Committee System Rules Changes in the House, 110th Congress

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This report details changes in the committee system contained in H.Res. 6, the Rules of the House ^th
for the 110 Congress, agreed to by the House January 4, 2007. The report will not be updated ^th
unless further rules changes for the 110 Congress are adopted.

Committee Organization and Structure.....................................................................................1
Committee Names...............................................................................................................1
Jurisdiction of the Intelligence Committee.........................................................................1
Other Jurisdictional Policies...............................................................................................1
Subcommittees .................................................................................................................. .. 1
Committee Procedure................................................................................................................1
Deposit ions ......................................................................................................................... 1
Rules Committee Reports...................................................................................................2
Earmark Reform........................................................................................................................2
Author Contact Information............................................................................................................2

H.Res. 6 renamed five committees. The name of the Committee on Education and the Workforce
was changed to the Committee on Education and Labor. The name of the Committee on
International Relations was changed to the Committee on Foreign Affairs. The name of the
Committee on Resources was changed to the Committee on Natural Resources. The name of the
Committee on Government Reform was changed to the Committee on Oversight and Government
Reform. The name of the Committee on Science was changed to the Committee on Science and
Technology.
The Rule X, clause 11 jurisdiction of the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence was
updated to reflect the overhaul of the intelligence community, including the creation of the
director of national intelligence.
Pursuant to a statement inserted in the Congressional Record by Rules Committee Chairwoman
Louise Slaughter during the debate on H.Res. 6, the jurisdiction of the Committee on Small
Business was reaffirmed to include the Small Business Administration and its programs, as well
as small business matters related to the Regulatory Flexibility Act and the Paperwork Reduction
Act. Other programs and initiatives that address small businesses outside the confines of those
acts were referenced as well.
Also inserted in the Congressional Record during debate on H.Res. 6 was a memorandum of
understanding between the Committee on Homeland Security and the Committee on
Transportation and Infrastructure detailing the jurisdictional agreement related to the Federal
Emergency Management Agency and to port security.
House Rule X, clause 5(d), which generally limits committees to five subcommittees was waived
for three committees. The Armed Services Committee was permitted to have seven
subcommittees; the Foreign Affairs Committee was permitted to have seven subcommittees; and
the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee was permitted to have six subcommittees.
The Committee on Oversight and Government Reform was authorized to adopt a committee rule
that authorized and regulated the taking of depositions by a Member or counsel of the committee,
including depositions in response to a subpoena. The rules resolution permitted the new
committee rule to require those being deposed to subscribe to an oath. It also required the

committee rule to provide the minority with equitable treatment, by providing notice of such a
proceeding and a reasonable opportunity to participate.
The Rules Committee was allowed to publish the record votes taken during committee
consideration in committee reports and through other means such as the Internet. The Rules
Committee report was shielded from a point of order if the report was filed without a complete
list of record votes taken during consideration of a special rule.
Committees of jurisdiction were required to publish lists of earmarks, limited tax benefits, and
limited tariff benefits contained in any reported bill, unreported bill, manager’s amendment, or
conference report that comes to the House floor.
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