WASHINGTON, D.C. — Yesterday, House Republicans released the draft of a House rules package for the 112^thCongress. The resolution will be voted on the first day of the new Congress and provides a series of reforms to the current rules of the House of Representatives. Changes to the House rules were one of the principal focuses of the GOP Majority Transition Team.

A summary document highlighting many of the reforms is available here.

Upon release of the rules package, the chairman of the transition team, Rep. Greg Walden (R-Ore.), released the following statement:

“If there’s one thing all Americans can agree upon it’s that Congress isn’t working the way it should. The backroom deals, curtailed debate, and disconnect from the concerns of the people have left Congress a damaged institution in the minds of too many. To begin to restore trust with the American people, Republicans have pledged to operate Congress differently: with real transparency, greater accountability, and a renewed focus on the Constitution. The sweeping reforms offered in this package make clear we intend to keep that promise.

“These new rules put in place the congressional reforms proposed in the Pledge to America. They ensure the public will have greater information on what Congress is doing. And the package makes it easier to address one of the top priorities of the American people: cutting spending. While we will ultimately be judged on our actions, this new structure will help Congress to keep its focus on the priorities of the people.”

The full text of the draft rules package can be found here.

House Republicans will meet January 4 to consider any amendments to the rules package, and Democrats will be provided an opportunity to offer a substitute package when it is considered on the House floor January 5.

Representative Greg Walden is the chairman of the House Republican Leadership and represents Oregon’s Second Congressional District, which is comprised of 20 counties in eastern, southern, and central Oregon.

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