Values for America · Brief for congressional offices

To the office of U.S. Representative Ted Lieu

Re: HRES 1352 (119th Congress), Electing Members to certain standing committees of the House of Representatives. · Latest action (2026-06-09): Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
VFA SI Solution #108 · published 2026-06-11 · https://www.valuesforamerica.com/solutions/108
Office of record (Congress.gov): 2454 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington, DC · (202) 225-3976

House Committee Election Reform Act of 2025

The measure, as described from the official record: To elect members to certain standing committees of the House of Representatives, ensuring committee assignments are made through a formal vote.

The proposal

This bill provides for the election of members to standing committees of the House of Representatives. The Speaker shall, within 30 days of the adoption of this resolution, call for nominations from each party caucus for vacancies on standing committees. Each nomination shall be seconded by at least one member from the opposite party. The House shall then vote on each nominee by a simple majority. If a nominee fails to receive a majority, the Speaker shall reopen nominations within 10 days. This process ensures bipartisan input and formal approval for committee assignments, enhancing transparency and accountability. The Clerk of the House shall maintain a public record of all votes taken under this resolution.

Operative provisions (VFA proposal)

funding source: Existing House appropriations
funding amount: No additional funding required
sunset years: 5 years
oversight body: House Committee on Rules
enforcement mechanism: Any member may raise a point of order against a committee assignment made in violation of this resolution; the Chair shall sustain the point of order and the assignment shall be nullified.
effective date: Upon adoption

Constitutional basis

Article I, Section 5, Clause 2 (Each House may determine the Rules of its Proceedings)

Why both sides can back it (VFA’s assessment)

Honors Democratic priorities of transparency and formal voting procedures, and Republican priorities of regular order and party caucus autonomy in nominations.

Values for America is a nonpartisan, constitution-first SI think tank. This brief is informational. It is a policy proposal, not law, and it does not support or oppose any candidate or party. Full analysis and sources: https://www.valuesforamerica.com/solutions/108 · Methodology: https://www.valuesforamerica.com/methodology