[Deschler's Precedents, Volume 1, Chapters 1 - 6]
[Chapter 3. Party Organization]
[C. Party Committees and Informal Groups]
[§ 12. Republican Policy Committee; Research Committee]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]
[Page 194-197]
CHAPTER 3
Party Organization
C. PARTY COMMITTEES AND INFORMAL GROUPS
Sec. 12. Republican Policy Committee; Research Committee
The Republican Policy Committee studies proposed legislation, takes
positions on matters of policy, considers legislative
strategy,(8) and serves the Republican Conference and
leadership in an advisory capacity. The Policy Committee was formerly
known as the Steering Committee until it was renamed in
1949.(9)
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8. For discussion of a Democratic committee with similar functions see
Sec. 13, infra.
9. See Congressional Quarterly's Guide to the Congress of the United
States, Congressional Quarterly Service (Washington, D. C.,
1971) , p. 142.
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The Policy Committee may consist of Republican Members serving on
legislative committees responsible for legislation under study by the
Policy Committee.
An announcement of the selection of the Chairman of the Policy
Committee has frequently been made in the House.(10) By
virtue of his status as a party leader, the Chairman of the Policy
Committee
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has on occasion assumed the functions of the floor leader, particularly
during formal affairs such as the extension of certain courtesies and
the fulfillment of ceremonial duties.(11)
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10. See Sec. 12. 1, infra.
11. See Sec. Sec. 12.2, 12.3, infra.
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The Committee on Research, through the use of task forces, does
research in areas relating to particular issues, and presents reports
and recommendations to the Republican
Conference. -------------------
Announcement as to Chairmen
Sec. 12.1 The conference chairman has on occasion announced in the
House the names of the persons selected by the conference as
Chairmen of the Policy Committee and the Committee on Research.
In the 90th Congress, following the announcement of the selection
of the minority whip, the Chairman of the Republican Conference
announced as follows:(12)
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12. 113 Cong. Rec. 27, 90th Cong. 1st Sess. Jan. 10. 1967.
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Mr. [Melvin R.] Laird [of Wisconsin]: . . . The conference has
also directed me to notify the House officially that the Republican
Members have selected as Chairman of the Republican Committee on
Policy the gentleman from Arizona, the Honorable John J. Rhodes,
and has chosen as Chairman of the Republican Committee on Research
and Planning the gentleman from New York, the Honorable Charles E.
Goodell.
In the 89th Congress, the conference chairman, immediately after
announcing his party's selection of a Minority Leader, announced the
election by the conference of a Chairman of the Republican Policy
Committee.(13) Similarly, in the 88th Congress, an
announcement was made respecting the selection of the minority whip and
the Chairman of the Policy Committee.(14)
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13. 111 Cong. Rec. 20, 89th Cong. 1st Sess., Jan. 4, 1965.
14. 109 Cong. Rec. 506, 88th Cong. 1st Sess., Jan. 17, 1963.
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Duties of Chairman
Sec. 12.2 The Chairman of the Republican Policy Committee, in the stead
of the Minority Leader, was appointed to the committee to notify
the President of the intention of the House to adjourn.
In the 91st Congress, the Majority Leader and the acting Minority
Leader, the Chairman of the Republican Policy Committee, were appointed
to the committee to notify the President of the intention of the House
to adjourn.
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The proceedings were as follows:(15)
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15. 116 Cong. Rec. 44599, 91st Cong. 2d Sess., Jan. 2, 1971.
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Mr. [Carl] Albert [of Oklahoma]: Mr. Speaker, I offer a
resolution (H. Res. 1338) and ask for its immediate consideration.
[The Clerk read the resolution, which authorized the
appointment of a committee to join with a similar committee of the
Senate and inform the President of the readiness of Congress to
adjourn. The resolution was agreed to.]
The Speaker:(16) The Chair appoints as Members on
the part of the House of the committee to notify the President the
gentleman from Oklahoma, Mr. Albert, and the gentleman from
Arizona, Mr. Rhodes.
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16. John W. McCormack (Mass.).
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Sec. 12.3 Acting in the stead of the Minority Leader, the Chairman of
the Republican Policy Committee offered a resolution expressing the
praise of the House for the manner in which the Speaker had
performed his duties.
In the 91st Congress, the Chairman of the Republican Policy
Committee, John J. Rhodes, of Arizona, acting in the stead of the
Minority Leader, offered a resolution thanking Speaker John W.
McCormack, of Massachusetts, for the exemplary manner in which the
Speaker had performed his duties. The proceedings were as
follows:(17)
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17. 116 Cong. Rec. 44600, 44601, 91st Cong. 2d Sess., Jan. 2, 1971.
Parliamentarian's Note: Mr. Gerald R. Ford (Mich.) the
Minority Leader and Mr. Leslie C. Arends (Ill.), the minority
whip, had left the city and had requested Mr. Rhodes and Mr.
Richard H. Poff (Va.) to act in their stead with respect to the
proceedings described above.
In the 90th Congress, a similar resolution was offered by
the Chairman of the Republican Policy Committee, who was acting
for the Minority Leader. 114 Cong. Rec. 31371, 90th Cong. 2d
Sess., Oct. 14 1968.
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The Speaker. The gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Poff) will take
the Chair.
Mr. Poff assumed the Chair.
The Speaker Pro Tempore (Mr. Poff). The Chair recognizes the
gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Rhodes).
Mr. Rhodes of Arizona. Mr. Speaker, I offer a privileged
resolution (H. Res. 1340) and ask for its immediate consideration.
The Clerk read the resolution as follows:
H. Res. 1340
Resolved, That the thanks of the House are presented to the
Honorable John W. McCormack, Speaker of the House of
Representatives, for the able, impartial, and dignified manner
in which he has presided over the deliberations and performed
the arduous duties of the Chair during the present term of
Congress; and be it further
Resolved, That the House of Representatives hereby extends
to its be
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loved Speaker, the Honorable John W. McCormack, sincere wishes
for a long, pleasant, and well-earned retirement.
The Speaker Pro Tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman
from Arizona.
Mr. Rhodes. Mr. Speaker, it is a proud duty which I perform in
offering this resolution in appreciation to our great Speaker, the
Honorable John McCormack of Massachusetts.
[Mr. Rhodes continued his remarks, sharing his personal memories of the
Speaker and expressing appreciation of the Speaker's record of
service.]