§2702 Membership; Chairman; Meetings

Summary

Creates an 11-member committee. Five members are specific officials: the Secretary of the Senate, the Clerk of the House, the Archivist of the United States, the Senate Historian, and the House Historian. Six members are appointed, one each by the Speaker, the House Minority Leader, the Senate Majority Leader, the Senate Minority Leader, the Secretary of the Senate, and the Clerk of the House. Appointed members must know about U.S. history, archives, publishing, library science, or the use of legislative records. The Secretary chaired beginning Jan 1, 1991 for two years; the Clerk chaired beginning Jan 1, 1993 for two years; after that they alternate every two years. Officials serve only while they hold their offices. Appointees serve two-year terms, may be reappointed, and first began on Jan 1, 1991. A vacancy does not stop the committee; appointed vacancies are filled the same way they were first made. The committee must meet first within 30 days after the first session of the 102nd Congress begins, then meet twice a year or when a majority calls a meeting. Seven members make a quorum, though fewer can hold hearings.