House Rules Committee

Definition

The House Rules Committee is a powerful committee in the U.S. House of Representatives that determines how and when most bills will come up for debate and vote on the House floor.

Analogy

Consider this committee as traffic control at an airport. Just like air traffic controllers decide which planes can take off or land and when, this committee decides which bills move forward for discussion and voting, controlling legislative "traffic".

Related terms

Standing Committee: These are permanent committees established under the standing rules of both houses of Congress that have continued existence beyond one session.

Select Committee: A temporary legislative committee established for a limited time period to perform a particular study or investigation.

Conference Committee: A joint committee created to iron out differences between Senate and House versions of similar bills.