Twenty-seven Members having responded, a quorum was established. Mr. Wampler, the Ranking Minority Member, was recognized to introduce the new members of the minority party--Larry J. Hopkins of Kentucky and William M. Thomas of California. The Chairman introduced the new members of the majority-Charles Whitley of North Carolina, Tony Coelho of California, Thomas A. Daschle of South Dakota, Kent Hance of Texas, Beryl Anthony, Jr. of Arkansas, and Charles W. Stenholm of Texas. Mr. Jones (N.C.) asked unanimous consent that Mr. de la Garza of Texas be named Vice Chairman of the Committee on Agriculture for the 96th Congress and by a unanimous voice vote the motion was agreed to. The Chairman announced the Subcommittee Chairmen for the 96th Congress, as follows: -5 Thursday, February 1, 1979 Committee Organization Mr. Wampler announced the selection of Ranking Minority Members, as follows: William C. Wampler Department Investigations, Steven D. Symms Domestic Marketing, Consumer Relations, and Nutrition Charles E. Grassley - Family Farms, Rural Develop ment, and Special Studies Mr. de la Garza moved that the Honorable Thomas S. Foley, Chairman of the House Committee on Agriculture, in consultation with the Ranking Minority Member, be authorized to act for the Committee in matters affecting staff, administration of the Committee, and the budget. By a unanimous voice vote the motion approved. was Chairman Foley advised that there were some travel expenses for Committee staff which needed to be approved by the full Committee since the travel took place prior to the organization of the Committee. Mr. Jones (Tenn.) moved that the travel vouchers for the Committee staff be approved, and by a unanimous voice vote the motion was agreed to. Counsel Bor was recognized to explain the proposed amendments to the Committee Rules (Copy of rules attached together with list of Subcommittee assignments.) Discussion occurred. Mr. Sebelius moved that the Committee Rules be amended on page 6 to prohibit proxy voting except on reporting of measures to the full Committee by a Subcommittee, and on reporting measures to the House by the full Committee. Discussion occurred and by a show of hands vote of 8 yeas-17 nays the amendment was not agreed to. Mr. Findley asked the Chairman if he would make it a policy of the Committee, rather than writing into the rules (page 11), that the Members who arrived at a Committee or Subcommittee meeting first would be recognized first in questioning witnesses. The Chairman advised that he would consider the matter and report back to the Committee. -6 Thursday, February 1, 1979 Business Meeting Committee Organization Mr. de la Garza moved that the Committee Rules, as distributed to the Members, be approved as the Committee Rules of the House Committee on Agriculture for the 96th Congress. By a unanimous voice vote the motion was agreed to in the presence of a quorum (twenty-two Members present at the time the vote was taken). Mr. de la Garza moved that the Chairman of the Agriculture Committee may appoint an Ad Hoc Subcommittee on Trade to consider and make recommendations on implementing legislation affecting the jurisdiction of the Committee on Agriculture proposed to implement trade agreements entered into by the President under the Trade Act of 1974; the Ad Hoc Subcommittee to consist of such number as the Chairman may determine after consulting with the Ways and Means Committee and the minority members to be appointed after consultation with the Ranking Minority Member. Discussion occurred and by a unanimous voice vote the motion was approved. Mr. de la Garza moved that the Chairman of the Agriculture Committee may appoint an Ad Hoc Committee on the Budget to consider and make recommendations to the full Committee on the appropriate level of budget outlays and budget authority to be included in the concurrent resolution on the budget on areas under the jurisdiction of the Committee on Agriculture, and the minority members to be appointed after consultation with the Ranking Minority Member. Discussion occurred and by a unanimous voice vote the motion was agreed to. Mr. de la Garza moved that the meeting stand adjourned, and at 12:06 p.m. the meeting was adjourned, subject to the call of the Chair. RULES OF THE COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES I. GENERAL PROVISIONS a. Rules of the U.S. House of Representatives.--The Rules of the House shall govern the procedure of the Committee so far as applicable, and the rules of the Committee shall be interpreted in accordance with the Rules of the House, except that a motion to recess from day to day is a motion of high privilege in the Committee. (See Appendix (C) B for the applicable Rules of the U.S. House of Representatives.) b. Applicability to Subcommittees. --The following rules shall apply to meetings, hearings and other activities of all Subcommittees, which are part of the Committee and subject to its authority and direction [. The term "Committee" shall refer as well to the term "Subcommittee" wherever it appears and the term "Chairman" shall refer as well to Chairmen of the Subcommittees unless the terms of the rules themselves indicate that they are applicable only to the full Committee and, further, except in the case of the rules concerning regular meetings (Rule 11-a), the records of meetings and hearings which are, in the case of Subcommittees, maintained at Committee offices (Rules II-f and III-j), the citation of witnesses to the House for contempt (Rule IIIk), the broadcasting of hearings (Rule III-1), Rule IV, Rules V a-e and Rule VII, only when specifically so stated. -2 II. COMMITTEE OR SUBCOMMITTEE BUSINESS MEETINGS a. Regular and Additional Meetings.--The Committee shall meet at 10 a.m.] on the first Tuesday of each month while the Congress is in session. The Committee shall also meet at the call of the Chairman at such other times as he considers to be necessary, subject to advance notice to all Committee members. Insofar as practicable, an agenda for all regular and additional Committee meetings, setting forth all the measures and matters to be considered, shall be furnished each Committee member prior to the meeting. Items may be placed on the agenda by the Chairman or a majority of the Committee. If the Chairman determines that [the monthly Tuesday meeting is not necessary or that any additional meeting convened by him need not be held, he shall give all members of the Committee notice to that effect as far in advance of the meeting day as practicable, and no meeting shall be held on such day. See Rule VI-e for provisions which apply to meetings of Subcommittees. b. Special Meetings.--If at least three members of the Committee file a written request in the Committee offices that a special meeting of the Committee be called by the Chairman to consider a specific measure (s) or matter (s), the Staff Director shall immediately notify the Chairman of the filing of such request. If, within three calendar days after the filing of such request, the Chairman does not call the requested special meeting to be held at a time within seven calendar days after the filing of such request, a majority of the members of the Committee may file in the |
