§29a Early Organization of House of Representatives

Summary

The majority or minority leader, after talking with the Speaker, can call a party meeting in any even-numbered year to organize all reelected Members and other Members-elect for the next Congress. If a leader sets the meeting, they must file a written notice with the Clerk of the House saying when it will meet, and the Clerk must tell each Member-elect as soon as possible after the election. If the leader’s job is vacant, the party’s current caucus or conference chair can call the meeting and must file the same notice. New Members-elect who are not returning incumbents who attend the meeting will be paid for one round trip between their home district and Washington, D.C., and will get per diem or other expense reimbursement. A reelected incumbent who attends a meeting held after the final adjournment (sine die) of that year’s Congress also gets the one round trip payment. Payments use transportation request forms and follow rules from the Committee on House Oversight, with special voucher forms for reimbursements. House funds are available to pay these costs. With the party leader’s approval, the same travel and payment rules can apply to attending the Committee on House Administration’s new-member orientation.