[20080519]98-710_众议院规则委员会报告的“自动执行”规则.pdf

Order Code 98-710Updated May 19, 2008“Self-Executing” Rules Reported by theHouse Committee on RulesWalter J. OleszekGovernment and Finance DivisionHouse Rule X assigns the Committee on Rules jurisdiction over the “order ofbusiness of the House.” The panels most noteworthy responsibility is to issue order ofbusiness resolutions; these are usually called “rules,” “special rules,” or, less commonly,“special orders.” Chamber adoption of these rules accomplishes two main objectives: itpermits the House to take up measures that typically lack a convenient right-of-way to thefloor, and it defines the procedural playing field for example, time for debate and thestructure of the amendment process for considering legislation.The committees important scheduling role has meant that congressional scholarsand others have classified rules in various ways. For example, an “open” rule affords anylawmaker an opportunity to offer amendments to a bill so long as they are in compliancewith the Houses standing rules; a “closed” rule forbids anyone from offeringamendments with an exception sometimes made for amendments recommended by thecommittee that reported the measure. Starting about twenty-five year