Rules of the Committee on House 

Administration 

COMMITTEE RESOLUTION 112-1 

Resolved, that the rules of the Committee on House Administration for the 112th 

Congress are hereby adopted, as follows: 

Rules of the Committee on House Administration 

One Hundred Twelfth 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 the 30th day after June 1 and 

December 1 of each year, a semiannual report on the activities of the committee under House 

Rules X and XI. 

(e) The Committee's rules shall be made publicly available in electronic form and published in 

the Congressional Record not later than 30 days after the Committee is elected in each 

oddnumbered 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. 

(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. 

(c) The Chair, in the case of meetings to be conducted by the Committee, and the appropriate 

subcommittee chair, in the case of meetings to be conducted by a subcommittee, shall make 

public announcement of the date, place, and subject matter of any meeting to be conducted on 

any measure or matter. Such meeting shall not commence earlier than the third day on which 

members have notice thereof. If the Chair, with the concurrence of the ranking minority member, 

determines that there is good cause to begin the meeting sooner, or if the Committee so 

determines by majority vote, a quorum being present, the Chair shall make the announcement at 

the earliest possible date. The announcement shall promptly be made publicly available in 

electronic form and published in the Daily Digest. 

(d) The Chair, in the case of meetings to be conducted by the Committee, and the appropriate 

subcommittee chair, in the case of meetings to be conducted by a subcommittee, shall make 

available on the Committee’s web site the text of any legislation to be marked up at a meeting at 

least 24 hours before such meeting (or at the time of an announcement made within 24 hours of 

such meeting). This requirement shall also apply to any resolution or regulation to be considered 

at a 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. To the maximum extent practicable, the Chair shall cause to be provided 

audio and video coverage of each hearing or meeting that allows the public to easily listen to and 

view the proceedings and maintain the recordings of such coverage in a manner that is easily 

accessible 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. 

(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. 

(3) The Chairman shall make the record of the votes on any question on which a record vote is 

demanded available on the Committee’s website not later than 48 hours after such vote is taken 

(excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and legal holidays). Such record shall include a description of 

the amendment, motion, order, or other proposition, the name of each member voting for and 

each member voting against such amendment, motion, order, or proposition, and the names of 

those members of the committee present but not voting. 

(4) The Chairman shall make available on the Committee’s website not later than 24 hours 

(excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and legal holidays) after the adoption of any amendment to a 

measure or matter the text of such amendment. 

(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 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 

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 Chair shall 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) Any member of the Committee may, if a subcommittee grants unanimous consent for a 

specific hearing, be permitted to sit during that hearing with a subcommittee on which he or she 

does not serve, but no member who has not been elected to a subcommittee shall count for a 

quorum, offer any measure, motion, or amendment, or vote on any matter before that 

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. 

(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) 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 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. 

(e) 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. 
(f) 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. 

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

ofa 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 

(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 

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 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 minority member, 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 appointment of all professional staff shall be subject to the approval of the Committee as 

provided by, and subject to the provisions of, clause 9 of Rule X of the Rules of the House; 

(d) 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 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 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 Election Commission (FEC), the Election 
Assistance Commission (EAC), and other election related issues. Oversight of the Federal 

Election Commission (FEC) and the Election Assistance Commission (EAC). 

(2) Subcommittee on Oversight – (4/2). Matters pertaining to operations of the Library of 

Congress, the Botanic Garden, the Smithsonian Institution, the Architect of the Capitol, the 

Capitol Visitors Center; the Chief Administrative Officer, House Information Resources, the 

Clerk of the House, the House Inspector General, the Congressional Research Service and the 

Office of Compliance. 

(b) No subcommittee shall meet during any full Committee meeting or hearing. 

(c) 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 

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. 19 

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.