What are the rules of the Judiciary Committee?
At the start of every Congress, the newly elected Senate approves resolutions establishing the membership of each Senate committee. The ratio of each Senate panel is determined by the ratio of majority to minority members in the Senate. The determination of which Senators sit on each committee is determined by each party, and is adopted by the full Senate through two resolutions: one establishing the majority’s Committee membership, and one establishing the minority’s Committee membership. The resolutions adopting the Judiciary Committee’s membership for the 111th Congress were adopted on January 21, 2009. On May 5, 2009, the Senate adopted resolutions updating the Committee membership. The members of the Judiciary Committee then determine which Senators will sit on each Subcommittee panel. The full Committee also adopts the rules that will govern the Committee’s actions during the Congress. The Committee’s rules are renewed, and amended if necessary, at the start of each Congress. The
At the start of every Congress, the newly elected Senate approves resolutions establishing the membership of each Senate committee. The ratio of each Senate panel is determined by the ratio of majority to minority members in the Senate. The determination of which Senators sit on each committee is determined by each party, and is adopted by the full Senate through two resolutions: one establishing the majority’s Committee membership, and one establishing the minority’s Committee membership. The resolutions adopting the Judiciary Committee’s membership for the 112th Congress were adopted on February 3, 2011. The members of the Judiciary Committee then determine which Senators will sit on each Subcommittee panel. The full Committee also adopts the rules that will govern the Committee’s actions during the Congress. The Committee’s rules are renewed, and amended if necessary, at the start of each Congress. The Judiciary Committee rules are available online here.
