ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on the puzzle of partisanship on special rules. It considers how certain House waivers and other features of special rules may shape member choices and conflict. The chapter demonstrates the importance of these features for understanding congressional conflict and highlights their significance for understanding theories of legislative organization. In general, waivers are embedded in special rules and can offer protection from points of order that a bill in part or in entirety, substitute amendments, or other floor amendments are in violation of one or more standing rules of the House. There are many types of House waivers, but some seem to provoke member interest and carry more partisan potential than others. Blanket waivers can waive the application of any or all House rules to a bill, amendments, or substitutes. Budget Act waivers in conjunction with omnibus legislation have become an important strategy for the majority party to protect budget deals from unraveling on the floor.
