Committee on House Administration

Committee on House Administration
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Congress	118th United States Congress
Chamber	House
Name	Committee on House Administration
Title	Committee on House Administration
Formed	0 1947
Jurisdiction	Internal operations of the United States House of Representatives
Chairperson	Bryan Steil (R)
Chairperson term	since 2023
Ranking member	Joseph Morelle (D)
Ranking member term	since 2023
Seats	12
Policy areas	Federal government
Website	https://cha.house.gov/

Contents

History
Jurisdiction and responsibilities
Membership
Subcommittees
Chairmen
See also

Committee on House Administration is a standing committee of the United States House of Representatives. Established under the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946, it is responsible for the internal administrative functions and operational services of the Capitol complex. The panel oversees critical entities like the Library of Congress, the Congressional Budget Office, and the United States Capitol Police, ensuring the legislative branch functions effectively. Its work directly impacts the daily operations of the United States Congress and the preservation of its history and artifacts.

History

The committee was created by the 80th United States Congress following the passage of the landmark Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946, which aimed to modernize and streamline congressional operations. It consolidated duties previously handled by several select and joint committees, including those managing the Library of Congress and the United States Botanic Garden. Throughout its history, the panel has been central to major institutional reforms, such as the implementation of the Federal Election Campaign Act and the establishment of the Office of Congressional Ethics. Key historical moments under its purview include the oversight of security enhancements after the January 6 United States Capitol attack and the preservation efforts following the 1998 United States Capitol shooting.

Jurisdiction and responsibilities

The committee's broad jurisdiction encompasses all matters related to the day-to-day administration of the United States House of Representatives. This includes supervising the operations of the Capitol Visitor Center, the House Recording Studio, and the Congressional Research Service. It is responsible for federal elections, administering the Help America Vote Act, and setting regulations for the Federal Election Commission. Additional duties involve managing the House Page Program, the acquisition of office supplies and equipment, and the maintenance of the Statuary Hall collection. It also provides oversight for the Architect of the Capitol and the Government Publishing Office.

Membership

For the 118th United States Congress, the committee comprises twelve members, with a 7-5 majority in favor of the Republican Party. The chair is Bryan Steil of Wisconsin, and the ranking member is Joseph Morelle of New York. Other notable Republican members include Barry Loudermilk of Georgia and Stephanie Bice of Oklahoma. Prominent Democratic members include Terri Sewell of Alabama and Norma Torres of California. Membership is typically drawn from members with significant institutional experience or those representing districts with a strong interest in governmental operations.

Subcommittees

The committee currently operates two standing subcommittees. The Subcommittee on Elections focuses on matters pertaining to the Help America Vote Act, campaign finance laws administered by the Federal Election Commission, and contested election cases under the Federal Contested Elections Act. The Subcommittee on Modernization is tasked with improving the efficiency and technological capabilities of the United States House of Representatives, often working in conjunction with the Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress. These subcommittees allow for specialized focus on complex areas within the panel's wide jurisdiction.

Chairmen

Since its inception, the chairmanship has alternated between the Democratic and Republican parties, reflecting control of the House. Notable chairs include Wayne Hays of Ohio, who served during the Watergate scandal, and Bob Ney of Ohio, who resigned following the Jack Abramoff Indian lobbying scandal. More recent chairs include Candice Miller of Michigan, who oversaw significant security reforms, and Zoe Lofgren of California, who chaired the panel during the 117th United States Congress. The current chairman, Bryan Steil, assumed the role in 2023.