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The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Goss) is recognized for 5 minutes.
(a) Generally
(1) Creation of subcommittee shall be by majority vote of the Committee.
(2) Subcommittees shall deal with such legislation and oversight of programs and policies as the Committee may direct.
(3) Subcommittees shall be governed by these rules.
(4) For purposes of these rules, any reference herein to the `Committee' shall be interpreted to include subcommittees, unless otherwise specifically provided.
(b) Establishment of subcommittees
The Committee establishes the following subcommittees:
(1) Subcommittee on Human Intelligence, Analysis, and Counterintelligence; and
(2) Subcommittee on Technical and Tactical Intelligence.
(c) Subcommittee membership
(1) Generally. Each Member of the Committee may be assigned to at least one of the two subcommittees.
(2) Ex Officio Membership. In the event that the Chairman and Ranking Minority Member of the full Committee do not choose to sit as regular voting members of one or both of the subcommittees, each is authorized to sit as an ex officio Member of the subcommittees and participate in the work of the subcommittees. When sitting as ex officio Members, however, they shall not:
(A) have a vote in the subcommittee;
(B) be counted for purposes of determining a quorum.
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(a) Regular meeting day for the full committee
(1) Generally. The regular meeting day of the Committee for the transaction of Committee business shall be the first Wednesday of each month, unless otherwise directed by the Chairman.
(2) Notice Required. Such regular business meetings shall not occur, unless Members are provided reasonable notice under these rules.
(b) Regular meeting day for subcommittees
There is no regular meeting day for either subcommittee.
(a) Generally
In the case of any meeting of the Committee, the Chief Clerk of the Committee shall provide reasonable notice to every Member of the Committee. Such notice shall provide the time and place of the meeting.
(b) Definition
For purposes of this rule, `reasonable notice' means:
(1) Written notification;
(2) delivered by facsimile transmission or regular mail, which is
(A) delivered no less than 24 hours prior to the event for which notice is being given, if the event is to be held in Washington, DC; or
(B) delivered no less than 48 hours prior to the event for which notice is being given, if the event is to be held outside Washington, DC.
(c) Exception
In extraordinary circumstances only, the Chairman may, after consulting with the Ranking Minority Member, call a meeting of the Committee without providing notice, as defined in subparagraph (b), to Members of the Committee.
(a) Generally
Designated Committee Staff, as directed by the Chairman, shall brief Members of the Committee at a time sufficiently prior to any Committee meeting in order to:
(1) Assist Committee Members in preparation for such meeting; and
(2) determine which matters Members wish considered during any meeting.
(b) Briefing materials
(1) Such a briefing shall, at the request of a Member, include a list of all pertinent papers, and such other materials, that have been obtained by the Committee that bear on matters to be considered at the meeting; and
(2) the staff director shall also recommend to the Chairman any testimony, papers, or other materials to be presented to the Committee at any meeting of the Committee.
(a) Generally
Pursuant to Rule XI of the House, but subject to the limitations of subsection (b), Committee meetings held for the transaction of business, and Committee hearings, shall be open to the public.
(b) Exceptions
Any meeting or portion thereof, for the transaction of business, including the markup of legislation, or any hearing or portion thereof, shall be closed to the public, if:
(1) the Committee determines by record vote, in open session with a majority of the Committee present, that the matters to be discussed may:
(A) endanger national security;
(B) compromise sensitive law enforcement information;
(C) tend to defame, degrade, or incriminate any person; or
(D) otherwise violate any law or Rule of the House.
(2) Notwithstanding paragraph (1), a vote to close a Committee hearing, pursuant to this subsection and House Rule XI shall be taken in open session--
(A) with a majority of the Committee being present; or
(B) regardless of whether a majority is present, so long as at least on Member of the Minority is present and votes upon the motion.
(c) Briefings
All Committee briefings shall be closed to the public.
(a) Hearings
For purposes of taking testimony, or receiving evidence, a quorum shall consist of two Committee Members.
(b) Other committee proceedings
For purposes of the transaction of all other Committee business, other than the consideration of a motion to close a hearing as described in rule 5(b)(2)(B), a quorum shall consist of a majority of Members.
Whenever the Committee by record 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.
(a) Notice
Adequate notice shall be given to all witnesses appearing before the Committee.
(b) Oath or affirmation
The Chairman may require testimony of witnesses to be given under oath or affirmation.
(c) Administration of oath or affirmation
Upon the determination that a witness shall testify under oath or affirmation, any Member of the Committee designated by the Chairman may administer the oath or affirmation.
(d) Interrogation of witnesses
(1) Generally. Interrogation of witnesses before the Committee shall be conducted by Members of the Committee.
(2) Exceptions.
(A) The Chairman, in consultation with the Ranking Minority Member, may determine that Committee Staff will be authorized to question witnesses at a hearing in accordance with clause (2)(j) of House Rule XI.
(B) The Chairman and Ranking Minority Member are each authorized to designate Committee Staff to conduct such questioning.
(e) Counsel for the witness
(1) Generally. Witnesses before the Committee may be accompanied by counsel, subject to the requirements of paragraph (2).
(2) Counsel Clearances Required. In the event that a meeting of the Committee has been closed because the subject to be discussed deals with classified information, counsel accompanying a witness before the Committee must possess the requisite security clearance and provide proof of such clearance to the Committee at least 24 hours prior to the meeting at which the counsel intends to be present.
(3) Failure to Obtain Counsel. Any witness who is unable to obtain counsel should notify the Committee. If such notification occurs at least 24 hours prior to the witness' appearance before the Committee, the Committee shall then endeavor to obtain voluntary counsel for the witness. Failure to obtain counsel, however, will not excuse the witness from appearing and testifying.
(4) Conduct of Counsel for Witnesses. Counsel for witnesses appearing before the Committee shall conduct themselves ethically and professionally at all times in their dealings with the Committee.
(A) A majority of Members of the Committee may, should circumstances warrant, find that counsel for a witness before the Committee failed to conduct himself or herself in an ethical or professional manner.
(B) Upon such finding, counsel may be subject to appropriate disciplinary action.
(5) Temporary Removal of Counsel. The Chairman may remove counsel during any proceeding before the Committee for failure to act in an ethical and professional manner.
(6) Committee Reversal. A majority of the Members of the Committee may vote to overturn the decision of the Chairman to remove counsel for a witness.
(7) Role of Counsel for Witness.
(A) Counsel for a witness:
(i) shall not be allowed to examine witnesses before the Committee, either directly or through cross-examination; but
(ii) may submit questions in writing to the Committee that counsel wishes propounded to a witness; or
(iii) may suggest, in writing to the Committee, the presentation of other evidence or the calling of other witnesses.
(B) The Committee may make such use of any such questions, or suggestions, as the Committee deems appropriate.
(f) Statements by witnesses
(1) Generally. A witness may make a statement, which shall be brief and relevant, at the beginning and at the conclusion of the witness' testimony.
(2) Length. Each such statements shall not exceed five minutes in length, unless otherwise determined by the Chairman.
(3) Submission to the Committee. Any witness desiring to submit a written statement for the record of the proceedings shall submit a copy of the statement to the Chief Clerk of the Committee.
(A) Such statements shall ordinarily be submitted no less than 48 hours in advance of the witness' appearance before the Committee.
(B) In the event that the hearing was called with less than 24 hours notice, written statements should be submitted as soon as practicable prior to the hearing.
(g) Objections and ruling
(1) Generally. Any objection raised by a witness, or counsel for the witness, shall be ruled upon by the Chairman, and such ruling shall be the ruling of the Committee.
(2) Committee Action. A ruling by the Chairman may be overturned upon a majority vote of the Committee.
(h) Transcripts
(1) Transcript Required. A transcript shall be made of the testimony of each witness appearing before the Committee during any hearing of the Committee.
(2) Opportunity to Inspect. Any witness testifying before the Committee shall be given a reasonable opportunity to inspect the transcript of the hearing, and may be accompanied by counsel to determine whether such testimony was correctly transcribed. Such counsel:
(A) shall have the appropriate clearance necessary to review any classified aspect of the transcript; and
(B) should, to the extent possible, be the same counsel that was present for such classified testimony.
(3) Corrections
(A) Pursuant to Rule XI of the House Rules, any corrections the witness desires to make in a transcript shall be limited to technical, grammatical, and typographical.
(B) Corrections may not be made to change the substance of the testimony.
(C) Such corrections shall be submitted in writing to the Committee within 7 days after the transcript is made available to the witness.
(D) Any questions arising with respect to such corrections shall be decided by the Chairman.
(4) Copy for the Witness. At the request of the witness, any portion of the witness' testimony given in executive session shall be made available to that witness if that testimony is subsequently quoted or intended to be made part of a public record. Such testimony shall be made available to the witness at the witness' expense.
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(i) Requests to testify
(1) Generally. The Committee will consider requests to testify on any matter or measure pending before the Committee.
(2) Recommendations for Additional Evidence. Any person who believes that testimony, other evidence, or commentary, presented at a public hearing may tend to affect adversely that person's reputation may submit to the Committee, in writing:
(A) a request to appear personally before the Committee;
(B) a sworn statement of facts relevant to the testimony, evidence, or commentary; or
(C) proposed questions for the cross-examination of other witnesses.
(3) Committee's Discretion. The Committee may take those actions it deems appropriate with respect to such requests.
(j) Contempt procedures
Citations for contempt of Congress shall be forwarded to the House, only if:
(1) reasonable notice is provided to all Members of the Committee of a meeting to be held to consider any such contempt recommendations;
(2) the Committee has met and considered the contempt allegations;
(3) the subject of the allegations was afforded an opportunity to state, either in writing or in person, why he or she should not be held in contempt; and
(4) the Committee agreed by majority vote to forward the citation recommendations to the House.
(k) Release of name of witness
(1) Generally. At the request of a witness scheduled to be heard by the Committee, the name of that witness shall not be released publicly prior to, or after, the witness' appearance before the Committee.
(2) Exceptions. Notwithstanding paragraph (1), the Chairman may authorize the release to the public of the name of any witness scheduled to appear before the Committee.
(a) Commencing investigations
(1) Generally. The Committee shall conduct investigations only if approved by the full Committee. An investigation may be initiated either:
(A) by a vote of the full Committee;
(B) at the direction of the Chairman of the full Committee, with notice to the Ranking Minority Member; or
(C) by written request of at least five Members of the full Committee, which is submitted to the Chairman.
(2) Full Committee Ratification Required. Any investigation initiated by the Chairman pursuant to paragraphs (B) and (C) must be brought to the attention of the full Committee for approval, at the next regular meeting of the full Committee.
(b) Conducting investigations
An authorized investigation may be conducted by Members of the Committee or Committee Staff members designated by the Chairman, in consultation with the Ranking Minority Member, to undertake any such investigation.
(a) Generally
All subpoenas shall be authorized by the Chairman of the full Committee, upon consultation with the Ranking Minority Member, or by vote of the Committee.
(b) Subpoena contents
Any subpoena authorized by the Chairman of the full Committee, or the Committee, may compel:
(1) the attendance of witnesses and testimony before the Committee; or
(2) the production of memoranda, documents, records, or any other tangible item.
(c) Signing of subpoenas
A subpoena authorized by the Chairman of the full Committee, or the Committee, may be signed by the Chairman, or by any Member of the Committee designated to do so by the Committee.
(d) Subpoena service
A subpoena authorized by the Chairman of the full Committee, or the Committee, may be served by any person designated to do so by the Chairman.
(e) Other requirements
Each subpoena shall have attached thereto a copy of these rules.
(a) Definition
For the purpose of these rules, `Committee Staff' or `staff of the Committee' means:
(1) employees of the Committee;
(2) consultants to the Committee;
(3) employees of other Government agencies detailed to the Committee; or
(4) any other person engaged by contract, or otherwise, to perform services for, or at the request of, the Committee.
(b) Appointment of committee staff
(1) Chairman's Authority. The appointment of Committee Staff shall be by the Chairman, in consultation with the Ranking Minority Member. The Chairman shall certify Committee Staff appointments to the Clerk of the House in writing.
(2) Security Clearance Required. All offers of employment for prospective Committee Staff positions shall be contingent upon:
(A) the results of a background investigation; and
(B) a determination by the Chairman that requirements for the appropriate security clearances have been met.
(c) Responsibilities of committee staff
(1) Generally. The Committee Staff works for the Committee as a whole, under the supervision and direction of the Chairman of the Committee.
(2) Authority of the Staff Director.
(A) Unless otherwise determined by the Committee, the duties of Committee Staff shall be performed under the direct supervision and control of the staff director.
(B) Committee Staff personnel affairs and day-to-day Committee Staff administrative matters, including the security and control of classified documents and material, shall be administered under the direct supervision and control of the staff director.
(3) Staff Assistance to Minority Membership. The Committee Staff shall assist the Minority as fully as the Majority of the Committee in all matters of Committee business, and in the preparation and filing of supplemental, minority, or additional views, to the end that all points of view may be fully considered by the Committee and the House.
(a) Prohibition
(1) Generally. Except as otherwise provided by these rules and the Rules of the House of Representatives, Members and Committee Staff shall not at any time, either during that person's tenure as a Member of the Committee or as Committee Staff, or anytime thereafter, discuss or disclose:
(A) the classified substance of the work of the Committee;
(B) any information received by the Committee in executive session;
(C) any classified information received by the Committee from any source; or
(D) the substance of any hearing that was closed to the public pursuant to these rules or the Rules of the House.
(2) Non-Disclosure in Proceedings.
(A) Members of the Committee and 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 in connection with any proceeding, judicial or otherwise, either during the person's tenure as a Member of the Committee, or of the Committee Staff, or at any time thereafter, except as directed by the Committee in accordance with the Rules of the House and these rules.
(B) In the event of the termination of the Committee, Members and Committee Staff shall be governed in these matters in a manner determined by the House concerning discussions of the classified work of the Committee.
(3) Exceptions.
(A) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (a)(1), Members of the Committee and the Committee Staff may discuss and disclose those matters described in subsection (a)(1) with--
(i) Members and staff of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence designated by the chairman of that committee;
(ii) the chairmen and ranking minority members of the House and Senate Committees on Appropriations and staff of those committees designated by the chairmen of those committees; and
(iii) the chairman and ranking minority member of the Subcommittee on National Security of the House Committee on Appropriations and staff of that subcommittee as designated by the chairman of that subcommittee.
(B) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (a)(1), Members of the Committee and the Committee Staff may discuss and disclose only that budget-related information necessary to facilitate the enactment of the annual defense authorization bill with the chairmen and ranking minority members of the House and Senate Committee on Armed Services and the staff of those committees designated by the chairmen of those committees.
(C) Members and Committee Staff may discuss and disclose such matters as otherwise directed by the Committee.
(b) Non-disclosure agreement
(1) Generally. All Committee Staff must, before joining the Committee, agree in writing, as a condition of employment, not to divulge any classified information, which comes into such person's possession while a member of the Committee Staff, to any person not a Member of the Committee or the Committee Staff, except as authorized by the Committee in accordance with the Rules of the House and these rules.
(2) Other Requirements. In the event of the termination of the Committee, Members and Committee Staff must follow any determination by the House of Representatives, with respect to the protection of classified information received while a Member of the Committee or as Committee Staff.
(3) Requests for Testimony of Staff.
(A) All Committee Staff must, as a condition of employment, agree in writing, to notify the Committee immediately of any request for testimony received while a member of the Committee Staff, or at any time thereafter, concerning any classified information received by such person while a member of the Committee Staff.
(B) Committee Staff shall not disclose, in response to any such request for testimony, any such classified information, except as authorized by the Committee in accordance with the Rules of the House and these rules.
(C) In the event of the termination of the Committee, Committee Staff will be subject to any determination made by the House of Representatives with respect to any requests for testimony involving classified information received while a member of the Committee Staff.
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(a) Receipt of classified information
(1) Generally. In the case of any information that has been classified under established security procedures and submitted to the Committee by any source, the Committee shall receive such classified information as executive session material.
(2) Staff Receipt of Classified Materials. For purposes of receiving classified information, the Committee Staff is authorized to accept information on behalf of the Committee.
(b) Non-disclosure of classified information
Generally. Any classified information received by the Committee, from any source, shall not be disclosed to any person not a Member of the Committee or the Committee Staff, or otherwise released, except as authorized by the Committee in accord with the Rules of the House and these rules.
(a) Security measures
(1) Strict Security. The Committee's offices shall operate under strict security procedures administered by the Director of Security and Registry of the Committee under the direct supervision of the staff director.
(2) U.S. Capitol Police Presence Required. At least one U.S. Capitol Police officer shall be on duty at all times outside the entrance to Committee offices to control entry of all persons to such offices.
(3) Identification Required. Before entering the Committee's offices all persons shall identify themselves to the U.S. Capitol Police officer described in paragraph (2) and to a Member of the Committee or Committee Staff.
(4) Maintenance of Classified Materials. Classified documents shall be segregated and maintained in approved security storage locations.
(5) Examination of Classified Materials. Classified documents in the Committee's possession shall be examined in an appropriately secure manner.
(6) Prohibition on Removal of Classified Materials. Removal of any classified document from the Committee's offices is strictly prohibited, except as provided by these rules.
(7) Exception. Notwithstanding the prohibition set forth in paragraph (6), a classified document, or copy thereof, may be removed from the Committee's offices in furtherance of official Committee business. Appropriate security procedures shall govern the handling of any classified documents removed from the Committee's offices.
(b) Access to classified information by members
All Members of the Committee shall at all times have access to all classified papers and other material received by the Committee from any source.
(c) Need-to-know
(1) Generally. Committee Staff shall have access to any classified information provided to the Committee on a strict `need-to-know' basis, as determined by the Committee, and under the Committee's direction by the staff director.
(2) Appropriate Clearances Required. Committee Staff must have the appropriate clearances prior to any access to compartmented information.
(d) Oath
(1) Requirement. Before any Member of the Committee, or the Committee Staff, shall have access to classified information, the following oath shall be executed: I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will not disclose any classified information received in the course of my service on the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, except when authorized to do so by the Committee or the House of Representatives.
(2) Copy. A copy of such executed oath shall be retained in the files of the Committee.
(e) Registry
(1) Generally. The Committee shall maintain a registry that:
(A) provides a brief description of the content of all classified documents provided to the Committee by the executive branch that remain in the possession of the Committee; and
(B) lists by number all such documents.
(2) Designation by the Staff Director. The staff director shall designate a member of the Committee Staff to be responsible for the organization and daily maintenance of such registry.
(3) Availability. Such registry shall be available to all Members of the Committee and Committee Staff.
(f) Requests by members of other committees
Pursuant to the Rules of the House, Members who are not Members of the Committee may be granted access to such classified transcripts, records, data, charts, or files of the Committee, and be admitted on a non-participatory basis to classified hearings of the Committee involving discussions of classified material in the following manner:
(1) Written Notification Required. Members who desire to examine classified materials in the possession of the Committee, or to attend Committee hearings or briefings on a nonparticipatory basis, must notify the Chief Clerk of the Committee in writing.
(2) Committee Consideration. The Committee shall consider each such request by non-Committee Members at the earliest practicable opportunity. The Committee shall determine,
by roll call vote, what action it deems appropriate in light of all of the circumstances of each request. In its determination, the Committee shall consider:
(A) The sensitivity to the national defense or the confidential conduct of the foreign relations of the United States of the information sought;
(B) the likelihood of its being directly or indirectly disclosed;
(C) the jurisdictional interest of the Member making the request; and
(D) such other concerns, constitutional or otherwise, as may affect the public interest of the United States.
(3) Committee Action. After consideration of the Member's request, the Committee may take any action it may deem appropriate under the circumstances, including but not limited to:
(A) Approving the request, in whole or part;
(B) denying the request; or
(C) providing the requested information or material in a different form than that sought by the Member.
(4) Consultation Authorized. When considering a Member's request, the Committee may consult the Director of Central Intelligence and such other officials it considers necessary.
(5) Finality of Committee Decision.
(A) Should the Member making such a request disagree with the Committee's determination with respect to that request, or any part thereof, that Member must notify the Committee in writing of such disagreement.
(B) The Committee shall subsequently consider the matter and decide, by record vote, what further action or recommendation, if any, the Committee will take.
(g) Advising the House or other committees
Pursuant to section 501 of the National Security Act of 1947 (50 U.S.C. 413), and to the Rules of the House, the Committee shall call to the attention of the House, or to any other appropriate committee of the House, those matters requiring the attention of the House, or such other committee, on the basis of the following provisions:
(1) By Request of Committee Member. At the request of any Member of the Committee to call to the attention of the House, or any other committee, executive session material in the Committee's possession, the Committee shall meet at the earliest practicable opportunity to consider that request.
(2) Committee Consideration of Request. The Committee shall consider the following factors, among any others it deems appropriate:
(A) The effect of the matter in question on the national defense or the foreign relations of the United States;
(B) whether the matter in question involves sensitive intelligence sources and methods;
(C) whether the matter in question otherwise raises serious questions affecting the national interest; and
(D) whether the matter in question affects matters within the jurisdiction of another Committee of the House.
(3) Views of Other Committees. In examining such factors, the Committee may seek the opinion of Members of the Committee appointed from standing committees of the House with jurisdiction over the matter in question, or submissions from such other committees.
(4) Other Advice. The Committee may, during its deliberations on such requests, seek the advice of any executive branch official.
(h) Reasonable opportunity to examine materials
Before the Committee makes any decision regarding any request for access to any classified information in its possession, or a proposal to bring any matter to the attention of the House or another committee. Members of the Committee shall have a reasonable opportunity to examine all pertinent testimony, documents, or other materials in the Committee's possession that may inform their decision on the question.
(i) Notification to the House
The Committee may bring a matter to the attention of the House when, after consideration of the factors set forth in this rule, it considers the matter in question so grave that it requires the attention of all Members of the House, and time is of the essence, or for any reason the Committee finds compelling.
(j) Method of disclosure to the House
(1) Should the Committee decide by roll call vote that a matter requires the attention of the House as described in subsection (i), it shall make arrangements to notify the House promptly.
(2) In such cases, the Committee shall consider whether:
(A) to request an immediate secret session of the House (with time equally divided between the Majority and the Minority); or
(B) to publicly disclose the matter in question pursuant to clause 11(g) of House Rule X.
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(k) Requirement to protect sources and methods
In bringing a matter to the attention of the House, or another committee, the Committee, with due regard for the protection of intelligence sources and methods, shall take all necessary steps to safeguard materials or information relating to the matter in question.
(l) Availability of information to other committees
The Committee, having determined that a matter shall be brought to the attention of another committee, shall ensure that such matter, including all classified information related to that matter, is promptly made available to the chairman and ranking minority member of such other committee.
(m) Provision of materials
The Director of Security and Registry for the Committee shall provide a copy of these rules, and the applicable portions of the Rules of the House of Representatives governing the handling of classified information, along with those materials determined by the Committee to be made available to such other committee of the House.
(n) Ensuring clearances and secure storage
The Director of Security and Registry shall ensure that such other committee or Member (not a Member of the Committee) receiving such classified materials may properly store classified materials in a manner consistent with all governing rules, regulations, policies, procedures, and statutes.
(o) Log
The Director of Security and Registry for the Committee shall maintain a written record identifying the particular classified document or material provided to such other committee or Member (not a Member of the Committee), the reasons agreed upon by the Committee for approving such transmission, and the name of the committee or Member (not a Member of the Committee) receiving such document or material.
(p) Miscellaneous requirements
(1) Staff Director's Additional Authority. The staff director is further empowered to provide for such additional measures, which he or she deems necessary, to protect such classified information authorized by the Committee to be provided to such other committee or Member (not a Member of the Committee).
(2) Notice to Originating Agency. In the event that the Committee authorizes the disclosure of classified information provided to the Committee by an agency of the executive branch to a Member (not a Member of the Committee) or to another committee, the Chairman may notify the providing agency of the Committee's action prior to the transmission of such classified information.
(a) Generally
The Chief Clerk, under the direction of the staff director, shall maintain a printed calendar that lists:
(1) the legislative measures introduced and referred to the Committee;
(2) the status of such measures; and
(3) such other matters that the Committee may require.
(b) Revisions to the calendar
The calendar shall be revised from time to time to show pertinent changes.
(c) Availability
A copy of each such revision shall be furnished to each Member, upon request.
(d) Consultation with appropriate government entities
Unless otherwise directed by the Committee, legislative measures referred to the Committee shall be referred by the Chief Clerk to the appropriate department or agency of the Government for reports thereon.
(a) Authority
The Chairman may authorize Members and Committee Staff to travel on Committee business.
(b) Requests
(1) Member Requests. Members requesting authorization for such travel shall state the purpose and length of the trip, and shall submit such request directly to the Chairman.
(2) Committee Staff Requests. Committee Staff requesting authorization for such travel shall state the purpose and length of the trip, and shall submit such request through their supervisors to the staff director and the Chairman.
(c) Notification to members
(1) Generally. Members shall be notified of all foreign travel of Committee Staff not accompanying a Member.
(2) Content. All Members are to be advised, prior to the commencement of such travel, of its length, nature, and purpose.
(d) Trip reports
(1) Generally. A full report of all issues discussed during any Committee travel shall be submitted to the Chief Clerk of the Committee within a reasonable period of time following the completion of such trip.
(2) Availability of Reports. Such report shall be:
(A) available for the review of any Member or Committee Staff; and
(B) considered executive session material for purposes of these rules.
(e) Limitations on travel
(1) Generally. The Chairman is not authorized to permit travel on Committee business of Committee Staff who have not satisfied the requirements of subsection (d) of this rule.
(2) Exception. The Chairman may authorize Committee Staff to travel on Committee business, notwithstanding the requirements of subsections (d) and (e) of this rule--
(A) at the specific request of a Member of the Committee; or
(B) in the event there are circumstances beyond the control of the Committee Staff hindering compliance with such requirements.
(f) Definitions
For purposes of this rule the term `reasonable period of time' means:
(1) no later than 60 days after returning from a foreign trip; and
(2) no later than 30 days after returning from a domestic trip.
(a) Generally
The Committee shall immediately consider whether disciplinary action shall be taken in the case of any member of the Committee Staff alleged to have failed to conform to any Rule of the House of Representatives or to these rules.
(b) Exception
In the event the House of Representatives is:
(1) in a recess period in excess of 3 days; or
(2) has adjourned sine die;
the Chairman of the full Committee, in consultation with the Ranking Minority Member, may take such immediate disciplinary actions deemed necessary.
(c) Available actions
Such disciplinary action may include immediate dismissal from the Committee Staff.
(d) Notice to members
All Members shall be notified as soon as practicable, either by facsimile transmission or regular mail, of any disciplinary action taken by the Chairman pursuant to subsection (b).
(e) Reconsideration of chairman's actions
A majority of the Members of the full Committee may vote to overturn the decision of the Chairman to take disciplinary action pursuant to subsection (b).
Whenever any hearing or meeting conducted by the Committee is open to the public, a majority of the Committee may permit that hearing or greeting to be covered, in whole or in part, by television broadcast, radio broadcast, and still photography, or by any of such methods of coverage, subject to the provisions and in accordance with the spirit of the purposes enumerated in the Rules of the House.
(a) Generally
The records of the Committee at the National Archives and Records Administration shall be made available for public use in accordance with the Rules of the House of Representatives.
(b) Notice of withholding
The Chairman shall notify the Ranking Minority Member of any decision, pursuant to the Rules of the House of Representatives, to withhold a record otherwise available, and the matter shall be presented to the full Committee for a determination of the question of public availability on the written request of any Member of the Committee.
(a) Generally
These rules may be modified, amended, or repealed by vote of the full Committee.
(b) Notice of proposed changes
A notice, in writing, of the proposed change shall be given to each Member at least 48 hours prior to any meeting at which action on the proposed rule change is to be taken.
END