PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.Laid on the table. See S. 24 for further action.
Congressional Research Service
Version 36 · Passed House amended · Feb 10, 1994
Independent Counsel Reauthorization Act of 1994 - Amends the Federal judicial code to reauthorize the independent counsel law for an additional five years. Requires an independent counsel to: (1) conduct all activities with due regard for expense, authorize only reasonable and lawful expenditures, and (promptly upon taking office) assign to a specific employee the duty of certifying that expenditures of the independent counsel are reasonable and made in accordance with law; and (2) comply with the established policies of the Department of Justice (DOJ) regarding expenditures of funds, except to the extent that compliance would be inconsistent with the purposes of the Act. Directs: (1) the Director of the Administrative Office of the United States Courts to provide administrative support and guidance to each independent counsel; and (2) the Administrator of General Services to provide office space for each independent counsel. Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) independent counsel per diem expenses; (2) independent counsel employee pay comparability; (3) ethics enforcement; (4) compliance with DOJ policies; (5) publication of reports; (6) annual reports to the Congress; (7) periodic reappointment of independent counsel; and (8) audits by the Comptroller General. Authorizes the Attorney General to conduct a preliminary investigation upon the receipt of information sufficient to constitute grounds to investigate whether a Member of Congress may have violated any Federal criminal law, other than a violation classified as a Class B or C misdemeanor or an infraction, when the Attorney General determines that it would be in the public interest. Includes as grounds for removal of an independent counsel physical or mental disability consistent with prohibitions on discrimination otherwise imposed by law (current law includes physical disability and mental incapacity). Requires an independent counsel to comply with guidelines and procedures used by DOJ in the handling and use of classified materials.
People & committees
Rep. Brooks, Jack B. [D-TX-9] · D–TX
Legislative record
A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.
Laid on the table. See S. 24 for further action.
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
On passage Passed by recorded vote: 356 - 56 (Roll No. 23).
House roll call 23 · Individual votesPassed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by recorded vote: 356 - 56 (Roll No. 23).
House roll call 23 · Individual votesOn motion to recommit with instructions Failed by recorded vote: 183 - 230 (Roll no. 22). (consideration: CR H440)
House roll call 22 · Individual votesThe previous question on the motion to recommit with instructions was ordered without objection.
Floor summary: DEBATE - The House proceeded with ten minutes of debate on the Gekas motion to recommit with instructions. The instructions contained in the motion require the bill to be reported back to the House with an amendment which would provide for mandatory coverage of Members of Congress under the independent counsel law.
Mr. Gekas moved to recommit with instructions to Judiciary.
The House adopted the amendment in the nature of a substitute as agreed to by the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union.
The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
The House rose from the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union to report H.R. 811.
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 352, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with forty minutes of debate on the Hyde amendment.
DEBATE - The Committee of the Whole proceeded with 30 minutes of debate on the Bryant substitute to the Gekas amendment.
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 352, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with thirty minutes of debate on the Gekas amendment.
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 352, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with twenty minutes of debate on the Hyde amendment.
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 352, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with ten minutes of debate on the Ramstad amendment.
The House resolved into Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union for further consideration.
Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H419-439)
Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union rises leaving H.R. 811 as unfinished business.
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 352, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Fish amendment.
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 352, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Fish amendment.
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 352, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Brooks amendments.
GENERAL DEBATE - The Committee of the Whole proceeded with one hour of general debate.
The Speaker designated the Honorable Robert G. Torricelli to act as Chairman of the Committee.
House resolved itself into the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union pursuant to H. Res. 352 and Rule XXIII.
Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 811 with 1 hour of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit. Providing for the consideration of the bill in the Committee of the Whole. Measure will be read by section. Specified amendments are in order. It shall be in order to consider as an original bill the amendment in the nature of a substitute recommended by the Committee on the Judiciary now printed in the bill. Points of order against the committee amendment for failure to comply with provisions of the Budget Act shall be waived. Only those amendments printed in the report accompanying this resolution shall be in order, to be considered in the manner specified in the report and not subject to further amendment except as specified. All points of order against the amendments shall be waived. After passage of the bill, it shall be in ...
Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 352. (consideration: CR H378-389)
Rule H. Res. 352 passed House.
Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 352 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 811 with 1 hour of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit. Providing for the consideration of the bill in the Committee of the Whole. Measure will be read by section. Specified amendments are in order. It shall be in order to consider as an original bill the amendment in the nature of a substitute recommended by the Committee on the Judiciary now printed in the bill. Points of order against the committee amendment for failure to comply with provisions of the Budget Act shall be waived. Only those amendments printed in the report accompanying this resolution shall be in order, to be considered in the manner specified in the report and not subject to further amendment except as specified. All points of order against the amendments shall be waived. After passage of the bill, it shall be in ...
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 125.
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Judiciary. H. Rept. 103-224.
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Judiciary. H. Rept. 103-224.
Ordered to be Reported (Amended).
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee.
Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Subcommittee Hearings Held.
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E331-332)
Referred to the Subcommittee on Administrative Law and Governmental Relations.
Referred to the House Committee on Judiciary.
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Primary sources
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Source last updated: Jan 2, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
AI Conversation Starters
Choose a perspective, copy a prompt, and paste it into your preferred AI. Each prompt includes the bill version and available official source links, and asks for counterarguments as well as supporting evidence.
Analyze H.R.811 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.
Examine H.R.811 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.
Examine H.R.811 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.
Examine H.R.811 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.