The Rules Committee has announced that it may meet the week of May 17th to grant a rule which could limit the amendment process for floor consideration of H.R. 4200, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2005. The Committee on Armed Services ordered the bill reported on May 12th, 2004 and is expected to file its report in the House on May 14th.

Any Member who wishes to offer an amendment should submit 55 copies of the amendment and one copy of a brief explanation of the amendment to the Rules Committee in room H-312 of the Capitol by 5 p.m. on Monday, May 17th, 2004. A link to the form used to submit amendments to the Rules Committee is on the top of the page. Members should draft their amendments to the text of the bill as reported by the Armed Services Committee.

Members should use the Office of Legislative Counsel to ensure that their amendments are drafted in the most appropriate format. Members are also advised to check with the Office of the Parliamentarian to be certain their amendments comply with the rules of the House. If you have any questions, please contact myself or Robert Lawrence at x5-9191.