Announcements
March 23, 2020
Report Examining Voting Options During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Dear Colleague:
Last week, Speaker Pelosi asked me to issue a report on the House Rules concerning Member voting during the COVID-19 pandemic. This request came at a time when many Members on both sides of the aisle have expressed concerns regarding traveling and congregating en masse as this pandemic continues to spread across the country.
Although some Members are able to come back to Washington and vote in person, I know we are all balancing extremely tough decisions including quarantines, treatment for this virus, caring for loved ones diagnosed with COVID-19, social distancing guidelines, and public health concerns.
Regardless, every Member is committed to helping our nation combat the impacts of this pandemic. The question isn’t whether we act, it is how.
Congress has already passed two measures to address the economic and health impacts caused by COVID-19. I hope that Democrats and Republicans on both sides of the Capitol can come together once again on the third package that is currently under discussion. Clearly, the quickest and likely best path forward is for Congress to pass that measure by unanimous consent or by voice vote. Short of that, there are a few difficult options that we can consider utilizing as outlined in the enclosed report.
This is a moment of national emergency. The COVID-19 pandemic is already causing significant health and economic hardships across the country. It is imperative that we act swiftly in the weeks and months ahead in a way that preserves the integrity of the institution so that we can continue to respond not just to this crisis, but future emergencies as well.
Please find the text of the report here for a review of options available to the House in order to continue the business of the people. While I have concluded this report, I am still available to discuss your ideas. Please do not hesitate to reach out to me or my staff regarding any questions you may have. Together, we will get through these difficult times.
Sincerely,
James P. McGovern
Chairman
Committee on Rules
The Committee stands in recess, and will reconvene at 8:00 AM today, Thursday, March 12, 2020.
The Committee on Rules will meet today, Wednesday, March 11, 2020 at 11:15 PM in H-313, The Capitol on the following emergency measure:
- H.R. 6201 — Families First Coronavirus Response Act
The Committee on Rules will meet today, Wednesday, March 11, 2020 at 11:15 PM in H-313, The Capitol on the following emergency measure:
- H.R. 6201 — Families First Coronavirus Response Act
The Committee on Rules will reconvene today at 5:30 PM. At that time, the Committee will consider the following additional emergency measure:
- H.R. 6172 — USA FREEDOM Reauthorization Act of 2020
This meeting is postponed until Tuesday, March 10, 2020 at 2:00 PM
The Committee on Rules will meet on Monday, March 9, 2020 at 5:00 PM in H-313, The Capitol on the following measures:
- Senate Amendment to H.R. 2486 — FUTURE Act [NO BAN Act; Access to Counsel Act of 2020]
- S.J. Res. 68 — To direct the removal of United States Armed Forces from hostilities against the Islamic Republic of Iran that have not been authorized by Congress.
This meeting is postponed until Tuesday, March 10, 2020 at 2:00 PM
The Committee on Rules will meet on Monday, March 9, 2020 at 5:00 PM in H-313, The Capitol on the following measures:
- Senate Amendment to H.R. 2486 — FUTURE Act [NO BAN Act; Access to Counsel Act of 2020]
- S.J. Res. 68 — To direct the removal of United States Armed Forces from hostilities against the Islamic Republic of Iran that have not been authorized by Congress.
The Committee on Rules will meet on Tuesday, March 3, 2020 at 10:00 AM in H-313, The Capitol on the following:
- Article I: Constitutional Perspectives on the Responsibility and Authority of the Legislative Branch [Original Jurisdiction Hearing]
**PLEASE NOTE: Witnesses for this hearing will be by invitation only.
The Committee on Rules will meet on Monday, March 2, 2020 at 5:00 PM in H-313, The Capitol on the following measure:
- H.R. 1140 — Rights for Transportation Security Officers Act of 2020
Amendment Process Announcement for H.R. 1140—Rights for Transportation Security Officers Act of 2020
February 24, 2020
AMENDMENT PROCESS FOR
H.R. 1140—Rights for Transportation Security Officers Act of 2020
Dear Colleague:
The Committee on Rules is likely to meet the week of March 2 to grant a rule that may provide a structured amendment process for floor consideration of H.R. 1140 - Rights for Transportation Security Officers Act of 2020.
Any Member wishing to offer an amendment must submit a searchable electronic copy of the amendment, which should be provided by the Office of Legislative Counsel, via the Rules Committee’s website. Members must also submit 20 hard copies of the amendment, one copy of a brief factual summary of the amendment, and an amendment login form to the Rules Committee in room H-312 of the Capitol by 3:00 p.m. on Thursday, February 27, 2020. Both electronic and hard copies must be received by the date and time specified. Members should draft their amendments to the text of H.R. 1140, as reported by the Committee on Homeland Security, which is available on the Rules Committee website.
Members should use the Office of Legislative Counsel to ensure that their amendments are drafted in the most appropriate format. Members should also check with the Congressional Budget Office for a preliminary assessment of their amendments’ budgetary effects. Finally, Members should check with the Office of the Parliamentarian and the Committee on the Budget to be certain their amendments comply with the rules of the House and the Congressional Budget Act. If you have any questions, please contact Eric Delaney of the Committee staff at 225-9091.
Sincerely,
James P. McGovern
Chairman
Committee on Rules
The Committee on Rules will meet on Wednesday, February 26, 2020 at 4:00 PM in H-313, The Capitol on the following measure:
- H.R. 2339 — Reversing the Youth Tobacco Epidemic Act of 2019 [Protecting American Lungs and Reversing the Youth Tobacco Epidemic Act of 2020]
The Committee on Rules will meet on Monday, February 10, 2020 at 5:00 PM in H-313, The Capitol on the following measures:
- H.R. 2546 — Colorado Wilderness Act of 2019 [Protecting America’s Wilderness Act]
- H.J. Res. 79 — Removing the deadline for the ratification of the equal rights amendment.