Hearing of the
Rules Subcommittee on Technology and the House
Hearing on “Extending Suspension Days on Wednesdays Through the End of the 108th Congress”
TIME: 4:30 PM
ROOM:H-313, The Capitol
WITNESSES
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Honorable David Dreier, (R-CA), Chairman, Committee on Rules
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Honorable Steny Hoyer, Minority Whip (D-MD)
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Honorable Barney Frank (D-MA)
OVERVIEW
On January 7, 2003, the House of Representatives adopted H.Res. 5, its Rules for the 108th Congress. Clause 1 of rule XV makes in order motions to suspend the rules and pass certain legislation on Mondays, Tuesdays, and the last six days of the congressional session. Also, on that day, the House approved a separate standing order that authorized the Speaker to entertain motions to suspend the rules on Wednesdays, through the second Wednesday in April. On April 30, 2003, the House adopted a unanimous consent agreement that authorized the Speaker to entertain motions to suspend the rules until June 25, 2003.
PURPOSE OF HEARING
Pursuant to that standing order, the House has considered motions to suspend the rules on 12 of 15 Wednesdays this year. This authority has been a helpful tool for the House leadership in effectively managing the floor schedule on a week-by-week basis. The purpose of today's original jurisdiction hearing is to solicit testimony from the witnesses and the views of the Subcommittee's members on a proposal to extend this standing order for the remainder of the 108th Congress.
