Membership

The Council shall consist of 12 members, of whom— four members shall be appointed by the President, of whom— four members shall be appointed by the majority leader and the minority leader of the Senate, acting jointly, of whom— four members shall be appointed by the Speaker, the minority leader of the House of Representatives, acting jointly, of whom— The initial members of the Council shall be appointed within 30 days after August 20, 1990. Members of the Council may be removed only for malfeasance in office. A member of the Council shall not serve as an agent for a foreign principal or a lobbyist for a foreign entity (as the terms “lobbyist” and “foreign entity” are defined under section 1602 of title 2). Each member of the Council, while engaged in duties as a member of the Council, shall be paid actual travel expenses, and per diem in lieu of subsistence expenses when away from the usual place of residence of such member, in accordance with subchapter I of chapter 57 of title 5. Seven members of the Council constitute a quorum, except that a lesser number may hold hearings if such action is approved by a two-thirds vote of the entire Council. The Council shall not commence its duties until all the nongovernmental members have been appointed and have qualified. The Council shall elect, by a two-thirds vote of the entire Council, a chairperson from among the nongovernmental members. The Council shall meet at the call of the chairperson or a majority of the members. Except as provided in subsection (g), no action establishing policy shall be taken by the Council unless approved by two-thirds of the entire membership of the Council.