Dear Colleague:

The Committee on Rules has announced that it may meet the week of September 4th to grant a rule which could limit the amendment process for floor consideration of the bill H.R. 503, to amend the Horse Protection Act to prohibit the shipping, transporting, moving, delivering, receiving, possessing, purchasing, selling, or donation of horses and other equines to be slaughtered for human consumption, and for other purposes.

Any Member wishing to offer an amendment should submit 55 copies of the amendment and one copy of a brief explanation of the amendment to the Rules Committee in room H-312 of the Capitol by 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, September 6, 2006. The form used to submit amendments to the Rules Committee is at the top of this page. Members should draft their amendments to the bill as introduced on February 1, 2005.

Members are also encouraged to submit an electronic copy of the amendment either via the Committee’s web page (http://www.rules.house.gov/amendment_form.asp) or by e-mailing an electronic copy of the amendment to rules.amendments@mail.house.gov. Anyone e-mailing an electronic copy of an amendment should include the bill number and amendment sponsor in the subject of the e-mail, as well as a copy of the summary in the body of the email. Electronic submission of an amendment does not relieve a Member of filing the amendment with the Committee as explained above.

Members should use the Office of Legislative Counsel to ensure that their amendments are drafted in the most appropriate format and should check with the Office of the Parliamentarian to be certain their amendments comply with the rules of the House. If you have any questions, please contact me or George Rogers at extension 5-9191.