House Rules Affecting Committees

97-357 GOV

CRS Report for Congress

Received through the CRS Web

House Rules Affecting Committees

Updated February 22, 1999

Stanley Bach

Senior Specialist in the Legislative Process

Government and Finance Division

Carol Hardy-Vincent

Specialist in American National Government

Government and Finance Division

Congressional Research Service ˜ The Library of Congress

ABSTRACT

House Rules, especially Rules X-XIII, govern the authority and operations of its committees

and subcommittees. This report identifies and summarizes these and other rules and directives

affecting committee powers, authority, activities, and operations.

House Rules Affecting Committees

Summary

The rules of the House of Representatives, especially Rules X-XIII, govern the

authority and operations of its committees and subcommittees. In many respects, the

House allows each of its committees to decide for itself how to conduct its business.

However, the House does impose various requirements and prohibitions on its

committees; and because the committees are the agents of the House, they are

obligated to comply with all House directives that apply to them.

This report identifies and summarizes the provisions of the House's standing

rules and certain other directives that affect committee powers, authority, activities,

and operations. It is organized under seven headings: (1) general, (2) establishment

and assignments, (3) hearings, markups, and other meetings, (4) reporting, (5)

oversight and investigations, (6) funding, staff, and travel, and (7) other duties.

Contents

Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Application of House Rules to Committees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Application of Committee Rules to Subcommittees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Adoption of Committee Rules . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Publication of Committee Rules . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Activity Report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Members' Access to Records . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Preservation of Records . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Availability of Archived Records . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Nonavailability of Archived Records . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Withdrawal of Archived Records . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Committee Rules on Availability of Archived Records . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Documents Available Electronically . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Establishment, Referrals, and Assignments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Establishment and Referrals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Establishment and Jurisdiction of Standing Committees . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Limitation on Subcommittee Establishment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Referrals by the Speaker . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Assignments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Assignment to Standing Committees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Limitation on Assignments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Chairmanship Election and Limitation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Select and Conference Committees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Party Membership . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Committee Service of the Resident Commissioner and Delegates . . . . 6

Hearings, Markups, and Other Meetings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Authority to Meet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Committee Sessions During Joint Sessions and Meetings . . . . . . . . . . 7

Presiding at Committee Meetings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Motions to Recess . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Broadcasting Sessions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Records of Committee Sessions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Hearings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Public Announcement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Quorum at Hearing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Subpoena . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Witnesses Selected by the Minority . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Administering the Oath . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Statements of Witnesses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Questioning Witnesses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Open Hearings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Printing of Hearings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Availability of Printed Hearings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Preservation of Committee Hearings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Enforcement of Hearing Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Markups and Other Business Meetings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Regular Meeting Day . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Additional Committee Meetings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Open Meetings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Quorum at Meeting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Reading Measures During Markups . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Proxy Voting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Records of Rollcall Votes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Reporting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Quorum for Reporting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Timely Filing of Reports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Appropriations and Tax Provisions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Budget Legislation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Federal Intergovernmental Mandates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Layover Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Resolutions of Inquiry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Content of Committee Reports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Other Views . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Rollcall Votes Taken . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Cost Estimates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Budgetary and Fiscal Impact . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

"Ramseyer Rule" Print . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Oversight Findings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Constitutional Authority Statement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

Applicability to Congress . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

Federal Mandates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

Federal Advisory Committees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

Cover Page of Committee Report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

Oversight and Investigations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

Oversight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

General Oversight Responsibilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

Special Oversight Functions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

Review of Tax Policies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

Adoption of Oversight Agenda . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

Establishment of Oversight Subcommittees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

Establishment of Ad Hoc Oversight Committees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

Investigations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

Studies and Investigations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

Investigative Hearings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

Reports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

Reports Considered as Read . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

Filing Joint Reports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

Filing After Adjournment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

Funding, Staff, and Travel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

Funding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

Committee Reserve Fund . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

Automatic Interim Funding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

Supplemental Funds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

Staff . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

Appointment of Professional Staff . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

Appointment of Minority Party Staff . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

Treatment of Minority Party Staff . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

Non-partisan Staff . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

Duties of Professional Staff . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

Associate and Shared Staff . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

Salaries of Staff . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

Detailed Staff . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

Subcommittee Staff . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

Consultants and Training . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

Travel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

Travel by Non-Returning Members . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

Local Currency for Foreign Travel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

Reimbursement for Foreign Travel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

Reimbursement for Transportation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

Foreign Travel Reports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

Other Duties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

Additional Functions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

Annual Appropriations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

Views and estimates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

Related CRS Reports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

House Rules Affecting Committees

Introduction

At the beginning of each Congress, the House adopts its rules of procedure for

that Congress. Although it usually readopts most provisions of its rules from the

previous Congress, the House also changes some aspects of its procedures for each

new Congress. Rules X-XIII are the primary House rules that govern the authority

and operations of House committees and subcommittees.

Because the committees are the agents of the House, they are obligated to

comply with all House directives that apply to them. However, in some respects the

House allows each of its committees to decide for itself how to conduct its business.

For this purpose, each committee is required to adopt written rules of procedure

within the limitations of House rules.

This report identifies and summarizes the provisions of the House's standing

rules and certain other directives that affect committee powers, authority, activities,

and operations. It does not address party conference rules, the rules adopted by

individual committees that supplement House rules, or committee practices on matters

not covered by House rules. The report is organized under seven headings: (1)

general, (2) establishment and assignments, (3) hearings, markups, and other

meetings, (4) reporting, (5) oversight and investigations, (6) funding, staff, and travel,

and (7) other duties.

This report primarily covers requirements and prohibitions contained in the Rules

of the House of Representatives that are of direct and general applicability to most or

all House committees. The report does not encompass most other provisions of law

or the House's rules that apply only to one committee, such as the Intelligence or

Standards of Official Conduct Committee, or House rules governing certain

appropriations hearings and the content of appropriations measures.

The summaries presented here are not intended to capture every nuance and

detail of the rules themselves. Members and staff are advised to consult the text of

the appropriate standing rule or provision of law.1

1

Information that supplements and interprets the provisions of House Rules is contained in

the House Rules Manual for each Congress, as well as several sources containing precedents:

Cannon's Procedure, House Practice, Deschler's and Deschler-Brown Precedents, and

Hinds' and Cannon's Precedents.

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General

Application of House Rules to Committees. Rule XI, clause 1(a)(1)(A)

Rule XI provides that, in general, the rules of the House "are the rules of its

committees and subcommittees so far as applicable." In addition to this general

principle; see Motions to recess and Reading measures during markup.

Although this provision is clear in principle, it is not always obvious how it is to

be applied in practice. There are various rules, for example, that govern how the

House may consider measures on the floor, but this clause does not specify which of

these rules is to be applicable to committees and subcommittees.

In the commentary accompanying Rule XI, the House Parliamentarian observes

that:

[t]he procedures applicable in the House as in the Committee of the Whole

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.

The Parliamentarian continues: "Committees generally conduct their business

under the five-minute rule, but may employ the ordinary motions which are in order

in the House...and may also employ the motion to limit debate under the five-minute

rule on a proposition which has been read."

Application of Committee Rules to Subcommittees. Rule XI, clause 1(a)(2)

The rules of a committee apply to its subcommittees, "so far as applicable."

Furthermore, subcommittees are subject to the authority and direction of the

committee of which they are a part.

Adoption of Committee Rules. Rule XI, clause 2(a)(1)

Each committee is required to adopt written rules that "may not be inconsistent"

with House rules and applicable rule-making provisions of law. For convenience, the

committee's rules are to incorporate applicable provisions of clause 2 of Rule XI.

The meeting at which the committee adopts its rules is to be open to the public

unless in open session the committee votes, by roll call and with a quorum present,

to close part or all of the meeting.

Publication of Committee Rules. Rule XI, clause 2(a)(2)

The rules that a committee adopts are to be published in the Congressional

Record by no later than thirty days after the committee members are elected at the

beginning of a Congress.

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Activity Report. Rule XI, clause 1(d)

At the end of the Congress, each committee is to submit to the House a report

on its activities during the preceding two years. The activity report is to differentiate

between the committee's legislative and oversight activities. A committee chair may

file an activity report after the adjournment of Congress sine die and without formal

approval by the committee, provided the report has been available to committee

members for at least seven calendar days for inclusion of supplemental, minority, and

additional views.

Members' Access to Records. Rule XI, clause 2(e)(2)

The records of a committee must be kept separate from the personal office

records of the chair of the committee. Committee records are the property of the

House and all its Members shall have access to them; however, certain records of the

Committee on Standards of Official Conduct are not available to non-committee

Members without the prior approval of the Committee.

Preservation of Records. Rule VII, clauses 1, (2), and (6)

The noncurrent records of each committee are to be preserved at the National

Archives and Records Administration. At the end of each Congress, the chair of each

committee is to transfer the noncurrent records of the committee to the Clerk of the

House. The Clerk then delivers these records to the Archivist of the United States for

preservation at the Archives, but the records continue to be the property of the

House.

A committee "record" is defined as "an official, permanent record of the

committee (including any record of a legislative, oversight, or other activity of such

committee or subcommittee thereof)."

Availability of Archived Records. Rule VII, clauses 3 and 5(a)-(b)

In general, the Archivist makes archived records publicly available under the

following rules (and any orders of the House). First, any record that a committee

makes publicly available before its delivery to the Archivist is to be available

immediately. Second, the following records will be available after 50 years: (1)

investigative records containing personal data on living individuals, (2) personnel

records, and (3) records of closed hearings. Third, a committee order that specifies

the time, schedule, or condition for availability of committee records shall govern,

except as otherwise provided by order of the House. Finally, records other than those

covered above are to be available after 30 years.

The Committee on House Administration may establish guidelines and

regulations governing the applicability and implementation of House Rule VII on

noncurrent records, and this rule does not supersede other House rules or authorize

disclosure if prohibited by law or executive order.

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Nonavailability of Archived Records. Rule VII, clause 4

An archived record of a committee is not be available to the public if the Clerk

of the House determines that availability would be "detrimental to the public interest

or inconsistent with the rights and privileges of the House." The Clerk is to notify the

Committee on House Administration of such determination. A committee may

change any such determination by a later order.

Withdrawal of Archived Records. Rule VII, clause 5(c)

For official use, a committee may temporarily withdraw a record from the

Archives.

Committee Rules on Availability of Archived Records. Rule XI, clause

2(e)(3)

As part of its written rules, each committee is to include standards for availability

of archived records. The standards are to specify the committee's procedures for

adopting orders (under House Rule VII) relating to the time, schedule, or condition

for availability of its records, including those the Clerk of the House initially

determines shall not be available to the public. The rules also should contain a

requirement that nonavailability of a committee's record for a period longer than

required by House rules requires committee approval.

Documents Available Electronically. Rule XI, clause 2(e)(4)

To the maximum extent feasible, committees are to make their publications

available to the public in electronic form (i.e., on the Internet).

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Establishment, Referrals, and Assignments

Establishment and Referrals

Establishment and Jurisdiction of Standing Committees. Rule X, clause 1

Nineteen standing committees are established, and the subjects within the

jurisdiction of each committee are listed. Measures and matters are to be referred to

committees based on these jurisdictions.

Limitation on Subcommittee Establishment. Rule X, clause 5(d)

A House committee may not create more than five subcommittees, or six

subcommittees if one of the six is an oversight subcommittee, except that

Appropriations may have not more than 13 subcommittees, and the Committee on

Government Reform may have as many as seven.

Referrals by the Speaker. Rule XII, clause 2

The Speaker is to refer a measure or other matter to each standing committee

that has jurisdiction over the subject matter of any provision(s), to the maximum

extent feasible.

The Speaker has authority to refer a matter to more than one committee. In such

cases, he is to designate a primary committee and also may refer a measure

sequentially to other committees, with time limitations for consideration of provisions

within their jurisdiction, or refer portions of the measure to one or more additional

committees. He also may create a special ad hoc committee to consider a matter,

appointing Members with House approval and with Members from the committees

of jurisdiction. The Speaker also may make other referral arrangements he deems

appropriate.

Assignments

Assignment to Standing Committees. Rule X, clause 5(a)(1) and 5(e)

Members are elected to standing committees by the House based on nominations

by the party caucuses as contained in resolutions. The resolutions are privileged for

floor consideration, and Members must be elected to committees by the seventh day

after the beginning of a Congress.

Vacancies in standing committees also are filled by election of the House on the

basis of nominations by the party conferences.

Limitation on Assignments. Rule X, clause 5(b)(2)

No Member may serve on more than six standing panels: two standing

committees and four of their subcommittees. However, the chair or ranking member

of a full committee may serve ex officio on all its subcommittees. Any other

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exceptions must be recommended by the pertinent party conference and approved by

the House.

Chairmanship Election and Limitation. Rule X, clause (5)(c)

The House elects the chair of each standing committee on the basis of a

nomination submitted by the majority party conference. In case of the temporary

absence of the chairman, the next ranking majority party member acts as chairman.

In case of a permanent vacancy, the House elects a new committee chairman.

In general, a Member may not chair a particular standing committee or

subcommittee for more than three consecutive terms (beginning with the 104th

Congress).

Select and Conference Committees. Rule I, clause 11, and Rule III, clause

3(b)

The Speaker is authorized to appoint members of select and conference

committees, and may remove members or appoint additional members at any time.

He may appoint the Resident Commissioner from Puerto Rico and the Delegates to

any select or conference committee.

To the maximum extent feasible in naming conferees, the Speaker is to (1)

appoint no less than a majority of Members who generally supported the House

position, (2) name the Members who were primarily responsible for the legislation,

and (3) include the principal proponents of the major provisions of the measure as

passed by the House.

Party Membership. Rule X, clause 5(b)(1)

Membership on standing committees during a Congress is contingent upon

continued membership in the party conference to which the Member belonged when

assigned to committees. If a Member ceases to be a member of a particular party, the

Member automatically loses his or her committee assignments.

Committee Service of the Resident Commissioner and Delegates. Rule III,

clause 3(a)

The Delegates and the Resident Commissioner from Puerto Rico are elected to

standing committees by the same procedures, and have the same "powers and

privileges" in committees, as Members of the House.

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Hearings, Markups, and Other Meetings

General

Authority to Meet. Rule XI, clause 2(m)(1)(A)

To carry out its authorized functions and duties, each committee and

subcommittee is empowered "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...."

Committee Sessions During Joint Sessions and Meetings. Rule XI, clause

2(i)

No committee of the House may meet during a joint session or meeting of the

House and Senate.

Presiding at Committee Meetings. Rule XI, clause 2(d)

The committee chairman may designate a member of the majority party to be the

vice chairman of the committee or one of its subcommittees. The vice chairman shall

preside over the committee or subcommittee in the temporary absence of its chairman.

In the absence of the chairman and the vice chairman, the most senior member of the

majority party shall preside.

Motions to Recess. Rule XI, clause 1(a)(1)

In committee and subcommittee, a motion to recess from day to day is privileged

and nondebatable.

Broadcasting Sessions. Rule XI, clause 4

Any committee or subcommittee meeting or hearing that is open to the public

also is open to still photography and to radio and television coverage.

A committee may adopt, as part of its written rules, procedures regulating

photography and broadcasts of its meetings and hearings, but these committee rules

must conform with the 12 requirements and stipulations laid out in this clause of

House Rule XI. Among other issues, these requirements pertain to coverage of

sessions without commercial sponsorship; positions and placement of television

cameras and location of photographers; installation and removal of media equipment;

lighting; allocation of the number of still photographers; accreditation by the press

galleries; and conduct of media personnel.

Records of Committee Sessions. Rule XI, clause 2(e)(1)(A)

Hearing and markup transcripts kept by a committee must be substantially

verbatim. A person may make only technical, typographical, and grammatical

corrections in his or her remarks.

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Hearings

Public Announcement. Rule XI, clause 2(g)(3)

A committee is to give at least one week's public notice of the date, place, and

subject of any hearing. If the committee, or chair with the concurrence of the ranking

minority member, decides that there is "good cause" to begin the hearing in less than

a week, the public announcement should be made as soon as possible. The

announcement is to appear in the "Daily Digest" section of the Congressional Record

and is to be “made available in electronic form.”

These requirements do not apply to the Rules Committee.

Quorum at Hearing. Rule XI, clause 2(h)(2)

Each committee may set its own quorum for conducting a hearing, so long as

that quorum is at least two members.

Subpoena. Rule XI, clause 2(m)

A committee or subcommittee may subpoena witnesses or any materials

necessary to carry out its authorized responsibilities. A subpoena may be authorized

and issued by a committee or subcommittee with a majority quorum present, but this

authority may be delegated to the committee chair in accordance with any limitations

or rules the committee may establish.

The chair, or any Member designated by the committee, signs authorized

subpoenas. Compliance with a subpoena may be enforced only by the House.

Witnesses Selected by the Minority. Rule XI, clause 2(j)(1)

The minority party members of a committee are entitled to call witnesses of their

choice "during at least one day of hearing" on a measure or matter, but only if a

majority of the committee's minority party members make such a request of the

chairman "before the completion of the hearing."

Administering the Oath. Rule XI, clause 2(m)(2)

"The chairman of the committee, or any member designated by the chairman,

may administer oaths to witnesses."

Statements of Witnesses. Rule XI, clause 2(g)(4)

To the extent practicable, each witness is to submit a written statement before

he or she testifies, and to present only a summary as his or her oral testimony. As part

of the written statement, a non-governmental witness is required to include a resume

and information on federal grants and contracts received by the witness or the

organization being represented during the current and previous two fiscal years.

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Questioning Witnesses. Rule XI, clause 2(j)(2)

In general, each committee member shall have five minutes to question each

witness until all committee members have had that opportunity. However, a

committee may extend the time for questioning witnesses by adopting a rule or

motion to allow a specified number of its majority and minority party members to

question a witness for no more than a total of one hour, with the time to be equally

divided between the parties. Similarly, a committee may adopt a rule or motion

allowing its majority and minority staff to question a witness for equal periods of time,

not to exceed one hour in total.

Open Hearings. Rule XI, clauses 2(g)(2) and 2(k)(5)

Each committee and subcommittee hearing is to be open to the public unless the

committee or subcommittee votes in open session, by roll call and with a majority

present, to close part or all of the hearing on that day. A committee or subcommittee

may vote to close part or all of a hearing only if disclosure of the matters to be

considered at the session "would endanger national security, would compromise

sensitive law enforcement information, or would violate a law or rule of the House."

However, a majority of whatever quorum a committee requires to conduct a

hearing may vote to close a hearing (1) because the anticipated testimony at an

investigatory hearing "may tend to defame, degrade, or incriminate any person," or

(2) solely to discuss whether there is a reason to resume the hearing in closed session.

By these procedures, most committees or subcommittees may vote to close a

particular day of hearing and one subsequent day of hearing. The Appropriations and

Armed Services Committees and the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence,

and their subcommittees, may vote to close up to five additional consecutive days of

hearings.

Members of the House may attend, but not participate in, hearings of committees

or subcommittees (except the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct) on which

they do not serve, unless the House votes to authorize a committee or subcommittee

to use the procedures for closing hearings to the public (clause 2(g)(2)) to close one

or more hearings on a particular measure or subject to non-committee members.

See also Broadcasting sessions and Open meetings.

Printing of Hearings. Rule XI, clause 1(c)

Each committee is authorized to have its hearings printed and bound.

Availability of Printed Hearings. Rule XIII, clause 4(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."

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Preservation of Committee Hearings. Sec. 141 of the Legislative

Reorganization Act of 1946, codified as amended at 2 U.S.C. 145a

At the end of each session of Congress, each committee's printed hearings are

to be bound by the Library of Congress.

Enforcement of Hearing Requirements. Rule XI, clause 2(g)(5)

A point of order cannot be made on the House floor on the grounds that the

committee reporting the measure in question had not complied with all the

requirements concerning hearings in clause 2 of Rule XI unless (1) the point of order

is made on the floor by a member of the reporting committee, and (2) the point of

order had been properly made in committee but had been "improperly disposed of in

the committee."

Markups and Other Business Meetings

Regular Meeting Day. Rule XI, clause 2(b)

As part of its written rules, each committee is to adopt a regular meeting day,

which is to be at least once each month.

The committee is to meet on each of its regular meeting days "unless otherwise

provided by written rule adopted by the committee." The latter provision allows the

committee to dispense with meetings when there is no business that is ready to be

transacted. Committee rules can authorize the chairman to dispense with such a

meeting or fix some other procedure for the same purpose.

Additional Committee Meetings. Rule XI, clause 2(c)

The chairman of a committee is authorized to convene additional meetings to

consider legislation or to transact other committee business.

In addition, three members of a committee may make a written request that the

chairman call a special meeting only for a specified purpose. If, within three days of

receiving the request, the chairman does not schedule the requested meeting to take

place within seven days after the request was made, a majority of the committee can

call the special meeting by submitting to the committee office a written notice giving

the date and time of the meeting and the measure or matter to be considered.

Open Meetings. Rule XI, clause 2(g)(1)

The requirement that hearings be open to the public, unless closed under

specified procedures, applies to meetings as well. A committee or subcommittee may

vote in open session, by roll call and with a majority present, to close part or all of the

day's meeting, but only for certain reasons.

A committee or subcommittee may vote to close part or all of a meeting only if

disclosure of the matters to be considered at the meeting "would endanger national

security, would compromise sensitive law enforcement information, would tend to

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defame, degrade or incriminate any person, or otherwise would violate a law or rule

of the House."

If the committee or subcommittee votes to close part or all of a meeting, it may

be attended only by committee members and by such non-members, committee staff,

and "departmental representatives as the committee may authorize.

See also Open hearings and Broadcasting sessions.

Quorum at Meeting. Rule XI, clause 2(h)(3)

A committee may set its own quorum requirement for transacting business other

than reporting a measure or recommendation, so long as that quorum is not less than

one-third of the committee's members. (Other provisions of House rules require a

majority quorum to authorize a subpoena and to close a session to the public for most

purposes, and at least two members for a hearing.)

This provision does not apply to the Appropriations, Budget, and Ways and

Means Committees.

Reading Measures During Markups. Rule XI, clause 1(a)(1)

In committee and subcommittee, a motion to dispense with the first reading of

a measure is privileged and nondebatable, but only if "printed copies" of the measure

are available.

When a committee or subcommittee begins to mark up a measure, it is to be read

in full unless the reading is dispensed with by unanimous consent or by use of this

motion.

Proxy Voting. Rule XI, clause 2(f)

Proxy voting is prohibited in committees and subcommittees.

Records of Rollcall Votes. Rule XI, clause 2(e)(1)

As part of its records, the committee shall maintain a record of all rollcall votes.

The committee shall make this information available for public inspection in its offices.

The information on each rollcall vote shall include a description of the question

as well as the names of members voting for and against it and those present but not

voting.

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Reporting

General

Quorum for Reporting. Rule XI, clause 2(h)(l)

"A measure or recommendation may not be reported by a committee unless a

majority of the committee is actually present."

This provision also applies to subcommittees, and requires that the majority be

present during the vote to order the measure or matter reported.

Timely Filing of Reports. Rule XIII, clause 2(b)

After a committee has ordered a measure reported, the chairman is required to

ensure that it is reported promptly to the House, and "to take or cause to be taken

steps necessary to bring the measure or matter to a vote."

If a majority of a committee's members so request in writing, the report on a

measure the committee has approved must be filed within seven more calendar days

(excluding days when the House is not in session).

The latter procedure does not apply to reports of the Rules Committee on the

House's rules or its order of business on the floor (i.e., "special rules") or to reports

on resolutions of inquiry.

Appropriations and Tax Provisions. Rule XXI, clause 5(a)-(b)

"A bill or joint resolution carrying an appropriation may not be reported by a

committee not having jurisdiction to report appropriations...."

"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...."

Budget Legislation. Sec. 306 of the Congressional Budget Act, codified as

amended at 2 U.S.C. 637

Measures (and in general amendments, motions, or conference reports) dealing

with matter within the jurisdiction of the Budget Committee will be considered in the

House only if reported by (or discharged from) the Budget Committee.

Federal Intergovernmental Mandates. Sec. 425 of the Congressional Budget

Act, as amended by P.L. 104-4, the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995, 109

Stat 50

The House is not to consider a bill or joint resolution that would increase "the

direct costs of Federal intergovernmental mandates" by certain amounts unless the

measure also satisfies certain qualifications specified in the same section of the law.

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Layover Requirements. Rule XIII, clause 4(a)

With several exceptions, it is not in order for the House to consider a measure

or matter until at least the third calendar day (excluding weekends and legal holidays)

on which the committee report on it has been available to Members.

This “three-day rule” does not apply to (1) resolutions reported by the Rules

Committee, which are subject to a one-day layover requirement (clause 6(a) of Rule

XIII), (2) concurrent budget resolutions reported by the Budget Committee, for

which there is a five-day layover requirement (Sec. 305(a)(1) of the Congressional

Budget Act, as amended), (3) resolutions presenting questions of the privileges of the

House, (4) measures declaring war or a national emergency, and (5) resolutions of

disapproval (legislative veto resolution).

It always is in order for the House to consider a resolution, reported by the Rules

Committee, that specifically waives the three-day rule. Such a resolution is not

subject to the one-day layover rule of Rule XIII, clause 6(a).

Resolutions of Inquiry. Rule XIII, clause 7

If a committee fails to report a resolution of inquiry addressed to the head of an

executive department within fourteen legislative days after it is introduced, a

privileged motion is in order to discharge the committee from further consideration

of the resolution.

Content of Committee Reports

Other Views. Rule XI, clause 2(l); Rule XIII, clause 2(c)

At the time a committee votes to approve any measure or matter, any committee

member may give notice of his or her intention to file "supplemental, minority, or

additional views." If such notice is given, the member then has at least two calendar

days after the day of the notice (excluding weekends and legal holidays) to submit

those views in writing to the committee. A committee may arrange to file its report

up to one hour after the two days permitted for filing views, or sooner if the

committee has received all views. If any views are submitted within the deadline, they

are to be printed as part of the committee's report on the measure or matter.

Rollcall Votes Taken. Rule XIII, clause 3(b)

The committee report on any public "measure or matter" shall include the names

and numbers of committee members voting for and against, as well as the total

number of votes cast, during any rollcall votes that took place in committee on

reporting the measure or matter or on adopting amendments to it.

This requirement does not apply to votes taken in executive session by the

Committee on Standards of Official Conduct.

Cost Estimates. Rule XIII, clauses 3(c)(3) and 3(d)(2)-(3); Sec. 403 of the

Congressional Budget Act, codified as amended at 2 U.S.C. 653

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Under Sec. 403 of the Congressional Budget Act, as amended, the Congressional

Budget Office (CBO) is to prepare, "to the extent practicable," a cost estimate for any

public bill or resolution reported by any House or Senate committee except the

Appropriations Committees. The estimate is to project the cost of implementing the

measure during the fiscal year in which it would take effect and each of the next four

fiscal years.

CBO also is to estimate, for the same fiscal years, the costs that State and local

governments would incur in implementing or complying with a "significant" public bill

or resolution. ("Significant" is defined in Sec. 403(c).)

Finally, CBO is to compare its cost estimates with other estimates made by the

reporting committee or by "any Federal agency."

Sec. 403 and clause 3(c) of Rule XIII require a committee to include such a

CBO cost estimate in the committee's report on a measure if CBO submits its estimate

in time for the committee to include it.

Under clause 3(d)(2) of Rule XIII, in the absence of a CBO cost estimate, the

committee is to prepare and include in its report its own estimate of how much it will

cost to implement a public bill or joint resolution during the fiscal year in which it is

reported and in each of the five following fiscal years. If a committee is required to

prepare its own estimate, it shall include a comparison of (1) the committee's cost

estimate with any other estimate that the committee receives from "a Government

agency" (defined in clause 3(d)(3)(A)), and (2) the funding levels proposed by the

measure with any corresponding levels under current law.

This clause does not apply to the Committees on Appropriations, House

Administration, Rules, and Standards of Official Conduct.

Budgetary and Fiscal Impact. Rule XIII, clause 3(c)(2); Sec. 308(a)(1) of the

Congressional Budget Act, codified as amended at 2 U.S.C. 639

In addition to estimating the cost of legislation (described above), CBO is to

furnish information on providing for the cost of the legislation. Specifically, sec.

308(a) directs CBO to prepare a statement on the budgetary and fiscal impact of any

reported measure or committee amendment, if it provides new budget authority, new

spending authority (under Sec. 401(c)(2) of the Act), new credit authority, or an

increase or decrease in revenues or tax expenditures.

The statement shall:

(1) show the impact of the measure on the applicable sub-allocations under Sec.

302(b) of the Act;

(2) identify any new spending authority under Sec. 401(c)(2), which defines

entitlements, and explain why the committee chose that funding mechanism in

preference to annual appropriations;

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(3) project the measure's impact on new budget authority, outlays, spending

authority, revenues, tax expenditures, direct loan obligations, or primary loan

guarantee commitments under existing law for the fiscal year in which the

measure would become effective and each of the four following fiscal years; and

(4) estimate the level of new budget authority the measure provides for

assistance to State and local governments.

The committee is to include this statement in its report on the measure (or make

it available to the House in the case of a committee amendment that is not reported

to the House). The latter two components of the statement are to be included in the

committee's report only if either or both are "timely submitted before such report is

filed."

These requirements do not apply to continuing resolutions.

Clause 3(c)(2) of Rule XIII reiterates the requirement for these CBO statements

to be included in committee reports, and adds that, with respect to new budget

authority, they "shall include, when practicable, a comparison of the total estimated

funding level for the relevant programs to the appropriate levels under current law."

"Ramseyer Rule" Print. Rule XIII, clause 3(e)

When a committee reports a bill or joint resolution that would repeal or change

all or part of some existing law, the accompanying committee report shall reprint the

portion of existing law that would be repealed and show, by using different

typographical devices, how existing law would be amended to read if the measure

were to be enacted. However, if the committee reports the measure with one or more

amendments, this requirement applies to the committee amendment(s), not to the

measure as introduced.

This requirement is popularly known as the "Ramseyer Rule" in honor of Rep.

Ramseyer of Iowa, who served in the House during 1915-1933. The comparative

print sometimes is known simply as "the Ramseyer."

Oversight Findings. Rule XIII, clause 3(c)(1)

The committee report on any measure is to include any pertinent oversight

findings and recommendations by the committee, pursuant to clause 2(b)(1) of Rule

X. This requirement does not apply to the Appropriations Committees.

In addition, the committee's report shall include a summary of any oversight

findings and recommendations that the committee received from the Committee on

Government Reform, pursuant to clause 4(c)(2) of Rule X, if the reporting committee

received them "in time to allow it to consider such findings and recommendations

during its deliberations on the measure."

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Constitutional Authority Statement. Rule XIII, clause 3(d)(1)

The committee report on a public bill or joint resolution shall include a statement

citing the specific powers granted to Congress by the Constitution to enact the

proposed law.

Applicability to Congress.; Sec. 102(b)(3) of P.L. 104-1, the Congressional

Accountability Act of 1995, 109 Stat 6

The committee report accompanying a bill or joint resolution "relating to terms

and conditions of employment or access to public services or accommodations" is to

describe how the provisions of the measure apply to Congress or why they do not.

A point of order can be made against House consideration of a bill if the

accompanying report does not comply with this requirement, but the requirement may

be waived by majority vote.

Federal Mandates. Sections 423-426 of the Congressional Budget Act, as

amended by P.L. 104-4, the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995, 109 Stat 50

The Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995, P.L. 104-4, added to the Budget

Act new Sections 423-426 concerning committee reports on public bills and joint

resolutions that may contain Federal mandates. The committee is to prepare and print

in its report a statement on the matters required by Sec. 423, and also to include (or

have printed in the Congressional Record) any statement prepared and submitted by

CBO pursuant to Sec. 424.

Under Sec. 425, it is not in order for the House to consider a measure if the

accompanying report fails to include any required CBO statement. Sec. 426 governs

waivers of Sec. 425.

Federal Advisory Committees. Sec. 5(b) of the Federal Advisory Committee

Act of 1972, codified as amended at 5 U.S.C Appendix

In considering legislation to establish or authorize a Federal advisory committee,

a House or Senate committee is to determine "and report such determination" as to

whether the functions of the proposed committee are or could be performed by an

existing agency or advisory committee or by "enlarging the mandate" of an existing

advisory committee.

Cover Page of Committee Report. Rule XIII, clause 3(a)

The cover of the committee report on a measure or matter shall so indicate

whenever it includes any supplemental, minority, or additional views, or whenever it

contains the CBO cost estimate or oversight findings and recommendations made by

the Committee on Government Reform.

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Oversight and Investigations

Oversight

General Oversight Responsibilities. Rule X, clause 2(b)

Standing committees are charged with continually overseeing the "application,

administration, execution, and effectiveness" of laws and programs within their

jurisdictions, as well as the agencies responsible for administering or executing these

laws and programs. Committees also must review the need for new legislation, and

conduct future research and forecasting within their jurisdictions. This clause does

not apply to the Committee on Appropriations.

Special Oversight Functions. Rule X, clause 3

Several committees have special oversight duties, primarily to oversee issues that

fall within the purview of multiple standing committees.

Review of Tax Policies. Rule X, clause 2(c)

Standing committees are to review and study the impact or the probable impact

of tax policies affecting subjects within their jurisdictions.

Adoption of Oversight Agenda. Rule X, clause 2(d)

Each standing committee is required to adopt an oversight plan for each

Congress. In developing the plan, to the maximum extent feasible each committee

must consult and coordinate with other committees; give priority of review to

permanent laws, programs, or agencies; and look to review significant laws,

programs, or agencies at least every ten years.

The plan must be adopted in open session by February 15 of the first session of

a Congress, and must be submitted to both the Committee on Government Reform

and the Committee on House Administration. After consultation with the leadership,

the Committee on Government Reform must report these plans to the House by

March 31 together with any recommendations to promote effective and coordinated

oversight.

Establishment of Oversight Subcommittees. Rule X, clauses 2(b) and 5(d)

Most standing committees with more than 20 members must either create

separate oversight subcommittees or require their subcommittees (if any) to conduct

oversight within their respective jurisdictions.

An oversight subcommittee does not count against the limit of five

subcommittees that most committees may establish pursuant to Rule X, clause 5(d).

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Establishment of Ad Hoc Oversight Committees. Rule X, clause 2(e)

With the approval of the House, the Speaker may appoint ad hoc oversight

committees to review matters that fall within the jurisdiction of two or more standing

committees.

Investigations

Studies and Investigations. Rule XI, clause 1(b)(1)

Each committee is authorized to conduct studies and investigations at any time,

and to incur related expenses.

Investigative Hearings. Rule XI, clause 2(k)

The chair is to announce the subject of the hearing in an opening statement.

Each witness is to receive a copy of the rules of the committee and of this provision

of House rules, and may be accompanied by his or her own counsel. The chair may

punish "breaches of order and decorum, and of professional ethics" by counsel, and

a committee may cite such counsel to the House for contempt.

An investigative hearing may be closed if a majority of a quorum determines that

evidence or testimony "may tend to defame, degrade, or incriminate any person." A

committee may proceed in open session only if the committee, with a majority

present, determines that this is not the case. In either case, the person shall have the

opportunity to appear as a witness and to request that the committee subpoena

additional witnesses. In other cases, the chair receives and the committee disposes

of requests to subpoena witnesses.

Evidence or testimony taken in closed session may not be made public without

the approval of the committee.

At the discretion of the committee, a witness may submit a sworn, written

statement for inclusion in the hearing record. A witness may obtain a transcript of

testimony provided in open session, but needs the authorization of the committee for

a copy of testimony provided in closed session.

Reports

Reports Considered as Read. Rule XI, clause 1(b)(2)

An oversight or investigative report will be considered as read in committee if

it has been available to the members for at least 24 hours prior to its consideration.

Weekends and legal holidays are excluded, unless the House is in session.

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Filing Joint Reports. Rule XI, clause 1(b)(3)

A report on an investigation or study conducted by two or more committees can

be filed jointly. Each committee must independently comply with all requirements for

approving and filing the report.

Filing After Adjournment. Rule XI, clause 1(b)(4)

An oversight or investigative report may be filed after the adjournment of

Congress sine die, provided that members who make timely requests have at least

seven calendar days for inclusion of supplemental, minority, and additional views.

Funding, Staff, and Travel

Funding

Biennial Funds. Rule X, clause 6(a) and 5(c)

Committees are to be authorized funds for each Congress through a "primary

expense resolution" reported by the Committee on House Administration. The

resolution may be considered in the House only if the report thereon has been

available for one calendar day. The report must contain the total level of funds to be

provided to the committee, and to the extent practicable should contain statements

on expenses for the committee's anticipated activities and programs.

The Committee on Appropriations is exempt from this process. Further, the

provision does not apply to (1) any interim resolution providing funds from the

beginning of a first session of Congress until the adoption of the primary expense

resolution, and (2) any resolution providing additional equipment, stamps, supplies,

or staff for all standing committees that contains an authorization for these items

subject to enactment of the resolution as permanent law.

Committee Reserve Fund. Rule X, clause 6(a)

A primary expense resolution may contain a reserve fund for unanticipated needs

of committees. Funds from the reserve may be allocated to a committee only with the

approval of the Committee on House Administration.

Automatic Interim Funding. Rule X, clause 7

Committees are provided automatic interim funding until the adoption of a

primary funding resolution. From January 3 until March 31 of each new Congress,

committees are authorized funds from the salary and expenses account of the House

at a monthly rate of nine percent of the last session's level or at a lower level set by

the Committee on House Oversight. Interim funds shall be spent in accordance with

regulations prescribed by the Committee on House Administration.

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Payment of expenses is to be made on vouchers authorized by the committee,

signed by the chair, and approved by the Committee on House Administration.

However, until the election of committee members at the beginning of a Congress, a

committee's vouchers are to be signed by the chair in the last Congress or, if that

individual is no longer a Member, the ranking majority party member returning to

Congress.

These provisions apply to select committees established by resolution in the

preceding Congress if (1) no resolution terminating the funding of the select

committee was agreed to during the previous Congress, and (2) a resolution to

reestablish the select committee has been introduced. Further, they apply to all

committees only insofar as they are "not inconsistent with" any resolution reported

by the Committee on House Administration and agreed to after the adoption of House

rules.

Supplemental Funds. Rule X, clauses 6(b) and 6(c)

After its initial authorization of funds, a committee may receive supplemental

funds through a resolution reported by the Committee on House Administration. This

resolution may be considered in the House only if the report thereon has been

available for one calendar day. The report must contain the amount of additional

funds to be provided, the purpose(s) of those funds, and the reason(s) the funds were

not provided in the primary expense resolution.

As with the provision on biennial funds, this provision does not apply to any

interim funding resolution at the outset of a Congress, and any resolution providing

specified items and funds for the same to all committees, subject to enactment as

permanent law.

Staff

Appointment of Professional Staff. Rule X, clause 9(a)(1) and 9(d)

By majority vote, each standing committee may appoint not more than 30

professional staff. These staff are assigned to the chair and the ranking minority

member "as the committee deems advisable."

This provision does not apply to the Committee on Appropriations, which sets

its own staff level subject to appropriations of funds (under clause 9(d)).

Appointment of Minority Party Staff. Rule X, clause 9(a)(2), 9(f), and 9(h)

By majority vote, the minority party members on a standing committee may

select one-third (up to ten) of the professional staff, unless ten individuals satisfactory

to them have already been assigned. When staff are chosen by the minority, they will

be appointed if acceptable to a majority of the committee. If any is deemed

unacceptable, the minority party members make another selection. If the minority

party requests the appointment of a staff member and none of the 30 professional slots

is vacant, the individual will serve as an additional professional staff member until an

appropriate vacancy arises.

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Minority staff are assigned to committee work by the minority party members.

These provisions do not apply to the Committee on Standards of Official

Conduct and the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence.

Treatment of Minority Party Staff. Rule X, clause 9(g)

Minority staff are to be given "equitable treatment" with respect to pay,

assignment of work facilities, and accessibility of committee records.

Non-partisan Staff. Rule X, clause 9(i)

By vote of a majority of each party, a committee may employ non-partisan staff

in lieu of or in addition to staff designated exclusively for the majority or the minority

party.

Duties of Professional Staff. Rule X, clauses 9(b)(1) and 9(b)(2)

Professional staff may work only on committee business. This requirement does

not apply to "associate" staff or "shared" staff not paid exclusively by the committee,

so long as the chair certifies that the salary paid by the committee is commensurate

with work performed for the committee.

This provision does not apply to the Committee on Appropriations.

Associate and Shared Staff. Rule X, clause 9(b)(3)

A committee's use of "associate" or "shared" staff is subject to the review of the

Committee on House Administration, and to any terms, conditions, or limitations

established by this Committee in connection with its report of a funding resolution.

This provision does not apply to the Committee on Appropriations.

Salaries of Staff. Rule X, clause 9(c)

The chair of a standing committee sets the annual salary of each staff member of

the committee; such salary may not exceed the maximum set in law.

Detailed Staff. Rule X, clause 9(e)

Staff may not be detailed to a committee from any Government agency or

department without the written permission of the Committee on House

Administration.

Subcommittee Staff. Rule X, clause 6(d)

From the funds available for staff, the chair of each committee is to "ensure that

sufficient staff is made available to each subcommittee" and that the committee's

minority party members are "fairly treated in the appointment of such staff."

CRS-22

Consultants and Training. Sections 303-304 of the Legislative Reorganization

Act of 1970, codified as amended at 2 U.S.C. 72(a) (i) and (j)

With the approval of the Committee on House Administration, standing

committees may hire consultants and obtain specialized training for professional staff.

Travel

Travel by Non-Returning Members. Rule XXV, clause 10

Committee funding resolutions may not pay for the travel expenses of committee

members (1) after the date of the general election, if they are defeated, or (2) after the

earlier of the date of the general election or the date of sine die adjournment, if they

are not seeking re-election. Local currencies owned by the United States may not be

used to pay foreign travel expenses of committee members under the same

circumstances.

Local Currency for Foreign Travel. Rule X, clause 8(a)

Committees may use local currencies owned by the United States when carrying

out official duties outside the United States, its territories, or possessions. A

committee may not use appropriated funds for expenses in any country if local

currencies are available for this purpose.

Reimbursement for Foreign Travel. Rule X, clause 8(b)-(c)

On any day of foreign travel, committee Members and staff may not receive or

spend more local currency than the maximum per diem in law. Similarly, where local

currencies are unavailable, committee Members and staff may not receive

reimbursement for expenses (other than transportation) in excess of the maximum per

diem contained in law. In addition, any reimbursement for foreign travel expenses will

be at the lesser of the per diem rate or the level of actual expenses (other than

transportation).

Reimbursement for Transportation. Rule X, clause 8(d)

Committee Members and staff may be reimbursed for the cost of transportation

related to foreign travel only if they have "actually paid for the transportation."

Foreign Travel Reports. Rule X, clause 8(b)(3)

Within 60 days of completing travel to a foreign country, each committee

Member or staffer must file a report listing the dates of travel, the amount of per diem

and transportation furnished and spent, and funds expended for any other official

purpose. The reports are to be filed with the committee chair and to be open for

public inspection.

CRS-23

Other Duties

Additional Functions. Rule X, clause 4(a)-4(e)

The clause assigns particular functions and duties to the Committees on

Appropriations, Budget, Government Reform, and House Administration.

Annual Appropriations. Rule X, clause 4(e)

In general each standing committee is to ensure that continuing programs and

activities are appropriated annually, and must review programs that are not

appropriated annually to determine whether changes would allow them to be.

Views and estimates. Rule X, clause 4(f)(1)

Each standing committee must submit to the Committee on the Budget its views

and estimates on spending within its jurisdiction. These statements are to be

submitted no later than six weeks after the President submits his budget or at such

time as the Budget Committee requests.

Related CRS Reports

Related CRS reports that are updated periodically include those listed below.

The Committee System in the U.S. Congress. CRS Report 97-625

Committees of the United States House of Representatives. CRS Report 97-524

Hearings in the House of Representatives: A Guide for Preparation and Conduct.

CRS Report 96-623

House Committee Reports: Required Contents. CRS Report 98-169

House Rules and Precedents Affecting Committee Markup Procedures. CRS Report

98-312