Bill · H.Res. 997· House(119-HRES-997)
Enabling the House of Representatives to be responsive to its membership.
- Introduced
- 1/14/2026
- Last activity
- 1/14/2026 — 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.
- Sponsored by
- James McGovern
- 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 aims to enable the House of Representatives to be more responsive to its membership. It proposes changes to the Code of Official Conduct regarding how members and employees adhere to House rules. It also modifies the rules for the suspension of rules, requiring a two-thirds vote and limiting when the Speaker can entertain such motions. Additionally, the bill mandates the placement of clocks in the House Chamber. These clocks must display each United States time zone in real time.
Yes
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?+2
The bill requires members to adhere to both the spirit and letter of House rules to improve official conduct.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Clarity in Official Conduct: By changing the code to require adherence to the "spirit and the letter" of the rules, it seeks to ensure members, officers, and employees follow both the written rules and their intended purpose (Section 101).
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Time Zone Awareness: The requirement for the Clerk to place clocks displaying each United States time zone in real time in the House Chamber provides Members with clear views of current times across the country (Section 201).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Stricter Voting Requirements: The rule change for suspending rules would now require a two-thirds vote of the Members voting rather than the current standard (Section 102).
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Restricted Timing for Motions: The Speaker would be prohibited from entertaining motions to suspend the rules except on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, or during the last six days of a session of Congress (Section 102).
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Limited Debate Windows: The new rules specify that a motion to suspend the rules is debatable for only 40 minutes, split equally between those in favor and those in opposition (Section 102).
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
- Improves Government Transparency+2
- 1/14/2026
- Submitted in House
- 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.