Subscribe to RSS Feed June 4, 2012
The Rules Committee routinely establishes the terms and conditions of legislative debates on the floor, including the length of that debate and the amendments—if any—made in order.
Parliamentary Bootcamp
April 2, 2012
Described in the introduction to the Committee on the Budget's Compilation of Laws and Rules Relating to the Congressional Budget Process, the "congressional budget process is a framework of laws and rules that govern the consideration, adoption, and enforcement of spending, revenue, and d
March 5, 2012
The motion to amend is among the most basic in the House and in committee. Its purpose is to allow a member to make changes in a measure under consideration.
February 6, 2012
Clause 7 of rule XVI, called the “germaneness rule,” stands for the simple proposition that an amendment must address the same subject as the matter being amended. The germaneness rule was adopted by the House in 1789 and has remained the same since it was last changed in 1822.
November 14, 2011
After legislation passes both Houses of Congress in the same form, the Constitution provides that it be “presented” to the President for his signature.
October 3, 2011
In order for a bill or measure to be transmitted out of the legislative branch to the executive branch, it is necessary for both the House and the Senate to pass identical versions of that bill.
September 12, 2011
Intended by the Founders to serve as a “check” on the popularly elected House of Representatives, process and procedure in the Senate has a far different emphasis from in the House. While the House’s institutional bias emphasizes efficiency, the Senate’s encourages deliberation and debate.
July 11, 2011
When describing an amendment process for a bill, particularly one provided by a “rule” reported by the Committee on Rules, it is often articulated in terms of being “open” or “closed.” The more open the amendment process, the closer it is to the default rules of the House: any Member may offer any g
June 6, 2011
The Committee on Rules is among the oldest standing committees in the House, having been formally constituted on April 2, 1789.
May 2, 2011
While most Members, committees, and staffers refer to "markups" of legislation—the vernacular used to reference a committee meeting—the House Rules only recognize two broad kinds of official committee events: hearings and meetings.