Democrats at work on House rules package

WASHINGTON, Dec. 6 (UPI) -- U.S. House Democrats will propose their own procedural changes to the chamber's rules when the 109th Congress convenes in January, Roll Call said Monday.

The Democrats plan to introduce a package built around the party's concerns about Republican management of the House. The centerpiece of the proposal will be a requirement members have three days to consider legislation before it comes to the House floor for a vote.

Other ideas the Democrats are considering include a call for making the Select Homeland Security Committee permanent, establishing committee ratios that better reflect the partisan division in the House and giving the minority more opportunities to offer substitutes and alternatives to pending legislation.

The chairman of the Democrats' Organization, Study and Review Committee, Rep. Ben Cardin, D-Md., said no decisions had been made about the final product, but the party would highlight minority rights, House ethics and the permanency of the Homeland Security Committee in its proposal.

Cardin acknowledged the GOP was unlikely to embrace the Democrats' alternative but added the minority will present its plan "in good faith" and hopes majority lawmakers will consider it.