Committee Timer System

In committee hearings, members and witnesses have limited speaking time. Timers placed on the dais use different colored lights to signal to speakers how much time they have. This timer system, made by the Architect of the Capitol's carpenter and electrical shops, comprises two small wooden boxes connected by an electrical wire. The control box features an electronic timer module manufactured by IDEC Corporation that has a maximum run time of 30 minutes and two flip switches that control the power (on or off) and the timer (run or set). The light box holds three colored-glass light bulbs that indicate when to start speaking (green), when to sum up (yellow), and when to cease (red). According to Senate records, this timer system was used in a committee room in the Russell Senate Office Building until 2007, when it was removed and replaced by a new digital timer.