Revised and Updated by John V. Sullivan
Parliamentarian, United States House of Representatives
Presented by Mr. Brady of Pennsylvania
July 24, 2007
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Table of Contents
Foreword
I. Introduction
II. The Congress
III. Sources of Legislation
IV. Forms of Congressional Action
V. Introduction and Referral to Committee
VI. Consideration by Committee
- Committee Meetings
- Public Hearings
- Markup
- Final Committee Action
- Points of Order with Respect to Committee Hearing Procedure
VIII. Legislative Oversight by Standing Committees
IX. Calendars
X. Obtaining Consideration of Measures
- Unanimous Consent
- Special Resolutions or "Rule"
- Consideration of Measures Made in Order by Rule Reported from the Committee on Rules
- Motion to Discharge Committee
- Motion to Suspend the Rules
- Calendar Wednesday
- District of Columbia Business
- Questions of Privilege
- Privileged Matters
- Committee of the Whole House
- Second Reading
- Amendments and Germaneness Rule
- Congressional Earmarks
- The Committee "Rises"
- House Action
- Motion to Recommit
- Quorum Calls and Rollcalls
- Voting
- Electronic Voting
- Pairing of Members
- System of Lights and Bells
- Recess Authority
- Live Coverage of Floor Proceedings
XII. Congressional Budget Process
XIII. Engrossment and Message to Senate
XIV. Senate Action
XV. Final Action on Amended Bill
- Request for a Conference
- Authority of Conferees
- Meetings and Action of Conferees
- Conference Reports
- Custody of Papers
XVI. Bill Originating in Senate
XVII. Enrollment
XVIII. Presidential Action