Rule 12

Election Procedures for Standing Committees

(a) In General.—

(1) The Republican Steering Committee shall recommend to the Republican Conference the Republican Members of the standing committees of the House of Representatives, except as otherwise provided in this rule.

(2) In those cases where the Steering Committee nominated Members for membership on standing committees, the Steering Committee shall recommend directly to the House of Representatives the Republican Members to fill vacancies on standing committees which occur following the organization of a Congress. Whenever possible, a vacancy shall be filled within thirty days while Congress is in session.

(b) Election of Members of the Committee on Rules.—

(1) Nomination.—The Speaker shall nominate the Republican Members of the Committee on Rules, including the Chairman. These nominations shall be submitted to the Conference along with the other nominees from the Steering Committee.

(2) Rejection and New Nomination.—If the Republican Conference rejects the nominee for Chairman to the Committee on Rules, the Speaker shall again submit a nomination to the Conference.

(3) Retention of Seniority Rights.—A Member newly assigned to the Rules Committee shall have the option of being “on leave with seniority” from one standing committee on which he or she served previously. At such time as service on the Rules Committee shall cease, such member shall have the right to return to active membership on that standing committee with the relative seating and seniority accumulated during his or her tenure on the Rules Committee.

(c) Election of the Members of the Committee on the Budget.—

(1) Chairman.—The Republican Steering Committee shall nominate the Member to serve as the Chairman of the Committee on the Budget. Limits on the term of service for the Chairman shall be determined by the Rules of the House.

(2) Leadership Member.—The Speaker shall appoint one member to serve on the committee. That Member will serve as the second highest-ranking Republican on the committee.

(3) Nomination of other Members.—The Steering Committee shall recommend members from the Committee on Appropriations, the Committee on Ways & Means, and the Committee on Rules for service on the Committee on the Budget in such numbers as may be consistent with the Rules of the House. Chairmen and Leadership Members are considered towards these requirements if that member also happens to serve on the Committee on Appropriations, the Committee on Ways & Means, or the Committee on Rules.

(d) Election of the Members of the Committee on House Administration.—

(1) Nomination.—The Speaker shall nominate the Republican Members of the Committee on House Administration, including the Chairman. These nominations shall be submitted to the Conference along with the other nominees from the Steering Committee.

(2) Rejection and New Nomination.—If the Republican Conference rejects the nominee for Chairman to the Committee on House Administration, the Speaker shall again submit a nomination to the Conference.