An amendment numbered 26 printed in the Congressional Record to insert a new title establishing a "Truman" investigative committee to protect against waste, fraud, and abuse related to contracts for the global war on terrorism and Hurricanes Katrina and Rita rebuilding efforts.

1. Adds TITLE IV--ESTABLISHMENT OF A "TRUMAN" INVESTIGATIVE COMMITTEE TO on page 84, line 17

   Adds a titlePrinted page

   Inserted: TITLE IV--ESTABLISHMENT OF A "TRUMAN" INVESTIGATIVE COMMITTEE TO

   Inserted: PROTECT AGAINST WASTE, FRAUD, AND ABUSE RELATED TO CONTRACTS FOR THE

   Inserted: GLOBAL WAR ON TERRORISM AND HURRICANES KATRINA AND RITA REBUILDING EFFORTS

   Inserted: Sec. 401. There is hereby created a select committee on the model of the Truman Committee to investigate the awarding and carrying out of contracts to conduct military operations and relief and reconstruction activities related to the global war on terrorism (including all activities in Afghanistan and Iraq), and Hurricane Katrina recovery, relief, and reconstruction efforts (hereinafter referred to as the "select committee").

   Inserted: Sec. 402. (a) The select committee is to be composed of 19 Members of the House, one of whom shall be designated as chairman from the majority party and one of whom shall be designated ranking member from the minority party. The chairmen and ranking minority members of the following committees will serve on the select committee:

   Inserted: (1) Committee on Armed Services;

   Inserted: (2) Committee on Government Reform;

   Inserted: (3) Committee on Homeland Security; and

   Inserted: (4) Committee on International Relations.

   Inserted: The chairmen and ranking minority members of the following subcommittees of the Committee on Appropriations will serve on the select committee:

   Inserted: (1) Subcommittee on Defense;

   Inserted: (2) Subcommittee on Foreign Operations, Export Financing, and Related Programs.

   Show 17 more inserted paragraphsShow less

   Inserted: (3) Subcommittee on Homeland Security.

   Inserted: In addition, the Speaker shall appoint 5 members of the select committee, of which 2 members shall be appointed upon the recommendation of the minority leader. Any vacancy occurring in the membership of the select committee shall be filled in the same manner in which the original appointment was made.

   Inserted: (b) The select committee shall conduct an ongoing study and investigation of the awarding and carrying out of contracts by the Government for military operations and relief and reconstruction activities related to the global war on terrorism (including all activities in Afghanistan and Iraq), and Hurricane Katrina recovery, relief, and reconstruction efforts and make such recommendations to the House as the select committee deems appropriate regarding the following matters:

   Inserted: (1) Bidding, contracting, and auditing standards in the issuance of Government contracts;

   Inserted: (2) Oversight procedures;

   Inserted: (3) Forms of payment and safeguards against money laundering.

   Inserted: (4) Accountability of contractors and Government officials involved in procurement;

   Inserted: (5) Penalties for violations of law and abuses in the awarding and carrying out of Government contracts;

   Inserted: (6) Subcontracting under large, comprehensive contracts;

   Inserted: (7) Inclusion and utilization of small businesses, through subcontracts or otherwise.

   Inserted: (8) Such other matters as the select committee deems appropriate.

   Inserted: Sec. 403. (a) Quorum.--One-third of the members of the select committee shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business except for the reporting of the results of its study and investigation (with its recommendations) or the authorization of subpoenas, which shall require a majority of the committee to be actually present, except that the select committee may designate a lesser number, but not less than two, as a quorum for the purpose of holding hearings to take testimony and receive evidence.

   Inserted: (b) Powers.--For the purpose of carrying out this title, the select committee may sit and act during the present Congress at any time and place within the United States or elsewhere, whether the House is in session, has recessed, or has adjourned and hold such hearings as it considers necessary and to require, by subpoena or otherwise, the attendance and testimony of such witnesses, the furnishing of information by interrogatory, and the production of such books, records, correspondence, memoranda, papers, documents, and other things and information of any kind as it deems necessary, including relevant c1assified materials.

   Inserted: (c) Issuance of Subpoenas.--A subpoena may be authorized and issued by the select committee in the conduct of any investigation or series of investigations or activities, only when authorized by a majority of the members voting, a majority being present. Authorized subpoenas shall be signed by the chairman or by any member designated by the select committee, and may be served by any person designated by the chairman or such member. Subpoenas shall be issued under the seal of the House and attested by the Clerk. The select committee may request investigations, reports, and other assistance from any agency of the executive, legislative, and judicial branches of the Government.

   Inserted: (d) Meetings.--The chairman, or in his absence a member designated by the chairman, shall preside at all meetings and hearings of the select committee. All meetings and hearings of the select committee shall be conducted in open session, unless a majority of members of the select committee voting, there being in attendance the requisite number required for the purpose of hearings to take testimony, vote to close a meeting or hearing.

   Inserted: (e) Applicabilities of Rules of the House.--The Rules of the House of Representatives applicable to standing committees shall govern the select committee where not inconsistent with this title.

   Inserted: (f) Written Committee Rules.--The select committee shall adopt additional written rules, which shall be public, to govern its procedures, which shall not be inconsistent with this title or the Rules of the House of Representatives.

   Original wording

   On page 84, after line 17, insert the following:

Read automatically from the Congressional Record. Check the original before relying on it.

As printed