House Rules Committee

Definition

The House Rules Committee is a powerful committee in the United States House of Representatives that plays a crucial role in the legislative process. It is responsible for determining the rules and procedures that govern how bills and resolutions are considered on the House floor.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The House Rules Committee is composed of the Speaker of the House and 12 other members, with an equal number of Democrats and Republicans.
2. The committee has the power to determine the rules for debate, the amendments that can be offered, and the time allotted for consideration of a bill or resolution.
3. The Rules Committee's decisions can significantly impact the outcome of legislation, as they can limit or expand the ability of members to influence the final bill.
4. The committee's decisions are often influenced by the priorities of the House leadership and the majority party.
5. The Rules Committee's role is particularly important for high-profile or controversial legislation, as it can shape the debate and the final outcome.

Review Questions

• Explain the role of the House Rules Committee in the legislative process.
  • The House Rules Committee plays a crucial role in the legislative process by determining the rules and procedures that govern how bills and resolutions are considered on the House floor. The committee has the power to set the terms for debate, the amendments that can be offered, and the time allotted for consideration of a bill or resolution. The committee's decisions can significantly impact the outcome of legislation, as they can limit or expand the ability of members to influence the final bill. The Rules Committee's role is particularly important for high-profile or controversial legislation, as it can shape the debate and the final outcome.
• Describe the different types of rules that the House Rules Committee can issue and how they impact the legislative process.
  • The House Rules Committee can issue three main types of rules: closed rules, open rules, and special rules. A closed rule limits the ability of the House to amend a bill, often allowing only specific amendments to be considered. An open rule allows for unlimited amendments to be considered on the House floor. A special rule provides for the consideration of a specific bill or resolution, often with specific amendment procedures. The type of rule issued by the Rules Committee can have a significant impact on the legislative process, as it can either constrain or expand the ability of members to influence the final bill.
• Analyze the role of the House leadership and the majority party in the decisions made by the House Rules Committee.
  • The decisions made by the House Rules Committee are often influenced by the priorities of the House leadership and the majority party. The committee is composed of the Speaker of the House and 12 other members, with an equal number of Democrats and Republicans. However, the majority party typically holds sway over the committee's decisions, as they can use their numerical advantage to shape the rules and procedures that govern the consideration of bills and resolutions. This allows the majority party to advance its legislative agenda and limit the ability of the minority party to influence the final outcome of legislation. The Rules Committee's role in shaping the legislative process is therefore closely tied to the political dynamics within the House of Representatives.

Related terms

Closed Rule: A rule issued by the House Rules Committee that limits the ability of the House to amend a bill, often allowing only specific amendments to be considered.

Open Rule: A rule issued by the House Rules Committee that allows for unlimited amendments to be considered on the House floor.

Special Rule: A rule issued by the House Rules Committee that provides for the consideration of a specific bill or resolution, often with specific amendment procedures.