Holman rule

The Holman rule is a rule in the United States House of Representatives that allows amendments to appropriations legislation that would reduce the salary of or fire specific federal employees, or cut a specific program. The rule, named after Democrat politician William S. Holman, had previous versions in effect from 1876 to 1895 and again from 1911 to 1983.

It was reinstated for the Republican-controlled 115th Congress from 2017 to 2019, and several amendments were proposed that progressed to a vote of the full House, but none were adopted. The rule was rescinded once more at the beginning of the 116th Congress upon Democrats taking control of the chamber, and was restored once Republicans retook the House majority for the 118th Congress in 2023.