Amendment Process Announcement for H.R. 2397

Dear Colleague:

The Committee on Rules may meet during the week of July 15, 2013 to consider a rule that may limit the amendment process for H.R. 2397, the Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2014. While this is not the traditional process for this bill, there are a number of sensitive and ongoing issues related to national security that are more appropriately handled through an orderly amendment process ensuring timely consideration of this important measure.

House Republicans remain committed to a process that allows the House and its Members to debate the important issues of the day. I believe that this process will allow us to meet the needs of our men and women in uniform and the people we represent.

To that end, 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 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 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, July 16, 2013.  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 reported, which is posted 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 myself or Steve Cote of the Committee staff at 225-9191.

Sincerely, 

PETE SESSIONS

Created:
Jul 11, 2013