Bill Summary
The Concurrent Resolution establishes the Task Force on the Legislative Process, aimed at improving the efficiency of legislative procedures in Congress. This initiative stems from a recommendation by the Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress and seeks to expedite the consideration of legislation that has garnered strong bipartisan support in either the House of Representatives or the Senate.
The Task Force will consist of 12 members, with appointments made by the leaders of both the House and Senate, ensuring representation from both majority and minority parties. Its main responsibilities include analyzing various methods to streamline legislative processes and providing recommendations for bicameral legislation expedition—defined as processes allowing for rapid consideration of legislation passed by the other chamber with significant support.
The Task Force is required to issue a report within one year detailing its findings and recommendations, which will be made publicly available. It is designed to conclude its work upon the release of this report, with its records transferred to the appropriate congressional committees for future reference.
Possible Impacts
The establishment of the Task Force on the Legislative Process as outlined in the concurrent resolution could affect people in various ways. Here are three examples:
1. **Improved Legislative Efficiency**: The Task Force aims to analyze and recommend procedures for expedited consideration of legislation with bipartisan support. If successful, this could lead to faster passage of important laws, benefiting citizens who rely on timely legislative action for issues like healthcare, infrastructure, and education. For example, if a bill addressing urgent public health concerns can be expedited, it could result in quicker access to necessary resources and services for communities.
2. **Enhanced Bipartisanship**: By focusing on legislation that has wide bipartisan support, the Task Force may encourage a more collaborative political climate. This could lead to a reduction in partisan gridlock in Congress, which often frustrates constituents who feel their needs are being overlooked. As a result, citizens may experience a more responsive government that prioritizes their interests over party lines.
3. **Increased Public Engagement**: The Task Force is required to solicit input and legislative proposals related to its purpose. This could lead to greater opportunities for public involvement in the legislative process. Citizens, advocacy groups, and stakeholders might feel more empowered to contribute their ideas and concerns, knowing that their input could directly influence legislation. This increased engagement may foster a sense of community and collaboration between lawmakers and the public.
[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Con. Res. 7 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. CON. RES. 7
Establishing the Task Force on the Legislative Process.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
January 28, 2025
Ms. Williams of Georgia submitted the following concurrent resolution;
which was referred to the Committee on Rules
_______________________________________________________________________
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
Establishing the Task Force on the Legislative Process.
Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring),
SECTION 1. PURPOSE.
The purpose of this concurrent resolution is to implement the 131st
recommendation of the Select Committee on the Modernization of
Congress, passed by the Select Committee during the 117th Congress, to
create a Task Force on the Legislative Process that analyzes the range
of legislative processes by which, if adopted by both Houses, each
House would provide expedited consideration of legislation that was
passed by the other House with wide and bipartisan support.
SEC. 2. ESTABLISHMENT OF TASK FORCE.
(a) Establishment; Purpose.--There is hereby established the Task
Force on the Legislative Process (hereafter referred to as the ``Task
Force'') whose purpose shall be to analyze the range of options for
bicameral legislation expedition.
(b) Definition.--In this concurrent resolution, the term
``bicameral legislation expedition'' means any legislative process by
which each House of Congress jointly provides for expedited
consideration of legislation which was passed by the other House by
unanimous consent, by voice vote, or with the approval of not fewer
than \2/3\ of the members voting.
SEC. 3. MEMBERSHIP.
(a) Composition.--The Task Force shall be composed of 12 members
appointed as follows:
(1) The Speaker of the House of Representatives shall
appoint 3 individuals who are Members of the House of
Representatives, of whom at least one shall be a majority
member of the Committee on Rules of the House.
(2) The Minority Leader of the House shall appoint 3
individuals who are Members of the House of Representatives, of
whom at least one shall be a minority member of the Committee
on Rules of the House.
(3) The Majority Leader of the Senate shall appoint 3
individuals who are Members of the Senate, of whom at least one
shall be a majority member of the Committee on Rules and
Administration of the Senate.
(4) The Minority Leader of the Senate shall appoint 3
individuals who are Members of the Senate, of whom at least one
shall be a minority member of the Committee on Rules and
Administration of the Senate.
(b) Co-Chairs.--The Speaker, Minority Leader of the House, Majority
Leader of the Senate, and Minority Leader of the Senate shall jointly
select 2 of the members of the Task Force to serve as co-chairs of the
Task Force.
(c) Vacancies.--A vacancy in the membership of the Task Force shall
be filled in the same manner as the original appointment.
(d) Inclusion of Delegates and Resident Commissioner.--For purposes
of this section, a ``Member'' of the House of Representatives includes
a Delegate or Resident Commissioner to the Congress.
SEC. 4. DUTIES.
(a) Procedures.--The Task Force shall establish a process to
solicit information, input, and legislative proposals which are
directly related to the purpose of the Task Force under section 2.
(b) Report.--
(1) Contents.--The Task Force shall issue a report to the
Speaker of the House, the Minority Leader of the House, the
Majority Leader of the Senate, the Minority Leader of the
Senate, the Committee on Rules of the House of Representatives,
and the Committee on Rules and Administration of the Senate,
and shall include in the report--
(A) an analysis of the range of options for
bicameral legislation expedition; and
(B) any recommendations relating to bicameral
legislation expedition which are approved by not fewer
than 9 of its members.
(2) Deadline.--The Task Force shall issue the report
required under paragraph (1) not later than one year after the
date of the adoption of this concurrent resolution.
(c) Use of Staff.--The Task Force may use the services of staff of
the House and Senate to assist it in carrying out its duties.
SEC. 5. POSTING OF PROPOSALS BY COMMITTEES.
Upon receiving the report issued by the Task Force under section
4(b), the Committee on Rules of the House of Representatives and the
Committee on Rules and Administration of the Senate shall each publicly
post the report on a public page of its website.
SEC. 6. TERMINATION.
(a) In General.--The Task Force shall terminate upon issuing the
report required under section 4(b).
(b) Disposition of Records.--Upon its termination, the records of
the Task Force shall be transferred to, and shall become part of, the
records of the Committee on Rules of the House of Representatives and
the Committee on Rules and Administration of the Senate.
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