The Senate’s bylaws will be up for discussion by the House of Representatives’ general assembly after receiving approval from the Constitutional Affairs Committee yesterday, Masrawy reports. The bylaws, which received approval from the upper chamber of parliament last November, seek to curb the senate’s powers of oversight and limit its ability to hold cabinet accountable. The amended bylaws would also do away with a clause allowing the prime minister to convene parliament’s lower chamber — and leave in place a controversial clause requiring senate members obtain approval from the senate president before travelling abroad. Also unchanged: A clause that exempts senators stipends from taxes.

Also getting committee-level approval: The law governing the purview of the Central Agency for Organization and Administration (CAOA), for which the House Legislative Committee gave its final approval, Youm7 reports. The amendments outline the agency’s role, allowing it to make recommendations concerning draft legislation, to approve bylaws concerning state employees, and to set a plan for the division of labor and expertise among government entities. CAOA, which is affiliated with the Planning Ministry, is responsible for working on administrative reforms, developing the quality of civil services, and ensuring government bodies are fulfilling their mandates.