John Joseph Moakley: “The amendment now does that. In effect, the chair of a committee can announce hearings so long as he or she gives 7 days…”

“The amendment now does that. In effect, the chair of a committee can announce hearings so long as he or she gives 7 days notice. To announce a hearing less than 7 days in advance, the committee chair must either get the agreement of the ranking minority member or get approval by a vote of the committee. The amendment offered by Mr. Solomon gives other committee members some say on waiving 7-days notice. It does not grant the chair unilateral authority to announce hearings any sooner. Let me clarify one point. Even though the ranking minority members argued for this change, it is not a minority rights issue. House rules set a minimum notice requirement for hearings but not for any other business conducted by committees, not for markups, adoption of the rules, or the transaction of any other business. The purpose of the notice requirement, Mr. Speaker, is to protect the public. The purpose, Mr. Speaker, is openness to let many voices be heard.”