Who rules House procedure rules the House -- and
to a great degree, rules the kind and scope of political debate
in this country.
-- Robert H. Michel, Minority Leader
December 1987
In 1994, for the first time in more than forty years, the Republican party won a majority in the House of Representatives and the right to control the process by which legislation is considered. The Rules Committee Parliamentary Outreach Program is intended to assist Republican Members in making the most of that historic opportunity by providing a practical, use-oriented approach to learning House rules, practices and procedures.
Our purpose is to assist majority Members in advancing their legislative goals by offering ongoing training and advice on committee and floor procedures, and the rules which govern them.
Because procedure controls substance, legislative success often depends on carefully managing the process by which bills are considered. Through the Parliamentary Outreach Program, and in conjunction with other available resources, I hope to demystify the legislative process in the House and allow our rules and procedures to be used to more effectively advance majority party goals.
In addition to offering courses, briefings and training seminars, and in addition to publishing a monthly newsletter of procedural tips of the trade, my staff will be available to advise Republican Members, committees, and personal staffs on parliamentary issues and concerns. Working in conjunction with the Office of the Parliamentarian and other experts, we hope to raise the level of procedural knowledge among majority Members to enhance our opportunities for legislative success.
Gerald B. H. Solomon
KEY DEFINITIONS:
Committee of the Whole - A committee comprised of all House
Members created to expedite the consideration of bills, measures
and amendments on the floor of the House. In the Committee of
the Whole, a quorum is 100 Members (as compared to 218 in the
House) and debate is conducted under the five-minute rule for
amendments (as compared to the hour rule in the House), following
general debate. In addition, certain motions allowed in the House
are prohibited in the Committee of the Whole including, but not
limited to, motions for the previous question, to table, to adjourn,
to reconsider a vote, and to refer or recommit.
Previous Question - A motion offered to end debate and
preclude further amendments from being offered. In effect it
asks, "are we ready to vote on the issue before us?"
If the previous question is ordered, all debate ends and the
House immediately votes on the pending bill or amendment. If
the previous question is defeated, control of debate shifts to
the leading opposition Member (usually the minority) who then
manages an hour of debate and may offer a germane amendment to
the pending business. The effect of defeating the previous question
is to turn over control of the floor to the minority or opposition.
SOURCES AND RESOURCES: NEXT MONTH:
Office of the Parliamentarian ext. 5-7373 House Decorum
Parliamentary Outreach Program ext. 5-9191 Using the Calendar of the House
Congressional Research Service ext. 7-5700 More Key Definitions
Legislative Counsel ext. 5-6060 P.O.P. seminar announcements
Republican Cloakroom ext. 5-7350
Floor information ext. 5-7430
Legislative program ext. 5-2020
LEGIS (Bill Status) ext. 5-1772
Rules Committee rule info. ext. 5-2121
Title III of the Congressional Budget Act establishes a specific
timetable for the congressional budget process. As the 105th
Congress prepares to dive into these budgetary waters, it may
be useful to keep the following timetable in mind.
First Monday in February | President submits his budget. |
February 15 | Congressional Budget Office submits report to Budget Committees. |
March 20 | Committees submit views and estimates to Budget Committees. (Frequently, the House Budget Committee sets its own date based on Legislative Calendar) |
April 1 | Senate Budget Committee reports concurrent resolution on the budget. |
April 15 | Congress completes action on the concurrent resolution on the budget. (This is not signed by the President).* |
May 15 | Annual appropriation bills may be considered in House. |
June 10 | House Appropriations Committee reports last annual appropriation bill. |
June 15 | Congress completes action on reconciliation legislation. (If required by the budget resolution). |
June 30 | House completes action on annual appropriation bills. |
October 1 | Fiscal year begins. |
* A definitive time table to meet this April 15th mark has not yet been set by the Leadership for the first session of the 105th Congress.
These deadlines are flexible in order to accommodate the scheduling of legislative business in the House by the Majority Leadership. For further information on the Congressional budget process see the Rules Subcommittee on the Legislative and Budget Process web page at www.house.gov/rules/ or contact the Rules Committee at 5-9191 or the Budget Committee at 6-7270.
ALSO IN THE MONTH OF FEBRUARY:
You should be receiving notification of the dates and times of our new course offered in cooperation with the Republican Conference on HOUSE PROTOCOL: A Guide to Process and Procedure in the House.