Preparation for Senate Committee Markup






Prepared for Members and Committees of Congress



Scheduling and Notification......................................................................................................1
Docume ntation .......................................................................................................................... 2
Administrative Matters..............................................................................................................2
Closing and Broadcasting.........................................................................................................2
Author Contact Information............................................................................................................2





arkup is the legislative stage during which a committee chooses the language of a 1
measure it expects to report to the Senate. Markups are carefully planned in advance to
insure that the requirements of Senate rules have been met, political decisions have M


been made, and administrative issues have been addressed. For more information on legislative
process, see http://www.crs.gov/products/guides/guidehome.shtml.
A variety of Senate rules and procedures (as well as political factors) affect the scheduling of a
committee markup. The chair of a committee usually exercises control over the committee’s
markup schedule as well as the agenda for markups. Specific Senate rules governing meeting
times are designed to minimize interruptions of deliberations and scheduling conflicts. Standing
committees in the Senate are authorized to meet when the Senate is in session as well as when it
has recessed or adjourned (Rule XXVI, paragraph 1.) However, committee meetings (except of
Appropriations and Budget) are restricted when the Senate is also meeting (Rule XXVI,
paragraph 5(a)). A committee may not meet on any day after the Senate has been in session for 2
hours, or after 2:00 p.m. when the Senate is in session, whichever is earlier. In practice the rule is
routinely waived by unanimous consent; it also may be waived by joint agreement of the party
leaders. Senate rules also restrict committees to meeting during specified time periods;
committees do not always adhere rigorously to these restrictions (Rule XXVI, paragraph 6).
Each Senate committee is further required to notify the Office of the Daily Digest of the
Congressional Record when any markup is scheduled (pursuant to Senate standing order, Title IV th
of S.Res. 4, 95 Congress), including the time, place, and purpose of the markup, and any
changes or cancellations as they occur. The Daily Digest Office enters this information into the
Senate’s computerized scheduling system, and this information is published in the Record.
Additional notification requirements may be contained in individual committee rules. For
example, some committees require that each committee member receive an advance written
notice of a markup along with an agenda for the session.
Senate Rule XXVI, paragraph 3, sets forth certain requirements for the frequency of committee
meetings. Each standing committee (except Appropriations) is required to adopt a regular meeting
day, which must be at least monthly, for purposes including the markup of legislation. A
committee chair may schedule additional markup meetings as necessary. A majority of a
committee also can call a markup, but this rarely occurs (Rule XXVI, paragraph 3).
Before scheduling a markup, a committee might first seek to determine that a quorum is likely to
be present. Although the minimum quorum to conduct a markup is at least one-third of a
committee (Rule XXVI, paragraph 7(a)(1)), at least one committee has required a majority to
mark up. Several committees have adopted rules requiring that quorums for conducting routine
business, including markups, must include at least one member of the minority.

1 This report was written by Thomas P. Carr who was an Analyst at the Congressional Research Service. Mr. Carr has
passed away, but the analyst now listed as the author can respond to inquiries on the subject.



A committee must choose one text as the basis for its markup, and in practice choosing this
vehicle is the prerogative of the chair (see CRS Report 98-244, Markup in Senate Committee:
Choosing a Text. The rules of some committees have stipulated that each committee member
receive an advance copy of the measure to be marked up. Committee staff typically distribute a
copy of the markup vehicle, along with related summaries, explanations, statements, or talking
points they have prepared. Some committees require advance submission of first degree
amendments Senators intend to offer during markup. Senators often bring copies of other
amendments they intend to offer, and Senate rules require that amendments be in writing on
demand of any Senator (Rule XV, paragraph 1). Prior to the meeting, Committee staff may
provide each member a package of submitted amendments; alternately, amendments may be
distributed individually as offered.
Logistical arrangements such as reserving a meeting room and arranging for a reporter of debates
are handled by a committee’s administrative staff. Other details concerning the physical set up of
the room, such as arranging items on the dais, reserving seats, and turning on audio consoles,
microphones, and lighting are also handled by committee administrative staff, or the Architect of
the Capitol. Placement of television cameras, and assigning space for journalists, may be covered
by committee rules. If necessary, security during a markup can be arranged with the Capitol
Police.
A committee usually will decide in advance if a markup needs to be closed to the public. A
committee can close a markup by rollcall vote by a majority of the committee, for reasons listed
in Senate rules (Rule XXVI, paragraph 5(b)), such as if the session involves national security
information.
Markups that are open to the public may be broadcast, and a committee may develop its own
procedures for broadcasting (Rule XXVI, paragraph 5(c)). Committee press aides typically
employ diverse techniques for attracting and managing media coverage of markups. These
include mailing calendars listing upcoming markups, issuing press releases, preparing packets of
material, and organizing press conferences.
Elizabeth Rybicki
Analyst on the Congress and Legislative Process
erybicki@crs.loc.gov, 7-0644