This article originally appeared in The Hill on October 29, 2024.
Perhaps no day in the congressional calendar is quite as wonky as the House Rules Committee’s Member Day, which took place this year on Sept. 19. On this day, House members testify before the Rules Committee, proposing changes they believe would improve the legislative process. Although it’s not a place for dramatic debates, it offers valuable insight into what’s on lawmakers’ minds.
The proposals here are often significant, but rarely attention-grabbing. Reps. Emanuel Cleaver (D-Mo.) and Derek Kilmer (D-Wash.) testified in support of the BUDS Resolution, which would allow a bill to have two original sponsors — one from each party — rather than an “original” sponsor and a co-sponsor. This change would more clearly emphasize bipartisanship. Kilmer also advocated for a measure aimed at expediting consideration of bipartisan bills that had already passed in the other chamber. This proposal stems from his leadership in the ongoing modernization efforts in Congress.
The final witness, Rep. Virginia Foxx (R-N.C.), proposed the OATHS Act. This bill would allow incoming House members to be sworn in on paper before the first day of Congress, instead of waiting until the Speaker is selected, as is the current practice. Foxx raised critical concerns about the House’s ability to function without a Speaker. Without selecting this key leader — a process we now know cannot be taken for granted — members cannot perform oversight duties or obtain security clearances. In short, the House can’t really operate.
This might sound dull, and Foxx presented her case in a low-key manner. However, a potentially thorny issue looms over these discussions: If Congress fails to elect a Speaker on Friday, Jan. 3, 2025, how can it handle the crucial task of counting electoral votes just days later, on Monday, Jan. 6, 2025? Kevin McCarthy, for example, wasn’t elected Speaker until Jan. 7, 2023.