1、Congressional Research Service The Library of CongressCRS Report for CongressReceived through the CRS Web98-339 GOVUpdated March 8, 1999House Committee Hearings:Scheduling and NotificationCarol Hardy VincentSpecialist in American National GovernmentGovernment and Finance DivisionEach House committee
2、 has authority to hold hearings whether the House is insession, has recessed, or has adjourned (Rule XI, clause 2(m)(1)(A). Regardless of thetype of hearing, or whether a hearing is held in or outside of Washington, hearings sharecommon aspects of planning and preparation. Whether to Schedule a Hear
3、ingA committee considers a variety of issues in deciding whether to schedule a hearing.A committee must define the information it needs, and determine the points it wishes tocommunicate, then evaluate whether a hearing is the best method of achieving these ends.Deciding whether to schedule a hearing
4、 is influenced by factors including the salience ofissues to the nation, presidential initiatives, matters of significance to particular committeemembers, and the importance of policies to constituents and interest groups. Programsrequiring reauthorization generally require committee hearings, as do