(a) A majority of the members of the Committee shall constitute a quorum.(b) In an absence of brief duration of its Chairman, the Committee may designate a public member to preside at any meeting thereof. In case of an extended absence, the Secretary of Labor or his delegate shall appoint a public member to preside.38 FR 28934, Oct. 18, 1973, as amended at 48 FR 23185, May 24, 1983