Expanded Subpoena Powers In New Congress

The Republican Leadership in the House has made two changes to House Committee Rules that will enhance the majority's ability to conduct investigations without the assistance or cooperation of the minority. These changes will dramatically increase the leverage of congressional investigators seeking information from companies, financial institutions, individuals and the Executive Branch. 

The first change extends unilateral subpoena authority to several new committees—allowing Republican committee chairs to issue subpoenas for documents and witnesses without consulting or obtaining approval from Democratic members of the committee. Under the leadership of then-Chairman Darrell Issa, the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee conducted more investigations than other committees in the 113th Congress, in part due to this sweeping authority.