Ad Hoc Select Committees: Use in the House of Representatives

CRS Report for Congress
Ad Hoc Select Committees:
Use in the House of Representatives
Judy Schneider
Specialist on the Congress
Government and Finance Division
Summary
A select committee is generally created to focus on a specific, significant issue.
Although not extensively used in recent years, select committees have been employed
when jurisdiction over a subject matter is so fragmented or overlapping that no single
committee has a clearly established leading jurisdictional authority. As such, the
development of a coordinated approach may only be possible through the use of a select
committee. An ad hoc select committee is a type of select panel that is usually formed
for a single purpose to deal with a specific subject. This report describes the creation
and membership of the four instances the House has formed ad hoc select committees.
It will be updated as events warrant.
A select committee is a panel established by resolution for a special purpose, and
usually for a limited time. Most select committees are created because jurisdiction over
a subject matter is so fragmented or overlapping that no committee has exclusive
responsibility over the subject. An ad hoc select committee is a type of select committee
that can be formed for a single purpose to deal with a specific subject within a limited
time frame. An ad hoc select committee may be granted the authority to report
legislation, but the extent of that authority has been carefully defined in past uses.
The Committee Reform Amendments of 1974 authorized the Speaker to create ad
hoc committees to consider measures or matters that fall within the jurisdiction of several
standing committees. The Committee Reform Amendments also required that such ad
hoc committees include members of the appropriate standing committees. Four ad hoc
select committees have been created since 1974: the Ad Hoc Select Committee on the
Outer Continental Shelf, the Ad Hoc Select Committee on Energy, the Select Committee
on Homeland Security, and the Select Bipartisan Committee to Investigate the Preparation
for and Response to Hurricane Katrina.

Congressional Research Service ˜ The Library of Congress

Ad Hoc Select Committee on the Outer Continental Shelf
Creation. The Ad Hoc Select Committee on the Outer Continental Shelf was^th
created in the 94 Congress, on April 22, 1975, pursuant to H.Res. 412, and reauthorized
in the 95^th Congress pursuant to H.Res. 97, adopted on January 11, 1977. The committee
officially expired on June 30, 1980. The panel was authorized to report to the House on
specific legislation (revision of the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act), thereby granting
it legislative jurisdiction.
Membership. The panel was slated to have 16 members, although that was
increased by the Speaker on May 6, 1975, to 19 members. The ratio reflected party
strength in the chamber; the majority was granted 11 seats (increased to 19) and the
minority was granted 5 seats (increased to 6). The resolution creating the panel also
stipulated that the Speaker was to appoint members from the Committees on Interior and
Insular Affairs (now Resources), Judiciary, and Merchant Marine and Fisheries (now^th
predominantly in Resources). The reauthorization resolution in the 95 Congress
specified that the Speaker should appoint other members from other committees “so as
to insure the expeditious consideration and reporting of appropriate legislation.”
Ad Hoc Committee on Energy
Creation. The Ad Hoc Committee on Energy was created in the 95^th Congress on
April 21, 1977, pursuant to H.Res. 508. The panel was authorized to “consider and report
to the House on the Message of the President dated April 20, 1977, (relating to
comprehensive energy legislation and creation of a Department of Energy) on other
messages or communications related thereto, and on any bill or resolution which the
Speaker may sequentially refer thereto which the Speaker determines relates to the
substance of the President’s Message: Provided however, that this paragraph shall not
preclude initial reference to the ad hoc Committee of a bill or resolution incorporating the
recommendations of the committees with the subject-matter jurisdiction over the
substance of the President’s Message.” The Speaker imposed a time deadline for the
standing committees to complete action.
Membership. The panel was slated to have 37 members, although that was
increased to 40, pursuant to H.Res. 509. Reflecting party strength in the chamber, the
majority party was granted 25 seats (increased to 27), and the minority was granted 12
seats (increased to 13). The Speaker was directed to appoint members “from those
committees of the House which he determines have subject-matter jurisdiction over the
substance of the President’s Message, and from such other committees as the Speaker
may determine so as to insure the expeditious consideration and reporting of appropriate
legislation.” Of the 40 members, 11 were from the Committee on Commerce (now
Energy and Commerce), 10 from the Committee on Ways and Means, 5 from the
Committee on Banking (now Financial Services), and the rest were appointed from the
Committees on Government Operations (now Government Reform), Public Works (now
Transportation and Infrastructure), Interior and Insular Affairs (now Resources), and
Science and Technology (now Science).

Select Committee on Homeland Security
Creation. The Select Committee on Homeland Security was created in the 107^th
Congress, pursuant to H.Res. 449, adopted on June 19, 2002. The panel was authored to
“develop recommendations and report to the House on such matters that relate to the
establishment of a department on homeland security...” The resolution also provided that
each standing or permanent select committee which received a referral of the bill to create
a department of homeland security would submit the recommendation to the select
committee. The Speaker imposed a July 12, 2002 time deadline for the standing and
permanent select committees to complete action. During floor debate, the majority leader
stated that the Speaker and Democratic leader would jointly propose to the Committee on
Rules a resolution governing floor consideration of the select committee’s
recommendations.
Membership. The panel had nine members, five majority members and four
minority members. The members appointed represent the respective party’s elected
leadership, minus the Speaker and Minority Leader.
Select Bipartisan Committee to Investigate the
Preparation for and Response to Hurricane Katrina
Creation. The Select Committee to Investigate the Preparation for and response
to Hurricane Katrina was created in the 109^th Congress, pursuant to H.Res. 437, adopted
on September 15, 2005. The panel was authorized to investigate and report to the House
on 1) “the development, coordination, and execution by local, state, and federal
authorities of emergency response plans and other activities in preparation for Hurricane
Katrina; and 2) the local, state, and federal government response to Hurricane Katrina.”
The Select Committee was to report membership by February 15, 2006.
Membership. The panel was to have 20 members, 11 majority members and 9
minority members. The minority did not appoint members.