Bill · H.Res. 78· House(119-HRES-78)
Amending the Rules of the House of Representatives to permit certain resolutions to be privileged only if they are based on conduct which was the subject of an investigation and report by the appropriate committee of jurisdiction or if they are offered by direction of a party caucus or conference.
- Introduced
- 1/28/2025
- Last activity
- 1/28/2025 — Referred to the House Committee on Rules.
- Sponsored by
- Nikema Williams
- Cosponsors
- None
- Introduced
- In Committee
A House resolution is the House speaking for itself: stating a position, honouring someone, or setting its own rules. Adopting it is the whole process. Once the House agrees to it, it is officially the House's word; it is not a law, so the Senate and the President have no part in it.
What this bill would do
This resolution changes the rules of the House of Representatives regarding certain privileged resolutions. It affects resolutions that impeach a government officer, censure, reprimand, or expel a member, or cause a vacancy in leadership positions. Under this bill, these resolutions only get privileged status under specific conditions. Specifically, the committee must have investigated and filed a report recommending the sanction, or a party caucus or conference must offer the resolution. If neither of these conditions is met, the resolution does not raise a question of privilege.
Yes
Does this give the federal government more power?+3
The bill increases central control over how House members can initiate impeachment or leadership vacancies by requiring committee reports or caucus direction.
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?+2
The bill promotes more formal and documented processes for disciplinary actions through required committee investigations and reports.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Section 1 (amending Rule IX, paragraph (a)(1)): This provision ensures that resolutions involving serious actions like impeachment or discipline are based on a formal committee investigation and report. This could be seen as positive because it requires proper fact-finding before the House takes up these major actions.
-
Section 1 (amending Rule IX, paragraph (a)(2)): This provision allows a resolution to be privileged if it is offered by direction of a party caucus or conference. This could be positive because it gives official party groups a clear path to bring these important matters forward.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Section 1 (amending Rule IX, paragraph (a)): This provision limits the privileged status of resolutions that impeach an officer or discipline a member. This could be considered a negative burden because it restricts individual lawmakers from bringing these urgent matters to the floor unless a committee has investigated first or a party leadership group directs it.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Governance And Ideology
- Increases Federal Power+3Improves Government Transparency+2
- 1/28/2025
- Submitted in House
- Referred to the House Committee on Rules.