Judy Schneider

A principal responsibility of House committees is to conduct markups-to select legislation to consider, to debate it and vote on amendments to it (to mark up), and to report recommendations on passage to the House. This manual examines procedures and strategy related to committee markups and provides sample procedural scripts. A committee faces many decisions when it considers a policy matter in a markup. It must select what legislation to mark up; decide whether to mark up in committee only or in both subcommittee and committee; consider the effect of referral on the markup; choose how to report to the House; and take into account congressional and Administration sentiments. With policy and political considerations in mind, the committee plans its procedural strategy. The first element of a markup strategy is selection of a markup vehicle. A committee might mark up a measure as introduced, a version of the measure previously marked up in subcommittee, a draft prepared before, after, or without subcommittee markup, or an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Procedural and political consequences attach to each markup vehicle. Two parts of the manual deal with this element: Procedural Strategy and the Choice of a Markup Vehicle, and Beginning a Markup. The second element of a markup strategy is conduct of the amendment process. A committee may mark up a measure by section or by paragraph or by another subdivision, such as title; open it to amendment at any point or use an amendment roster; or mark up an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Specific procedural and political consequences attach to each choice. One part of the manual deals with this element: Reading a Measure for Amendment. The third element of a markup strategy is the decision of what to report. If a committee marks up legislation as introduced, it may report that with recommended amendments. If a committee marks up a draft or an amendment in the nature of a substitute, it must convert that vehicle into legislation that can be reported. A committee may also choose to report a "clean" measure. Two parts of the manual deal with this element: Reporting a Measure, and Committee Reports. The final element of a markup strategy cuts through the other elements-anticipating the motions and requests that the majority and minority might make at each stage of the markup. Four parts of the manual deal with this element: Parliamentary Inquiries; Points of Order; Motions, Requests, and Demands; and Voting. Six parts of this manual supplement these elements of markup strategy by providing background and context: Introduction to House Committee Markup Procedures, Committee Rules, Procedural Restrictions in Law on Certain Markups, Referral of Legislation in the House, Considerations Prior to a Markup, and Role of Committee and Personal Staff. Two parts of the manual deal with Options for House Consideration and Considerations in a Two-House Strategy. Although House floor consideration follows committee action, and Senate action may precede or follow House committee action, plans for a markup must anticipate the larger arenas in which reported legislation will be considered. This context is examined in these two parts. An Overview of Manual section explains the relationship between the elements and the parts of the manual, and includes a subsection on How To Read or Use This Manual.

The Congressional Deskbook, now in its Sixth Edition, explains the legislative and congressional budget processes along with all aspects of Congress. Many of the sections are expanded online at CongressProfile.com And an expanded legislative and budget glossary is available online at TCNLG.com This comprehensive guide to Congress is ideal for anyone who wants to know how Congress really works, including federal executives, attorneys, lobbyists, media and public affairs staff, government affairs, policy and budget analysts, congressional office staff and students. Complete Table of Contents with links to other material at CongressionalDeskbook.com

On 7 January 2003, the House of Representatives created a Select Committee on Homeland Security. One of its responsibilities is to conduct a "thorough and complete study of the operation and implementation of the rules of the House, including Rule X, with respect to the issues of homeland security". The select committee is required to submit its recommendations on possible changes to the Committee on Rules. Congress has officially, as well as unofficially, conducted these review committees over the past 60 years. Three joint committees, two select committees, two commissions, and party caucuses and conferences have studied various aspects of the house and its committee system. The contemporary system is primarily a product of the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946, which, among other things, codified committee jurisdictions, streamlined the committee system and instituted a professional committee staffing structure. This book discusses the reform efforts to reorganise the House Committee system since the 1940s.