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(C) shall in any event incorporate all of the succeed-
ing provisions of this clause to the extent applicable.
(2) Each committee shall submit its rules for publication
in the Congressional Record not later than 30 days after the
committee is elected in each odd-numbered year.
Regular meeting days
(b) Each standing committee shall establish regular
meeting days for the conduct of its business, which shall be
not less frequent than monthly. Each such committee shall
meet for the consideration of a bill or resolution pending be-
fore the committee or the transaction of other committee
business on all regular meeting days fixed by the committee
unless otherwise provided by written rule adopted by the com-
mittee.
Additional and special meetings
(c)(1) The chairman of each standing committee may
call and convene, as he considers necessary, additional and
special meetings of the committee for the consideration of a
bill or resolution pending before the committee or for the con-
duct of other committee business, subject to such rules as the
committee may adopt. The committee shall meet for such
purpose under that call of the chairman.
(2) Three or more members of a standing committee
may file in the offices of the committee a written request that
the chairman call a special meeting of the committee. Such
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request shall specify the measure or matter to be considered.
Immediately upon the filing of the request, the clerk of the
committee shall notify the chairman of the filing of the re-
quest. If the chairman does not call the requested special
meeting within three calendar days after the filing of the re-
quest (to be held within seven calendar days after the filing
of the request) a majority of the members of the committee
may file in the offices of the committee their written notice
that a special meeting of the committee will be held. The
written notice shall specify the date and hour of the special
meeting and the measure or matter to be considered. The
committee shall meet on that date and hour. Immediately
upon the filing of the notice, the clerk of the committee shall
notify all members of the committee that such special meet-
ing will be held and inform them of its date and hour and
the measure or matter to be considered. Only the measure or
matter specified in that notice may be considered at that spe-
cial meeting.
Temporary absence of chairman
(d) A member of the majority party on each standing
committee or subcommittee thereof shall be designated by the
chairman of the full committee as the vice chairman of the
committee or subcommittee, as the case may be, and shall
preside during the absence of the chairman from any meet-
ing. If the chairman and vice chairman of a committee or
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subcommittee are not present at any meeting of the commit-
tee or subcommittee, the ranking majority member who is
present shall preside at that meeting.
Committee records
(e)(1)(A) Each committee shall keep a complete record
of all committee action which shall include—
(i) in the case of a meeting or hearing transcript,
a substantially verbatim account of remarks actually
made during the proceedings, subject only to technical,
grammatical, and typographical corrections authorized
by the person making the remarks involved; and
(ii) a record of the votes on any question on which
a record vote is demanded.
(B)(i) Except as provided in subdivision (B)(ii) and sub-
ject to paragraph (k)(7), the result of each such record vote
shall be made available by the committee for inspection by
the public at reasonable times in its offices. Information so
available for public inspection shall include a description of
the amendment, motion, order, or other proposition, the name
of each member voting for and each member voting against
such amendment, motion, order, or proposition, and the
names of those members of the committee present but not
voting.
(ii) The result of any record vote taken in executive ses-
sion in the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct may
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not be made available for inspection by the public without an
affirmative vote of a majority of the members of the commit-
tee.
(2)(A) Except as provided in subdivision (B), all com-
mittee hearings, records, data, charts, and files shall be kept
separate and distinct from the congressional office records of
the member serving as its chairman. Such records shall be
the property of the House, and each Member, Delegate, and
the Resident Commissioner shall have access thereto.
(B) A Member, Delegate, or Resident Commissioner,
other than members of the Committee on Standards of Offi-
cial Conduct, may not have access to the records of that com-
mittee respecting the conduct of a Member, Delegate, Resi-
dent Commissioner, officer, or employee of the House without
the specific prior permission of that committee.
(3) Each committee shall include in its rules standards
for availability of records of the committee delivered to the
Archivist of the United States under rule VII. Such stand-
ards shall specify procedures for orders of the committee
under clause 3(b)(3) and clause 4(b) of rule VII, including
a requirement that nonavailability of a record for a period
longer than the period otherwise applicable under that rule
shall be approved by vote of the committee.
(4) Each committee shall make its publications available
in electronic form to the maximum extent feasible.
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Prohibition against proxy voting
(f) A vote by a member of a committee or subcommittee
with respect to any measure or matter may not be cast by
proxy.
Open meetings and hearings
(g)(1) Each meeting for the transaction of business, in-
cluding the markup of legislation, by a standing committee or
subcommittee thereof (other than the Committee on Stand-
ards of Official Conduct or its subcommittee) shall be open
to the public, including to radio, television, and still photog-
raphy coverage, except when the committee or subcommittee,
in open session and with a majority present, determines by
record vote that all or part of the remainder of the meeting
on that day shall be in executive session because disclosure
of matters to be considered would endanger national security,
would compromise sensitive law enforcement information,
would tend to defame, degrade, or incriminate any person, or
otherwise would violate a law or rule of the House. Persons,
other than members of the committee and such noncommittee
Members, Delegates, Resident Commissioner, congressional
staff, or departmental representatives as the committee may
authorize, may not be present at a business or markup ses-
sion that is held in executive session. This subparagraph does
not apply to open committee hearings, which are governed by
clause 4(a)(1) of rule X or by subparagraph (2).
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(2)(A) Each hearing conducted by a committee or sub-
committee (other than the Committee on Standards of Offi-
cial Conduct or its subcommittees) shall be open to the pub-
lic, including to radio, television, and still photography cov-
erage, except when the committee or subcommittee, in open
session and with a majority present, determines by record
vote that all or part of the remainder of that hearing on that
day shall be closed to the public because disclosure of testi-
mony, evidence, or other matters to be considered would en-
danger national security, would compromise sensitive law en-
forcement information, or would violate a law or rule of the
House.
(B) Notwithstanding the requirements of subdivision
(A), in the presence of the number of members required
under the rules of the committee for the purpose of taking
testimony, a majority of those present may—
(i) agree to close the hearing for the sole purpose
of discussing whether testimony or evidence to be re-
ceived would endanger national security, would com-
promise sensitive law enforcement information, or would
violate clause 2(k)(5); or
(ii) agree to close the hearing as provided in clause
2(k)(5).
(C) A Member, Delegate, or Resident Commissioner may
not be excluded from nonparticipatory attendance at a hear-
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transaction of business, the chairman shall make the an-
nouncement at the earliest possible date. An announcement
made under this subparagraph shall be published promptly in
the Daily Digest and made available in electronic form.
(4) Each committee shall, to the greatest extent prac-
ticable, require witnesses who appear before it to submit in
advance written statements of proposed testimony and to
limit their initial presentations to the committee to brief sum-
maries thereof. In the case of a witness appearing in a non-
governmental capacity, a written statement of proposed testi-
mony shall include a curriculum vitae and a disclosure of the
amount and source (by agency and program) of each Federal
grant (or subgrant thereof) or contract (or subcontract there-
of) received during the current fiscal year or either of the two
previous fiscal years by the witness or by an entity rep-
resented by the witness.
(5)(A) Except as provided in subdivision (B), a point of
order does not lie with respect to a measure reported by a
committee on the ground that hearings on such measure were
not conducted in accordance with this clause.
(B) A point of order on the ground described in subdivi-
sion (A) may be made by a member of the committee that
reported the measure if such point of order was timely made
and improperly disposed of in the committee.
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(6) This paragraph does not apply to hearings of the
Committee on Appropriations under clause 4(a)(1) of
rule X.
Quorum requirements
(h)(1) A measure or recommendation may not be re-
ported by a committee unless a majority of the committee is
actually present.
(2) Each committee may fix the number of its members
to constitute a quorum for taking testimony and receiving
evidence, which may not be less than two.
(3) Each committee (other than the Committee on Ap-
propriations, the Committee on the Budget, and the Commit-
tee on Ways and Means) may fix the number of its members
to constitute a quorum for taking any action other than the
reporting of a measure or recommendation, which may not be
less than one-third of the members.
Limitation on committee sittings
(i) A committee may not sit during a joint session of the
House and Senate or during a recess when a joint meeting
of the House and Senate is in progress.
Calling and questioning of witnesses
(j)(1) Whenever a hearing is conducted by a committee
on a measure or matter, the minority members of the com-
mittee shall be entitled, upon request to the chairman by a
majority of them before the completion of the hearing, to call
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witnesses selected by the minority to testify with respect to
that measure or matter during at least one day of hearing
thereon.
(2)(A) Subject to subdivisions (B) and (C), each com-
mittee shall apply the five-minute rule during the questioning
of witnesses in a hearing until such time as each member of
the committee who so desires has had an opportunity to ques-
tion each witness.
(B) A committee may adopt a rule or motion permitting
a specified number of its members to question a witness for
longer than five minutes. The time for extended questioning
of a witness under this subdivision shall be equal for the ma-
jority party and the minority party and may not exceed one
hour in the aggregate.
(C) A committee may adopt a rule or motion permitting
committee staff for its majority and minority party members
to question a witness for equal specified periods. The time for
extended questioning of a witness under this subdivision shall
be equal for the majority party and the minority party and
may not exceed one hour in the aggregate.
Investigative hearing procedures
(k)(1) The chairman at an investigative hearing shall
announce in an opening statement the subject of the inves-
tigation.
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(2) A copy of the committee rules and of this clause
shall be made available to each witness.
(3) Witnesses at investigative hearings may be accom-
panied by their own counsel for the purpose of advising them
concerning their constitutional rights.
(4) The chairman may punish breaches of order and de-
corum, and of professional ethics on the part of counsel, by
censure and exclusion from the hearings; and the committee
may cite the offender to the House for contempt.
(5) Whenever it is asserted that the evidence or testi-
mony at an investigative hearing may tend to defame, de-
grade, or incriminate any person—
(A) notwithstanding paragraph (g)(2), such testi-
mony or evidence shall be presented in executive session
if, in the presence of the number of members required
under the rules of the committee for the purpose of tak-
ing testimony, the committee determines by vote of a
majority of those present that such evidence or testi-
mony may tend to defame, degrade, or incriminate any
person; and
(B) the committee shall proceed to receive such tes-
timony in open session only if the committee, a majority
being present, determines that such evidence or testi-
mony will not tend to defame, degrade, or incriminate
any person.
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not less than two additional calendar days after the day of
such notice (excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and legal holidays
except when the House is in session on such a day) to file
such views, in writing and signed by that member, with the
clerk of the committee.
Power to sit and act; subpoena power
(m)(1) For the purpose of carrying out any of its func-
tions and duties under this rule and rule X (including any
matters referred to it under clause 2 of rule XII), a commit-
tee or subcommittee is authorized (subject to subparagraph
(2)(A))—
(A) to sit and act at such times and places within
the United States, whether the House is in session, has
recessed, or has adjourned, and to hold such hearings as
it considers necessary; and
(B) to require, by subpoena or otherwise, the at-
tendance and testimony of such witnesses and the pro-
duction of such books, records, correspondence, memo-
randa, papers, and documents as it considers necessary.
(2) The chairman of the committee, or a member des-
ignated by the chairman, may administer oaths to witnesses.
(3)(A)(i) Except as provided in subdivision (A)(ii), a
subpoena may be authorized and issued by a committee or
subcommittee under subparagraph (1)(B) in the conduct of
an investigation or series of investigations or activities only
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when authorized by the committee or subcommittee, a major-
ity being present. The power to authorize and issue subpoe-
nas under subparagraph (1)(B) may be delegated to the
chairman of the committee under such rules and under such
limitations as the committee may prescribe. Authorized sub-
poenas shall be signed by the chairman of the committee or
by a member designated by the committee.
(ii) In the case of a subcommittee of the Committee on
Standards of Official Conduct, a subpoena may be authorized
and issued only by an affirmative vote of a majority of its
members.
(B) A subpoena duces tecum may specify terms of re-
turn other than at a meeting or hearing of the committee or
subcommittee authorizing the subpoena.
(C) Compliance with a subpoena issued by a committee
or subcommittee under subparagraph (1)(B) may be enforced
only as authorized or directed by the House.
Committee on Standards of Official Conduct
3. (a) The Committee on Standards of Official Conduct
has the following functions:
(1) The committee may recommend to the House
from time to time such administrative actions as it may
consider appropriate to establish or enforce standards of
official conduct for Members, Delegates, the Resident
Commissioner, officers, and employees of the House. A
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letter of reproval or other administrative action of the
committee pursuant to an investigation under subpara-
graph (2) shall only be issued or implemented as a part
of a report required by such subparagraph.
(2) The committee may investigate, subject to para-
graph (b), an alleged violation by a Member, Delegate,
Resident Commissioner, officer, or employee of the
House of the Code of Official Conduct or of a law, rule,
regulation, or other standard of conduct applicable to
the conduct of such Member, Delegate, Resident Com-
missioner, officer, or employee in the performance of his
duties or the discharge of his responsibilities. After no-
tice and hearing (unless the right to a hearing is waived
by the Member, Delegate, Resident Commissioner, offi-
cer or employee), the committee shall report to the
House its findings of fact and recommendations, if any,
for the final disposition of any such investigation and
such action as the committee may consider appropriate
in the circumstances.
(3) The committee may report to the appropriate
Federal or State authorities, either with the approval of
the House or by an affirmative vote of two-thirds of the
members of the committee, any substantial evidence of
a violation by a Member, Delegate, Resident Commis-
sioner, officer, or employee of the House, of a law appli-
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cable to the performance of his duties or the discharge
of his responsibilities that may have been disclosed in a
committee investigation.
(4) The committee may consider the request of a
Member, Delegate, Resident Commissioner, officer, or
employee of the House for an advisory opinion with re-
spect to the general propriety of any current or proposed
conduct of such Member, Delegate, Resident Commis-
sioner, officer, or employee. With appropriate deletions
to ensure the privacy of the person concerned, the com-
mittee may publish such opinion for the guidance of
other Members, Delegates, the Resident Commissioner,
officers, and employees of the House.
(5) The committee may consider the request of a
Member, Delegate, Resident Commissioner, officer, or
employee of the House for a written waiver in excep-
tional circumstances with respect to clause 4 of rule
XXIV.
(b)(1)(A) Unless approved by an affirmative vote of a
majority of its members, the Committee on Standards of Of-
ficial Conduct may not report a resolution, report, rec-
ommendation, or advisory opinion relating to the official con-
duct of a Member, Delegate, Resident Commissioner, officer
or employee of the House, or, except as provided in subpara-
graph (2), undertake an investigation of such conduct.
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(B)(i) Upon the receipt of information offered as a com-
plaint that is in compliance with this rule and the rules of
the committee, the chairman and ranking minority member
jointly may appoint members to serve as an investigative sub-
committee.
(ii) The chairman and ranking minority member of the
committee jointly may gather additional information concern-
ing alleged conduct that is the basis of a complaint or of in-
formation offered as a complaint until they have established
an investigative subcommittee or either of them has placed on
the agenda of the committee the issue of whether to establish
an investigative subcommittee.
(2) Except in the case of an investigation undertaken by
the committee on its own initiative, the committee may un-
dertake an investigation relating to the official conduct of an
individual Member, Delegate, Resident Commissioner, officer,
or employee of the House only—
(A) upon receipt of information offered as a com-
plaint, in writing and under oath, from a Member, Dele-
gate, or Resident Commissioner and transmitted to the
committee by such Member, Delegate, or Resident Com-
missioner; or
(B) upon receipt of information offered as a com-
plaint, in writing and under oath, from a person not a
Member, Delegate, or Resident Commissioner provided
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that a Member, Delegate, or Resident Commissioner cer-
tifies in writing to the committee that he believes the in-
formation is submitted in good faith and warrants the
review and consideration of the committee.
If a complaint is not disposed of within the applicable periods
set forth in the rules of the Committee on Standards of Offi-
cial Conduct, the chairman and ranking minority member
shall establish jointly an investigative subcommittee and for-
ward the complaint, or any portion thereof, to that sub-
committee for its consideration. However, if at any time dur-
ing those periods either the chairman or ranking minority
member places on the agenda the issue of whether to estab-
lish an investigative subcommittee, then an investigative sub-
committee may be established only by an affirmative vote of
a majority of the members of the committee.
(3) The committee may not undertake an investigation
of an alleged violation of a law, rule, regulation, or standard
of conduct that was not in effect at the time of the alleged
violation. The committee may not undertake an investigation
of such an alleged violation that occurred before the third
previous Congress unless the committee determines that the
alleged violation is directly related to an alleged violation that
occurred in a more recent Congress.
(4) A member of the committee shall be ineligible to par-
ticipate as a member of the committee in a committee pro-
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(7) The committee shall have the functions designated in
titles I and V of the Ethics in Government Act of 1978, in
sections 7342, 7351, and 7353 of title 5, United States Code,
and in clause 11(g)(4) of rule X.
(c)(1) Notwithstanding clause 2(g)(1) of rule XI, each
meeting of the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct
or a subcommittee thereof shall occur in executive session un-
less the committee or subcommittee, by an affirmative vote
of a majority of its members, opens the meeting to the public.
(2) Notwithstanding clause 2(g)(2) of rule XI, each
hearing of an adjudicatory subcommittee or sanction hearing
of the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct shall be
held in open session unless the committee or subcommittee,
in open session by an affirmative vote of a majority of its
members, closes all or part of the remainder of the hearing
on that day to the public.
(d) Before a member, officer, or employee of the Com-
mittee on Standards of Official Conduct, including members
of a subcommittee of the committee selected under clause
5(a)(4) of rule X and shared staff, may have access to infor-
mation that is confidential under the rules of the committee,
the following oath (or affirmation) shall be executed:
‘‘I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will not dis-
close, to any person or entity outside the Committee on
Standards of Official Conduct, any information received
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in the course of my service with the committee, except
as authorized by the committee or in accordance with its
rules.’’
Copies of the executed oath shall be retained by the Clerk as
part of the records of the House. This paragraph establishes
a standard of conduct within the meaning of paragraph
(a)(2). Breaches of confidentiality shall be investigated by the
Committee on Standards of Official Conduct and appropriate
action shall be taken.
(e)(1) If a complaint or information offered as a com-
plaint is deemed frivolous by an affirmative vote of a majority
of the members of the Committee on Standards of Official
Conduct, the committee may take such action as it, by an af-
firmative vote of a majority of its members, considers appro-
priate in the circumstances.
(2) Complaints filed before the One Hundred Fifth Con-
gress may not be deemed frivolous by the Committee on
Standards of Official Conduct.
Audio and visual coverage of committee proceedings
4. (a) The purpose of this clause is to provide a means,
in conformity with acceptable standards of dignity, propriety,
and decorum, by which committee hearings or committee
meetings that are open to the public may be covered by audio
and visual means—
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(1) for the education, enlightenment, and informa-
tion of the general public, on the basis of accurate and
impartial news coverage, regarding the operations, proce-
dures, and practices of the House as a legislative and
representative body, and regarding the measures, public
issues, and other matters before the House and its com-
mittees, the consideration thereof, and the action taken
thereon; and
(2) for the development of the perspective and un-
derstanding of the general public with respect to the role
and function of the House under the Constitution as an
institution of the Federal Government.
(b) In addition, it is the intent of this clause that radio
and television tapes and television film of any coverage under
this clause may not be used, or made available for use, as
partisan political campaign material to promote or oppose the
candidacy of any person for elective public office.
(c) It is, further, the intent of this clause that the gen-
eral conduct of each meeting (whether of a hearing or other-
wise) covered under authority of this clause by audio or visual
means, and the personal behavior of the committee members
and staff, other Government officials and personnel, wit-
nesses, television, radio, and press media personnel, and the
general public at the hearing or other meeting, shall be in
strict conformity with and observance of the acceptable
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standards of dignity, propriety, courtesy, and decorum tradi-
tionally observed by the House in its operations, and may not
be such as to—
(1) distort the objects and purposes of the hearing
or other meeting or the activities of committee members
in connection with that hearing or meeting or in connec-
tion with the general work of the committee or of the
House; or
(2) cast discredit or dishonor on the House, the
committee, or a Member, Delegate, or Resident Commis-
sioner or bring the House, the committee, or a Member,
Delegate, or Resident Commissioner into disrepute.
(d) The coverage of committee hearings and meetings by
audio and visual means shall be permitted and conducted
only in strict conformity with the purposes, provisions, and
requirements of this clause.
(e) Whenever a hearing or meeting conducted by a com-
mittee or subcommittee is open to the public, those proceed-
ings shall be open to coverage by audio and visual means. A
committee or subcommittee chairman may not limit the num-
ber of television or still cameras to fewer than two represent-
atives from each medium (except for legitimate space or safe-
ty considerations, in which case pool coverage shall be author-
ized).
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(f) Each committee shall adopt written rules to govern
its implementation of this clause. Such rules shall contain
provisions to the following effect:
(1) If audio or visual coverage of the hearing or
meeting is to be presented to the public as live coverage,
that coverage shall be conducted and presented without
commercial sponsorship.
(2) The allocation among the television media of the
positions or the number of television cameras permitted
by a committee or subcommittee chairman in a hearing
or meeting room shall be in accordance with fair and eq-
uitable procedures devised by the Executive Committee
of the Radio and Television Correspondents’ Galleries.
(3) Television cameras shall be placed so as not to
obstruct in any way the space between a witness giving
evidence or testimony and any member of the committee
or the visibility of that witness and that member to each
other.
(4) Television cameras shall operate from fixed po-
sitions but may not be placed in positions that obstruct
unnecessarily the coverage of the hearing or meeting by
the other media.
(5) Equipment necessary for coverage by the tele-
vision and radio media may not be installed in, or re-
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moved from, the hearing or meeting room while the com-
mittee is in session.
(6)(A) Except as provided in subdivision (B), flood-
lights, spotlights, strobelights, and flashguns may not be
used in providing any method of coverage of the hearing
or meeting.
(B) The television media may install additional
lighting in a hearing or meeting room, without cost to
the Government, in order to raise the ambient lighting
level in a hearing or meeting room to the lowest level
necessary to provide adequate television coverage of a
hearing or meeting at the current state of the art of tele-
vision coverage.
(7) In the allocation of the number of still photog-
raphers permitted by a committee or subcommittee
chairman in a hearing or meeting room, preference shall
be given to photographers from Associated Press Photos
and United Press International Newspictures. If re-
quests are made by more of the media than will be per-
mitted by a committee or subcommittee chairman for
coverage of a hearing or meeting by still photography,
that coverage shall be permitted on the basis of a fair
and equitable pool arrangement devised by the Standing
Committee of Press Photographers.
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(8) Photographers may not position themselves be-
tween the witness table and the members of the commit-
tee at any time during the course of a hearing or meet-
ing.
(9) Photographers may not place themselves in po-
sitions that obstruct unnecessarily the coverage of the
hearing by the other media.
(10) Personnel providing coverage by the television
and radio media shall be currently accredited to the
Radio and Television Correspondents’ Galleries.
(11) Personnel providing coverage by still photog-
raphy shall be currently accredited to the Press Photog-
raphers’ Gallery.
(12) Personnel providing coverage by the television
and radio media and by still photography shall conduct
themselves and their coverage activities in an orderly
and unobtrusive manner.
Pay of witnesses
5. Witnesses appearing before the House or any of its
committees shall be paid the same per diem rate as estab-
lished, authorized, and regulated by the Committee on House
Administration for Members, Delegates, the Resident Com-
missioner, and employees of the House, plus actual expenses
of travel to or from the place of examination. Such per diem
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may not be paid when a witness has been summoned at the
place of examination.
Unfinished business of the session
6. All business of the House at the end of one session
shall be resumed at the commencement of the next session of
the same Congress in the same manner as if no adjournment
had taken place.
RULE XII.
RECEIPT AND REFERRAL OF MEASURES AND MATTERS.
Messages
1. Messages received from the Senate, or from the Presi-
dent, shall be entered on the Journal and published in the
Congressional Record of the proceedings of that day.
Referral
2. (a) The Speaker shall refer each bill, resolution, or
other matter that relates to a subject listed under a standing
committee named in clause 1 of rule X in accordance with
the provisions of this clause.
(b) The Speaker shall refer matters under paragraph (a)
in such manner as to ensure to the maximum extent feasible
that each committee that has jurisdiction under clause 1 of
rule X over the subject matter of a provision thereof may
consider such provision and report to the House thereon.
Precedents, rulings, or procedures in effect before the Ninety-
Fourth Congress shall be applied to referrals under this
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clause only to the extent that they will contribute to the
achievement of the objectives of this clause.
(c) In carrying out paragraphs (a) and (b) with respect
to the referral of a matter, the Speaker—
(1) shall designate a committee of primary jurisdic-
tion;
(2) may refer the matter to one or more additional
committees for consideration in sequence, either initially
or after the matter has been reported by the committee
of primary jurisdiction;
(3) may refer portions of the matter reflecting dif-
ferent subjects and jurisdictions to one or more addi-
tional committees;
(4) may refer the matter to a special, ad hoc com-
mittee appointed by the Speaker with the approval of the
House, and including members of the committees of ju-
risdiction, for the specific purpose of considering that
matter and reporting to the House thereon;
(5) may subject a referral to appropriate time limi-
tations; and
(6) may make such other provision as may be con-
sidered appropriate.
(d) A bill for the payment or adjudication of a private
claim against the Government may not be referred to a com-
mittee other than the Committee on International Relations
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or the Committee on the Judiciary, except by unanimous con-
sent.
Petitions, memorials, and private bills
3. If a Member, Delegate, or Resident Commissioner has
a petition, memorial, or private bill to present, he shall en-
dorse his name, deliver it to the Clerk, and may specify the
reference or disposition to be made thereof. Such petition,
memorial, or private bill (except when judged by the Speaker
to be obscene or insulting) shall be entered on the Journal
with the name of the Member, Delegate, or Resident Commis-
sioner presenting it and shall be printed in the Congressional
Record.
4. A private bill or private resolution (including an omni-
bus claim or pension bill), or amendment thereto, may not be
received or considered in the House if it authorizes or
directs—
(a) the payment of money for property damages, for
personal injuries or death for which suit may be insti-
tuted under the Tort Claims Procedure provided in title
28, United States Code, or for a pension (other than to
carry out a provision of law or treaty stipulation);
(b) the construction of a bridge across a navigable
stream; or
(c) the correction of a military or naval record.
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Prohibition on commemorations
5. (a) A bill or resolution, or an amendment thereto,
may not be introduced or considered in the House if it estab-
lishes or expresses a commemoration.
(b) In this clause the term ‘‘commemoration’’ means a
remembrance, celebration, or recognition for any purpose
through the designation of a specified period of time.
Excluded matters
6. A petition, memorial, bill, or resolution excluded
under this rule shall be returned to the Member, Delegate,
or Resident Commissioner from whom it was received. A peti-
tion or private bill that has been inappropriately referred
may, by direction of the committee having possession of it,
be properly referred in the manner originally presented. An
erroneous reference of a petition or private bill under this
clause does not confer jurisdiction on a committee to consider
or report it.
Sponsorship
7. (a) All other bills, memorials, petitions, and resolu-
tions, endorsed with the names of Members, Delegates, or the
Resident Commissioner introducing them, may be delivered to
the Speaker to be referred. The titles and references of all
bills, memorials, petitions, resolutions, and other documents
referred under this rule shall be entered on the Journal and
printed in the Congressional Record. An erroneous reference
may be corrected by the House in accordance with rule X on
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any day immediately after the Pledge of Allegiance to the
Flag by unanimous consent or motion. Such a motion shall
be privileged if offered by direction of a committee to which
the bill has been erroneously referred or by direction of a
committee claiming jurisdiction and shall be decided without
debate.
(b)(1) The primary sponsor of a public bill or public res-
olution may name cosponsors. The name of a cosponsor
added after the initial printing of a bill or resolution shall ap-
pear in the next printing of the bill or resolution on the writ-
ten request of the primary sponsor. Such a request may be
submitted to the Speaker at any time until the last committee
authorized to consider and report the bill or resolution re-
ports it to the House or is discharged from its consideration.
(2) The name of a cosponsor of a bill or resolution may
be deleted by unanimous consent. The Speaker may entertain
such a request only by the Member, Delegate, or Resident
Commissioner whose name is to be deleted or by the primary
sponsor of the bill or resolution, and only until the last com-
mittee authorized to consider and report the bill or resolution
reports it to the House or is discharged from its consider-
ation. The Speaker may not entertain a request to delete the
name of the primary sponsor of a bill or resolution. A dele-
tion shall be indicated by date in the next printing of the bill
or resolution.
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(3) The addition or deletion of the name of a cosponsor
of a bill or resolution shall be entered on the Journal and
printed in the Congressional Record of that day.
(4) A bill or resolution shall be reprinted on the written
request of the primary sponsor. Such a request may be sub-
mitted to the Speaker only when 20 or more cosponsors have
been added since the last printing of the bill or resolution.
(5) When a bill or resolution is introduced ‘‘by request,’’
those words shall be entered on the Journal and printed in
the Congressional Record.
Executive communications
8. Estimates of appropriations and all other communica-
tions from the executive departments intended for the consid-
eration of any committees of the House shall be addressed to
the Speaker for referral as provided in clause 2 of rule XIV.
RULE XIII.
CALENDARS AND COMMITTEE REPORTS.
Calendars
1. (a) All business reported by committees shall be re-
ferred to one of the following three calendars:
(1) A Calendar of the Committee of the Whole
House on the state of the Union, to which shall be re-
ferred public bills and public resolutions raising revenue,
involving a tax or charge on the people, directly or indi-
rectly making appropriations of money or property or re-
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quiring such appropriations to be made, authorizing pay-
ments out of appropriations already made, releasing any
liability to the United States for money or property, or
referring a claim to the Court of Claims.
(2) A House Calendar, to which shall be referred all
public bills and public resolutions not requiring referral
to the Calendar of the Committee of the Whole House
on the state of the Union.
(3) A Private Calendar as provided in clause 5 of
rule XV, to which shall be referred all private bills and
private resolutions.
(b) There is established a Corrections Calendar as pro-
vided in clause 6 of rule XV.
(c) There is established a Calendar of Motions to Dis-
charge Committees as provided in clause 2 of rule XV.
Filing and printing of reports
2. (a)(1) Except as provided in subparagraph (2), all re-
ports of committees (other than those filed from the floor as
privileged) shall be delivered to the Clerk for printing and
reference to the proper calendar under the direction of the
Speaker in accordance with clause 1. The title or subject of
each report shall be entered on the Journal and printed in
the Congressional Record.
(2) A bill or resolution reported adversely shall be laid
on the table unless a committee to which the bill or resolution
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was referred requests at the time of the report its referral to
an appropriate calendar under clause 1 or unless, within
three days thereafter, a Member, Delegate, or Resident Com-
missioner makes such a request.
(b)(1) It shall be the duty of the chairman of each com-
mittee to report or cause to be reported promptly to the
House a measure or matter approved by the committee and
to take or cause to be taken steps necessary to bring the
measure or matter to a vote.
(2) In any event, the report of a committee on a meas-
ure that has been approved by the committee shall be filed
within seven calendar days (exclusive of days on which the
House is not in session) after the day on which a written re-
quest for the filing of the report, signed by a majority of the
members of the committee, has been filed with the clerk of
the committee. The clerk of the committee shall immediately
notify the chairman of the filing of such a request. This sub-
paragraph does not apply to a report of the Committee on
Rules with respect to a rule, joint rule, or order of business
of the House, or to the reporting of a resolution of inquiry
addressed to the head of an executive department.
(c) All supplemental, minority, or additional views filed
under clause 2(l) of rule XI by one or more members of a
committee shall be included in, and shall be a part of, the
report filed by the committee with respect to a measure or
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matter. When time guaranteed by clause 2(l) of rule XI has
expired (or, if sooner, when all separate views have been re-
ceived), the committee may arrange to file its report with the
Clerk not later than one hour after the expiration of such
time. This clause and provisions of clause 2(l) of rule XI do
not preclude the immediate filing or printing of a committee
report in the absence of a timely request for the opportunity
to file supplemental, minority, or additional views as provided
in clause 2(l) of rule XI.
Content of reports
3. (a)(1) Except as provided in subparagraph (2), the re-
port of a committee on a measure or matter shall be printed
in a single volume that—
(A) shall include all supplemental, minority, or ad-
ditional views that have been submitted by the time of
the filing of the report; and
(B) shall bear on its cover a recital that any such
supplemental, minority, or additional views (and any ma-
terial submitted under paragraph (c)(3) or (4)) are in-
cluded as part of the report.
(2) A committee may file a supplemental report for the
correction of a technical error in its previous report on a
measure or matter.
(b) With respect to each record vote on a motion to re-
port a measure or matter of a public nature, and on any
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amendment offered to the measure or matter, the total num-
ber of votes cast for and against, and the names of members
voting for and against, shall be included in the committee re-
port. The preceding sentence does not apply to votes taken
in executive session by the Committee on Standards of Offi-
cial Conduct.
(c) The report of a committee on a measure that has
been approved by the committee shall include, separately set
out and clearly identified, the following:
(1) Oversight findings and recommendations under
clause 2(b)(1) of rule X.
(2) The statement required by section 308(a) of the
Congressional Budget Act of 1974, except that an esti-
mate of new budget authority shall include, when prac-
ticable, a comparison of the total estimated funding level
for the relevant programs to the appropriate levels under
current law.
(3) An estimate and comparison prepared by the
Director of the Congressional Budget Office under sec-
tion 402 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 if
timely submitted to the committee before the filing of
the report.
(4) A summary of oversight findings and rec-
ommendations by the Committee on Government Reform
under clause 4(c)(2) of rule X if such findings and rec-
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ommendations have been submitted to the reporting
committee in time to allow it to consider such findings
and recommendations during its deliberations on the
measure.
(d) Each report of a committee on a public bill or public
joint resolution shall contain the following:
(1) A statement citing the specific powers granted
to Congress in the Constitution to enact the law pro-
posed by the bill or joint resolution.
(2)(A) An estimate by the committee of the costs
that would be incurred in carrying out the bill or joint
resolution in the fiscal year in which it is reported and
in each of the five fiscal years following that fiscal year
(or for the authorized duration of any program author-
ized by the bill or joint resolution if less than five years);
(B) A comparison of the estimate of costs described
in subdivision (A) made by the committee with any esti-
mate of such costs made by a Government agency and
submitted to such committee; and
(C) When practicable, a comparison of the total es-
timated funding level for the relevant programs with the
appropriate levels under current law.
(3)(A) In subparagraph (2) the term ‘‘Government
agency’’ includes any department, agency, establishment,
wholly owned Government corporation, or instrumental-
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ity of the Federal Government or the government of the
District of Columbia.
(B) Subparagraph (2) does not apply to the Com-
mittee on Appropriations, the Committee on House Ad-
ministration, the Committee on Rules, or the Committee
on Standards of Official Conduct, and does not apply
when a cost estimate and comparison prepared by the
Director of the Congressional Budget Office under sec-
tion 402 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 has
been included in the report under paragraph (c)(3).
(e)(1) Whenever a committee reports a bill or joint reso-
lution proposing to repeal or amend a statute or part thereof,
it shall include in its report or in an accompanying
document—
(A) the text of a statute or part thereof that is pro-
posed to be repealed; and
(B) a comparative print of any part of the bill or
joint resolution proposing to amend the statute and of
the statute or part thereof proposed to be amended,
showing by appropriate typographical devices the omis-
sions and insertions proposed.
(2) If a committee reports a bill or joint resolution pro-
posing to repeal or amend a statute or part thereof with a
recommendation that the bill or joint resolution be amended,
the comparative print required by subparagraph (1) shall re-
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flect the changes in existing law proposed to be made by the
bill or joint resolution as proposed to be amended.
(f)(1) A report of the Committee on Appropriations on
a general appropriation bill shall include—
(A) a concise statement describing the effect of any
provision of the accompanying bill that directly or indi-
rectly changes the application of existing law; and
(B) a list of all appropriations contained in the bill
for expenditures not previously authorized by law (except
classified intelligence or national security programs,
projects, or activities).
(2) Whenever the Committee on Appropriations reports
a bill or joint resolution including matter specified in clause
1(b)(2) or (3) of rule X, it shall include—
(A) in the bill or joint resolution, separate headings
for ‘‘Rescissions’’ and ‘‘Transfers of Unexpended Bal-
ances’’; and
(B) in the report of the committee, a separate sec-
tion listing such rescissions and transfers.
(g) Whenever the Committee on Rules reports a resolu-
tion proposing to repeal or amend a standing rule of the
House, it shall include in its report or in an accompanying
document—
(1) the text of any rule or part thereof that is pro-
posed to be repealed; and
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(2) a comparative print of any part of the resolu-
tion proposing to amend the rule and of the rule or part
thereof proposed to be amended, showing by appropriate
typographical devices the omissions and insertions pro-
posed.
(h)(1) It shall not be in order to consider a bill or joint
resolution reported by the Committee on Ways and Means
that proposes to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986
unless—
(A) the report includes a tax complexity analysis
prepared by the Joint Committee on Internal Revenue
Taxation in accordance with section 4022(b) of the In-
ternal Revenue Service Restructuring and Reform Act of
1998; or
(B) the chairman of the Committee on Ways and
Means causes such a tax complexity analysis to be print-
ed in the Congressional Record before consideration of
the bill or joint resolution.
(2) A report from the Committee on Ways and Means
on a bill or joint resolution designated by the Majority Lead-
er, after consultation with the Minority Leader, as major tax
legislation may include a dynamic estimate of the changes in
Federal revenues expected to result from enactment of the
legislation. The Joint Committee on Internal Revenue Tax-
ation shall render a dynamic estimate of such legislation only
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in response to a timely request from the chairman of the
Committee on Ways and Means, after consultation with the
ranking minority member. A dynamic estimate under this
paragraph may be used only for informational purposes.
(3) In this paragraph the term ‘‘dynamic estimate’’
means a projection based in any part on assumptions con-
cerning probable effects of macroeconomic feedback. A dy-
namic estimate shall include a statement identifying all such
assumptions.
Availability of reports
4. (a)(1) Except as specified in subparagraph (2), it
shall not be in order to consider in the House a measure or
matter reported by a committee until the third calendar day
(excluding Saturdays, Sundays, or legal holidays except when
the House is in session on such a day) on which each report
of a committee on that measure or matter has been available
to Members, Delegates, and the Resident Commissioner.
(2) Subparagraph (1) does not apply to—
(A) a resolution providing a rule, joint rule, or
order of business reported by the Committee on Rules
considered under clause 6;
(B) a resolution providing amounts from the appli-
cable accounts described in clause 1(i)(1) of rule X re-
ported by the Committee on House Administration con-
sidered under clause 6 of rule X;
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(C) a resolution presenting a question of the privi-
leges of the House reported by any committee;
(D) a measure for the declaration of war, or the
declaration of a national emergency, by Congress; and
(E) a measure providing for the disapproval of a de-
cision, determination, or action by a Government agency
that would become, or continue to be, effective unless
disapproved or otherwise invalidated by one or both
Houses of Congress. In this subdivision the term ‘‘Gov-
ernment agency’’ includes any department, agency, es-
tablishment, wholly owned Government corporation, or
instrumentality of the Federal Government or of the
government of the District of Columbia.
(b) A committee that reports a measure or matter shall
make every reasonable effort to have its hearings thereon (if
any) printed and available for distribution to Members, Dele-
gates, and the Resident Commissioner before the consider-
ation of the measure or matter in the House.
(c) A general appropriation bill reported by the Commit-
tee on Appropriations may not be considered in the House
until the third calendar day (excluding Saturdays, Sundays,
and legal holidays except when the House is in session on
such a day) on which printed hearings of the Committee on
Appropriations thereon have been available to Members, Dele-
gates, and the Resident Commissioner.
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Privileged reports, generally
5. (a) The following committees shall have leave to re-
port at any time on the following matters, respectively:
(1) The Committee on Appropriations, on general
appropriation bills and on joint resolutions continuing
appropriations for a fiscal year after September 15 in
the preceding fiscal year.
(2) The Committee on the Budget, on the matters
required to be reported by such committee under titles
III and IV of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974.
(3) The Committee on House Administration, on
enrolled bills, on contested elections, on matters referred
to it concerning printing for the use of the House or the
two Houses, on expenditure of the applicable accounts of
the House described in clause 1(i)(1) of rule X, and on
matters relating to preservation and availability of non-
current records of the House under rule VII.
(4) The Committee on Rules, on rules, joint rules,
and the order of business.
(5) The Committee on Standards of Official Con-
duct, on resolutions recommending action by the House
with respect to a Member, Delegate, Resident Commis-
sioner, officer, or employee of the House as a result of
an investigation by the committee relating to the official
conduct of such Member, Delegate, Resident Commis-
sioner, officer, or employee.
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(b) A report filed from the floor as privileged under
paragraph (a) may be called up as a privileged question by
direction of the reporting committee, subject to any require-
ment concerning its availability to Members, Delegates, and
the Resident Commissioner under clause 4 or concerning the
timing of its consideration under clause 6.
Privileged reports by the Committee on Rules
6. (a) A report by the Committee on Rules on a rule,
joint rule, or the order of business may not be called up for
consideration on the same day it is presented to the House
except—
(1) when so determined by a vote of two-thirds of
the Members voting, a quorum being present;
(2) in the case of a resolution proposing only to
waive a requirement of clause 4 or of clause 8 of rule
XXII concerning the availability of reports; or
(3) during the last three days of a session of Con-
gress.
(b) Pending the consideration of a report by the Com-
mittee on Rules on a rule, joint rule, or the order of business,
the Speaker may entertain one motion that the House ad-
journ. After the result of such a motion is announced, the
Speaker may not entertain any other dilatory motion until
the report shall have been disposed of.
(c) The Committee on Rules may not report—
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(1) a rule or order proposing that business under
clause 7 of rule XV be set aside by a vote of less than
two-thirds of the Members voting, a quorum being
present;
(2) a rule or order that would prevent the motion
to recommit a bill or joint resolution from being made
as provided in clause 2(b) of rule XIX, including a mo-
tion to recommit with instructions to report back an
amendment otherwise in order, if offered by the Minority
Leader or a designee, except with respect to a Senate
bill or resolution for which the text of a House-passed
measure has been substituted.
(d) The Committee on Rules shall present to the House
reports concerning rules, joint rules, and the order of busi-
ness, within three legislative days of the time when they are
ordered. If such a report is not considered immediately, it
shall be referred to the calendar. If such a report on the cal-
endar is not called up by the member of the committee who
filed the report within seven legislative days, any member of
the committee may call it up as a privileged question on the
day after the calendar day on which the member announces
to the House his intention to do so. The Speaker shall recog-
nize a member of the committee who rises for that purpose.
(e) An adverse report by the Committee on Rules on a
resolution proposing a special order of business for the con-
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sideration of a public bill or public joint resolution may be
called up as a privileged question by a Member, Delegate, or
Resident Commissioner on a day when it is in order to con-
sider a motion to discharge committees under clause 2 of rule
XV.
(f) If the House has adopted a resolution making in
order a motion to consider a bill or resolution, and such a
motion has not been offered within seven calendar days there-
after, such a motion shall be privileged if offered by direction
of all reporting committees having initial jurisdiction of the
bill or resolution.
(g) Whenever the Committee on Rules reports a resolu-
tion providing for the consideration of a measure, it shall (to
the maximum extent possible) specify in the resolution the
object of any waiver of a point of order against the measure
or against its consideration.
Resolutions of inquiry
7. A report on a resolution of inquiry addressed to the
head of an executive department may be filed from the floor
as privileged. If such a resolution is not reported to the
House within 14 legislative days after its introduction, a mo-
tion to discharge a committee from its consideration shall be
privileged.
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RULE XIV.
ORDER AND PRIORITY OF BUSINESS.
1. The daily order of business (unless varied by the ap-
plication of other rules and except for the disposition of mat-
ters of higher precedence) shall be as follows:
First. Prayer by the Chaplain.
Second. Reading and approval of the Journal, un-
less postponed under clause 9(a) of rule XX.
Third. The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
Fourth. Correction of reference of public bills.
Fifth. Disposal of business on the Speaker’s table
as provided in clause 2.
Sixth. 
Unfinished 
business 
as 
provided 
in
clause 3.
Seventh. The morning hour for the consideration of
bills called up by committees as provided in clause 4.
Eighth. Motions that the House resolve into the
Committee of the Whole House on the state of the
Union subject to clause 5.
Ninth. Orders of the day.
2. Business on the Speaker’s table shall be disposed of
as follows:
(a) Messages from the President shall be referred to
the appropriate committees without debate.
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(b) Communications addressed to the House, in-
cluding reports and communications from heads of de-
partments and bills, resolutions, and messages from the
Senate, may be referred to the appropriate committees
in the same manner and with the same right of correc-
tion as public bills and public resolutions presented by
Members, Delegates, or the Resident Commissioner.
(c) Motions to dispose of Senate amendments on
the Speaker’s table may be entertained as provided in
clauses 1, 2, and 4 of rule XXII.
(d) Senate bills and resolutions substantially the
same as House measures already favorably reported and
not required to be considered in the Committee of the
Whole House on the state of the Union may be disposed
of by motion. Such a motion shall be privileged if offered
by direction of all reporting committees having initial ju-
risdiction of the House measure.
3. Consideration of unfinished business in which the
House may have been engaged at an adjournment, except
business in the morning hour and proceedings postponed
under clause 9 of rule XX, shall be resumed as soon as the
business on the Speaker’s table is finished, and at the same
time each day thereafter until disposed of. The consideration
of all other unfinished business shall be resumed whenever
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the class of business to which it belongs shall be in order
under the rules.
4. After the unfinished business has been disposed of,
the Speaker shall call each standing committee in regular
order and then select committees. Each committee when
named may call up for consideration a bill or resolution re-
ported by it on a previous day and on the House Calendar.
If the Speaker does not complete the call of the committees
before the House passes to other business, the next call shall
resume at the point it left off, giving preference to the last
bill or resolution under consideration. A committee that has
occupied the call for two days may not call up another bill
or resolution until the other committees have been called in
their turn.
5. After consideration of bills or resolutions under clause
4 for one hour, it shall be in order, pending consideration
thereof, to entertain a motion that the House resolve into the
Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union or,
when authorized by a committee, that the House resolve into
the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union
to consider a particular bill. Such a motion shall be subject
to only one amendment designating another bill. If such a
motion is decided in the negative, another such motion may
not be considered until the matter that was pending when
such motion was offered is disposed of.
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6. All questions relating to the priority of business shall
be decided by a majority without debate.
RULE XV.
BUSINESS IN ORDER ON SPECIAL DAYS.
Suspensions, Mondays and Tuesdays
1. (a) A rule may not be suspended except by a vote of
two-thirds of the Members voting, a quorum being present.
The Speaker may not entertain a motion that the House sus-
pend the rules except on Mondays and Tuesdays and during
the last six days of a session of Congress.
(b) Pending a motion that the House suspend the rules,
the Speaker may entertain one motion that the House ad-
journ. After the result of such a motion is announced, the
Speaker may not entertain any other motion until the vote
is taken on the suspension.
(c) A motion that the House suspend the rules is debat-
able for 40 minutes, one-half in favor of the motion and one-
half in opposition thereto.
Discharge motions, second and fourth Mondays
2. (a) Motions to discharge committees shall be in order
on the second and fourth Mondays of a month.
(b)(1) A Member may present to the Clerk a motion in
writing to discharge—
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(A) a committee from consideration of a public bill
or public resolution that has been referred to it for 30
legislative days; or
(B) the Committee on Rules from consideration of
a resolution that has been referred to it for seven legisla-
tive days and that proposes a special order of business
for the consideration of a public bill or public resolution
that has been reported by a standing committee or has
been referred to a standing committee for 30 legislative
days.
(2) Only one motion may be presented for a bill or reso-
lution. A Member may not file a motion to discharge the
Committee on Rules from consideration of a resolution pro-
viding for the consideration of more than one public bill or
public resolution or admitting or effecting a nongermane
amendment to a public bill or public resolution.
(c) A motion presented under paragraph (b) shall be
placed in the custody of the Clerk, who shall arrange a con-
venient place for the signatures of Members. A signature may
be withdrawn by a Member in writing at any time before a
motion is entered on the Journal. The Clerk shall make sig-
natures a matter of public record, causing the names of the
Members who have signed a discharge motion during a week
to be published in a portion of the Congressional Record des-
ignated for that purpose on the last legislative day of the
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week and making cumulative lists of such names available
each day for public inspection in an appropriate office of the
House. The Clerk shall devise a means for making such lists
available to offices of the House and to the public in elec-
tronic form. When a majority of the total membership of the
House shall have signed the motion, it shall be entered on the
Journal, printed with the signatures thereto in the Record,
and referred to the Calendar of Motions to Discharge Com-
mittees.
(d)(1) On the second and fourth Mondays of a month
(except during the last six days of a session of Congress), im-
mediately after the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag, a motion
to discharge that has been on the calendar for at least seven
legislative days shall be privileged if called up by a Member
whose signature appears thereon. When such a motion is
called up, the House shall proceed to its consideration under
this paragraph without intervening motion except one motion
to adjourn. Privileged motions to discharge shall have prece-
dence in the order of their entry on the Journal.
(2) When a motion to discharge is called up, the bill or
resolution to which it relates shall be read by title only. The
motion is debatable for 20 minutes, one-half in favor of the
motion and one-half in opposition thereto.
(e)(1) If a motion prevails to discharge the Committee
on Rules from consideration of a resolution, the House shall
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immediately consider the resolution, pending which the
Speaker may entertain one motion that the House adjourn.
After the result of such a motion to adjourn is announced,
the Speaker may not entertain any other dilatory motion
until the resolution has been disposed of. If the resolution is
adopted, the House shall immediately proceed to its execu-
tion.
(2) If a motion prevails to discharge a standing commit-
tee from consideration of a public bill or public resolution, a
motion that the House proceed to the immediate consider-
ation of such bill or resolution shall be privileged if offered
by a Member whose signature appeared on the motion to dis-
charge. The motion to proceed is not debatable. If the motion
to proceed is adopted, the bill or resolution shall be consid-
ered immediately under the general rules of the House. If un-
finished before adjournment of the day on which it is called
up, the bill or resolution shall remain the unfinished business
until it is disposed of. If the motion to proceed is rejected,
the bill or resolution shall be referred to the appropriate cal-
endar, where it shall have the same status as if the commit-
tee from which it was discharged had duly reported it to the
House.
(f)(1) When a motion to discharge originated under this
clause has once been acted on by the House, it shall not be
in order to entertain during the same session of Congress—
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(A) a motion to discharge a committee from consid-
eration of that bill or resolution or of any other bill or
resolution that, by relating in substance to or dealing
with the same subject matter, is substantially the same;
or
(B) a motion to discharge the Committee on Rules
from consideration of a resolution providing a special
order of business for the consideration of that bill or res-
olution or of any other bill or resolution that, by relating
in substance to or dealing with the same subject matter,
is substantially the same.
(2) A motion to discharge on the Calendar of Motions
to Discharge Committees that is rendered out of order under
subparagraph (1) shall be stricken from that calendar.
Adverse report by the Committee on Rules, second and
fourth Mondays
3. An adverse report by the Committee on Rules on a
resolution proposing a special order of business for the con-
sideration of a public bill or public joint resolution may be
called up under clause 6(e) of rule XIII as a privileged ques-
tion by a Member, Delegate, or Resident Commissioner on a
day when it is in order to consider a motion to discharge
committees under clause 2.
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District of Columbia business, second and fourth Mon-
days
4. The second and fourth Mondays of a month shall be
set apart for the consideration of such District of Columbia
business as may be called up by the Committee on Govern-
ment Reform after the disposition of motions to discharge
committees and after the disposal of such business on the
Speaker’s table as requires reference only.
Private Calendar, first and third Tuesdays
5. (a) On the first Tuesday of a month, the Speaker
shall direct the Clerk to call the bills and resolutions on the
Private Calendar after disposal of such business on the
Speaker’s table as requires reference only. If two or more
Members, Delegates, or the Resident Commissioner object to
the consideration of a bill or resolution so called, it shall be
recommitted to the committee that reported it. No other busi-
ness shall be in order before completion of the call of the Pri-
vate Calendar on this day unless two-thirds of the Members
voting, a quorum being present, agree to a motion that the
House dispense with the call.
(b)(1) On the third Tuesday of a month, after the dis-
posal of such business on the Speaker’s table as requires ref-
erence only, the Speaker may direct the Clerk to call the bills
and resolutions on the Private Calendar. Preference shall be
given to omnibus bills containing the texts of bills or resolu-
tions that have previously been objected to on a call of the
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Private Calendar. If two or more Members, Delegates, or the
Resident Commissioner object to the consideration of a bill or
resolution so called (other than an omnibus bill), it shall be
recommitted to the committee that reported it. Two-thirds of
the Members voting, a quorum being present, may adopt a
motion that the House dispense with the call on this day.
(2) Omnibus bills shall be read for amendment by para-
graph. No amendment shall be in order except to strike or
to reduce amounts of money or to provide limitations. An
item or matter stricken from an omnibus bill may not there-
after during the same session of Congress be included in an
omnibus bill. Upon passage such an omnibus bill shall be re-
solved into the several bills and resolutions of which it is com-
posed. The several bills and resolutions, with any amend-
ments adopted by the House, shall be engrossed, when nec-
essary, and otherwise considered as passed severally by the
House as distinct bills and resolutions.
(c) The Speaker may not entertain a reservation of the
right to object to the consideration of a bill or resolution
under this clause. A bill or resolution considered under this
clause shall be considered in the House as in the Committee
of the Whole. A motion to dispense with the call of the Pri-
vate Calendar under this clause shall be privileged. Debate on
such a motion shall be limited to five minutes in support and
five minutes in opposition.
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Corrections Calendar, second and fourth Tuesdays
6. (a) After a bill has been favorably reported and placed
on either the Union or House Calendar, the Speaker, after
consultation with the Minority Leader, may direct the Clerk
also to place the bill on the ‘‘Corrections Calendar.’’ At any
time on the second and fourth Tuesdays of a month, the
Speaker may direct the Clerk to call a bill that has been
on the Corrections Calendar for three legislative days.
(b) A bill called from the Corrections Calendar shall be
considered in the House, is debatable for one hour equally di-
vided and controlled by the chairman and ranking minority
member of the primary committee of jurisdiction, and shall
not be subject to amendment except those recommended by
the primary committee of jurisdiction or offered by the chair-
man of the primary committee or a designee. The previous
question shall be considered as ordered on the bill and any
amendments thereto to final passage without intervening mo-
tion except one motion to recommit with or without instruc-
tions.
(c) The approval of three-fifths of the Members voting,
a quorum being present, shall be required to pass a bill called
from the Corrections Calendar. The rejection of a bill so
called, or the sustaining of a point of order against it or
against its consideration, does not cause its removal from the
Calendar to which it was originally referred.
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Calendar Call of Committees, Wednesdays
7. (a) On Wednesday of each week, business shall not
be in order before completion of the call of the committees
(except as provided by clause 4 of rule XIV) unless two-thirds
of the Members voting, a quorum being present, agree to a
motion that the House dispense with the call. Such a motion
shall be privileged. Debate on such a motion shall be limited
to five minutes in support and five minutes in opposition.
(b) A bill or resolution on either the House or the Union
Calendar, except bills or resolutions that are privileged under
the Rules of the House, may be called under this clause. A
bill or resolution called up from the Union Calendar shall be
considered in the Committee of the Whole House on the state
of the Union without motion, subject to clause 3 of rule XVI.
General debate on a measure considered under this clause
shall be confined to the measure and may not exceed two
hours equally divided between a proponent and an opponent.
(c) When a committee has occupied the call under this
clause on one Wednesday, it shall not be in order on a suc-
ceeding Wednesday to consider unfinished business previously
called up by that committee until the other committees have
been called in their turn unless—
(1) the previous question has been ordered on such
unfinished business; or
(2) the House adopts a motion to dispense with the
call under paragraph (a).
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(d) If any committee has not been called under this
clause during a session of a Congress, then at the next ses-
sion of that Congress the call shall resume where it left off
at the end of the preceding session.
(e) This rule does not apply during the last two weeks
of a session of Congress.
(f) The Speaker may not entertain a motion for a recess
on a Wednesday except during the last two weeks of a session
of Congress.
RULE XVI.
MOTIONS AND AMENDMENTS.
Motions
1. Every motion entertained by the Speaker shall be re-
duced to writing on the demand of a Member, Delegate, or
Resident Commissioner and, unless it is withdrawn the same
day, shall be entered on the Journal with the name of the
Member, Delegate, or Resident Commissioner offering it. A
dilatory motion may not be entertained by the Speaker.
Withdrawal
2. When a motion is entertained, the Speaker shall state
it or cause it to be read aloud by the Clerk before it is de-
bated. The motion then shall be in the possession of the
House but may be withdrawn at any time before a decision
or amendment thereon.
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Question of consideration
3. When a motion or proposition is entertained, the
question, ‘‘Will the House now consider it?’’ may not be put
unless demanded by a Member, Delegate, or Resident Com-
missioner.
Precedence of motions
4. (a) When a question is under debate, only the follow-
ing motions may be entertained (which shall have precedence
in the following order):
(1) To adjourn.
(2) To lay on the table.
(3) For the previous question.
(4) To postpone to a day certain.
(5) To refer.
(6) To amend.
(7) To postpone indefinitely.
(b) A motion to adjourn, to lay on the table, or for the
previous question shall be decided without debate. A motion
to postpone to a day certain, to refer, or to postpone indefi-
nitely, being decided, may not be allowed again on the same
day at the same stage of the question.
(c)(1) It shall be in order at any time for the Speaker,
in his discretion, to entertain a motion—
(A) that the Speaker be authorized to declare a re-
cess; or
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(B) that when the House adjourns it stand ad-
journed to a day and time certain.
(2) Either motion shall be of equal privilege with the
motion to adjourn and shall be decided without debate.
Divisibility
5. (a) Except as provided in paragraph (b), a question
shall be divided on the demand of a Member, Delegate, or
Resident Commissioner before the question is put if it in-
cludes propositions so distinct in substance that, one being
taken away, a substantive proposition remains.
(b)(1) A motion or resolution to elect members to a
standing committee of the House, or to a joint standing com-
mittee, is not divisible.
(2) A resolution or order reported by the Committee on
Rules providing a special order of business is not divisible.
(c) A motion to strike and insert is not divisible, but re-
jection of a motion to strike does not preclude another motion
to amend.
Amendments
6. When an amendable proposition is under consider-
ation, a motion to amend and a motion to amend that
amendment shall be in order, and it also shall be in order to
offer a further amendment by way of substitute for the origi-
nal motion to amend, to which one amendment may be of-
fered but which may not be voted on until the original
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amendment is perfected. An amendment may be withdrawn
in the House at any time before a decision or amendment
thereon. An amendment to the title of a bill or resolution
shall not be in order until after its passage or adoption and
shall be decided without debate.
Germaneness
7. No motion or proposition on a subject different from
that under consideration shall be admitted under color of
amendment.
Readings
8. Bills and joint resolutions are subject to readings as
follows:
(a) A first reading is in full when the bill or joint
resolution is first considered.
(b) A second reading occurs only when the bill or
joint resolution is read for amendment in a Committee
of the Whole House on the state of the Union under
clause 5 of rule XVIII.
(c) A third reading precedes passage when the
Speaker states the question: ‘‘Shall the bill [or joint res-
olution] be engrossed [when applicable] and read a third
time?’’ If that question is decided in the affirmative,
then the bill or joint resolution shall be read the final
time by title and then the question shall be put on its
passage.
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RULE XVII.
DECORUM AND DEBATE.
Decorum
1. (a) A Member, Delegate, or Resident Commissioner
who desires to speak or deliver a matter to the House shall
rise and respectfully address himself to ‘‘Mr. Speaker’’ and,
on being recognized, may address the House from any place
on the floor. When invited by the Chair, a Member, Delegate,
or Resident Commissioner may speak from the Clerk’s desk.
(b)(1) Remarks in debate shall be confined to the ques-
tion under debate, avoiding personality.
(2)(A) Except as provided in subdivision (B), debate
may not include characterizations of Senate action or inac-
tion, references to individual Members of the Senate, or
quotations from Senate proceedings.
(B) Debate may include references to actions taken by
the Senate or by committees thereof that are a matter of
public record; references to the pendency or sponsorship in
the Senate of bills, resolutions, and amendments; factual de-
scriptions relating to Senate action or inaction concerning a
measure then under debate in the House; and quotations
from Senate proceedings on a measure then under debate in
the House that are relevant to the making of legislative his-
tory establishing the meaning of that measure.
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ment. An amendment, or an amendment to an amendment,
may be withdrawn by its proponent only by the unanimous
consent of the Committee of the Whole.
(b) When a Member, Delegate, or Resident Commis-
sioner offers an amendment in the Committee of the Whole
House on the state of the Union, the Clerk shall promptly
transmit five copies of the amendment to the majority com-
mittee table and five copies to the minority committee table.
The Clerk also shall deliver at least one copy of the amend-
ment to the majority cloakroom and at least one copy to the
minority cloakroom.
Quorum and voting
6. (a) A quorum of a Committee of the Whole House on
the state of the Union is 100 Members. The first time that
a Committee of the Whole finds itself without a quorum dur-
ing a day, the Chairman shall invoke the procedure for a
quorum call set forth in clause 2 of rule XX, unless he elects
to invoke an alternate procedure set forth in clause 3 or
clause 4(a) of rule XX. If a quorum appears, the Committee
of the Whole shall continue its business. If a quorum does
not appear, the Committee of the Whole shall rise, and the
Chairman shall report the names of absentees to the House.
(b)(1) The Chairman may refuse to entertain a point of
order that a quorum is not present during general debate.