Committee of Ways and Means shall not include appropriations for carrying into effect treaties made by the United States; and where an appropriation bill shall be referred to them for their consideration, which contains appropriations for carrying a treaty into effect, and for other objects, they shall propose such amendments as shall prevent appropriations for carrying a treaty into effect being included in the same bill with appropriations for other objects. 61. It shall also be the duty of the Committee of Ways and Means, within thirty days after their appointment, at every session of Congress, commencing on the first Monday of December, to report the general appropriation bills-for the civil and diplomatic expenses of Government; for the army; for the navy; and for the Indian department and Indian annuities; or in failure thereof, the reasons of such failure. 62. General appropriation bills shall be in order in preference to any other bills of a public nature, unless otherwise ordered by a majority of the House. 63. No appropriation shall be reported in such general appropriation bills, or be in order as an amendment thereto, for any expenditure not previously authorised by law. 64. It shall be the duty of the Committee of Claims to take into consideration all such petitions and matters or things touching claims and demands on the United States, as shall be presented, or shall or may come in question, and be referred to them by the House; and to report their opinion thereupon, together with such propositions for relief therein as to them shall seem expedient. 65. It shall be the duty of the Committee on Commerce to take into consideration all such petitions and matters or things touching the commerce of the United States, as shall be presented, or shall or may come into question, and be referred to them by the House; and to report, from time to time, their opinion thereon. 66. It shall be the duty of the Committee on the Public Lands to take into consideration all such petitions and mat ters or things respecting the lands of the United States, as shall be presented, or shall or may come in question, and be referred to them by the House; and to report their opinion thereon, together with such propositions for relief therein as to them shall seem expedient. 67. It shall be the duty of the Committee on the Post Office and Post Roads to take into consideration all such petitions and matters or things touching the Post Office and Post Roads, as shall be presented, or may come in question, and be referred to them by the House; and to report their opinion thereupon, together with such propositions relative thereto as to them shall seem expedient. 68. It shall be the duty of the Committee for the District of Columbia to take into consideration all such petitions and matters or things touching the said District, as shall be presented, or shall come in question, and be referred to them by the House; and to report their opinion thereon, together with such propositions relative thereto as to them shall seem expedient. 69. It shall be the duty of the Committee on the Judiciary to take into consideration such petitions and matters or things touching judicial proceedings as shall be presented, or may come in question, and be referred to them by the House; and to report their opinion thereupon, together with such propositions relative thereto as to them shall seem expedient. 70. It shall be the duty of the Committee on Revolutionary Claims to take into consideration all such petitions and matters or things touching claims and demands originating in the revolutionary war, or arising therefrom, as shall be presented, or shall or may come in question, and be referred to them by the House; and to report their opinion thereupon, together with such propositions for relief therein as to them shall seem expedient. 71. It shall be the duty of the Committee on Public Expenditures to examine into the state of the several public Departments, and particularly into laws making appropriations of moneys, and to report whether the moneys have been disbursed conformably with such laws; and also to report, from time to time, such provisions and arrangements as may be necessary to add to the economy of the Departments, and the accountability of their officers.* 72. It shall be the duty of the Committee on Private Land Claims to take into consideration all claims to land which may be referred to them, or shall or may come in question; and to report their opinion thereupon together with such propositions for relief therein as to them shall seem expedient. 73. It shall be the duty of the Committee on Military Affairs to take into consideration all subjects relating to the military establishment and public defence, which may be referred to them by the House, and to report their opinion thereupon; and also to report, from time to time, such measures as may contribute to economy and accountability in the said establishment. 74. It shall be the duty of the Committee of the Militia to take into consideration and report on all subjects connected with the organizing, arming, and disciplining, the militia of the United States. 75. It shall be the duty of the Committee on Naval Affairs to take into consideration all matters which concern the naval establishment, and which shall be referred to them by the House, and to report their opinion thereupon; and also, to report, from time to time, such measures as may contribute to economy and accountability in the said establishment. 76. It shall be the duty of the Committee on Foreign Affairs to take into consideration all matters which concern the * See Note to Rule 60:-And farther, on the 30th March, 1816, six Committees on expenditures in the several Departments of the Government, were created and added to the list of Standing Committees. The duties assigned to these several Committees, would seem, entirely, to cover the duties of the Committee on Public Expenditures. See Rules 86 and 87. relations of the United States with foreign nations, and which shall be referred to them by the House, and to report their opinion on the same. 77. It shall be the duty of the Committee on the Territories to examine into the legislative, civil, and criminal proceedings, of the Territories, and to devise and report to the House such means as, in their opinion, may be necessary to secure the rights and privileges of residents and non-residents. 78. It shall be the duty of the Committee on Revolutionary Pensions to take into consideration all such matters respecting pensions for services in the revolutionary war, other than invalid pensions, as shall be referred to them by the House. 79. It shall be the duty of the Committee on Invalid Pensions to take into consideration all such matters respecting invalid pensions as shall be referred to them by the House. 80. It shall be the duty of the Committee on Roads and Canals to take into consideration all such petitions and matters or things relating to roads and canals, and the improvement of the navigation of rivers, as shall be presented, or may come in question, and be referred to them by the House; and to report thereupon, together with such propositions relative thereto as to them shall seem expedient. 81. It shall be the duty of the Committee on Patents to consider all subjects relating to patents which may be referred to them, and report their opinion thereon, together with such propositions relative thereto as may seem to them expedient. 82. It shall be the duty of the Committee on Public Buildings and Grounds to consider all subjects relating to the public edifices and grounds within the city of Washington which may be referred to them, and report their opinion thereon, together with such propositions relating thereto as may seem to them expedient. 83. It shall be the duty of the Committee of Revisal and Unfinished Business to examine and report what laws have expired, or are near expiring, and require to be revived or further continued; also, to examine and report, from the Journal of last session, all such matters as were then depending and undetermined. 84. It shall be the duty of the Committee of Accounts to superintend and control the expenditures of the contingent fund of the House of Representatives, and to audit and settle all accounts which may be charged thereon; and also to audit the accounts of the members for their travel to and from the seat of Government, and their attendance in the House.* 85. It shall be the duty of the Committee on Mileage to ascertain and report the distance, to the Sergeant-at-arms, for which each member shall receive pay. 86. Six additional standing committees shall be appointed at the commencement of the first session in each Congress, whose duties shall continue until the first session of the ensuing Congress. 1. A committee on so much of the public accounts and expenditures as relate to the Department of State; 2. A committee on so much of the public accounts and expenditures as relate to the Treasury' Department; 3. A committee on so much of the public accounts and expenditures as relate to the Department of War; 4. A committee on so much of the public accounts and expenditures as relate to the Department of the Navy; 5. A committee on so much of the public accounts and expenditures as relate to the Post Office; and 6. A committee on so much of the public accounts and expenditures as relate to the Public Buildings. To consist of five members each. *So much of this rule as directs the Committee on Accounts to audit and settle the mileage and daily pay of the members, was adopted at the 1st |