Rules of the Committee on House Administration
COMMITTEE RESOLUTION 112-1
Resolved, that the rules of the Committee on House Administration for the 112th
Congress are hereby adopted, as follows:
Rules of the Committee on House Administration 112th Congress
Rule No. 1
GENERAL PROVISIONS
(a) The Rules of the House are the rules of the Committee so far as applicable, except that a
motion to recess from day to day is a privileged motion in the Committee. Each subcommittee of
the committee is a part of the committee and is subject to the authority and direction of the chair
and to its rules as far as applicable.
(b) The Committee is authorized at any time to conduct such investigations and studies as it may
consider necessary or appropriate in the exercise of its responsibilities under House Rule X and,
subject to the adoption of expense resolutions as required by House Rule X, clause 6, to incur
expenses (including travel expenses) in connection therewith.
(c) The Committee is authorized to have printed and bound testimony and other data presented at
hearings held by the Committee, and to make such information available to the public. All costs
of stenographic services and transcripts in connection with any meeting or hearing of the
Committee shall be paid from the appropriate House account.
(d) The Committee shall submit to the House, not later than the 30th day after June 1 and
December 1 of each year, a semiannual report on the activities of the committee under House
Rules X and XI.
(e) The Committee's rules shall be made publicly available in electronic form and published in
the Congressional Record not later than 30 days after the Committee is elected in each oddnumbered
year.
Rule No. 2
REGULAR AND SPECIAL MEETINGS
(a) The regular meeting date of the Committee on House Administration shall be the second
Wednesday of every month when the House is in session in accordance with Clause 2(b) of
House Rule XI. Additional meetings may be called by the Chair of the Committee as she or he
may deem necessary or at the request of a majority of the members of the Committee in
accordance with Clause 2(c) of House Rule XI. The determination of the business to be
considered at each meeting shall be made by the Chair subject to Clause 2(c) of House Rule XI.
A regularly scheduled meeting may be dispensed with if, in the judgment of the Chair, there is
no need for the meeting.
(b) If the Chair is not present at any meeting of the Committee, or at the discretion of the Chair,
the Vice Chair of the Committee shall preside at the meeting. If the Chair and Vice Chair of the
Committee are not present at any meeting of the Committee, the ranking member of the majority
party who is present shall preside at the meeting.
(c) The Chair, in the case of meetings to be conducted by the Committee, and the appropriate
subcommittee chair, in the case of meetings to be conducted by a subcommittee, shall make
public announcement of the date, place, and subject matter of any meeting to be conducted on
any measure or matter. Such meeting shall not commence earlier than the third day on which
members have notice thereof. If the Chair, with the concurrence of the ranking minority
member, determines that there is good cause to begin the meeting sooner, or if the Committee so
determines by majority vote, a quorum being present, the Chair shall make the announcement at
the earliest possible date. The announcement shall promptly be made publicly available in
electronic form and published in the Daily Digest.
(d) The Chair, in the case of meetings to be conducted by the Committee, and the appropriate
subcommittee chair, in the case of meetings to be conducted by a subcommittee, shall make
available on the Committee’s web site the text of any legislation to be marked up at a meeting at
least 24 hours before such meeting (or at the time of an announcement made within 24 hours of
such meeting). This requirement shall also apply to any resolution or regulation to be considered
at a meeting.
Rule No. 3
OPEN MEETINGS
As required by Clause 2(g), of House Rule XI, each meeting for the transaction of business,
including the markup of legislation of the Committee shall be open to the public except when the
Committee in open session and with a quorum present determines by record vote that all or part
of the remainder of the meeting on that day shall be closed to the public because disclosure of
matters to be considered would endanger national security, would compromise sensitive law
enforcement information, or would tend to defame, degrade or incriminate any person, or
otherwise would violate any law or rule of the House: Provided, however, that no person other
than members of the Committee, and such congressional staff and such other persons as the
Committee may authorize, shall be present in any business or markup session which has been
closed to the public. To the maximum extent practicable, the Chair shall cause to be provided
audio and video coverage of each hearing or meeting that allows the public to easily listen to and
view the proceedings and maintain the recordings of such coverage in a manner that is easily
accessible to the public.
Rule No. 4
RECORDS AND ROLLCALLS
(a)(1) A record vote shall be held if requested by any member of the Committee.
(2) The result of each record vote in any meeting of the Committee shall be made available for
inspection by the public at reasonable times at the Committee offices, including a description of
the amendment, motion, order or other proposition; the name of each member voting for and
against; and the members present but not voting.
(3) The Chairman shall make the record of the votes on any question on which a record vote is
demanded available on the Committee’s website not later than 48 hours after such vote is taken
(excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and legal holidays). Such record shall include a description of
the amendment, motion, order, or other proposition, the name of each member voting for and
each member voting against such amendment, motion, order, or proposition, and the names of
those members of the committee present but not voting.
(4) The Chairman shall make available on the Committee’s website not later than 24 hours
(excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and legal holidays) after the adoption of any amendment to a
measure or matter the text of such amendment.
(b)(1) Subject to subparagraph (2), the Chair may postpone further proceedings when a record
vote is ordered on the question of approving any measure or matter or adopting an amendment.
The Chair may resume proceedings on a postponed request at any time.
(2) In exercising postponement authority under subparagraph (1), the Chair shall take all
reasonable steps necessary to notify members on the resumption of proceedings on any
postponed record vote.
(3) When proceedings resume on a postponed question, notwithstanding any intervening order
for the previous question, an underlying proposition shall remain subject to further debate or
amendment to the same extent as when the question was postponed.
(c) All Committee and subcommittee hearings, records, data, charts, and files shall be kept
separate and distinct from the congressional office records of the member serving as Chair; and
such records shall be the property of the House and all members of the House shall have access
thereto.
(d) House records of the Committee which are at the National Archives shall be made available
pursuant to House Rule VII. The Chair shall notify the ranking minority member of any decision
to withhold a record pursuant to the rule, and shall present the matter to the Committee upon
written request of any Committee member.
(e) To the maximum extent feasible, the Committee shall make its publications available in
electronic form.
Rule No. 5
PROXIES
No vote by any member in the Committee may be cast by proxy.
Rule No. 6
POWER TO SIT AND ACT; SUBPOENA POWER
(a) For the purpose of carrying out any of its functions and duties under House Rules X and XI,
the Committee or any subcommittee thereof is authorized (subject to subparagraph (b)(1) of this
paragraph)--
(1) to sit and act at such times and places within the United States, whether the House is in
session, has recessed, or has adjourned, and to hold such hearings; and
(2) to require, by subpoena or otherwise, the attendance and testimony of such witnesses and the
production of such books, records, correspondence, memorandums, papers, documents and other
materials as it deems necessary, including materials in electronic form. The Chair, or any
member designated by the Chair, may administer oaths to any witness.
(b)(1) A subpoena may be authorized and issued by the Committee or subcommittee in the
conduct of any investigation or series of investigations or activities, only when authorized by a
majority of the members voting, a majority being present. The power to authorize and issue
subpoenas under subparagraph (a)(2) may be delegated to the Chair pursuant to such rules and
under such limitations as the Committee may prescribe. Authorized subpoenas shall be signed
by the Chair or by any member designated by the Committee, and may be served by any person
designated by the Chair or such member.
(2) Compliance with any subpoena issued by the Committee or a subcommittee may be enforced
only as authorized or directed by the House.
Rule No. 7
QUORUMS
No measure or recommendation shall be reported to the House unless a majority of the
Committee is actually present. For the purposes of taking any action other than reporting any
measure, issuance of a subpoena, closing meetings, promulgating Committee orders, or changing
the rules of the Committee, one-third of the members of the Committee shall constitute a
quorum. For purposes of taking testimony and receiving evidence, two members shall constitute
a quorum.
Rule No. 8
AMENDMENTS
Any amendment offered to any pending legislation before the Committee or a subcommittee
must be made available in written form when requested by any member of the Committee. If
such amendment is not available in written form when requested, the Chair will allow an
appropriate period of time for the provision thereof.
Rule No. 9
HEARING PROCEDURES
(a) The Chair, in the case of hearings to be conducted by the Committee, and the appropriate
subcommittee chair, in the case of hearings to be conducted by a subcommittee, shall make
public announcement of the date, place, and subject matter of any hearing to be conducted on
any measure or matter at least one (1) week before the commencement of that hearing. If the
Chair, with the concurrence of the ranking minority member, determines that there is good cause
to begin the hearing sooner, or if the Committee so determines by majority vote, a quorum being
present, the Chair shall make the announcement at the earliest possible date. The clerk of the
Committee shall promptly notify the Daily Digest Clerk of the Congressional Record as soon as
possible after such public announcement is made.
(b) Unless excused by the Chair, each witness who is to appear before the Committee or a
subcommittee shall file with the clerk of the Committee, at least 48 hours in advance of his or
her appearance, a written statement of his or her proposed testimony and shall limit his or her
oral presentation to a summary of his or her statement.
(c) When any hearing is conducted by the Committee upon any measure or matter, the minority
party members on the Committee shall be entitled, upon request to the Chair by a majority of
those minority members before the completion of such hearing, to call witnesses selected by the
minority to testify with respect to that measure or matter during at least one day of hearings
thereon.
(d) Any member of the Committee may, if a subcommittee grants unanimous consent for a
specific hearing, be permitted to sit during that hearing with a subcommittee on which he or she
does not serve, but no member who has not been elected to a subcommittee shall count for a
quorum, offer any measure, motion, or amendment, or vote on any matter before that
subcommittee.
(e) Committee or subcommittee members may question witnesses only when they have been
recognized by the Chair for that purpose, and only for a 5-minute period until all members
present have had an opportunity to question a witness. The 5-minute period for questioning a
witness by any one member can be extended as provided by House Rules. The questioning of a
witness in Committee or subcommittee hearings shall be initiated by the Chair, followed by the
ranking minority member and all other members alternating between the majority and minority.
In recognizing members to question witnesses in this fashion, the Chair shall take into
consideration the ratio of the majority to minority members present and shall establish the order
of recognition for questioning in such a manner as not to disadvantage the members of the
majority. The Chair may accomplish this by recognizing two majority members for each
minority member recognized.
(f)The following additional rules shall apply to hearings of the Committee or a subcommittee, as
applicable:
(1) The Chair at a hearing shall announce in an opening statement the subject of the
investigation.
(2) A copy of the Committee rules and this clause shall be made available to each witness as
provided by clause 2(k)(2) of Rule XI.
(3) Witnesses at hearings may be accompanied by their own counsel for the purpose of advising
them concerning their constitutional rights.
(4) The Chair may punish breaches of order and decorum, and of professional ethics on the part
of counsel, by censure and exclusion from the hearings; and the Committee may cite the offender
to the House for contempt.
(5) If the Committee determines that evidence or testimony at a hearing may tend to defame,
degrade, or incriminate any person, it shall--
(A) afford such person an opportunity voluntarily to appear as a witness;
(B) receive such evidence or testimony in executive session; and
(C) receive and dispose of requests from such person to subpoena additional witnesses.
(6) Except as provided in subparagraph (f)(5), the Chair shall receive and the Committee shall
dispose of requests to subpoena additional witnesses.
(7) No evidence or testimony taken in executive session may be released or used in public
sessions without the consent of the Committee.
(8) In the discretion of the Committee, witnesses may submit brief and pertinent sworn
statements in writing for inclusion in the record. The Committee is the sole judge of the
pertinence of testimony and evidence adduced at its hearing.
(9) A witness may obtain a transcript copy of his testimony given at a public session or, if given
at an executive session, when authorized by the Committee.
Rule No. 10
PROCEDURES FOR REPORTING MEASURES OR MATTERS
(a)(1) It shall be the duty of the Chair to report or cause to be reported promptly to the House any
measure approved by the Committee and to take or cause to be taken necessary steps to bring the
matter to a vote.
(2) In any event, the report of the Committee on a measure which has been approved by the
Committee shall be filed within 7 calendar days (exclusive of days on which the House is not in
session) after the day on which there has been filed with the clerk of the Committee a written
request, signed by a majority of the members of the Committee, for the reporting of that
measure. Upon the filing of any such request, the clerk of the Committee shall transmit
immediately to the Chair notice of the filing of that request.
(b)(1) No measure or recommendation shall be reported to the House unless a majority of the
Committee is actually present.
(2) With respect to each record vote on a motion to report any measure or matter of a public
character, and on any amendment offered to the measure or matter, the total number of votes cast
for and against, and the names of those members voting for and against, shall be included in the
Committee report on the measure or matter.
(c) The report of the Committee on a measure or matter which has been approved by the
Committee shall include the matters required by Clause 3(c) of Rule XIII of the Rules of the
House.
(d) If, at the time any measure or matter is ordered reported by the Committee, any member of
the Committee gives notice of intention to file supplemental, minority, or additional views, that
member shall be entitled to not less than two additional calendar days after the day of such
notice, commencing on the day on which the measure or matter(s) was approved, excluding
Saturdays, Sundays, and legal holidays, in which to file such views, in writing and signed by that
member, with the clerk of the Committee. All such views so filed by one or more members of the
Committee shall be included within, and shall be a part of, the report filed by the Committee
with respect to that measure or matter. The report of the Committee upon that measure or matter
shall be printed in a single volume which --
(1) shall include all supplemental, minority, or additional views, in the form submitted, by the
time of the filing of the report, and
(2) shall bear upon its cover a recital that any such supplemental, minority, or additional views
(and any material submitted under subparagraph (c)) are included as part of the report. This
subparagraph does not preclude --
(A) the immediate filing or printing of a Committee report unless timely request for the
opportunity to file supplemental, minority, or additional views has been made as provided by
paragraph (c); or
(B) the filing of any supplemental report upon any measure or matter which may be required for
the correction of any technical error in a previous report made by the Committee upon that
measure or matter.
(3) shall, when appropriate, contain the documents required by Clause 3(e) of Rule XIII of the
Rules of the House.
(e) The Chair, following consultation with the ranking minority member, is directed to offer a
motion under clause 1 of Rule XXII of the Rules of the House, relating to going to conference
with the Senate, whenever the Chair considers it appropriate.
(f) If hearings have been held on any such measure or matter so reported, the Committee shall
make every reasonable effort to have such hearings published and available to the members of
the House prior to the consideration of such measure or matter in the House.
(g) The Chair may designate any majority member of the Committee to act as "floor manager" of
a bill or resolution during its consideration in the House.
Rule No. 11
COMMITTEE OVERSIGHT
The Committee shall conduct oversight of matters within the jurisdiction of the Committee in
accordance with House Rule X, clause 2 and clause 4. Not later than February 15 of the first
session of a Congress, the Committee shall, in a meeting that is open to the public and with a
quorum present, adopt its oversight plan for that Congress in accordance with House Rule X,
clause 2(d).
Rule No. 12
REVIEW OF CONTINUING PROGRAMS; BUDGET ACT PROVISIONS
(a) The Committee shall, in its consideration of all bills and joint resolutions of a public
character within its jurisdiction, ensure that appropriation for continuing programs and activities
of the Federal Government will be made annually to the maximum extent feasible and consistent
with the nature, requirement, and objectives of the programs and activities involved. For the
purposes of this paragraph a Government agency includes the organizational units of government
listed in Clause 4(e) of Rule X of House Rules.
(b) The Committee shall review, from time to time, each continuing program within its
jurisdiction for which appropriations are not made annually in order to ascertain whether such
program could be modified so that appropriations therefore would be made annually.
(c) The Committee shall, on or before February 25 of each year, submit to the Committee on the
Budget (1) its views and estimates with respect to all matters to be set forth in the concurrent
resolution on the budget for the ensuing fiscal year which are within its jurisdiction or functions,
and (2) an estimate of the total amounts of new budget authority, and budget outlays resulting
there from, to be provided or authorized in all bills and resolutions within its jurisdiction which it
intends to be effective during that fiscal year.
(d) As soon as practicable after a concurrent resolution on the budget for any fiscal year is agreed
to, the Committee (after consulting with the appropriate committee or committees of the Senate)
shall subdivide any allocation made to it in the joint explanatory statement accompanying the
conference report on such resolution, and promptly report such subdivisions to the House, in the
manner provided by section 302 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974.
(e) Whenever the Committee is directed in a concurrent resolution on the budget to determine
and recommend changes in laws, bills, or resolutions under the reconciliation process it shall
promptly make such determination and recommendations, and report a reconciliation bill or
resolution (or both) to the House or submit such recommendations to the Committee on the
Budget, in accordance with the Congressional Budget Act of 1974.
Rule No. 13
BROADCASTING OF COMMITTEE HEARINGS AND MEETINGS
Whenever any hearing or meeting conducted by the Committee is open to the public, those
proceedings shall be open to coverage by television, radio, and still photography, as provided in
Clause 4 of House Rule XI, subject to the limitations therein. Operation and use of any
Committee Internet broadcast system shall be fair and nonpartisan and in accordance with Clause
4(b) of rule XI and all other applicable rules of the Committee and the House.
Rule No. 14
COMMITTEE AND SUBCOMMITTEE STAFF
The staff of the Committee on House Administration shall be appointed as follows:
(a) The staff shall be appointed by the Chair except as provided in paragraph (b), and may be
removed by the Chair, and shall work under the general supervision and direction of the Chair;
(b) All staff provided to the minority party members of the Committee shall be appointed by the
ranking minority member, and may be removed by the ranking minority member of the
Committee, and shall work under the general supervision and direction of such member;
(c) The appointment of all professional staff shall be subject to the approval of the Committee as
provided by, and subject to the provisions of, clause 9 of Rule X of the Rules of the House;
(d) The Chair shall fix the compensation of all staff of the Committee, after consultation with the
ranking minority member regarding any minority party staff, within the budget approved for
such purposes for the Committee.
Rule No. 15
TRAVEL OF MEMBERS AND STAFF
(a) Consistent with the primary expense resolution and such additional expense resolutions as
may have been approved, the provisions of this rule shall govern travel of Committee members
and staff. Travel for any member or any staff member shall be paid only upon the prior
authorization of the Chair or her or his designee. Travel may be authorized by the Chair for any
member and any staff member in connection with the attendance at hearings conducted by the
Committee and meetings, conferences, and investigations which involve activities or subject
matter under the general jurisdiction of the Committee. Before such authorization is given there
shall be submitted to the Chair in writing the following:
(1) The purpose of the travel;
(2) The dates during which the travel will occur;
(3) The locations to be visited and the length of time to be spent in each; and
(4) The names of members and staff seeking authorization.
(b)(1) In the case of travel outside the United States of members and staff of the Committee for
the purpose of conducting hearings, investigations, studies, or attending meetings and
conferences involving activities or subject matter under the legislative assignment of the
committee, prior authorization must be obtained from the Chair. Before such authorization is
given, there shall be submitted to the Chair, in writing, a request for such authorization. Each
request, which shall be filed in a manner that allows for a reasonable period of time for review
before such travel is scheduled to begin, shall include the following:
(A) the purpose of the travel;
(B) the dates during which the travel will occur;
(C) the names of the countries to be visited and the length of time to be spent in each;
(D) an agenda of anticipated activities for each country for which travel is authorized together
with a description of the purpose to be served and the areas of committee jurisdiction involved;
and
(E) the names of members and staff for whom authorization is sought.
(2) At the conclusion of any hearing, investigation, study, meeting or conference for which travel
outside the United States has been authorized pursuant to this rule, members and staff attending
meetings or conferences shall submit a written report to the Chair covering the activities and
other pertinent observations or information gained as a result of such travel.
(c) Members and staff of the Committee performing authorized travel on official business shall
be governed by applicable laws, resolutions, or regulations of the House and of the Committee
on House Administration pertaining to such travel.
Rule No. 16
NUMBER AND JURISDICTION OF SUBCOMMITTEES
(a) There shall be two standing subcommittees, with party ratios of members as indicated.
Subcommittees shall have jurisdictions as stated by these rules, may conduct oversight over such
subject matter, and may consider such legislation as may be referred to them by the Chair. The
names and jurisdiction of the subcommittees shall be:
(1) Subcommittee on Elections – (4/2). Matters pertaining to the Federal Election Campaign
Act, the Federal Contested Elections Act, the Help America Vote Act, the National Voter
Registration Act, the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act, the Federal Voting
Assistance Program, the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act
(accessibility for voters with disabilities), the Federal Election Commission (FEC), the Election
Assistance Commission (EAC), and other election related issues. Oversight of the Federal
Election Commission (FEC) and the Election Assistance Commission (EAC).
(2) Subcommittee on Oversight – (4/2). Matters pertaining to operations of the Library of
Congress, the Botanic Garden, the Smithsonian Institution, the Architect of the Capitol, the
Capitol Visitors Center; the Chief Administrative Officer, House Information Resources, the
Clerk of the House, the House Inspector General, the Congressional Research Service and the
Office of Compliance.
(b) No subcommittee shall meet during any full Committee meeting or hearing.
(c) The Chair may establish and appoint members to serve on task forces of the Committee, to
perform specific functions for limited periods of time, as she or he deems appropriate.
Rule No. 17
REFERRAL OF LEGISLATION TO SUBCOMMITTEES
The Chair may refer legislation or other matters to a subcommittee, or subcommittees, as she or
he considers appropriate. The Chair may discharge any subcommittee of any matter referred to
it.
Rule No. 18
OTHER PROCEDURES AND REGULATIONS
The Chair may establish such other procedures and take such actions as may be necessary to
carry out the foregoing rules or to facilitate the effective operation of the committee.
Rule No. 19
DESIGNATION OF CLERK OF THE COMMITTEE
For the purposes of these rules and the Rules of the House of Representatives, the staff director
of the Committee shall act as the clerk of the Committee.