Hearing Room Committee Chair Portraits

Pete Sessions (R-TX)Pete Sessions (R-TX)

Congressman Sessions served as the Chairman of the House Rules Committee from 2013 to 2018 (113th-115th Congresses) where he revived bipartisan efforts, and accelerated the Republican agenda in the House of Representatives. Congressman Sessions is an Eagle Scout who serves in various leadership roles with the Boy Scouts of America, disability assistance, and local conservation groups.

 

Louise Slaughter (D-NY)Louise Slaughter (D-NY)

Entering Congress in 1987, Louise Slaughter became the first female chair of the Rules Committee in 2007. Slaughter was chairwoman of the Committee from 2007 to 2011 (110th-111th Congresses) and served as Ranking Member while in the minority party until her passing in 2018. Throughout her time in Congress, Congresswoman Slaughter fought to address science and health-related issues as she had a background in microbiology and public health. 

 

John "Joe" Moakley (D-MA)John "Joe" Moakley (D-MA)

Congressman Moakley serves as chairman of the House Rules Committee from 1989 to 1995 (101st-103rd Congresses). Moakley opposed the legislative veto and was vindicated when the Supreme Court found it unconstitutional in 1983.

 

Claude Pepper (D-FL)Claude Pepper (D-FL)

Congressman Pepper served as chairman of the House Rules Committee from 1983 until his death in 1989 (98th-101st Congresses). Pepper was first elected to the United States Senate in 1936, and is one of very few individuals to subsequently serve in the U.S. House of Representatives. Shortly before his death, George H.W. Bush presented him with the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

 

Gerald Solomon (R-NY)Gerald Solomon (R-NY)

Congressman Solomon was chairman of the House Rules Committee from 1995 to 1999 (104th-105th Congresses). As a retired Marine, Solomon fought for veterans’ benefits throughout his time in Congress. Solomon was well-known for the “Solomon Amendment,” which amended the United States Code to allow for federal grants to be denied to institutions of higher education if they prohibit ROTC or military recruitment on campus.

 

Richard Bolling (D-MO)Richard Bolling (D-MO)

Congressman Bolling served as chairman of the House Rules Committee from 1979 to 1983 (96th-97th Congresses). Bolling cited his role in helping pass the first civil rights legislation since Reconstruction as the accomplishment that gave him most pride.

 

Philip Campbell (R-KS)Philip Campbell (R-KS)

Congressman Campbell served as chairman of the House Rules Committee from 1919 to 1923 (66th-67th Congresses). Campbell was born in Canada but moved to Kansas with his parents as a child. During his time in Congress, Campbell spoke out against Jim Crow laws.