Resolutions of Inquiry: An Analysis of Their
Use in the House, 1947-2011

Christopher M. Davis
Analyst on Congress and the Legislative Process
March 16, 2011
Congressional Research Service
7-5700
www.crs.gov
R40879
CRS Report for Congress
P
repared for Members and Committees of Congress

Resolutions of Inquiry: An Analysis of Their Use in the House, 1947-2011

Summary
A resolution of inquiry is a simple resolution making a direct request or demand of the President
or the head of an executive department to furnish the House with specific factual information in
the Administration’s possession. Under the rules and precedents of the U.S. House of
Representatives, such resolutions, if properly drafted, are given a privileged parliamentary status.
This means that, under certain circumstances, a resolution of inquiry can be brought up on the
House floor even if the committee to which it was referred has not reported it and the majority
party leadership has not scheduled it for consideration.
Between 1947 and 2011, 290 resolutions of inquiry were introduced in the House of
Representatives. Two periods in particular, 1971-1975 and 2003-2006, saw the highest levels of
activity on resolutions of inquiry during the 64 years studied.
Although nearly every standing House committee has been referred at least one resolution of
inquiry during the post-World War II period, the Committees on Armed Services, Foreign Affairs,
and the Judiciary have received the largest share of references because the most commonly
sought information has related to defense, foreign relations, and intelligence. Most resolutions of
inquiry are directed to the President himself, but other executive branch officials have been the
subject of such information requests as well.
Just under half of the resolutions of inquiry introduced between 1947 and 2011 were reported by
the committee to which they were referred, in most cases, adversely, indicating that the
committee opposed the resolution. This opposition might be because the resolution had been
made moot by the executive branch complying in whole or in part with the request, or because
such a request would, in the view of the committee, compromise an ongoing investigation,
endanger sensitive information, or seek already-available information. Less than a quarter of the
resolutions of inquiry introduced during the period studied reached the House floor, the last one
in 1995.
Although Representatives of both political parties have utilized resolutions of inquiry, in recent
Congresses, such resolutions have overwhelmingly become a tool of the minority party in the
House. This development has led some to question whether resolutions of inquiry are being
“misused” for partisan gain or are unduly increasing the workload of certain House committees.
Others have attributed the increase to a frustration among minority party Members with their
inability to readily obtain information from the executive branch.
Available data suggest that approximately 30% of the time, a resolution of inquiry has resulted in
the production of information to the House. In the majority of cases, however, it is simply
unknown, unclear, or in dispute whether the resolution of inquiry produced any of the requested
information, a fact which might suggest the need for additional investigation of the efficacy of
this parliamentary oversight tool by policymakers.
This report will be updated as events warrant.

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Resolutions of Inquiry: An Analysis of Their Use in the House, 1947-2011

Contents
Resolutions of Inquiry Generally................................................................................................. 1
Use of Resolutions of Inquiry: 1947-2011 ................................................................................... 2
Some Congresses Show High Levels of Activity ................................................................... 2
Most Resolutions Relate to Defense or Foreign Affairs.......................................................... 4
Most Resolutions of Inquiry Are Directed to the President..................................................... 5
House Action on Resolutions of Inquiry ...................................................................................... 7
Committees Are Acting on More Resolutions of Inquiry........................................................ 7
Few Resolutions of Inquiry Reach the House Floor ............................................................... 8
Resolutions of Inquiry Are Increasingly A Minority Party Tool.............................................. 9
Effectiveness of Resolutions of Inquiry is Unclear................................................................. 9
Conclusion and Questions for Consideration ............................................................................. 11

Figures
Figure 1. Resolutions of Inquiry Introduced in the House of Representatives ............................... 3
Figure 2. Committees of Primary Referral for Resolutions of Inquiry .......................................... 5
Figure 3. Primary Official to Whom House Resolutions of Inquiry Were Directed ....................... 6
Figure 4. Have House Resolutions of Inquiry Produced Information? ........................................ 10

Tables
Table 1. House Resolutions of Inquiry and Associated Action, 1947-2011 ................................. 13
Table 2. Form of House Committee Report on Resolutions of Inquiry, 1947-2011 ..................... 14
Table 3. House Floor Action on Resolutions of Inquiry, 1947-2011............................................ 15
Table 4. Party Affiliation of Resolution of Inquiry Sponsors vs. Congress, 1947-2011 ............... 16
Table 5. Party Affiliation of Resolution of Inquiry Sponsors vs. President, 1947-2011 ............... 17
Table 6. Have House Resolutions of Inquiry Produced Requested Information?......................... 18
Table 7. Identified Resolutions of Inquiry Introduced in the U.S. House of
Representatives, 1947-2011.................................................................................................... 19

Contacts
Author Contact Information ...................................................................................................... 73

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Resolutions of Inquiry: An Analysis of Their Use in the House, 1947-2011

Resolutions of Inquiry Generally
A resolution of inquiry is a measure that formally calls on the executive branch to provide
specified factual information to Congress. The use of resolutions of this type as a tool of
executive oversight stems from the earliest days of Congress.1 Although resolutions of inquiry
have occasionally been used in the Senate, they are far more common in the House of
Representatives, and this report examines their use only in that chamber between 1947 and the
present.2
House resolutions of inquiry are simple resolutions (designated “H.Res.”), which are introduced
in the same manner as other legislation.3 Under chamber rules and precedents, however,
resolutions of inquiry, if properly drafted and under specified circumstances, are afforded a
privileged parliamentary status.4 Clause 7 of House Rule XIII makes a resolution of inquiry
privileged for consideration at any time after it is reported or discharged from committee,
consistent with the normal three-day layover period required of committee reports.5
If a resolution of inquiry is not reported to the House within 14 legislative days after its
introduction (not counting the days of introduction and discharge), a motion to discharge a
committee from its further consideration can be made on the House floor. Should the committee
or committees of referral report (or be discharged under a time limit imposed by the Speaker)
within the 14-day period, however, only a Member acting at the direction of the committee may
move to proceed to its consideration on the floor.6 Thus, even when a House committee opposes a
resolution of inquiry, the committee will frequently mark it up and report it, perhaps adversely, to
retain control over the measure and prevent a supporter from making the privileged motions on
the House floor to discharge or call up the legislation.
To retain the privileged parliamentary status described above, resolutions of inquiry may not
contain a preamble and must call only for facts within the executive branch’s control. Such
resolutions may not seek opinions or investigations and are traditionally framed as “requesting”
the President or “directing” the head of a cabinet-level agency to respond. As is the case with

1 For more information on resolutions of inquiry, see CRS Report RL31909, House Resolutions of Inquiry, by
Christopher M. Davis. Also: U.S. Congress, House, Constitution, Jefferson’s Manual, and Rules of the House of
Representatives
, H.Doc. 110-162, 110th Cong., 2nd sess. (Washington: GPO, 2009), §864, pp. 649-651.
2 1947 was chosen as year to begin this examination because it is the first year in which most provisions of the
Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946 (P.L. 79-753, 60 stat. 812) became effective, a milestone which is widely
viewed as the beginning of the “modern” U.S. Congress.
3 Members have occasionally called on the Executive Branch to provide information to the House and Senate in an
inquiry framed as a concurrent, rather than simple, resolution. In modern practice, however, resolutions of inquiry are
simple resolutions introduced, and acted upon, in one chamber. See Asher C. Hinds, Hinds’ Precedents of the House of
Representatives of the United States
(Washington: GPO, 1907), vol. 3, §1875.
4 House rules and precedents place certain types of legislation in a special “privileged” category which gives measures
of this kind the ability to be called up for consideration when the House is not considering another matter.
5 House Rule XIII, clause 4. For more information on House layover requirements, see CRS Report RS22015,
Availability of Legislative Measures in the House of Representatives (The “Three-Day Rule”), by Elizabeth Rybicki.
6 In cases of multiple referral, all committees must report or be discharged before a resolution of inquiry may be
considered on the floor. For a discussion of who may call up a multiply referred resolution of inquiry, see William
Holmes Brown and Charles W. Johnson, House Practice, A Guide to the Rules, Precedents and Procedures of the
House
(Washington: GPO, 2003), ch. 49, §5, p. 820.
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other types of privileged business, committee reports accompanying resolutions of inquiry are
presented from the floor, rather than through the hopper.
If the House chooses to consider a resolution of inquiry, it is considered under the Hour Rule.
When raised, such resolutions may be agreed to, rejected, or tabled by majority vote. In fact, it
has been common historically for the majority party Member managing a resolution of inquiry on
the House floor to quickly move to table it, either because he or she opposes its provisions, or
because the request has been rendered moot by the executive branch having provided some or all
of the requested information.
Finally, as simple resolutions, resolutions of inquiry have no legal force. Thus, compliance by the
executive branch with the House’s request for factual information in such a resolution is
voluntary, resting largely on a sense of comity between co-equal branches of government and a
recognition of the necessity for Congress to be well-informed as it legislates. Executive branch
compliance with resolutions of inquiry might also be indirectly influenced by a general respect
for congressional legislative and oversight power, including Congress’s power to appropriate or
withhold money for an agency’s budget.
Use of Resolutions of Inquiry: 1947-2011
Some Congresses Show High Levels of Activity
The Congressional Research Service has identified 290 resolutions of inquiry introduced in the
House between 1947 and 2011—an average of nine per Congress. These statistics are represented
in Table 1 and the resolutions are described in detail in Table 7 of this report.
The number of resolutions of inquiry introduced in individual Congresses over this 64-year
period varies widely. Two distinct periods, however (as shown in Figure 1), saw a number of
resolutions of inquiry introduced in the House that far exceeded the overall average: the 92nd-94th
Congresses (1971-1976), during which a total of 87 resolutions of inquiry were introduced, and
the 108th and 109th Congresses (2003-2006), during which 53 resolutions were authored. The
number of resolutions of inquiry introduced in these five Congresses alone account for nearly half
of all such measures introduced during the 64-year period examined.
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Resolutions of Inquiry: An Analysis of Their Use in the House, 1947-2011

Figure 1. Resolutions of Inquiry Introduced in the House of Representatives
1947-2011
50
d 45
e
40
35
troduc 30
n
I
25
20
tions 15
lu
o
10
s
5
Re
0
80
83
86
89
92
95
98
101
104
107
110
Congresses

Source: CRS analysis of data from the Legislative Information System of the U.S. Congress (LIS) and relevant
issues of the Journal of the House of Representatives.
Notes: As of March 16, 2011.
As both Table 1 and Figure 1 indicate, recent activity on resolutions of inquiry in the House is
high from a historic perspective. The number of House resolutions of inquiry introduced in the
108th (2003-2004) and 109th (2005-2006) Congresses reflected a sharp increase in the number
introduced over the decade preceding it. In each Congress between the 102nd (1991-1992) and
107th (2001-2002) Congresses, an average of one resolution of inquiry was introduced. In the
108th Congress, 14 such resolutions were introduced, and 39 resolutions of inquiry were
introduced in the 109th Congress. The 53 resolutions of inquiry introduced in these two
Congresses exceeded the total number of such resolutions introduced in the previous two decades
combined.
During the period studied (1947-2011), the 39 resolutions of inquiry introduced in the 109th
Congress are exceeded only by the 44 resolutions introduced in the 93rd Congress (1973-1974).
But this latter total may be misleadingly high due solely to rules in effect at that time. In the 93rd
Congress, House rules limited the co-sponsorship of measures to a maximum of 25
Representatives.7 Several of the 44 resolutions of inquiry introduced in the 93rd Congress were
identical resolutions introduced separately in an apparent effort to enable more than 25 Members
to cosponsor them. When these “doubles” are taken into account, more resolutions of inquiry
were introduced in the 109th Congress than in any single Congress since World War II. In the 111th
Congress (2009-2010), 29 resolutions of inquiry were introduced. As of this writing, no
resolutions of inquiry have been introduced in the 112th Congress (2011-2012).
The reason for the sharp increase in the number of such resolutions introduced during recent
Congresses is open to interpretation. Some have charged that instead of using resolutions of

7 U.S. Congress, House, Constitution, Jefferson’s Manual, and Rules of the House of Representatives, §25, p. 612.
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inquiry as an oversight tool to obtain information from the executive branch, in at least some
instances, minority party members have purposely used the privileged status such resolutions
enjoy as a way to “force” committees to act on a given subject or get Members to record votes on
politically controversial policy questions, in essence, enabling the minority party to “schedule” a
committee markup meeting on a subject of its choosing. Those holding this view point to the high
number of resolutions introduced during periods when the House and the President are of the
same political party as evidence of the political use of resolutions of inquiry.
One committee report stated this view of several resolutions of inquiry referred to the committee
seeking information on pre-Iraq war intelligence, saying, “[these] resolutions are politically-
calculated attacks on the ... administration.”8 Still another report argued, “the Minority [party] is
attempting to use this parliamentary tool for political means. Perhaps most importantly, as a
matter of procedure, [the resolution of inquiry] challenges the Majority’s prerogatives and its
right to set the legislative agenda, and for that reason alone should be rejected.”9 Members
holding this viewpoint argue that recent activity on resolutions of inquiry are more about
“message politics” than obtaining information.
Other Members have taken an opposite view, arguing that resolutions of inquiry have increased in
number recently because the executive branch has frequently responded to information requests
from Congress, particularly those made by minority party Members relating to politically
sensitive issues, “grudgingly.” Such Members argue that the White House has treated letters from
lawmakers requesting information “as if they are junk mail, routinely tossing them aside without
responding.”10 This executive branch behavior, these Members argue, coupled with what they
characterize as an ambivalence by majority parties to the rights of the minority in the House, have
led to the increased use of such resolutions. Members holding this view argue that resolutions of
inquiry, because they are privileged, are one of the few parliamentary tools to hold the executive
branch to account available to individual Members, including the minority party.
Most Resolutions Relate to Defense or Foreign Affairs
The most commonly identified subjects of House resolutions of inquiry over the past six decades
have been defense, foreign affairs, and intelligence. This may help to explain in part the sharp
increases noted above during the 92nd-94th (1971-1976) and 108th-109th (2003-2006) Congresses,
periods where Members were focused on military conflicts in Vietnam, Iraq, and Afghanistan and
on intelligence issues stemming from the so-called global war on terrorism.
As with other legislation introduced in the House, the Speaker, acting through the
Parliamentarian, refers resolutions of inquiry to committee based on the subject matter of the
measure and the jurisdiction of House committees as codified in clause 1 of Rule X.
With the exception of the Committees on Budget, Rules, and Standards of Official Conduct,
every standing committee of the House has, at some time over the 64 years examined, had at least

8 U.S. Congress, House Committee on International Relations, Report to Accompany H.Res. 549, 109th Cong., 1st sess.,
H.Rept. 109-351 (Washington: GPO, 2005), p. 2.
9 U.S. Congress, House Committee on Education and the Workforce, Adverse Report to Accompany H.Res. 467, 109th
Cong., 1st sess., H.Rept. 109-258 (Washington: GPO, 2005), p. 6.
10 U.S. Congress, House Committee on the Judiciary, Adverse Report to Accompany H.Res. 643, 109th Cong., 2nd sess.,
H.Rept. 109-382 (Washington: GPO, 2006), p. 185.
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one resolution of inquiry referred to it. However, as is reflected in Figure 2, and as may be
inferred from the most common subjects of such resolutions mentioned above, three House
committees have received the greatest share of referrals: Armed Services, which was referred 72
resolutions of inquiry over this period; Foreign Affairs, with 69; and Judiciary, which received 36.
These three panels were the committees of primary referral for 61% of all resolutions of inquiry
introduced between 1947 and 2011.
Figure 2. Committees of Primary Referral for Resolutions of Inquiry
1947-2011
80
72
69
s 70
rral
Armed Svs.
e
56
60
For. Affs.
50
Judiciary
ary Ref
En. & Comm.
36
40
rim
Intell.
f P 30
Ways Mns.
er o
18
16
20
Nat. Res.
13
mb
10
All others
10
Nu
0
House Committees

Source: Legislative Information System of the U.S. Congress (LIS) and relevant issues of the Journal of the United
States House of Representatives.
Notes: As of March 16, 2011. For purposes of consistency and clarity, committees are identified by their
designation in clause 1 of House Rule X as adopted by the 112th Congress.
The multiple referral of legislation has been permitted in the House since 1975, and over the
period examined, several resolutions of inquiry were referred to more than one House committee.
Note, however, that since 2004, only two resolutions of inquiry have been multiply referred. It is
not clear if this is the case because the subject of recent resolutions fell exclusively into the
jurisdiction of one committee, because resolution sponsors have introduced separate resolutions
directed to different officials (as opposed to one multiply-referred resolution directed to all of
them), or because House Speakers, acting through the Parliamentarian, have chosen to avoid the
multiple referral of resolutions of inquiry wherever possible.
Most Resolutions of Inquiry Are Directed to the President
As has been noted, privileged resolutions of inquiry are traditionally directed to the President of
the United States, or, under House Rule XIII, to the “head of an executive department.” Under
long-standing chamber precedents, the “head of an executive department” has been interpreted to
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Resolutions of Inquiry: An Analysis of Their Use in the House, 1947-2011

mean the secretary of a cabinet-level executive agency, not subordinate government officials.11 As
such, although a resolution of inquiry directed to an officer below the cabinet level could be
introduced, it would not enjoy its privileged status under House rules. The inclusion of lesser
officials is viewed as destroying the privilege of an entire resolution, even in cases where a
request is also directed to the President or a cabinet secretary.
Since 1947, 106 of the 290 resolutions of inquiry introduced in the House (37%) have been
directed to the President of the United States; 57 (20%) have been directed to the Secretary of
Defense or his predecessor; 36 resolutions (12%) sought information from the Secretary of State;
and 23 (8%) from the Attorney General. Various other executive branch officials, including the
Secretaries of Commerce, Energy, Health and Human Services, Homeland Security, Labor, and
the Treasury have been the target of House resolutions of inquiry. These statistics are represented
in Figure 3.
Figure 3. Primary Official to Whom House Resolutions of Inquiry Were Directed
1947-2011
120
106
100
s
n

President
tio
Defense
80
lu
State
57
Atty. Gen.
60
f Reso
45
Treasury
o
er

36
40
Comm.
mb
23
HHS
Nu
20
Other
8
7
8
0
Executive Branch Official

Source: CRS analysis of data from the Legislative Information System of the U.S. Congress (LIS) and relevant
issues of the Journal of the United States House of Representatives.
Notes: As of March 16, 2011. In cases in which a resolution was addressed to more than one executive branch
official, the first listed official was counted.
A small number of resolutions of inquiry introduced during the period examined were directed
solely or in part to sub-cabinet officials, including the Directors of Central Intelligence and
National Intelligence, the Chairman of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, and the Internal
Revenue Service Commissioner. As noted, such resolutions were arguably not privileged for

11 Asher C. Hinds, Hinds’ Precedents of the House of Representatives of the United States (Washington: GPO, 1907),
vol. 3, §1861, p. 169. The Executive departments are listed in 5 U.S.C. 101.
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consideration in the House, and, in at least once instance, the Speaker sustained a point of order to
that effect when an effort was made to raise the measure on the chamber floor.12
House Action on Resolutions of Inquiry
Committees Are Acting on More Resolutions of Inquiry
A committee has a number of choices after a resolution of inquiry is referred to it. It may mark up
and report the resolution without amendment, or it may amend it. It may report the resolution to
the House favorably, adversely, or without recommendation. It may also take no action, however,
as has been noted, in failing to act, it risks a Member making a privileged motion on the House
floor to discharge the committee of the legislation.
Fewer than half of the resolutions of inquiry introduced between 1947 and 2011 were acted on by
the primary House committee of referral. Approximately 49% (142 of 290) of the resolutions of
inquiry introduced were actively considered at the committee level. As is discussed below in
more detail, the fact that a resolution was not acted on does not necessarily mean, however, that
its sponsor did not receive some of the requested information from the executive branch or
achieve some other goal.
As is reflected in Table 2, during the period examined, committees which chose to mark-up a
resolution of inquiry and report it to the House chose frequently (73%), to report the resolution
“adversely,” a parliamentary designation which means that the committee did not recommend that
the House agree to the resolution. In a smaller percentage of cases during the time period
examined, House committees have chosen to report resolutions of inquiry favorably (13%) or
without recommendation (15%). On occasion, such resolutions have been amended by the
committee before being reported, sometimes adopting a full substitute.
No generalizations can be made about adverse reports on a resolution of inquiry. A House
committee may choose to report a resolution adversely because they oppose it, and, as has been
noted, because by doing so they ensure that no Member except a designee of the committee may
call the resolution up on the floor. In several instances over the period examined, however, an
adverse report was clearly made because the executive branch had produced some or all of the
requested information, and the committee did not want the House to waste its time on a moot
question. It has also been common for committees to report adversely with the rationale that
production of the information would compromise an ongoing investigation or because, in the
view of the committee, the requested information was too sensitive to be provided or, conversely,
was already widely available, and thus, not the proper subject of a privileged resolution.
The data examined show that since the 108th Congress (2003-2004), committees have almost
universally marked up every properly drafted resolution of inquiry referred to them regardless of
its subject, sponsor, or how the committee felt about the resolution. This was not the case in
earlier Congresses during the 64-year period studied. This may suggest that committees are acting
on resolutions of inquiry at least in part to retain control of the resolution.

12 Deschler’s Precedents of the United States House of Representatives, H. Doc. 94-661, 94th Cong., 2nd sess., vol. 4,
ch. 15, §2.1.
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The fact that more resolutions of inquiry are being introduced, and House committees are
marking up virtually every such resolution referred to them, has led some to question whether
resolutions of inquiry are creating an undue workload burden for House committees. Those
holding such a view argue that if committees feel they “have to” mark up a resolution of inquiry
because it is privileged, the potential exists for minority party Members to “flood” a committee
with such resolutions and seize control over a committee’s markup agenda from the majority.
Those holding this view note that certain House committees are disproportionately affected by
such resolutions, and they argue that using resolutions of inquiry in this way is not the purpose
such measures were created or given privileged status under chamber rules. They note, for
example, that in the 109th Congress (2005-2006), 45% (10 out of 22) of the reports made to the
House by the Committee on International Relations (now designated Foreign Affairs) were on
minority-party sponsored resolutions of inquiry.13 During the same period, 21% (3 out of 14) of
the reports made to the House by the Committee on Armed Services were on minority-party
sponsored resolutions of inquiry.14
Members holding the opposite view argue that although resolutions of inquiry may have
increased in number in recent years, they still represent a small fraction of the overall legislative
workload and are easily managed by the chamber’s committee system. They further argue that
such resolutions actually aid the House, by compelling its committees to seek information from
the executive branch that Members need to legislate effectively. Those holding this view might
argue that resolutions of inquiry motivate committees to focus on their central role in the
oversight process.
Few Resolutions of Inquiry Reach the House Floor
As is reflected in Table 3, House floor consideration of resolutions of inquiry during the 64-year
period examined was generally rare, and in recent Congresses, non-existent. In the last 26 years,
only two resolutions of inquiry have received action on the House floor.
Between 1947 and 2011, 64 resolutions of inquiry have been considered on the House floor,
under a quarter (22%) of those introduced, and approximately half of those reported by the
chamber’s committees. Of the resolutions receiving floor action, 52 (81%) were laid on the table
by majority vote, effectively killing them. Just 11 resolutions of inquiry have been agreed to by
the House since 1947, the most recent occurring in the 104th Congress (1995-1996). It is worth
reiterating that the tabling of a resolution on the House floor may have been undertaken because
the question had been made moot by the executive branch being in substantial compliance with
the resolution. For example, in a handful of instances during the period examined, it was the
sponsor of the resolution of inquiry who moved to lay the resolution on the table, apparently
satisfied it had produced the desired result.

13 See U.S. Congress, House Committee on International Relations, Legislative Review Activities, 109th Cong., 2nd sess.,
H.Rept. 109-747 (Washington: GPO, 2007), pp. 27-28.
14 Legislative Information System of the U.S. Congress (LIS).
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Resolutions of Inquiry Are Increasingly A Minority Party Tool
Resolutions of inquiry are sometimes assumed to be an oversight tool that is used
disproportionately, or even exclusively, by congressional minorities. This view is, in a sense,
understandable. The majority party in the House arguably has far more effective oversight tools at
its disposal: committee hearings, subpoenas and the ability to enact law, to name but a few.
An examination of resolutions of inquiry introduced between 1947 and 2011, however, reveals a
far more bipartisan overall picture than this view might suggest. Over the 64 years examined, the
party affiliation of resolution of inquiry sponsors is fairly evenly divided. Of the 290 resolutions
of inquiry introduced between 1947 and 2011, 124 were introduced by Members of the
congressional majority party and 166 by minority party members.15 The political affiliation of
resolution of inquiry sponsors versus that of the President is more divided. Of the 290 resolutions
of inquiry introduced in the House between 1947 and 2011, 217 (75%) were introduced by
Members of Congress belonging to the opposite political party of the President.
If, on the other hand, one examines only recent Congresses, the statistical picture is much starker
and supports the view that resolutions of inquiry have become almost exclusively a minority party
tool. In recent years, the sponsorship of resolutions of inquiry has become far more partisan, and
more lopsided in party division than at any time during the six decades studied. In the last 10
years, only one of the 82 resolutions of inquiry introduced was authored by a majority party
Member of Congress having the same political party as the President. The balance have been
introduced by minority party Members and directed at Presidents of the opposite party.
Effectiveness of Resolutions of Inquiry is Unclear
Because resolutions of inquiry are primarily intended to be an information-gathering tool, one
question is whether available evidence suggests such resolutions have been successful in
producing information from the executive branch.
The data in Table 6 and in Figure 3 are gleaned from an examination of legislative history
documents, such as committee reports and floor debate, accompanying resolutions of inquiry
introduced between 1947 and 2011. Based on these documents and the measures themselves,
resolutions of inquiry were divided into three categories: (1) Yes, evidence suggests the resolution
did produce full or partial information from the executive branch; (2) No, the evidence suggests
that no information was received from the executive branch in response to the resolution; or (3)
Whether information was produced is unknown, unclear, or in dispute.
In the case of 52% of the resolutions of inquiry introduced between 1947 and 2011, whether the
resolution resulted in the production of information was unknown, unclear, or in dispute based on
an examination of the legislative history. Thirty percent of the resolutions of inquiry introduced
over the period studied appear to have resulted in the production of some or all of the information
requested of the executive branch. Seventeen percent of the resolutions authored during the
period appear to have failed to produce any requested information. When a similar examination is
limited to the most recent period of high resolution of inquiry activity noted above, 2003-2006,

15 Two resolutions of inquiry introduced over the period were sponsored by Members with a political affiliation other
than Democratic or Republican. For purposes of this analysis, both sponsors were grouped with the Democratic Party,
which is the party they voluntarily affiliated with for purposes of House committee assignment.
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the effectiveness of such resolutions in producing information from the executive branch is far
less. During these years, such resolutions failed to produce information 64% of the time and
succeeded in only 19% of cases.
As these statistics suggest, making determinations about the “success” of resolutions of inquiry
can be difficult. As has been noted, more than half of the resolutions of inquiry introduced
between 1947 and 2011 were never marked up by House committee or considered on the chamber
floor. In such cases there are no legislative history documents to examine to find clues as to
whether the Member’s information request was answered or ignored. It is easy to imagine that, in
at least some of these instances, information must have been obtained. This supposition seems
particularly likely in cases of resolutions introduced in the early years studied, where requests
were commonly made for routine, non-controversial data, such as labor statistics or documents
about the government’s use of railroad cars. It seems reasonable to suppose that such resolution’s
sponsors never tried to call the measures up on the floor precisely because their request had been
satisfied; in such a scenario, inaction on a resolution would be an indication of its success. But
that is only a supposition. Likewise, the very introduction of a resolution of inquiry might
encourage an executive department to hand over information, but it may not be immediately
apparent that the resolution was the motivating factor.
Although the established purpose of resolutions of inquiry is to be a tool for producing factual
information, that may not be the only goal a Member has when authoring such legislation. Calling
attention to an issue, seizing a committee’s agenda from the majority party, forcing other
legislative action, such as a hearing, getting Members on the record with difficult policy votes, or
simply demonstrating interest in a particular subject area, may all be possible goals for
introducing a resolution of inquiry. As has been noted above, in recent Congresses, some have
argued that the increase in resolutions of inquiry introduced is precisely because the resolutions
are being used for goals such as these, rather than as a purely information-gathering mechanism.
Figure 4. Have House Resolutions of Inquiry Produced Information?
1947-2011
152
Unclear
88
Yes
No
50
0
50
100
150
200
Number of Resolutions

Source: CRS analysis of data from the Legislative Information System of the U.S. Congress (LIS) and relevant
issues of the Journal of the United States House of Representatives.
Congressional Research Service
10

Resolutions of Inquiry: An Analysis of Their Use in the House, 1947-2011

Notes: Reflects activity as of March 16, 2011. Categories based solely on examination of legislation and related
legislative history documents.
Conclusion and Questions for Consideration
An examination of resolutions of inquiry introduced in the House between 1947 and 2011 raises
several questions for the potential consideration of policymakers. Overall, the data suggest that
resolutions of inquiry have become more common in recent years, have resulted in more work at
the committee level, and have increasingly been used by minority party Members in the House.
As noted, the data examined raise the question of whether recent increases in the number of
House resolutions of inquiry are affecting the workload of certain chamber committees. If policy
makers were to determine that this is the case, and that it merits action, they might examine
whether changes in the treatment of such resolutions under House rules and precedents were
warranted. The House might respond, for example, by making such resolutions privileged only if
a House committee chose to report them favorably. Or they might choose instead to simply
extend the time period that committees have to report a privileged resolution of inquiry from the
present 14 legislative days, to a longer period of time. A change of this latter type might preserve
the traditional use of resolutions of inquiry for all Members and give committees more freedom to
choose when they will act on them. It might also discourage resolutions of inquiry from being
introduced in an attempt to gain political advantage by highlighting important, but transient, “hot
button” political issues.
Perhaps the clearest picture emerging from a systematic examination of resolution of inquiry
activity in the post-WWII period, however, relates to the efficacy of such resolutions. Although
the data show that in some cases, particularly historically, such resolutions have produced
information, over half the time it is simply unclear if resolutions of inquiry result in the
production of any information to the House, and if so, to what degree.
The possibility that the standing committees of the House are spending an increased amount of
their finite time acting on resolutions whose true efficacy is largely unknown, may lead
policymakers to try to institute a more rigorous accounting of future resolutions of this type.
Lawmakers might do so in a number of ways. Committees, for example, might direct the agencies
they oversee to formally catalogue and submit to them, what response, if any, they have made to
recently introduced resolutions. Committees might be encouraged to report this information to the
House in the activities report they are already required to submit to the House each Congress
under clause 1(d)(1) of Rule XI or by some other mechanism. Executive branch communications
to the House in response to a resolution of inquiry might be designated as such in the
Congressional Record, or noted in a special category when received by the Clerk of the House, so
that the “cause and effect” (or lack thereof) of such resolutions might become clearer.
Policymakers might also consider standardizing the procedures House committees use to handle
resolutions of inquiry, for example, requiring them to transmit the resolution to the executive
branch within a stated timeframe with a letter from the chairman formally requesting executive
comment on the resolution.16

16 In the early years of the period studied, it appeared to be universal practice for a House committee receiving referral
of a resolution of inquiry to immediately request executive comment on the resolution. The executive’s response to this
request was commonly printed in the committee’s report to the House on the resolution. In recent Congresses, however,
it is not clear from the legislative history documents examined if House committees are still routinely making such
(continued...)
Congressional Research Service
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Resolutions of Inquiry: An Analysis of Their Use in the House, 1947-2011

Other options exist. The House Committee on Rules, as the panel with jurisdiction over chamber
rules, might examine whether resolutions of inquiry, as a privileged mechanism rooted in the
earliest days of Congress, continue to be necessary considering advances in information
technology, including the development of oversight tools available to Members in recent decades.
The House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, which has special duties under House
Rule X to report committee oversight plans to the House along with any recommendations to
promote “more effective and coordinated oversight,” might also consider examining the use of
such resolutions as oversight tools.
Whether policymakers ultimately determined that changes in the use of resolutions of inquiry
were warranted or not, such an examination might arguably give all Members of the House a
better understanding of their use in the ongoing oversight relationship between the legislative and
executive branches of government.


(...continued)
requests for formal executive comment on resolutions of inquiry, and if so, to what extent.
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Resolutions of Inquiry: An Analysis of Their Use in the House, 1947-2011

Table 1. House Resolutions of Inquiry and Associated Action, 1947-2011
Resolutions of Inquiry
Resolutions Receiving
Resolutions Receiving
Congress and Years
Introduced
Committee Action
Floor Action
80th
(1947-1948)
15 10 10
81st (1949-1950)
14
5
5
82nd
(1951-1952)
8 5 5
83rd (1953-1954)
17
6
7
84th
(1955-1956)
8 2 1
85th
(1957-1958)
3 0 0
86th
(1959-1960)
1 0 0
87th
(1961-1962)
2 0 0
88th
(1963-1964)
0 0 0
89th
(1965-1966)
5 1 1
90th
(1967-1968)
0 0 0
91st
(1969-1970)
0 0 0
92nd
(1971-1972)
17 12 16
93rd (1973-1974)
44
6
8
94th (1975-1976)
26
2
1
95th
(1977-1978)
3 0 0
96th (1979-1980)
13
4
6
97th
(1981-1982)
4 2 2
98th
(1983-1984)
8 6 0
99th
(1985-1986)
6 4 0
100th
(1987-1988)
4 3 0
101st
(1989-1990)
4 2 0
102nd
(1991-1992)
1 1 1
103rd
(1993-1994)
2 1 0
104th
(1995-1996)
1 1 1
105th
(1997-1998)
1 0 0
106th
(1999-2000)
1 0 0
107th
(2001-2002)
0 0 0
108th (2003-2004)
14
13
0
109th (2005-2006)
39
31
0
110th
(2007-2008)
0 0 0
111th (2009-2010)
29
25
0
Total 290
142
64
Source: Legislative Information System of the U.S. Congress (LIS) and relevant issues of the Journal of the United
States House of Representatives.
Notes: Table reflects resolutions of inquiry introduced through March 16, 2011.

Congressional Research Service
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Resolutions of Inquiry: An Analysis of Their Use in the House, 1947-2011

Table 2. Form of House Committee Report on Resolutions of Inquiry, 1947-2011
Without
Congress and Years
Adverse
Favorable
Recommendation
80th
(1947-1948)
6 3 1
81st
(1949-1950)
4 1 0
82nd
(1951-1952)
1 1 3
83rd
(1953-1954)
6 0 0
84th
(1955-1956)
1 0 1
85th
(1957-1958)
0 0 0
86th
(1959-1960)
0 0 0
87th
(1961-1962)
0 0 0
88th
(1963-1964)
0 0 0
89th
(1965-1966)
1 0 0
90th
(1967-1968)
0 0 0
91st
(1969-1970)
0 0 0
92nd (1971-1972)
12
0
0
93rd
(1973-1974)
6 0 0
94th
(1975-1976)
2 0 0
95th
(1977-1978)
0 0 0
96th
(1979-1980)
3 1 0
97th
(1981-1982)
1 0 1
98th
(1983-1984)
5 0 1
99th
(1985-1986)
4 0 0
100th
(1987-1988)
2 1 0
101st
(1989-1990)
2 0 0
102nd
(1991-1992)
0 0 1
103rd
(1993-1994)
1 0 0
104th
(1995-1996)
0 1 0
105th
(1997-1998)
0 0 0
106th
(1999-2000)
0 0 0
107th
(2001-2002)
0 0 0
108th (2003-2004)
13
0
0
109th (2005-2006)
26
0
5
110th
(2007-2008)
0 0 0
111th (2009-2010)
7
10
8
Total 103
18
21
Source: CRS analysis of data from the Legislative Information System of the U.S. Congress (LIS) and relevant
issues of the Journal of the United States House of Representatives.
Notes: Reflects activity as of March 16, 2011.

Congressional Research Service
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Resolutions of Inquiry: An Analysis of Their Use in the House, 1947-2011

Table 3. House Floor Action on Resolutions of Inquiry, 1947-2011
Congress and Years
Tabled
Agreed to
80th (1947-1948)
6
4
81st (1949-1950)
4
1
82nd (1951-1952)
3
2
83rd (1953-1954)
7
0
84th (1955-1956)
1
0
85th (1957-1958)
0
0
86th (1959-1960)
0
0
87th (1961-1962)
0
0
88th (1963-1964)
0
0
89th (1965-1966)
1
0
90th (1967-1968)
0
0
91st (1969-1970)
0
0
92nd (1971-1972)
14
1
93rd (1973-1974)
8
0
94th (1975-1976)
0
1
95th (1977-1978)
0
0
96th (1979-1980)
4
2
97th (1981-1982)
2
0
98th (1983-1984)
0
0
99th (1985-1986)
1
0
100th (1987-1988)
0
0
101st (1989-1990)
0
0
102nd (1991-1992)
1
0
103rd (1993-1994)
0
0
104th (1995-1996)
0
1
105th (1997-1998)
0
0
106th (1999-2000)
0
0
107th (2001-2002)
0
0
108th (2003-2004)
0
0
109th (2005-2006)
0
0
110th (2007-2008)
0
0
111th (2009-2010)
0
0
Total 52
12
Source: CRS analysis of data from the Legislative Information System of the U.S. Congress (LIS) and relevant
issues of the Journal of the United States House of Representatives.
Notes: Reflects activity as of March 16, 2011.

Congressional Research Service
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Resolutions of Inquiry: An Analysis of Their Use in the House, 1947-2011

Table 4. Party Affiliation of Resolution of Inquiry Sponsors vs. Congress, 1947-2011
Congressional Majority
Sponsor Member of
Sponsor Member of
Congress and Years
Party
Majority Party
Minority Party
80th (1947-1948)
R
15
0
81st (1949-1950)
D
5
9
82nd (1951-1952)
D
0
8
83rd (1953-1954)
R
13
4
84th (1955-1956)
D
2
6
85th (1957-1958)
D
1
2
86th (1959-1960)
D
0
1
87th (1961-1962)
D
2
0
88th (1963-1964)
D
0
0
89th (1965-1966)
D
0
5
90th (1967-1968)
D
0
0
91st (1969-1970)
D
0
0
92nd (1971-1972)
D
9
8
93rd (1973-1974)
D
27
17
94th (1975-1976)
D
23
3
95th (1977-1978)
D
1
2
96th (1979-1980)
D
5
8
97th (1981-1982)
D
4
0
98th (1983-1984)
D
7
1
99th (1985-1986)
D
5
1
100th (1987-1988)
D
3
1
101st (1989-1990)
D
1
3
102nd (1991-1992)
D
1
0
103rd (1993-1994)
D
0
2
104th (1995-1996)
R
0
1
105th (1997-1998)
R
0
1
106th (1999-2000)
R
0
1
107th (2001-2002)
R
0
0
108th (2003-2004)
R
0
14
109th (2005-2006)
R
1
38
110th (2007-2008)
D
0
0
111th (2009-2010)
D
0
29
Total -
125
165
Source: CRS analysis of data from the Legislative Information System of the U.S. Congress (LIS) and relevant
issues of the Journal of the United States House of Representatives.
Notes: Reflects activity as of March 16, 2011. “D” signifies Democratic Party. “R” signifies Republican Party.
Congressional Research Service
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Resolutions of Inquiry: An Analysis of Their Use in the House, 1947-2011

Table 5. Party Affiliation of Resolution of Inquiry Sponsors vs. President, 1947-2011
Sponsor Party
Sponsor Party Same
Different Than
Congress and Years
President’s Party
As President
President
80th (1947-1948)
D
0
15
81st (1949-1950)
D
45
9
82nd (1951-1952)
D
0
8
83rd (1953-1954)
R
13
4
84th (1955-1956)
R
6
2
85th (1957-1958)
R
2
1
86th (1959-1960)
R
1
0
87th (1961-1962)
D
2
0
88th (1963-1964)
D
0
0
89th (1965-1966)
D
0
5
90th (1967-1968)
D
0
0
91st (1969-1970)
R
0
0
92nd (1971-1972)
R
8
9
93rd (1973-1974)
R
17
27
94th (1975-1976)
R
3
23
95th (1977-1978)
D
1
2
96th (1979-1980)
D
5
8
97th (1981-1982)
R
0
4
98th (1983-1984)
R
1
7
99th (1985-1986)
R
1
5
100th (1987-1988)
R
1
3
101st (1989-1990)
R
3
1
102nd (1991-1992)
R
0
1
103rd (1993-1994)
D
0
2
104th (1995-1996)
D
1
0
105th (1997-1998)
D
1
0
106th (1999-2000)
D
1
0
107th (2001-2002)
R
0
0
108th (2003-2004)
R
0
14
109th (2005-2006)
R
1
38
110th (2007-2008)
R
0
0
111th (2009-2010)
D
0
29
TOTAL -
73
217
Source: CRS analysis of data from the Legislative Information System of the U.S. Congress (LIS) and relevant
issues of the Journal of the United States House of Representatives.
Notes: Reflects activity as of March 16, 2011. “D” signifies Democratic Party. “R” signifies Republican Party.
Congressional Research Service
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Resolutions of Inquiry: An Analysis of Their Use in the House, 1947-2011

Table 6. Have House Resolutions of Inquiry Produced Requested Information?
1947-2011
Unknown, Unclear, or
Congress and Years
Yes (Even Partial)
No
Disputed
80th (1947-1948)
10
1
4
81st
(1949-1950)
4 1 9
82nd
(1951-1952)
5 0 3
83rd
(1953-1954)
8 0 9
84th
(1955-1956)
2 0 6
85th
(1957-1958)
0 0 3
86th
(1959-1960)
0 0 1
87th
(1961-1962)
0 0 2
88th
(1963-1964)
0 0 0
89th
(1965-1966)
2 0 3
90th
(1967-1968)
0 0 0
91st
(1969-1970)
0 0 0
92nd (1971-1972)
10
4
3
93rd (1973-1974)
8
0
36
94th (1975-1976)
1
1
24
95th
(1977-1978)
0 0 3
96th
(1979-1980)
3 2 8
97th
(1981-1982)
3 0 1
98th
(1983-1984)
5 1 2
99th
(1985-1986)
3 1 2
100th
(1987-1988)
2 0 2
101st
(1989-1990)
2 0 2
102nd
(1991-1992)
1 0 0
103rd
(1993-1994)
0 1 1
104th
(1995-1996)
1 0 0
105th
(1997-1998)
0 0 1
106th
(1999-2000)
0 0 1
107th
(2001-2002)
0 0 0
108th
(2003-2004)
6 8 0
109th (2005-2006)
4
26
9
110th
(2007-2008)
0 0 0
111th (2009-2010)
8
4
17
TOTAL 88
50
152
Source: CRS Analysis of data from the Legislative Information System of the U.S. Congress (LIS) and relevant
issues of the Journal of the United States House of Representatives.
Notes: Reflects activity as of March 16, 2011. Categories based on CRS examination of resolutions and related
legislative history documents.
Congressional Research Service
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Resolutions of Inquiry: An Analysis of Their Use in the House, 1947-2011

Table 7. Identified Resolutions of Inquiry Introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives, 1947-2011
Resolution, Introduction,
Official(s) To Whom Inquiry
Committee(s) of Referral
and Sponsorship
is Directed
Subject of Inquiry
and Consideration
House Floor Action
H.Res. 38
Secretary of War
Materials in the possession of
Armed Services
-
the War and Navy Departments
01/06/1947
Secretary of the Navy
suitable for use in relieving the
-
Rep. Lawrence H. Smith (R-WI)
housing shortage
H.Res. 80
Secretary of State
Withdrawal of U.S. troops from
Foreign Affairs
Laid on the table
China
01/30/1947
Reported adversely
02/05/1947
Rep. Edith N. Rogers (R-MA)
02/05/1947
H.Rept. 80-16
H.Res. 254
Secretary of State
Documents, records, and
Judiciary
Laid on the table
memorandum related to Serge
06/24/1947
Rubenstein
Reported adversely
07/11/1947
Rep. Ellsworth Buck (R-NY)
07/11/1947

H.Rept. 80-886
H.Res. 255
Attorney General
Documents, records, and
Judiciary
Laid on the table
memorandum related to Serge
06/24/1947
Rubenstein
Reported adversely
07/11/1947
Rep. Ellsworth Buck (R-NY)
07/11/1947

H.Rept. 80-887
H.Res. 257
Secretary of the Treasury
Food and meat being shipped
Ways and Means
-
from Greece and the
06/26/1947
Mediterranean to the United
-
Rep. Edith N. Rogers (R-MA)
States
H.Res. 258
Secretary of State
Food and meat being shipped
Foreign Affairs
Laid on the table
from Greece and the
06/25/1947
Mediterranean to the United
Reported adversely
07/09/1947
Rep. Edith N. Rogers (R-MA)
States
07/09/1947

H.Rept. 80-814
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Resolutions of Inquiry: An Analysis of Their Use in the House, 1947-2011

Resolution, Introduction,
Official(s) To Whom Inquiry
Committee(s) of Referral
and Sponsorship
is Directed
Subject of Inquiry
and Consideration
House Floor Action
H.Res. 365
Secretary of Defense
Decommissioning of certain
Foreign Affairs
Agreed to
factories in post-war Germany
11/24/1947
Reported favorably (amended)
12/18/1947
Rep. Karl E. Mundt (R-SD)
12/18/1947
H.Rept. 80-1225
H.Res. 366
Secretary of Commerce
Sale of supplies to the Soviet
Interstate and Foreign
Agreed to
Union by firms and individuals
Commerce
11/24/1947
located in the United States
12/05/1947
Reported favorably (amended)
Rep. Karl E. Mundt (R-SD)
12/05/1947

H.Rept. 80-1155
H.Res. 380
Secretary of Commerce
Amount of coal and oil being
Interstate and Foreign
-
sent to Canada and other
Commerce
11/28/1947
countries by the United States
-
Rep. Edith N. Rogers (R-MA)
H.Res. 381
United States Maritime
Information relative to oil Idle
Merchant Marine and Fisheries
-
Commission
tankers and why said tankers
11/28/1947
have not been put into
-
Rep. Edith N. Rogers (R-MA)
operation
H.Res. 382
Director of the Office of
Shortage of coal cars used in
Interstate and Foreign
-
Defense Transportation
transportation of coal to New
Commerce
11/28/1947
England and whether coal cars
-
Rep. Edith N. Rogers (R-MA)
from Great Lakes terminals may
be transferred to New England
H.Res. 383
Secretary of the Navy
Whether ful use is being made
Armed Services
Laid on the table
of oil tankers under the control
11/28/1947
of the Navy
Reported adversely
12/04/1947
Rep. Edith N. Rogers (R-MA)
12/04/1947
H.Rept. 80-1154
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Resolutions of Inquiry: An Analysis of Their Use in the House, 1947-2011

Resolution, Introduction,
Official(s) To Whom Inquiry
Committee(s) of Referral
and Sponsorship
is Directed
Subject of Inquiry
and Consideration
House Floor Action
H.Res. 385
Secretary of the Interior
The amount of fuel, gasoline,
Public Lands
Agreed to
petroleum products, and coal
12/02/1947
available in the United States
Reported without
02/16/1948
recommendation
Rep. Edith N. Rogers (R-MA)
12/19/1947
H.Rept. 80-1231
H.Res. 511
Secretary of Agriculture
Research on price spreads
Agriculture
Laid on the table
between the producer and
03/24/1948
consumer of agricultural
Reported adversely
04/07/1948
Rep. John Z. Anderson (R-CA)
products
04/07/1948

H.Rept. 80-1662
H.Res. 522
Secretary of Commerce
A letter authored by FBI
Interstate and Foreign
Agreed to
Director, J. Edgar Hoover,
Commerce
04/07/1948
relating to Dr. Edward U.
04/22/1948
Reported favorably
Rep. John P. Thomas (R-NJ)
Condon, Director of the
National Bureau of Standards
04/19/1948

H.Rept. 80-1753
H.Res. 50
Secretary of State
Situation in Palestine
Foreign Affairs
Laid on the table
01/13/1949
Reported adversely
01/31/1949
Rep. Jacob K. Javits (R-NY)
01/31/1949

H.Rept. 81-10
H.Res. 80
Secretary of Defense
Administrative action on the
Armed Services
Laid on the table
program of national defense
02/03/1949
preparedness
Reported adversely
02/09/1949
Rep. Edwin Arthur Hal (R-NY)
02/09/1949

H.Rept. 81-36
H.Res. 147
Secretary of State
Effect of imports on the
Merchant Marine and Fisheries
Agreed to
domestic fishing industry
03/11/1949
Reported favorably (amended)
04/22/1948
Rep. Clark W. Thompson (D-
03/30/1949
TX)
H.Rept. 81-355
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Resolutions of Inquiry: An Analysis of Their Use in the House, 1947-2011

Resolution, Introduction,
Official(s) To Whom Inquiry
Committee(s) of Referral
and Sponsorship
is Directed
Subject of Inquiry
and Consideration
House Floor Action
H.Res. 196
Secretary of State
Denial of visas to certain foreign
Foreign Affairs
Laid on the table
officials (Pierre Cot of the
04/27/1949
Republic of France and Konni
Reported adversely
05/04/1949
Rep. Vito Marcantonio
Zilliacus of Great Britain)
05/04/1949
(American Laborite-NY)
H.Rept. 81-504
H.Res. 198
United States Tariff Commission Statistics relating to the woolen
Ways and Means
-
and worsted manufacturing
04/29/1949
industry
Rep. Thomas J. Lane (D-MA)
H.Res. 199
Secretary of Labor
Employment statistics relating to Education and Labor
-
the woolen and worsted
04/29/1949
manufacturing industry
-
Rep. Thomas J. Lane (D-MA)
H.Res. 200
Secretary of the Treasury
Corporate income tax statistics
Ways and Means
-
relating to the woolen and
04/29/1949
worsted manufacturing industry
-
Rep. Thomas J. Lane (D-MA)
H.Res. 424
Administrator of Veterans’
Personal finances of mental
Veterans’ Affairs
-
Affairs
patients hospitalized by the
01/12/1950
Veterans’ Administration
-
Rep. Edith N. Rogers (R-MA)
H.Res. 449
Secretary of the Treasury
Receipts from taxes paid on tips
Ways and Means
-
and gratuities received by
01/26/1950
taxpayers
-
Rep. Edgar A. Jonas (R-IL)
H.Res. 452
President
Foreign policy of the United
Foreign Affairs
Laid on the table
States in the far east
01/27/1950
Reported adversely
02/09/1950
Rep. John D. Lodge (R-CT)
02/09/1950
H.Rept. 81-1618
H.Res. 477
Secretary of the Treasury
The number of watches, clocks,
Ways and Means
-
and parts of watches and clocks
02/16/1950
imported into the U.S. over the
-
Rep. Edith N. Rogers (R-MA)
previous five years
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Resolutions of Inquiry: An Analysis of Their Use in the House, 1947-2011

Resolution, Introduction,
Official(s) To Whom Inquiry
Committee(s) of Referral
and Sponsorship
is Directed
Subject of Inquiry
and Consideration
House Floor Action
H.Res. 478
Secretary of Commerce
The number of watches, clocks,
Interstate and Foreign
-
and parts of watches and clocks
Commerce
02/16/1950
manufactured in the U.S. over
-
Rep. Edith N. Rogers (R-MA)
the previous five years
H.Res. 829
Attorney General
Arrest and detention, and
Judiciary
-
deportation of Rafael Garcia
08/28/1950
Travesi-Carral
-
Rep. Donald L. Jackson (R-CA)
H.Res. 870
Secretary of the Army
Railroad accidents involving
Armed Services
-
troop transport trains
11/30/1950
Chairman of the Interstate
-
Commerce Commission
Rep. Edith N. Rogers (R-MA)
H.Res. 125
Secretary of Commerce
Railroad accident which
Interstate and Foreign
-
occurred near Woodbridge,
Commerce
02/07/1951
New Jersey, on February 6,
-
Rep. Edith N. Rogers (R-MA)
1951
H.Res. 514
Secretary of State
Any agreements made between
Foreign Affairs
Agreed to
the President of the United
01/31/1952
States and the Prime Minister of
Reported adversely
02/20/1952
Rep. Ellis Y. Berry (R-SD)
Great Britain during their recent 02/20/1952
conversations

H.Rept. 82-1381
H.Res. 609
President
Information related to the
Education and Labor
-
Presidents actions during the
04/24/1952
1952 steel strike
-
Rep. Matthew H. Ellsworth (R-
OR)
H.Res. 661
Secretary of the Army
Insurgency in prisoner-of-war
Armed Services
Laid on the table
camps in Korea and communist-
05/28/1952
inspired disturbances of the
Reported without
06/10/1952
recommendation
Rep. Edith N. Rogers (R-MA)
peace in Japan since the
departure of General MacArthur 06/10/1952
H.Rept. 82-2128
CRS-23

Resolutions of Inquiry: An Analysis of Their Use in the House, 1947-2011

Resolution, Introduction,
Official(s) To Whom Inquiry
Committee(s) of Referral
and Sponsorship
is Directed
Subject of Inquiry
and Consideration
House Floor Action
H.Res. 662
Secretary of Defense
Insurgency in prisoner-of-war
Armed Services
Laid on the table
camps in Korea and communist-
05/28/1952
inspired disturbances of the
Reported without
06/10/1952
recommendation
Rep. Edith N. Rogers (R-MA)
peace in Japan since the
departure of General MacArthur 06/10/1952
H.Rept. 82-2129
H.Res. 663
Secretary of the Army
Reduction in grade of Colonel
Armed Services
Laid on the table
Charles F. Colson relating to his
05/28/1952
conduct during the riot at Koje
Reported without
06/10/1952
recommendation
Rep. Edith N. Rogers (R-MA)
Island, Korea
06/10/1952
H.Rept. 82-2130
H.Res. 664
Secretary of State
Insurgency in prisoner-of-war
Foreign Affairs
Agreed to
camps in Korea and communist-
05/28/1952
inspired disturbances of the
Reported favorably
06/10/1952
Rep. Edith N. Rogers (R-MA)
peace in Japan since the
06/10/1952
departure of General MacArthur H.Rept. 82-2131
H.Res. 716
Secretary of State
Any agreement made by the
Foreign Affairs
-
Secretary of State and the
06/28/1952
government of Great Britain
-
Rep. Edmund P. Radwan (R-NY)
during their recent meetings and
conversations which may affect

the conduct of the war in Korea
H.Res. 121
Secretary of Defense
The military operation in Korea
Armed Services
-
codenamed “Operation Smack”
01/29/1953
-
Rep. Clare Hoffman (R-MI)
H.Res. 134
Civil Service Commission
Federal employees not falling
Post Office and Civil Services
-
under civil service rules and
02/06/1953
regulations
-

Rep. John D. Dingel (D-MI)
CRS-24

Resolutions of Inquiry: An Analysis of Their Use in the House, 1947-2011

Resolution, Introduction,
Official(s) To Whom Inquiry
Committee(s) of Referral
and Sponsorship
is Directed
Subject of Inquiry
and Consideration
House Floor Action
H.Res. 171
Secretary of Defense
The military operation in Korea
Armed Services
Laid on the table
codenamed “Operation Smack”
03/09/1953
Reported adversely
03/17/1953
Rep. Clare Hoffman (R-MI)
03/17/1953
H.Rept. 83-164
H.Res. 278
Atomic Energy Commission
Effect on the weather of certain
Joint Committee on Atomic
-
atomic bomb explosions
Energy
06/11/1953
-
Rep. Edith N. Rogers (R-MA)
H.Res. 279
Secretary of the Army
Effect on the weather of certain
Armed Services
Laid on the table
atomic bomb explosions
06/11/1953
Reported adversely
06/23/1953
Rep. Edith N. Rogers (R-MA)
06/23/1953

H.Rept. 83-646
H.Res. 280
Federal Civil Defense
Effect on the weather of certain
Armed Services
Laid on the table by rule
Administrator
atomic bomb explosions
06/11/1953
Reported adversely
06/26/1953
Rep. Edith N. Rogers (R-MA)
06/23/1953

H.Rept. 83-641
H.Res. 281
Secretary of the Navy
Effect on the weather of certain
Armed Services
Laid on the table
atomic bomb explosions
06/11/1953
Reported adversely
06/23/1953
Rep. Edith N. Rogers (R-MA)
06/23/1953
H.Rept. 83-647
H.Res. 282
Secretary of the Air Force
Effect on the weather of certain
Armed Services
Laid on the table
atomic bomb explosions
06/11/1953
Reported adversely
06/23/1953
Rep. Edith N. Rogers (R-MA)
06/23/1953

H.Rept. 83-648
CRS-25

Resolutions of Inquiry: An Analysis of Their Use in the House, 1947-2011

Resolution, Introduction,
Official(s) To Whom Inquiry
Committee(s) of Referral
and Sponsorship
is Directed
Subject of Inquiry
and Consideration
House Floor Action
H.Res. 283
Secretary of Commerce
Effect on the weather of certain
Interstate and Foreign
Laid on the table
atomic bomb explosions
Commerce
06/11/1953
06/27/1953
Reported adversely
Rep. Edith N. Rogers (R-MA)
06/27/1953
H.Rept. 83-682
H.Res. 387
Secretary of the Treasury
Unexpended balances of
Appropriations
-
appropriations
08/01/1953
-
Rep. Edith N. Rogers (R-MA)
H.Res. 388
Comptroller General
Unexpended balances of
Appropriations
-
appropriations
08/01/1953
-
Rep. Edith N. Rogers (R-MA)
H.Res. 434
President
Discharge of federal officers and
Post Office and Civil Service
-
employees for security reasons
02/08/1954
during the past year
-
Rep. George M. Rhodes (D-PA)
H.Res. 435
Chairman of the United States
Discharge of federal officers and
Post Office and Civil Service
-
Civil Service Commission
employees for security reasons
02/08/1954
during the past year
-
Rep. George M. Rhodes (D-PA)
H.Res. 436
Attorney General
Discharge of federal officers and
Judiciary
-
employees for security reasons
02/08/1954
during the past year
-
Rep. George M. Rhodes (D-PA)
H.Res. 560
Secretary of the Navy
Facts concerning the explosion
Armed Services
Discharged by unanimous
on the aircraft carrier Bennington
consent and laid on the table
05/26/1954
-
06/07/1954
Rep. Edith N. Rogers (R-MA)
H.Res. 602
Postmaster General
Transmission of hate
Post Office and Civil Service
-
propaganda through the mails
06/28/1954
-
Rep. Jacob K. Javits (R-NY)
CRS-26

Resolutions of Inquiry: An Analysis of Their Use in the House, 1947-2011

Resolution, Introduction,
Official(s) To Whom Inquiry
Committee(s) of Referral
and Sponsorship
is Directed
Subject of Inquiry
and Consideration
House Floor Action
H.Res. 632
Postmaster General
Transmission of hate
Post Office and Civil Service
-
propaganda through the mails
07/14/1954
-
Rep. Jacob K. Javits (R-NY)
H.Res. 134
President
Veterans’ Administration
Veterans’ Affairs
-
expenditures
02/07/1955
Administrator of Veterans’
-
Affairs
Rep. Clare Hoffman (R-MI)
H.Res. 136
Secretary of Defense
Extent and cost of certain
Armed Services
Laid on the table
military installations
02/07/1955
Reported adversely
02/16/1955
Rep. Clare Hoffman (R-MI)
02/16/1955

H.Rept. 84-56
H.Res. 207
Secretary of the Interior
Information related to
Interior and Insular Affairs
-
Antarctica
04/14/1955
-
Rep. John P. Pillion (R-NY)
H.Res. 209
Secretary of the Interior
Information related to
Interior and Insular Affairs
-
Antarctica
04/18/1955
-
Rep. Craig Hosmer (R-CA)
H.Res. 238
Secretary of Health, Education,
Statistical information relating to Ways and Means
-
and Welfare
the staffing and workload of
05/09/1955
Social Security field offices in
-
Rep. Clare Hoffman (R-MI)
Michigan and Indiana
H.Res. 245
Secretary of the Interior
Information related to
Interior and Insular Affairs
-
Antarctica
05/16/1955
-
Rep. James A. Haley (D-FL)
CRS-27

Resolutions of Inquiry: An Analysis of Their Use in the House, 1947-2011

Resolution, Introduction,
Official(s) To Whom Inquiry
Committee(s) of Referral
and Sponsorship
is Directed
Subject of Inquiry
and Consideration
House Floor Action
H.Res. 475
Secretary of the Treasury
Settlement of the American
Ways and Means
-
Distilling Company income tax
04/16/1956
case by the Internal Revenue
Reported without
recommendation
Rep. Herman P. Eberharter (D-
Service
PA)
07/21/1956
H.Rept. 84-2867
H.Res. 525
Secretary of Labor
Statistical information related to
Education and Labor
-
salaries and employment in the
06/06/1956
manufacturing industry
-
Rep. Clare Hoffman (R-MI)
H.Res. 454
Secretary of Labor
Violence related to labor strikes
Education and Labor
-
01/27/1958
-
Rep. Clare Hoffman (R-MI)
H.Res. 593
Secretary of the Interior
Information related to the
Interior and Insular Affairs
-
school-age Indian population of
06/16/1958
the United States
-
Rep. Joseph M. Montoya (D-
NM)
H.Res. 612
Secretary of Labor
Activity by Labor Department
Education and Labor
-
employees in relation to the
06/30/1958
Aiken Brothers Company of
-
Rep. Clare Hoffman (R-MI)
Greenville, South Carolina
H.Res. 290
Secretary of Labor
Statistical information about the
Education and Labor
-
amount of money paid to
06/08/1959
various labor unions
-
Rep. Clare Hoffman (R-MI)
H.Res. 593
Secretary of State
Reasons underlying U.S.
Foreign Affairs
-
sponsorship and active support
04/10/1962
of the censure of Israel by the
-
Rep. Leonard Farbstein (D-NY)
United Nations Security Council
H.Res. 610
Secretary of State
Reasons underlying U.S.
Foreign Affairs
-
sponsorship and active support
04/18/1962
of the censure of Israel by the
-
Rep. Barratt O’Hara (D-IL)
United Nations Security Council
CRS-28

Resolutions of Inquiry: An Analysis of Their Use in the House, 1947-2011

Resolution, Introduction,
Official(s) To Whom Inquiry
Committee(s) of Referral
and Sponsorship
is Directed
Subject of Inquiry
and Consideration
House Floor Action
H.Res. 529
Postmaster General
Temporary summer
Post Office and Civil Service
-
employment at the U.S. Postal
08/18/1965
Service
-
Rep. Albert Quie (R-MN)
H.Res. 574
Postmaster General
Temporary summer
Post Office and Civil Service
Laid on the table
employment at the U.S. Postal
09/08/1965
Service
Reported adversely
09/16/1965
Rep. Albert Quie (R-MN)
09/16/1965
H.Rept. 89-1010
H.Res. 575
President
Reports of the White House
Education and Labor
-
Education Task Force chaired by
09/12/1965
John W. Gardner
-
Rep. Robert H. Michel (R-IL)
H.Res. 576
Secretary of Health, Education,
Specified proposals and position
Education and Labor
-
and Welfare
papers relating to education in
09/12/1965
the states and in big city schools -
Rep. Robert H. Michel (R-IL)
H.Res. 1018
President Certain
information
Appropriations
-
09/14/1966
-

Rep. Melvin R. Laird (R-WI)
H.Res. 489
President
The report “U.S.-Vietnam
Armed Services
Laid on the table
Relationships, 1945-1967” (Also
06/21/1971
known as “The Pentagon
Reported adversely
06/30/1971
Rep. Bel a S. Abzug (D-NY)
Papers.”)
06/30/1971
Cosponsors: (10)
H.Rept. 92-318
H.Res. 490
President
The report “U.S.-Vietnam
Armed Services
Laid on the table
Relationships, 1945-1967” ”
06/21/1971
(Also known as “The Pentagon
Reported adversely
06/30/1971
Rep. Bel a S. Abzug (D-NY)
Papers.”)
06/30/1971
Cosponsors: (14)
H.Rept. 92-319
CRS-29

Resolutions of Inquiry: An Analysis of Their Use in the House, 1947-2011

Resolution, Introduction,
Official(s) To Whom Inquiry
Committee(s) of Referral
and Sponsorship
is Directed
Subject of Inquiry
and Consideration
House Floor Action
H.Res. 491
President
The report “U.S.-Vietnam
Armed Services
Motion to discharge fel on a
Relationships, 1945-1967” ”
point of order
06/21/1971
Secretary of State
(Also known as “The Pentagon
-
07/07/1971
Rep. Bel a S. Abzug (D-NY)
Director of the Central
Papers.”)
Intelligence Agency
Cosponsors: (17)
H.Res. 492
Secretary of State
U.S. operations in Laos
Foreign Affairs
Laid on the table
06/21/1971
Reported adversely
07/07/1971
Rep. Paul N. “Pete” McCloskey,
07/01/1971
Jr. (R-CA)
H.Rept. 92-327
Cosponsors: (none)
H.Res. 493
Secretary of State
The Phoenix Program
Foreign Affairs
Laid on the table
06/21/1971
Reported adversely
07/07/1971
Rep. Paul N. “Pete” McCloskey,
07/01/1971
Jr. (R-CA)
H.Rept. 92-328
Cosponsors: (none)
H.Res. 494
Secretary of State
The report “U.S. Vietnam
Foreign Affairs
Laid on the table
Relationships, 1945-1967” ”
06/21/1971
(Also known as “The Pentagon
Reported adversely
07/07/1971
Rep. Paul N. “Pete” McCloskey,
Papers.”)
07/01/1971
Jr. (R-CA)
H.Rept. 92-329
Cosponsors: (none)
H.Res. 495
Secretary of State
Bombing operations in northern
Foreign Affairs
Laid on the table
Laos
06/21/1971
Reported adversely
07/07/1971
Rep. Paul N. “Pete” McCloskey,
07/01/1971
Jr. (R-CA)
H.Rept. 92-330
Cosponsors: (none)
CRS-30

Resolutions of Inquiry: An Analysis of Their Use in the House, 1947-2011

Resolution, Introduction,
Official(s) To Whom Inquiry
Committee(s) of Referral
and Sponsorship
is Directed
Subject of Inquiry
and Consideration
House Floor Action
H.Res. 530
Secretary of Health, Education,
Busing to achieve racial balance
Education and Labor
-
and Welfare
in the public schools
07/08/1971
-
Rep. James M. Collins (R-TX)
Cosponsors: (1)
H.Res. 539
Secretary of Health, Education,
Busing to achieve racial balance
Education and Labor
Discharged and agreed to
and Welfare
in the public schools
07/14/1971
-
08/02/1971
Rep. James M. Collins (R-TX)
Cosponsors: (1)
H.Res. 557
Secretary of Defense
Extent of military assistance to
Armed Services
Discharged and laid on the table
certain foreign countries
07/21/1971
-
08/03/1971
Rep. Bertram L. Podel (D-NY)

Cosponsors: (none)
H.Res. 595
Secretary of State
Communications pertaining to
Foreign Affairs
Laid on the table
the upcoming Vietnamese
09/14/1971
presidential election
Reported adversely
09/30/1971
Rep. Bel a S. Abzug (D-NY)
09/27/1971
Cosponsors: (none)
H.Rept. 92-512
H.Res. 619
Secretary of State
Communications pertaining to
Foreign Affairs
Discharged and laid on the table
the upcoming Vietnamese
09/27/1971
presidential election
-
09/30/1971
Rep. Bel a S. Abzug (D-NY)
Cosponsors: (1)
H.Res. 632
Secretary of State
Role of the U.S. government in
Foreign Affairs
Laid on the table
events leading to an uncontested
09/27/1971
presidential election in South
Reported adversely
10/20/1971
Rep. Lester Wolff (D-NY)
Vietnam on October 3, 1971
10/14/1971
Cosponsors: (24)
H.Rept. 92-567
CRS-31

Resolutions of Inquiry: An Analysis of Their Use in the House, 1947-2011

Resolution, Introduction,
Official(s) To Whom Inquiry
Committee(s) of Referral
and Sponsorship
is Directed
Subject of Inquiry
and Consideration
House Floor Action
H.Res. 638
Secretary of State
Role of the U.S. government in
Foreign Affairs
Laid on the table
events leading to an uncontested
10/06/1971
presidential election in South
Reported adversely
10/20/1971
Rep. Lester Wolff (D-NY)
Vietnam on October 3, 1971
10/14/1971
Cosponsors: (14)
H.Rept. 92-568
H.Res. 918
President
Statistics relating to U.S. military Armed Services
Laid on the table
involvement in Indochina
04/11/1972
Secretary of Defense
Reported adversely
04/26/1972
Rep. Bel a S. Abzug (D-NY)
04/19/1972
Cosponsors: (none)
H.Rept. 92-1003
H.Res. 1078
Secretary of Defense
Statistics relating to U.S. military
Armed Services
Laid on the table
involvement in North Vietnam
08/02/1972
Reported adversely
08/16/1972
Rep. Paul N. “Pete” McCloskey,
08/10/1972
Jr. (R-CA)
H.Rept. 92-1330
Cosponsors: (none)
H.Res. 1079
Secretary of Defense
Statistics relating to U.S. military
Armed Services
Laid on the table
involvement in North Vietnam
08/02/1972
Reported adversely
08/16/1972
Rep. Paul N. “Pete” McCloskey,
08/10/1972
Jr. (R-CA)
H.Rept. 92-1331
Cosponsors: (none)
H.Res. 26
President
Statistics relating to U.S. military Armed Services
Laid on the table
involvement in Vietnam
01/03/1973
Secretary of Defense
Reported adversely
03/01/1973
Rep. Michael J. Harrington (D-
03/01/1973

MA)
H.Rept. 93-40
Cosponsors: (21)
CRS-32

Resolutions of Inquiry: An Analysis of Their Use in the House, 1947-2011

Resolution, Introduction,
Official(s) To Whom Inquiry
Committee(s) of Referral
and Sponsorship
is Directed
Subject of Inquiry
and Consideration
House Floor Action
H.Res. 114
Secretary of Defense
Data relating to the extent of
Armed Services
Laid on the table
the bombing of North Vietnam
01/11/1973
from December 17, 1972,
Reported adversely
03/06/1973
Rep. Michael J. Harrington (D-
through January 10, 1973
03/01/1973

MA)
H.Rept. 93-38
Cosponsors: (13)
H.Res. 115
Secretary of Defense
Data relating to the extent of
Armed Services
Laid on the table
the bombing of North Vietnam
01/11/1973
from December 17, 1972,
Reported adversely
03/06/1973
Rep. Michael J. Harrington (D-
through January 10, 1973
03/01/1973

MA)
H.Rept. 93-39
Cosponsors: (13)
H.Res. 143
Secretary of Defense
Data relating to the extent of
Armed Services
Laid on the table
the bombing of North Vietnam
01/18/1973
from December 17, 1972,
Reported adversely
03/06/1973
Rep. Michael J. Harrington (D-
through January 10, 1973
03/01/1973
MA)
H.Rept. 93-41
Cosponsors: (1)
H.Res. 220
Attorney General
Basis of the venue in the
Judiciary
-
northern district of Texas of the
02/19/1973
grand jury investigation before
-

Rep. Bel a S. Abzug (D-NY)
which Kenneth Tierney, Thomas
Laffey, Matthias Reilly, Paschal
Cosponsors: (3)
Morahan, and Daniel Crawford
have been summoned
H.Res. 223
Attorney General
Basis of the venue in the
Judiciary
-
northern district of Texas of the
02/20/1973
grand jury investigation before
-
Rep. Bel a S. Abzug (D-NY)
which Kenneth Tierney, Thomas
Laffey, Matthias Reilly, Paschal
Cosponsors: (1)
Morahan, and Daniel Crawford
have been summoned
CRS-33

Resolutions of Inquiry: An Analysis of Their Use in the House, 1947-2011

Resolution, Introduction,
Official(s) To Whom Inquiry
Committee(s) of Referral
and Sponsorship
is Directed
Subject of Inquiry
and Consideration
House Floor Action
H.Res. 258
Attorney General
Record of the Department of
Judiciary
-
Justice which led to the
02/28/1973
determination of the venue in
-
Rep. Hugh L. Carey (D-NY)
the Northern District of Texas
of the grand jury investigation
Cosponsors: (2)
before which Kenneth Tierney,
Thomas Laffey, Matthias Reilly,
Paschal Morahan, and Daniel
Crawford have been summoned
H.Res. 262
Attorney General
Basis of the venue in the
Judiciary
-
northern district of Texas of the
03/01/1973
grand jury investigation before
-
Rep. James V. Stanton (D-OH)
which Kenneth Tierney, Thomas
Laffey, Matthias Reilly, Paschal
Cosponsors: (none)
Morahan, and Daniel Crawford
have been summoned
H.Res. 281
Attorney General
Basis of the venue in the
Judiciary
-
northern district of Texas of the
03/08/1973
grand jury investigation before
-
Rep. Bel a S. Abzug (D-NY)
which Kenneth Tierney, Thomas
Laffey, Matthias Reilly, Paschal
Cosponsors: (none)
Morahan, and Daniel Crawford
have been summoned
H.Res. 346
Secretary of Health, Education,
Regulations governing social
Ways and Means
-
and Welfare
services proposed in the Federal
04/09/1973
Register of February 16, 1973
-

Rep. Ogden R. Reid (D-NY)
(38 F.R. 4608-4613)
Cosponsors: (none)
H.Res. 350
Secretary of Health, Education,
Regulations governing social
Ways and Means
-
and Welfare
services proposed in the Federal
04/10/1973
Register of February 16, 1973
-
Rep. Bel a S. Abzug (D-NY)
(38 F.R. 4608-4613)
Cosponsors: (none)
CRS-34

Resolutions of Inquiry: An Analysis of Their Use in the House, 1947-2011

Resolution, Introduction,
Official(s) To Whom Inquiry
Committee(s) of Referral
and Sponsorship
is Directed
Subject of Inquiry
and Consideration
House Floor Action
H.Res. 379
Secretary of Defense
Bombing and other activities in
Armed Services
Laid on the table
Cambodia and Laos during the
05/03/1973
period January 27, 1973, to April Reported adversely
05/09/1973
Rep. Robert L. Leggett (D-CA)
30, 1973
05/09/1973
Cosponsors: (15)
H.Rept. 93-170
H.Res. 508
Secretary of Defense
Data concerning the extent of
Armed Services
-
the bombing of Cambodia and
07/25/1973
Laos from January 20, 1969,
-

Rep. Michael J. Harrington (D-
through April 30, 1970
MA)
Cosponsors: (none)
H.Res. 519
Secretary of Defense
Data concerning the extent of
Armed Services
-
the bombing of Cambodia and
07/31/1973
Laos from January 20, 1969,
-
Rep. Michael J. Harrington (D-
through April 30, 1970
MA)
Cosponsors: (24)
H.Res. 520
Secretary of Defense
Data concerning the extent of
Armed Services
-
the bombing of Cambodia and
08/01/1973
Laos from January 20, 1969,
-
Rep. Michael J. Harrington (D-
through April 30, 1970
MA)
Cosponsors: (5)
H.Res. 522
Secretary of Defense
Data concerning the extent of
Armed Services
-
the bombing of Cambodia and
08/02/1973
Laos from January 20, 1969,
-
Rep. Michael J. Harrington (D-
through April 30, 1970
MA)
Cosponsors: (3)
CRS-35

Resolutions of Inquiry: An Analysis of Their Use in the House, 1947-2011

Resolution, Introduction,
Official(s) To Whom Inquiry
Committee(s) of Referral
and Sponsorship
is Directed
Subject of Inquiry
and Consideration
House Floor Action
H.Res. 525
Secretary of Defense
Data concerning the extent of
Armed Services
-
the bombing of Cambodia and
08/03/1973
Laos from January 20, 1969,
-
Rep. Michael J. Harrington (D-
through April 30, 1970
MA)
Cosponsors: (none)
H.Res. 537
Secretary of Defense
Data concerning the extent of
Armed Services
-
the bombing of Cambodia and
09/10/1973
Laos from January 20, 1969,
-
Rep. Michael J. Harrington (D-
through April 30, 1970
MA)
Cosponsors: (1)
H.Res. 572
Attorney General
Allegations that Spiro T. Agnew
Judiciary
Discharged and laid on the table
accepted bribes or received
10/01/1973
consideration for services
-
10/10/1973
Rep. Paul Findley (R-IL)
rendered
Cosponsors: (none)
H.Res. 634
Attorney General
Papers, documents, recordings,
Judiciary
Discharged and laid on the table
memorandums, and items of
10/23/1973
evidence in the custody of the
-
11/01/1973
Rep. Paul N. “Pete” McCloskey,
Special Prosecutor, Archibald
Jr. (R-CA)
Cox, as of noon, Saturday,
October 20, 1973
Cosponsors: (none)
H.Res. 1002
Secretary of State
The military alert declared by
Foreign Affairs
Laid on the table
the President on October 24,
03/25/1974
1974
Reported adversely
04/09/1974
Rep. Michael J. Harrington (D-
04/04/1974
MA)
H.Rept. 93-970
Cosponsors: (1)
CRS-36

Resolutions of Inquiry: An Analysis of Their Use in the House, 1947-2011

Resolution, Introduction,
Official(s) To Whom Inquiry
Committee(s) of Referral
and Sponsorship
is Directed
Subject of Inquiry
and Consideration
House Floor Action
H.Res. 1040
Secretary of Defense
Expenditure of Federal moneys
Armed Services
-
on private property owned by:
04/22/1974
(1) Franklin D. Roosevelt; (2)
-

Rep. Andrew J. Hinshaw (R-CA)
Harry S. Truman; (3) Dwight D.
Eisenhower; (4) John F.
Cosponsors: (none)
Kennedy; and (5) Lyndon B.
Johnson
H.Res. 1041
Secretary of Defense
Expenditure of Federal moneys
Armed Services
-
on private property owned by:
04/22/1974
(1) Franklin D. Roosevelt; (2)
-
Rep. Andrew J. Hinshaw (R-CA)
Harry S. Truman; (3) Dwight D.
Eisenhower; (4) John F.
Cosponsors: (none)
Kennedy; and (5) Lyndon B.
Johnson
H.Res. 1042
Secretary of the Army
Expenditure of Federal moneys
Armed Services
-
on private property owned by:
04/22/1974
(1) Franklin D. Roosevelt; (2)
-
Rep. Andrew J. Hinshaw (R-CA)
Harry S. Truman; (3) Dwight D.
Eisenhower; (4) John F.
Cosponsors: (none)
Kennedy; and (5) Lyndon B.
Johnson
H.Res. 1043
Secretary of the Army
Expenditure of Federal moneys
Armed Services
-
on private property owned by:
04/22/1974
(1) Franklin D. Roosevelt; (2)
-
Rep. Andrew J. Hinshaw (R-CA)
Harry S. Truman; (3) Dwight D.
Eisenhower; (4) John F.
Cosponsors: (none)
Kennedy; and (5) Lyndon B.
Johnson
H.Res. 1044
Secretary of the Navy
Expenditure of Federal moneys
Armed Services
-
on private property owned by:
04/22/1974
(1) Franklin D. Roosevelt; (2)
-
Rep. Andrew J. Hinshaw (R-CA)
Harry S. Truman; (3) Dwight D.
Eisenhower; (4) John F.
Cosponsors: (none)
Kennedy; and (5) Lyndon B.
Johnson
CRS-37

Resolutions of Inquiry: An Analysis of Their Use in the House, 1947-2011

Resolution, Introduction,
Official(s) To Whom Inquiry
Committee(s) of Referral
and Sponsorship
is Directed
Subject of Inquiry
and Consideration
House Floor Action
H.Res. 1045
Secretary of the Navy
Expenditure of Federal moneys
Armed Services
-
on private property owned by:
04/22/1974
(1) Franklin D. Roosevelt; (2)
-
Rep. Andrew J. Hinshaw (R-CA)
Harry S. Truman; (3) Dwight D.
Eisenhower; (4) John F.
Cosponsors: (none)
Kennedy; and (5) Lyndon B.
Johnson
H.Res. 1046
Secretary of the Air Force
Expenditure of Federal moneys
Armed Services
-
on private property owned by:
04/22/1974
(1) Franklin D. Roosevelt; (2)
-
Rep. Andrew J. Hinshaw (R-CA)
Harry S. Truman; (3) Dwight D.
Eisenhower; (4) John F.
Cosponsors: (none)
Kennedy; and (5) Lyndon B.
Johnson
H.Res. 1047
Secretary of the Air Force
Expenditure of Federal moneys
Armed Services
-
on private property owned by:
04/22/1974
(1) Franklin D. Roosevelt; (2)
-
Rep. Andrew J. Hinshaw (R-CA)
Harry S. Truman; (3) Dwight D.
Eisenhower; (4) John F.
Cosponsors: (none)
Kennedy; and (5) Lyndon B.
Johnson
H.Res. 1048
Administrator of the General
Expenditure of Federal moneys
Government Operations
-
Services Administration
on private property owned by:
04/22/1974
(1) Franklin D. Roosevelt; (2)
-
Rep. Andrew J. Hinshaw (R-CA)
Harry S. Truman; (3) Dwight D.
Eisenhower; (4) John F.
Cosponsors: (none)
Kennedy; and (5) Lyndon B.
Johnson
H.Res. 1049
Administrator of the General
Expenditure of Federal moneys
Government Operations
-
Services Administration
on private property owned by:
04/22/1974
(1) Franklin D. Roosevelt; (2)
-
Rep. Andrew J. Hinshaw (R-CA)
Harry S. Truman; (3) Dwight D.
Eisenhower; (4) John F.
Cosponsors: (none)
Kennedy; and (5) Lyndon B.
Johnson
CRS-38

Resolutions of Inquiry: An Analysis of Their Use in the House, 1947-2011

Resolution, Introduction,
Official(s) To Whom Inquiry
Committee(s) of Referral
and Sponsorship
is Directed
Subject of Inquiry
and Consideration
House Floor Action
H.Res. 1050
Secretary of Transportation
Expenditure of Federal moneys
Interstate and Foreign
-
on private property owned by:
Commerce
04/22/1974
(1) Franklin D. Roosevelt; (2)
-
Rep. Andrew J. Hinshaw (R-CA)
Harry S. Truman; (3) Dwight D.
Eisenhower; (4) John F.
Cosponsors: (none)
Kennedy; and (5) Lyndon B.
Johnson
H.Res. 1051
Secretary of Transportation
Expenditure of Federal moneys
Interstate and Foreign
-
on private property owned by:
Commerce
04/22/1974
(1) Franklin D. Roosevelt; (2)
-
Rep. Andrew J. Hinshaw (R-CA)
Harry S. Truman; (3) Dwight D.
Eisenhower; (4) John F.
Cosponsors: (none)
Kennedy; and (5) Lyndon B.
Johnson
H.Res. 1052
Director of the Secret Service
Federal funds for administrative
House Ways and Means
-
support and personnel at or
04/22/1974
near the private residences of
-

Rep. Andrew J. Hinshaw (R-CA)
(1) Franklin D. Roosevelt, (2)
Harry S. Truman, (3) Dwight D.
Cosponsors: (none)
Eisenhower, (4) John F.
Kennedy, and (5) Lyndon B.
Johnson during their terms as
President and Vice President.
H.Res. 1053
Director of the Secret Service
Federal funds for administrative
House Ways and Means
-
support and personnel at or
04/22/1974
near the private residences of
-
Rep. Andrew J. Hinshaw (R-CA)
(1) Franklin D. Roosevelt, (2)
Harry S. Truman, (3) Dwight D.
Cosponsors: (none)
Eisenhower, (4) John F.
Kennedy, and (5) Lyndon B.
Johnson during their terms as
President and Vice President.
H.Res. 1189
President Agreements
for
nuclear
Foreign Affairs
-
cooperation with Egypt and
06/25/1974
Israel
-
Rep. Bel a S. Abzug (D-NY)
Cosponsors: (none)
CRS-39

Resolutions of Inquiry: An Analysis of Their Use in the House, 1947-2011

Resolution, Introduction,
Official(s) To Whom Inquiry
Committee(s) of Referral
and Sponsorship
is Directed
Subject of Inquiry
and Consideration
House Floor Action
H.Res. 1219
President Agreements
for
nuclear
Foreign Affairs
-
cooperation with Egypt and
07/02/1974
Israel
-
Rep. Bel a S. Abzug (D-NY)
Cosponsors: (16)
H.Res. 1363
President
The specific offenses against the
Judiciary
-
United States for which a
09/12/1974
pardon was granted to Richard
-
Rep. Bel a S. Abzug (D-NY)
M. Nixon on September 8, 1974
Cosponsors: (10)
H.Res. 1370
President
Decision to grant a pardon to
Judiciary
-
Richard M. Nixon
09/17/1974
-

Rep. John Conyers, Jr. (D-MI)
Cosponsors: (none)
H.Res. 1398
President
Payments to Richard M. Nixon
Government Operations
-
and his family
09/30/1974
-
Rep. Elizabeth Holtzman (D-NY)
Cosponsors: (none)
H.Res. 1404
President
Payments to Richard M. Nixon
Government Operations
-
and his family
10/02/1974
-
Rep. Elizabeth Holtzman (D-NY)
Cosponsors: (4)
H.Res. 1452
President
The President’s proposal to
Interstate and Foreign
-
classify as new oil, all oil
Commerce
10/16/1974
extracted from domestic oil
-
Rep. Robert L. Leggett (D-CA)
wells by secondary methods
Cosponsors: (none)
CRS-40

Resolutions of Inquiry: An Analysis of Their Use in the House, 1947-2011

Resolution, Introduction,
Official(s) To Whom Inquiry
Committee(s) of Referral
and Sponsorship
is Directed
Subject of Inquiry
and Consideration
House Floor Action
H.Res. 1467
Secretary of Defense
Comments by the Chairman of
Armed Services
-
the Joint Chief of Staff at Duke
11/20/1974
University on October 10, 1974
-
Rep. Lester Wolff (D-NY)
Cosponsors: (none)
H.Res. 1473
Administrator of the Smal
Specified facts pertaining to
Banking and Currency
-
Business Administration
smal business investment
11/21/1974
companies
-
Rep. Andrew J. Hinshaw (R-CA)
Cosponsors: (none)
H.Res. 65
President
Specified activities of the Central Judiciary
-
Intelligence Agency since January
01/14/1975
1, 1960
-
Rep. Elizabeth Holtzman (D-NY)
Cosponsors: (1)
H.Res. 71
President
Specified activities of the Central Judiciary
-
Intelligence Agency since January
01/16/1975
1, 1960
-
Rep. Elizabeth Holtzman (D-NY)
Cosponsors: (1)
H.Res. 72
President
Information contained in the
Armed Services
-
report of William E. Colby
01/16/1975
delivered to the President on or
Reported adversely
Rep. Elizabeth Holtzman (D-NY)
about December 26, 1974,
02/27/1975
relating to activities of the
Cosponsors: (1)
Central Intelligence Agency
H.Rept. 94-22
H.Res. 106
President
Specified activities of the Central Judiciary
-
Intelligence Agency since January
01/28/1975
1, 1960
-
Rep. Elizabeth Holtzman (D-NY)
Cosponsors: (24)
CRS-41

Resolutions of Inquiry: An Analysis of Their Use in the House, 1947-2011

Resolution, Introduction,
Official(s) To Whom Inquiry
Committee(s) of Referral
and Sponsorship
is Directed
Subject of Inquiry
and Consideration
House Floor Action
H.Res. 129
Secretary of Defense
Reconnaissance flights since
Armed Services
-
January, 1973, over North and
02/03/1975
South Vietnam as wel as other
Reported adversely
Rep. Bel a S. Abzug (D-NY)
activities in Indochina
02/27/1975
Cosponsors: (24)
H.Rept. 94-23
H.Res. 134
Secretary of Defense
Reconnaissance flights since
Armed Services
-
January, 1973, over North and
02/04/1975
South Vietnam as wel as other
-
Rep. Bel a S. Abzug (D-NY)
activities in Indochina
Cosponsors: (5)
H.Res. 148
President
Specified activities of the Central Judiciary
-
Intelligence Agency since January
02/05/1975
1, 1960
-
Rep. Elizabeth Holtzman (D-NY)
Cosponsors: (4)
H.Res. 205
Secretary of Defense
American involvement and
Armed Services
-
knowledge of the coup in Chile
02/19/1975
-
Rep. Michael J. Harrington (D-
MA)
Cosponsors: (none)
H.Res. 206
Secretary of State
American involvement and
Foreign Affairs
-
knowledge of the coup in Chile
02/19/1975
-
Rep. Michael J. Harrington (D-
MA)
Cosponsors: (none)
H.Res. 207
President
American involvement and
Foreign Affairs
-
knowledge of the coup in Chile
02/19/1975
-
Rep. Michael J. Harrington (D-
MA)
Cosponsors: (none)
CRS-42

Resolutions of Inquiry: An Analysis of Their Use in the House, 1947-2011

Resolution, Introduction,
Official(s) To Whom Inquiry
Committee(s) of Referral
and Sponsorship
is Directed
Subject of Inquiry
and Consideration
House Floor Action
H.Res. 313
President
Whether any citizen of the
Foreign Affairs
-
United States, since December
03/14/1975
31, 1970, has been subjected to
-
Rep. Fortney Pete Stark (D-CA)
incarceration or denial of rights
contrary to the laws or
Cosponsors: (7)
Constitution of the Republic of
Mexico
H.Res. 391
President
Whether any citizen of the
International Relations
-
United States, since December
04/10/1975
31, 1970, has been subjected to
-

Rep. Fortney Pete Stark (D-CA)
incarceration or denial of rights
contrary to the laws or
Cosponsors: (18)
Constitution of the Republic of
Mexico
H.Res. 400
President
United States nationals in South
International Relations
-
Vietnam, their employers, the
04/16/1975
nature of their work and an
-
Rep. Elizabeth Holtzman (D-NY)
explanation of why such persons
have not been evacuated
Cosponsors: (18)
H.Res. 529
President
Facts relating to the seizure of
Armed Services
-
the U.S. merchant ship
06/11/1975
Mayaguez by the Khmer Rouge
-
Rep. Michael J. Harrington (D-
MA)
Cosponsors: (25)
H.Res. 530
President
Facts relating to the seizure of
Armed Services
-
the U.S. merchant ship
06/11/1975
Mayaguez by the Khmer Rouge
-
Rep. Michael J. Harrington (D-
MA)
Cosponsors: (6)
CRS-43

Resolutions of Inquiry: An Analysis of Their Use in the House, 1947-2011

Resolution, Introduction,
Official(s) To Whom Inquiry
Committee(s) of Referral
and Sponsorship
is Directed
Subject of Inquiry
and Consideration
House Floor Action
H.Res. 536
Secretary of State
Facts relating to the seizure of
International Relations
-
the U.S. merchant ship
06/12/1975
Mayaguez by the Khmer Rouge
-
Rep. Michael J. Harrington (D-
MA)
Cosponsors: (23)
H.Res. 537
Secretary of State
Facts relating to the seizure of
International Relations
-
the U.S. merchant ship
06/12/1975
Mayaguez by the Khmer Rouge
-
Rep. Michael J. Harrington (D-
MA)
Cosponsors: (11)
H.Res. 542
President
Facts relating to the seizure of
International Relations
-
the U.S. merchant ship
06/16/1975
Mayaguez by the Khmer Rouge
-
Rep. Michael J. Harrington (D-
MA)
Cosponsors: (9)
H.Res. 543
Secretary of State
Facts relating to the seizure of
International Relations
-
the U.S. merchant ship
06/16/1975
Mayaguez by the Khmer Rouge
-
Rep. Michael J. Harrington (D-
MA)
Cosponsors: (4)
H.Res. 552
President
The sale of Hawk and Redeye
International Relations
-
missiles to Jordan
06/18/1975
-
Rep. Benjamin S. Rosenthal (D-
NY)
Cosponsors: (none)
CRS-44

Resolutions of Inquiry: An Analysis of Their Use in the House, 1947-2011

Resolution, Introduction,
Official(s) To Whom Inquiry
Committee(s) of Referral
and Sponsorship
is Directed
Subject of Inquiry
and Consideration
House Floor Action
H.Res. 718
Secretary of Health, Education,
List of public school systems in
Education and Labor
Discharged and agree to
and Welfare
the United States which will be
09/17/1975
receiving Federal funds and will
-
09/29/1975
Rep. James M. Collins (R-TX)
be engaging in the busing of
schoolchildren to achieve racial
Cosponsors: (none)
balance
H.Res. 795
President
Whether any citizen of the
International Relations
-
United States, since December
10/21/1975
31, 1970, has been subjected to
-

Rep. Alan Steelman (R-TX)
incarceration or denial of rights
contrary to the laws or
Cosponsors: (none)
Constitution of the Republic of
Mexico
H.Res. 1193
Secretary of Defense
The extent of Cuban or other
International Relations
-
foreign military or paramilitary
05/17/1976
presence in the Republic of
-

Rep. Philip M. Crane (R-IL)
Panama or in the Panama Canal
Zone
Cosponsors: (none)
H.Res. 1295
President
Payment of funds by the United
International Relations
-
States Armed Forces or
06/11/1976
Embassy staff to the Italian
-
Rep. Michael J. Harrington (D-
Christian Democratic Party or
MA)
the Italian media
Cosponsors: (none)
H.Res. 1324
President
Payment of funds by the United
International Relations
-
States Armed Forces or
06/18/1976
Embassy staff to the Italian
-
Rep. Michael J. Harrington (D-
Christian Democratic Party or
MA)
the Italian media
Cosponsors: (5)
CRS-45

Resolutions of Inquiry: An Analysis of Their Use in the House, 1947-2011

Resolution, Introduction,
Official(s) To Whom Inquiry
Committee(s) of Referral
and Sponsorship
is Directed
Subject of Inquiry
and Consideration
House Floor Action
H.Res. 1427
President
The payment of funds by any
International Relations
-
person acting under the
07/27/1976
direction of the United States
-
Rep. Michael J. Harrington (D-
Government or any agency or
MA)
other instrumentality of the
United States Government to
Cosponsors: (7)
any political party in Italy or the
Italian media
H.Res. 285
Attorney General
All communications and
Judiciary
-
documents received by the
02/09/1977
Department of Justice from Kim
-
Rep. Chalmers P. Wylie (R-OH)
Sang Keun of South Korea
respecting Members and
Cosponsors: (none)
employees of Congress
H.Res. 709
Secretary of Defense
The service serial number of
Armed Services
-
each individual who was present
07/25/1977
at the explosion of the atomic
-

Rep. Tim Lee Carter (R-KY)
device known as “Smokey”
which was detonated at Camp
Cosponsors: (none)
Desert Rock, Nevada, on
August 31, 1957
H.Res. 1259
Secretary of State
Military equipment shipments to
International Relations
-
Chile
06/29/1978
-

Rep. Fortney Pete Stark (D-CA)
Cosponsors: (6)
H.Res. 197
Chairman of the Nuclear
The incident at the Three Mile
Interior and Insular Affairs
-
Regulatory Commission
Island nuclear generating plant
04/02/1979
and on the danger of similar
-

Rep. James H. Weaver (D-OR)
incidents occurring at other
nuclear generating plants
Cosponsors: (7)
CRS-46

Resolutions of Inquiry: An Analysis of Their Use in the House, 1947-2011

Resolution, Introduction,
Official(s) To Whom Inquiry
Committee(s) of Referral
and Sponsorship
is Directed
Subject of Inquiry
and Consideration
House Floor Action
H.Res. 201
President
The incident at the Three Mile
Interior and Insular Affairs
-
Island nuclear generating plant
04/03/1979
and on the danger of similar
-
Rep. James H. Weaver (D-OR)
incidents occurring at other
nuclear generating plants
Cosponsors: (10)
H.Res. 291
President
Oil situation, including data on:
Interstate and Foreign
Agreed to
(1) shortages, supplies, demand,
Commerce
05/24/1979
and allocation of crude oil; and
06/15/1979
Reported adversely
Rep. John J. Rhodes (R-AZ)
(2) refinery yield reductions and

capacity utilization.
06/11/1979
Cosponsors: (101)
H.Rept. 96-261
H.Res. 398
Secretary of State
Information concerning: (1)
Foreign Affairs
Discharged and laid on the table
Israeli use of military aircraft of
08/02/1979
U.S. origin outside Israeli
-
09/13/1979
Rep. Paul Findley (R-Il)
borders; and (2) Israeli
compliance with the Arms
Cosponsors: (none)
Export Control Act.
H.Res. 551
Secretary of State
Human rights objectives and
Foreign Affairs
-
policies with respect to specified
01/30/1980
countries
-
Rep. James M. Collins (R-TX)
Cosponsors: (none)
H.Res. 571
Attorney General
Evidence compiled by the
Judiciary
Laid on the table
Department of Justice and the
02/07/1980
Federal Bureau of Investigation
Reported adversely
02/27/1980
Rep. Peter Peyser (R-NY)
against Members of Congress in
02/20/1980
connection with the Abscam
Cosponsors: (none)
investigation
H.Rept. 96-778
H.Res. 598
President
U.S. decision to vote for the
Foreign Affairs
-
United Nations Security Council
02/07/1980
resolution on March 1, 1980
-
Rep. Elizabeth Holtzman (D-NY)
Cosponsors: (2)
CRS-47

Resolutions of Inquiry: An Analysis of Their Use in the House, 1947-2011

Resolution, Introduction,
Official(s) To Whom Inquiry
Committee(s) of Referral
and Sponsorship
is Directed
Subject of Inquiry
and Consideration
House Floor Action
H.Res. 626
President
Understandings made with the
Foreign Affairs
Discharged and laid on the table
Former Shah of Iran at Lackland
03/31/1980
Air Force Base and elsewhere
-
04/23/1980
Rep. George V. Hansen (R-ID)
Cosponsors: (none)
H.Res. 627
President Commitments,
admissions,
Foreign Affairs
Discharged and laid on the table
and/or obligations made to the
03/31/1980
Government of Iran during
-
04/23/1980
Rep. George V. Hansen (R-ID)
March 1980
Cosponsors: (1)
H.Res. 745
President
House and Justice Department
Foreign Affairs
Agreed to
actions and conversations with
07/22/1980
regard to Billy Carter’s
Reported favorably (amended)
09/10/1980
Rep. Robert E. Bauman (D-MD)
involvement with Libya and State 07/31/1980
Department cables,
Cosponsors: (98)
communications, or
H.Rept. 96-1213, pt. I
memorandums furnished to Billy Judiciary
Carter
Reported favorably (amended)
07/31/1980
H.Rept. 96-1213, pt. II
H.Res. 777
President Disclosure
of
classified
Armed Services
-
information relating to the new
08/28/1980
so-cal ed “Stealth” technology
Reported adversely
Rep. Jim Courter (R-NJ)
for military aircraft
09/09/1980
Cosponsors: (9)
H.Rept. 96-1309
H.Res. 783
President Disclosure
of
classified
Armed Services
-
information relating to the
09/08/1980
Stealth technology for military
-

Rep. Philip M. Crane (R-Il)
aircraft
Cosponsors: (none)
CRS-48

Resolutions of Inquiry: An Analysis of Their Use in the House, 1947-2011

Resolution, Introduction,
Official(s) To Whom Inquiry
Committee(s) of Referral
and Sponsorship
is Directed
Subject of Inquiry
and Consideration
House Floor Action
H.Res. 790
President Specified
documents
containing
Foreign Affairs
-
information about U.S.
09/19/1980
involvement in Iran
-
Rep. Fortney Pete Stark (D-CA)
Cosponsors: (none)
H.Res. 300
Secretary of State
Pending extradition proceedings
Foreign Affairs
Discharged and laid on the table
against Ziad Abu Eain
12/10/1981
-
01/28/1982
Rep. George W. Crockett, Jr.
Judiciary
(D-MI)
-
Cosponsors: (1)
H.Res. 465
Secretary of State
Certain information concerning
Foreign Affairs
-
Roberto D’Aubuisson
05/11/1982
Reported without
recommendation (amended)
Rep. Fortney Pete Stark (D-CA)
05/20/1982
Cosponsors: (none)
H.Rept. 97-579
H.Res. 507
President
Possible Executive interference
Judiciary
-
with the investigation of
06/16/1982
Attorney General
Secretary of Labor Raymond
-

Rep. Toby Moffett (D-CT)
Donovan.
Cosponsors: (none)
H.Res. 512
Secretary of Defense
Procurement of the C-5B
Armed Services
Laid on the table
aircraft
06/22/1982
Reported adversely
08/03/1982
Rep. Norman D. Dicks (D-WA)
07/19/1982
Cosponsors: (10)
H.Rept. 97-641
CRS-49

Resolutions of Inquiry: An Analysis of Their Use in the House, 1947-2011

Resolution, Introduction,
Official(s) To Whom Inquiry
Committee(s) of Referral
and Sponsorship
is Directed
Subject of Inquiry
and Consideration
House Floor Action
H.Res. 159
President
United States activities in
Select Intelligence
-
Honduras and Nicaragua
04/13/1983
Reported adversely
Rep. Tom Harkin (D-IA)
05/05/1983
Cosponsors: (71)
H.Rept. 98-88, pt. 1I
Armed Services
Reported adversely
05/04/1983
H.Rept. 98-88, pt. 1
Foreign Affairs
-
H.Res. 323
President
Certain financial information on
Government Operations
-
Henry Kissinger and Henry
09/29/1983
Kissinger and Associates
-
Rep. Henry B. Gonzalez (D-TX)
Cosponsors: (none)
H.Res. 383
President
United States activities regarding Armed Services
-
Grenada
11/18/1983
Reported adversely
Rep. Ronald V. Dellums (D-CA)
02/08/1984
Cosponsors: (22)
H.Rept. 98-597, pt. 1
Foreign Affairs
Reported adversely
02/08/1984
H.Rept. 98-597, pt. 1I
CRS-50

Resolutions of Inquiry: An Analysis of Their Use in the House, 1947-2011

Resolution, Introduction,
Official(s) To Whom Inquiry
Committee(s) of Referral
and Sponsorship
is Directed
Subject of Inquiry
and Consideration
House Floor Action
H.Res. 437
President
A report by the Arms Control
Foreign Affairs
-
and Disarmament Agency
02/09/1984
entitled “A Quarter Century of
-

Rep. Jim Courter (R-NJ)
Soviet Compliance Practices
Under Arms Control
Cosponsors: (none)
Commitments: 1958-1983 (U),”
November 1983
H.Res. 463
Secretary of State
Death squads in El Salvador
Foreign Affairs
-
including possible involvement of
03/15/1984
Roberto D’Aubuisson, a former
Reported without
recommendation
Rep. James Michael Shannon (D-
Army officer
MA)
04/09/1984
Cosponsors: (none)
H.Rept. 98-658

H.Res. 464
Secretary of State
Possible involvement of Colonel
Foreign Affairs
-
Oscar Edgardo Casanova in the
03/15/1984
1980 slayings of four U.S.
Reported adversely
Rep. James Michael Shannon (D-
missionaries in El Salvador, and
04/09/1984
MA)
possible involvement of Minister
of Defense Eugenio Vides
H.Rept. 98-657
Cosponsors: (none)
Casanova in the Salvadoran
Government’s investigation into
the slayings
H.Res. 467
President
The CIA and death squads in El
Select Intelligence
-
Salvador
03/22/1984
Reported adversely
Rep. James Michael Shannon (D-
04/25/1984
MA)
H.Rept. 98-709
Cosponsors: (none)
CRS-51

Resolutions of Inquiry: An Analysis of Their Use in the House, 1947-2011

Resolution, Introduction,
Official(s) To Whom Inquiry
Committee(s) of Referral
and Sponsorship
is Directed
Subject of Inquiry
and Consideration
House Floor Action
H.Res. 484
President
Documents relating to: (1)
Select Intelligence
-
certain military intelligence
04/10/1984
gathering activities in El Salvador Reported adversely
Rep. Edward J. Markey (D-MA)
including any possible uses of
05/10/1984
such intelligence information by
Cosponsors: (none)
El Salvador, Honduras, or
H.Rept. 98-742, pt. I
Guatemala; (2) military
Foreign Affairs
assistance furnished to
Honduras and El Salvador; and
Ordered reported
(3) activities of the United States 05/09/1984
in El Salvador and Honduras
related to hostile action against

Nicaragua or against the
governments of those nations
H.Res. 168
Director of the Central
Covert training or other
Select Intelligence
-
Intelligence Agency
support of counterterrorist
05/13/1985
units against anti-American
-
Rep. Don Edwards (D-CA)
terrorists in Lebanon or other
parts of the Middle East
Cosponsors: (2)
H.Res. 171
President
Counterterrorist units which
Select Intelligence
-
received covert training or
05/14/1985
other support from the United
Reported adversely
Rep. Don Edwards (D-CA)
States
06/12/1985
Cosponsors: (3)
H.Rept. 99-171
H.Res. 226
Secretary of Defense
All information, including
Select Intelligence
-
Defense Intelligence Agency
07/17/1985
analyses, relating to live
Reported adversely
Rep. William M. Hendon (R-NC)
Americans in Southeast Asia
09/10/1985
Cosponsors: (19)
H.Rept. 99-260, pt. I
Armed Services
-
CRS-52

Resolutions of Inquiry: An Analysis of Their Use in the House, 1947-2011

Resolution, Introduction,
Official(s) To Whom Inquiry
Committee(s) of Referral
and Sponsorship
is Directed
Subject of Inquiry
and Consideration
House Floor Action
H.Res. 395
President
The use of $27,000,000
Foreign Affairs
Laid on the table
appropriated for humanitarian
03/11/1986
assistance for the Nicaraguan
Reported adversely
05/07/1986
Rep. Leon Panetta (D-CA)
democratic resistance
05/07/1986
Cosponsors: (48)
H.Rept. 99-585
H.Res. 485
President
Activities of Lieutenant Colonel
Select Intelligence
-
Oliver North or any other
06/24/1986
member of the staff of the
-
Rep. Ronald D. Coleman (D-
National Security Council in
Armed Services
TX)
support of the Nicaraguan
resistance
Reported adversely
Cosponsors: (none)
07/30/1986
H.Rept. 99-724, pt. I
Foreign Affairs
-
H.Res. 603
President
Any proposal by the Assistant to Foreign Affairs
-
the President for National
10/17/1986
Security Affairs, or anyone
-
Rep. Don Edwards (D-CA)
outside of the administration,
for a plan of real or illusionary
Cosponsors: (none)
events intended to destabilize
the Libyan Government
H.Res. 132
Secretary of Defense
Documents prepared in
Armed Services
-
accordance with certain report
03/25/1987
requirements in the 1985, 1986,
Reported favorably (amended)
Rep. Richard A. Gephardt (D-
and 1987 Department of
04/14/1987
MO)
Defense Authorization Acts
relating to the Strategic Defense
H.Rept. 100-53
Cosponsors: (none)
Initiative program and the Anti-

Ballistic Missile Treaty
H.Res. 176
Secretary of Energy
Contractor and national
Armed Services
-
laboratory activities performed
05/27/1987
for the purpose of informing
-
Rep. Fortney Pete Stark (D-CA)
Congress on nuclear testing.
Cosponsors: (1)
CRS-53

Resolutions of Inquiry: An Analysis of Their Use in the House, 1947-2011

Resolution, Introduction,
Official(s) To Whom Inquiry
Committee(s) of Referral
and Sponsorship
is Directed
Subject of Inquiry
and Consideration
House Floor Action
H.Res. 339
President
Statements made by Vietnamese
Select Intelligence
-
Vice Foreign Minister Phan Hein
12/18/1987
concerning certain civilians and
Reported adversely
Rep. Bob Smith (R-NH)
members of the armed forces
02/02/1988
held as prisoners of war or
Cosponsors: (none)
considered to be missing in
H.Rept. 100-500
action since the beginning of the
Vietnam Conflict
H.Res. 473
President
U.S. foreign aid in Central
Foreign Affairs
-
America
06/15/1988
Reported adversely
Rep. Leon Panetta (D-CA)
07/13/1988
Cosponsors: (147)
H.Rept. 100-773
H.Res. 74
Secretary of Defense
Information concerning the
Armed Services
-
actions of the Commission on
02/09/1989
Base Realignment and Closure
Reported adversely
Rep. Jim Courter (R-NJ)
with respect to Fort Dix, New
03/15/1989
Jersey
Cosponsors: (3)
H.Rept. 101-9
H.Res. 76
Secretary of Defense
Actions of the Commission on
Armed Services
-
Base Realignment and Closure
02/09/1989
with respect to specified military Reported adversely
Rep. Larry J. Hopkins (R-KY)
bases
03/15/1989
Cosponsors: (31)
H.Rept. 101-10
H.Res. 411
President
Payments made by the U.S.
Foreign Affairs
-
Government to Manuel Noriega
06/11/1990
and Guillermo Endara
-
Rep. Henry B. Gonzalez (D-TX)
Select Intelligence
Cosponsors: (1)
-
H.Res. 415
Secretary of Defense
Al unresolved, active live-
Armed Services
-
sighting case files on Americans
06/14/1990
reported in captivity in
-
Rep. Bob Smith (R-NH)
Southeast Asia after February 1,
Select Intelligence
1973
Cosponsors: (none)
-
CRS-54

Resolutions of Inquiry: An Analysis of Their Use in the House, 1947-2011

Resolution, Introduction,
Official(s) To Whom Inquiry
Committee(s) of Referral
and Sponsorship
is Directed
Subject of Inquiry
and Consideration
House Floor Action
H.Res. 19
President
Statistics relating to the conduct
Armed Services
Laid on the table
and effect of Operation Desert
01/03/1991

Shield
Reported without
02/21/1991
recommendation
Rep. Barbara Boxer (D-CA)
02/20/1991
Cosponsors: (14)
H.Rept. 102-5, pt. I
Foreign Affairs
Reported without
recommendation
02/21/1991
H.Rept. 102-5, pt. II
H.Res. 198
President
Several specified activities of the
Judiciary
-
White House Travel Office
06/16/1993
Reported adversely
Rep. Henry J. Hyde (R-IL)
07/20/1993
Cosponsors: (4)
H.Rept. 103-183
H.Res. 360
President
Communications between the
Small Business
-
White House and the Small
02/10/1994
Business Administration
-
Rep. Jan Meyers (R-KS)
regarding Capital Management
Judiciary
Services, Inc., or David Hale;
Cosponsors: (14)
various questions relating to the
-
activities of Vincent Foster
Post Office and Civil Service
-
H.Res. 80
President
The Mexican economy and
Banking and Financial Services
Agreed to
certain activities of the
02/10/1995
International Monetary Fund
Reported favorably (amended)
03/01/1995
Rep. Marcy Kaptur (D-OH)
02/27/1995
Cosponsors: (31)
H.Rept. 104-53
CRS-55

Resolutions of Inquiry: An Analysis of Their Use in the House, 1947-2011

Resolution, Introduction,
Official(s) To Whom Inquiry
Committee(s) of Referral
and Sponsorship
is Directed
Subject of Inquiry
and Consideration
House Floor Action
H.Res. 334
Secretary of the Treasury
Actions taken by the Secretary
Banking and Financial Services
-
of the Treasury and the United
11/13/1997
States Executive Directors at
-
Rep. Bernard Sanders (I-VT)
the international financial
institutions to comply with the
Cosponsors: (none)
requirements of 1621 of the
International Financial
Institutions Act, relating to
encouragement of fair labor
practices
H.Res. 667
President
Communications between the
House Administration
-
Archivist of the United States
11/14/2000
and the primary responsible
-

Rep. David E. Price (D-NC)
individual in each State relating
to transmission of certificates of
Cosponsors: (none)
ascertainment or of the
determination of an electoral
controversy involving the
presidential election held on
November 7, 2000
H.Res. 68
President
Documents in the President’s
International Relations
-
possession relating to Iraq’s
02/12/2003
declaration on its weapons of
Reported adversely
Rep. Dennis J. Kucinich (D-OH)
mass destruction that was
03/18/2003
provided to the United Nations
Cosponsors: (1)
on December 7, 2002
H.Rept. 108-38
H.Res. 260
President
Documents that provide specific International Relations
-
evidence with respect to claims
06/05/2003
of Iraq’s weapons of mass
Reported adversely
Rep. Dennis J. Kucinich (D-OH)
destruction
06/23/2003
Cosponsors: (41)
H.Rept. 108-168
H.Res. 286
Secretary of Homeland Security
Any use of Federal agency
Homeland Security
-
resources in any task or action
06/19/2003
involving or relating to Members Reported adversely
Rep. Gene Green (D-TX)
of the Texas Legislature in the
07/21/2003
period beginning May 11, 2003,
Cosponsors: (14)
and ending May 16, 2003
H.Rept. 108-223
CRS-56

Resolutions of Inquiry: An Analysis of Their Use in the House, 1947-2011

Resolution, Introduction,
Official(s) To Whom Inquiry
Committee(s) of Referral
and Sponsorship
is Directed
Subject of Inquiry
and Consideration
House Floor Action
H.Res. 287
Attorney General
Any use of Federal agency
Judiciary
-
resources in any task or action
06/19/2003
involving or relating to Members Reported adversely
Rep. Gene Green (D-TX)
of the Texas Legislature in the
07/17/2003
period beginning May 11, 2003,
Cosponsors: (14)
and ending May 16, 2003
H.Rept. 108-215
H.Res. 288
Secretary of Transportation
Any use of Federal agency
Transportation and
-
resources in any task or action
Infrastructure
06/19/2003
involving or relating to Members Reported adversely
Rep. Gene Green (D-TX)
of the Texas Legislature in the
period beginning May 11, 2003,
07/21/2003
Cosponsors: (14)
and ending May 16, 2003
H.Rept. 108-220
H.Res. 358
President
The report prepared for the
Armed Services
-
Joint Chiefs of Staff entitled
09/05/2003
“Operation Iraqi Freedom
-
Rep. Robert Wexler (D-FL)
Strategic Lessons Learned” and
International Relations
other materials relating to the
Cosponsors: (12)
Administration’s planning for the -
reconstruction and security of
post-war Iraq
H.Res. 364
President
The report prepared for the
Armed Services
-
Joint Chiefs of Staff entitled
09/09/2003
“Operation Iraqi Freedom
Reported adversely
Rep. Robert Wexler (D-FL)
Strategic Lessons Learned” and
10/02/2003
other materials relating to the
Cosponsors: (45)
Administration’s planning for the H.Rept. 108-289, pt. II
reconstruction and security of
International Relations
post-war Iraq
Reported adversely
10/01/2003
H.Rept. 108-289, pt. I
CRS-57

Resolutions of Inquiry: An Analysis of Their Use in the House, 1947-2011

Resolution, Introduction,
Official(s) To Whom Inquiry
Committee(s) of Referral
and Sponsorship
is Directed
Subject of Inquiry
and Consideration
House Floor Action
H.Res. 499
Secretary of State
Documents in the possession of
Select Intelligence
-
the President relating to the
01/21/2004
Secretary of Defense
disclosure of the identity of Ms.
Reported adversely
Rep. Rush D. Holt (D-NJ)
Attorney General
Valerie Plame as an employee of
02/03/2004
the Central Intelligence Agency
Cosponsors: (74)
during the period beginning on
H.Rept. 108-413, pt. I
May 6, 2003, and ending on July
Armed Services
31, 2003.
Reported adversely
02/27/2004
H.Rept. 108-413, pt. IV
International Relations
Reported adversely
02/27/2004
H.Rept. 108-413, pt. II
Judiciary
Reported adversely
02/27/2004
H.Rept. 108-413, pt. III
H.Res. 640
Secretary of Defense
any picture, photograph, video,
Armed Services
-
communication, or report
05/12/2004
produced in conjunction with
Reported adversely
Rep. Chris Bell (D-TX)
any completed Department of
06/16/2004
Defense investigation conducted
Cosponsors: (40)
by Major General Antonio M.
H.Rept. 108-547
Taguba relating to allegations of
torture or allegations of
violations of the Geneva
Conventions of 1949 at Abu
Ghraib prison in Iraq
CRS-58

Resolutions of Inquiry: An Analysis of Their Use in the House, 1947-2011

Resolution, Introduction,
Official(s) To Whom Inquiry
Committee(s) of Referral
and Sponsorship
is Directed
Subject of Inquiry
and Consideration
House Floor Action
H.Res. 689
President
Documents relating to the
Armed Services
-
treatment of prisoners or
06/23/2004
Secretary of State
detainees in Iraq, Afghanistan, or Reported adversely
Rep. John Conyers, Jr. (D-MI)
Secretary of Defense
Guantanamo Bay and any
07/22/2004
instructions for handling such
Cosponsors: (47)
Attorney General
documents
H.Rept. 108-632
H.Res. 699
Secretary of State
Documents relating to the
International Relations
-
treatment of prisoners or
06/25/2004
detainees in Iraq, Afghanistan, or Reported adversely
Rep. John Conyers, Jr. (D-MI)
Guantanamo Bay and any
07/22/2004
instructions for handling such
Cosponsors: (49)
documents
H.Rept. 108-631
H.Res. 700
Attorney General
Documents relating to the
Judiciary
-
treatment of prisoners or
06/25/2004
detainees in Iraq, Afghanistan, or Reported adversely
Rep. John Conyers, Jr. (D-MI)
Guantanamo Bay and any
09/07/2004
instructions for handling such
Cosponsors: (49)
documents
H.Rept. 108-658
H.Res. 745
President
Specified information respecting
Energy and Commerce
-
the National Energy Policy
06/25/2004
Development Group
Reported adversely
Rep. John D. Dingel (D-MI)
09/23/2004
Cosponsors: (4)
H.Rept. 108-697
H.Res. 776
President
Estimated cost of the
Ways and Means
-
Administration’s Medicare
09/15/2004
Secretary of Health and Human
prescription drug legislation
Reported adversely
Services
Rep. Charles B. Rangel (D-NY)
10/07/2004
Cosponsors: (4)
H.Rept. 108-754, pt. I
Energy and Commerce
Reported adversely
10/08/2004
H.Rept. 108-754, pt. II
CRS-59

Resolutions of Inquiry: An Analysis of Their Use in the House, 1947-2011

Resolution, Introduction,
Official(s) To Whom Inquiry
Committee(s) of Referral
and Sponsorship
is Directed
Subject of Inquiry
and Consideration
House Floor Action
H.Res. 134
President
Plan assets and liabilities of
Education and the Workforce
-
single-employer pension plans
03/02/2005
Reported adversely
Rep. George Miller (D-CA)
04/12/2005
Cosponsors: (none)
H.Rept. 109-34
H.Res. 136
Attorney General
The security investigations and
Judiciary
-
background checks relating to
03/03/2005
Secretary of Homeland Security
granting access to the White
Reported adversely
Rep. John Conyers, Jr. (D-MI)
House of James D. Guckert
04/05/2005
(also known as Jeff Gannon)
Cosponsors: (33)
H.Rept. 109-30
H.Res. 170
President
President’s remarks on the
Ways and Means
-
Social Security trust fund
03/17/2005
Reported adversely
Rep. Dennis J. Kucinich (D-OH)
04/27/2005
Cosponsors: (39)
H.Rept. 109-58
H.Res. 363
President
Disclosure of the identity and
Select Intelligence
-
employment of Ms. Valerie
07/14/2005
Secretary of State
Plame
-
Rep. Rush Holt (D-NJ)
Secretary of Defense
Armed Services
Cosponsors: (80)
Director of the CIA
-
Attorney General
International Relations;
-
Judiciary
-
H.Res. 375
President
The policy of the United States
International Relations
-
with respect to Iraq
Rep. Barbara Lee
Secretary of State
Reported adversely
07/21/2005 (D-CA)
09/16/2005
Cosponsors: (83)
H.Rept. 109-223
CRS-60

Resolutions of Inquiry: An Analysis of Their Use in the House, 1947-2011

Resolution, Introduction,
Official(s) To Whom Inquiry
Committee(s) of Referral
and Sponsorship
is Directed
Subject of Inquiry
and Consideration
House Floor Action
H.Res. 408
President
The policy of the United States
International Relations
-
with respect to Iraq
Rep. Maurice Hinchey (D-NY)
Secretary of Defense
Reported adversely
07/28/2005
09/16/2005
Cosponsors: (none)
H.Rept. 109-224
H.Res. 417
Secretary of Defense
Disclosure of the identity and
Armed Services
-
employment of Ms. Valerie
Rep. Rush Holt (D-NJ)
Plame
Reported adversely
07/29/2005
09/22/2005
Cosponsors: (20)
H.Rept. 109-234
H.Res. 418
President
Disclosure of the identity and
Select Intelligence
-
employment of Ms. Valerie
Rep. Rush Holt (D-NJ)
Plame
Reported adversely
07/29/2005
09/21/2005
Cosponsors: (20)
H.Rept. 109-228
H.Res. 419
Secretary of State
Disclosure of the identity and
International Relations
-
employment of Ms. Valerie
Rep. Rush Holt (D-NJ)
Plame
Reported adversely
07/29/2005
09/16/2005
Cosponsors: (20)
H.Rept. 109-225
H.Res. 420
Attorney General
Disclosure of the identity and
Judiciary
-
employment of Ms. Valerie
Rep. Rush Holt (D-NJ)
Plame
Reported adversely
07/29/2005
09/22/2005
Cosponsors: (20)
H.Rept. 109-230
H.Res. 463
Secretary of Homeland Security
Reapportionment of airport
Homeland Security
-
screeners
Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR)
Reported adversely
09/27/2005
10/28/2005
Cosponsors: (15)
H.Rept. 109-259
CRS-61

Resolutions of Inquiry: An Analysis of Their Use in the House, 1947-2011

Resolution, Introduction,
Official(s) To Whom Inquiry
Committee(s) of Referral
and Sponsorship
is Directed
Subject of Inquiry
and Consideration
House Floor Action
H.Res. 467
President
Contracts for services or
Education and the Workforce
-
construction related to
Rep. George Miller (D-CA)
Hurricane Katrina recovery
Reported adversely
09/27/2005
10/28/2005
Cosponsors: (21)
H.Rept. 109-258
H.Res. 488
President
Contracts for services or
Transportation and
-
construction related to
Infrastructure
Rep. Steven C. LaTourette (R-
Hurricane Katrina recovery
OH)
Reported without
recommendation
10/07/2005
11/03/2005
Cosponsors: (4)
H.Rept. 109-269
H.Res. 505
President
White House Iraq Group
International Relations
-
Rep. Dennis J. Kucinich (D-OH)
Secretary of State
Reported adversely
10/20/2005
11/10/2005
Cosponsors: (109)
H.Rept. 109-291
H.Res. 515
President
The anticipated effects of
Science
-
climate change on the coastal
Rep. Dennis J. Kucinich (D-OH)
regions of the United States
Reported adversely
10/26/2005
11/15/2005
Cosponsors: (150)
H.Rept. 109-296
H.Res. 549
President
President’s October 7, 2002
International Relations
-
speech in Cincinnati, Ohio and
Rep. Maurice Hinchey (D-NY)
his January 28, 2003 State of the
Reported without
recommendation (amended)
11/10/2005
Union Message
12/16/2005
Cosponsors: (2)
H.Rept. 109-351
CRS-62

Resolutions of Inquiry: An Analysis of Their Use in the House, 1947-2011

Resolution, Introduction,
Official(s) To Whom Inquiry
Committee(s) of Referral
and Sponsorship
is Directed
Subject of Inquiry
and Consideration
House Floor Action
H.Res. 593
President
Extraordinary rendition of
International Relations
-
certain foreign persons
Rep. Edward Markey (D-MA)
Secretary of State
Reported adversely
12/08/2005
Secretary of Defense
02/10/2006
Cosponsors: (3)
Secretary of Homeland Security
H.Rept. 109-374
Attorney General
H.Res. 624
President
United States policies under the
International Relations
-
United Nations Convention
Rep. Gary Ackerman (D-NY)
Secretary of State
Against Torture and Other
Reported adversely
12/16/2005
Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading
02/10/2006
Treatment or Punishment and
Cosponsors: (14)
the Geneva Conventions
H.Rept. 109-375
H.Res. 641
President
Electronic surveillance without
Select Intelligence
-
search warrants on individuals in
Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA)
the United States
Reported adversely
12/18/2005
03/07/2006
Cosponsors: 29
H.Rept. 109-385
H.Res. 642
President
The Secretary of State’s trip to
International Relations
-
Europe in December 2005
Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA)
Secretary of State
Reported adversely
12/18/2005
02/10/2006
Cosponsors: (13)
H.Rept. 109-376
H.Res. 643
Attorney General
Warrantless electronic
Judiciary
-
surveillance
Rep. John Conyers, Jr. (D-MI)
Reported adversely
12/22/2005
03/02/2006
Cosponsors: (51)
H.Rept. 109-382
H.Res. 644
President
Authorization of electronic
Judiciary
-
surveillance of citizens of the
Rep. Louise Slaughter (D-NY)
Attorney General
United States without court
Reported adversely
12/22/2005
approved warrants
03/02/2006
Cosponsors: (1)
H.Rept. 109-383
CRS-63

Resolutions of Inquiry: An Analysis of Their Use in the House, 1947-2011

Resolution, Introduction,
Official(s) To Whom Inquiry
Committee(s) of Referral
and Sponsorship
is Directed
Subject of Inquiry
and Consideration
House Floor Action
H.Res. 645
President
Collection of counterterrorism
Armed Services
-
intelligence information
Rep. Robert Wexler (D-FL)
Secretary of Defense
pertaining to persons inside the
Reported adversely
12/22/2005
United States without obtaining
03/07/2006
court-ordered warrants
Cosponsors: (2)
H.Rept. 109-384
H.Res. 685
President
Information relating to any
Armed Services
-
entity (including the Rendon
Rep. Dennis J. Kucinich (D-OH)
Secretary of State
Group and the Lincoln Group)
Reported adversely
02/15/2006
Secretary of Defense
with which the United States has 03/16/2006
entered into a contract for
Cosponsors: (15)
public relations purposes
H.Rept. 109-397
concerning Iraq
H.Res. 717
Secretary of Commerce
The final draft report, produced
Science
-
by the professional staff of the
Rep. Bart Gordon (D-TN)
Technology Administration,
Reported without
recommendation
03/09/2006
entitled: “Six-Month Assessment
of Workforce Globalization In
04/07/2006
Cosponsors: (24)
Certain Knowledge-Based
Industries”
H.Rept. 109-415
H.Res. 718
President
Dubai Ports World acquisition
Financial Services
-
of six United States commercial
Rep. Dennis J. Kucinich (D-OH)
Secretary of Homeland Security
ports leases
Reported without
recommendation (amended)
03/09/2006
04/07/2006
Cosponsors: (2)
H.Rept. 109-414
H.Res. 752
President
Receipt and consideration by the Government Reform
-
Executive Office of the
Rep. Henry A. Waxman (D-CA)
President of any information
Reported adversely
03/30/2006
concerning the variation
05/09/2006
between the version of S. 1932,
Cosponsors: (11)
the Deficit Reduction Act of
H.Rept. 109-457
2005, that the House of
Representatives passed on
February 1, 2006, and the
version of the bill that the
President signed on February 8,
2006
CRS-64

Resolutions of Inquiry: An Analysis of Their Use in the House, 1947-2011

Resolution, Introduction,
Official(s) To Whom Inquiry
Committee(s) of Referral
and Sponsorship
is Directed
Subject of Inquiry
and Consideration
House Floor Action
H.Res. 809
Secretary Homeland Security
Any existing or previous
Homeland Security
-
agreement between the
Rep. Louise Slaughter (D-NY)
Department of Homeland
Reported adversely
05/09/2006
Security and Shirlington
05/25/2006
Limousine and Transportation,
Cosponsors: (none)
Incorporated of Arlington,
H.Rept. 109-484
Virginia
H.Res. 819
President
Requests made by the National
Judiciary
-
Security Agency and other
Rep. Robert Wexler (D-FL)
Attorney General
Federal agencies to telephone
Reported favorably
05/17/06
service providers requesting
06/23/2006
access to telephone
Cosponsors: (none)
communications records of
H.Rept. 109-527
persons in the United States
H.Res. 845
President,
Department of Justice’s Office of Judiciary
-
Professional Responsibility’s
Rep. Maurice Hinchey (D-NY)
Secretary of Defense
investigation of the National
Reported adversely
05/25/2006
Attorney General
Security Agency’s surveillance
06/26/2006
program
Cosponsors: (8)
H.Rept. 109-528
H.Res. 846
President
Strategies and plans either
International Relations
-
designed to cause regime change
Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA)
Secretary of State
in or for the use of military
Reported adversely
05/25/2006
force against Iran
06/23/2006
Cosponsors: (25)
H.Rept. 109-526
H.Res. 985
Secretary of State
Documents relating to the
International Relations
-
report submitted to a House
Rep. Howard L. Berman (D-CA)
committee on the Iran and Syria
Reported without
recommendation
09/07/2006
Nonproliferation Act
09/27/2006
Cosponsors: (1)
H.Rept. 109-689
H.Res. 1020
Secretary of Defense
Documents relating to Maher
Armed Services
-
Arar
Rep. Edward J. Markey (D-MA)
-
09/20/2006
Cosponsors: (none)
CRS-65

Resolutions of Inquiry: An Analysis of Their Use in the House, 1947-2011

Resolution, Introduction,
Official(s) To Whom Inquiry
Committee(s) of Referral
and Sponsorship
is Directed
Subject of Inquiry
and Consideration
House Floor Action
H.Res. 1021
Secretary of Homeland Security
Documents relating to Maher
Homeland Security
-
Arar
Rep. Edward J. Markey (D-MA)
-
09/20/2006
Cosponsors: (1)
H.Res. 1022
Secretary of State
Documents relating to Maher
International Relations
-
Arar
Rep. Edward J. Markey (D-MA)
-
09/20/2006
Cosponsors: (1)
H.Res. 1023
President
Documents relating to Maher
International Relations
-
Arar
Rep. Edward J. Markey (D-MA)
-
09/20/2006
Cosponsors: (1)
H.Res. 1024
Attorney General
Documents relating to Maher
Judiciary
-
Arar
Rep. Edward J. Markey (D-MA)
-
09/20/2006
Cosponsors: (1)
H.Res. 1043
Director of National Intelligence National Intelligence Estimate of
Select Intelligence
-
April 2006 relating to trends in
Rep. John Conyers, Jr. (D-MI)
global terrorism
-
09/27/2006
Cosponsors: (46)
H.Res. 1066
President
U.S. policy towards Iran
Armed Services
-
Rep. Dennis J. Kucinich (D-OH)
-
09/29/2006
International Relations
Cosponsors: (15)
-
Select Intelligence
-
CRS-66

Resolutions of Inquiry: An Analysis of Their Use in the House, 1947-2011

Resolution, Introduction,
Official(s) To Whom Inquiry
Committee(s) of Referral
and Sponsorship
is Directed
Subject of Inquiry
and Consideration
House Floor Action
H.Res. 251
Secretary of the Treasury
Communications with the
Financial Services
-
American International Group,
Rep. Steven C. LaTourette (R-
Inc. (AIG)
Reported favorably
OH)
04/23/2009
03/17/2009
H.Rept. 111-84
Cosponsors: (56)
H.Res. 404
Secretary of Homeland Security
Documents relating to the
Homeland Security
-
intelligence assessment titled,
Rep. Peter T. King (R-NY)
“Rightwing Extremism: Current
Reported favorably (amended)
05/06/2009
Economic and Political Climate
06/04/2009
Fueling Resurgence in
Cosponsors: (14)
Radicalization and Recruitment”
H.Rept. 111-134
H.Res. 446
President
Information relating to the EPA’s Energy and Commerce
-
finding that greenhouse gas
Rep. F. James Sensenbrenner, Jr.
Director of Environmental
emissions are a danger to public
-
(R-WI)
Protection Agency
health and public health and
05/14/2009
Director of Office of
welfare
Management and Budget
Cosponsors: (none)
H.Res. 449
President
Information relating to the EPA’s Energy and Commerce
-
finding that greenhouse gas
Rep. F. James Sensenbrenner, Jr.
emissions are a danger to public
Reported without
(R-WI)
health and welfare
recommendation
05/15/2009
06/12/2009
Cosponsors: (none)
H.Rept. 111-146
H.Res. 462
President
Information relating to
Energy and Commerce
-
communications with Chrysler,
Rep. Steven C. LaTourette (R-
L.L.C
Reported without
OH)
recommendation
05/20/2009
06/12/2009
Cosponsors: (9)
H.Rept. 111-147
CRS-67

Resolutions of Inquiry: An Analysis of Their Use in the House, 1947-2011

Resolution, Introduction,
Official(s) To Whom Inquiry
Committee(s) of Referral
and Sponsorship
is Directed
Subject of Inquiry
and Consideration
House Floor Action
H.Res. 477
Secretary of Defense
Information relating to the
Armed Services
-
FY2010-2030 shipbuilding plan
Rep. J. Randy Forbes (R-VA)
Reported favorably (amended)
05/21/2009
06/19/2009
Cosponsors: (8)
H.Rept. 111-167
H.Res. 478
Secretary of Defense
Information relating to the
Armed Services
-
FY2010-2030 aviation plan
Rep. J. Randy Forbes (R-VA)
Reported favorably (amended)
05/21/2009
06/19/2009
Cosponsors: (8)
H.Rept. 111-168
H.Res. 537
President
Communications related to
Judiciary
-
detainees and foreign persons
Rep. Mike J. Rogers (R-MI)
Attorney General
suspected of terrorism
Reported adversely
06/11/2009
06/26/2009
Cosponsors: (3)
H.Rept. 111-189

H.Res. 570
Secretary of Homeland Security
The immigration status of any
Judiciary
-
detainees and foreign persons
Rep. Mike J. Rogers (R-MI)
suspected of terrorism
-
06/19/2009
Cosponsors: (3)
H.Res. 591
President Specific
communications
with
Financial Services
-
and financial assistance provided
Rep. John A. Boehner (R-OH)
to General Motors Corporation
Reported favorably (amended)
06/26/2009
and Chrysler LLC
07/24/2009
Cosponsors: (9)
H.Rept. 111-231
H.Res. 602
President
Communications regarding
Armed Services
-
detainees and foreign persons
Rep. Mike J. Rogers (R-MI)
Secretary of Defense
suspected of terrorism
Reported favorably (amended)
06/26/2009
07/23/2009
Cosponsors: (none)
H.Rept. 111-221
CRS-68

Resolutions of Inquiry: An Analysis of Their Use in the House, 1947-2011

Resolution, Introduction,
Official(s) To Whom Inquiry
Committee(s) of Referral
and Sponsorship
is Directed
Subject of Inquiry
and Consideration
House Floor Action
H.Res. 636
Attorney General
The transfer or release of
Judiciary
-
detainees held at Naval Station,
Rep. Frank R. Wolf (R-VA)
Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, into the Reported adversely
07/13/2009
United States
07/31/2009
Cosponsors: (none)
H.Rept. 111-242
H.Res. 871
Attorney General
Information received from or
Judiciary
-
referencing the American
Rep. Lamar Smith (R-TX)
Association for Justice and any
Reported without
recommendation
10/27/2009
of its members since January 20,
2009, that refers or relates to
11/18/2009
Cosponsors: (none)
any recommendation regarding
medical malpractice reform
H.Rept. 111-341
H.Res. 920
Attorney General
Detainees held at Naval Station,
Judiciary
-
Guantanamo Bay, Cuba who are
Rep. Lamar Smith (R-TX)
transferred into the United
Reported adversely
11/19/2009
States.
12/15/2009
Cosponsors: (16)
H.Rept. 111-378
H.Res. 922
Secretary of Homeland Security
The Department’s planning,
Homeland Security
-
information sharing, and
Rep. Peter T. King (R-NY)
coordination with any state or
Reported favorably (amended)
11/19/2009
locality receiving detainees held
12/15/2009
at Naval Station, Guantanamo
Cosponsors: (14)
Bay, Cuba
H.Rept. 111-377
H.Res. 923
President
Effects on foreign intelligence
Select Intelligence
-
collection of the transfer of
Rep. Peter Hoekstra (R-MI)
detainees held at Naval Station,
Reported favorably (amended)
11/19/2009
Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, into the 12/16/2009
United States.
Cosponsors: (2)
H.Rept. 111-384
H.Res. 924
Secretary of Defense
Trial or detention of Khalid
Armed Services
-
Sheikh Mohammed, Walid
Rep. Howard P. “Buck” McKeon
Muhammad Salih Mubarek Bin
Reported favorably (amended)
(R-CA)
‘Attash, Ramzi Binalshibh, Ali
12/17/2009
11/19/2009
Abdul Aziz Ali, or Mustafa
Ahmed Adam al Hawsawi.
H.Rept. 111-383
Cosponsors: (17)
CRS-69

Resolutions of Inquiry: An Analysis of Their Use in the House, 1947-2011

Resolution, Introduction,
Official(s) To Whom Inquiry
Committee(s) of Referral
and Sponsorship
is Directed
Subject of Inquiry
and Consideration
House Floor Action
H.Res. 978
President
Inventory and review of
Select Intelligence
-
intelligence related to the
Rep. Peter Hoekstra (R-MI)
shooting at Fort Hood, Texas,
Reported adversely
12/16/2009
described by the President in a
01/27/2010
memorandum dated November
Cosponsors: (none)
10, 2009.
H.Rept. 111-402
H.Res. 980
Secretary of Homeland Security
Transportation Security
Homeland Security
-
Administration's Aviation
Rep. Charles W. Dent (R-PA)
Security Screening Management
Reported adversely
12/16/2009
Standard Operating Procedures
01/27/2010
manual
Cosponsors: (6)
H.Rept. 111-403
H.Res. 983
President
Agreements and
Energy and Commerce
-
communications relating to
Rep. Michael C. Burgess (R-TX)
Secretary of Health and Human
proposed health care reform
Reported without
Services
recommendation
12/16/2009
legislation
01/29/2010
Cosponsors: (none)
H.Rept. 111-408
H.Res. 985
Administrator of the
Nutrient management of the
Transportation and
-
Environmental Protection
Illinois River Watershed,
Infrastructure
Rep. John Boozman (R-AR)
Agency
Arkansas and Oklahoma
-
12/16/2009
Cosponsors: (none)
H.Res. 994
Attorney General
Decision to dismiss United
Judiciary
-
States v. New Black Panther
Rep. Frank R. Wolf (R-VA)
Party
Reported adversely
012/16/2009
01/27/2010
Cosponsors: (none)
H.Rept. 111-404
H.Res. 995
President
Nutrient management of the
Transportation and
-
Illinois River Watershed,
Infrastructure
Rep. John Boozman (R-AR)
Arkansas and Oklahoma
Reported without
12/19/2009
recommendation (amended)
Cosponsors: (none)
01/20/2010
H.Rept. 111-407
CRS-70

Resolutions of Inquiry: An Analysis of Their Use in the House, 1947-2011

Resolution, Introduction,
Official(s) To Whom Inquiry
Committee(s) of Referral
and Sponsorship
is Directed
Subject of Inquiry
and Consideration
House Floor Action
H.Res. 1238
Secretary of the Interior
The Secretary's Treasured
Natural Resources
-
Landscape Initiative, designation
Rep. Doc Hastings (R-WA)
of national monuments, and high -
04/13/2010
priority land-rationalization
efforts
Cosponsors: (1)
H.Res. 1254
Secretary of the Interior
The Secretary's Treasured
Natural Resources
-
Landscape Initiative, designation
Rep. Doc Hastings (R-WA)
of national monuments, and high Reported without
recommendation
04/15/2010
priority land-rationalization
efforts
05/11/2010
Cosponsors: (1)
H.Rept. 111-480
H.Res. 1406
Secretary of the Interior
Specified information relating to
Natural Resources
-
the potential designation of
Rep. Doc Hastings (R-WA)
National Monuments under the
Reported favorably
05/27/2010
Antiquities Act
06/23/2010
Cosponsors: (1)
H.Rept. 111-510
H.Res. 1455
Attorney General
Discussion of administration
Judiciary
-
appointments by White House
Rep. Lamar Smith (R-TX)
staff with any candidate for
Reported adversely
06/17/2010
public office in exchange for
07/15/10
such candidate's withdrawal
Cosponsors: (1)
from any election
H.Rept. 111-538
H.Res. 1466
President
The application to foreclose
Energy and Commerce
-
Yucca Mountain, Nevada from
Rep. F. James Sensenbrenner, Jr.
Secretary of Energy
use as a high level nuclear waste
Reported without
(R-WI)
repository
recommendation
06/22/2010
07/19/10
Cosponsors: (none)
H.Rept. 111-550
H.Res. 1561
Secretary of Health and Human
Documents prepared by or for
Energy and Commerce
-
Services
the Centers for Medicare &
Rep. Michael C. Burgess (R-TX)
Medicaid Services regarding the
Reported without
recommendation
07/27/2010
Patient Protection and
Affordable Care Act
09/29/10
Cosponsors: (none)
H.Rept. 111-649
CRS-71

Resolutions of Inquiry: An Analysis of Their Use in the House, 1947-2011

Source: CRS Analysis of data from the Legislative Information System of the U.S. Congress (LIS) and relevant issues of the Journal of the United States House of
Representatives.
Notes: Reflects activity as of March 16, 2011. For purposes of clarity and consistency, House committee reports are cited in the table using the present convention:
“Congress-report number,” although reports were not designated in this way during the entire period studied. Cosponsorship of measures in the House was not permitted
prior to 1967.
CRS-72

Resolutions of Inquiry: An Analysis of Their Use in the House, 1947-2011


Author Contact Information

Christopher M. Davis

Analyst on Congress and the Legislative Process
cmdavis@crs.loc.gov, 7-0656


Congressional Research Service
73