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H.Res.54 / 103rd Congress

To amend the Rules of the House of Representatives to provide for reform of the House of Representatives, and for other purposes.

Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR H3462)

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in House · Jan 27, 1993

Directs the Speaker of the House of Representatives to appoint a task force to restructure the House committee system by reducing the number of standing committees to a maximum of 15 and establishing their jurisdictions. Amends the Rules of the House of Representatives to prohibit any standing committee from establishing more than four subcommittees, except the Committee on Appropriations. Makes it out of order to consider: (1) any primary expense resolution unless the Committee on House Administration has reported and the House has adopted a resolution establishing an overall ceiling for committee staff for that year; (2) any supplemental expense resolution authorizing additional positions exceeding the ceiling except by a two-thirds vote; or (3) any primary or supplemental expense resolution unless it entitles the minority party on the committees involved to not less than one-third of the funds for committee staff. Limits the overall ceiling for committee staff for the 103d Congress to 50 percent of the staff employed at the end of the 102d Congress. Prohibits proxy voting by any committee or subcommittee member. Requires the membership of each standing, select, or conference committee and each subunit thereof to reflect the ratio of majority to minority party Members of the House, except for the Committees on Standards of Official Conduct and House Administrtion. Directs the Speaker to refer legislation initially to one committee as the committee of principal jurisdiction. Limits a Member's service as a member of a committee to eight years and as committee chairman to four years. Requires the composition of the Committee on House Administration to be one-half majority party members and one-half minority. Allows the chairman or ranking minority party member of the Committee to issue subpoenas. Prohibits the Committee on Rules from reporting any rule or order that would prevent a motion to recommit that has amendatory instructions (except in the case of a Senate measure for which the language of a House passed measure has been substituted). Makes it out of order to consider any resolution which waives any point of order, except by a two-thirds vote. Declares that the following Federal laws should be amended to apply to the House as they apply to the executive branch: (1) the National Labor Relations Act; (2) the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970; (3) the Equal Pay Act of 1963; (4) the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967; (5) the Freedom of Information Act; (6) the Privacy Act of 1974; and (7) Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Directs the standing committees of the House with subject jurisdiction over such laws to report implementing legislation.

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Who introduced it

Rep. Hefley, Joel [R-CO-5] · R–CO

Committees

  • Rules Committee
19 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Actions

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  1. Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR H3462)

  2. Referred to the House Committee on Rules.

  3. Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR H272, E188)

  4. Introduced in House

  5. Introduced in House

Bill text & related measures

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Related bills identified by Congress.gov

No related bills are listed in this snapshot. This does not establish whether the proposal has appeared in earlier Congresses.

Source last updated: Jan 2, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

Explore the bill from different angles

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Neutral evidence review

Objective

Analyze H.Res.54 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.

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Fairness and public impact

Progressive lens

Examine H.Res.54 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.

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Institutions and government scope

Conservative lens

Examine H.Res.54 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.

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Individual rights and government power

Liberty lens

Examine H.Res.54 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.

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