Senate amendment 
shall be reported in disagreement by the conference committee back to 
the two Houses for disposition by separate motion.


Sec. 1076. Conferees may not agree to certain Senate 
amendments.

  5. (a)  Managers on the part of the House may not agree to a 
Senate amendment described in paragraph (b) unless specific authority to 
agree to the


  (b) The managers on the part of the House may not agree to a Senate 
amendment described in paragraph (a) that--

      (1) would violate clause 2(a)(1) or (c) of rule XXI if originating 
in the House; or


      (2) proposes an appropriation on a bill other than a general 
appropriation bill.

  This clause was adopted on June 1, 1920 (pp. 8109, 8120). Before the 
House recodified its rules in the 106th Congress, this provision was 
found in former clause 2 of rule XX. The recodification also extended 
the rule to Senate amendments containing reappropriations of unexpended 
balances now referenced in clause 2(c) of rule XXI (H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 
1999, p. ----).


[[Page 826]]

1987, p. 18308). In recent years Senate amendments to House-passed 
general appropriation bills have been in the nature of a substitute, 
which are not divided for separate disposition in conference.
  While the rule provides for a motion authorizing the managers on the 
part of the House to agree to amendments of the Senate in violation of 
clause 2 of rule XXI, such as a motion to recommit a conference report 
on a general appropriation bill with instructions to agree to a 
legislative Senate amendment (Speaker Albert, Dec. 19, 1973, p. 42565), 
it does not permit a motion to recommit a conference report on a general 
appropriation bill to include instructions to add legislation to that 
contained in a Senate amendment (Nov. 13, 1973, p. 36847). It had been 
customary after a conference on a general appropriation bill with 
numbered Senate amendments for the managers to report certain Senate 
amendments in technical disagreement, and after the partial conference 
report (consisting of agreement on those Senate amendments not in 
violation of clause 2 of rule XXI) is disposed of, the remaining 
amendments are taken up in order and disposed of directly in the House 
by separate motion. When Senate amendments in disagreement are 
considered in this fashion, they are not subject to a point of order 
under this clause (Dec. 4, 1975, p. 38714); and a motion to (recede and) 
concur in the Senate amendment with a further amendment is also in 
order, even if the proposed amendment is also legislation on an 
appropriation bill. The only test is whether the proposed amendment is 
germane to the Senate amendment reported in disagreement (IV, 3909; 
VIII, 3188, 3189; Speaker McCormack, Dec. 15, 1970, p. 41504; Aug. 1, 
1979, pp. 22007-11; Speaker O'Neill, Dec. 12, 1979, p. 35520; June 30,

  In the event an appropriation bill with Senate amendments in violation 
of clause 2 of rule XXI is sent to conference by unanimous consent, such 
procedure does not thereby prevent a point of order being sustained 
against the conference report should the managers on the part of the 
House violate the provisions of this clause (VII, 1574). But where a 
special rule in the House waives points of order against portions of an 
appropriation bill that are unauthorized by law, and the bill passes the 
House with those provisions included therein and goes to conference, the 
conferees may report back their agreement to those provisions even 
though they remain unauthorized, since the waiver in the House of points 
of order under this clause carries over to the consideration of the same 
provisions when the conference report is before the House (Dec. 20, 
1969, pp. 40445-48, consideration of conference report; Dec. 9, 1969, p. 
37948, adoption of special rule waiving points of order against the bill 
in the House). The rule is a restriction upon the managers on the part 
of the House only, and does not provide for a point of order against a 
Senate amendment when it comes up for action by the House (VII, 1572). 
Managers may be authorized to agree to an appropriation by a resolution 
reported from the Committee on Rules (VII, 1577). House managers may 
include in their report a modification of a Senate amendment that 
eliminates the appropriation in that amendment (June 8, 1972, p. 20280); 
and the prohibition in this clause applies only to language in Senate 
amendments. Thus the conferees may without violating this clause agree 
to language in a Senate bill which was sent to conference (Speaker 
Albert, Jan. 25, 1972, pp. 1076, 1077; June 30, 1976, pp. 21632-34) or 
agree to language in a House bill which was permitted to remain and 
which constitutes an appropriation on a legislative bill (Speaker 
Albert, May 1, 1975, p. 12752).


  A provision in a Senate amendment included in a conference report on 
an authorization bill considered after the relevant appropriation has 
been enacted into law, directing that funds appropriated pursuant to the 
authorization be obligated and expended on a project not specifically 
funded in the appropriation, is itself an appropriation and may not be 
agreed to by House conferees (Nov. 29, 1979, pp. 34113-15); and House 
conferees were held to have violated this clause when they had agreed to 
a provision in a Senate amendment not only authorizing appropriations to 
pay judgments against the United States for the award of attorney fees 
and other court costs, but also requiring that where such payments were 
not paid out of appropriated funds, payment be made in the same manner 
as judgments under 28 U.S.C. 2414 and 2517 (payable directly out of the 
Treasury pursuant to a direct appropriation previously provided by law 
in 31 U.S.C. 1304) (Oct. 1, 1980, pp. 28637-40).


[[Page 827]]

                                                     Rule XXII, clause 6
Rule XXII, clause 6


  6. A Senate amendment carrying a tax or tariff measure in violation of 
clause 5(a) of rule XXI may not be agreed to.


  This provision was adopted when the House recodified its rules in the 
106th Congress to reiterate the prohibition found in clause 5(a) of rule 
XXI against certain income tax rate increases (H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 1999, 
p. ----).

                                                     Rule XXII, clause 7
Rule XXII, clause 7
Conference reports; amendments reported in disagreement




1077. High privilege of conference reports; and form 
of accompanying statement.

  7. (a)  The presentation of a conference report 
shall be in order at any time except during a reading of the Journal or 
the conduct of a record vote, a vote by division, or a quorum call.


  The practice of giving conference reports privilege dates from 1850, 
having had its origin in a temporary rule. This practice was continued 
by rulings of the Chair until this rule was adopted in 1880 (V, 6443-
6446, 6454). Before the House recodified its rules in the 106th 
Congress, this provision was found in former clause 1(a) of rule XXVIII 
(H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 1999, p. ----). For the requirement of a tax 
complexity analysis in either the joint statement or the Record, see 
clause 11 of this rule.


[[Page 828]]

``until the same is disposed of'' (V, 6454). Of course, a question of 
privilege which relates to the integrity of the House as an agency for 
action may not be required to yield precedence to a matter entitled to 
priority merely by the rules relating to the order of business (V, 
6454). The question of consideration under clause 3 of rule XVI may be 
demanded against a conference report before points of order against the 
report are raised (VIII, 2439; Speaker Albert, Sept. 28, 1976, p. 
33019). The motion to lay on the table may not be applied to a 
conference report (V, 6540).
  Under the language of the rule a conference report may be presented 
while a Member is occupying the floor in debate (V, 6451; VIII 3294), 
while a bill is being read (V, 6448), after the yeas and nays have been 
ordered (V, 6457), after the previous question has been demanded or 
ordered (V, 6449, 6450); during a call of the House if a quorum be 
present (V, 6456) and on Calendar Wednesday (VII, 907), but 
consideration of such reports yields to Calendar Wednesday business 
(VII, 899). It even takes precedence of the motion to reconsider (V, 
5605), motions to go into the Committee of the Whole for consideration 
of general appropriation bills (VIII, 3291), consideration of District 
of Columbia business on Monday (VIII, 3292), unfinished business 
(Speaker O'Neill, Oct. 4, 1978, p. 33473), and motions to adjourn (V, 
6451-6453), although as soon as the report is presented the motion to 
adjourn may be put (V, 6451-6453). Also the consideration of a 
conference report may be interrupted, even in the midst of the reading 
of the statement, by the arrival of the hour previously fixed for a 
recess (V, 6524). While it may not be presented while the House is 
dividing, it may be presented after a vote by tellers and pending the 
question of ordering the yeas and nays (V, 6447). It also has precedence 
of a report from the Committee on Rules (V, 6449), and has been 
permitted to intervene when a special order provides that the House 
shall consider a certain bill

  While the rule provides that the managers of the House asking for 
conference shall leave the papers with the managers of the other 
(Sec. Sec. 555-556, supra), if the managers on the part of the House 
agreeing to a conference surrender the papers to the House asking the 
conference, the report may be received first by the House asking the 
conference (VIII, 3330).


  For further discussion of conference reports, see provisions of 
Jefferson's Manual at Sec. Sec. 527-559, supra.



Sec. 1078. Time for debate on motions to 
instruct.

  (b)(1)  Subject to subparagraph (2) the time allotted for debate on 
a motion to instruct managers on the part of the House shall be equally 
divided between the majority and minority parties.



  (2) If the proponent of a motion to instruct managers on the part of 
the House and the Member, Delegate, or Resident Commissioner of the 
other party identified under subparagraph (1) both support the motion, 
one-third of the time for debate thereon shall be allotted to a Member, 
Delegate, or Resident Commissioner who opposes the motion on demand of 
that Member, Delegate, or Resident Commissioner.



[[Page 829]]


  This paragraph was added in the 101st Congress (H. Res. 5, Jan. 3, 
1989, p. 72). Before the House recodified its rules in the 106th 
Congress, it was found in former clause 1(b) of rule XXVIII (H. Res. 5, 
Jan. 6, 1999, p. ----). The division of debate time specified in this 
clause does not apply to an amendment to a motion after defeat of the 
previous question thereon, and the proponent of such an amendment is 
recognized for one hour under clause 2 of rule XVII (former clause 2 of 
rule XIV) (Oct. 3, 1989, p. 22863; July 14, 1993, p. 15668; Aug. 1, 
1994, p. 18868). The proponent of a motion to instruct conferees has the 
right to close debate (July 28, 1994, p. 18405; July 26, 1996, p. 
19450).



Sec. 1079. Motions privileged after 20 calendar days of 
conference.

  (c)(1)  A motion to instruct managers on the part of the House, or 
a motion to discharge all managers on the part of the House and to 
appoint new conferees, shall be privileged--


      (A) after a conference committee has been appointed for 20 
calendar days without making a report; and

      (B) on the first legislative day after the calendar day on which 
the Member, Delegate, or Resident Commissioner offering the motion 
announces to the House his intention to do so and the form of the 
motion.

  (2) The Speaker may designate a time in the legislative schedule on 
that legislative day for consideration of a motion described in 
subparagraph (1).


  (3) During the last six days of a session of Congress, the period of 
time specified in subparagraph (1)(A) shall be 36 hours.


[[Page 830]]

under this clause may instruct House conferees to insist on holding 
conference sessions under just and fair conditions, and in executive 
session if desirable (Aug. 1, 1935, p. 12272), and may instruct House 
conferees to meet with Senate conferees (May 2, 1984, p. 10732). The 
motion to instruct conferees under this clause is of equal privilege 
with the motion to suspend the rules on a suspension day (Mar. 1, 1988, 
pp. 2749, 2751, 2754). The motion to adjourn is in order while a motion 
to instruct under this paragraph is pending (Sept. 30, 1997, p. ----), 
and, if such a motion to adjourn is adopted, the motion to instruct is 
rendered unfinished business on the next day without need for further 
notice under this paragraph (Oct. 1, 1997, p. ----).

  This provision (former clause 1(c) of rule XXVIII) was adopted 
December 8, 1931 (VIII, 3225). The notice requirement was added on 
January 3, 1989 (H. Res. 5, 101st Cong., p. 72), and amended on January 
5, 1993 (H. Res. 5, 103d Cong., p. ----) to clarify that both the motion 
to discharge conferees and appoint new conferees and the motion to 
instruct conferees after 20 days in conference are subject to one day's 
notice, and to authorize the Speaker to designate a time in that day's 
legislative schedule for the consideration of a noticed motion to 
discharge or instruct conferees. Before the House recodified its rules 
in the 106th Congress, this provision was found in former clause 1(c) of 
rule XXVIII (H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 1999, p. ----). The motion to instruct 
conferees under this clause may be repeated notwithstanding prior 
disposition of an identical motion to instruct, since any number of 
proper motions to instruct are in order after conferees have not 
reported within 20 days (Speaker Albert, July 22, 1974, p. 24448; July 
10, 1985, p. 18440), and the motion remains available when a conference 
report, filed after 20 or more days in conference, is recommitted by the 
first House to act thereon, since the conferees are not discharged and 
the original conference remains in being (June 28, 1990, p. 16156). A 
motion




Sec. 1080. The statement accompanying a conference 
report.

  (d)  Each conference report to the House shall be printed as a 
report of the House. Each such report shall be accompanied by a joint 
explanatory statement prepared jointly by the managers on the part of 
the House and the managers on the part of the Senate. The joint 
explanatory statement shall be sufficiently detailed and explicit to 
inform the House of the effects of the report on the matters committed 
to conference.


  The original rule requiring the submission of a statement was adopted 
in 1880 (V, 6443) and remained in effect through the 91st Congress. The 
precedents carried in this annotation are in interpretation of that 
earlier rule, which required only that the statement be signed by a 
majority of the House managers (V, 6505, 6506) and did not anticipate a 
statement jointly prepared by the managers on the part of the House and 
those on the part of the Senate. The rule was revised in the Legislative 
Reorganization Act of 1970 (sec. 125(b); 84 Stat. 1140) and made a part 
of the standing Rules of the House in its present form in the 92d 
Congress (H. Res. 5, Jan. 22, 1971, p. 144). Before the House recodified 
its rules in the 106th Congress, this provision was found in former 
clause 1(d) of rule XXVIII (H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 1999, p. ----).


[[Page 831]]

of managers, the Chair announced that the insertion did not constitute a 
revised joint statement of managers (Oct. 10, 1998, p. ----).
  The Speaker may require the statement to be in proper form (V, 6513), 
but it is for the House and not the Speaker to determine whether or not 
it conforms to the rule in other respects (V, 6511, 6512). A report may 
not be received without the accompanying statement (V, 6504, 6514, 
6515). A quorum among the managers on the part of the House at a 
committee of conference is established by their signatures on the 
conference report and joint explanatory statement (Oct. 4, 1994, p. 
27662). When the House by unanimous consent permitted the chairman of a 
House committee to insert in the Record extraneous material to 
supplement a joint statement




Sec. 1081. Unfunded mandates.

  The  Unfunded Mandates Reform 
Act of 1995 (P.L. 104-4; 109 Stat. 48) added a new part B to title IV of 
the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 (2 U.S.C. 658-658g) that requires a 
committee of conference to ensure that the Director of that Office 
prepares a statement with respect to unfunded costs of any additional 
Federal mandate contained in the conference agreement. See Sec. 1127, 
infra.


                                                     Rule XXII, clause 8
Rule XXII, clause 8



Sec. 1082. Layover requirements.

  8. (a)(1)  Except as 
specified in subparagraph (2), it shall not be in order to consider a 
conference report until--


      (A) the third calendar day (excluding Saturdays, Sundays, or legal 
holidays except when the House is in session on such a day) on which the 
conference report and the accompanying joint explanatory statement have 
been available to Members, Delegates, and the Resident Commissioner in 
the Congressional Record; and

      (B) copies of the conference report and the accompanying joint 
explanatory statement have been available to Members, Delegates, and the 
Resident Commissioner for at least two hours.


  (2) Subparagraph (1)(A) does not apply during the last six days of a 
session of Congress.


[[Page 832]]

amended in the 94th Congress (Feb. 26, 1976, p. 4625) to require copies 
of conference reports to be available for two hours before consideration 
and to allow for the immediate consideration of a resolution from the 
Committee on Rules waiving that requirement (clause 8(e)). Before the 
House recodified its rules in the 106th Congress, this provision was 
found in former clause 2(a) of rule XXVIII. At that time the portion of 
clause 2(a) permitting immediate consideration of a resolution reported 
by the Rules Committee only waiving the layover requirement was 
tranferred to clause 8(e) and the portion of clause 2(a) addressing 
debate was transferred to clause 8(d) (H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 1999, p. ----
).
  The original rule (former clause 2(a) of rule XXVIII) requiring that 
conference reports be printed in the Record was adopted in 1902 (V, 
6516). The three-day layover requirement, as well as the provisions 
relating to the availability of copies of the conference report and the 
division of time for debate, were added by section 125(b) of the 
Legislative Reorganization Act of 1970 and made part of the rules in the 
92d Congress (H. Res. 5, Jan. 22, 1971, p. 144). The paragraph was 
amended again the next year to clarify the manner of counting the three 
days for the layover period (H. Res. 1153, Oct. 13, 1972, p. 36023). In 
the 104th Congress it was amended once more to count as a ``calendar 
day'' any day on which the House is in session (H. Res. 254, Nov. 30, 
1995, p. ----). The paragraph was


  For an example of a resolution reported by the Committee on Rules only 
waiving the availability requirement of this clause and called up the 
same day reported without a two-thirds vote, see August 10, 1984 (p. 
23978). When managers report that they have been unable to agree, the 
report is not acted on by the House (V, 6562; VIII, 3329; Aug. 23, 1957, 
p. 15816).



Sec. 1083. Consideration of amendments in 
disagreement.

  (b)(1)  Except as specified in subparagraph (2), it shall not be 
in order to consider a motion to dispose of a Senate amendment reported 
in disagreement by a conference committee until--


      (A) the third calendar day (excluding Saturdays, Sundays, or legal 
holidays except when the House is in session on such a day) on which the 
report in disagreement and any accompanying statement have been 
available to Members, Delegates, and the Resident Commissioner in the 
Congressional Record; and

      (B) copies of the report in disagreement and any accompanying 
statement, together with the text of the Senate amendment, have been 
available to Members, Delegates, and the Resident Commissioner for at 
least two hours.


  (2) Subparagraph (1)(A) does not apply during the last six days of a 
session of Congress.


[[Page 833]]

amended to require copies of amendments reported from conference in 
disagreement to be available for two hours before consideration and to 
allow for the immediate consideration of a resolution from the Committee 
on Rules waiving that requirement (H. Res. 868, Feb. 26, 1976, p. 4625). 
In the 104th Congress the provision was amended to count as a ``calendar 
day'' any day on which the House is in session (H. Res. 254, Nov. 30, 
1995, p. ----). Before the House recodified its rules in the 106th 
Congress, this provision was found in former clause 2(b)(1) of rule 
XXVIII. At that time the portion of clause 2(b)(1) addressing debate was 
transferred to clause 8(d) of rule XXII, and the portion of clause 
2(b)(1) permitting immediate consideration of a resolution reported by 
the Rules Committee only waiving the layover requirement was transferred 
to clause 8(e) of this rule (H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 1999, p. ----).
  This provision (former clause 2(b)(1) of rule XXVIII), relating to the 
consideration of amendments reported from conference in disagreement, 
was added in 1972 (H. Res. 1153, Oct. 13, 1972, p. 36023) and became 
effective at the end of the 92d Congress. In the 94th Congress the 
provision was


  Until the adoption of paragraph (b), a report in total disagreement 
was not printed in the Record before the amendment in disagreement was 
again taken up in the House (VIII, 3299, 3332).




Sec. 1084. Certain motions to insist as 
preferential.

  (3)  During consideration of a Senate amendment reported in 
disagreement by a conference committee on a general appropriation bill, 
a motion to insist on disagreement to the Senate amendment shall be 
preferential to any other motion to dispose of that amendment if the 
original motion offered by the floor manager proposes to change existing 
law and the motion to insist is offered before debate on the original 
motion by the chairman of the committee having jurisdiction of the 
subject matter of the amendment or a designee. Such a preferential 
motion shall be separately debatable for one hour equally divided 
between its proponent and the proponent of the original motion. The 
previous question shall be considered as ordered on the preferential 
motion to its adoption without intervening motion.



[[Page 834]]

agreement; (2) the original motion to dispose of the Senate amendment 
proposes to change existing law; and (3) the motion to insist is timely 
offered by the chairman of a committee of jurisdiction or a designee. 
Before the House recodified its rules in the 106th Congress, this 
provision was found in former clause 2(b)(2) of rule XXVIII (H. Res. 5, 
Jan. 6, 1999, p. ----). The Committee on Post Office and Civil Service 
(now Government Reform) has jurisdiction under clause 1 of rule X over 
the subject of a Senate legislative amendment entitling Forest Service 
employees to separation pay, enabling the chairman of that committee to 
offer a preferential motion to insist under this clause (Oct. 20, 1993, 
p. 25589).

  This provision was added in the 103d Congress (H. Res. 5, Jan. 5, 
1993, p. 49) to make preferential and separately debatable a motion to 
insist on disagreement to a Senate amendment to a general appropriation 
bill, if: (1) the Senate amendment has been reported from conference in 
dis




Sec. 1085. Certain conference reports considered as 
read.

  (c)  A conference report or a Senate amendment reported in 
disagreement by a conference committee that has been available as 
provided in paragraph (a) or (b) shall be considered as read when called 
up.



  Paragraph (c) was added in the 96th Congress (H. Res. 5, Jan. 15, 
1979, pp. 7-16). Before the House recodified its rules in the 106th 
Congress, this provision was found in former clause 2(c) of rule XXVIII 
(H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 1999, p. ----).



Sec. 1086. Debate.

  (d)(1)  Subject to subparagraph (2), the 
time allotted for debate on a conference report or on a motion to 
dispose of a Senate amendment reported in disagreement by a conference 
committee shall be equally divided between the majority and minority 
parties.



  (2) If the floor manager for the majority and the floor manager for 
the minority both support the conference report or motion, one-third of 
the time for debate thereon shall be allotted to a Member, Delegate, or 
Resident Commissioner who opposes the conference report or motion on 
demand of that Member, Delegate, or Resident Commissioner.


[[Page 835]]

bate in clause 2(a) and 2(b)(1) were consolidated into this provision 
(H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 1999, p. ----).
  This provision was adopted in the 99th Congress to clauses 2(a) and 
2(b)(1) of rule XXVIII (H. Res. 7, Jan. 3, 1985, p. 393). When the House 
recodified its rules in the 106th Congress, those provisions addressing 
de

  Recognition of one Member in opposition does not depend upon party 
affiliation and is within the discretion of the Speaker (Dec. 11, 1985, 
p. 36069; Dec. 16, 1985, p. 36716; Oct. 15, 1986, p. 31631), who accords 
priority in recognition to a member of the conference committee (Speaker 
Wright, Dec. 21, 1987, pp. 37093, 37516). The Chair will assume that the 
minority manager supports a conference report if the manager signed the 
report and is not immediately present to claim the contrary (Oct. 12, 
1995, p. ----). Where the time is divided three ways, the right to close 
debate falls to the majority manager calling up the conference report, 
preceded by the minority manager, preceded in turn by the Member in 
opposition--i.e., the reverse order of the recognition to begin debate 
(Aug. 4, 1989, p. 19301).

  Following rejection of a conference report on a point of order, debate 
on a motion to dispose of the Senate amendment remaining in disagreement 
is evenly divided between the majority and minority under the rationale 
contained in this provision (Speaker Albert, Sept. 30, 1976, pp. 34074-
34100).

  The custom has developed, however, of equally dividing between 
majority and minority parties the time on all motions to dispose of 
amendments emerging from conference in disagreement, whether reported in 
disagreement or before the House upon rejection of a conference report 
by a vote or on a point of order (Speaker Albert, Sept. 27, 1976, pp. 
32719-26; Sept. 30, 1976, pp. 34074-34100), upon rejection of an initial 
motion to dispose of the amendment (July 2, 1980, pp. 18357-59; Aug. 6, 
1993, p. 19582), on a motion to concur in a new Senate amendment where 
the Senate had receded with an amendment from one of its amendments 
reported from conference in disagreement (Mar. 24, 1983, p. 7301), or on 
a motion to dispose of a further stage of amendment which is 
subsequently before the House (Aug. 1, 1985, p. 22561; Dec. 19, 1985, p. 
38360). A Member offering a preferential motion does not thereby control 
one-half of the time, as all debate is allotted under the original 
motion (May 14, 1975, p. 14385), subject to a possible three-way split 
among the majority and minority managers and a Member opposed to the 
motion (Sept. 12, 1994, p. ----). The minority Member in charge controls 
30 minutes for debate only and can only yield to other Members for 
debate (Dec. 4, 1975, p. 38716). Where time for debate on such a motion 
is equally divided, the previous question may not be moved by the Member 
first recognized so as to prevent the Member from the other party from 
controlling half the debate and from offering a proper preferential 
motion to dispose of the Senate amendment (July 2, 1980, p. 18360). The 
right to close the debate on a motion to dispose of an amendment where 
the time is divided three ways falls to the manager offering the motion 
(Nov. 21, 1989, p. 30814).


[[Page 836]]

not extend to separate debate on an amendment thereto, which is governed 
by the general hour rule in the House (clause 2 of rule XVII) (Sept. 17, 
1992, p. 25437).

  The division of time for debate on a motion to dispose of a Senate 
amendment reported from conference in disagreement under this provision 
does




Sec. 1087. Waiver.

  (e)  Under clause 6(a)(2) of rule XIII, a 
resolution proposing only to waive a requirement of this clause 
concerning the availability of reports to Members, Delegates, and the 
Resident Commissioner may be considered by the House on the same day it 
is reported by the Committee on Rules.



  This provision was adopted in the 94th Congress to clauses 2(a) and 
2(b)(1) of rule XXVIII (Feb. 26, 1976, p. 4625). When the House 
recodified its rules in the 106th Congress, those provisions in former 
clauses 2(a) and 2(b)(1) permitting immediate consideration of a 
resolution from the Committee on Rules only waiving the layover 
requirement were consolidated into this provision (H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 
1999, p. ----).

                                                     Rule XXII, clause 9
Rule XXII, clause 9



[[Page 837]]




Sec. 1088. Conferees may report germane modification of 
amendment in nature of substitute within scope of 
differences.

  9.  Whenever a disagreement to an amendment has been 
committed to a conference committee, the managers on the part of the 
House may propose a substitute that is a germane modification of the 
matter in disagreement. The introduction of any language presenting 
specific additional matter not committed to the conference committee by 
either House does not constitute a germane modification of the matter in 
disagreement. Moreover, a conference report may not include matter not 
committed to the conference committee by either House and may not 
include a modification of specific matter committed to the conference 
committee by either or both Houses if that modification is beyond the 
scope of that specific matter as committed to the conference committee.


  This provision (former clause 3 of rule XXVIII) is derived from 
section 135(a) of the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946 (60 Stat. 
812) and originally was made a part of the standing rules on January 3, 
1953 (p. 24). The clause was revised on January 22, 1971 (p. 144) 
following the passage of the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1970 (84 
Stat. 1140) which carried a similar provision in section 125(b). Before 
the House recodified its rules in the 106th Congress, this provision was 
found in former clause 3 of rule XXVIII (H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 1999, p. --
--). Where one House strikes out of a bill of the other all after the 
enacting clause and inserts a new text, House managers, under the 
restrictions of this clause, may not agree to the deletion of certain 
language committed to conference if the effect of such deletion results 
in broadening the scope of the matter in disagreement (Dec. 14, 1971, p. 
46779). Where one House authorizes certain funds for a fiscal year and 
the other House authorizes a lesser amount for that year as well as 
additional funds for the subsequent year, and neither version contains 
an overall amount, House managers do not exceed their authority under 
this rule by including in the report the amount authorized by one House 
for the first year and the other House for the subsequent year, even 
though the total authorization resulting from this compromise exceeds 
that possible under either version (June 8, 1972, p. 20281). Where a 
House version authorized endowment payments for certain colleges and the 
Senate version conferred land-grant college status on those institutions 
and contained a higher endowment figure, House conferees remained within 
their authority under this clause by accepting the Senate provision on 
land-grant status and the lower House figure for endowment payments 
(Speaker Albert, June 8, 1972, p. 20280). Where the House version of a 
bill contained provisions for local funding of merit schools, but 
neither version contained a provision for State funding, a motion to 
recommit to conference with instructions to provide State funding for 
merit schools was held to exceed the scope of the differences committed 
to conference (Sept. 30, 1992, p. 29126).


[[Page 838]]

in either version and which are not repetitive of existing law may be 
ruled out in violation of this paragraph (Speaker O'Neill, Oct. 14, 
1977, pp. 33770-73).
  While the scope of differences committed to conference--where one 
House has amended an existing law and the other House has implicitly 
taken the position of existing law by remaining silent on the subject--
may properly be measured between those issues presented in the amending 
language and comparable provisions of existing law, the inclusion in a 
conference report of new matter not specifically contained in the 
amending version and not demonstrably contained in existing law may be 
ruled out as an additional issue not committed to conference in 
violation of this clause (Speaker Albert, Dec. 20, 1974, p. 41849). Thus 
where one House has amended an existing law and the other House has 
implicitly taken the position of existing law by only authorizing sums 
for the purpose of existing law, the scope of differences committed to 
conference may be measured between issues presented in the amending 
language and relevant provisions of the existing law; but the inclusion 
in a conference report of requirements and issues incorporated into 
existing law which were not contained

  A mere change in phraseology in a conference report (from language in 
either the House or Senate version) may be permitted to achieve 
legislative consistency where it is not shown that its effect is to 
broaden the scope of the language beyond the differences committed to 
conference, as where the report waives provisions of law for all 
programs in the bill and the House version waives those provisions for 
one section of the bill only (the Senate having no comparable provision) 
but the scope of programs covered by the report was coextensive with 
those in the designated section of the House version (Speaker Albert, 
May 1, 1975, p. 12752). The conferees may include language clarifying 
and limiting the duties imposed on an official by one House's version 
where that modification does not expand the authority conferred in that 
version or contained in existing law (the position of the other House) 
(Speaker Albert, July 29, 1975, p. 25515) and may confer broader 
authority on an official than that contained in one House's version if 
such authority is coextensive with the authority contained in existing 
law which the other House has retained (Apr. 13, 1976, p. 10803). Where 
the Senate version authorized citizen suits to enforce existing law 
except where Federal officials were pursuing enforcement proceedings and 
the House version, with no comparable provision, retained existing law 
which did not permit such suits, the conferees exceeded the scope of the 
differences by further prohibiting citizen suits where State officials 
were pursuing enforcement proceedings--a new exception allowing State 
preemption of citizen suits (Sept. 27, 1976, p. 33019). A point of order 
was sustained against a motion to instruct conferees since directing the 
conferees to agree to matter violating this clause: the House bill 
created an energy trust fund composed of certain revenues to be 
distributed by subsequent legislation; the Senate amendment created a 
similar trust fund with suggested but not mandated distribution, and the 
motion directed House conferees to insist on a mandatory allocation of 
revenues in question among specified purposes, some of which were not 
addressed in the Senate amendment (Feb. 28, 1980, p. 4304).


[[Page 839]]

or issue that, although germane, was not committed to conference by 
either House (Mar. 25, 1992, p. 6843; Apr. 9, 1992, p. 9022). For 
example, a motion to instruct conferees on a general appropriation bill 
may not instruct the conferees to include a funding limitation not 
contained in the House bill or Senate amendment (Sept. 13, 1994, p. 
24402). Similarly, a motion to recommit a conference report may not 
instruct conferees to expand definitions to include classes not covered 
under the House bill or Senate amendment (Sept. 29, 1994, p. 26781) or 
to include provisions not contained in the House bill or Senate 
amendment (Dec. 21, 1995, p. ----). Some latitude, however, remains to 
House managers to eliminate specific words or phrases contained in 
either version and add words or phrases not included in either version 
so long as they remain within the scope of the differences committed to 
conference and do not incorporate additional topics, issues, or 
propositions not committed to conference (Speaker Albert, Sept. 28, 
1976, pp. 33020-23).

  Prior to the 1971 revision of this clause, where one House struck out 
of a bill of the other all after the enacting clause and inserted a new 
text, conferees could discard language occurring both in the bill and 
substitute (VIII, 3266) and exercise broad discretion in incorporating 
germane amendments (VIII, 3263-3265), even to the extent of reporting a 
new bill germane to the subject (V, 6421, 6423, 6424; VIII, 3248). But 
the present language of the rule prohibits the inclusion in a conference 
report or in a motion to instruct House conferees of additional topics 
not committed to conference by either House or beyond the scope of the 
differences committed to conference, and the precedents predating the 
adoption of this clause in 1971 must be read in light of the explicit 
restrictions now contained in the clause (Sept. 27, 1976, p. 32719); a 
conference report may not include a new topic

                                                    Rule XXII, clause 10
Rule XXII, clause 10



Sec. 1089. Nongermane matter in conference 
agreements and amendments in disagreement.

  10. (a)(1)  A Member, Delegate, or 
Resident Commissioner may raise a point of order against nongermane 
matter, as specified in subparagraph (2), before the commencement of 
debate on--


      (A) a conference report;

      (B) a motion that the House recede from its disagreement to a 
Senate amendment reported in disagreement by a conference committee and 
concur therein, with or without amendment; or

      (C) a motion that the House recede from its disagreement to a 
Senate amendment on which the stage of disagreement has been reached and 
concur therein, with or without amendment.


[[Page 840]]

underlying measure in the form it was passed by the House.
  (2) A point of order against nongermane matter is one asserting that a 
proposition described in subparagraph (1) contains specified matter that 
would violate clause 7 of rule XVI if it were offered in the House as an 
amendment to the

  (b) If a point of order under paragraph (a) is sustained, a motion 
that the House reject the nongermane matter identified by the point of 
order shall be privileged. Such a motion is debatable for 40 minutes, 
one-half in favor of the motion and one-half in opposition thereto.

  (c) After disposition of a point of order under paragraph (a) or a 
motion to reject under paragraph (b), any further points of order under 
paragraph (a) not covered by a previous point of order, and any 
consequent motions to reject under paragraph (b), shall be likewise 
disposed of.

  (d)(1) If a motion to reject under paragraph (b) is adopted, then 
after disposition of all points of order under paragraph (a) and any 
consequent motions to reject under paragraph (b), the conference report 
or motion, as the case may be, shall be considered as rejected and the 
matter remaining in disagreement shall be disposed of under subparagraph 
(2) or (3), as the case may be.

  (2) After the House has adopted one or more motions to reject 
nongermane matter contained in a conference report under the preceding 
provisions of this clause--


[[Page 841]]

much of the conference report as was not rejected; and
      (A) if the conference report accompanied a House measure amended 
by the Senate, the pending question shall be whether the House shall 
recede and concur in the Senate amendment with an amendment consisting 
of so

      (B) if the conference report accompanied a Senate measure amended 
by the House, the pending question shall be whether the House shall 
insist further on the House amendment.

  (3) After the House has adopted one or more motions to reject 
nongermane matter contained in a motion that the House recede and concur 
in a Senate amendment, with or without amendment, the following motions 
shall be privileged and shall have precedence in the order stated:

      (A) A motion that the House recede and concur in the Senate 
amendment with an amendment in writing then available on the floor.

      (B) A motion that the House insist on its disagreement to the 
Senate amendment and request a further conference with the Senate.

      (C) A motion that the House insist on its disagreement to the 
Senate amendment.



[[Page 842]]


  (e) If, on a division of the question on a motion described in 
paragraph (a)(1)(B) or (C), the House agrees to recede, then a Member, 
Delegate, or Resident Commissioner may raise a point of order against 
nongermane matter, as specified in paragraph (a)(2), before the 
commencement of debate on concurring in the Senate amendment, with or 
without amendment. A point of order under this paragraph shall be 
disposed of according to the preceding provisions of this clause in the 
same manner as a point of order under paragraph (a).

  This provision (former clause 4 of rule XXVIII addressing nongermane 
matter in conference reports) was included as part of the revision of 
former rules XX and XXVIII that took place effective at the end of the 
92d Congress (H. Res. 1153, Oct. 13, 1972, p. 36023). The same 
resolution repealed the former clause 3 of rule XX, which had been 
enacted as part of the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1970 to 
restrict the authority of House conferees to agree without prior 
permission of the House to Senate amendments that would violate clause 7 
of rule XVI if offered in the House. This provision (former clause 5 of 
rule XXVIII addressing nongermane matter in amendments in disagreement) 
was added on April 9, 1974 (H. Res. 998, 93d Cong., pp. 10195-99) which 
deleted from clause 1 of rule XX and transferred to former clause 5 of 
rule XXVIII the procedures concerning disposition of Senate nongermane 
amendments. The provision was amended on April 9, 1974 (H. Res. 998, 93d 
Cong., pp. 10195-99) in order to make this clause applicable to 
provisions originally contained in Senate bills sent to conference, and 
not merely to Senate amendments to House bills in conference. The 
provision was further amended in the 96th Congress (H. Res. 5, Jan. 15, 
1979, pp. 7-16) to provide that if the conference report is considered 
read under this rule, a point of order under this clause must be made 
immediately upon consideration of the conference report. When the House 
recodified its rules, it consolidated former clauses 4 and 5 of rule 
XXVIII under this clause (H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 1999, p. ----).



Sec. 1090. Nongermane matter in conference 
agreements.

  The  procedure provided in this clause for addressing 
nongermane matter in conference reports was first utilized on September 
11, 1973 (pp. 29243-46), when the Chair sustained two points of order 
against portions of a conference report which were modifications of 
portions of a Senate amendment in the nature of a substitute not germane 
to a House bill. If any motion to reject is adopted under this clause 
and the matter then pending before the House consists of numbered Senate 
amendments in disagreement, the pending question is whether to dispose 
of each Senate amendment not rejected as recommended in the conference 
report and to insist on disagreement to those amendments which have been 
rejected.


  Where a point of order against a portion of a conference report has 
been sustained under this clause, the Speaker will not entertain another 
point of order against the report or against another portion thereof 
until a motion to reject the portion held nongermane (if made) has been 
disposed of (Speaker Albert, Dec. 15, 1975, p. 40671). The Member 
representing the conference committee in opposition to a motion to 
reject under this clause, and not the proponent of the motion, has the 
right to close debate thereon (Oct. 15, 1986, p. 31502).


[[Page 843]]

under clause 9 (former clause 3) of this rule (Speaker Albert, Dec. 15, 
1975, p. 40671).
  Once a motion to reject a nongermane portion has been adopted by the 
House and the Speaker has recognized a Member to offer a motion 
comprising the pending question under this clause, the report is 
rejected and it is too late to make a point of order against the entire 
conference report

  Where possible, the Speaker rules on points of order against 
conference reports which if sustained will vitiate the entire conference 
report (as under clause 9 of this rule or under the Congressional Budget 
Act) before entertaining points of order under this clause (Speaker 
Albert, Sept. 23, 1976, p. 32099).




Sec. 1091. Nongermane matter in amendments in 
disagreement.

  The  provisions of this clause addressing nongermane matter 
in amendments in disagreement was first utilized on July 31, 1974, p. 
26083, when the Chair sustained a point of order against a portion of a 
motion to recede and concur in a Senate amendment (reported from 
conference in disagreement) with a further amendment, on the ground that 
that portion of the Senate amendment contained in the motion was not 
germane to the House-passed measure, and a motion rejecting that portion 
of the motion to recede and concur with an amendment was offered and 
defeated. This clause is not applicable to a provision contained in a 
motion to recede and concur with an amendment which was not contained in 
any form in the Senate version and which is not therefore a modification 
of the Senate provision, the only requirement in such circumstances 
being that the motion as a whole be germane to the Senate amendment as a 
whole under clause 7 of rule XVI (Oct. 4, 1978, p. 33502; June 30, 1987, 
p. 18294). A point of order under clause 4 (former clause 5(a)) of rule 
XXI (appropriations on a legislative bill) against a motion to dispose 
of a Senate amendment in disagreement which, if sustained, would vitiate 
the entire motion, must be disposed of prior to a point of order against 
a nongermane amendment in disagreement under this clause which, if 
sustained, would merely permit a separate vote on rejection of that 
portion of the motion (Oct. 1, 1980, pp. 28638-42).


                                                    Rule XXII, clause 11
Rule XXII, clause 11



Sec. 1092. Tax complexity analysis.

  11.  It shall not be in 
order to consider a conference report to accompany a bill or joint 
resolution that proposes to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 
unless--



[[Page 844]]

      (a) the joint explanatory statement of the managers includes a tax 
complexity analysis prepared by the Joint Committee on Internal Revenue 
Taxation in accordance with section 4022(b) of the Internal Revenue 
Service Restructuring and Reform Act of 1998; or


      (b) the chairman of the Committee on Ways and Means causes such a 
tax complexity analysis to be printed in the Congressional Record before 
consideration of the conference report.


  The Internal Revenue Service Restructuring and Form Act of 1998 (sec. 
4022, P.L. 105-206) added this provision as a new clause 7 of rule 
XXVIII. When the House recodified its rules in the 106th Congress, this 
provision was transferred to clause 11 of rule XXII (H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 
1999, p. ----).

                                                    Rule XXII, clause 11
Rule XXII, clause 11



Sec. 1093. Open conference meetings.

  12. (a)(1)  Subject to 
subparagraph (2), a meeting of each conference committee shall be open 
to the public.


  (2) In open session of the House, a motion that managers on the part 
of the House be permitted to close to the public a meeting or meetings 
of their conference committee shall be privileged, shall be decided 
without debate, and shall be decided by a record vote.


  (b) A point of order that a conference committee failed to comply with 
paragraph (a) may be raised immediately after the conference report is 
read or considered as read. If such a point of order is sustained, the 
conference report shall be considered as rejected, the House shall be 
considered to have insisted on its amendments or on disagreement to the 
Senate amendments, as the case may be, and to have requested a further 
conference with the Senate, and the Speaker may appoint new conferees 
without intervening motion.


[[Page 845]]

changed on January 4, 1977 (H. Res. 5, 95th Cong., pp. 53-70) to require 
that conference meetings be open except where the House by record vote 
determines that a meeting may be closed, to allow a point of order 
against a conference report where the conferees have violated this 
clause, and to provide for subsequent disposition of the matter reported 
from conference should such a point of order be sustained, and was 
further amended in the 96th Congress (H. Res. 5, Jan. 5, 1979, pp. 7-16) 
to provide that if the conference report is considered read under this 
rule, a point of order under this clause must be made immediately upon 
consideration of the conference report. Before the House recodified its 
rules in the 106th Congress, this provision was found in former clause 6 
of rule XXVIII (H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 1999, p. ----).
  This clause as originally added to rule XXVIII on January 14, 1975 (H. 
Res. 5, 94th Cong., p. 20) provided that conference committee meetings 
be open except where a majority of the managers of the House or Senate 
voted to close the meeting, and provided that the clause not become 
effective until the Senate adopted a similar rule. The Senate adopted an 
identical rule on November 5, 1975 (p. 35203). The clause was 
substantially

  At any time after a bill has been sent to conference and conferees 
have been appointed by the Speaker, a motion pursuant to this clause 
authorizing a conference committee to close its meetings to the public 
is privileged for consideration in the House, is debatable for one hour 
within the control of the Member offering the motion, and must be voted 
on by a record vote (Speaker O'Neill, May 23, 1977, pp. 15880-84; Apr. 
13, 1978, p. 10128). While the Chair does not normally look behind 
signatures of conferees to determine the propriety of conference 
procedure, if proposed conferees have signed a conference report before 
they have been formally appointed in both Houses and do not meet 
formally in open session after such appointment, the conference report 
is subject to a point of order under this clause resulting in an 
automatic request for a further conference (Dec. 20, 1982, p. 32896). 
Although a motion to close a conference committee meeting ``to the 
public'' would, under the precedents (see V, 6254, fn.), exclude Members 
who were not conferees, a motion may be offered as privileged under this 
clause to authorize a conference committee to close its meetings to the 
public, except to Members of Congress (Speaker O'Neill, May 23, 1977, 
pp. 15880-84).





[106th Congress House Rules Manual -- House Document No. 105-358]
[From the U.S. Government Printing Office Online Database]
[Page 845-848]

 
  Clause 11(k) of rule X provides that this provision does not apply to 
conference committee meetings respecting legislation (or any part 
thereof) reported by the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence.



              Rule XXIII.--STATUTORY LIMIT ON PUBLIC DEBT              


[[Page 846]]

amount that is different from the amount of the statutory limit on the 
public debt that otherwise would be in effect for that period, the Clerk 
shall prepare an engrossment of a joint resolution increasing or 
decreasing, as the case may be, the statutory limit on the public debt 
in the form prescribed in clause 2. Upon engrossment of the joint 
resolution, the vote by which the concurrent resolution on the budget 
was finally agreed to in the House shall also be considered as a vote on 
passage of the joint resolution in the House, and the joint resolution 
shall be considered as passed by the House and duly certified and 
examined. The engrossed copy shall be signed by the Clerk and 
transmitted to the Senate for further legislative action.


Sec. 1094. Public debt limit.

  1.  Upon adoption by Congress 
of a concurrent resolution on the budget under section 301 or 304 of the 
Congressional Budget Act of 1974 that sets forth, as the appropriate 
level of the public debt for the period to which the concurrent 
resolution relates, an



[[Page 847]]

to in the preceding sentence shall be filled with the limitation that is 
to apply for each period.
  2. The matter after the resolving clause in a joint resolution 
described in clause 1 shall be as follows: ``That subsection (b) of 
section 3101 of title 31, United States Code, is amended by striking out 
the dollar limitation contained in such subsection and inserting in lieu 
thereof `$____'.'', with the blank being filled with a dollar limitation 
equal to the appropriate level of the public debt set forth pursuant to 
section 301(a)(5) of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 in the 
relevant concurrent resolution described in clause 1. If an adopted 
concurrent resolution under clause 1 sets forth different appropriate 
levels of the public debt for separate periods, only one engrossed joint 
resolution shall be prepared under clause 1; and the blank referred

  3. (a) The report of the Committee on the Budget on a concurrent 
resolution described in clause 1 and the joint explanatory statement of 
the managers on a conference report to accompany such a concurrent 
resolution each shall contain a clear statement of the effect the 
eventual enactment of a joint resolution engrossed under this rule would 
have on the statutory limit on the public debt.

  (b) It shall not be in order for the House to consider a concurrent 
resolution described in clause 1, or a conference report thereon, unless 
the report of the Committee on the Budget or the joint explanatory 
statement of the managers complies with paragraph (a).

  4. Nothing in this rule shall be construed as limiting or otherwise 
affecting--

      (a) the power of the House or the Senate to consider and pass 
bills or joint resolutions, without regard to the procedures under 
clause 1, that would change the statutory limit on the public debt; or

      (b) the rights of Members, Delegates, the Resident Commissioner, 
or committees with respect to the introduction, consideration, and 
reporting of such bills or joint resolutions.


[[Page 848]]

United States (except such guaranteed obligations as may be held by the 
Secretary of the Treasury), as determined under section 3101(b) of such 
title after the application of section 3101(a) of such title, that may 
be outstanding at any one time.

  5. In this rule the term ``statutory limit on the public debt'' means 
the maximum face amount of obligations issued under authority of chapter 
31 of title 31, United States Code, and obligations guaranteed as to 
principal and interest by the



[106th Congress House Rules Manual -- House Document No. 105-358]
[From the U.S. Government Printing Office Online Database]
[Page 849-854]

[[Page 849]]


 
  This rule (former rule XLIX) was added in the 96th Congress by Public 
Law 96-78 (93 Stat. 589) and was originally applicable to concurrent 
resolutions on the budget for fiscal years beginning on or after October 
1, 1980 (fiscal 1981). However, in the 96th Congress (H. Res. 642, Apr. 
23, 1980, p. 8800), the provisions of that public law amending the Rules 
of the House were made applicable to the third concurrent resolution on 
the budget for fiscal year 1980 as well as the first concurrent 
resolution on the budget for fiscal 1981 (H. Con. Res. 307, June 12, 
1980, pp. 14505-19; see H.J. Res. 569 and H.J. Res. 570, June 13, 1980, 
p. 14609). Conforming changes were made in clauses 2 and 5 of this rule 
with the codification of title 31, United States Code, by Public Law 97-
258 (96 Stat. 1066). The rule was amended in the 98th Congress (H. Res. 
241, June 23, 1983, p. 17162) to reflect the enactment into law (P.L. 
98-34) of a new permanent, rather than temporary, debt limit. Clause 2 
of the rule was rewritten, and clause 1 modified, to change the form of 
the joint resolution engrossed pursuant to the rule in order to delete 
references to a temporary debt limit and to reflect instead changes in a 
permanent debt limit. The rules change also provided that where a budget 
resolution contains more than one public debt limit figure (for the 
current and the next fiscal year), only one joint resolution be 
engrossed, containing the debt limit figure for the current fiscal year 
with a time limitation, and the debt limit figure for the following 
fiscal year as the permanent limit. The date of final House action in 
adopting the conference report on the concurrent resolution on the 
budget, rather than the date of final Senate action, when later, is the 
appropriate date under this rule for deeming the House to have passed 
the joint resolution (July 14, 1986, p. 16316; Speaker Wright, June 25, 
1987, p. 17424). Another conforming change in clause 1 was made in the 
Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (P.L. 99-177, 
Dec. 12, 1985, p. 36209) to delete reference to a second concurrent 
resolution on the budget (no longer required under section 310 of the 
Budget Act). This rule was rendered inapplicable to a conference report 
on a concurrent resolution on the budget for fiscal year 2000 (H. Res. 
131, Mar. 25, 1999, p. ----). Before the House recodified its rules in 
the 106th Congress, this provision was found in former rule XLIX (H. 
Res. 5, Jan. 6, 1999, p. ----).



                 Rule XXIV.--CODE OF OFFICIAL CONDUCT                  

  There is hereby established by and for the House the following code of 
conduct, to be known as the ``Code of Official Conduct'':



Sec. 1095. Official conduct of Members, officers, or 
employees of the House.

      1.  A Member, Delegate, Resident Commissioner, 
officer, or employee of the House shall conduct himself at all times in 
a manner that shall reflect creditably on the House.


      2. A Member, Delegate, Resident Commissioner, officer, or employee 
of the House shall adhere to the spirit and the letter of the Rules of 
the House and to the rules of duly constituted committees thereof.

      3. A Member, Delegate, Resident Commissioner, officer, or employee 
of the House may not receive compensation and may not permit 
compensation to accrue to his beneficial interest from any source, the 
receipt of which would occur by virtue of influence improperly exerted 
from his position in Congress.

      4. A Member, Delegate, Resident Commissioner, officer, or employee 
of the House may not accept gifts except as provided by clause 5 of rule 
XXVI.


[[Page 850]]

      5. A Member, Delegate, Resident Commissioner, officer, or employee 
of the House may not accept an honorarium for a speech, a writing for 
publication, or other similar activity, except as otherwise provided 
under rule XXVI.

      6. A Member, Delegate, or Resident Commissioner--

          (a) shall keep his campaign funds separate from his personal 
funds;

          (b) may not convert campaign funds to personal use in excess 
of an amount representing reimbursement for legitimate and verifiable 
campaign expenditures; and

          (c) may not expend funds from his campaign account that are 
not attributable to bona fide campaign or political purposes.

      7. A Member, Delegate, or Resident Commissioner shall treat as 
campaign contributions all proceeds from testimonial dinners or other 
fund-raising events.

      8. (a) A Member, Delegate, Resident Commissioner, or officer of 
the House may not retain an employee who does not perform duties for the 
offices of the employing authority commensurate with the compensation he 
receives.

      (b) In the case of a committee employee who works under the direct 
supervision of a member of the committee other than a chairman, the 
chairman may require that such member affirm in writing that the 
employee has complied with clause 8(a) (subject to clause 9 of rule X) 
as evidence of compliance by the chairman with this clause and with 
clause 9 of rule X.


[[Page 851]]

an individual with respect to compensation, terms, conditions, or 
privileges of employment, because of the race, color, religion, sex 
(including marital or parental status), disability, age, or national 
origin of such individual, but may take into consideration the domicile 
or political affiliation of such individual.
      9. A Member, Delegate, Resident Commissioner, officer, or employee 
of the House may not discharge and may not refuse to hire an individual, 
or otherwise discriminate against

      10. A Member, Delegate, or Resident Commissioner who has been 
convicted by a court of record for the commission of a crime for which a 
sentence of two or more years' imprisonment may be imposed should 
refrain from participation in the business of each committee of which he 
is a member, and a Member should refrain from voting on any question at 
a meeting of the House or of the Committee of the Whole House on the 
state of the Union, unless or until judicial or executive proceedings 
result in reinstatement of the presumption of his innocence or until he 
is reelected to the House after the date of such conviction.

      11. A Member, Delegate, or Resident Commissioner may not authorize 
or otherwise allow an individual, group, or organization not under the 
direction and control of the House to use the words ``Congress of the 
United States,'' ``House of Representatives,'' or ``Official Business,'' 
or any combination of words thereof, on any letterhead or envelope.


[[Page 852]]

pate personally and substantially as an employee of the House in a 
contact with an agency of the executive or judicial branches of 
Government with respect to nonlegislative matters affecting any 
nongovernmental person in which the employee has a significant financial 
interest.
      12. (a) Except as provided in paragraph (b), an employee of the 
House who is required to file a report under rule XXVII may not partici

      (b) Paragraph (a) does not apply if an employee first advises his 
employing authority of a significant financial interest described in 
paragraph (a) and obtains from his employing authority a written waiver 
stating that the participation of the employee in the activity described 
in paragraph (a) is necessary. A copy of each such waiver shall be filed 
with the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct.

      13. Before a Member, Delegate, Resident Commissioner, officer, or 
employee of the House may have access to classified information, the 
following oath (or affirmation) shall be executed:

          ``I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will not disclose any 
classified information received in the course of my service with the 
House of Representatives, except as authorized by the House of 
Representatives or in accordance with its Rules.''

    Copies of the executed oath (or affirmation) shall be retained by 
the Clerk as part of the records of the House.


[[Page 853]]

an individual whose compensation is disbursed by the Chief 
Administrative Officer.
      14. (a) In this Code of Official Conduct, the term ``officer or 
employee of the House'' means


      (b) An individual whose services are compensated by the House 
pursuant to a consultant contract shall be considered an employee of the 
House for purposes of clauses 1, 2, 3, 4, 8, 9, and 13 of this rule.


[[Page 854]]

app. 504). The threshold and aggregate values in clause 4 were again 
adjusted by section 314(d) of the Legislative Branch Appropriations Act 
for fiscal year 1992 (P.L. 102-90, Aug. 14, 1991). Clause 13 was added 
in the 104th Congress (sec. 220, H. Res. 6, Jan. 4, 1995, p. 468). In 
the 104th Congress clause 4 was rewritten, and a final undesignated 
paragraph defining terms for the former version of clause 4 was deleted, 
to reflect the adoption of a Gift Rule in rule LI (H. Res. 254, Nov. 30, 
1995, p. ----). In the 105th Congress the rule was amended to effect 
three clerical corrections (H. Res. 5, Jan. 7, 1997, p. ----). In the 
106th Congress: (1) clause 8 was amended to permit telecommuting by 
House employees; (2) clause 14 was amended to include consultants among 
employees covered by certain provisions of the code of conduct; and (3) 
clerical and stylistic changes were effected, and the rule was 
transferred from rule XLIII, when the House recodified its rules (H. 
Res. 5, Jan. 6, 1999, p. ----).
  This rule (former rule XLIII) was adopted in the 90th Congress (H. 
Res. 1099, Apr. 3, 1968, p. 8803). The jurisdiction of the Committee on 
Standards of Official Conduct was redefined in the same resolution. The 
rule was amended in the 92d Congress to bring the Delegates from the 
District of Columbia, Guam and the Virgin Islands within the definition 
of ``Member'' (H. Res. 5, Jan. 22, 1971, p. 144; H. Res. 1153, Oct. 13, 
1972, pp. 36021-23). The rule was further amended in the 94th Congress 
by adding clause 9 (H. Res. 5, Jan. 14, 1975, p. 20). Clause 10 was 
adopted in the 94th Congress (H. Res. 46, Apr. 16, 1975, p. 10340). In 
the 95th Congress: (1) clause 4 was amended to change the prohibition 
against acceptance of gifts of ``substantial value''; (2) clause 6 was 
amended to delete from the second sentence the exception ``unless 
specifically provided by law,'' which had been added in the 94th 
Congress (H. Res. 5, Jan. 4, 1975, p. 20); (3) clause 7 was amended to 
eliminate an exception permitting sponsors to give notice of purpose; 
and (4) definitions for purposes of clause 4 were added (H. Res. 287, 
Mar. 2, 1977, pp. 5933-53). Clause 11 was adopted in the 96th Congress 
(H. Res. 5, Jan. 15, 1979, pp. 7-16). In the 100th Congress clause 4 was 
amended to increase from $35 to $50 the value of personal hospitality of 
an individual that is not to be counted when computing the aggregate 
amount of gifts per calendar year, and clause 9 was amended to prohibit 
discrimination in employment based upon age (H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 1987, p. 
6). In the Ethics Reform Act of 1989: (1) clause 4 was again amended to 
revise the rules governing the acceptance of gifts, including value 
thresholds, waivers, and defined ``relatives''; (2) clause 5 was amended 
to prohibit the acceptance of honoraria effective January 1, 1991; (3) 
clause 6 was amended to specify that campaign funds be used only for 
bona fide campaign or political purposes; (4) clause 8 was amended to 
broaden Members' accountability for the pay and performance of staff; 
(5) clause 9 was amended to conform existing staff antidiscrimination 
rules to the Fair Employment Practices resolution adopted in the 100th 
Congress (now rule LI; see Sec. 1101, infra); (6) clause 12 was added to 
proscribe certain contacts as involving conflicts of interest; and (7) 
the last undesignated paragraph was amended to make conforming changes 
in the definition of ``relative'' (P.L. 101-194, Nov. 30, 1989). The Act 
also established a civil cause of action against an individual who 
violates the limitations on outside earned income and employment (5 
U.S.C.

  For an in-depth discussion of this rule prepared by the Committee on 
Standards of Official Conduct, see the House Ethics Manual (102d Cong., 
2d Sess.).





[106th Congress House Rules Manual -- House Document No. 105-358]
[From the U.S. Government Printing Office Online Database]
[Page 854-858]

 
  It is not a proper parliamentary inquiry to ask the Chair to interpret 
the application of a criminal statute to a Member's conduct, as it is 
for the House and not the Chair to judge the conduct of Members (Nov. 
17, 1987, p. 32153). The Committee on Standards of Official Conduct has 
opined that ``conviction'' in clause 10 includes a plea of guilty or a 
certified finding of guilty even though sentencing may occur later (H. 
Rept. 94-76).



Limitations on use of official and unofficial accounts
            Rule XXV.--LIMITATIONS ON USE OF OFFICIAL FUNDS            



1096. Limitation on accounts.

  1.  A Member, Delegate, or 
Resident Commissioner may not maintain, or have maintained for his use, 
an unofficial office account. Funds may not be paid into an unofficial 
office account.



[[Page 855]]

satellite services, the Member, Delegate, or Resident Commissioner may 
accept reimbursement from nonpolitical entities in that amount for 
transmission to the Clerk for credit to the Official Expenses Allowance.
  2. Notwithstanding any other provision of this rule, if an amount from 
the Official Expenses Allowance of a Member, Delegate, or Resident 
Commissioner is paid into the House Recording Studio revolving fund for 
telecommunications


  3. In this rule the term ``unofficial office account'' means an 
account or repository in which funds are received for the purpose of 
defraying otherwise unreimbursed expenses allowable under section 162(a) 
of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 as ordinary and necessary in the 
operation of a congressional office, and includes a newsletter fund 
referred to in section 527(g) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.

  This provision (former rule XLV) was adopted in the 95th Congress (H. 
Res. 287, Mar. 2, 1977, pp. 5933-53). It was amended in the 102d 
Congress to permit Members to receive reimbursements to their expense 
allowances for recording studio charges attributable to nonpolitical 
organizations receiving the transmissions (H. Res. 5, Jan. 3, 1991, p. 
39). When the House recodified its rules in the 106th Congress, it 
consolidated former rules XLV and XLVI under clauses 1 through 9 of rule 
XXV and the second sentence of former clause 8 of rule I and former 
clauses 2(n)(5) and 5(e) of rule XI under clause 10 of rule XXV (H. Res. 
5, Jan. 6, 1999, p. ----).


Limitations on use of the frank
  For an in-depth discussion of this rule prepared by the Committee on 
Standards of Official Conduct, see the House Ethics Manual (102d Cong., 
2d Sess.).



1097. Limitations on use of frank.

  4.  A Member, Delegate, 
or Resident Commissioner shall mail franked mail under section 3210(d) 
of title 39, United States Code at the most economical rate of postage 
practicable.



[[Page 856]]

involved to the House Commission on Congressional Mailing Standards for 
an advisory opinion as to whether the proposed mailing is in compliance 
with applicable provisions of law, rule, or regulation.
  5. Before making a mass mailing, a Member, Delegate, or Resident 
Commissioner shall submit a sample or description of the mail matter

  6. A mass mailing that is otherwise frankable by a Member, Delegate, 
or Resident Commissioner under the provisions of section 3210(e) of 
title 39, United States Code, is not frankable unless the cost of 
preparing and printing it is defrayed exclusively from funds made 
available in an appropriation Act.

  7. A Member, Delegate, or Resident Commissioner may not send a mass 
mailing outside the congressional district from which he was elected.

  8. In the case of a Member, Delegate, or Resident Commissioner, a mass 
mailing is not frankable under section 3210 of title 39, United States 
Code, when it is postmarked less than 60 days before the date of a 
primary or general election (whether regular, special, or runoff) in 
which he is a candidate for public office. If the mail matter is of a 
type that is not customarily postmarked, the date on which it would have 
been postmarked, if it were of a type customarily postmarked, applies.


[[Page 857]]

than 500 pieces of mail in that session, except that such term does not 
include a mailing--
  9. In this rule the term ``mass mailing'' means, with respect to a 
session of Congress, a mailing of newsletters or other pieces of mail 
with substantially identical content (whether such pieces of mail are 
deposited singly or in bulk, or at the same time or different times), 
totaling more

      (a) of matter in direct response to a communication from a person 
to whom the matter is mailed;

      (b) from a Member, Delegate, or Resident Commissioner to other 
Members, Delegates, the Resident Commissioner, or Senators, or to 
Federal, State, or local government officials; or


      (c) of a news release to the communications media.

  This provision (former rule XLVI) was adopted in the 95th Congress (H. 
Res. 287, Mar. 2, 1977, pp. 5933-53). In the 102d Congress it was 
extensively amended to conform to restrictions on franking and mass 
mailings included in the legislative branch appropriations acts for 
fiscal years 1990 and 1991 (P.L. 101-163 and 101-520, respectively) (H. 
Res. 5, Jan. 3, 1991, p. 39). Clause 7 (former clause 4) was rewritten 
in the 103d Congress to conform to the statutory prohibition against 
mass mailings outside the congressional district from which a Member was 
elected. Before the House recodified its rules in the 106th Congress, 
this provision was found in former rule XLVI (H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 1999, 
p. ----).


Prohibition on use of funds by Members not elected to succeeding 
  For an in-depth discussion of this rule prepared by the Committee on 
Standards of Official Conduct, see the House Ethics Manual (102d Cong., 
2d Sess.).

        Congress


[[Page 858]]

Commissioner who is not a candidate in a general election, after the 
earlier of the date of such general election or the adjournment sine die 
of the last regular session of the Congress.



1098. Travel by Members not reelected.

  10.  Funds from the 
applicable accounts described in clause 1(i)(1) of rule X, including 
funds from committee expense resolutions, and funds in any local 
currencies owned by the United States may not be made available for 
travel by a Member, Delegate, Resident Commissioner, or Senator after 
the date of a general election in which he was not elected to the 
succeeding Congress or, in the case of a Member, Delegate, or Resident






[106th Congress House Rules Manual -- House Document No. 105-358]
[From the U.S. Government Printing Office Online Database]
[Page 858-879]

 
Rule XXVI.--LIMITATIONS ON OUTSIDE EARNED INCOME AND ACCEPTANCE OF GIFTS


Outside earned income; honoraria
  This provision was added in the 95th Congress (H. Res. 287, Mar. 2, 
1977, p. 5941). In the 105th and 106th Congresses this clause was 
amended to update archaic references to the ``contingent fund'' (H. Res. 
5, Jan. 7, 1997, p. ----; H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 1999, p. ----). When the 
House recodified its rules, it consolidated the second sentence of 
former clause 8 of rule I and former clauses 2(n)(5) and 5(e) of rule XI 
under clause 10 of rule XXV (H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 1999, p. ----).



1099. Income limitations.

  1. (a)  Except as provided by 
paragraph (b), a Member, Delegate, Resident Commissioner, officer, or 
employee of the House may not--


      (1) have outside earned income attributable to a calendar year 
that exceeds 15 percent of the annual rate of basic pay for level II of 
the Executive Schedule under section 5313 of title 5, United States 
Code, as of January 1 of that calendar year; or


[[Page 859]]

vidual with the House, or the person offering the honorarium has 
interests that may be substantially affected by the performance or 
nonperformance of the official duties of the individual.
      (2) receive any honorarium, except that an officer or employee of 
the House who is paid at a rate less than 120 percent of the minimum 
rate of basic pay for GS-15 of the General Schedule may receive an 
honorarium unless the subject matter is directly related to the official 
duties of the individual, the payment is made because of the status of 
the indi

  (b) In the case of an individual who becomes a Member, Delegate, 
Resident Commissioner, officer, or employee of the House, such 
individual may not have outside earned income attributable to the 
portion of a calendar year that occurs after such individual becomes a 
Member, Delegate, Resident Commissioner, officer, or employee that 
exceeds 15 percent of the annual rate of basic pay for level II of the 
Executive Schedule under section 5313 of title 5, United States Code, as 
of January 1 of that calendar year multiplied by a fraction, the 
numerator of which is the number of days the individual is a Member, 
Delegate, Resident Commissioner, officer, or employee during that 
calendar year and the denominator of which is 365.


[[Page 860]]

dent Commissioner, officer, or employee, derives a financial benefit.
  (c) A payment in lieu of an honorarium that is made to a charitable 
organization on behalf of a Member, Delegate, Resident Commissioner, 
officer, or employee of the House may not be received by that Member, 
Delegate, Resident Commissioner, officer, or employee. Such a payment 
may not exceed $2,000 or be made to a charitable organization from which 
the Member, Delegate, Resident Commissioner, officer, or employee or a 
parent, sibling, spouse, child, or dependent relative of the Member, 
Delegate, Resi

  2. A Member, Delegate, Resident Commissioner, officer, or employee of 
the House may not--

      (a) receive compensation for affiliating with or being employed by 
a firm, partnership, association, corporation, or other entity that 
provides professional services involving a fiduciary relationship;

      (b) permit his name to be used by such a firm, partnership, 
association, corporation, or other entity;

      (c) receive compensation for practicing a profession that involves 
a fiduciary relationship;

      (d) serve for compensation as an officer or member of the board of 
an association, corporation, or other entity; or

      (e) receive compensation for teaching, without the prior 
notification and approval of the Committee on Standards of Official 
Conduct.
Copyright royalties


[[Page 861]]

publication from receiving an advance payment of a copyright royalty 
directly from a publisher and solely for the benefit of that literary 
agent, researcher, or other individual.
  3. (a) A Member, Delegate, Resident Commissioner, officer, or employee 
of the House may not receive an advance payment on copyright royalties. 
This paragraph does not prohibit a literary agent, researcher, or other 
individual (other than an individual employed by the House or a relative 
of a Member, Delegate, Resident Commissioner, officer, or employee) 
working on behalf of a Member, Delegate, Resident Commissioner, officer, 
or employee with respect to a

  (b) A Member, Delegate, Resident Commissioner, officer, or employee of 
the House may not receive copyright royalties under a contract entered 
into on or after January 1, 1996, unless that contract is first approved 
by the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct as complying with the 
requirement of clause 4(d)(1)(E) (that royalties are received from an 
established publisher under usual and customary contractual terms).
Definitions

  4. (a)(1) In this rule, except as provided in subparagraph (2), the 
term ``officer or employee of the House'' means an individual (other 
than a Member, Delegate, or Resident Commissioner) whose pay is 
disbursed by the Chief Administrative Officer, who is paid at a rate 
equal to or greater than 120 percent of the minimum rate of basic pay 
for GS-15 of the General Schedule, and who is so employed for more than 
90 days in a calendar year; and

  (2) when used with respect to an honorarium, the term ``officer or 
employee of the House'' means an individual (other than a Member, 
Delegate, or Resident Commissioner) whose salary is disbursed by the 
Chief Administrative Officer.


[[Page 862]]

appearance, speech, or article (including a series of appearances, 
speeches, or articles) by a Member, Delegate, Resident Commissioner, 
officer, or employee of the House, excluding any actual and necessary 
travel expenses incurred by that Member, Delegate, Resident 
Commissioner, officer, or employee (and one relative) to the extent that 
such expenses are paid or reimbursed by any other person. The amount 
otherwise determined shall be reduced by the amount of any such expenses 
to the extent that such expenses are not so paid or reimbursed.
  (b) In this rule the term ``honorarium'' means a payment of money or a 
thing of value for an

  (c) In this rule the term ``travel expenses'' means, with respect to a 
Member, Delegate, Resident Commissioner, officer, or employee of the 
House, or a relative of such Member, Delegate, Resident Commissioner, 
officer, or employee, the cost of transportation, and the cost of 
lodging and meals while away from his residence or principal place of 
employment.

  (d)(1) In this rule the term ``outside earned income'' means, with 
respect to a Member, Delegate, Resident Commissioner, officer, or 
employee of the House, wages, salaries, fees, and other amounts received 
or to be received as compensation for personal services actually 
rendered, but does not include--

      (A) the salary of a Member, Delegate, Resident Commissioner, 
officer, or employee;


[[Page 863]]

rule or before he became a Member, Delegate, Resident Commissioner, 
officer, or employee;
      (B) any compensation derived by a Member, Delegate, Resident 
Commissioner, officer, or employee of the House for personal services 
actually rendered before the adoption of this

      (C) any amount paid by, or on behalf of, a Member, Delegate, 
Resident Commissioner, officer, or employee of the House to a tax-
qualified pension, profit-sharing, or stock bonus plan and received by 
him from such a plan;

      (D) in the case of a Member, Delegate, Resident Commissioner, 
officer, or employee of the House engaged in a trade or business in 
which he or his family holds a controlling interest and in which both 
personal services and capital are income-producing factors, any amount 
received by the Member, Delegate, Resident Commissioner, officer, or 
employee, so long as the personal services actually rendered by him in 
the trade or business do not generate a significant amount of income; or

      (E) copyright royalties received from established publishers under 
usual and customary contractual terms; and

  (2) outside earned income shall be determined without regard to 
community property law.


  (e) In this rule the term ``charitable organization'' means an 
organization described in section 170(c) of the Internal Revenue Code of 
1986.


[[Page 864]]

p. 31529). In the 99th Congress, the rule was amended to delete the 30 
percent of aggregate salary limitation on outside earned income and to 
conform the limitation to that contained in law (2 U.S.C. 31-1 provides 
that a Member of Congress may not accept honoraria in excess of 40 
percent of his aggregate salary) (H. Res. 427, Apr. 22, 1986, p. 8328). 
The next day, the House adopted a resolution vacating the proceedings by 
which that resolution had been adopted and laying that resolution on the 
table (H. Res. 432, Apr. 23, 1986, p. 8474). The Ethics Reform Act of 
1989: (1) amended the title of the rule; (2) amended clause 1 to effect 
for 1991 and future years the elimination of honoraria not assigned to 
charity and closer restrictions on outside earned income (including 
limitation to 15 percent of Executive Level II pay); (3) amended clause 
2 to effect for 1991 and future years new limits on outside employment; 
and (4) amended clause 3 to revise certain definitions (P.L. 101-194, 
Nov. 30, 1989). In the 102d Congress clause 2 was further amended to 
specify that the ban on affiliation with a firm applies only if 
compensation is received and only with respect to a professional 
services firm, and clause 3 was further amended to specify the 
applicability of outside earned income restrictions to officers and 
employees of the House (H. Res. 5, Jan. 3, 1991, p. 39). In the 104th 
Congress a new clause was added to prohibit the receipt of advance 
payments on copyright royalties and the receipt of any payments on 
copyright royalties under future contracts unless approved in advance by 
the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct (H. Res. 299, Dec. 2, 
1995, p. ----). In the 106th Congress the rule was amended to permit 
certain House employees to receive honoraria; the parenthetical in 
clause 4(b) was adopted; and, when the House recodified its rules, it 
consolidated former rules XLI, XLVII, and LI under rule XXVI (H. Res. 5, 
Jan. 6, 1999, p. ----). In addition to the definition of ``officer or 
employee'' in paragraph 4(a)(1) for the purpose of this rule, it should 
be noted that clauses 4 and 14 of rule XXIV apply the gift rule to all 
Members, officers, and employees whose compensation is disbursed by the 
Chief Administrative Officer.
  The rule on outside earned income (former rule XLVII) was adopted in 
the 95th Congress (H. Res. 287, Mar. 2, 1977, pp. 5933-53). It was 
amended for the first time in the 96th Congress to increase the limit on 
a single honorarium from $750 to $1000 (H. Res. 5, Jan. 15, 1979, pp. 7-
16). The rule was amended further in the 97th Congress to (1) increase 
the limitation on outside earned income for a calendar year from 15 to 
30 percent of a Member's salary; (2) strike the $1000 limitation on a 
single honorarium; and (3) provide that honoraria shall be attributable 
to the calendar year in which payment is received (H. Res. 305, Dec. 15, 
1981,

  For an in-depth discussion of this rule prepared by the Committee on 
Standards of Official Conduct, see the House Ethics Manual (102d Cong., 
2d Sess.).

  Before its coverage was restricted to the Senate in the Ethics Reform 
Act of 1989 (sec. 601(b), P.L. 101-194, Nov. 30, 1989), a separate 
provision of law (2 U.S.C. 441i) provided criminal penalties for any 
elected or appointed Federal employee who accepts an honorarium of more 
than $2000 per speech. A statutory ceiling of $25,000 from honoraria in 
a calendar year was repealed in 1981 (P.L. 97-51, Oct. 1, 1981). The 
Senate repealed its rule on outside earned income in the 97th Congress 
(S. Res. 512, Dec. 14, 1982, p. 30640).


[[Page 865]]

amended in the Ethics Reform Act of 1989 (P.L. 101-194, Nov. 30, 1989) 
and a related technical corrections Act (P.L. 101-280, May 4, 1990).

Gifts
  For provisions of the Federal criminal code restricting postemployment 
activities, see 18 U.S.C. 207, which was originally enacted in title V 
of the Ethics in Government Act of 1978 (P.L. 95-521) and most recently



1100. Gift rule.

  5. (a)(1)(A)  A Member, Delegate, Resident 
Commissioner, officer, or employee of the House may not knowingly accept 
a gift except as provided in this clause.


  (B) A Member, Delegate, Resident Commissioner, officer, or employee of 
the House may accept a gift (other than cash or cash equivalent) that 
the Member, Delegate, Resident Commissioner, officer, or employee 
reasonably and in good faith believes to have a value of less than $50 
and a cumulative value from one source during a calendar year of less 
than $100. A gift having a value of less than $10 does not count toward 
the $100 annual limit. Formal recordkeeping is not required by this 
subdivision, but a Member, Delegate, Resident Commissioner, officer, or 
employee of the House shall make a good faith effort to comply with this 
subdivision.

  (2)(A) In this clause the term ``gift'' means a gratuity, favor, 
discount, entertainment, hospitality, loan, forbearance, or other item 
having monetary value. The term includes gifts of services, training, 
transportation, lodging, and meals, whether provided in kind, by 
purchase of a ticket, payment in advance, or reimbursement after the 
expense has been incurred.


[[Page 866]]

with the Member, Delegate, Resident Commissioner, officer, or employee, 
shall be considered a gift to the Member, Delegate, Resident 
Commissioner, officer, or employee if it is given with the knowledge and 
acquiescence of the Member, Delegate, Resident Commissioner, officer, or 
employee and the Member, Delegate, Resident Commissioner, officer, or 
employee has reason to believe the gift was given because of his 
official position.
  (B)(i) A gift to a family member of a Member, Delegate, Resident 
Commissioner, officer, or employee of the House, or a gift to any other 
individual based on that individual's relationship

  (ii) If food or refreshment is provided at the same time and place to 
both a Member, Delegate, Resident Commissioner, officer, or employee of 
the House and the spouse or dependent thereof, only the food or 
refreshment provided to the Member, Delegate, Resident Commissioner, 
officer, or employee shall be treated as a gift for purposes of this 
clause.

  (3) The restrictions in subparagraph (1) do not apply to the 
following:

      (A) Anything for which the Member, Delegate, Resident 
Commissioner, officer, or employee of the House pays the market value, 
or does not use and promptly returns to the donor.


[[Page 867]]

      (B) A contribution, as defined in section 301(8) of the Federal 
Election Campaign Act of 1971 (2 U.S.C. 431) that is lawfully made under 
that Act, a lawful contribution for election to a State or local 
government office, or attendance at a fundraising event sponsored by a 
political organization described in section 527(e) of the Internal 
Revenue Code of 1986.

      (C) A gift from a relative as described in section 109(16) of 
title I of the Ethics in Government Act of 1978 (2 U.S.C. App. 109(16)).

      (D)(i) Anything provided by an individual on the basis of a 
personal friendship unless the Member, Delegate, Resident Commissioner, 
officer, or employee of the House has reason to believe that, under the 
circumstances, the gift was provided because of his official position 
and not because of the personal friendship.

      (ii) In determining whether a gift is provided on the basis of 
personal friendship, the Member, Delegate, Resident Commissioner, 
officer, or employee of the House shall consider the circumstances under 
which the gift was offered, such as:

          (I) The history of his relationship with the individual giving 
the gift, including any previous exchange of gifts between them.

          (II) Whether to his actual knowledge the individual who gave 
the gift personally paid for the gift or sought a tax deduction or 
business reimbursement for the gift.

          (III) Whether to his actual knowledge the individual who gave 
the gift also gave the same or similar gifts to other Members, 
Delegates, the Resident Commissioners, officers, or employees of the 
House.


[[Page 868]]

wise lawfully made in accordance with the restrictions and disclosure 
requirements of the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct.
      (E) Except as provided in paragraph (c)(3), a contribution or 
other payment to a legal expense fund established for the benefit of a 
Member, Delegate, Resident Commissioner, officer, or employee of the 
House that is other

      (F) A gift from another Member, Delegate, Resident Commissioner, 
officer, or employee of the House or Senate.

      (G) Food, refreshments, lodging, transportation, and other 
benefits--

          (i) resulting from the outside business or employment 
activities of the Member, Delegate, Resident Commissioner, officer, or 
employee of the House (or other outside activities that are not 
connected to his duties as an officeholder), or of his spouse, if such 
benefits have not been offered or enhanced because of his official 
position and are customarily provided to others in similar 
circumstances;

          (ii) customarily provided by a prospective employer in 
connection with bona fide employment discussions; or

          (iii) provided by a political organization described in 
section 527(e) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 in connection with a 
fundraising or campaign event sponsored by such organization.

      (H) Pension and other benefits resulting from continued 
participation in an employee welfare and benefits plan maintained by a 
former employer.


[[Page 869]]

House in the form of books, articles, periodicals, other written 
materials, audiotapes, videotapes, or other forms of communication.
      (I) Informational materials that are sent to the office of the 
Member, Delegate, Resident Commissioner, officer, or employee of the

      (J) Awards or prizes that are given to competitors in contests or 
events open to the public, including random drawings.

      (K) Honorary degrees (and associated travel, food, refreshments, 
and entertainment) and other bona fide, nonmonetary awards presented in 
recognition of public service (and associated food, refreshments, and 
entertainment provided in the presentation of such degrees and awards).

      (L) Training (including food and refreshments furnished to all 
attendees as an integral part of the training) if such training is in 
the interest of the House.

      (M) Bequests, inheritances, and other transfers at death.

      (N) An item, the receipt of which is authorized by the Foreign 
Gifts and Decorations Act, the Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange 
Act, or any other statute.

      (O) Anything that is paid for by the Federal Government, by a 
State or local government, or secured by the Government under a 
Government contract.

      (P) A gift of personal hospitality (as defined in section 109(14) 
of the Ethics in Government Act) of an individual other than a 
registered lobbyist or agent of a foreign principal.


[[Page 870]]

      (Q) Free attendance at a widely attended event permitted under 
subparagraph (4).

      (R) Opportunities and benefits that are--

          (i) available to the public or to a class consisting of all 
Federal employees, whether or not restricted on the basis of geographic 
consideration;

          (ii) offered to members of a group or class in which 
membership is unrelated to congressional employment;

          (iii) offered to members of an organization, such as an 
employees' association or congressional credit union, in which 
membership is related to congressional employment and similar 
opportunities are available to large segments of the public through 
organizations of similar size;

          (iv) offered to a group or class that is not defined in a 
manner that specifically discriminates among Government employees on the 
basis of branch of Government or type of responsibility, or on a basis 
that favors those of higher rank or rate of pay;

          (v) in the form of loans from banks and other financial 
institutions on terms generally available to the public; or

          (vi) in the form of reduced membership or other fees for 
participation in organization activities offered to all Government 
employees by professional organizations if the only restrictions on 
membership relate to professional qualifications.


[[Page 871]]

      (S) A plaque, trophy, or other item that is substantially 
commemorative in nature and that is intended for presentation.

      (T) Anything for which, in an unusual case, a waiver is granted by 
the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct.

      (U) Food or refreshments of a nominal value offered other than as 
a part of a meal.

      (V) Donations of products from the district or State that the 
Member, Delegate, or Resident Commissioner represents that are intended 
primarily for promotional purposes, such as display or free 
distribution, and are of minimal value to any single recipient.

      (W) An item of nominal value such as a greeting card, baseball 
cap, or a T-shirt.

  (4)(A) A Member, Delegate, Resident Commissioner, officer, or employee 
of the House may accept an offer of free attendance at a widely attended 
convention, conference, symposium, forum, panel discussion, dinner, 
viewing, reception, or similar event, provided by the sponsor of the 
event, if--

      (i) the Member, Delegate, Resident Commissioner, officer, or 
employee of the House participates in the event as a speaker or a panel 
participant, by presenting information related to Congress or matters 
before Congress, or by performing a ceremonial function appropriate to 
his official position; or


[[Page 872]]

      (ii) attendance at the event is appropriate to the performance of 
the official duties or representative function of the Member, Delegate, 
Resident Commissioner, officer, or employee of the House.

  (B) A Member, Delegate, Resident Commissioner, officer, or employee of 
the House who attends an event described in subdivision (A) may accept a 
sponsor's unsolicited offer of free attendance at the event for an 
accompanying individual.

  (C) A Member, Delegate, Resident Commissioner, officer, or employee of 
the House, or the spouse or dependent thereof, may accept a sponsor's 
unsolicited offer of free attendance at a charity event, except that 
reimbursement for transportation and lodging may not be accepted in 
connection with the event.

  (D) In this paragraph the term ``free attendance'' may include waiver 
of all or part of a conference or other fee, the provision of local 
transportation, or the provision of food, refreshments, entertainment, 
and instructional materials furnished to all attendees as an integral 
part of the event. The term does not include entertainment collateral to 
the event, nor does it include food or refreshments taken other than in 
a group setting with all or substantially all other attendees.


[[Page 873]]

  (5) A Member, Delegate, Resident Commissioner, officer, or employee of 
the House may not accept a gift the value of which exceeds $250 on the 
basis of the personal friendship exception in subparagraph (3)(D) unless 
the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct issues a written 
determination that such exception applies. A determination under this 
subparagraph is not required for gifts given on the basis of the family 
relationship exception in subparagraph (3)(C).

  (6) When it is not practicable to return a tangible item because it is 
perishable, the item may, at the discretion of the recipient, be given 
to an appropriate charity or destroyed.

  (b)(1)(A) A reimbursement (including payment in kind) to a Member, 
Delegate, Resident Commissioner, officer, or employee of the House from 
a private source other than a registered lobbyist or agent of a foreign 
principal for necessary transportation, lodging, and related expenses 
for travel to a meeting, speaking engagement, factfinding trip, or 
similar event in connection with his duties as an officeholder shall be 
considered as a reimbursement to the House and not a gift prohibited by 
this clause, if the Member, Delegate, Resident Commissioner, officer, or 
employee--

      (i) in the case of an employee, receives advance authorization, 
from the Member, Delegate, Resident Commissioner, or officer under whose 
direct supervision the employee works, to accept reimbursement; and

      (ii) discloses the expenses reimbursed or to be reimbursed and the 
authorization to the Clerk within 30 days after the travel is completed.


[[Page 874]]

  (B) For purposes of subdivision (A), events, the activities of which 
are substantially recreational in nature, are not considered to be in 
connection with the duties of a Member, Delegate, Resident Commissioner, 
officer, or employee of the House as an officeholder.

  (2) Each advance authorization to accept reimbursement shall be signed 
by the Member, Delegate, Resident Commissioner, or officer of the House 
under whose direct supervision the employee works and shall include--

      (A) the name of the employee;

      (B) the name of the person who will make the reimbursement;

      (C) the time, place, and purpose of the travel; and

      (D) a determination that the travel is in connection with the 
duties of the employee as an officeholder and would not create the 
appearance that the employee is using public office for private gain.

  (3) Each disclosure made under subparagraph (1)(A) of expenses 
reimbursed or to be reimbursed shall be signed by the Member, Delegate, 
Resident Commissioner, or officer (in the case of travel by that Member, 
Delegate, Resident Commissioner, or officer) or by the Member, Delegate, 
Resident Commissioner, or officer under whose direct supervision the 
employee works (in the case of travel by an employee) and shall 
include--

      (A) a good faith estimate of total transportation expenses 
reimbursed or to be reimbursed;

      (B) a good faith estimate of total lodging expenses reimbursed or 
to be reimbursed;


[[Page 875]]

      (C) a good faith estimate of total meal expenses reimbursed or to 
be reimbursed;

      (D) a good faith estimate of the total of other expenses 
reimbursed or to be reimbursed;

      (E) a determination that all such expenses are necessary 
transportation, lodging, and related expenses as defined in subparagraph 
(4); and

      (F) in the case of a reimbursement to a Member, Delegate, Resident 
Commissioner, or officer, a determination that the travel was in 
connection with his duties as an officeholder and would not create the 
appearance that the Member, Delegate, Resident Commissioner, or officer 
is using public office for private gain.

  (4) In this paragraph the term ``necessary transportation, lodging, 
and related expenses''--

      (A) includes reasonable expenses that are necessary for travel for 
a period not exceeding four days within the United States or seven days 
exclusive of travel time outside of the United States unless approved in 
advance by the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct;

      (B) is limited to reasonable expenditures for transportation, 
lodging, conference fees and materials, and food and refreshments, 
including reimbursement for necessary transportation, whether or not 
such transportation occurs within the periods described in subdivision 
(A);


[[Page 876]]

attendees as an integral part of the event, except for activities or 
entertainment otherwise permissible under this clause; and
      (C) does not include expenditures for recreational activities, nor 
does it include entertainment other than that provided to all

      (D) may include travel expenses incurred on behalf of either the 
spouse or a child of the Member, Delegate, Resident Commissioner, 
officer, or employee.

  (5) The Clerk shall make available to the public all advance 
authorizations and disclosures of reimbursement filed under subparagraph 
(1) as soon as possible after they are received.

  (c) A gift prohibited by paragraph (a)(1) includes the following:

      (1) Anything provided by a registered lobbyist or an agent of a 
foreign principal to an entity that is maintained or controlled by a 
Member, Delegate, Resident Commissioner, officer, or employee of the 
House.

      (2) A charitable contribution (as defined in section 170(c) of the 
Internal Revenue Code of 1986) made by a registered lobbyist or an agent 
of a foreign principal on the basis of a designation, recommendation, or 
other specification of a Member, Delegate, Resident Commissioner, 
officer, or employee of the House (not including a mass mailing or other 
solicitation directed to a broad category of persons or entities), other 
than a charitable contribution permitted by paragraph (d).


[[Page 877]]

dent Commissioner, officer, or employee of the House.
      (3) A contribution or other payment by a registered lobbyist or an 
agent of a foreign principal to a legal expense fund established for the 
benefit of a Member, Delegate, Resi

      (4) A financial contribution or expenditure made by a registered 
lobbyist or an agent of a foreign principal relating to a conference, 
retreat, or similar event, sponsored by or affiliated with an official 
congressional organization, for or on behalf of Members, Delegates, the 
Resident Commissioner, officers, or employees of the House.

  (d)(1) A charitable contribution (as defined in section 170(c) of the 
Internal Revenue Code of 1986) made by a registered lobbyist or an agent 
of a foreign principal in lieu of an honorarium to a Member, Delegate, 
Resident Commissioner, officer, or employee of the House are not 
considered a gift under this clause if it is reported as provided in 
subparagraph (2).

  (2) A Member, Delegate, Resident Commissioner, officer, or employee 
who designates or recommends a contribution to a charitable organization 
in lieu of an honorarium described in subparagraph (1) shall report 
within 30 days after such designation or recommendation to the Clerk--

      (A) the name and address of the registered lobbyist who is making 
the contribution in lieu of an honorarium;

      (B) the date and amount of the contribution; and


[[Page 878]]

the Member, Delegate, or Resident Commissioner.
The Clerk shall make public information received under this subparagraph 
as soon as possible after it is received.
      (C) the name and address of the charitable organization designated 
or recommended by

  (e) In this clause--

      (1) the term ``registered lobbyist'' means a lobbyist registered 
under the Federal Regulation of Lobbying Act or any successor statute; 
and

      (2) the term ``agent of a foreign principal'' means an agent of a 
foreign principal registered under the Foreign Agents Registration Act.


  (f) All the provisions of this clause shall be interpreted and 
enforced solely by the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct. The 
Committee on Standards of Official Conduct is authorized to issue 
guidance on any matter contained in this clause.


  This provision originally was adopted in the 104th Congress as rule 
LII (H. Res. 250, Nov. 16, 1995, p. ----). It was amended in the 106th 
Congress to permit acceptance of a gift having a value of less than $50 
and a cumulative value from any one source in the calendar year of less 
than $100 (H. Res. 9, Jan. 6, 1999, p. ----). In the 105th Congress it 
was redesignated as rule LI (H. Res. 5, Jan. 7, 1997, p. ----), and when 
the House recodified its rules in the 106th Congress, this provision was 
consolidated with former rule XLI and XLVIII under rule XXVI (H. Res. 5, 
Jan. 6, 1999, p. ----). The gift rule is made applicable to all House 
employees by clauses 4 and 14 of rule XXIV, Sec. 1095, supra. The 
history of earlier rules bearing the designation LI or LII follow.


[[Page 879]]

standing rule LI in the 102d Congress (H. Res. 5, Jan. 3, 1991, p. 39), 
and were codified in full text, with certain amendments, in the 103d 
Congress (H. Res. 5, Jan. 5, 1993, p. 49). The Employment Practices rule 
was overtaken by the earliest form of ``application of certain laws,'' 
which was originally designated as LII in the 103d Congress (H. Res. 
578, Oct. 7, 1994, p. 29326). The Application of Laws rule, in turn, was 
overtaken by the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995 (P.L. 104-1; 2 
U.S.C. 1301). Certain savings provisions appear in section 506 of that 
Act (2 U.S.C. 1435). A later form of the rule designated as LII (gift 
rule) was adopted in the 104th Congress (H. Res. 250, Nov. 16, 1995, p. 
----). In the 105th Congress the Gift Rule was redesignated as rule LI 
(H. Res. 5, Jan. 7, 1997, p. ----).

Claims against the Government


Sec. 1101. Former rules on employment practices 
and application of certain laws.

  The earliest  form of the rule on ``employment 
practices'' was designated as rule LI. It grew out of the Fair 
Employment Practices Resolution first adopted in the 100th Congress (H. 
Res. 558, Oct. 3, 1988, p. 27840) and renewed in the 101st Congress (H. 
Res. 15, Jan. 3, 1989, p. 85). The terms of that resolution were 
incorporated by reference in a





1102. Officers and employees not to be agents of 
claims.

  6.  A person may not be an officer or employee of the House, or 
continue in its employment, if he acts as an agent for the prosecution 
of a claim against the Government or if he is interested in such claim, 
except as an original claimant or in the proper discharge of official 
duties.



  This provision was adopted in 1842 (V, 7227). It was renumbered 
January 3, 1953 (p. 24). It was amended by the Ethics Reform Act of 1989 
to include employees in the prohibition against prosecuting or having an 
interest in any claim against the Government, to specify the 
inapplicability of that prohibition to the discharge of official duties, 
and to delete an obsolete reference to the Committee on House 
Administration (P.L. 101-194, Nov. 30, 1989). Before the House 
recodified its rules in the 106th Congress, this provision was found in 
former rule XLI (H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 1999, p. ----).



[106th Congress House Rules Manual -- House Document No. 105-358]
[From the U.S. Government Printing Office Online Database]
[Page 880-903]

[[Page 880]]


 
  In addition to rules XIV through XXVII, several provisions of the 
Federal criminal code also address the conduct of Members, officers, and 
employees with respect to bribery of public officials (18 U.S.C. 219), 
claims against the Government (18 U.S.C. 203-205, 207(e), 216), and 
public officials acting as agents of foreign principals (18 U.S.C. 219).



                   Rule XXVII.--FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE



Sec. 1103. Financial report disclosing certain financial 
interests.

  1.  The Clerk shall send a copy of each report filed with the 
Clerk under title I of the Ethics in Government Act of 1978 within the 
seven-day period beginning on the date on which the report is filed to 
the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct. By August 1 of each 
year, the Clerk shall compile all such reports sent to him by Members 
within the period beginning on January 1 and ending on June 15 of each 
year and have them printed as a House document, which shall be made 
available to the public.



  2. For the purposes of this rule, the provisions of title I of the 
Ethics in Government Act of 1978 shall be considered Rules of the House 
as they pertain to Members, Delegates, the Resident Commissioner, 
officers, and employees of the House.


[[Page 881]]

Conduct; and (3) make reports available to the public as printed House 
documents rather than having them maintained in the Committee on 
Standards of Official Conduct (H. Res. 287, Mar. 2, 1977, pp. 5933-53). 
The rule was again amended in the 96th Congress to incorporate by 
reference the relevant provisions of title I of the Ethics in Government 
Act of 1978 as they pertain to Members, officers, and employees of the 
House of Representatives (H. Res. 5, Jan. 15, 1979, pp. 7-16). Clause 1 
was amended by the Ethics Reform Act of 1989 to make conforming changes 
in certain dates (P.L. 101-194, Nov. 30, 1989). Before the House 
recodified its rules in the 106th Congress, this provision was found in 
former rule XLIV (H. Res. 5, Jan. 6, 1999, p. ----).
  The original version of this rule (former rule XLIV) was adopted in 
the 90th Congress, in the same resolution that redefined the 
jurisdiction of the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct (H. Res. 
1099, Apr. 3, 1968, p. 8803). In the 91st Congress the rule was amended, 
effective for years after 1970, to require public disclosure of: (1) 
honoraria from a single source totaling $300 or more; and (2) each 
creditor to whom was owed an unsecured loan or other indebtedness of 
$10,000 or more outstanding for at least 90 days in the preceding 
calendar year (H. Res. 796, May 26, 1970, p. 17019). It was further 
amended in the 92d Congress to bring the Delegates from the District of 
Columbia, Guam, and the Virgin Islands within the definition of 
``Members'' in the final sentence of the rule (H. Res. 5, Jan. 22, 1971, 
p. 144; H. Res. 1153, Oct. 13, 1972, pp. 36021-23), and was amended in 
the 95th Congress to delete an obsolete reference (H. Res. 5, Jan. 4, 
1977, pp. 53-70). The rule was completely amended in the 95th Congress, 
effective July 1, 1977, to: (1) broaden the sources and minimum amounts 
of income reported; (2) require reports to be filed with the Clerk as 
well as with the Committee on Standards of Official


  For an in-depth discussion of this rule prepared by the Committee on 
Standards of Official Conduct, see the House Ethics Manual (102d Cong., 
2d Sess.).


  Pertinent provisions of title I of the Ethics in Government Act of 
1978 (5 U.S.C. App. 101-111) follow:


     Title I--Financial Disclosure Requirements of Federal Personnel


                        persons required to file


  Sec. 101. (a) Within thirty days of assuming the position of an 
officer or employee described in subsection (f), an individual shall 
file a report containing the information described in section 102(b) 
unless the individual has left another position described in subsection 
(f) within thirty days prior to assuming such new position or has 
already filed a report under this title with respect to nomination for 
the new position or as a candidate for the position.


                                  * * *

  (c) Within thirty days of becoming a candidate as defined in section 
301 of the Federal Campaign Act of 1971, in a calendar year for 
nomination or election to the office of President, Vice President, or 
Member of Congress, or on or before May 15 of that calendar year, 
whichever is later, but in no event later than 30 days before the 
election, and on or before May 15 of each successive year an individual 
continues to be a candidate, an individual other than an incumbent 
President, Vice President, or Member of Congress shall file a report 
containing the information described in section 102(b). Notwithstanding 
the preceding sentence, in any calendar year in which an individual 
continues to be a candidate for any office but all elections for such 
office relating to such candidacy were held in prior calendar years, 
such individual need not file a report unless he becomes a candidate for 
another vacancy in that office or another office during that year.


[[Page 882]]

on or before May 15 of the succeeding year a report containing the 
information described in section 102(a).
  (d) Any individual who is an officer or employee described in 
subsection (f) during any calendar year and performs the duties of his 
position or office for a period in excess of sixty days in that calendar 
year shall file

  (e) Any individual who occupies a position described in subsection (f) 
shall, on or before the thirtieth day after termination of employment in 
such position, file a report containing the information described in 
section 102(a) covering the preceding calendar year if the report 
required by subsection (d) has not been filed and covering the portion 
of the calendar year in which such termination occurs up to the date the 
individual left such office or position, unless such individual has 
accepted employment in another position described in subsection (f).

  (f) The officers and employees referred to in subsections (a), (d), 
and (e) are-- * * *

  (9) a Member of Congress as defined under section 109(12);


  (10) an officer or employee of the Congress as defined under section 
109(13);


                                  * * *

  (g)(1) Reasonable extensions of time for filing any report may be 
granted under procedures prescribed by the supervising ethics office for 
each branch, but the total of such extensions shall not exceed ninety 
days. * * *

  (h) The provisions of subsections (a), (b), and (e) shall not apply to 
an individual who, as determined by the designated agency ethics 
official or Secretary concerned (or in the case of a Presidential 
appointee under subsection (b), the Director of the Office of Government 
Ethics), the congressional ethics committees, or the Judicial 
Conference, is not reasonably expected to perform the duties of his 
office or position for more than sixty days in a calendar year, except 
that if such individual performs the duties of his office or position 
for more than sixty days in a calendar year--

          (1) the report required by subsections (a) and (b) shall be 

        filed within fifteen days of the sixtieth day, and

          (2) the report required by subsection (e) shall be filed as 

        provided in such subsection.

  (i) The supervising ethics office for each branch may grant a publicly 
available request for a waiver of any reporting requirement under this 
section for an individual who is expected to perform or has performed 
the duties of his office or position less than one hundred and thirty 
days in a calendar year, but only if the supervising ethics office 
determines that--

          (1) such individual is not a full-time employee of the 

        Government,

          (2) such individual is able to provide services specially 

        needed by the Government,

          (3) it is unlikely that the individual's outside employment or 

        financial interests will create a conflict of interest, and

          (4) public financial disclosure by such individual is not 


[[Page 883]]

        necessary in the circumstances.


                           contents of reports

  Sec. 102. (a) Each report filed pursuant to section 101 (d) and (e) 
shall include a full and complete statement with respect to the 
following:

  (1)(A) The source, type, and amount or value of income (other than 
income referred to in subparagraph (B)) from any source (other than from 
current employment by the United States Government), and the source, 
date, and amount of honoraria from any source, received during the 
preceding calendar year, aggregating $200 or more in value and, 
effective January 1, 1991, the source, date, and amount of payments made 
to charitable organizations in lieu of honoraria, and the reporting 
individual shall simultaneously file with the applicable supervising 
ethics office, on a confidential basis, a corresponding list of 
recipients of all such payments, together with the dates and amounts of 
such payments.

  (B) The source and type of income which consists of dividends, rents, 
interest, and capital gains, received during the preceding calendar year 
which exceeds $200 in amount or value, and an indication of which of the 
following categories the amount or value of such item of income is 
within:

          (i) not more than $1,000,

          (ii) greater than $1,000 but not more than $2,500,

          (iii) greater than $2,500 but not more than $5,000,

          (iv) greater than $5,000 but not more than $15,000,

          (v) greater than $15,000 but not more than $50,000,

          (vi) greater than $50,000 but not more than $100,000,

          (vii) greater than $100,000 but not more than $1,000,000,

          (viii) greater than $1,000,000 but not more than $5,000,000, 

        or

          (ix) greater than $5,000,000.

  (2)(A) The identity of the source, a brief description, and the value 
of all gifts aggregating more than the minimal value as established by 
section 7342(a)(5) of title 5, United States Code, or $250, whichever is 
greater, received from any source other than a relative of the reporting 
individual during the preceding calendar year, except that any food, 
lodging, or entertainment received as personal hospitality of an 
individual need not be reported, and any gift with a fair market value 
of $100 or less, as adjusted at the same time and by the same percentage 
as the minimal value is adjusted, need not be aggregated for purposes of 
this subparagraph.

  (B) The identity of the source and a brief description (including a 
travel itinerary, dates, and nature of expenses provided) of 
reimbursements received from any source aggregating more than the 
minimal value as established by section 7342(a)(5) of title 5, United 
States Code, or $250, whichever is greater, and received during the 
preceding calendar year.

  (C) In an unusual case, a gift need not be aggregated under 
subparagraph (A) if a publicly available request for a waiver is 
granted.


[[Page 884]]

$1,000 as of the close of the preceding calendar year, excluding any 
personal liability owed to the reporting individual by a spouse, or by a 
parent, brother, sister, or child of the reporting individual or of the 
reporting individual's spouse, or any deposits aggregating $5,000 or 
less in a personal savings account. For purposes of this paragraph, a 
personal savings account shall include any certificate of deposit or any 
other form of deposit in a bank, savings and loan association, credit 
union, or similar financial institution.
  (3) The identity and category of value of any interest in property 
held during the preceding calendar year in a trade or business, or for 
investment or the production of income, which has a fair market value 
which exceeds

  (4) The identity and category of value of the total liabilities owed 
to any creditor other than a spouse, or a parent, brother, sister, or 
child of the reporting individual or of the reporting individual's 
spouse which exceed $10,000 at any time during the preceding calendar 
year, excluding--

          (A) any mortgage secured by real property which is a personal 

        residence of the reporting individual or his spouse; and

          (B) any loan secured by a personal motor vehicle, household 

        furniture, or appliances, which loan does not exceed the 


With respect to revolving charge accounts, only those with an 
outstanding liability which exceeds $10,000 as of the close of the 
preceding calendar year need be reported under this paragraph.
        purchase price of the item which secures it.

  (5) Except as provided in this paragraph, a brief description, the 
date, and category of value of any purchase, sale or exchange during the 
preceding calendar year exceeds $1,000--

          (A) in real property, other than property used solely as a 

        personal residence of the reporting individual or his spouse; or

          (B) in stocks, bonds, commodities futures, and other forms of 


Reporting is not required under this paragraph of any transaction solely 
by and between the reporting individual, his spouse, or dependent 
children.
        securities.

  (6)(A) The identity of all positions held on or before the date of 
filing during the current calendar year (and, for the first report filed 
by an individual, during the two-year period preceding such calendar 
year) as an officer, director, trustee, partner, proprietor, 
representative, employee, or consultant of any corporation, company, 
firm, partnership, or other business enterprise, any nonprofit 
organization, any labor organization, or any educational or other 
institution other than the United States. This subparagraph shall not 
require the reporting of positions held in any religious, social, 
fraternal, or political entity and positions solely of an honorary 
nature.

  (B) If any person, other than the United States Government, paid a 
nonelected reporting individual compensation in excess of $5,000 in any 
of the two calendar years prior to the calendar year during which the 
individual files his first report under this title, the individual shall 
include in the report--


[[Page 885]]

          (i) the identity of each source of such compensation; and

          (ii) a brief description of the nature of the duties performed 

        or services rendered by the reporting individual for each such 


The preceding sentence shall not require any individual to include in 
such report any information which is considered confidential as a result 
of a privileged relationship, established by law, between such 
individual and any person nor shall it require an individual to report 
any information with respect to any person for whom services were 
provided by any firm or association of which such individual was a 
member, partner, or employee unless such individual was directly 
involved in the provision of such services.
        source.

  (7) A description of the date, parties to, and terms of any agreement 
or arrangement with respect to (A) future employment; (B) a leave of 
absence during the period of the reporting individual's Government 
service; (C) continuation of payments by a former employer other than 
the United States Government; and (D) continuing participation in an 
employee welfare or benefit plan maintained by a former employer.

  (8) The category of the total cash value of any interest of the 
reporting individual in a qualified blind trust, unless the trust 
instrument was executed prior to July 24, 1995 and precludes the 
beneficiary from receiving information on the total cash value of any 
interest in the qualified blind trust.

  (b)(1) Each report filed pursuant to subsections (a), (b), and (c) of 
section 101 shall include a full and complete statement with respect to 
the information required by--

          (A) paragraph (1) of subsection (a) for the year of filing and 

        the preceding calendar year,

          (B) paragraphs (3) and (4) of subsection (a) as of the date 

        specified in the report but which is less than thirty-one days 

        before the filing date, and

          (C) paragraphs (6) and (7) of subsection (a) as of the filing 

        date but for periods described in such paragraphs.

  (2)(A) In lieu of filling out one or more schedules of a financial 
disclosure form, an individual may supply the required information in an 
alternative format, pursuant to either rules adopted by the supervising 
ethics office for the branch in which such individual serves or pursuant 
to a specific written determination by such office for a reporting 
individual.

  (B) In lieu of indicating the category of amount or value of any item 
contained in any report filed under this title, a reporting individual 
may indicate the exact dollar amount of such item.

  (c) In the case of any individual described in section 101(e), any 
reference to the preceding calendar year shall be considered also to 
include that part of the calendar year of filing up to the date of the 
termination of employment.

  (d)(1) The categories for reporting the amount or value of the items 
covered in paragraphs (3), (4), (5), and (8) of subsection (a) are as 
follows:


[[Page 886]]

          (A) not more than $15,000;

          (B) greater than $15,000 but not more than $50,000;

          (C) greater than $50,000 but not more than $100,000;

          (D) greater than $100,000 but not more than $250,000;

          (E) greater than $250,000 but not more than $500,000;

          (F) greater than $500,000 but not more than $1,000,000;

          (G) greater than $1,000,000 but not more than $5,000,000;

          (H) greater than $5,000,000 but not more than $25,000,000;

          (I) greater than $25,000,000 but not more than $50,000,000; 

        and

          (J) greater than $50,000,000.

  (2) For the purposes of paragraph (3) of subsection (a) if the current 
value of an interest in real property (or an interest in a real estate 
partnership) is not ascertainable without an appraisal, an individual 
may list (A) the date of purchase and the purchase price of the interest 
in the real property, or (B) the assessed value of the real property for 
tax purposes, adjusted to reflect the market value of the property used 
for the assessment if the assessed value is computed at less than 100 
percent of such market value, but such individual shall include in his 
report a full and complete description of the method used to determine 
such assessed value, instead of specifying a category of value pursuant 
to paragraph (1) of this subsection. If the current value of any other 
item required to be reported under paragraph (3) of subsection (a) is 
not ascertainable without an appraisal, such individual may list the 
book value of a corporation whose stock is not publicly traded, the net 
worth of a business partnership, the equity value of an individually 
owned business, or with respect to other holdings, any recognized 
indication of value, but such individual shall include in his report a 
full and complete description of the method used in determining such 
value. In lieu of any value referred to in the preceding sentence, an 
individual may list the assessed value of the item for tax purposes, 
adjusted to reflect the market value of the item used for the assessment 
if the assessed value is computed at less than 100 percent of such 
market value, but a full and complete description of the method used in 
determining such assessed value shall be included in the report.

  (e)(1) Except as provided in the last sentence of this paragraph, each 
report required by section 101 shall also contain information listed in 
paragraphs (1) through (5) of subsection (a) of this section respecting 
the spouse or dependent child of the reporting individual as follows:

          (A) The source of items of earned income earned by a spouse 

        from any person which exceed $1,000 and the source and amount of 

        any honoraria received by a spouse, except that, with respect to 

        earned income (other than honoraria), if the spouse is self-

        employed in business or a profession, only the nature of such 

        business or profession need be reported.

          (B) All information required to be reported in subsection 

        (a)(1)(B) with respect to income derived by a spouse or 

        dependent child from any asset held by the spouse or dependent 


[[Page 887]]

        child and reported pursuant to subsection (a)(3).

          (C) In the case of any gifts received by a spouse or dependent 

        child which are not received totally independent of the 

        relationship of the spouse or dependent child to the reporting 

        individual, the identity of the source and a brief description 

        of gifts of transportation, lodging, food, or entertainment and 

        a brief description and the value of other gifts.

          (D) In the case of any reimbursements received by a spouse or 

        dependent child which are not received totally independent of 

        the relationship of the spouse or dependent child to the 

        reporting individual, the identity of the source and a brief 

        description of each such reimbursement.

          (E) In the case of items described in paragraphs (3) through 

        (5) of subsection (a), all information required to be reported 

        under these paragraphs other than items (i) which the reporting 

        individual certifies represent the spouse's or dependent child's 

        sole financial interest or responsibility and which the 

        reporting individual has no knowledge of, (ii) which are not in 

        any way, past or present, derived from the income, assets, or 

        activities of the reporting individual, and (iii) from which the 

        reporting individual neither derives, nor expects to derive, any 

        financial or economic benefit.

          (F) For purposes of this section, categories with amounts or 

        values greater than $1,000,000 set forth in sections 

        102(a)(1)(B) and 102(d)(1) shall apply to the income, assets, or 

        liabilities of spouses and dependent children only if the 

        income, assets, or liabilities are held jointly with the 

        reporting individual. All other income, assets, or liabilities 

        of the spouse or dependent children required to be reported 

        under this section in an amount or value greater than $1,000,000 

        shall be categorized only as an amount or value greater than 


Reports required by subsections (a), (b), and (c) of section 101 shall, 
with respect to the spouse and dependent child of the reporting 
individual, only contain information listed in paragraphs (1), (3), and 
(4) of subsection (a), as specified in this paragraph.
        $1,000,000.

  (2) No report shall be required with respect to a spouse living 
separate and apart from the reporting individual with the intention of 
terminating the marriage or providing for permanent separation; or with 
respect to any income or obligations of an individual arising from the 
dissolution of his marriage or the permanent separation from his spouse.

  (f)(1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), each reporting individual 
shall report the information required to be reported pursuant to 
subsections (a), (b), and (c) of this section with respect to the 
holdings of and the income from a trust or other financial arrangement 
from which income is received by, or with respect to which a beneficial 
interest in principal or income is held by, such individual, his spouse, 
or any dependent child.


[[Page 888]]

  (2) A reporting individual need not report the holdings of or the 
source of income from any of the holdings of--

          (A) any qualified blind trust (as defined in paragraph (3));

          (B) a trust--

                  (i) which was not created directly by such individual, 

                his spouse, or any dependent child, and

                  (ii) the holdings or sources of income of which such 

                individual, his spouse, and any dependent child have no 

                knowledge of; or

          (C) an entity described under the provisions of paragraph (8), 

        but such individual shall report the category of the amount of 

        income received by him, his spouse, or any dependent child from 

        the trust or other entity under subsection (a)(1)(B) of this 

        section.

  (3) For purpose of this subsection, the term ``qualified blind trust'' 
includes any trust in which a reporting individual, his spouse, or any 
minor or dependent child has a beneficial interest in the principal or 
income, and which meets the following requirements:

          (A)(i) The trustee of the trust and any other entity 

        designated in the trust instrument to perform fiduciary duties 

        is a financial institution, an attorney, a certified public 

        accountant, a broker, or an investment advisor who--

                  (I) is independent of and not associated with any 

                interested party so that the trustee or other person 

                cannot be controlled or influenced in the administration 

                of the trust by any interested party;

                  (II) is not and has not been an employee of or 

                affiliated with any interested party and is not a 

                partner of, or involved in any joint venture or other 

                investment with, any interested party; and

                  (III) is not a relative of any interested party.

              (ii) Any officer or employee of a trustee or other entity 

            who is involved in the management or control of the trust--

                  (I) is independent of and not associated with any 

                interested party so that such officer or employee cannot 

                be controlled or influenced in the administration of the 

                trust by any interested party;

                  (II) is not a partner of, or involved in any joint 

                venture or other investment with, any interested party; 

                and

                  (III) is not a relative of any interested party.

          (B) Any asset transferred to the trust by an interested party 

        is free of any restriction with respect to its transfer or sale 

        unless such restriction is expressly approved by the supervising 

        ethics office of the reporting individual.

          (C) The trust instrument which establishes the trust provides 

        that--

                  (i) except to the extent provided in subparagraph (B) 

                of this paragraph, the trustee in the exercise of his 

                authority and discretion to manage and control the 

                assets of the trust shall not consult or notify any 


[[Page 889]]

                interested party;

                  (ii) the trust shall not contain any asset the holding 

                of which by an interested party is prohibited by any law 

                or regulation;

                  (iii) the trustee shall promptly notify the reporting 

                individual and his supervising ethics office when the 

                holdings of any particular asset transferred to the 

                trust by any interested party are disposed of or when 

                the value of such holding is less than $1,000;

                  (iv) the trust tax return shall be prepared by the 

                trustee or his designee, and such return and any 

                information relating thereto (other than the trust 

                income summarized in appropriate categories necessary to 

                complete an interested party's tax return), shall not be 

                disclosed to any interested party;

                  (v) an interested party shall not receive any report 

                on the holdings and sources of income of the trust, 

                except a report at the end of each calendar quarter with 

                respect to the total cash value of the interest of the 

                interested party in the trust or the net income or loss 

                of the trust or any reports necessary to enable the 

                interested party to complete an individual tax return 

                required by law or to provide the information required 

                by subsection (a)(1) of this section, but such report 

                shall not identify any asset or holding;

                  (vi) except for communications which solely consist of 

                requests for distributions of cash or other unspecified 

                assets of the trust, there shall be no direct or 

                indirect communication between the trustee and an 

                interested party with respect to the trust unless such 

                communication is in writing and unless it relates only 

                (I) to the general financial interest and needs of the 

                interested party (including, but not limited to, an 

                interest in maximizing income or long-term capital 

                gain), (II) to the notification of the trustee of a law 

                or regulation subsequently applicable to the reporting 

                individual which prohibits the interested party from 

                holding an asset, which notification directs that the 

                asset not be held by the trust, or (III) to directions 

                to the trustee to sell all of an asset initially placed 

                in the trust by an interested party which in the 

                determination of the reporting individual creates a 

                conflict of interest or the appearance thereof due to 

                the subsequent assumption of duties by the reporting 

                individual (but nothing herein shall require any such 

                direction); and

                  (vii) the interested parties shall make no effort to 

                obtain information with respect to the holdings of the 

                trust, including obtaining a copy of any trust tax 

                return filed or any information relating thereto except 

                as otherwise provided in this subsection.

          (D) The proposed trust instrument and the proposed trustee is 

        approved by the reporting individual's supervising ethics 

        office.

          (E) For purposes of this subsection, ``interested party'' 

        means a reporting individual, his spouse, and any minor or 


[[Page 890]]

        dependent child;

        ``broker'' has the meaning set forth in section 3(a)(4) of the 

        Securities and Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. 78c(a)(4)); and 

        ``investment adviser'' includes any investment adviser who, as 

        determined under regulations prescribed by the supervising 

        ethics office, is generally involved in his role as such an 

        adviser in the management or control of trusts.

          (F) Any trust qualified by a supervising ethics office before 

        the effective date of title II of the Ethics Reform Act of 1989 

        shall continue to be governed by the law and regulations in 

        effect immediately before such effective date.

  (4)(A) An asset placed in a trust by an interested party shall be 
considered a financial interest of the reporting individual, for the 
purposes of any applicable conflict of interest statutes, regulations, 
or rules of the Federal Government (including section 208 of title 18, 
United States Code), until such time as the reporting individual is 
notified by the trustee that such asset has been disposed of, or has a 
value of less than $1,000.

  (B)(i) The provisions of subparagraph (A) shall not apply with respect 
to a trust created for the benefit of a reporting individual, or the 
spouse, dependent child, or minor child of such a person, if the 
supervising ethics office for such reporting individual finds that--

          (I) the assets placed in the trust consist of a well-

        diversified portfolio of readily marketable securities;

          (II) none of the assets consist of securities of entities 

        having substantial activities in the area of the reporting 

        individual's primary area of responsibility;

          (III) the trust instrument prohibits the trustee, 

        notwithstanding the provisions of paragraphs (3)(C) (iii) and 

        (iv) of this subsection, from making public or informing any 

        interested party of the sale of any securities;

          (IV) the trustee is given power of attorney, notwithstanding 

        the provisions of paragraph (3)(C)(v) of this subsection, to 

        prepare on behalf of any interested party the personal income 

        tax returns and similar returns which may contain information 

        relating to the trust; and

          (V) except as otherwise provided in this paragraph, the trust 

        instrument provides (or in the case of a trust established prior 

        to the effective date of this Act which by its terms does not 

        permit amendment, the trustee, the reporting individual, and any 

        other interested party agree in writing) that the trust shall be 

        administered in accordance with the requirements of this 

        subsection and the trustee of such trust meets the requirements 


        of paragraph (3)(A).


                                  * * *


[[Page 891]]

  (5)(A) The reporting individual shall, within thirty days after a 
qualified blind trust is approved by his supervising ethics office, file 
with such office a copy of--

          (i) the executed trust instrument of such trust (other than 

        those provisions which relate to the testamentary disposition of 

        the trust assets), and

          (ii) a list of the assets which were transferred to such 

        trust, including the category of value of each asset as 


This subparagraph shall not apply with respect to a trust meeting the 
requirements for being considered a qualified blind trust under 
paragraph (7) of this subsection.
        determined under subsection (d) of this section.

  (B) The reporting individual shall, within thirty days of transferring 
an asset (other than cash) to a previously established qualified blind 
trust, notify his supervising ethics office of the identity of each such 
asset and the category of value of each asset as determined under 
subsection (d) of this section.

  (C) Within thirty days of the dissolution of a qualified blind trust, 
a reporting individual shall--

          (i) notify his supervising ethics office of such dissolution, 

        and

          (ii) file with such office a copy of a list of the assets of 

        the trust at the time of such dissolution and the category of 

        value under subsection (d) of this section of each such asset.

  (D) Documents filed under subparagraphs (A), (B), and (C) of this 
paragraph and the lists provided by the trustee of assets placed in the 
trust by an interested party which have been sold shall be made 
available to the public in the same manner as a report is made available 
under section 105 and the provisions of that section shall apply with 
respect to such documents and lists.

  (E) A copy of each written communication with respect to the trust 
under paragraph (3)(C)(vi) shall be filed by the person initiating the 
communication with the reporting individual's supervising ethics office 
within five days of the date of the communication.

  (6)(A) A trustee of a qualified blind trust shall not knowingly and 
willfully, or negligently, (i) disclose any information to an interested 
party with respect to such trust that may not be disclosed under 
paragraph (3) of this subsection; (ii) acquire any holding the ownership 
of which is prohibited by the trust instrument; (iii) solicit advice 
from any interested party with respect to such trust, which solicitation 
is prohibited by paragraph (3) of this subsection or the trust 
agreement; or (iv) fail to file any document required by this 
subsection.

  (B) A reporting individual shall not knowingly and willfully, or 
negligently, (i) solicit or receive any information with respect to a 
qualified blind trust of which he is an interested party that may not be 
disclosed under paragraph (3)(C) of this subsection or (ii) fail to file 
any document required by this subsection.


[[Page 892]]

graph. The court in which such action is brought may assess against such 
individual a civil penalty in any amount not to exceed $10,000.
  (C)(i) The Attorney General may bring a civil action in any 
appropriate United States district court against any individual who 
knowingly and willfully violates the provisions of subparagraph (A) or 
(B) of this para

  (ii) The Attorney General may bring a civil action in any appropriate 
United States district court against any individual who negligently 
violates the provisions of subparagraph (A) or (B) of this paragraph. 
The court in which such action is brought may assess against such 
individual a civil penalty in any amount not to exceed $5,000.

  (7) Any trust may be considered to be a qualified blind trust if--

          (A) the trust instrument is amended to comply with the 

        requirements of paragraph (3) or, in the case of a trust 

        instrument which does not by its terms permit amendment, the 

        trustee, the reporting individual, and any other interested 

        party agree in writing that the trust shall be administered in 

        accordance with the requirements of this subsection and the 

        trustee of such trust meets the requirements of paragraph 

        (3)(A); except that in the case of any interested party who is a 

        dependent child, a parent or guardian of such child may execute 

        the agreement referred to in this subparagraph;

          (B) a copy of the trust instrument (except testamentary 

        provisions) and a copy of the agreement referred to in 

        subparagraph (A), and a list of the assets held by the trust at 

        the time of approval by the supervising ethics office, including 

        the category of value of each asset as determined under 

        subsection (d) of this section, are filed with such office and 

        made available to the public as provided under paragraph (5)(D) 

        of this subsection; and

          (C) the supervising ethics office determines that approval of 

        the trust arrangement as a qualified blind trust is in the 

        particular case appropriate to assure compliance with applicable 

        laws and regulations.

  (8) A reporting individual shall not be required to report the 
financial interests held by a widely held investment fund (whether such 
fund is a mutual fund, regulated investment company, pension or deferred 
compensation plan, or other investment fund), if--

          (A)(i) the fund is publicly traded; or

          (ii) the assets of the fund are widely diversified; and

          (B) the reporting individual neither exercises control over 

        nor has the ability to exercise control over the financial 

        interests held by the fund.

  (g) Political campaign funds, including campaign receipts and 
expenditures, need not be included in any report filed pursuant to this 
title.

  (h) A report filed pursuant to subsection (a), (d), or (e) of section 
101 need not contain the information described in subparagraphs (A), 
(B), and (C) of subsection (a)(2) with respect to gifts and 
reimbursements received in a period when the reporting individual was 
not an officer or employee of the Federal Government.

  (i) A reporting individual shall not be required under this title to 
report--


[[Page 893]]

          (1) financial interests in or income derived from--

                  (A) any retirement system under title 5, United States 

                Code (including the Thrift Savings Plan under subchapter 

                III of chapter 84 of such title); or

                  (B) any other retirement system maintained by the 

                United States for officers or employees of the United 

                States, including the President, or for members of the 

                uniformed services; or


          (2) benefits received under the Social Security Act.


                            filing of reports


  Sec. 103. (a) Except as otherwise provided in this section, the 
reports required under this title shall be filed by the reporting 
individual with the designated agency ethics official at the agency by 
which he is employed (or in the case of an individual described in 
section 101(e), was employed) or in which he will serve. The date any 
report is received (and the date of receipt of any supplemental report) 
shall be noted on such report by such official.


                                  * * *

  (g) Each supervising Ethics Office shall develop and make available 
forms for reporting the information required by this title.

  (h)(1) The reports required under this title shall be filed by a 
reporting individual with--

          (A)(i)(I) the Clerk of the House of Representatives, in the 

        case of a Representative in Congress, a Delegate to Congress, 

        the Resident Commissioner from Puerto Rico, an officer or 

        employee of the Congress whose compensation is disbursed by the 

        Clerk of the House of Representatives, an officer or employee of 

        the Architect of the Capitol, the United States Botanic Garden, 

        the Congressional Budget Office, the Government Printing Office, 

        the Library of Congress, or the Copyright Royalty Tribunal 

        (including any individual terminating service, under section 

        101(e), in any office or position referred to in this 

        subclause), or an individual described in section 101(c) who is 

        a candidate for nomination or election as a Representative in 

        Congress, a Delegate to Congress, or the Resident Commissioner 


        from Puerto Rico;


                                  * * *

          (ii) in the case of an officer or employee of the Congress as 

        described under section 101(f)(10) who is employed by an agency 

        or commission established in the legislative branch after the 

        date of the enactment of the Ethics Reform Act of 1989--

                  (I) the Secretary of the Senate or the Clerk of the 

                House of Representatives, as the case may be, as 

                designated in the statute establishing such agency or 

                commission; or

                  (II) if such statute does not designate such 

                committee, the Secretary of the Senate for agencies and 


[[Page 894]]

                commissions established in

                even numbered calendar years, and the Clerk of the House 

                of Representatives for agencies and commissions 


                established in odd numbered calendar years;


                                  * * *

          (2) The date any report is received (and the date of receipt 

        of any supplemental report) shall be noted on such report by 

        such committee.

  (i) A copy of each report filed under this title by a Member or an 
individual who is a candidate for the office of Member shall be sent by 
the Clerk of the House of Representatives or Secretary of the Senate, as 
the case may be, to the appropriate State officer designated under 
section 316(a) of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 of the State 
represented by the Member or in which the individual is a candidate, as 
the case may be, within the 30-day period beginning on the day the 
report is filed with the Clerk or Secretary.


  (j)(1) A copy of each report filed under this title with the Clerk of 
the House of Representatives shall be sent by the Clerk to the Committee 
on Standards of Official Conduct of the House of Representatives within 
the 7-day period beginning on the day the report is filed.


                                  * * *


  (k) In carrying out their responsibilities under this title with 
respect to candidates for office, the Clerk of the House of 
Representatives and the Secretary of the Senate shall avail themselves 
of the assistance of the Federal Election Commission. The Commission 
shall make available to the Clerk and the Secretary on a regular basis a 
complete list of names and addresses of all candidates registered with 
the Commission, and shall cooperate and coordinate its candidate 
information and notification program with the Clerk and the Secretary to 
the greatest extent possible.


                 failure to file or filing false reports

  Sec. 104. (a) The Attorney General may bring a civil action in any 
appropriate United States district court against any individual who 
knowingly and willfully falsifies or who knowingly and willfully fails 
to file or report any information that such individual is required to 
report pursuant to section 102. The court in which such action is 
brought may assess against such individual a civil penalty in any 
amount, not to exceed $10,000.

  (b) The head of each agency, each Secretary concerned, the Director of 
the Office of Government Ethics, each congressional ethics committee, or 
the Judicial Conference, as the case may be, shall refer to the Attorney 
General the name of any individual which such official or committee has 
reasonable cause to believe has willfully failed to file a report or has 
willfully falsified or willfully failed to file information required to 
be reported.


[[Page 895]]

committee, and the Judicial Conference of the United States, may take 
any appropriate personnel or other action in accordance with applicable 
law or regulation against any individual failing to file a report or 
falsifying or failing to report information required to be reported.
  (c) The President, the Vice President, the Secretary concerned, the 
head of each agency, the Office of Personnel Management, a congressional 
ethics

  (d)(1) Any individual who files a report required to be filed under 
this title more than 30 days after the later of--

          (A) the date such report is required to be filed pursuant to 

        the provisions of this title and the rules and regulations 

        promulgated thereunder; or

          (B) if a filing extension is granted to such individual under 

        section 101(g), the last day of the filing extension period, 

        shall, at the direction of and pursuant to regulations issued by 

        the supervising ethics office, pay a filing fee of $200. All 

        such fees shall be deposited in the miscellaneous receipts of 

        the Treasury. The authority under this paragraph to direct the 

        payment of a filing fee may be delegated by the supervising 

        ethics office in the executive branch to other agencies in the 

        executive branch.


  (2) The supervising ethics office may waive the filing fee under this 
subsection in extraordinary circumstances.


                 custody of and public access to reports


  Sec. 105. (a) Each agency, each supervising ethics office in the 
executive or judicial branch, the Clerk of the House of Representatives, 
and the Secretary of the Senate shall make available to the public, in 
accordance with subsection (b), each report filed under this title with 
such agency or office or with the Clerk or the Secretary of the Senate.


                                  * * *


[[Page 896]]

  (b)(1) Except as provided in the second sentence of this subsection, 
each agency, each supervising ethics office in the executive or judicial 
branch, the Clerk of the House of Representatives, and the Secretary of 
the Senate shall, within thirty days after any report is received under 
this title by such agency or office or by the Clerk or the Secretary of 
the Senate, as the case may be, permit inspection of such report by or 
furnish a copy of such report to any person requesting such inspection 
or copy. With respect to any report required to be filed by May 15 of 
any year, such report shall be made available for public inspection 
within 30 calendar days after May 15 of such year or within 30 days of 
the date of filing of such a report for which an extension is granted 
pursuant to section 101(g). The agency, office, Clerk, or Secretary of 
the Senate, as the case may be may require a reasonable fee to be paid 
in any amount which is found necessary to recover the cost of 
reproduction or mailing of such report excluding any salary of any 
employee involved in such reproduction or mailing. A copy of such report 
may be furnished without charge or at a reduced charge if it is 
determined that waiver or reduction of the fee is in the public 
interest.

  (2) Notwithstanding paragraph (1), a report may not be made available 
under this section to any person nor may any copy thereof be provided 
under this section to any person except upon a written application by 
such person stating--

          (A) that person's name, occupation and address;

          (B) the name and address of any other person or organization 

        on whose behalf the inspection or copy is requested; and

          (C) that such person is aware of the prohibitions on the 


Any such application shall be made available to the public throughout 
the period during which the report is made available to the public.
        obtaining or use of the report.

  (3)(A) This section does not require the immediate and unconditional 
availability of reports filed by an individual described in section 
109(8) or 109(10) of this Act if a finding is made by the Judicial 
Conference, in consultation with United States Marshall Service, that 
revealing personal and sensitive information could endanger that 
individual.

  (B) A report may be redacted pursuant to this paragraph only--

          (i) to the extent necessary to protect the individual who 

        filed the report; and

          (ii) for as long as the danger to such individual exists.

  (C) The Administrative Office of the United States Courts shall submit 
to the Committees on the Judiciary of the House of Representatives and 
of the Senate an annual report with respect to the operation of this 
paragraph including--

          (i) the total number of reports redacted pursuant to this 

        paragraph;

          (ii) the total number of individuals whose reports have been 

        redacted pursuant to this paragraph; and

          (iii) the types of threats against individuals whose reports 

        are redacted, if appropriate.

  (D) The Judicial Conference, in consultation with the Department of 
Justice, shall issue regulations setting forth the circumstances under 
which redaction is appropriate under this paragraph and the procedures 
for redaction.

  (E) This paragraph shall expire on December 31, 2001, and apply to 
filings through calendar year 2001.

  (c)(1) It shall be unlawful for any person to obtain or use a report--

          (A) for any unlawful purpose;

          (B) for any commercial purpose, other than by news and 

        communications media for dissemination to the general public;

          (C) for determining or establishing the credit rating of any 

        individual; or

          (D) for use, directly or indirectly, in the solicitation of 

        money for any political, charitable, or other purpose.


[[Page 897]]

of this subsection. The court in which such action is brought may assess 
against such person a penalty in any amount not to exceed $10,000. Such 
remedy shall be in addition to any other remedy available under 
statutory or common law.
  (2) The Attorney General may bring a civil action against any person 
who obtains or uses a report for any purpose prohibited in paragraph (1)


  (d) Any report filed with or transmitted to an agency or supervising 
ethics office or to the Clerk of the House of Representatives or the 
Secretary of the Senate pursuant to this title shall be retained by such 
agency or office or by the Clerk or the Secretary of the Senate, as the 
case may be. Such report shall be made available to the public for a 
period of six years after receipt of the report. After such six-year 
period the report shall be destroyed unless needed in an ongoing 
investigation, except that in the case of an individual who filed the 
report pursuant to section 101(b) and was not subsequently confirmed by 
the Senate, or who filed the report pursuant to section 101(c) and was 
not subsequently elected, such reports shall be destroyed one year after 
the individual either is no longer under consideration by the Senate or 
is no longer a candidate for nomination or election to the Office of 
President, Vice President, or as a Member of Congress, unless needed in 
an ongoing investigation.


                            review of reports

  Sec. 106. (a)(1) Each designated agency ethics official or Secretary 
concerned shall make provisions to ensure that each report filed with 
him under this title is reviewed within sixty days after the date of 
such filing, except that the Director of the Office of Government Ethics 
shall review only those reports required to be transmitted to him under 
this title within sixty days after the date of transmittal.

  (2) Each congressional ethics committee and the Judicial Conference 
shall make provisions to ensure that each report filed under this title 
is reviewed within sixty days after the date of such filing.

  (b)(1) If after reviewing any report under subsection (a), the 
Director of the Office of Government Ethics, the Secretary concerned, 
the designated agency ethics official, a person designated by the 
congressional ethics committee, or a person designated by the Judicial 
Conference, as the case may be, is of the opinion that on the basis of 
information contained in such report the individual submitting such 
report is in compliance with applicable laws and regulations, he shall 
state such opinion on the report, and shall sign such report.

  (2) If the Director of the Office of Government Ethics, the Secretary 
concerned, the designated agency ethics official, a person designated by 
the congressional ethics committee, or a person designated by the 
Judicial Conference, after reviewing any report under subsection (a)--

          (A) believes additional information is required to be 

        submitted, he shall notify the individual submitting such report 

        what additional information is required and the time by which it 


[[Page 898]]

        must be submitted, or

          (B) is of the opinion, on the basis of information submitted, 

        that the individual is not in compliance with applicable laws 

        and regulations, he shall notify the individual, afford a 

        reasonable opportunity for a written or oral response, and after 

        consideration of such response, reach an opinion as to whether 

        or not, on the basis of information submitted, the individual is 

        in compliance with such laws and regulations.

  (3) If the Director of the Office of Government Ethics, the Secretary 
concerned, the designated agency ethics official, a person designated by 
a congressional ethics committee, or a person designated by the Judicial 
Conference, reaches an opinion under paragraph (2)(B) that an individual 
is not in compliance with applicable laws and regulations, the official 
or committee shall notify the individual of that opinion and, after an 
opportunity for personal consultation (if practicable), determine and 
notify the individual of which steps, if any, would in the opinion of 
such official or committee be appropriate for assuring compliance with 
such laws and regulations and the date by which such steps should be 
taken. Such steps may include, as appropriate--

          (A) divestiture,

          (B) restitution,

          (C) the establishment of a blind trust,

          (D) request for an exemption under section 208(b) of title 18, 

        United States Code, or

          (E) voluntary request for transfer, reassignment, limitation 


The use of any such steps shall be in accordance with such rules or 
regulations as the supervising ethics office may prescribe.
        of duties, or resignation.

  (4) If steps for assuring compliance with applicable laws and 
regulations are not taken by the date set under paragraph (3) by an 
individual in a position in the executive branch (other than in the 
Foreign Service or the uniformed services), appointment to which 
requires the advice and consent of the Senate, the matter shall be 
referred to the President for appropriate action.

  (5) If steps for assuring compliance with applicable laws and 
regulations are not taken by the date set under paragraph (3) by a 
member of the Foreign Service or the uniformed services, the Secretary 
concerned shall take appropriate action.


[[Page 899]]

  (6) If steps for assuring compliance with applicable laws and 
regulations are not taken by the date set under paragraph (3) by any 
other officer or employee, the matter shall be referred to the head of 
the appropriate agency, the congressional ethics committee, or the 
Judicial Conference, for appropriate action; except that in the case of 
the Postmaster General or Deputy Postmaster General, the Director of the 
Office of Government Ethics shall recommend to the Governors of the 
Board of Governors of the United States Postal Service the action to be 
taken.


  (7) Each supervising ethics office may render advisory opinions 
interpreting this title within its respective jurisdiction. 
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the individual to whom a 
public advisory opinion is rendered in accordance with this paragraph, 
and any other individual covered by this title who is involved in a fact 
situation which is indistinguishable in all material aspects, and who 
acts in good faith in accordance with the provisions and findings of 
such advisory opinion shall not, as a result of such act, be subject to 
any penalty or sanction provided by this title.


         confidential reports and other additional requirements

  Sec. 107. (a)(1) Each supervising ethics office may require officers 
and employees under its jurisdiction (including special Government 
employees as defined in section 202 of title 18, United States Code) to 
file confidential financial disclosure reports, in such form as the 
supervising ethics office may prescribe. The information required to be 
reported under this subsection by the officers and employees of any 
department or agency shall be set forth in rules or regulations 
prescribed by the supervising ethics office, and may be less extensive 
than otherwise required by this title, or more extensive when determined 
by the supervising ethics office to be necessary and appropriate in 
light of sections 202 through 209 of title 18, United States Code, 
regulations promulgated thereunder, or the authorized activities of such 
officers or employees. Any individual required to file a report pursuant 
to section 101 shall not be required to file a confidential report 
pursuant to this subsection, except with respect to information which is 
more extensive than information otherwise required by this title. 
Subsections (a), (b), and (d) of section 105 shall not apply with 
respect to any such report.

  (2) Any information required to be provided by an individual under 
this subsection shall be confidential and shall not be disclosed to the 
public.

  (3) Nothing in this subsection exempts any individual otherwise 
covered by the requirement to file a public financial disclosure report 
under this title from such requirement.

  (b) The provisions of this title requiring the reporting of 
information shall supersede any general requirement under any other 
provision of law or regulation with respect to the reporting of 
information required for purposes of preventing conflicts of interest or 
apparent conflicts of interest. Such provisions of this title shall not 
supersede the requirements of section 7342 of title 5, United States 
Code.


[[Page 900]]

  (c) Nothing in this Act requiring reporting of information shall be 
deemed to authorize the receipt of income, gifts, or reimbursements; the 
holding of assets, liabilities, or positions; or the participation in 
transactions that are prohibited by law, Executive order, rule, or 
regulation.


                    authority of comptroller general

  Sec. 108. (a) The Comptroller General shall have access to financial 
disclosure reports filed under this title for the purposes of carrying 
out his statutory responsibilities.


  (b) No later than December 31, 1992, and regularly thereafter, the 
Comptroller General shall conduct a study to determine whether the 
provisions of this title are being carried out effectively.


                               definitions

  Sec. 109. For the purposes of this title, the term--

  (1) ``congressional ethics committees'' means the Select Committee on 
Ethics of the Senate and the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct 
of the House of Representatives;

  (2) ``dependent child'' means, when used with respect to any reporting 
individual, any individual who is a son, daughter, stepson, or 
stepdaughter and who--

          (A) is unmarried and under age 21 and is living in the 

        household of such reporting individual; or

          (B) is a dependent of such reporting individual within the 

        meaning of section 152 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986;


  (3) ``designated agency ethics official'' means an officer or employee 
who is designated to administer the provisions of this title within an 
agency;


                                  * * *

  (5) ``gift'' means a payment, advance, forbearance, rendering, or 
deposit of money, or any thing of value, unless consideration of equal 
or greater value is received by the donor, but does not include--

          (A) bequest and other forms of inheritance;

          (B) suitable mementos of a function honoring the reporting 

        individual;

          (C) food, lodging, transportation, and entertainment provided 

        by a foreign government within a foreign country or by the 

        United States Government, the District of Columbia, or a State 

        or local government or political subdivision thereof;

          (D) food and beverages which are not consumed in connection 

        with a gift of overnight lodging;

          (E) communications to the offices of a reporting individual, 

        including subscriptions to newspapers and periodicals; or

          (F) consumable products provided by home-State businesses to 

        the offices of a reporting individual who is an elected 

        official, if those products are intended for consumption by 

        persons other than such reporting individual;


[[Page 901]]

  (6) ``honoraria'' has the meaning given such term in section 505 of 
this Act;


  (7) ``income'' means all income from whatever source derived, 
including but not limited to the following items: compensation for 
services, including fees, commissions, and similar items; gross income 
derived from business (and net income if the individual elects to 
include it); gains derived from dealings in property; interest; rents; 
royalties; dividends; annuities; income from life insurance and 
endowment contracts; pensions; income from discharge of indebtedness; 
distributive share of partnership income; and income from an interest in 
an estate or trust;


                                  * * *

  (11) ``legislative branch'' includes--

          (A) the Architect of the Capitol;

          (B) the Botanic Gardens;

          (C) the Congressional Budget Office;

          (D) the General Accounting Office;

          (E) the Government Printing Office;

          (F) the Library of Congress;

          (G) the United States Capitol Police;

          (H) the Office of Technology Assessment; and

          (I) any other agency, entity, office, or commission 

        established in the legislative branch;

  (12) ``Member of Congress'' means a United States Senator, a 
Representative in Congress, a Delegate to Congress, or the Resident 
Commissioner from Puerto Rico;

  (13) ``officer or employee of the Congress'' means--

          (A) any individual described under subparagraph (B), other 

        than a Member of Congress or the Vice President, whose 

        compensation is disbursed by the Secretary of the Senate or the 

        Clerk of the House of Representatives;

          (B)(i) each officer or employee of the legislative branch who, 

        for at least 60 days, occupies a position for which the rate of 

        basic pay is equal to or greater than 120 percent of the minimum 

        rate of basic pay payable for GS-15 of the General Schedule; and

          (ii) at least one principal assistant designated for purposes 

        of this paragraph by each Member who does not have an employee 

        who occupies a position for which the rate of basic pay is equal 

        to or greater than 120 percent of the minimum rate of basic pay 

        payable for GS-15 of the General Schedule;

  (14) ``personal hospitality of any individual'' means hospitality 
extended for a nonbusiness purpose by an individual, not a corporation 
or organization, at the personal residence of that individual or his 
family or on property or facilities owned by that individual or his 
family;


[[Page 902]]

  (15) ``reimbursement'' means any payment or other thing of value 
received by the reporting individual, other than gifts, to cover travel-
related expenses of such individual other than those which are--

          (A) provided by the United States Government, the District of 

        Columbia, or a State or local government or political 

        subdivision thereof;

          (B) required to be reported by the reporting individual under 

        section 7342 of title 5, United States Code; or

          (C) required to be reported under section 304 of the Federal 

        Election Campaign Act of 1971 (2 U.S.C. 434);


  (16) ``relative'' means an individual who is related to the reporting 
individual, as father, mother, son, daughter, brother, sister, uncle, 
aunt, great aunt, great uncle, first cousin, nephew, niece, husband, 
wife, grandfather, grandmother, grandson, granddaughter, father-in-law, 
mother-in-law, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, brother-in-law, sister-in-
law, stepfather, stepmother, stepson, stepdaughter, stepbrother, 
stepsister, half brother, half sister, or who is the grandfather or 
grandmother of the spouse of the reporting individual, and shall be 
deemed to include the fiance or fiancee of the reporting individual;


                                  * * *

  (18) ``supervising ethics office'' means--

          (A) the Senate Committee on Ethics of the Senate, for 

        Senators, officers and employees of the Senate, and other 

        officers or employees of the legislative branch required to file 

        financial disclosure reports with the Secretary of the Senate 

        pursuant to section 103(h) of this title;

          (B) the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct of the 

        House of Representatives, for Members, officers and employees of 

        the House of Representatives and other officers or employees of 

        the legislative branch required to file financial disclosure 

        reports with the Clerk of the House of Representatives pursuant 

        to section 103(h) of this title;

          (C) the Judicial Conference for judicial officers and judicial 

        employees; and

          (D) the Office of Government Ethics for all executive branch 

        officers and employees; and


  (19) ``value'' means a good faith estimate of the dollar value if the 
exact value is neither known nor easily obtainable by the reporting 
individual.


        notice of actions taken to comply with ethics agreements


[[Page 903]]

cial Conference, as the case may be, of any action taken by the 
individual pursuant to that agreement. Such notification shall be made 
not later than the date specified in the agreement by which action by 
the individual must be taken, or not later than three months after the 
date of the agreement, if no date for action is so specified.
  Sec. 110. (a) In any case in which an individual agrees with that 
individual's designated agency ethics official, the Office of Government 
Ethics, a Senate confirmation committee, a congressional ethics 
committee, or the Judicial Conference, to take any action to comply with 
this Act of any other law or regulation governing conflicts of interest 
of, or establishing standards of conduct applicable with respect to, 
officers or employees of the Government, that individual shall notify in 
writing the designated agency ethics official, the Office of Government 
Ethics, the appropriate committee of the Senate, the congressional 
ethics committee, or the Judi


  (b) If an agreement described in subsection (a) requires that the 
individual recuse himself or herself from particular categories of 
agency or other official action, the individual shall reduce to writing 
those subjects regarding which the recusal agreement will apply and the 
process by which it will be determined whether the individual must 
recuse himself or herself in a specific instance. An individual shall be 
considered to have complied with the requirements of subsection (a) with 
respect to such recusal agreement if such individual files a copy of the 
document setting forth the information described in the preceding 
sentence with such individual's designated agency ethics official or the 
appropriate supervising ethics office within the time prescribed in the 
last sentence of subsection (a).


                      administration of provisions


  Sec. 111. The provisions of this title shall be administered by * * *


                                  * * *


  (2) the Select Committee on Ethics of the Senate and the Committee on 
Standards of Official Conduct of the House of Representatives, as 
appropriate, with regard to officers and employees described in 
paragraphs (9) and (10) of section 101(f).





[106th Congress House Rules Manual -- House Document No. 105-358]
[From the U.S. Government Printing Office Online Database]
[Page 903-904]

 
                                  * * *



                   Rule XXVIII.--GENERAL PROVISIONS


[[Page 904]]

they are not inconsistent with the Rules and orders of the House.


Sec. 1104. Relations of Jefferson's Manual and Legislative 
Reorganization Act of 1946 to the Rules of the House.

  1.  The provisions 
of law that constituted the Rules of the House at the end of the 
previous Congress shall govern the House in all cases to which they are 
applicable, and the rules of parliamentary practice comprised by 
Jefferson's Manual shall govern the House in all cases to which they are 
applicable and in which



  2. In these rules words importing the masculine gender include the 
feminine as well.


  Clause 1 was adopted in 1837 (V, 6757), and amended January 3, 1953, 
p. 24, when it was also renumbered. When the House recodified its rules 
in the 106th Congress, clause 1 was transferred from former rule XLII 
and was modified to reference all provisions of law comprising House 
rules at the end of the previous Congress (a compilation of which is 
included in Sec. Sec. 1127-1130, infra); and clause 2 was added (H. Res. 
5, Jan. 6, 1999, p. ----). Discussion of the importance of Jefferson's 
Manual as an authority in congressional procedure (VII, 1029, 1049; 
VIII, 2501, 2517, 2518, 3330).