IV 
109TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION 
H. RES. 449 
To create a select committee to monitor and investigate the awarding and 
carrying out of contracts related to the relief and reconstruction efforts 
in response to Hurricane Katrina. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
SEPTEMBER 15, 2005 
Mr. TIERNEY (for himself and Mr. LEACH) submitted the following resolution; 
which was referred to the Committee on Rules 
RESOLUTION 
To create a select committee to monitor and investigate 
the awarding and carrying out of contracts related to 
the relief and reconstruction efforts in response to Hurri-
cane Katrina. 
Whereas Congress has already dedicated tens of billions of 
dollars in emergency assistance and is expected to com-
mit additional sums as neccessary to support the relief, 
rehabilitation, and reconstruction of the Gulf Coast re-
gion; 
Whereas Congress has a responsibility to see that such funds 
are expeditiously and efficiently received by the individ-
uals, families, communities, parishes, cities, and states 
affected by Hurricane Katrina;
•HRES 449 IH 
Whereas the magnitude of such funds together with the speed 
with which these funds have been approved presents a 
challenge to the traditional functions of Congress; 
Whereas the awarding and execution of contracts related to 
the relief and reconstruction efforts in response to Hurri-
cane Katrina must be conducted in a way that is trans-
parent, verifiable, and which gives confidence to the 
American people that their tax-dollars are being effec-
tively and judiciously spent; 
Whereas Congress has a constitutional responsibility to en-
sure comprehensive oversight of the expenditure of 
United States Government funds; 
Whereas oversight should not be considered a partisan activ-
ity but viewed solely in the context of preserving public 
resources and bolstering people’s confidence in the Gov-
ernment; 
Whereas the Truman Committee in World War II stands as 
a constructive precedent for bipartisan oversight of con-
tracting; 
Whereas the Truman Committee is estimated to have saved 
the taxpayers of the United States 15 million dollars and 
potentially thousands of lives by eliminating unnecessary 
bureaucracy and ensuring transparency and prompt deliv-
ery of necessary war supplies; 
Whereas the Truman Committee was established within a 
Congress controlled by the same party as the Executive; 
Whereas in the bipartisan spirit of the original Truman Com-
mittee, and in recognition of the great challenges cur-
rently confronting the country, Congress should ensure 
that contracts awarded for relief and reconstruction ef-
•HRES 449 IH 
forts in response to Hurricane Katrina are appropriately 
awarded and properly executed: Now, therefore, be it 
Resolved, That there is hereby created a select com-
mittee to investigate the awarding and carrying out of con-
tracts related to the relief and reconstruction efforts in 
response to Hurricane Katrina. 
MEMBERSHIP AND FUNCTIONS 
SEC. 2. The select committee is to be composed of 
15 Members of the House, to be appointed by the Speaker 
(of whom 7 shall be appointed upon the recommendation 
of the minority leader), one of whom shall be designated 
as chairman from the majority party and one of whom 
shall be designated ranking member from the minority 
party. Any vacancy occurring in the membership of the 
select committee shall be filled in the same manner in 
which the original appointment was made. The select com-
mittee shall conduct an ongoing study and investigation 
of the awarding and carrying out of contracts by the Gov-
ernment to rebuild communities devastated by Hurricane 
Katrina and make such recommendations to the House 
as the select committee deems appropriate regarding the 
following matters— 
(1) bidding, contracting, and auditing stand-
ards in the issuance of Government contracts; 
(2) oversight procedures;
•HRES 449 IH 
(3) forms of payment and safeguards against 
money laundering; 
(4) accountability of contractors and Govern-
ment officials involved in procurement; 
(5) penalties for violations of law and abuses in 
the awarding and carrying out of Government con-
tracts; 
(6) subcontracting under large, comprehensive 
contracts; 
(7) inclusion and utilization of small businesses, 
through subcontracts or otherwise; and 
(8) such other matters as the select committee 
deems appropriate. 
RULES AND PROCEDURE 
SEC. 3. (a) QUORUM.—One-third of the members of 
the select committee shall constitute a quorum for the 
transaction of business except for the reporting of the re-
sults of its study and investigation (with its recommenda-
tions) or the authorization of subpoenas, which shall re-
quire a majority of the committee to be actually present, 
except that the select committee may designate a lesser 
number, but not less than two, as a quorum for the pur-
pose of holding hearings to take testimony and receive evi-
dence. 
(b) POWERS.—For the purpose of carrying out this 
resolution, the select committee may sit and act during
•HRES 449 IH 
the present Congress at any time and place within the 
United States or elsewhere, whether the House is in ses-
sion, has recessed, or has adjourned and hold such hear-
ings as it considers necessary and to require, by subpoena 
or otherwise, the attendance and testimony of such wit-
nesses, the furnishing of information by interrogatory, and 
the production of such books, records, correspondence, 
memoranda, papers, documents, and other things and in-
formation of any kind as it deems necessary, including 
classified materials. 
(c) ISSUANCE OF SUBPOENAS.—A subpoena may be 
authorized and issued by the select committee in the con-
duct of any investigation or series of investigations or ac-
tivities, only when authorized by a majority of the mem-
bers voting, a majority being present. Authorized sub-
poenas shall be signed by the chairman or by any member 
designated by the select committee, and may be served by 
any person designated by the chairman or such member. 
Subpoenas shall be issued under the seal of the House 
and attested by the Clerk. The select committee may re-
quest investigations, reports, and other assistance from 
any agency of the executive, legislative, and judicial 
branches of the Government. 
(d) MEETINGS.—The chairman, or in his absence a 
member designated by the chairman, shall preside at all
•HRES 449 IH 
meetings and hearings of the select committee. All meet-
ings and hearings of the select committee shall be con-
ducted in open session, unless a majority of members of 
the select committee voting, there being in attendance the 
requisite number required for the purpose of hearings to 
take testimony, vote to close a meeting or hearing. 
(e) APPLICABILITIES OF RULES OF THE HOUSE.— 
The Rules of the House of Representatives applicable to 
standing committees shall govern the select committee 
where not inconsistent with this resolution. 
(f) WRITTEN COMMITTEE RULES.—The select com-
mittee shall adopt additional written rules, which shall be 
public, to govern its procedures, which shall not be incon-
sistent with this resolution or the Rules of the House of 
Representatives. 
ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS 
SEC. 4. (a) APPOINTMENT OF STAFF.—The select 
committee staff shall be appointed, and may be removed, 
by the chairman and shall work under the general super-
vision and direction of the chairman. 
(b) POWERS OF RANKING MINORITY MEMBER.—All 
staff provided to the minority party members of the select 
committee shall be appointed, and may be removed, by the 
ranking minority member of the committee, and shall 
work under the general supervision and direction of such 
member.
•HRES 449 IH 
(c) COMPENSATION.—The chairman shall fix the 
compensation of all staff of the select committee, after 
consultation with the ranking minority member regarding 
any minority party staff, within the budget approved for 
such purposes for the select committee. 
(d) REIMBURSEMENT
OF EXPENSES.—The select 
committee may reimburse the members of its staff for 
travel, subsistence, and other necessary expenses incurred 
by them in the performance of their functions for the se-
lect committee. 
(e) PAYMENT OF EXPENSES.—There shall be paid 
out of the applicable accounts of the House such sums 
as may be necessary for the expenses of the select com-
mittee. Such payments shall be made on vouchers signed 
by the chairman of the select committee and approved in 
the manner directed by the Committee on House Adminis-
tration. Amounts made available under this subsection 
shall be expended in accordance with regulations pre-
scribed by the Committee on House Administration. 
REPORTS 
SEC. 5. The select committee shall from time to time 
report to the House the results of its study and investiga-
tion, with its recommendations. Any report made by the 
select committee when the House is not in session shall 
be filed with the Clerk of the House. Any report made 
by the select committee shall be referred to the committee