Amendment Process Announcement for H.R. 1540

May 17, 2011

Dear Colleague:

The Committee on Rules may meet the week of May 23rd to grant a rule that could limit the amendment process for floor consideration of H.R. 1540, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012.

Any Member wishing to offer an amendment must submit an electronic copy of the amendment and description via the Committee’s website.  Members must also submit 30 hard copies of the amendment, one copy of a brief explanation of the amendment, and an amendment login form to the Rules Committee in room H-312 of the Capitol by 3 p.m. on Monday, May 23, 2011.  Both electronic and hard copies must be received by the date and time specified.  Members should draft their amendments to the text of the bill as ordered reported by the Armed Services Committee, which is posted on the Rules Committee website. 

Members should be advised that Chairman McKeon (R-CA) has announced his intent to request that the Rules Committee exclude amendments from consideration that violate the Committee’s earmark guidance.  Chairman McKeon’s request is consistent with the earmark policy adopted by the House majority, and I will recommend that the Rules Committee honor the Chairman’s request.  Chairman McKeon’s earmark guidance can be found on the Rules Committee website.

Members should also use the Office of Legislative Counsel to ensure that their amendments are drafted in the most appropriate format. Members should also check with the Office of the Parliamentarian, the Committee on the Budget, and the Congressional Budget Office to be certain their amendments comply with the rules of the House and the Congressional Budget Act.  If you have any questions, please contact myself or Stephen Cote of the Committee staff at extension 5-9191.

Sincerely,

DAVID DREIER

Created:
May 17, 2011