WikiLeaks Document Release http://wikileaks.org/wiki/CRS-RS21382 February 2, 2009 Congressional Research Service Report RS21382 Committee System Rules Changes in the House, 108th Congress Judy Schneider, Government and Finance Division Updated January 17, 2003 Abstract. This fact sheet details changes in the committee system contained in H.Res. 5, the rules of the House for the 108th Congress, adopted by the House January 7, 2003. Order Code RS21382 Updated January 17, 2003 CRS Report for Congress Received through the CRS Web Committee System Rules Changes in the House, 108th Congress Judy Schneider Specialist on the Congress Government and Finance Division Summary http://wikileaks.org/wiki/CRS-RS21382 This fact sheet details changes in the committee system contained in H.Res. 5, the rules of the House for the 108th Congress, adopted by the House January 7, 2003.1 The fact sheet will not be updated unless further rules changes for the 108th Congress are adopted. Committee Organization and Structure Assignments. The Committee on the Budget shall include one member of the Committee on Rules, codifying action taken in the Republican Conference's early organization meetings. Referral. The Speaker may refer measures to more than one committee without a designation of a primary committee under "exceptional circumstances." Select Committee on Homeland Security. A select committee on homeland security is created. The select committee will have legislative jurisdiction to develop recommendations and report to the House on such matters that relate to the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (P.L. 107-296). Appointments to the select committee will be made by the Speaker and minority leader. The select committee is also charged with conducting a study of committee jurisdiction over the issue of homeland security and reporting any recommended changes to the House by September 30, 2004. Subcommittees. The resolution maintains the current rule regarding the number of subcommittees each committee can create. However, the Committee on Armed Services, 1 The resolution agreed to by the House, H.Res. 5, also changed the rules affecting floor procedure. These changes are described in CRS Report RS21388, House Rules Changes Affecting Floor Proceedings in the 108th Congress. The resolution also made technical and grammatical changes to the House rules. Congressional Research Service ~ The Library of Congress CRS-2 the Committee on International Relations, and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure may create up to six subcommittees each. Term Limits. The term limitation for service as chair or ranking minority member of the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence is abolished. The term limitation for service as chair or ranking minority member of the Budget Committee is codified to 6 years, equal to the term limitation for other standing committee chairmen. Committee Procedure Ethics Committee. The operating procedures of the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct, included in a separate order referencing a resolution adopted in the 105th Congress, is codified in House rules. Postponing Votes. Committees may adopt a rule that allows the chair of the committee or its subcommittees to postpone votes on approving a measure or matter, on adopting an amendment, and resuming proceedings on a postponed question at any time after reasonable notice. An underlying proposition remains subject to further debate or http://wikileaks.org/wiki/CRS-RS21382 amendment to the same extent as when the question was postponed. Committee Reports. The Committee on Ways and Means is required to include in committee reports on measures amending the tax code an analysis by the Joint Taxation Committee of the macroeconomic impact of the measure. The requirement is waived if the Joint Taxation Committee certifies that such analysis is not calculable. The chair of the Committee on Ways and Means, alternatively, may insert such analysis in the Congressional Record prior to a measure's consideration on the House floor. Committee Staff Associate Staff. The associate or shared staff of the Committee on Appropriations, while subject to the general restrictions of House Rule X, clause 9(b), are not subject to the review of the Committee on House Administration with respect to the reporting of the committee expense resolution. A clarification that the professional staff of the Appropriations Committee should comply with the same rules regarding their duties as professional staffs of other committees is included in the resolution.