Hearings in the House of Representatives: A Guide for Preparation and Procedure
Abstract
Congressional hearings are the principal formal method by which committees collect and analyze information in the early stages of policy making. Whether legislative, oversight, investigative, or a combination of these, all hearings share common elements of preparation and conduct. House Rule XI sets down many of the hearing regulations to which committees must conform, including the quorum requirement, advance submission of witness statements, the opportunity for minority party members to call witnesses of their choosing, the 5-minute rule for questioning witnesses, witness rights, the process for issuing a subpoena, the procedure for closing a hearing to the public, and the broadcast of hearings by the media. Committees have broad latitude in how they hold hearings, in part because they adopt their own rules of procedure. These rules may amplify and supplement House rules, but cannot contravene them. Customs of committees not embodied in rules also vary considerably among committees. Committees usually plan extensively for hearings. Early planning activities commonly include collecting background information from sources within and outside the House, preparing a preliminary hearing memorandum for the chair and members, scheduling, and giving public notice of the hearing. Carefully selecting witnesses, determining the order and format of their testimony, and preparing questions or talking points for committee members to use in questioning are all important considerations. Other arrangements include preparing briefing books; determining how the hearings will be broadcast; and attending to the many administrative matters, such as scheduling an official reporter. This report is organized into four main sections. The Introduction addresses the role of hearings in the committee process and the various types of hearings. Section 2 focuses on Preparation for Hearings. Section 3 examines Conducting Hearings, and Section 4 discusses Post-Hearing Activities.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jul 28, 2004
- Accession Number
- ADA466082
Entities
People
- Richard C. Sachs
Organizations
- Library of Congress