Number: 98-394
Title: Discharge Procedure in the House
Authors: Richard S. Beth, Government and Finance Division 
Abstract: The House "discharge rule" (Rule XV, clause 2) provides a means for Members to bring to the floor for consideration a bill or resolution that has been referred to committee but not reported. Discharge is generally the only procedure by which Members can secure consideration of a measure without cooperation from either the committee of referral, the majority-party leadership, or the Committee on Rules. For this reason, discharge is designed to be difficult to accomplish and has infrequently been used with success.
Pages: 2
Date: December 5, 2005