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119th Congress
Independent · Nonpartisan · Reader-supported
HOUSEH.Res. 5· 119th Congress

House Sets Rules for 119th Congress

Adopting the Rules of the House of Representatives for the One Hundred Nineteenth Congress, and for other purposes.

Sponsor
Michelle Fischbach (R-MN)
Introduced
Jan 3, 2025
Last Action
Jan 3, 2025
Passage
100%
Introduced
Jan 3, 2025
Committee
Floor Vote
Jan 3, 2025
4
Both Chambers
5
Enacted
01 — The Text

What.

  • Adopts House operating rules for 2025-2027, mostly carrying over 118th Congress rules with targeted changes.
  • Requires Speaker removal votes to have 9+ majority-party sponsors; limits rule suspensions to Mon-Wed only.
  • Eliminates House Office of Diversity and Inclusion; removes some employee collective bargaining rights.
  • Eliminates germaneness waiver option for amendments; blocks bills exceeding long-term budget impact limits.
02 — The Stakes

So what?

  • Majority party gains tighter control: harder to oust Speaker (9-person threshold), fewer days to suspend rules.
  • Minority party loses procedural flexibility on amendments tied to bill's subject matter.
  • House employees lose union protections; DEI office elimination affects diversity hiring and programming.
  • Budget-heavy bills face new obstacles; affects scope of future legislation on spending and revenue.
03 — The Path

Now what?

  • Passed House 215-209 on Jan. 3, 2025 along party lines. Rules now govern chamber operations this Congress.
  • Senate not required to act; each chamber sets its own rules independently.
  • Track individual bills (H.R. 21, 22, 23, etc.) now cleared for consideration under these new rules.
Legislative History

Actions.

  • Jan 3, 2025Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
  • Jan 3, 2025On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 215 - 209 (Roll no. 5). (text: CR H8-14)
  • Jan 3, 2025Passed/agreed to in House: On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 215 - 209 (Roll no. 5). (text: CR H8-14)
  • Jan 3, 2025On motion to commit the resolution to a select committee with instructions Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 209 - 214 (Roll no. 4).
  • Jan 3, 2025The previous question on the motion to commit was ordered without objection.
  • Jan 3, 2025Ms. DeLauro moved to commit the resolution to a select committee composed of the Majority Leader and the Minority Leader with instructions to report the same back to the House forthwith with an amendment.
  • Jan 3, 2025On ordering the previous question Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 216 - 210 (Roll no. 3).
  • Jan 3, 2025DEBATE - The House resumed debate on H. Res. 5.