Order Code 98-168 GOV
May 5, 2003
CRS Report for Congress
Received through the CRS Web
House Committee Markup:
Preparation
Judy Schneider
Specialist on the Congress
Government and Finance Division
Markups provide Members on a committee an opportunity to change parts of a bill
prior to its consideration by the full House. A number of administrative, procedural, and
substantive steps must be undertaken in preparation for a markup, and other steps could
or should be undertaken. Generally, the markup should be strategically planned to
minimize controversy, provide Members with political dividends, and position the
committee for future action.
The information provided here is not comprehensive, nor is every item needed in
every case. Rather, this report is intended as a guide for various tasks that could be
accomplished by committee staff in order to prepare a smooth committee markup. Some
of the tasks are required by House rules or individual committee rules. Others are a
matter of practice. Some of the preparatory work is handled primarily by majority
committee staff (such as the administrative tasks), while other tasks are done
independently by committee staff of both parties. Also, personal staff of committee
members often aid in preparing specialized packets for their Members to use in the
committee markup.
The following checklist, one of a series on legislative process, is generally applicable
in full committee markup, although much of it also applies to a subcommittee markup.
Informational Preparation
! Compile background material for Members on the committee, including
a summary of the measure to be marked up and summaries of hearing
testimony. Packets also usually include information provided by the
subcommittee, including details of subcommittee action.
! Hold briefings for legislative assistants prior to the committee meeting
to review the bill, discuss possible amendments, and provide
opportunities for questions. These briefings can be held for one party
only or both parties together.
! Prepare advocacy material and talking points on possible amendments
and the measure to be marked up.
Congressional Research Service ˜ The Library of Congress

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Political Preparation
! Work with “key constituents” and advocacy groups
! Discuss with the administration, if desirable, and Senate sponsors
! Develop plan to work with the press
Chairman’s Preparation
! Meet with chairman to review markup vehicle and potential amendments
! Draft opening statement
! Draft procedural script and have available scripts for motions that may
be used
! Meet with members of party to discuss procedural and political strategy
prior to markup
Procedural Preparation
! Comply with committee rules' notification requirements
! Compile amendment roster
! Prepare script for possible procedural motions
! Determine Member schedules to ensure attendance at markup and
determine where they can be reached if their presence is needed in the
committee. (Each party does this for its own Members. Quorum
requirements differ among committees, although a majority must be
physically present to report a measure from committee.)
Administrative Preparation
! Reserve committee room
! Set up room, including identifying reserved seating, filling water
pitchers, and getting ice
! Schedule Capitol Police
! Schedule official reporter
! Schedule legislative counsel
! Notify administration, especially if a representative is to be present;
determine if the representative will be at the witness table or in the
audience
! Duplicate appropriate copies of markup materials for Members
! Distribute markup packets both prior to the markup and in the session.
(Some committees have majority staff do this for all Members; others
provide the information to the minority staff so that they can distribute
to their Members)
! Prepare voting sheets
! Determine dais staff and witness-table staff, and prepare name placards
! Distribute official notification; when this must be provided, and what
information must be included, is determined by individual committee
rules.

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