H.Res. 603 – Raising a question of the privileges of the House.

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Updated April 14, 2026 at 8:30 AM UTC

H.Res. 603 is a House resolution that questions the House’s privileges by criticizing the Speaker’s decision to start an impeachment inquiry without a vote of the full chamber. It argues that impeachment investigations should be authorized by the entire House, not by a unilateral action of the Speaker, and it formally expresses the House’s disapproval of that approach.

Key Provisions

States that the Speaker’s unilateral move to begin an impeachment inquiry undermines members’ voting rights and the House’s procedural norms.
Asserts that, based on House practice and past precedent, impeachment inquiries should be approved by a resolution voted on by the full House.
Formally disapproves of Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s action to initiate an impeachment inquiry against President Donald J. Trump without such a vote.

Legislative Activity

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3 earlier actions

HouseFloor Latest Action

On motion to table the measure Agreed to by recorded vote: 222 - 184 (Roll no. 555).

View vote Passed

September 27, 2019 • 11:28 AM

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HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

September 27, 2019

HouseFloor

QUESTION OF THE PRIVILEGES OF THE HOUSE - The Chair recognized Mr. McCarthy to offer a resolution raising a question of the privileges of the House. The Clerk reported the text of the resolution.

September 27, 2019 • 11:16 AM

HouseFloor

Mr. Hoyer moved to table the measure.

September 27, 2019 • 11:19 AM

HouseFloor

On motion to table the measure Agreed to by recorded vote: 222 - 184 (Roll no. 555).

View vote Passed

September 27, 2019 • 11:28 AM

Voting History

1 vote recorded • Roll call available

HOUSE

Roll Call Available

September 27, 2019 at 11:27 AM

On Motion to Table

Majority required: 1/2 (50%)

Passed

222 - 184

Bill Text

Latest available legislative text

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Laid on Table in HouseIssued September 27, 2019

IV

116th CONGRESS

1st Session

H. RES. 603

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

September 27, 2019

Mr. McCarthy submitted the following resolution; which was laid on the table

RESOLUTION

Raising a question of the privileges of the House.

Whereas at a press conference on September 24, 2019, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi stated: Therefore today, I’m announcing the House of Representatives is moving forward with an official impeachment inquiry;

Whereas House Practice states that: Under the modern practice, an impeachment is normally instituted by the House by the adoption of a resolution calling for a committee investigation of charges against the officer in question;

Whereas in the past 25 years, the House of Representatives has moved forward with impeachment against a Federal officer three times, each initiated by an impeachment inquiry resolution approved by the full House, not by a unilateral decree of the Speaker;

Whereas on May 12, 2009, the House approved H. Res. 424, authorizing and directing the Committee on the Judiciary to inquire whether the House should impeach Samuel B. Kent, a judge of the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas;

Whereas on January 13, 2009, the House approved H. Res. 15, authorizing and directing the Committee on the Judiciary to inquire whether the House should impeach G. Thomas Porteous, a judge of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana;

Whereas on October 8, 1998, the House approved H. Res. 581, authorizing and directing the Committee on the Judiciary to investigate whether sufficient grounds exist for the impeachment of William Jefferson Clinton, President of the United States;

Whereas the Committee Report to accompany H. Res. 581 stated: Because the issue of impeachment is of such overwhelming importance, the Committee decided that it must receive authorization from the full House before proceeding on any further course of action;

Whereas that report further stated: Because impeachment is delegated solely to the House of Representatives by the Constitution, the full House of Representatives should be involved in critical decision making regarding various stages of impeachment;

Whereas the Speaker’s extraordinary decision to move forward with an impeachment inquiry without any debate or vote on such a resolution by the full House undermines the voting privileges afforded to each Member and the constituents they represent; and

Whereas this unprecedented and politically motivated decision by Speaker Pelosi represents an abuse of power and brings discredit to the House of Representatives: Now, therefore, be it

That the House of Representatives disapproves of the actions of the Speaker of the House, Mrs. Pelosi of California, to initiate an impeachment inquiry against the duly elected President of the United States, Donald J. Trump.