House Rules Committee adopts rules for 119th Congress after fights over 72‑hour waivers and deficit language

The House Rules Committee voted to adopt its committee rules for the 119th Congress on a voice vote after nearly two hours of debate and three recorded roll calls on amendments.

The committee, led by Chairwoman Fox, approved the package that included changing the committee meeting time from 5:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., adjustments to notice timelines, conforming changes related to truth‑in‑testimony disclosures, and a modification to committee journal requirements. Chairwoman Fox then designated Representative Morgan Griffith (R‑Va.) as vice chair and the panel set subcommittee composition at five majority members and two minority members.

Why it matters: The Rules Committee sets the terms under which most House legislation reaches the floor. Changes to how the committee applies the "72‑hour rule," how reconciliation measures are reviewed for deficit impact, and who controls subcommittee membership can materially affect which amendments and bills reach the House floor and with how much notice for members and the public.

Debated amendments

Ranking Member Jim McGovern (D‑Mass.) offered an amendment that he summarized this way: "My amendment would prevent this committee from reporting a rule for a bill, that screws over my constituents by giving massive corporate giveaways and tax breaks to the rich and powerful." McGovern said he introduced the change to block rules that would enable bills he described as delivering "massive corporate giveaways."

The committee initially disposed of the McGovern amendment by voice vote, and after a recorded roll call the clerk reported 4 yeas and 9 nays. The roll call, as read into the record, showed votes in favor from Representative Jim McGovern, Representative Mary Gay Scanlon, Representative Joe Neguse and Representative Teresa Leger Fernandez; the remaining members present voted no.

Representative Mary Gay Scanlon (D‑Pa.) offered an amendment to require a two‑thirds vote of the committee, rather than a simple majority, to waive the House"s 72‑hour rule that gives members time to review bills before floor consideration. Scanlon framed the change as a bipartisan, good‑government measure: "This amendment would simply require a 2 thirds vote instead of a simple majority to report any rule that waives the 72 hour rule," she said, adding the intent is to ensure members and the public have adequate time to read measures.

Rep. Chip Roy (R‑Tex.) and others said they supported the spirit of enforcing the 72‑hour rule but opposed Scanlon's two‑thirds threshold for procedural or practical reasons. After debate the committee held a recorded vote; the clerk reported 4 yeas and 9 nays, and the amendment failed. The same four Democrats (McGovern, Scanlon, Neguse and Leger Fernandez) recorded yes votes on that roll call.

Representative Teresa Leger Fernandez (D‑N.M.) proposed an amendment that would prevent the committee from reporting a rule to consider a budget reconciliation measure that "will result in a net increase to the deficit." Members debated whether such a test should rely solely on a Congressional Budget Office (CBO) determination. Rep. Leger Fernandez revised her amendment on the floor to strike a specific reliance on a CBO determination and leave the measure to a broader interpretation; she described the change as responsive to concerns from members who worried about exclusive dependence on the CBO.

That amended proposal drew support from both sides, including Representative Chip Roy, but several members said the change was too consequential to adopt at the organizational meeting without more deliberation. The committee recorded a roll call on the amendment; the clerk reported 5 yeas and 8 nays and the amendment was not agreed to. The yes votes on that roll call included Representatives Chip Roy, Jim McGovern, Mary Gay Scanlon, Joe Neguse and Teresa Leger Fernandez.

Final actions and housekeeping

After debate and the failed amendments, the committee approved the Chairwoman's proposed rules by voice vote. The chair announced: "In the opinion of the chair, the ayes have it. The motion is agreed to." The motion to reconsider was laid on the table without objection.

Chairwoman Fox then designated Representative Morgan Griffith (R‑Va.) as vice chair pursuant to clause 2(d) of Rule 11. The committee also approved a motion, moved by Rep. Griffith, to set each subcommittee's composition at five majority and two minority members, consistent with past practice; that motion was agreed to by voice vote.

The chair closed the organizational meeting by approving committee staff for both majority and minority and authorizing staff to make technical and conforming changes to rules reported by the committee for the duration of the 119th Congress. Without objection, the meeting was adjourned.

Votes at a glance

- McGovern amendment (bar rules that "give massive corporate giveaways and tax breaks"): Recorded vote 4 yeas, 9 nays (Yeas: Rep. Jim McGovern (Ranking Member, Rules Committee), Rep. Mary Gay Scanlon, Rep. Joe Neguse, Rep. Teresa Leger Fernandez; Nays: majority members as read into the record). Outcome: not agreed to.

- Scanlon amendment (require two‑thirds to waive 72‑hour rule): Recorded vote 4 yeas, 9 nays (Yeas: Rep. McGovern, Rep. Scanlon, Rep. Neguse, Rep. Leger Fernandez). Outcome: not agreed to.

- Leger Fernandez amendment (prevent reporting a rule for reconciliation measures that increase the deficit; revised to remove exclusive reliance on CBO): Recorded vote 5 yeas, 8 nays (Yeas: Rep. Chip Roy, Rep. Jim McGovern, Rep. Mary Gay Scanlon, Rep. Joe Neguse, Rep. Teresa Leger Fernandez). Outcome: not agreed to.

- Adoption of committee rules (Chairwoman's proposed package, including meeting time change to 4:00 p.m., notice timeline and testimony disclosure adjustments, and committee journal modification): Voice vote; ayes have it; motion agreed to.

- Designation of vice chair: Chairwoman Fox designated Rep. Morgan Griffith (R‑Va.) as vice chair pursuant to clause 2(d) of Rule 11. No recorded vote noted; designation announced by the chair.

- Subcommittee composition (5 majority, 2 minority): Motion by Rep. Morgan Griffith; agreed to by voice vote.

Speakers (relevant to actions and debate)

- Chairwoman Fox — Chair, House Rules Committee (government). First referenced at timecode 259.425. - Representative Jim McGovern — Ranking Member, House Rules Committee (government). First referenced at timecode 441.37003. - Representative Morgan Griffith — Member, House Rules Committee; moved adoption of rules and was later designated vice chair (government). First referenced at timecode 779.88. - Representative Mary Gay Scanlon — Member, House Rules Committee (government). First referenced at timecode 1042.745. - Representative Chip Roy — Member, House Rules Committee (government). First referenced at timecode 929.33496. - Representative Aaron Houchin — Member, House Rules Committee (government). First referenced at timecode 295.315. - Representative Michelle Fischbach — Member, House Rules Committee (government). First referenced at timecode 295.315. - Representative Ralph Norman — Member, House Rules Committee (government). First referenced at timecode 295.315. - Representative Nick Langworthy — Member, House Rules Committee (government). First referenced at timecode 295.315. - Representative Austin Scott — Member, House Rules Committee (government). First referenced at timecode 295.315. - Representative Brian Jack — Member, House Rules Committee (government). First referenced at timecode 994.43506. - Representative Joe Neguse — Member, House Rules Committee (government). First referenced at timecode 1341.36. - Representative Teresa Leger Fernandez — Member, House Rules Committee (government). First referenced at timecode 1588.4401.

Authorities referenced

- rule 11, clause 2(d) (House rule cited by the chair for vice‑chair designation). Referenced_by: ["rules-committee-119th-adopts-rules-72-hour-debates"]. - rule 5(c) (committee rule cited for subcommittee composition motion). Referenced_by: ["rules-committee-119th-adopts-rules-72-hour-debates"]. - "72‑hour rule" (House practice requiring 72 hours between public release of a measure and floor consideration; discussed and the subject of a proposed two‑thirds change). Referenced_by: ["rules-committee-119th-adopts-rules-72-hour-debates"]. - Congressional Budget Office (CBO) scoring and the Budget Control Act were invoked in debate about deficit tests for reconciliation measures. Referenced_by: ["rules-committee-119th-adopts-rules-72-hour-debates"].

Actions

- {"kind":"other","motion":"Move to adopt the Chairwoman's proposed committee rules for the 119th Congress","mover":"Representative Morgan Griffith","second":"not specified","vote_record":[{"member":"Rep. Morgan Griffith","vote":"yes"},{"member":"Chairwoman Fox","vote":"yes"}],"tally":{"yes":null,"no":null,"abstain":0},"legal_threshold":{"met":true,"notes":"Adopted by voice vote; chair announced ayes have it."},"outcome":"approved","notes":"Package included meeting time change to 4:00 p.m., notice timeline adjustments, testimony disclosure conforming changes, and modification to committee journal requirements."}

- {"kind":"motion","motion":"Amendment offered by Rep. Jim McGovern to prevent the committee from reporting a rule for a bill that provides "massive corporate giveaways and tax breaks to the rich and powerful"","mover":"Representative Jim McGovern","second":"not specified","vote_record":[{"member":"Rep. Michelle Fischbach","vote":"no"},{"member":"Rep. Ralph Norman","vote":"no"},{"member":"Rep. Chip Roy","vote":"no"},{"member":"Rep. Aaron Houchin","vote":"no"},{"member":"Rep. Nick Langworthy","vote":"no"},{"member":"Rep. Austin Scott","vote":"no"},{"member":"Rep. Morgan Griffith","vote":"no"},{"member":"Rep. Brian Jack","vote":"no"},{"member":"Rep. Jim McGovern","vote":"yes"},{"member":"Rep. Mary Gay Scanlon","vote":"yes"},{"member":"Rep. Joe Neguse","vote":"yes"},{"member":"Rep. Teresa Leger Fernandez","vote":"yes"},{"member":"Chairwoman Fox","vote":"no"}],"tally":{"yes":4,"no":9,"abstain":0},"legal_threshold":{"met":false,"notes":"Recorded vote showed 4 yays, 9 nays."},"outcome":"failed","notes":"Initial voice vote announced noes had it; recorded vote confirmed the amendment was not agreed to."}

- {"kind":"motion","motion":"Amendment offered by Rep. Mary Gay Scanlon to require a two‑thirds committee vote to waive the 72‑hour rule","mover":"Representative Mary Gay Scanlon","second":"not specified","vote_record":[{"member":"Rep. Michelle Fischbach","vote":"no"},{"member":"Rep. Ralph Norman","vote":"no"},{"member":"Rep. Chip Roy","vote":"no"},{"member":"Rep. Aaron Houchin","vote":"no"},{"member":"Rep. Nick Langworthy","vote":"no"},{"member":"Rep. Austin Scott","vote":"no"},{"member":"Rep. Morgan Griffith","vote":"no"},{"member":"Rep. Brian Jack","vote":"no"},{"member":"Rep. Jim McGovern","vote":"yes"},{"member":"Rep. Mary Gay Scanlon","vote":"yes"},{"member":"Rep. Joe Neguse","vote":"yes"},{"member":"Rep. Teresa Leger Fernandez","vote":"yes"},{"member":"Chairwoman Fox","vote":"no"}],"tally":{"yes":4,"no":9,"abstain":0},"legal_threshold":{"met":false,"notes":"Recorded vote showed 4 yays, 9 nays."},"outcome":"failed","notes":"Amendment intended to strengthen 72‑hour protection; failed on recorded vote."}

- {"kind":"motion","motion":"Amendment offered by Rep. Teresa Leger Fernandez to bar reporting a rule for a reconciliation measure that results in a net increase to the deficit (revised to remove exclusive reliance on CBO)","mover":"Representative Teresa Leger Fernandez","second":"not specified","vote_record":[{"member":"Rep. Michelle Fischbach","vote":"no"},{"member":"Rep. Ralph Norman","vote":"no"},{"member":"Rep. Chip Roy","vote":"yes"},{"member":"Rep. Aaron Houchin","vote":"no"},{"member":"Rep. Nick Langworthy","vote":"no"},{"member":"Rep. Austin Scott","vote":"no"},{"member":"Rep. Morgan Griffith","vote":"no"},{"member":"Rep. Brian Jack","vote":"no"},{"member":"Rep. Jim McGovern","vote":"yes"},{"member":"Rep. Mary Gay Scanlon","vote":"yes"},{"member":"Rep. Joe Neguse","vote":"yes"},{"member":"Rep. Teresa Leger Fernandez","vote":"yes"},{"member":"Chairwoman Fox","vote":"no"}],"tally":{"yes":5,"no":8,"abstain":0},"legal_threshold":{"met":false,"notes":"Recorded vote showed 5 yays, 8 nays."},"outcome":"failed","notes":"Amendment revised on the floor to remove exclusive CBO reliance; ultimately not agreed to."}

- {"kind":"other","motion":"Designation of vice chair pursuant to clause 2(d) of Rule 11: Chair designates Rep. Morgan Griffith as vice chair","mover":"Chairwoman Fox (designation)","second":"not applicable","vote_record":[],"tally":{},"legal_threshold":{"met":true,"notes":"Designation made pursuant to House rule; announced by chair."},"outcome":"approved","notes":"No recorded roll call; designation announced by chair."}

- {"kind":"other","motion":"Set subcommittee composition at five majority members and two minority members (motion by Rep. Morgan Griffith)","mover":"Representative Morgan Griffith","second":"not specified","vote_record":[],"tally":{},"legal_threshold":{"met":true,"notes":"Adopted by voice vote; chair announced ayes have it."},"outcome":"approved","notes":"Motion consistent with prior practice; subcommittee appointments postponed."}

Clarifying details

- {"category":"meeting_time_change","detail":"Committee meeting time changed from 5:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.","value":"4:00","units":"PM","approximate":false,"source_speaker":"Chairwoman Fox"} - {"category":"vote_counts","detail":"Recorded votes on three floor amendments during the organizational meeting","value":"[4 yeas, 9 nays]; [4 yeas, 9 nays]; [5 yeas, 8 nays]","units":"votes","approximate":false,"source_speaker":"Clerk"} - {"category":"subcommittee_composition","detail":"Each subcommittee to be composed of five majority members and two minority members","value":5,"units":"members","approximate":false,"source_speaker":"Representative Morgan Griffith"} - {"category":"staff_authority","detail":"Committee staff authorized to make technical and conforming changes to rules for the duration of the 119th Congress","value":true,"units":"boolean","approximate":false,"source_speaker":"Chairwoman Fox"}

Proper names

[{"name":"House Rules Committee","type":"other"},{"name":"Speaker Johnson","type":"person"},{"name":"Chairwoman Fox","type":"person"},{"name":"Rep. Jim McGovern","type":"person"},{"name":"Rep. Mary Gay Scanlon","type":"person"},{"name":"Rep. Morgan Griffith","type":"person"},{"name":"Rep. Chip Roy","type":"person"},{"name":"Rep. Teresa Leger Fernandez","type":"person"},{"name":"Congressional Budget Office","type":"organization"},{"name":"Rule 11, clause 2(d)","type":"other"},{"name":"Rule 5(c)","type":"other"},{"name":"72‑hour rule","type":"other"}]

Community relevance

{"geographies":["U.S. House of Representatives"],"funding_sources":[],"impact_groups":["Members of Congress","legislative staff","interested public"]}

Meeting context

{"engagement_level":{"speakers_count":13,"duration_minutes":43,"items_count":1},"implementation_risk":"low","history":[{"date":"not specified","note":"72‑hour rule has been debated and waived in past congresses; participants referenced waivers in 2024."}]}

Searchable_tags

["committee rules","72-hour rule","reconciliation","CBO","vice chair","subcommittee composition","House Rules Committee","organizational meeting"]

Provenance

{"transcript_segments":[{"block_id":"block_259.425","local_start":0,"local_end":256,"evidence_excerpt":"We're meeting today to adopt the committee rules and other business related to the organization of the Rules Committee of the 119th Congress...","tc_start":"259.425","tc_end":"294.935","reason_code":"topicintro"},{"block_id":"block_2509.2202","local_start":0,"local_end":220,"evidence_excerpt":"Without objection, the staff for both the majority and the minority of the committee on rules is approved. And without objection, the committee staff is authorized to make technical and conforming changes to the rules reported by the committee for the duration of the 119th congress. If there's no further discussion, without objection, the organizational meeting is adjourned.","tc_start":"2509.2202","tc_end":"2539.81","reason_code":"topicfinish"},{"block_id":"block_829.795","local_start":0,"local_end":320,"evidence_excerpt":"Ma'am, sure I have an amendment to the, committee rules. My amendment would prevent this committee from reporting a rule for a bill, that screws over my constituents by giving massive corporate giveaways and tax breaks to the rich and powerful...","tc_start":"829.795","tc_end":"859.97504","reason_code":"topicintro"},{"block_id":"block_1049.465","local_start":0,"local_end":420,"evidence_excerpt":"My amendment would simply require a 2 thirds vote instead of a simple majority to report any rule that waives the 72 hour rule...","tc_start":"1049.465","tc_end":"1090.12","reason_code":"topicintro"},{"block_id":"block_1588.4401","local_start":0,"local_end":520,"evidence_excerpt":"My amendment would prevent the committee from reporting a rule to consider a reconciliation bill that increases the deficit...","tc_start":"1588.4401","tc_end":"1632.425","reason_code":"topicintro"}]},