[Senate Document 110-10]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
110th Congress 1st
Session SENATE Document
No. 110-10
_______________________________________________________________________
AUTHORITY AND RULES OF SENATE
COMMITTEES, 2007-2008
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A COMPILATION OF THE AUTHORITY AND RULES OF SENATE AND JOINT
COMMITTEES, AND RELATED MATERIALS
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DIANNE FEINSTEIN, Chairman
COMMITTEE ON RULES AND ADMINISTRATION
UNITED STATES SENATE
Printed under the authority of S. Res. 218, 110th Congress
2007-2008--AUTHORITY AND RULES OF SENATE COMMITTEES--110th CONGRESS
For Sale by the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office
Internet: bookstore.gpo.gov Phone: toll free (866) 512-1800; (202) 512�091800
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110th Congress
1st Session SENATE Document
No. 110-10
_______________________________________________________________________
AUTHORITY AND RULES OF SENATE
COMMITTEES, 2007-2008
__________
A COMPILATION OF THE AUTHORITY AND RULES OF SENATE AND JOINT
COMMITTEES, AND RELATED MATERIALS
__________
DIANNE FEINSTEIN, Chairman
COMMITTEE ON RULES AND ADMINISTRATION
UNITED STATES SENATE
Printed under the authority of S. Res. 218, 110th Congress
COMMITTEE ON RULES AND ADMINISTRATION
DIANNE FEINSTEIN, California, Chairman
ROBERT C. BYRD, West Virginia ROBERT F. BENNETT, Utah
DANIEL K. INOUYE, Hawaii TED STEVENS, Alaska
CHRISTOPHER J. DODD, Connecticut MITCH McCONNELL, Kentucky
CHARLES E. SCHUMER, New York THAD COCHRAN, Mississippi
RICHARD J. DURBIN, Illinois TRENT LOTT, Mississippi
E. BENJAMIN NELSON, Nebraska KAY BAILEY HUTCHISON, Texas
HARRY REID, Nevada C. SAXBY CHAMBLISS, Georgia
PATTY MURRAY, Washington CHUCK HAGEL, Nebraska
MARK L. PRYOR, Arkansas LAMAR ALEXANDER, Tennessee
__________
SENATE RESOLUTION 218
In the Senate of the United States,
May 24, 2007
Resolved, That a collection of the rules of the committees of
the Senate, together with related materials, be printed as a
Senate document, and that there be printed 250 additional
copies of such document for the use of the Committee on Rules
and Administration.
Attest:
Nancy Erickson,
Secretary.
PREFACE
In accordance with recent practice, the Senate agreed to
Senate Resolution 218 of the 110th Congress, which provides
``[t]hat a collection of the rules of the committees of the
Senate, together with related materials, be printed as a Senate
document.'' This document, prepared pursuant to Senate
Resolution 218, replaces Senate Document No. 109-8, which
reprinted committee rules for the 109th Congress.
The Rules Committee's practice of publishing a compendium
of committee rules furthers the objective reflected in Rule
XXVI.2 of the Standing Rules of the Senate of providing greater
access to the rules of Senate committees. Rule XXVI.2 requires
each Senate committee to adopt rules to govern its procedures.
Under Rule XXVI.2, committee rules may not be inconsistent with
the Rules of the Senate, and must be published in the
Congressional Record at the beginning of each Congress.
This publication requirement implements a proposal by
Senator Jacob Javits, which was enacted as part of the
Legislative Reorganization Act of 1970, for ``giving notice to
all the world as to our procedures and notifying any witness
who is subpoenaed or otherwise called as to his rights.'' 116
Cong. Rec. 34948 (1970). In describing the purpose of the
requirement, Senator Javits stated that ``[t]he public should
know what the rules are of any committee which subpoenas any
member of the public, with which any member of the public
desires to deal, or how he goes about his relations with that
committee.'' Id. at 34950.
In section I of this compilation, at pages 1-209, the
provision of the standing rule or the resolution (or in some
cases, both) that establishes the jurisdiction or authority of
each standing, special, and select committee of the Senate is
reprinted, together with the committee's rules. Persons using
this compendium should be aware that committees may amend their
rules during the course of a Congress. Under Standing Rule
XXVI.2, ``[a]ny amendment to the rules of a committee shall not
take effect until the amendment is published in the
Congressional Record.''
Subcommittees may also have their own supplemental rules.
In this compendium, the rules of the subcommittees of the
Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs,
including the Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, are
reprinted at pages 133-139. It is advisable for persons having
business with subcommittees to check whether they have adopted
supplemental rules of procedure.
While most of the authority of committees may be found in
the Senate standing rules or resolutions establishing
committees, some committees have significant authority that
derives from other sources that are not reprinted in this
volume. For example, the Committee on Rules and Administration
has authority to issue regulations or take actions under
diverse statutes, rules, and resolutions regarding such matters
as (1) payments for official expenses (2 U.S.C. Sec. Sec.
58(a), 58(e), 68); (2) utilization of the franking privilege
(39 U.S.C. Sec. Sec. 3210(d)(5), 3216(e)(2), 3220(b)); (3)
assignment of space in the Senate office buildings (40 U.S.C.
Sec. Sec. 174b-1, 174d); and (4) regulation of the Senate Wing
of the Capitol, including the public and press galleries
(Standing Rule XXXIII.2).
Similarly, in addition to Senate Resolution 338 of the 88th
Congress, as amended, the Select Committee on Ethics draws
authority from various statutes, rules, and other resolutions.
For example, the Ethics Committee has authority to administer
within the Senate provisions on the receipt of foreign and
other gifts to Members, officers, and employees (5 U.S.C.
Sec. Sec. 7342, 7353), and provisions on financial disclosure
(e.g., id. App. 6--Ethics in Government Act of 1978, title I,
as amended).
Section I concludes, at pages 189-209, by reproducing
Senate Resolution 89, the committee funding resolution for the
110th Congress.
Section II, at pages 213-234, sets forth statutes or
concurrent resolutions creating joint committees and their
rules. The statutory material that is reprinted here for
several of the joint committees, such as for the Joint
Committee on the Library and the Joint Committee on Printing,
does not cover the full authority of those committees, which is
set forth in various sections of the United States Code.
Section III, at pages 237-250, includes statutory material
on the establishment and authority of several Senate or
congressional entities, other than committees, whose membership
consists exclusively of either Senators or Members drawn from
both Houses. In recent years, Congress has created entities
denominated as commissions, boards, or groups to manage or
superintend various congressional functions. The Senate Caucus
on International Narcotics Control is one of the entities whose
statutory authority appears in this section. Section III does
not canvass the entire universe of congressional entities. For
example, other boards, whose statutory authority is not
reprinted here, consist not of Members but of officers of the
Congress, such as the Capitol Police Board and the Capitol
Guide Board. In addition, from time to time Congress may create
special entities, by statute or otherwise, to study and report
on different issues.
Section IV, at pages 253-286, reprints statutes,
resolutions, and standing rules of the Senate that are
applicable to committee procedures and authorities. This
compilation collects additional materials, including provisions
on oaths to witnesses, the payment of witness expenses, the
criminal and civil enforcement of Senate subpoenas, immunity
for witnesses, the crimes of perjury, false statement, and
obstruction of congressional proceedings, obtaining tax return
information, the preservation and disclosure of Senate records,
and the authorization of testimony.
Section V, at pages 289-294, contains authorities relating
to the consideration of tort claims against Members, officers,
and employees of the Senate acting within the scope of their
employment. Under the Federal Tort Claims Act, the United
States is liable for money damages caused by the negligent or
wrongful acts or omissions of federal officials and employees
acting within the scope of their employment, including those in
the legislative branch. Pursuant to the provisions of the FTCA
set forth in section V, whenever tort claims are brought
against Members, officers, or employees of the Senate, the
Senate works with the Department of Justice to seek, where
appropriate, to substitute the United States as the defendant.
The FTCA also provides for the administrative adjustment of
tort claims and requires that this remedy be pursued before a
civil action against the United States for money damages caused
by the negligence of an employee of the federal government may
be initiated. In the Senate, the administrative process is
governed by Senate Resolution 492, 97th Congress, the text of
which is included in section V. Senate Resolution 492 provides
that administrative tort claims against Members, officers, and
employees of the Senate may be considered and settled by the
Sergeant at Arms, with the approval of the Committee on Rules
and Administration, subject to the requirements of the FTCA.
An acknowledgment is made to Sara Jones of the Office of
Senate Legal Counsel for her assistance in the research and
preparation of this publication.
The Committee on Rules and Administration hopes that this
publication will be helpful in informing persons having
business with Senate and joint committees about committee
authority and procedures.
Dianne Feinstein, Chairman.
C O N T E N T S
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I. AUTHORITY AND RULES OF SENATE COMMITTEES
Special Committee on Aging:
Page
Jurisdiction and Authority, S. Res. 4, Sec. 104, 95th Cong.,
1st Sess. (1977)........................................... 3
Rules of Procedure, 153 Cong. Rec. S1278 (daily ed. Jan. 29,
2007)...................................................... 4
Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry:
Jurisdiction, Rule XXV.1(a), Standing Rules of the Senate.... 11
Rules of Procedure, 153 Cong. Rec. S1515 (daily ed. Feb. 1,
2007)...................................................... 12
Committee on Appropriations:
Jurisdiction:
A. Rule XXV.1(b), Standing Rules of the Senate........... 17
B. S. Res. 445, Sec. Sec. 402, 501, 108th Cong., 2d Sess.
(2004)................................................. 17
C. 2 U.S.C. Sec. 72d..................................... 17
D. 2 U.S.C. Sec. 72d-1................................... 18
Rules of Procedure, 153 Cong. Rec. S2253 (daily ed. Feb. 27,
2007)...................................................... 18
Committee on Armed Services:
Jurisdiction, Rule XXV.1(c), Standing Rules of the Senate.... 21
Rules of Procedure, 153 Cong. Rec. S1324 (daily ed. Jan. 30,
2007)...................................................... 21
Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs:
Jurisdiction, Rule XXV.1(d), Standing Rules of the Senate.... 27
Rules of Procedure, 153 Cong. Rec. S2791 (daily ed. Mar. 7,
2007)...................................................... 27
Committee on the Budget:
Jurisdiction:
A. Rule XXV.1(e), Standing Rules of the Senate........... 33
B. Standing Order on the Referral of Budget Process
Legislation, 123 Cong. Rec. 26709 (1977)............... 33
C. S. Res. 45, 94th Cong., 1st Sess. (1975).............. 34
D. S. Res. 445, Sec. Sec. 101(d) & (e), 501, 108th Cong.,
2d Sess. (2004)........................................ 35
Rules of Procedure, 153 Cong. Rec. S1405 (daily ed. Jan. 31,
2007)...................................................... 36
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation:
Jurisdiction, Rule XXV.1(f), Standing Rules of the Senate.... 41
Rules of Procedure, 153 Cong. Rec. S1280 (daily ed. Jan. 29,
2007)...................................................... 42
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources:
Jurisdiction, Rule XXV.1(g), Standing Rules of the Senate.... 45
Rules of Procedure, 153 Cong. Rec. S1049 (daily ed. Jan. 24,
2007)...................................................... 46
Committee on Environment and Public Works:
Jurisdiction, Rule XXV.1(h), Standing Rules of the Senate.... 51
Rules of Procedure, 153 Cong. Rec. S1403 (daily ed. Jan. 31,
2007)...................................................... 52
Select Committee on Ethics:
Jurisdiction and Authority, S. Res. 338, 88th Cong., 2d Sess.
(1964)..................................................... 57
Rules of Procedure, 153 Cong. Rec. S2254 (daily ed. Feb. 27,
2007)...................................................... 64
Committee on Finance:
Jurisdiction, Rule XXV.1(i), Standing Rules of the Senate.... 89
Rules of Procedure, 153 Cong. Rec. S747 (daily ed. Jan. 18,
2007)...................................................... 89
Committee on Foreign Relations:
Jurisdiction and Rules of Procedure, 153 Cong. Rec. S2892
(daily ed. Mar. 8, 2007)................................... 95
Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions:
Jurisdiction, Rules XXV.1(m), Standing Rules of the Senate... 107
Rules of Procedure, 153 Cong. Rec. S1401 (daily ed. Jan. 31,
2007)...................................................... 108
Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs:
Jurisdiction:
A. Rule XXV.1(k), Standing Rules of the Senate........... 115
B. S. Res. 445, Sec. Sec. 101, 301(a), 501, 108th Cong.,
2d Sess. (2004)........................................ 116
C. S. Res. 89, Sec. 11, 110th Cong., 1st Sess. (2007).... 118
Rules of Procedure of the Full Committee, 153 Cong. Rec.
S1051 (daily ed. Jan. 24, 2007)............................ 121
Rules of Procedure of the Permanent Subcommittee on
Investigations, 153 Cong. Rec. S2350 (daily ed. Feb. 28,
2007)...................................................... 133
Rules of Procedure of the Subcommittee on Federal Financial
Management, Government Information, Federal Services, and
International Security, 153 Cong. Rec. S2349 (daily ed.
Feb. 28, 2007)............................................. 137
Rules of Procedure of the Subcommittee on Oversight of
Government Management, the Federal Workforce, and the
District of Columbia, 153 Cong. Rec. S2349 (daily ed. Feb.
28, 2007).................................................. 138
Committee on Indian Affairs:
Jurisdiction and Authority, S. Res. 4, Sec. 105, 95th Cong.,
1st Sess. (1977)........................................... 141
Rules of Procedure, 153 Cong. Rec. S1277 (daily ed. Jan. 29,
2007)...................................................... 142
Select Committee on Intelligence:
Jurisdiction and Authority, S. Res. 400, 94th Cong., 2d Sess.
(1976)..................................................... 147
S. Res. 445, Sec. Sec. 301(b), 401, 501, 108th Cong., 2d
Sess. (2004)............................................... 157
Rules of Procedure, 153 Cong. Rec. S2482 (daily ed. Mar. 1,
2007)...................................................... 157
Committee on the Judiciary:
Jurisdiction, Rule XXV.1(l), Standing Rules of the Senate.... 167
Rules of Procedure, 153 Cong. Rec. S1184 (daily ed. Jan. 25,
2007)...................................................... 167
Committee on Rules and Administration:
Jurisdiction, Rule XXV.1(n), Standing Rules of the Senate.... 171
Rules of Procedure, 153 Cong. Rec. S1571 (daily ed. Feb. 5,
2007)...................................................... 172
Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship:
Jurisdiction, Rule XXV.1(o), Standing Rules of the Senate.... 177
Rules of Procedure, 153 Cong. Rec. S748 (daily ed. Jan. 18,
2007)...................................................... 177
Committee on Veterans' Affairs:
Jurisdiction, Rule XXV.1(p), Standing Rules of the Senate.... 183
Rules of Procedure, 153 Cong. Rec. S1400 (daily ed. Jan. 31,
2007)...................................................... 183
Committee Funding Resolution for the Periods March 1, 2007,
Through September 30, 2007, October 1, 2007, Through
September 30,
2008, and October 1, 2008, Through February 28, 2009, S. Res.
89,
153 Cong. Rec. S2534 (daily ed. Mar. 1, 2007)................ 189
II. AUTHORITY AND RULES OF JOINT COMMITTEES
Joint Economic Committee......................................... 213
Joint Committee on the Library................................... 219
Joint Committee on Printing...................................... 223
Joint Committee on Taxation...................................... 229
III. ADDITIONAL SENATE AND CONGRESSIONAL ENTITIES
Senate Joint Leadership Group.................................... 237
United States Senate Caucus on International Narcotics Control... 241
United States Capitol Preservation Commission.................... 245
Senate Commission on Art......................................... 249
IV. STATUTES, RESOLUTIONS, AND PROVISIONS OF THE STANDING RULES OF THE
SENATE APPLICABLE TO COMMITTEE PROCEDURES
Committee Procedures and Staff:
Rule XXVI of the Standing Rules of the Senate................ 253
Rule XXVII of the Standing Rules of the Senate............... 261
Administration of Oaths to Witnesses:
2 U.S.C. Sec. Sec. 23, 24, 191............................... 262
Paying Witness Expenses:
2 U.S.C. Sec. 195a........................................... 263
S. Res. 259, 100th Cong., 1st Sess. (1987)................... 263
Criminal and Civil Enforcement of Senate Subpoenas:
2 U.S.C. Sec. Sec. 192, 194, 288b, 288d...................... 264
28 U.S.C. Sec. 1365.......................................... 266
Immunity for Witnesses:
2 U.S.C. Sec. Sec. 288b, 288f................................ 268
18 U.S.C. Sec. Sec. 6001, 6002, 6005......................... 268
False Statements and Perjury:
18 U.S.C. Sec. Sec. 6, 1001, 1621............................ 270
Obstructing Proceedings:
18 U.S.C. Sec. Sec. 1505, 1512, 1513, 1515................... 272
Obtaining Tax Return Information:
26 U.S.C. Sec. 6103.......................................... 278
Preservation, Confidentiality and Disclosure of Information:
Rule XI of the Standing Rules of the Senate.................. 282
Rule XXIX of the Standing Rules of the Senate................ 282
S. Res. 490, 97th Cong., 2d Sess. (1982)..................... 282
S. Res. 474, 96th Cong., 2d Sess. (1980)..................... 283
2 U.S.C. Sec. 130b........................................... 284
Regulations Governing the Payment of Travel Expenses of
Senate Employees Authorized to Provide Witness Service..... 286
V. FEDERAL TORT CLAIMS ACT PROCEDURES
28 U.S.C. Sec. Sec. 1346, 2401, 2671-2680........................ 289
S. Res. 492, 97th Cong., 2d Sess. (1982)......................... 294
Appendix......................................................... 295
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________________________________________________________________________
I. Authority and Rules of Senate Committees
________________________________________________________________________
Authority and Rules of Senate Committees
Special Committee on Aging
SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON AGING
Jurisdiction and Authority
S. Res. 4, Sec. 104, 95th Cong., 1st Sess. (1977) \1\
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\1\ As amended by S. Res. 78, 95th Cong., 1st Sess. (1977), S. Res.
376, 95th Cong., 2d Sess. (1978), S. Res. 274, 96th Cong., 1st Sess.
(1979), S. Res. 389, 96th Cong., 2d Sess. (1980).
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(a)(1) There is established a Special Committee on Aging (hereafter
in this section referred to as the ``special committee'') which shall
consist of nineteen Members. The Members and chairman of the special
committee shall be appointed in the same manner and at the same time as
the Members and chairman of a standing committee of the Senate. After
the date on which the majority and minority Members of the special
committee are initially appointed on or after the effective date of
title I of the Committee System Reorganization Amendments of 1977, each
time a vacancy occurs in the Membership of the special committee, the
number of Members of the special committee shall be reduced by one until
the number of Members of the special committee consists of nine
Senators.
(2) For purposes of paragraph 1 of rule XXV; paragraphs 1, 7(a)(1)-
(2), 9, and 10(a) of rule XXVI; and paragraphs 1(a)-(d), and 2 (a) and
(d) of rule XXVII of the Standing Rules of the Senate; and for purposes
of section 202 (i) and (j) of the Legislative Reorganization Act of
1946, the special committee shall be treated as a standing committee of
the Senate.
(b)(1) It shall be the duty of the special committee to conduct a
continuing study of any and all matters pertaining to problems and
opportunities of older people, including, but not limited to, problems
and opportunities of maintaining health, of assuring adequate income, of
finding employment, of engaging in productive and rewarding activity, of
securing proper housing, and, when necessary, of obtaining care or
assistance. No proposed legislation shall be referred to such committee,
and such committee shall not have power to report by bill, or otherwise
have legislative jurisdiction.
(2) The special committee shall, from time to time (but not less
often than once each year), report to the Senate the results of the
study conducted pursuant to paragraph (1), together with such
recommendation as it considers appropriate.
(c)(1) For the purposes of this section, the special committee is
authorized, in its discretion, (A) to make investigations into any
matter within its jurisdiction, (B) to make expenditures from the
contingent fund of the Senate, (C) to employ personnel, (D) to hold
hearings, (E) to sit and act at any time or place during the sessions,
recesses, and adjourned periods of the Senate, (F) to require, by
subpoena or otherwise, the attendance of witnesses and the production of
correspondence, books, papers, and documents, (G) to take depositions
and other testimony, (H) to procure the service of individual
consultants or organizations thereof (as authorized by section 202(i) of
the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946, as amended) and (I) with the
prior consent of the Government department or agency concerned and the
Committee on Rules and Administration, to use on a reimbursable basis
the services of personnel of any such department or agency.
(2) The chairman of the special committee or any Member thereof may
administer oaths to witnesses.
(3) Subpoenas authorized by the special committee may be issued over
the signature of the chairman, or any Member of the special committee
designated by the chairman, and may be served by any person designated
by the chairman or the Member signing the subpoena.
(d) All records and papers of the temporary Special Committee on
Aging established by Senate Resolution 33, Eighty-seventh Congress, are
transferred to the special committee.
Rules of Procedure
153 Cong. Rec. S1278 (daily ed. Jan. 29, 2007)
I. Convening of Meetings and Hearings
1. Meetings. The Committee shall meet to conduct committee business
at the call of the chairman.
2. Special Meetings. The Members of the committee may call
additional meetings as provided in Senate Rule XXVI(3).
3. Notice and Agenda:
(a) Hearings. The committee shall make public announcement of
the date, place, and subject matter of any hearing at least one
week before its commencement.
(b) Meetings. The Chairman shall give the Members written
notice of any Committee meeting, accompanied by an agenda
enumerating the items of business to be considered, at least 5
days in advance of such meeting.
(c) Shortened Notice. A hearing or meeting may be called on
not less than 24 hours notice if the chairman, with the
concurrence of the ranking minority Member, determines that
there is good cause to begin the hearing or meeting on shortened
notice. An agenda will be furnished prior to such a meeting.
4. Presiding Officer. The chairman shall preside when present. If
the chairman is not present at any meeting or hearing, the ranking
majority Member present shall preside. Any Member of the committee may
preside over the conduct of a hearing.
II. Closed Sessions and Confidential Materials
1. Procedure. All meetings and hearings shall be open to the public
unless closed. To close a meeting or hearing or portion thereof, a
motion shall be made and seconded to go into closed discussion of
whether the meeting or hearing will concern the matters enumerated in
Rule II.3. Immediately after such discussion, the meeting or hearing may
be closed by a vote in open session of a majority of the Members of the
committee present.
2. Witness Request. Any witness called for a hearing may submit a
written request to the chairman no later than 24 hours in advance for
his examination to be in closed or open session. The chairman shall
inform the committee of any such request.
3. Closed Session Subjects. A meeting or hearing or portion thereof
may be closed if the matters to be discussed concern: (1) national
security; (2) committee staff personnel or internal staff management or
procedure; (3) matters tending to reflect adversely on the character or
reputation or to invade the privacy of the individuals; (4) committee
investigations; (5) other matters enumerated in Senate Rule XXVI(5)(b).
4. Confidential Matter. No record made of a closed session, or
material declared confidential by a majority of the committee, or report
of the proceedings of a closed session, shall be made public, in whole
or in part or by way of summary, unless specifically authorized by the
chairman and ranking minority Member.
5. Broadcasting:
(a) Control. Any meeting or hearing open to the public may be
covered by television, radio, or still photography. Such
coverage must be conducted in an orderly and unobtrusive manner,
and the chairman may for good cause terminate such coverage in
whole or in part, or take such other action to control it as the
circumstances may warrant.
(b) Request. A witness may request of the chairman, on grounds
of distraction, harassment, personal safety, or physical
discomfort, that during his testimony cameras, media
microphones, and lights shall not be directed at him.
III. Quorums and Voting
1. Reporting. A majority shall constitute a quorum for reporting a
resolution, recommendation or report to the Senate.
2. Committee Business. A third shall constitute a quorum for the
conduct of committee business, other than a final vote on reporting,
providing a minority Member is present. One Member shall constitute a
quorum for the receipt of evidence, the swearing of witnesses, and the
taking of testimony at hearings.
3. Polling:
(a) Subjects. The committee may poll (1) internal committee
matters including those concerning the committee's staff,
records, and budget; (2) other committee business which has been
designated for polling at a meeting.
(b) Procedure. The chairman shall circulate polling sheets to
each Member specifying the matter being polled and the time
limit for completion of the poll. If any Member so requests in
advance of the meeting, the matter shall be held for meeting
rather than being polled. The clerk shall keep a record of
polls; if the chairman determines that the polled matter is one
of the areas enumerated in Rule II.3, the record of the poll
shall be confidential. Any Member may move at the committee
meeting following a poll for a vote on the polled decision.
IV. Investigations
1. Authorization for Investigations. All investigations shall be
conducted on a bipartisan basis by committee staff. Investigations may
be initiated by the Committee staff upon the approval of the chairman
and the ranking minority Member. Staff shall keep the committee fully
informed of the progress of continuing investigations, except where the
chairman and the ranking minority Member agree that there exists
temporary cause for more limited knowledge.
2. Subpoenas. Subpoenas for the attendance of witnesses or the
production of memoranda, documents, records, or any other materials
shall be issued by the chairman, or by any other Member of the committee
designated by him. Prior to the issuance of each subpoena, the ranking
minority Member, and any other Member so requesting, shall be notified
regarding the identity of the person to whom the subpoena will be issued
and the nature of the information sought, and its relationship to the
investigation.
3. Investigative Reports. All reports containing findings or
recommendations stemming from committee investigations shall be printed
only with the approval of a majority of the Members of the committee.
V. Hearings
1. Notice. Witnesses called before the committee shall be given,
absent extraordinary circumstances, at least 48 hours notice, and all
witnesses called shall be furnished with a copy of these rules upon
request.
2. Oath. All witnesses who testify to matters of fact shall be sworn
unless the committee waives the oath. The chairman, or any member, may
request and administer the oath.
3. Statement. Witnesses are required to make an introductory
statement and shall file 150 copies of such statement with the chairman
or clerk of the committee at least 72 hours in advance of their
appearance, unless the chairman and ranking minority Member determine
that there is good cause for a witness's failure to do so. A witness
shall be allowed no more than ten minutes to orally summarize their
prepared statement.
4. Counsel.
(a) A witness's counsel shall be permitted to be present
during his testimony at any public or closed hearing or
depositions or staff interview to advise such witness of his
rights, provided, however, that in the case of any witness who
is an officer or employee of the government, or of a corporation
or association, the chairman may rule that representation by
counsel from the government, corporation, or association creates
a conflict of interest, and that the witness shall be
represented by personal counsel not from the government,
corporation, or association.
(b) A witness who is unable for economic reasons to obtain
counsel may inform the committee at least 48 hours prior to the
witness's appearance, and it will endeavor to obtain volunteer
counsel for the witness. Such counsel shall be subject solely to
the control of the witness and not the committee. Failure to
obtain counsel will not excuse the witness from appearing and
testifying.
5. Transcript. An accurate electronic or stenographic record shall
be kept of the testimony of all witnesses in executive and public
hearings. Any witness shall be afforded, upon request, the right to
review that portion of such record, and for this purpose, a copy of a
witness's testimony in public or closed session shall be provided to the
witness. Upon inspecting his transcript, within a time limit set by the
committee clerk, a witness may request changes in testimony to correct
errors of transcription, grammatical errors, and obvious errors of fact,
the chairman or a staff officer designated by him shall rule on such
request.
6. Impugned Persons. Any person who believes that evidence
presented, or comment made by a Member or staff, at a public hearing or
at a closed hearing concerning which there have been public reports,
tends to impugn his character or adversely affect his reputation may:
(a) file a sworn statement of facts relevant to the evidence
or comment, which shall be placed in the hearing record;
(b) request the opportunity to appear personally before the
committee to testify in his own behalf; and
(c) submit questions in writing which he requests be used for
the cross-examination of other witnesses called by the
committee. The chairman shall inform the committee of such
requests for appearance or cross-examination. If the committee
so decides, the requested questions, or paraphrased versions or
portions of them, shall be put to the other witness by a Member
or by staff.
7. Minority Witnesses. Whenever any hearing is conducted by the
committee, the minority on the committee shall be entitled, upon request
made by a majority of the minority Members to the chairman, to call
witnesses selected by the minority to testify or produce documents with
respect to the measure or matter under consideration during at least one
day of the hearing. Such request must be made before the completion of
the hearing or, if subpoenas are required to call the minority
witnesses, no later than three days before the completion of the
hearing.
8. Conduct of Witnesses, Counsel and Members of the Audience. If,
during public or executive sessions, a witness, his counsel, or any
spectator conducts himself in such a manner as to prevent, impede,
disrupt, obstruct, or interfere with the orderly administration of such
hearing the chairman or presiding Member of the committee present during
such hearing may request the Sergeant at Arms of the Senate, his
representative or any law enforcement official to eject said person from
the hearing room.
VI. Depositions and Commissions
1. Notice. Notices for the taking of depositions in an investigation
authorized by the committee shall be authorized and issued by the
chairman or by a staff officer designated by him. Such notices shall
specify a time and place for examination, and the name of the staff
officer or officers who will take the deposition. Unless otherwise
specified, the deposition shall be in private. The committee shall not
initiate procedures leading to criminal or civil enforcement proceedings
for a witness's failure to appear unless the deposition notice was
accompanied by a committee subpoena.
2. Counsel. Witnesses may be accompanied at a deposition by counsel
to advise them of their rights, subject to the provisions of Rule V.4.
3. Procedure. Witnesses shall be examined upon oath administered by
an individual authorized by local law to administer oaths. Questions
shall be propounded orally by committee staff. Objections by the
witnesses as to the form of questions shall be noted by the record. If a
witness objects to a question and refuses to testify on the basis of
relevance or privilege, the committee staff may proceed with the
deposition, or may at that time or at a subsequent time, seek a ruling
by telephone or otherwise on the objection from a Member of the
committee. If the Member overrules the objection, he may refer the
matter to the committee or he may order and direct the witness to answer
the question, but the committee shall not initiate the procedures
leading to civil or criminal enforcement unless the witness refuses to
testify after he has been ordered and directed to answer by a Member of
the committee.
4. Filing. The committee staff shall see that the testimony is
transcribed or electronically recorded. If it is transcribed, the
witness shall be furnished with a copy for review. No later than five
days thereafter, the witness shall return a signed copy, and the staff
shall enter the changes, if any, requested by the witness in accordance
with Rule V.6. If the witness fails to return a signed copy, the staff
shall note on the transcript the date a copy was provided and the
failure to return it. The individual administering the oath shall
certify on the transcript that the witness was duly sworn in his
presence, the transcriber shall certify that the transcript is a true
record to the testimony, and the transcript shall then be filed with the
committee clerk. Committee staff may stipulate with the witness to
changes in this procedure; deviations from the procedure which do not
substantially impair the reliability of the record shall not relieve the
witness from his obligation to testify truthfully.
5. Commissions. The Committee may authorize the staff, by issuance
of commissions, to fill in prepared subpoenas, conduct field hearings,
inspect locations, facilities, or systems of records, or otherwise act
on behalf of the committee. Commissions shall be accompanied by
instructions from the committee regulating their use.
VII. Subcommittees
1. Establishment. The committee will operate as a Committee of the
Whole, reserving to itself the right to establish temporary
subcommittees at any time by majority vote. The chairman of the full
committee and the ranking minority Member shall be ex officio Members of
all subcommittees.
2. Jurisdiction. Within its jurisdiction, as described in the
Standing Rules of the Senate, each subcommittee is authorized to conduct
investigations, including use of subpoenas, depositions, and
commissions.
3. Rules. A subcommittee shall be governed by the committee rules,
except that its quorum for all business shall be one-third of the
subcommittee Membership, and for hearings shall be one Member.
VIII. Reports
Committee reports incorporating committee findings and
recommendations shall be printed only with the prior approval of the
committee, after an adequate period for review and comment. The
printing, as committee documents, of materials prepared by staff for
informational purposes, or the printing of materials not originating
with the committee or staff, shall require prior consultation with the
minority staff; these publications shall have the following language
printed on the cover of the document: ``Note: This document has been
printed for informational purposes. It does not represent either
findings or recommendations formally adopted by the committee.''
IX. Amendment of Rules
The rules of the committee may be amended or revised at any time,
provided that not less than a majority of the committee present so
determine at a committee meeting preceded by at least 3 days notice of
the amendments or revisions proposed.
Authority and Rules of Senate Committees
Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry
COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE, NUTRITION, AND FORESTRY
Jurisdiction
Rule XXV, Standing Rules of the Senate
1. The following standing committees shall be appointed at the
commencement of each Congress, and shall continue and have the power to
act until their successors are appointed, with leave to report by bill
or otherwise on matters within their respective jurisdictions:
(a)(1) Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, to which
committee shall be referred all proposed legislation, messages,
petitions, memorials, and other matters relating primarily to the
following subjects:
1. Agricultural economics and research.
2. Agricultural extension services and experiment stations.
3. Agricultural production, marketing, and stabilization of prices.
4. Agriculture and agricultural commodities.
5. Animal industry and diseases.
6. Crop insurance and soil conservation.
7. Farm credit and farm security.
8. Food from fresh waters.
9. Food stamp programs.
10. Forestry, and forest reserves and wilderness areas other than
those created from the public domain.
11. Home economics.
12. Human nutrition.
13. Inspection of livestock, meat, and agricultural products.
14. Pests and pesticides.
15. Plant industry, soils, and agricultural engineering.
16. Rural development, rural electrification, and watersheds.
17. School nutrition programs.
(2) Such committee shall also study and review, on a comprehensive
basis, matters relating to food, nutrition, and hunger, both in the
United States and in foreign countries, and rural affairs, and report
thereon from time to time.
Rules of Procedure
153 Cong. Rec. S1515 (daily ed. Feb. 1, 2007)
Rule 1--Meetings
1.1 Regular Meetings.--Regular meetings shall be held on the first
and third Wednesday of each month when Congress is in session.
1.2 Additional Meetings.--The Chairman, in consultation with the
ranking minority member, may call such additional meetings as he deems
necessary.
1.3 Notification.--In the case of any meeting of the committee,
other than a regularly scheduled meeting, the clerk of the committee
shall notify every member of the committee of the time and place of the
meeting and shall give reasonable notice which, except in extraordinary
circumstances, shall be at least 24 hours in advance of any meeting held
in Washington, D.C. and at least 48 hours in the case of any meeting
held outside Washington, D.C.
1.4 Called Meeting.--If three members of the committee have made a
request in writing to the Chairman to call a meeting of the committee,
and the Chairman fails to call such a meeting within 7 calendar days
thereafter, including the day on which the written notice is submitted,
a majority of the members may call a meeting by filing a written notice
with the clerk of the committee who shall promptly notify each member of
the committee in writing of the date and time of the meeting.
1.5 Adjournment of Meetings.--The Chairman of the committee or a
subcommittee shall be empowered to adjourn any meeting of the committee
or a subcommittee if a quorum is not present within 15 minutes of the
time scheduled for such meeting.
Rule 2--Meetings and Hearings in General
2.1 Open Sessions.--Business meetings and hearings held by the
committee or any subcommittee shall be open to the public except as
otherwise provided for in Senate Rule XXVI, paragraph 5.
2.2 Transcripts.--A transcript shall be kept of each business
meeting and hearing of the committee or any subcommittee unless a
majority of the committee or the subcommittee agrees that some other
form of permanent record is preferable.
2.3 Reports.--An appropriate opportunity shall be given the Minority
to examine the proposed text of committee reports prior to their filing
or publication. In the event there are supplemental, minority, or
additional views, an appropriate opportunity shall be given the Majority
to examine the proposed text prior to filing or publication.
2.4 Attendance.--(a) Meetings. Official attendance of all markups
and executive sessions of the committee shall be kept by the committee
clerk. Official attendance of all subcommittee markups and executive
sessions shall be kept by the subcommittee clerk.
(b) Hearings.--Official attendance of all hearings shall be kept,
provided that, Senators are notified by the committee Chairman and
ranking minority member, in the case of committee hearings, and by the
subcommittee Chairman and ranking minority member, in the case of
subcommittee hearings, 48 hours in advance of the hearing that
attendance will be taken. Otherwise, no attendance will be taken.
Attendance at all hearings is encouraged.
Rule 3--Hearing Procedures
3.1 Notice.--Public notice shall be given of the date, place, and
subject matter of any hearing to be held by the committee or any
subcommittee at least 1 week in advance of such hearing unless the
Chairman of the full committee or the subcommittee determines that the
hearing is noncontroversial or that special circumstances require
expedited procedures and a majority of the committee or the subcommittee
involved concurs. In no case shall a hearing be conducted with less than
24 hours notice.
3.2 Witness Statements.--Each witness who is to appear before the
committee or any subcommittee shall file with the committee or
subcommittee, at least 24 hours in advance of the hearing, a written
statement of his or her testimony and as many copies as the Chairman of
the committee or subcommittee prescribes.
3.3 Minority Witnesses.--In any hearing conducted by the committee,
or any subcommittee thereof, the minority members of the committee or
subcommittee shall be entitled, upon request to the Chairman by the
ranking minority member of the committee or subcommittee to call
witnesses of their selection during at least 1 day of such hearing
pertaining to the matter or matters heard by the committee or
subcommittee.
3.4 Swearing in of Witnesses.--Witnesses in committee or
subcommittee hearings may be required to give testimony under oath
whenever the Chairman or ranking minority member of the committee or
subcommittee deems such to be necessary.
3.5 Limitation.--Each member shall be limited to 5 minutes in the
questioning of any witness until such time as all members who so desire
have had an opportunity to question a witness. Questions from members
shall rotate from majority to minority members in order of seniority or
in order of arrival at the hearing.
Rule 4--Nominations
4.1 Assignment.--All nominations shall be considered by the full
committee.
4.2 Standards.--In considering a nomination, the committee shall
inquire into the nominee's experience, qualifications, suitability, and
integrity to serve in the position to which he or she has been
nominated.
4.3 Information.--Each nominee shall submit in response to questions
prepared by the committee the following information:
(1) A detailed biographical resume which contains information
relating to education, employment, and achievements;
(2) Financial information, including a financial statement
which lists assets and liabilities of the nominee; and
(3) Copies of other relevant documents requested by the
committee.
Information received pursuant to this subsection shall be available
for public inspection except as specifically designated confidential by
the committee.
4.4 Hearings.--The committee shall conduct a public hearing during
which the nominee shall be called to testify under oath on all matters
relating to his or her suitability for office. No hearing shall be held
until at least 48 hours after the nominee has responded to a prehearing
questionnaire submitted by the committee.
4.5 Action on Confirmation.--A business meeting to consider a
nomination shall not occur on the same day that the hearing on the
nominee is held. The Chairman, with the agreement of the ranking
minority member, may waive this requirement.
Rule 5--Quorums
5.1 Testimony.--For the purpose of receiving evidence, the swearing
of witnesses, and the taking of sworn or unsworn testimony at any duly
scheduled hearing, a quorum of the committee and the subcommittee
thereof shall consist of one member.
5.2 Business.--A quorum for the transaction of committee or
subcommittee business, other than for reporting a measure or
recommendation to the Senate or the taking of testimony, shall consist
of one-third of the members of the committee or subcommittee, including
at least one member from each party.
5.3 Reporting.--A majority of the membership of the committee shall
constitute a quorum for reporting bills, nominations, matters, or
recommendations to the Senate. No measure or recommendation shall be
ordered reported from the committee unless a majority of the committee
members are physically present. The vote of the committee to report a
measure or matter shall require the concurrence of a majority of those
members who are physically present at the time the vote is taken.
Rule 6--Voting
6.1 Roll calls.--A roll call vote of the members shall be taken upon
the request of any member.
6.2 Proxies.--Voting by proxy as authorized by the Senate rules for
specific bills or subjects shall be allowed whenever a quorum of the
committee is actually present.
6.3 Polling.--The committee may poll any matters of committee
business, other than a vote on reporting to the Senate any measures,
matters or recommendations or a vote on closing a meeting or hearing to
the public, provided that every member is polled and every poll consists
of the following two questions:
(1) Do you agree or disagree to poll the proposal; and
(2) Do you favor or oppose the proposal.
If any member requests, any matter to be polled shall be held for
meeting rather than being polled. The chief clerk of the committee shall
keep a record of all polls.
Rule 7--Subcommittees
7.1 Assignments.--To assure the equitable assignment of members to
subcommittees, no member of the committee will receive assignment to a
second subcommittee until, in order of seniority, all members of the
committee have chosen assignments to one subcommittee, and no member
shall receive assignment to a third subcommittee until, in order of
seniority, all members have chosen assignments to two subcommittees.
7.2 Attendance.--Any member of the committee may sit with any
subcommittee during a hearing or meeting but shall not have the
authority to vote on any matter before the subcommittee unless he or she
is a member of such subcommittee.
7.3 Ex Officio Members.--The Chairman and ranking minority member
shall serve as nonvoting ex officio members of the subcommittees on
which they do not serve as voting members. The Chairman and ranking
minority member may not be counted toward a quorum.
7.4 Scheduling.--No subcommittee may schedule a meeting or hearing
at a time designated for a hearing or meeting of the full committee. No
more than one subcommittee business meeting may be held at the same
time.
7.5 Discharge.--Should a subcommittee fail to report back to the
full committee on any measure within a reasonable time, the Chairman may
withdraw the measure from such subcommittee and report that fact to the
full committee for further disposition. The full committee may at any
time, by majority vote of those members present, discharge a
subcommittee from further consideration of a specific piece of
legislation.
7.6 Application of Committee Rules to Subcommittees.--The
proceedings of each subcommittee shall be governed by the rules of the
full committee, subject to such authorizations or limitations as the
committee may from time to time prescribe.
Rule 8--Investigations, Subpoenas and Depositions
8.1 Investigations.--Any investigation undertaken by the committee
or a subcommittee in which depositions are taken or subpoenas issued,
must be authorized by a majority of the members of the committee voting
for approval to conduct such investigation at a business meeting of the
committee convened in accordance with Rule 1.
8.2 Subpoenas.--The Chairman, with the approval of the ranking
minority member of the committee, is delegated the authority to subpoena
the attendance of witnesses or the production of memoranda, documents,
records, or any other materials at a hearing of the committee or a
subcommittee or in connection with the conduct of an investigation
authorized in accordance with paragraph 8.1. The Chairman may subpoena
attendance or production without the approval of the ranking minority
member when the Chairman has not received notification from the ranking
minority member of disapproval of the subpoena within 72 hours,
excluding Saturdays and Sundays, of being notified of the subpoena. If a
subpoena is disapproved by the ranking minority member as provided in
this paragraph the subpoena may be authorized by vote of the members of
the committee. When the committee or Chairman authorizes subpoenas,
subpoenas may be issued upon the signature of the Chairman or any other
member of the committee designated by the Chairman.
8.3 Notice for Taking Depositions.--Notices for the taking of
depositions, in an investigation authorized by the committee, shall be
authorized and be issued by the Chairman or by a staff officer
designated by him. Such notices shall specify a time and place for
examination, and the name of the Senator, staff officer or officers who
will take the deposition. Unless otherwise specified, the deposition
shall be in private. The committee shall not initiate procedures leading
to criminal or civil enforcement proceedings for a witness' failure to
appear unless the deposition notice was accompanied by a committee
subpoena.
8.4 Procedure for Taking Depositions.--Witnesses shall be examined
upon oath administered by an individual authorized by local law to
administer oaths. The Chairman will rule, by telephone or otherwise, on
any objection by a witness. The transcript of a deposition shall be
filed with the committee clerk.
Rule 9--Amending the Rules
These rules shall become effective upon publication in the
Congressional Record. These rules may be modified, amended, or repealed
by the committee, provided that all members are present or provide
proxies or if a notice in writing of the proposed changes has been given
to each member at least 48 hours prior to the meeting at which action
thereon is to be taken. The changes shall become effective immediately
upon publication of the changed rule or rules in the Congressional
Record, or immediately upon approval of the changes if so resolved by
the committee as long as any witnesses who may be affected by the change
in rules are provided with them.
Authority and Rules of Senate Committees
Appropriations
COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
Jurisdiction
A. Rule XXV, Standing Rules of the Senate
1. The following standing committees shall be appointed at the
commencement of each Congress, and shall continue and have the power to
act until their successors are appointed, with leave to report by bill
or otherwise on matters within their respective jurisdictions:
* * * * * * *
(b) Committee on Appropriations, to which committee shall be
referred all proposed legislation, messages, petitions, memorials, and
other matters relating to the following subjects:
1. Appropriation of the revenue for the support of the Government,
except as provided in subparagraph (e).
2. Rescission of appropriations contained in appropriation Acts
(referred to in section 105 of title 1, United States Code).
3. The amount of new spending authority described in section
401(c)(2) (A) and (B) of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 which is
to be effective for a fiscal year.
4. New spending authority described in section 401(c)(2)(C) of the
Congressional Budget Act of 1974 provided in bills and resolutions
referred to the committee under section 401(b)(2) of that Act (but
subject to the provisions of section 401(b)(3) of that Act).
B. S. Res. 445, Sec. Sec. 402, 501, 108th Cong., 2d Sess. (2004)
Sec. 402. Subcommittee Related to Intelligence Appropriations.
(a) Establishment.-- There is established in the Committee on
Appropriations a Subcommittee on Intelligence. The Committee on
Appropriations shall reorganize into 13 subcommittees as soon as
possible after the convening of the 109th Congress.
(b) Jurisdiction-- The Subcommittee on Intelligence of the Committee
on Appropriations shall have jurisdiction over funding for intelligence
matters, as determined by the Senate Committee on Appropriations.
Sec. 501. Effective Date.
This resolution shall take effect on the convening of the 109th
Congress.
C. 2 U.S.C. Sec. 72d, Pub. L. 105-275, 112 Stat. 2430
(a) The Committee on Appropriations is authorized in its
discretion--
(1) to hold hearings, report such hearings, and make
investigations as authorized by paragraph 1 of rule XXVI of the
Standing Rules of the Senate;
(2) to make expenditures from the contingent fund of the
Senate;
(3) to employ personnel;
(4) with the prior consent of the Government department or
agency concerned and the Committee on Rules and Administration
to use, on a reimbursable or nonreimbursable basis, the services
of personnel of any such department or agency;
(5) to procure the services of individual consultants, or
organizations thereof (as authorized by section 202(i) of the
Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946 and Senate Resolution
140, agreed to May 14, 1975); and
(6) to provide for the training of the professional staff of
such committee (under procedures specified by section 202(j) of
such Act).
D. 2 U.S.C. Sec. 72d-1, Pub. L. 105-275, 112 Stat. 2430
(a)(1) The Chairman of the Appropriations Committee of the Senate
may, during any fiscal year, at his or her election transfer funds from
the appropriation account for salaries for the Appropriations Committee
of the Senate, to the account, within the contingent fund of the Senate,
from which expenses are payable for such committee.
(2) The Chairman of the Appropriations Committee of the Senate
may, during any fiscal year, at his or her election transfer
funds from the appropriation account for expenses, within the
contingent fund of the Senate, for the Appropriations Committee
of the Senate, to the account from which salaries are payable
for such committee.
(b) Any funds transferred under this section shall be--
(1) available for expenditure by such committee in like manner
and for the same purposes as are other moneys which are
available for expenditure by such committee from the account to
which the funds were transferred; and
(2) made at such time or times as the Chairman shall specify
in writing to the Senate Disbursing Office.
Rules of Procedure
153 Cong. Rec. S2253 (daily ed. Feb. 27, 2007)
I. Meetings
The Committee will meet at the call of the Chairman.
II. Quorums
1. Reporting a bill. A majority of the members must be present for
the reporting of a bill.
2. Other business. For the purpose of transacting business other
than reporting a bill or taking testimony, one-third of the members of
the Committee shall constitute a quorum.
3. Taking testimony. For the purpose of taking testimony, other than
sworn testimony, by the Committee or any subcommittee, one member of the
Committee or subcommittee shall constitute a quorum. For the purpose of
taking sworn testimony by the Committee, three members shall constitute
a quorum, and for the taking of sworn testimony by any subcommittee, one
member shall constitute a quorum.
III. Proxies
Except for the reporting of a bill, votes may be cast by proxy when
any member so requests.
IV. Attendance of staff members at closed sessions
Attendance of staff members at closed sessions of the Committee
shall be limited to those members of the Committee staff that have a
responsibility associated with the matter being considered at such
meeting. This rule may be waived by unanimous consent.
V. Broadcasting and photographing of Committee hearing
The Committee or any of its subcommittees may permit the
photographing and broadcast of open hearings by television and/or radio.
However, if any member of a subcommittee objects to the photographing or
broadcasting of an open hearing, the question shall be referred to the
full Committee for its decision.
VI. Availability of subcommittee reports
To the extent possible, when the bill and report of any subcommittee
are available, they shall be furnished to each member of the Committee
thirty-six hours prior to the Committee's consideration of said bill and
report.
VII. Amendments and report language
To the extent possible, amendments and report language intended to
be proposed by Senators at full Committee markups shall be provided in
writing to the Chairman and Ranking Minority Member and the appropriate
Subcommittee Chairman and Ranking Minority Member twenty-four hours
prior to such markups.
VIII. Points of order
Any member of the Committee who is floor manager of an appropriation
bill, is hereby authorized to make points of order against any amendment
offered in violation of the Senate Rules on the floor of the Senate to
such appropriations bill.
IX. Ex Officio Membership
The Chairman and Ranking Minority Member of the full Committee are
ex officio members of all subcommittees of which they are not regular
members but shall have no vote in the subcommittee and shall not be
counted for purposes of determining a quorum.
Authority and Rules of Senate Committees
Armed Services
COMMITTEE ON ARMED SERVICES
Jurisdiction
Rule XXV, Standing Rules of the Senate
1. The following standing committees shall be appointed at the
commencement of each Congress, and shall continue and have the power to
act until their successors are appointed, with leave to report by bill
or otherwise on matters within their respective jurisdictions:
* * * * * * *
(c)(1) Committee on Armed Services, to which committee shall be
referred all proposed legislation, messages, petitions, memorials, and
other matters relating to the following subjects:
1. Aeronautical and space activities peculiar to or primarily
associated with the development of weapons systems or military
operations.
2. Common defense.
3. Department of Defense, the Department of the Army, the Department
of the Navy, and the Department of the Air Force, generally.
4. Maintenance and operation of the Panama Canal, including
administration, sanitation, and government of the Canal Zone.
5. Military research and development.
6. National security aspects of nuclear energy.
7. Naval petroleum reserves, except those in Alaska.
8. Pay, promotion, retirement, and other benefits and privileges of
Members of the Armed Forces, including overseas education of civilian
and military dependents.
9. Selective service system.
10. Strategic and critical materials necessary for the common
defense.
(2) Such committee shall also study and review, on a comprehensive
basis, matters relating to the common defense policy of the United
States, and report thereon from time to time.
Rules of Procedure
153 Cong. Rec. S1324 (daily ed. Jan. 30, 2007)
1. Regular Meeting Day.--The Committee shall meet at least once a
month when Congress is in session. The regular meeting days of the
Committee shall be Tuesday and Thursday, unless the Chairman, after
consultation with the Ranking Minority Member, directs otherwise.
2. Additional Meetings.--The Chairman, after consultation with the
Ranking Minority Member, may call such additional meetings as he deems
necessary.
3. Special Meetings.--Special meetings of the Committee may be
called by a majority of the members of the Committee in accordance with
paragraph 3 of Rule XXVI of the Standing Rules of the Senate.
4. Open Meetings.--Each meeting of the Committee, or any
subcommittee thereof, including meetings to conduct hearings, shall be
open to the public, except that a meeting or series of meetings by the
Committee or a subcommittee thereof on the same subject for a period of
no more than fourteen (14) calendar days may be closed to the public on
a motion made and seconded to go into closed session to discuss only
whether the matters enumerated below in clauses (a) through (f) would
require the meeting to be closed, followed immediately by a record vote
in open session by a majority of the members of the Committee or
subcommittee when it is determined that the matters to be discussed or
the testimony to be taken at such meeting or meetings--
(a) will disclose matters necessary to be kept secret in the
interests of national defense or the confidential conduct of the
foreign relations of the United States;
(b) will relate solely to matters of Committee staff personnel
or internal staff management or procedure;
(c) will tend to charge an individual with a crime or
misconduct, to disgrace or injure the professional standing of
an individual, or otherwise to expose an individual to public
contempt or obloquy or will represent a clearly unwarranted
invasion of the privacy of an individual;
(d) will disclose the identity of any informer or law
enforcement agent or will disclose any information relating to
the investigation or prosecution of a criminal offense that is
required to be kept secret in the interests of effective law
enforcement;
(e) will disclose information relating to the trade secrets or
financial or commercial information pertaining specifically to a
given person if--
(1) an Act of Congress requires the information to be
kept confidential by Government officers and employees;
or
(2) the information has been obtained by the
Government on a confidential basis, other than through
an application by such person for a specific Government
financial or other benefit, and is required to be kept
secret in order to prevent undue injury to the
competitive position of such person; or
(f) may divulge matters required to be kept confidential under
other provisions of law or Government regulations.
5. Presiding Officer.--The Chairman shall preside at all meetings
and hearings of the Committee except that in his absence the Ranking
Majority Member present at the meeting or hearing shall preside unless
by majority vote the Committee provides otherwise.
6. Quorum.--(a) A majority of the members of the Committee are
required to be actually present to report a matter or measure from the
Committee. (See Standing Rules of the Senate 26.7(a)(1)).
(b) Except as provided in subsections (a) and (c), and other than
for the conduct of hearings, nine members of the Committee, including
one member of the minority party; or a majority of the members of the
Committee, shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of such
business as may be considered by the Committee.
(c) Three members of the Committee, one of whom shall be a member of
the minority party, shall constitute a quorum for the purpose of taking
sworn testimony, unless otherwise ordered by a majority of the full
Committee.
(d) Proxy votes may not be considered for the purpose of
establishing a quorum.
7. Proxy Voting.--Proxy voting shall be allowed on all measures and
matters before the Committee. The vote by proxy of any member of the
Committee may be counted for the purpose of reporting any measure or
matter to the Senate if the absent member casting such vote has been
informed of the matter on which the member is being recorded and has
affirmatively requested that he or she be so recorded. Proxy must be
given in writing.
8. Announcement of Votes.--The results of all roll call votes taken
in any meeting of the Committee on any measure, or amendment thereto,
shall be announced in the Committee report, unless previously announced
by the Committee. The announcement shall include a tabulation of the
votes cast in favor and votes cast in opposition to each such measure
and amendment by each member of the Committee who was present at such
meeting. The Chairman, after consultation with the Ranking Minority
Member, may hold open a roll call vote on any measure or matter which is
before the Committee until no later than midnight of the day on which
the Committee votes on such measure or matter.
9. Subpoenas.--Subpoenas for attendance of witnesses and for the
production of memoranda, documents, records, and the like may be issued,
after consultation with the Ranking Minority Member, by the Chairman or
any other member designated by the Chairman, but only when authorized by
a majority of the members of the Committee. The subpoena shall briefly
state the matter to which the witness is expected to testify or the
documents to be produced.
10. Hearings.--(a) Public notice shall be given of the date, place
and subject matter of any hearing to be held by the Committee, or any
subcommittee thereof, at least 1 week in advance of such hearing, unless
the Committee or subcommittee determines that good cause exists for
beginning such hearings at an earlier time.
(b) Hearings may be initiated only by the specified authorization of
the Committee or subcommittee.
(c) Hearings shall be held only in the District of Columbia unless
specifically authorized to be held elsewhere by a majority vote of the
Committee or subcommittee conducting such hearings.
(d) The Chairman of the Committee or subcommittee shall consult with
the Ranking Minority Member thereof before naming witnesses for a
hearing.
(e) Witnesses appearing before the Committee shall file with the
clerk of the Committee a written statement of their proposed testimony
prior to the hearing at which they are to appear unless the Chairman and
the Ranking Minority Member determine that there is good cause not to
file such a statement. Witnesses testifying on behalf of the
Administration shall furnish an additional 50 copies of their statement
to the Committee. All statements must be received by the Committee at
least 48 hours (not including weekends or holidays) before the hearing.
(f) Confidential testimony taken or confidential material presented
in a closed hearing of the Committee or subcommittee or any report of
the proceedings of such hearing shall not be made public in whole or in
part or by way of summary unless authorized by a majority vote of the
Committee or subcommittee.
(g) Any witness summoned to give testimony or evidence at a public
or closed hearing of the Committee or subcommittee may be accompanied by
counsel of his own choosing who shall be permitted at all times during
such hearing to advise such witness of his legal rights.
(h) Witnesses providing unsworn testimony to the Committee may be
given a transcript of such testimony for the purpose of making minor
grammatical corrections. Such witnesses will not, however, be permitted
to alter the substance of their testimony. Any question involving such
corrections shall be decided by the Chairman.
11. Nominations.--Unless otherwise ordered by the Committee,
nominations referred to the Committee shall be held for at least seven
(7) days before being voted on by the Committee. Each member of the
Committee shall be furnished a copy of all nominations referred to the
Committee.
12. Real Property Transactions.--Each member of the Committee shall
be furnished with a copy of the proposals of the Secretaries of the
Army, Navy, and Air Force, submitted pursuant to 10 U.S.C. 2662 and with
a copy of the proposals of the Director of the Federal Emergency
Management Agency, submitted pursuant to 50 U.S.C. App. 2285, regarding
the proposed acquisition or disposition of property of an estimated
price or rental of more than $50,000. Any member of the Committee
objecting to or requesting information on a proposed acquisition or
disposal shall communicate his objection or request to the Chairman of
the Committee within thirty (30) days from the date of submission.
13. Legislative Calendar.--(a) The clerk of the Committee shall keep
a printed calendar for the information of each Committee member showing
the bills introduced and referred to the Committee and the status of
such bills. Such calendar shall be revised from time to time to show
pertinent changes in such bills, the current status thereof, and new
bills introduced and referred to the Committee. A copy of each new
revision shall be furnished to each member of the Committee.
(b) Unless otherwise ordered, measures referred to the Committee
shall be referred by the clerk of the Committee to the appropriate
department or agency of the Government for reports thereon.
14. Except as otherwise specified herein, the Standing Rules of the
Senate shall govern the actions of the Committee. Each subcommittee of
the Committee is part of the Committee, and is therefore subject to the
Committee's rules so far as applicable.
15. Powers and Duties of Subcommittees.--Each subcommittee is
authorized to meet, hold hearings, receive evidence, and report to the
full Committee on all matters referred to it. Subcommittee chairmen,
after consultation with Ranking Minority Members of the subcommittees,
shall set dates for hearings and meetings of their respective
subcommittees after consultation with the Chairman and other
subcommittee chairmen with a view toward avoiding simultaneous
scheduling of full Committee and subcommittee meetings or hearings
whenever possible.
Authority and Rules of Senate Committees
Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs
COMMITTEE ON BANKING, HOUSING, AND URBAN AFFAIRS
Jurisdiction
Rule XXV, Standing Rules of the Senate
1. The following standing committees shall be appointed at the
commencement of each Congress, and shall continue and have the power to
act until their successors are appointed, with leave to report by bill
or otherwise on matters within their respective jurisdictions:
* * * * * * *
(d)(1) Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, to which
committee shall be referred all proposed legislation, messages,
petitions, memorials, and other matters relating to the following
subjects:
1. Banks, banking, and financial institutions.
2. Control of prices of commodities, rents, and services.
3. Deposit insurance.
4. Economic stabilization and defense production.
5. Export and foreign trade promotion.
6. Export controls.
7. Federal monetary policy, including Federal Reserve System.
8. Financial aid to commerce and industry.
9. Issuance and redemption of notes.
10. Money and credit, including currency and coinage.
11. Nursing home construction.
12. Public and private housing (including veterans' housing).
13. Renegotiation of Government contracts.
14. Urban development and urban mass transit.
(2) Such committee shall also study and review, on a comprehensive
basis, matters relating to international economic policy as it affects
United States monetary affairs, credit, and financial institutions;
economic growth, urban affairs, and credit, and report thereon from time
to time.
Rules of Procedure
153 Cong. Rec. S2791 (daily ed. Mar. 7, 2007)
Rule 1.--Regular Meeting Date for Committee
The regular meeting day for the Committee to transact its business
shall be the last Tuesday in each month that the Senate is in Session;
except that if the Committee has met at any time during the month prior
to the last Tuesday of the month, the regular meeting of the Committee
may be canceled at the discretion of the Chairman.
Rule 2.--Committee
(a) Investigations.--No investigation shall be initiated by the
Committee unless the Senate, or the full Committee, or the Chairman and
Ranking Member have specifically authorized such investigation.
(b) Hearings.--No hearing of the Committee shall be scheduled
outside the District of Columbia except by agreement between the
Chairman of the Committee and the Ranking Member of the Committee or by
a majority vote of the Committee.
(c) Confidential Testimony.--No confidential testimony taken or
confidential material presented at an executive session of the Committee
or any report of the proceedings of such executive session shall be made
public either in whole or in part or by way of summary, unless
specifically authorized by the Chairman of the Committee and the Ranking
Member of the Committee or by a majority vote of the Committee.
(d) Interrogation of Witnesses.--Committee interrogation of a
witness shall be conducted only by members of the Committee or such
professional staff as is authorized by the Chairman or Ranking Member of
the Committee.
(e) Prior Notice of Markup Sessions.--No session of the Committee or
a Subcommittee for marking up any measure shall be held unless (1) each
member of the Committee or the Subcommittee, as the case may be, has
been notified in writing of the date, time, and place of such session
and has been furnished a copy of the measure to be considered at least 3
business days prior to the commencement of such session, or (2) the
Chairman of the Committee or Subcommittee determines that exigent
circumstances exist requiring that the session be held sooner.
(f) Prior Notice of First Degree Amendments.--It shall not be in
order for the Committee or a Subcommittee to consider any amendment in
the first degree proposed to any measure under consideration by the
Committee or Subcommittee unless fifty written copies of such amendment
have been delivered to the office of the Committee at least 2 business
days prior to the meeting. It shall be in order, without prior notice,
for a Senator to offer a motion to strike a single section of any
measure under consideration. Such a motion to strike a section of the
measure under consideration by the Committee or Subcommittee shall not
be amendable. This section may be waived by a majority of the members of
the Committee or Subcommittee voting, or by agreement of the Chairman
and Ranking Member. This subsection shall apply only when the conditions
of subsection (e)(1) have been met.
(g) Cordon Rule.--Whenever a bill or joint resolution repealing or
amending any statute or part thereof shall be before the Committee or
Subcommittee, from initial consideration in hearings through final
consideration, the Clerk shall place before each member of the Committee
or Subcommittee a print of the statute or the part or section thereof to
be amended or repealed showing by stricken-through type, the part or
parts to be omitted, and in italics, the matter proposed to be added. In
addition, whenever a member of the Committee or Subcommittee offers an
amendment to a bill or joint resolution under consideration, those
amendments shall be presented to the Committee or Subcommittee in a like
form, showing by typographical devices the effect of the proposed
amendment on existing law. The requirements of this subsection may be
waived when, in the opinion of the Committee or Subcommittee Chairman,
it is necessary to expedite the business of the Committee or
Subcommittee.
Rule 3.--Subcommittees
(a) Authorization for.--A Subcommittee of the Committee may be
authorized only by the action of a majority of the Committee.
(b) Membership.--No member may be a member of more than three
Subcommittees and no member may chair more than one Subcommittee. No
member will receive assignment to a second Subcommittee until, in order
of seniority, all members of the Committee have chosen assignments to
one Subcommittee, and no member shall receive assignment to a third
Subcommittee until, in order of seniority, all members have chosen
assignments to two Subcommittees.
(c) Investigations.--No investigation shall be initiated by a
Subcommittee unless the Senate or the full Committee has specifically
authorized such investigation.
(d) Hearings.--No hearing of a Subcommittee shall be scheduled
outside the District of Columbia without prior consultation with the
Chairman and then only by agreement between the Chairman of the
Subcommittee and the Ranking Member of the Subcommittee or by a majority
vote of the Subcommittee.
(e) Confidential Testimony.--No confidential testimony taken or
confidential material presented at an executive session of the
Subcommittee or any report of the proceedings of such executive session
shall be made public, either in whole or in part or by way of summary,
unless specifically authorized by the Chairman of the Subcommittee and
the Ranking Member of the Subcommittee, or by a majority vote of the
Subcommittee.
(f) Interrogation of Witnesses.--Subcommittee interrogation of a
witness shall be conducted only by members of the Subcommittee or such
professional staff as is authorized by the Chairman or the Ranking
Member of the Subcommittee.
(g) Special Meetings.--If at least three members of a Subcommittee
desire that a special meeting of the Subcommittee be called by the
Chairman of the Subcommittee, those members may file in the offices of
the Committee their written request to the Chairman of the Subcommittee
for that special meeting. Immediately upon the filing of the request,
the Clerk of the Committee shall notify the Chairman of the Subcommittee
of the filing of the request. If, within 3 calendar days after the
filing of the request, the Chairman of the Subcommittee does not call
the requested special meeting, to be held within 7 calendar days after
the filing of the request, a majority of the members of the Subcommittee
may file in the offices of the Committee their written notice that a
special meeting of the Subcommittee will be held, specifying the date
and hour of that special meeting. The Subcommittee shall meet on that
date and hour. Immediately upon the filing of the notice, the Clerk of
the Committee shall notify all members of the Subcommittee that such
special meeting will be held and inform them of its date and hour. If
the Chairman of the Subcommittee is not present at any regular or
special meeting of the Subcommittee, the Ranking Member of the majority
party on the Subcommittee who is present shall preside at that meeting.
(h) Voting.--No measure or matter shall be recommended from a
Subcommittee to the Committee unless a majority of the Subcommittee are
actually present. The vote of the Subcommittee to recommend a measure or
matter to the Committee shall require the concurrence of a majority of
the members of the Subcommittee voting. On Subcommittee matters other
than a vote to recommend a measure or matter to the Committee, no record
vote shall be taken unless a majority of the Subcommittee is actually
present. Any absent member of a Subcommittee may affirmatively request
that his or her vote to recommend a measure or matter to the Committee
or his vote on any such other matters on which a record vote is taken,
be cast by proxy. The proxy shall be in writing and shall be
sufficiently clear to identify the subject matter and to inform the
Subcommittee as to how the member wishes his or her vote to be recorded
thereon. By written notice to the Chairman of the Subcommittee any time
before the record vote on the measure or matter concerned is taken, the
member may withdraw a proxy previously given. All proxies shall be kept
in the files of the Committee.
Rule 4.--Witnesses
(a) Filing of Statements.--Any witness appearing before the
Committee or Subcommittee (including any witness representing a
Government agency) must file with the Committee or Subcommittee (24
hours preceding his or her appearance) 75 copies of his or her statement
to the Committee or Subcommittee, and the statement must include a brief
summary of the testimony. In the event that the witness fails to file a
written statement and brief summary in accordance with this rule, the
Chairman of the Committee or Subcommittee has the discretion to deny the
witness the privilege of testifying before the Committee or Subcommittee
until the witness has properly complied with the rule.
(b) Length of Statements.--Written statements properly filed with
the Committee or Subcommittee may be as lengthy as the witness desires
and may contain such documents or other addenda as the witness feels is
necessary to present properly his or her views to the Committee or
Subcommittee. The brief summary included in the statement must be no
more than 3 pages long. It shall be left to the discretion of the
Chairman of the Committee or Subcommittee as to what portion of the
documents presented to the Committee or Subcommittee shall be published
in the printed transcript of the hearings.
(c) Ten-Minute Duration.--Oral statements of witnesses shall be
based upon their filed statements but shall be limited to 10 minutes
duration. This period may be limited or extended at the discretion of
the Chairman presiding at the hearings.
(d) Subpoena of Witnesses.--Witnesses may be subpoenaed by the
Chairman of the Committee or a Subcommittee with the agreement of the
Ranking Member of the Committee or Subcommittee or by a majority vote of
the Committee or Subcommittee.
(e) Counsel Permitted.--Any witness subpoenaed by the Committee or
Subcommittee to a public or executive hearing may be accompanied by
counsel of his or her own choosing who shall be permitted, while the
witness is testifying, to advise him or her of his or her legal rights.
(f) Expenses of Witnesses.--No witness shall be reimbursed for his
or her appearance at a public or executive hearing before the Committee
or Subcommittee unless such reimbursement is agreed to by the Chairman
and Ranking Member of the Committee.
(g) Limits of Questions.--Questioning of a witness by members shall
be limited to 5 minutes duration when 5 or more members are present and
10 minutes duration when less than 5 members are present, except that if
a member is unable to finish his or her questioning in this period, he
or she may be permitted further questions of the witness after all
members have been given an opportunity to question the witness.
Additional opportunity to question a witness shall be limited to a
duration of 5 minutes until all members have been given the opportunity
of questioning the witness for a second time. This 5-minute period per
member will be continued until all members have exhausted their
questions of the witness.
Rule 5.--Voting
(a) Vote To Report a Measure or Matter.--No measure or matter shall
be reported from the Committee unless a majority of the Committee is
actually present. The vote of the Committee to report a measure or
matter shall require the concurrence of a majority of the members of the
Committee who are present.
Any absent member may affirmatively request that his or her vote to
report a matter be cast by proxy. The proxy shall be sufficiently clear
to identify the subject matter, and to inform the Committee as to how
the member wishes his vote to be recorded thereon. By written notice to
the Chairman any time before the record vote on the measure or matter
concerned is taken, any member may withdraw a proxy previously given.
All proxies shall be kept in the files of the Committee, along with the
record of the rollcall vote of the members present and voting, as an
official record of the vote on the measure or matter.
(b) Vote on Matters Other Than To Report a Measure or Matter.--On
Committee matters other than a vote to report a measure or matter, no
record vote shall be taken unless a majority of the Committee are
actually present. On any such other matter, a member of the Committee
may request that his or her vote may be cast by proxy. The proxy shall
be in writing and shall be sufficiently clear to identify the subject
matter, and to inform the Committee as to how the member wishes his or
her vote to be recorded thereon. By written notice to the Chairman any
time before the vote on such other matter is taken, the member may
withdraw a proxy previously given. All proxies relating to such other
matters shall be kept in the files of the Committee.
Rule 6.--Quorum
No executive session of the Committee or a Subcommittee shall be
called to order unless a majority of the Committee or Subcommittee, as
the case may be, are actually present. Unless the Committee otherwise
provides or is required by the Rules of the Senate, one member shall
constitute a quorum for the receipt of evidence, the swearing in of
witnesses, and the taking of testimony.
Rule 7.--Staff Present on Dais
Only members and the Clerk of the Committee shall be permitted on
the dais during public or executive hearings, except that a member may
have one staff person accompanying him or her during such public or
executive hearing on the dais. If a member desires a second staff person
to accompany him or her on the dais he or she must make a request to the
Chairman for that purpose.
Rule 8.--Coinage Legislation
At least 67 Senators must cosponsor any gold medal or commemorative
coin bill or resolution before consideration by the Committee.
COMMITTEE PROCEDURES FOR PRESIDENTIAL NOMINEES
1. Procedures formally adopted by the U.S. Senate Committee on
Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, February 4, 1981, establish a
uniform questionnaire for all Presidential nominees whose confirmation
hearings come before this Committee.
In addition, the procedures establish that:
(1) A confirmation hearing shall normally be held at least 5 days
after receipt of the completed questionnaire by the Committee unless
waived by a majority vote of the Committee.
(2) The Committee shall vote on the confirmation not less than 24
hours after the Committee has received transcripts of the hearing unless
waived by unanimous consent.
(3) All nominees routinely shall testify under oath at their
confirmation hearings.
This questionnaire shall be made a part of the public record except
for financial information, which shall be kept confidential.
Nominees are requested to answer all questions, and to add
additional pages where necessary.
Authority and Rules of Senate Committees
Budget
COMMITTEE ON THE BUDGET
Jurisdiction
A. Rule XXV, Standing Rules of the Senate
1. The following standing committees shall be appointed at the
commencement of each Congress, and shall continue and have the power to
act until their successors are appointed, with leave to report by bill
or otherwise on matters within their respective jurisdictions:
* * * * * * *
(e)(1) Committee on the Budget, to which committee shall be referred
all concurrent resolutions on the budget (as defined in section 3(a)(4)
of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974) and all other matters required
to be referred to that committee under titles III and IV of that Act,
and messages, petitions, memorials, and other matters relating thereto.
(2) Such committee shall have the duty--
(A) to report the matters required to be reported by it under
titles III and IV of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974;
(B) to make continuing studies of the effect on budget outlays
of relevant existing and proposed legislation and to report the
results of such studies to the Senate on a recurring basis;
(C) to request and evaluate continuing studies of tax
expenditures, to devise methods of coordinating tax
expenditures, policies, and programs with direct budget outlays,
and to report the results of such studies to the Senate on a
recurring basis; and
(D) to review, on a continuing basis, the conduct by the
Congressional Budget Office of its functions and duties.
B. Standing Order on the Referral of Budget Process Legislation, 123
Cong. Rec. 26709 (1977)
[L]egislation affecting the congressional budget process, as
described below, [shall] be referred jointly to the Committees on the
Budget and on Governmental Affairs. If one committee acts to report a
jointly-referred measure, the other must act within 30 calendar days of
continuous possession, or be automati[c]ally discharged.
Legislative proposals affecting the congressional budget process to
which this order applies are:
First. The functions, duties, and powers of the Budget
Committee--as described in title I of the act; \1\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ The act referred to in this standing order is the Congressional
Budget and Impoundment Act of 1974, Pub. L. No. 93-344, 88 Stat. 297.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Second. The functions, duties, and powers of the Congressional
Budget Office--as described in title[s] II and IV of the act[;]
Third. The process by which Congress annually establishes the
appropriate levels of budget authority, outlays, revenues,
deficits or surpluses, and public debt--including subdivisions
thereof. That process includes the establishment of:
mandatory ceilings on spending and appropriations;
a floor on revenues;
timetables for congressional action on concurrent
resolutions, on the reporting of authorization bills,
and on the enactment of appropriation bills; and
enforcement mechanisms for the limits and timetables,
all as described in titles III and IV of the act[;]
Fourth. The limiting of backdoor spending device[s]--as
described in title IV of the act;
Fifth. The timetables for Presidential submission of
appropriations and authorization requests--as described in title
VI of the act;
Sixth. The definitions of what constitutes impoundment--such
as ``rescissions'' and ``deferrals,'' as provided in the
Impoundment Control Act, title X;
Seventh. The process and determination by which impoundments
must be reported to and considered by Congress--as provided in
the Impoundment Control Act, title X;
Eighth. The mechanisms to insure Executive compliance with the
provisions of the Impoundment Control Act, title X--such as GAO
review and lawsuits; and
Ninth. The provisions which affect the content or
determination of amounts included in or excluded from the
congressional budget or the calculation of such amounts,
including the definition of terms provided by the Budget Act--as
set forth in title I thereof.
C. S. Res. 45, 94th Cong., 1st Sess. (1975) \2\
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\2\ As amended by unanimous consent, see 132 Cong. Rec. 7318 (1986).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
RESOLUTION
Relative to the referral of measures relating to the budget.
Resolved, (1) That messages received pursuant to title X of
the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act be referred
concurrently to the Appropriations Committee, to the Budget
Committee, and to any other appropriate authorizing committee.
(2) That bills, resolutions, and joint resolutions introduced
with respect to rescissions and deferrals shall be referred to
the Appropriations Committee, the Budget Committee, and pending
implementation of section 410 of the Congressional Budget
Impoundment Control Act and subject to section 401(d), to any
other committee exercising jurisdiction over contract and
borrowing authority programs as defined by section 401(c)(2) (A)
and (B). The Budget Committee and such other committees shall
report their views, if any, to the Appropriations Committee
within 20 days following referral of such messages, bills,
resolutions, or joint resolutions. The Budget Committee's
consideration shall extend only to macroeconomic implications,
impact on priorities and aggregate spending levels, and the
legality of the President's use of the deferral and rescission
mechanism under title X. The Appropriations and authorizing
committees shall exercise their normal responsibilities over
programs and priorities.
(3) If any committee to which a bill or resolution has been
referred recommends its passage, the Appropriations Committee
shall report that bill or resolution together with its views and
reports of the Budget and any appropriate authorizing committees
to the Senate within--
(A) the time remaining under the Act in the case of
rescissions, or
(B) within 20 days in the case of deferrals.
(4) The 20 day period referred to herein means twenty calendar
days; and for the purposes of computing the twenty days,
recesses or adjournments of the Senate for more than 3 days to a
day certain shall not be counted; and for recesses and
adjournments of more than 30 calendar days continuous duration
or the sine die adjournment of a session, the 20 day period
shall begin anew on the day following the reconvening of the
Senate.
D. S. Res. 445, Sec. Sec. 101(d) & (e), 501, 108th Cong., 2d Sess.
(2004)
* * * * * * *
Sec. 101(d) Jurisdiction of Budget Committee.-- Notwithstanding
paragraph (b)(3) of this section [budget and accounting measures, other
than appropriations, are under the jurisdiction of the Committee on
Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs], and except as otherwise
provided in the Congressional Budget Act of 1974, the Committee on the
Budget shall have exclusive jurisdiction over measures affecting the
congressional budget process, which are--
(1) the functions, duties, and powers of the Budget Committee;
(2) the functions, duties, and powers of the Congressional Budget
Office;
(3) the process by which Congress annually establishes the
appropriate levels of budget authority, outlays, revenues, deficits or
surpluses, and public debt -- including subdivisions thereof -- and
including the establishment of mandatory ceilings on spending and
appropriations, a floor on revenues, timetables for congressional action
on concurrent resolutions, on the reporting of authorization bills, and
on the enactment of appropriation bills, and enforcement mechanisms for
budgetary limits and timetables;
(4) the limiting of backdoor spending devices;
(5) the timetables for Presidential submission of appropriations
and authorization requests;
(6) the definitions of what constitutes impoundment -- such as
``rescissions'' and ``deferrals'';
(7) the process and determination by which impoundments must be
reported to and considered by Congress;
(8) the mechanisms to insure Executive compliance with the
provisions of the Impoundment Control Act, title X -- such as GAO review
and lawsuits; and
(9) the provisions which affect the content or determination of
amounts included in or excluded from the congressional budget or the
calculation of such amounts, including the definition of terms provided
by the Budget Act.
(e) OMB Nominees.-- The Committee on the Budget and the Committee on
Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs shall have joint jurisdiction
over the nominations of persons nominated by the President to fill the
positions of Director and Deputy Director for Budget within the Office
of Management and Budget, and if one committee votes to order reported
such a nomination, the other must report within 30 calendar days
session, or be automatically discharged.
* * * * * * *
Sec. 501. Effective Date. This resolution shall take effect on the
convening of the 109th Congress.
Rules of Procedure
153 Cong. Rec. S1405 (daily ed. Jan. 31, 2007)
I. Meetings
(1) The committee shall hold its regular meeting on the first
Thursday of each month. Additional meetings may be called by the chair
as the chair deems necessary to expedite committee business.
(2) Each meeting of the committee, including meetings to conduct
hearings, shall be open to the public, except that a portion or portions
of any such meeting may be closed to the public if the committee
determines by record vote in open session of a majority of the members
of the committee present that the matters to be discussed or the
testimony to be taken at such portion or portions--
(a) will disclose matters necessary to be kept secret in the
interests of national defense or the confidential conduct of the
foreign relations of the United States;
(b) will relate solely to matters of the committee staff
personnel or internal staff management or procedure;
(c) will tend to charge an individual with crime or
misconduct, to disgrace or injure the professional standing of
an individual, or otherwise to expose an individual to public
contempt or obloquy, or will represent a clearly unwarranted
invasion of the privacy of an individual;
(d) will disclose the identity of any informer or law
enforcement agent or will disclose any information relating to
the investigation or prosecution of a criminal offense that is
required to be kept secret in the interests of effective law
enforcement; or
(e) will disclose information relating to the trade secrets or
financial or commercial information pertaining specifically to a
given person if--
(i) an act of Congress requires the information to be
kept confidential by Government officers and employees;
or
(ii) the information has been obtained by the
Government on a confidential basis, other than through
an application by such person for a specific Government
financial or other benefit, and is required to be kept
secret in order to prevent undue injury to the
competitive position of such person.
(f) may divulge matters required to be kept confidential under
other provisions of law or Government regulations.
(3) Notice of, and the agenda for, any business meeting or markup
shall be provided to each member and made available to the public at
least 48 hours prior to such meeting or markup.
II. Quorums and Voting
(1) Except as provided in paragraphs (2) and (3) of this section, a
quorum for the transaction of committee business shall consist of not
less than one-third of the membership of the entire committee: Provided,
that proxies shall not be counted in making a quorum.
(2) A majority of the committee shall constitute a quorum for
reporting budget resolutions, legislative measures or recommendations:
Provided, that proxies shall not be counted in making a quorum.
(3) For the purpose of taking sworn or unsworn testimony, a quorum
of the committee shall consist of one Senator.
(4)(a) The committee may poll--
(i) internal committee matters including those concerning the
committee's staff, records, and budget;
(ii) steps in an investigation, including issuance of
subpoenas, applications for immunity orders, and requests for
documents from agencies; and
(iii) other committee business that the committee has
designated for polling at a meeting, except that the committee
may not vote by poll on reporting to the Senate any measure,
matter, or recommendation, and may not vote by poll on closing a
meeting or hearing to the public.
(b) To conduct a poll, the Chair shall circulate polling sheets to
each member specifying the matter being polled and the time limit for
completion of the poll. If any member requests, the matter shall be held
for a meeting rather than being polled. The chief clerk shall keep a
record of polls; if the committee determines by record vote in open
session of a majority of the members of the committee present that the
polled matter is one of those enumerated in rule I(2)(a)-(e), then the
record of the poll shall be confidential. Any member may move at the
committee meeting following a poll for a vote on the polled decision.
III. Proxies
When a record vote is taken in the committee on any bill,
resolution, amendment, or any other question, a quorum being present, a
member who is unable to attend the meeting may vote by proxy if the
absent member has been informed of the matter on which the vote is being
recorded and has affirmatively requested to be so recorded; except that
no member may vote by proxy during the deliberations on Budget
Resolutions.
IV. Hearings and Hearing Procedures
(1) The committee shall make public announcement of the date, place,
time, and subject matter of any hearing to be conducted on any measure
or matter at least 1 week in advance of such hearing, unless the chair
and ranking member determine that there is good cause to begin such
hearing at an earlier date.
(2) In the event that the membership of the Senate is equally
divided between the two parties, the ranking member is authorized to
call witnesses to testify at any hearing in an amount equal to the
number called by the chair. The previous sentence shall not apply in the
case of a hearing at which the committee intends to call an official of
the Federal government as the sole witness.
(3) A witness appearing before the committee shall file a written
statement of proposed testimony at least 1 day prior to appearance,
unless the requirement is waived by the chair and the ranking member,
following their determination that there is good cause for the failure
of compliance.
V. Committee Reports
(1) When the committee has ordered a measure or recommendation
reported, following final action, the report thereon shall be filed in
the Senate at the earliest practicable time.
(2) A member of the committee who gives notice of an intention to
file supplemental, minority, or additional views at the time of final
committee approval of a measure or matter, shall be entitled to not less
than 3 calendar days in which to file such views, in writing, with the
chief clerk of the committee. Such views shall then be included in the
committee report and printed in the same volume, as a part thereof, and
their inclusions shall be noted on the cover of the report. In the
absence of timely notice, the committee report may be filed and printed
immediately without such views.
VI. Use of Display Materials in Committee
(1) Graphic displays used during any meetings or hearing of the
committee are limited to the following:
Charts, photographs, or renderings:
Size: no larger than 36 inches by 48 inches.
Where: on an easel stand next to the member's seat or at the rear of
the committee room.
When: only at the time the member is speaking.
Number: no more than two may be displayed at a time.
VII. Confirmation Standards and Procedures
1. (1) Standards. In considering a nomination, the committee shall
inquire into the nominee's experience, qualifications, suitability, and
integrity to serve in the position to which he or she has been
nominated. The committee shall recommend confirmation if it finds that
the nominee has the necessary integrity and is affirmatively qualified
by reason of training, education, or experience to carry out the
functions of the office to which he or she was nominated.
(2) Information Concerning the Nominee. Each nominee shall submit
the following information to the committee:
(a) A detailed biographical resume which contains information
concerning education, employment, and background which generally relates
to the position to which the individual is nominated, and which is to be
made public;
(b) Information concerning financial and other background of the
nominee which is to be made public; provided, that financial information
that does not relate to the nominee's qualifications to hold the
position to which the individual is nominated, tax returns or reports
prepared by federal agencies that may be submitted by the nominee shall,
after review by the chair, ranking member, or any other member of the
committee upon request, be maintaimed to ensure confidentiality; and,
(c) Copies of other relevant documents and responses to questions as
the committee may so request, such as responses to questions concerning
the policies and programs the nominee intends to pursue upon taking
office.
(3) Report on the Nominee. After a review of all information
pertinent to the nomination, a confidential report on the nominee may be
prepared by the committee staff for the chair, the ranking member and,
upon request, for any other member of the committee. The report shall
summarize the steps taken and the results of the committee inquiry,
including any unresolved matters that have been raised during the course
of the inquiry.
(4) Hearings. The committee shall conduct a hearing during which the
nominee shall be called to testify under oath on all matters relating to
his or her suitability for office, including the policies and programs
which he or she would pursue while in that position. No hearing or
meeting to consider the confirmation shall be held until at least 72
hours after the following events have occurred: the nominee has
responded to the requirements set forth in subsection (2), and, if a
report described in subsection (3) has been prepared, it has been
presented to the chairman and ranking member, and is available to other
members of the committee, upon request.
Authority and Rules of Senate Committees
Commerce, Science, and Transportation
COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE, SCIENCE, AND TRANSPORTATION
Jurisdiction
Rule XXV, Standing Rules of the Senate
1. The following standing committees shall be appointed at the
commencement of each Congress, and shall continue and have the power to
act until their successors are appointed, with leave to report by bill
or otherwise on matters within their respective jurisdictions:
* * * * * * *
(f)(1) Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, to which
committee shall be referred all proposed legislation, messages,
petitions, memorials, and other matters relating to the following
subjects:
1. Coast Guard.
2. Coastal zone management.
3. Communications.
4. Highway safety.
5. Inland waterways, except construction.
6. Interstate commerce.
7. Marine and ocean navigation, safety, and transportation,
including navigational aspects of deepwater ports.
8. Marine fisheries.
9. Merchant marine and navigation.
10. Nonmilitary aeronautical and space sciences.
11. Oceans, weather, and atmospheric activities.
12. Panama Canal and interoceanic canals generally, except as
provided in subparagraph (c).
13. Regulation of consumer products and services, including testing
related to toxic substances, other than pesticides, and except for
credit, financial services, and housing.
14. Regulation of interstate common carriers, including railroads,
buses, trucks, vessels, pipelines, and civil aviation.
15. Science, engineering, and technology research and development
and policy.
16. Sports.
17. Standards and measurement.
18. Transportation.
19. Transportation and commerce aspects of Outer Continental Shelf
lands.
(2) Such committee shall also study and review, on a comprehensive
basis, all matters relating to science and technology, oceans policy,
transportation, communications, and consumer affairs, and report thereon
from time to time.
Rules of Procedure
153 Cong. Rec. S1280 (daily ed. Jan. 29, 2007)
I. Meetings of the Committee
1. The regular meeting dates of the Committee shall be the first and
third Tuesdays of each month. Additional meetings may be called by the
Chairman as the Chairman may deem necessary, or pursuant to the
provisions of paragraph 3 of rule XXVI of the Standing Rules of the
Senate.
2. Meetings of the Committee, or any subcommittee, including
meetings to conduct hearings, shall be open to the public, except that a
meeting or series of meetings by the Committee, or any subcommittee, on
the same subject for a period of no more than 14 calendar days may be
closed to the public on a motion made and seconded to go into closed
session to discuss only whether the matters enumerated in subparagraphs
(A) through (F) would require the meeting to be closed, followed
immediately by a record vote in open session by a majority of the
members of the Committee, or any subcommittee, when it is determined
that the matter to be discussed or the testimony to be taken at such
meeting or meetings--
(A) will disclose matters necessary to be kept secret in the
interests of national defense or the confidential conduct of the
foreign relations of the United States;
(B) will relate solely to matters of Committee staff personnel
or internal staff management or procedure;
(C) will tend to charge an individual with crime or
misconduct, to disgrace or injure the professional standing of
an individual, or otherwise to expose an individual to public
contempt or obloquy, or will represent a clearly unwarranted
invasion of the privacy of an individual;
(D) will disclose the identity of any informer or law
enforcement agent or will disclose any information relating to
the investigation or prosecution of a criminal offense that is
required to be kept secret in the interest of effective law
enforcement;
(E) will disclose information relating to the trade secrets
of, or financial or commercial information pertaining
specifically to a given person if--
(1) an Act of Congress requires the information to be
kept confidential by Government officers and employees;
or
(2) the information has been obtained by the
Government on a confidential basis, other than through
an application by such person for a specific Government
financial or other benefit, and is required to be kept
secret in order to prevent undue injury to the
competitive position of such person; or
(F) may divulge matters required to be kept confidential under
other provisions of law or Government regulations.
3. Each witness who is to appear before the Committee or any
subcommittee shall file with the Committee, at least 24 hours in advance
of the hearing, a written statement of the witness's testimony in as
many copies as the Chairman of the Committee or subcommittee prescribes.
4. Field hearings of the full Committee, and any subcommittee
thereof, shall be scheduled only when authorized by the Chairman and
ranking minority member of the full Committee.
II. Quorums
1. A majority of the members, which shall include at least 1
minority member, shall constitute a quorum for official action of the
Committee when reporting a bill, resolution, or nomination. Proxies may
not be counted in making a quorum for purposes of this paragraph.
2. Eight members shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of
all business as may be considered by the Committee, except for the
reporting of a bill, resolution, or nomination. Proxies may not be
counted in making a quorum for purposes of this paragraph.
3. For the purpose of taking sworn testimony a quorum of the
Committee and each subcommittee thereof, now or hereafter appointed,
shall consist of 1 Senator.
III. Proxies
When a record vote is taken in the Committee on any bill,
resolution, amendment, or any other question, the required quorum being
present, a member who is unable to attend the meeting may submit his or
her vote by proxy, in writing or by telephone, or through personal
instructions.
IV. Broadcasting of Hearings
Public hearings of the full Committee, or any subcommittee thereof,
shall be televised or broadcast only when authorized by the Chairman and
the ranking minority member of the full Committee.
V. Subcommittees
1. Any member of the Committee may sit with any subcommittee during
its hearings.
2. Subcommittees shall be considered de novo whenever there is a
change in the chairmanship, and seniority on the particular subcommittee
shall not necessarily apply.
VI. Consideration of Bills and Resolutions
It shall not be in order during a meeting of the Committee to move
to proceed to the consideration of any bill or resolution unless the
bill or resolution has been filed with the Clerk of the Committee not
less than 48 hours in advance of the Committee meeting, in as many
copies as the Chairman of the Committee prescribes. This rule may be
waived with the concurrence of the Chairman and the ranking minority
member of the full Committee.
Authority and Rules of Senate Committees
Energy and Natural Resources
COMMITTEE ON ENERGY AND NATURAL RESOURCES
Jurisdiction
Rule XXV, Standing Rules of the Senate
1. The following standing committees shall be appointed at the
commencement of each Congress, and shall continue and have the power to
act until their successors are appointed, with leave to report by bill
or otherwise on matters within their respective jurisdictions:
* * * * * * *
(g)(1) Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, to which committee
shall be referred all proposed legislation, messages, petitions,
memorials, and other matters relating to the following subjects:
1. Coal production, distribution, and utilization.
2. Energy policy.
3. Energy regulation and conservation.
4. Energy related aspects of deepwater ports.
5. Energy research and development.
6. Extraction of minerals from oceans and Outer Continental Shelf
lands.
7. Hydroelectric power, irrigation, and reclamation.
8. Mining education and research.
9. Mining, mineral lands, mining claims, and mineral conservation.
10. National parks, recreation areas, wilderness areas, wild and
scenic rivers, historical sites, military parks and battlefields, and on
the public domain, preservation of prehistoric ruins and objects of
interest.
11. Naval petroleum reserves in Alaska.
12. Nonmilitary development of nuclear energy.
13. Oil and gas production and distribution.
14. Public lands and forests, including farming and grazing thereon,
and mineral extraction therefrom.
15. Solar energy systems.
16. Territorial possessions of the United States, including
trusteeships.
(2) Such committee shall also study and review, on a comprehensive
basis, matters relating to energy and resources development, and report
thereon from time to time.
Rules of Procedure
153 Cong. Rec. S1049 (daily ed. Jan. 24, 2007)
General Rules
Rule 1. The Standing Rules of the Senate, as supplemented by these
rules, are adopted as the rules of the Committee and its Subcommittees.
Meetings of the Committee
Rule 2. (a) The Committee shall meet on the third Wednesday of each
month while the Congress is in session for the purpose of conducting
business, unless, for the convenience of Members, the Chairman shall set
some other day for a meeting. Additional meetings may be called by the
Chairman as he may deem necessary.
(b) Hearings of any Subcommittee may be called by the Chairman of
such Subcommittee, Provided, That no Subcommittee hearing other than a
field hearing, shall be scheduled or held concurrently with a full
Committee meeting or hearing, unless a majority of the Committee concurs
in such concurrent hearing.
Open Hearings and Meetings
Rule 3. (a) All hearings and business meetings of the Committee and
all the hearings of any of its Subcommittees shall be open to the public
unless the Committee or Subcommittee involved, by majority vote of all
the Members of the Committee or such Subcommittee, orders the hearing or
meeting to be closed in accordance with paragraph 5(b) of Rule XXVI of
the Standing Rules of the Senate.
(b) A transcript shall be kept of each hearing of the Committee or
any Subcommittee.
(c) A transcript shall be kept of each business meeting of the
Committee unless a majority of all the Members of the Committee agrees
that some other form of permanent record is preferable.
Hearing Procedure
Rule 4. (a) Public notice shall be given of the date, place, and
subject matter of any hearing to be held by the Committee or any
Subcommittee at least one week in advance of such hearing unless the
Chairman of the full Committee or the Subcommittee involved determines
that the hearing is non-controversial or that special circumstances
require expedited procedures and a majority of all the Members of the
Committee or the Subcommittee involved concurs. In no case shall a
hearing be conducted with less than twenty-four hours notice. Any
document or report that is the subject of a hearing shall be provided to
every Member of the Committee or Subcommittee involved at least 72 hours
before the hearing unless the Chairman and Ranking Member determine
otherwise.
(b) Each witness who is to appear before the Committee or any
Subcommittee shall file with the Committee or Subcommittee, at least 24
hours in advance of the hearing, a written statement of his or her
testimony in as many copies as the Chairman of the Committee or
Subcommittee prescribes.
(c) Each Member shall be limited to five minutes in the questioning
of any witness until such time as all Members who so desire have had an
opportunity to question the witness.
(d) The Chairman and Ranking Minority Member of the Committee or
Subcommittee or the Ranking Majority and Minority Members present at the
hearing may each appoint one Committee staff member to question each
witness. Such staff member may question the witness only after all
Members present have completed their questioning of the witness or at
such other time as the Chairman and the Ranking Majority and Minority
Members present may agree. No staff member may question a witness in the
absence of a quorum for the taking of testimony.
Business Meeting Agenda
Rule 5. (a) A legislative measure, nomination or other matter shall
be included on the agenda of the next following business meeting of the
full Committee if a written request for such inclusion has been filed
with the Chairman of the Committee at least one week prior to such
meeting. Nothing in this rule shall be construed to limit the authority
of the Chairman of the Committee to include a legislative measure,
nomination, or other matter on the Committee agenda in the absence of
such request.
(b) The agenda for any business meeting of the Committee shall be
provided to each Member and made available to the public at least three
days prior to such meeting, and no new items may be added after the
agenda is so published except by the approval of a majority of all the
Members of the Committee on matters not included on the public agenda.
The Staff Director shall promptly notify absent Members of any action
taken by the Committee on matters not included on the published agenda.
Quorums
Rule 6. (a) Except as provided in subsections (b) and (c), eight
Members shall constitute a quorum for the conduct of business of the
Committee.
(b) No measure or matter shall be ordered reported from the
Committee unless twelve Members of the Committee are actually present at
the time such action is taken.
(c) One Member shall constitute a quorum for the purpose of
conducting a hearing or taking testimony on any measure or matter before
the Committee or any Subcommittee.
Voting
Rule 7. (a) A rollcall of the Members shall be taken upon the
request of any Member. Any Member who does not vote on any rollcall at
the time the roll is called, may vote (in person or by proxy) on that
rollcall at any later time during the same business meeting.
(b) Proxy voting shall be permitted on all matters, except that
proxies may not be counted for the purpose of determining the presence
of a quorum. Unless further limited, a proxy shall be exercised only
upon the date for which it is given and upon the items published in the
agenda for that date.
(c) Each Committee report shall set forth the vote on the motion to
report the measure or matter involved. Unless the Committee directs
otherwise, the report will not set out any votes on amendments offered
during Committee consideration. Any Member who did not vote on any
rollcall shall have the opportunity to have his position recorded in the
appropriate Committee record or Committee report.
(d) The Committee vote to report a measure to the Senate shall also
authorize the staff of the Committee to make necessary technical and
clerical corrections in the measure.
Subcommittees
Rule 8. (a) The number of Members assigned to each Subcommittee and
the division between Majority and Minority Members shall be fixed by the
Chairman in consultation with the Ranking Minority Member.
(b) Assignment of Members to Subcommittees shall, insofar as
possible, reflect the preferences of the Members. No Member will receive
assignment to a second Subcommittee until, in order of seniority, all
Members of the Committee have chosen assignments to one Subcommittee,
and no Member shall receive assignment to a third Subcommittee until, in
order of seniority, all Members have chosen assignments to two
Subcommittees.
(c) Any Member of the Committee may sit with any Subcommittee during
its hearings but shall not have the authority to vote on any matters
before the Subcommittee unless he is a Member of such Subcommittee.
Nominations
Rule 9. At any hearing to confirm a Presidential nomination, the
testimony of the nominee and, at the request of any Member, any other
witness shall be under oath. Every nominee shall submit a statement of
his financial interests, including those of his spouse, his minor
children, and other members of his immediate household, on a form
approved by the Committee, which shall be sworn to by the nominee as to
its completeness and accuracy. A statement of every nominee's financial
interest shall be made available to the public on a form approved by the
Committee, unless the Committee in executive session determines that
special circumstances require a full or partial exception to this rule.
Investigations
Rule 10.(a) Neither the Committee nor any of its Subcommittees may
undertake an investigation or preliminary inquiry unless specifically
authorized by a majority of all the Members of the Committee.
(b) A witness called to testify in an investigation or inquiry shall
be informed of the matter or matters under investigation, given a copy
of these rules, given the opportunity to make a brief and relevant oral
statement before or after questioning, and be permitted to have counsel
of his or her choosing present during his or her testimony at any public
or closed hearing, or at any unsworn interview, to advise the witness of
his or her legal rights.
(c) For purposes of this rule, the term ``investigation'' and
``preliminary inquiry'' shall not include a review or study undertaken
pursuant to paragraph 8 of Rule XXVI of the Standing Rules of the Senate
or an initial review of any allegation of wrongdoing intended to
determine whether there is substantial credible evidence that would
warrant a preliminary inquiry or an investigation.
Sworn Testimony
Rule 11. Witnesses in Committee or Subcommittee hearings may be
required to give testimony under oath whenever the Chairman or Ranking
Minority Member of the Committee or Subcommittee deems such to be
necessary. If one or more witnesses at a hearing are required to testify
under oath, all witnesses at that hearing shall be required to testify
under oath.
Subpoenas
Rule 12. No subpoena for the attendance of a witness or for the
production of any document, memorandum, record, or other material may be
issued unless authorized by a majority of all the Members of the
Committee, except that a resolution adopted pursuant to Rule 10(a) may
authorize the Chairman, with the concurrence of the Ranking Minority
Member, to issue subpoenas within the scope of the authorized
investigation.
Confidential Testimony
Rule 13. No confidential testimony taken by or any report of the
proceedings of a closed Committee or Subcommittee meeting shall be made
public, in whole or in part or by way of summary, unless authorized by a
majority of all the Members of the Committee at a business meeting
called for the purpose of making such a determination.
Defamatory Statements
Rule 14. Any person whose name is mentioned or who is specifically
identified in, or who believes that testimony or other evidence
presented at, an open Committee or Subcommittee hearing tends to defame
him or otherwise adversely affect his reputation may file with the
Committee for its consideration and action a sworn statement of facts
relevant to such testimony or evidence.
Broadcasting of Hearings or Meetings
Rule 15. Any meeting or hearing by the Committee or any Subcommittee
which is open to the public may be covered in whole or in part by
television broadcast, radio broadcast, or still photography.
Photographers and reporters using mechanical recording, filming, or
broadcasting devices shall position their equipment so as not to
interfere with the seating, vision, and hearing of Members and staff on
the dais or with the orderly process of the meeting or hearing.
Amending the Rules
Rule 16. These rules may be amended only by vote of a majority of
all the Members of the Committee in a business meeting of the Committee:
Provided, That no vote may be taken on any proposed amendment unless
such amendment is reproduced in full in the Committee agenda for such
meeting at least three days in advance of such meeting.
Authority and Rules of Senate Committees
Environment and Public Works
COMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENT AND PUBLIC WORKS
Jurisdiction
Rule XXV, Standing Rules of the Senate
1. The following standing committees shall be appointed at the
commencement of each Congress, and shall continue and have the power to
act until their successors are appointed, with leave to report by bill
or otherwise on matters within their respective jurisdictions:
* * * * * * *
(h)(1) Committee on Environment and Public Works, to which committee
shall be referred all proposed legislation, messages, petitions,
memorials, and other matters relating to the following subjects:
1. Air pollution.
2. Construction and maintenance of highways.
3. Environmental aspects of Outer Continental Shelf lands.
4. Environmental effects of toxic substances, other than
pesticides.
5. Environmental policy.
6. Environmental research and development.
7. Fisheries and wildlife.
8. Flood control and improvements of rivers and harbors, including
environmental aspects of deepwater ports.
9. Noise pollution.
10. Nonmilitary environmental regulation and control of nuclear
energy.
11. Ocean dumping.
12. Public buildings and improved grounds of the United States
generally, including Federal buildings in the District of Columbia.
13. Public works, bridges, and dams.
14. Regional economic development.
15. Solid waste disposal and recycling.
16. Water pollution.
17. Water resources.
(2) Such committee shall also study and review, on a comprehensive
basis, matters relating to environmental protection and resource
utilization and conservation, and report thereon from time to time.
Rules of Procedure
153 Cong. Rec. S1403 (daily ed. Jan. 31, 2007)
Rule 1. Committee Meetings in General
(a) Regular Meeting Days: For purposes of complying with paragraph 3
of Senate Rule XXVI, the regular meeting day of the committee is the
first and third Thursday of each month at 10:00 a.m. If there is no
business before the committee, the regular meeting shall be omitted.
(b) Additional Meetings: The chair may call additional meetings,
after consulting with the ranking minority member. Subcommittee chairs
may call meetings, with the concurrence of the chair, after consulting
with the ranking minority members of the subcommittee and the committee.
(c) Presiding Officer:
(1) The chair shall preside at all meetings of the committee.
If the chair is not present, the ranking majority member shall
preside.
(2) Subcommittee chairs shall preside at all meetings of their
subcommittees. If the subcommittee chair is not present, the
ranking majority member of the subcommittee shall preside.
(3) Notwithstanding the rule prescribed by paragraphs (1) and
(2), any member of the committee may preside at a hearing.
(d) Open Meetings: Meetings of the committee and subcommittees,
including hearings and business meetings, are open to the public. A
portion of a meeting may be closed to the public if the committee
determines by roll call vote of a majority of the members present that
the matters to be discussed or the testimony to be taken--
(1) will disclose matters necessary to be kept secret in the
interests of national defense or the confidential conduct of the
foreign relations of the United States;
(2) relate solely to matters of committee staff personnel or
internal staff management or procedure; or
(3) constitute any other grounds for closure under paragraph
5(b) of Senate Rule XXVI.
(e) Broadcasting:
(1) Public meetings of the committee or a subcommittee may be
televised, broadcast, or recorded by a member of the Senate
press gallery or an employee of the Senate.
(2) Any member of the Senate Press Gallery or employee of the
Senate wishing to televise, broadcast, or record a committee
meeting must notify the staff director or the staff director's
designee by 5:00 p.m. the day before the meeting.
(3) During public meetings, any person using a camera,
microphone, or other electronic equipment may not position or
use the equipment in a way that interferes with the seating,
vision, or hearing of committee members or staff on the dais, or
with the orderly process of the meeting.
Rule 2. Quorums
(a) Business Meetings: At committee business meetings, and for the
purpose of approving the issuance of a subpoena or approving a committee
resolution, six members, at least two of whom are members of the
minority party, constitute a quorum, except as provided in subsection
(d).
(b) Subcommittee Meetings: At subcommittee business meetings, a
majority of the subcommittee members, at least one of whom is a member
of the minority party, constitutes a quorum for conducting business.
(c) Continuing Quorum: Once a quorum as prescribed in subsections
(a) and (b) has been established, the committee or subcommittee may
continue to conduct business.
(d) Reporting: No measure or matter may be reported to the Senate by
the committee unless a majority of committee members cast votes in
person.
(e) Hearings: One member constitutes a quorum for conducting a
hearing.
Rule 3. Hearings
(a) Announcements: Before the committee or a subcommittee holds a
hearing, the chair of the committee or subcommittee shall make a public
announcement and provide notice to members of the date, place, time, and
subject matter of the hearing. The announcement and notice shall be
issued at least one week in advance of the hearing, unless the chair of
the committee or subcommittee, with the concurrence of the ranking
minority member of the committee or subcommittee, determines that there
is good cause to provide a shorter period, in which event the
announcement and notice shall be issued at least twenty-four hours in
advance of the hearing.
(b) Statements of Witnesses:
(1) A witness who is scheduled to testify at a hearing of the
committee or a subcommittee shall file 100 copies of the written
testimony at least 48 hours before the hearing. If a witness
fails to comply with this requirement, the presiding officer may
preclude the witness' testimony. This rule may be waived for
field hearings, except for witnesses from the Federal
Government.
(2) Any witness planning to use at a hearing any exhibit such
as a chart, graph, diagram, photo, map, slide, or model must
submit one identical copy of the exhibit (or representation of
the exhibit in the case of a model) and 100 copies reduced to
letter or legal paper size at least 48 hours before the hearing.
Any exhibit described above that is not provided to the
committee at least 48 hours prior to the hearing cannot be used
for purpose of presenting testimony to the committee and will
not be included in the hearing record.
(3) The presiding officer at a hearing may have a witness
confine the oral presentation to a summary of the written
testimony.
(4) Notwithstanding a request that a document be embargoed,
any document that is to be discussed at a hearing, including,
but not limited to, those produced by the General Accounting
Office, Congressional Budget Office, Congressional Research
Service, a Federal agency, an Inspector General, or a
nongovernmental entity, shall be provided to all members of the
committee at least 72 hours before the hearing.
Rule 4. Business Meetings: Notice and Filing Requirements
(a) Notice: The chair of the committee or the subcommittee shall
provide notice, the agenda of business to be discussed, and the text of
agenda items to members of the committee or subcommittee at least 72
hours before a business meeting. If the 72 hours falls over a weekend,
all materials will be provided by close of business on Friday.
(b) Amendments: First-degree amendments must be filed with the chair
of the committee or the subcommittee at least 24 hours before a business
meeting. After the filing deadline, the chair shall promptly distribute
all filed amendments to the members of the committee or subcommittee.
(c) Modifications: The chair of the committee or the subcommittee
may modify the notice and filing requirements to meet special
circumstances, with the concurrence of the ranking member of the
committee or subcommittee.
Rule 5. Business Meetings: Voting
(a) Proxy Voting:
(1) Proxy voting is allowed on all measures, amendments,
resolutions, or other matters before the committee or a
subcommittee.
(2) A member who is unable to attend a business meeting may
submit a proxy vote on any matter, in writing, orally, or
through personal instructions.
(3) A proxy given in writing is valid until revoked. A proxy
given orally or by personal instructions is valid only on the
day given.
(b) Subsequent Voting: Members who were not present at a business
meeting and were unable to cast their votes by proxy may record their
votes later, so long as they do so that same business day and their vote
does not change the outcome.
(c) Public Announcement:
(1) Whenever the committee conducts a rollcall vote, the chair
shall announce the results of the vote, including a tabulation
of the votes cast in favor and the votes cast against the
proposition by each member of the committee.
(2) Whenever the committee reports any measure or matter by
rollcall vote, the report shall include a tabulation of the
votes cast in favor of and the votes cast in opposition to the
measure or matter by each member of the committee.
Rule 6. Subcommittees
(a) Regularly Established Subcommittees: The committee has six
subcommittees: Public Sector Solutions to Global Warming, Oversight, and
Children's Health Protection; Transportation and Infrastructure; Private
Sector and Consumer Solutions to Global Warming and Wildlife Protection;
Clean Air and Nuclear Safety; Superfund and Environmental Health; and
Transportation Safety, Infrastructure Security, and Water Quality.
(b) Membership: The committee chair, after consulting with the
ranking minority member, shall select members of the subcommittees.
Rule 7. Statutory Responsibilities and Other Matters
(a) Environmental Impact Statements: No project or legislation
proposed by any executive branch agency may be approved or otherwise
acted upon unless the committee has received a final environmental
impact statement relative to it, in accordance with section 102(2)(C) of
the National Environmental Policy Act, and the written comments of the
Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, in accordance with
section 309 of the Clean Air Act. This rule is not intended to broaden,
narrow, or otherwise modify the class of projects or legislative
proposals for which environmental impact statements are required under
section 102(2)(C).
(b) Project Approvals:
(1) Whenever the committee authorizes a project under Public
Law 89-298, the Rivers and Harbors Act of 1965; Public Law 83-
566, the Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention Act; or
Public Law 86-249, the Public Buildings Act of 1959, as amended;
the chairman shall submit for printing in the Congressional
Record, and the committee shall publish periodically as a
committee print, a report that describes the project and the
reasons for its approval, together with any dissenting or
individual views.
(2) Proponents of a committee resolution shall submit
appropriate evidence in favor of the resolution.
(c) Building Prospectuses:
(1) When the General Services Administration submits a
prospectus, pursuant to section 7(a) of the Public Buildings Act
of 1959, as amended, for construction (including construction of
buildings for lease by the government), alteration and repair,
or acquisition, the committee shall act with respect to the
prospectus during the same session in which the prospectus is
submitted. A prospectus rejected by majority vote of the
committee or not reported to the Senate during the session in
which it was submitted shall be returned to the General Services
Administration and must then be resubmitted in order to be
considered by the committee during the next session of the
Congress.
(2) A report of a building project survey submitted by the
General Services Administration to the committee under section
11(b) of the Public Buildings Act of 1959, as amended, may not
be considered by the committee as being a prospectus subject to
approval by committee resolution in accordance with section 7(a)
of that Act. A project described in the report may be considered
for committee action only if it is submitted as a prospectus in
accordance with section 7(a) and is subject to the provisions of
paragraph (1) of this rule.
(d) Naming Public Facilities: The committee may not name a building,
structure or facility for any living person, except former Presidents or
former Vice Presidents of the United States, former Members of Congress
over 70 years of age, former Justices of the United States Supreme Court
over 70 years of age, or Federal judges who are fully retired and over
75 years of age or have taken senior status and are over 75 years of
age.
Rule 8. Amending the Rules
The rules may be added to, modified, amended, or suspended by vote
of a majority of committee members at a business meeting if a quorum is
present.
Authority and Rules of Senate Committees
Ethics
SELECT COMMITTEE ON ETHICS
Jurisdiction and Authority
S. Res. 338, 88th Cong., 2d Sess. (1964) \1\
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\1\ As amended by S. Res. 4, 95th Cong., 1st Sess. (1977), S. Res.
110, 95th Cong., 1st Sess. (1977), S. Res. 204, 95th Cong., 1st Sess.
(1977), S. Res. 230, 95th Cong., 1st Sess. (1977), S. Res. 312, 95th
Cong., 1st Sess. (1977), S. Res. 271, 96th Cong., 1st Sess. (1979), S.
Res. 78, 97th Cong., 1st Sess. (1981). Brackets reflect renumbering of
paragraphs in Senate Rule XXXVII effected by S. Res. 236, 101st Cong.,
2d Sess. (1990). Amended by S. Res. 222, 106th Cong., 1st Sess. (1999).
The amendments made by S. Res. 222, Senate Ethics Procedure Reform
Resolution of 1999, shall take effect on November 5, 1999, except that
the amendments shall not apply with respect to further proceedings in
any preliminary inquiry, initial review, or investigation commenced
before November 5, 1999, under Senate Resolution 338, agreed to July 24,
1964.
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Resolved, That (a) there is hereby established a permanent select
committee of the Senate to be known as the Select Committee on Ethics
(referred to hereinafter as the ``Select Committee'') consisting of six
Members of the Senate, of whom three shall be selected from members of
the majority party and three shall be selected from members of the
minority party. Members thereof shall be appointed by the Senate in
accordance with the provisions of Paragraph 1 of Rule XXIV of the
Standing Rules of the Senate at the beginning of each Congress. For
purposes of paragraph 4 of rule XXV of the Standing Rules of the Senate,
service of a Senator as a member or chairman of the Select Committee
shall not be taken into account.
(b) Vacancies in the membership of the Select Committee shall not
affect the authority of the remaining members to execute the functions
of the committee, and shall be filled in the same manner as original
appointments thereto are made.
(c)(1) A majority of the members of the Select Committee shall
constitute a quorum for the transaction of business involving complaints
or allegations of, or information about, misconduct, including resulting
preliminary inquiries, adjudicatory reviews, recommendations or reports,
and matters relating to Senate Resolution 400, agreed to May 19,
1976.\2\
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\2\ Subsection (c) was amended by S. Res. 222, 106th Cong., 1st
Sess. (1999).
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(2) Three members shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of
routine business of the Select Committee not covered by the first
paragraph of this subparagraph, including requests for opinions and
interpretations concerning the Code of Official Conduct or any other
statute or regulation under the jurisdiction of the Select Committee, if
one member of the quorum is a member of the majority Party and one
member of the quorum is a member of the minority Party. During the
transaction of routine business any member of the Select Committee
constituting the quorum shall have the right to postpone further
discussion of a pending matter until such time as a majority of the
Members of the Select Committee are present.
(3) The Select Committee may fix a lesser number as a quorum for the
purpose of taking sworn testimony.\3\
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\3\ Subsection 3 was amended by S. Res. 78, 97th Cong., 1st Sess.
(1981).
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(d)(1) A member of the Select Committee shall be ineligible to
participate in--
(A) any preliminary inquiry or adjudicatory review relating to--
(i) the conduct of--
(I) such member;
(II) any officer or employee the member supervises; or
(III) any employee of any officer the member supervises; or
(ii) any complaint filed by the member; and
(B) the determinations and recommendations of the Select Committee
with respect to any preliminary inquiry or adjudicatory review described
in subparagraph (A). For purposes of this paragraph, a member of the
Select Committee and an officer of the Senate shall be deemed to
supervise any officer or employee consistent with the provision of
paragraph 12 of rule XXXVII of the Standing Rules of the Senate.
(2) A member of the Select Committee may, at the discretion of the
member, disqualify himself or herself from participating in any
preliminary inquiry or adjudicatory review pending before the Select
Committee and the determinations and recommendations of the Select
Committee with respect to any such preliminary inquiry or adjudicatory
review. Notice of such disqualification shall be given in writing to the
President of the Senate.
(3) Whenever any member of the Select Committee is ineligible under
paragraph (1) to participate in any preliminary inquiry or adjudicatory
review or disqualifies himself or herself under paragraph (2) from
participating in any preliminary inquiry or adjudicatory review, another
Senator shall, subject to the provisions of subsection (d), be appointed
to serve as a member of the Select Committee solely for purposes of such
preliminary inquiry or adjudicatory review and the determinations and
recommendations of the Select Committee with respect to such preliminary
inquiry or adjudicatory review. Any Member of the Senate appointed for
such purposes shall be of the same party as the Member who is ineligible
or disqualifies himself or herself.\4\
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\4\ Subsection d (1)-(3) was added by S. Res. 110, Sec. 203, 95th
Cong., 1st Sess. (1977) and amended by S. Res. 222, 106th Cong., 1st
Sess. (1999).
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Sec. 2. (a) It shall be the duty of the Select Committee to--
(1) receive complaints and investigate allegations of improper
conduct which may reflect upon the Senate, violations of law,
violations of the Senate Code of Official Conduct \5\ and
violations of rules and regulations of the Senate, relating to
the conduct of individuals in the performance of their duties as
Members of the Senate, or as officers or employees of the
Senate, and to make appropriate findings of fact and conclusions
with respect thereto;
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\5\ Reference to Senate Code of Official Conduct was added by S.
Res. 110, Sec. 201, 95th Cong., 1st Sess. (1977).
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(2)(A) recommend to the Senate by report or resolution by a
majority vote of the full committee disciplinary action to be
taken with respect to such violations which the Select Committee
shall determine, after according to the individual concerned due
notice and opportunity for a hearing, to have occurred;
(B) pursuant to subparagraph (A) recommend discipline,
including--
(i) in the case of a Member, a recommendation to the Senate
for expulsion, censure, payment of restitution, recommendation
to a Member's party conference regarding the Member's seniority
or positions of responsibility, or a combination of these; and
(ii) in the case of an officer or employee, dismissal,
suspension, payment of restitution, or a combination of these;
(3) subject to the provisions of subsection (e), by a
unanimous vote of 6 members, order that a Member, officer, or
employee be reprimanded or pay restitution, or both, if the
Select Committee determines, after according to the Member,
officer, or employee due notice and opportunity for a hearing,
that misconduct occurred warranting discipline less serious than
discipline by the full Senate;
(4) in the circumstances described in subsection (d)(3), issue
a public or private letter of admonition to a Member, officer,
or employee, which shall not be subject to appeal to the Senate;
(5) recommend to the Senate, by report or resolution, such
additional rules or regulations as the Select Committee shall
determine to be necessary or desirable to insure proper
standards of conduct by Members of the Senate, and by officers
or employees of the Senate, in the performance of their duties
and the discharge of their responsibilities;
(6) by a majority vote of the full committee, report
violations of any law, including the provision of false
information to the Select Committee, to the proper Federal and
State authorities; and
(7) develop and implement programs and materials designed to
educate Members, officers, and employees about the laws, rules,
regulations, and standards of conduct applicable to such
individuals in the performance of their duties.
(b) For the purposes of this resolution--
(1) the term ``sworn complaint'' means a written statement of facts,
submitted under penalty of perjury, within the personal knowledge of the
complainant alleging a violation of law, the Senate Code of Official
Conduct, or any other rule or regulation of the Senate relating to the
conduct of individuals in the performance of their duties as Members,
officers, or employees of the Senate;
(2) the term ``preliminary inquiry'' means a proceeding undertaken
by the Select Committee following the receipt of a complaint or
allegation of, or information about, misconduct by a Member, officer, or
employee of the Senate to determine whether there is substantial
credible evidence which provides substantial cause for the Select
Committee to conclude that a violation within the jurisdiction of the
Select Committee has occurred; and
(3) the term ``adjudicatory review'' means a proceeding undertaken
by the Select Committee after a finding, on the basis of a preliminary
inquiry, that there is substantial credible evidence which provides
substantial cause for the Select Committee to conclude that a violation
within the jurisdiction of the Select Committee has occurred.
(c)(1) No--
(A) adjudicatory review of conduct of a Member or officer of the
Senate may be conducted;
(B) report, resolution, or recommendation relating to such an
adjudicatory review of conduct may be made; and
(C) letter of admonition pursuant to subsection (d)(3) may be
issued,
unless approved by the affirmative recorded vote of no fewer than 4
members of the Select Committee.
(2) No other resolution, report, recommendation, interpretative
ruling, or advisory opinion may be made without an affirmative vote of a
majority of the Members of the Select Committee voting.
(d)(1) When the Select Committee receives a sworn complaint or other
allegation or information about a Member, officer, or employee of the
Senate, it shall promptly conduct a preliminary inquiry into matters
raised by that complaint, allegation, or information. The preliminary
inquiry shall be of duration and scope necessary to determine whether
there is substantial credible evidence which provides substantial cause
for the Select Committee to conclude that a violation within the
jurisdiction of the Select Committee has occurred. The Select Committee
may delegate to the chairman and vice chairman the discretion to
determine the appropriate duration, scope, and conduct of a preliminary
inquiry.
(2) If, as a result of a preliminary inquiry under paragraph (1),
the Select Committee determines by a recorded vote that there is not
such substantial credible evidence, the Select Committee shall dismiss
the matter. The Select Committee may delegate to the chairman and vice
chairman the authority, on behalf of the Select Committee, to dismiss
any matter that they determine, after a preliminary inquiry, lacks
substantial merit. The Select Committee shall inform the individual who
provided to the Select Committee the complaint, allegation, or
information, and the individual who is the subject of the complaint,
allegation, or information, of the dismissal, together with an
explanation of the basis for the dismissal.
(3) If, as a result of a preliminary inquiry under paragraph (1),
the Select Committee determines that a violation is inadvertent,
technical, or otherwise of a de minimis nature, the Select Committee may
dispose of the matter by issuing a public or private letter of
admonition, which shall not be considered discipline. The Select
Committee may issue a public letter of admonition upon a similar
determination at the conclusion of an adjudicatory review.
(4) If, as a result of a preliminary inquiry under paragraph (1),
the Select Committee determines that there is such substantial credible
evidence and the matter cannot be appropriately disposed of under
paragraph (3), the Select Committee shall promptly initiate an
adjudicatory review. Upon the conclusion of such adjudicatory review,
the Select Committee shall report to the Senate, as soon as practicable,
the results of such adjudicatory review, together with its
recommendations (if any) pursuant to subsection (a)(2).
(e)(1) Any individual who is the subject of a reprimand or order of
restitution, or both, pursuant to subsection (a)(3) may, within 30 days
of the Select Committee's report to the Senate of its action imposing a
reprimand or order of restitution, or both, appeal to the Senate by
providing written notice of the basis for the appeal to the Select
Committee and the presiding officer of the Senate. The presiding officer
of the Senate shall cause the notice of the appeal to be printed in the
Congressional Record and the Senate Journal.
(2) A motion to proceed to consideration of an appeal pursuant to
paragraph (1) shall be highly privileged and not debatable. If the
motion to proceed to consideration of the appeal is agreed to, the
appeal shall be decided on the basis of the Select Committee's report to
the Senate. Debate on the appeal shall be limited to 10 hours, which
shall be divided equally between, and controlled by, those favoring and
those opposing the appeal.
(f) The Select Committee may, in its discretion, employ hearing
examiners to hear testimony and make findings of fact and/or
recommendations to the Select Committee concerning the disposition of
complaints.
(g) Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, no
adjudicatory review shall be initiated of any alleged violation of any
law, the Senate Code of Official Conduct, rule, or regulation which was
not in effect at the time the alleged violation occurred. No provisions
of the Senate Code of Official Conduct shall apply to or require
disclosure of any act, relationship, or transaction which occurred prior
to the effective date of the applicable provision of the Code. The
Select Committee may initiate an adjudicatory review of any alleged
violation of a rule or law which was in effect prior to the enactment of
the Senate Code of Official Conduct if the alleged violation occurred
while such rule or law was in effect and the violation was not a matter
resolved on the merits by the predecessor Select Committee.
(h) The Select Committee shall adopt written rules setting forth
procedures to be used in conducting preliminary inquiries and
adjudicatory reviews.\6\
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\6\ Subsections (b)-(h) were added by S. Res. 110, Sec. 202, 95th
Cong., 1st Sess. (1977). Subsections (a)-(e) and (g)-(h) were amended by
S. Res. 222, 106th Cong., 1st Sess. (1999).
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(i) The Select Committee from time to time shall transmit to the
Senate its recommendation as to any legislative measures which it may
consider to be necessary for the effective discharge of its duties.
Sec. 3. (a) The Select Committee is authorized to (1) make such
expenditures; (2) hold such hearings; (3) sit and act at such times and
places during the sessions, recesses, and adjournment periods of the
Senate; (4) require by subpoena or otherwise the attendance of such
witnesses and the production of such correspondence, books, papers, and
documents; (5) administer such oaths; (6) take such testimony orally or
by deposition; (7) employ and fix the compensation of a staff director,
a counsel, an assistant counsel, one or more investigators, one or more
hearing examiners, and \7\ such technical, clerical, and other
assistants and consultants as it deems advisable; and (8) to procure the
temporary services (not in excess of one year) or intermittent services
of individual consultants, or organizations thereof, by contract as
independent contractors or, in the case of individuals, by employment at
daily rates of compensation not in excess of the per diem equivalent of
the highest rate of compensation which may be paid to a regular employee
of the Select Committee.\8\
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\7\ Paragraph 7 was amended by S. Res. 110, Sec. 204, 95th Cong.,
1st Sess. (1977).
\8\ Paragraph 8 was added by S. Res. 230, 95th Cong., 1st Sess.
(1977).
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(b)(1) The Select Committee is authorized to retain and compensate
counsel not employed by the Senate (or by any department or agency of
the executive branch of the Government) whenever the Select Committee
determines that the retention of outside counsel is necessary or
appropriate for any action regarding any complaint or allegation, which,
in the determination of the Select Committee is more appropriately
conducted by counsel not employed by the Government of the United States
as a regular employee.
(2) Any adjudicatory review as defined in section 2(b)(3) shall be
conducted by outside counsel as authorized in paragraph (1), unless the
Select Committee determines not to use outside counsel.\9\
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\9\ Subsection (b)(2) was amended by S. Res. 222, 106th Cong., 1st
Sess. (1999).
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(c) With the prior consent of the department or agency concerned,
the Select Committee may (1) utilize the services, information and
facilities of any such department or agency of the Government, and (2)
employ on a reimbursable basis or otherwise the services of such
personnel of any such department or agency as it deems advisable. With
the consent of any other committee of the Senate, or any subcommittee
thereof, the Select Committee may utilize the facilities and the
services of the staff of such other committee or subcommittee whenever
the chairman of the Select Committee determines that such action is
necessary and appropriate.
(d)(1) Subpoenas may be authorized by--
(A) the Select Committee; or
(B) the chairman and vice chairman, acting jointly.
(2) Any such subpoena shall be issued and signed by the chairman and
the vice chairman and may be served by any person designated by the
chairman and vice chairman.
(3) The chairman or any member of the Select Committee may
administer oaths to witnesses.\10\
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\10\ Subsection (d) was amended by S. Res. 222, 106th Cong., 1st
Sess. (1999).
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(e)(1) The Select Committee shall prescribe and publish such
regulations as it feels are necessary to implement the Senate Code of
Official Conduct.
(2) The Select Committee is authorized to issue interpretative
rulings explaining and clarifying the application of any law, the Code
of Official Conduct, or any rules or regulation of the Senate within its
jurisdiction.
(3) The Select Committee shall render an advisory opinion, in
writing within a reasonable time, in response to a written request by a
Member or officer of the Senate or a candidate for nomination for
election, or election to the Senate, concerning the application of any
law, the Senate Code of Official Conduct, or any rule or regulation of
the Senate within its jurisdiction to a specific factual situation
pertinent to the conduct or proposed conduct of the person seeking the
advisory opinion.
(4) The Select Committee may in its discretion render an advisory
opinion in writing within a reasonable time in response to a written
request by any employee of the Senate concerning the application of any
law, the Senate Code of Official Conduct, or any rule or regulation of
the Senate within its jurisdiction to a specific factual situation
pertinent to the conduct or proposed conduct of the person seeking the
advisory opinion.
(5) Notwithstanding any provision of the Senate Code of Official
Conduct or any rule or regulation of the Senate, any person who relies
upon any provision or finding of an advisory opinion in accordance with
the provisions of paragraphs (3) and (4) and who acts in good faith in
accordance with the provisions and findings of such advisory opinion
shall not, as a result of any such act, be subject to any sanction by
the Senate.
(6) Any advisory opinion rendered by the Select Committee under
paragraphs (3) and (4) may be relied upon by (A) any person involved in
the specific transaction or activity with respect to which such advisory
opinion is rendered: Provided, however, that the request for such
advisory opinion included a complete and accurate statement of the
specific factual situation; and, (B) any person involved in any specific
transaction or activity which is indistinguishable in all its material
aspects from the transaction or activity with respect to which such
advisory opinion is rendered.
(7) Any advisory opinion issued in response to a request under
paragraph (3) or (4) shall be printed in the Congressional Record with
appropriate deletions to assure the privacy of the individual concerned.
The Select Committee shall, to the extent practicable, before rendering
an advisory opinion, provide any interested party with an opportunity to
transmit written comments to the Select Committee with respect to the
request for such advisory opinion. The advisory opinions issued by the
Select Committee shall be compiled, indexed, reproduced, and made
available on a periodic basis.\11\
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\11\ Subsection e (1)-(7) was added by S. Res. 110, Sec. 206, 95th
Cong., 1st Sess. (1977).
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(8) A brief description of a waiver granted under paragraph 2(c)
[NOTE: Now Paragraph 1] of Rule XXXIV or paragraph 1 of Rule XXXV of the
Standing Rules of the Senate shall be made available upon request in the
Select Committee office with appropriate deletions to assure the privacy
of the individual concerned.
Sec. 4. The expenses of the Select Committee under this resolution
shall be paid from the contingent fund of the Senate upon vouchers
approved by the chairman of the Select Committee.
Sec. 5. As used in this resolution, the term ``officer or employee
of the Senate'' means--
(1) an elected officer of the Senate who is not a Member of
the Senate;
(2) an employee of the Senate, any committee or subcommittee
of the Senate, or any Member of the Senate;
(3) the Legislative Counsel of the Senate or any employee of
his office;
(4) an Official Reporter of Debates of the Senate and any
person employed by the Official Reporters of Debates of the
Senate in connection with the performance of their official
duties;
(5) a Member of the Capitol Police force whose compensation is
disbursed by the Secretary of the Senate;
(6) an employee of the Vice President if such employee's
compensation is disbursed by the Secretary of the Senate; and
(7) an employee of a joint committee of the Congress whose
compensation is disbursed by the Secretary of the Senate.
Rules of Procedure
153 Cong. Rec. S2254 (daily ed. Feb. 27, 2007)
Rule 1. General Procedures
(a) Officers: In the absence of the Chairman, the duties of the
Chair shall be filled by the Vice Chairman or, in the Vice Chairman's
absence, a Committee member designated by the Chairman.
(b) Procedural Rules: The basic procedural rules of the Committee
are stated as a part of the Standing Orders of the Senate in Senate
Resolution 338, 88th Congress, as amended, as well as other resolutions
and laws. Supplementary Procedural Rules are stated herein and are
hereinafter referred to as the Rules. The Rules shall be published in
the Congressional Record not later than thirty days after adoption, and
copies shall be made available by the Committee office upon request.
(c) Meetings:
(1) The regular meeting of the Committee shall be the first
Thursday of each month while the Congress is in session.
(2) Special meetings may be held at the call of the Chairman
or Vice Chairman if at least forty-eight hours notice is
furnished to all members. If all members agree, a special
meeting may be held on less than forty-eight hours notice.
(3)(A) If any member of the Committee desires that a special
meeting of the Committee be called, the member may file in the
office of the Committee a written request to the Chairman or
Vice Chairman for that special meeting.
(B) Immediately upon the filing of the request the Clerk of
the Committee shall notify the Chairman and Vice Chairman of the
filing of the request. If, within three calendar days after the
filing of the request, the Chairman or the Vice Chairman does
not call the requested special meeting, to be held within seven
calendar days after the filing of the request, any three of the
members of the Committee may file their written notice in the
office of the Committee that a special meeting of the Committee
will be held at a specified date and hour; such special meeting
may not occur until forty-eight hours after the notice is filed.
The Clerk shall immediately notify all members of the Committee
of the date and hour of the special meeting. The Committee shall
meet at the specified date and hour.
(d) Quorum:
(1) A majority of the members of the Select Committee shall
constitute a quorum for the transaction of business involving
complaints or allegations of, or information about, misconduct,
including resulting preliminary inquiries, adjudicatory reviews,
recommendations or reports, and matters relating to Senate
Resolution 400, agreed to May 19, 1976.
(2) Three members shall constitute a quorum for the
transaction of the routine business of the Select Committee not
covered by the first subparagraph of this paragraph, including
requests for opinions and interpretations concerning the Code of
Official Conduct or any other statute or regulation under the
jurisdiction of the Select Committee, if one member of the
quorum is a Member of the Majority Party and one member of the
quorum is a Member of the Minority Party. During the transaction
of routine business any member of the Select Committee
constituting the quorum shall have the right to postpone further
discussion of a pending matter until such time as a majority of
the members of the Select Committee are present.
(3) Except for an adjudicatory hearing under Rule 5 and any
deposition taken outside the presence of a Member under Rule 6,
one Member shall constitute a quorum for hearing testimony,
provided that all Members have been given notice of the hearing
and the Chairman has designated a Member of the Majority Party
and the Vice Chairman has designated a Member of the Minority
Party to be in attendance, either of whom in the absence of the
other may constitute the quorum.
(e) Order of Business: Questions as to the order of business and the
procedure of the Committee shall in the first instance be decided by the
Chairman and Vice Chairman, subject to reversal by a vote by a majority
of the Committee.
(f) Hearings Announcements: The Committee shall make public
announcement of the date, place and subject matter of any hearing to be
conducted by it at least one week before the commencement of that
hearing, and shall publish such announcement in the Congressional
Record. If the Committee determines that there is good cause to commence
a hearing at an earlier date, such notice will be given at the earliest
possible time.
(g) Open and Closed Committee Meetings: Meetings of the Committee
shall be open to the public or closed to the public (executive session),
as determined under the provisions of paragraphs 5 (b) to (d) of Rule
XXVI of the Standing Rules of the Senate. Executive session meetings of
the Committee shall be closed except to the members and the staff of the
Committee. On the motion of any member, and with the approval of a
majority of the Committee members present, other individuals may be
admitted to an executive session meeting for a specific period or
purpose.
(h) Record of Testimony and Committee Action: An accurate
stenographic or transcribed electronic record shall be kept of all
Committee proceedings, whether in executive or public session. Such
record shall include Senators' votes on any question on which a recorded
vote is held. The record of a witness's testimony, whether in public or
executive session, shall be made available for inspection to the witness
or his counsel under Committee supervision; a copy of any testimony
given by that witness in public session, or that part of the testimony
given by the witness in executive session and subsequently quoted or
made part of the record in a public session shall be made available to
any witness if he so requests. (See Rule 5 on Procedures for Conducting
Hearings.)
(i) Secrecy of Executive Testimony and Action and of Complaint
Proceedings:
(1) All testimony and action taken in executive session shall
be kept secret and shall not be released outside the Committee
to any individual or group, whether governmental or private,
without the approval of a majority of the Committee.
(2) All testimony and action relating to a complaint or
allegation shall be kept secret and shall not be released by the
Committee to any individual or group, whether governmental or
private, except the respondent, without the approval of a
majority of the Committee, until such time as a report to the
Senate is required under Senate Resolution 338, 88th Congress,
as amended, or unless otherwise permitted under these Rules.
(See Rule 8 on Procedures for Handling Committee Sensitive and
Classified Materials.)
(j) Release of Reports to Public: No information pertaining to, or
copies of any Committee report, study, or other document which purports
to express the view, findings, conclusions or recommendations of the
Committee in connection with any of its activities or proceedings may be
released to any individual or group whether governmental or private,
without the authorization of the Committee. Whenever the Chairman or
Vice Chairman is authorized to make any determination, then the
determination may be released at his or her discretion. Each member of
the Committee shall be given a reasonable opportunity to have separate
views included as part of any Committee report. (See Rule 8 on
Procedures for Handling Committee Sensitive and Classified Materials.)
(k) Ineligibility or Disqualification of Members and Staff:
(1) A member of the Committee shall be ineligible to
participate in any Committee proceeding that relates
specifically to any of the following:
(A) a preliminary inquiry or adjudicatory review
relating to (i) the conduct of (I) such member; (II) any
officer or employee the member supervises; or (ii) any
complaint filed by the member; and
(B) the determinations and recommendations of the
Committee with respect to any preliminary inquiry or
adjudicatory review described in subparagraph (A).
For purposes of this paragraph, a member of the committee and
an officer of the Senate shall be deemed to supervise any
officer or employee consistent with the provision of paragraph
12 of Rule XXXVII of the Standing Rules of the Senate.
(2) If any Committee proceeding appears to relate to a member
of the Committee in a manner described in subparagraph (1) of
this paragraph, the staff shall prepare a report to the Chairman
and Vice Chairman. If either the Chairman or the Vice Chairman
concludes from the report that it appears that the member may be
ineligible, the member shall be notified in writing of the
nature of the particular proceeding and the reason that it
appears that the member may be ineligible to participate in it.
If the member agrees that he or she is ineligible, the member
shall so notify the Chairman or Vice Chairman. If the member
believes that he or she is not ineligible, he or she may explain
the reasons to the Chairman and Vice Chairman, and if they both
agree that the member is not ineligible, the member shall
continue to serve. But if either the Chairman or Vice Chairman
continues to believe that the member is ineligible, while the
member believes that he or she is not ineligible, the matter
shall be promptly referred to the Committee. The member shall
present his or her arguments to the Committee in executive
session. Any contested questions concerning a member's
eligibility shall be decided by a majority vote of the
Committee, meeting in executive session, with the member in
question not participating.
(3) A member of the Committee may, at the discretion of the
member, disqualify himself or herself from participating in any
preliminary inquiry or adjudicatory review pending before the
Committee and the determinations and recommendations of the
Committee with respect to any such preliminary inquiry or
adjudicatory review.
(4) Whenever any member of the Committee is ineligible under
paragraph (1) to participate in any preliminary inquiry or
adjudicatory review, or disqualifies himself or herself under
paragraph (3) from participating in any preliminary inquiry or
adjudicatory review, another Senator shall be appointed by the
Senate to serve as a member of the Committee solely for purposes
of such preliminary inquiry or adjudicatory review and the
determinations and recommendations of the Committee with respect
to such preliminary inquiry or adjudicatory review. Any member
of the Senate appointed for such purposes shall be of the same
party as the member who is ineligible or disqualifies himself or
herself.
(5) The President of the Senate shall be given written notice
of the ineligibility or disqualification of any member from any
preliminary inquiry, adjudicatory review, or other proceeding
requiring the appointment of another member in accordance with
subparagraph (k)(4).
(6) A member of the Committee staff shall be ineligible to
participate in any Committee proceeding that the staff director
or outside counsel determines relates specifically to any of the
following:
(A) the staff member's own conduct;
(B) the conduct of any employee that the staff member
supervises;
(C) the conduct of any Member, officer or employee for
whom the staff member has worked for any substantial
period; or
(D) a complaint, sworn or unsworn, that was filed by
the staff member. At the direction or with the consent
of the staff director or outside counsel, a staff member
may also be disqualified from participating in a
Committee proceeding in other circumstances not listed
above.
(l) Recorded Votes: Any member may require a recorded vote on any
matter.
(m) Proxies; Recording Votes of Absent Members:
(1) Proxy voting shall not be allowed when the question before
the Committee is the initiation or continuation of a preliminary
inquiry or an adjudicatory review, or the issuance of a report
or recommendation related thereto concerning a Member or officer
of the Senate. In any such case an absent member's vote may be
announced solely for the purpose of recording the member's
position and such announced votes shall not be counted for or
against the motion.
(2) On matters other than matters listed in paragraph (m)(1)
above, the Committee may order that the record be held open for
the vote of absentees or recorded proxy votes if the absent
Committee member has been informed of the matter on which the
vote occurs and has affirmatively requested of the Chairman or
Vice Chairman in writing that he be so recorded.
(3) All proxies shall be in writing, and shall be delivered to
the Chairman or Vice Chairman to be recorded.
(4) Proxies shall not be considered for the purpose of
establishing a quorum.
(n) Approval of Blind Trusts and Foreign Travel Requests Between
Sessions and During Extended Recesses: During any period in which the
Senate stands in adjournment between sessions of the Congress or stands
in a recess scheduled to extend beyond fourteen days, the Chairman and
Vice Chairman, or their designees, acting jointly, are authorized to
approve or disapprove blind trusts under the provision of Rule XXXIV.
(o) Committee Use of Services or Employees of Other Agencies and
Departments: With the prior consent of the department or agency
involved, the Committee may (1) utilize the services, information, or
facilities of any such department or agency of the Government, and (2)
employ on a reimbursable basis or otherwise the services of such
personnel of any such department or agency as it deems advisable. With
the consent of any other committee of the Senate, or any subcommittee,
the Committee may utilize the facilities and the services of the staff
of such other committee or subcommittee whenever the Chairman and Vice
Chairman of the Committee, acting jointly, determine that such action is
necessary and appropriate.
Rule 2: Procedures for Complaints, Allegations, or Information
(a) Complaint, Allegation, or Information: Any member or staff
member of the Committee shall report to the Committee, and any other
person may report to the Committee, a sworn complaint or other
allegation or information, alleging that any Senator, or officer, or
employee of the Senate has violated a law, the Senate Code of Official
Conduct, or any rule or regulation of the Senate relating to the conduct
of any individual in the performance of his or her duty as a Member,
officer, or employee of the Senate, or has engaged in improper conduct
which may reflect upon the Senate. Such complaints or allegations or
information may be reported to the Chairman, the Vice Chairman, a
Committee member, or a Committee staff member.
(b) Source of Complaint, Allegation, or Information: Complaints,
allegations, and information to be reported to the Committee may be
obtained from a variety of sources, including but not limited to the
following:
(1) sworn complaints, defined as a written statement of facts,
submitted under penalty of perjury, within the personal
knowledge of the complainant alleging a violation of law, the
Senate Code of Official Conduct, or any other rule or regulation
of the Senate relating to the conduct of individuals in the
performance of their duties as members, officers, or employees
of the Senate;
(2) anonymous or informal complaints;
(3) information developed during a study or inquiry by the
Committee or other committees or subcommittees of the Senate,
including information obtained in connection with legislative or
general oversight hearings;
(4) information reported by the news media; or
(5) information obtained from any individual, agency or
department of the executive branch of the Federal Government.
(c) Form and Content of Complaints: A complaint need not be sworn
nor must it be in any particular form to receive Committee
consideration, but the preferred complaint will:
(1) state, whenever possible, the name, address, and telephone
number of the party filing the complaint;
(2) provide the name of each member, officer or employee of
the Senate who is specifically alleged to have engaged in
improper conduct or committed a violation;
(3) state the nature of the alleged improper conduct or
violation;
(4) supply all documents in the possession of the party filing
the complaint relevant to or in support of his or her
allegations as an attachment to the complaint.
Rule 3: Procedures for Conducting a Preliminary Inquiry
(a) Definition of Preliminary Inquiry: A ``preliminary inquiry'' is
a proceeding undertaken by the Committee following the receipt of a
complaint or allegation of, or information about, misconduct by a
Member, officer, or employee of the Senate to determine whether there is
substantial credible evidence which provides substantial cause for the
Committee to conclude that a violation within the jurisdiction of the
Committee has occurred.
(b) Basis for Preliminary Inquiry: The Committee shall promptly
commence a preliminary inquiry whenever it has received a sworn
complaint, or other allegation of, or information about, alleged
misconduct or violations pursuant to Rule 2.
(c) Scope of Preliminary Inquiry:
(1) The preliminary inquiry shall be of such duration and
scope as is necessary to determine whether there is substantial
credible evidence which provides substantial cause for the
Committee to conclude that a violation within the jurisdiction
of the Committee has occurred. The Chairman and Vice Chairman,
acting jointly, on behalf of the Committee may supervise and
determine the appropriate duration, scope, and conduct of a
preliminary inquiry. Whether a preliminary inquiry is conducted
jointly by the Chairman and Vice Chairman or by the Committee as
a whole, the day to day supervision of a preliminary inquiry
rests with the Chairman and Vice Chairman, acting jointly.
(2) A preliminary inquiry may include any inquiries,
interviews, sworn statements, depositions, or subpoenas deemed
appropriate to obtain information upon which to make any
determination provided for by this Rule.
(d) Opportunity for Response: A preliminary inquiry may include an
opportunity for any known respondent or his or her designated
representative to present either a written or oral statement, or to
respond orally to questions from the Committee. Such an oral statement
or answers shall be transcribed and signed by the person providing the
statement or answers.
(e) Status Reports: The Committee staff or outside counsel shall
periodically report to the Committee in the form and according to the
schedule prescribed by the Committee. The reports shall be confidential.
(f) Final Report: When the preliminary inquiry is completed, the
staff or outside counsel shall make a confidential report, oral or
written, to the Committee on findings and recommendations, as
appropriate.
(g) Committee Action: As soon as practicable following submission of
the report on the preliminary inquiry, the Committee shall determine by
a recorded vote whether there is substantial credible evidence which
provides substantial cause for the Committee to conclude that a
violation within the jurisdiction of the Committee has occurred. The
Committee may make any of the following determinations:
(1) The Committee may determine that there is not such
substantial credible evidence and, in such case, the Committee
shall dismiss the matter. The Committee, or Chairman and Vice
Chairman acting jointly on behalf of the Committee, may dismiss
any matter which, after a preliminary inquiry, is determined to
lack substantial merit. The Committee shall inform the
complainant of the dismissal.
(2) The Committee may determine that there is such substantial
credible evidence, but that the alleged violation is
inadvertent, technical, or otherwise of a de minimis nature. In
such case, the Committee may dispose of the matter by issuing a
public or private letter of admonition, which shall not be
considered discipline and which shall not be subject to appeal
to the Senate. The issuance of a letter of admonition must be
approved by the affirmative recorded vote of no fewer than four
members of the Committee voting.
(3) The Committee may determine that there is such substantial
credible evidence and that the matter cannot be appropriately
disposed of under paragraph (2). In such case, the Committee
shall promptly initiate an adjudicatory review in accordance
with Rule 4. No adjudicatory review of conduct of a Member,
officer, or employee of the Senate may be initiated except by
the affirmative recorded vote of not less than four members of
the Committee.
Rule 4: Procedures for Conducting an Adjudicatory Review
(a) Definition of Adjudicatory Review: An ``adjudicatory review'' is
a proceeding undertaken by the Committee after a finding, on the basis
of a preliminary inquiry, that there is substantial cause for the
Committee to conclude that a violation within the jurisdiction of the
Committee has occurred.
(b) Scope of Adjudicatory Review: When the Committee decides to
conduct an adjudicatory review, it shall be of such duration and scope
as is necessary for the Committee to determine whether a violation
within its jurisdiction has occurred. An adjudicatory review shall be
conducted by outside counsel as authorized by section 3(b)(1) of Senate
Resolution 338 unless the Committee determines not to use outside
counsel. In the course of the adjudicatory review, designated outside
counsel, or if the Committee determines not to use outside counsel, the
Committee or its staff, may conduct any inquiries or interviews, take
sworn statements, use compulsory process as described in Rule 6, or take
any other actions that the Committee deems appropriate to secure the
evidence necessary to make a determination.
(c) Notice to Respondent: The Committee shall give written notice to
any known respondent who is the subject of an adjudicatory review. The
notice shall be sent to the respondent no later than five working days
after the Committee has voted to conduct an adjudicatory review. The
notice shall include a statement of the nature of the possible
violation, and description of the evidence indicating that a possible
violation occurred. The Committee may offer the respondent an
opportunity to present a statement, orally or in writing, or to respond
to questions from members of the Committee, the Committee staff, or
outside counsel.
(d) Right to a Hearing: The Committee shall accord a respondent an
opportunity for a hearing before it recommends disciplinary action
against that respondent to the Senate or before it imposes an order of
restitution or reprimand (not requiring discipline by the full Senate).
(e) Progress Reports to Committee: The Committee staff or outside
counsel shall periodically report to the Committee concerning the
progress of the adjudicatory review. Such reports shall be delivered to
the Committee in the form and according to the schedule prescribed by
the Committee, and shall be confidential.
(f) Final Report of Adjudicatory Review to Committee: Upon
completion of an adjudicatory review, including any hearings held
pursuant to Rule 5, the outside counsel or the staff shall submit a
confidential written report to the Committee, which shall detail the
factual findings of the adjudicatory review and which may recommend
disciplinary action, if appropriate. Findings of fact of the
adjudicatory review shall be detailed in this report whether or not
disciplinary action is recommended.
(g) Committee Action:
(1) As soon as practicable following submission of the report
of the staff or outside counsel on the adjudicatory review, the
Committee shall prepare and submit a report to the Senate,
including a recommendation or proposed resolution to the Senate
concerning disciplinary action, if appropriate. A report shall
be issued, stating in detail the Committee's findings of fact,
whether or not disciplinary action is recommended. The report
shall also explain fully the reasons underlying the Committee's
recommendation concerning disciplinary action, if any. No
adjudicatory review of conduct of a Member, officer or employee
of the Senate may be conducted, or report or resolution or
recommendation relating to such an adjudicatory review of
conduct may be made, except by the affirmative recorded vote of
not less than four members of the Committee.
(2) Pursuant to S. Res. 338, as amended, section 2 (a),
subsections (2), (3), & (4), after receipt of the report
prescribed by paragraph (f) of this rule, the Committee may make
any of the following recommendations for disciplinary action or
issue an order for reprimand or restitution, as follows:
(i) In the case of a Member, a recommendation to the
Senate for expulsion, censure, payment of restitution,
recommendation to a Member's party conference regarding
the Member's seniority or positions of responsibility,
or a combination of these;
(ii) In the case of an officer or employee, a
recommendation to the Senate of dismissal, suspension,
payment of restitution, or a combination of these;
(iii) In the case where the Committee determines,
after according to the Member, officer, or employee due
notice and opportunity for a hearing, that misconduct
occurred warranting discipline less serious than
discipline by the full Senate, and subject to the
provisions of paragraph (h) of this rule relating to
appeal, by a unanimous vote of six members order that a
Member, officer or employee be reprimanded or pay
restitution or both;
(iv) In the case where the Committee determines that
misconduct is inadvertent, technical, or otherwise of a
de minimis nature, issue a public or private letter of
admonition to a Member, officer or employee, which shall
not be subject to appeal to the Senate.
(3) In the case where the Committee determines, upon
consideration of all the evidence, that the facts do not warrant
a finding that there is substantial credible evidence which
provides substantial cause for the Committee to conclude that a
violation within the jurisdiction of the Committee has occurred,
the Committee may dismiss the matter.
(4) Promptly, after the conclusion of the adjudicatory review,
the Committee's report and recommendation, if any, shall be
forwarded to the Secretary of the Senate, and a copy shall be
provided to the complainant and the respondent. The full report
and recommendation, if any, shall be printed and made public,
unless the Committee determines by the recorded vote of not less
than four members of the Committee that it should remain
confidential.
(h) Right of Appeal:
(1) Any individual who is the subject of a reprimand or order
of restitution, or both, pursuant to subsection (g)(2)(iii),
may, within 30 days of the Committee's report to the Senate of
its action imposing a reprimand or order of restitution, or
both, appeal to the Senate by providing written notice of the
appeal to the Committee and the presiding officer of the Senate.
The presiding officer shall cause the notice of the appeal to be
printed in the Congressional Record and the Senate Journal.
(2) S. Res. 338 provides that a motion to proceed to
consideration of an appeal pursuant to paragraph (1) shall be
highly privileged and not debatable. If the motion to proceed to
consideration of the appeal is agreed to, the appeal shall be
decided on the basis of the Committee's report to the Senate.
Debate on the appeal shall be limited to 10 hours, which shall
be divided equally between, and controlled by, those favoring
and those opposing the appeal.
Rule 5: Procedures for Hearings
(a) Right to Hearing: The Committee may hold a public or executive
hearing in any preliminary inquiry, adjudicatory review, or other
proceeding. The Committee shall accord a respondent an opportunity for a
hearing before it recommends disciplinary action against that respondent
to the Senate or before it imposes an order of restitution or reprimand.
(See Rule 4(d).)
(b) Non-Public Hearings: The Committee may at any time during a
hearing determine in accordance with paragraph 5(b) of Rule XXVI of the
Standing Rules of the Senate whether to receive the testimony of
specific witnesses in executive session. If a witness desires to express
a preference for testifying in public or in executive session, he or she
shall so notify the Committee at least five days before he or she is
scheduled to testify.
(c) Adjudicatory Hearings: The Committee may, by the recorded vote
of not less than four members of the Committee, designate any public or
executive hearing as an adjudicatory hearing; and any hearing which is
concerned with possible disciplinary action against a respondent or
respondents designated by the Committee shall be an adjudicatory
hearing. In any adjudicatory hearing, the procedures described in
paragraph (j) shall apply.
(d) Subpoena Power: The Committee may require, by subpoena or
otherwise, the attendance and testimony of such witnesses and the
production of such correspondence, books, papers, documents or other
articles as it deems advisable. (See Rule 6.)
(e) Notice of Hearings: The Committee shall make public an
announcement of the date, place, and subject matter of any hearing to be
conducted by it, in accordance with Rule 1(f).
(f) Presiding Officer: The Chairman shall preside over the hearings,
or in his absence the Vice Chairman. If the Vice Chairman is also
absent, a Committee member designated by the Chairman shall preside. If
an oath or affirmation is required, it shall be administered to a
witness by the Presiding Officer, or in his absence, by any Committee
member.
(g) Witnesses:
(1) A subpoena or other request to testify shall be served on
a witness sufficiently in advance of his or her scheduled
appearance to allow the witness a reasonable period of time, as
determined by the Committee, to prepare for the hearing and to
employ counsel if desired.
(2) The Committee may, by recorded vote of not less than four
members of the Committee, rule that no member of the Committee
or staff or outside counsel shall make public the name of any
witness subpoenaed by the Committee before the date of that
witness's scheduled appearance, except as specifically
authorized by the Chairman and Vice Chairman, acting jointly.
(3) Any witness desiring to read a prepared or written
statement in executive or public hearings shall file a copy of
such statement with the Committee at least two working days in
advance of the hearing at which the statement is to be
presented. The Chairman and Vice Chairman shall determine
whether such statements may be read or placed in the record of
the hearing.
(4) Insofar as practicable, each witness shall be permitted to
present a brief oral opening statement, if he or she desires to
do so.
(h) Right To Testify: Any person whose name is mentioned or who is
specifically identified or otherwise referred to in testimony or in
statements made by a Committee member, staff member or outside counsel,
or any witness, and who reasonably believes that the statement tends to
adversely affect his or her reputation may--
(1) Request to appear personally before the Committee to
testify in his or her own behalf; or
(2) File a sworn statement of facts relevant to the testimony
or other evidence or statement of which he or she complained.
Such request and such statement shall be submitted to the
Committee for its consideration and action.
(i) Conduct of Witnesses and Other Attendees: The Presiding Officer
may punish any breaches of order and decorum by censure and exclusion
from the hearings. The Committee, by majority vote, may recommend to the
Senate that the offender be cited for contempt of Congress.
(j) Adjudicatory Hearing Procedures:
(1) Notice of hearings: A copy of the public announcement of
an adjudicatory hearing, required by paragraph (e), shall be
furnished together with a copy of these Rules to all witnesses
at the time that they are subpoenaed or otherwise summoned to
testify.
(2) Preparation for adjudicatory hearings:
(A) At least five working days prior to the
commencement of an adjudicatory hearing, the Committee
shall provide the following information and documents to
the respondent, if any:
(i) a list of proposed witnesses to be called
at the hearing;
(ii) copies of all documents expected to be
introduced as exhibits at the hearing; and
(iii) a brief statement as to the nature of
the testimony expected to be given by each
witness to be called at the hearing.
(B) At least two working days prior to the
commencement of an adjudicatory hearing, the respondent,
if any, shall provide the information and documents
described in divisions (i), (ii) and (iii) of
subparagraph (A) to the Committee.
(C) At the discretion of the Committee, the
information and documents to be exchanged under this
paragraph shall be subject to an appropriate agreement
limiting access and disclosure.
(D) If a respondent refuses to provide the information
and documents to the Committee (see (A) and (B) of this
subparagraph), or if a respondent or other individual
violates an agreement limiting access and disclosure,
the Committee, by majority vote, may recommend to the
Senate that the offender be cited for contempt of
Congress.
(3) Swearing of witnesses: All witnesses who testify at
adjudicatory hearings shall be sworn unless the Presiding
Officer, for good cause, decides that a witness does not have to
be sworn.
(4) Right to counsel: Any witness at an adjudicatory hearing
may be accompanied by counsel of his or her own choosing, who
shall be permitted to advise the witness of his or her legal
rights during the testimony.
(5) Right to cross-examine and call witnesses:
(A) In adjudicatory hearings, any respondent and any
other person who obtains the permission of the
Committee, may personally or through counsel cross-
examine witnesses called by the Committee and may call
witnesses in his or her own behalf.
(B) A respondent may apply to the Committee for the
issuance of subpoenas for the appearance of witnesses or
the production of documents on his or her behalf. An
application shall be approved upon a concise showing by
the respondent that the proposed testimony or evidence
is relevant and appropriate, as determined by the
Chairman and Vice Chairman.
(C) With respect to witnesses called by a respondent,
or other individual given permission by the Committee,
each such witness shall first be examined by the party
who called the witness or by that party's counsel.
(D) At least one working day before a witness's
scheduled appearance, a witness or a witness's counsel
may submit to the Committee written questions proposed
to be asked of that witness. If the Committee determines
that it is necessary, such questions may be asked by any
member of the Committee, or by any Committee staff
member if directed by a Committee member. The witness or
witness's counsel may also submit additional sworn
testimony for the record within twenty-four hours after
the last day that the witness has testified. The
insertion of such testimony in that day's record is
subject to the approval of the Chairman and Vice
Chairman acting jointly within five days after testimony
is received.
(6) Admissibility of evidence:
(A) The object of the hearing shall be to ascertain
the truth. Any evidence that may be relevant and
probative shall be admissible unless privileged under
the Federal Rules of Evidence. Rules of evidence shall
not be applied strictly, but the Presiding Officer shall
exclude irrelevant or unduly repetitious testimony.
Objections going only to the weight that should be given
evidence will not justify its exclusion.
(B) The Presiding Officer shall rule upon any question
of the admissibility of testimony or other evidence
presented to the Committee. Such rulings shall be final
unless reversed or modified by a recorded vote of not
less than four members of the Committee before the
recess of that day's hearings.
(C) Notwithstanding paragraphs (A) and (B), in any
matter before the Committee involving allegations of
sexual discrimination, including sexual harassment, or
sexual misconduct, by a Member, officer, or employee
within the jurisdiction of the Committee, the Committee
shall be guided by the standards and procedures of Rule
412 of the Federal Rules of Evidence, except that the
Committee may admit evidence subject to the provisions
of this paragraph only upon a determination of not less
than four members of the full Committee that the
interests of justice require that such evidence be
admitted.
(7) Supplementary hearing procedures: The Committee may adopt
any additional special hearing procedures that it deems
necessary or appropriate to a particular adjudicatory hearing.
Copies of such supplementary procedures shall be furnished to
witnesses and respondents, and shall be made available upon
request to any member of the public.
(k) Transcripts:
(1) An accurate stenographic or recorded transcript shall be
made of all public and executive hearings. Any member of the
Committee, Committee staff member, outside counsel retained by
the Committee, or witness may examine a copy of the transcript
retained by the Committee of his or her own remarks and may
suggest to the official reporter any typographical or
transcription errors. If the reporter declines to make the
requested corrections, the member, staff member, outside counsel
or witness may request a ruling by the Chairman and Vice
Chairman, acting jointly. Any member or witness shall return the
transcript with suggested corrections to the Committee offices
within five working days after receipt of the transcript, or as
soon thereafter as is practicable. If the testimony was given in
executive session, the member or witness may only inspect the
transcript at a location determined by the Chairman and Vice
Chairman, acting jointly. Any questions arising with respect to
the processing and correction of transcripts shall be decided by
the Chairman and Vice Chairman, acting jointly.
(2) Except for the record of a hearing which is closed to the
public, each transcript shall be printed as soon as is
practicable after receipt of the corrected version. The Chairman
and Vice Chairman, acting jointly, may order the transcript of a
hearing to be printed without the corrections of a member or
witness if they determine that such member or witness has been
afforded a reasonable time to correct such transcript and such
transcript has not been returned within such time.
(3) The Committee shall furnish each witness, at no cost, one
transcript copy of that witness's testimony given at a public
hearing. If the testimony was given in executive session, then a
transcript copy shall be provided upon request, subject to
appropriate conditions and restrictions prescribed by the
Chairman and Vice Chairman. If any individual violates such
conditions and restrictions, the Committee may recommend by
majority vote that he or she be cited for contempt of Congress.
Rule 6: Subpoenas and Depositions
(a) Subpoenas:
(1) Authorization for issuance: Subpoenas for the attendance
and testimony of witnesses at depositions or hearings, and
subpoenas for the production of documents and tangible things at
depositions, hearings, or other times and places designated
therein, may be authorized for issuance by either (A) a majority
vote of the Committee, or (B) the Chairman and Vice Chairman,
acting jointly, at any time during a preliminary inquiry,
adjudicatory review, or other proceeding.
(2) Signature and Service: All subpoenas shall be signed by
the Chairman or the Vice Chairman and may be served by any
person eighteen years of age or older, who is designated by the
Chairman or Vice Chairman. Each subpoena shall be served with a
copy of the Rules of the Committee and a brief statement of the
purpose of the Committee's proceeding.
(3) Withdrawal of Subpoena: The Committee, by recorded vote of
not less than four members of the Committee, may withdraw any
subpoena authorized for issuance by it or authorized for
issuance by the Chairman and Vice Chairman, acting jointly. The
Chairman and Vice Chairman, acting jointly, may withdraw any
subpoena authorized for issuance by them.
(b) Depositions:
(1) Persons Authorized To Take Depositions: Depositions may be
taken by any member of the Committee, designated by the Chairman
and Vice Chairman, acting jointly, or by any other person
designated by the Chairman and Vice Chairman, acting jointly,
including outside counsel, Committee staff, other employees of
the Senate, or government employees detailed to the Committee.
(2) Deposition Notices: Notices for the taking of depositions
shall be authorized by the Committee, or the Chairman and Vice
Chairman, acting jointly, and issued by the Chairman, Vice
Chairman, or a Committee staff member or outside counsel
designated by the Chairman and Vice Chairman, acting jointly.
Depositions may be taken at any time during a preliminary
inquiry, adjudicatory review or other proceeding. Deposition
notices shall specify a time and place for examination. Unless
otherwise specified, the deposition shall be in private, and the
testimony taken and documents produced shall be deemed for the
purpose of these rules to have been received in a closed or
executive session of the Committee. The Committee shall not
initiate procedures leading to criminal or civil enforcement
proceedings for a witness's failure to appear, or to testify, or
to produce documents, unless the deposition notice was
accompanied by a subpoena authorized for issuance by the
Committee, or the Chairman and Vice Chairman, acting jointly.
(3) Counsel at Depositions: Witnesses may be accompanied at a
deposition by counsel to advise them of their rights.
(4) Deposition Procedure: Witnesses at depositions shall be
examined upon oath administered by an individual authorized by
law to administer oaths, or administered by any member of the
Committee if one is present. Questions may be propounded by any
person or persons who are authorized to take depositions for the
Committee. If a witness objects to a question and refuses to
testify, or refuses to produce a document, any member of the
Committee who is present may rule on the objection and, if the
objection is overruled, direct the witness to answer the
question or produce the document. If no member of the Committee
is present, the individual who has been designated by the
Chairman and Vice Chairman, acting jointly, to take the
deposition may proceed with the deposition, or may, at that time
or at a subsequent time, seek a ruling by telephone or otherwise
on the objection from the Chairman or Vice Chairman of the
Committee, who may refer the matter to the Committee or rule on
the objection. If the Chairman or Vice Chairman, or the
Committee upon referral, overrules the objection, the Chairman,
Vice Chairman, or the Committee as the case may be, may direct
the witness to answer the question or produce the document. The
Committee shall not initiate procedures leading to civil or
criminal enforcement unless the witness refuses to testify or
produce documents after having been directed to do so.
(5) Filing of Depositions: Deposition testimony shall be
transcribed or electronically recorded. If the deposition is
transcribed, the individual administering the oath shall certify
on the transcript that the witness was duly sworn in his or her
presence and the transcriber shall certify that the transcript
is a true record of the testimony. The transcript with these
certifications shall be filed with the chief clerk of the
Committee, and the witness shall be furnished with access to a
copy at the Committee's offices for review. Upon inspecting the
transcript, within a time limit set by the Chairman and Vice
Chairman, acting jointly, a witness may request in writing
changes in the transcript to correct errors in transcription.
The witness may also bring to the attention of the Committee
errors of fact in the witness's testimony by submitting a sworn
statement about those facts with a request that it be attached
to the transcript. The Chairman and Vice Chairman, acting
jointly, may rule on the witness's request, and the changes or
attachments allowed shall be certified by the Committee's chief
clerk. If the witness fails to make any request under this
paragraph within the time limit set, this fact shall be noted by
the Committee's chief clerk. Any person authorized by the
Committee may stipulate with the witness to changes in this
procedure.
Rule 7: Violations of Law; Perjury; Legislative Recommendations;
Educational Mandate; and Applicable Rules and Standards of Conduct
(a) Violations of Law: Whenever the Committee determines by the
recorded vote of not less than four members of the full Committee that
there is reason to believe that a violation of law, including the
provision of false information to the Committee, may have occurred, it
shall report such possible violation to the proper Federal and State
authorities.
(b) Perjury: Any person who knowingly and willfully swears falsely
to a sworn complaint or any other sworn statement to the Committee does
so under penalty of perjury. The Committee may refer any such case to
the Attorney General for prosecution.
(c) Legislative Recommendations: The Committee shall recommend to
the Senate by report or resolution such additional rules, regulations,
or other legislative measures as it determines to be necessary or
desirable to ensure proper standards of conduct by Members, officers, or
employees of the Senate. The Committee may conduct such inquiries as it
deems necessary to prepare such a report or resolution, including the
holding of hearings in public or executive session and the use of
subpoenas to compel the attendance of witnesses or the production of
materials. The Committee may make legislative recommendations as a
result of its findings in a preliminary inquiry, adjudicatory review, or
other proceedings.
(d) Educational Mandate: The Committee shall develop and implement
programs and materials designed to educate Members, officers, and
employees about the laws, rules, regulations, and standards of conduct
applicable to such individuals in the performance of their duties.
(e) Applicable Rules and Standards of Conduct:
(1) Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, no
adjudicatory review shall be initiated of any alleged violation
of any law, the Senate Code of Official Conduct, rule, or
regulation which was not in effect at the time the alleged
violation occurred. No provisions of the Senate Code of Official
Conduct shall apply to or require disclosure of any act,
relationship, or transaction which occurred prior to the
effective date of the applicable provision of the Code.
(2) The Committee may initiate an adjudicatory review of any
alleged violation of a rule or law which was in effect prior to
the enactment of the Senate Code of Official Conduct if the
alleged violation occurred while such rule or law was in effect
and the violation was not a matter resolved on the merits by the
predecessor Committee.
Rule 8: Procedures for Handling Committee Sensitive and Classified
Materials
(a) Procedures for Handling Committee Sensitive Materials:
(1) Committee Sensitive information or material is information
or material in the possession of the Select Committee on Ethics
which pertains to illegal or improper conduct by a present or
former Member, officer, or employee of the Senate; to
allegations or accusations of such conduct; to any resulting
preliminary inquiry, adjudicatory review or other proceeding by
the Select Committee on Ethics into such allegations or conduct;
to the investigative techniques and procedures of the Select
Committee on Ethics; or to other information or material
designated by the staff director, or outside counsel designated
by the Chairman and Vice Chairman.
(2) The Chairman and Vice Chairman of the Committee shall
establish such procedures as may be necessary to prevent the
unauthorized disclosure of Committee Sensitive information in
the possession of the Committee or its staff. Procedures for
protecting Committee Sensitive materials shall be in writing and
shall be given to each Committee staff member.
(b) Procedures for Handling Classified Materials:
(1) Classified information or material is information or
material which is specifically designated as classified under
the authority of Executive Order 11652 requiring protection of
such information or material from unauthorized disclosure in
order to prevent damage to the United States.
(2) The Chairman and Vice Chairman of the Committee shall
establish such procedures as may be necessary to prevent the
unauthorized disclosure of classified information in the
possession of the Committee or its staff. Procedures for
handling such information shall be in writing and a copy of the
procedures shall be given to each staff member cleared for
access to classified information.
(3) Each member of the Committee shall have access to
classified material in the Committee's possession. Only
Committee staff members with appropriate security clearances and
a need-to-know, as approved by the Chairman and Vice Chairman,
acting jointly, shall have access to classified information in
the Committee's possession.
(c) Procedures for Handling Committee Sensitive and Classified
Documents:
(1) Committee Sensitive documents and materials shall be
stored in the Committee's offices, with appropriate safeguards
for maintaining the security of such documents or materials.
Classified documents and materials shall be further segregated
in the Committee's offices in secure filing safes. Removal from
the Committee offices of such documents or materials is
prohibited except as necessary for use in, or preparation for,
interviews or Committee meetings, including the taking of
testimony, or as otherwise specifically approved by the staff
director or by outside counsel designated by the Chairman and
Vice Chairman.
(2) Each member of the Committee shall have access to all
materials in the Committee's possession. The staffs of members
shall not have access to Committee Sensitive or classified
documents and materials without the specific approval in each
instance of the Chairman, and Vice Chairman, acting jointly.
Members may examine such materials in the Committee's offices.
If necessary, requested materials may be hand delivered by a
member of the Committee staff to the member of the Committee, or
to a staff person(s) specifically designated by the member, for
the Member's or designated staffer's examination. A member of
the Committee who has possession of Committee Sensitive
documents or materials shall take appropriate safeguards for
maintaining the security of such documents or materials in the
possession of the Member or his or her designated staffer.
(3) Committee Sensitive documents that are provided to a
Member of the Senate in connection with a complaint that has
been filed against the Member shall be hand delivered to the
Member or to the Member's Chief of Staff or Administrative
Assistant. Committee Sensitive documents that are provided to a
Member of the Senate who is the subject of a preliminary
inquiry, adjudicatory review, or other proceeding, shall be hand
delivered to the Member or to his or her specifically designated
representative.
(4) Any Member of the Senate who is not a member of the
Committee and who seeks access to any Committee Sensitive or
classified documents or materials, other than documents or
materials which are matters of public record, shall request
access in writing. The Committee shall decide by majority vote
whether to make documents or materials available. If access is
granted, the Member shall not disclose the information except as
authorized by the Committee.
(5) Whenever the Committee makes Committee Sensitive or
classified documents or materials available to any Member of the
Senate who is not a member of the Committee, or to a staff
person of a Committee member in response to a specific request
to the Chairman and Vice Chairman, a written record shall be
made identifying the Member of the Senate requesting such
documents or materials and describing what was made available
and to whom.
(d) Non-Disclosure Policy and Agreement:
(1) Except as provided in the last sentence of this paragraph,
no member of the Select Committee on Ethics, its staff or any
person engaged by contract or otherwise to perform services for
the Select Committee on Ethics shall release, divulge, publish,
reveal by writing, word, conduct, or disclose in any way, in
whole, or in part, or by way of summary, during tenure with the
Select Committee on Ethics or anytime thereafter, any testimony
given before the Select Committee on Ethics in executive session
(including the name of any witness who appeared or was called to
appear in executive session), any classified or Committee
Sensitive information, document or material, received or
generated by the Select Committee on Ethics or any classified or
Committee Sensitive information which may come into the
possession of such person during tenure with the Select
Committee on Ethics or its staff. Such information, documents,
or material may be released to an official of the executive
branch properly cleared for access with a need-to-know, for any
purpose or in connection with any proceeding, judicial or
otherwise, as authorized by the Select Committee on Ethics, or
in the event of termination of the Select Committee on Ethics,
in such a manner as may be determined by its successor or by the
Senate.
(2) No member of the Select Committee on Ethics staff or any
person engaged by contract or otherwise to perform services for
the Select Committee on Ethics, shall be granted access to
classified or Committee Sensitive information or material in the
possession of the Select Committee on Ethics unless and until
such person agrees in writing, as a condition of employment, to
the non-disclosure policy. The agreement shall become effective
when signed by the Chairman and Vice Chairman on behalf of the
Committee.
Rule 9: Broadcasting and News Coverage of Committee Proceedings
(a) Whenever any hearing or meeting of the Committee is open to the
public, the Committee shall permit that hearing or meeting to be covered
in whole or in part, by television broadcast, radio broadcast, still
photography, or by any other methods of coverage, unless the Committee
decides by recorded vote of not less than four members of the Committee
that such coverage is not appropriate at a particular hearing or
meeting.
(b) Any witness served with a subpoena by the Committee may request
not to be photographed at any hearing or to give evidence or testimony
while the broadcasting, reproduction, or coverage of that hearing, by
radio, television, still photography, or other methods is occurring. At
the request of any such witness who does not wish to be subjected to
radio, television, still photography, or other methods of coverage, and
subject to the approval of the Committee, all lenses shall be covered
and all microphones used for coverage turned off.
(c) If coverage is permitted, it shall be in accordance with the
following requirements:
(1) Photographers and reporters using mechanical recording,
filming, or broadcasting apparatus shall position their
equipment so as not to interfere with the seating, vision, and
hearing of the Committee members and staff, or with the orderly
process of the meeting or hearing.
(2) If the television or radio coverage of the hearing or
meeting is to be presented to the public as live coverage, the
coverage shall be conducted and presented without commercial
sponsorship.
(3) Personnel providing coverage by the television and radio
media shall be currently accredited to the Radio and Television
Correspondents' Galleries.
(4) Personnel providing coverage by still photography shall be
currently accredited to the Press Photographers' Gallery
Committee of Press Photographers.
(5) Personnel providing coverage by the television and radio
media and by still photography shall conduct themselves and the
coverage activities in an orderly and unobtrusive manner.
Rule 10: Procedures for Advisory Opinions
(a) When Advisory Opinions Are Rendered:
(1) The Committee shall render an advisory opinion, in writing
within a reasonable time, in response to a written request by a
Member or officer of the Senate or a candidate for nomination
for election, or election to the Senate, concerning the
application of any law, the Senate Code of Official Conduct, or
any rule or regulation of the Senate within the Committee's
jurisdiction, to a specific factual situation pertinent to the
conduct or proposed conduct of the person seeking the advisory
opinion.
(2) The Committee may issue an advisory opinion in writing
within a reasonable time in response to a written request by any
employee of the Senate concerning the application of any law,
the Senate Code of Official Conduct, or any rule or regulation
of the Senate within the Committee's jurisdiction, to a specific
factual situation pertinent to the conduct or proposed conduct
of the person seeking the advisory opinion.
(b) Form of Request: A request for an advisory opinion shall be
directed in writing to the Chairman of the Committee and shall include a
complete and accurate statement of the specific factual situation with
respect to which the request is made as well as the specific question or
questions which the requestor wishes the Committee to address.
(c) Opportunity for Comment:
(1) The Committee will provide an opportunity for any
interested party to comment on a request for an advisory
opinion--
(A) which requires an interpretation on a significant
question of first impression that will affect more than
a few individuals; or
(B) when the Committee determines that comments from
interested parties would be of assistance.
(2) Notice of any such request for an advisory opinion shall
be published in the Congressional Record, with appropriate
deletions to insure confidentiality, and interested parties will
be asked to submit their comments in writing to the Committee
within ten days.
(3) All relevant comments received on a timely basis will be
considered.
(d) Issuance of an Advisory Opinion:
(1) The Committee staff shall prepare a proposed advisory
opinion in draft form which will first be reviewed and approved
by the Chairman and Vice Chairman, acting jointly, and will be
presented to the Committee for final action. If (A) the Chairman
and Vice Chairman cannot agree, or (B) either the Chairman or
Vice Chairman requests that it be taken directly to the
Committee, then the proposed advisory opinion shall be referred
to the Committee for its decision.
(2) An advisory opinion shall be issued only by the
affirmative recorded vote of a majority of the members voting.
(3) Each advisory opinion issued by the Committee shall be
promptly transmitted for publication in the Congressional Record
after appropriate deletions are made to insure confidentiality.
The Committee may at any time revise, withdraw, or elaborate on
any advisory opinion.
(e) Reliance on Advisory Opinions:
(1) Any advisory opinion issued by the Committee under Senate
Resolution 338, 88th Congress, as amended, and the rules may be
relied upon by--
(A) Any person involved in the specific transaction or
activity with respect to which such advisory opinion is
rendered if the request for such advisory opinion
included a complete and accurate statement of the
specific factual situation; and
(B) any person involved in any specific transaction or
activity which is indistinguishable in all its material
aspects from the transaction or activity with respect to
which such advisory opinion is rendered.
(2) Any person who relies upon any provision or finding of an
advisory opinion in accordance with the provisions of Senate
Resolution 338, 88th Congress, as amended, and of the rules, and
who acts in good faith in accordance with the provisions and
findings of such advisory opinion shall not, as a result of any
such act, be subject to any sanction by the Senate.
Rule 11: Procedures for Interpretative Rulings
(a) Basis for Interpretative Rulings: Senate Resolution 338, 88th
Congress, as amended, authorizes the Committee to issue interpretative
rulings explaining and clarifying the application of any law, the Code
of Official Conduct, or any rule or regulation of the Senate within its
jurisdiction. The Committee also may issue such rulings clarifying or
explaining any rule or regulation of the Select Committee on Ethics.
(b) Request for Ruling: A request for such a ruling must be directed
in writing to the Chairman or Vice Chairman of the Committee.
(c) Adoption of Ruling:
(1) The Chairman and Vice Chairman, acting jointly, shall
issue a written interpretative ruling in response to any such
request, unless--
(A) they cannot agree,
(B) it requires an interpretation of a significant
question of first impression, or
(C) either requests that it be taken to the Committee,
in which event the request shall be directed to the
Committee for a ruling.
(2) A ruling on any request taken to the Committee under
subparagraph (1) shall be adopted by a majority of the members
voting and the ruling shall then be issued by the Chairman and
Vice Chairman.
(d) Publication of Rulings: The Committee will publish in the
Congressional Record, after making appropriate deletions to ensure
confidentiality, any interpretative rulings issued under this Rule which
the Committee determines may be of assistance or guidance to other
Members, officers or employees. The Committee may at any time revise,
withdraw, or elaborate on interpretative rulings.
(e) Reliance on Rulings: Whenever an individual can demonstrate to
the Committee's satisfaction that his or her conduct was in good faith
reliance on an interpretative ruling issued in accordance with this
Rule, the Committee will not recommend sanctions to the Senate as a
result of such conduct.
(f) Rulings by Committee Staff: The Committee staff is not
authorized to make rulings or give advice, orally or in writing, which
binds the Committee in any way.
Rule 12: Procedures for Complaints Involving Improper Use of the Mailing
Frank
(a) Authority To Receive Complaints: The Committee is directed by
section 6(b) of Public Law 93-191 to receive and dispose of complaints
that a violation of the use of the mailing frank has occurred or is
about to occur by a Member or officer of the Senate or by a surviving
spouse of a Member. All such complaints will be processed in accordance
with the provisions of these Rules, except as provided in paragraph (b).
(b) Disposition of Complaints:
(1) The Committee may dispose of any such complaint by
requiring restitution of the cost of the mailing, pursuant to
the franking statute, if it finds that the franking violation
was the result of a mistake.
(2) Any complaint disposed of by restitution that is made
after the Committee has formally commenced an adjudicatory
review, must be summarized, together with the disposition, in a
report to the Senate, as appropriate.
(3) If a complaint is disposed of by restitution, the
complainant, if any, shall be notified of the disposition in
writing.
(c) Advisory Opinions and Interpretative Rulings: Requests for
advisory opinions or interpretative rulings involving franking questions
shall be processed in accordance with Rules 10 and 11.
Rule 13: Procedures for Waivers
(a) Authority for Waivers: The Committee is authorized to grant a
waiver under the following provisions of the Standing Rules of the
Senate:
(1) Section 101(h) of the Ethics in Government Act of 1978, as
amended (Rule XXXIV), relating to the filing of financial
disclosure reports by individuals who are expected to perform or
who have performed the duties of their offices or positions for
less than one hundred and thirty days in a calendar year;
(2) Section 102(a)(2)(D) of the Ethics in Government Act, as
amended (Rule XXXIV), relating to the reporting of gifts;
(3) Paragraph 1 of Rule XXXV relating to acceptance of gifts;
or
(4) Paragraph 5 of Rule XLI relating to applicability of any
of the provisions of the Code of Official Conduct to an employee
of the Senate hired on a per diem basis.
(b) Requests for Waivers: A request for a waiver under paragraph (a)
must be directed to the Chairman or Vice Chairman in writing and must
specify the nature of the waiver being sought and explain in detail the
facts alleged to justify a waiver. In the case of a request submitted by
an employee, the views of his or her supervisor (as determined under
paragraph 12 of Rule XXXVII of the Standing Rules of the Senate) should
be included with the waiver request.
(c) Ruling: The Committee shall rule on a waiver request by recorded
vote with a majority of those voting affirming the decision. With
respect to any individual's request for a waiver in connection with the
acceptance or reporting the value of gifts on the occasion of the
individual's marriage, the Chairman and the Vice Chairman, acting
jointly, may rule on the waiver.
(d) Availability of Waiver Determinations: A brief description of
any waiver granted by the Committee, with appropriate deletions to
ensure confidentiality, shall be made available for review upon request
in the Committee office. Waivers granted by the Committee pursuant to
the Ethics in Government Act of 1978, as amended, may only be granted
pursuant to a publicly available request as required by the Act.
Rule 14: Definition of ``Officer or Employee''
(a) As used in the applicable resolutions and in these rules and
procedures, the term ``officer or employee of the Senate'' means:
(1) An elected officer of the Senate who is not a Member of
the Senate;
(2) An employee of the Senate, any committee or subcommittee
of the Senate, or any Member of the Senate;
(3) The Legislative Counsel of the Senate or any employee of
his office;
(4) An Official Reporter of Debates of the Senate and any
person employed by the Official Reporters of Debates of the
Senate in connection with the performance of their official
duties;
(5) A member of the Capitol Police force whose compensation is
disbursed by the Secretary of the Senate;
(6) An employee of the Vice President, if such employee's
compensation is disbursed by the Secretary of the Senate;
(7) An employee of a joint committee of the Congress whose
compensation is disbursed by the Secretary of the Senate;
(8) An officer or employee of any department or agency of the
Federal Government whose services are being utilized on a full-
time and continuing basis by a Member, officer, employee, or
committee of the Senate in accordance with Rule XLI(3) of the
Standing Rules of the Senate; and
(9) Any other individual whose full-time services are utilized
for more than ninety days in a calendar year by a Member,
officer, employee, or committee of the Senate in the conduct of
official duties in accordance with Rule XLI(4) of the Standing
Rules of the Senate.
Rule 15: Committee Staff
(a) Committee Policy:
(1) The staff is to be assembled and retained as a permanent,
professional, nonpartisan staff.
(2) Each member of the staff shall be professional and
demonstrably qualified for the position for which he or she is
hired.
(3) The staff as a whole and each member of the staff shall
perform all official duties in a nonpartisan manner.
(4) No member of the staff shall engage in any partisan
political activity directly affecting any congressional or
presidential election.
(5) No member of the staff or outside counsel may accept
public speaking engagements or write for publication on any
subject that is in any way related to his or her employment or
duties with the Committee without specific advance permission
from the Chairman and Vice Chairman.
(6) No member of the staff may make public, without Committee
approval, any Committee Sensitive or classified information,
documents, or other material obtained during the course of his
or her employment with the Committee.
(b) Appointment of Staff:
(1) The appointment of all staff members shall be approved by
the Chairman and Vice Chairman, acting jointly.
(2) The Committee may determine by majority vote that it is
necessary to retain staff members, including a staff recommended
by a special counsel, for the purpose of a particular
preliminary inquiry, adjudicatory review, or other proceeding.
Such staff shall be retained only for the duration of that
particular undertaking.
(3) The Committee is authorized to retain and compensate
counsel not employed by the Senate (or by any department or
agency of the Executive Branch of the Government) whenever the
Committee determines that the retention of outside counsel is
necessary or appropriate for any action regarding any complaint
or allegation, preliminary inquiry, adjudicatory review, or
other proceeding, which in the determination of the Committee,
is more appropriately conducted by counsel not employed by the
Government of the United States as a regular employee. The
Committee shall retain and compensate outside counsel to conduct
any adjudicatory review undertaken after a preliminary inquiry,
unless the Committee determines that the use of outside counsel
is not appropriate in the particular case.
(c) Dismissal of Staff: A staff member may not be removed for
partisan, political reasons, or merely as a consequence of the rotation
of the Committee membership. The Chairman and Vice Chairman, acting
jointly, shall approve the dismissal of any staff member.
(d) Staff Works for Committee as Whole: All staff employed by the
Committee or housed in Committee offices shall work for the Committee as
a whole, under the general direction of the Chairman and Vice Chairman,
and the immediate direction of the staff director or outside counsel.
(e) Notice of Summons To Testify: Each member of the Committee staff
or outside counsel shall immediately notify the Committee in the event
that he or she is called upon by a properly constituted authority to
testify or provide confidential information obtained as a result of and
during his or her employment with the Committee.
Rule 16: Changes in Supplementary Procedural Rules
(a) Adoption of Changes in Supplementary Rules: The Rules of the
Committee, other than rules established by statute, or by the Standing
Rules and Standing Orders of the Senate, may be modified, amended, or
suspended at any time, pursuant to a recorded vote of not less than four
members of the full Committee taken at a meeting called with due notice
when prior written notice of the proposed change has been provided each
member of the Committee.
(b) Publication: Any amendments adopted to the Rules of this
Committee shall be published in the Congressional Record in accordance
with Rule XXVI(2) of the Standing Rules of the Senate.
Authority and Rules of Senate Committees
Finance
COMMITTEE ON FINANCE
Jurisdiction
Rule XXV, Standing Rules of the Senate
1. The following standing committees shall be appointed at the
commencement of each Congress, and shall continue and have the power to
act until their successors are appointed, with leave to report by bill
or otherwise on matters within their respective jurisdictions:
* * * * * * *
(i) Committee on Finance, to which committee shall be referred all
proposed legislation, messages, petitions, memorials, and other matters
relating to the following subjects:
1. Bonded debt of the United States, except as provided in the
Congressional Budget Act of 1974.
2. Customs, collection districts, and ports of entry and delivery.
3. Deposit of public moneys.
4. General revenue sharing.
5. Health programs under the Social Security Act and health
programs financed by a specific tax or trust fund.
6. National social security.
7. Reciprocal trade agreements.
8. Revenue measures generally, except as provided in the
Congressional Budget Act of 1974.
9. Revenue measures relating to the insular possessions.
10. Tariffs and import quotas, and matters related thereto.
11. Transportation of dutiable goods.
Rules of Procedure
153 Cong. Rec. S747 (daily ed. Jan. 18, 2007)
Rule 1. Regular Meeting Days.--The regular meeting day of the
committee shall be the second and fourth Tuesday of each month, except
that if there be no business before the committee the regular meeting
shall be omitted.
Rule 2. Committee Meetings.--(a) Except as provided by paragraph 3
of Rule XXVI of the Standing Rules of the Senate (relating to special
meetings called by a majority of the committee) and subsection (b) of
this rule, committee meetings, for the conduct of business, for the
purpose of holding hearings, or for any other purpose, shall be called
by the chairman after consultation with the ranking minority member.
Members will be notified of committee meetings at least 48 hours in
advance, unless the chairman determines that an emergency situation
requires a meeting on shorter notice. The notification will include a
written agenda together with materials prepared by the staff relating to
that agenda. After the agenda for a committee meeting is published and
distributed, no nongermane items may be brought up during that meeting
unless at least two-thirds of the members present agree to consider
those items.
(b) In the absence of the chairman, meetings of the committee may be
called by the ranking majority member of the committee who is present,
provided authority to call meetings has been delegated to such member by
the chairman.
Rule 3. Presiding Officer.--(a) The chairman shall preside at all
meetings and hearings of the committee except that in his absence the
ranking majority member who is present at the meeting shall preside.
(b) Notwithstanding the rule prescribed by subsection (a) any member
of the committee may preside over the conduct of a hearing.
Rule 4. Quorums.--(a) Except as provided in subsection (b) one-third
of the membership of the committee, including not less than one member
of the majority party and one member of the minority party, shall
constitute a quorum for the conduct of business.
(b) Notwithstanding the rule prescribed by subsection (a), one
member shall constitute a quorum for the purpose of conducting a
hearing.
Rule 5. Reporting of Measures or Recommendations.--No measure or
recommendation shall be reported from the committee unless a majority of
the committee is actually present and a majority of those present
concur.
Rule 6. Proxy Voting; Polling.--(a) Except as provided by paragraph
7(a)(3) of Rule XXVI of the Standing Rules of the Senate (relating to
limitation on use of proxy voting to report a measure or matter),
members who are unable to be present may have their vote recorded by
proxy.
(b) At the discretion of the committee, members who are unable to be
present and whose vote has not been cast by proxy may be polled for the
purpose of recording their vote on any rollcall taken by the committee.
Rule 7. Order of Motions.--When several motions are before the
committee dealing with related or overlapping matters, the chairman may
specify the order in which the motions shall be voted upon.
Rule 8. Bringing a Matter to a Vote.--If the chairman determines
that a motion or amendment has been adequately debated, he may call for
a vote on such motion or amendment, and the vote shall then be taken,
unless the committee votes to continue debate on such motion or
amendment, as the case may be. The vote on a motion to continue debate
on any motion or amendment shall be taken without debate.
Rule 9. Public Announcement of Committee Votes.--Pursuant to
paragraph 7(b) of Rule XXVI of the Standing Rules of the Senate
(relating to public announcement of votes), the results of rollcall
votes taken by the committee on any measure (or amendment thereto) or
matter shall be announced publicly not later than the day on which such
measure or matter is ordered reported from the committee.
Rule 10. Subpoenas.--Witnesses and memoranda, documents, and records
may be subpoenaed by the chairman of the committee with the agreement of
the ranking minority member or by a majority vote of the committee.
Subpoenas for attendance of witnesses and the production of memoranda,
documents, and records shall be issued by the chairman, or by any other
member of the Committee designated by him.
Rule 11. Nominations.--In considering a nomination, the Committee
may conduct an investigation or review of the nominee's experience,
qualifications, and suitability, to serve in the position to which he or
she has been nominated. To aid in such investigation or review, each
nominee may be required to submit a sworn detailed statement including
biographical, financial, policy, and other information which the
Committee may request. The Committee may specify which items in such
statement are to be received on a confidential basis. Witnesses called
to testify on the nomination may be required to testify under oath.
Rule 12. Open Committee Hearings.--To the extent required by
paragraph 5 of Rule XXVI of the Standing Rules of the Senate (relating
to limitations on open hearings), each hearing conducted by the
committee shall be open to the public.
Rule 13. Announcement of Hearings.--The committee shall undertake
consistent with the provisions of paragraph 4(a) of Rule XXVI of the
Standing Rules of the Senate (relating to public notice of committee
hearings) to issue public announcements of hearings it intends to hold
at least one week prior to the commencement of such hearings.
Rule 14. Witnesses at Hearings.--(a) Each witness who is scheduled
to testify at any hearing must submit his written testimony to the staff
director not later than noon of the business day immediately before the
last business day preceding the day on which he is scheduled to appear.
Such written testimony shall be accompanied by a brief summary of the
principal points covered in the written testimony. Having submitted his
written testimony, the witness shall be allowed not more than ten
minutes for oral presentation of his statement.
(b) Witnesses may not read their entire written testimony, but must
confine their oral presentation to a summarization of their arguments.
(c) Witnesses shall observe proper standards of dignity, decorum and
propriety while presenting their views to the committee. Any witness who
violates this rule shall be dismissed, and his testimony (both oral and
written) shall not appear in the record of the hearing.
(d) In scheduling witnesses for hearings, the staff shall attempt to
schedule witnesses so as to attain a balance of views early in the
hearings. Every member of the committee may designate witnesses who will
appear before the committee to testify. To the extent that a witness
designated by a member cannot be scheduled to testify during the time
set aside for the hearing, a special time will be set aside for the
witness to testify if the member designating that witness is available
at that time to chair the hearing.
Rule 15. Audiences.--Persons admitted into the audience for open
hearings of the committee shall conduct themselves with the dignity,
decorum, courtesy and propriety traditionally observed by the Senate.
Demonstrations of approval or disapproval of any statement or act by any
member or witness are not allowed. Persons creating confusion or
distractions or otherwise disrupting the orderly proceeding of the
hearing shall be expelled from the hearing.
Rule 16. Broadcasting of Hearings.--(a) Broadcasting of open
hearings by television or radio coverage shall be allowed upon approval
by the chairman of a request filed with the staff director not later
than noon of the day before the day on which such coverage is desired.
(b) If such approval is granted, broadcasting coverage of the
hearing shall be conducted unobtrusively and in accordance with the
standards of dignity, propriety, courtesy and decorum traditionally
observed by the Senate.
(c) Equipment necessary for coverage by television and radio media
shall not be installed in, or removed from, the hearing room while the
committee is in session.
(d) Additional lighting may be installed in the hearing room by the
media in order to raise the ambient lighting level to the lowest level
necessary to provide adequate television coverage of the hearing at the
then current state of the art of television coverage.
(e) The additional lighting authorized by subsection (d) of this
rule shall not be directed into the eyes of any members of the committee
or of any witness, and at the request of any such member or witness,
offending lighting shall be extinguished.
(f) No witness shall be required to be photographed at any hearing
or to give testimony while the broadcasting (or coverage) of that
hearing is being conducted. At the request of any such witness who does
not wish to be subjected to radio or television coverage, all equipment
used for coverage shall be turned off.
Rule 17. Subcommittees.--(a) The chairman, subject to the approval
of the committee, shall appoint legislative subcommittees. The ranking
minority member shall recommend to the chairman appointment of minority
members to the subcommittees. All legislation shall be kept on the full
committee calendar unless a majority of the members present and voting
agree to refer specific legislation to an appropriate subcommittee.
(b) The chairman may limit the period during which House-passed
legislation referred to a subcommittee under paragraph (a) will remain
in that subcommittee. At the end of that period, the legislation will be
restored to the full committee calendar. The period referred to in the
preceding sentences should be 6 weeks, but may be extended in the event
that adjournment or a long recess is imminent.
(c) All decisions of the chairman are subject to approval or
modification by a majority vote of the committee.
(d) The full committee may at any time by majority vote of those
members present discharge a subcommittee from further consideration of a
specific piece of legislation.
(e) Because the Senate is constitutionally prohibited from passing
revenue legislation originating in the Senate, subcommittees may mark up
legislation originating in the Senate and referred to them under Rule
16(a) to develop specific proposals for full committee consideration but
may not report such legislation to the full committee. The preceding
sentence does not apply to nonrevenue legislation originating in the
Senate.
(f) The chairman and ranking minority members shall serve as
nonvoting ex officio members of the subcommittees on which they do not
serve as voting members.
(g) Any member of the committee may attend hearings held by any
subcommittee and question witnesses testifying before that subcommittee.
(h) Subcommittee meeting times shall be coordinated by the staff
director to insure that--
(1) no subcommittee meeting will be held when the committee is
in executive session, except by unanimous consent;
(2) no more than one subcommittee will meet when the full
committee is holding hearings; and
(3) not more than two subcommittees will meet at the same
time.
Notwithstanding paragraphs (2) and (3), a subcommittee may meet when
the full committee is holding hearings and two subcommittees may meet at
the same time only upon the approval of the chairman and the ranking
minority member of the committee and subcommittees involved.
(i) All nominations shall be considered by the full committee.
(j) The chairman will attempt to schedule reasonably frequent
meetings of the full committee to permit consideration of legislation
reported favorably to the committee by the subcommittees.
Rule 18. Transcripts of Committee Meetings.--An accurate record
shall be kept of all markups of the committee, whether they be open or
closed to the public. This record, marked as ``uncorrected,'' shall be
available for inspection by Members of the Senate, or members of the
committee together with their staffs, at any time. This record shall not
be published or made public in any way except:
(a) By majority vote of the committee after all members of the
committee have had a reasonable opportunity to correct their
remarks for grammatical errors or to accurately reflect
statements made.
(b) Any member may release his own remarks made in any markup
of the committee provided that every member or witness whose
remarks are contained in the released portion is given a
reasonable opportunity before release to correct their remarks.
Notwithstanding the above, in the case of the record of an executive
session of the committee that is closed to the public pursuant to Rule
XXVI of the Standing Rules of the Senate, the record shall not be
published or made public in any way except by majority vote of the
committee after all members of the committee have had a reasonable
opportunity to correct their remarks for grammatical errors or to
accurately reflect statements made.
Rule 19. Amendment of Rules.--The foregoing rules may be added to,
modified, amended or suspended at any time.
Authority and Rules of Senate Committees
Foreign Relations
COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN RELATIONS
Jurisdiction and Rules of Procedure \1\
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\1\ The Committee on Foreign Relations sets forth its jurisdiction
under Senate Rule XXV.1(j) in Rule 1(a) .
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153 Cong. Rec. S2892 (daily ed. Mar. 8, 2007)
Rule 1--Jurisdiction
(a) Substantive.--In accordance with Senate Rule XXV.1(j), the
jurisdiction of the Committee shall extend to all proposed legislation,
messages, petitions, memorials, and other matters relating to the
following subjects:
1. Acquisition of land and buildings for embassies and legations in
foreign countries.
2. Boundaries of the United States.
3. Diplomatic service.
4. Foreign economic, military, technical, and humanitarian
assistance.
5. Foreign loans.
6. International activities of the American National Red Cross and
the International Committee of the Red Cross.
7. International aspects of nuclear energy, including nuclear
transfer policy.
8. International conferences and congresses.
9. International law as it relates to foreign policy.
10. International Monetary Fund and other international
organizations established primarily for international monetary purposes
(except that, at the request of the Committee on Banking, Housing, and
Urban Affairs, any proposed legislation relating to such subjects
reported by the Committee on Foreign Relations shall be referred to the
Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs).
11. Intervention abroad and declarations of war.
12. Measures to foster commercial intercourse with foreign nations
and to safeguard American business interests abroad.
13. National security and international aspects of trusteeships of
the United States.
14. Ocean and international environmental and scientific affairs as
they relate to foreign policy.
15. Protection of United States citizens abroad and expatriation.
16. Relations of the United States with foreign nations generally.
17. Treaties and executive agreements, except reciprocal trade
agreements.
18. United Nations and its affiliated organizations.
19. World Bank group, the regional development banks, and other
international organizations established primarily for development
assistance purposes.
The Committee is also mandated by Senate Rule XXV.1(j) to study and
review, on a comprehensive basis, matters relating to the national
security policy, foreign policy, and international economic policy as it
relates to foreign policy of the United States, and matters relating to
food, hunger, and nutrition in foreign countries, and report thereon
from time to time.
(b) Oversight.--The Committee also has a responsibility under Senate
Rule XXVI.8, which provides that ``. . . each standing Committee . . .
shall review and study, on a continuing basis, the application,
administration, and execution of those laws, or parts of laws, the
subject matter of which is within the jurisdiction of the Committee.''
(c) ``Advice and Consent'' Clauses.--The Committee has a special
responsibility to assist the Senate in its constitutional function of
providing ``advice and consent'' to all treaties entered into by the
United States and all nominations to the principal executive branch
positions in the field of foreign policy and diplomacy.
Rule 2--Subcommittees
(a) Creation.--Unless otherwise authorized by law or Senate
resolution, subcommittees shall be created by majority vote of the
committee and shall deal with such legislation and oversight of programs
and policies as the committee directs. Legislative measures or other
matters may be referred to a subcommittee for consideration in the
discretion of the chairman or by vote of a majority of the committee. If
the principal subject matter of a measure or matter to be referred falls
within the jurisdiction of more than one subcommittee, the chairman or
the committee may refer the matter to two or more subcommittees for
joint consideration.
(b) Assignments.--Assignments of members to subcommittees shall be
made in an equitable fashion. No member of the committee may receive
assignment to a second subcommittee until, in order of seniority, all
members of the committee have chosen assignments to one subcommittee,
and no member shall receive assignments to a third subcommittee until,
in order of seniority, all members have chosen assignments to two
subcommittees.
No member of the committee may serve on more than four subcommittees
at any one time.
The chairman and ranking member of the committee shall be ex officio
members, without vote, of each subcommittee.
(c) Meetings.--Except when funds have been specifically made
available by the Senate for a subcommittee purpose, no subcommittee of
the Committee on Foreign Relations shall hold hearings involving
expenses without prior approval of the chairman of the full committee or
by decision of the full committee. Meetings of subcommittees shall be
scheduled after consultation with the chairman of the committee with a
view toward avoiding conflicts with meetings of other subcommittees
insofar as possible. Meetings of subcommittees shall not be scheduled to
conflict with meetings of the full committee.
The proceedings of each subcommittee shall be governed by the rules
of the full committee, subject to such authorizations or limitations as
the committee may from time to time prescribe.
Rule 3--Meetings
(a) Regular Meeting Day.--The regular meeting day of the Committee
on Foreign Relations for the transaction of committee business shall be
on Tuesday of each week, unless otherwise directed by the chairman.
(b) Additional Meetings.--Additional meetings and hearings of the
committee may be called by the chairman as he may deem necessary. If at
least three members of the committee desire that a special meeting of
the committee be called by the chairman, those members may file in the
offices of the committee their written request to the chairman for that
special meeting. Immediately upon filing of the request, the chief clerk
of the committee shall notify the chairman of the filing of the request.
If, within three calendar days after the filing of the request, the
chairman does not call the requested special meeting, to be held within
seven calendar days after the filing of the request, a majority of the
members of the committee may file in the offices of the committee their
written notice that a special meeting of the committee will be held,
specifying the date and hour of that special meeting. The committee
shall meet on that date and hour. Immediately upon the filing of the
notice, the clerk shall notify all members of the committee that such
special meeting will be held and inform them of its date and hour.
(c) Hearings, selection of witnesses.--To ensure that the issue
which is the subject of the hearing is presented as fully and fairly as
possible, whenever a hearing is conducted by the committee or a
subcommittee upon any measure or matter, the ranking member of the
committee or subcommittee may call an equal number of non-governmental
witnesses selected by the ranking member to testify at that hearing.
(d) Public Announcement.--The committee, or any subcommittee
thereof, shall make public announcement of the date, place, time, and
subject matter of any meeting or hearing to be conducted on any measure
or matter at least one week in advance of such meetings or hearings,
unless the chairman of the committee, or subcommittee, in consultation
with the ranking member, determines that there is good cause to begin
such meeting or hearing at an earlier date.
(e) Procedure.--Insofar as possible, proceedings of the committee
will be conducted without resort to the formalities of parliamentary
procedure and with due regard for the views of all members. Issues of
procedure which may arise from time to time shall be resolved by
decision of the chairman, in consultation with the ranking member. The
chairman, in consultation with the ranking member, may also propose
special procedures to govern the consideration of particular matters by
the committee.
(f) Closed Sessions.--Each meeting of the Committee on Foreign
Relations, or any subcommittee thereof, including meetings to conduct
hearings, shall be open to the public, except that a meeting or series
of meetings by the committee or a subcommittee on the same subject for a
period of no more than fourteen calendar days may be closed to the
public on a motion made and seconded to go into closed session to
discuss only whether the matters enumerated in paragraphs (1) through
(6) would require the meeting to be closed followed immediately by a
record vote in open session by a majority of the members of the
committee or subcommittee when it is determined that the matters to be
discussed or the testimony to be taken at such meeting or meetings--
(1) will disclose matters necessary to be kept secret in the
interests of national defense or the confidential conduct of the
foreign relations of the United States;
(2) will relate solely to matters of committee staff personnel
or internal staff management or procedure;
(3) will tend to charge an individual with crime or
misconduct; to disgrace or injure the professional standing of
an individual, or otherwise to expose an individual to public
contempt or obloquy, or will represent a clearly unwarranted
invasion of the privacy of an individual;
(4) will disclose the identity of any informer or law
enforcement agent or will disclose any information relating to
the investigation or prosecution of a criminal offense that is
required to be kept secret in the interests of effective law
enforcement;
(5) will disclose information relating to the trade secrets or
financial or commercial information pertaining specifically to a
given person if--
(A) an Act of Congress requires the information to be
kept confidential by government officers and employees;
or
(B) the information has been obtained by the
government on a confidential basis, other than through
an application by such person for a specific government
financial or other benefit, and is required to be kept
secret in order to prevent undue injury to the
competitive position of such person, or
(6) may divulge matters required to be kept confidential under
other provisions of law or government regulations.
A closed meeting may be opened by a majority vote of the committee.
(g) Staff Attendance.--A member of the committee may have one member
of his or her personal staff, for whom that member assumes personal
responsibility, accompany and be seated nearby at committee meetings.
Each member of the committee may designate members of his or her
personal staff, who hold a top secret security clearance, for the
purpose of their eligibility to attend closed sessions of the committee,
subject to the same conditions set forth for committee staff under Rules
12, 13, and 14.
In addition, the majority leader and the minority leader of the
Senate, if they are not otherwise members of the Committee, may
designate one member of their staff with a top secret security clearance
to attend closed sessions of the committee, subject to the same
conditions set forth for committee staff under Rules 12, 13 and 14.
Staff of other Senators who are not members of the committee may not
attend closed sessions of the committee.
Attendance of committee staff at meetings shall be limited to those
designated by the staff director or the minority staff director.
The committee, by majority vote, or the chairman, with the
concurrence of the ranking member, may limit staff attendance at
specified meetings.
Rule 4--Quorums
(a) Testimony.--For the purpose of taking sworn or unsworn testimony
at any duly scheduled meeting a quorum of the committee and each
subcommittee thereof shall consist of one member.
(b) Business.--A quorum for the transaction of committee or
subcommittee business, other than for reporting a measure or
recommendation to the Senate or the taking of testimony, shall consist
of one-third of the members of the committee or subcommittee, including
at least one member from each party.
(c) Reporting.--A majority of the membership of the committee,
including at least one member from each party, shall constitute a quorum
for reporting any measure or recommendation to the Senate. No measure or
recommendation shall be ordered reported from the committee unless a
majority of the committee members is physically present and a majority
of those present concurs.
Rule 5--Proxies
Proxies must be in writing with the signature of the absent member.
Subject to the requirements of Rule 4 for the physical presence of a
quorum to report a matter, proxy voting shall be allowed on all measures
and matters before the committee. However, proxies shall not be voted on
a measure or matter except when the absent member has been informed of
the matter on which he is being recorded and has affirmatively requested
that he or she be so recorded.
Rule 6--Witnesses
(a) General.--The Committee on Foreign Relations will consider
requests to testify on any matter or measure pending before the
committee.
(b) Presentation.--If the chairman so determines, the oral
presentation of witnesses shall be limited to 10 minutes. However,
written statements of reasonable length may be submitted by witnesses
and other interested persons who are unable to testify in person.
(c) Filing of Statements.--A witness appearing before the committee,
or any subcommittee thereof, shall file a written statement of his
proposed testimony at least 48 hours prior to his appearance, unless
this requirement is waived by the chairman and the ranking member
following their determination that there is good cause for failure to
file such a statement. Witnesses appearing on behalf of the executive
branch shall provide an additional 100 copies of their statement to the
committee.
(d) Expenses.--Only the chairman may authorize expenditures of funds
for the expenses of witnesses appearing before the committee or its
subcommittees.
(e) Requests.--Any witness called for a hearing may submit a written
request to the chairman no later than 24 hours in advance for his
testimony to be in closed or open session, or for any other unusual
procedure. The chairman shall determine whether to grant any such
request and shall notify the committee members of the request and of his
decision.
Rule 7--Subpoenas
(a) Authorization.--The chairman or any other member of the
committee, when authorized by a majority vote of the committee at a
meeting or by proxies, shall have authority to subpoena the attendance
of witnesses or the production of memoranda, documents, records, or any
other materials. At the request of any member of the committee, the
committee shall authorize the issuance of a subpoena only at a meeting
of the committee. When the committee authorizes a subpoena, it may be
issued upon the signature of the chairman or any other member designated
by the committee.
(b) Return.--A subpoena, or a request to an agency, for documents
may be issued whose return shall occur at a time and place other than
that of a scheduled committee meeting. A return on such a subpoena or
request which is incomplete or accompanied by an objection constitutes
good cause for a hearing on shortened notice. Upon such a return, the
chairman or any other member designated by him may convene a hearing by
giving 2 hours notice by telephone to all other members. One member
shall constitute a quorum for such a hearing. The sole purpose of such a
hearing shall be to elucidate further information about the return and
to rule on the objection.
(c) Depositions.--At the direction of the committee, staff is
authorized to take depositions from witnesses.
Rule 8--Reports
(a) Filing.--When the Committee has ordered a measure or
recommendation reported, the report thereon shall be filed in the Senate
at the earliest practicable time.
(b) Supplemental, Minority and Additional Views.--A member of the
committee who gives notice of his intentions to file supplemental,
minority, or additional views at the time of final committee approval of
a measure or matter, shall be entitled to not less than 3 calendar days
in which to file such views, in writing, with the chief clerk of the
committee, with the 3 days to begin at 11:00 p.m. on the same day that
the committee has ordered a measure or matter reported. Such views shall
then be included in the committee report and printed in the same volume,
as a part thereof, and their inclusion shall be noted on the cover of
the report. In the absence of timely notice, the committee report may be
filed and printed immediately without such views.
(c) Rollcall Votes.--The results of all rollcall votes taken in any
meeting of the committee on any measure, or amendment thereto, shall be
announced in the committee report. The announcement shall include a
tabulation of the votes cast in favor and votes cast in opposition to
each such measure and amendment by each member of the committee.
Rule 9--Treaties
(a) The committee is the only committee of the Senate with
jurisdiction to review and report to the Senate on treaties submitted by
the President for Senate advice and consent to ratification. Because the
House of Representatives has no role in the approval of treaties, the
committee is therefore the only congressional committee with
responsibility for treaties.
(b) Once submitted by the President for advice and consent, each
treaty is referred to the committee and remains on its calendar from
Congress to Congress until the committee takes action to report it to
the Senate or recommend its return to the President, or until the
committee is discharged of the treaty by the Senate.
(c) In accordance with Senate Rule XXX.2, treaties which have been
reported to the Senate but not acted on before the end of a Congress
``shall be resumed at the commencement of the next Congress as if no
proceedings had previously been had thereon.''
(d) Insofar as possible, the committee should conduct a public
hearing on each treaty as soon as possible after its submission by the
President. Except in extraordinary circumstances, treaties reported to
the Senate shall be accompanied by a written report.
Rule 10--Nominations
(a) Waiting Requirement.--Unless otherwise directed by the chairman
and the ranking member, the Committee on Foreign Relations shall not
consider any nomination until 6 calendar days after it has been formally
submitted to the Senate.
(b) Public Consideration.--Nominees for any post who are invited to
appear before the committee shall be heard in public session, unless a
majority of the committee decrees otherwise, consistent with Rule 3(f).
(c) Required Data.--No nomination shall be reported to the Senate
unless (1) the nominee has been accorded a security clearance on the
basis of a thorough investigation by executive branch agencies; (2) the
nominee has filed a financial disclosure report and a related ethics
undertaking with the committee; (3) the committee has been assured that
the nominee does not have any interests which could conflict with the
interests of the government in the exercise of the nominee's proposed
responsibilities; (4) for persons nominated to be chief of mission,
ambassador-at-large, or minister, the committee has received a complete
list of any contributions made by the nominee or members of his
immediate family to any Federal election campaign during the year of his
or her nomination and for the 4 preceding years; and (5) for persons
nominated to be chiefs of mission, the report required by Section
304(a)(4) of the Foreign Service Act of 1980 on the demonstrated
competence of that nominee to perform the duties of the position to
which he or she has been nominated.
Rule 11--Travel
(a) Foreign Travel.--No member of the Committee on Foreign Relations
or its staff shall travel abroad on committee business unless
specifically authorized by the chairman, who is required by law to
approve vouchers and report expenditures of foreign currencies, and the
ranking member. Requests for authorization of such travel shall state
the purpose and, when completed, a full substantive and financial report
shall be filed with the committee within 30 days. This report shall be
furnished to all members of the committee and shall not be otherwise
disseminated without the express authorization of the chairman or the
ranking member. Except in extraordinary circumstances, staff travel
shall not be approved unless the reporting requirements have been
fulfilled for all prior trips. Except for travel that is strictly
personal, travel funded by non-U.S. Government sources is subject to the
same approval and substantive reporting requirements as U.S. Government-
funded travel. In addition, members and staff are reminded to consult
the Senate Code of Conduct, and, as appropriate, the Senate Select
Committee on Ethics, in the case of travel sponsored by non-U.S.
Government sources.
Any proposed travel by committee staff for a subcommittee purpose
must be approved by the subcommittee chairman and ranking member prior
to submission of the request to the chairman and ranking member of the
full committee.
(b) Domestic Travel.--All official travel in the United States by
the committee staff shall be approved in advance by the staff director,
or in the case of minority staff, by the minority staff director.
(c) Personal Staff.--As a general rule, no more than one member of
the personal staff of a member of the committee may travel with that
member with the approval of the chairman and the ranking member of the
committee. During such travel, the personal staff member shall be
considered to be an employee of the committee.
(d) Personal Representatives of the Member (PRM).--For the purposes
of this rule regarding staff foreign travel, the officially-designated
personal representative of the member (PRM) shall be deemed to have the
same rights, duties, and responsibilities as members of the staff of the
Committee on Foreign Relations. Furthermore, for the purposes of this
section, each member of the committee may designate one personal staff
member as the ``Personal Representative of the Member.''
Rule 12--Transcripts
(a) General.--The Committee on Foreign Relations shall keep verbatim
transcripts of all committee and subcommittee meetings and such
transcripts shall remain in the custody of the committee, unless a
majority of the committee decides otherwise. Transcripts of public
hearings by the committee shall be published unless the chairman, with
the concurrence of the ranking member, determines otherwise.
(b) Classified or Restricted Transcripts.--
(1) The chief clerk of the committee shall have responsibility
for the maintenance and security of classified or restricted
transcripts, and shall ensure that such transcripts are handled
in a manner consistent with the requirements of the United
States Senate Security Manual.
(2) A record shall be maintained of each use of classified or
restricted transcripts as required by the Senate Security
Manual.
(3) Classified transcripts may not leave the committee
offices, or S-407 of the Capitol, except for the purpose of
declassification.
(4) Extreme care shall be exercised to avoid taking notes or
quotes from classified transcripts. Their contents may not be
divulged to any unauthorized person.
(5) Subject to any additional restrictions imposed by the
chairman with the concurrence of the ranking member, only the
following persons are authorized to have access to classified or
restricted transcripts:
(A) Members and staff of the committee in the
committee offices or in S-407 of the Capitol;
(B) Designated personal representatives of members of
the committee, and of the majority and minority leaders,
with appropriate security clearances, in the committee
offices or in S-407 of the Capitol;
(C) Senators not members of the committee, by
permission of the chairman, in the committee offices or
in S-407 of the Capitol; and
(D) Officials of the executive departments involved in
the meeting, in the committee offices or S-407 of the
Capitol.
(6) Any restrictions imposed upon access to a meeting of the
Committee shall also apply to the transcript of such meeting,
except by special permission of the chairman and ranking member.
(7) In addition to restrictions resulting from the inclusion
of any classified information in the transcript of a committee
meeting, members and staff shall not discuss with anyone the
proceedings of the committee in closed session or reveal
information conveyed or discussed in such a session unless that
person would have been permitted to attend the session itself,
or unless such communication is specifically authorized by the
chairman, the ranking member, or in the case of staff, by the
staff director or minority staff director. A record shall be
kept of all such authorizations.
(c) Declassification.--
(1) All noncurrent records of the committee are governed by
Rule XI of the Standing Rules of the Senate and by S. Res. 474
(96th Congress). Any classified transcripts transferred to the
National Archives and Records Administration under Rule XI may
not be made available for public use unless they have been
subject to declassification review in accordance with applicable
laws or Executive orders.
(2) Any transcript or classified committee report, or any
portion thereof, may be declassified, in accordance with
applicable laws or Executive orders, sooner than the time period
provided for under S. Res. 474 if:
(A) the chairman originates such action with the
concurrence of the ranking member;
(B) the other current members of the committee who
participated in the meeting who participated in such
meeting or report have been notified of the proposed
declassification, and have not objected thereto, except
that the committee by majority vote may overrule any
objections thereby raised to early declassification; and
(C) the executive departments that participated in the
meeting or originated the classified information have
been consulted and consented to the declassification.
Rule 13--Classified Information
(a) Tha handling of classified information in the Senate is governed
by S. Res. 243 (100th Congress), which established the Office of Senate
Security. All handling of classified information by the committee shall
be consistent with the procedures set forth in the United States Senate
Security Manual issued by the Office of Senate Security.
(b) The chief clerk is the security manager for the committee. The
chief clerk shall be responsible for implementing the provisions of the
Senate Security Manual and for serving as the committee liaison to the
Office of Senate Security. The staff director, in consultation with the
minority staff direcotr, may appoint an alternate security manager as
circumstances warrant..
(c) Classified material may only be transported between Senate
offices by appropriately cleared staff members who have been
specifically authorized to do so by the security manager.
(d) In general, Senators and staff undertake to confine their access
to classified information on the basis of a ``need to know'' such
information related to their committee responsibilities.
(e) The staff director is authorized to make such administrative
regulations as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this
rule.
Rule 14--Staff
(a) Responsibilities.--
(1) The staff works for the committee as a whole, under the
general supervision of the chairman of the committee, and the
immediate direction of the staff director, except that such part
of the staff as is designated minority staff, shall be under the
general supervision of the ranking member and under the
immediate direction of the minority staff director.
(2) Any member of the committee should feel free to call upon
the staff at any time for assistance in connection with
committee business. Members of the Senate not members of the
committee who call upon the staff for assistance from time to
time should be given assistance subject to the overriding
responsibility of the staff to the committee.
(3) The staff's primary responsibility is with respect to
bills, resolutions, treaties, and nominations.
In addition to carrying out assignments from the committee and
its individual members, the staff has a responsibility to
originate suggestions for committee or subcommittee
consideration. The staff also has a responsibility to make
suggestions to individual members regarding matters of special
interest to such members.
(4) It is part of the staff's duty to keep itself as well
informed as possible in regard to developments affecting foreign
relations and in regard to the administration of foreign
programs of the United States. Significant trends or
developments which might otherwise escape notice should be
called to the attention of the committee, or of individual
Senators with particular interests.
(5) The staff shall pay due regard to the constitutional
separation of powers between the Senate and the executive
branch. It therefore has a responsibility to help the committee
bring to bear an independent, objective judgment of proposals by
the executive branch and when appropriate to originate sound
proposals of its own. At the same time, the staff shall avoid
impinging upon the day-to-day conduct of foreign affairs.
(6) In those instances when committee action requires the
expression of minority views, the staff shall assist the
minority as fully as the majority to the end that all points of
view may be fully considered by members of the committee and of
the Senate. The staff shall bear in mind that under our
constitutional system it is the responsibility of the elected
members of the Senate to determine legislative issues in the
light of as full and fair a presentation of the facts as the
staff may be able to obtain.
(b) Restrictions.--
(1) The staff shall regard its relationship to the committee
as a privileged one, in the nature of the relationship of a
lawyer to a client. In order to protect this relationship and
the mutual confidence which must prevail if the committee-staff
relationship is to be a satisfactory and fruitful one, the
following criteria shall apply:
(i) members of the staff shall not be identified with
any special interest group in the field of foreign
relations or allow their names to be used by any such
group;
(ii) members of the staff shall not accept public
speaking engagements or write for publication in the
field of foreign relations without specific advance
permission from the staff director, or, in the case of
minority staff, from the minority staff director. In the
case of the staff director and the minority staff
director, such advance permission shall be obtained from
the chairman or the ranking member, as appropriate. In
any event, such public statements should avoid the
expression of personal views and should not contain
predictions of future, or interpretations of past,
committee action; and
(iii) staff shall not discuss their private
conversations with members of the committee without
specific advance permission from the Senator or Senators
concerned.
(2) The staff shall not discuss with anyone the proceedings of
the committee in closed session or reveal information conveyed
or discussed in such a session unless that person would have
been permitted to attend the session itself, or unless such
communication is specifically authorized by the staff director
or minority staff director. Unauthorized disclosure of
information from a closed session or of classified information
shall be cause for immediate dismissal and may, in the case of
some kinds of information, be grounds for criminal prosecution.
Rule 15--Status and Amendment of Rules
(a) Status.--In addition to the foregoing, the Committee on Foreign
Relations is governed by the Standing Rules of the Senate which shall
take precedence in the event of a clear inconsistency. In addition, the
jurisdiction and responsibilities of the committee with respect to
certain matters, as well as the timing and procedure for their
consideration in committee, may be governed by statute.
(b) Amendment.--These rules may be modified, amended, or repealed by
a majority of the committee, provided that a notice in writing of the
proposed change has been given to each member at least 48 hours prior to
the meeting at which action thereon is to be taken. However, rules of
the committee which are based upon Senate rules may not be superseded by
committee vote alone.
Authority and Rules of Senate Committees
Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
COMMITTEE ON HEALTH, EDUCATION, LABOR, AND PENSIONS
Jurisdiction
Rule XXV, Standing Rules of the Senate
1. The following standing committees shall be appointed at the
commencement of each Congress, and shall continue and have the power to
act until their successors are appointed, with leave to report by bill
or otherwise on matters within their respective jurisdictions:
* * * * * * *
(m)(1) Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions, to which
committee shall be referred all proposed legislation, messages,
petitions, memorials, and other matters relating to the following
subjects:
1. Measures relating to education, labor, health, and public
welfare.
2. Aging.
3. Agricultural colleges.
4. Arts and humanities.
5. Biomedical research and development.
6. Child labor.
7. Convict labor and the entry of goods made by convicts into
interstate commerce.
8. Domestic activities of the American National Red Cross.
9. Equal employment opportunity.
10. Gallaudet College, Howard University, and Saint Elizabeths
Hospital.
11. Individuals with disabilities. \1\
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\1\ Effective Jan. 21, 1999, pursuant to the Committee
Reorganization Amendments of 1999 (S. Res. 28), is amended by striking
``Handicapped individuals'', and inserting ``Individuals with
disabilities.''
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12. Labor standards and labor statistics.
13. Mediation and arbitration of labor disputes.
14. Occupational safety and health, including the welfare of miners.
15. Private pension plans.
16. Public health.
17. Railway labor and retirement.
18. Regulation of foreign laborers.
19. Student loans.
20. Wages and hours of labor.
(2) Such committee shall also study and review, on a comprehensive
basis, matters relating to health, education and training, and public
welfare, and report thereon from time to time.
Rules of Procedure
153 Cong. Rec. S1401 (daily ed. Jan. 31, 2007)
Rule 1.--Subject to the provisions of Rule XXVI, paragraph 5, of the
Standing Rules of the Senate, regular meetings of the committee shall be
held on the second and fourth Wednesday of each month, at 10:00 a.m., in
room SD-430, Dirksen Senate Office Building. The chairman may, upon
proper notice, call such additional meetings as he may deem necessary.
Rule 2.--The chairman of the committee or of a subcommittee, or if
the chairman is not present, the ranking majority member present, shall
preside at all meetings. The chairman may designate the ranking minority
member to preside at hearings of the committee or subcommittee.
Rule 3.--Meetings of the committee or a subcommittee, including
meetings to conduct hearings, shall be open to the public except as
otherwise specifically provided in subsections (b) and (d) of Rule 26.5
of the Standing Rules of the Senate.
Rule 4.--(a) Subject to paragraph (b), one-third of the membership
of the committee, actually present, shall constitute a quorum for the
purpose of transacting business. Any quorum of the committee which is
composed of less than a majority of the members of the committee shall
include at least one member of the majority and one member of the
minority.
(b) A majority of the members of a subcommittee, actually present,
shall constitute a quorum for the purpose of transacting business:
provided, no measure or matter shall be ordered reported unless such
majority shall include at least one member of the minority who is a
member of the subcommittee. If, at any subcommittee meeting, a measure
or matter cannot be ordered reported because of the absence of such a
minority member, the measure or matter shall lay over for a day. If the
presence of a member of the minority is not then obtained, a majority of
the members of the subcommittee, actually present, may order such
measure or matter reported.
(c) No measure or matter shall be ordered reported from the
committee or a subcommittee unless a majority of the committee or
subcommittee is physically present.
Rule 5.--With the approval of the chairman of the committee or
subcommittee, one member thereof may conduct public hearings other than
taking sworn testimony.
Rule 6.--Proxy voting shall be allowed on all measures and matters
before the committee or a subcommittee if the absent member has been
informed of the matter on which he is being recorded and has
affirmatively requested that he be so recorded. While proxies may be
voted on a motion to report a measure or matter from the committee, such
a motion shall also require the concurrence of a majority of the members
who are actually present at the time such action is taken.
The committee may poll any matters of committee business as a matter
of unanimous consent; provided that every member is polled and every
poll consists of the following two questions:
(1) Do you agree or disagree to poll the proposal; and
(2) Do you favor or oppose the proposal.
Rule 7.--There shall be prepared and kept a complete transcript or
electronic recording adequate to fully record the proceedings of each
committee or subcommittee meeting or conference whether or not such
meetings or any part thereof is closed pursuant to the specific
provisions of subsections (b) and (d) of Rule 26.5 of the Standing Rules
of the Senate, unless a majority of said members vote to forgo such a
record. Such records shall contain the vote cast by each member of the
committee or subcommittee on any question on which a ``yea and nay''
vote is demanded, and shall be available for inspection by any committee
member. The clerk of the committee, or the clerk's designee, shall have
the responsibility to make appropriate arrangements to implement this
rule.
Rule 8.--The committee and each subcommittee shall undertake,
consistent with the provisions of Rule XXVI, paragraph 4, of the
Standing Rules of the Senate, to issue public announcement of any
hearing it intends to hold at least one week prior to the commencement
of such hearing.
Rule 9.--The committee or a subcommittee shall require all witnesses
heard before it to file written statements of their proposed testimony
at least 24 hours before a hearing, unless the chairman and the ranking
minority member determine that there is good cause for failure to so
file, and to limit their oral presentation to brief summaries of their
arguments. Testimony may be filed electronically. The presiding officer
at any hearing is authorized to limit the time of each witness appearing
before the committee or a subcommittee. The committee or a subcommittee
shall, as far as practicable, utilize testimony previously taken on
bills and measures similar to those before it for consideration.
Rule 10.--Should a subcommittee fail to report back to the full
committee on any measure within a reasonable time, the chairman may
withdraw the measure from such subcommittee and report that fact to the
full committee for further disposition.
Rule 11.--No subcommittee may schedule a meeting or hearing at a
time designated for a hearing or meeting of the full committee. No more
than one subcommittee executive meeting may be held at the same time.
Rule 12.--It shall be the duty of the chairman in accordance with
section 133(c) of the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946, as
amended, to report or cause to be reported to the Senate, any measure or
recommendation approved by the committee and to take or cause to be
taken, necessary steps to bring the matter to a vote in the Senate.
Rule 13.--Whenever a meeting of the committee or subcommittee is
closed pursuant to the provisions of subsection (b) or (d) of Rule 26.5
of the Standing Rules of the Senate, no person other than members of the
committee, members of the staff of the committee, and designated
assistants to members of the committee shall be permitted to attend such
closed session, except by special dispensation of the committee or
subcommittee or the chairman thereof.
Rule 14.--The chairman of the committee or a subcommittee shall be
empowered to adjourn any meeting of the committee or a subcommittee if a
quorum is not present within fifteen minutes of the time scheduled for
such meeting.
Rule 15.--Whenever a bill or joint resolution repealing or amending
any statute or part thereof shall be before the committee or a
subcommittee for final consideration, the clerk shall place before each
member of the committee or subcommittee a print of the statute or the
part or section thereof to be amended or replaced showing by stricken-
through type, the part or parts to be omitted, and in italics, the
matter proposed to be added, if a member makes a timely request for such
print.
Rule 16.--An appropriate opportunity shall be given the minority to
examine the proposed text of committee reports prior to their filing or
publication. In the event there are supplemental, minority or additional
views, an appropriate opportunity shall be given the majority to examine
the proposed text prior to filing or publication. Unless the chairman
and ranking minority member agree on a shorter period of time, the
minority shall have no fewer than three business days to prepare
supplemental, minority or additional views for inclusion in a committee
report from the time the majority makes the proposed text of the
committee report available to the minority.
Rule 17.--(a) The committee, or any subcommittee, may issue
subpoenas, or hold hearings to take sworn testimony or hear subpoenaed
witnesses, only if such investigative activity has been authorized by
majority vote of the committee.
(b) For the purpose of holding a hearing to take sworn testimony or
hear subpoenaed witnesses, three members of the committee or
subcommittee shall constitute a quorum: provided, with the concurrence
of the chairman and ranking minority member of the committee or
subcommittee, a single member may hear subpoenaed witnesses or take
sworn testimony.
(c) The committee may, by a majority vote, delegate the authority to
issue subpoenas to the chairman of the committee or a subcommittee, or
to any member designated by such chairman. Prior to the issuance of each
subpoena, the ranking minority member of the committee or subcommittee,
and any other member so requesting, shall be notified regarding the
identity of the person to whom it will be issued and the nature of the
information sought and its relationship to the authorized investigative
activity, except where the chairman of the committee or subcommittee, in
consultation with the ranking minority member, determines that such
notice would unduly impede the investigation. All information obtained
pursuant to such investigative activity shall be made available as
promptly as possible to each member of the committee requesting same, or
to any assistant to a member of the committee designated by such member
in writing, but the use of any such information is subject to
restrictions imposed by the rules of the Senate. Such information, to
the extent that it is relevant to the investigation shall, if requested
by a member, be summarized in writing as soon as practicable. Upon the
request of any member, the chairman of the committee or subcommittee
shall call an executive session to discuss such investigative activity
or the issuance of any subpoena in connection therewith.
(d) Any witness summoned to testify at a hearing, or any witness
giving sworn testimony, may be accompanied by counsel of his own
choosing who shall be permitted, while the witness is testifying, to
advise him of his legal rights.
(e) No confidential testimony taken or confidential material
presented in an executive hearing, or any report of the proceedings of
such an executive hearing, shall be made public, either in whole or in
part or by way of summary, unless authorized by a majority of the
members of the committee or subcommittee.
Rule 18.--Presidential nominees shall submit a statement of their
background and financial interests, including the financial interests of
their spouse and children living in their household, on a form approved
by the committee which shall be sworn to as to its completeness and
accuracy. The committee form shall be in two parts--
(I) information relating to employment, education, and
background of the nominee relating to the position to which the
individual is nominated, and which is to be made public; and,
(II) information relating to financial and other background of
the nominee, to be made public when the committee determines
that such information bears directly on the nominee's
qualifications to hold the position to which the individual is
nominated.
Information relating to background and financial interests (parts I
and II) shall not be required of (a) candidates for appointment and
promotion in the Public Health Service Corps; and (b) nominees for less
than full-time appointments to councils, commissions or boards when the
committee determines that some or all of the information is not relevant
to the nature of the position. Information relating to other background
and financial interests (part II) shall not be required of any nominee
when the committee determines that it is not relevant to the nature of
the position.
Committee action on a nomination, including hearings or meetings to
consider a motion to recommend confirmation, shall not be initiated
until at least five days after the nominee submits the form required by
this rule unless the chairman, with the concurrence of the ranking
minority member, waives this waiting period.
Rule 19.--Subject to statutory requirements imposed on the committee
with respect to procedure, the rules of the committee may be changed,
modified, amended or suspended at any time; provided, not less than a
majority of the entire membership so determine at a regular meeting with
due notice, or at a meeting specifically called for that purpose.
Rule 20.--When the ratio of members on the committee is even, the
term ``majority'' as used in the committee's rules and guidelines shall
refer to the party of the chairman for purposes of party identification.
Numerical requirements for quorums, votes and the like shall be
unaffected.
Rule 21.--First degree amendments must be filed with the chairman at
least 24 hours before an executive session. The chairman shall promptly
distribute all filed amendments to the members of the committee. The
chairman may modify the filing requirements to meet special
circumstances with the concurrence of the ranking minority member.
Rule 22.--In addition to the foregoing, the proceedings of the
committee shall be governed by the Standing Rules of the Senate and the
provisions of the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946, as amended.
* * * * * * *
GUIDELINES OF THE SENATE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH, EDUCATION, LABOR and
PENSIONS WITH RESPECT TO HEARINGS, MARKUP SESSIONS, AND RELATED MATTERS
Hearings
Section 133A(a) of the Legislative Reorganization Act requires each
committee of the Senate to publicly announce the date, place and subject
matter of any hearing at least one week prior to the commencement of
such hearing.
The spirit of this requirement is to assure adequate notice to the
public and other Members of the Senate as to the time and subject matter
of proposed hearings. In the spirit of section 133A(a) and in order to
assure that members of the committee are themselves fully informed and
involved in the development of hearings:
1. Public notice of the date, place and subject matter of each
committee or subcommittee hearing should be inserted in the
Congressional Record seven days prior to the commencement of such
hearing.
2. At least seven days prior to public notice of each committee or
subcommittee hearing, the majority should provide notice to the minority
of the time, place, and specific subject matter of such hearing.
3. At least three days prior to the date of such hearing, the
committee or subcommittee should provide to each member a list of
witnesses who have been or are proposed to be invited to appear.
4. The committee and its subcommittee should, to the maximum
feasible extent, enforce the provisions of rule 9 of the committee rules
as it relates to the submission of written statements of witnesses
twenty-four hours in advance of a hearing. Witnesses will be urged to
submit testimony even earlier whenever possible. When statements are
received in advance of a hearing, the committee or subcommittee (as
appropriate) should distribute copies of such statements to each of its
members. Witness testimony may be submitted and distributed
electronically.
Executive Sessions for the Purpose of Marking Up Bills
In order to expedite the process of marking up bills and to assist
each member of the committee so that there may be full and fair
consideration of each bill which the committee or a subcommittee is
marking up the following procedures should be followed:
1. Seven days prior to the proposed date for an executive session
for the purpose of marking up bills the committee or subcommittee (as
appropriate) should provide written notice to each of its members as to
the time, place, and specific subject matter of such session, including
an agenda listing each bill or other matters to be considered and
including:
(a) a copy of each bill, joint resolution, or other legislative
matter (or committee print thereof) to be considered at such executive
session; and
(b) a copy of a summary of the provisions of each bill, joint
resolution, or other legislative matter to be considered at such
executive session including an explanation of changes to existing law
proposed to me made.
2. Insofar as practical, prior to the scheduled date for an
executive session for the purpose of marking up bills, the committee or
a subcommittee (as appropriate) should provide each member with a copy
of the printed record or a summary of any hearings conducted by the
committee or a subcommittee with respect to each bill, joint resolution,
or other legislative matter to be considered at such executive session.
Authority and Rules of Senate Committees
Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs
COMMITTEE ON HOMELAND SECURITY AND GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS\1\
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\1\ The name and jurisdiction of the Committee were changed pursuant
to S. Res. 445, 108th Congress, 2d Session (2004), which is reproduced,
in pertinent part, on pp. 116-117.
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Jurisdiction
A. Rule XXV, Standing Rules of the Senate
1. The following standing committees shall be appointed at the
commencement of each Congress, and shall continue and have the power to
act until their successors are appointed, with leave to report by bill
or otherwise on matters within their respective jurisdictions:
* * * * * * *
(k)(1) Committee on Governmental Affairs, to which committees shall
be referred all proposed legislation, messages, petitions, memorials,
and other matters relating to the following subjects:
1. Archives of the United States.
2. Budget and accounting measures, other than appropriations,
except as provided in the Congressional Budget Act of 1974.
3. Census and collection of statistics, including economic and
social statistics.
4. Congressional organization, except for any part of the matter
that amends the rules or orders of the Senate.
5. Federal Civil Service.
6. Government information.
7. Intergovernmental relations.
8. Municipal affairs of the District of Columbia, except
appropriations therefor.
9. Organization and management of United States nuclear export
policy.
10. Organization and reorganization of the executive branch of the
Government.
11. Postal Service.
12. Status of officers and employees of the United States, including
their classification, compensation, and benefits.
(2) Such committee shall have the duty of--
(A) receiving and examining reports of the Comptroller General
of the United States and of submitting such recommendations to
the Senate as it deems necessary or desirable in connection with
the subject matter of such reports;
(B) studying the efficiency, economy, and effectiveness of all
agencies and departments of the Government;
(C) evaluating the effects of laws enacted to reorganize the
legislative and executive branches of the Government; and
(D) studying the intergovernmental relationships between the
United States and the States and municipalities, and between the
United States and international organizations of which the
United States is a member.
B. S. Res. 445, Sec. Sec. 101, 301(a), 501, 108th Cong., 2d Sess. (2004)
Title I - Homeland Security Oversight Reform
Sec. 101. Homeland Security.
(a) Committee on Homeland Security and Government Affairs.-- The
Committee on Governmental Affairs is renamed as the Committee on
Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
(b) Jurisdiction.--There shall be referred to the committee all
proposed legislation, messages, petitions, memorials, and other matters
relating to the following subjects:
(1) Department of Homeland Security, except matters relating
to--
(A) the Coast Guard, the Transportation Security
Administration, the Federal Law Enforcement Training
Center or the Secret Service; and
(B)(i) the United States Citizenship and Immigration
Service; or
(ii) the immigration functions of the United States
Customs and Border Protection or the United States
Immigration and Custom Enforcement or the Directorate of
Border and Transportation Security; and
(C) the following functions performed by any
employee of the Department of Homeland Security--
(i) any customs revenue function including any
function provided for in section 415 of the Homeland
Security Act of 2002 (Public Law 107-296);
(ii) any commercial function or commercial operation
of the Bureau of Customs and Border Protection or Bureau
of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, including
matters relating to trade facilitation and trade
regulation; or
(iii) any other function related to clause (i) or
(ii) that was exercised by the United States Customs
Service on the day before the effective date of the
Homeland Security Act of 2002 (Public Law 107-296).
The jurisdiction of the Committee on Homeland Security and
Governmental Affairs in this paragraph shall supercede the jurisdiction
of any other committee of the Senate provided in the rules of the
Senate: Provided, That the jurisdiction provided under section 101(b)(1)
shall not include the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968, or functions
of the Federal Emergency Management Agency related thereto.
(2) Archives of the United States.
(3) Budget and accounting measures, other than appropriations,
except as provided in the Congressional Budget Act of 1974.
(4) Census and collection of statistics, including economic
and social statistics.
(5) Congressional organization, except for any part of the
matter that amends the rules or orders of the Senate.
(6) Federal Civil Service.
(7) Government information.
(8) Intergovernmental relations.
(9) Municipal affairs of the District of Columbia, except
appropriations therefor.
(10) Organization and management of United States nuclear
export policy.
(11) Organization and reorganization of the executive branch
of the Government.
(12) Postal Service.
(13) Status of officers and employees of the United States,
including their classification, compensation, and benefits.
(c) Additional Duties.--The committee shall have the duty of--
(1) receiving and examining reports of the Comptroller General
of the United States and of submitting such recommendations to
the Senate as it deems necessary or desirable in connection with
the subject matter of such reports;
(2) studying the efficiency, economy, and effectiveness of all
agencies and departments of the Government;
(3) evaluating the effects of laws enacted to reorganize the
legislative and executive branches of the Government; and
(4) studying the intergovernmental relationships between the
United States and the States and municipalities, and between the
United States and international organizations of which the
United States is a member.
* * * * * * *
(e) OMB Nominees.--The Committee on the Budget and the Committee
on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs shall have joint
jurisdiction over the nominations of persons nominated by the President
to fill the positions of Director and Deputy Director for Budget within
the Office of Management and Budget, and if one committee votes to order
reported such a nomination, the other must report within 30 calendar
days session, or be automatically discharged.
* * * * * * *
Title III - Committee Status
Sec. 301. Committee Status.
(a) Homeland Security.--The Committee on Homeland Security and
Governmental Affairs shall be treated as the Committee on Governmental
Affairs listed under paragraph 2 of rule XXV of the Standing Rules of
the Senate for purposes of the Standing Rules of the Senate.
* * * * * * *
Title V - Effective Date
Sec. 501. Effective Date.
This resolution shall take effect on the convening of the 109th
Congress.
C. S. Res. 89, Authorizing Expenditures by Committees of the Senate for
the Periods March 1, 2007, Through September 30, 2007, October 1, 2007,
Through September 30, 2008, and October 1, 2008, Through February 28,
2009 Sec. 11, 153 Cong. Rec. S2537-38 (daily ed. Mar. 1, 2007)\2\
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\2\ The full text of sections 1 through 20 of S. Res. 89 is set
forth at pages 185-205, infra.
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* * * * * * *
(a) General Authority.--In carrying out its powers, duties, and
functions under the Standing Rules of the Senate, in accordance with its
jurisdiction under rule XXV of such rules, and S. Res. 445, agreed to
October 9, 2004 (108th Congress), including holding hearings, reporting
such hearings, and making investigations as authorized by paragraphs 1
and 8 of rule XXVI of the Standing Rules of the Senate, the Committee on
Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs is authorized from March 1,
2007, through February 28, 2009, in its discretion--
(1) to make expenditures from the contingent fund of the
Senate;
(2) to employ personnel; and
(3) with the prior consent of the Government department or
agency concerned and the Committee on Rules and Administration,
to use on a reimbursable, or nonreimbursable, basis the services
of personnel of any such department or agency.
(b) Expenses for Period Ending September 30, 2007.--The expenses
of the committee for the period March 1, 2007, through September 30,
2007, under this section shall not exceed $5,393,404, of which amount--
(1) not to exceed $75,000, may be expended for the procurement
of the services of individual consultants, or organizations
thereof (as authorized by section 202(i) of the Legislative
Reorganization Act of 1946 (2 U.S.C. 72a(i))); and
(2) not to exceed $20,000, may be expended for the training of
the professional staff of such committee (under procedures
specified by section 202(j) of [the Legislative Reorganization
Act of 1946]).
(c) Expenses for Fiscal Year 2008 Period.--The expenses of the
committee for the period October 1, 2007, through September 30, 2008,
under this section shall not exceed $9,451,962, of which amount--
(1) not to exceed $75,000, may be expended for the procurement
of the services of individual consultants, or organizations
thereof (as authorized by section 202(i) of the Legislative
Reorganization Act of 1946 (2 U.S.C. 72a(i))); and
(2) not to exceed $20,000, may be expended for the training of
the professional staff of such committee (under procedures
specified by section 202(j) of [the Legislative Reorganization
Act of 1946]).
(d) Expenses for Period Ending February 28, 2009.--For the period
October 1, 2008, through February 28, 2009, expenses of the committee
under this section shall not exceed $4,014,158, of which amount--
(1) not to exceed $75,000, may be expended for the procurement
of the services of individual consultants, or organizations
thereof (as authorized by section 202(i) of the Legislative
Reorganization Act of 1946); and
(2) not to exceed $20,000, may be expended for the training of
the professional staff of such committee (under procedures
specified by section 202(j) of [the Legislative Reorganization
Act of 1946]).
(e)Investigations.--
(1)In General.-- The committee, or any duly authorized
subcommittee of the committee, is authorized to study or
investigate--
(A) the efficiency and economy of operations of all
branches of the Government including the possible
existence of fraud, misfeasance, malfeasance, collusion,
mismanagement, incompetence, corruption, or unethical
practices, waste, extravagance, conflicts of interest,
and the improper expenditure of Government funds in
transactions, contracts, and activities of the
Government or of Government officials and employees and
any and all such improper practices between Government
personnel and corporations, individuals, companies, or
persons affiliated therewith, doing business with the
Government; and the compliance or noncompliance of such
corporations, companies, or individuals or other
entities with the rules, regulations, and laws governing
the various governmental agencies and its relationships
with the public;
(B) the extent to which criminal or other improper
practices or activities are, or have been, engaged in
the field of labor-management relations or in groups or
organizations of employees or employers, to the
detriment of interests of the public, employers, or
employees, and to determine whether any changes are
required in the laws of the United States in order to
protect such interests against the occurrence of such
practices or activities;
(C) organized criminal activity which may operate in
or otherwise utilize the facilities of interstate or
international commerce in furtherance of any
transactions and the manner and extent to which, and the
identity of the persons, firms, or corporations, or
other entities by whom such utilization is being made,
and further, to study and investigate the manner in
which and the extent to which persons engaged in
organized criminal activity have infiltrated lawful
business enterprise, and to study the adequacy of
Federal laws to prevent the operations of organized
crime in interstate or international commerce; and to
determine whether any changes are required in the laws
of the United States in order to protect the public
against such practices or activities;
(D) all other aspects of crime and lawlessness within
the United States which have an impact upon or affect
the national health, welfare, and safety; including but
not limited to investment fraud schemes, commodity and
security fraud, computer fraud, and the use of offshore
banking and corporate facilities to carry out criminal
objectives;
(E) the efficiency and economy of operations of all
branches and functions of the Government with particular
reference to--
(i) the effectiveness of present national security
methods, staffing, and processes as tested against the
requirements imposed by the rapidly mounting complexity
of national security problems;
(ii) the capacity of present national security
staffing, methods, and processes to make full use of the
Nation's resources of knowledge and talents;
(iii) the adequacy of present intergovernmental
relations between the United States and international
organizations principally concerned with national
security of which the United States is a member; and
(iv) legislative and other proposals to improve
these methods, processes, and relationships;
(F) the efficiency, economy, and effectiveness of all
agencies and departments of the Government involved in
the control and management of energy shortages
including, but not limited to, their performance with
respect to--
(i) the collection and dissemination of accurate
statistics on fuel demand and supply;
(ii) the implementation of effective energy
conservation measures;
(iii) the pricing of energy in all forms;
(iv) coordination of energy programs with State and
local government;
(v) control of exports of scarce fuels;
(vi) the management of tax, import, pricing, and
other policies affecting energy supplies;
(vii) maintenance of the independent sector of the
petroleum industry as a strong competitive force;
(viii) the allocation of fuels in short supply by
public and private entities;
(ix) the management of energy supplies owned or
controlled by the Government;
(x) relations with other oil producing and consuming
countries;
(xi) the monitoring of compliance by governments,
corporations, or individuals with the laws and
regulations governing the allocation, conservation, or
pricing of energy supplies; and
(xii) research into the discovery and development of
alternative energy supplies; and
(G) the efficiency and economy of all branches and
functions of Government with particular references to
the operations and management of Federal regulatory
policies and programs.
(2)Extent of Inquiries.-- In carrying out the duties provided
in paragraph (1), the inquiries of this committee or any
subcommittee of the committee shall not be construed to be
limited to the records, functions, and operations of any
particular branch of the Government and may extend to the
records and activities of any persons, corporation, or other
entity.
(3) Special committee authority.--For the purposes of this
subsection, the committee, or any duly authorized subcommittee
of the committee, or its chairman, or any other member of the
committee or subcommittee designated by the chairman, from March
1, 2007, through February 28, 2009, is authorized, in its, his,
or their discretion--
(A) to require by subpoena or otherwise the attendance of
witnesses and production of correspondence, books, papers, and
documents;
(B) to hold hearings;
(C) to sit and act at any time or place during the sessions,
recess, and adjournment periods of the Senate;
(D) to administer oaths; and
(E) to take testimony, either orally or by sworn statement,
or, in the case of staff members of the Committee and the
Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, by deposition in
accordance with the Committee Rules of Procedure.
(4) Authority of other committees.--Nothing contained in this
subsection shall affect or impair the exercise of any other
standing committee of the Senate of any power, or the discharge
by such committee of any duty, conferred or imposed upon it by
the Standing Rules of the Senate or by the Legislative
Reorganization Act of 1946.
(5) Subpoena authority.--All subpoenas and related legal
processes of the committee and its subcommittee authorized under
S. Res. 50, agreed to February 17, 2005 (109th Congress) are
authorized to continue.
Rules of Procedure of the Full Committee
153 Cong. Rec. S1051 (daily ed. Jan. 24, 2007)
Rule 1. Meetings and Meeting Procedures Other Than Hearings
A. Meeting Dates. The Committee shall hold its regular meetings on
the first Thursday of each month, when the Congress is in session, or at
such other times as the Chairman shall determine. Additional meetings
may be called by the Chairman as he/she deems necessary to expedite
Committee business. (Rule XXVI, Sec. 3, Standing Rules of the Senate.)
B. Calling Special Committee Meetings. If at least three Members of
the Committee desire the Chairman to call a special meeting, they may
file in the offices of the Committee a written request therefor,
addressed to the Chairman. Immediately thereafter, the clerk of the
Committee shall notify the Chairman of such request. If, within 3
calendar days after the filing of such request, the Chairman fails to
call the requested special meeting, which is to be held within 7
calendar days after the filing of such request, a majority of the
Committee Members may file in the offices of the Committee their written
notice that a special Committee meeting will be held, specifying the
date and hour thereof, and the Committee shall meet on that date and
hour.
Immediately upon the filing of such notice, the Committee Clerk
shall notify all Committee Members that such special meeting will be
held and inform them of its date and hour. (Rule XXVI, Sec. 3, Standing
Rules of the Senate.)
C. Meeting Notices and Agenda. Written notices of Committee
meetings, accompanied by an agenda, enumerating the items of business to
be considered, shall be sent to all Committee Members at least 3 days in
advance of such meetings, excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and legal
holidays in which the Senate is not in session. The written notices
required by this Rule may be provided by electronic mail. In the event
that unforeseen requirements or Committee business prevent a 3-day
notice of either the meeting or agenda, the Committee staff shall
communicate such notice and agenda, or any revisions to the agenda, as
soon as practicable by telephone or otherwise to members or appropriate
staff assistants in their offices.
D. Open Business Meetings. Meetings for the transaction of Committee
or Subcommittee business shall be conducted in open session, except that
a meeting or series of meetings on the same subject for a period of no
more than 14 calendar days may be closed to the public on a motion made
and seconded to go into closed session to discuss only whether the
matters enumerated in clauses (1) through (6) below would require the
meeting to be Members when it is determined that the matters to be
discussed or the testimony to be taken at such meeting or meetings--
(1) will disclose matters necessary to be kept secret in the
interests of national defense or the confidential conduct of
foreign relations of the United States;
(2) will relate solely to matters of Committee or Subcommittee
staff personnel or internal staff management or procedure;
(3) will tend to charge an individual with crime or
misconduct, to disgrace or injure the professional standing of
an individual, or otherwise expose an individual to public
contempt or obloquy or will represent a clearly unwarranted
invasion of the privacy of an individual;
(4) will disclose the identity of an informer or law
enforcement agent or will disclose any information relating to
the investigation or prosecution of a criminal offense that is
required to be kept secret in the interests of effective law
enforcement;
(5) will disclose information relating to the trade secrets of
financial or commercial information pertaining specifically to a
given person if--
(A) an Act of Congress requires the information to be
kept confidential by Government officers and employees;
or
(B) the information has been obtained by the
Government on a confidential basis, other than through
an application by such person for a specific Government
financial or other benefit, and is required to be kept
secret in order to prevent undue injury to the
competitive position of such person; or
(6) may divulge matters required to be kept confidential under
other provisions of law or Government regulations. (Rule XXVI,
Sec. 5(b), Standing Rules of the Senate.)
Notwithstanding the foregoing, whenever disorder arises during a
Committee or Subcommittee meeting that is open to the public, or any
demonstration of approval or disapproval is indulged in by any person in
attendance at any such meeting, it shall be the duty of the Chairman to
enforce order on his or her own initiative and without any point of
order being made by a member of the Committee or Subcommittee; provided,
further, that when the Chairman finds it necessary to maintain order,
he/she shall have the power to clear the room, and the Committee or
Subcommittee may act in closed session for so long as there is doubt of
the assurance of order. (Rule XXVI, Sec. 5(d), Standing Rules of the
Senate.)
E. Prior Notice of First Degree Amendments. It shall not be in order
for the Committee, or a Subcommittee thereof, to consider any amendment
in the first degree proposed to any measure under consideration by the
Committee or Subcommittee unless a written copy of such amendment has
been delivered to each Member of the Committee or Subcommittee, as the
case may be, and to the office of the Committee or Subcommittee, at
least 24 hours before the meeting of the Committee or Subcommittee at
which the amendment is to be proposed. The written copy of amendments in
the first degree required by this Rule may be provided by electronic
mail. This subsection may be waived by a majority of the Members
present. This subsection shall apply only when at least 72 hours written
notice of a session to mark-up a measure is provided to the Committee or
Subcommittee.
F. Meeting Transcript. The Committee or Subcommittee shall prepare
and keep a complete transcript or electronic recording adequate to fully
record the proceeding of each meeting whether or not such meeting or any
part thereof is closed to the public, unless a majority of the Committee
or Subcommittee Members vote to forgo such a record. (Rule XXVI, Sec.
5(e), Standing Rules of the Senate.)
Rule 2. Quorums
A. Reporting Measures and Matters. A majority of the Members of the
Committee shall constitute a quorum for reporting to the Senate any
measures, matters or recommendations. (Rule XXVI, Sec. 7(a)(1), Standing
Rules of the Senate.)
B. Transaction of Routine Business. One-third of the membership of
the Committee shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of routine
business, provided that one Member of the Minority is present. For the
purpose of this paragraph, the term ``routine business'' includes the
convening of a meeting and the consideration of any business of the
Committee other than reporting to the Senate any measures, matters or
recommendations. (Rule XXVI, Sec. 7(a)(1), Standing Rules of the
Senate.)
C. Taking Testimony. One Member of the Committee shall constitute a
quorum for taking sworn or unsworn testimony. (Rule XXVI, Secs. 7(a)(2)
and 7(c)(2), Standing Rules of the Senate.)
D. Subcommittee Quorums. Subject to the provisions of sections
7(a)(1) and (2) of Rule XXVI of the Standing Rules of the Senate, the
Subcommittees of this Committee are authorized to establish their own
quorums for the transaction of business and the taking of sworn
testimony.
E. Proxies Prohibited in Establishment of Quorum. Proxies shall not
be considered for the establishment of a quorum.
Rule 3. Voting
A. Quorum Required. Subject to the provisions of subsection (E), no
vote may be taken by the Committee, or any Subcommittee thereof, on any
measure or matter unless a quorum, as prescribed in the preceding
section, is actually present.
B. Reporting Measures and Matters. No measure, matter or
recommendation shall be reported from the Committee unless a majority of
the Committee Members are actually present, and the vote of the
Committee to report a measure or matter shall require the concurrence of
a majority of those Members who are actually present at the time the
vote is taken. (Rule XXVI, Sec. 7(a)(1) and (3), Standing Rules of the
Senate.)
C. Proxy Voting. Proxy voting shall be allowed on all measures and
matters before the Committee, or any Subcommittee thereof, except that,
when the Committee, or any Subcommittee thereof, is voting to report a
measure or matter, proxy votes shall be allowed solely for the purposes
of recording a Member's position on the pending question. Proxy voting
shall be allowed only if the absent Committee or Subcommittee Member has
been informed of the matter on which he/she is being recorded and has
affirmatively requested that he or she be so recorded. All proxies shall
be filed with the chief clerk of the Committee or Subcommittee thereof,
as the case may be. All proxies shall be in writing and shall contain
sufficient reference to the pending matter as is necessary to identify
it and to inform the Committee or Subcommittee as to how the Member
establishes his or her vote to be recorded thereon. (Rule XXVI, Sec.
7(a)(3) and 7(c)(1), Standing Rules of the Senate.)
D. Announcement of Vote. (1) Whenever the Committee by roll call
vote reports any measure or matter, the report of the Committee upon
such a measure or matter shall include a tabulation of the votes cast in
favor of and the votes cast in opposition to such measure or matter by
each Member of the Committee. (Rule XXVI, Sec. 7(c), Standing Rules of
the Senate.)
(2) Whenever the Committee by roll call vote acts upon any measure
or amendment thereto, other than reporting a measure or matter, the
results thereof shall be announced in the Committee report on that
measure unless previously announced by the Committee, and such
announcement shall include a tabulation of the votes cast in favor of
and the votes cast in opposition to each such measure and amendment
thereto by each Member of the Committee who was present at the meeting.
(Rule XXVI, Sec. 7(b), Standing Rules of the Senate.)
(3) In any case in which a roll call vote is announced, the
tabulation of votes shall state separately the proxy vote recorded in
favor of and in opposition to that measure, amendment thereto, or
matter. (Rule XXVI, Sec. 7(b) and (c), Standing Rules of the Senate.)
E. Polling. (1) The Committee, or any Subcommittee thereof, may poll
(a) internal Committee or Subcommittee matters including the Committee's
or Subcommittee's staff, records and budget; (b) steps in an
investigation, including issuance of subpoenas, applications for
immunity orders, and requests for documents from agencies; and (c) other
Committee or Subcommittee business other than a vote on reporting to the
Senate any measures, matters or recommendations or a vote on closing a
meeting or hearing to the public.
(2) Only the Chairman, or a Committee Member or staff officer
designated by him/her, may undertake any poll of the Members of the
Committee. If any Member requests, any matter to be polled shall be held
for meeting rather than being polled. The chief clerk of the Committee
shall keep a record of polls; if a majority of the Members of the
Committee determine that the polled matter is in one of the areas
enumerated in subsection (D) of Rule 1, the record of the poll shall be
confidential. Any Committee Member may move at the Committee meeting
following the poll for a vote on the polled decision, such motion and
vote to be subject to the provisions of subsection (D) of Rule 1, where
applicable.
Rule 4. Chairmanship of Meetings and Hearings
The Chairman shall preside at all Committee meetings and hearings
except that he or she shall designate a temporary Chairman to act in his
or her place if he or she is unable to be present at a scheduled meeting
or hearing. If the Chairman (or his or her designee) is absent ten
minutes after the scheduled time set for a meeting or hearing, the
Ranking Majority Member present shall preside until the Chairman's
arrival. If there is no Member of the Majority present, the Ranking
Minority Member present, with the prior approval of the Chairman, may
open and conduct the meeting or hearing until such time as a Member of
the Majority arrives.
Rule 5. Hearings and Hearings Procedures
A. Announcement of Hearings. The Committee, or any Subcommittee
thereof, shall make public announcement of the date, time, and subject
matter of any hearing to be conducted on any measure or matter at least
1 week in advance of such hearing, unless the Committee, or
Subcommittee, determines that there is good cause to begin such hearing
at an earlier date. (Rule XXVI, Sec. 4(a), Standing Rules of the
Senate).
B. Open Hearings. Each hearing conducted by the Committee, or any
Subcommittee thereof, shall be open to the public, except that a hearing
or series of hearings on the same subject for a period of no more than
14 calendar days may be closed to the public on a motion made and
seconded to go into closed session to discuss only whether the matters
enumerated in clauses (1) through (6) below would require the hearing to
be closed, followed immediately by a record vote in open session by a
majority of the Committee or Subcommittee Members when it is determined
that the matters to be discussed or the testimony to be taken at such
hearing or hearings--
(1) will disclose matters necessary to be kept secret in the
interests of national defense or the confidential conduct of
foreign relations of the United States;
(2) will relate solely to matters of Committee or Subcommittee
staff personnel or internal staff management or procedure;
(3) will tend to charge an individual with crime or
misconduct, to disgrace or injure the professional standing of
an individual, or otherwise expose an individual to public
contempt or obloquy or will represent a clearly unwarranted
invasion of the privacy of an individual;
(4) will disclose the identity of an informer or law
enforcement agent or will disclose any information relating to
the investigation or prosecution of a criminal offense that is
required to be kept secret in the interests of effective law
enforcement;
(5) will disclose information relating to the trade secrets of
financial or commercial information pertaining specifically to a
given person if--
(A) an Act of Congress requires the information to be
kept confidential by Government officers and employees;
or
(B) the information has been obtained by the
Government on a confidential basis, other than through
an application by such person for a specific Government
financial or other benefit, and is required to be kept
secret in order to prevent undue injury to the
competitive position of such person; or
(6) may divulge matters required to be kept confidential under
other provisions of law or Government regulations. (Rule XXVI,
Sec. 5(b), Standing Rules of the Senate.)
Notwithstanding the foregoing, whenever disorder arises during a
Committee or Subcommittee meeting that is open to the public, or any
demonstration of approval or disapproval is indulged in by any person in
attendance at any such meeting, it shall be the duty of the chairman to
enforce order on his or her own initiative and without any point of
order being made by a Member of the Committee or Subcommittee; provided,
further, that when the Chairman finds it necessary to maintain order, he
or she shall have the power to clear the room, and the Committee or
Subcommittee may act in closed session for so long as there is doubt of
the assurance of order. (Rule XXVI, Sec. 5(d), Standing Rules of the
Senate.)
C. Full Committee Subpoenas. The Chairman, with the approval of the
Ranking Minority Member of the Committee, is authorized to subpoena the
attendance of witnesses or the production of memoranda, documents,
records, or any other materials at a hearing or deposition, provided
that the Chairman may subpoena attendance or production without the
approval of the Ranking Minority Member where the Chairman or a staff
officer designated by him/her has not received notification from the
Ranking Minority Member or a staff officer designated by him/her of
disapproval of the subpoena within 72 hours, excluding Saturdays and
Sundays, of being notified of the subpoena. If a subpoena is disapproved
by the Ranking Minority Member as provided in this subsection, the
subpoena may be authorized by vote of the Members of the Committee. When
the Committee or Chairman authorizes subpoenas, subpoenas may be issued
upon the signature of the chairman or any other Member of the Committee
designated by the Chairman.
D. Witness Counsel. Counsel retained by any witness and accompanying
such witness shall be permitted to be present during the testimony of
such witness at any public or executive hearing or deposition to advise
such witness while he or she is testifying, of his or her legal rights,
provided, however, that in the case of any witness who is an officer or
employee of the government, or of a corporation or association, the
Committee Chairman may rule that representation by counsel from the
government, corporation, or association or by counsel representing other
witnesses, creates a conflict of interest, and that the witness may only
be represented during interrogation by staff or during testimony before
the Committee by personal counsel not from the government, corporation,
or association or by personal counsel not representing other witnesses.
This subsection shall not be construed to excuse a witness from
testifying in the event his or her counsel is ejected for conducting
himself or herself in such manner so as to prevent, impede, disrupt,
obstruct or interfere with the orderly administration of the hearings;
nor shall this subsection be construed as authorizing counsel to coach
the witness or answer for the witness. The failure of any witness to
secure counsel shall not excuse such witness from complying with a
subpoena or deposition notice.
E. Witness Transcripts. An accurate electronic or stenographic
record shall be kept of the testimony of all witnesses in executive and
public hearings. The record of his or her testimony whether in public or
executive session shall be made available for inspection by the witness
or his or her counsel under Committee supervision; a copy of any
testimony given in public session or that part of the testimony given by
the witness in executive session and subsequently quoted or made part of
the record in a public session shall be provided to any witness at his
or her expense if he or she so requests. Upon inspecting his or her
transcript, within a time limit set by the chief clerk of the Committee,
a witness may request changes in the transcript to correct errors of
transcription and grammatical errors; the Cchairman or a staff officer
designated by him/her shall rule on such requests.
F. Impugned Persons. Any person whose name is mentioned or is
specifically identified, and who believes that evidence presented, or
comment made by a Member of the Committee or staff officer, at a public
hearing or at a closed hearing concerning which there have been public
reports, tends to impugn his or her character or adversely affect his or
her reputation may:
(a) File a sworn statement of facts relevant to the evidence
or comment, which statement shall be considered for placement in
the hearing record by the Committee;
(b) Request the opportunity to appear personally before the
Committee to testify in his or her own behalf, which request
shall be considered by the Committee; and
(c) Submit questions in writing which he or she requests be
used for the cross-examination of other witnesses called by the
Committee, which questions shall be considered for use by the
Committee.
G. Radio, Television, and Photography. The Committee, or any
Subcommittee thereof, may permit the proceedings of hearings which are
open to the public to be photographed and broadcast by radio, television
or both, subject to such conditions as the Committee, or Subcommittee,
may impose. (Rule XXVI, Sec. 5(c), Standing Rules of the Senate.)
H. Advance Statements of Witnesses. A witness appearing before the
Committee, or any Subcommittee thereof, shall provide 100 copies of a
written statement and an executive summary or synopsis of his proposed
testimony at least 48 hours prior to his appearance. This requirement
may be waived by the Chairman and the Ranking Minority Member following
their determination that there is good cause for failure of compliance.
(Rule XXVI, Sec. 4(b), Standing Rules of the Senate.)
I. Minority Witnesses. In any hearings conducted by the Committee,
or any Subcommittee thereof, the Minority Members of the Committee or
Subcommittee shall be entitled, upon request to the Chairman by a
majority of the Minority Members, to call witnesses of their selection
during at least 1 day of such hearings. (Rule XXVI, Sec. 4(d), Standing
Rules of the Senate.)
J. Full Committee Depositions. Depositions may be taken prior to or
after a hearing as provided in this subsection.
(1) Notices for the taking of depositions shall be authorized
and issued by the Chairman, with the approval of the Ranking
Minority Member of the Committee, provided that the cCairman may
initiate depositions without the approval of the Ranking
Minority Member where the Chairman or a staff officer designated
by him/her has not received notification from the Ranking
Minority Member or a staff officer designated by him/her of
disapproval of the deposition within 72 hours, excluding
Saturdays and Sundays, of being notified of the deposition
notice. If a deposition notice is disapproved by the Ranking
Minority Member as provided in this subsection, the deposition
notice may be authorized by a vote of the Members of the
Committee. Committee deposition notices shall specify a time and
place for examination, and the name of the Committee Member or
Members or staff officer or officers who will take the
deposition. Unless otherwise specified, the deposition shall be
in private. The Committee shall not initiate procedures leading
to criminal or civil enforcement proceedings for a witness's
failure to appear or produce unless the deposition notice was
accompanied by a Committee subpoena.
(2) Witnesses may be accompanied at a deposition by counsel to
advise them of their legal rights, subject to the provisions of
Rule 5D.
(3) Oaths at depositions may be administered by an individual
authorized by local law to administer oaths. Questions shall be
propounded orally by Committee Member or Members or staff. If a
witness objects to a question and refuses to testify, the
objection shall be noted for the record and the Committee Member
or Members or staff may proceed with the remainder of the
deposition.
(4) The Committee shall see that the testimony is transcribed
or electronically recorded (which may include audio or audio/
video recordings). If it is transcribed, the transcript shall be
made available for inspection by the witness or his or her
counsel under Committee supervision. The witness shall sign a
copy of the transcript and may request changes to it, which
shall be handled in accordance with the procedure set forth in
subsection (E). If the witness fails to sign a copy, the staff
shall note that fact on the transcript. The individual
administering the oath shall certify on the transcript that the
witness was duly sworn in his or her presence, the transcriber
shall certify that the transcript is a true record of the
testimony, and the transcript shall then be filed with the chief
clerk of the Committee. The Chairman or a staff officer
designated by him/her may stipulate with the witness to changes
in the procedure; deviations from this procedure which do not
substantially impair the reliability of the record shall not
relieve the witness from his or her obligation to testify
truthfully.
Rule 6. Committee Reporting Procedures
A. Timely Filing. When the Committee has ordered a measure or matter
reported, following final action, the report thereon shall be filed in
the Senate at the earliest practicable time. (Rule XXVI, Sec. 10(b),
Standing Rules of the Senate.)
B. Supplemental, Minority, and Additional Views. A Member of the
Committee who gives notice of his or her intention to file supplemental,
Minority or additional views at the time of final Committee approval of
a measure or matter, shall be entitled to not less than 3 calendar days
in which to file such views, in writing, with the chief clerk of the
Committee. Such views shall then be included in the Committee report and
printed in the same volume, as a part thereof, and their inclusion shall
be noted on the cover of the report. In the absence of timely notice,
the Committee report may be filed and printed immediately without such
views. (Rule XXVI, Sec. 10(c), Standing Rules of the Senate.)
C. Notice by Subcommittee Chairmen. The Chairman of each
Subcommittee shall notify the Chairman in writing whenever any measure
has been ordered reported by such Subcommittee and is ready for
consideration by the full Committee.
D. Draft Reports of Subcommittees. All draft reports prepared by
Subcommittees of this Committee on any measure or matter referred to it
by the Chairman, shall be in the form, style, and arrangement required
to conform to the applicable provisions of the Standing Rules of the
Senate, and shall be in accordance with the established practices
followed by the Committee. Upon completion of such draft reports, copies
thereof shall be filed with the chief clerk of the Committee at the
earliest practicable time.
E. Impact Statements in Reports. All Committee reports, accompanying
a bill or joint resolution of a public character reported by the
Committee, shall contain (1) an estimate, made by the Committee, of the
costs which would be incurred in carrying out the legislation for the
then current fiscal year and for each of the next 5 years thereafter (or
for the authorized duration of the proposed legislation, if less than 5
years); and (2) a comparison of such cost estimates with any made by a
Federal agency; or (3) in lieu of such estimate or comparison, or both,
a statement of the reasons for failure by the Committee to comply with
these requirements as impracticable, in the event of inability to comply
therewith. (Rule XXVI, Sec. 11(a), Standing Rules of the Senate.)
Each such report shall also contain an evaluation, made by the
Committee, of the regulatory impact which would be incurred in carrying
out the bill or joint resolution. The evaluation shall include (a) an
estimate of the numbers of individuals and businesses who would be
regulated and a determination of the groups and classes of such
individuals and businesses, (b) a determination of the economic impact
of such regulation on the individuals, consumers, and businesses
affected, (c) a determination of the impact on the personal privacy of
the individuals affected, and (d) a determination of the amount of
paperwork that will result from the regulations to be promulgated
pursuant to the bill or joint resolution, which determination may
include, but need not be limited to, estimates of the amount of time and
financial costs required of affected parties, showing whether the
effects of the bill or joint resolution could be substantial, as well as
reasonable estimates of the record keeping requirements that may be
associated with the bill or joint resolution. Or, in lieu of the
foregoing evaluation, the report shall include a statement of the
reasons for failure by the Committee to comply with these requirements
as impracticable, in the event of inability to comply therewith. (Rule
XXVI, Sec. 11(b), Standing Rules of the Senate.)
Rule 7. Subcommittees and Subcommittee Procedures
A. Regularly Established Subcommittees. The Committee shall have
three regularly established Subcommittees. The Subcommittees are as
follows: Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations; Oversight of
Government Management, the Federal Workforce and the District of
Columbia; Financial Management, Government Information, Federal
Services, and International Security.
B. Ad Hoc Subcommittees. Following consultation with the Ranking
Minority Member, the Chairman shall, from time to time, establish such
ad hoc Subcommittees as he/she deems necessary to expedite Committee
business.
C. Subcommittee Membership. Following consultation with the Majority
Members, and the Ranking Minority Member of the Committee, the Chairman
shall announce selections for membership on the Subcommittees referred
to in paragraphs A and B, above.
D. Subcommittee Meetings and Hearings. Each Subcommittee of this
Committee is authorized to establish meeting dates and adopt rules not
inconsistent with the rules of the Committee except as provided in Rules
2(D) and 7(E).
E. Subcommittee Subpoenas. Each Subcommittee is authorized to adopt
rules concerning subpoenas which need not be consistent with the rules
of the Committee; provided, however, that in the event the Subcommittee
authorizes the issuance of a subpoena pursuant to its own rules, a
written notice of intent to issue the subpoena shall be provided to the
Chairman and Ranking Minority Member of the Committee, or staff officers
designated by them, by the Subcommittee Chairman or a staff officer
designated by him/her immediately upon such authorization, and no
subpoena shall be issued for at least 48 hours, excluding Saturdays and
Sundays, from delivery to the appropriate offices, unless the Chairman
and Ranking Minority Member waive the 48-hour waiting period or unless
the Subcommittee Chairman certifies in writing to the Chairman and
Ranking Minority Member that, in his or her opinion, it is necessary to
issue a subpoena immediately.
F. Subcommittee Budgets. During the first year of a new Congress,
each Subcommittee that requires authorization for the expenditure of
funds for the conduct of inquiries and investigations, shall file with
the chief clerk of the Committee, by a date and time prescribed by the
Chairman, its request for funds for the two (2) 12-month periods
beginning on March 1, and extending through and including the last day
of February of the 2 following years, which years comprise that
Congress. Each such request shall be submitted on the budget form
prescribed by the Committee on Rules and Administration, and shall be
accompanied by a written justification addressed to the Chairman of the
Committee, which shall include (1) a statement of the Subcommittee's
area of activities, (2) its accomplishments during the preceding
Congress detailed year by year, and (3) a table showing a comparison
between (a) the funds authorized for expenditure during the preceding
Congress detailed year by year, (b) the funds actually expended during
that Congress detailed year by year, (c) the amount requested for each
year of the Congress, and (d) the number of professional and clerical
staff members and consultants employed by the Subcommittee during the
preceding Congress detailed year by year and the number of such
personnel requested for each year of the Congress. The Chairman may
request additional reports from the Subcommittees regarding their
activities and budgets at any time during a Congress. (Rule XXVI, Sec.
9, Standing Rules of the Senate.)
Rule 8. Confirmation Standards and Procedures
A. Standards. In considering a nomination, the Committee shall
inquire into the nominee's experience, qualifications, suitability, and
integrity to serve in the position to which he or she has been
nominated. The Committee shall recommend confirmation, upon finding that
the nominee has the necessary integrity and is affirmatively qualified
by reason of training, education, or experience to carry out the
functions of the office to which he or she was nominated.
B. Information Concerning the Nominee. Each nominee shall submit the
following information to the Committee:
(1) A detailed biographical resume which contains information
relating to education, employment, and achievements;
(2) Financial information, in such specificity as the
Committee deems necessary, including a list of assets and
liabilities of the nominee and tax returns for the 3 years
preceding the time of his or her nomination, and copies of other
relevant documents requested by the Committee, such as a
proposed blind trust agreement, necessary for the Committee's
consideration; and,
(3) Copies of other relevant documents the Committee may
request, such as responses to questions concerning the policies
and programs the nominee intends to pursue upon taking office.
At the request of the Chairman or the Ranking Minority Member, a
nominee shall be required to submit a certified financial statement
compiled by an independent auditor.
Information received pursuant to this subsection shall be made
available for public inspection; provided, however, that tax returns
shall, after review by persons designated in subsection (C) of this
rule, be placed under seal to ensure confidentiality.
C. Procedures for Committee Inquiry. The Committee shall conduct an
inquiry into the experience, qualifications, suitability, and integrity
of nominees, and shall give particular attention to the following
matters:
(1) A review of the biographical information provided by the
nominee, including, but not limited to, any professional
activities related to the duties of the office to which he or
she is nominated;
(2) A review of the financial information provided by the
nominee, including tax returns for the 3 years preceding the
time of his or her nomination;
(3) A review of any actions, taken or proposed by the nominee,
to remedy conflicts of interest; and
(4) A review of any personal or legal matter which may bear
upon the nominee's qualifications for the office to which he or
she is nominated.
For the purpose of assisting the Committee in the conduct of this
inquiry, a Majority investigator or investigators shall be designated by
the Chairman and a Minority investigator or investigators shall be
designated by the Ranking Minority Member. The Chairman, Ranking
Minority Member, other Members of the Committee and designated
investigators shall have access to all investigative reports on nominees
prepared by any Federal agency, except that only the Chairman, the
Ranking Minority Member, or other Members of the Committee, upon
request, shall have access to the report of the Federal Bureau of
Investigation. The Committee may request the assistance of the General
Accounting Office and any other such expert opinion as may be necessary
in conducting its review of information provided by nominees.
D. Report on the Nominee. After a review of all information
pertinent to the nomination, a confidential report on the nominee shall
be made in the case of judicial nominees and may be made in the case of
non-judicial nominees by the designated investigators to the Chairman
and the Ranking Minority Member and, upon request, to any other Member
of the Committee. The report shall summarize the steps taken by the
Committee during its investigation of the nominee and the results of the
Committee inquiry, including any unresolved matters that have been
raised during the course of the inquiry.
E. Hearings. The Committee shall conduct a public hearing during
which the nominee shall be called to testify under oath on all matters
relating to his or her suitability for office, including the policies
and programs which he or she will pursue while in that position. No
hearing shall be held until at least 72 hours after the following events
have occurred: The nominee has responded to pre-hearing questions
submitted by the Committee; and, if applicable, the report described in
subsection (D) has been made to the Chairman and Ranking Minority
Member, and is available to other Members of the Committee, upon
request.
F. Action on Confirmation. A mark-up on a nomination shall not occur
on the same day that the hearing on the nominee is held. In order to
assist the Committee in reaching a recommendation on confirmation, the
staff may make an oral presentation to the Committee at the mark-up,
factually summarizing the nominee's background and the steps taken
during the pre-hearing inquiry.
G. Application. The procedures contained in subsections (C), (D),
(E), and (F) of this rule shall apply to persons nominated by the
President to positions requiring their full-time service. At the
discretion of the Chairman and Ranking Minority Member, those procedures
may apply to persons nominated by the President to serve on a part-time
basis.
Rule 9. Personnel Actions Affecting Committee Staff
In accordance with Rule XLII of the Standing Rules of the Senate and
the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995 (P.L. 104-1), all personnel
actions affecting the staff of the Committee shall be made free from any
discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin,
age, state of physical handicap, or disability.
Authority and Rules of Senate Committees
Homeland Security/Gov'tal Aff._Permanent Subc. on Investigations
Rules of Procedure of the Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations
153 Cong. Rec. S2350 (daily ed. Feb. 28, 2007)
(1) No public hearing connected with an investigation may be held
without the approval of either the Chairman and the Ranking Minority
Member or the approval of a Majority of the Members of the Subcommittee.
In all cases, notification to all Members of the intent to hold hearings
must be given at least 7 days in advance to the date of the hearing. The
Ranking Minority Member should be kept fully apprised of preliminary
inquiries, investigations, and hearings. Preliminary inquiries may be
initiated by the Subcommittee Majority staff upon the approval of the
Chairman and notice of such approval to the Ranking Minority Member or
the Minority counsel. Preliminary inquiries may be undertaken by the
Minority staff upon the approval of the Ranking Minority Member and
notice of such approval to the Chairman or Chief Counsel. Investigations
may be undertaken upon the approval of the Chairman of the Subcommittee
and the Ranking Minority Member with notice of such approval to all
members.
No public hearing shall be held if the Minority Members unanimously
object, unless the full Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental
Affairs by a majority vote approves of such public hearing.
Senate Rules will govern all closed sessions convened by the
Subcommittee (Rule XXVI, Sec. 5(b), Standing Rules of the Senate).
(2) Subpoenas for witnesses, as well as documents and records, may
be authorized and issued by the Chairman, or any other Member of the
Subcommittee designated by him or her, with notice to the Ranking
Minority Member. A written notice of intent to issue a subpoena shall be
provided to the Chairman and Ranking Minority Member of the Committee,
or staff officers designated by them, by the Subcommittee Chairman or a
staff officer designated by him or her, immediately upon such
authorization, and no subpoena shall be issued for at least 48 hours,
excluding Saturdays and Sundays, from delivery to the appropriate
offices, unless the Chairman and Ranking Minority Member waive the 48
hour waiting period or unless the Subcommittee Chairman certifies in
writing to the Chairman and Ranking Minority Member that, in his or her
opinion, it is necessary to issue a subpoena immediately.
(3) The Chairman shall have the authority to call meetings of the
Subcommittee. This authority may be delegated by the Chairman to any
other Member of the Subcommittee when necessary.
(4) If at least three Members of the Subcommittee desire the
Chairman to call a special meeting, they may file in the office of the
Subcommittee, a written request therefor, addressed to the Chairman.
Immediately thereafter, the clerk of the Subcommittee shall notify the
Chairman of such request. If, within 3 calendar days after the filing of
such request, the Chairman fails to call the requested special meeting,
which is to be held within 7 calendar days after the filing of such
request, a majority of the Subcommittee Members may file in the office
of the Subcommittee their written notice that a special Subcommittee
meeting will be held, specifying the date and hour thereof, and the
Subcommittee shall meet on that date and hour. Immediately upon the
filing of such notice, the Subcommittee clerk shall notify all
Subcommittee Members that such special meeting will be held and inform
them of its dates and hour. If the Chairman is not present at any
regular, additional or special meeting, the Ranking Majority Member
present shall preside.
(5) For public or executive sessions, one Member of the Subcommittee
shall constitute a quorum for the administering of oaths and the taking
of testimony in any given case or subject matter.
One-third of the Members of the Subcommittee shall constitute a
quorum for the transaction of Subcommittee business other than the
administering of oaths and the taking of testimony, provided that one
member of the minority is present.
(6) All witnesses at public or executive hearings who testify to
matters of fact shall be sworn.
(7) If, during public or executive sessions, a witness, his or her
counsel, or any spectator conducts himself in such a manner as to
prevent, impede, disrupt, obstruct, or interfere with the orderly
administration of such hearing, the Chairman or presiding Member of the
Subcommittee present during such hearing may request the Sergeant at
Arms of the Senate, his or her representative or any law enforcement
official to eject said person from the hearing room.
(8) Counsel retained by any witness and accompanying such witness
shall be permitted to be present during the testimony of such witness at
any public or executive hearing, and to advise such witness while he or
she is testifying, of his or her legal rights; provided, however, that
in the case of any witness who is an officer or employee of the
government, or of a corporation or association, the Subcommittee
Chairman may rule that representation by counsel from the government,
corporation, or association, or by counsel representing other witnesses,
creates a conflict of interest, and that the witness may only be
represented during interrogation by staff or during testimony before the
Subcommittee by personal counsel not from the government, corporation,
or association, or by personal counsel not representing other witnesses.
This rule shall not be construed to excuse a witness from testifying in
the event his or her counsel is ejected for conducting himself or
herself in such a manner so as to prevent, impede, disrupt, obstruct, or
interfere with the orderly administration of the hearings; nor shall
this rule be construed as authorizing counsel to coach the witness or
answer for the witness. The failure of any witness to secure counsel
shall not excuse such witness from complying with a subpoena or
deposition notice.
(9) Depositions.--
(9.1) Notice.-- Notices for the taking of depositions in an
investigation authorized by the Subcommittee shall be authorized and
issued by the Chairman. The Chairman of the full Committee and the
Ranking Minority Member of the Subcommittee shall be kept fully apprised
of the authorization for the taking of depositions. Such notices shall
specify a time and place of examination, and the name of the
Subcommittee Member or Members or staff officer or officers who will
take the deposition. The deposition shall be in private. The
Subcommittee shall not initiate procedures leading to criminal or civil
enforcement proceedings for a witness's failure to appear unless the
deposition notice was accompanied by a Subcommittee subpoena.
(9.2) Counsel.-- Witnesses may be accompanied at a deposition by
counsel to advise them of their legal rights, subject to the provisions
of Rule 8.
(9.3) Procedure.-- Witnesses shall be examined upon oath
administered by an individual authorized by local law to administer
oaths. Questions shall be propounded orally by Subcommittee Members or
staff. Objections by the witness as to the form of questions shall be
noted for the record. If a witness objects to a question and refuses to
testify on the basis of relevance or privilege, the Subcommittee Members
or staff may proceed with the deposition, or may, at that time or at a
subsequent time, seek a ruling by telephone or otherwise on the
objection from the Chairman or such Subcommittee Member as designated by
him or her. If the Chairman or designated Member overrules the
objection, he or she may refer the matter to the Subcommittee or he or
she may order and direct the witness to answer the question, but the
Subcommittee shall not initiate procedures leading to civil or criminal
enforcement unless the witness refuses to testify after he or she has
been ordered and directed to answer by a Member of the Subcommittee.
(9.4) Filing.-- The Subcommittee staff shall see that the testimony
is transcribed or electronically recorded. If it is transcribed, the
witness shall be furnished with a copy for review pursuant to the
provisions of Rule 12. The individual administering the oath shall
certify on the transcript that the witness was duly sworn in his or her
presence, the transcriber shall certify that the transcript is a true
record of the testimony, and the transcript shall then be filed with the
Subcommittee clerk. Subcommittee staff may stipulate with the witness to
changes in this procedure; deviations from this procedure which do not
substantially impair the reliability of the record shall not relieve the
witness from his or her obligation to testify truthfully.
(10) Any witness desiring to read a prepared or written statement in
executive or public hearings shall file a copy of such statement with
the Chief Counsel or Chairman of the Subcommittee 48 hours in advance of
the hearings at which the statement is to be presented unless the
Chairman and the Ranking Minority Member waive this requirement. The
Subcommittee shall determine whether such statement may be read or
placed in the record of the hearing.
(11) A witness may request, on grounds of distraction, harassment,
personal safety, or physical discomfort, that during the testimony,
television, motion picture, and other cameras and lights shall not be
directed at him or her. Such requests shall be ruled on by the
Subcommittee Members present at the hearing.
(12) An accurate stenographic record shall be kept of the testimony
of all witnesses in executive and public hearings. The record of his or
her own testimony whether in public or executive session, shall be made
available for inspection by witness or his or her counsel under
Subcommittee supervision; a copy of any testimony given in public
session or that part of the testimony given by the witness in executive
session and subsequently quoted or made part of the record in a public
session shall be made available to any witness at his or her expense if
he or she so requests.
(13) Interrogation of witnesses at Subcommittee hearings shall be
conducted on behalf of the Subcommittee by Members and authorized
Subcommittee staff personnel only.
(14) Any person who is the subject of an investigation in public
hearings may submit to the Chairman of the Subcommittee questions in
writing for the cross-examination of other witnesses called by the
Subcommittee. With the consent of a majority of the Members of the
Subcommittee present and voting, these questions, or paraphrased
versions of them, shall be put to the witness by the Chairman, by a
Member of the Subcommittee or by counsel of the Subcommittee.
(15) Any person whose name is mentioned or who is specifically
identified, and who believes that testimony or other evidence presented
at a public hearing, or comment made by a Subcommittee Member or
counsel, tends to defame him or her or otherwise adversely affect his or
her reputation, may (a) request to appear personally before the
Subcommittee to testify in his or her own behalf, or, in the
alternative, (b) file a sworn statement of facts relevant to the
testimony or other evidence or comment complained of. Such request and
such statement shall be submitted to the Subcommittee for its
consideration and action.
If a person requests to appear personally before the Subcommittee
pursuant to alternative (a) referred to herein, said request shall be
considered untimely if it is not received by the Chairman of the
Subcommittee or its counsel in writing on or before thirty (30) days
subsequent to the day on which said person's name was mentioned or
otherwise specifically identified during a public hearing held before
the Subcommittee, unless the Chairman and the Ranking Minority Member
waive this requirement.
If a person requests the filing of his sworn statement pursuant to
alternative (b) referred to herein, the Subcommittee may condition the
filing of said sworn statement upon said person agreeing to appear
personally before the Subcommittee and to testify concerning the matters
contained in his sworn statement, as well as any other matters related
to the subject of the investigation before the Subcommittee.
(16) All testimony taken in executive session shall be kept secret
and will not be released for public information without the approval of
a majority of the Subcommittee.
(17) No Subcommittee report shall be released to the public unless
approved by a majority of the Subcommittee and after no less than 10
days' notice and opportunity for comment by the Members of the
Subcommittee unless the need for such notice and opportunity to comment
has been waived in writing by a majority of the Minority Members.
(18) The Ranking Minority Member may select for appointment to the
Subcommittee staff a Chief Counsel for the Minority and such other
professional staff members and clerical assistants as he or she deems
advisable. The total compensation allocated to such Minority staff
members shall be not less than one-third the total amount allocated for
all Subcommittee staff salaries during any given year. The Minority
staff members shall work under the direction and supervision of the
Ranking Minority Member. The Chief Counsel for the Minority shall be
kept fully informed as to preliminary inquiries, investigations, and
hearings, and shall have access to all material in the files of the
Subcommittee.
(19) When it is determined by the Chairman and Ranking Minority
Member, or by a majority of the Subcommittee, that there is reasonable
cause to believe that a violation of law may have occurred, the Chairman
and Ranking Minority Member by letter, or the Subcommittee by
resolution, are authorized to report such violation to the proper State,
local and/or Federal authorities. Such letter or report may recite the
basis for the determination of reasonable cause. This rule is not
authority for release of documents or testimony.
Authority and Rules of Senate Committees
Homeland Security/Gov'tal Aff._Subc. on Federal Financial Management
Rules of Procedure of the Subcommittee on Federal Financial Management,
Government Information, Federal Services, and International Security
153 Cong. Rec. S2349 (daily ed. Feb. 28, 2007)
(1) Subcommittee Rules.-- The Subcommittee shall be governed, where
applicable, by the rules of the full Committee on Homeland Security and
Government Affairs and the Standing Rules of the Senate.
(2) Quorums.--
(A) Transaction of Routine Business.-- One-third of the membership
of the Subcommittee shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of
routine business, provided that one Member of the Minority is present.
For the purpose of the paragraph, the term ``routine business'' includes
the convening of a meeting and the consideration of any business of the
Subcommittee other than reporting to the full Committee on Homeland
Security and Government Affairs any measures, matters or
recommendations.
(B) Taking Testimony.-- One Member of the Subcommittee shall
constitute a quorum for taking sworn or unsworn testimony.
(C) Proxies Prohibited in Establishment of Quorum.-- Proxies shall
not be considered for the establishment of a quorum.
(3)Subcommittee Subpoenas.-- The Chairman of the Subcommittee, with
the approval of the Ranking Minority Member of the Subcommittee, is
authorized to subpoena the attendance of witnesses or the production of
memoranda, documents, records, or any other materials at a hearing,
provided that the Chairman may subpoena attendance or production without
the approval of the Ranking Minority Member where the Chairman or a
staff officer designated by him/her has not received notification from
the Ranking Minority Member or a staff officer designated by him/her of
disapproval of the subpoena within 72 hours, excluding Saturdays and
Sundays, of being notified of the subpoena. If a subpoena is disapproved
by the Ranking Minority Member as provided herein, the subpoena may be
authorized by vote of the Members of the Subcommittee.
Immediately upon authorization of the issuance of a subpoena under
these rules, a written notice of intent to issue the subpoena shall be
provided to the Chairman and Ranking Minority Member of the full
Committee on Homeland Security and Government Affairs, or staff officers
designated by them, by the Subcommittee Chairman or a staff officer
designated by him/her, and no subpoena shall be issued for at least 48
hours, excluding Saturdays and Sundays, from delivery to the appropriate
offices, unless the Chairman and Ranking Minority Member of the full
Committee on Homeland Security and Government Affairs waive the 48-hour
waiting period or unless the Subcommittee Chairman certifies in writing
to the Chairman and Ranking Minority Member of the full Committee that,
in his or her opinion, it is necessary to issue a subpoena immediately.
When the Subcommittee or its Chairman authorizes subpoenas,
subpoenas may be issued upon the signature of the Chairman or any other
Member of the Subcommittee designated by the Chairman.
Authority and Rules of Senate Committees
Homeland Security/Gov'tal Aff._Subc. on Oversight of Gov't Mgmt.
Rules of Procedure of the Subcommittee on Oversight of Government
Management, the Federal Workforce, and the District of Columbia
153 Cong. Rec. S2349 (daily ed. Feb. 28, 2007)
(1) Subcommittee Rules.-- The Subcommittee shall be governed, where
applicable, by the rules of the full Committee on Homeland Security and
Government Affairs and the Standing Rules of the Senate.
(2) Quorums.--
(A) Transaction of Routine Business.-- One-third of the membership
of the Subcommittee shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of
routine business, provided that one Member of the Minority is present.
For the purpose of the paragraph, the term ``routine business'' includes
the convening of a meeting and the consideration of any business of the
Subcommittee other than reporting to the full Committee on Homeland
Security and Government Affairs any measures, matters or
recommendations.
(B) Taking Testimony.-- One Member of the Subcommittee shall
constitute a quorum for taking sworn or unsworn testimony.
(C) Proxies Prohibited in Establishment of Quorum.-- Proxies shall
not be considered for the establishment of a quorum.
(3)Subcommittee Subpoenas.-- The Chairman of the Subcommittee, with
the approval of the Ranking Minority Member of the Subcommittee, is
authorized to subpoena the attendance of witnesses or the production of
memoranda, documents, records, or any other materials at a hearing,
provided that the Chairman may subpoena attendance or production without
the approval of the Ranking Minority Member where the Chairman or a
staff officer designated by him/her has not received notification from
the Ranking Minority Member or a staff officer designated by him/her of
disapproval of the subpoena within 72 hours, excluding Saturdays and
Sundays, of being notified of the subpoena. If a subpoena is disapproved
by the Ranking Minority Member as provided herein, the subpoena may be
authorized by vote of the Members of the Subcommittee.
Immediately upon authorization of the issuance of a subpoena under
these rules, a written notice of intent to issue the subpoena shall be
provided to the Chairman and Ranking Minority Member of the full
Committee on Homeland Security and Government Affairs, or staff officers
designated by them, by the Subcommittee Chairman or a staff officer
designated by him/her, and no subpoena shall be issued for at least 48
hours, excluding Saturdays and Sundays, from delivery to the appropriate
offices, unless the Chairman and Ranking Minority Member of the full
Committee on Homeland Security and Government Affairs waive the 48-hour
waiting period or unless the Subcommittee Chairman certifies in writing
to the Chairman and Ranking Minority Member of the full Committee that,
in his or her opinion, it is necessary to issue a subpoena immediately.
When the Subcommittee or its Chairman authorizes subpoenas,
subpoenas may be issued upon the signature of the Chairman or any other
Member of the Subcommittee designated by the Chairman.
Authority and Rules of Senate Committees
Indian Affairs
COMMITTEE ON INDIAN AFFAIRS
Jurisdiction and Authority
S. Res. 4, Sec. 105, 95th Cong., 1st Sess. (1977) \1\
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\1\ As amended by S. Res. 127, 98th Cong., 2d Sess. (1984).
Bracketed terms reflect changes in the Committee's Membership for the
103d Congress made by S. Res. 18, 103d Cong., 1st Sess. (1993), which
amended paragraph 3(c) of Senate Rule XXV, and the renumbering of
paragraphs in Senate Rule XXV effected by S. Res. 274, 96th Cong., 1st
Sess. (1979). The Committee was established as the Select Committee on
Indian Affairs. Section 25 of S. Res. 71, 103d Cong., 1st Sess.,
redesignates it as the Committee on Indian Affairs.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
(a)(1) There is established a Select Committee on Indian Affairs
(hereafter in this section referred to as the ``select committee'')
which shall consist of [eighteen] Members, [ten] to be appointed by the
President of the Senate, upon the recommendation of the majority leader,
from among Members of the majority party and [eight] to be appointed by
the President of the Senate, upon the recommendation of the minority
leader, from among the Members of the minority party. The select
committee shall select a Chairman from among its Members.
(2) A majority of the Members of the committee shall constitute a
quorum thereof for the transaction of business, except that the select
committee may fix a lesser number as a quorum for the purpose of taking
testimony. The select committee shall adopt rules of procedure not
inconsistent with this section and the rules of the Senate governing
standing committees of the Senate.
(3) Vacancies in the Membership of the select committee shall not
affect the authority of the remaining Members to execute the functions
of the select committee.
(4) For purposes of [paragraph 4] of rule XXV of the Standing Rules
of the Senate, service of a Senator as a Member or Chairman of the
select committee shall not be taken into account.
(b)(1) All proposed legislation, messages, petitions, memorials, and
other matters relating to Indian affairs shall be referred to the select
committee.
(2) It shall be the duty of the select committee to conduct a study
of any and all matters pertaining to problems and opportunities of
Indians, including but not limited to, Indian land management and trust
responsibilities, Indian education, health, special services, and loan
programs, and Indian claims against the United States.
(3) The select committee shall from time to time report to the
Senate, by bill or otherwise, its recommendations with respect to
matters referred to the select committee or otherwise within its
jurisdiction.
(c)(1) For the purposes of this section, the select committee is
authorized, in its discretion, (A) to make investigations into any
matter within its jurisdiction, (B) to make expenditures from the
contingent fund of the Senate, (C) to employ personnel, (D) to hold
hearings, (E) to sit and act at any time or place during the sessions,
recesses, and adjourned periods of the Senate, (F) to require, by
subpoena or otherwise, the attendance of witnesses and the production of
correspondence, books, papers, and documents, (G) to take depositions
and other testimony, (H) to procure the services of individual
consultants or organizations thereof, in accordance with the provisions
of section 202(i) of the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946, and (I)
with the prior consent of the Government department or agency concerned
and the Committee on Rules and Administration, to use on a reimbursable
basis the services of personnel of any such department or agency.
(2) The Chairman of the select committee or any Member thereof may
administer oaths to witnesses.
(3) Subpoenas authorized by the select committee may be issued over
the signature of the Chairman, or any Member of the select committee
designated by the Chairman, and may be served by any person designated
by the Chairman or the Member signing the subpoena.
Rules of Procedure
153 Cong. Rec. S1277 (daily ed. Jan. 29, 2007)
Rules of the Committee on Indian Affairs
Rule 1. The Standing Rules of the Senate, Senate Resolution 4, and
the provisions of the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946, as amended
by the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1970, to the extent the
provisions of such Acts are applicable to the Committee on Indian
Affairs and supplemented by these rules, are adopted as the rules of the
Committee.
Meetings of the Committee
Rule 2. The Committee shall meet on Thursdays while the Congress is
in session for the purpose of conducting business, unless for the
convenience of the Members, the Chairman shall set some other day for a
meeting. Additional meetings may be called by the Chairman as he may
deem necessary.
Open Hearings and Meetings
Rule 3. Hearings and business meetings of the Committee shall be
open to the public except when the Chairman by a majority vote orders a
closed hearing or meeting.
Hearing Procedure
Rule 4(a). Public notice, including notice to Members of the
Committee, shall be given of the date, place, and subject matter of any
hearing to be held by the Committee at least one week in advance of such
hearing unless the Chairman of the Committee, with the concurrence of
the Vice Chairman, determines that the hearing is noncontroversial or
that special circumstances require expedited procedures and a majority
of the Committee Members attending concurs. In no case shall a hearing
be conducted with less than 24 hours' notice.
(b) At least 72 hours in advance of a hearing, each witness who is
to appear before the Committee shall submit his or her testimony by way
of electronic mail, in a format determined by the Committee and sent to
an electronic mail address specified by the Committee, or shall submit
an original, printed version of his or her written testimony. In
addition, each witness, on the day of the hearing, shall provide an
electronic copy of the testimony on a computer disk formatted and
suitable for use by the Committee.
(c) Each Member shall be limited to five (5) minutes in questioning
of any witness until such time as all Members who so desire have had an
opportunity to question the witness unless the Committee shall decide
otherwise.
(d) The Chairman and Vice Chairman or the ranking Majority and
Minority Members present at the hearing may each appoint one Committee
staff member to question each witness. Such staff member may question
the witness only after all Members present have completed their
questioning of the witness or at such time as the Chairman and Vice
Chairman or the Ranking Majority and Minority Members present may agree.
Business Meeting Agenda
Rule 5(a). A legislative measure or subject shall be included in the
agenda of the next following business meeting of the Committee if a
written request by a Member for consideration of such measure or subject
has been filed with the Chairman of the Committee at least one week
prior to such meeting. Nothing in this rule shall be construed to limit
the authority of the Chairman of the Committee to include legislative
measures or subjects on the Committee agenda in the absence of such
request.
(b) Notice of, and the agenda for, any business meeting of the
Committee shall be provided to each Member and made available to the
public at least two days prior to such meeting, and no new items may be
added after the agenda is published except by the approval of a majority
of the Members of the Committee. The notice and agenda of any business
meeting may be provided to the Members by electronic mail, provided that
a paper copy will be provided to any Member upon request. The Clerk
shall promptly notify absent Members of any action taken by the
Committee on matters not included in the published agenda.
(c) Any bill or resolution to be considered by the Committee shall
be filed with the Clerk of the Committee not less than 48 hours in
advance of the Committee meeting. Any amendment(s) to legislation to be
considered shall be filed with the Clerk not less than 24 hours in
advance. This rule may be waived by the Chairman with the concurrence of
the Vice Chairman.
Quorum
Rule 6(a). Except as provided in subsection (b), a majority of the
Members shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business of the
Committee. Consistent with Senate rules, a quorum is presumed to be
present unless the absence of a quorum is noted by a Member.
(b) One Member shall constitute a quorum for the purpose of
conducting a hearing or taking testimony on any measure before the
Committee.
Voting
Rule 7(a). A recorded vote of the Members shall be taken upon the
request of any Member.
(b) A measure may be reported from the Committee unless an objection
is made by a member, in which case a recorded vote by the Members shall
be required.
(c) Proxy voting shall be permitted on all matters, except that
proxies may not be counted for the purpose of determining the presence
of a quorum. Unless further limited, a proxy shall be exercised only for
the date for which it is given and upon the terms published in the
agenda for that date.
Sworn Testimony and Financial Statements
Rule 8. Witnesses in Committee hearings may be required to give
testimony under oath whenever the Chairman or Vice Chairman of the
Committee deems it to be necessary. At any hearing to confirm a
Presidential nomination, the testimony of the nominee, and at the
request of any Member, any other witness shall be under oath. Every
nominee shall submit a financial statement, on forms to be perfected by
the Committee, which shall be sworn to by the nominee as to its
completeness and accuracy. All such statements shall be made public by
the Committee unless the Committee, in executive session, determines
that special circumstances require a full or partial exception to this
rule. Members of the Committee are urged to make public a complete
disclosure of their financial interests on forms to be perfected by the
Committee in the manner required in the case of Presidential nominees.
Confidential Testimony
Rule 9. No confidential testimony taken by, or confidential material
presented to the Committee or any report of the proceedings of a closed
Committee hearing or business meeting shall be made public in whole or
in part, or by way of summary, unless authorized by a majority of the
Members of the Committee at a business meeting called for the purpose of
making such a determination.
Defamatory Statements
Rule 10. Any person whose name is mentioned or who is specifically
identified in, or who believes that testimony or other evidence
presented at, an open Committee hearing tends to defame him or her or
otherwise adversely affect his or her reputation may file with the
Committee for its consideration and action a sworn statement of facts
relevant to such testimony or evidence.
Broadcasting of Hearings or Meetings
Rule 11. Any meeting or hearing by the Committee which is open to
the public may be covered in whole or in part by television, radio
broadcast, or still photography. Photographers and reporters using
mechanical recording, filming, or broadcasting devices shall position
their equipment so as not to interfere with the sight, vision, and
hearing of Members and staff on the dais or with the orderly process of
the meeting or hearing.
Authorizing Subpoenas
Rule 12. The Chairman may, with the agreement of the Vice Chairman,
or the Committee may, by majority vote, authorize the issuance of
subpoenas.
Amending the Rules
Rule 13. These rules may be amended only by a vote of a majority of
all the Members of the Committee in a business meeting of the Committee:
Provided, that no vote may be taken on any proposed amendment unless
such amendment is reproduced in full in the Committee agenda for such
meeting at least seven (7) days in advance of such meeting.
Authority and Rules of Senate Committees
Intelligence
SELECT COMMITTEE ON INTELLIGENCE
Jurisdiction and Authority
S. Res. 400, 94th Cong., 2d Sess. (1976) \1\
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\1\ As amended by S. Res. 4, 95th Cong., 1st Sess. (1977), S. Res.
445, 108th Cong., 2d Sess. (2004), Pub. L. No. 109-177, Sec. 506, 120
Stat. 247 (2005), and S. Res. 50, 110th Cong., 1st Sess. (2007).
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Resolved, That it is the purpose of this resolution to establish a
new select committee of the Senate, to be known as the Select Committee
on Intelligence, to oversee and make continuing studies of the
intelligence activities and programs of the United States Government,
and to submit to the Senate appropriate proposals for legislation and
report to the Senate concerning such intelligence activities and
programs. In carrying out this purpose, the Select Committee on
Intelligence shall make every effort to assure that the appropriate
departments and agencies of the United States provide informed and
timely intelligence necessary for the executive and legislative branches
to make sound decisions affecting the security and vital interests of
the Nation. It is further the purpose of this resolution to provide
vigilant legislative oversight over the intelligence activities of the
United States to assure that such activities are in conformity with the
Constitution and laws of the United States.
Sec. 2. (a)(1) There is hereby established a select committee to be
known as the Select Committee on Intelligence (hereinafter in this
resolution referred to as the ``select committee''). The select
committee shall be composed of not to exceed fifteen Members appointed
as follows:
(A) two members from the Committee on Appropriations;
(B) two members from the Committee on Armed Services;
(C) two members from the Committee on Foreign Relations;
(D) two members from the Committee on the Judiciary; and
(E) not to exceed seven members to be appointed from the
Senate at large.
(2) Members appointed from each committee named in clauses (A)
through (D) of paragraph (1) shall be evenly divided between the two
major political parties and shall be appointed by the President pro
tempore of the Senate upon the recommendations of the majority and
minority leaders of the Senate. Of any members appointed under paragraph
(1)(E), the majority leader shall appoint the majority members and the
minority leader shall appoint the minority members, with the majority
having a one vote margin.
(3)(A) The majority leader of the Senate and the minority leader of
the Senate shall be ex officio members of the select committee but shall
have no vote in the Committee and shall not be counted for purposes of
determining a quorum.
(B) The Chairman and Ranking Member of the Committee on Armed
Services (if not already a member of the select Committee) shall be ex
officio members of the select Committee but shall have no vote in the
Committee and shall not be counted for purposes of determining a quorum.
(b) At the beginning of each Congress, the Majority Leader of the
Senate shall select a chairman of the select Committee and the Minority
Leader shall select a vice chairman for the select Committee. The vice
chairman shall act in the place and stead of the chairman in the absence
of the chairman. Neither the chairman nor the vice chairman of the
select committee shall at the same time serve as chairman or ranking
minority member of any other committee referred to in paragraph 4(e)(1)
of rule XXV of the Standing Rules of the Senate.
(c) The select Committee may be organized into subcommittees. Each
subcommittee shall have a chairman and a vice chairman who are selected
by the Chairman and Vice Chairman of the select Committee, respectively.
Sec. 3. (a) There shall be referred to the select committee all
proposed legislation, messages, petitions, memorials, and other matters
relating to the following:
(1) The Office of the Director of National Intelligence and
the Director of National Intelligence.
(2) The Central Intelligence Agency and the Director of the
Central Intelligence Agency.
(3) Intelligence activities of all other departments and
agencies of the Government, including, but not limited to, the
intelligence activities of the Defense Intelligence Agency, the
National Security Agency, and other agencies of the Department
of Defense; the Department of State; the Department of Justice;
and the Department of the Treasury.
(4) The organization or reorganization of any department or
agency of the Government to the extent that the organization or
reorganization relates to a function or activity involving
intelligence activities.
(5) Authorizations for appropriations, both direct and
indirect, for the following:
(A) The Office of the Director of National
Intelligence and the Director of National Intelligence.
(B) The Central Intelligence Agency and the Director
of the Central Intelligence Agency.
(C) The Defense Intelligence Agency.
(D) The National Security Agency.
(E) The intelligence activities of other agencies and
subdivisions of the Department of Defense.
(F) The intelligence activities of the Department of
State.
(G) The intelligence activities of the Federal Bureau
of Investigation.
(H) Any department, agency, or subdivision which is
the successor to any agency named in clause (A), (B),
(C) or (D); and the activities of any department,
agency, or subdivision which is the successor to any
department, agency, bureau, or subdivision named in
clause (E), (F), or (G) to the extent that the
activities of such successor department, agency, or
subdivision are activities described in clause (E), (F),
or (G).
(b)(1) Any proposed legislation reported by the select Committee
except any legislation involving matters specified in clause (1), (2),
(5)(A), or (5)(B) of subsection (a), containing any matter otherwise
within the jurisdiction of any standing committee shall, at the request
of the chairman of such standing committee, be referred to such standing
committee for its consideration of such matter and be reported to the
Senate by such standing committee within 10 days after the day on which
such proposed legislation, in its entirety and including annexes, is
referred to such standing committee; and any proposed legislation
reported by any committee, other than the select Committee, which
contains any matter within the jurisdiction of the select Committee
shall, at the request of the chairman of the select Committee, be
referred to the select Committee for its consideration of such matter
and be reported to the Senate by the select Committee within 10 days
after the day on which such proposed legislation, in its entirety and
including annexes, is referred to such committee.
(2) In any case in which a committee fails to report any proposed
legislation referred to it within the time limit prescribed in this
subsection, such Committee shall be automatically discharged from
further consideration of such proposed legislation on the 10th day
following the day on which such proposed legislation is referred to such
committee unless the Senate provides otherwise, or the Majority Leader
or Minority Leader request, prior to that date, an additional 5 days on
behalf of the Committee to which the proposed legislation was
sequentially referred. At the end of that additional 5 day period, if
the Committee fails to report the proposed legislation within that 5 day
period, the Committee shall be automatically discharged from further
consideration of such proposed legislation unless the Senate provides
otherwise.
(3) In computing any 10 or 5 day period under this subsection there
shall be excluded from such computation any days on which the Senate is
not in session.
(4) The reporting and referral processes outlined in this subsection
shall be conducted in strict accordance with the Standing Rules of the
Senate. In accordance with such rules, committees to which legislation
is referred are not permitted to make changes or alterations to the text
of the referred bill and its annexes, but may propose changes or
alterations to the same in the form of amendments.
(c) Nothing in this resolution shall be construed as prohibiting or
otherwise restricting the authority of any other committee to study and
review any intelligence activity to the extent that such activity
directly affects a matter otherwise within the jurisdiction of such
committee.
(d) Nothing in this resolution shall be construed as amending,
limiting, or otherwise changing the authority of any standing committee
of the Senate to obtain full and prompt access to the product of the
intelligence activities of any department or agency of the Government
relevant to a matter otherwise within the jurisdiction of such
committee.
Sec. 4. (a) The select committee, for the purposes of accountability
to the Senate, shall make regular and periodic, but not less than
quarterly, reports to the Senate on the nature and extent of the
intelligence activities of the various departments and agencies of the
United States. Such committee shall promptly call to the attention of
the Senate or to any other appropriate committee or committees of the
Senate any matters requiring the attention of the Senate or such other
committee or committees. In making such report, the select committee
shall proceed in a manner consistent with section 8(c)(2) to protect
national security.
(b) The select committee shall obtain an annual report from the
Director of National Intelligence, the Director of the Central
Intelligence Agency, the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of State,
and the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Such reports
shall review the intelligence activities of the agency or department
concerned and the intelligence activities of foreign countries directed
at the United States or its interest. An unclassified version of each
report may be made available to the public at the discretion of the
select committee. Nothing herein shall be construed as requiring the
public disclosure in such reports of the names of individuals engaged in
intelligence activities for the United States or the divulging of
intelligence methods employed or the sources of information on which
such reports are based or the amount of funds authorized to be
appropriated for intelligence activities.
(c) On or before March 15 of each year, the select committee shall
submit to the Committee on the Budget of the Senate the views and
estimates described in section 301(c) of the Congressional Budget Act of
1974 regarding matters within the jurisdiction of the select committee.
Sec. 5. (a) For the purposes of this resolution, the select
committee is authorized in its discretion (1) to make investigations
into any matter within its jurisdiction, (2) to make expenditures from
the contingent fund of the Senate, (3) to employ personnel, (4) to hold
hearings, (5) to sit and act at any time or place during the sessions,
recesses, and adjourned periods of the Senate, (6) to require, by
subpoena or otherwise, the attendance of witnesses and the production of
correspondence, books, papers, and documents, (7) to take depositions
and other testimony, (8) to procure the service of individual
consultants or organizations thereof, in accordance with the provisions
of section 202(i) of the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946, and (9)
with the prior consent of the government department or agency concerned
and the Committee on Rules and Administration, to use on a reimbursable
basis the services of personnel of any such department or agency.
(b) The chairman of the select committee or any member thereof may
administer oaths to witnesses.
(c) Subpoenas authorized by the select committee may be issued over
the signature of the chairman, the vice chairman or any member of the
select committee designated by the chairman, and may be served by any
person designated by the chairman or any member signing the subpoenas.
Sec. 6. No employee of the select committee or any person engaged by
contract or otherwise to perform services for or at the request of such
committee shall be given access to any classified information by such
committee unless such employee or person has (1) agreed in writing and
under oath to be bound by the rules of the Senate (including the
jurisdiction of the Select Committee on Ethics) and of such committee as
to the security of such information during and after the period of his
employment or contractual agreement with such committee; and (2)
received an appropriate security clearance as determined by such
committee in consultation with the Director of National Intelligence.
The type of security clearance to be required in the case of any such
employee or person shall, within the determination of such committee in
consultation with the Director of National Intelligence, be commensurate
with the sensitivity of the classified information to which such
employee or person will be given access by such committee.
Sec. 7. The select committee shall formulate and carry out such
rules and procedures as it deems necessary to prevent the disclosure,
without the consent of the person or persons concerned, of information
in the possession of such committee which unduly infringes upon the
privacy or which violates the constitutional rights of such person or
persons. Nothing herein shall be construed to prevent such committee
from publicly disclosing any such information in any case in which such
committee determines the national interest in the disclosure of such
information clearly outweighs any infringement on the privacy of any
person or persons.
Sec. 8. (a) The select committee may, subject to the provisions of
this section, disclose publicly any information in the possession of
such committee after a determination by such committee that the public
interest would be served by such disclosure. Whenever committee action
is required to disclose any information under this section, the
committee shall meet to vote on the matter within five days after any
member of the committee requests such a vote. No member of the select
committee shall disclose any information, the disclosure of which
requires a committee vote, prior to a vote by the committee on the
question of the disclosure of such information or after such vote except
in accordance with this section.
(b)(1) In any case in which the select committee votes to disclose
publicly any information which has been classified under established
security procedures, which has been submitted to it by the Executive
branch, and which the Executive branch requests be kept secret, such
committee shall--
(A) first, notify the Majority Leader and Minority Leader of
the Senate of such vote; and
(B) second, consult with the Majority Leader and Minority
Leader before notifying the President of such vote.
(2) The select committee may disclose publicly such information
after the expiration of a five-day period following the day on which
notice of such vote is transmitted to the Majority Leader and the
Minority Leader and the President, unless, prior to the expiration of
such five-day period, the President, personally in writing, notifies the
committee that he objects to the disclosure of such information,
provides his reasons therefore, and certifies that the threat to the
national interest of the United States posed by such disclosure is of
such gravity that it outweighs any public interest in the disclosure.
(3) If the President, personally, in writing, notifies the Majority
Leader and Minority Leader of the Senate and the select Committee of his
objections to the disclosure of such information as provided in
paragraph (2), the Majority Leader and Minority Leader jointly or the
select Committee, by majority vote, may refer the question of the
disclosure of such information to the Senate for consideration.
(4) Whenever the select committee votes to refer the question of
disclosure of any information to the Senate under paragraph (3), the
Chairman shall not later than the first day on which the Senate is in
session following the day on which the vote occurs, report the matter to
the Senate for its consideration.
(5) One hour after the Senate convenes on the fourth day on which
the Senate is in session following the day on which any such matter is
reported to the Senate, or at such earlier time as the majority leader
and the minority leader of the Senate jointly agree upon in accordance
with paragraph 5 of rule XVII of the Standing Rules of the Senate, the
Senate shall go into closed session and the matter shall be the pending
business. In considering the matter in closed session the Senate may--
(A) approve the public disclosure of all or any portion of the
information in question, in which case the committee shall
publicly disclose the information ordered to be disclosed,
(B) disapprove the public disclosure of all or any portion of
the information in question, in which case the committee shall
not publicly disclose the information ordered not to be
disclosed, or
(C) refer all or any portion of the matter back to the
committee, in which case the committee shall make the final
determination with respect to the public disclosure of the
information in question.
Upon conclusion of the consideration of such matter in closed session,
which may not extend beyond the close of the ninth day on which the
Senate is in session following the day on which such matter was reported
to the Senate, or the close of the fifth day following the day agreed
upon jointly by the majority and minority leaders in accordance with
paragraph 5 of rule XVII of the Standing Rules of the Senate (whichever
the case may be), the Senate shall immediately vote on the disposition
of such matter in open session, without debate, and without divulging
the information with respect to which the vote is being taken. The
Senate shall vote to dispose of such matter by one or more of the means
specified in clauses (A), (B), and (C) of the second sentence of this
paragraph. Any vote of the Senate to disclose any information pursuant
to this paragraph shall be subject to the right of a Member of the
Senate to move for reconsideration of the vote within the time and
pursuant to the procedures specified in rule XIII of the Standing Rules
of the Senate, and the disclosure of such information shall be made
consistent with that right.
(c)(1) No information in the possession of the select committee
relating to the lawful intelligence activities of any department or
agency of the United States which has been classified under established
security procedures and which the select committee, pursuant to
subsection (a) or (b) of this section, has determined should not be
disclosed shall be made available to any person by a Member, officer, or
employee of the Senate except in a closed session of the Senate or as
provided in paragraph (2).
(2) The select committee may, under such regulations as the
committee shall prescribe to protect the confidentiality of such
information, make any information described in paragraph (1) available
to any other committee or any other Member of the Senate. Whenever the
select committee makes such information available, the committee shall
keep a written record showing, in the case of any particular
information, which committee or which Members of the Senate received
such information. No Member of the Senate who, and no committee which,
receives any information under this subsection, shall disclose such
information except in a closed session of the Senate.
(d) It shall be the duty of the Select Committee on Ethics to
investigate any unauthorized disclosure of intelligence information by a
Member, officer or employee of the Senate in violation of subsection (c)
and to report to the Senate concerning any allegation which it finds to
be substantiated.
(e) Upon the request of any person who is subject to any such
investigation, the Select Committee on Ethics shall release to such
individual at the conclusion of its investigation a summary of its
investigation together with its findings. If, at the conclusion of its
investigation, the Select Committee on Ethics determines that there has
been a significant breach of confidentiality or unauthorized disclosure
by a Member, officer, or employee of the Senate, it shall report its
findings to the Senate and recommend appropriate action such as censure,
removal from committee membership, or expulsion from the Senate, in the
case of a Member, or removal from office or employment or punishment for
contempt, in the case of an officer or employee.
Sec. 9. The select committee is authorized to permit any personal
representative of the President, designated by the President to serve as
a liaison to such committee, to attend any closed meeting of such
committee.
Sec. 10. Upon expiration of the Select Committee on Governmental
Operations With Respect to Intelligence Activities, established by
Senate Resolution 21, Ninety-fourth Congress, all records, files,
documents, and other materials in the possession, custody, or control of
such committee, under appropriate conditions established by it, shall be
transferred to the select committee.
Sec. 11. (a) It is the sense of the Senate that the head of each
department and agency of the United States should keep the select
committee fully and currently informed with respect to intelligence
activities, including any significant anticipated activities, which are
the responsibility of or engaged in by such department or agency:
Provided, That this does not constitute a condition precedent to the
implementation of any such anticipated intelligence activity.
(b) It is the sense of the Senate that the head of any department or
agency of the United States involved in any intelligence activities
should furnish any information or document in the possession, custody,
or control of the department or agency, or person paid by such
department or agency, whenever requested by the select committee with
respect to any matter within such committee's jurisdiction.
(c) It is the sense of the Senate that each department and agency of
the United States should report immediately upon discovery to the select
committee any and all intelligence activities which constitute
violations of the constitutional rights of any person, violations of
law, or violations of Executive orders, Presidential directives, or
departmental or agency rules or regulations; each department and agency
should further report to such committee what actions have been taken or
are expected to be taken by the departments or agencies with respect to
such violations.
Sec. 12. Subject to the Standing Rules of the Senate, no funds shall
be appropriated for any fiscal year beginning after September 30, 1976,
with the exception of a continuing bill or resolution, or amendment
thereto, or conference report thereon, to, or for use of, any department
or agency of the United States to carry out any of the following
activities, unless such funds shall have been previously authorized by a
bill or joint resolution passed by the Senate during the same or
preceding fiscal year to carry out such activity for such fiscal year:
(1) The activities of the Office of the Director of National
Intelligence and the Director of National Intelligence.
(2) The activities of the Central Intelligence Agency and the
Director of the Central Intelligence Agency.
(3) The activities of the Defense Intelligence Agency.
(4) The activities of the National Security Agency.
(5) The intelligence activities of other agencies and
subdivisions of the Department of Defense.
(6) The intelligence activities of the Department of State.
(7) The intelligence activities of the Federal Bureau of
Investigation.
Sec. 13. (a) The select committee shall make a study with respect to
the following matters, taking into consideration with respect to each
such matter, all relevant aspects of the effectiveness of planning,
gathering, use, security, and dissemination of intelligence:
(1) the quality of the analytical capabilities of United
States foreign intelligence agencies and means for integrating
more closely analytical intelligence and policy formulation;
(2) the extent and nature of the authority of the departments
and agencies of the Executive branch to engage in intelligence
activities and the desirability of developing charters for each
intelligence agency or department;
(3) the organization of intelligence activities in the
Executive branch to maximize the effectiveness of the conduct,
oversight, and accountability of intelligence activities; to
reduce duplication or overlap; and to improve the morale of the
personnel of the foreign intelligence agencies;
(4) the conduct of covert and clandestine activities and the
procedures by which Congress is informed of such activities;
(5) the desirability of changing any law, Senate rule or
procedure, or any Executive order, rule, or regulation to
improve the protection of intelligence secrets and provide for
disclosure of information for which there is no compelling
reason for secrecy;
(6) the desirability of establishing a standing committee of
the Senate on intelligence activities;
(7) the desirability of establishing a joint committee of the
Senate and the House of Representatives on intelligence
activities in lieu of having separate committees in each House
of Congress, or of establishing procedures under which separate
committees on intelligence activities of the two Houses of
Congress would receive joint briefings from the intelligence
agencies and coordinate their policies with respect to the
safeguarding of sensitive intelligence information;
(8) the authorization of funds for the intelligence activities
of the Government and whether disclosure of any of the amounts
of such funds is in the public interest; and
(9) the development of a uniform set of definitions for terms
to be used in policies or guidelines which may be adopted by the
executive or legislative branches to govern, clarify, and
strengthen the operation of intelligence activities.
(b) The select committee may, in its discretion, omit from the
special study required by this section any matter it determines has been
adequately studied by the Select Committee To Study Governmental
Operations With Respect to Intelligence Activities, established by
Senate Resolution 21, Ninety-fourth Congress.
(c) The select committee shall report the results of the study
provided for by this section to the Senate, together with any
recommendations for legislative or other actions it deems appropriate,
no later than July 1, 1977, and from time to time thereafter as it deems
appropriate.
Sec. 14. (a) As used in this resolution, the term ``intelligence
activities'' includes (1) the collection, analysis, production,
dissemination, or use of information which relates to any foreign
country, or any government, political group, party, military force,
movement, or other association in such foreign country, and which
relates to the defense, foreign policy, national security, or related
policies of the United States, and other activity which is in support of
such activities; (2) activities taken to counter similar activities
directed against the United States; (3) covert or clandestine activities
affecting the relations of the United States with any foreign
government, political group, party, military force, movement or other
association; (4) the collection, analysis, production, dissemination, or
use of information about activities of persons within the United States,
its territories and possessions, or nationals of the United States
abroad whose political and related activities pose, or may be considered
by any department, agency, bureau, office, division, instrumentality, or
employee of the United States to pose, a threat to the internal security
of the United States, and covert or clandestine activities directed
against such persons. Such term does not include tactical foreign
military intelligence serving no national policymaking function.
(b) As used in this resolution, the term ``department or agency''
includes any organization, committee, council, establishment, or office
within the Federal Government.
(c) For purposes of this resolution, reference to any department,
agency, bureau, or subdivision shall include a reference to any
successor department, agency, bureau, or subdivision to the extent that
such successor engages in intelligence activities now conducted by the
department, agency, bureau, or subdivision referred to in this
resolution.
Sec. 15. (a) In addition to other committee staff selected by the
select Committee, the select Committee shall hire or appoint one
employee for each member of the select Committee to serve as such
Member's designated representative on the select Committee. The select
Committee shall only hire or appoint an employee chosen by the
respective Member of the select Committee for whom the employee will
serve as the designated representative on the select Committee.
(b) The select Committee shall be afforded a supplement to its
budget, to be determined by the Committee on Rules and Administration,
to allow for the hire of each employee who fills the position of
designated representative to the select Committee. The designated
representative shall have office space and appropriate office equipment
in the select Committee spaces. Designated personal representatives
shall have the same access to Committee staff, information, records, and
databases as select Committee staff, as determined by the Chairman and
Vice Chairman.
(c) The designated employee shall meet all the requirements of
relevant statutes, Senate rules, and committee security clearance
requirements for employment by the select Committee.
(d) Of the funds made available to the select Committee for
personnel--
(1) not more than 60 percent shall be under the control of the
Chairman; and
(2) not less than 40 percent shall be under the control of the Vice
Chairman.
Sec. 16. Nothing in this resolution shall be construed as
constituting acquiescence by the Senate in any practice, or in the
conduct of any activity, not otherwise authorized by law.
Sec. 17. (a)(1) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (b), the
select Committee shall have jurisdiction for reviewing, holding
hearings, and reporting the nominations of civilian persons nominated by
the President to fill all positions within the intelligence community
requiring the advice and consent of the Senate.
(2) Other committees with jurisdiction over the nominees' executive
branch department may hold hearings and interviews with such persons,
but only the select Committee shall report such nominations.
(b)(1) With respect to the confirmation of the Assistant Attorney
General for National Security, or any successor position, the nomination
of any individual by the President to serve in such position shall be
referred to the Committee on the Judiciary and, if and when reported, to
the select Committee for not to exceed 20 calendar days, except that in
cases when the 20-day period expires while the Senate is in recess, the
select Committee shall have 5 additional calendar days after the Senate
reconvenes to report the nomination.
(2) If, upon the expiration of the period described in paragraph
(1), the select Committee has not reported the nomination, such
nomination shall be automatically discharged from the select Committee
and placed on the Executive Calendar.
S. Res. 445, Sec. Sec. 301(b), 401, 501, 108th Cong., 2d Sess. (2004)
* * * * * * *
Title III -- Committee Status
* * * * * * *
Sec. 301(b) Intelligence.-- The Select Committee on Intelligence
shall be treated as a committee listed under paragraph 2 of rule XXV of
the Standing Rules of the Senate for purposes of the Standing Rules of
the Senate.
Title IV -- Intelligence-Related Subcommittees
Sec. 401 Subcommittee Related to Intelligence Oversight.
(a) Establishment.-- There is established in the Select Committee
on Intelligence a Subcommittee on Oversight which shall be in addition
to any other subcommittee established by the select Committee.
(b) Responsibility.-- The Subcommittee on Oversight shall be
responsible for ongoing oversight of intelligence activities.
Title V -- Effective Date
Sec. 501. Effective Date. This resolution shall take effect on the
convening of the 109th Congress.
Rules of Procedure
153 Cong. Rec. S2482 (daily ed. Mar. 1, 2007)
Rule 1. Convening of Meetings
1.1. The regular meeting day of the Select Committee on Intelligence
for the transaction of Committee business shall be every other Wednesday
of each month, unless otherwise directed by the Chairman.
1.2. The Chairman shall have authority, upon notice, to call such
additional meetings of the Committee as he may deem necessary and may
delegate such authority to any other member of the Committee.
1.3. A special meeting of the Committee may be called at any time
upon the written request of five or more members of the Committee filed
with the Clerk of the Committee.
1.4. In the case of any meeting of the Committee, other than a
regularly scheduled meeting, the Clerk of the Committee shall notify
every member of the Committee of the time and place of the meeting and
shall give reasonable notice which, except in extraordinary
circumstances, shall be at least 24 hours in advance of any meeting held
in Washington, D.C. and at least 48 hours in the case of any meeting
held outside Washington, D.C.
1.5. If five members of the Committee have made a request in writing
to the Chairman to call a meeting of the Committee, and the Chairman
fails to call such a meeting within seven calendar days thereafter,
including the day on which the written notice is submitted, these
members may call a meeting by filing a written notice with the Clerk of
the Committee who shall promptly notify each member of the Committee in
writing of the date and time of the meeting.
Rule 2. Meeting Procedures
2.1. Meetings of the Committee shall be open to the public except as
provided in paragraph 5(b) of Rule XXVI of the Standing Rules of the
Senate.
2.2. It shall be the duty of the Staff Director to keep or cause to
be kept a record of all Committee proceedings.
2.3. The Chairman of the Committee, or if the Chairman is not
present the Vice Chairman, shall preside over all meetings of the
Committee. In the absence of the Chairman and the Vice Chairman at any
meeting the ranking majority member, or if no majority member is present
the ranking minority member present, shall preside.
2.4. Except as otherwise provided in these Rules, decisions of the
Committee shall be by a majority vote of the members present and voting.
A quorum for the transaction of Committee business, including the
conduct of executive sessions, shall consist of no less than one third
of the Committee members, except that for the purpose of hearing
witnesses, taking sworn testimony, and receiving evidence under oath, a
quorum may consist of one Senator.
2.5. A vote by any member of the Committee with respect to any
measure or matter being considered by the Committee may be cast by proxy
if the proxy authorization (1) is in writing; (2) designates the member
of the Committee who is to exercise the proxy; and (3) is limited to a
specific measure or matter and any amendments pertaining thereto.
Proxies shall not be considered for the establishment of a quorum.
2.6. Whenever the Committee by roll call vote reports any measure or
matter, the report of the Committee upon such measure or matter shall
include a tabulation of the votes cast in favor of and the votes cast in
opposition to such measure or matter by each member of the Committee.
Rule 3. Subcommittees
Creation of subcommittees shall be by majority vote of the
Committee. Subcommittees shall deal with such legislation and oversight
of programs and policies as the Committee may direct. The subcommittees
shall be governed by the Rules of the Committee and by such other rules
they may adopt which are consistent with the Rules of the Committee.
Each subcommittee created shall have a chairman and a vice chairman who
are selected by the Chairman and Vice Chairman, respectively.
Rule 4. Reporting of Measures or Recommendations
4.1. No measures or recommendations shall be reported, favorably or
unfavorably, from the Committee unless a majority of the Committee is
actually present and a majority concur.
4.2. In any case in which the Committee is unable to reach a
unanimous decision, separate views or reports may be presented by any
member or members of the Committee.
4.3. A member of the Committee who gives notice of his intention to
file supplemental, minority, or additional views at the time of final
Committee approval of a measure or matter, shall be entitled to not less
than three working days in which to file such views, in writing with the
Clerk of the Committee. Such views shall then be included in the
Committee report and printed in the same volume, as a part thereof, and
their inclusion shall be noted on the cover of the report.
4.4. Routine, non-legislative actions required of the Committee may
be taken in accordance with procedures that have been approved by the
Committee pursuant to these Committee Rules.
Rule 5. Nominations
5.1. Unless otherwise ordered by the Committee, nominations referred
to the Committee shall be held for at least 14 days before being voted
on by the Committee.
5.2. Each member of the Committee shall be promptly furnished a copy
of all nominations referred to the Committee.
5.3. Nominees who are invited to appear before the Committee shall
be heard in public session, except as provided in Rule 2.1.
5.4. No confirmation hearing shall be held sooner than seven days
after receipt of the background and financial disclosure statement
unless the time limit is waived by a majority vote of the Committee.
5.5. The Committee vote on the confirmation shall not be sooner than
48 hours after the Committee has received transcripts of the
confirmation hearing unless the time limit is waived by unanimous
consent of the Committee.
5.6. No nomination shall be reported to the Senate unless the
nominee has filed a background and financial disclosure statement with
the Committee.
Rule 6. Investigations
No investigation shall be initiated by the Committee unless at least
five members of the Committee have specifically requested the Chairman
or the Vice Chairman to authorize such an investigation. Authorized
investigations may be conducted by members of the Committee and/or
designated Committee staff members.
Rule 7. Subpoenas
Subpoenas authorized by the Committee for the attendance of
witnesses or the production of memoranda, documents, records or any
other material may be issued by the Chairman, the Vice Chairman, or any
member of the Committee designated by the Chairman, and may be served by
any person designated by the Chairman, Vice Chairman or member issuing
the subpoenas. Each subpoena shall have attached thereto a copy of S.
Res. 400 of the 94th Congress and a copy of these rules.
Rule 8. Procedures Related to the Taking of Testimony
8.1. Notice.--Witnesses required to appear before the Committee
shall be given reasonable notice and all witnesses shall be furnished a
copy of these Rules.
8.2. Oath or Affirmation.--At the direction of the Chairman or Vice
Chairman, testimony of witnesses shall be given under oath or
affirmation which may be administered by any member of the Committee.
8.3. Interrogation.--Committee interrogation shall be conducted by
members of the Committee and such Committee staff as are authorized by
the Chairman, Vice Chairman, or the presiding member.
8.4. Counsel for the Witness.--(a) Any witness may be accompanied by
counsel. A witness who is unable to obtain counsel may inform the
Committee of such fact. If the witness informs the Committee of this
fact at least 24 hours prior to his or her appearance before the
Committee, the Committee shall then endeavor to obtain voluntary counsel
for the witness. Failure to obtain such counsel will not excuse the
witness from appearing and testifying.
(b) Counsel shall conduct themselves in an ethical and professional
manner. Failure to do so shall, upon a finding to that effect by a
majority of the members present, subject such counsel to disciplinary
action which may include warning, censure, removal, or a recommendation
of contempt proceedings.
(c) There shall be no direct or cross-examination by counsel.
However, counsel may submit in writing any question he wishes propounded
to his client or to any other witness and may, at the conclusion of his
client's testimony, suggest the presentation of other evidence or the
calling of other witnesses. The Committee may use such questions and
dispose of such suggestions as it deems appropriate.
8.5. Statements by Witnesses.--A witness may make a statement, which
shall be brief and relevant, at the beginning and conclusion of his or
her testimony. Such statements shall not exceed a reasonable period of
time as determined by the Chairman, or other presiding members. Any
witness required or desiring to make a prepared or written statement for
the record of the proceedings shall file a paper and electronic copy
with the Clerk of the Committee, and insofar as practicable and
consistent with the notice given, shall do so at least 48 hours in
advance of his or her appearance before the Committee.
8.6. Objections and Rulings.--Any objection raised by a witness or
counsel shall be ruled upon by the Chairman or other presiding member,
and such ruling shall be the ruling of the Committee unless a majority
of the Committee present overrules the ruling of the chair.
8.7. Inspection and Correction.--All witnesses testifying before the
Committee shall be given a reasonable opportunity to inspect, in the
office of the Committee, the transcript of their testimony to determine
whether such testimony was correctly transcribed. The witness may be
accompanied by counsel. Any corrections the witness desires to make in
the transcript shall be submitted in writing to the Committee within
five days from the date when the transcript was made available to the
witness. Corrections shall be limited to grammar and minor editing, and
may not be made to change the substance of the testimony. Any questions
arising with respect to such corrections shall be decided by the
Chairman. Upon request, those parts of testimony given by a witness in
executive session which are subsequently quoted or made part of a public
record shall be made available to that witness at his or her expense.
8.8. Requests To Testify.--The Committee will consider requests to
testify on any matter or measure pending before the Committee. A person
who believes that testimony or other evidence presented at a public
hearing, or any comment made by a Committee member or a member of the
Committee staff, may tend to affect adversely his or her reputation may
request to appear personally before the Committee to testify on his or
her own behalf, or may file a sworn statement of facts relevant to the
testimony, evidence, or comment, or may submit to the Chairman proposed
questions in writing for the cross-examination of other witnesses. The
Committee shall take such action as it deems appropriate.
8.9. Contempt Procedures.--No recommendation that a person be cited
for contempt of Congress or that a subpoena be otherwise enforced shall
be forwarded to the Senate unless and until the Committee has, upon
notice to all its members, met and considered the recommendation,
afforded the person an opportunity to state in writing or in person why
he or she should not be held in contempt, or that the subpoena be
otherwise enforced, and agreed by majority vote of the Committee to
forward such recommendation to the Senate.
8.10. Release of Name of Witness.--Unless authorized by the
Chairman, the name of any witness scheduled to be heard by the Committee
shall not be released prior to, or after, his or her appearance before
the Committee. Upon authorization by the Chairman to release the name of
a witness under this paragraph, the Vice Chairman shall be notified of
such authorization as soon as practicable thereafter. No name of any
witness shall be released if such release would disclose classified
information, unless authorized under Section 8 of S. Res. 400 of the
94th Congress or Rule 9.7 .
Rule 9. Procedures for Handling Classified or Sensitive Material
9.1. Committee staff offices shall operate under strict precautions.
At least one United States Capitol Police Officer shall be on duty at
all times at the entrance of the Committee to control entry. Before
entering the Committee office space all persons shall identify
themselves and provide identification as requested.
9.2. Classified documents and material shall be stored in authorized
security containers located within the Committee's Sensitive
Compartmented Information Facility (SCIF). Copying, duplicating, or
removing from the Committee offices of such documents and other
materials is prohibited except as is necessary for the conduct of
Committee business, and in conformity with Section 10.3 hereof. All
classified documents or materials removed from the Committee offices for
such authorized purposes must be returned to the Committee's SCIF for
overnight storage.
9.3. ``Committee sensitive" means information or material that
pertains to the confidential business or proceedings of the Select
Committee on Intelligence, within the meaning of paragraph 5 of Rule
XXIX of the Standing Rules of the Senate, and is: (1) in the possesion
or under the control of the Committee; (2) discussed or presented in an
executive session of the Committee; (3) the work product of a Committee
member or staff member; (4) properly identified or marked by a Committee
member or staff member who authored the document; or (5) designated as
such by the Chairman and Vice Chairman (or by the Staff Director and
Minority Staff Director acting on their behalf). Committee sensitive
documents and materials that are classified shall be handled in the same
manner as classified documents and material in Rule 9.2. Unclassified
committee sensitive documents and materials shall be stored in a manner
to protect against unauthorized disclosure.
9.4. Each member of the Committee shall at all times have access to
all papers and other material received from any source. The Staff
Director shall be responsible for the maintenance, under appropriate
security procedures, of a document control and accountability registry
which will number and identify all classified papers and other
classified materials in the possession of the Committee, and such
registry shall be available to any member of the Committee.
9.5. Whenever the Select Committee on Intelligence makes classified
material available to any other committee of the Senate or to any member
of the Senate not a member of the Committee, such material shall be
accompanied by a verbal or written notice to the recipients advising of
their responsibility to protect such materials pursuant to section 8 of
S. Res. 400 of the 94th Congress. The Security Director of the Committee
shall ensure that such notice is provided and shall maintain a written
record identifying the particular information transmitted and the
committee or members of the Senate receiving such information.
9.6. Access to classified information supplied to the Committee
shall be limited to those Committee staff members with appropriate
security clearance and a need-to-know, as determined by the Committee,
and, under the Committee's direction, the Staff Director and Minority
Staff Director.
9.7. No member of the Committee or of the Committee staff shall
disclose, in whole or in part or by way of summary, the contents of any
classified or committee sensitive papers, materials, briefings,
testimony, or other information in the possession of the Committee to
any other person, except as specified in this rule. Committee members
and staff do not need prior approval to disclose classified or committee
sensitive information to persons in the Executive branch, the members
and staff of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, and
the members and staff of the Senate, provided that the following
conditions are met: (1) for classified information, the recipients of
the information must possess appropriate security clearances (or have
access to the information by virtue of their office); (2) for all
information, the recipients of the information must have a need-to-know
such information for an official governmental purpose; and (3) for all
information, the Committee members and staff who provide the information
must be engaged in the routine performance of Committee legislative or
oversight duties. Otherwise, classified and committee sensitive
information may only be disclosed to persons outside the Committee (to
include any congressional committee, member of Congress, congressional
staff, or specified non-governmental persons who support intelligence
activities with the prior approval of the Chairman and Vice Chairman of
the Committee, or the Staff Director and Minority Staff Director acting
on their behalf, consistent with the requirements that classified
information may only be disclosed to persons with appropriate security
clearances and a need-to-know such information for an official
governmental purpose. Public disclosure of classified information in the
possession of the Committee may only be authorized in accordance with
Section 8 of S. Res. 400 of the 94th Congress.
9.8. Failure to abide by Rule 9.7 shall constitute grounds for
referral to the Select Committee on Ethics pursuant to Section 8 of S.
Res. 400 of the 94th Congress. Prior to a referral to the Select
Committee on Ethics pursuant to Section 8 of S. Res. 400, the Chairman
and Vice Chairman shall notify the Majority Leader and Minority Leader.
9.9. Before the Committee makes any decision regarding the
disposition of any testimony, papers, or other materials presented to
it, the Committee members shall have a reasonable opportunity to examine
all pertinent testimony, papers, and other materials that have been
obtained by the members of the Committee or the Committee staff.
9.10. Attendance of persons outside the Committee at closed meetings
of the Committee shall be kept at a minimum and shall be limited to
persons with appropriate security clearance and a need-to-know the
information under consideration for the execution of their official
duties. The Security Director of the Committee may require that notes
taken at such meetings by any person in attendance shall be returned to
the secure storage area in the Committee's offices at the conclusion of
such meetings, and may be made available to the department, agency,
office, committee or entity concerned only in accordance with the
security procedures of the Committee.
Rule 10. Staff
10.1. For purposes of these rules, Committee staff includes
employees of the Committee, consultants to the Committee, or any other
person engaged by contract or otherwise to perform services for or at
the request of the Committee. To the maximum extent practicable, the
Committee shall rely on its full-time employees to perform all staff
functions. No individual may be retained as staff of the Committee or to
perform services for the Committee unless that individual holds
appropriate security clearances.
10.2. The appointment of Committee staff shall be approved by the
Chairman and Vice Chairman, acting jointly, or, at the initiative of
both or either be confirmed by a majority vote of the Committee. After
approval or confirmation, the Chairman shall certify Committee staff
appointments to the Financial Clerk of the Senate in writing. No
Committee staff shall be given access to any classified information or
regular access to the Committee offices, until such Committee staff has
received an appropriate security clearance as described in Section 6 of
Senate Resolution 400 of the 94th Congress.
10.3. The Committee staff works for the Committee as a whole, under
the supervision of the Chairman and Vice Chairman of the Committee. The
duties of the Committee staff shall be performed, and Committee staff
personnel affairs and day-to-day operations, including security and
control of classified documents and material, shall be administered
under the direct supervision and control of the Staff Director. All
Committee staff shall work exclusively on intelligence oversight issues
for the Committee. The Minority Staff Director and the Minority Counsel
shall be kept fully informed regarding all matters and shall have access
to all material in the files of the Committee.
10.4. The Committee staff shall assist the minority as fully as the
majority in the expression of minority views, including assistance in
the preparation and filing of additional, separate and minority views,
to the end that all points of view may be fully considered by the
Committee and the Senate.
10.5. The members of the Committee staff shall not discuss either
the substance or procedure of the work of the Committee with any person
not a member of the Committee or the Committee staff for any purpose or
in connection with any proceeding, judicial or otherwise, either during
their tenure as a member of the Committee staff or at any time
thereafter, except as directed by the Committee in accordance with
Section 8 of S. Res. 400 of the 94th Congress and the provisions of
these rules, or in the event of the termination of the Committee, in
such a manner as may be determined by the Senate.
10.6. No member of the Committee staff shall be employed by the
Committee unless and until such a member of the Committee staff agrees
in writing, as a condition of employment, to abide by the conditions of
the nondisclosure agreement promulgated by the Senate Select Committee
on Intelligence, pursuant to Section 6 of S. Res. 400 of the 94th
Congress, and to abide by the Committee's code of conduct.
10.7. No member of the Committee staff shall be employed by the
Committee unless and until such a member of the Committee staff agrees
in writing, as a condition of employment, to notify the Committee or, in
the event of the Committee's termination, the Senate of any request for
his or her testimony, either during his or her tenure as a member of the
Committee staff or at any time thereafter with respect to information
which came into his or her possession by virtue of his or her position
as a member of the Committee staff. Such information shall not be
disclosed in response to such requests except as directed by the
Committee in accordance with Section 8 of S. Res. 400 of the 94th
Congress and the provisions of these rules or, in the event of the
termination of the Committee, in such manner as may be determined by the
Senate.
10.8. The Committee shall immediately consider action to be taken in
the case of any member of the Committee staff who fails to conform to
any of these Rules. Such disciplinary action may include, but shall not
be limited to, immediate dismissal from the Committee staff.
10.9. Within the Committee staff shall be an element with the
capability to perform audits of programs and activities undertaken by
departments and agencies with intelligence functions. Such element shall
be comprised of persons qualified by training and/or experience to carry
out such functions in accordance with accepted auditing standards.
10.10. The workplace of the Committee shall be free from illegal
use, possession, sale or distribution of controlled substances by its
employees. Any violation of such policy by any member of the Committee
staff shall be grounds for termination of employment. Further, any
illegal use of controlled substances by a member of the Committee staff,
within the workplace or otherwise, shall result in reconsideration of
the security clearance of any such staff member and may constitute
grounds for termination of employment with the Committee.
10.11. All personnel actions affecting the staff of the Committee
shall be made free from any discrimination based on race, color,
religion, sex, national origin, age, handicap or disability.
Rule 11. Preparation for Committee Meetings
11.1. Under direction of the Chairman and the Vice Chairman
designated Committee staff members shall brief members of the Committee
at a time sufficiently prior to any Committee meeting to assist the
Committee members in preparation for such meeting and to determine any
matter which the Committee member might wish considered during the
meeting. Such briefing shall, at the request of a member, include a list
of all pertinent papers and other materials that have been obtained by
the Committee that bear on matters to be considered at the meeting.
11.2. The Staff Director shall recommend to the Chairman and the
Vice Chairman the testimony, papers, and other materials to be presented
to the Committee at any meeting. The determination whether such
testimony, papers, and other materials shall be presented in open or
executive session shall be made pursuant to the Rules of the Senate and
Rules of the Committee.
11.3. The Staff Director shall ensure that covert action programs of
the U.S. Government receive appropriate consideration by the Committee
no less frequently than once a quarter.
Rule 12. Legislative Calendar
12.1. The Clerk of the Committee shall maintain a printed calendar
for the information of each Committee member showing the measures
introduced and referred to the Committee and the status of such
measures; nominations referred to the Committee and their status; and
such other matters as the Committee determines shall be included. The
Calendar shall be revised from time to time to show pertinent changes. A
copy of each such revision shall be furnished to each member of the
Committee.
12.2. Unless otherwise ordered by them, measures referred to the
Committee shall be referred by the Chairman and Vice Chairman to the
appropriate department or agency of the Government for reports thereon.
Rule 13. Committee Travel
13.1. No member of the Committee or Committee staff shall travel
abroad on Committee business unless specifically authorized by the
Chairman and Vice Chairman. Requests for authorization of such travel
shall state the purpose and extent of the trip. A full report shall be
filed with the Committee when travel is completed.
13.2. No member of the Committee staff shall travel within this
country on Committee business unless specifically authorized by the
Staff Director.
Rule 14. Changes in Rules
These Rules may be modified, amended, or repealed by the Committee,
provided that a notice in writing of the proposed change has been given
to each member at least 48 hours prior to the meeting at which action
thereon is to be taken.
Authority and Rules of Senate Committees
Judiciary
COMMITTEE ON THE JUDICIARY
Jurisdiction
Rule XXV, Standing Rules of the Senate
1. The following standing committees shall be appointed at the
commencement of each Congress, and shall continue and have the power to
act until their successors are appointed, with leave to report by bill
or otherwise on matters within their respective jurisdictions:
* * * * * * *
(l) Committee on the Judiciary, to which committee shall be referred
all proposed legislation, messages, petitions, memorials, and other
matters relating to the following subjects:
1. Apportionment of Representatives.
2. Bankruptcy, mutiny, espionage, and counterfeiting.
3. Civil liberties.
4. Constitutional amendments.
5. Federal courts and judges.
6. Government information.
7. Holidays and celebrations.
8. Immigration and naturalization.
9. Interstate compacts generally.
10. Judicial proceedings, civil and criminal, generally.
11. Local courts in the territories and possessions.
12. Measures relating to claims against the United States.
13. National penitentiaries.
14. Patent Office.
15. Patents, copyrights, and trademarks.
16. Protection of trade and commerce against unlawful restraints and
monopolies.
17. Revision and codification of the statutes of the United States.
18. State and territorial boundary lines.
Rules of Procedure
153 Cong. Rec. S1184 (daily ed. Jan. 25, 2007)
I. Meetings of the Committee
1. Meetings of the Committee may be called by the Chairman as he may
deem necessary on three days' notice of the date, time, place and
subject matter of the meeting, or in the alternative with the consent of
the Ranking Minority Member, or pursuant to the provision of the
Standing Rules of the Senate, as amended.
2. Unless a different date and time are set by the Chairman pursuant
to (1) of this section, Committee meetings shall be held beginning at
9:30 a.m. on Thursdays the Senate is in session, which shall be the
regular meeting day for the transaction of business.
3. At the request of any Member, or by action of the Chairman, a
bill, matter, or nomination on the agenda of the Committee may be held
over until the next meeting of the Committee or for one week, whichever
occurs later.
II. Hearings of the Committee
1. The Committee shall provide a public announcement of the date,
time, place and subject matter of any hearing to be conducted by the
Committee or any Subcommittee at least seven calendar days prior to the
commencement of that hearing, unless the Chairman with the consent of
the Ranking Minority Member determines that good cause exists to begin
such hearing at an earlier date. Witnesses shall provide a written
statement of their testimony and curriculum vitae to the Committee at
least 24 hours preceding the hearings in as many copies as the Chairman
of the Committee or Subcommittee prescribes.
2. In the event 14 calendar days' notice of a hearing has been made,
witnesses appearing before the Committee, including any witness
representing a Government agency, must file with the Committee at least
48 hours preceding appearance written statements of their testimony and
curriculum vitae in as many copies as the Chairman of the Committee or
Subcommittee prescribes.
3. In the event a witness fails timely to file the written statement
in accordance with this rule, the Chairman may permit the witness to
testify, or deny the witness the privilege of testifying before the
Committee, or permit the witness to testify in response to questions
from Senators without the benefit of giving an opening statement.
III. Quorums
1. Six Members of the Committee, actually present, shall constitute
a quorum for the purpose of discussing business. Eight Members of the
Committee, including at least two Members of the minority, shall
constitute a quorum for the purpose of transacting business. No bill,
matter, or nomination shall be ordered reported from the Committee,
however, unless a majority of the Committee is actually present at the
time such action is taken and a majority of those present support the
action taken.
2. For the purpose of taking sworn testimony, a quorum of the
Committee and each Subcommittee thereof, now or hereafter appointed,
shall consist of one Senator.
IV. Bringing a Matter to a Vote
1. The Chairman shall entertain a non-debatable motion to bring a
matter before the Committee to a vote. If there is objection to bring
the matter to a vote without further debate, a roll call vote of the
Committee shall be taken, and debate shall be terminated if the motion
to bring the matter to a vote without further debate passes with ten
votes in the affirmative, one of which must be cast by the minority.
V. Amendments
1. Provided at least seven calendar days' notice of the agenda is
given, and the text of the proposed bill or resolution has been made
available at least seven calendar days in advance, it shall not be in
order for the Committee to consider any amendment in the first degree
proposed to any measure under consideration by the Committee unless such
amendment has been delivered to the office of the Committee and
circulated via e-mail to each of the offices by at least 5:00 PM the day
prior to the scheduled start of the meeting.
2. It shall be in order, without prior notice, for a Member to offer
a motion to strike a single section of any bill, resolution, or
amendment under consideration.
3. The time limit imposed on the filing of amendments shall apply to
no more than three bills identified by the Chairman and included on the
Committee's legislative agenda.
4. This section of the rule may be waived by agreement of the
Chairman and the Ranking Minority Member.
VI. Proxy Voting
1. When a recorded vote is taken in the Committee on any bill,
resolution, amendment, or any other question, a quorum being present,
Members who are unable to attend the meeting may submit votes by proxy,
in writing or by telephone, or through personal instructions. A proxy
must be specific with respect to the matters it addresses.
VII. Subcommittees
1. Any Member of the Committee may sit with any Subcommittee during
its hearings or any other meeting, but shall not have the authority to
vote on any matter before the Subcommittee unless a Member of such
Subcommittee.
2. Subcommittees shall be considered de novo whenever there is a
change in the Subcommittee chairmanship and seniority on the particular
Subcommittee shall not necessarily apply.
3. Except for matters retained at the full Committee, matters shall
be referred to the appropriate Subcommittee or Subcommittees by the
Chairman, except as agreed by a majority vote of the Committee or by the
agreement of the Chairman and the Ranking Minority Member.
4. Provided all Members of the Subcommittee consent, a bill or other
matter may be polled out of the Subcommittee. In order to be polled out
of a Subcommittee, a majority of the Members of the Subcommittee who
vote must vote in favor of reporting the bill or matter to the
Committee.
VIII. Attendance Rules
1. Official attendance at all Committee business meetings of the
Committee shall be kept by the Committee Clerk. Official attendance at
all Subcommittee business meetings shall be kept by the Subcommittee
Clerk.
2. Official attendance at all hearings shall be kept, provided that
Senators are notified by the Committee Chairman and Ranking Minority
Member, in the case of Committee hearings, and by the Subcommittee
Chairman and Ranking Minority Member, in the case of Subcommittee
hearings, 48 hours in advance of the hearing that attendance will be
taken; otherwise, no attendance will be taken. Attendance at all
hearings is encouraged.
Authority and Rules of Senate Committees
Rules and Administration
COMMITTEE ON RULES AND ADMINISTRATION
Jurisdiction
Rule XXV, Standing Rules of the Senate \1\
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\1\ As amended by S. Res. 151, 105th Cong., 1st Sess. (1998).
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1. The following standing committees shall be appointed at the
commencement of each Congress, and shall continue and have the power to
act until their successors are appointed, with leave to report by bill
or otherwise on matters within their respective jurisdictions:
* * * * * * *
(n)(1) Committee on Rules and Administration, to which committee
shall be referred all proposed legislation, messages, petitions,
memorials, and other matters relating to the following subjects:
1. Administration of the Senate Office Buildings and the Senate
wing of the Capitol, including the assignment of office space.
2. Congressional organization relative to rules and procedures, and
Senate rules and regulations, including floor and gallery rules.
3. Corrupt practices.
4. Credentials and qualifications of Members of the Senate,
contested elections, and acceptance of incompatible offices.
5. Federal elections generally, including the election of the
President, Vice President, and Members of the Congress.
6. Government Printing Office, and the printing and correction of
the Congressional Record, as well as those matters provided for under
rule XI.
7. Meetings of the Congress and attendance of Members.
8. Payment of money out of the contingent fund of the Senate or
creating a charge upon the same (except that any resolution relating to
substantive matter within the jurisdiction of any other standing
committee of the Senate shall be first referred to such committee).
9. Presidential succession.
10. Purchase of books and manuscripts and erection of monuments to
the memory of individuals.
11. Senate Library and statuary, art, and pictures in the Capitol
and Senate Office Buildings.
12. Services to the Senate, including the Senate restaurant.
13. United States Capitol and congressional office buildings, the
Library of Congress, the Smithsonian Institution (and the incorporation
of similar institutions), and the Botanic Gardens.
(2) Such committee shall also--
(A) make a continuing study of the organization and operation
of the Congress of the United States and shall recommend
improvements in such organization and operation with a view
toward strengthening the Congress, simplifying its operations,
improving its relationships with other branches of the United
States Government, and enabling it better to meet its
responsibilities under the Constitution of the United States;
(B) identify any court proceeding or action which, in the
opinion of the Committee, is of vital interest to the Congress
as a constitutionally established institution of the Federal
Government and call such proceeding or action to the attention
of the Senate; and
(C) develop, implement, and update as necessary a strategic
planning process and a strategic plan for the functional and
technical infrastructure support of the Senate and provide
oversight over plans developed by Senate officers and others in
accordance with the strategic planning process.
Rules of Procedure
153 Cong. Rec. S1571 (daily ed. Feb. 5, 2007)
Title I--Meetings of the Committee
1. The regular meeting dates of the committee shall be the second
and fourth Wednesdays of each month, at 10 a.m., in room SR-301, Russell
Senate Office Building. Additional meetings of the Committee may be
called by the Chairman as she may deem necessary or pursuant to the
provision of paragraph 3 of rule XXVI of the Standing Rules of the
Senate.
2. Meetings of the committee, including meetings to conduct
hearings, shall be open to the public, except that a meeting or series
of meetings by the committee on the same subject for a period of no more
than 14 calendar days may be closed to the public on a motion made and
seconded to go into closed session to discuss only whether the matters
enumerated in subparagraphs (A) through (F) would require the meeting to
be closed followed immediately by a recorded vote in open session by a
majority of the Members of the committee when it is determined that the
matters to be discussed or the testimony to be taken at such meeting or
meetings:
(A) will disclose matters necessary to be kept secret in the
interests of national defense or the confidential conduct of the
foreign relations of the United States;
(B) will relate solely to matters of the committee staff
personnel or internal staff management or procedure;
(C) will tend to charge an individual with crime or
misconduct, to disgrace or injure the professional standing of
an individual, or otherwise to expose an individual to public
contempt or obloquy, or will represent a clearly unwarranted
invasion of the privacy of an individual;
(D) will disclose the identity of any informer or law
enforcement agent or will disclose any information relating to
the investigation or prosecution of a criminal offense that is
required to be kept secret in the interests of effective law
enforcement;
(E) will disclose information relating to the trade secrets or
financial or commercial information pertaining specifically to a
given person if:
(1) an Act of Congress requires the information to be
kept confidential by Government officers and employees;
or
(2) the information has been obtained by the
Government on a confidential basis, other than through
an application by such person for a specific Government
financial or other benefit, and is required to be kept
secret in order to prevent undue injury to the
competitive position of such person; or
(F) may divulge matters required to be kept confidential under
the provisions of law or Government regulations. (Paragraph 5(b)
of rule XXVI of the Standing Rules.)
3. Written notices of committee meetings will normally be sent by
the committee's staff director to all Members of the committee at least
a week in advance. In addition, the committee staff will telephone or e-
mail reminders of committee meetings to all Members of the committee or
to the appropriate assistants in their offices.
4. A copy of the committee's intended agenda enumerating separate
items of legislative business and committee business will normally be
sent to all Members of the committee and released to the public at least
1 day in advance of all meetings. This does not preclude any Member of
the committee from discussing appropriate non-agenda topics.
5. After the Chairman and the Ranking Minority Member, speaking
order shall be based on order of arrival, alternating btween Majority
and Minority Members, unless otherwise directed by the Chairman.
6. Any witness who is to appear before the committee in any hearing
shall file with the clerk of the committee at least 3 business days
before the date of his or her appearance, a written statement of his or
her proposed testimony and an executive summary thereof, in such form as
the chairman may direct, unless the Chairman and the Ranking Minority
Member waive such requirement for good cause.
7. In general, testimony will be restricted to 5 minutes for each
witness. The time may be extended by the Chairman, upon the Chair's own
direction or at the request of a Member. Each round of questions by
Members will also be limited to 5 minutes.
Title II--Quorums
1. Pursuant to paragraph 7(a)(1) of rule XXVI of the Standing Rules,
a majority of the Members of the committee shall constitute a quorum for
the reporting of legislative measures.
2. Pursuant to paragraph 7(a)(1) of rule XXVI of the Standing Rules,
one-third of the Members of the committee shall constitute a quorum for
the transaction of business, including action on amendments to measures
prior to voting to report the measure to the Senate.
3. Pursuant to paragraph 7(a)(2) of rule XXVI of the Standing Rules,
2 Members of the committee shall constitute a quorum for the purpose of
taking testimony under oath and 1 Member of the committee shall
constitute a quorum for the purpose of taking testimony not under oath;
provided, however, that in either instance, once a quorum is
established, any one Member can continue to take such testimony.
4. Under no circumstances may proxies be considered for the
establishment of a quorum.
Title III--Voting
1. Voting in the committee on any issue will normally be by voice
vote.
2. If a third of the Members present so demand a roll call vote
instead of a voice vote, a record vote will be taken on any question by
roll call.
3. The results of roll call votes taken in any meeting upon any
measure, or any amendment thereto, shall be stated in the committee
report on that measure unless previously announced by the committee, and
such report or announcement shall include a tabulation of the votes cast
in favor of and the votes cast in opposition to each such measure and
amendment by each Member of the committee. (Paragraph 7(b) and (c) of
rule XXVI of the Standing Rules.)
4. Proxy voting shall be allowed on all measures and matters before
the committee. However, the vote of the committee to report a measure or
matter shall require the concurrence of a majority of the Members of the
committee who are physically present at the time of the vote. Proxies
will be allowed in such cases solely for the purpose of recording a
Member's position on the question and then only in those instances when
the absentee committee Member has been informed of the question and has
affirmatively requested that he be recorded. (Paragraph 7(a)(3) of rule
XXVI of the Standing Rules.)
Title IV--Amendments
1. Provided at least five business days' notice of the agenda is
given, and the text of the proposed bill or resolution has been made
available at least five business calendar days in advance, it shall not
be in order for the Committee to consider any amendment in the first
degree proposed to any measure under consideration by the Committee
unless such amendment has been delivered to the office of the Committee
and circulated via e-mail to each of the offices by at least 5:00 PM the
day prior to the scheduled start of the meeting.
2. In the event the Chairman introduces a substitute amendment or a
Chairman's mark, the requirements set forth in Paragraph 1 of this Title
shall be considered waived unless such substitute amendment or
Chairman's mark has been made available at least five business days in
advance of the scheduled meeting.
3. It shall be in order, without prior notice, for a Member to offer
a motion to strike a single section of any bill, resolution, or
amendment under consideration.
4. This section of the rule may be waived by agreement of the
Chairman and the Ranking Minority Member.
Title V--Delegation of Authority to Committee Chairman
1. The Chairman is authorized to sign herself or by delegation all
necessary vouchers and routine papers for which the committee's approval
is required and to decide in the committee's behalf all routine
business.
2. The Chairman is authorized to engage commercial reporters for the
preparation of transcripts of committee meetings and hearings.
3. The Chairman is authorized to issue, on behalf of the committee,
regulations normally promulgated by the committee at the beginning of
each session.
Title V--Delegation of Authority to Committee Chairman and Ranking
Minority Member
The Chairman and Ranking Minority Member, acting jointly, are
authorized to approve on behalf of the committee any rule or regulation
for which the committee's approval is required, provided advance notice
of their intention to do so is given to members of the committee.
Title VI--Delegation of Authority to Committee Chairman and Ranking
Minority Member
The Chairman and Ranking Minority Member, acting jointly, are
authorized to approve on behalf of the committee any rule or regulation
for which the committee's approval is required, provided advance notice
of their intention to do so is given to Members of the committee.
Authority and Rules of Senate Committees
Small Business and Entreneurship
COMMITTEE ON SMALL BUSINESS AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP
Jurisdiction
Rule XXV, Standing Rules of the Senate \1\
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\1\ As amended by S. Res. 123, 107th Cong., 1st Sess. (2001).
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1. The following standing committees shall be appointed at the
commencement of each Congress, and shall continue and have the power to
act until their successors are appointed, with leave to report by bill
or otherwise on matters within their respective jurisdictions:
* * * * * * *
(o)(1) Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, to which
committee shall be referred all proposed legislation, messages,
petitions, memorials, and other matters relating to the Small Business
Administration.
(2) Any proposed legislation reported by such committee which
relates to matters other than the functions of the Small Business
Administration shall, at the request of the chairman of any standing
committee having jurisdiction over the subject matter extraneous to the
functions of the Small Business Administration, be considered and
reported by such standing committee prior to its consideration by the
Senate; and likewise measures reported by other committees directly
relating to the Small Business Administration shall, at the request of
the chairman of the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, be
referred to the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship for its
consideration of any portions of the measure dealing with the Small
Business Administration, and be reported by this committee prior to its
consideration by the Senate.
(3) Such committee shall also study and survey by means of research
and investigation all problems of American small business enterprises,
and report thereon from time to time.
Rules of Procedure
153 Cong. Rec. S748 (daily ed. Jan. 18, 2007)
1. General
All applicable provisions of the Standing Rules of the Senate, the
Senate Resolutions, and the Legislative Reorganization Acts of 1946 and
of 1970 (as amended), shall govern the Committee.
2. Meetings
(a) The regular meeting day of the Committee shall be the first
Wednesday of each month unless otherwise directed by the Chairman. All
other meetings may be called by the Chairman as he or she deems
necessary, on 5 business days notice where practicable. If at least
three Members of the Committee desire the Chairman to call a special
meeting, they may file in the office of the Committee a written request
therefor, addressed to the Chairman. Immediately thereafter, the Clerk
of the Committee shall notify the Chairman of such request. If, within 3
calendar days after the filing of such request, the Chairman fails to
call the requested special meeting, which is to be held within 7
calendar days after the filing of such request, a majority of the
Committee Members may file in the Office of the Committee their written
notice that a special Committee meeting will be held, specifying the
date, hour and place thereof, and the Committee shall meet at that time
and place. Immediately upon the filing of such notice, the Clerk of the
Committee shall notify all Committee Members that such special meeting
will be held and inform them of its date, hour and place. If the
Chairman is not present at any regular, additional or special meeting,
such member of the Committee as the Chairman shall designate shall
preside.
(b) It shall not be in order for the Committee to consider any
amendment in the first degree proposed to any measure under
consideration by the Committee unless thirty written copies of such
amendment have been delivered to the Clerk of the Committee at least 2
business days prior to the meeting. This subsection may be waived by
agreement of the Chairman and Ranking Member or by a majority vote of
the members of the Committee.
3. Quorums
(a)(1) A majority of the Members of the Committee shall constitute a
quorum for reporting any legislative measure or nomination.
(2) One-third of the Members of the Committee shall constitute a
quorum for the transaction of routine business, provided that one
Minority Member is present. The term ``routine business'' includes, but
is not limited to, the consideration of legislation pending before the
Committee and any amendments thereto, and voting on such amendments.
(3) In hearings, whether in public or closed session, a quorum for
the asking of testimony, including sworn testimony, shall consist of one
Member of the Committee.
(b) Proxies will be permitted in voting upon the business of the
Committee by Members who are unable to be present. To be valid, proxies
must be signed and assign the right to vote on the date of the meeting
to one of the Members who will be present. Proxies shall in no case be
counted for establishing a quorum.
4. Nominations
In considering a nomination, the Committee shall conduct an
investigation or review of the nominee's experience, qualifications,
suitability, and integrity to serve in the position to which he or she
has been nominated. In any hearings on the nomination, the nominee shall
be called to testify under oath on all matters relating to his or her
nomination for office. To aid in such investigation or review, each
nominee may be required to submit a sworn detailed statement including
biographical, financial, policy, and other information which the
Committee may request. The Committee may specify which items in such
statement are to be received on a confidential basis.
5. Hearings, Subpoenas, and Legal Counsel
(a)(1) The Chairman of the Committee may initiate a hearing of the
Committee on his or her authority or upon his or her approval of a
request by any Member of the Committee. If such request is by the
Ranking Member, a decision shall be communicated to the Ranking Member
within 7 business days. Written notice of all hearings, including the
title, a description of the hearing, and a tentative witness list shall
be given at least 5 business days in advance, where practicable, to all
Members of the Committee.
(2) Hearings of the Committee shall not be scheduled outside the
District of Columbia unless specifically authorized by the Chairman and
the Ranking Minority Member or by consent of a majority of the
Committee. Such consent may be given informally, without a meeting, but
must be in writing.
(b)(1) Any Member of the Committee shall be empowered to administer
the oath to any witness testifying as to fact.
(2) The Chairman and Ranking Member shall be empowered to call an
equal number of witnesses to a Committee hearing. Such number shall
exclude any Administration witness unless such witness would be the sole
hearing witness, in which case the Ranking Member shall be entitled to
invite one witness. The preceding two sentences shall not apply when a
witness appears as the nominee. Interrogation of witnesses at hearings
shall be conducted on behalf of the Committee by Members of the
Committee or such Committee staff as is authorized by the Chairman or
Ranking Minority Member.
(3) Witnesses appearing before the Committee shall file with the
Clerk of the Committee a written statement of the prepared testimony at
least two business days in advance of the hearing at which the witness
is to appear unless this requirement is waived by the Chairman and the
Ranking Minority Member.
(c) Any witness summoned to a public or closed hearing may be
accompanied by counsel of his own choosing, who shall be permitted while
the witness is testifying to advise him of his legal rights. Failure to
obtain counsel will not excuse the witness from appearing and
testifying.
(d) Subpoenas for the attendance of witnesses or the production of
memoranda, documents, records, and other materials may be issued by the
Chairman with the consent of the Ranking Minority Member or by the
consent of a majority of the Members of the Committee. Such consent may
be given informally, without a meeting, but must be in writing. The
Chairman may subpoena attendance or production without the consent of
the Ranking Minority Member when the Chairman has not received
notification from the Ranking Minority Member of disapproval of the
subpoena within 72 hours of being notified of the intended subpoena,
excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays. Subpoenas shall be issued by
the Chairman or by the Member of the Committee designated by him or her.
A subpoena for the attendance of a witness shall state briefly the
purpose of the hearing and the matter or matters to which the witness is
expected to testify. A subpoena for the production of memoranda,
documents, records, and other materials shall identify the papers or
materials required to be produced with as much particularity as is
practicable.
(e) The Chairman shall rule on any objections or assertions of
privilege as to testimony or evidence in response to subpoenas or
questions of Committee Members and staff in hearings.
6. Confidential Information
(a) No confidential testimony taken by, or confidential material
presented to, the Committee in executive session, or any report of the
proceedings of a closed hearing, or confidential testimony or material
submitted pursuant to a subpoena, shall be made public, either in whole
or in part or by way of summary, unless authorized by a majority of the
Members. Other confidential material or testimony submitted to the
Committee may be disclosed if authorized by the Chairman with the
consent of the Ranking Member.
(b) Persons asserting confidentiality of documents or materials
submitted to the Committee offices shall clearly designate them as such
on their face. Designation of submissions as confidential does not
prevent their use in furtherance of Committee business.
7. Media and Broadcasting
(a) At the discretion of the Chairman, public meetings of the
Committee may be televised, broadcasted, or recorded in whole or in part
by a member of the Senate Press Gallery or an employee of the Senate.
Any such person wishing to televise, broadcast, or record a Committee
meeting must request approval of the Chairman by submitting a written
request to the Committee Office by 5:00 p.m. the day before the meeting.
Notice of televised or broadcasted hearings shall be provided to the
Ranking Minority Member as soon as practicable.
(b) During public meetings of the Committee, any person using a
camera, microphone, or other electronic equipment may not position or
use the equipment in a way that interferes with the seating, vision, or
hearing of Committee members or staff on the dais, or with the orderly
process of the meeting.
8. Subcommittees
The Committee shall not have standing subcommittees.
9. Amendment of Rules
The foregoing rules may be added to, modified or amended; provided,
however, that not less than a majority of the entire Membership so
determined at a regular meeting with due notice, or at a meeting
specifically called for that purpose.
Authority and Rules of Senate Committees
Veterans' Affairs
COMMITTEE ON VETERANS' AFFAIRS
Jurisdiction
Rule XXV, Standing Rules of the Senate
1. The following standing committees shall be appointed at the
commencement of each Congress, and shall continue and have the power to
act until their successors are appointed, with leave to report by bill
or otherwise on matters within their respective jurisdictions:
* * * * * * *
(p) Committee on Veterans' Affairs, to which committee shall be
referred all proposed legislation, messages, petitions, memorials, and
other matters relating to the following subjects:
1. Compensation of veterans.
2. Life insurance issued by the Government on account of service in
the Armed Forces.
3. National cemeteries.
4. Pensions of all wars of the United States, general and special.
5. Readjustment of servicemen to civil life.
6. Soldiers' and sailors' civil relief.
7. Veterans' hospitals, medical care and treatment of veterans.
8. Veterans' measures generally.
9. Vocational rehabilitation and education of veterans.
Rules of Procedure
153 Cong. Rec. S1400 (daily ed. Jan. 31, 2007)
I. Meetings
(a) Unless otherwise ordered, the Committee shall meet on the first
Wednesday of each month. The Chairman may, upon proper notice, call such
additional meetings as deemed necessary.
(b) Except as provided in subparagraphs (b) and (d) of paragraph 5
of rule XXVI of the Standing Rules of the Senate, meetings of the
Committee shall be open to the public. The Committee shall prepare and
keep a complete transcript or electronic recording adequate to fully
record the proceedings of each meeting whether or not such meeting or
any part thereof is closed to the public.
(c) The Chairman of the Committee, or the Ranking Majority Member
present in the absence of the Chairman, or such other Member as the
Chairman may designate, shall preside at all meetings.
(d) Except as provided in rule XXVI of the Standing Rules of the
Senate, no meeting of the Committee shall be scheduled except by
majority vote of the Committee or by authorization of the Chairman of
the Committee.
(e) The Committee shall notify the office designated by the
Committee on Rules and Administration of the time, place, and purpose of
each meeting. In the event such meeting is canceled, the Committee shall
immediately notify such designated office.
(f) Written or electronic notice of a Committee meeting, accompanied
by an agenda enumerating the items of business to be considered, shall
be sent to all Committee members at least 72 hours (not counting
Saturdays, Sundays, and Federal holidays) in advance of each meeting. In
the event that the giving of such 72-hour notice is prevented by
unforeseen requirements or Committee business, the Committee staff shall
communicate notice by the quickest appropriate means to members or
appropriate staff assistants of Members and an agenda shall be furnished
prior to the meeting.
(g) Subject to the second sentence of this paragraph, it shall not
be in order for the Committee to consider any amendment in the first
degree proposed to any measure under consideration by the Committee
unless a written or electronic copy of such amendment has been delivered
to each member of the Committee at least 24 hours before the meeting at
which the amendment is to be proposed. This paragraph may be waived by a
majority vote of the members and shall apply only when 72-hour written
notice has been provided in accordance with paragraph (f).
II. Quorums
(a) Subject to the provisions of paragraph (b), eight members of the
Committee shall constitute a quorum for the reporting or approving of
any measure or matter or recommendation. Five members of the Committee
shall constitute a quorum for purposes of transacting any other
business.
(b) In order to transact any business at a Committee meeting, at
least one member of the minority shall be present. If, at any meeting,
business cannot be transacted because of the absence of such a member,
the matter shall lay over for a calendar day. If the presence of a
minority member is not then obtained, business may be transacted by the
appropriate quorum.
(c) One member shall constitute a quorum for the purpose of
receiving testimony.
III. Voting
(a) Votes may be cast by proxy. A proxy shall be written and may be
conditioned by personal instructions. A proxy shall be valid only for
the day given.
(b) There shall be a complete record kept of all Committee action.
Such record shall contain the vote cast by each member of the Committee
on any question on which a roll call vote is requested.
IV. Hearings and Hearing Procedures
(a) Except as specifically otherwise provided, the rules governing
meetings shall govern hearings.
(b) At least 1 week in advance of the date of any hearing, the
Committee shall undertake, consistent with the provisions of paragraph 4
of rule XXVI of the Standing Rules of the Senate, to make public
announcements of the date, place, time, and subject matter of such
hearing.
(c) The Committee shall require each witness who is scheduled to
testify at any hearing to file 40 copies of such witness' testimony with
the Committee not later than 48 hours prior to the witness' scheduled
appearance unless the Chairman and Ranking Minority Member determine
there is good cause for failure to do so.
(d) The presiding member at any hearing is authorized to limit the
time allotted to each witness appearing before the Committee.
(e) The Chairman, with the concurrence of the Ranking Minority
Member of the Committee, is authorized to subpoena the attendance of
witnesses and the production of memoranda, documents, records, and any
other materials. If the Chairman or a Committee staff member designated
by the Chairman has not received from the Ranking Minority Member or a
Committee staff member designated by the Ranking Minority Member notice
of the Ranking Minority Member's nonconcurrence in the subpoena within
48 hours (excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and Federal holidays) of being
notified of the Chairman's intention to subpoena attendance or
production, the Chairman is authorized following the end of the 48-hour
period involved to subpoena the same without the Ranking Minority
Member's concurrence. Regardless of whether a subpoena has been
concurred in by the Ranking Minority Member, such subpoena may be
authorized by vote of the Members of the Committee. When the Committee
or Chairman authorizes a subpoena, the subpoena may be issued upon the
signature of the Chairman or of any other member of the Committee
designated by the Chairman.
(f) Except as specified in Committee Rule VII (requiring oaths,
under certain circumstances, at hearings to confirm Presidential
nominations), witnesses at hearings will be required to give testimony
under oath whenever the presiding member deems such to be advisable.
V. Media Coverage
Any Committee meeting or hearing which is open to the public may be
covered by television, radio, and print media. Photographers, reporters,
and crew members using mechanical recording, filming or broadcasting
devices shall position and use their equipment so as not to interfere
with the seating, vision, or hearing of the Committee members or staff
or with the orderly conduct of the meeting or hearing. The presiding
member of the meeting or hearing may for good cause terminate, in whole
or in part, the use of such mechanical devices or take such other action
as the circumstances and the orderly conduct of the meeting or hearing
may warrant.
VI. General
All applicable requirements of the Standing Rules of the Senate
shall govern the Committee.
VII. Presidential Nominations
(a) Each Presidential nominee whose nomination is subject to Senate
confirmation and referred to this Committee shall submit a statement of
his or her background and financial interests, including the financial
interests of his or her spouse and of children living in the nominee's
household, on a form approved by the Committee which shall be sworn to
as to its completeness and accuracy. The Committee form shall be in two
parts--
(A) information concerning employment, education, and
background of the nominee which generally relates to the
position to which the individual is nominated, and which is to
be made public; and
(B) information concerning the financial and other background
of the nominee, to be made public when the Committee determines
that such information bears directly on the nominee's
qualifications to hold the position to which the individual is
nominated.
Committee action on a nomination, including hearings or a meeting to
consider a motion to recommend confirmation, shall not be initiated
until at least five days after the nominee submits the form required by
this rule unless the Chairman, with the concurrence of the Ranking
Minority Member, waives this waiting period.
(b) At any hearing to confirm a Presidential nomination, the
testimony of the nominee and, at the request of any Member, any other
witness shall be under oath.
VIII. Naming of Department of Veterans Affairs Facilities
It is the policy of the Committee that no Department of Veterans
Affairs facility shall be named after any individual unless--
(A) such individual is deceased and was--
(1) a veteran who (i) was instrumental in the
construction or the operation of the facility to be
named, or (ii) was a recipient of the Medal of Honor or,
as determined by the Chairman and Ranking Minority
Member, otherwise performed military service of an
extraordinarily distinguished character;
(2) a member of the United States House of
Representatives or Senate who had a direct association
with such facility;
(3) an Administrator of Veterans' Affairs, a Secretary
of Veterans Affairs, a Secretary of Defense or of a
service branch, or a military or other Federal civilian
official of comparable or higher rank; or
(4) an individual who, as determined by the Chairman
and Ranking Minority Member, performed outstanding
service for veterans;
(B) each member of the Congressional delegation representing
the State in which the designated facility is located has
indicated in writing such member's support of the proposal to
name such facility after such individual; and
(C) the pertinent State department or chapter of each
Congressionally chartered veterans' organization having a
national membership of at least 500,000 has indicated in writing
its support of such proposal.
IX. Amendments to the Rules
The rules of the Committee may be changed, modified, amended, or
suspended at any time, provided, however, that no less than a majority
of the entire membership so determine at a regular meeting with due
notice, or at a meeting specifically called for that purpose. The rules
governing quorums for reporting legislative matters shall govern rules
changes, modification, amendments, or suspension.
Authority and Rules of Senate Committees
Committee Funding Resolution
SENATE RESOLUTION 89, 110TH CONGRESS
Authorizing expenditures by the committees of the Senate for the
periods March 1, 2007, through September 30, 2007, October 1, 2007,
through September 30, 2008, and October 1, 2008, through February 28,
2009.
Resolved,
SECTION 1. AGGREGATE AUTHORIZATION.
(a) In General.--For purposes of carrying out the powers, duties,
and functions under the Standing Rules of the Senate, and under the
appropriate authorizing resolutions of the Senate there is authorized
for the period March 1, 2007, through September 30, 2007, in the
aggregate of $55,446,216, for the period October 1, 2007, through
September 30, 2008, in the aggregate of $97,164,714, and for the period
October 1, 2008, through February 28, 2009, in the aggregate of
$41,263,116, in accordance with the provisions of this resolution, for
standing committees of the Senate, the Special Committee on Aging, the
Select Committee on Intelligence, and the Committee on Indian Affairs.
(b) Agency Contributions.--There are authorized such sums as may be
necessary for agency contributions related to the compensation of
employees of the committees for the period March 1, 2007, through
September 30, 2007, for the period October 1, 2007, through September
30, 2008, and for the period October 1, 2008, through February 28, 2009,
to be paid from the appropriations account for ``Expenses of Inquiries
and Investigations'' of the Senate.
SEC. 2. COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE, NUTRITION, AND FORESTRY.
(a) General Authority.--In carrying out its powers, duties, and
functions under the Standing Rules of the Senate, in accordance with its
jurisdiction under rule XXV of such rules, including holding hearings,
reporting such hearings, and making investigations as authorized by
paragraphs 1 and 8 of rule XXVI of the Standing Rules of the Senate, the
Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry is authorized from
March 1, 2007, through February 28, 2009, in its discretion--
(1) to make expenditures from the contingent fund of the
Senate;
(2) to employ personnel; and
(3) with the prior consent of the Government department or
agency concerned and the Committee on Rules and Administration,
to use on a reimbursable, or nonreimbursable, basis the services
of personnel of any such department or agency.
(b) Expenses for Period Ending September 30, 2007.--The expenses of
the committee for the period March 1, 2007, through September 30, 2007,
under this section shall not exceed $2,204,538, of which amount--
(1) not to exceed $200,000, may be expended for the
procurement of the services of individual consultants, or
organizations thereof (as authorized by section 202(i) of the
Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946 (2 U.S.C. 72a(i))); and
(2) not to exceed $40,000, may be expended for the training of
the professional staff of such committee (under procedures
specified by section 202(j) of that Act).
(c) Expenses for Fiscal Year 2008 Period.--The expenses of the
committee for the period October 1, 2007, through September 30, 2008,
under this section shall not exceed $3,862,713, of which amount--
(1) not to exceed $200,000, may be expended for the
procurement of the services of individual consultants, or
organizations thereof (as authorized by section 202(i) of the
Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946 (2 U.S.C. 72a(i))); and
(2) not to exceed $40,000, may be expended for the training of
the professional staff of such committee (under procedures
specified by section 202(j) of that Act).
(d) Expenses for Period Ending February 28, 2009.--For the period
October 1, 2008, through February 28, 2009, expenses of the committee
under this section shall not exceed $1,640,188, of which amount--
(1) not to exceed $200,000, may be expended for the
procurement of the services of individual consultants, or
organizations thereof (as authorized by section 202(i) of the
Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946); and
(2) not to exceed $40,000, may be expended for the training of
the professional staff of such committee (under procedures
specified by section 202(j) of that Act).
SEC. 3. COMMITTEE ON ARMED SERVICES.
(a) General Authority.--In carrying out its powers, duties, and
functions under the Standing Rules of the Senate, in accordance with its
jurisdiction under rule XXV of such rules, including holding hearings,
reporting such hearings, and making investigations as authorized by
paragraphs 1 and 8 of rule XXVI of the Standing Rules of the Senate, the
Committee on Armed Services is authorized from March 1, 2007, through
February 28, 2009, in its discretion--
(1) to make expenditures from the contingent fund of the
Senate;
(2) to employ personnel; and
(3) with the prior consent of the Government department or
agency concerned and the Committee on Rules and Administration,
to use on a reimbursable, or nonreimbursable, basis the services
of personnel of any such department or agency.
(b) Expenses for Period Ending September 30, 2007.--The expenses of
the committee for the period March 1, 2007, through September 30, 2007,
under this section shall not exceed $4,073,254, of which amount--
(1) not to exceed $75,000, may be expended for the procurement
of the services of individual consultants, or organizations
thereof (as authorized by section 202(i) of the Legislative
Reorganization Act of 1946 (2 U.S.C. 72a(i))); and
(2) not to exceed $30,000, may be expended for the training of
the professional staff of such committee (under procedures
specified by section 202(j) of that Act).
(c) Expenses for Fiscal Year 2008 Period.--The expenses of the
committee for the period October 1, 2007, through September 30, 2008,
under this section shall not exceed $7,139,800, of which amount--
(1) not to exceed $80,000, may be expended for the procurement
of the services of individual consultants, or organizations
thereof (as authorized by section 202(i) of the Legislative
Reorganization Act of 1946) (2 U.S.C. 72a(i))); and
(2) not to exceed $30,000, may be expended for the training of
the professional staff of such committee (under procedures
specified by section 202(j) of that Act).
(d) Expenses for Period Ending February 28, 2009.--For the period
October 1, 2008, through February 28, 2009, expenses of the committee
under this section shall not exceed $3,032,712, of which amount--
(1) not to exceed $50,000, may be expended for the procurement
of the services of individual consultants, or organizations
thereof (as authorized by section 202(i) of the Legislative
Reorganization Act of 1946); and
(2) not to exceed $30,000, may be expended for the training of
the professional staff of such committee (under procedures
specified by section 202(j) of that Act).
SEC. 4. COMMITTEE ON BANKING, HOUSING, AND URBAN AFFAIRS.
(a) General Authority.--In carrying out its powers, duties, and
functions under the Standing Rules of the Senate, in accordance with its
jurisdiction under rule XXV of such rules, including holding hearings,
reporting such hearings, and making investigations as authorized by
paragraphs 1 and 8 of rule XXVI of the Standing Rules of the Senate, the
Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs is authorized from
March 1, 2007, through February 28, 2009, in its discretion--
(1) to make expenditures from the contingent fund of the
Senate;
(2) to employ personnel; and
(3) with the prior consent of the Government department or
agency concerned and the Committee on Rules and Administration,
to use on a reimbursable, or nonreimbursable, basis the services
of personnel of any such department or agency.
(b) Expenses for Period Ending September 30, 2007.--The expenses of
the committee for the period March 1, 2007, through September 30, 2007,
under this section shall not exceed $3,370,280, of which amount--
(1) not to exceed $12,000, may be expended for the procurement
of the services of individual consultants, or organizations
thereof (as authorized by section 202(i) of the Legislative
Reorganization Act of 1946 (2 U.S.C. 72a(i))); and
(2) not to exceed $700, may be expended for the training of
the professional staff of such committee (under procedures
specified by section 202(j) of that Act).
(c) Expenses for Fiscal Year 2008 Period.--The expenses of the
committee for the period October 1, 2007, through September 30, 2008,
under this section shall not exceed $5,905,629 of which amount--
(1) not to exceed $20,000, may be expended for the procurement
of the services of individual consultants, or organizations
thereof (as authorized by section 202(i) of the Legislative
Reorganization Act of 1946 (2 U.S.C. 72a(i))); and
(2) not to exceed $1,200, may be expended for the training of
the professional staff of such committee (under procedures
specified by section 202(j) of that Act).
(d) Expenses for Period Ending February 28, 2009.--For the period
October 1, 2008, through February 28, 2009, expenses of the committee
under this section shall not exceed $2,507,776, of which amount--
(1) not to exceed $8,000, may be expended for the procurement
of the services of individual consultants, or organizations
thereof (as authorized by section 202(i) of the Legislative
Reorganization Act of 1946); and
(2) not to exceed $500, may be expended for the training of
the professional staff of such committee (under procedures
specified by section 202(j) of that Act).
SEC. 5. COMMITTEE ON THE BUDGET.
(a) General Authority.--In carrying out its powers, duties, and
functions under the Standing Rules of the Senate, in accordance with its
jurisdiction under rule XXV of such rules, including holding hearings,
reporting such hearings, and making investigations as authorized by
paragraph 1 of rule XXVI of the Standing Rules of the Senate, the
Committee on the Budget is authorized from March 1, 2007, through
February 28, 2009, in its discretion--
(1) to make expenditures from the contingent fund of the
Senate;
(2) to employ personnel; and
(3) with the prior consent of the Government department or
agency concerned and the Committee on Rules and Administration,
to use on a reimbursable, or nonreimbursable, basis the services
of personnel of any such department or agency.
(b) Expenses for Period Ending September 30, 2007.--The expenses of
the committee for the period March 1, 2007, through September 30, 2007,
under this section shall not exceed $3,554,606, of which amount--
(1) not to exceed $35,000, may be expended for the procurement
of the services of individual consultants, or organizations
thereof (as authorized by section 202(i) of the Legislative
Reorganization Act of 1946 (2 U.S.C. 72a(i))); and
(2) not to exceed $70,000, may be expended for the training of
the professional staff of such committee (under procedures
specified by section 202(j) of that Act).
(c) Expenses for Fiscal Year 2008 Period.--The expenses of the
committee for the period October 1, 2007, through September 30, 2008,
under this section shall not exceed $6,230,828, of which amount--
(1) not to exceed $60,000, may be expended for the procurement
of the services of individual consultants, or organizations
thereof (as authorized by section 202(i) of the Legislative
Reorganization Act of 1946 (2 U.S.C. 72a(i))); and
(2) not to exceed $120,000, may be expended for the training
of the professional staff of such committee (under procedures
specified by section 202(j) of that Act).
(d) Expenses for Period Ending February 28, 2009.--For the period
October 1, 2008, through February 28, 2009, expenses of the committee
under this section shall not exceed $2,646,665, of which amount--
(1) not to exceed $25,000, may be expended for the procurement
of the services of individual consultants, or organizations
thereof (as authorized by section 202(i) of the Legislative
Reorganization Act of 1946); and
(2) not to exceed $50,000, may be expended for the training of
the professional staff of such committee (under procedures
specified by section 202(j) of that Act).
SEC. 6. COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE, SCIENCE, AND TRANSPORTATION.
(a) General Authority.--In carrying out its powers, duties, and
functions under the Standing Rules of the Senate, in accordance with its
jurisdiction under rule XXV of such rules, including holding hearings,
reporting such hearings, and making investigations as authorized by
paragraphs 1 and 8 of rule XXVI of the Standing Rules of the Senate, the
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation is authorized from
March 1, 2007, through February 28, 2009, in its discretion--
(1) to make expenditures from the contingent fund of the
Senate;
(2) to employ personnel; and
(3) with the prior consent of the Government department or
agency concerned and the Committee on Rules and Administration,
to use on a reimbursable, or nonreimbursable, basis the services
of personnel of any such department or agency.
(b) Expenses for Period Ending September 30, 2007.--The expenses of
the committee for the period March 1, 2007, through September 30, 2007,
under this section shall not exceed $3,652,467, of which amount--
(1) not to exceed $50,000, may be expended for the procurement
of the services of individual consultants, or organizations
thereof (as authorized by section 202(i) of the Legislative
Reorganization Act of 1946 (2 U.S.C. 72a(i))); and
(2) not to exceed $50,000, may be expended for the training of
the professional staff of such committee (under procedures
specified by section 202(j) of that Act).
(c) Expenses for Fiscal Year 2008 Period.--The expenses of the
committee for the period October 1, 2007, through September 30, 2008,
under this section shall not exceed $6,400,560, of which amount--
(1) not to exceed $50,000, may be expended for the procurement
of the services of individual consultants, or organizations
thereof (as authorized by section 202(i) of the Legislative
Reorganization Act of 1946 (2 U.S.C. 72a(i))); and
(2) not to exceed $50,000, may be expended for the training of
the professional staff of such committee (under procedures
specified by section 202(j) of that Act).
(d) Expenses for Period Ending February 28, 2009.--For the period
October 1, 2008, through February 28, 2009, expenses of the committee
under this section shall not exceed $2,718,112, of which amount--
(1) not to exceed $50,000, may be expended for the procurement
of the services of individual consultants, or organizations
thereof (as authorized by section 202(i) of the Legislative
Reorganization Act of 1946); and
(2) not to exceed $50,000, may be expended for the training of
the professional staff of such committee (under procedures
specified by section 202(j) of that Act).
SEC. 7. COMMITTEE ON ENERGY AND NATURAL RESOURCES.
(a) General Authority.--In carrying out its powers, duties, and
functions under the Standing Rules of the Senate, in accordance with its
jurisdiction under rule XXV of such rules, including holding hearings,
reporting such hearings, and making investigations as authorized by
paragraphs 1 and 8 of rule XXVI of the Standing Rules of the Senate, the
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources is authorized from March 1,
2007, through February 28, 2009, in its discretion--
(1) to make expenditures from the contingent fund of the
Senate;
(2) to employ personnel; and
(3) with the prior consent of the Government department or
agency concerned and the Committee on Rules and Administration,
to use on a reimbursable, or nonreimbursable, basis the services
of personnel of any such department or agency.
(b) Expenses for Period Ending September 30, 2007.--The expenses of
the committee for the period March 1, 2007, through September 30, 2007,
under this section shall not exceed $3,083,641.
(c) Expenses for Fiscal Year 2008 Period.--The expenses of the
committee for the period October 1, 2007, through September 30, 2008,
under this section shall not exceed $5,404,061.
(d) Expenses for Period Ending February 28, 2009.--For the period
October 1, 2008, through February 28, 2009, expenses of the committee
under this section shall not exceed $2,295,042.
SEC. 8. COMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENT AND PUBLIC WORKS.
(a) General Authority.--In carrying out its powers, duties, and
functions under the Standing Rules of the Senate, in accordance with its
jurisdiction under rule XXV of such rules, including holding hearings,
reporting such hearings, and making investigations as authorized by
paragraphs 1 and 8 of rule XXVI of the Standing Rules of the Senate, the
Committee on Environment and Public Works is authorized from March 1,
2007, through February 28, 2009, in its discretion--
(1) to make expenditures from the contingent fund of the
Senate;
(2) to employ personnel; and
(3) with the prior consent of the Government department or
agency concerned and the Committee on Rules and Administration,
to use on a reimbursable, or nonreimbursable, basis the services
of personnel of any such department or agency.
(b) Expenses for Period Ending September 30, 2007.--The expenses of
the committee for the period March 1, 2007, through September 30, 2007,
under this section shall not exceed $2,841,799, of which amount--
(1) not to exceed $4,667, may be expended for the procurement
of the services of individual consultants, or organizations
thereof (as authorized by section 202(i) of the Legislative
Reorganization Act of 1946 (2 U.S.C. 72a(i))); and
(2) not to exceed $1,167, may be expended for the training of
the professional staff of such committee (under procedures
specified by section 202(j) of that Act).
(c) Expenses for Fiscal Year 2008 Period.--The expenses of the
committee for the period October 1, 2007, through September 30, 2008,
under this section shall not exceed $4,978,284, of which amount--
(1) not to exceed $8,000, may be expended for the procurement
of the services of individual consultants, or organizations
thereof (as authorized by section 202(i) of the Legislative
Reorganization Act of 1946 (2 U.S.C. 72a(i))); and
(2) not to exceed $2,000, may be expended for the training of
the professional staff of such committee (under procedures
specified by section 202(j) of that Act).
(d) Expenses for Period Ending February 28, 2009.--For the period
October 1, 2008, through February 28, 2009, expenses of the committee
under this section shall not exceed $2,113,516, of which amount--
(1) not to exceed $3,333, may be expended for the procurement
of the services of individual consultants, or organizations
thereof (as authorized by section 202(i) of the Legislative
Reorganization Act of 1946); and
(2) not to exceed $833, may be expended for the training of
the professional staff of such committee (under procedures
specified by section 202(j) of that Act).
SEC. 9. COMMITTEE ON FINANCE.
(a) General Authority.--In carrying out its powers, duties, and
functions under the Standing Rules of the Senate, in accordance with its
jurisdiction under rule XXV of such rules, including holding hearings,
reporting such hearings, and making investigations as authorized by
paragraphs 1 and 8 of rule XXVI of the Standing Rules of the Senate, the
Committee on Finance is authorized from March 1, 2007, through February
28, 2009, in its discretion--
(1) to make expenditures from the contingent fund of the
Senate;
(2) to employ personnel; and
(3) with the prior consent of the Government department or
agency concerned and the Committee on Rules and Administration,
to use on a reimbursable, or nonreimbursable, basis the services
of personnel of any such department or agency.
(b) Expenses for Period Ending September 30, 2007.--The expenses of
the committee for the period March 1, 2007, through September 30, 2007,
under this section shall not exceed $3,970,374, of which amount--
(1) not to exceed $17,500, may be expended for the procurement
of the services of individual consultants, or organizations
thereof (as authorized by section 202(i) of the Legislative
Reorganization Act of 1946 (2 U.S.C. 72a(i))); and
(2) not to exceed $5,833, may be expended for the training of
the professional staff of such committee (under procedures
specified by section 202(j) of that Act).
(c) Expenses for Fiscal Year 2008 Period.--The expenses of the
committee for the period October 1, 2007, through September 30, 2008,
under this section shall not exceed $6,956,895, of which amount--
(1) not to exceed $30,000, may be expended for the procurement
of the services of individual consultants, or organizations
thereof (as authorized by section 202(i) of the Legislative
Reorganization Act of 1946 (2 U.S.C. 72a(i))); and
(2) not to exceed $10,000, may be expended for the training of
the professional staff of such committee (under procedures
specified by section 202(j) of that Act).
(d) Expenses for Period Ending February 28, 2009.--For the period
October 1, 2008, through February 28, 2009, expenses of the committee
under this section shall not exceed $2,954,095, of which amount--
(1) not to exceed $12,500, may be expended for the procurement
of the services of individual consultants, or organizations
thereof (as authorized by section 202(i) of the Legislative
Reorganization Act of 1946); and
(2) not to exceed $4,167, may be expended for the training of
the professional staff of such committee (under procedures
specified by section 202(j) of that Act).
SEC. 10. COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN RELATIONS.
(a) General Authority.--In carrying out its powers, duties, and
functions under the Standing Rules of the Senate, in accordance with its
jurisdiction under rule XXV of such rules, including holding hearings,
reporting such hearings, and making investigations as authorized by
paragraphs 1 and 8 of rule XXVI of the Standing Rules of the Senate, the
Committee on Foreign Relations is authorized from March 1, 2007, through
February 28, 2009, in its discretion--
(1) to make expenditures from the contingent fund of the
Senate;
(2) to employ personnel; and
(3) with the prior consent of the Government department or
agency concerned and the Committee on Rules and Administration,
to use on a reimbursable, or nonreimbursable, basis the services
of personnel of any such department or agency.
(b) Expenses for Period Ending September 30, 2007.--The expenses of
the committee for the period March 1, 2007, through September 30, 2007,
under this section shall not exceed $3,265,283, of which amount--
(1) not to exceed $100,000, may be expended for the
procurement of the services of individual consultants, or
organizations thereof (as authorized by section 202(i) of the
Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946 (2 U.S.C. 72a(i))); and
(2) not to exceed $20,000, may be expended for the training of
the professional staff of such committee (under procedures
specified by section 202(j) of that Act).
(c) Expenses for Fiscal Year 2006 Period.--The expenses of the
committee for the period October 1, 2007, through September 30, 2008,
under this section shall not exceed $5,721,937, of which amount--
(1) not to exceed $100,000, may be expended for the
procurement of the services of individual consultants, or
organizations thereof (as authorized by section 202(i) of the
Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946 (2 U.S.C. 72a(i))); and
(2) not to exceed $20,000, may be expended for the training of
the professional staff of such committee (under procedures
specified by section 202(j) of that Act).
(d) Expenses for Period Ending February 28, 2009.--For the period
October 1, 2008, through February 28, 2009, expenses of the committee
under this section shall not exceed $2,429,876, of which amount--
(1) not to exceed $100,000, may be expended for the
procurement of the services of individual consultants, or
organizations thereof (as authorized by section 202(i) of the
Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946); and
(2) not to exceed $20,000, may be expended for the training of
the professional staff of such committee (under procedures
specified by section 202(j) of that Act).
SEC. 11. COMMITTEE ON HOMELAND SECURITY AND GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS.
(a) General Authority.--In carrying out its powers, duties, and
functions under the Standing Rules of the Senate, in accordance with its
jurisdiction under rule XXV of such rules and S. Res. 445, agreed to
October 9, 2004 (108th Congress), including holding hearings, reporting
such hearings, and making investigations as authorized by paragraphs 1
and 8 of rule XXVI of the Standing Rules of the Senate, the Committee on
Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs is authorized from March 1,
2007, through February 28, 2009, in its discretion--
(1) to make expenditures from the contingent fund of the
Senate;
(2) to employ personnel; and
(3) with the prior consent of the Government department or
agency concerned and the Committee on Rules and Administration,
to use on a reimbursable, or nonreimbursable, basis the services
of personnel of any such department or agency.
(b) Expenses for Period Ending September 30, 2007.--The expenses of
the committee for the period March 1, 2007, through September 30, 2007,
under this section shall not exceed $5,393,404, of which amount--
(1) not to exceed $75,000, may be expended for the procurement
of the services of individual consultants, or organizations
thereof (as authorized by section 202(i) of the Legislative
Reorganization Act of 1946 (2 U.S.C. 72a(i))); and
(2) not to exceed $20,000, may be expended for the training of
the professional staff of such committee (under procedures
specified by section 202(j) of that Act).
(c) Expenses for Fiscal Year 2008 Period.--The expenses of the
committee for the period October 1, 2007, through September 30, 2008,
under this section shall not exceed $9,451,962, of which amount--
(1) not to exceed $75,000, may be expended for the procurement
of the services of individual consultants, or organizations
thereof (as authorized by section 202(i) of the Legislative
Reorganization Act of 1946 (2 U.S.C. 72a(i))); and
(2) not to exceed $20,000, may be expended for the training of
the professional staff of such committee (under procedures
specified by section 202(j) of that Act).
(d) Expenses for Period Ending February 28, 2009.--For the period
October 1, 2008, through February 28, 2009, expenses of the committee
under this section shall not exceed $4,014,158, of which amount--
(1) not to exceed $75,000, may be expended for the procurement
of the services of individual consultants, or organizations
thereof (as authorized by section 202(i) of the Legislative
Reorganization Act of 1946); and
(2) not to exceed $20,000, may be expended for the training of
the professional staff of such committee (under procedures
specified by section 202(j) of that Act).
(e) Investigations.--
(1) In General.--The committee, or any duly authorized
subcommittee of the committee, is authorized to study or
investigate--
(A) the efficiency and economy of operations of all branches
of the Government including the possible existence of fraud,
misfeasance, malfeasance, collusion, mismanagement,
incompetence, corruption, or unethical practices, waste,
extravagance, conflicts of interest, and the improper
expenditure of Government funds in transactions, contracts, and
activities of the Government or of Government officials and
employees and any and all such improper practices between
Government personnel and corporations, individuals, companies,
or persons affiliated therewith, doing business with the
Government; and the compliance or noncompliance of such
corporations, companies, or individuals or other entities with
the rules, regulations, and laws governing the various
governmental agencies and its relationships with the public;
(B) the extent to which criminal or other improper practices
or activities are, or have been, engaged in the field of labor-
management relations or in groups or organizations of employees
or employers, to the detriment of interests of the public,
employers, or employees, and to determine whether any changes
are required in the laws of the United States in order to
protect such interests against the occurrence of such practices
or activities;
(C) organized criminal activity which may operate in or
otherwise utilize the facilities of interstate or international
commerce in furtherance of any transactions and the manner and
extent to which, and the identity of the persons, firms, or
corporations, or other entities by whom such utilization is
being made, and further, to study and investigate the manner in
which and the extent to which persons engaged in organized
criminal activity have infiltrated lawful business enterprise,
and to study the adequacy of Federal laws to prevent the
operations of organized crime in interstate or international
commerce; and to determine whether any changes are required in
the laws of the United States in order to protect the public
against such practices or activities;
(D) all other aspects of crime and lawlessness within the
United States which have an impact upon or affect the national
health, welfare, and safety; including but not limited to
investment fraud schemes, commodity and security fraud, computer
fraud, and the use of offshore banking and corporate facilities
to carry out criminal objectives;
(E) the efficiency and economy of operations of all branches
and functions of the Government with particular reference to--
(i) the effectiveness of present national security
methods, staffing, and processes as tested against the
requirements imposed by the rapidly mounting complexity
of national security problems;
(ii) the capacity of present national security
staffing, methods, and processes to make full use of the
Nation's resources of knowledge and talents;
(iii) the adequacy of present intergovernmental
relations between the United States and international
organizations principally concerned with national
security of which the United States is a member; and
(iv) legislative and other proposals to improve these
methods, processes, and relationships;
(F) the efficiency, economy, and effectiveness of all agencies
and departments of the Government involved in the control and
management of energy shortages including, but not limited to,
their performance with respect to--
(i) the collection and dissemination of accurate
statistics on fuel demand and supply;
(ii) the implementation of effective energy
conservation measures;
(iii) the pricing of energy in all forms;
(iv) coordination of energy programs with State and
local government;
(v) control of exports of scarce fuels;
(vi) the management of tax, import, pricing, and other
policies affecting energy supplies;
(vii) maintenance of the independent sector of the
petroleum industry as a strong competitive force;
(viii) the allocation of fuels in short supply by
public and private entities;
(ix) the management of energy supplies owned or
controlled by the Government;
(x) relations with other oil producing and consuming
countries;
(xi) the monitoring of compliance by governments,
corporations, or individuals with the laws and
regulations governing the allocation, conservation, or
pricing of energy supplies; and
(xii) research into the discovery and development of
alternative energy supplies; and
(G) the efficiency and economy of all branches and functions
of Government with particular references to the operations and
management of Federal regulatory policies and programs.
(2) Extent of Inquiries.--In carrying out the duties provided in
paragraph (1), the inquiries of this committee or any subcommittee of
the committee shall not be construed to be limited to the records,
functions, and operations of any particular branch of the Government and
may extend to the records and activities of any persons, corporation, or
other entity.
(3) Special Committee Authority.--For the purposes of this
subsection, the committee, or any duly authorized subcommittee of the
committee, or its chairman, or any other member of the committee or
subcommittee designated by the chairman, from March 1, 2005, through
February 28, 2007, is authorized, in its, his, or their discretion--
(A) to require by subpoena or otherwise the attendance of
witnesses and production of correspondence, books, papers, and
documents;
(B) to hold hearings;
(C) to sit and act at any time or place during the sessions,
recess, and adjournment periods of the Senate;
(D) to administer oaths; and
(E) to take testimony, either orally or by sworn statement,
or, in the case of staff members of the Committee and the
Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, by deposition in
accordance with the Committee Rules of Procedure.
(4) Authority of Other Committees.--Nothing contained in this
subsection shall affect or impair the exercise of any other standing
committee of the Senate of any power, or the discharge by such committee
of any duty, conferred or imposed upon it by the Standing Rules of the
Senate or by the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946.
(5) Subpoena Authority.--All subpoenas and related legal processes
of the committee and its subcommittee authorized under S. Res. 50,
agreed to February 17, 2005 (109th Congress) are authorized to continue.
SEC. 12. COMMITTEE ON HEALTH, EDUCATION, LABOR, AND PENSIONS.
(a) General Authority.--In carrying out its powers, duties, and
functions under the Standing Rules of the Senate, in accordance with its
jurisdiction under rule XXV of such rules, including holding hearings,
reporting such hearings, and making investigations as authorized by
paragraphs 1 and 8 of rule XXVI of the Standing Rules of the Senate, the
Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions is authorized from
March 1, 2007, through February 28, 2009, in its discretion--
(1) to make expenditures from the contingent fund of the
Senate;
(2) to employ personnel; and
(3) with the prior consent of the Government department or
agency concerned and the Committee on Rules and Administration,
to use on a reimbursable, or nonreimbursable, basis the services
of personnel of any such department or agency.
(b) Expenses for Period Ending September 30, 2007.--The expenses of
the committee for the period March 1, 2007, through September 30, 2007,
under this section shall not exceed $4,794,663, of which amount--
(1) not to exceed $75,000, may be expended for the procurement
of the services of individual consultants, or organizations
thereof (as authorized by section 202(i) of the Legislative
Reorganization Act of 1946 (2 U.S.C. 72a(i))); and
(2) not to exceed $25,000, may be expended for the training of
the professional staff of such committee (under procedures
specified by section 202(j) of that Act).
(c) Expenses for Fiscal Year 2008 Period.--The expenses of the
committee for the period October 1, 2007, through September 30, 2008,
under this section shall not exceed $8,402,456, of which amount--
(1) not to exceed $75,000, may be expended for the procurement
of the services of individual consultants, or organizations
thereof (as authorized by section 202(i) of the Legislative
Reorganization Act of 1946 (2 U.S.C. 72a(i))); and
(2) not to exceed $25,000, may be expended for the training of
the professional staff of such committee (under procedures
specified by section 202(j) of that Act).
(d) Expenses for Period Ending February 28, 2009.--For the period
October 1, 2008, through February 28, 2009, expenses of the committee
under this section shall not exceed $3,568,366, of which amount--
(1) not to exceed $75,000, may be expended for the procurement
of the services of individual consultants, or organizations
thereof (as authorized by section 202(i) of the Legislative
Reorganization Act of 1946); and
(2) not to exceed $25,000, may be expended for the training of
the professional staff of such committee (under procedures
specified by section 202(j) of that Act).
SEC. 13. COMMITTEE ON THE JUDICIARY.
(a) General Authority.--In carrying out its powers, duties, and
functions under the Standing Rules of the Senate, in accordance with its
jurisdiction under rule XXV of such rules, including holding hearings,
reporting such hearings, and making investigations as authorized by
paragraphs 1 and 8 of rule XXVI of the Standing Rules of the Senate, the
Committee on the Judiciary is authorized from March 1, 2007, through
February 28, 2009, in its discretion--
(1) to make expenditures from the contingent fund of the
Senate;
(2) to employ personnel; and
(3) with the prior consent of the Government department or
agency concerned and the Committee on Rules and Administration,
to use on a reimbursable, or nonreimbursable, basis the services
of personnel of any such department or agency.
(b) Expenses for Period Ending September 30, 2007.--The expenses of
the committee for the period March 1, 2007, through September 30, 2007,
under this section shall not exceed $5,220,177, of which amount--
(1) not to exceed $200,000, may be expended for the
procurement of the services of individual consultants, or
organizations thereof (as authorized by section 202(i) of the
Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946 (2 U.S.C. 72a(i))); and
(2) not to exceed $20,000, may be expended for the training of
the professional staff of such committee (under procedures
specified by section 202(j) of that Act).
(c) Expenses for Fiscal Year 2008 Period.--The expenses of the
committee for the period October 1, 2007, through September 30, 2008,
under this section shall not exceed $9,150,340, of which amount--
(1) not to exceed $200,000, may be expended for the
procurement of the services of individual consultants, or
organizations thereof (as authorized by section 202(i) of the
Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946 (2 U.S.C. 72a(i))); and
(2) not to exceed $20,000, may be expended for the training of
the professional staff of such committee (under procedures
specified by section 202(j) of that Act).
(d) Expenses for Period Ending February 28, 2009.--For the period
October 1, 2008, through February 28, 2009, expenses of the committee
under this section shall not exceed $3,886,766, of which amount--
(1) not to exceed $200,000, may be expended for the
procurement of the services of individual consultants, or
organizations thereof (as authorized by section 202(i) of the
Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946); and
(2) not to exceed $20,000, may be expended for the training of
the professional staff of such committee (under procedures
specified by section 202(j) of that Act).
SEC. 14. COMMITTEE ON RULES AND ADMINISTRATION.
(a) General Authority.--In carrying out its powers, duties, and
functions under the Standing Rules of the Senate, in accordance with its
jurisdiction under rule XXV of such rules, including holding hearings,
reporting such hearings, and making investigations as authorized by
paragraphs 1 and 8 of rule XXVI of the Standing Rules of the Senate, the
Committee on Rules and Administration is authorized from March 1, 2007,
through February 28, 2009, in its discretion--
(1) to make expenditures from the contingent fund of the
Senate;
(2) to employ personnel; and
(3) with the prior consent of the Government department or
agency concerned and the Committee on Rules and Administration,
to use on a reimbursable, or nonreimbursable, basis the services
of personnel of any such department or agency.
(b) Expenses for Period Ending September 30, 2007.--The expenses of
the committee for the period March 1, 2007, through September 30, 2007,
under this section shall not exceed $1,461,012, of which amount--
(1) not to exceed $30,000, may be expended for the procurement
of the services of individual consultants, or organizations
thereof (as authorized by section 202(i) of the Legislative
Reorganization Act of 1946 (2 U.S.C. 72a(i))); and
(2) not to exceed $6,000, may be expended for the training of
the professional staff of such committee (under procedures
specified by section 202(j) of that Act).
(c) Expenses for Fiscal Year 2008 Period.--The expenses of the
committee for the period October 1, 2007, through September 30, 2008,
under this section shall not exceed $2,561,183, of which amount--
(1) not to exceed $50,000, may be expended for the procurement
of the services of individual consultants, or organizations
thereof (as authorized by section 202(i) of the Legislative
Reorganization Act of 1946 (2 U.S.C. 72a(i))); and
(2) not to exceed $10,000, may be expended for the training of
the professional staff of such committee (under procedures
specified by section 202(j) of that Act).
(d) Expenses for Period Ending February 28, 2009.--For the period
October 1, 2008, through February 28, 2009, expenses of the committee
under this section shall not exceed $1,087,981, of which amount--
(1) not to exceed $21,000, may be expended for the procurement
of the services of individual consultants, or organizations
thereof (as authorized by section 202(i) of the Legislative
Reorganization Act of 1946); and
(2) not to exceed $4,200, may be expended for the training of
the professional staff of such committee (under procedures
specified by section 202(j) of that Act).
SEC. 15. COMMITTEE ON SMALL BUSINESS AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP.
(a) General Authority.--In carrying out its powers, duties, and
functions under the Standing Rules of the Senate, in accordance with its
jurisdiction under rule XXV of such rules, including holding hearings,
reporting such hearings, and making investigations as authorized by
paragraphs 1 and 8 of rule XXVI of the Standing Rules of the Senate, the
Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship is authorized from
March 1, 2007, through February 28, 2009, in its discretion--
(1) to make expenditures from the contingent fund of the
Senate;
(2) to employ personnel; and
(3) with the prior consent of the Government department or
agency concerned and the Committee on Rules and Administration,
to use on a reimbursable, or nonreimbursable, basis the services
of personnel of any such department or agency.
(b) Expenses for Period Ending September 30, 2007.--The expenses of
the committee for the period March 1, 2007, through September 30, 2007,
under this section shall not exceed $1,373,063, of which amount--
(1) not to exceed $25,000, may be expended for the procurement
of the services of individual consultants, or organizations
thereof (as authorized by section 202(i) of the Legislative
Reorganization Act of 1946 (2 U.S.C. 72a(i))); and
(2) not to exceed $10,000, may be expended for the training of
the professional staff of such committee (under procedures
specified by section 202(j) of that Act).
(c) Expenses for Fiscal Year 2008 Period.--The expenses of the
committee for the period October 1, 2007, through September 30, 2008,
under this section shall not exceed $2,405,349, of which amount--
(1) not to exceed $25,000, may be expended for the procurement
of the services of individual consultants, or organizations
thereof (as authorized by section 202(i) of the Legislative
Reorganization Act of 1946 (2 U.S.C. 72a(i))); and
(2) not to exceed $10,000, may be expended for the training of
the professional staff of such committee (under procedures
specified by section 202(j) of that Act).
(d) Expenses for Period Ending February 28, 2009.--For the period
October 1, 2008, through February 28, 2009, expenses of the committee
under this section shall not exceed $1,021,186, of which amount--
(1) not to exceed $25,000, may be expended for the procurement
of the services of individual consultants, or organizations
thereof (as authorized by section 202(i) of the Legislative
Reorganization Act of 1946); and
(2) not to exceed $10,000, may be expended for the training of
the professional staff of such committee (under procedures
specified by section 202(j) of that Act).
SEC. 16. COMMITTEE ON VETERANS' AFFAIRS.
(a) General Authority.--In carrying out its powers, duties, and
functions under the Standing Rules of the Senate, in accordance with its
jurisdiction under rule XXV of such rules, including holding hearings,
reporting such hearings, and making investigations as authorized by
paragraphs 1 and 8 of rule XXVI of the Standing Rules of the Senate, the
Committee on Veterans' Affairs is authorized from March 1, 2007, through
February 28, 2009, in its discretion--
(1) to make expenditures from the contingent fund of the
Senate;
(2) to employ personnel; and
(3) with the prior consent of the Government department or
agency concerned and the Committee on Rules and Administration,
to use on a reimbursable, or nonreimbursable, basis the services
of personnel of any such department or agency.
(b) Expenses for Period Ending September 30, 2007.--The expenses of
the committee for the period March 1, 2007, through September 30, 2007,
under this section shall not exceed $1,259,442, of which amount--
(1) not to exceed $59,000, may be expended for the procurement
of the services of individual consultants, or organizations
thereof (as authorized by section 202(i) of the Legislative
Reorganization Act of 1946 (2 U.S.C. 72a(i))); and
(2) not to exceed $12,000, may be expended for the training of
the professional staff of such committee (under procedures
specified by section 202(j) of that Act).
(c) Expenses for Fiscal Year 2008 Period.--The expenses of the
committee for the period October 1, 2007, through September 30, 2008,
under this section shall not exceed $2,207,230, of which amount--
(1) not to exceed $100,000, may be expended for the
procurement of the services of individual consultants, or
organizations thereof (as authorized by section 202(i) of the
Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946 (2 U.S.C. 72a(i))); and
(2) not to exceed $20,000, may be expended for the training of
the professional staff of such committee (under procedures
specified by section 202(j) of that Act).
(d) Expenses for Period Ending February 28, 2009.--For the period
October 1, 2008, through February 28, 2009, expenses of the committee
under this section shall not exceed $937,409, of which amount--
(1) not to exceed $42,000, may be expended for the procurement
of the services of individual consultants, or organizations
thereof (as authorized by section 202(i) of the Legislative
Reorganization Act of 1946); and
(2) not to exceed $8,334, may be expended for the training of
the professional staff of such committee (under procedures
specified by section 202(j) of that Act).
SEC. 17. SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON AGING.
(a) General Authority.--In carrying out its powers, duties, and
functions imposed by section 104 of S. Res. 4, agreed to February 4,
1977 (Ninety-fifth Congress), and in exercising the authority conferred
on it by such section, the Special Committee on Aging is authorized from
March 1, 2007, through February 28, 2009, in its discretion--
(1) to make expenditures from the contingent fund of the
Senate;
(2) to employ personnel; and
(3) with the prior consent of the Government department or
agency concerned and the Committee on Rules and Administration,
to use on a reimbursable, or nonreimbursable, basis the services
of personnel of any such department or agency.
(b) Expenses for Period Ending September 30, 2007.--The expenses of
the committee for the period March 1, 2007, through September 30, 2007,
under this section shall not exceed $1,524,019, of which amount--
(1) not to exceed $117,000, may be expended for the
procurement of the services of individual consultants, or
organizations thereof (as authorized by section 202(i) of the
Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946); and
(2) not to exceed $5,000, may be expended for the training of
the professional staff of such committee (under procedures
specified by section 202(j) of that Act).
(c) Expenses for Fiscal Year 2008 Period.--The expenses of the
committee for the period October 1, 2007, through September 30, 2008,
under this section shall not exceed $2,670,342, of which amount--
(1) not to exceed $200,000, may be expended for the procurement of
the services of individual consultants, or organizations thereof (as
authorized by section 202(i) of the Legislative Reorganization Act of
1946); and
(2) not to exceed $5,000, may be expended for the training of the
professional staff of such committee (under procedures specified by
section 202(j) of that Act).
(d) Expenses for Period Ending February 28, 2009.--For the period
October 1, 2008, through February 28, 2009, expenses of the committee
under this section shall not exceed $1,133,885, of which amount--
(1) not to exceed $85,000, may be expended for the procurement of
the services of individual consultants, or organizations thereof (as
authorized by section 202(i) of the Legislative Reorganization Act of
1946); and
(2) not to exceed $5,000, may be expended for the training of the
professional staff of such committee (under procedures specified by
section 202(j) of that Act).
SEC. 18. SELECT COMMITTEE ON INTELLIGENCE.
(a) General Authority.--In carrying out its powers, duties, and
functions under S. Res. 400, agreed to May 19, 1976 (94th Congress), as
amended by S. Res. 445, agreed to October 9, 2004 (108th Congress), in
accordance with its jurisdiction under sections 3(a) and 17 of such S.
Res. 400, including holding hearings, reporting such hearings, and
making investigations as authorized by section 5 of such S. Res. 400,
the Select Committee on Intelligence is authorized from March 1, 2007,
through February 28, 2009, in its discretion--
(1) to make expenditures from the contingent fund of the
Senate;
(2) to employ personnel; and
(3) with the prior consent of the Government department or
agency concerned and the Committee on Rules and Administration,
to use on a reimbursable, or nonreimbursable, basis the services
of personnel of any such department or agency.
(b) Expenses for Period Ending September 30, 2007.--The expenses of
the committee for the period March 1, 2007, through September 30, 2007,
under this section shall not exceed $3,220,932, of which amount--
(1) not to exceed $32,083, may be expended for the procurement
of the services of individual consultants, or organizations
thereof (as authorized by section 202(i) of the Legislative
Reorganization Act of 1946 (2 U.S.C. 72a(i))); and
(2) not to exceed $5,834, may be expended for the training of
the professional staff of such committee (under procedures
specified by section 202(j) of that Act.)
(c) Expenses for Fiscal Year 2008 Period.--The expenses of the
committee for the period October 1, 2007, through September 30, 2008,
under this section shall not exceed $5,643,433, of which amount--
(1) not to exceed $55,000, may be expended for the procurement
of the services of individual consultants, or organizations
thereof (as authorized by section 202(i) of the Legislative
Reorganization Act of 1946 (2 U.S.C. 72a(i))); and
(2) not to exceed $10,000, may be expended for the training of
the professional staff of such committee (under
proceduresspecified by section 202(j) of that Act.)
(d) Expenses for Period Ending February 28, 2009.--For the period
October 1, 2008, through February 28, 2009, expenses of the committee
under this section shall not exceed $2,396,252, of which amount--
(1) not to exceed $22,917, may be expended for the procurement
of the services of individual consultants, or organizations
thereof (as authorized by section 202(i) of the Legislative
Reorganization Act of 1946); and
(2) not to exceed $4,166, may be expended for the training of
the professional staff of such committee (under procedures
specified by section 202(j) of that Act.)
SEC. 19. COMMITTEE ON INDIAN AFFAIRS.
(a) General Authority.--In carrying out its powers, duties, and
functions imposed by section 105 of S. Res. 4, agreed to February 4,
1977 (95th Congress), and in exercising the authority conferred on it by
that section, the Committee on Indian Affairs is authorized from March
1, 2007, through February 28, 2009, in its discretion--
(1) to make expenditures from the contingent fund of the
Senate;
(2) to employ personnel; and
(3) with the prior consent of the Government department or
agency concerned and the Committee on Rules and Administration,
to use on a reimbursable, or nonreimbursable, basis the services
of personnel of any such department or agency.
(b) Expenses for Period Ending September 30, 2007.--The expenses of
the committee for the period March 1, 2007, through September 30, 2007,
under this section shall not exceed $1,183,262, of which amount--
(1) not to exceed $20,000, may be expended for the procurement
of the services of individual consultants, or organizations
thereof (as authorized by section 202(i) of the Legislative
Reorganization Act of 1946); and
(2) not to exceed $20,000, may be expended for training
consultants of the professional staff of such committee (under
procedures specified by section 202(j) of that Act).
(c) Expenses for Fiscal Year 2008 Period.--The expenses of the
committee for the period October 1, 2007, through September 30, 2008,
under this section shall not exceed $2,071,712, of which amount--
(1) not to exceed $20,000, may be expended for the procurement
of the services of individual consultants, or organizations
thereof (as authorized by section 202(i) of the Legislative
Reorganization Act of 1946); and
(2) not to exceed $20,000 may be expended for training
consultants of the professional staff of such committee (under
procedures specified by section 202(j) of that Act).
(d) Expenses for Period Ending February 28, 2009.--For the period
October 1, 2008, through February 28, 2009, expenses of the committee
under this section shall not exceed $879,131, of which amount--
(1) not to exceed $20,000, may be expended for the procurement
of the services of individual consultants, or organizations
thereof (as authorized by section 202(i) of the Legislative
Reorganization Act of 1946); and
(2) not to exceed $20,000, may be expended for training
consultants of the professional staff of such committee (under
procedures specified by section 202(j) of that Act).
SEC. 20. SPECIAL RESERVE.
(a) Establishment.--Within the funds in the account ``Expenses of
Inquiries and Investigations'' appropriated by the legislative branch
appropriation Acts for fiscal years 2007, 2008, and 2009, there is
authorized to be established a special reserve to be available to any
committee funded by this resolution as provided in subsection (b) of
which--
(1) an amount not to exceed $4,375,000, shall be available for
the period March 1, 2007, through September 30, 2007; and
(2) an amount not to exceed $7,500,000 shall be available for
the period October 1, 2007, through September 30, 20086; and
(3) an amount not to exceed $3,125,000, shall be available for
the period October 1, 2008, through February 28, 2009.
(b) Availability.--The special reserve authorized in subsection (a)
shall be available to any committee--
(1) on the basis of special need to meet unpaid obligations
incurred by that committee during the periods referred to in
paragraphs (1), (2) and (3) of subsection (a); and
(2) at the request of a Chairman and Ranking Member of that
committee subject to the approval of the Chairman and Ranking
Member of the Committee on Rules and Administration.
?
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________________________________________________________________________
II. Authority and Rules of Joint Committees
________________________________________________________________________
Authority and Rules of Senate Committees
Joint Economic Committee
JOINT ECONOMIC COMMITTEE
Membership and Authority
Title 15, United States Code--Commerce and Trade
Sec. 1024. Joint Economic Committee
(a) Composition
There is established a Joint Economic Committee, to be composed of
ten Members of the Senate, to be appointed by the President of the
Senate, and ten Members of the House of Representatives, to be appointed
by the Speaker of the House of Representatives. In each case, the
majority party shall be represented by six Members and the minority
party shall be represented by four Members.
(b) Functions
It shall be the function of the joint committee--
(1) to make a continuing study of matters relating to the
Economic Report;
(2) to study means of coordinating programs in order to
further the policy of this chapter; and
(3) as a guide to the several committees of the Congress
dealing with legislation relating to the Economic Report, not
later than March 1 of each year (beginning with the year 1947)
to file a report with the Senate and the House of
Representatives containing its findings and recommendations with
respect to each of the main recommendations made by the
President in the Economic Report, and from time to time to make
such other reports and recommendations to the Senate and House
of Representatives as it deems advisable.
(c) Vacancies; selection of chairman and vice chairman
Vacancies in the Membership of the joint committee shall not affect
the power of the remaining Members to execute the functions of the joint
committee, and shall be filled in the same manner as in the case of the
original selection. The joint committee shall select a chairman and a
vice chairman from among its Members.
(d) Hearings; employment and compensation of personnel; cost of
stenographic services; utilization of Governmental
services and private research agencies
The joint committee, or any duly authorized subcommittee thereof, is
authorized to hold such hearings as it deems advisable, and, within the
limitations of its appropriations, the joint committee is empowered to
appoint and fix the compensation of such experts, consultants,
technicians, and clerical and stenographic assistants, to procure such
printing and binding, and to make such expenditures, as it deems
necessary and advisable. The cost of stenographic services to report
hearings of the joint committee, or any subcommittee thereof, shall not
exceed 25 cents per hundred words. The joint committee is authorized to
utilize the services, information, and facilities of the departments and
establishments of the Government, and also of private research agencies.
(e) Appropriations
To enable the joint committee to exercise its powers, functions, and
duties under this chapter, there are authorized to be appropriated for
each fiscal year such sums as may be necessary, to be disbursed by the
Secretary of the Senate on vouchers signed by the chairman or vice
chairman, except that vouchers shall not be required for the
disbursement of salaries of employees paid at an annual rate. * * *
(Feb. 20, 1946, ch. 33, Sec. 11, formerly Sec. 5, 60 Stat. 25; Aug. 2,
1946, ch. 753, title II, Sec. 225, 60 Stat. 838; Feb. 2, 1948, ch. 42,
62 Stat. 16; Oct. 6, 1949, ch. 627, Sec. Sec. 1, 2, 63 Stat. 721; June
18, 1956, ch. 399, Sec. 2, 70 Stat. 290; Feb. 17, 1959, Pub. L. 86-1, 73
Stat. 3; Oct. 13, 1964, Pub. L. 88-661, 78 Stat. 1093; Jan. 25, 1967,
Pub. L. 90-2, 81 Stat. 4; Dec. 27, 1974, Pub. L. 93-554, title I, ch.
III, Sec. 101, 88 Stat. 1776; renumbered Sec. 11, Oct. 27, 1978, Pub. L.
95-523, Sec. 104, 92 Stat. 1893.)
* * * * * * *
Rules of Procedure
As adopted on Mar. 8, 2005; originally approved Dec. 6, 1955
Rule 1. The rules of the Senate and House, insofar as they are
applicable, shall govern the committee and its subcommittees. The rules
of the committee, insofar as they are applicable, shall be the rules of
any subcommittee of the committee.
Rule 2. The meetings of the committee shall be held at such times
and in such places as the chairman may designate, or at such times as a
quorum of the committee may request in writing, with adequate advance
notice provided to all members of the committee. Subcommittee meetings
shall not be held when the full committee is meeting. Where these rules
require a vote of the members of the committee, polling of members
either in writing or by telephone shall not be permitted to substitute
for a vote taken at a committee meeting, unless the ranking minority
member assents to waiver of this requirement.
Rule 3. Ten members of the committee shall constitute a quorum. A
majority of the members of a subcommittee shall constitute a quorum of
such subcommittee.
Rule 4. Written or telegraphic proxies of committee members will be
received and recorded on any vote taken by the committee, except at the
organization meeting at the beginning of each Congress, or for the
purpose of creating a quorum.
Rule 5. The chairman may name standing or special subcommittees. Any
member of the committee shall have the privilege of sitting with any
subcommittee during its hearings or deliberations, and may participate
in such hearings or deliberations, but no such member who is not a
member of the subcommittee shall vote on any matter before such
subcommittee.
Rule 6. The chairmanship and vice chairmanship of the committee
shall alternate between the House and the Senate by Congresses. The
senior member of the minority party in the House of Congress opposite to
that of the chairman shall be the ranking minority member of the
committee. In the event the House and Senate are under different party
control, the chairman and vice chairman shall represent the majority
party in their respective Houses.
Rule 7. Questions as to the order of business and the procedure of
the committee shall in the first instance be decided by the chairman,
subject always to an appeal to the committee.
Rule 8. All hearings conducted by the committee or its subcommittees
shall be open to the public except where the committee or subcommittee,
as the case may be, by a majority vote orders an executive session.
Whenever possible, all public hearings shall include some sessions held
on the Senate side and some on the House side. House and Senate members
shall alternate in order of seating and interrogation.
Rule 9. So far as practicable all witnesses appearing before the
committee shall file advance written statements of their proposed
testimony, and their oral testimony shall be limited to brief summaries.
Brief insertions of additional germane material will be received for the
record, subject to the approval of the chairman.
Rule 10. An accurate stenographic record shall be kept of all
testimony and each witness provided with a copy thereof. Witnesses may
make changes in testimony for the purpose of correcting grammatical
errors, obvious errors of fact, and errors of transcription. Brief
supplemental materials when required to clarify the transcript may be
inserted in the record subject to the approval of the chairman.
Witnesses shall be allowed 3 days within which to correct and return the
transcript of their testimony. If not so returned, the clerk may close
the record whenever necessary.
Rule 11. Each member of the committee shall be provided with a copy
of the hearings transcript for the purpose of correcting errors of
transcription and grammar, and clarifying questions or remarks. If
another person is authorized by a committee member to make his
corrections, the clerk shall be so notified.
Members who have received unanimous consent to submit written
questions to witnesses shall be allowed 2 days within which to submit
these to the executive director for transmission to the witnesses. The
record may be held open for a period not to exceed 1 week awaiting
responses by witnesses.
Rule 12. Testimony received in executive hearings shall not be
released or included in any report without the approval of a majority of
the committee.
Rule 13. The chairman shall provide adequate time for questioning of
witnesses by all members, and the rule of germaneness shall be enforced
in all hearings.
Rule 14. None of the hearings of the committee shall be telecast or
broadcast, whether directly or through such devices as recordings,
tapes, motion pictures, or other mechanical means, if in conflict with a
rule or practice of the House on the side of the Capitol where hearings
are being held. If no general rule or practice prevails in regard to
such telecasts or broadcasts, none of the hearings of the committee
shall be telecast or broadcast unless approved by a majority of the
members of the committee.
Telecasts or broadcasts of any such portion of hearings of the
committee as may include testimony of a witness, shall not be authorized
if such witness objects to such telecast or broadcast: Provided, That
such witness shall be afforded the opportunity to make such objection,
if any, to the committee at a time when the proceedings are not being
telecast or broadcast.
Rule 15. No committee report shall be made public or transmitted to
the Congress without the approval of a majority of the committee except
that when the Congress has adjourned, subcommittees may by majority vote
and with the express permission of the full committee submit reports to
the full committee and simultaneously release same to the public:
Provided, That any member of the committee may make a report
supplementary to or dissenting from the majority report. Such
supplementary or dissenting reports should be as brief as possible.
Factual reports by the committee staff may be printed for the
distribution to committee members and the public only upon authorization
of the chairman of the full committee either with the approval of a
majority of the committee or with the consent of the ranking minority
member.
Rule 16. No summary of a committee report, prediction of the
contents of a report, or statement of conclusions concerning any
investigation shall be made by a Member of the committee or of the
committee staff prior to the issuance of a report of the committee.
Rule 17. There shall be kept a complete record of all committee
proceedings and actions. The clerk of the committee, or a designated
member of the committee staff, shall act as recording secretary of all
proceedings before the committee and shall prepare and circulate to all
members of the committee the minutes of such proceedings. Minutes
circulated will be considered approved unless objection is registered
prior to the next committee meeting. The records of the committee shall
be open to all members of the committee.
Rule 18. The committee shall have a professional and clerical staff
under the supervision of an executive director. The committee shall
appoint and remove the executive director with the approval of not less
than ten members of the committee. Staff operating procedures shall be
determined by the executive director, with the approval of the chairman
of the committee, and after notification to the ranking minority member
with respect to basic revisions. The executive director, under the
general supervision of the chairman, is authorized to deal directly with
agencies of the Government and with non-Government groups and
individuals on behalf of the committee.
The professional members of the committee staff shall be appointed
and removed on the recommendation of the executive director with
approval by majority vote of the committee. The professional staff
members, including the executive director, shall be persons selected
without regard to political affiliations who, as a result of training,
experience, and attainments, are exceptionally qualified to analyze and
interpret economic developments and programs. The clerical and temporary
staff shall be appointed and removed by the executive director with the
approval of the chairman, and after notification to the ranking minority
member. The committee staff shall serve all members of the committee in
an objective, nonpartisan manner. From time to time, upon request, the
executive director shall designate individual members of the staff to
assist subcommittees, individual committee members, and the minority
members. The staff, to the extent possible, shall be organized along
functional lines to permit specialization.
Rule 19. Attendance at executive sessions shall be limited to
members of the committee and of the committee staff. Other persons whose
presence is requested or consented to by the committee may be admitted
to such sessions.
Rule 20. Selection of witnesses for committee hearings shall be made
by the committee staff under the direction of the chairman. A list of
proposed witnesses shall be submitted to the members of the committee
for review sufficiently in advance of the hearings to permit suggestions
by the committee members to receive appropriate consideration.
Rule 21. The chairman of the committee shall have the overall
responsibility for preparing and carrying out the committee's program,
including staff studies, subject to prior approval of each item on the
program by a majority of the committee or, alternatively, by the ranking
minority member. Prior to and during the transition from one Congress to
another, the outgoing committee shall prepare and have ready a plan for
the consideration of the President's Economic Report and the preparation
of the committee's report thereon in order to meet the March 1 deadline
established by Public Law 304 (79th Cong.), as amended.
Rule 22. Proposals for amending committee rules shall be sent to all
members at least 1 week before final action is taken thereon, unless the
amendment is made by unanimous consent. Approval by at least 11 members
of the committee shall be required to amend these rules.
Rule 23. The information contained in any books, papers, or
documents furnished to the committee by any individual, partnership,
corporation, or other legal entity shall, upon the request of the
individual, partnership, corporation, or entity furnishing the same, be
maintained in strict confidence by the members and staff of the
committee, except that any such information may be released outside of
executive session of the committee if the release thereof is effected in
a manner which will not reveal the identity of such individual,
partnership, corporation, or entity: Provided, That the committee by
majority vote may authorize the disclosure of the identity of any such
individual, partnership, corporation, or entity in connection with any
pending hearing or as a part of a duly authorized report of the
committee if such release is deemed essential to the performance of the
functions of the committee and is in the public interest.
Authority and Rules of Senate Committees
Joint Committee on the Library
JOINT COMMITTEE ON THE LIBRARY
Membership \1\
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\1\ For authority of the Joint Committee on the Library, see 40
U.S.C. Sec. Sec. 132a, 133, 188, 188a-1(b), 216, 216b, 216c.
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Title 2, United States Code--The Congress
Sec. 132b. Joint Committee on the Library
The Joint Committee of Congress on the Library shall, on and after
January 3, 1947, consist of the chairman and four members of the
Committee on Rules and Administration of the Senate and the chairman and
four members of the Committee on House Oversight of the House of
Representatives.
(Aug. 2, 1946, ch. 753, title II, Sec. 223, 60 Stat. 838; Pub. L. 104-
186, title II, Sec. 205, Aug. 20, 1996; 110 Stat. 1742.)
Rules of Procedure
153 Cong. Rec. S4807 (daily ed. Apr. 20, 2007)
Title I--Meetings of the Committee
1. Regular meetings may be called by the chairman, with the
concurrence of the vice-chairman, as may be deemed necessary or pursuant
to the provision of paragraph 3 of rule XXVI of the Standing Rules of
the Senate.
2. Meetings of the committee, including meetings to conduct
hearings, shall be open to the public, except that a meeting or series
of meetings by the committee on the same subject for a period of no more
than 14 calendar days may be closed to the public on a motion made and
seconded to go into closed session to discuss only whether the matters
enumerated in subparagraphs (A) through (F) would require the meeting to
be closed followed immediately by a recorded vote in open session by a
majority of the members of the committee when it is determined that the
matters to be discussed or the testimony to be taken at such meeting or
meetings--
(A) will disclose matters necessary to be kept secret in the
interests of national defense or the confidential conduct of the foreign
relations of the United States;
(B) will relate solely to matters of the committee staff personal or
internal staff management or procedures;
(C) will tend to charge an individual with a crime or misconduct, to
disgrace or injure the professional standing of an individual, or
otherwise to expose an individual to public contempt or obloquy, or will
represent a clearly unwarranted invasion of privacy of an individual;
(D) will disclose the identity of any informer or law enforcement
agent or will disclose any information relating to the investigation or
prosecution of a criminal offense that is required to be kept secret in
the interest of effective law enforcement;
(E) will disclose information relating to the trade secrets or
financial or commercial information pertaining specifically to a given
person if--
(1) an Act of Congress requires the information to be kept
confidential by Government officers and employees; or
(2) the information has been obtained by the Government on a
confidential basis, other than through an application by such person for
a specific Government financial or other benefit, and is required to be
kept secret in order to prevent undue injury to the benefit, and is
required to be kept secret in order to prevent undue injury to the
competitive position of such person; or
(F) may divulge matters required to be kept confidential under the
provisions of law or Government regulation. (Paragraph 5(b) of rule XXVI
of the Standing Rules of the Senate.)
3. Written notices of committee meetings will normally be sent by
the committee's staff director to all members at least 3 days in
advance. In addition, the committee staff will email or telephone
reminders of committee meetings to all members of the committee or to
the appropriate staff assistants in their offices.
4. A copy of the committee's intended agenda enumerating separate
items of committee business will normally be sent to all members of the
committee by the staff director at least 1 day in advance of all
meetings. This does not preclude any member of the committee from
raising appropriate non-agenda topics.
5. Any witness who is to appear before the committee in any hearing
shall file with the clerk of the committee at least 3 business days
before the date of his or her appearance, a written statement of his or
her proposed testimony and an executive summary thereof, in such form as
the chairman may direct, unless the chairman waived such a requirement
for good cause.
Title II--Quorums
1. Pursuant to paragraph 7(a)(1) of rule XXVI of the Standing Rules,
4 members of the committee shall constitute a quorum.
2. Pursuant to paragraph 7(a)(2) of rule XXVI of the Standing Rules,
2 members of the committee shall constitute a quorum for the purpose of
taking testimony; provided, however, once a quorum is established, any
one member can continue to take such testimony.
3. Under no circumstance may proxies be considered for the
establishment of a quorum.
Title III--Voting
1. Voting in the committee on any issue will normally be by voice
vote.
2. If a third of the members present so demand, a recorded vote will
be taken on any question by rollcall.
3. The results of the rollcall votes taken in any meeting upon a
measure, or any amendment thereto, shall be stated in the committee
report on that measure unless previously announced by the committee, and
such report or announcement shall include a tabulation of the votes cast
in opposition to each measure and amendment by each member of the
committee. (Paragraph 7(b) and (c) of rule XXVI of the Standing Rules.)
4. Proxy voting shall be allowed on all measures and matters before
the committee. However, the vote of the committee to report a measure or
matters shall require the concurrence of a majority of the members of
the committee who are physically present at the time of the vote.
Proxies will be allowed in such cases solely for the purpose of
recording a member's position on the question and then only in those
instances when the absentee committee member has been informed of the
question and has affirmatively requested that he be recorded. (Paragraph
7(a)(3) of rule XXVI of the Standing Rules.)
Title IV--Delegation and authority to the Chairman and Vice Chairman
1. The chairman and vice chairman are authorized to sign all
necessary vouchers and routine papers for which the committee's approval
is required and to decide in the committee's behalf on all routine
business.
2. The chairman is authorized to engage commercial reporters for the
preparation of transcripts of committee meetings and hearings.
3. The chairman is authorized to issue, on behalf of the committee,
regulations normally promulgated by the committee at the beginning of
each session.
Authority and Rules of Senate Committees
Joint Committee on Printing
JOINT COMMITTEE ON PRINTING
Membership and General Authority \1\
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\1\ Additional authority of the Joint Committee on Printing, not
reprinted here, may be found throughout title 44 of the United States
Code. See also 1 U.S.C. Sec. Sec. 107, 208; 2 U.S.C. Sec. 28e; 16 U.S.C.
Sec. 825k; 28 U.S.C. Sec. 411.
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Title 44, United States Code--Public Printing and Documents
Sec. 101. Joint Committee on Printing: Membership
The Joint Committee on Printing shall consist of the chairman and
four members of the Committee on Rules and Administration of the Senate
and the chairman and four members of the Committee on House Oversight of
the House of Representatives.
(Pub. L. 90-620, Oct. 22, 1968, 82 Stat. 1238; Pub. L. 97-4, Feb. 17,
1981, 95 Stat. 6; Pub. L. 104-186, title II, Sec. 223(1), Aug. 20, 1996,
110 Stat. 1751.)
Sec. 102. Joint Committee on Printing: succession; powers during recess
The members of the Joint Committee on Printing who are reelected to
the succeeding Congress shall continue as members of the committee until
their successors are chosen. The President of the Senate and the Speaker
of the House of Representatives shall, on the last day of a Congress,
appoint members of their respective Houses who have been elected to the
succeeding Congress to fill vacancies which may then be about to occur
on the Committee, and the appointees and members of the Committee who
have been reelected shall continue until their successors are chosen.
When Congress is not in session, the Joint Committee may exercise
all its powers and duties as when Congress is in session.
(Pub. L. 90-620, Oct. 22, 1968, 82 Stat. 1238.)
Sec. 103. Joint Committee on Printing: remedial powers
The Joint Committee on Printing may use any measures it considers
necessary to remedy neglect, delay, duplication, or waste in the public
printing and binding and the distribution of Government publications.
(Pub. L. 90-620, Oct. 22, 1968, 82 Stat. 1239.)
Rules of Procedure
As adopted on April 18, 2007
Rule 1. -- Committee Rules
(a) The rules of the Senate and House insofar as they are
applicable, shall govern the Committee.
(b) The Committee's rules shall be published in the Congressional
Record as soon as possible following the Committee's organizational
meeting in each odd-numbered year.
(c) Where these rules require a vote of the members of the
Committee, polling of members either in writing or by telephone shall
not be permitted to substitute for a vote taken at a Committee meeting,
unless the ranking minority member assents to waiver of this
requirement.
(d) Proposals for amending Committee rules shall be sent to all
members at least one week before final action is taken thereon, unless
the amendment is made by unanimous consent.
Rule 2. -- Regular Committee Meetings
(a) The regular meeting date of the Committee shall be the second
Wednesday of every month when the House and Senate are in session. A
regularly scheduled meeting need not be held if there is no business to
be considered and after appropriate notification is made to the ranking
minority member. Additional meetings may be called by the Chairman, as
he may deem necessary or at the request of the majority of the members
of the Committee.
(b) If the Chairman of the Committee is not present at any meeting
of the Committee, the vice-Chairman or ranking member of the majority
party on the Committee who is present shall preside at the meeting.
Rule 3. -- Quorum
(a) Five members of the Committee shall constitute a quorum, which
is required for the purpose of closing meetings, promulgating Committee
orders or changing the rules of the Committee.
(b) Three members shall constitute a quorum for purposes of taking
testimony and receiving evidence.
Rule 4. -- Proxies
(a) Written or telegraphic proxies of Committee members will be
received and recorded on any vote taken by the Committee, except for the
purpose of creating a quorum.
(b) Proxies will be allowed on any such votes for the purpose of
recording a member's position on a question only when the absentee
Committee member has been informed of the question and has affirmatively
requested that he be recorded.
Rule 5. -- Open and Closed Meetings
(a) Each meeting for the transaction of business of the Committee
shall be open to the public except when the Committee, in open session
and with a quorum present, determines by roll call vote that all or part
of the remainder of the meeting on that day shall be closed to the
public. No such vote shall be required to close a meeting that relates
solely to internal budget or personnel matters.
(b) No person other than members of the Committee, and such
congressional staff and other representatives as they may authorize,
shall be present in any business session that has been closed to the
public.
Rule 6. -- Alternating Chairmanship and Vice-Chairmanship by Congresses
(a) The Chairmanship and vice Chairmanship of the Committee shall
alternate between the House and the Senate by Congresses: The senior
member of the minority party in the House of Congress opposite of that
of the Chairman shall be the ranking minority member of the Committee.
(b) In the event the House and Senate are under different party
control, the Chairman and vice Chairman shall represent the majority
party in their respective Houses. When the Chairman and vice-Chairman
represent different parties, the vice-Chairman shall also fulfill the
responsibilities of the ranking minority member as prescribed by these
rules.
Rule 7. -- Parliamentary Questions
Questions as to the order of business and the procedures of
Committee shall in the first instance be decided by the Chairman;
subject always to an appeal to the Committee.
Rule 8. -- Hearings: Public Announcements and Witnesses
(a) The Chairman, in the case of hearings to be conducted by the
Committee, 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 week before the commencement of that hearing unless the Committee
determines that there is good cause to begin such hearing at an earlier
date. In the latter event, the Chairman shall make such public
announcement at the earliest possible date. The staff director of the
Committee shall promptly notify the Daily Digest of the Congressional
Record as soon as possible after such public announcement is made.
(b) So far as practicable, all witnesses appearing before the
Committee shall file advance written statements of their proposed
testimony at least 48 hours in advance of their appearance and their
oral testimony shall be limited to brief summaries. Limited insertions
or additional germane material will be received for the record, subject
to the approval of the Chairman.
Rule 9. -- Official Hearing Record
(a) An accurate stenographic record shall be kept of all Committee
proceedings and actions. Brief supplemental materials when required to
clarify the transcript may be inserted in the record subject to the
approval of the Chairman.
(b) Each member of the Committee shall be provided with a copy of
the hearing transcript for the purpose of correcting errors of
transcription and grammar, and clarifying questions or remarks. If any
other person is authorized by a Committee Member to make his
corrections, the staff director shall be so notified.
(c) Members who have received unanimous consent to submit written
questions to witnesses shall be allowed two days within which to submit
these to the staff director for transmission to the witnesses. The
record may be held open for a period not to exceed two weeks awaiting
the responses by witnesses.
(d) 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. Testimony received in closed hearings shall not be
released or included in any report without the approval of the
Committee.
Rule 10. -- Witnesses for Committee Hearings
(a) Selection of witnesses for Committee hearings shall be made by
the Committee staff under the direction of the Chairman. A list of
proposed witnesses shall be submitted to the members of the Committee
for review sufficiently in advance of the hearings to permit suggestions
by the Committee members to receive appropriate consideration.
(b) The Chairman shall provide adequate time for questioning of
witnesses by all members, including minority Members and the rule of
germaneness shall be enforced in all hearings notified.
(c) Whenever a hearing is conducted by the Committee upon any
measure or matter, the minority on the Committee shall be entitled, upon
unanimous request to the Chairman before the completion of such
hearings, to call witnesses selected by the minority to testify with
respect to the measure or matter during at least one day of hearing
thereon.
Rule 11. -- Confidential Information Furnished to the Committee
The information contained in any books, papers or documents
furnished to the Committee by any individual, partnership, corporation
or other legal entity shall, upon the request of the individual,
partnership, corporation or entity furnishing the same, be maintained in
strict confidence by the members and staff of the Committee, except that
any such information may be released outside of executive session of the
Committee if the release thereof is effected in a manner which will not
reveal the identity of such individual, partnership, corporation or
entity in connection with any pending hearing or as a part of a duly
authorized report of the Committee if such release is deemed essential
to the performance of the functions of the Committee and is in the
public interest.
Rule 12. -- Broadcasting of Committee Hearings
The rule for broadcasting of Committee hearings shall be the same as
Rule XI, clause 4, of the Rules of the House of Representatives.
Rule 13. -- Committee Reports
(a) No Committee report shall be made public or transmitted to the
Congress without the approval of a majority of the Committee except when
Congress has adjourned: provided that any member of the Committee may
make a report supplementary to or dissenting from the majority report.
Such supplementary or dissenting reports should be as brief as possible.
(b) Factual reports by the Committee staff may be printed for
distribution to Committee members and the public only upon authorization
of the Chairman either with the approval of a majority of the Committee
or with the consent of the ranking minority member.
Rule 14. -- Confidentiality of Committee Reports
No summary of a Committee report, prediction of the contents of a
report, or statement of conclusions concerning any investigation shall
be made by a member of the Committee or by any staff member of the
Committee prior to the issuance of a report of the Committee.
Rule 15. -- Committee Staff
(a) The Committee shall have a staff director, selected by the
Chairman. The staff director shall be an employee of the House of
Representatives or of the Senate.
(b) The Ranking Minority Member may designate an employee of the
House of Representatives or of the Senate as the minority staff
director.
(c) The staff director, under the general supervision of the
Chairman, is authorized to deal directly with agencies of the Government
and with non-Government groups and individuals on behalf of the
Committee.
(d) The Chairman or staff director shall timely notify the Ranking
Minority Member or the minority staff director of decisions made on
behalf of the Committee.
Rule 16. -- Committee Chairman
The Chairman of the Committee 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.
Specifically, the Chairman is authorized, during the interim periods
between meetings of the Committee, to act on all requests submitted by
any executive department, independent agency, temporary or permanent
commissions and committees of the Federal Government, the Government
Printing Office and any other Federal entity, pursuant to the
requirements of applicable Federal law and regulations.
Authority and Rules of Senate Committees
Joint Committee on Taxation
JOINT COMMITTEE ON TAXATION
Membership and Authority
Title 26, United States Code--Internal Revenue Code
Sec. 8002. Membership
(a) Number and selection
The Joint Committee shall be composed of 10 members as follows:
(1) From Committee on Finance
Five members who are members of the Committee on Finance of the
Senate; three from the majority and two from the minority party,
to be chosen by such Committee; and
(2) From Committee on Ways and Means
Five members who are members of the Committee on Ways and Means
of the House of Representatives, three from the majority and two
from the minority party, to be chosen by such Committee.
(b) Tenure of office
(1) General limitation
No person shall continue to serve as a member of the Joint
Committee after he has ceased to be a member of the Committee by
which he was chosen, except that--
(2) Exception
The members chosen by the Committee on Ways and Means who have
been reelected to the House of Representatives may continue to
serve as members of the Joint Committee notwithstanding the
expiration of the Congress.
(c) Vacancies
Vacancy in the Joint Committee--
(1) Effect
Shall not affect the power of the remaining members to execute
the functions of the Joint Committee; and
(2) Manner of filling
Shall be filled in the same manner as the original selection,
except that--
(A) Adjournment or recess of Congress
In case of a vacancy during an adjournment or
recess of Congress for a period of more than 2
weeks, the members of the Joint Committee who
are members of the Committee entitled to fill
such vacancy may designate a member of such
Committee to serve until his successor is chosen
by such Committee; and
(B) Expiration of Congress
In the case of a vacancy after the expiration of
a Congress which would be filled by the
Committee on Ways and Means, the members of such
Committee who are continuing to serve as members
of the Joint Committee may designate a person
who, immediately prior to such expiration, was a
member of such Committee and who is reelected to
the House of Representatives, to serve until his
successor is chosen by such Committee.
(d) Allowances
The members shall serve without compensation in addition to that
received for their services as members of Congress; but that
they shall be reimbursed for travel, subsistence, and other
necessary expenses incurred by them in the performance of the
duties vested in the Joint Committee, other than expenses in
connection with meetings of the Joint Committee held in the
District of Columbia during such times as the Congress is in
session.
(Aug. 16, 1954, ch. 736, 68A Stat. 925.)
Sec. 8003. Election of chairman and vice chairman
The Joint Committee shall elect a chairman and vice chairman from
among its members.
(Aug. 16, 1954, ch. 736, 68A Stat. 926.)
Sec. 8004. Appointment and compensation of staff
Except as otherwise provided by law, the Joint Committee shall have
power to appoint and fix the compensation of the Chief of Staff of the
Joint Committee and such experts and clerical, stenographic, and other
assistants as it deems advisable.
(Aug. 16, 1954, ch. 736, 68A Stat. 926; Oct. 4, 1976, Pub. L. 94-455,
title XIX, Sec. 1907(a)(2), 90 Stat. 1835.)
Sec. 8005. Payment of expenses
The expenses of the Joint Committee shall be paid one-half from the
contingent fund of the Senate and one-half from the contingent fund of
the House of Representatives, upon vouchers signed by the chairman or
the vice chairman.
(Aug. 16, 1954, ch. 736, 68A Stat. 926.)
Sec. 8021. Powers
(a) To obtain data and inspect income returns
For powers of the Joint Committee to obtain and inspect income
returns, see section 6103(f). \1\
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\1\ This provision is reprinted at pages 272-275 of this volume.
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(b) Relating to hearings and sessions
The Joint Committee, or any subcommittee thereof, is authorized--
(1) To hold
To hold hearings and to sit and act at such places and times;
(2) To require attendance of witnesses and production of books
To require by subpoena (to be issued under the signature of the
chairman or vice chairman) or otherwise the attendance of such
witnesses and the production of such books, papers, and
documents;
(3) To administer oaths
To administer such oaths; and
(4) To take testimony
To take such testimony;
as it deems advisable.
(c) To procure printing and binding
The Joint Committee, or any subcommittee thereof, is authorized to
have such printing and binding done as it deems advisable.
(d) To make expenditures
The Joint Committee, or any subcommittee thereof, is authorized to
make such expenditures as it deems advisable.
(e) Investigations
The Joint Committee shall review all requests (other than requests
by the chairman or ranking member of a committee or subcomittee) for
investigations of the Internal Revenue Service by the General
Accountability Office, and approve such requests when appropriate, with
a view towards eliminating overlapping investigations, ensuring that the
General Accounting Office has the capacity to handle the investigation,
and ensuring that investigations focus on areas of primary importance to
tax administration.
(f) Relating to joint reviews
(1) In general
The Chief of Staff, and the staff of the Joint Committee, shall
provide such assistance as is required for joint reviews
described in paragraph (2).
(2) Joint reviews
Before June 1 of each calendar year after 1998 and before 2005,
there shall be a joint review of the strategic plans and budget
for the Internal Revenue Service and such other matters as the
Chairman of the Joint Committee deems appropriate. Such joint
review shall be held at the call of the Chairman of the Joint
Committee and shall include two members of the majority and one
member of the minority from each of the Committees on Finance,
Appropriations, and Governmental Affairs of the Senate, and the
Committee on Ways and Means, Appropriations, and Government
Reform and Oversight of the House of Representatives.
(Aug. 16, 1954, ch. 736, 68A Stat. 927; Oct. 4, 1976, Pub. L. 94-455,
title XIX, Sec. 1907(a)(3), 90 Stat. 1835; Nov. 10, 1988, Pub. L. 100-
647, title I, Sec. 1018(s)(1), 102 Stat. 3586; July 22, 1998, Pub. L.
No. 105-206, title IV, Sec. 4001(a), 112 Stat. 783; Oct. 4, 2004, Pub.
L. 108-311, title III, Sec. 321(a), 118 Stat. 1182; Dec. 21, 2005, Pub.
L. 109-135, title IV, 412(rr)(5), 119 Stat. 2640.)
Sec. 8022. Duties
It shall be the duty of the Joint Committee--
(1) Investigation
(A) Operation and effects of law
To investigate the operation and effects of the Federal system
of internal revenue taxes;
(B) Administration
To investigate the administration of such taxes by the Internal
Revenue Service or any executive department, establishment, or
agency charged with their administration; and
(C) Other Investigations
To make such other investigations in respect of such system of
taxes as the Joint Committee may deem necessary.
(2) Simplification of law
(A) Investigation of methods
To investigate measures and methods for the simplification of
such taxes, particularly the income tax; and
(B) Publication of proposals
To publish, from time to time, for public examination and
analysis, proposed measures and methods for the simplification
of such taxes.
(3) Reports
(A) To report, from time to time, to the Committee on Finance and
the Committee on Ways and Means, and, in its discretion, to the Senate
or House of Representatives, or both, the results of its investigations,
together with such recommendations as it may deem advisable.
(B) Subject to amounts specifically appropriated to carry out this
subparagraph, to report, at least once each Congress, to the Committee
on Finance and the Committee on Ways and Means on the overall state of
the Federal tax system, together with recommendations with respect to
possible simplification proposals and other matters relating to the
administration of the Federal tax system as it may deem advisable.
(C) To report, for each calendar year after 1998 and before 2004, to
the Committees on Finance, Appropriations, and Governmental Affairs of
the Senate, and to the Committees on Ways and Means, Appropriations, and
Government Reform and Oversight of the House of Representatives, with
respect to matters addressed in the joint review referred to in section
8021(f)(2).
(4) Cross reference
For duties of the Joint Committee relating to refunds of income and
estate taxes, see section 6405.
(Aug. 16, 1954, ch. 736, 68A Stat. 927; July 22, 1998 Pub. L. 105-206,
title IV, 4002(a), 112 Stat. 784; Oct. 4, 2004, Pub. L. 108-311, title
III, 321(b), 118 Stat. 1182.)
Sec. 8023. Additional powers to obtain data
(a) Securing of data
The Joint Committee or the Chief of Staff of the Joint Committee,
upon approval of the Chairman or Vice Chairman, is authorized to secure
directly from the Internal Revenue Service, or the office of the Chief
Counsel for the Internal Revenue Service, or directly from any executive
department, board, bureau, agency, independent establishment, or
instrumentality of the Government, information, suggestions, rulings,
data, estimates, and statistics, for the purpose of making
investigations, reports, and studies relating to internal revenue
taxation. In the investigation by the Joint Committee on Taxation of the
administration of the internal revenue taxes by the Internal Revenue
Service, the Chief of Staff of the Joint Committee on Taxation is
authorized to secure directly from the Internal Revenue Service such tax
returns, or copies of tax returns, and other relevant information, as
the Chief of Staff deems necessary for such investigation, and the
Internal Revenue Service is authorized and directed to furnish such tax
returns and information to the Chief of Staff together with a brief
report, with respect to each return, as to any action taken or proposed
to be taken by the Service as a result of any audit of the return.
(b) Furnishing of data
The Internal Revenue Service, the office of the Chief Counsel for
the Internal Revenue Service, executive departments, boards, bureaus,
agencies, independent establishments, and instrumentalities are
authorized and directed to furnish such information, suggestions,
rulings, data, estimates, and statistics directly to the Joint Committee
or to the Chief of Staff of the Joint Committee, upon request made
pursuant to this section.
(c) Application of subsections (a) and (b)
Subsections (a) and (b) shall be applied in accordance with their
provisions without regard to any reorganization plan becoming effective
on, before, or after the date of the enactment of this subsection.
(Aug. 16, 1954, ch. 736, 68A Stat. 928; Sept. 22, 1959, Pub. L. 86-368,
Sec. 2(b), 73 Stat. 648; Oct. 4, 1976, Pub. L. 94-455, title XII,
Sec. 1210(c), title XIX, Sec. 1907(a)(4), 90 Stat. 1711, 1835.)
?
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________________________________________________________________________
III. Additional Senate and Congressional Entities
________________________________________________________________________
Authority and Rules of Senate Committees
Senate Joint Leadership Group
SENATE JOINT LEADERSHIP GROUP
Title 2, United States Code--The Congress
Sec. 288a. Senate Joint Leadership Group
(a) Accountability of Office
The Office [of Senate Legal Counsel] \1\ shall be directly
accountable to the Joint Leadership Group in the performance of the
duties of the Office.
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\1\ The Office of Senate Legal Counsel, which the Senate Joint
Leadership Group oversees, has a number of responsibilities relating to
the representation of the Senate, which appear at 2 U.S.C.
Sec. Sec. 288, et seq. Only those provisions that specifically address
the Joint Leadership Group's role are reprinted in this section. Other
provisions defining the role of the Office of Senate Legal Counsel may
be found in the sections of this manual relating to the enforcement of
subpoenas and immunity for witnesses.
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(b) Membership
For purposes of this chapter, the Joint Leadership Group shall
consist of the following Members:
(1) The President pro tempore (or if he so designates, the
Deputy President pro tempore) of the Senate.
(2) The majority and minority leaders of the Senate.
(3) The Chairman and ranking minority Member of the Committee
on the Judiciary of the Senate.
(4) The Chairman and ranking minority Member of the committee
of the Senate which has jurisdiction over the contingent fund of
the Senate.
(c) Assistance of Secretary of Senate
The Joint Leadership Group shall be assisted in the performance of
its duties by the Secretary of the Senate.
(Pub. L. 95-521, title VII, Sec. 702, Oct. 26, 1978, 92 Stat. 1877.)
Sec. 288b. Requirements for authorizing representation activity
(a) Direction of Joint Leadership Group or Senate resolution
The [Senate Legal] Counsel shall defend the Senate or a committee,
subcommittee, Member, officer, or employee of the Senate under section
288c of this title only when directed to do so by two-thirds of the
Members of the Joint Leadership Group or by the adoption of a resolution
by the Senate.
* * * * * * *
(c) Intervention or appearance
The [Senate Legal] Counsel shall intervene or appear as amicus
curiae under section 288e of this title only when directed to do so by a
resolution adopted by the Senate when such intervention or appearance is
to be made in the name of the Senate or in the name of an officer,
committee, subcommittee, or chairman of a committee or subcommittee of
the Senate.
* * * * * * *
(Pub. L. 95-521, title VII, Sec. 703, Oct. 26, 1978, 92 Stat. 1877.)
* * * * * * *
Sec. 288e. Intervention or appearance
(a) Actions or proceedings
When directed to do so pursuant to section 288b(c) of this title,
the [Senate Legal] Counsel shall intervene or appear as amicus curiae in
the name of the Senate, or in the name of an officer, committee,
subcommittee, or chairman of a committee or subcommittee of the Senate
in any legal action or proceeding pending in any court of the United
States or of a State or political subdivision thereof in which the
powers and responsibilities of Congress under the Constitution of the
United States are placed in issue. The [Senate Legal] Counsel shall be
authorized to intervene only if standing to intervene exists under
section 2 of article III of the Constitution of the United States.
(b) Notification; publication
The [Senate Legal] Counsel shall notify the Joint Leadership Group
of any legal action or proceeding in which the [Senate Legal] Counsel is
of the opinion that intervention or appearance as amicus curiae under
subsection (a) of this section is in the interest of the Senate. Such
notification shall contain a description of the legal action or
proceeding together with the reasons that the [Senate Legal] Counsel is
of the opinion that intervention or appearance as amicus curiae is in
the interest of the Senate. The Joint Leadership Group shall cause said
notification to be published in the Congressional Record for the Senate.
* * * * * * *
(Pub. L. 95-521, title VII, Sec. 706, Oct. 26, 1978, 92 Stat. 1880.)
* * * * * * *
Sec. 288i. Representation conflict or inconsistency
(a) Notification
In the carrying out of the provisions of this chapter, the [Senate
Legal] Counsel shall notify the Joint Leadership Group, and any party
represented or person affected, of the existence and nature of any
conflict or inconsistency between the representation of such party or
person and the carrying out of any other provision of this chapter or
compliance with professional standards and responsibilities.
(b) Solution; publication in Congressional Record; review
Upon receipt of such notification, the members of the Joint
Leadership Group shall recommend the action to be taken to avoid or
resolve the conflict or inconsistency. If such recommendation is made by
a two-thirds vote, the [Senate Legal] Counsel shall take such steps as
may be necessary to resolve the conflict or inconsistency as
recommended. If not, the members of the Joint Leadership Group shall
cause the notification of conflict or inconsistency and recommendation
with respect to resolution thereof to be published in the Congressional
Record of the Senate. If the Senate does not direct the [Senate Legal]
Counsel within fifteen days from the date of publication in the Record
to resolve the conflict in another manner, the [Senate Legal] Counsel
shall take such action as may be necessary to resolve the conflict or
inconsistency as recommended. Any instruction or determination made
pursuant to this subsection shall not be reviewable in any court of law.
(c) Computation of period following publication
For purposes of the computation of the fifteen day period in
subsection (b) of this section--
(1) continuity of session is broken only by an adjournment of
Congress sine die; and
(2) the days on which the Senate is not in session because of
an adjournment of more than three days to a date certain are
excluded.
(d) Reimbursement
The Senate may by resolution authorize the reimbursement of any
Member, officer, or employee of the Senate who is not represented by the
[Senate Legal] Counsel for fees and costs, including attorneys' fees,
reasonably incurred in obtaining representation. Such reimbursement
shall be from funds appropriated to the contingent fund of the Senate.
(Pub. L. 95-521, title VII, Sec. 710, Oct. 26, 1978, 92 Stat. 1882.)
Authority and Rules of Senate Committees
United States Senate Caucus on International Narcotics Control
UNITED STATES SENATE CAUCUS ON INTERNATIONAL NARCOTICS CONTROL
Title 22, United States Code--Foreign Relations and Intercourse
Sec. 2291. United States Senate Caucus on International Narcotics
Control \1\
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\1\ Pub. L. 99-93, title VIII, Sec. 814, Aug. 16, 1985, 99 Stat.
455, as amended by Pub. L. 99-151, title III, Sec. 306, Nov. 13, 1985,
99 Stat. 808; Pub. L. 100-202, Sec. 101(i) (title I, Sec. 5), Dec. 22,
1987, 101 Stat. 1329-290, 1329-294; Pub. L. 102-392, title III, Sec.
323, Oct. 6, 1992, 106 Stat. 1726; Pub. L. 105-119, title VI, Sec. 625,
Nov. 26, 1997, 111 Stat. 2522; Pub. L. 106-57, title I, Sec. 7, Sept.
29, 1999, 113 Stat. 412; Pub. L. 107-228, Div. A., title VI, Sec. 684,
Sept. 30, 2002, 116 Stat. 1411.
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(a) Establishment
There is established the United States Senate Caucus on
International Narcotics Control (hereafter in this section referred to
as the ``Caucus'').
(b) Duties
The Caucus is authorized and directed--
(1) to monitor and promote international compliance with
narcotics control treaties, including eradication and other
relevant issues; and
(2) to monitor and encourage United States Government and
private programs seeking to expand international cooperation
against drug abuse and narcotics trafficking.
(c) Membership--
(1) The Caucus shall be composed of 12 members as follows:
(A) 7 Members of the Senate appointed by the President
of the Senate, 4 of whom (including the member
designated as Chairman) shall be selected from the
majority party of the Senate, after consultation with
the majority leader, and 3 of whom (including the member
designated as Cochairman) shall be selected from the
minority party of the Senate, after consultation with
the minority leader.
(B) 5 members of the public to be appointed by the
President after consultation with the members of the
appropriate congressional committees.
(2) There shall be a Chairman and a Cochairman of the Caucus.
(d) Powers
In carrying out this section, the Caucus may require, by subpoena or
otherwise, the attendance and testimony of such witnesses and the
production of such books, records, correspondence, memorandums, papers,
and documents as it deems necessary. Subpoenas may be issued over the
signature of the Chairman of the Caucus or any member designated by him,
and may be served by any person designated by the Chairman or such
member. The Chairman of the Caucus, or any member designated by him, may
administer oaths to any witness.
(e) Report by President to Caucus
In order to assist the Caucus in carrying out its duties, the
President shall submit to the Caucus a copy of the report required by
section 481(e) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. Sec.
2991(e)) [probably should read `2291(e)', set out as subsection (e) of
this section].
(f) Report to Senate
The Caucus is authorized and directed to report to the Senate with
respect to the matters covered by this section on a periodic basis and
to provide information to Members of the Senate as requested. For each
fiscal year for which an appropriation is made the Caucus shall submit
to the Congress a report on its expenditures under such appropriation.
(g) Authorization of Appropriations--
(1) There are authorized to be appropriated to the Caucus
$370,000 for each fiscal year, to remain available until
expended, to assist in meeting the expenses of the Caucus for
the purpose of carrying out the provisions of this section.
(2) For purposes of section 502(b) of the Mutual Security Act
of 1954 (22 U.S.C. Sec. 1754(b)), the Caucus shall be deemed to
be a standing committee of the Senate and shall be entitled to
the use of funds in accordance with such section.
(h) Staff
The Caucus may appoint and fix the pay of such staff personnel as it
deems desirable, without regard to the provisions of title 5, United
States Code, governing appointments in the competitive service, and
without regard to the provisions of chapter 51 [section 5101 et seq. of
Title 5] and subchapter III of chapter 53 of such title [section 5331 et
seq. of Title 5] relating to classification and General Schedule pay
rates.
(i) Termination
The Caucus shall cease to exist on September 30, 2005.
* * * * * * *
Pub. L. 99-151, title III, Sec. 306, Nov. 13, 1985, 99 Stat. 808,
provided that:
(a) Notwithstanding the provisions of this or any other Act, the
United States International Narcotics Control Commission, established by
section 814 of the Foreign Relations Authorization Act, Fiscal Years
1986 and 1987 (section 814 of Pub. L. 99-93, set out as a note above),
is hereby redesignated and shall hereafter be known as the United States
Senate Caucus on International Narcotics Control.
(b) Any reference to the United States International Narcotics
Control Commission in any law, regulation, document, record, or other
official paper of the United States shall be deemed to be a reference to
the United States Senate Caucus on International Narcotics Control.
Authority and Rules of Senate Committees
United States Capitol Preservation Commission
UNITED STATES CAPITOL PRESERVATION COMMISSION
Title 2, United States Code--The Congress
Sec. 2081. United States Capitol Preservation Commission \1\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Section was classified to former 40 U.S.C. Sec. 188a prior to
the general revision and enactment into positive law of Title 40 by Pub.
L. 107-217, Aug. 21, 2002, 116 Stat. 1062, but was not repealed, omitted
or restated by Pub. L. 107-217.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
(a) Establishment and purposes
There is established in the Congress the United States Capitol
Preservation Commission (hereinafter in sections 2081 to 2086 of this
title referred to as the ``Commission'') for the purposes of--
(1) providing for improvements in, preservation of, and
acquisitions for, the United States Capitol;
(2) providing for works of fine art and other property for
display in the United States Capitol and at other locations
under the control of the Congress; and
(3) conducting other activities that directly facilitate,
encourage, or otherwise support any purposes specified in
paragraph (1) or (2).
(b) Membership
The Commission shall be composed of the following Members of
Congress:
(1) The President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of
the House of Representatives, who shall be co-chairmen.
(2) The Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the Joint Committee on
the Library.
(3) The Chairman and the ranking minority party member of the
Committee on Rules and Administration of the Senate, and the
Chairman and the ranking minority party member of the Committee
on House Oversight of the House of Representatives.
(4) The majority leader and the minority leader of the Senate.
(5) The majority leader and the minority leader of the House
of Representatives.
(6) The Chairman of the Commission on the Bicentennial of the
United States Senate and the Chairman of the Commission of the
House of Representatives Bicentenary, to be succeeded upon
expiration of such commissions, by a Senator or Member of the
House of Representatives, as appropriate, appointed by the
Senate or House of Representatives co-chairman of the
Commission, respectively.
(7) One Senator appointed by the President pro tempore of the
Senate and one Senator appointed by the minority leader of the
Senate.
(8) One Member of the House of Representatives appointed by
the Speaker of the House of Representatives and one Member of
the House of Representatives appointed by the minority leader of
the House of Representatives.
(c) Designees
Each member of the Commission specified under subsection (b) of this
section (other than a member under paragraph (7) or (8) of such
subsection) may designate a Senator or Member of the House of
Representatives, as the case may be, to serve as a member of the
Commission in place of the Member so specified.
(d) Architect of the Capitol
In addition to the members under subsection (b) of this section, the
Architect of the Capitol shall participate in the activities of the
Commission, ex officio, and without the right to vote.
(e) Staff support and assistance
The Senate Commission on Art, the House of Representatives Fine Arts
Board, and the Architect of the Capitol shall provide to the Commission
such staff support and assistance as the Commission may request.
(Pub. L. 100-696, title VIII, Sec. 801, Nov. 18, 1988, 102 Stat. 4608;
Pub. L. 104-186, Sec. 221(7), Aug. 20, 1996, 110 Stat. 1749.)
Sec. 2082. Authority of Commission to accept gifts and conduct other
transactions \2\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\2\ Additional authority of the United States Capitol Preservation
Commission, not reprinted here, may be found at 2 U.S.C. Sec. Sec. 2083
to 2086.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
(a) In general
In carrying out the purposes referred to in section 2081(a) of this
title the Commission is authorized--
(1) to accept gifts of works of fine art, gifts of other
property, and gifts of money; and
(2) to acquire property, administer property, dispose of
property, and conduct other transactions related to such
purposes.
(b) Transfer and disposition of works of fine art and other property
The Commission shall, with respect to works of fine art and other
property received by the Commission--
(1) in consultation with the Joint Committee on the Library,
the Senate Commission on Art, or the House of Representatives
Fine Arts Board, as the case may be, transfer such property to
the entity consulted;
(2) if a transfer described in paragraph (1) is not
appropriate, dispose of the work of fine art by sale or other
transaction; and
(3) in the case of property that is not directly related to
the purposes referred to in section 2081(a) of this title,
dispose of such property by sale or other transaction.
(c) Requirements for conduct of transactions
In conducting transactions under this section, the Commission
shall--
(1) accept money only in the form of a check or similar
instrument made payable to the Treasury of the United States and
shall deposit any such check or instrument in accordance with
section 2083 of this title;
(2) in making sales and engaging in other property
transactions, take into consideration market conditions and
other relevant factors; and
(3) assure that each transaction is directly related to the
purposes referred to in section 2081(a) of this title.
(Pub. L. 100-696, title VIII, Sec. 802, Nov. 18, 1988, 102 Stat. 4609,
amended Pub. L. 101-302, title III, Sec. 312(a), May 25, 1990, 104 Stat.
245.)
Authority and Rules of Senate Committees
Senate Commission on Art
SENATE COMMISSION ON ART
Title 2, United States Code--The Congress
Sec. 2101. Senate Commission on Art \1\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Section was classified to former 40 U.S.C. Sec. 188a prior to
the general revision and enactment into positive law of Title 40 by Pub.
L. 107-217, Aug. 21, 2002, 116 Stat. 1062, but was not repealed, omitted
or restated by Pub. L. 107-217.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
(a) Establishment
There is hereby established a Senate Commission on Art (hereinafter
referred to as ``the Commission'') consisting of the President pro
tempore of the Senate, the chairman and ranking minority member of the
Committee on Rules and Administration of the Senate, and the majority
and minority leaders of the Senate.
(b) Chairman and Vice Chairman; quorum; Executive Secretary
The Majority Leader and Minority Leader of the Senate shall be the
Chairman and Vice Chairman, respectively, of the Commission. Three
members of the Commission shall constitute a quorum for the transaction
of business, except that the Commission may fix a lesser number which
shall constitute a quorum for the taking of testimony. The Secretary of
the Senate shall be the Executive Secretary of the Commission \2\
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\2\ So in original. Probably should end with a period.
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(c) Selection of Curator of Art and Antiquities of the Senate;
availability of professional and clerical assistance
The Secretary of the Senate shall appoint a Senate Curator approved
by the Senate Commission on Art. The Senate Curator shall be an employee
of the Secretary of the Senate assigned to assist the Commission. The
Secretary of the Senate shall assign additional employees to assist the
Commission, and provide such other assistance, as the Commission
determines necessary.
(d) Hearings and meetings
The Commission shall be empowered to hold hearings, summon
witnesses, administer oaths, employ reporters, request the production of
papers and records, take such testimony, and adopt such rules for the
conduct of its hearings and meetings, as it deems necessary.
(Pub. L. 100-696, title IX, Sec. 901(a), (b)(1), (3), Nov. 18, 1988, 102
Stat. 4610, 4611; Pub. L. 108-83, title I, Sec. 3(d)(1), Sept. 30, 2003,
117 Stat. 1012.)
Sec. 2102. Duties of Commission \3\
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\3\ Additional duties of the Senate Commission on Art, not reprinted
here, may be found at 2 U.S.C. Sec. Sec. 2104, 2105, 2107, and 5 U.S.C.
Sec. 7342(e)(2) and Pub. L. 108-83, title I.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
(a) In general
The Commission is hereby authorized and directed to supervise, hold,
place, protect, and make known all works of art, historical objects, and
exhibits within the Senate wing of the United States Capitol, any Senate
Office Buildings, and in all rooms, spaces, and corridors thereof, which
are the property of the United States, and in its judgment to accept any
works of art, historical objects, or exhibits which may hereafter be
offered, given, or devised to the Senate, its committees, and its
officers for placement and exhibition in the Senate wing of the Capitol,
the Senate Office Buildings, or in rooms, spaces, or corridors thereof.
(b) Issuance and publication of regulations
The Commission shall prescribe such regulations as it deems
necessary for the care, protection, and placement of such works of art,
exhibits, and historical objects in the Senate wing of the Capitol and
the Senate Office Buildings, and for their acceptance on behalf of the
Senate, its committees, and officers. Such regulations shall be
published in the Congressional Record at such time or times as the
Commission may deem necessary for the information of the Members of the
Senate and the public.
(c) Consistency of regulations
Regulations authorized by the provisions of section 2183 of this
title to be issued by the Sergeant at Arms of the Senate for the
protection of the Capitol, and any regulations issued, or activities
undertaken, by the Committee on Rules and Administration of the Senate,
or the Architect of the Capitol, in carrying out duties relating to the
care, preservation, and protection of the Senate wing of the Capitol and
the Senate Office Buildings, shall be consistent with such rules and
regulations as the Commission may issue pursuant to subsection (b) of
this section.
* * * * * * *
(Pub. L. 100-696, title IX, Sec. 901(a), (b)(2), Nov. 18, 1988, 102
Stat. 4610, 4611.)
Sec. 2103. Supervision and maintenance of Old Senate Chamber
The Commission shall have responsibility for the supervision and
maintenance of the Old Senate Chamber on the principal floor of the
Senate wing of the Capitol and of the Old Supreme Court Chamber insofar
as each is to be preserved as a patriotic shrine in the Capitol for the
benefit of the people of the United States.
(Pub. L. 100-696, title IX, Sec. 901(a), Nov. 18, 1988, 102 Stat. 4610;
Pub. L. 107-68, title I, Sec. 108(a), Nov. 12, 2001, 115 Stat. 569.)
?
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________________________________________________________________________
IV. Statutes, Resolutions and Provisions of the Standing Rules of the
Senate Applicable to Committee Procedures
________________________________________________________________________
Authority and Rules of Senate Committees
Rule XXVI
RULE XXVI OF THE STANDING RULES OF THE SENATE
Committee Procedure
1. \1\ Each standing committee, including any subcommittee of any
such committee, is authorized to hold such hearings, to sit and act at
such times and places during the sessions, recesses, and adjourned
periods of the Senate, to require by subpoena or otherwise the
attendance of such witnesses and the production of such correspondence,
books, papers, and documents, to take such testimony and to make such
expenditures out of the contingent fund of the Senate as may be
authorized by resolutions of the Senate. Each such committee may make
investigations into any matter within its jurisdiction, may report such
hearings as may be had by it, and may employ stenographic assistance at
a cost not exceeding the amount prescribed by the Committee on Rules and
Administration.\2\ The expenses of the committee shall be paid from the
contingent fund of the Senate upon vouchers approved by the chairman.
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\1\ As amended, S. Res. 281, 96-2, Mar. 11, 1980 (effective Feb. 28,
1981).
\2\ Pursuant to section 68c of title 2, United States Code, the
Committee on Rules and Administration issues ``Regulations Governing
Rates Payable to Commerical Reporting Firms for Reporting Committee
Hearings in the Senate.'' Copies of the regulations currently in effect
may be obtained from the Committee.
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2.\3\ Each committee \4\ shall adopt rules (not inconsistent with
the Rules of the Senate) governing the procedure of such committee. The
rules of each committee shall be published in the Congressional Record
not later than March 1 of the first year of each Congress, except that
if any such committee is established on or after February 1 of a year,
the rules of that committee during the year of establishment shall be
published in the Congressional Record not later than sixty days after
such establishment. Any amendment to the rules of a committee shall not
take effect until the amendment is published in the Congressional
Record.
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\3\ As amended, S. Res. 250, 101-2 (Mar. 1, 1990).
\4\ The term ``each committee'' when used in these rules includes
standing, select, and special committees unless otherwise specified.
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3. Each standing committee (except the Committee on Appropriations)
shall fix regular weekly, biweekly, or monthly meeting days for the
transaction of business before the committee and additional meetings may
be called by the chairman as he may deem necessary. If at least three
members of any such committee desire that a special meeting of the
committee be called by the chairman, those members may file in the
offices of the committee their written request to the chairman for that
special meeting. Immediately upon the filing of the request, the clerk
of the committee shall notify the chairman of the filing of the request.
If, within three calendar days after the filing of the request, the
chairman does not call the requested special meeting, to be held within
seven calendar days after the filing of the request, a majority of the
members of the committee may file in the offices of the committee their
written notice that a special meeting of the committee will be held,
specifying the date and hour of that special meeting. The committee
shall meet on that date and hour. Immediately upon the filing of the
notice, the clerk of the committee shall notify all members of the
committee that such special meeting will be held and inform them of its
date and hour. If the chairman of any such committee is not present at
any regular, additional, or special meeting of the committee, the
ranking member of the majority party on the committee who is present
shall preside at that meeting.
4. (a) Each committee (except the Committee on Appropriations and
the Committee on the Budget) shall make public announcement of the date,
place, and subject matter of any hearing to be conducted by the
committee on any measure or matter at least one week before the
commencement of that hearing unless the committee determines that there
is good cause to begin such hearing at an earlier date.
(b) Each committee (except the Committee on Appropriations) shall
require each witness who is to appear before the committee in any
hearing to file with the clerk of the committee, at least one day before
the date of the appearance of that witness, a written statement of his
proposed testimony unless the committee chairman and the ranking
minority member determine that there is good cause for noncompliance. If
so requested by any committee, the staff of the committee shall prepare
for the use of the members of the committee before each day of hearing
before the committee a digest of the statements which have been so filed
by witnesses who are to appear before the committee on that day.
(c) After the conclusion of each day of hearing, if so requested by
any committee, the staff shall prepare for the use of the Members of the
committee a summary of the testimony given before the committee on that
day. After approval by the chairman and the ranking minority member of
the committee, each such summary may be printed as a part of the
committee hearings if such hearings are ordered by the committee to be
printed.
(d) Whenever any hearing is conducted by a committee (except the
Committee on Appropriations) upon any measure or matter, the minority on
the committee shall be entitled, upon request made by a majority of the
minority members to the chairman before the completion of such hearing,
to call witnesses selected by the minority to testify with respect to
the measure or matter during at least one day of hearing thereon.
5. (a) Notwithstanding any other provision of the rules, when the
Senate is in session, no committee of the Senate or any subcommittee
thereof may meet, without special leave, after the conclusion of the
first two hours after the meeting of the Senate commenced and in no case
after two o'clock postmeridian unless consent therefor has been obtained
from the majority leader and the minority leader (or in the event of the
absence of either of such leaders, from his designee). The prohibition
contained in the preceding sentence shall not apply to the Committee on
Appropriations or the Committee on the Budget. The majority leader or
his designee shall announce to the Senate whenever consent has been
given under this subparagraph and shall state the time and place of such
meeting. The right to make such announcement of consent shall have the
same priority as the filing of a cloture motion.
(b) Each meeting of a committee, or any subcommittee thereof,
including meetings to conduct hearings, shall be open to the public,
except that a meeting or series of meetings by a committee or a
subcommittee thereof on the same subject for a period of no more than
fourteen calendar days may be closed to the public on a motion made and
seconded to go into closed session to discuss only whether the matters
enumerated in clauses (1) through (6) would require the meeting to be
closed, followed immediately by a record vote in open session by a
majority of the Members of committee or subcommittee when it is
determined that the matters to be discussed or the testimony to be taken
at such meeting or meetings--
(1) will disclose matters necessary to be kept secret in the
interests of national defense or the confidential conduct of the
foreign relations of the United States;
(2) will relate solely to matters of committee staff personnel
or internal staff management or procedure;
(3) will tend to charge an individual with crime or
misconduct, to disgrace or injure the professional standing of
an individual, or otherwise to expose an individual to public
contempt or obloquy, or will represent a clearly unwarranted
invasion of the privacy of an individual;
(4) will disclose the identity of any informer or law
enforcement agent or will disclose any information relating to
the investigation or prosecution of a criminal offense that is
required to be kept secret in the interests of effective law
enforcement;
(5) will disclose information relating to the trade secrets of
financial or commercial information pertaining specifically to a
given person if--
(A) an Act of Congress requires the information to be
kept confidential by Government officers and employees;
or
(B) the information has been obtained by the
Government on a confidential basis, other than through
an application by such person for a specific Government
financial or other benefit, and is required to be kept
secret in order to prevent undue injury to the
competitive position of such person; or
(6) may divulge matters required to be kept confidential under
other provisions of law or Government regulations.
(c) Whenever any hearing conducted by any such committee or
subcommittee is open to the public, that hearing may be broadcast by
radio or television, or both, under such rules as the committee or
subcommittee may adopt.
(d) Whenever disorder arises during a committee meeting that is open
to the public, or any demonstration of approval or disapproval is
indulged in by any person in attendance at any such meeting, it shall be
the duty of the Chair to enforce order on his own initiative and without
any point of order being made by a Senator. When the Chair finds it
necessary to maintain order, he shall have the power to clear the room,
and the committee may act in closed session for so long as there is
doubt of the assurance of order.
(e) Each committee shall prepare and keep a complete transcript or
electronic recording adequate to fully record the proceeding of each
meeting or conference whether or not such meeting or any part thereof is
closed under this paragraph, unless a majority of its members vote to
forgo such a record.
6. Morning meetings of committees and subcommittees thereof shall be
scheduled for one or both of the periods prescribed in this paragraph.
The first period shall end at eleven o'clock antemeridian. The second
period shall begin at eleven o'clock antemeridian and end at two o'clock
postmeridian.
7. (a)(1) Except as provided in this paragraph, each committee, and
each subcommittee thereof is authorized to fix the number of its members
(but not less than one-third of its entire membership) who shall
constitute a quorum thereof for the transaction of such business as may
be considered by said committee, except that no measure or matter or
recommendation shall be reported from any committee unless a majority of
the committee were physically present.
(2) Each such committee, or subcommittee, is authorized to fix a
lesser number than one-third of its entire membership who shall
constitute a quorum thereof for the purpose of taking sworn testimony.
(3) The vote of any committee to report a measure or matter shall
require the concurrence of a majority of the members of the committee
who are present. No vote of any member of any committee to report a
measure or matter may be cast by proxy if rules adopted by such
committee forbid the casting of votes for that purpose by proxy;
however, proxies may not be voted when the absent committee member has
not been informed of the matter on which he is being recorded and has
not affirmatively requested that he be so recorded. Action by any
committee in reporting any measure or matter in accordance with the
requirements of this subparagraph shall constitute the ratification by
the committee of all action theretofore taken by the committee with
respect to that measure or matter, including votes taken upon the
measure or matter or any amendment thereto, and no point of order shall
lie with respect to that measure or matter on the ground that such
previous action with respect thereto by such committee was not taken in
compliance with such requirements.
(b) Each committee (except the Committee on Appropriations) shall
keep a complete record of all committee action. Such record shall
include a record of the votes on any question on which a record vote is
demanded. The results of rollcall votes taken in any meeting of any
committee upon any measure, or any amendment thereto, shall be announced
in the committee report on that measure unless previously announced by
the committee, and such announcement shall include a tabulation of the
votes cast in favor of and the votes cast in opposition to each such
measure and amendment by each member of the committee who was present at
that meeting.
(c) Whenever any committee by rollcall vote reports any measure or
matter, the report of the committee upon such measure or matter shall
include a tabulation of the votes cast by each member of the committee
in favor of and in opposition to such measure or matter. Nothing
contained in this subparagraph shall abrogate the power of any committee
to adopt rules--
(1) providing for proxy voting on all matters other than the
reporting of a measure or matter, or
(2) providing in accordance with subparagraph (a) for a lesser
number as a quorum for any action other than the reporting of a
measure or matter.
8. (a) In order to assist the Senate in--
(1) its analysis, appraisal, and evaluation of the
application, administration, and execution of the laws enacted
by the Congress, and
(2) its formulation, consideration, and enactment of such
modifications of or changes in those laws, and of such
additional legislation, as may be necessary or appropriate,
each standing committee (except the Committees on Appropriations and the
Budget), shall review and study, on a continuing basis the application,
administration, and execution of those laws, or parts of laws, the
subject matter of which is within the legislative jurisdiction of that
committee. Such committees may carry out the required analysis,
appraisal, and evaluation themselves, or by contract, or may require a
Government agency to do so and furnish a report thereon to the Senate.
Such committees may rely on such techniques as pilot testing, analysis
of costs in comparison with benefits, or provision for evaluation after
a defined period of time.
(b) In each odd-numbered year, each such committee shall submit, not
later than March 31, to the Senate, a report on the activities of that
committee under this paragraph during the Congress ending at noon on
January 3 of such year.
9.\5\(a) Except as provided in subparagraph (b), each committee
shall report one authorization resolution each year authorizing the
committee to make expenditures out of the contingent fund of the Senate
to defray its expenses, including the compensation of members of its
staff and agency contributions related to such compensation, during the
period beginning on March 1 of such year and ending on the last day of
February of the following year. Such annual authorization resolution
shall be reported not later than January 31 of each year, except that,
whenever the designation of members of standing committees of the Senate
occurs during the first session of a Congress at a date later than
January 20, such resolution may be reported at any time within thirty
days after the date on which the designation of such members is
completed. After the annual authorization resolution of a committee for
a year has been agreed to, such committee may procure authorization to
make additional expenditures out of the contingent fund of the Senate
during that year only by reporting a supplemental authorization
resolution. Each supplemental authorization resolution reported by a
committee shall amend the annual authorization resolution of such
committee for that year and shall be accompanied by a report specifying
with particularity the purpose for which such authorization is sought
and the reason why such authorization could not have been sought at the
time of the submission by such committee of its annual authorization
resolution for that year.
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\5\ As amended, S. Res. 281, 96-2, Mar. 11, 1980 (effective Jan. 1,
1981); S. Res. 479, 100-2 Sept. 30, 1988.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
(b) In lieu of the procedure provided in subparagraph (a), the
Committee on Rules and Administration may--
(1) direct each committee to report an authorization
resolution for a two year budget period beginning on March 1 of
the first session of a Congress; and
(2) report one authorization resolution containing more than
one committee authorization for a one year or two year budget
period.
10. (a) All committee hearings, records, data, charts, and files
shall be kept separate and distinct from the congressional office
records of the member serving as chairman of the committee; and such
records shall be the property of the Senate and all members of the
committee and the Senate shall have access to such records. Each
committee is authorized to have printed and bound such testimony and
other data presented at hearings held by the committee.
(b) It shall be the duty of the chairman of each committee to report
or cause to be reported promptly to the Senate any measure approved by
his committee and to take or cause to be taken necessary steps to bring
the matter to a vote. In any event, the report of any committee upon a
measure which has been approved by the committee shall be filed within
seven calendar days (exclusive of days on which the Senate is not in
session) after the day on which there has been filed with the clerk of
the committee a written and signed request of a majority 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
chairman of the committee notice of the filing of that request. This
subparagraph does not apply to the Committee on Appropriations.
(c) If at the time of approval of a measure or matter by any
committee (except for the Committee on Appropriations), 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
three calendar days in which to file such views, in writing, 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 which have been submitted by the time of the filing of the
report, and
(2) shall bear upon its cover a recital that supplemental,
minority, or additional views are included as part of the
report.
This subparagraph does not preclude--
(A) the immediate filing and printing of a committee report
unless timely request for the opportunity to file supplemental,
minority, or additional views has been made as provided by this
subparagraph; or
(B) the filing by any such committee 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
that committee upon that measure or matter.
11. (a) The report accompanying each bill or joint resolution of a
public character reported by any committee (except the Committee on
Appropriations and the Committee on the Budget) shall contain--
(1) an estimate, made by such committee, of the costs which
would be incurred in carrying out such bill or joint resolution
in the fiscal year in which it is reported and in each of the
five fiscal years following such fiscal year (or for the
authorized duration of any program authorized by such bill or
joint resolution, if less than five years), except that, in the
case of measures affecting the revenues, such reports shall
require only an estimate of the gain or loss in revenues for a
one-year period; and
(2) a comparison of the estimate of costs described in
subparagraph (1) made by such committee with any estimate of
costs made by any Federal agency; or
(3) in lieu of such estimate or comparison, or both, a
statement of the reasons why compliance by the committee with
the requirements of subparagraph (1) or (2), or both, is
impracticable.
(b) Each such report (except those by the Committee on
Appropriations) shall also contain--
(1) an evaluation, made by such committee, of the regulatory
impact which would be incurred in carrying out the bill or joint
resolution. The evaluation shall include (A) an estimate of the
numbers of individuals and businesses who would be regulated and
a determination of the groups and classes of such individuals
and businesses, (B) a determination of the economic impact of
such regulation on the individuals, consumers, and businesses
affected, (C) a determination of the impact on the personal
privacy of the individuals affected, and (D) a determination of
the amount of additional paperwork that will result from the
regulations to be promulgated pursuant to the bill or joint
resolution, which determination may include, but need not be
limited to, estimates of the amount of time and financial costs
required of affected parties, showing whether the effects of the
bill or joint resolution could be substantial, as well as
reasonable estimates of the recordkeeping requirements that may
be associated with the bill or joint resolution; or
(2) in lieu of such evaluation, a statement of the reasons why
compliance by the committee with the requirements of clause (1)
is impracticable.
(c) It shall not be in order for the Senate to consider any such
bill or joint resolution if the report of the committee on such bill or
joint resolution does not comply with the provisions of subparagraphs
(a) and (b) on the objection of any Senator.
12. Whenever a committee reports a bill or a joint resolution
repealing or amending any statute or part thereof it shall make a report
thereon and shall include in such report or in an accompanying document
(to be prepared by the staff of such committee) (a) the text of the
statute or part thereof which is proposed to be repealed; and (b) a
comparative print of that part of the bill or joint resolution making
the amendment and of the statute or part thereof proposed to be amended,
showing by stricken-through type and italics, parallel columns, or other
appropriate typographical devices the omissions and insertions which
would be made by the bill or joint resolution if enacted in the form
recommended by the committee. This paragraph shall not apply to any such
report in which it is stated that, in the opinion of the committee, it
is necessary to dispense with the requirements of this subsection to
expedite the business of the Senate.
13. (a) Each committee (except the Committee on Appropriations)
which has legislative jurisdiction shall, in its consideration of all
bills and joint resolutions of a public character within its
jurisdiction, endeavor to insure that--
(1) all continuing programs of the Federal Government and of
the government of the District of Columbia, within the
jurisdiction of such committee or joint committee, are designed;
and
(2) all continuing activities of Federal agencies, within the
jurisdiction of such committee or joint committee, are carried
on;
so that, to the extent consistent with the nature, requirements, and
objectives of those programs and activities, appropriations therefor
will be made annually.
(c) Each committee (except the Committee on Appropriations) shall
with respect to any continuing program within its jurisdiction for which
appropriations are not made annually, review such program, from time to
time, in order to ascertain whether such program could be modified so
that appropriations therefor would be made annually.
Authority and Rules of Senate Committees
Rule XXVII
RULE XXVII OF THE STANDING RULES OF THE SENATE
Committee Staff
1.\1\ Staff members appointed to assist minority members of
committees pursuant to authority of a resolution described in paragraph
9 of rule XXVI or other Senate resolution shall be accorded equitable
treatment with respect to the fixing of salary rates, the assignment of
facilities, and the accessibility of committee records.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ As amended, S. Res. 281, 96-2, Mar. 11, 1980 (effective Feb. 28,
1981). Pursuant to S. Res. 281, paragraph 1 of rule XXVII was repealed.
Accordingly, subparagraphs (a), (b), (c), and (d) of paragraph 2 were
renumbered as paragraphs 1, 2, 3, and 4, respectively.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
2. The minority shall receive fair consideration in the appointment
of staff personnel pursuant to authority of a resolution described in
paragraph 9 of rule XXVI.
3. The staffs of committees (including personnel appointed pursuant
to authority of a resolution described in paragraph 9 of rule XXVI or
other Senate resolution) should reflect the relative number of majority
and minority members of committees. A majority of the minority members
of any committee may, by resolution, request that at least one-third of
all funds of the committee for personnel (other than those funds
determined by the chairman and ranking minority member to be allocated
for the administrative and clerical functions of the committee as a
whole) be allocated to the minority members of such committee for
compensation of minority staff as the minority members may decide. The
committee shall thereafter adjust its budget to comply with such
resolution. Such adjustment shall be equitably made over a four-year
period, commencing July 1, 1977, with not less than one-half being made
in two years. Upon request by a majority of the minority members of any
committee by resolution, proportionate space, equipment, and facilities
shall be provided for such minority staff.
4. No committee shall appoint to its staff any experts or other
personnel detailed or assigned from any department or agency of the
Government, except with the written permission of the Committee on Rules
and Administration.
Authority and Rules of Senate Committees
Administration of Oaths to Witnesses
ADMINISTRATION OF OATHS TO WITNESSES \1\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Although no form of oath for witnesses is prescribed by Senate
rule, the customary oath is as follows: ``Do you swear to tell the
truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help you God?''
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Title 2, United States Code--The Congress
Sec. 23. Presiding officer of Senate may administer oaths
The presiding officer, for the time being, of the Senate of the
United States, shall have power to administer all oaths and affirmations
that are or may be required by the Constitution, or by law, to be taken
by any Senator, officer of the Senate, witness, or other person, in
respect to any matter within the jurisdiction of the Senate.
(Apr. 18, 1876, ch. 66, Sec. 1, 19 Stat. 34.)
Sec. 24. Secretary of Senate or Assistant Secretary may administer oaths
The Secretary of the Senate, and the assistant secretary thereof,
shall, respectively, have power to administer any oath or affirmation
required by law, or by the rules or orders of the Senate, to be taken by
any officer of the Senate, and to any witness produced before it.
(Apr. 18, 1876, ch. 66, Sec. 2, 19 Stat. 34; amended, Pub. L. 92-51,
Sec. 101, July 9, 1971, 85 Stat. 126.)
Sec. 191. Oaths to witnesses
The President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of
Representatives, or a chairman of any joint committee established by a
joint or concurrent resolution of the two Houses of Congress, or of a
committee of the whole, or of any committee of either House of Congress,
is empowered to administer oaths to witnesses in any case under their
examination.
Any member of either House of Congress may administer oaths to
witnesses in any matter depending in either House of Congress of which
he is a Member, or any committee thereof.
(R.S. Sec. 101; June 26, 1884, ch. 123, 23 Stat. 60; June 22, 1938, ch.
594, 52 Stat. 942, 943.)
Authority and Rules of Senate Committees
Paying Witness Expenses
PAYING WITNESS EXPENSES
Title 2, United States Code--The Congress
Sec. 195a. Restriction on payment of witness fees or travel and
subsistence expenses to persons subpoenaed by
Congressional committees
No part of any appropriation disbursed by the Secretary of the
Senate shall be available on and after July 12, 1960, for the payment to
any person, at the time of the service upon him of a subpoena requiring
his attendance at any inquiry or hearing conducted by any committee of
the Congress or of the Senate or any subcommittee of any such committee,
of any witness fee or any sum of money as an advance payment of any
travel or subsistence expense which may be incurred by such person in
responding to that subpoena.
(Pub. L. 86-628, Sec. 101, July 12, 1960, 74 Stat. 449.)
______
S. Res. 259, 100th Cong., 1st Sess. (1987)
reimbursement of expenses
Resolved, That witnesses appearing before the Senate or any of its
committees may be authorized reimbursement for per diem expenses
incurred for each day while traveling to and from the place of
examination and for each day in attendance. Such reimbursement shall be
made on an actual expense basis which shall not exceed the daily rate
prescribed by the Committee on Rules and Administration, unless such
limitation is specifically waived by such committee. A witness may also
be authorized reimbursement of the actual and necessary transportation
expenses incurred by the witness in traveling to and from the place of
examination.
* * * * * * *
Authority and Rules of Senate Committees
Criminal and Civil Enforcement of Senate Subpoenas
CRIMINAL AND CIVIL ENFORCEMENT OF SENATE SUBPOENAS
Title 2, United States Code--The Congress
Sec. 192. Refusal of witness to testify or produce papers
Every person who having been summoned as a witness by the authority
of either House of Congress to give testimony or to produce papers upon
any matter under inquiry before either House, or any joint committee
established by a joint or concurrent resolution of the two Houses of
Congress, or any committee of either House of Congress, willfully makes
default, or who, having appeared, refuses to answer any question
pertinent to the question under inquiry, shall be deemed guilty of a
misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of not more than $1,000 nor less than
$100 and imprisonment in a common jail for not less than one month nor
more than twelve months.
(R.S. Sec. 102; June 22, 1938, ch. 594, 52 Stat. 942.)
Sec. 194. Certification of failure to testify or produce; grand jury
action
Whenever a witness summoned as mentioned in section 192 of this
title fails to appear to testify or fails to produce any books, papers,
records, or documents, as required, or whenever any witness so summoned
refuses to answer any question pertinent to the subject under inquiry
before either House, or any joint committee established by a joint or
concurrent resolution of the two Houses of Congress, or any committee or
subcommittee of either House of Congress, and the fact of such failure
or failures is reported to either House while Congress is in session or
when Congress is not in session, a statement of fact constituting such
failure is reported to and filed with the President of the Senate or the
Speaker of the House, it shall be the duty of the said President of the
Senate or Speaker of the House, as the case may be, to certify, and he
shall so certify, the statement of facts aforesaid under the seal of the
Senate or House, as the case may be, to the appropriate United States
attorney, whose duty it shall be to bring the matter before the grand
jury for its action.
(R.S. Sec. 104; July 13, 1936, ch. 884, 49 Stat. 2041; June 22, 1938,
ch. 594, 52 Stat. 942.)
Sec. 288b. Requirements for authorizing representation activity [by
Senate Legal Counsel]
* * * * * * *
(b) Civil action to enforce subpoena
The [Senate Legal] Counsel shall bring a civil action to enforce a
subpoena of the Senate or a committee or subcommittee of the Senate
under section 288d of this title only when directed to do so by the
adoption of a resolution by the Senate.
* * * * * * *
Sec. 288d. Enforcement of Senate subpoena or order
(a) Institution of civil actions
When directed to do so pursuant to section 288b(b) of this title,
the [Senate Legal] Counsel shall bring a civil action under any statute
conferring jurisdiction on any court of the United States (including
section 1365 of Title 28), to enforce, to secure a declaratory judgment
concerning the validity of, or to prevent a threatened failure or
refusal to comply with, any subpoena or order issued by the Senate or a
committee or a subcommittee of the Senate authorized to issue a subpoena
or order.
(b) Actions in name of committees and subcommittees
Any directive to the [Senate Legal] Counsel to bring a civil action
pursuant to subsection (a) of this section in the name of a committee or
subcommittee of the Senate shall, for such committee or subcommittee,
constitute authorization to bring such action within the meaning of any
statute conferring jurisdiction on any court of the United States.
(c) Consideration of resolutions authorizing actions
It shall not be in order in the Senate to consider a resolution to
direct the [Senate Legal] Counsel to bring a civil action pursuant to
subsection (a) of this section in the name of a committee or
subcommittee unless--
(1) such resolution is reported by a majority of the members
voting, a majority being present, of such committee or committee
of which such subcommittee is a subcommittee, and
(2) the report filed by such committee or committee of which
such subcommittee is a subcommittee contains a statement of--
(A) the procedure followed in issuing such subpoena;
(B) the extent to which the party subpoenaed has
complied with such subpoena;
(C) any objections or privileges raised by the
subpoenaed party; and
(D) the comparative effectiveness of bringing a civil
action under this section, certification of a criminal
action for contempt of Congress, and initiating a
contempt proceeding before the Senate.
(d) Rules of Senate
The provisions of subsection (c) of this section are enacted--
(1) as an exercise of the rulemaking power of the Senate, and,
as such, they shall be considered as part of the rules of the
Senate, and such rules shall supersede any other rule of the
Senate only to the extent that rule is inconsistent therewith;
and
(2) with full recognition of the constitutional right of the
Senate to change such rules (so far as relating to the procedure
in the Senate) at any time, in the same manner, and to the same
extent as in the case of any other rule of the Senate.
(e) Committee reports
A report filed pursuant to subsection (c)(2) of this section shall
not be receivable in any court of law to the extent such report is in
compliance with such subsection.
* * * * * * *
(g) Certification of failure to testify; contempt
Nothing in this section shall limit the discretion of--
(1) the President pro tempore of the Senate in certifying to
the United States Attorney for the District of Columbia any
matter pursuant to section 194 of this title; or
(2) the Senate to hold any individual or entity in contempt of
the Senate.
(Pub. L. 95-521, title VII, Sec. 705(a)-(e), (g), Oct. 26, 1978, 92
Stat. 1878, 1880, as amended by Pub. L. 99-336, Sec. 6(a)(2), June 19,
1986, 100 Stat. 639.)
______
Title 28, United States Code--Judiciary and Judicial Procedure
Sec. 1365. Senate actions
(a) The United States District Court for the District of Columbia
shall have original jurisdiction, without regard to the amount in
controversy, over any civil action brought by the Senate or any
authorized committee or subcommittee of the Senate to enforce, to secure
a declaratory judgment concerning the validity of, or to prevent a
threatened refusal or failure to comply with, any subpoena or order
issued by the Senate or committee or subcommittee of the Senate to any
entity acting or purporting to act under color or authority of State law
or to any natural person to secure the production of documents or other
materials of any kind or the answering of any deposition or
interrogatory or to secure testimony or any combination thereof. This
section shall not apply to an action to enforce, to secure a declaratory
judgment concerning the validity of, or to prevent a threatened refusal
to comply with, any subpoena or order issued to an officer or employee
of the executive branch of the Federal Government acting within his
official capacity, except that this section shall apply if the refusal
to comply is based on the assertion of a personal privilege or objection
and is not based on a governmental privilege or objection the assertion
of which has been authorized by the executive branch of the Federal
Government.
(b) Upon application by the Senate or any authorized committee or
subcommittee of the Senate, the district court shall issue an order to
an entity or person refusing, or failing to comply with, or threatening
to refuse or not to comply with, a subpoena or order of the Senate or
committee or subcommittee of the Senate requiring such entity or person
to comply forthwith. Any refusal or failure to obey a lawful order of
the district court issued pursuant to this section may be held by such
court to be a contempt thereof. A contempt proceeding shall be commenced
by an order to show cause before the court why the entity or person
refusing or failing to obey the court order should not be held in
contempt of court. Such contempt proceeding shall be tried by the court
and shall be summary in manner. The purpose of sanctions imposed as a
result of such contempt proceeding shall be to compel obedience to the
order of the court. Process in any such action or contempt proceeding
may be served in any judicial district wherein the entity or party
refusing, or failing to comply, or threatening to refuse or not to
comply, resides, transacts business, or may be found, and subpoenas for
witnesses who are required to attend such proceeding may run into any
other district. Nothing in this section shall confer upon such court
jurisdiction to affect by injunction or otherwise the issuance or effect
of any subpoena or order of the Senate or any committee or subcommittee
of the Senate or to review, modify, suspend, terminate, or set aside any
such subpoena or order. An action, contempt proceeding, or sanction
brought or imposed pursuant to this section shall not abate upon
adjournment sine die by the Senate at the end of a Congress if the
Senate or the committee or subcommittee of the Senate which issued the
subpoena or order certifies to the court that it maintains its interest
in securing the documents, answers, or testimony during such
adjournment.
[(c) Repealed. Pub. L. 98-620, title IV, Sec. 402(29)(D), Nov. 8,
1984, 98 Stat. 3359.]
(d) The Senate or any committee or subcommittee of the Senate
commencing and prosecuting a civil action or contempt proceeding under
this section may be represented in such action by such attorneys as the
Senate may designate.
(e) A civil action commenced or prosecuted under this section, may
not be authorized pursuant to the Standing Order of the Senate
``authorizing suits by Senate Committees'' (S. Jour. 572, May 28, 1928).
(f) For the purposes of this section the term ``committee'' includes
standing, select, or special committees of the Senate established by law
or resolution.
(Added Pub. L. 95-521, title VII, Sec. 705(f)(1), Oct. 26, 1978, 92
Stat. 1879, Sec. 1364, and amended Pub. L. 98-620, title IV,
Sec. 402(29)(D), Nov. 8, 1984, 98 Stat. 3359; renumbered Sec. 1365, Pub.
L. 99-336, Sec. 6(a)(1)(B), June 19, 1986, 100 Stat. 638, amended by
Pub. L. 104-292, Oct. 11, 1996, 110 Stat. 3460.)
Authority and Rules of Senate Committees
Immunity for Witnesses
IMMUNITY FOR WITNESSES
Title 2, United States Code--The Congress
Sec. 288b. Requirements for authorizing representation activity [by
Senate Legal Counsel]
* * * * * * *
(d) Immunity proceedings
The [Senate Legal] Counsel shall serve as the duly authorized
representative in obtaining an order granting immunity under section
288f of this title of--
(1) the Senate when directed to do so by an affirmative vote
of a majority of the Members present of the Senate; or
(2) a committee or subcommittee of the Senate when directed to
do so by an affirmative vote of two-thirds of the members of the
full committee.
* * * * * * *
(Pub. L. 95-521, title VII, Sec. 703, Oct. 26, 1978, 92 Stat. 1877.)
Sec. 288f. Immunity proceedings
When directed to do so pursuant to section 288b(d) of this title,
the [Senate Legal] Counsel shall serve as the duly authorized
representative of the Senate or a committee or subcommittee of the
Senate in requesting a United States district court to issue an order
granting immunity pursuant to section 6005 of Title 18.
(Pub. L. 95-521, title VII, Sec. 707, Oct. 26, 1978, 92 Stat. 1880.)
______
Title 18, United States Code--Crimes and Criminal Procedure
Sec. 6001. Definitions
* * * * * * *
(2) ``other information'' includes any book, paper, document,
record, recording, or other material;
* * * * * * *
(Added Pub. L. 91-452, title II, Sec. 201(a), Oct. 15, 1970, 84 Stat.
926.)
Sec. 6002. Immunity generally
Whenever a witness refuses, on the basis of his privilege against
self-incrimination, to testify or provide other information in a
proceeding before or ancillary to--
(1) a court or grand jury of the United States,
(2) an agency of the United States, or
(3) either House of Congress, a joint committee of the two
Houses, or a committee or a subcommittee of either House,
and the person presiding over the proceeding communicates to the witness
an order issued under this title, the witness may not refuse to comply
with the order on the basis of his privilege against self-incrimination;
but no testimony or other information compelled under the order (or any
information directly or indirectly derived from such testimony or other
information) may be used against the witness in any criminal case,
except a prosecution for perjury, giving a false statement, or otherwise
failing to comply with the order.
(Added Pub. L. 91-452, title II, Sec. 201(a), Oct. 15, 1970, 84 Stat.
927, as amended by Pub. L. 103-322, title XXXIII, Sec. 330013(4), Sept.
13, 1994, 108 Stat. 2146.)
Sec. 6005. Congressional proceedings
(a) In the case of any individual who has been or may be called to
testify or provide other information at any proceeding before or
ancillary to either House of Congress, or any committee, or any
subcommittee of either House, or any joint committee of the two Houses,
a United States district court shall issue, in accordance with
subsection (b) of this section, upon the request of a duly authorized
representative of the House of Congress or the committee concerned, an
order requiring such individual to give testimony or provide other
information which he refuses to give or provide on the basis of his
privilege against self-incrimination, such order to become effective as
provided in section 6002 of this title.
(b) Before issuing an order under subsection (a) of this section, a
United States district court shall find that--
(1) in the case of a proceeding before or ancillary to either
House of Congress, the request for such an order has been
approved by an affirmative vote of a majority of the Members
present of that House;
(2) in the case of a proceeding before or ancillary to a
committee or a subcommittee of either House of Congress or a
joint committee of both Houses, the request for such an order
has been approved by an affirmative vote of two-thirds of the
members of the full committee; and
(3) ten days or more prior to the day on which the request for
such an order was made, the Attorney General was served with
notice of an intention to request the order.
(c) Upon application of the Attorney General, the United States
district court shall defer the issuance of any order under subsection
(a) of this section for such period, not longer than twenty days from
the date of the request for such order, as the Attorney General may
specify.
(Added Pub. L. 91-452, title II, Sec. 201(a), Oct. 15, 1970, 84 Stat.
928, as amended by Pub. L. 104-292, Oct. 11, 1996, 110 Stat. 3460; Pub.
L. 104-294, title VI, Sec. 605(o), Oct. 11, 1996, 110 Stat. 3510.)
Authority and Rules of Senate Committees
False Statements and Perjury
FALSE STATEMENTS AND PERJURY
Title 18, United States Code--Crimes and Criminal Procedure
Sec. 6. Department and agency defined
As used in this title:
The term ``department'' means one of the executive departments
enumerated in section 1 of Title 5, unless the context shows that such
term was intended to describe the executive, legislative, or judicial
branches of the government.
* * * * * * *
(June 25, 1948, ch. 645, 62 Stat. 685.)
Sec. 1001. Statements or entries generally
(a) Except as otherwise provided in this section, whoever, in any
matter within the jurisdiction of the executive, legislative, or
judicial branch of the Government of the United States, knowingly and
willfully--
(1) falsifies, conceals, or covers up by any trick, scheme, or
device a material fact;
(2) makes any materially false, fictitious, or fraudulent
statement or representation; or
(3) makes or uses any false writing or document knowing the
same to contain any materially false, fictitious, or fraudulent
statement or entry;
shall be fined under this title, imprisoned not more than 5 years, or if
the offense involves international or domestic terrorism (as defined in
section 2331), imprisoned not more than 8 years, or both. If the matter
relates to an offense under chapter 109A, 109B, 110, or 117, or section
1591, then the term of imprisonment imposed under this section shall not
be more than 8 years.
(b) Subsection (a) does not apply to a party to a judicial
proceeding, or that party's counsel, for statements, representations,
writings or documents submitted by such party or counsel to a judge or
magistrate in that proceeding.
(c) With respect to any matter within the jurisdiction of the
legislative branch, subsection (a) shall apply only to--
(1) administrative matters, including a claim for payment, a
matter related to the procurement of property or services,
personnel or employment practices, or support services, or a
document required by law, rule, or regulation to be submitted to
the Congress or any office or officer within the legislative
branch; or
(2) any investigation or review, conducted pursuant to the
authority of any committee, subcommittee, commission or office
of the Congress, consistent with applicable rules of the House
or Senate.
(Oct. 11, 1996, Pub. L. 104-292, 110 Stat. 3460; Dec. 17, 2004, Pub. L.
108-458, tit. VI, Sec. 6703(a), 118 Stat. 3766; July 27, 2006, Pub. L.
109-248, Title I, 141(c), 120 Stat. 603.)
Sec. 1621. Perjury generally
Whoever--
(1) having taken an oath before a competent tribunal, officer,
or person, in any case in which a law of the United States
authorizes an oath to be administered, that he will testify,
declare, depose, or certify truly, or that any written
testimony, declaration, deposition, or certificate by him
subscribed, is true, willfully and contrary to such oath states
or subscribes any material matter which he does not believe to
be true; or
(2) in any declaration, certificate, verification, or
statement under penalty of perjury as permitted under section
1746 of title 28, United States Code, willfully subscribes as
true any material matter which he does not believe to be true;
is guilty of perjury and shall, except as otherwise expressly provided
by law, be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than five
years, or both. This section is applicable whether the statement or
subscription is made within or without the United States.
(June 25, 1948, ch. 645, 62 Stat. 773; Oct. 3, 1964, Pub. L. 88-619,
Sec. 1, 78 Stat. 995; Oct. 18, 1976, Pub. L. 94-550, Sec. 2, 90 Stat.
2534; Sept. 13, 1994, Pub. L. 103-322, tit. XXXIII, Sec. 330016(1)(I),
108 Stat. 2147.)
Authority and Rules of Senate Committees
Obstructing Proceedings
OBSTRUCTING PROCEEDINGS
Title 18, United States Code--Crimes and Criminal Procedure
Sec. 1505. Obstruction of proceedings before departments, agencies, and
committees
* * * * * * *
Whoever corruptly, or by threats or force, or by any threatening
letter or communication influences, obstructs, or impedes or endeavors
to influence, obstruct, or impede the due and proper administration of
the law under which any pending proceeding is being had before any
department or agency of the United States, or the due and proper
exercise of the power of inquiry under which any inquiry or
investigation is being had by either House, or any committee of either
House or any joint committee of the Congress--
Shall be fined under this title, imprisoned not more than five
years, or if the offense involves international or domestic terrorism
(as defined in section 2331), imprisoned not more than 8 years, or both.
(June 25, 1948, ch. 645, 62 Stat. 770; Sept. 19, 1962, Pub. L. 87-664,
Sec. 6(a), 76 Stat. 551; Oct. 15, 1970, Pub. L. 91-452, title IX,
Sec. 903, 84 Stat. 947; Sept. 30, 1976, Pub. L. 94-435, title I,
Sec. 105, 90 Stat. 1389; Oct. 12, 1982, Pub. L. 97-291, Sec. 4(d), 96
Stat. 1253; Sept. 13, 1994, Pub. L. 103-322, tit. XXXIII,
Sec. 330016(1)(K), 108 Stat. 2147; Dec. 17, 2004, Pub. L. 108-458, tit.
VI, Sec. 6703(a), 118 Stat. 3766.)
Sec. 1512. Tampering with a witness, victim, or an informant
(a)(1) Whoever kills or attempts to kill another person, with intent
to--
(A) prevent the attendance or testimony of any person in an
official proceeding;
(B) prevent the production of a record, document, or other
object, in an official proceeding; or
(C) prevent the communication by any person to a law
enforcement officer or judge of the United States of information
relating to the commission or possible commission of a Federal
offense or a violation of conditions of probation, parole, or
release pending judicial proceedings;
shall be punished as provided in paragraph (3).
(2) Whoever uses physical force or the threat of physical force
against any person, or attempts to do so, with intent to--
(A) influence, delay, or prevent the testimony of any person
in an official proceeding;
(B) cause or induce any person to--
(i) withhold testimony, or withhold a record, document,
or other object, from an official proceeding;
(ii) alter, destroy, mutilate, or conceal an object with
intent to impair the integrity or availability of the
object for use in an official proceeding;
(iii) evade legal process summoning that person to
appear as a witness, or to produce a record, document,
or other object, in an official proceeding; or
(iv) be absent from an official proceeding to which that
person has been summoned by legal process; or
(C) hinder, delay, or prevent the communication to a law
enforcement officer or judge of the United States of information
relating to the commission or possible commission of a Federal
offense or a violation of conditions of probation, supervised
release, parole, or release pending judicial proceedings;
shall be punished as provided in paragraph (3).
(3) The punishment for an offense under this subsection is--
(A) in the case of murder (as defined in section 1111), the
death penalty or imprisonment for life, and in the case of any
other killing, the punishment provided in section 1112; and
(B) in the case of--
(i) an attempt to murder; or
(ii) the use or attempted use of physical force against
any person; imprisonment for not more than 20 years; and
(C) in the case of the threat of use of physical force against
any person, imprisonment for not more than 10 years.
(b) Whoever knowingly uses intimidation, threatens, or corruptly
persuades another person, or attempts to do so, or engages in misleading
conduct toward another person, with intent to--
(1) influence, delay, or prevent the testimony of any person
in an official proceeding;
(2) cause or induce any person to--
(A) withhold testimony, or withhold a record,
document, or other object, from an official proceeding;
(B) alter, destroy, mutilate, or conceal an object
with intent to impair the object's integrity or
availability for use in an official proceeding;
(C) evade legal process summoning that person to
appear as a witness, or to produce a record, document,
or other object, in an official proceeding; or
(D) be absent from an official proceeding to which
such person has been summoned by legal process; or
(3) hinder, delay, or prevent the communication to a law
enforcement officer or judge of the United States of information
relating to the commission or possible commission of a Federal
offense or a violation of conditions of probation\1\ supervised
release,,\2\ parole, or release pending judicial proceedings;
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ So in original. A comma probably should appear.
\2\ So in original. The second comma probably should not appear.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than ten years,
or both.
(c) Whoever corruptly--
(1) alters, destroys, mutilates, or conceals a record, document,
or other object, or attempts to do so, with the intent to impair
the object's integrity or availability for use in an official
proceeding; or
(2) otherwise obstructs, influences, or impedes any official
proceeding, or attempts to do so,
shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than 20 years, or
both.
(d) Whoever intentionally harasses another person and thereby
hinders, delays, prevents, or dissuades any person from--
(1) attending or testifying in an official proceeding;
(2) reporting to a law enforcement officer or judge of the
United States the commission or possible commission of a Federal
offense or a violation of conditions of probation\3\ supervised
release,,\4\ parole, or release pending judicial proceedings;
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\3\ So in original. A comma probably should appear.
\4\ So in original. The second comma probably should not appear.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
(3) arresting or seeking the arrest of another person in
connection with a Federal offense; or
(4) causing a criminal prosecution, or a parole or probation
revocation proceeding, to be sought or instituted, or assisting
in such prosecution or proceeding;
or attempts to do so, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not
more than one year, or both.
(e) In a prosecution for an offense under this section, it is an
affirmative defense, as to which the defendant has the burden of proof
by a preponderance of the evidence, that the conduct consisted solely of
lawful conduct and that the defendant's sole intention was to encourage,
induce, or cause the other person to testify truthfully.
(f) For the purposes of this section--
(1) an official proceeding need not be pending or about to be
instituted at the time of the offense; and
(2) the testimony, or the record, document, or other object
need not be admissible in evidence or free of a claim of
privilege.
(g) In a prosecution for an offense under this section, no state of
mind need be proved with respect to the circumstance--
(1) that the official proceeding before a judge, court,
magistrate judge, grand jury, or government agency is before a
judge or court of the United States, a United States magistrate
judge, a bankruptcy judge, a Federal grand jury, or a Federal
Government agency; or
(2) that the judge is a judge of the United States or that the
law enforcement officer is an officer or employee of the Federal
Government or a person authorized to act for or on behalf of the
Federal Government or serving the Federal Government as an
adviser or consultant.
(h) There is extraterritorial Federal jurisdiction over an offense
under this section.
(i) A prosecution under this section or section 1503 may be brought
in the district in which the official proceeding (whether or not pending
or about to be instituted) was intended to be affected or in the
district in which the conduct constituting the alleged offense occurred.
(j) If the offense under this section occurs in connection with a
trial of a criminal case, the maximum term of imprisonment which may be
imposed for the offense shall be the higher of that otherwise provided
by law or the maximum term that could have been imposed for any offense
charged in such case.
(Added Pub. L. 97-291, Sec. 4(a), Oct. 12, 1982, 96 Stat. 1249 and
amended Pub. L. 99-646, Sec. 61, Nov. 10, 1986, 100 Stat. 3614; Pub. L.
100-690, tit. VII, Sec. 7029(a), (c), Nov. 18, 1988, 102 Stat. 4397,
4398; Pub. L 103-322, tit. VI, Sec. 60018, tit. XXXIII, Sec. 330016(1)
(O), (U), Sept. 13, 1994, 108 Stat. 1975, 2148; Pub. L. 104-214,
Sec. 1(2), Oct. 1, 1996, 110 Stat. 3017; Pub. L. 104-294, title VI,
Sec. 604(b)(31), Oct. 11, 1996, 110 Stat. 3508; Pub. L. 107-204, tit.
XI, Sec. 1102, July 30, 2002, 116 Stat. 807; Pub. L. 107-273, Div. B.,
tit. III, Sec. 3001(a)(c)(1), Nov. 2, 2002, 116 Stat. 1803, 1804.)
Sec. 1513. Retaliating against a witness, victim, or an informant
(a)(1) Whoever kills or attempts to kill another person with intent
to retaliate against any person for--
(A) the attendance of a witness or party at an official
proceeding, or any testimony given or any record, document, or
other object produced by a witness in an official proceeding; or
(B) providing to a law enforcement officer any information
relating to the commission or possible commission of a Federal
offense or a violation of conditions of probation \1\ supervised
release,, \2\ parole, or release pending judicial proceedings,
\1\ So in original. A comma probably should appear.
\2\ So in original. The second comma probably should not appear.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
shall be punished as provided in paragraph (2).
(2) The punishment for an offense under this subsection is--
(A) in the case of a killing, the punishment provided in
sections 1111 and 1112; and
(B) in the case of an attempt, imprisonment for not more than
20 years.
(b) Whoever knowingly engages in any conduct and thereby causes
bodily injury to another person or damages the tangible property of
another person, or threatens to do so, with intent to retaliate against
any person for--
(1) the attendance of a witness or party at an official
proceeding, or any testimony given or any record, document, or
other object produced by a witness in an official proceeding; or
(2) any information relating to the commission or possible
commission of a Federal offense or a violation of conditions of
probation \3\ supervised release,, \4\ parole, or release
pending judicial proceedings given by a person to a law
enforcement officer;
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\3\ So in original. A comma probably should appear.
\4\ So in original. The second comma probably should not appear.
or attempts to do so, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not
more than ten years, or both.
(c) If the retaliation occurred because of attendance at or
testimony in a criminal case, the maximum term of imprisonment which may
be imposed for the offense under this section shall be the higher of
that otherwise provided by law or the maximum term that could have been
imposed for any offense charged in such case.
(d) There is extraterritorial Federal jurisdiction over an offense
under this section.
(e) \5\ Whoever knowingly, with the intent to retaliate, takes any
action harmful to any person, including interference with the lawful
employment or livelihood of any person, for providing to a law
enforcement officer any truthful information relating to the commission
or possible commission of any Federal offense, shall be fined under this
title or imprisoned not more than 10 years, or both.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\5\ So in original. Two subsecs. (e) have been enacted.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
(e) \6\ Whoever conspires to commit any offense under this section
shall be subject to the same penalties as those prescribed for the
offense the commission of which was the object of the conspiracy.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\6\ So in original. Two subsecs. (e) have been enacted.
(Added Pub. L. 97-291, Sec. 4(a), Oct. 12, 1982, 96 Stat. 1250; and
amended Pub. L. 103-322, tit. VI, Sec. 60017, tit. XXXIII,
Sec. 330016(1)(U), Sept. 13, 1994, 108 Stat. 1975, 2148; Pub. L. 104-
214, Sec. 1(1), Oct. 1, 1996, 110 Stat. 3017; as amended Pub. L. 107-
204, tit. XI, Sec. 1107(a), July 30, 2002, 116 Stat. 810; Pub. L. 107-
273, Div. B, tit. III, Sec. 3001(b), (c)(2), tit. IV, Sec. 4002(b)(4),
Nov. 2, 2002, 116 Stat. 1804, 1807.)
Sec. 1515. Definitions for certain provisions
(a) As used in sections 1512 and 1513 of this title and in this
section--
(1) the term ``official proceeding'' means--
(A) a proceeding before a judge or court of the United
States, a United States magistrate judge, a bankruptcy
judge, a judge of the United States Tax Court, a special
trial judge of the Tax Court, a judge of the United
States Court of Federal Claims, or a Federal grand jury;
(B) a proceeding before the Congress;
(C) a proceeding before a Federal Government agency
which is authorized by law; or
(D) a proceeding involving the business of insurance
whose activities affect interstate commerce before any
insurance regulatory official or agency or any agent or
examiner appointed by such official or agency to examine
the affairs of any person engaged in the business of
insurance whose activities affect interstate commerce;
(2) the term ``physical force'' means physical action against
another, and includes confinement;
(3) the term ``misleading conduct'' means--
(A) knowingly making a false statement;
(B) intentionally omitting information from a
statement and thereby causing a portion of such
statement to be misleading, or intentionally concealing
a material fact, and thereby creating a false impression
by such statement;
(C) with intent to mislead, knowingly submitting or
inviting reliance on a writing or recording that is
false, forged, altered, or otherwise lacking in
authenticity;
(D) with intent to mislead, knowingly submitting or
inviting reliance on a sample, specimen, map,
photograph, boundary mark, or other object that is
misleading in a material respect; or
(E) knowingly using a trick, scheme, or device with
intent to mislead;
(4) the term ``law enforcement officer'' means an officer or
employee of the Federal Government, or a person authorized to
act for or on behalf of the Federal Government or serving the
Federal Government as an adviser or consultant--
(A) authorized under law to engage in or supervise the
prevention, detection, investigation, or prosecution of
an offense; or
(B) serving as a probation or pretrial services
officer under this title;
(5) the term ``bodily injury'' means--
(A) a cut, abrasion, bruise, burn, or disfigurement;
(B) physical pain;
(C) illness;
(D) impairment of the function of a bodily member,
organ, or mental faculty; or
(E) any other injury to the body, no matter how
temporary, and
(6) the term ``corruptly persuades'' does not include conduct
which would be misleading conduct but for a lack of a state of
mind.
(b) As used in section 1505, the term ``corruptly'' means acting
with an improper purpose, personally or by influencing another,
including making a false or misleading statement, or withholding,
concealing, altering, or destroying a document or other information.
(c) This chapter does not prohibit or punish the providing of
lawful, bona fide, legal representation services in connection with or
anticipation of an official proceeding.
(Added Pub. L. 97-291, Sec. 4(a), Oct. 12, 1982, 96 Stat. 1252 and
amended Pub. L. 99-646, Sec. 50(b), Nov. 10, 1986, 100 Stat. 3605; Pub.
L. 100-690, tit. VII, Sec. 7029(b), (d), Nov. 18, 1988, 102 Stat. 4398;
Pub. L. 103-322, tit. XXXII, Sec. 320604(a), Sept. 13, 1994, 108 Stat.
2118, amended by Pub. L. 104-292,Sec. 3, Oct. 11, 1996, 110 Stat. 3460;
Pub. L. 104-294, tit. VI, Sec. 604(b)(39), Oct. 11, 1996, 110 Stat.
3509.)
Authority and Rules of Senate Committees
Obtaining Tax Return Information
OBTAINING TAX RETURN INFORMATION
Title 26, United States Code--Internal Revenue Code
Sec. 6103. Confidentiality and disclosure of returns and return
information
(a) General rule
Returns and return information shall be confidential, and except as
authorized by this title--
(1) no officer or employee of the United States,
(2) no officer or employee of any State, any local law
enforcement agency receiving information under subsection
(i)(7)(a), any local child support enforcement agency, or any
local agency administering a program listed in subsection
(l)(7)(D) who has or had access to returns or return information
under this section or section 6104(c), and
(3) no other person (or officer or employee thereof) who has
or had access to returns or return information under subsection
(e)(1)(D)(iii), paragraph (6), (12), or (16) of subsection (l),
paragraph (2) or (4)(B) of subsection (m), or subsection (n),
shall disclose any return or return information obtained by him in any
manner in connection with his service as such an officer or an employee
or otherwise or under the provisions of this section. For purposes of
this subsection, the term ``officer or employee'' includes a former
officer or employee.
(b) Definitions
For purposes of this section--
(1) Return
The term ``return'' means any tax or information return,
declaration of estimated tax, or claim for refund required by,
or provided for or permitted under, the provisions of this title
which is filed with the Secretary by, on behalf of, or with
respect to any person, and any amendment or supplement thereto,
including supporting schedules, attachments, or lists which are
supplemental to, or part of, the return so filed.
(2) Return information
The term ``return information'' means--
(A) a taxpayer's identity, the nature, source, or
amount of his income, payments, receipts, deductions,
exemptions, credits, assets, liabilities, net worth, tax
liability, tax withheld, deficiencies, overassessments,
or tax payments, whether the taxpayer's return was, is
being, or will be examined or subject to other
investigation or processing, or any other data, received
by, recorded by, prepared by, furnished to, or collected
by the Secretary with respect to a return or with
respect to the determination of the existence, or
possible existence, of liability (or the amount thereof)
of any person under this title for any tax, penalty,
interest, fine, forfeiture, or other imposition, or
offense,
(B) any part of any written determination or any
background file document relating to such written
determination (as such terms are defined in section
6110(b)) which is not open to public inspection under
section 6110,
(C) any advance pricing agreement entered into by a
taxpayer and the Secretary and any background
information related to such agreement or any application
for an advance pricing agreement, and
(D) any agreement under section 7121, and any similar
agreement, and any background information related to
such an agreement or request for such an agreement,
but such term does not include data in a form which cannot be
associated with, or otherwise identify, directly or indirectly,
a particular taxpayer. Nothing in the preceding sentence, or in
any other provision of law, shall be construed to require the
disclosure of standards used or to be used for the selection of
returns for examination, or data used or to be used for
determining such standards, if the Secretary determines that
such disclosure will seriously impair assessment, collection, or
enforcement under the internal revenue laws.
(3) Taxpayer return information
The term ``taxpayer return information'' means return
information as defined in paragraph (2) which is filed with, or
furnished to, the Secretary by or on behalf of the taxpayer to
whom such return information relates.
* * * * * * *
(6) Taxpayer identity
The term ``taxpayer identity'' means the name of a person with
respect to whom a return is filed, his mailing address, his
taxpayer identifying number (as described in section 6109), or a
combination thereof.
(7) Inspection
The terms ``inspected'' and ``inspection'' mean any examination
of a return or return information.
(8) Disclosure
The term ``disclosure'' means the making known to any person in
any manner whatever a return or return information.
* * * * * * *
(f) Disclosure to Committees of Congress
(1) Committee on Ways and Means, Committee on Finance, and Joint
Committee on Taxation
Upon written request from the chairman of the Committee on Ways
and Means of the House of Representatives, the chairman of the
Committee on Finance of the Senate, or the chairman of the Joint
Committee on Taxation, the Secretary shall furnish such
committee with any return or return information specified in
such request, except that any return or return information which
can be associated with, or otherwise identify, directly or
indirectly, a particular taxpayer shall be furnished to such
committee only when sitting in closed executive session unless
such taxpayer otherwise consents in writing to such disclosure.
(2) Chief of Staff of Joint Committee on Taxation
Upon written request by the Chief of Staff of the Joint
Committee on Taxation, the Secretary shall furnish him with any
return or return information specified in such request. Such
Chief of Staff may submit such return or return information to
any committee described in paragraph (1), except that any return
or return information which can be associated with, or otherwise
identify, directly or indirectly, a particular taxpayer shall be
furnished to such committee only when sitting in closed
executive session unless such taxpayer otherwise consents in
writing to such disclosure.
(3) Other committees
Pursuant to an action by, and upon written request by the
chairman of, a committee of the Senate or the House of
Representatives (other than a committee specified in paragraph
(1)) specially authorized to inspect any return or return
information by a resolution of the Senate or the House of
Representatives or, in the case of a joint committee (other than
the joint committee specified in paragraph (1)) by concurrent
resolution, the Secretary shall furnish such committee, or a
duly authorized and designated subcommittee thereof, sitting in
closed executive session, with any return or return information
which such resolution authorizes the committee or subcommittee
to inspect. Any resolution described in this paragraph shall
specify the purpose for which the return or return information
is to be furnished and that such information cannot reasonably
be obtained from any other source.
(4) Agents of committees and submission of information to Senate or
House of Representatives
(A) Committees described in paragraph (1)
Any committee described in paragraph (1) or the Chief of
Staff of the Joint Committee on Taxation shall have the
authority, acting directly, or by or through such
examiners or agents as the chairman of such committee or
such chief of staff may designate or appoint, to inspect
returns and return information at such time and in such
manner as may be determined by such chairman or chief of
staff. Any return or return information obtained by or
on behalf of such committee pursuant to the provisions
of this subsection may be submitted by the committee to
the Senate or the House of Representatives, or to both.
The Joint Committee on Taxation may also submit such
return or return information to any other committee
described in paragraph (1), except that any return or
return information which can be associated with, or
otherwise identify, directly or indirectly, a particular
taxpayer shall be furnished to such committee only when
sitting in closed executive session unless such taxpayer
otherwise consents in writing to such disclosure.
(B) Other committees
Any committee or subcommittee described in paragraph (3)
shall have the right, acting directly, or by or through
no more than four examiners or agents, designated or
appointed in writing in equal numbers by the chairman
and ranking minority member of such committee or
subcommittee, to inspect returns and return information
at such time and in such manner as may be determined by
such chairman and ranking minority member. Any return or
return information obtained by or on behalf of such
committee or subcommittee pursuant to the provisions of
this subsection may be submitted by the committee to the
Senate or the House of Representatives, or to both,
except that any return or return information which can
be associated with, or otherwise identify, directly or
indirectly, a particular taxpayer, shall be furnished to
the Senate or the House of Representatives only when
sitting in closed executive session unless such taxpayer
otherwise consents in writing to such disclosure.
* * * * * * *
Authority and Rules of Senate Committees
Preservation, Confidentiality and Disclosure of Information
PRESERVATION, CONFIDENTIALITY AND DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION \1\
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\1\ As a consequence of the National Archives and Records
Administration Act of 1984, Pub. L. No. 98-497, 98 Stat. 2280,
references in rule XI and resolution 474, reprinted below, to the
General Services Administration or its Administrator should be to the
National Archives and Records Administration or the Archivist, as the
case may be, and references to 44 U.S.C. Sec. 2114 should be to 44
U.S.C. Sec. 2118.
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Rule XI of the Standing Rules of the Senate
papers--withdrawal, printing, reading of, and reference
1. No memorial or other paper presented to the Senate, except
original treaties finally acted upon, shall be withdrawn from its files
except by order of the Senate.
2. The Secretary of the Senate shall obtain at the close of each
Congress all the noncurrent records of the Senate and of each Senate
committee and transfer them to the General Services Administration for
preservation, subject to the orders of the Senate.
* * * * * * *
Rule XXIX of the Standing Rules of the Senate
* * * * * * *
5.\2\ Any Senator, officer or employee of the Senate who shall
disclose the secret or confidential business or proceedings of the
Senate, including the business and proceedings of the committees,
subcommittees and offices of the Senate, shall be liable, if a Senator,
to suffer expulsion from the body; and if an officer or employee, to
dismissal from the service of the Senate, and to punishment for
contempt.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\2\ As amended, S. Res. 363, 102-2 (Oct. 8, 1992).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
6. Whenever, by the request of the Senate or any committee thereof,
any documents or papers shall be communicated to the Senate by the
President or the head of any department relating to any matter pending
in the Senate, the proceedings in regard to which are secret or
confidential under the rules, said documents and papers shall be
considered as confidential, and shall not be disclosed without leave of
the Senate.
______
S. Res. 490, 97th Cong., 2d Sess. (1982)
resolution
To establish a procedure during recesses and adjournments to authorize
the production of Senate documents and testimony.
Whereas, by the privileges of the Senate of the United States and Rule
XI of the Standing Rules of the Senate, no evidence under the
control or in the possession of the Senate can, by the judicial or
administrative process, be taken from such control or possession but
by permission of the Senate;
Whereas, when it appears that documents, papers, and records under
control of or in the possession of the Senate, or the testimony of
members, officers, and employees of the Senate concerning their
official duties, are needful for the promotion of justice, the
Senate will take such action, consistent with the privileges and
rights of the Senate, as will promote the ends of justice;
Whereas the Joint Leadership Group, which consists of the majority and
minority leaders of the Senate, the President pro tempore, and the
chairmen and ranking minority members of the Committee on the
Judiciary and the Committee on Rules and Administration, has been
established by section 702 of the Ethics in Government Act of 1978,
2 U.S.C. Sec. 288a (Supp. IV 1980);
Whereas the Joint Leadership Group, by two-thirds of its members, may
direct the Senate Legal Counsel, pursuant to sections 703(a) and
704(a)(2) of the Ethics in Government Act of 1978, 2 U.S.C.
Sec. Sec. 288b and 288c(a)(2) (Supp. IV 1980), to represent the
Senate or a committee, subcommittee, member, officer, or employee of
the Senate with respect to any subpoena directed to the Senate or a
committee, subcommittee, member, officer, or employee of the Senate
in their official or representative capacities;
Whereas there is no procedure for authorizing, during periods of recess
or adjournment, the production of Senate documents or testimony by
members, officers, and employees of the Senate: Now, therefore, be
it
Resolved, That the Joint Leadership Group, by two-thirds of its
members, may authorize, during periods of recess or adjournment, the
production of documents, papers, and records under the control or in the
possession of the Senate, and the testimony of members, officers, and
employees of the Senate concerning their official duties, when needful
for the promotion of justice and consistent with the privileges and
rights of the Senate.
______
S. Res. 474, 96th Cong., 2d Sess. (1980)
resolution
Relating to public access to Senate records at the National Archives.
Whereas under rule XI of the Standing Rules of the Senate and section
2114 of title 44, United States Code, the Secretary of the Senate is
responsible for transferring, at the close of each Congress, all
noncurrent records of the Senate and Senate committees to the
General Services Administration for preservation;
Whereas such rule and section provide that such records are subject to
the orders of the Senate; and
Whereas orderly and timely public access to the Senate's records at the
National Archives will greatly contribute to greater public
knowledge of and interest in the Senate of the United States: Now,
therefore, be it
Resolved, That any records of the Senate or any committee of the
Senate which are transferred to the General Services Administration
under rule XI of the Standing Rules of the Senate and section 2114 of
title 44, United States Code, and which have been made public prior to
their transfer may be made available for public use.
Sec. 2. (a) Subject to such rules or regulations as the Secretary of
the Senate may prescribe, any other records of the Senate or any
committee of the Senate which are so transferred may be made available
for public use--
(1) in the case of investigative files relating to individuals
and containing personal data, personnel records, and records of
executive nominations, when such files and records have been in
existence for fifty years; and
(2) in the case of all other such records, when such records
have been in existence for twenty years.
(b) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (a), any committee
of the Senate may, by action of the full committee, prescribe a
different time when any of its records may be made available for public
use, under specific conditions to be fixed by such committee, by giving
notice thereof to the Secretary of the Senate and the Administrator of
General Services.
Sec. 3. (a) This resolution shall not be construed to authorize the
public disclosure of any record pursuant to section 2 if such disclosure
is prohibited by law or Executive order of the President.
(b) Notwithstanding the provisions of section 2, the Secretary of
the Senate may prohibit or restrict the public disclosure of any record
so transferred, other than any record of a Senate committee, if he
determines that public disclosure of such record would not be in the
public interest and so notifies the Administrator of General Services.
Sec. 4. The Secretary of the Senate shall transmit a copy of this
resolution to the Administrator of General Services.
______
Title 2, United States Code--The Congress
Sec. 130b. Jury and witness service by Senate and House employees \3\
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\3\ This provision governs the pay and reimbursement of expenses of
Senate employees who are authorized to testify in their official
capacity in judicial proceedings or who are summoned to jury service.
The substantive provisions governing jury service may be found in
authorities not reprinted here. Jury service by Senate officers or
employees in federal court is governed by 28 U.S.C.
Sec. Sec. 1863(b)(6)(C), 1869(i) (exempting from jury service persons
elected to public office and those directly appointed by them). For the
requirements of jury service by Senate officers and employees in state
courts, the applicable state law must be consulted. Members of the
Senate are exempt from service on federal, state, and local juries. 2
U.S.C. Sec. 30a.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
(a) Definitions
For purposes of this section--
(1) ``employee'' means any individual whose pay is disbursed
by the Secretary of the Senate or the Chief Administrative
Officer of the House of Representatives; and
(2) ``court of the United States'' has the meaning given it by
section 451 of Title 28 and includes the United States District
Court for the District of the Canal Zone, the District Court of
Guam, and the District Court of the Virgin Islands.
(b) Service as juror or witness in connection with a judicial
proceeding; prohibition against reduction of pay
The pay of an employee shall not be reduced during a period of
absence with respect to which the employee is summoned (and permitted to
respond to such summons by the appropriate authority of the House of the
Congress disbursing his pay), in connection with a judicial proceeding
by a court or authority responsible for the conduct of that proceeding,
to serve--
(1) as a juror; or
(2) other than as provided in subsection (c) of this section,
as a witness on behalf of any party in connection with any
judicial proceeding to which the United States, the District of
Columbia, or a State or local government is a party;
in the District of Columbia, a State, territory, or possession of the
United States including the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Canal Zone,
or the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands. For purposes of this
subsection, ``judicial proceeding'' means any action, suit, or other
judicial proceeding, including any condemnation, preliminary,
informational, or other proceeding of a judicial nature, but does not
include an administrative proceeding.
(c) Official duty
An employee is performing official duty during the period with
respect to which he is summoned (and is authorized to respond to such
summons by the House of the Congress disbursing his pay), or is assigned
by such House, to--
(1) testify or produce official records on behalf of the
United States or the District of Columbia; or
(2) testify in his official capacity or produce official
records on behalf of a party other than the United States or the
District of Columbia.
(d) Prohibition on receipt of jury or witness fees
(1) An employee may not receive fees for service--
(A) as juror in a court of the United States or the District
of Columbia; or
(B) as a witness on behalf of the United States or the
District of Columbia.
(2) If an employee receives an amount (other than travel expenses)
for service as a juror or witness during a period in which his pay may
not be reduced under subsection (b) of this section, or for which he is
performing official duty under subsection (c) of this section, the
employee shall remit such amount to the officer who disburses the pay of
the employee, which amount shall be covered into the general fund of the
Treasury as miscellaneous receipts.
(e) Travel expenses
(1) An employee summoned (and authorized to respond to such summons
by the House of the Congress disbursing his pay), or assigned by such
House, to testify or produce official records on behalf of the United
States is entitled to travel expenses. If the case involves an activity
in connection with which he is employed, the travel expenses shall be
paid from funds otherwise available for the payment of travel expenses
of such House in accordance with travel regulations of that House. If
the case does not involve such an activity, the department, agency, or
independent establishment of the United States on whose behalf he is so
testifying or producing records shall pay to the employee his travel
expenses out of appropriations otherwise available, and in accordance
with regulation applicable, to that department, agency, or independent
establishment for the payment of travel expenses.
(2) An employee summoned (and permitted to respond to such summons
by the House of the Congress disbursing his pay), or assigned by such
House, to testify in his official capacity or produce official records
on behalf of a party other than the United States, is entitled to travel
expenses, unless any travel expenses are paid to the employee for his
appearance by the court, authority, or party which caused him to be
summoned.
(f) Rules and regulations
The Committee on Rules and Administration of the Senate and the
Committee on House Oversight of the House of Representatives are
authorized to prescribe, for employees of their respective Houses, such
rules and regulations as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of
this section.
(g) Congressional consent not conferred for production of official
records or to testimony concerning activities
related to employment
No provision of this section shall be construed to confer the
consent of either House of the Congress to the production of official
records of that House or to testimony by an employee of that House
concerning activities related to his employment.
(Pub. L. 91-563, Sec. 6, Dec. 19, 1970, 84 Stat. 1478; Pub. L. 94-310,
Sec. 2, June 15, 1976, 90 Stat. 687; Pub. L. 104-186, title II,
Sec. 204(74), (75), Aug. 20, 1996, 110 Stat. 1741.)
______
REGULATIONS GOVERNING THE PAYMENT OF TRAVEL EXPENSES OF SENATE EMPLOYEES
AUTHORIZED TO PROVIDE WITNESS SERVICE \4\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\4\ Approved by the Committee on Rules and Administration, July 23,
1991.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Whenever a Senate employee is summoned to testify in his or her
official capacity or to produce official records and is authorized to do
so, either by a Resolution of the Senate or by two-thirds of the Joint
Leadership Group pursuant to S. Res. 490, 97th Cong., 2d Sess. (1982),
payment of travel expenses authorized under 2 U.S.C. Sec. 130b(e), and
the advance of such sums as may be necessary for such travel expenses,
shall be:
1. subject to approval by the Chairman of the Committee on Rules and
Administration;
2. in accordance with the Senate Travel Regulations; and
3. paid from the line item resolution and reorganization reserve
within the appropriation for Miscellaneous Items.
?
-
________________________________________________________________________
V. Federal Tort Claims Act Procedures
________________________________________________________________________
Authority and Rules of Senate Committees
Federal Tort Claims Act Procedures
FEDERAL TORT CLAIMS ACT PROCEDURES
Title 28, United States Code--Judiciary and Judicial Procedures
Sec. 1346. United States as defendant
* * * * * * *
(b)(1) Subject to the provisions of chapter 171 of this title, the
district courts, together with the United States District Court for the
District of the Canal Zone and the District Court of the Virgin Islands,
shall have exclusive jurisdiction of civil actions on claims against the
United States, for money damages, accruing on and after January 1, 1945,
for injury or loss of property, or personal injury or death caused by
the negligent or wrongful act or omission of any employee of the
Government while acting within the scope of his office or employment,
under circumstances where the United States, if a private person, would
be liable to the claimant in accordance with the law of the place where
the act or omission occurred.
(June 25, 1948, ch. 646, 62 Stat. 933; Apr. 25, 1949, ch. 92, Sec. 2(a),
63 Stat. 62; May 24, 1949, ch. 139, Sec. 80(a), (b), 63 Stat. 101; July
7, 1958, Pub. L. 85-508, Sec. 12(e), 72 Stat. 348; Apr. 26, 1996, Pub.
L. 104-134, Title I, 101, 110 Stat. 1321-75.)
Sec. 2401. Time for commencing action against United States
* * * * * * *
(b) A tort claim against the United States shall be forever barred
unless it is presented in writing to the appropriate Federal agency
within two years after such claim accrues or unless action is begun
within six months after the date of mailing, by certified or registered
mail, of notice of final denial of the claim by the agency to which it
was presented.
(June 25, 1948, ch. 646, 62 Stat. 971; Apr. 25, 1949, ch. 92, Sec. 1, 63
Stat. 62; Sept. 8, 1959, Pub. L. 86-238, Sec. 1(3), 73 Stat. 472; July
18, 1966, Pub. L. 89-506, Sec. 7, 80 Stat. 307; Nov. 1, 1978, Pub. L.
95-563, Sec. 14(b), 92 Stat. 2389.)
Sec. 2671. Definitions
As used in this chapter and sections 1346(b) and 2401(b) of this
title, the term ``Federal agency'' includes the executive departments,
the judicial and legislative branches, the military departments,
independent establishments of the United States, and corporations
primarily acting as instrumentalities or agencies of the United States,
but does not include any contractor with the United States.
``Employee of the government'' includes (1) officers or employees of
any federal agency, members of the military or naval forces of the
United States, members of the National Guard while engaged in training
or duty under section 115, 316, 502, 503, 504, or 505 of title 32, and
persons acting on behalf of a federal agency in an official capacity,
temporarily or permanently in the service of the United States, whether
with or without compensation.
* * * * * * *
(June 25, 1948, ch. 646, 62 Stat. 982; May 24, 1949, ch. 139, Sec. 124,
63 Stat. 106; July 18, 1966, Pub. L. 89-506, Sec. 8, 80 Stat. 307; Dec.
29, 1981, Pub. L. 97-124, Sec. 1, 95 Stat. 1666; Nov. 18, 1988, Pub. L.
100-694, Sec. 3, 102 Stat. 4564; Oct. 30, 2000, Pub. L. 106-398, 1,
114 Stat. 1654; Nov. 13, 2000, Pub. L. 106-518, Title IV, 401, 114
Stat. 2421.)
Sec. 2672. Administrative adjustment of claims
The head of each Federal agency or his designee, in accordance with
regulations prescribed by the Attorney General, may consider, ascertain,
adjust, determine, compromise, and settle any claim for money damages
against the United States for injury or loss of property or personal
injury or death caused by the negligent or wrongful act or omission of
any employee of the agency while acting within the scope of his office
or employment, under circumstances where the United States, if a private
person, would be liable to the claimant in accordance with the law of
the place where the act or omission occurred: Provided, That any award,
compromise, or settlement in excess of $25,000 shall be effected only
with the prior written approval of the Attorney General or his designee.
* * * * * * *
Any award, compromise, or settlement in an amount of $2,500 or less
made pursuant to this section shall be paid by the head of the Federal
agency concerned out of appropriations available to that agency. Payment
of any award, compromise, or settlement in an amount in excess of $2,500
made pursuant to this section or made by the Attorney General in any
amount pursuant to section 2677 of this title shall be paid in a manner
similar to judgments and compromises in like causes and appropriations
or funds available for the payment of such judgments and compromises are
hereby made available for the payment of awards, compromises, or
settlements under this chapter.
The acceptance by the claimant of any such award, compromise, or
settlement shall be final and conclusive on the claimant, and shall
constitute a complete release of any claim against the United States and
against the employee of the government whose act or omission gave rise
to the claim, by reason of the same subject matter.
(June 25, 1948, ch. 646, 62 Stat. 983; Apr. 25, 1949, ch. 92, Sec. 2(b),
63 Stat. 62; May 24, 1949, ch. 139, Sec. 125, 63 Stat. 106; Sept. 23,
1950, ch. 1010, Sec. 9, 64 Stat. 987; Sept. 8, 1959, Pub. L. 86-238,
Sec. 1(1), 73 Stat. 471; July 18, 1966, Pub. L. 89-506, Sec. Sec. 1,
9(a), 80 Stat. 306, 308; Nov. 15, 1990, Pub. L. 101-552, Sec. 8(a), 104
Stat. 2746.)
Sec. 2674. Liability of United States
The United States shall be liable, respecting the provisions of this
title relating to tort claims, in the same manner and to the same extent
as a private individual under like circumstances, but shall not be
liable for interest prior to judgment or for punitive damages.
* * * * * * *
With respect to any claim under this chapter, the United States
shall be entitled to assert any defense based upon judicial or
legislative immunity which otherwise would have been available to the
employee of the United States whose act or omission gave rise to the
claim, as well as any other defenses to which the United States is
entitled.
* * * * * * *
(June 25, 1948, ch. 646, 62 Stat. 983; Nov. 18, 1988, Pub. L. 100-694,
Sec. Sec. 4, 9(c), 102 Stat. 4564, 4567.)
Sec. 2675. Disposition by federal agency as prerequisite; evidence
(a) An action shall not be instituted upon a claim against the
United States for money damages for injury or loss of property or
personal injury or death caused by the negligent or wrongful act or
omission of any employee of the Government while acting within the scope
of his office or employment, unless the claimant shall have first
presented the claim to the appropriate Federal agency and his claim
shall have been finally denied by the agency in writing and sent by
certified or registered mail. The failure of an agency to make final
disposition of a claim within six months after it is filed shall, at the
option of the claimant any time thereafter, be deemed a final denial of
the claim for purposes of this section. The provisions of this
subsection shall not apply to such claims as may be asserted under the
Federal Rules of Civil Procedure by third party complaint, cross-claim,
or counterclaim.
* * * * * * *
(June 25, 1948, ch. 646, 62 Stat. 983; May 24, 1949, ch. 139, Sec. 126,
63 Stat. 107; July 18, 1966, Pub. L. 89-506, Sec. 2, 80 Stat. 306.)
Sec. 2676. Judgment as bar
The judgment in an action under section 1346(b) of this title shall
constitute a complete bar to any action by the claimant, by reason of
the same subject matter, against the employee of the government whose
act or omission gave rise to the claim.
(June 25, 1948, ch. 646, 62 Stat. 984.)
Sec. 2679. Exclusiveness of remedy
* * * * * * *
(b)(1) The remedy against the United States provided by sections
1346(b) and 2672 of this title for injury or loss of property, or
personal injury or death arising or resulting from the negligent or
wrongful act or omission of any employee of the Government while acting
within the scope of his office or employment is exclusive of any other
civil action or proceeding for money damages by reason of the same
subject matter against the employee whose act or omission gave rise to
the claim or against the estate of such employee. Any other civil action
or proceeding for money damages arising out of or relating to the same
subject matter against the employee or the employee's estate is
precluded without regard to when the act or omission occurred.
(2) Paragraph (1) does not extend or apply to a civil action against
an employee of the Government--
(A) which is brought for a violation of the Constitution of
the United States, or
(B) which is brought for a violation of a statute of the
United States under which such action against an individual is
otherwise authorized.
(c) The Attorney General shall defend any civil action or proceeding
brought in any court against any employee of the Government or his
estate for any such damage or injury. The employee against whom such
civil action or proceeding is brought shall deliver within such time
after date of service or knowledge of service as determined by the
Attorney General, all process served upon him or an attested true copy
thereof to his immediate superior or to whomever was designated by the
head of his department to receive such papers and such person shall
promptly furnish copies of the pleadings and process therein to the
United States attorney for the district embracing the place wherein the
proceeding is brought, to the Attorney General, and to the head of his
employing Federal agency.
(d)(1) Upon certification by the Attorney General that the defendant
employee was acting within the scope of his office or employment at the
time of the incident out of which the claim arose, any civil action or
proceeding commenced upon such claim in a United States district court
shall be deemed an action against the United States under the provisions
of this title and all references thereto, and the United States shall be
substituted as the party defendant.
(2) Upon certification by the Attorney General that the defendant
employee was acting within the scope of his office or employment at the
time of the incident out of which the claim arose, any civil action or
proceeding commenced upon such claim in a State court shall be removed
without bond at any time before trial by the Attorney General to the
district court of the United States for the district and division
embracing the place in which the action or proceeding is pending. Such
action or proceeding shall be deemed to be an action or proceeding
brought against the United States under the provisions of this title and
all references thereto, and the United States shall be substituted as
the party defendant. This certification of the Attorney General shall
conclusively establish scope of office or employment for purposes of
removal.
(3) In the event that the Attorney General has refused to certify
scope of office or employment under this section, the employee may at
any time before trial petition the court to find and certify that the
employee was acting within the scope of his office or employment. Upon
such certification by the court, such action or proceeding shall be
deemed to be an action or proceeding brought against the United States
under the provisions of this title and all references thereto, and the
United States shall be substituted as the party defendant. A copy of the
petition shall be served upon the United States in accordance with the
provisions of Rule 4(d)(4) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. In
the event the petition is filed in a civil action or proceeding pending
in a State court, the action or proceeding may be removed without bond
by the Attorney General to the district court of the United States for
the district and division embracing the place in which it is pending.
If, in considering the petition, the district court determines that the
employee was not acting within the scope of his office or employment,
the action or proceeding shall be remanded to the State court.
* * * * * * *
(June 25, 1948, ch. 646, 62 Stat. 984; Sept. 21, 1961, Pub. L. 87-258,
Sec. 1, 75 Stat. 539; July 18, 1966, Pub. L. 89-506, Sec. 5(a), 80 Stat.
307; Nov. 18, 1988, Pub. L. 100-694, Sec. Sec. 5, 6, 102 Stat. 4564.)
Sec. 2680. Exceptions
The provisions of this chapter and section 1346(b) of this title
shall not apply to--
(a) Any claim based upon an act or omission of an employee of the
Government, exercising due care, in the execution of a statute or
regulation, whether or not such statute or regulation be valid, or based
upon the exercise or performance or the failure to exercise or perform a
discretionary function or duty on the part of a federal agency or an
employee of the Government, whether or not the discretion involved be
abused.
* * * * * * *
(h) Any claim arising out of assault, battery, false imprisonment,
false arrest, malicious prosecution, abuse of process, libel, slander,
misrepresentation, deceit, or interference with contract rights:
Provided, That, with regard to acts or omissions of investigative or law
enforcement officers of the United States Government, the provisions of
this chapter and section 1346(b) of this title shall apply to any claim
arising, on or after the date of the enactment of this proviso, out of
assault, battery, false imprisonment, false arrest, abuse of process, or
malicious prosecution. For the purpose of this subsection,
``investigative or law enforcement officer'' means any officer of the
United States who is empowered by law to execute searches, to seize
evidence, or to make arrests for violations of Federal law.
* * * * * * *
(June 25, 1948, ch. 646, 62 Stat. 984; July 16, 1949, ch. 340, 63 Stat.
444; Sept. 26, 1950, ch. 1049, Sec. Sec. 2(a)(2), 13(5), 64 Stat. 1038,
1043; Aug. 18, 1959, Pub. L. 86-168, title II, Sec. 202(b), 73 Stat.
389; Mar. 16, 1974, Pub. L. 93-253, Sec. 2, 88 Stat. 50; Apr. 25, 2000,
Pub. L. 106-185, 3(a), 114 Stat. 211; Oct. 6, 2000, Pub. L. 109-304,
17(f)(4), 120 Stat. 1708.)
S. Res. 492, 97th Cong., 2d Sess. (1982)
resolution
Authorizing the Sergeant at Arms of the Senate, with the approval of the
Committee on Rules and Administration, to settle certain claims
involving Members, officers, and employees of the United States
Senate.
Resolved, That the Sergeant at Arms of the Senate, in accordance
with regulations prescribed by the Attorney General and such regulations
as the Committee on Rules and Administration may prescribe, may consider
and ascertain and, with the approval of the Committee on Rules and
Administration, determine, compromise, adjust, and settle, in accordance
with the provisions of chapter 171 of title 28, United States Code, any
claim for money damages against the United States for injury of loss of
property or personal injury or death caused by the negligent or wrongful
act or omission of any Member, officer, or employee of the Senate while
acting within the scope of his office or employment, under circumstances
where the United States, if a private person, would be liable to the
claimant in accordance with the law of the place where the act or
omission occurred. The Committee on Rules and Administration may, from
time to time, delegate any or all of its authority under this resolution
to the chairman. Any compromise, adjustment, or settlement of any such
claim not exceeding $2,500 shall be paid from the contingent fund of the
Senate on a voucher approved by the chairman of the Committee on Rules
and Administration.
Sec. 2. The Committee on Rules and Administration is authorized to
issue such regulations as it may determine necessary to carry out the
provisions of this resolution.
Authority and Rules of Senate Committees
Appendix
APPENDIX
The following Senate publications provide historical background
about Standing Committees of the Senate.
Robert C. Byrd, The Senate, 1798-1989, S. Doc. No. 20,
100th Cong., 1st Sess. 207-265 (1991)
The United States Senate Committee on Aeronautical and
Space Sciences, United States Senate: Tenth
Anniversary 1958-1968, S. Doc. No. 116, 90th Cong., 2d
Sess. (1968)
The United States Senate Committee on Aeronautical and
Space Sciences, United States Senate: 1958-1976, 94th
Cong. 2d Sess., S. Print Vol. 428-1 (1977)
The United States Senate Committee on Agriculture,
Nutrition, and Forestry, 1825-1998: Members,
Jurisdiction, and History, S. Doc. No. 24, 105th Cong.,
2d Sess. (1998)
A Brief History of the Committee on Agriculture,
Nutrition, and Forestry, United States Senate and
Landmark Agricultural Legislation, 1825-1986, S. Prt.
No. 213, 99th Cong., 2d Sess. (1986)
Committee on Appropriations, 100th Anniversary, 1867-
1967, S. Doc. No. 21, 90th Cong., 1st Sess. (1967)
Committee on Appropriations, 126th Anniversary, 1867-
1993, S. Doc. No. 17, 103d Cong., 1st Sess. (1995)
Committee on Appropriations, 135th Anniversary, 1867-
2002, S. Doc. No. 13, 107th Cong., 2d Sess. (2002)
Committee on Appropriations, 138th Anniversary, 1867-
2005, S. Doc. No. 5, 109th Cong., 1st Sess. (2005)
Committee on Banking and Currency, 50th Anniversary,
1913-1963, S. Doc. No. 15, 88th Cong., 1st Sess. (1963)
A Brief History of the Senate Committee on Commerce,
Science, and Transportation and its Activities Since
1947, S. Doc. No. 93, 95th Cong., 2d Sess. (1978)
History, Membership and Jurisdiction of the Senate
Committee on Commerce, 1816-1966, S. Doc. No. 100, 89th
Cong., 2d Sess. (1966)
History of the Committee on Energy and Natural
Resources, 1816-1988, S. Doc. No. 46, 100th Cong., 2d
Sess. (1989)
History of the Committee on Environment and Public
Works, S. Doc. No. 45, 100th Cong., 2d Sess. (1989)
History of the Committee on Finance, S. Doc. No. 57,
91st Cong., 2d Sess. (1970)
History of the Committee on Finance, S. Doc. No. 27,
95th Cong., 1st Sess. (1977)
History of the Committee on Finance, S. Doc. No. 5,
97th Cong., 1st Sess. (1981)
Committee on Foreign Relations, 160th Anniversary,
1816-1976, S. Doc. No. 265, 94th Cong., 2d Sess. (1976)
Committee on Foreign Relations, 170th Anniversary,
1816-1986, S. Doc. No. 21, 99th Cong., 2d Sess. (1986)
Committee on Foreign Relations, Millenium Edition 1816-
2000, S. Doc. No. 28, 105th Cong., 2d Sess. (2000)
Committee on Government Operations, United States
Senate, 50th Anniversary, 1921-1971, S. Doc. No. 31,
92d Cong., 1st Sess. (1971)
History of the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on
Investigations of the Committee on Governmental Affairs
(1996)
Senate Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs,
Committee's History, Jurisdiction, and a Summary of its
Accomplishments During the 87th, 88th, 89th, 90th and
91st Congresses, S. Print Vol. 639 (1971)
History of the Committee on the Judiciary Together With
Chairmen and Members Assigned Thereto 1816-1962, S.
Print Vol. 83-7 (1962)
History of the Committee on the Judiciary Together With
Chairmen and Members Assigned Thereto 1816-1966 S.
Print Vol. 138-9 (1966)
History of the Committee on the Judiciary United States
Senate, S. Doc. No. 78, 90th Cong., 2d Sess. (1968)
History of the Committee on the Judiciary, 1816-1976,
S. Doc. No. 227, 94th Cong., 2d Sess. (1976)
History of the Committee on the Judiciary, 1816-1981,
S. Doc. No. 18, 97th Cong., 1st Sess. (1982)
Committee on Labor and Public Welfare, United States
Senate, 100th Anniversary, 1869-1969, S. Doc. No. 71,
96th Cong., 2d Sess. (1980)
History of the Committee on Labor and Human Resources,
1869-1979, S. Doc. No. 71, 96th Cong., 2d Sess. (1980)
Legislative History of the Select Committee on
Nutrition and Human Needs, S. Print Vol. 410-8 (1976)
History of the Committee on Rules and Administration,
S. Doc. No. 27, 96th Cong., 1st Sess. (1980)