Number: RS20147
Title: Committee of the Whole: An Introduction
Authors: Judy Schneider, Government and Finance Division 
Abstract: The Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union, more often referred to as the "Committee of the Whole," is the House of Representatives operating as a committee on which every Member of the House serves. The House of Representatives uses this parliamentary device to take procedural advantage of a somewhat different set of rules governing proceedings in the Committee than those governing proceedings in the House. The purpose is to expedite legislative consideration. This report reviews the history of the Committee of the Whole, describes the current procedure associated with it, and identifies its procedural advantages.
Pages: 6
Date: March 20, 2007