House passes rules package that allows religious headgear, creates climate change panel

The legislation creates a select committee to "improve and modernize" Congress and was passed with overwhelming support, 418-12.

The vast majority of the rules package was adopted on Thursday but in a largely party-line vote, with only three Republicans joining Democrats to pass it. That's because the package backs Democratic priorities, such as defending Obamacare in court and creating a select committee on climate change.

Here are a few of the provisions in the overall rules package:

Requires the text of a bill to be public for 72 hours before the House votes on it.
Makes slight changes to the names of the Oversight and Education committees.
Requires support from a majority of Democrats for a motion to vacate the speaker, rather than just one lawmaker.
Expedites consideration of measures with broad bipartisan support.
Creates a bipartisan select committee to "modernize and improve Congress."
Allows Congress to suspend the debt limit by passing a budget -- also known as the Gephardt Rule.
Bans discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.
Allows people to wear religious headgear in the House chamber.
Requires a pay-as-you-go provision, designed to make it harder for legislation to pass if it raises the budget deficit or reduces the surplus (the rule can be waived).
Bans members of Congress and employees from sitting on corporate boards.