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Rules of the

Committee on House Administration

One Hundred Tenth Congress

Rule No. 1

GENERAL PROVISIONS

(a) The Rules of the House are the rules of the Committee so far as applicable, except that

a motion to recess from day to day is a privileged motion in the Committee. Each

subcommittee of the committee is a part of the committee and is subject to the authority

and direction of the chair and to its rules as far as applicable.

(b) The Committee is authorized at any time to conduct such investigations and studies as

it may consider necessary or appropriate in the exercise of its responsibilities under

House Rule X and, subject to the adoption of expense resolutions as required by House

Rule X, clause 6, to incur expenses (including travel expenses) in connection therewith.

(c) The Committee is authorized to have printed and bound testimony and other data

presented at hearings held by the Committee, and to make such information available to

the public. All costs of stenographic services and transcripts in connection with any

meeting or hearing of the Committee shall be paid from the appropriate House account.

(d) The Committee shall submit to the House, not later than January 2 of each oddnumbered year, a report on the activities of the committee under House Rules X and XI

during the Congress ending at noon on January 3 of such year.

(e) The Committee's rules shall be published in the Congressional Record not later than

30 days after the Committee is elected in each odd-numbered year.

Rule No. 2

REGULAR AND SPECIAL MEETINGS

(a) The regular meeting date of the Committee on House Administration shall be the

second Wednesday of every month when the House is in session in accordance with

Clause 2(b) of House Rule XI. Additional meetings may be called by the Chair of the

Committee as she or he may deem necessary or at the request of a majority of the

members of the Committee in accordance with Clause 2(c) of House Rule XI. The

determination of the business to be considered at each meeting shall be made by the

Chair subject to Clause 2(c) of House Rule XI. A regularly scheduled meeting may be

dispensed with if, in the judgment of the Chair, there is no need for the meeting.
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(b) If the Chair is not present at any meeting of the Committee, or at the discretion of the

Chair, the Vice Chair of the Committee shall preside at the meeting. If the Chair and

Vice Chair of the Committee are not present at any meeting of the Committee, the

ranking member of the majority party who is present shall preside at the meeting.

Rule No. 3

OPEN MEETINGS

As required by Clause 2(g), of House Rule XI, each meeting for the transaction of

business, including the markup of legislation of the Committee shall be open to the public

except when the Committee in open session and with a quorum present determines by

record vote that all or part of the remainder of the meeting on that day shall be closed to

the public because disclosure of matters to be considered would endanger national

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

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

the House: Provided, however, that no person other than members of the Committee, and

such congressional staff and such other persons as the Committee may authorize, shall be

present in any business or markup session which has been closed to the public.

Rule No. 4

RECORDS AND ROLLCALLS

(a)(1) A record vote shall be held if requested by any member of the Committee.

(a)(2) The result of each record vote in any meeting of the Committee shall be made

available for inspection by the public at reasonable times at the Committee offices,

including a description of the amendment, motion, order or other proposition; the name

of each member voting for and against; and the members present but not voting.

(b)(1) Subject to subparagraph (2), the Chair may postpone further proceedings when a

record vote is ordered on the question of approving any measure or matter or adopting an

amendment. The Chair may resume proceedings on a postponed request at any time.

(2) In exercising postponement authority under subparagraph (1), the Chair shall take all

reasonable steps necessary to notify members on the resumption of proceedings on any

postponed record vote.

(3) When proceedings resume on a postponed question, notwithstanding any intervening

order for the previous question, an underlying proposition shall remain subject to further

debate or amendment to the same extent as when the question was postponed.

(c) All Committee and subcommittee hearings, records, data, charts, and files shall be

kept separate and distinct from the congressional office records of the member serving as
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Chair; and such records shall be the property of the House and all members of the House

shall have access thereto.

(d) House records of the Committee which are at the National Archives shall be made

available pursuant to House Rule VII. The Chair shall notify the ranking minority

member of any decision to withhold a record pursuant to the rule, and shall present the

matter to the Committee upon written request of any Committee member.

(e) To the maximum extent feasible, the Committee shall make its publications available

in electronic form.

Rule No. 5

PROXIES

No vote by any member in the Committee may be cast by proxy.

Rule No. 6

POWER TO SIT AND ACT; SUBPOENA POWER

(a) For the purpose of carrying out any of its functions and duties under House Rules X

and XI, the Committee or any subcommittee thereof is authorized (subject to

subparagraph (b)(1) of this paragraph)--

(1) 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; and

(2) to require, by subpoena or otherwise, the attendance and testimony of such witnesses

and the production of such books, records, correspondence, memorandums, papers,

documents and other materials as it deems necessary, including materials in electronic

form. The Chair, or any member designated by the Chair, may administer oaths to any

witness.

(b)(1) A subpoena may be authorized and issued by the Committee or subcommittee in

the conduct of any investigation or series of investigations or activities, only when

authorized by a majority of the members voting, a majority being present. The power to

authorize and issue subpoenas under subparagraph (a)(2) may be delegated to the Chair

pursuant to such rules and under such limitations as the Committee may prescribe.

Authorized subpoenas shall be signed by the Chair or by any member designated by the

Committee, and may be served by any person designated by the Chair or such member.

(2) Compliance with any subpoena issued by the Committee or a subcommittee may be

enforced only as authorized or directed by the House.

Rule No. 7
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QUORUMS

No measure or recommendation shall be reported to the House unless a majority of the

Committee is actually present. For the purposes of taking any action other than reporting

any measure, issuance of a subpoena, closing meetings, promulgating Committee orders,

or changing the rules of the Committee, one-third of the members of the Committee shall

constitute a quorum. For purposes of taking testimony and receiving evidence, two

members shall constitute a quorum.

Rule No. 8

AMENDMENTS

Any amendment offered to any pending legislation before the Committee or a

subcommittee must be made available in written form when requested by any member of

the Committee. If such amendment is not available in written form when requested, the

Chair will allow an appropriate period of time for the provision thereof.

Rule No. 9

HEARING PROCEDURES

(a) The Chair, in the case of hearings to be conducted by the Committee, and the

appropriate subcommittee chair, in the case of hearings to be conducted by a

subcommittee, shall make public announcement of the date, place, and subject matter of

any hearing to be conducted on any measure or matter at least one (1) week before the

commencement of that hearing. If the Chair, with the concurrence of the ranking

minority member, determines that there is good cause to begin the hearing sooner, or if

the Committee so determines by majority vote, a quorum being present, the Chairshall

make the announcement at the earliest possible date. The clerk of the Committee shall

promptly notify the Daily Digest Clerk of the Congressional Record as soon as possible

after such public announcement is made.

(b) Unless excused by the Chair, each witness who is to appear before the Committee or a

subcommittee shall file with the clerk of the Committee, at least 48 hours in advance of

his or her appearance, a written statement of his or her proposed testimony and shall limit

his or her oral presentation to a summary of his or her statement.

(c) When any hearing is conducted by the Committee upon any measure or matter, the

minority party members on the Committee shall be entitled, upon request to the Chair by

a majority of those minority members before the completion of such hearing, to call

witnesses selected by the minority to testify with respect to that measure or matter during

at least one day of hearings thereon.

(d) All other members of the Committee may have the privilege of sitting with any

subcommittee during its hearings or deliberations and may participate in such hearings or
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deliberations, but no member who is not a member of the subcommittee shall count for a

quorum or offer any motion or amendment or vote on any matter before the

subcommittee.

(e)Committee or subcommittee members may question witnesses only when they have

been recognized by the Chair for that purpose, and only for a 5-minute period until all

members present have had an opportunity to question a witness. The 5-minute period for

questioning a witness by any one member can be extended as provided by House Rules.

The questioning of a witness in Committee or subcommittee hearings shall be initiated by

the Chair, followed by the ranking minority member and all other members alternating

between the majority and minority. In recognizing members to question witnesses in this

fashion, the Chair shall take into consideration the ratio of the majority to minority

members present and shall establish the order of recognition for questioning in such a

manner as not to disadvantage the members of the majority. The Chair may accomplish

this by recognizing two majority members for each minority member recognized.

(f)The following additional rules shall apply to hearings of the Committee or a

subcommittee, as applicable:

(1) The Chair at a hearing shall announce in an opening statement the subject of the

investigation.

(2) A copy of the Committee rules and this clause shall be made available to each witness

as provided by clause 2(k)(2) of Rule XI.

(3) Witnesses at hearings may be accompanied by their own counsel for the purpose of

advising them concerning their constitutional rights.

(4) The Chair 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) If the Committee determines that evidence or testimony at a hearing may tend to

defame, degrade, or incriminate any person, it shall--

(A) afford such person an opportunity voluntarily to appear as a witness;

(B) receive such evidence or testimony in executive session; and

(C) receive and dispose of requests from such person to subpoena additional witnesses.

(6) Except as provided in subparagraph (f)(5), the Chair shall receive and the Committee

shall dispose of requests to subpoena additional witnesses.

(7) No evidence or testimony taken in executive session may be released or used in

public sessions without the consent of the Committee.
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(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.

Rule No. 10

PROCEDURES FOR REPORTING MEASURES OR MATTERS

(a)(1) It shall be the duty of the Chair to report or cause to be reported promptly to the

House any measure approved by the Committee and to take or cause to be taken

necessary steps to bring the matter to a vote.

(2) In any event, the report of the Committee on a measure which has been approved by

the Committee shall be filed within 7 calendar days (exclusive of days on which the

House is not in session) after the day on which there has been filed with the clerk of the

Committee a written request, signed by a majority of the members of the Committee, for

the reporting of that measure. Upon the filing of any such request, the clerk of the

Committee shall transmit immediately to the Chair notice of the filing of that request.

(b)(1) No measure or recommendation shall be reported to the House unless a majority of

the Committee is actually present.

(2) With respect to each record vote on a motion to report any measure or matter of a

public character, and on any amendment offered to the measure or matter, the total

number of votes cast for and against, and the names of those members voting for and

against, shall be included in the Committee report on the measure or matter.

(c) The report of the Committee on a measure or matter which has been approved by the

Committee shall include the matters required by Clause 3(c) of Rule XIII of the Rules of

the House.

(d) Each report of the Committee on each bill or joint resolution of a public character

reported by the Committee shall include a statement citing the specific powers granted to

the Congress in the Constitution to enact the law proposed by the bill or joint resolution.

(e) If, at the time any measure or matter is ordered reported by the Committee, any

member of the Committee gives notice of intention to file supplemental, minority, or

additional views, that member shall be entitled to not less than two additional calendar

days after the day of such notice, commencing on the day on which the measure or

matter(s) was approved, excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and legal holidays, in which to

file such views, in writing and signed by that member, with the clerk of the Committee.

All such views so filed by one or more members of the Committee shall be included

within, and shall be a part of, the report filed by the Committee with respect to that
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measure or matter. The report of the Committee upon that measure or matter shall be

printed in a single volume which --

(1) shall include all supplemental, minority, or additional views, in the form submitted,

by the time of the filing of the report, and

(2) shall bear upon its cover a recital that any such supplemental, minority, or additional

views (and any material submitted under subparagraph (c)) are included as part of the

report. This subparagraph does not preclude --

(A) the immediate filing or printing of a Committee report unless timely request for the

opportunity to file supplemental, minority, or additional views has been made as provided

by paragraph (c); or

(B) the filing of any supplemental report upon any measure or matter which may be

required for the correction of any technical error in a previous report made by the

Committee upon that measure or matter.

(3) shall, when appropriate, contain the documents required by Clause 3(e) of Rule XIII

of the Rules of the House.

(f) The Chair, following consultation with the ranking minority member, is directed to

offer a motion under clause 1 of Rule XXII of the Rules of the House, relating to going to

conference with the Senate, whenever the Chair considers it appropriate.

(g) If hearings have been held on any such measure or matter so reported, the Committee

shall make every reasonable effort to have such hearings published and available to the

members of the House prior to the consideration of such measure or matter in the House.

(h) The Chair may designate any majority member of the Committee to act as "floor

manager" of a bill or resolution during its consideration in the House.

Rule No. 11

COMMITTEE OVERSIGHT

The Committee shall conduct oversight of matters within the jurisdiction of the

Committee in accordance with House Rule X, clause 2 and clause 4. Not later than

February 15 of the first session of a Congress, the Committee shall, in a meeting that is

open to the public and with a quorum present, adopt its oversight plan for that Congress

in accordance with House Rule X, clause 2(d).

Rule No. 12

REVIEW OF CONTINUING PROGRAMS; BUDGET ACT PROVISIONS
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(a) The Committee shall, in its consideration of all bills and joint resolutions of a public

character within its jurisdiction, ensure that appropriation for continuing programs and

activities of the Federal Government will be made annually to the maximum extent

feasible and consistent with the nature, requirement, and objectives of the programs and

activities involved. For the purposes of this paragraph a Government agency includes the

organizational units of government listed in Clause 4(e) of Rule X of House Rules.

(b) The Committee shall review, from time to time, each continuing program within its

jurisdiction for which appropriations are not made annually in order to ascertain whether

such program could be modified so that appropriations therefore would be made

annually.

(c) The Committee shall, on or before February 25 of each year, submit to the Committee

on the Budget (1) 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 which are within its

jurisdiction or functions, and (2) an estimate of the total amounts of new budget

authority, and budget outlays resulting there from, to be provided or authorized in all bills

and resolutions within its jurisdiction which it intends to be effective during that fiscal

year.

(d) As soon as practicable after a concurrent resolution on the budget for any fiscal year

is agreed to, the Committee (after consulting with the appropriate committee or

committees of the Senate) shall subdivide any allocation made to it in the joint

explanatory statement accompanying the conference report on such resolution, and

promptly report such subdivisions to the House, in the manner provided by section 302 of

the Congressional Budget Act of 1974.

(e) Whenever the Committee is directed in a concurrent resolution on the budget to

determine and recommend changes in laws, bills, or resolutions under the reconciliation

process it shall promptly make such determination and recommendations, and report a

reconciliation bill or resolution (or both) to the House or submit such recommendations

to the Committee on the Budget, in accordance with the Congressional Budget Act of

1974.

Rule No. 13

BROADCASTING OF COMMITTEE HEARINGS AND MEETINGS

Whenever any hearing or meeting conducted by the Committee is open to the public,

those proceedings shall be open to coverage by television, radio, and still photography, as

provided in Clause 4 of House Rule XI, subject to the limitations therein. Operation and

use of any Committee Internet broadcast system shall be fair and nonpartisan and in

accordance with Clause 4(b) of rule XI and all other applicable rules of the Committee

and the House.

Rule No. 14
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COMMITTEE AND SUBCOMMITTEE STAFF

The staff of the Committee on House Administration shall be appointed as follows:

A. The staff shall be appointed by the Chair or her or his designee except as provided in

paragraph (B), and may be removed by the Chair and shall work under the general

supervision and direction of the Chair;

B. All staff provided to the minority party members of the Committee shall be appointed

by the ranking member or her or his designee, and may be removed, by the ranking

minority member of the Committee, and shall work under the general supervision and

direction of such member;

C. The Chair shall fix the compensation of all staff of the Committee, after consultation

with the ranking minority member regarding any minority party staff, within the budget

approved for such purposes for the Committee.

Rule No. 15

TRAVEL OF MEMBERS AND STAFF

(a) Consistent with the primary expense resolution and such additional expense

resolutions as may have been approved, the provisions of this rule shall govern travel of

Committee members and staff. Travel for any member or any staff member shall be paid

only upon the prior authorization of the Chair or her or his designee. Travel may be

authorized by the Chair for any member and any staff member in connection with the

attendance at hearings conducted by the Committee and meetings, conferences, and

investigations which involve activities or subject matter under the general jurisdiction of

the Committee. Before such authorization is given there shall be submitted to the Chair

in writing the following:

(1) The purpose of the travel;

(2) The dates during which the travel will occur;

(3) The locations to be visited and the length of time to be spent in each; and

(4) The names of members and staff seeking authorization.

(b)(1) In the case of travel outside the United States of members and staff of the

Committee for the purpose of conducting hearings, investigations, studies, or attending

meetings and conferences involving activities or subject matter under the legislative

assignment of the committee, prior authorization must be obtained from the Chair.

Before such authorization is given, there shall be submitted to the Chair, in writing, a

request for such authorization. Each request, which shall be filed in a manner that allows
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for a reasonable period of time for review before such travel is scheduled to begin, shall

include the following:

(A) the purpose of the travel;

(B) the dates during which the travel will occur;

(C) the names of the countries to be visited and the length of time to be spent in each;

(D) an agenda of anticipated activities for each country for which travel is authorized

together with a description of the purpose to be served and the areas of committee

jurisdiction involved; and

(E) the names of members and staff for whom authorization is sought.

(2) At the conclusion of any hearing, investigation, study, meeting or conference for

which travel outside the United States has been authorized pursuant to this rule, members

and staff attending meetings or conferences shall submit a written report to the Chair

covering the activities and other pertinent observations or information gained as a result

of such travel.

(c) Members and staff of the Committee performing authorized travel on official business

shall be governed by applicable laws, resolutions, or regulations of the House and of the

Committee on House Administration pertaining to such travel.

Rule No. 16

NUMBER AND JURISDICTION OF SUBCOMMITTEES

(a) There shall be two standing subcommittees, with party ratios of members as indicated.

Subcommittees shall have jurisdictions as stated by these rules, may conduct oversight

over such subject matter, and may consider such legislation as may be referred to them by

the Chair. The names and jurisdiction of the subcommittees shall be:

(1) Subcommittee on Capitol Security – (2/1). Matters pertaining to operations and

security of the Congress, and of the Capitol complex including the House wing of the

Capitol, the House Office Buildings, the Library of Congress, and other policies and

facilities supporting congressional operations; the U.S. Capitol Police.

(2) Subcommittee on Elections – (4/2). Matters pertaining to the Federal Election

Campaign Act, the Federal Contested Elections Act, the Help America Vote Act, the

National Voter Registration Act, the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting

Act, the Federal Voting Assistance Program, the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act, the

Americans with Disabilities Act (accessibility for voters with disabilities), the Federal

Elections Commission (FEC), the Elections Assistance Commission (EAC), and other

election related issues.
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(b) The Chair may establish and appoint members to serve on task forces of the

Committee, to perform specific functions for limited periods of time, as she or he deems

appropriate.

Rule No. 17

REFERRAL OF LEGISLATION TO SUBCOMMITTEES

The Chair may refer legislation or other matters to a subcommittee, or

subcommittees, as she or he considers appropriate. The Chair may discharge any

subcommittee of any matter referred to it.

Rule No. 18

POWERS AND DUTIES OF SUBCOMMITTEES

Each subcommittee is authorized to meet, hold hearings, receive evidence and

report to the full committee on all matters referred to it. No subcommittee shall meet

during any Committee meeting.

Rule No. 19

OTHER PROCEDURES AND REGULATIONS

The Chair may establish such other procedures and take such actions as may be necessary

to carry out the foregoing rules or to facilitate the effective operation of the committee.

Rule No. 20

DESIGNATION OF CLERK OF THE COMMITTEE

For the purposes of these rules and the Rules of the House of Representatives, the staff

director of the Committee shall act as the clerk of the Committee.