Definition and meaning of House Rules Committee: The House Rules Committee is responsible for determining the rules of debate and procedure for all bills that come before the House of Representatives. It has the power to limit or expand the scope of debate on bills, which can greatly influence the outcome of legislation. Furthermore, the Rules Committee can also limit or expand the amount of time that a bill is open for amendment. This means that the Rules Committee can effectively determine which bills are considered and which are not. The House Rules Committee is a powerful tool that is used by the two major parties to control the legislative process.