Order Code 98-151 GOV
Updated December 1, 2004
CRS Report for Congress
Received through the CRS Web
House Committees: Categories and Rules for
Committee Assignments
Judy Schneider
Specialist on the Congress
Government and Finance Division
Introduction
Both House and party rules detail procedures for committee assignments. House
rules address the election and membership of committees, especially limitations on
membership. The Democratic Caucus and Republican Conference rules designate
categories of committees (shown below) and specify service limitations in addition to
those in the House rules.
Organizing the 109th Congress
As of November 30, 2004, the Republican Conference and the Democratic Caucus
have not determined committee sizes and ratios for the new Congress. The Republican
Steering Committee, the entity responsible for determining most committee chairs and
making most committee assignments, has been constituted but has made no assignment
decisions. The Democratic Steering Committee has not yet been fully constituted.
On the opening day of a new Congress, the House adopts its rules from the previous
Congress, and any changes, some of which often affect committee and subcommittee
structure and organization.
This report, therefore, reflects information current as of November 30, 2004, and will
be updated as events warrant.
Number of Assignments
! In general, no Member, Delegate or Resident Commissioner can serve on
more than two standing committees and four subcommittees of those
standing committees (House Rule X, clause 5(b)(2)(A)).
! Democrats and Republicans designate exclusive committees and
generally limit service to one such panel. Democratic Members of
exclusive committees cannot also serve on nonexclusive committees, but
they can serve on the Budget or House Administration Committee.
Republican Members assigned to the Rules Committee can take “leave
with seniority” from one standing committee to serve on Rules.
Congressional Research Service ˜ The Library of Congress

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! Democrats and Republicans designate nonexclusive committees and limit
Members to service on two such panels, unless the House rules contain
other requirements.
Limitations on Assignments
! Service on the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct is exempt
from the two-committee limitation. Service is also limited to three
Congresses during any five successive Congresses. (House Rule X,
clause 5.) Democratic Caucus rules, however, limit service to no more
than three Congresses in any five.
! Budget Committee members are limited to no more than four Congresses
in any six successive Congresses (House Rule X, clause 5(a)(2)(B)).
Democratic Caucus rules limit members to no more than three
Congresses in any five. Members may serve for one additional Congress
as chair or ranking member if they assumed leadership in their fourth
term on the committee.
! Intelligence Committee members are limited to no more than four
Congresses in any period of six Congresses (House Rule X, clause 11).
In addition, Democratic Caucus rules say Members may not serve on
more than one standing committee, although they may take a leave of
absence from service on another standing committee to serve on the
Intelligence Committee.
! “Any other exception to these limitations must be approved by the House
upon the recommendation of the respective party caucus or conference.”
(House Rule X, clause 5.)

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Categories of Committees
Category
Democrats
Republicans
Exclusive
Appropriations
Appropriations
Rules
Rules
Ways and Means
Ways and Means
Energy and Commerce (for
Energy and Commerce
Members first serving on the
panel in the 104th Congress and
subsequent Congresses)
Non-Exclusive
Agriculture
Agriculture
Armed Services
Armed Services
Budget
Budget
Education and the Workforce
Education and the Workforce
Energy and Commerce (for
members who served on the
panel before the 104th
Congress)
Government Reform
Government Reform
House Administration
House Administration
International Relations
International Relations
Judiciary
Judiciary
Resources
Resources
Science
Science
Small Business
Small Business
Transportation and
Transportation and
Infrastructure
Infrastructure
Veterans’ Affairs
Veterans’ Affairs
Exempt
Standards of Official Conduct;
Select Intelligence; Standards of
Select Intelligence (not listed as
Official Conduct
such but treated as exempt)

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