Title: A resolution establishing the Select Committee on the Climate Crisis.
Policy area: Congress

Summary:
This resolution establishes the Senate Select Committee on the Climate Crisis. The committee is granted no legislative jurisdiction but is granted the authority to investigate how inaction on the climate crisis is harming U.S. economic and national security interests.

[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 97 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

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116th CONGRESS
  1st Session
S. RES. 97

        Establishing the Select Committee on the Climate Crisis.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                             March 6, 2019

 Mr. Schumer submitted the following resolution; which was referred to 
               the Committee on Rules and Administration

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
        Establishing the Select Committee on the Climate Crisis.

    Resolved,

SECTION 1. SELECT COMMITTEE ON THE CLIMATE CRISIS.

    (a) Establishment.--There is established in the Senate a Select 
Committee on the Climate Crisis (in this resolution referred to as the 
``Select Committee'').
    (b) Composition.--
            (1) Membership.--The Select Committee shall be composed of 
        16 Senators, of whom--
                    (A) 8 shall be appointed by the majority leader; 
                and
                    (B) 8 shall be appointed by the minority leader.
            (2) Co-chairpersons.--The majority leader and the minority 
        leader shall each designate 1 member of the Select Committee to 
        serve as a Co-Chairperson of the Select Committee.
            (3) Deadline.--Not later than 14 days after the date of 
        adoption of this resolution, the majority leader and minority 
        leader shall each appoint all members and designate the Co-
        Chairpersons of the Select Committee.
            (4) Period of appointment.--Members shall be appointed for 
        the life of the Select Committee.
            (5) Vacancies.--A vacancy in the membership of the Select 
        Committee--
                    (A) shall not affect its powers; and
                    (B) shall be filled not later than 14 days after 
                the date on which the vacancy occurs, in the same 
                manner as the original appointment was made.
            (6) Departure of member.--If a member of the Select 
        Committee ceases to be a Member of the Senate, the member is no 
        longer a member of the Select Committee and a vacancy shall 
        exist.
    (c) Funding.--
            (1) In general.--The expenses of the Select Committee shall 
        be paid from the Contingent Fund of the Senate, in a total 
        amount of--
                    (A) not more than $1,500,000 for the period 
                beginning on the date of adoption of this resolution 
                and ending on September 30, 2019; and
                    (B) not more than $2,600,000 for the period 
                beginning on October 1, 2019 and ending on September 
                30, 2020.
            (2) Approval.--
                    (A) In general.--Except as provided in subparagraph 
                (B), the expenses of the Select Committee shall be paid 
                upon vouchers approved by the Co-Chairpersons of the 
                Select Committee, in accordance with the rules and 
                regulations of the Senate.
                    (B) Vouchers not required.--Vouchers shall not be 
                required for--
                            (i) the disbursement of salaries of 
                        employees paid at an annual rate;
                            (ii) the payment of telecommunications 
                        provided by the Office of the Sergeant at Arms 
                        and Doorkeeper;
                            (iii) the payment of stationery supplies 
                        purchased through the Keeper of the Stationery;
                            (iv) payments to the Postmaster of the 
                        Senate;
                            (v) the payment of metered charges on 
                        copying equipment provided by the Office of the 
                        Sergeant at Arms and Doorkeeper;
                            (vi) the payment of Senate Recording and 
                        Photographic Services; or
                            (vii) the payment of franked and mass mail 
                        costs by the Sergeant at Arms and Doorkeeper.
    (d) Staffing.--
            (1) In general.--The Co-Chairpersons of the Select 
        Committee may jointly appoint and fix the compensation of 
        employees of the Select Committee in accordance with the 
        guidelines for employees of the Senate and following all 
        applicable rules and employment requirements of the Senate 
        (including those relating to employees of standing committees 
        of the Senate).
            (2) Agency contributions.--There are authorized to be paid 
        from the appropriations account for ``Inquiries and 
        Investigations'' of the Senate such sums as may be necessary 
        for agency contributions related to the compensation of 
        employees of the Select Committee.
    (e) Jurisdiction; Functions.--
            (1) Investigative jurisdiction.--The Select Committee shall 
        have the authority to investigate and make findings regarding 
        how inaction on the climate crisis is harming the economic and 
        national security interests of the United States.
            (2) Meetings.--
                    (A) In general.--The Select Committee shall--
                            (i) meet at the call of the Co-
                        Chairpersons; and
                            (ii) hold its first meeting to plan the 
                        activities of the Select Committee not later 
                        than 30 days after the date of adoption of this 
                        resolution.
                    (B) Agenda.--Not later than 48 hours before any 
                meeting of the Select Committee, the Co-Chairpersons 
                shall provide an agenda to the members of the Select 
                Committee.
            (3) Hearings.--
                    (A) In general.--The Select Committee may, for the 
                purpose of carrying out this section, hold such 
                hearings, sit and act at such times and places, require 
                attendance of witnesses and production of books, 
                papers, and documents, take such testimony, receive 
                such evidence, and administer such oaths as the Select 
                Committee considers advisable.
                    (B) All hearings public.--The hearings of the 
                Select Committee in connection with any aspect of its 
                investigative functions shall be public hearings.
                    (C) Hearing procedures and responsibilities of co-
                chairpersons.--
                            (i) Announcement.--Not later than 7 days 
                        before any hearing of the Select Committee, the 
                        Co-Chairpersons shall make a public 
                        announcement of the date, place, time, and 
                        subject matter of the hearing, unless the Co-
                        Chairpersons determine that there is good cause 
                        to hold the hearing at an earlier date.
                            (ii) Equal representation of witnesses.--
                        Each Co-Chairperson shall be entitled to select 
                        an equal number of witnesses for each hearing 
                        held by the Select Committee.
                            (iii) Written statement.--A witness 
                        appearing before the Select Committee shall 
                        file a written statement of proposed testimony 
                        at least 2 days before the appearance of the 
                        witness, unless the requirement is waived by 
                        the Co-Chairpersons, following a joint 
                        determination that there is good cause for 
                        failure to comply with the requirement.
            (4) Minimum number of public meetings and hearings.--The 
        Select Committee shall hold not less than a total of 5 public 
        meetings or public hearings.
            (5) Technical assistance.--Upon written request of the Co-
        Chairpersons, a Federal agency, including an agency in the 
        legislative branch, shall provide technical assistance to the 
        Select Committee in order for the Select Committee to carry out 
        its duties.
            (6) Coordination with standing committees of the senate.--
        The Select Committee shall, in conducting official business, 
        coordinate with standing committees with relevant jurisdiction.
            (7) No legislative jurisdiction.--The Select Committee 
        shall not have legislative jurisdiction and shall have no 
        authority to take legislative action on any bill or resolution.
    (f) Reporting.--
            (1) In general.--Subject to paragraph (2), not later than 
        July 31, 2020, the Select Committee shall submit to the Senate 
        and any relevant committee of the Senate a comprehensive report 
        of the results of its investigations and studies, together with 
        such detailed findings as it may determine advisable.
            (2) Separate reports.--If the Select Committee is not able 
        to agree to a report described in paragraph (1) by a majority 
        vote, each Co-Chairperson may submit to the Senate and any 
        relevant committee of the Senate a report on behalf of the 
        members of the Select Committee appointed by the Senate leader 
        that appointed such Co-Chairperson regarding the results of the 
        investigations and studies of the Select Committee.
            (3) Publication.--Not later than 30 days after the date on 
        which a report under this subsection is submitted, the Select 
        Committee shall make the report publicly available in widely 
        accessible formats.
    (g) Termination.--The Select Committee shall terminate on October 
1, 2020.
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