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Guide to Committee Activity Reports: Purpose, Rules, and Contents

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Guide to Committee Activity Reports: Purpose, May 31, 2023
Rules, and Contents
Ida A. Brudnick
Rules, and Contents Updated June 2, 2025 (R45104) Jump to Main Text of Report

Contents

Summary

All House committees and most Senate committees are required to prepare reports each All House committees and most Senate committees are required to prepare reports each
Specialist on the Congress
Congress detailing their activities.Congress detailing their activities.

These committee activity reports provide a historical record of a committeeThese committee activity reports provide a historical record of a committee’'s legislative s legislative

and oversight actions. They may serve as an introduction to the work of the individual and oversight actions. They may serve as an introduction to the work of the individual
committees, and, in many cases, they also provide information that is otherwise either not aggregated in one place committees, and, in many cases, they also provide information that is otherwise either not aggregated in one place
or not available elsewhere.or not available elsewhere.
The committee activity reports are required by the rules of the House (House Rule XI, clause 1(d)) and Senate The committee activity reports are required by the rules of the House (House Rule XI, clause 1(d)) and Senate
(Senate Rule XXVI, paragraph 8(b)). The reporting requirement dates to the Legislative Reorganization Act of (Senate Rule XXVI, paragraph 8(b)). The reporting requirement dates to the Legislative Reorganization Act of
1970 (2 U.S.C. §190d).1970 (2 U.S.C. §190d).
Each report covers the activities for one Congress. In odd-numbered years, House reports are to be filed by Each report covers the activities for one Congress. In odd-numbered years, House reports are to be filed by
January 2, while Senate reports are to be filed by March 31.January 2, while Senate reports are to be filed by March 31.
This report includes a discussion of the types of information that may be included in the activity reports, This report includes a discussion of the types of information that may be included in the activity reports,
variations across reports and time, and the filing process.variations across reports and time, and the filing process.
Table 1 provides a comparison of the committee activity reports and other congressional publications, including provides a comparison of the committee activity reports and other congressional publications, including
the types of information found in each as well as their timeframe for coverage and publication. For example, the the types of information found in each as well as their timeframe for coverage and publication. For example, the
activity reports may be more likely to provide discussion, analysis, or statistics than committee calendars (if activity reports may be more likely to provide discussion, analysis, or statistics than committee calendars (if
published). They also provide a retrospective accounting of the actions taken by a particular committee, while published). They also provide a retrospective accounting of the actions taken by a particular committee, while
House oversight plans, for example, provide information on prospective or planned actions.House oversight plans, for example, provide information on prospective or planned actions.
The Appendix lists activity reports issued by the House and Senate committees covering the 110th, 111th, 112th,
113th, 114th, 115th, 116th, and 117th Congresses.
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Contents
Overview and Introduction .............................................................................................................. 1
Purpose and History ........................................................................................................................ 2
Required Contents of the Reports .................................................................................................... 3
Filing the Reports ............................................................................................................................ 4
Additional Contents and Variations ................................................................................................. 5
Organization .............................................................................................................................. 5
Inclusion of Supplemental, Minority, Additional, or Dissenting Views .................................... 6
Types of Information Included and Presentation ...................................................................... 6
Additional Rules Changes Affecting Activity Reports .................................................................... 8
Changes to Frequency in the House of Representatives: 112th-114th Congresses ..................... 8
1974 Revisions to Committees Required to Prepare Activity Reports...................................... 9
Committee Activity Reports Compared to Other Congressional Publications ................................ 9

Tables
Table 1. Committee Activity Reports and Other Selected Congressional Publications:
Frequency, Content, Rules, and Other Information .................................................................... 10

Table A-1. Senate Committee Activity Reports Issued Since the 111th Congress ......................... 13
Table A-2. House Committee Activity Reports Issued Since the 110th Congress ......................... 15

Appendixes
Appendix. List of Activity Reports ............................................................................................... 13

Contacts
Author Information ........................................................................................................................ 17


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Overview and Introduction
lists activity reports issued by the House and Senate committees covering the 110th, 111th, 112th, 113th, 114th, 115th, 116th, 117th, and 118th Congresses.

Overview and Introduction

Both the House and Senate have adopted rules requiring their committees to produce regular Both the House and Senate have adopted rules requiring their committees to produce regular
reports of their activities.reports of their activities.
Pursuant to House Rule XI, clause 1(d)(1), each House standing committee is to submit a report Pursuant to House Rule XI, clause 1(d)(1), each House standing committee is to submit a report
to the House no later than January 2 of each odd-numbered year detailing its activities during the to the House no later than January 2 of each odd-numbered year detailing its activities during the
closing Congress.closing Congress.1 1
Pursuant to Senate Rule XXVI, paragraph 8(b), each Senate standing committee—with the Pursuant to Senate Rule XXVI, paragraph 8(b), each Senate standing committee—with the
exception of the Senate Appropriations Committee and Senate Budget Committee—is to submit exception of the Senate Appropriations Committee and Senate Budget Committee—is to submit
its report to the Senate no later than March 31 of each odd-numbered year, covering activities for its report to the Senate no later than March 31 of each odd-numbered year, covering activities for
the previous Congress.the previous Congress.2 2
As a record of a committeeAs a record of a committee’'s legislative and oversight actions, the reports may provide valuable s legislative and oversight actions, the reports may provide valuable
information for Members of Congress and their staff interested in learning more about a information for Members of Congress and their staff interested in learning more about a
Member’Member's new committee assignments or committee activities in certain subject areas. The s new committee assignments or committee activities in certain subject areas. The
reports may also be a useful tool for new committee staff to learn about recent actions.reports may also be a useful tool for new committee staff to learn about recent actions.
More broadly, the activity reports provide a public record of the actions of congressional More broadly, the activity reports provide a public record of the actions of congressional
committees as well as insight into the role of committees in congressional legislative oversight. In committees as well as insight into the role of committees in congressional legislative oversight. In
many cases, they also provide information that is otherwise either not aggregated in one place or many cases, they also provide information that is otherwise either not aggregated in one place or
not available elsewhere. The variations in the reports also illuminate some of the differences in not available elsewhere. The variations in the reports also illuminate some of the differences in
committees, including their internal structure, norms, and operations.committees, including their internal structure, norms, and operations.
This CRS report will addressThis CRS report will address
• the purpose and history of these reports, including their predecessors;the purpose and history of these reports, including their predecessors;
• required contents of the reports;required contents of the reports;
• House and Senate Rules regarding the filing of reports;House and Senate Rules regarding the filing of reports;
• a discussion of the types of information that may be included;a discussion of the types of information that may be included;
• variations in the organization of the reports among committees;variations in the organization of the reports among committees;
• provisions related to the inclusion of supplemental, minority, additional, or provisions related to the inclusion of supplemental, minority, additional, or
dissenting views;dissenting views;
• additional historical changes to House and Senate Rules regarding the reports, additional historical changes to House and Senate Rules regarding the reports,
including recent changes to the frequency of the reports in the House and the including recent changes to the frequency of the reports in the House and the
1974 revisions to the list of committees required to prepare activity reports; and1974 revisions to the list of committees required to prepare activity reports; and
• the differences between the committee activity reports and other congressional the differences between the committee activity reports and other congressional
publications, including committee calendars, House and Senate calendars, the publications, including committee calendars, House and Senate calendars, the
Résumé of Congressional Activity, and the House Document Repository at , and the House Document Repository at
docs.house.govdocs.house.gov. Table 1 provides examples of the types of information found in provides examples of the types of information found in
each publication as well as their timeframe for coverage and publication.each publication as well as their timeframe for coverage and publication.
Finally, theFinally, the Appendix lists activity reports issued by House and Senate committees covering lists activity reports issued by House and Senate committees covering
activities of the 110th, 111th, 112th, 113th, 114th, 115th, 116th, and 117th Congresses.

1 The House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence has also filed a report for many, but not all, Congresses.
2 The Senate Select Committee on Intelligence also regularly files these reports.
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Purpose and History
activities of the 110th, 111th, 112th, 113th, 114th, 115th, 116th, 117th, and 118th Congresses. Purpose and History The development of committee activity reports is closely tied to congressional reform and The development of committee activity reports is closely tied to congressional reform and
reorganization efforts more generally.reorganization efforts more generally.
The Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946 reorganized the House and Senate committee system, The Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946 reorganized the House and Senate committee system,
including the number and jurisdiction of congressional committees and their authorities, roles, including the number and jurisdiction of congressional committees and their authorities, roles,
and responsibilities. Section 136 of the act provided for a predecessor to the current committee and responsibilities. Section 136 of the act provided for a predecessor to the current committee
activity report requirement, stating activity report requirement, stating that3
each standing committee of the Senate and the House of Representatives shall that3 each standing committee of the Senate and the House of Representatives shall exercise exercise
continuous watchfulness of the execution by the administrative agencies concerned of any continuous watchfulness of the execution by the administrative agencies concerned of any
laws, the subject matter of which is within the jurisdiction of such committee; and, for that laws, the subject matter of which is within the jurisdiction of such committee; and, for that
purpose, shall study all pertinent reports and data submitted to the Congress by the agencies purpose, shall study all pertinent reports and data submitted to the Congress by the agencies
in the executive branch of the Government.in the executive branch of the Government.
Following the enactment of this law, many committees regularly published reports outlining their Following the enactment of this law, many committees regularly published reports outlining their
activities, either as committee prints or committee reports.activities, either as committee prints or committee reports.4
4 In the late 1960s, Congress considered further revisions to the committee system.In the late 1960s, Congress considered further revisions to the committee system.55 This internal This internal
congressional examination culminated in the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1970. Pursuant to congressional examination culminated in the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1970. Pursuant to
this act, the this act, the “"continuous watchfulnesscontinuous watchfulness”" function of committees was transformed to one providing function of committees was transformed to one providing
for for “"legislative review.legislative review.”6"6 The act called for each standing committee of the Senate and the House The act called for each standing committee of the Senate and the House
of Representatives of Representatives to7
to7 review and study, on a continuing basis, the application, administration, and execution of review and study, on a continuing basis, the application, administration, and execution of
those laws, or parts of laws, the subject matter of which is within the jurisdiction of that those laws, or parts of laws, the subject matter of which is within the jurisdiction of that
committee.committee.
The 1970 act also formalized the requirement for periodic activity reports. A report accompanying The 1970 act also formalized the requirement for periodic activity reports. A report accompanying
the legislation summarized the linkage between the new role for committees and the reporting the legislation summarized the linkage between the new role for committees and the reporting
requirement, stating requirement, stating that8
that8 the intent of this requirement of a report every two years is to provide the House with an the intent of this requirement of a report every two years is to provide the House with an
additional means of appraising the results of the legislation which it has approved and to

3 Ch. 753, August 2, 1946, 60 Stat. 832. This was later incorporated into the House Rules (“Adoption of the Rules for
the Eighty-Third Congress,” Congressional Record, vol. 99 (January 3, 1953), p. 19).
4 See, for example, U.S. Congress, House Committee on Government Operations, Activities Report of the House
Committee on Government Operations, 83rd Congress, committee print, 83rd Cong., December 1954 (Washington:
GPO, 1955); and U.S. Congress, Senate Committee on Government Operations, Activities of the Senate Committee on
Government Operations, 83rd Cong., 2nd sess., January 18, 1954, S.Rept. 852 (Washington: GPO, 1954). At least one
committee issued a compilation of these pre-1970 Reorganization Act reports: U.S. Congress, House Committee on
Interstate and Foreign Commerce, Compilation of Activity Reports of the Committee on Interstate and Foreign
Commerce (80th Through 91st Congresses) Together with Historical Data Concerning the Committee, committee print,
91st Cong., April 1971 (Washington: GPO, 1971).
5 S. 355, Section 105, as referred to the House Committee on Rules, March 9, 1967; H.R. 18039, Section 103, as
referred to the House Committee on Rules, June 20, 1968. For a discussion of reform efforts, see CRS Report
RL32112, Reorganization of the Senate: Modern Reform Efforts, by Judy Schneider et al., and CRS Report RL31835,
Reorganization of the House of Representatives: Modern Reform Efforts, by Judy Schneider, Betsy Palmer, and
Christopher M. Davis.
6 P.L. 91-510, October 26, 1970, 84 Stat. 1156.
7 Ibid.
8 U.S. Congress, House Committee on Rules, Legislative Reorganization Act of 1970, report to accompany H.R. 17654,
91st Cong., 2nd sess., June 17, 1970, H.Rept. 91-1215 (Washington: GPO, 1970), p. 74.
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emphasize the importance of the legislative review function of the House additional means of appraising the results of the legislation which it has approved and to emphasize the importance of the legislative review function of the House standing standing
committees.committees.
The requirement for these reports, which appears at 2 U.S.C. §190d, was subsequently The requirement for these reports, which appears at 2 U.S.C. §190d, was subsequently
incorporated into the House and Senate Rules.incorporated into the House and Senate Rules.
Required Contents of the Reports
House Rules for the House Rules for the 118th119th Congress state that the committee activity reports are to Congress state that the committee activity reports are to include9
• include9separate sections summarizing the committeeseparate sections summarizing the committee’'s legislative and oversight activities s legislative and oversight activities
conducted pursuant to House Rule X and House Rule XI;conducted pursuant to House Rule X and House Rule XI;10
• 10 a summary of the committeea summary of the committee’'s oversight plans, which are required by House Rule s oversight plans, which are required by House Rule
X, clause 2(d);X, clause 2(d);11
• 11 a summary of the actions taken and recommendations made with respect to these a summary of the actions taken and recommendations made with respect to these
oversight plans;oversight plans;
• a summary of any additional oversight activities undertaken by a committee and a summary of any additional oversight activities undertaken by a committee and
any recommendations made or related actions; and

9 House Rule XI, clause 1(d). The Rules related to activity reports have been periodically revised. In addition to some
of the changes described below, according to the House Manual (H.Doc. 115-177, §791), “Clerical and stylistic
changes were effected when the House recodified its rules in the 106th Congress (H.Res. 5, January 6, 1999, p. 47),”
and “in the 112th Congress, the paragraph was rewritten entirely to clarify late-session filing ... (sec. 2(e)(13), H.Res. 5,
January 5, 2011, p. 80).” For rules changes affecting frequency, see “Additional Rules Changes Affecting Activity
Reports.”
10 This requirement for separate sections was first adopted in the 104th Congress.
11 The requirement that committees adopt an oversight plan was first included in the rules for the 104th Congress.
According to the “Section-by-Section Analysis of House Rules Resolution” inserted into the Congressional Record,
“the intent of [the oversight reform] section [is] to ensure that committees make a more concerted, coordinated and
conscientious effort to develop meaningful oversight plans at the beginning of each Congress and to follow-through on
their implementation, with a view to examining the full range of the laws under their jurisdiction over a period of five
Congresses” (Congressional Record, January 4, 1995, p. H35).
The House Rules adopted for the 115th Congress (H.Res. 5) added references to newly required authorization plans, in
addition to previously required oversight plans. According to a section-by-section analysis of the rules change posted
by the House Rules Committee and inserted into the Congressional Record:
The plan must include a list of unauthorized programs and agencies within their jurisdiction that
have received funding in the prior fiscal year, or in the case of a permanent authorization, has not
received a comprehensive review by the committee in the prior three Congresses. The subsection
requires committees to describe each program or agency that is intended to be authorized in the
current Congress or next Congress, and a description of oversight to support reauthorization in the
current Congress. The subsection also requires recommendations, if any, for moving such programs
or agencies from mandatory to discretionary funding (Congressional Record, January 3, 2017, p.
H12).
The rules for the 116th Congress (H.Res. 6) restored the original requirement for oversight plans and deleted references
to authorization plans. The submission process for oversight plans, and related deadlines, was also changed at this time.
A technical amendment to the House Rules pertaining to activity reports deleted references to the authorization plans
(House Rule XI, clause 1(d)(2)(B) and clause 1(d)(2)(C)).
The plans are compiled as a House report. For example, U.S. Congress, House Committee on Oversight and Reform,
Authorization and Oversight Plan for all House Committees, 118th Cong., 1st sess., April 17, 2023, H.Rept. 118-36
(Washington: GPO, 2023).
The Committee on Appropriations, the Committee on Ethics, and the Committee on Rules are exempt from the
requirement to adopt oversight plans.

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• any recommendations made or related actions; and a delineation of any hearings held on the topics of waste, fraud, abuse, or a delineation of any hearings held on the topics of waste, fraud, abuse, or
mismanagement. Pursuant to clause 2 of House Rule XI,mismanagement. Pursuant to clause 2 of House Rule XI,1212 committees are committees are
required required “"to hold at least one hearing during each 120-day periodto hold at least one hearing during each 120-day period”" on these on these
topics. The hearings are to focus in particular on reports from inspectors general topics. The hearings are to focus in particular on reports from inspectors general
or the Comptroller General of the United States and programs or operations that or the Comptroller General of the United States and programs or operations that
are considered are considered “"high-risk.high-risk.”13
"13 Senate Rules do not specifically address required contents, other than to say that the reports are to Senate Rules do not specifically address required contents, other than to say that the reports are to
cover activities carried out under Senate Rule XXVI(8)(a).cover activities carried out under Senate Rule XXVI(8)(a).1414 This paragraph states that This paragraph states that,15
15 (a) In order to assist the Senate in—(a) In order to assist the Senate in—
(1) its (1) its analysis,analysis, appraisal, and evaluation of the appraisal, and evaluation of the application,application, administration,administration, and and
execution of the laws enacted by the Congress, andexecution of the laws enacted by the Congress, and
(2) its formulation, consideration, and enactment of such modifications of or changes (2) its formulation, consideration, and enactment of such modifications of or changes
in those laws, and of such additional legislation, as may be necessary or appropriate, in those laws, and of such additional legislation, as may be necessary or appropriate,
each standing committee (except the Committees on Appropriations and the Budget), each standing committee (except the Committees on Appropriations and the Budget),
shall review and study, on a continuing basis the application, administration, and
execution of those laws, or parts of laws, the subject matter of which is within the
shall review and study, on a continuing basis the application, administration, and execution of those laws, or parts of laws, the subject matter of which is within the legislative jurisdiction of that committee....legislative jurisdiction of that committee....
Filing the Reports
Both the House and Senate reports cover an entire Congress and are to be filed each odd-Both the House and Senate reports cover an entire Congress and are to be filed each odd-
numbered year.numbered year.
Pursuant to House Rule XI, clause 1(d)(1), reports are to be filed by January 2.Pursuant to House Rule XI, clause 1(d)(1), reports are to be filed by January 2.1616 A House chair A House chair
may file the report after the sine die may file the report after the sine die adjournment17adjournment17 or after December 15 of an even-numbered or after December 15 of an even-numbered
year, whichever occurs first.year, whichever occurs first.1818 The report is filed with the Clerk of the House. House Rules do not The report is filed with the Clerk of the House. House Rules do not

12 The requirement for hearings related to waste, fraud, abuse, or mismanagement was adopted during the 111th
Congress when the House agreed to H.Res. 40 on January 14, 2009. The resolution also amended clause 1 of House
Rule XI to require that the activity reports “delineate any hearings held pursuant to” this new language (clauses 2(n),
(o), and (p)). This language was incorporated in the House Rules in subsequent Congresses.
13 For example, the Government Accountability Office maintains a “High Risk List” at http://www.gao.gov/highrisk/
overview.
14 Senate Rule XXVI, paragraph 8(b).
15 U.S. Congress, Senate, Standing Rules of the Senate, Revised to January 24, 2013, 113th Cong., November 4, 2013,
S.Doc. 113-18 (Washington: GPO, 2013), p. 35. Available at https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/CDOC-113sdoc18/
pdf/CDOC-113sdoc18.pdf.
16 House activity reports, therefore, are often numerically among the last House reports filed each Congress. The Senate
activity reports, conversely, are numerically often—but not always—among the earlier Senate reports filed each
Congress. As part of a congressional reform effort in 1974, the House Select Committee on Committees considered the
requirement that committees file the activity reports by January 2. One Member suggested that since committee
activities could continue through that day (pursuant to the 20th Amendment to the Constitution, ratified January 23,
1933, the terms of Senators and Representatives begin at noon on the 3rd day of January), the committees could be
provided with additional time to file their reports. Committee Chairman Richard Bolling and others, however, reminded
their colleagues that “We are not a continuing body,” and that imposing such a requirement on future Congresses may
be problematic. The January 2 deadline remained unchanged (U.S. Congress, House Select Committee on Committees,
Committee Reform Amendments of 1974, 93rd Cong., 2nd sess. (Washington: GPO, 1974), p. 618).
17 A sine die adjournment is “an adjournment that ends an annual session.” For additional information, see CRS Report
R42977, Sessions, Adjournments, and Recesses of Congress, by Valerie Heitshusen.
18 The rules adopted for the 112th Congress (H.Res. 5, January 5, 2011) added the reference to December 15 of an even-
numbered year. The effect is to allow the report to be filed before sine die adjournment when the House continues to
meet past December 15.
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require committee approval of the report, although a copy of the report must be available to each require committee approval of the report, although a copy of the report must be available to each
committee member for at least seven calendar days.committee member for at least seven calendar days.1919 House committee activity reports generally House committee activity reports generally
include a letter of transmittal from the chair of the committee to the Clerk. One committee—the include a letter of transmittal from the chair of the committee to the Clerk. One committee—the
House Ethics Committee, which is comprised of an equal number of Members from the majority House Ethics Committee, which is comprised of an equal number of Members from the majority
and minority party pursuant to House Rule X—generally has included a transmittal letter signed and minority party pursuant to House Rule X—generally has included a transmittal letter signed
by both the chair and ranking minority member. A few committees have included in their by both the chair and ranking minority member. A few committees have included in their
transmittal letters a disclaimer indicating the transmittal letters a disclaimer indicating the “"document is intended as a general reference tool, document is intended as a general reference tool,
and not as a substitute for the hearing records, reports, and other committee files.and not as a substitute for the hearing records, reports, and other committee files.”20
"20 Pursuant to Senate Rule XXVI, paragraph 8(b), reports are to be filed by March 31. As stated Pursuant to Senate Rule XXVI, paragraph 8(b), reports are to be filed by March 31. As stated
above, the Senate Appropriations Committee and Senate Budget Committee are exempt from this above, the Senate Appropriations Committee and Senate Budget Committee are exempt from this
requirement.requirement.2121 In addition to the other standing committees, the Senate Select Committee on In addition to the other standing committees, the Senate Select Committee on
Intelligence also regularly files these reports. Committees sometimes have filed a report late or Intelligence also regularly files these reports. Committees sometimes have filed a report late or
not at all, and it is not clear how the Senate Rule requiring activity reports could be enforced by not at all, and it is not clear how the Senate Rule requiring activity reports could be enforced by
the full Senate.the full Senate.
Additionally, House and Senate committees are required to adopt their own rules. While these Additionally, House and Senate committees are required to adopt their own rules. While these
rules cannot conflict with the chamber rules, the committee rules may further address the filing rules cannot conflict with the chamber rules, the committee rules may further address the filing
process for activity reports.process for activity reports.22
22 Additional Contents and Variations
The activity reports are as varied as the committees that produce them. Across committees, they The activity reports are as varied as the committees that produce them. Across committees, they
may differ in organization, level of detail, and information covered. These variations also appear may differ in organization, level of detail, and information covered. These variations also appear
across time, as individual chairs may influence the priorities of their committees. Consequently, across time, as individual chairs may influence the priorities of their committees. Consequently,
comparisons across committees or across time using information only found in these reports may comparisons across committees or across time using information only found in these reports may
be challenging.be challenging.
Organization
Some reports are organized by topic, while others are organized by full committee and Some reports are organized by topic, while others are organized by full committee and
subcommittee activities. Additional organizational or administrative variations in activity reports subcommittee activities. Additional organizational or administrative variations in activity reports
include whether or not they containinclude whether or not they contain
• an overview or history of the committee,
  • a foreword from the committee chair,
  • a table of contents,
  • information on subcommittee jurisdictions and memberships, and
  • listings of names and titles of senior or other staff.
    • an overview or history of the committee,
    • a foreword from the committee chair,

    19 This clause was added by H.Res. 5, January 7, 1997, p. 121. One committee, the House Committee on Education and
    Labor, has traditionally indicated in the transmittal letter the date the report was circulated to Members and whether or
    not minority views were received. For example, see H.Rept. 114-904. Sometimes, a committee has formally resolved to
    approve the activity report during a business meeting (for example, House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, December
    11, 2014, business meeting, http://docs.house.gov/Committee/Calendar/ByEvent.aspx?EventID=102794).
    20 For example, see the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure report for the 114th Congress (H.Rept.
    114-899) and the House Committee on Science report for the 105th Congress (H.Rept. 105-847).
    21 The exception for the Senate Appropriations Committee was included in the 1970 act, with the Senate Budget
    Committee added to this paragraph when the committee was established with the enactment of the Congressional
    Budget and Impoundment Act of 1974 (P.L. 93-344). The Senate Budget Committee, however, did file a report for the
    113th Congress (S.Rept. 114-31).
    22 For House committee rules, see U.S. Congress, House Committee on Rules, Rules Adopted by the Committees of the
    House of Representatives    , committee print, 117th Cong., 1st sess., RCP 117-24 (Washington: GPO, 2022). For Senate
    committee rules, see U.S. Congress, Senate Committee on Rules and Administration, Authority and Rules of Senate
    Committees, 2021-2022    , 117th Cong., 1st sess., S.Doc. 117-6 (Washington: GPO, 2021).
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    • a table of contents,
    • information on subcommittee jurisdictions and memberships, and
    • listings of names and titles of senior or other staff.
    Inclusion of Supplemental, Minority, Additional, or
    Dissenting Views
    Pursuant to House Rules, House committee activity reports are to include Pursuant to House Rules, House committee activity reports are to include “"any supplemental, any supplemental,
    minority, additional, or dissenting views submitted by a member of the committee.minority, additional, or dissenting views submitted by a member of the committee.”23"23 The The
    frequency with which these additional views appear varies greatly across committees. For frequency with which these additional views appear varies greatly across committees. For
    example, since the example, since the 104th104th Congress, activity reports from the Committee on Rules, on Education Congress, activity reports from the Committee on Rules, on Education
    and Labor, and on House Administration frequently contained additional views. Conversely, a and Labor, and on House Administration frequently contained additional views. Conversely, a
    number of committees—for example, the Committees on Appropriations, Intelligence, Ethics, number of committees—for example, the Committees on Appropriations, Intelligence, Ethics,
    Armed Services, and Small Business—rarely, if ever, contained these views during the same Armed Services, and Small Business—rarely, if ever, contained these views during the same
    period. The length of additional views has also varied, from a few sentences to more than 50 period. The length of additional views has also varied, from a few sentences to more than 50
    pages.pages.24
    24 Senate Rules do not address the inclusion of additional views in activity reports. Their inclusion Senate Rules do not address the inclusion of additional views in activity reports. Their inclusion
    appears to be infrequent.appears to be infrequent.25
    25 Types of Information Included and Presentation
    Aside from the required contents addressed in the House and Senate Rules, broad discretion is Aside from the required contents addressed in the House and Senate Rules, broad discretion is
    given to each committee in preparing its own report.given to each committee in preparing its own report.
    The committee activity reports vary in their level of detail in describing oversight activities and The committee activity reports vary in their level of detail in describing oversight activities and
    hearings. Some committees provide lists of these actions, while others provide lengthy hearings. Some committees provide lists of these actions, while others provide lengthy
    descriptions, analysis, and appendices. Relatedly, while many provide lists of documents, descriptions, analysis, and appendices. Relatedly, while many provide lists of documents,
    correspondence, or publications, some contain full-text reproductions. These variations are correspondence, or publications, some contain full-text reproductions. These variations are
    evident in the varying lengths of these reports—for example, House activity reports for the evident in the varying lengths of these reports—for example, House activity reports for the 114th
    114th Congress ranged in length from 22 pages to 485 pages; Senate activity reports ranged from 20 Congress ranged in length from 22 pages to 485 pages; Senate activity reports ranged from 20
    pages to 130 pages.pages to 130 pages.
    The activity reports provide an overview of a variety of issues within the committeeThe activity reports provide an overview of a variety of issues within the committee’s
    's jurisdiction. They may also address actions taken and work produced by the individual jurisdiction. They may also address actions taken and work produced by the individual
    committees, including, for example,committees, including, for example,2626
    • committee publications, including information on published and unpublished , including information on published and unpublished
    hearings;hearings;
    • public statements and press releases;;
    • “ "Dear Colleague”" letters issued by the committee chair; letters issued by the committee chair;

    23 A prior version of this clause, which addressed “supplemental, minority, or additional” views, was expanded to
    include “dissenting” views in the 114th Congress (H.Res. 5, 114th Congress).
    24 For example, see U.S. Congress, House Committee on Homeland Security, Report on the Legislative and Oversight
    Activities    , 112th Cong., 2nd sess., December 27, 2012, H.Rept. 112-730 (Washington: GPO, 2012), pp. 376-426.
    25 The following reports, however, did include additional views: S.Rept. 114-178, from the Senate Committee on
    Foreign Relations; S.Rept. 116-20, S.Rept. 114-8 and S.Rept. 113-7, from the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence;
    and S.Rept. 112-6, from the Senate Committee on Small Business.
    26 List compiled from CRS survey of activity reports issued since the 104th Congress.
    Congressional Research Service

    6
    Guide to Committee Activity Reports: Purpose, Rules, and Contents

    • committee resolutions. The use of committee resolutions may vary by
    committee resolutions. The use of committee resolutions may vary by committee, but they may include internal committee agreements concerning the committee, but they may include internal committee agreements concerning the
    adoption of committee rules, oversight plans, or the committeeadoption of committee rules, oversight plans, or the committee’'s organization. s organization.
    Committees may also consider resolutions that are specific to their jurisdictional Committees may also consider resolutions that are specific to their jurisdictional
    responsibilities;responsibilities;27
    • 27 correspondence to or from executive branch or other officials, including or other officials, including
    related presidential messages and proclamations;related presidential messages and proclamations;
    • a copy or summary of the committeea copy or summary of the committee’s “'s "views and estimates,,”" which addresses which addresses
    budgetary matters within its jurisdiction.budgetary matters within its jurisdiction.2828 Some committees also include Some committees also include
    minority comments on the minority comments on the “"views and estimatesviews and estimates”;
    • "; memoranda clarifying jurisdictional agreements between committees;memoranda clarifying jurisdictional agreements between committees;29
    • 29 information on Member or staff travel, including locations visited, issues , including locations visited, issues
    investigated, or conferences or other events attended;investigated, or conferences or other events attended;
    • conference committee appointments;conference committee appointments;
    • approval by the committee of approval by the committee of consultant contracts;;
    • information on information on committee witnesses, arranged by hearing or by category (e.g., , arranged by hearing or by category (e.g.,
    congressional, executive branch, nongovernmental, and foreign);congressional, executive branch, nongovernmental, and foreign);
    • activities specific to the Senate, for Senate committees (i.e., activities specific to the Senate, for Senate committees (i.e., consideration of treatiesof
    treaties and nominations););
    • activities specific to roles and responsibilities of certain committees or
    pursuant to various laws (for example, advice and guidance from the House or (for example, advice and guidance from the House or
    Senate Committee on Ethics; information on waivers of House Rules, the Budget Senate Committee on Ethics; information on waivers of House Rules, the Budget
    Act, or the Unfunded Mandate Reform Act by the House Committee on Rules;Act, or the Unfunded Mandate Reform Act by the House Committee on Rules;30
    30 and participation in international conferences and and participation in international conferences and “"Committee-Hosted Dignitary Committee-Hosted Dignitary
    Meetings”Meetings" by the House Committee on Foreign Affairs); by the House Committee on Foreign Affairs);
    •
  • petitions and memorials submitted to the committee;
  • investigations conducted by the committee;
    • petitions and memorials     submitted to the committee;

    27 For example, some Committee on House Administration reports include references to resolutions adopted approving
    franked mail allowances for the standing and select committees, allocating funding for certain committees from the
    Reserve Fund, or amending internal House regulations governing, for example, shared employees, the student loan
    repayment program, or revising the Members’ Congressional Handbook. In addition, for example, a House Committee
    on Transportation and Infrastructure report lists “Committee Resolutions (Authorizing the General Services
    Administration Capital Investment and Leasing Program)” (H.Rept. 114-899), while a Senate Committee on
    Environment and Public Works report lists “committee resolutions for public buildings” (S.Rept. 107-100). The House
    Committee on Armed Services and the Committee on Homeland Security have used committee resolutions to adopt
    committee rules and appoint staff (U.S. Congress, House Committee on Armed Services, Organizational Meeting for
    the 115th Congress    , 115th Cong., 1st sess., January 12, 2017 (Washington: GPO, 2017); and H.Rept. 114-907). The
    Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship report for the 115th Congress also listed “Sense of the
    Committee” resolutions (S.Rept. 115-33).
    28 These are required pursuant to Section 310(d) of the Congressional Budget Act. P.L. 93-944, 88 Stat. 307, July 12,
    1974; House Rule X, clause 4(f)(1) and 11(c)(3). The “views and estimates” are to be submitted to the respective
    budget committees no later than six weeks after the President’s budget is submitted or by a date requested by the
    Committee on the Budget. In addition to potential references in the activity reports, the “views and estimates” often are
    printed in the committee report accompanying the budget resolution or compiled as a separate committee print. For
    additional information, see CRS Report 98-512, Formulation and Content of the Budget Resolution, by Bill Heniff Jr.
    29 For example, some of the House Financial Services Committee activity reports provide information on a
    memorandum of understanding between the chairmen of the Committee on Financial Services and the Committee on
    Energy and Commerce (for example, H.Rept. 112-355).
    30 The reporting requirement for waived points of order under the Unfunded Mandate Reform Act was included in P.L.
    104-4 (March 22, 1995, 109 Stat. 63; 2 U.S.C. 1514).
    Congressional Research Service

    7
    Guide to Committee Activity Reports: Purpose, Rules, and Contents

    • investigations conducted by the committee;
    • support provided by the Government Accountability Office (GAO), including
    support provided by the Government Accountability Office (GAO), including reports requested or issued and related high-risk areas identified;reports requested or issued and related high-risk areas identified;
    • special studies or task forces;;
    • information on information on examinations into “"waste, fraud, abuse, and
    mismanagement”;31
    • mismanagement";31 information oninformation on regulatory review efforts; and; and
    • publications prepared separately by the majority or minority members or staff of prepared separately by the majority or minority members or staff of
    the committee.the committee.32
    32 Some reports also include tabular information and statistical summaries of committee meetings, Some reports also include tabular information and statistical summaries of committee meetings,
    including the number of days or pages of hearings, and the number of field hearings, joint including the number of days or pages of hearings, and the number of field hearings, joint
    hearings, closed hearings, business meetings, markup sessions, or witnesses.hearings, closed hearings, business meetings, markup sessions, or witnesses.
    Others include tables providing information on legislation considered by the committee, including Others include tables providing information on legislation considered by the committee, including
    the total number of bills and resolutions referred to the committee, reported, and passed by the the total number of bills and resolutions referred to the committee, reported, and passed by the
    chamber, or enacted into law.chamber, or enacted into law.
    Additional Rules Changes Affecting Activity
    Reports
    Reports Changes to Frequency in the House of Representatives: 112th-114th
    Congresses
    112th-114th Congresses Generally, since 1970, one committee activity report has been required each Congress.Generally, since 1970, one committee activity report has been required each Congress.
    The House has experimented with increasing the frequency of these reports, before reverting to The House has experimented with increasing the frequency of these reports, before reverting to
    the prior practice of one report, issued at the end of each Congress. More specifically, the House the prior practice of one report, issued at the end of each Congress. More specifically, the House
    Rules have provided forRules have provided for
    • one report per Congress (one report per Congress (92nd –111th Congresses);
    • 92nd-111th Congresses); biannual reports, totaling four reports each Congress (biannual reports, totaling four reports each Congress (112th Congress);
    • 112th Congress); annual reports, totaling two reports each Congress (annual reports, totaling two reports each Congress (113th113th Congress); and Congress); and
    • one report per Congress (one report per Congress (114th114th and subsequent Congresses). and subsequent Congresses).331974 Revisions to Committees Required to Prepare Activity Reports 33

    31 As stated above, pursuant to clause 2 of House Rule XI, House committees are required “to hold at least one hearing
    during each 120-day period” on these topics. The hearings are to focus in particular on reports from inspectors general
    or the Comptroller General of the United States and programs or operations that are considered “high-risk.”
    32 For example, the House Budget Committee regularly lists separate majority and minority caucus publications.
    33 H.Res. 5, January 5, 2011, Section 2(e)(13); H.Res. 5, January 3, 2013, Section 2(a); H.Res. 5, January 6, 2015,
    Section 2(a)(4). According to the “Section-By-Section Analysis” of the House Rules changes for the 112th Congress
    inserted into the Congressional Record, the provision was “intended to provide the House with more frequent updates
    regarding the oversight and legislative activities of the committees” (Congressional Record, January 5, 2011, p. H14).
    Congressional Research Service

    8
    link to page 13 Guide to Committee Activity Reports: Purpose, Rules, and Contents

    1974 Revisions to Committees Required to Prepare Activity Reports
    Pursuant to House Rule XI, the requirement for activity reports has applied to all House Pursuant to House Rule XI, the requirement for activity reports has applied to all House
    committees since the committees since the 94th94th Congress (1975-1976). Congress (1975-1976).3434 From the enactment of the Legislative From the enactment of the Legislative
    Reorganization Act of 1970 until the Reorganization Act of 1970 until the 94th94th Congress, the House Committees on Appropriations, Congress, the House Committees on Appropriations,
    House Administration, Rules, Ethics (formerly Standards of Official Conduct), and Budget (upon House Administration, Rules, Ethics (formerly Standards of Official Conduct), and Budget (upon
    its establishment in 1974)its establishment in 1974)3535 were exempt from the requirement that committees file activity were exempt from the requirement that committees file activity
    reports. These committees had originally been exempted from the 1970 act, according to the reports. These committees had originally been exempted from the 1970 act, according to the
    accompanying House report, accompanying House report, “"because ... their respective areas of jurisdiction do not embrace because ... their respective areas of jurisdiction do not embrace
    legislative areas of the type contemplated by the legislative review provisions of the revised legislative areas of the type contemplated by the legislative review provisions of the revised
    clause ... The inclusion of these committees within the purview of that clause would, therefore, be clause ... The inclusion of these committees within the purview of that clause would, therefore, be
    meaningless.meaningless.”36"36 The exception was removed with the adoption of H.Res. 988 The exception was removed with the adoption of H.Res. 988 (93rd (93rd Congress), the Congress), the
    Committee Reform Amendments of 1974, on October 8, 1974.Committee Reform Amendments of 1974, on October 8, 1974.
    An exemption from the reporting requirement for the Senate Budget Committee was added to An exemption from the reporting requirement for the Senate Budget Committee was added to
    Senate Rule XXVI, paragraph 8(b), upon the creation of the committee in 1974.Senate Rule XXVI, paragraph 8(b), upon the creation of the committee in 1974.3737
    Committee Activity Reports Compared to Other
    Congressional Publications
    In addition to the committee activity reports, the House and Senate each produce a number of In addition to the committee activity reports, the House and Senate each produce a number of
    other publications that document their activities. These publications vary in their frequency, other publications that document their activities. These publications vary in their frequency,
    content, and scope (e.g., coverage of the entire chamber or only certain committees), and in how content, and scope (e.g., coverage of the entire chamber or only certain committees), and in how
    they are issued (e.g., as committee reports, committee documents, House or Senate documents, they are issued (e.g., as committee reports, committee documents, House or Senate documents,
    printing in the printing in the Congressional Record, or online-only availability), or online-only availability). Table 1 provides a brief provides a brief
    comparison of selected publications.comparison of selected publications.
    The committee activity reports, compared to the other publications, may be more likely to provide The committee activity reports, compared to the other publications, may be more likely to provide
    discussion, analysis, or statistics. They also aggregate selected types of information about a discussion, analysis, or statistics. They also aggregate selected types of information about a
    committee in one place. They also differ from some of the other publications since they provide a committee in one place. They also differ from some of the other publications since they provide a
    retrospective accounting of the actions taken by a particular committee, rather than information retrospective accounting of the actions taken by a particular committee, rather than information
    on prospective, planned, or ongoing actions.


    34 U.S. Congress, House, Constitution, Jefferson’s Manual, and Rules of the House of Representatives, 116th Cong., 2nd
    sess., H.Doc. 116-177 (Washington: GPO, 2021), §790.
    35 The House and Senate Budget Committees were established with the enactment of the Congressional Budget and
    Impoundment Act of 1974, P.L. 93-344, July 12, 1974, 88 Stat. 301.
    36 U.S. Congress, House Committee on Rules, Legislative Reorganization Act of 1970, report on H.R. 17654, 91st
    Cong., 2nd sess., June 17, 1970, H.Rept. 91-1215 (Washington: GPO, 1970), p. 74. See also 2 U.S.C. §190d(c).
    37 P.L. 93-344, July 12, 1974, 88 Stat. 331.
    Congressional Research Service

    9
    link to page 14 link to page 15 link to page 15 link to page 15 link to page 15 link to page 15 link to page 15 link to page 15 link to page 15 link to page 15
    on prospective, planned, or ongoing actions. Table 1. Committee Activity Reports and Other Selected Congressional Publications: Frequency, Content, Rules, and Other
    Information Information
    Other Information
    Title or Description of
    Publication Frequency of
    Publication Prepared or
    Rules,
    (Publication Type
    Publication
    Publication
    Maintained by
    Examples of Information Included
    If Any
    or Link)
    House and Senate
    Once per Congress,
    Individual committees
    Committee rules, membership, actions,
    Required by
    Issued as committee
    Committee Activity
    by January 2
    in the House and
    and activities. Contents vary by
    House Rule XI
    reportsa
    Reports
    (House) or by
    Senate
    committee, but may also have
    and Senate Rule
    March 31 (Senate)
    discussion, analysis, statistics, or
    XXVI
    of an odd-numbered
    documents.
    year
    Maintained by

    Examples of Information Included

    Rules, If Any

    Other Information (Publication Type or Link)

    House and Senate Committee Activity Reports

    Once per Congress, by January 2 (House) or by March 31 (Senate) of an odd-numbered year

    Individual committees in the House and Senate

    Committee rules, membership, actions, and activities. Contents vary by committee, but may also have discussion, analysis, statistics, or documents.

    Required by House Rule XI and Senate Rule XXVI

    Issued as committee reportsa     House Oversight and Authorization Plans and
    Once per Congress
    Individual committees
    Planned review and legislative activities
    Required by
    Compilation issued as
    Authorization Plans
    (Not later than
    in the Houseb
    within each committee’s jurisdiction
    House Rule X
    a committee reportc
    March 1 of the first
    session of a
    Congress)
    House Committee
    Monthly
    Individual committees
    Once per Congress (Not later than March 1 of the first session of a Congress) Individual committees in the Houseb

    Planned review and legislative activities within each committee's jurisdiction

    Required by House Rule X

    Compilation issued as a committee reportc

    House Committee Reports

    Monthly

    Individual committees in the House

    May include information on expenses, staff, travel, and detailees.

    —d Available onlined

    House and Senate Committee Calendars

    Once per Congresse     May include information on expenses,
    —d
    Available onlined
    Reports
    in the House
    staff, travel, and detailees.
    House and Senate
    Once per Congresse
    Issued by some
    Committee rules, membership,
    —
    May be issued as
    Committee Calendars
    individual committees
    legislation referred (may be arranged by
    House or Senate
    in the House and
    type, and indicate actions or
    printsf
    Senatef
    Issued by some individual committees in the House and Senatef Committee rules, membership, legislation referred (may be arranged by type, and indicate actions or disposition), and lists of meetings and disposition), and lists of meetings and
    documents prepared by or referred to documents prepared by or referred to
    the committeethe committee
    House Calendarg
    Each day the House
    Prepared under the
    Special Orders agreed to by the House,
    —
    —h
    is in session, with a
    direction of the Clerk
    lists of legislation or motions eligible for
    final calendar each
    of the House

    —

    May be issued as House or Senate printsf House Calendarg

    Each day the House is in session, with a final calendar each session

    Prepared under the direction of the Clerk of the House

    Special Orders agreed to by the House, lists of legislation or motions eligible for consideration, lists of public and private     consideration, lists of public and private
    session
    laws enacted during that Congress, laws enacted during that Congress,
    additional legislative history on additional legislative history on bil s
    bills reported, considered, or in conferencereported, considered, or in conference
    CRS-10
    link to page 15 link to page 15 link to page 15 link to page 15 link to page 15 link to page 15 link to page 15
    Other Information
    Title or Description of
    Frequency of
    Prepared or
    Rules,
    (Publication Type
    Publication
    Publication
    Maintained by
    Examples of Information Included
    If Any
    or Link)
    Senate Calendar of
    Each day the Senate
    Prepared under the
    Unanimous consent agreements, Senate
    —
    —h
    Business (Legislative
    is in session, with a
    direction of the
    and committee membership, lists of
    Calendar)i
    final calendar each
    Secretary of the Senate

    —

    —h Senate Calendar of Business (Legislative Calendar)i

    Each day the Senate is in session, with a final calendar each session

    Prepared under the direction of the Secretary of the Senate

    Unanimous consent agreements, Senate and committee membership, lists of legislation eligible for floor     legislation eligible for floor
    session
    consideration, notices by a Senator of consideration, notices by a Senator of
    an intent to object to proceeding, an intent to object to proceeding,
    conference committee information conference committee information
    (including conferees), and the status of (including conferees), and the status of
    appropriations bil s
    Senate Executive
    Each day the Senate
    Prepared under the
    Treaties and nominations that are

    —h
    Calendar j
    is in session
    direction of the
    reported by committees, “privileged”
    Secretary of the Senate
    appropriations bills

    —

    —h Senate Executive Calendar j

    Each day the Senate is in session

    Prepared under the direction of the Secretary of the Senate

    Treaties and nominations that are reported by committees, "privileged"     nominations, and notices by a Senator of nominations, and notices by a Senator of
    an intent to object to proceeding
    Résumé of Congressional Monthly, with a final
    Prepared under the
    1. Days in session
    —
    Published in the
    Activity
    edition at the end of
    direction of the Clerk
    2. Time in session
    Congressional Record k
    each session of
    of the House and the
    Congress
    Secretary of the Senate
    an intent to object to proceeding —h

    Résumé of Congressional Activity

    Monthly, with a final edition at the end of each session of Congress

    Prepared under the direction of the Clerk of the House and the Secretary of the Senate and includes information on both chambers

    1. Days in session

    2. Time in session

    3. Number of pages in the Congressional Record

    4. Number of bills    3. Number of pages in the Congressional
    and includes
    Record
    information on both
    4. Number of bil s introduced, reported,
    chambers
    introduced, reported, passed, and enactedpassed, and enacted
    5. Number of votes5. Number of votes
    6. Disposition of Executive Nominations6. Disposition of Executive Nominations
    U.S. House of
    Continuous

    —

    Published in the Congressional Record k

    U.S. House of Representatives Document Repository at docs.house.gov

    Continuous

    Maintained by the Clerk of the Housel

    1. Text of legislation to be considered by the House and its committees

    2. Committee documents including for     Maintained by the
    1. Text of legislation to be considered
    Required by
    Online since the 113th
    Representatives
    Clerk of the Housel
    by the House and its committees
    House Rule X and Congress
    Document Repository at
    2. Committee documents including for
    XXIX and
    docs.house.gov
    example: committee rules; hearing
    standards
    example: committee rules; hearing information; and supporting documents information; and supporting documents
    adopted by the
    like notices, statements, and adopted like notices, statements, and adopted
    amendments Required by House Rule X and XXIX and standards adopted by the Committee on House Administrationm

    Online since the 113th Congress

     Committee on
    amendments
    House Adminm
    Source: Compilation by CRS. For additional information, see CRS Report R43434, Compilation by CRS. For additional information, see CRS Report R43434, Policy and Legislative Research for Congressional Staff: Finding Documents, Analysis, News,
    and Training    , by Sarah W. , by Sarah W. Caldwel , El enCaldwell, Ellen M. Lechman, and Michele L. Malloy. M. Lechman, and Michele L. Malloy.
    Notes:
    a. a. Available at https://www.congress.gov/Available at https://www.congress.gov/.. Not all committees appear to have filed reports by the deadline in all Congresses. Not all committees appear to have filed reports by the deadline in all Congresses.
    CRS-11

    b. b. The House Committee on Appropriations, the Committee on Ethics, and the Committee on Rules are exempt from this requirement.The House Committee on Appropriations, the Committee on Ethics, and the Committee on Rules are exempt from this requirement.
    c. c. For example, U.S. Congress, House Committee on Oversight and Reform, For example, U.S. Congress, House Committee on Oversight and Reform, Authorization and Oversight Plan for all House Committees, , 116th116th Cong., Cong., 1st1st sess., April 19, sess., April 19,
    2019, H.Rept. 116-402019, H.Rept. 116-40 ( (Washington: GPO, 2019). They may also be issued by individual committees in prints or reports.GPO, 2019). They may also be issued by individual committees in prints or reports.
    d. d. The The Committees’' Congressional Handbook (https://cha.house.gov/ (https://cha.house.gov/handbooks/committeecommittees-congressional-handbook) states: -handbook) states: “"Each Committee must submit to the Committee on House Each Committee must submit to the Committee on House
    Administration, by the Administration, by the 18th18th of each month, an original and one copy of a report signed by the Committee Chair on the activities of the Committee during the of each month, an original and one copy of a report signed by the Committee Chair on the activities of the Committee during the
    preceding month.preceding month.”" It also specifies items for inclusion. The reports It also specifies items for inclusion. The reports for the 116th Congress are available at https://cha.house.gov/committee-are available at https://cha.house.gov/committee-activity/committee-
    reports.
    e. reports. e. One exception is the Committee on Rules, which has traditionally published its One exception is the Committee on Rules, which has traditionally published its Journal and History of Legislation each session, rather than for each Congress. each session, rather than for each Congress.
    f. f.
    Current practice regarding the issuance of calendars, which is not required by the House and Senate Rules, varies across committees. Those calendars that are Current practice regarding the issuance of calendars, which is not required by the House and Senate Rules, varies across committees. Those calendars that are
    issued as committee prints are available at https://www.govinfo.gov/issued as committee prints are available at https://www.govinfo.gov/app/collection/CPRT/. g. app/col ection/CPRT/.
    g. For additional information, see CRS Report 98-437, For additional information, see CRS Report 98-437, Calendars of the House of Representatives, by Christopher M. Davis., by Christopher M. Davis.
    h. Available at https://www.senate.gov/reference/Index/Calendars_schedules.htm and h. Available at https://www.govinfo.gov/https://www.govinfo.gov/app/collection/CCAL/. i. app/col ection/CCAL/.
    i.
    For additional information, see CRS Report 98-429, For additional information, see CRS Report 98-429, The Senate’'s Calendar of Business, coordinated by Elizabeth Rybicki., coordinated by Elizabeth Rybicki.
    j. j.
    For additional information, see CRS Report 98-438, For additional information, see CRS Report 98-438, The Senate’'s Executive Calendar, coordinated by Elizabeth Rybicki., coordinated by Elizabeth Rybicki.
    k. k. Available since 1947, at https://www.senate.gov/Available since 1947, at https://www.senate.gov/pagelayout/reference/two_column_table/Resumeslegislative/ResumesofCongressionalActivity1947present.htm and https://history.house.gov/Institution/Resumes-of-.htm and https://history.house.gov/Institution/Resumes-of-
    Congressional-Activity/Resumes-Of-Congressional-Activitity/Congressional-Activity/Resumes-Of-Congressional-Activitity/.
    l.
    . l. According to the website, content for the According to the website, content for the “Bil s"Bills to be considered on the House Floor to be considered on the House Floor”" section is provided by the House majority leader section is provided by the House majority leader’'s office and the Committee s office and the Committee
    on Rules. House standing and select committees provide content for the on Rules. House standing and select committees provide content for the “"committee repositorycommittee repository”" section (https://docs.house.gov/ section (https://docs.house.gov/). m. ).
    m. In particular, House Rule X, clause 4(d)(1)(E), House Rule XXIX, clause 3; and Committee on House Administration, In particular, House Rule X, clause 4(d)(1)(E), House Rule XXIX, clause 3; and Committee on House Administration, Standards for the Electronic Posting of House and
    Committee Documents & Data.

    CRS-12
    link to page 17
    Appendix. List of Activity Reports
    Table A-1. Senate Committee Activity Reports Issued Since the 111th111th Congress
    covering activities since the covering activities since the 110th110th Congress, report covers activities of prior Congress Congress, report covers activities of prior Congress
    Committee
    111th
    112th
    113th
    114th
    115th
    116th
    117th
    118th
    Armed Services
    S.Rept. 111-5
    S.Rept. 112-2
    S.Rept. 113-10
    S.Rept. 114-7
    S.Rept. 115-207


    Banking, Housing
    S.Rept. 111-17
    S.Rept. 112-7
    S.Rept. 113-2



    S.Rept. 117-3
    S.Rept. 118-10
    and Urban Affairs
    Budgeta



    S.Rept. 114-31




    Commerce,


    S.Rept. 113-206 S.Rept. 114-50
    S.Rept. 115-18
    S.Rept. 116-24
    S.Rept. 117-8
    S.Rept. 118-21
    Science, and
    Transportation

    Committee

    111th

    112th

    113th

    114th

    115th

    116th

    117th

    118th

    119th

    Armed Services

    S.Rept. 111-5

    S.Rept. 112-2

    S.Rept. 113-10

    S.Rept. 114-7

    S.Rept. 115-207

    Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs

    S.Rept. 111-17

    S.Rept. 112-7

    S.Rept. 113-2

    S.Rept. 117-3

    S.Rept. 118-10

    Budgeta

    S.Rept. 114-31

    Commerce, Science, and Transportation

    S.Rept. 113-206

    S.Rept. 114-50

    S.Rept. 115-18

    S.Rept. 116-24

    S.Rept. 117-8

    S.Rept. 118-21

    Energy and Natural Resources

    S.Rept. 111-8

    S.Rept. 112-4

    S.Rept. 113-4

    S.Rept. 114-6

    S.Rept. 115-10

    S.Rept. 116-25

    S.Rept. 117-4

    S.Rept. 118-6

    S.Rept. 119-7

    Finance

    S.Rept. 111-13

    S.Rept. 112-11

    S.Rept. 113-5

    S.Rept. 114-9

    S.Rept. 115-25

    S.Rept. 116-19

    S.Rept. 117-9

    S.Rept. 118-4

    S.Rept. 119-6

    Foreign Relations

    S.Rept. 111-12

    S.Rept. 112-10

    S.Rept. 113-8

    S.Rept. 114-178

    S.Rept. 115-22

    S.Rept. 116-23

    Homeland Security and Government Affairs

    S.Rept. 111-360

    S.Rept. 112-193

    S.Rept. 113-115

    S.Rept. 114-33

    S.Rept. 115-12

    S.Rept. 116-17

    S.Rept. 117-1

    S.Rept. 118-1

    S.Rept. 119-8

    Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

    S.Rept. 116-26

    S.Rept. 118-7

    Intelligence (Select)

    S.Rept. 111-6

    S.Rept. 112-3

    S.Rept. 113-7

    S.Rept. 114-8

    S.Rept. 115-13

    S.Rept. 116-20

    S.Rept. 117-2

    S.Rept. 118-5

    S.Rept. 119-1

    Judiciary

    S.Rept. 111-11

    S.Rept. 112-5

    S.Rept. 113-6

    S.Rept. 114-10

    S.Rept. 115-19

    S.Rept. 116-22

    S.Rept. 117-7

    S.Rept. 118-11

    S.Rept. 119-10

    Rules and Administration

    S.Rept. 112-8

    S.Rept. 113-11

    S.Rept. 114-11

    S.Rept. 115-20

    S.Rept. 116-68

    **inserted into the Congressional Record on July 31, 2019 (Pages S5239-S5242)

    S.Rept. 118-8

    S.Rept. 119-5

    Small Business

    S.Rept. 111-2

    S.Rept. 112-6

    S.Rept. 113-33

    S.Rept. 114-252

    S.Rept. 115-33

    Veterans' Affairs

    S.Rept. 113-125

    S.Rept. 114-156

    S.Rept. 115-17

    S.Rept. 116-51

    S.Rept. 117-16

    S.Rept. 118-3

    S.Rept. 119-2

    Energy and
    S.Rept. 111-8
    S.Rept. 112-4
    S.Rept. 113-4
    S.Rept. 114-6
    S.Rept. 115-10
    S.Rept. 116-25
    S.Rept. 117-4
    S.Rept. 118-6
    Natural
    Resources
    Finance
    S.Rept. 111-13
    S.Rept. 112-11
    S.Rept. 113-5
    S.Rept. 114-9
    S.Rept. 115-25
    S.Rept. 116-19
    S.Rept. 117-9
    S.Rept. 118-4
    Foreign Relations
    S.Rept. 111-12
    S.Rept. 112-10
    S.Rept. 113-8
    S.Rept. 114-178 S.Rept. 115-22
    S.Rept. 116-23


    Homeland
    S.Rept. 111-360 S.Rept. 112-193 S.Rept. 113-115 S.Rept. 114-33
    S.Rept. 115-12
    S.Rept. 116-17
    S.Rept. 117-1
    S.Rept. 118-1
    Security and
    Government
    Affairs
    Health,





    S.Rept. 116-26

    S.Rept. 118-7
    Education, Labor,
    and Pensions
    Intelligence
    S.Rept. 111-6
    S.Rept. 112-3
    S.Rept. 113-7
    S.Rept. 114-8
    S.Rept. 115-13
    S.Rept. 116-20
    S.Rept. 117-2
    S.Rept. 118-5
    (Select)
    Judiciary
    S.Rept. 111-11
    S.Rept. 112-5
    S.Rept. 113-6
    S.Rept. 114-10
    S.Rept. 115-19
    S.Rept. 116-22
    S.Rept. 117-7
    S.Rept. 118-11
    Rules and

    S.Rept. 112-8
    S.Rept. 113-11
    S.Rept. 114-11
    S.Rept. 115-20
    S.Rept. 116-68

    S.Rept. 118-8
    Administration
    Small Business
    S.Rept. 111-2
    S.Rept. 112-6
    S.Rept. 113-33
    S.Rept. 114-252 S.Rept. 115-33



    CRS-13

    Committee
    111th
    112th
    113th
    114th
    115th
    116th
    117th
    118th
    Veterans’ Affairs


    S.Rept. 113-125 S.Rept. 114-156 S.Rept. 115-17
    S.Rept. 116-51
    S.Rept. 117-16
    S.Rept. 118-3
    Source: CRS search of congress.gov and https://www.govinfo.gov/CRS search of congress.gov and https://www.govinfo.gov/app/collection/crpt. app/col ection/crpt.
    Notes: While CRS attempted to locate all activity reports, searching by committee names and using keyword searches, additional reports may exist. As stated above, While CRS attempted to locate all activity reports, searching by committee names and using keyword searches, additional reports may exist. As stated above,
    other committee publications, including committee calendars, may document the activities of Senate committees. Committees for which CRS did not identify activity other committee publications, including committee calendars, may document the activities of Senate committees. Committees for which CRS did not identify activity
    reports since the reports since the 111th111th Congress are not listed in the table. As stated above, reports covering the activities in one Congress are generally filed early in the next Congress are not listed in the table. As stated above, reports covering the activities in one Congress are generally filed early in the next
    Congress. For example, the reports filed in the Congress. For example, the reports filed in the 116th116th Congress would cover activities of the Congress would cover activities of the 115th Congress.
    a. 115th Congress. a. The Senate Budget Committee, as well as the Senate Appropriations Committee, is exempt from the filing requirement.The Senate Budget Committee, as well as the Senate Appropriations Committee, is exempt from the filing requirement.
    CRS-14
    link to page 19 link to page 19 link to page 19
    Table A-2. House Committee Activity Reports Issued Since the 110th110th Congress
    reports cover activities from the Congress, or portion of the Congress, in which they are filedreports cover activities from the Congress, or portion of the Congress, in which they are filed
    112th
    112th
    112th
    112th
    113th
    113th
    Committee
    110th
    111th
    (1st)
    (2nd)
    (3rd)
    (4th)
    (1st)
    (2nd)
    114th
    115th
    116th
    117th
    Agriculture

    Committee

    110th

    111th

    112th (1st)

    112th (2nd)

    112th (3rd)

    112th (4th)

    113th (1st)

    113th (2nd)

    114th

    115th

    116th

    117th

    118th

    Agriculture

    H.Rept. 110-933

    H.Rept. 111-703

    H.Rept. 112-122

    H.Rept. 112-340

    H.Rept. 112-574

    H.Rept. 112-749

    H.Rept. 113-308

    H.Rept. 113-679

    H.Rept. 114-896

    H.Rept. 115-1108

    H.Rept. 116-714

    H.Rept.
    H.Rept.
    H.Rept.
    H.Rept.
    H.Rept.
    H.Rept.
    H.Rept.
    H.Rept.
    H.Rept.
    H.Rept.
    H.Rept.
    H.Rept.
    110-933
    111-703
    112-122
    112-340
    112-574
    112-749
    113-308
    113-679
    114-896
    115-1108 116-714
    117-707
    Appropriations
    H.Rept.
    H.Rept. 117-707

    H.Rept. 118-976

    Appropriations

    H.Rept. 110-932

    H.Rept. 111-700

    H.Rept. 112-145

    H.Rept. 112-354

    H.Rept. 112-570

    H.Rept. 112-748

    H.Rept. 113-315

    H.Rept. 113-724

    H.Rept. 114-902

    H.Rept.
    H.Rept.
    H.Rept.
    H.Rept.
    H.Rept.
    H.Rept.
    H.Rept.
    H.Rept.
    H.Rept.
    H.Rept.
    H.Rept.
    110-932
    111-700
    112-145
    112-354
    112-570
    112-748
    113-315
    113-724
    114-902
    115-1121 116-716
    117-703
    Armed Services
    H.Rept.
    H.Rept. 115-1121

    H.Rept. 116-716

    H.Rept. 117-703

    H.Rept. 118-966

    Armed Services

    H.Rept. 110-942

    H.Rept. 111-710

    H.Rept. 112-123

    H.Rept. 112-359

    H.Rept. 112-575

    H.Rept. 112-744

    H.Rept. 113-309

    H.Rept. 113-714

    H.Rept.
    H.Rept.
    H.Rept.
    H.Rept.
    H.Rept.
    H.Rept.
    H.Rept.
    H.Rept.
    H.Rept.
    H.Rept.
    H.Rept.
    110-942
    111-710
    112-123
    112-359
    112-575
    112-744
    113-309
    113-714
    114-885
    115-1100 116-709
    117-666
    Budget
    H.Rept.
    H.Rept.
    H.Rept.
    H.Rept.
    H.Rept.
    H.Rept.
    H.Rept. 114-885

    H.Rept. 115-1100

    H.Rept. 116-709

    H.Rept. 117-666

    H.Rept. 118-961

    Budget

    H.Rept. 110-928

    H.Rept. 111-704

    H.Rept. 112-147

    H.Rept. 112-358

    H.Rept. 112-543

    H.Rept. 112-713

    H.Rept. 113-306

    H.Rept. 113-680

    H.Rept. 114-897

    H.Rept. 115-1124

    H.Rept. 116-706

    H.Rept. 117-690

    H.Rept. 118-962

    Education and the Workforcea

    H.Rept. 110-923

    H.Rept. 111-696

    H.Rept.
    H.Rept.
    H.Rept.
    H.Rept.
    H.Rept.
    H.Rept.
    110-928
    111-704
    112-147
    112-358
    112-543
    112-713
    113-306
    113-680
    114-897
    115-1124 116-706
    117-690
    Education and the H.Rept.
    H.Rept.
    H.Rept.
    H.Rept.
    H.Rept.
    H.Rept.
    H.Rept.
    H.Rept.
    H.Rept.
    H.Rept.
    H.Rept.
    H.Rept. 112-133

    H.Rept. 112-338

    H.Rept. 112-569

    H.Rept. 112-714

    H.Rept. 113-313

    H.Rept. 113-725

    H.Rept. 114-904

    H.Rept. 115-1123

    H.Rept. 116-711

    H.Rept. 117-700

    H.Rept. 118-970

    Energy and Commerce

    H.Rept. 110-937

    H.Rept. 111-706

    H.Rept. 112-125

    H.Rept. 112-337

    H.Rept. 112-561

    H.Rept. 112-746

    H.Rept. 113-305

    H.Rept.
    Workforcea
    110-923
    111-696
    112-133
    112-338
    112-569
    112-714
    113-313
    113-725
    114-904
    115-1123 116-711
    117-700
    Energy and
    H.Rept.
    H.Rept.
    H.Rept.
    H.Rept.
    H.Rept.
    H.Rept.
    H.Rept.
    H.Rept.
    H.Rept.
    H.Rept.
    H.Rept.
    H.Rept.
    Commerce
    110-937
    111-706
    112-125
    112-337
    112-561
    112-746
    113-305
    113-716
    114-906
    115-1126 116-713
    117-702
    Ethicsb
    H.Rept.
    H.Rept.
    H.Rept.



    H.Rept. 113-716

    H.Rept. 114-906

    H.Rept. 115-1126

    H.Rept. 116-713

    H.Rept. 117-702

    H.Rept. 118-965

    Ethicsb

    H.Rept. 110-938

    H.Rept. 111-707

    H.Rept. 112-739

    H.Rept. 113-323

    H.Rept. 113-727

    H.Rept. 114-910

    H.Rept. 115-1125

    H.Rept. 116-703

    H.Rept. 117-706

    H.Rept. 118-973

    Financial Services

    H.Rept.
    H.Rept.
    H.Rept.
    H.Rept.
    H.Rept.
    H.Rept.
    110-938
    111-707
    112-739
    113-323
    113-727
    114-910
    115-1125 116-703
    117-706
    Financial Services
    H.Rept.
    H.Rept.
    H.Rept.
    H.Rept.
    H.Rept.
    H.Rept.
    H.Rept.
    H.Rept.
    H.Rept. 110-929

    H.Rept. 111-702

    H.Rept. 112-121

    H.Rept. 112-355

    H.Rept. 112-559

    H.Rept. 112-742

    H.Rept. 113-311

    H.Rept. 113-722

    H.Rept. 114-903

    H.Rept. 115-1122

    H.Rept. 116-718

    H.Rept. 117-701

    H.Rept. 118-969

    Foreign Affairs

    H.Rept.
    H.Rept.
    H.Rept.
    H.Rept.
    110-929
    111-702
    112-121
    112-355
    112-559
    112-742
    113-311
    113-722
    114-903
    115-1122 116-718
    117-701
    Foreign Affairs
    H.Rept.
    H.Rept.
    H.Rept.
    H.Rept. 110-939

    H.Rept. 111-713

    H.Rept. 112-126

    H.Rept. 112-350

    H.Rept. 112-552

    H.Rept. 112-743

    H.Rept. 113-318

    H.Rept. 113-728

    H.Rept. 114-898

    H.Rept. 115-1113

    see notec

    H.Rept. 117-697

    H.Rept. 118-968

    Homeland Security

    H.Rept. 110-940

    H.Rept. 111-699

    H.Rept. 112-127

    H.Rept.
    H.Rept.
    H.Rept.
    H.Rept.
    H.Rept.
    H.Rept.
    H.Rept.
    see notec H.Rept.
    110-939
    111-713
    112-126
    112-350
    112-552
    112-743
    113-318
    113-728
    114-898
    115-1113
    117-697
    Homeland
    H.Rept.
    H.Rept.
    H.Rept.
    H.Rept.
    H.Rept.
    H.Rept.
    H.Rept.
    H.Rept.
    H.Rept.
    H.Rept.
    H.Rept. 112-351

    H.Rept. 112-522

    H.Rept. 112-730

    H.Rept. 113-314

    H.Rept. 113-719

    H.Rept. 114-907

    H.Rept. 115-1127

    H.Rept. 116-720

    H.Rept. 117-691

    H.Rept. 118-967

    House Administration

    H.Rept. 110-924

    H.Rept. 111-715

    H.Rept. 112-137

    H.Rept. 112-360

    H.Rept. 112-571

    H.Rept. 112-738

    H.Rept.
    H.Rept.
    Security
    110-940
    111-699
    112-127
    112-351
    112-522
    112-730
    113-314
    113-719
    114-907
    115-1127 116-720
    117-691
    House
    H.Rept.
    H.Rept.
    H.Rept.
    H.Rept.
    H.Rept.
    H.Rept.
    H.Rept.
    H.Rept.
    H.Rept.
    H.Rept.
    H.Rept.
    H.Rept.
    Administration
    110-924
    111-715
    112-137
    112-360
    112-571
    112-738
    113-312
    113-721
    114-901
    115-1109 116-707
    117-698
    Intelligence


    H.Rept. 113-312

    H.Rept. 113-721

    H.Rept. 114-901

    H.Rept. 115-1109

    H.Rept. 116-707

    H.Rept. 117-698

    H.Rept. 118-964

    Intelligence (Permanent Select)

    H.Rept. 112-134

    H.Rept. 112-353

    H.Rept. 112-560

    H.Rept. 112-733

    H.Rept. 113-310

    H.Rept. 113-717

    H.Rept. 114-881

    H.Rept. 115-1111

    Judiciary

    H.Rept. 110-941

    H.Rept.
    H.Rept.
    H.Rept.
    H.Rept.
    H.Rept.
    H.Rept.
    H.Rept.
    H.Rept.


    (Permanent
    112-134
    112-353
    112-560
    112-733
    113-310
    113-717
    114-881
    115-1111
    Select)
    Judiciary
    H.Rept.
    H.Rept.
    H.Rept.
    H.Rept.
    H.Rept.
    H.Rept.
    H.Rept. 111-712

    H.Rept. 112-119

    H.Rept.
    H.Rept.
    H.Rept.
    H.Rept.
    H.Rept.

    110-941
    111-712
    112-119
    112-352
    112-562
    112-747
    113-301
    113-682
    114-895
    115-1112 116-715
    CRS-15
    link to page 19 link to page 19
    112th
    112th
    112th
    112th
    113th
    113th
    Committee
    110th
    111th
    (1st)
    (2nd)
    (3rd)
    (4th)
    (1st)
    (2nd)
    114th
    115th
    116th
    117th
    Natural
    H.Rept.
    H.Rept. 112-352

    H.Rept. 112-562

    H.Rept. 112-747

    H.Rept. 113-301

    H.Rept. 113-682

    H.Rept. 114-895

    H.Rept. 115-1112

    H.Rept. 116-715

    H.Rept. 118-963

    Natural Resources

    H.Rept. 110-925

    H.Rept. 111-701

    H.Rept. 112-132

    H.Rept. 112-346

    H.Rept. 112-572

    H.Rept. 112-752

    H.Rept. 113-307

    H.Rept. 113-720

    H.Rept. 114-886

    H.Rept.
    H.Rept.
    H.Rept.
    H.Rept.
    H.Rept.
    H.Rept.
    H.Rept.
    H.Rept.
    H.Rept.
    H.Rept.
    H.Rept.
    Resources
    110-925
    111-701
    112-132
    112-346
    112-572
    112-752
    113-307
    113-720
    114-886
    115-1128 116-712
    117-704
    Oversight and
    H.Rept.
    H.Rept.
    H.Rept.
    H.Rept. 115-1128

    H.Rept. 116-712

    H.Rept. 117-704

    H.Rept. 118-977

    Oversight and Accountabilityd

    H.Rept. 110-930

    H.Rept. 111-705

    H.Rept. 112-128

    H.Rept. 112-349

    H.Rept. 112-568

    H.Rept. 112-740

    H.Rept. 113-303

    H.Rept. 113-734

    H.Rept. 114-909

    H.Rept. 115-1114

    H.Rept.
    H.Rept.
    H.Rept.
    H.Rept.
    H.Rept.
    H.Rept.
    H.Rept.
    H.Rept.
    H.Rept.
    Accountabilityd
    110-930
    111-705
    112-128
    112-349
    112-568
    112-740
    113-303
    113-734
    114-909
    115-1114 116-710
    117-699
    Rules
    H.Rept.
    H.Rept.
    H.Rept.
    H.Rept.
    H.Rept.
    H.Rept.
    H.Rept.
    H.Rept. 116-710

    H.Rept. 117-699

    H.Rept. 118-972

    Rules

    H.Rept. 110-931

    H.Rept. 111-714

    H.Rept. 112-129

    H.Rept. 112-357

    H.Rept. 112-567

    H.Rept. 112-751

    H.Rept. 113-317

    H.Rept. 113-726

    H.Rept. 114-905

    H.Rept. 115-1130

    H.Rept. 116-722

    H.Rept. 117-709

    H.Rept. 118-979

    Science, Space, and Technologye

    H.Rept. 110-935

    H.Rept. 111-698

    H.Rept.
    H.Rept.
    H.Rept.
    H.Rept.
    H.Rept.
    110-931
    111-714
    112-129
    112-357
    112-567
    112-751
    113-317
    113-726
    114-905
    115-1130 116-722
    117-709
    Science, Space,
    H.Rept.
    H.Rept.
    H.Rept.
    H.Rept.
    H.Rept.
    H.Rept.
    H.Rept.
    H.Rept.
    H.Rept.
    H.Rept.
    H.Rept.
    H.Rept. 112-112

    H.Rept. 112-347

    H.Rept. 112-555

    H.Rept. 112-745

    H.Rept. 113-302

    H.Rept. 113-681

    H.Rept. 114-884

    H.Rept. 115-1080

    H.Rept. 116-719

    H.Rept. 117-694

    H.Rept. 118-971

    Small Business

    H.Rept. 110-926

    H.Rept.
    and Technologye
    110-935
    111-698
    112-112
    112-347
    112-555
    112-745
    113-302
    113-681
    114-884
    115-1080 116-719
    117-694
    Small Business
    H.Rept.
    H.Rept.
    H.Rept.
    H.Rept.
    H.Rept.
    H.Rept.
    H.Rept.
    H.Rept.
    H.Rept.
    H.Rept.
    H.Rept.
    H.Rept.
    110-926
    111-695
    112-146
    112-339
    112-554
    112-729
    113-304
    113-684
    114-880
    115-1079 116-702
    117-661
    Transportation
    H.Rept.
    H.Rept.
    H.Rept.
    H.Rept.
    H.Rept.
    H.Rept.
    H.Rept.
    H.Rept.
    H.Rept.
    H.Rept.
    H.Rept.
    H.Rept.
    and Infrastructure 110-936
    111-711
    112-124
    112-348
    112-573
    112-718
    113-316
    113-718
    114-899
    115-1099 116-717
    117-705
    Veterans’ Affairs
    H.Rept.
    H.Rept.
    H.Rept.
    H.Rept.
    H.Rept.
    H.Rept.
    H.Rept.
    H.Rept.
    H.Rept.
    H.Rept.
    H.Rept.
    H.Rept.
    110-927
    111-697
    112-120
    112-341
    112-547
    112-706
    113-300
    113-659
    114-879
    115-1120 116-698
    117-688
    Ways and Means
    H.Rept.
    H.Rept.
    H.Rept.
    H.Rept.
    H.Rept.
    H.Rept.
    H.Rept.
    H.Rept.
    H.Rept.
    H.Rept.
    H.Rept.
    H.Rept.
    110-934
    111-708
    112-130
    112-356
    112-556
    112-750
    113-319
    113-723
    114-887
    115-1115 116-721
    117-708
    H.Rept. 111-695

    H.Rept. 112-146

    H.Rept. 112-339

    H.Rept. 112-554

    H.Rept. 112-729

    H.Rept. 113-304

    H.Rept. 113-684

    H.Rept. 114-880

    H.Rept. 115-1079

    H.Rept. 116-702

    H.Rept. 117-661

    H.Rept. 118-953

    Transportation and Infrastructure

    H.Rept. 110-936

    H.Rept. 111-711

    H.Rept. 112-124

    H.Rept. 112-348

    H.Rept. 112-573

    H.Rept. 112-718

    H.Rept. 113-316

    H.Rept. 113-718

    H.Rept. 114-899

    H.Rept. 115-1099

    H.Rept. 116-717

    H.Rept. 117-705

    H.Rept. 118-974

    Veterans' Affairs

    H.Rept. 110-927

    H.Rept. 111-697

    H.Rept. 112-120

    H.Rept. 112-341

    H.Rept. 112-547

    H.Rept. 112-706

    H.Rept. 113-300

    H.Rept. 113-659

    H.Rept. 114-879

    H.Rept. 115-1120

    H.Rept. 116-698

    H.Rept. 117-688

    H.Rept. 118-941

    Ways and Means

    H.Rept. 110-934

    H.Rept. 111-708

    H.Rept. 112-130

    H.Rept. 112-356

    H.Rept. 112-556

    H.Rept. 112-750

    H.Rept. 113-319

    H.Rept. 113-723

    H.Rept. 114-887

    H.Rept. 115-1115

    H.Rept. 116-721

    H.Rept. 117-708

    H.Rept. 118-975

    Source: CRS search of congress.gov, https://www.govinfo.gov/CRS search of congress.gov, https://www.govinfo.gov/app/collection/crptapp/col ection/crpt, and committee websites., and committee websites.
    Notes: While CRS attempted to locate all activity reports, searching by committee names and using keyword searches, additional reports may exist. As stated above, While CRS attempted to locate all activity reports, searching by committee names and using keyword searches, additional reports may exist. As stated above,
    generally, since 1970, one report has been required each Congress. The Rules of the House adopted for the generally, since 1970, one report has been required each Congress. The Rules of the House adopted for the 112th and 113th112th and 113th Congresses experimented with increasing Congresses experimented with increasing
    the frequency of these reports, before reverting to the prior practice of one report per Congress in the the frequency of these reports, before reverting to the prior practice of one report per Congress in the 114th114th Congress (H.Res. 5, January 5, 2011, §2(e)(13); H.Res. 5 Congress (H.Res. 5, January 5, 2011, §2(e)(13); H.Res. 5, ,
    January 3, 2013, §2(a); H.Res. 5, January 6, 2015, §2(a)(4).)January 3, 2013, §2(a); H.Res. 5, January 6, 2015, §2(a)(4).)
    In the given time period, several Select Committees also released activity reports: H.Rept. 113-730 from the Select Committee on the Events Surrounding the 2012 In the given time period, several Select Committees also released activity reports: H.Rept. 113-730 from the Select Committee on the Events Surrounding the 2012
    Terrorist Attack in Benghazi; H.Rept. 116-708 and H.Rept. 117-662 from the Select Committee on Climate Crisis; H.Rept. 117-692 from the Select Committee to Terrorist Attack in Benghazi; H.Rept. 116-708 and H.Rept. 117-662 from the Select Committee on Climate Crisis; H.Rept. 117-692 from the Select Committee to
    Investigate the January Investigate the January 6th6th Attack on the United States Capitol; H.Rept. 117-619 from the Select Committee on Economic Disparity and Fairness In Growth; H.Rept. 117- Attack on the United States Capitol; H.Rept. 117-619 from the Select Committee on Economic Disparity and Fairness In Growth; H.Rept. 117-
    646 from the Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress.646 from the Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress.
    a. a. Formerly named the Committee on Education and Labor during the Formerly named the Committee on Education and Labor during the 116th-117th Congresses.
    b. 116th-117th Congresses. b. Formerly named the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct during the Formerly named the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct during the 110th and 111th110th and 111th Congresses. Congresses.
    c. c. An unnumbered version was previously available on the committeeAn unnumbered version was previously available on the committee’'s website.s website.
    d. d. Formerly named the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform during the Formerly named the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform during the 110th-115th110th-115th Congresses and the Committee on Oversight and Reform during the Congresses and the Committee on Oversight and Reform during the
    116th-117th116th-117th Congresses. Congresses.
    e. e. Formerly named the Committee on Science and Technology during the Formerly named the Committee on Science and Technology during the 110th and 111th Congresses.
    CRS-16
    Guide to Committee Activity Reports: Purpose, Rules, and Contents



    Author Information

    Ida A. Brudnick

    Specialist on the Congress


    Acknowledgments
    Jennifer E. Manning, Information Research Specialist, and Lara Chausow, formerly a CRS Research
    Assistant, contributed to the compilation of information for this report. Tyler Wolanin contributed to an
    update.

    Disclaimer
    This document was prepared by the Congressional Research Service (CRS). CRS serves as nonpartisan
    shared staff to congressional committees and Members of Congress. It operates solely at the behest of and
    under the direction of Congress. Information in a CRS Report should not be relied upon for purposes other
    than public understanding of information that has been provided by CRS to Members of Congress in
    connection with CRS’s institutional role. CRS Reports, as a work of the United States Government, are not
    subject to copyright protection in the United States. Any CRS Report may be reproduced and distributed in
    its entirety without permission from CRS. However, as a CRS Report may include copyrighted images or
    material from a third party, you may need to obtain the permission of the copyright holder if you wish to
    copy or otherwise use copyrighted material.

    Congressional Research Service
    R45104 · VERSION 8 · UPDATED
    17
    110th and 111th Congresses.

    Jennifer E. Manning, Information Research Specialist, and Lara Chausow, formerly a CRS Research Assistant, contributed to the compilation of information for this report. Tyler Wolanin contributed to an update.

    Footnotes

    1.

    The House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence has also filed a report for many, but not all, Congresses.

    2.

    The Senate Select Committee on Intelligence also regularly files these reports.

    3.

    Ch. 753, August 2, 1946, 60 Stat. 832. This was later incorporated into the House Rules ("Adoption of the Rules for the Eighty-Third Congress," Congressional Record, vol. 99 (January 3, 1953), p. 19).

    4.

    See, for example, U.S. Congress, House Committee on Government Operations, Activities Report of the House Committee on Government Operations, 83rd Congress, committee print, 83rd Cong., December 1954 (GPO, 1955); and U.S. Congress, Senate Committee on Government Operations, Activities of the Senate Committee on Government Operations, 83rd Cong., 2nd sess., January 18, 1954, S.Rept. 852 (GPO, 1954). At least one committee issued a compilation of these pre-1970 Reorganization Act reports: U.S. Congress, House Committee on Interstate and Foreign Commerce, Compilation of Activity Reports of the Committee on Interstate and Foreign Commerce (80th Through 91st Congresses) Together with Historical Data Concerning the Committee, committee print, 91st Cong., April 1971 (GPO, 1971).

    5.

    S. 355, Section 105, as referred to the House Committee on Rules, March 9, 1967; H.R. 18039, Section 103, as referred to the House Committee on Rules, June 20, 1968. For a discussion of reform efforts, see CRS Report RL32112, Reorganization of the Senate: Modern Reform Efforts, by Judy Schneider et al., and CRS Report RL31835, Reorganization of the House of Representatives: Modern Reform Efforts, by Judy Schneider and Christopher M. Davis.

    6.

    P.L. 91-510, October 26, 1970, 84 Stat. 1156.

    7.

    Ibid.

    8.

    U.S. Congress, House Committee on Rules, Legislative Reorganization Act of 1970, report to accompany H.R. 17654, 91st Cong., 2nd sess., June 17, 1970, H.Rept. 91-1215 (GPO, 1970), p. 74.

    9.

    House Rule XI, clause 1(d). The Rules related to activity reports have been periodically revised. In addition to some of the changes described below, according to the House Manual (H.Doc. 118-187, §791), "Clerical and stylistic changes were effected when the House recodified its rules in the 106th Congress (H.Res. 5, January 6, 1999, p. 47)," and "in the 112th Congress, the paragraph was rewritten entirely to clarify late-session filing ... (sec. 2(e)(13), H.Res. 5, January 5, 2011, p. 80)." For rules changes affecting frequency, see "Additional Rules Changes Affecting Activity Reports."

    10.

    This requirement for separate sections was first adopted in the 104th Congress.

    11.

    The requirement that committees adopt an oversight plan was first included in the rules for the 104th Congress. According to the "Section-by-Section Analysis of House Rules Resolution" inserted into the Congressional Record, "the intent of [the oversight reform] section [is] to ensure that committees make a more concerted, coordinated and conscientious effort to develop meaningful oversight plans at the beginning of each Congress and to follow-through on their implementation, with a view to examining the full range of the laws under their jurisdiction over a period of five Congresses" (Congressional Record, January 4, 1995, p. H35).

    The House Rules adopted for the 115th Congress (H.Res. 5) added references to newly required authorization plans, in addition to previously required oversight plans. According to a section-by-section analysis of the rules change posted by the House Rules Committee and inserted into the Congressional Record:

    The plan must include a list of unauthorized programs and agencies within their jurisdiction that have received funding in the prior fiscal year, or in the case of a permanent authorization, has not received a comprehensive review by the committee in the prior three Congresses. The subsection requires committees to describe each program or agency that is intended to be authorized in the current Congress or next Congress, and a description of oversight to support reauthorization in the current Congress. The subsection also requires recommendations, if any, for moving such programs or agencies from mandatory to discretionary funding (Congressional Record, January 3, 2017, p. H12).

    The rules for the 116th Congress (H.Res. 6) restored the original requirement for oversight plans and deleted references to authorization plans. The submission process for oversight plans, and related deadlines, was also changed at this time. A technical amendment to the House Rules pertaining to activity reports deleted references to the authorization plans (House Rule XI, clause 1(d)(2)(B) and clause 1(d)(2)(C)).

    The plans are compiled as a House report. For example, U.S. Congress, House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, Authorization and Oversight Plan for all House Committees, 119th Cong., 1st sess., April 14, 2025, H.Rept. 119-59 (GPO, 2025).

    The Committee on Appropriations, the Committee on Ethics, and the Committee on Rules are exempt from the requirement to adopt oversight plans.

    12.

    The requirement for hearings related to waste, fraud, abuse, or mismanagement was adopted during the 111th Congress when the House agreed to H.Res. 40 on January 14, 2009. The resolution also amended clause 1 of House Rule XI to require that the activity reports "delineate any hearings held pursuant to" this new language (clauses 2(n), (o), and (p)). This language was incorporated in the House Rules in subsequent Congresses.

    13.

    For example, the Government Accountability Office maintains a "High Risk List" at http://www.gao.gov/highrisk/overview.

    14.

    Senate Rule XXVI, paragraph 8(b).

    15.

    U.S. Congress, Senate, Standing Rules of the Senate, 118th Cong., January 3, 2024, S.Doc. 118-1 (GPO, 2024), p. 47. Available at https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/SMAN-118/pdf/SMAN-118.pdf.

    16.

    House activity reports, therefore, are often numerically among the last House reports filed each Congress. The Senate activity reports, conversely, are numerically often—but not always—among the earlier Senate reports filed each Congress. As part of a congressional reform effort in 1974, the House Select Committee on Committees considered the requirement that committees file the activity reports by January 2. One Member suggested that since committee activities could continue through that day (pursuant to the 20th Amendment to the Constitution, ratified January 23, 1933, the terms of Senators and Representatives begin at noon on the 3rd day of January), the committees could be provided with additional time to file their reports. Committee Chairman Richard Bolling and others, however, reminded their colleagues that "We are not a continuing body," and that imposing such a requirement on future Congresses may be problematic. The January 2 deadline remained unchanged (U.S. Congress, House Select Committee on Committees, Committee Reform Amendments of 1974, 93rd Cong., 2nd sess. (GPO, 1974), p. 618).

    17.

    A sine die adjournment is "an adjournment that ends an annual session." For additional information, see CRS Report R42977, Sessions, Adjournments, and Recesses of Congress, by Valerie Heitshusen.

    18.

    The rules adopted for the 112th Congress (H.Res. 5, January 5, 2011) added the reference to December 15 of an even-numbered year. The effect is to allow the report to be filed before sine die adjournment when the House continues to meet past December 15.

    19.

    This clause was added by H.Res. 5, January 7, 1997, p. 121. One committee, the House Committee on Education and Labor, has traditionally indicated in the transmittal letter the date the report was circulated to Members and whether or not minority views were received. For example, see H.Rept. 114-904. Sometimes, a committee has formally resolved to approve the activity report during a business meeting (for example, House Committee on Veterans' Affairs, December 11, 2014, business meeting, http://docs.house.gov/Committee/Calendar/ByEvent.aspx?EventID=102794).

    20.

    For example, see the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure report for the 114th Congress (H.Rept. 114-899) and the House Committee on Science report for the 105th Congress (H.Rept. 105-847).

    21.

    The exception for the Senate Appropriations Committee was included in the 1970 act, with the Senate Budget Committee added to this paragraph when the committee was established with the enactment of the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Act of 1974 (P.L. 93-344). The Senate Budget Committee, however, did file a report for the 113th Congress (S.Rept. 114-31).

    22.

    For House committee rules, see U.S. Congress, House Committee on Rules, Rules Adopted by the Committees of the House of Representatives, committee print, 118th Cong., 1st sess., RCP 118-19 (GPO, 2023). For Senate committee rules, see U.S. Congress, Senate Committee on Rules and Administration, Authority and Rules of Senate Committees, 2023-2024, 118th Cong., 1st sess., S.Doc. 118-4 (GPO, 2023).

    23.

    A prior version of this clause, which addressed "supplemental, minority, or additional" views, was expanded to include "dissenting" views in the 114th Congress (H.Res. 5, 114th Congress).

    24.

    For example, see U.S. Congress, House Committee on Homeland Security, Report on the Legislative and Oversight Activities, 112th Cong., 2nd sess., December 27, 2012, H.Rept. 112-730 (GPO, 2012), pp. 376-426.

    25.

    Some reports, however, did include additional views. For example: S.Rept. 114-178, from the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations; S.Rept. 116-20, S.Rept. 114-8 and S.Rept. 113-7, from the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence; and S.Rept. 112-6, from the Senate Committee on Small Business.

    26.

    List compiled from CRS survey of activity reports issued since the 104th Congress.

    27.

    For example, some Committee on House Administration reports include references to resolutions adopted approving franked mail allowances for the standing and select committees, allocating funding for certain committees from the Reserve Fund, or amending internal House regulations governing, for example, shared employees, the student loan repayment program, or revising the Members' Congressional Handbook. In addition, for example, a House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure report lists "Committee Resolutions (Authorizing the General Services Administration Capital Investment and Leasing Program)" (H.Rept. 114-899), while a Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works report lists "committee resolutions for public buildings" (S.Rept. 107-100). The House Committee on Armed Services and the Committee on Homeland Security have used committee resolutions to adopt committee rules and appoint staff (U.S. Congress, House Committee on Armed Services, Organizational Meeting for the 115th Congress, 115th Cong., 1st sess., January 12, 2017 (GPO, 2017); and H.Rept. 114-907). The Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship report for the 115th Congress also listed "Sense of the Committee" resolutions (S.Rept. 115-33).

    28.

    These are required pursuant to Section 310(d) of the Congressional Budget Act. P.L. 93-944, 88 Stat. 307, July 12, 1974; House Rule X, clause 4(f)(1) and 11(c)(3). The "views and estimates" are to be submitted to the respective budget committees no later than six weeks after the President's budget is submitted or by a date requested by the Committee on the Budget. In addition to potential references in the activity reports, the "views and estimates" often are printed in the committee report accompanying the budget resolution or compiled as a separate committee print. For additional information, see CRS Report 98-512, Formulation and Content of the Budget Resolution, by Bill Heniff Jr.

    29.

    For example, some of the House Financial Services Committee activity reports provide information on a memorandum of understanding between the chairmen of the Committee on Financial Services and the Committee on Energy and Commerce (for example, H.Rept. 112-355).

    30.

    The reporting requirement for waived points of order under the Unfunded Mandate Reform Act was included in P.L. 104-4 (March 22, 1995, 109 Stat. 63; 2 U.S.C. 1514).

    31.

    As stated above, pursuant to clause 2 of House Rule XI, House committees are required "to hold at least one hearing during each 120-day period" on these topics. The hearings are to focus in particular on reports from inspectors general or the Comptroller General of the United States and programs or operations that are considered "high-risk."

    32.

    For example, the House Budget Committee regularly lists separate majority and minority caucus publications.

    33.

    H.Res. 5, January 5, 2011, Section 2(e)(13); H.Res. 5, January 3, 2013, Section 2(a); H.Res. 5, January 6, 2015, Section 2(a)(4). According to the "Section-By-Section Analysis" of the House Rules changes for the 112th Congress inserted into the Congressional Record, the provision was "intended to provide the House with more frequent updates regarding the oversight and legislative activities of the committees" (Congressional Record, January 5, 2011, p. H14).

    34.

    U.S. Congress, House, Constitution, Jefferson's Manual, and Rules of the House of Representatives, 118th Cong., 2nd sess., H.Doc. 118-187 (GPO, 2025), §790.

    35.

    The House and Senate Budget Committees were established with the enactment of the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Act of 1974, P.L. 93-344, July 12, 1974, 88 Stat. 301.

    36.

    U.S. Congress, House Committee on Rules, Legislative Reorganization Act of 1970, report on H.R. 17654, 91st Cong., 2nd sess., June 17, 1970, H.Rept. 91-1215 (GPO, 1970), p. 74. See also 2 U.S.C. §190d(c).

    37.

    P.L. 93-344, July 12, 1974, 88 Stat. 331.