Enabling the House of Representatives to be responsive to its membership.

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office] [H. Res. 997 Introduced in House (IH)]

119th CONGRESS 2d Session H. RES. 997

Enabling the House of Representatives to be responsive to its membership.

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IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

January 14, 2026

Mr. McGovern submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on House Administration, and in addition to the Committees on Rules, and Ethics, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned

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RESOLUTION

Enabling the House of Representatives to be responsive to its membership.

Resolved,

TITLE I

In rule XXIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives, strike clause 2 and insert the following: "2. A Member, Delegate, Resident Commissioner, officer, or employee of the House shall adhere to the spirit and the letter of the Rules of the House and to the rules of duly constituted committees thereof.".

In rule XV of the Rules of the House of Representatives, strike clause 1 and insert the following: "1.(a) A rule may not be suspended except by a vote of two-thirds of the Members voting, a quorum being present. The Speaker may not entertain a motion that the House suspend the rules except on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays and during the last six days of a session of Congress. "(b) Pending a motion that the House suspend the rules, the Speaker may entertain one motion that the House adjourn but may not entertain any other motion until the vote is taken on the suspension. "(c) A motion that the House suspend the rules is debatable for 40 minutes, one-half in favor of the motion and one-half in opposition thereto.".

TITLE II

(a) Responsibilities of Clerk.--The Clerk of the House of Representatives shall place clocks displaying each United States time zone in real time in the House Chamber in clear view of the Members. (b) Regulations.--The Clerk shall carry out this resolution in accordance with regulations promulgated by the Committee on House Administration.