The new house rules strip protections from House actions
This resolution defines the rules under which the House of Representatives will operate during the current Congressional term.
It contains some significant differences from previous terms. We explain them below.
Federal lands effectively can be given away
It's not easily understandable, and hardly seems worth reading...
... but it changes the way the House of Representatives must calculate the cost of federal lands it wants to sell to a state or other entity.
The federal government makes money from federal lands - such as from drilling, logging, grazing, and recreational leases and fees. Previously, the House had to consider that revenue in determining the value of the land.
Under this new rule, the House does not need to consider the potential lost revenue - meaning the land (as well as the revenue it was generating) effectively could be given away.
For more, read the Washington Post story.
Exempt Obamacare repeal deficit increase protection
House rules require legislation (including the repeal of a law) be analyzed by the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) for its effect on deficits over the next 50 years.
If the legislation would add to the deficit by more than $5 trillion in any 10-year period during that 50 years, the house may not consider it.
The House added an exemption this term...
A new rule does not require that the CBO perform the 50-year analysis for a bill that would repeal or replace the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (Obamacare). It also explicitly exempts such legislation from the deficit increase limit - meaning Obamacare can be repealed and/or changed even if the cost would be more than the limit set for every other bill.
The CBO still would be required to perform a 10-year analysis.
This could be significant because the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget (CRFB) estimates that simply repealing Obamacare could cost the economy up to $350 billion over the next 10 years. It did not estimate any deficit increases beyond that (and of course it would depend on what would replace it).
Click here to read the CRFB analysis (6 pages).
Revived rule allowing Congress to target individuals
The rules for this Congress reintroduce a provision that allows a representative to propose cutting the pay of an individual federal worker to $1 - effectively firing the employee.
The mechanism to do so would be propose an amendment to an appropriations bill. This means that even though it would require both House and Senate approval, it could avoid a filibuster in the Senate due to the budget reconciliation process.
Known as the Holman Rule, it hadn't appeared in house rules since 1983. In 1946, the Supreme Court ruled an attempt to use it unconstitutional.
The recommendation to include the rule was introduced by Rep. Morgan Griffith.
For more, read the Washington Post story.
Photography and video prohibited on House floor
Imposes a fine on any representative who takes photos or records videos on the House floor.
For more, read the GovTrack Insider story.