57. When the reading of a paper is called for, and the same is objected to by any member, it shall be determined by a vote of the House.-(November 13, 1794.) 58. The unfinished business in which the House was engaged at the last preceding adjournment shall have the preference in the orders of the day; and no motion on any other business shall be received, without special leave of the House, until the former is disposed of.-(Novem ber 13, 1794.) 59. Every order, resolution, or vote, to which the concurrence of the Senate shall be necessary, shall be read to the House, and laid on the table, on a day preceding that in which the same shall be moved, unless the House shall otherwise expressly allow. April 7, 1789.) 60. The name of the member who presents a petition or memorial, or who offers a resolution to the consideration of the House, shall be inserted on the Journals.-(March 22, 1806.) 61. A proposition requesting information from the President of the United States, or directing it to be furnished by the head of either of the Executive Departments, or by the Postmaster General, (December 13, 1820,) or to print an extra number of any document or other matter, excepting messages of the President to both houses at the commencement of each session of Congress, and the reports and documents connected with or referred to in it, shall lie on the table one day for consideration, unless otherwise ordered by the unanimous consent of the House, (December 13, 1820;) and all such propositions shall be taken up for consideration in the order they were presented, immediately after reports are called for from select committees; and, when adopted, the Clerk shall cause the same to be delivered.-(January 22, 1822.) 62. Upon calls of the House, or in taking the yeas and nays on any question, the names of the members shall be called alphabetically.-(April 7, 1789.) 63. Upon the call of the House, the names of the members shall be called over by the Clerk, and the absentees noted; after which, the names of the absentees shall again be called over; the doors shall then be shut, and those for whom no excuse or insufficient excuses are made may, by order of those present, if fifteen in number, be taken into custody as they appear, or may be sent for and taken into custody, wherever to be found, by special messengers to be appointed for that purpose. (November 13, 1789, and December 14, 1795.) 64. When a member shall be discharged from custody, and admitted to his seat, the House shall determine whether such discharge shall be with or without paying fees; and, in like manner, whether a delinquent member, taken into custody by a special messenger, shall or shall not be liable to defray the expense of such special messenger.-(November 13, 1794.) 65. Any fifteen members (including the Speaker, if there be one) shall be authorized to compel the attendance of absent members.-(April 7, 1789.) 66. No member shall absent himself from the service of the House, unless he have leave, or be sick, or unable to attend.-(April 13, 1789.) 67. A Sergeant-at-arms shall be appointed, to hold his office during the pleasure of the House, whose duty it shall be to attend the House during its sittings; to execute the commands of the House from time to time; together with all such process, issued by authority thereof, as shall be directed to him by the Speaker.-(April 14, 1789.) 68. The symbol of his office (the mace) shall be borne by the Sergeant-at-arms when in the execution of his office.-(April 14, 1789) 69. The fees of the Sergeant-at-arms shall be, for every arrest, the sum of two dollars; for each day's custody and releasement, one dollar; and for travelling expenses for himself or a special messenger, going and returning, one-tenth of a dollar per mile.-(April 14, 1789.) 70. It shall be the duty of the Sergeant-at-arms to keep the accounts for pay and mileage of members, to prepare checks, and, if required to do so, to draw the money on such checks for the members, (the same being previously signed by the Speaker, and endorsed by the member,) and pay over the same to the member entitled thereto.-(April 4, 1838.) 71. The Sergeant-at-arms shall give bond, with surety, to the United States, in a sum not less than five nor more than ten thousand dollars, at the discretion of the Speaker, and with such surety as the Speaker may approve, faithfully to account for the money coming into his hands for the pay of members-(April 4, 1838.) 72. The Sergeant-at-arms shall be sworn to keep the secrets of the House.-(December 23, 1811.) 73. A Doorkeeper shall be appointed for the service of the House, (April 2, 1789.) 74. The Doorkeeper shall be sworn to keep the secrets of the House.-(December 23, 1811.) 75. The Postmaster, to superintend the post office kept in the capitol for the accommodation of the members, shall be appointed by the House.-(April 4, 1838.) 76. Twenty-eight standing committees shall be appointed at the commencement of each session, viz: A Committee of Elections, (November 13, 1789,) A Committee of Ways and Means, (January 7, 1802,) A Committee of Claims, (November 13, 1794,) A Committee on Commerce, (December 14, 1795,) A Committee on the Public Lands, (December 17, 1805,) A Committee on the Post Office and Post Roads, (November 9, 1808,) A Committee for the District of Columbia, (January 27, 1808,) A Committee on the Judiciary, (June 3, 1813,) A Committee on Revolutionary Claims, (December 22, 1813,) To consist of nine members each. A Committee on Public Expenditures, (February 26, 1814,) A Committee on Revolutionary Pensions, (December 9, 1825,) A Committee on Roads and Canals, (December 15, 1831,) A Committee on Patents, (September 15, 1837,) A Committee on Public Buildings and Grounds, (September 15, 1837,) A Committee on Mileage, (September 15, 1837,) To consist of ine members each. To consist of five members each. A Committee on Engraving, to consist of three members, (March 16, 1844.) 77. It shall be the duty of the Committee of Elections to examine and report upon the certificates of election, or other credentials, of the members returned to serve in this House; and to take into their consideration all such petitions and other matters touching elections and returns as shall or may be presented or come into question, and be referred to them by the House.(November 13, 1789-November 13, 1794) 78. It shall be the duty of the Committee of Ways and Means to take into consideration all such reports of the Treasury Department, and all such propositions relative to the revenue, as may be referred to them by the House; to inquire into the state of the public debt or the revenue, and of the expenditure; and to report, from time to time, their opinion thereon; to examine into the state of the several public departments, and particularly into the laws making appropriations of moneys, and to report whether the moneys have been disbursed conformably with such laws; and also to report, from time to time, such provisions and arrangements as may be necessary to add to the economy of the departments, and the accountability of their officers.-(January 7, 1802.) In preparing bills of appropriations for other objects, the Committee of Ways and Means shall not include appropriations for carrying into effect treaties made by the United States; and where an appropriation bill shall be referred to them, for their consideration, which contains appropriations for carrying a treaty into effect, and for other objects, they shall propose such amendments as shall prevent appropriations for carrying a treaty into effect being included in the same bill with appropriations for other objects. (January 30, 1819.) 79. It shall also be the duty of the Committee of Ways and Means, within thirty days after their appointment, at ev ry session of Congress, commencing on the first Monday of December, to report the general appropriation bills-for the civil and diplomatic expenses of government; for the army; for the navy; and for the Indian department and Indian annuities; or, in failure thereof, the reasons of such failure.-(September 14, 1837.) 80. General appropriation bills shall be in order in preference to any other bills of a public nature, unless otherwise ordered by a majority of the House.-(September 14, 1837.) 81. No appropriation shall be reported in such general appropriation bills, or be in order as an amendment thereto, for any expenditure not previously authorized by law, (September 14, 1837,) unless in continuation of appropriations for such public works and objects as are already in progress, and for the contingencies for carrying on the several departments of the government(March 13, 1838.) 82. It shall be the duty of the Committee of Claims to take into consideration all such petitions and matters or things touching claims and demands on the United States as shall be presented, or shall or may come in question, and be referred to them by the House; and to report their opinion thereupon, together with such propositions for relief therein as to them shall seem expedient. (November 13, 1794.) 83. It shall be the duty of the Committee on Commerce to take into consideration all such petitions and matters or things touching the commerce of the United States as shall be presented, or shall or may come into question, and be referred to them by the House; and to report, from time to time, their opinion thereon.-(December 14, 1795.) 84. It shall be the duty of the Committee on the Public Lands to take into consideration all such petitions and matters or things respecting the lands of the United States as shall be presented, or shall or may come in question, and be referred to them by the House; and to report their opinion thereon, together with such propositions for relief therein as to them shall seem expedient. (December 17, 1805.) 85. It shall be the duty of the Committee on the Post Office and Post Roads to take into consideration all such petitions and matters or things touching the post office and post roads as shall be presented, or may come in question, and be referred to them by the House; and to report their opinion thereupon, together with such propositions relative thereto as to them shall seem expedient. (November 9, 1808.) 86. It shall be the duty of the Committee for the District of Columbia to take into consideration all such petitions and matters or things touching the said District as shall be presented, or shall come in question, and be referred to them by the House; and to report their opinion thereon, together with such propositions relative thereto as to them shall seem expedient.-(January 27, 1808.) 87. It shall be the duty of the Committee on the Judiciary to take into consideration such petitions and matters or things touching judicial proceedings as shall be presented, or may come in question, and be referred to them by the House; and to report their opinion thereupon, together with such propositions relative thereto as to them shall seem expedient.-(June 3, 1813.) 88. It shall be the duty of the Committee on Revolutionary Claims to take into consideration all such petitions and matters or things touching claims and demands originating in the revolutionary war, or arising therefrom, as shall be presented, or shall or may come in question, and be referred to them by the House; and to report their opinion thereupon, together with such propositions for relief therein as to them shall seem expedient.-(December 22, 1813.) 89. It shall be the duty of the Committee on Public Expenditures to examine into the state of the several public departments, and particularly into laws making appropriations of money, and to report whether the moneys have been disbursed conformably with such laws; and also to report, from time to time, such provisions and arrangements as may be necessary to add to the economy of the departments, and the accountability of their officers.-(February 26, 1814.) 90. It shall be the duty of the Committee on Private Land Claims to take into consideration all claims to land which may be referred to them, or shall or may come in question; and to report their opinion thereupon, together with such propositions for relief therein as to them shall seem expedient. (April 29, 1816.) 91. It shall be the duty of the Committee on Military Affairs to take into consideration all subjects relating to the military establishment and public defence, which may be referred to them by the House, and to report their opinion thereupon; and also to report, from time to time, such measures as may contribute to economy and accountability in the said establishment.—(March 13, 1822.) 92. It shall be the duty of the Committee on the Militia to take into consideration and report on all subjects connected with the organizing, arming, and disciplining the militia of the United States (December 10, 1835.) 93. It shall be the duty of the Committee on Naval Affairs to take into consideration all matters which concern the naval establishment, and which shall be referred to them by the House, and to report their opinion thereupon; and also to report, from time to time, such measures as may contribute to economy and accountability in the said establishment.-(March 13, 1822.) 94. It shall be the duty of the Committee on Foreign Affairs to take into consideration all matters which concern the relations of the United States with foreign nations, and which shall be referred to them by the House, and to report their opinion on the same.-(March 13, 1822) 95. It shall be the duty of the Committee on the Territories to examine into the legislative, civil, and criminal proceedings of the Territories, and to devise and report to the House such means as, in their opinion, may be necessary to secure the rights and privileges of residents and nonresidents. (December 13, 1825.) 96. It shall be the duty of the Committee on Revolutionary Pensions to take into consideration all such matters respecting pensions for services in the revolutionary war, other than invalid pensions, as shall be referred to them by the House.-(January 10, 1831.) 97. It shall be the duty of the Committee on Invalid Pensions to take into consideration all such matters respecting invalid pensions as shall be referred to them by the House.—(January 10, 1831.) 98. It shall be the duty of the Committee on Roads and Canals to take into consideration all such petitions and matters or things relating to roads and canals, and the improvement of the navigation of rivers, as shall be presented, or may come in question, and be referred to them by the House; and to report thereupon, together with such propositions relative thereto, as to them shall seem expedient.-(December 15, 1831.) 99. It shall be the duty of the Committee on Patents to consider all subjects relating to patents which may be referred to them; and report their opinion thereon, together with such propositions relative thereto as may seem to them expedient.-(September 15, 1837.) 100. It shall be the duty of the Committee on Public Buildings and Grounds to consider all subjects relating to the public edifices and grounds within the city of Washington which may be referred to them; and report their opinions thereon, together with such propositions relating thereto, as may seem to them expedient.-(September 15, 1837.) 101. It shall be the duty of the Committee of Revisal and Unfinished Business to examine and report what laws have expired, or are near expiring, and require to be revived or further continued; also, to examine and report, from the Journal of last session, all such matters as were then depending and undetermined.-(December 14, 1795.) 102. It shall be the duty of the Committee of Accounts to superintend and control the expenditures of the contingent fund of the House of Representatives, (December 17, 1805;) also, to audit and settle all accounts which may be charged thereon; and, also, to audit the accounts of the members for their travel to and from the seat of government, and their attendance in the House.(December 23, 1811.) 103. It shall be the duty of the Committee on Mileage to ascertain and report the distance to the Sergeant-at-arms for which each member shall receive pay.-(September 15, 1837.) 104. There shall be appointed a standing committee of this House, to consist of three members, to be called the Committee on Engraving, to whom shall be referred by the Clerk all drawings, maps, charts, or other papers, which may at any time come before the House for engra ving, lithographing, or publishing in any way; which cominittee shall report to the House whether the same ought, in their opinion, to be published; and if the House order the publication of the same, that said committee shall direct the size and manner of execution of all such maps, charts, drawings, or other papers, and contract, by agreement, in writing, for all such engraving, lithographing, printing, drawing, and coloring, as may be ordered by the House; which agreement, in writing, shall be furnished by said committee to the Committee on Accounts, to govern said committee in all allowances for such works; and it shall be in order for said committee to report at all times.-(March 16, 1844.) 105. Six additional standing committees shall be appointed at the commencement of the first session in each Congress, whose duties shall continue until the first session of the ensuing Congress. (March 30, 1816.) 1. A committee on so much of the public accounts and expenditures as re late to the Department of State; 2. A committee on so much of the public accounts and expenditures as relate to the Treasury Department; 3. A committee on so much of the public accounts and expenditures as relate to the Department of War; 4. A committee on so much of the public accounts and expenditures as relate to the Department of the Navy; 5. A committee on so much of the public accounts and expenditures as relate to the Post Office; and 6. A committee on so much of the public accounts and expenditures as re late to the Public Buildings. To consist of five members each. 106. It shall be the duty of the said committees to examine into the state of the accounts and expenditures respectively submitted to them, and to inquire and report particularlyWhether the expenditures of the respective departments are justified by law; Whether the claims from time to time satisfied and discharged by the respective departments are supported by sufficient vouchers, establishing their justness both as to their character and amount; Whether such claims have been discharged out of funds appropriated therefor, and whether all moneys have been disbursed in conformity with appropriation laws; and Whether any, and what, provisions are necessary to be adopted, to provide more perfectly for the proper application of the public moneys, and to secure the government from demands unjust in their character or extravagant in their amount. And it shall be, moreover, the duty of the said committees to report, from time to time, whether any, and what, retrenchment can be made in the expenditures of the several departments, without detriment to the public service; whether any, and what, abuses at any time exist in the failure to enforce the payment of moneys which may be due to the United States from public defaulters or others; and to report, from time to time, such provisions and arrangements as may be necessary to add to the economy of the several departments and the accountability of their omcers. (March 30, 1816.) It shall be the duty of the several Committees on Public Expenditures to inquire whether any offices belonging to the branches or departments, respectively, concerning whose expenditures it is their duty to inquire, have become useless or unnecessary; and to report, from time to time, on the expediency of modifying or abolishing the same; also, to examine into the pay and emol uments of all offices under the laws of the United States; and to report, from time to time, such a reduction or increase thereof as a just economy and the public service may require.—(February 19, 1817.) 107. The several standing committees of the House shall have leave to report by bill or otherwise. (March 13, 1822.) 108. No committee shall sit during the sitting of the House, without special leave.—(November 13, 1794.) 109. It shall be the duty of the Clerk to make, and cause to be printed, and delivered to each member, at the commencement of every session of Congress, a list of the reports which it is the duty of any officer or department of the government to make to Congress; referring to the act or resolution, and page of the volume of the laws or Journal in which it may be contained; and placing under the name of each officer the list of reports required of him to be made, and the time when the report may be expected.-(March 13, 1822.) 110. It shall be the duty of the Clerk of the House, at the end of each session, to send a printed copy of the Journals thereof to the Executive, and to each branch of the legislature of every State. (November 13, 1794.) 111. All questions of order shall be noted by the Clerk, with the decision, and put together at the end of the Journal of every session.-(December 23, 1811.) 112. Whenever confidential communications are received from the President of the United States, the House shall be cleared of all persons, except the members, Clerk, Sergeant-at-arms, and Doorkeeper, and so continue during the reading of such communications and (unless otherwise directed by the House) during all debates and proceedings to be had thereon. And when the Speaker, or any other member, shall inform the House that he has communications to make, which he conceives ought to be kept secret, the House shall, in like manner, be cleared, till the communication be made; the House shall then determine whether the matter communicated requires secrecy or not, and take order accordingly.—(February 17, 1792, and December 30, 1793.) 113. All questions relating to the priority of business to be acted on, shall be decided without debate. (February 21, 1803.) Of bills. 114. Every bill shall be introduced on the report of a committee, or by motion for leave. In the latter case, at least one day's notice shall be given of the motion; and the motion shall be made, and the bill introduced, if leave is given, when resolutions are called for: such motion, or the bill when introduced, may be committed.-(April 7, 1789, and September 15, 1837.) 115. Every bill shall receive three several readings in the House previous to its passage; and bills shall be despatched in order as they were introduced, unless where the House shall direct otherwise; but no bill shall be twice read on the same day, without special order of the House.(April 7, 1789.) 116. The first reading of a bill shall be for information; and, if opposition be made to it, the question shall be, "Shall this bill be rejected?" If no opposition be made, or if the question to reject be negatived, the bill shall go to its second reading without a question.-(April 7, 1789.) 117. Upon the second reading of a bill, the Speaker shall state it as ready for commitment or engrossment; and, if committed, then a question shall be, whether to a select or standing committee, or to a Committee of the Whole House: if to a Committee of the Whole House, the House shall determine on what day, (November 13, 1794;) if no motion be made to commit, the question shall be stated on its engrossment; and if it be not ordered to be engrossed on the day of its being reported, it shall be placed in the general file on the Speaker's table, to be taken up in its order.-(September 14, 1837.) But, if the bill be ordered to be engrossed, the House shall appoint the day when it shall be read the third time.-(November 13, 1794.) 118. Not more than three bills, originating in the House, shall be committed to the same Committee of the Whole; and such bills shall be analogous in their nature, which analogy shall be determined by the Speaker.-(December 29, 1817.) 119. A motion to strike out the enacting words of a bill shall have precedence of a motion to amend; and, if carried, shall be considered equivalent to its rejection.-(March 13, 1822.) 120. After commitment and report thereof to the House, or at any time before its passage, a bill may be recommitted.-(April 7, 1789.) 121. All bills ordered to be engrossed shall be executed in a fair round hand.-(April 7, 1789.) 122. No amendment by way of a rider shall be received to any bill on its third reading. (April 8, 1814.) 123. When a bill shall pass, it shall be certified by the Clerk, noting the day of its passage at the foot thereof.-(April 7, 1789.) Of Committees of the Whole House. 124. It shall be a standing order of the day, throughout the session, for the House to resolve itself into a Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union.-(April 7, 1789.) 125. In forming a Committee of the Whole House, the Speaker shall leave his chair, and a chairman, to preside in committee, shall be appointed by the Speaker.-(April 7, 1789.) 126. Upon bills committed to a Committee of the Whole House, the bill shall be first read throughout by the Clerk, and then again read and debated by clauses, leaving the preamble to be last considered: the body of the bill shall not be defaced or interlined; but all amendments, noting the page and line, shall be duly entered by the Clerk on a separate paper, as the same shall be agreed to by the committee, and so reported to the House. After report, the bill shall again be subject to be debated, and amended by clauses, before a question to engross it be taken. (April 7, 1789.) 127. All amendments made to an original motion in committee shall be incorporated with the motion, and so reported.-(April 7, 1789.) 128. All amendments made to a report committed to a Committee of the Whole House shall be noted, and reported, as in the case of bills.-(April 7, 1789.) 129. All questions, whether in Committee or in the House, shall be propounded in the order in which they were moved, except that, in filling up blanks, the largest sum and longest time shall be first put.-(April 7, 1789) 130. No motion or proposition for a tax or charge upon the people shall be discussed the day in which it is made or offered; and every such proposition shall receive its first discussion in a Committee of the Whole House.-(November 13, 1794.) |