    [Constitution, Jefferson's Manual, and the Rules of the House of Representatives, 108th Congress]
    [108th Congress]
    [House Document 107-284]
    [Jeffersons Manual of ParliamentaryPractice]
    [Pages 155-164]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

                        sec. xii--committee of the whole

    Sec. 326. Parliamentary usage as to Committee of the
    Whole.

      The  speech, messages, and other matters of great concernment are
    usually referred to a Committee of the Whole House (6 Grey, 311), where
    general principles are digested in the form of resolutions, which are
    debated and amended till they get into a shape which meets the
    approbation of a majority. These being reported and confirmed by the
    House are then referred to one or more select committees, according as
    the subject divides itself into one or more bills. Scob., 36, 44.
    Propositions for any charge on the people are especially to be first
    made in a Committee of the Whole. 3 Hats., 127. The sense of the whole
    is better taken in committee, because in all committees everyone speaks
    as often as he pleases. Scob., 49. * * *

    [[Page 156]]

    House usually acts at once on the report without reference to select or
    other committees (IV, 4705). The practice of referring annual messages
    of the President to Committee of the Whole, to be there considered and
    reported with recommendations for the reference of various portions to
    the proper standing or select committees (V, 6621, 6622), was
    discontinued in the 64th Congress (VIII, 3350). The current practice is
    to refer the annual message to the Committee of the Whole House on the
    state of the Union and order it printed (Jan. 14, 1969, p. 651).
    Executive communications submitted to implement the proposals contained
    in the State of the Union Message are referred by the Speaker to the
    various committees having jurisdiction over the subject matter therein.
      This provision is largely obsolete, the House having by its rules and
    practice provided specifically for procedure in Committee of the Whole,
    and having also by its rules for the order of business left no
    privileged status for motions to go into Committee of the Whole on
    matters not already referred to that committee. The Committee of the
    Whole no longer originates resolutions or bills, but receives such as
    have been formulated by standing or select committees and referred to
    it; and when it reports, the

    Sec. 327. Selection of Chairman of Committee of the
    Whole.

      * * *  They generally acquiesce in the chairman named by the Speaker;
    but, as well as all other committees, have a right to elect one, some
    member, by consent, putting the question, Scob., 36; 3 Grey, 301. * * *

      The House (by clause 1 of rule XVIII) gives the authority to appoint
    the Chairman of the Committee of the Whole to the Speaker (IV, 4704).

    Sec. 328. Form of going into Committee of the
    Whole.

      * * *  The form of going from the House into committee, is for the
    Speaker, on motion, to put the question that the House do now resolve
    itself into a Committee of the Whole to take into consideration such a
    matter, naming it. If determined in the affirmative, he leaves the chair
    and takes a seat elsewhere, as any other Member; and the person
    appointed chairman seats himself at the Clerk's table. Scob., 36. * * *

    [[Page 157]]

      This is the form in the House, except that the Chairman of the
    Committee of the Whole seats himself in the Speaker's chair. Clause 1(b)
    of former rule XXIII (current rule XVIII) was adopted to authorize the
    Speaker, and it is the modern practice, when no other business is
    pending, to declare the House resolved into Committee of the Whole to
    consider a measure at any time after the House has adopted a special
    order of business providing for consideration of such measure (and not
    require a motion), unless the resolution specifies otherwise (H. Res. 5,
    Jan. 3, 1983, p. 34).

    Sec. 329. Quorum in Committee of the Whole.

      * * *  Their
    quorum is the same as that of the House; and if a defect happens, the
    chairman, on a motion and question, rises, the Speaker resumes the chair
    and the chairman can make no other report than to inform the House of
    the cause of their dissolution. * * *

      Until 1890 a quorum of the Committee of the Whole was the same as the
    quorum of the House; but in 1890 the rule (former clause 2 of rule
    XXIII, current clause 6 of rule XVIII) fixed it at one hundred (IV,
    2966). Clause 6 of rule XVIII provides the procedure that is followed in
    Committee of the Whole in case of failure of a quorum.

    Sec. 330. Rising of committee for reception of
    messages.

      * * *  If a message is announced during a committee, the Speaker
    takes the chair and receives it, because the committee can not. 2 Hats.,
    125, 126.

      In the House, the committee rises informally to receive a message, or
    to enable the Speaker to sign and lay before the House an enrolled bill,
    at the direction of the Chairman without a formal motion from the floor
    (IV, 4786, footnote; Jan. 28, 1980, p. 888; Feb. 8, 1995, p. 4112); but
    at this rising the House may not have the message read or transact other
    business except by unanimous consent (IV, 4787-4791). However, it is the
    general custom for the Speaker to decline to entertain a unanimous-
    consent request during an informal rising of the Committee of the Whole
    (IV, 4789, Apr. 6, 2000, p. ----).

    [[Page 158]]

    approved as the only expedient to suppress the disorder. And every
    Member was required, standing up in his place, to engage that he would
    proceed no further in consequence of what had happened in the grand
    committee, which was done. 3 Grey, 128.

    Sec. 331. Quarrels in Committee of the Whole, and duty of
    the Speaker in relation thereto.

      In  a Committee of the Whole, the tellers
    on a division differing as to numbers, great heats and confusion arose,
    and danger of a decision by the sword. The Speaker took the chair, the
    mace was forcibly laid on the table; whereupon the Members retiring to
    their places, the Speaker told the House ``he has taken the chair
    without an order to bring the House into order.'' Some excepted against
    it; but it was generally

      In the House the Speaker has on several occasions taken the chair
    ``without an order to bring the House into order'' (II, 1648-1653), but
    that being accomplished he may yield to the chairman that the committee
    may rise in due form (II, 1349). In one instance, the chairman, having
    been defied and insulted by a Member, left the chair; and, on the chair
    being taken by the Speaker, he reported the facts to the House (II,
    1653). In several cases Members who have quarrelled have made
    explanation and reconciled their difficulties (II, 1651), or have been
    compelled by the House to apologize ``for violating its privilege and
    offending its dignity'' (II, 1648, 1650).

    Sec. 332. Effect of breaking up of Committee of the Whole by
    disorder.

      A  Committee of the Whole being broken up in disorder, and the
    chair resumed by the Speaker without an order, the House was adjourned.
    The next day the committee was considered as thereby dissolved, and the
    subject again before the House; and it was decided in the House, without
    returning into committee. 3 Grey, 130.

      This provision is obsolete, since in the practice of the House there
    is but one Committee of the Whole, which is in its nature a standing
    committee with calendars of business. It is never dissolved, and bills
    remain on its calendar until reported in the regular manner after
    consideration (IV, 4705). When the Speaker restores order he usually
    yields the chair to the chairman, thus permitting the committee later to
    rise in due form (II, 1349).

    [[Page 159]]

    their consideration such a matter, and have made progress therein; but
    not having had time to go through the same, have directed him to ask
    leave to sit again. Whereupon a question is put on their having leave,
    and on the time the House will again resolve itself into a committee.
    Scob., 38. But if they have gone through the matter <> referred
    to them, a member moves that the committee may rise, and the chairman
    report their proceedings to the House; which being resolved, the
    chairman rises, the Speaker resumes the chair, the chairman informs him
    that the committee have gone through the business referred to them, and
    that he is ready to make report when the House shall think proper to
    receive it. If the House have time to receive it, there is usually a cry
    of ``now, now,'' whereupon he makes the report; but if it be late, the
    cry is ``to-morrow, to-morrow,'' or ``Monday,'' etc., or a motion is
    made to that effect, and a question put that it be received to-morrow,
    &c. Scob., 38.

    Sec. 333. Motions for previous question and to adjourn not
    used in Committee of the Whole.

      No  previous question can be put in a
    committee; nor can this committee adjourn as others may; but if their
    business is unfinished, they rise, on a question, the House is resumed,
    and the chairman reports that the Committee of the Whole have, according
    to order, had under

    [[Page 160]]

    and may be offered during debate on a pending amendment, except where a
    Member has the floor (Aug. 13, 1986, p. 21215; Mar. 22, 1995, p. 8770).
    The motion to rise may not include restrictions on the amendment process
    or limitations on future debate on amendments (June 6, 1990, p. 13234).
    The motion that the Committee of the Whole rise is not debatable (May
    17, 2000, p. ----). For a further discussion of the motion to rise, see
    Sec. 983, infra.
      In the practice of the House the previous question and motion to
    adjourn are not admitted in Committee of the Whole; but the rules
    (clause 8 of rule XVIII) provide for closing both the general and five-
    minute debate. When the committee rises without concluding a matter the
    chairman reports that they ``have come to no resolution thereon''; but
    leave to sit again is not asked in the modern practice. The permission
    of the House is not asked when the chairman reports a matter concluded
    in committee. The report is made and received as a matter of course, and
    is thereupon before the House for action. When the House has vested
    control of general debate in certain Members, their control may not be
    abrogated during general debate by another Member moving to rise, unless
    they yield for that purpose (May 25, 1967, p. 14121; June 10, 1999, p.
    ----). A Member yielded time in general debate may not yield to another
    for such motion (Feb. 22, 1950, p. 2178; May 17, 2000, p. ----). The
    motion that the Committee of the Whole rise is privileged during debate
    under the five-minute rule,

    Sec. 335. Duties of Speaker and House as to reception of
    reports of Committee of the Whole.

      The  Speaker recognizes only reports
    from the Committee of the Whole made by the chairman thereof (V, 6987),
    and a matter alleged to have arisen therein but not reported may not be
    brought to the attention of the House (VIII, 2429, 2430) even on the
    claim that a question of privilege is involved (IV, 4912; V, 6987; VIII,
    2430). In one instance, however, the committee reported with a bill a
    resolution relating to an alleged breach of privilege (V, 6986). When a
    bill is reported the Speaker must assume that it has passed through all
    the stages necessary for the report (IV, 4916). When the committee
    reported not only what it had done but by whom it had been prevented
    from doing other things, the Speaker held that the House might not amend
    the report, which stood (IV, 4909). But a committee may not report a
    recommendation which, if carried into effect, would change a rule of the
    House (IV, 4907, 4908) unless a measure proposing amendments to House
    rules has initially been referred to the Committee of the Whole by the
    House. When an amendment is reported by the committee it may not be
    withdrawn, and a question as to its validity is not considered by the
    Speaker (IV, 4900). When a committee, directed by order of the House to
    consider certain bills, reported also certain other bills, the Speaker
    held that so much of the report as related to the latter bills could be
    received only by unanimous consent (IV, 4911). When a report is ruled
    out as in excess of the committee's power, the accompanying bill stands
    recommitted (IV, 4784, 4907). A report from a Committee of the Whole
    could not formerly be received in the absence of a quorum (VI, 666;
    clause 7 of rule XX).

    [[Page 161]]

    further amended clause 2 to permit only the Majority Leader or a
    designee to offer that motion (sec. 215(a), H. Res. 6, Jan. 4, 1995, p.
    468). The 105th Congress elevated the Majority Leader's preferential
    motion in clause 2 to take precedence of any motion to amend at that
    stage (H. Res. 5, Jan. 7, 1997, p. 121). The practice of
    the House, based originally on a rule (IV, 4904), requires amendments to
    be reported from the Committee of the Whole in their perfected forms,
    and this holds good even in the case of an amendment in the nature of a
    substitute, which may have been amended freely (IV, 4900-4903). If a
    Committee of the Whole amends a paragraph and subsequently strikes out
    the paragraph as amended, the first amendment fails, and is not reported
    to the House or voted on (IV, 4898; V, 6169; VIII, 2421, 2426), and when
    the Committee of the Whole adopts two amendments that are subsequently
    deleted by an amendment striking out and inserting new text, only the
    latter amendment is reported to the House (June 20, 1967, p. 16497).
    Where two amendments proposing inconsistent motions to strike and insert
    a pending section are considered as separate first degree amendments
    (not one as a substitute for the other) before either is finally
    disposed of under a special procedure permitting the Chair to postpone
    requests for a recorded vote, the Chair's order of voting on the matter
    as unfinished business determines which amendment (if both were adopted)
    would be reported to the House (Aug. 6, 1998, p. ----). Normally, if the
    Committee of the Whole perfects a bill by adopting certain amendments
    and then adopts an amendment striking out all after section one of the
    bill and inserting a new text, only the bill, as amended by the motion
    to strike out and insert, is reported to the House; but when the bill is
    being considered under a special rule permitting a separate vote in the
    House on any of the amendments adopted in the Committee of the Whole to
    the bill or the committee substitute, all amendments adopted in the
    Committee are reported to the House regardless of their consistency (May
    26, 1960, pp. 11302-04). Where a separate vote is demanded in this type
    of situation in the House only on an amendment striking out a section of
    a committee substitute, but not on perfecting amendments which have been
    previously adopted in Committee of the Whole to that section, rejection
    in the House of the motion to strike the section results in a vote on
    the committee substitute in its original form and not as perfected,
    since the perfecting amendments have been displaced in the Committee of
    the Whole and have not been revived on a separate vote in the House
    (Speaker O'Neill, Oct. 13, 1977, pp. 33622-24). But where the Committee
    of the Whole reports a bill to the House with an adopted amendment in
    the nature of a substitute and the special order of business in question
    does not provide for separate House votes on amendments thereto, a
    separate vote may not be demanded on an amendment to such amendment,
    since only one amendment in its perfected form has been reported back to
    the House (Nov. 17, 1983, p. 33463).

    [[Page 162]]

    Sec. 336. Amendments in Committee of the
    Whole.

      The Committee of the  Whole, like any other committee, may amend a proposition either
    by an ordinary amendment or by a substitute amendment (IV, 4899), but
    these amendments must be reported to the House for action. Amendments
    rejected by the committee are not reported (IV, 4877). Ordinarily all
    amendments must be disposed of before the committee may report (IV,
    4752-4758); but sometimes a special order of business requires a report
    at a specified time, in which case pending amendments are reported (IV,
    3225-3228) or not (IV, 4910) as the terms of the order may direct. In
    the 98th Congress, clause 2 of rule XXI was amended to give precedence
    to the motion that the Committee rise and report a general appropriation
    bill at the conclusion of its reading for amendment and prior to or
    between consideration of amendments proposing certain limitations or
    retrenchments (H. Res. 5, Jan. 3, 1983, p. 34). The 104th Congress

    Sec. 337. Committee of the Whole amendments in the
    House.

      All  amendments to a bill reported from the Committee of the Whole
    stand on an equal footing and must be voted on by the House (IV, 4871)
    in the order in which they are reported, although they may be
    inconsistent, one with another (IV, 4881, 4882), and are subject to
    amendment in the House unless the previous question is ordered (VIII,
    2419). Two amendments being reported as distinct were considered
    independently, although apparently one was a proviso attaching to the
    other (IV, 4905); and an entire and distinct amendment may not be
    divided, but must be voted on by the House as a whole (IV, 4883-4892;
    VIII, 2426). It is a frequent practice for the House by unanimous
    consent, to act at once on all the amendments to a bill reported from
    the Committee of the Whole, but it is the right of any Member to demand
    a separate vote on any amendment (IV, 4893, 4894; VIII, 2419). Where a
    special rule permits en bloc consideration of certain amendments in
    Committee of the Whole, those amendments if reported back to the House
    may also be considered en bloc for a separate vote in the House on
    demand of any Member (Speaker O'Neill, Sept. 7, 1978, p. 28425). A
    Member may demand a separate vote in the House on an amendment to a
    committee amendment in the nature of a substitute adopted in the
    Committee of the Whole where the bill is being considered under a
    special rule permitting separate votes in the House on any of the
    amendments adopted in the Committee of the Whole to the bill or
    committee amendment (Sept. 30, 1971, p. 34337), but where a special rule
    ``self-executes'' an amendment as a modification of an amendment in the
    nature of a substitute to be considered as an original bill, that
    modification is not separately voted on upon demand in the House
    (Speaker Foley, Feb. 3, 1993, p. 2043). A Member may withdraw a demand
    for a separate vote in the House on an amendment reported from Committee
    of the Whole prior to the Speaker's putting the question thereon, and
    unanimous consent is not required (May 28, 1987, p. 14030). When demand
    is made for separate votes in the House on several amendments adopted in
    the Committee of the Whole, the amendments are voted on in the House in
    the order in which they appear in the bill (July 24, 1968, pp. 23093-95;
    May 28, 1987, p. 14030; June 11, 1997, p. ----), except when amendments
    have been considered under a special rule prescribing the order for
    their consideration where the bill is considered as read, in which case
    they are voted on upon demand in the order in which considered in
    Committee of the Whole (Mar. 11, 1993, p. 4733; Mar. 25, 1993, pp. 6358,
    6359).

    [[Page 163]]

    Whole does not prevent it from being offered as an amendment when the
    subject comes up in the House (IV, 4878-4880; VIII, 2700). A substitute
    amendment may be offered to a bill reported from committee, and then the
    previous question may be ordered on the substitute, on all other
    amendments, and on the bill to final passage (V, 5472). An amendment in
    the nature of a substitute reported from committee is treated like any
    other amendment (V, 5341), and if the House rejects the substitute the
    original bill without amendment is before the House (VIII, 2426).
      Depending on the will of the House as expressed on the question of
    ordering the previous question (IV, 4895; V, 5794; VIII, 2419), when a
    bill is reported with amendments, it is in order to submit additional
    amendments after disposition of the committee amendments (IV, 4872-
    4876). However, in modern practice the opportunity to submit amendments
    is normally foreclosed by the ordering of the previous question under a
    special rule. The fact that a proposition has been rejected by the
    Committee of the

    Sec. 338. Bills from Committee of the Whole in the
    House.

      Where  a series of bills are reported from Committee of the Whole, the
    House considers them in the order in which they are reported (IV, 4869,
    4870; VIII, 2417). A proposition reported for action has precedence over
    an independent resolution on the same subject offered by a Member from
    the floor (V, 6986), and where a bill and a resolution relating to an
    alleged breach of privilege were reported together the question was put
    first on the bill (V, 6986). A bill read in full and considered in
    Committee of the Whole (IV, 3409, 3410), or presumed to have been so
    read (IV, 4916), is not read in full again in the House when reported
    and acted on. The Chairman of the Committee of the Whole which reports a
    bill does not become entitled to prior recognition for debate in the
    House (II, 1453); but on an adverse report an opponent is recognized to
    make a motion for disposition of the bill (IV, 4897; VIII, 2430), or for
    debate (VII, 2629). The recommendation of the committee being before the
    House, the motion to carry out the recommendation is usually considered
    as pending without being offered from the floor (IV, 4896), but when a
    bill was reported with a recommendation that it lie on the table, a
    question was raised as to whether or not this motion, which prevents
    debate, should be considered as pending (IV, 4897). The House considers
    an amendment reported from the Committee of the Whole to the preamble of
    a Senate joint resolution following disposition of amendments to the
    text and pending third reading (May 25, 1993, pp. 11036, 11037).

    Sec. 339. Discharge of the Committee of the Whole.

      A  motion
    to discharge the Committee of the Whole from the consideration of a
    matter committed to it is not privileged as against a demand for the
    regular order (IV, 4917). When the committee is discharged from
    consideration of a bill the House, in lieu of the report of the
    chairman, accepts the minutes of the Clerk as evidence of amendments
    agreed to (IV, 4922).
    <>   In other things the rules or proceedings are to be the same
    as in the House. Scob., 39.

    [[Page 164]]

      The House provides by rule (clause 12 of rule XVIII) that the rules of
    proceeding in the House shall apply in Committee of the Whole so far as
    they may be applicable.