House Rule I - The Speaker

Approval of the Journal
1. The  Speaker  shall  take  the  Chair  on  every  legislative  day  precisely  at  the  hour  to  which  the  House  last  adjourned    and    immediately    call    the  House  to  order. Having examined  and  approved  the  Journal  of  the  last  day's  proceedings,   the   Speaker   shall   announce  to  the  House  approval  thereof. The Speaker's  approval  of  the  Journal  shall   be   deemed   agreed   to   unless   a  Member,  Delegate,  or  Resident  Commissioner  demands  a  vote  thereon. If such  a  vote  is  decided  in  the  affirmative, it shall not be subject to a motion  to reconsider. If such a vote is decided in  the  negative,  then  one  motion  that  the Journal be read shall be privileged,  shall  be  decided  without  debate,  and  shall not be subject to a motion to reconsider.

Preservation of order
2. The  Speaker  shall  preserve  order  and  decorum  and,  in  case  of  disturbance  or  disorderly  conduct  in  the  galleries  or  in  the  lobby,  may  cause  the  same to be cleared.

Control of Capitol facilities
3. Except as  otherwise  provided  by  rule  or  law,  the  Speaker  shall  have  general   control   of   the   Hall   of   the  House,  the  corridors  and   passages  in  the part of the Capitol assigned to the  use  of  the  House,  and  the  disposal  of  unappropriated  rooms  in  that  part  of  the Capitol.

Signature of documents
4. The Speaker shall sign all acts and joint   resolutions   passed   by   the   two  Houses   and   all   writs,   warrants,   and  subpoenas of, or issued by order of, the  House. The Speaker  may  sign  enrolled  bills  and  joint  resolutions  whether  or  not the House is in session.

Questions of order
5. The Speaker  shall  decide  all  questions  of  order,  subject  to  appeal  by  a  Member,  Delegate,  or  Resident  Commissioner. On such  an  appeal  a  Member,   Delegate,   or   Resident   Commissioner  may  not  speak  more  than  once  without permission of the House.

Form of a question
6. The Speaker  shall  rise  to  put  a  question  but  may  state  it  sitting. The Speaker  shall  put  a  question  in  this  form: Those in favor (of the question),  say  'Aye.' ;  and  after  the  affirmative  voice is expressed, Those opposed, say  'No.' . After a vote by voice under this clause, the  Speaker  may  use  such  voting    procedures   as   may   be   invoked  under rule XX.

Discretion to vote
7. The Speaker is not required to vote in ordinary legislative proceedings, except  when  such  vote  would  be  decisive  or when the House is engaged in voting  by ballot.

Speaker pro tempore
8. (a) The Speaker  may  appoint  a  Member  to  perform  the  duties  of  the  Chair. Except as specified in paragraph (b), such an appointment may not extend beyond three legislative days.
 * (b)(1) In   the   case   of   illness,   the  Speaker may appoint a Member to perform  the  duties  of  the  Chair  for  a  period  not  exceeding  10  days,  subject  to  the   approval   of   the   House.   If   the  Speaker  is  absent  and  has  omitted  to  make  such  an  appointment,  then  the  House  shall  elect  a  Speaker  pro  tempore  to  act  during  the  absence  of  the  Speaker.
 * (2) With the  approval  of  the  House,  the Speaker may appoint a Member to  act  as  Speaker  pro  tempore  only  to  sign enrolled bills and joint resolutions  for a specified period of time.
 * (3)(A) In the case of a vacancy in the  office  of  Speaker,  the  next  Member  on  the   list   described   in   subdivision   (B)  shall act as Speaker pro tempore until  the election of a Speaker or a Speaker  pro tempore. Pending such election the  Member acting as Speaker pro tempore  may  exercise  such  authorities  of  the  Office  of  Speaker  as  may  be  necessary  and appropriate to that end.
 * (B) As soon  as  practicable  after  the  election  of  the  Speaker  and  whenever  appropriate   thereafter,   the   Speaker  shall   deliver   to   the   Clerk   a   list   of  Members  in  the  order  in  which  each  shall act as Speaker pro tempore under  subdivision (A).
 * (C) For purposes of subdivision (A), a vacancy  in  the  office  of  Speaker  may  exist  by  reason  of  the  physical  inability of the Speaker to discharge the duties of the office.

Other responsibilities
9. The Speaker,  in  consultation  with  the   Minority   Leader,   shall   develop  through  an  appropriate  entity  of  the  House a system for drug testing in the  House. The system may provide for the testing  of  a  Member,  Delegate,  Resident   Commissioner,   officer,   or   employee   of   the   House,   and   otherwise  shall be comparable in scope to the system  for  drug  testing  in  the  executive  branch   pursuant   to   Executive   Order 12564  (Sept.  15,  1986). The expenses  of  the  system  may  be  paid  from  applicable  accounts  of  the  House  for  official  expenses.

Designation of travel
10.The  Speaker   may   designate   a  Member,  Delegate,  Resident  Commissioner,   officer,   or   employee   of   the  House  to  travel  on  the  business  of  the  House  within  or  without  the  United  States,  whether  the  House  is  meeting,  has   recessed,   or   has   adjourned. Expenses  for   such   travel   may   be   paid  from  applicable  accounts  of  the  House  described  in  clause   1(j)(1)  of  rule  X  on  vouchers approved and signed solely by  the Speaker.

Committee appointment
11. The  Speaker  shall  appoint  all  select,  joint,  and  conference  committees  ordered   by   the   House. At  any   time  after   an   original   appointment,   the  Speaker  may  remove  Members,  Delegates,  or  the  Resident  Commissioner  from,  or  appoint  additional   Members,  Delegates,   or   the   Resident    Commissioner  to,  a  select  or  conference  committee. In appointing  Members,  Delegates, or the Resident Commissioner to  conference   committees,   the   Speaker  shall  appoint  no  less  than  a  majority  who generally supported the House position  as  determined  by  the  Speaker,  shall name those who are primarily responsible for the legislation, and shall,  to  the  fullest  extent  feasible,  include  the  principal  proponents  of  the  major  provisions   of   the   bill   or   resolution  passed or adopted by the House.

Recess and convening authorities
12.
 * (a) To suspend the business of the  House  for  a  short  time  when  no  question  is  pending  before  the  House,  the  Speaker  may  declare  a  recess  subject  to the call of the Chair.
 * (b)
 * (1) To suspend  the  business  of  the  House  when  notified  of  an  imminent  threat  to  its  safety,  the  Speaker  may  declare an emergency  recess subject to  the call of the Chair.
 * (2) To  suspend  the  business  of  the  Committee  of  the  Whole  House  on  the  state  of  the  Union  when  notified  of  an  imminent   threat   to   its   safety,   the  Chair  of  the  Committee  of  the  Whole  may  declare  an  emergency  recess  subject to the call of the Chair.
 * (c) During any recess or adjournment of  not  more  than  three  days,  if  the  Speaker is notified by the Sergeant-at-Arms  of  an  imminent  impairment  of  the  place  of  reconvening  at  the  time  previously appointed, then the Speaker may, in consultation   with the Minority  Leader--
 * (1) postpone  the   time   for   reconvening  within  the  limits  of  clause  4,  section  5,  article  I  of  the  Constitution and notify Members accordingly;  or
 * (2) reconvene the  House  before  the  time  previously  appointed  solely  to  declare  the  House  in  recess  within  the limits of clause 4,  section 5, article  I  of  the  Constitution  and  notify  Members accordingly.
 * (d) The  Speaker   may   convene   the  House in a place at the seat of government other than the Hall of the House  whenever, in the opinion of the Speaker, the public interest shall warrant it.

Changes to rule in the 110th Congress
There were no changes to the rule in the 110th Congress.

Approval of the Journal
1. The Speaker shall take the Chair on every legislative day precisely at the hour to which the House last adjourned and immediately call the House to order. Having examined and approved the Journal of the last day’s proceedings, the Speaker shall announce to the House his approval thereof. The Speaker’s approval of the Journal shall be deemed agreed to unless a Member, Delegate, or Resident Commissioner demands a vote thereon. If such a vote is decided in the affirmative, it shall not be subject to a motion to reconsider. If such a vote is decided in the negative, then one motion that the Journal be read shall be privileged, shall be decided without debate, and shall not be subject to a motion to reconsider.

Preservation of order
2. The Speaker shall preserve order and decorum and, in case of disturbance or disorderly conduct in the galleries or in the lobby, may cause the same to be cleared.

Control of Capitol facilities
3. Except as otherwise provided by rule or law, the Speaker shall have general control of the Hall of the House, the corridors and passages in the part of the Capitol assigned to the use of the House, and the disposal of unappropriated rooms in that part of the Capitol.

Signature of documents
4. The Speaker shall sign all acts and joint resolutions passed by the two Houses and all writs, warrants, and subpoenas of, or issued by order of, the House. The Speaker may sign enrolled bills and joint resolutions whether or not the House is in session.

Questions of order
5. The Speaker shall decide all questions of order, subject to appeal by a Member, Delegate, or Resident Commissioner. On such an appeal a Member, Delegate, or Resident Commissioner may not speak more than once without permission of the House.

Form of a question
6. The Speaker shall rise to put a question but may state it sitting. The Speaker shall put a question in this form: ‘‘Those in favor (of the question), say ‘Aye.’ ’’; and after the affirmative voice is expressed, ‘‘Those opposed, say ‘No.’ ’’. After a vote by voice under this clause, the Speaker may use such voting procedures as may be invoked under rule XX.

Discretion to vote
7. The Speaker is not required to vote in ordinary legislative proceedings, except when his vote would be decisive or when the House is engaged in voting by ballot.

Speaker pro tempore
8. (a) The Speaker may appoint a Member to perform the duties of the Chair. Except as specified in paragraph (b), such an appointment may not extend beyond three legislative days.
 * (b)(1) In the case of his illness, the Speaker may appoint a Member to perform the duties of the Chair for a period not exceeding 10 days, subject to the approval of the House. If the Speaker is absent and has omitted to make such an appointment, then the House shall elect a Speaker pro tempore to act during the absence of the Speaker.
 * (2) With the approval of the House, the Speaker may appoint a Member to act as Speaker pro tempore only to sign enrolled bills and joint resolutions for a specified period of time.
 * (3)(A) In the case of a vacancy in the office of Speaker, the next Member on the list described in subdivision (B) shall act as Speaker pro tempore until the election of a Speaker or a Speaker pro tempore. Pending such election the Member acting as Speaker pro tempore may exercise such authorities of the Office of Speaker as may be necessary and appropriate to that end.
 * (B) As soon as practicable after his election and whenever he deems appropriate thereafter, the Speaker shall deliver to the Clerk a list of Members in the order in which each shall act as Speaker pro tempore under subdivision (A).
 * (C) For purposes of subdivision (A), a vacancy in the office of Speaker may exist by reason of the physical inability of the Speaker to discharge the duties of the office.

Other responsibilities
9. The Speaker, in consultation with the Minority Leader, shall develop through an appropriate entity of the House a system for drug testing in the House. The system may provide for the testing of a Member, Delegate, Resident Commissioner, officer, or employee of the House, and otherwise shall be comparable in scope to the system for drug testing in the executive branch pursuant to Executive Order 12564 (Sept. 15, 1986). The expenses of the system may be paid from applicable accounts of the House for official expenses.

Designation of travel
10. The Speaker may designate a Member, Delegate, Resident Commissioner, officer, or employee of the House to travel on the business of the House within or without the United States, whether the House is meeting, has recessed, or has adjourned. Expenses for such travel may be paid from applicable accounts of the House described in clause 1(j)(1) of rule X on vouchers approved and signed solely by the Speaker.

Committee appointment
11. The Speaker shall appoint all select, joint, and conference committees ordered by the House. At any time after an original appointment, the Speaker may remove Members, Delegates, or the Resident Commissioner from, or appoint additional Members, Delegates, or the Resident Commissioner to, a select or conference committee. In appointing Members, Delegates, or the Resident Commissioner to conference committees, the Speaker shall appoint no less than a majority who generally supported the House position as determined by the Speaker, shall name those who are primarily responsible for the legislation, and shall, to the fullest extent feasible, include the principal proponents of the major provisions of the bill or resolution passed or adopted by the House.

Recess and convening authorities
12. (a) To suspend the business of the House for a short time when no question is pending before the House, the Speaker may declare a recess subject to the call of the Chair.
 * (b)(1) To suspend the business of the House when notified of an imminent threat to its safety, the Speaker may declare an emergency recess subject to the call of the Chair.
 * (2) To suspend the business of the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union when notified of an imminent threat to its safety, the Chairman of the Committee of the Whole may declare an emergency recess subject to the call of the Chair.
 * (c) During any recess or adjournment of not more than three days, if the Speaker is notified by the Sergeant-at-Arms of an imminent impairment of the place of reconvening at the time previously appointed, then he may, in consultation with the Minority Leader—
 * (1) postpone the time for reconvening within the limits of clause 4, section 5, article I of the Constitution and notify Members accordingly; or
 * (2) reconvene the House before the time previously appointed solely to declare the House in recess within the limits of clause 4, section 5, article I of the Constitution and notify Members accordingly.
 * (d) The Speaker may convene the House in a place at the seat of government other than the Hall of the House whenever, in his opinion, the public interest shall warrant it.

Approval of the Journal
1. The Speaker shall take the Chair on every legislative day precisely at the hour to which the House last adjourned and immediately call the House to order. Having examined and approved the Journal of the last day’s proceedings, the Speaker shall announce to the House his approval thereof. The Speaker’s approval of the Journal shall be deemed agreed to unless a Member, Delegate, or Resident Commissioner demands a vote thereon. If such a vote is decided in the affirmative, it shall not be subject to a motion to reconsider. If such a vote is decided in the negative, then one motion that the Journal be read shall be privileged, shall be decided without debate, and shall not be subject to a motion to reconsider.

Preservation of order
2. The Speaker shall preserve order and decorum and, in case of disturbance or disorderly conduct in the galleries or in the lobby, may cause the same to be cleared.

Control of Capitol facilities
3. Except as otherwise provided by rule or law, the Speaker shall have general control of the Hall of the House, the corridors and passages in the part of the Capitol assigned to the use of the House, and the disposal of unappropriated rooms in that part of the Capitol.

Signature of documents
4. The Speaker shall sign all acts and joint resolutions passed by the two Houses and all writs, warrants, and subpoenas of, or issued by order of, the House. The Speaker may sign enrolled bills and joint resolutions whether or not the House is in session.

Questions of order
5. The Speaker shall decide all questions of order, subject to appeal by a Member, Delegate, or Resident Commissioner. On such an appeal a Member, Delegate, or Resident Commissioner may not speak more than once without permission of the House.

Form of a question
6. The Speaker shall rise to put a question but may state it sitting. The Speaker shall put a question in this form: “Those in favor (of the question), say ‘Aye.’ ”; and after the affirmative voice is expressed, “Those opposed, say ‘No.’ ”. After a vote by voice under this clause, the Speaker may use such voting procedures as may be invoked under rule 20.

Discretion to vote
7. The Speaker is not required to vote in ordinary legislative proceedings, except when his vote would be decisive or when the House is engaged in voting by ballot.

Speaker pro tempore
8. (a) The Speaker may appoint a Member to perform the duties of the Chair. Except as specified in paragraph (b), such an appointment may not extend beyond three legislative days.


 * (b)(1) In the case of his illness, the Speaker may appoint a Member to perform the duties of the Chair for a period not exceeding 10 days, subject to the approval of the House. If the Speaker is absent and has omitted to make such an appointment, then the House shall elect a Speaker pro tempore to act during the absence of the Speaker.


 * (2) With the approval of the House, the Speaker may appoint a Member to act as Speaker pro tempore only to sign enrolled bills and joint resolutions for a specified period of time.


 * (3) (a) In the case of a vacancy in the office of Speaker, the next Member on the list described in subdivision (b) shall act as Speaker pro tempore until the election of Speaker or a Speaker pro tempore. Pending such election the Member acting as Speaker pro tempore may exercise such authorities of the Office of Speaker as may be necessary and appropriate to that end.


 * (b) As soon as practicable after his election and whenever he deems appropriate thereafter, the Speaker shall deliver to the Clerk a list of Members in the order in which each shall act as Speaker pro tempore under subdivision (a).


 * (c) For purposes of subdivision (a), a vacancy in the office of Speaker may exist by reason of the physical inability of the Speaker to discharge the duties of the office.

Other responsibilities
9. The Speaker, in consultation with the Minority Leader, shall develop through an appropriate entity of the House a system for drug testing in the House. The system may provide for the testing of a Member, Delegate, Resident Commissioner, officer, or employee of the House, and otherwise shall be comparable in scope to the system for drug testing in the executive branch pursuant to Executive Order 12564 (Sept. 15, 1986). The expenses of the system may be paid from applicable accounts of the House for official expenses.

Designation of travel
10. The Speaker may designate a Member, Delegate, Resident Commissioner, officer, or employee of the House to travel on the business of the House within or without the United States, whether the House is meeting, has recessed, or has adjourned. Expenses for such travel may be paid from applicable accounts of the House described in clause 1(i)(1) of rule X on vouchers approved and signed solely by the Speaker.

Committee appointment
11. The Speaker shall appoint all select, joint, and conference committees ordered by the House. At any time after an original appointment, the Speaker may remove Members, Delegates, or the Resident Commissioner from, or appoint additional Members, Delegates, or the Resident Commissioner to, a select or conference committee. In appointing Members, Delegates, or the Resident Commissioner to conference committees, the Speaker shall appoint no less than a majority who generally supported the House position as determined by the Speaker, shall name those who are primarily responsible for the legislation, and shall, to the fullest extent feasible, include the principal proponents of the major provisions of the bill or resolution passed or adopted by the House.

Recess and convening authorities
12. (a) To suspend the business of the House for a short time when no question is pending before the House, the Speaker may declare a recess subject to the call of the Chair.


 * (b) To suspend the business of the House when notified of an imminent threat to its safety, the Speaker may declare an emergency recess subject to the call of the chair.


 * (c) During any recess or adjournment of not more that three days, if the Speaker is notified by the Sergeant-at-Arms of an imminent impairment of the place of reconvening at the time previously appointed, then he may, in consultation with the Minority Leader ---
 * (1) postpone the time for reconvening within the limits of clause 4, section 5, article I of the Constitution and notify Members accordingly; or
 * (2) reconvene the House before the time previously appointed solely to declare the House in recess within the limits of clause 4, section 5, article I of the Constitution and notify Members accordingly.


 * (d) The Speaker may convene the House in a place at the seat of government other than the Hall of the House whenever, in his opinon, the public interest shall warrant it."

Resources

 * Rules of the 109th House of Representatives
 * "Rule I," U.S. House of Representatives - Committee on Rules, 2005.