COMMITTEESWHERE MOST OF THE WORK

IN CONGRESS IS DONE

PURPOSES Helps the House and Senate work

effectively Ease the workload of representatives Allows members to specialize on issues

their committees consider (impossible for lawmakers to know

everything about everything) Where lawmakers work out

compromises Help the public learn about legislative

(hearings)

TYPES OF COMMITTEES Standing Committees Permanent: Carry from one session to

the next. House and Senate each create their own

Can be added or eliminated Power in committees is relative to

majority party!

STANDING COMMITTEES Political Party explanation continued: In

House IF:60% of members are Republican …60 % of

members of each standing committee are Republican

Committee with 10 members has how many Republicans serving on it????

SUBCOMMITTEE Specialize in a subcategory of the

standing committees responsibility Usually continue from one session of

Congress to the next but the majority party may make changes 104th Congress limited standing committees

to no more than 5 subcommittees.

SELECT COMMITTEES Temporary committees created to study

one specific issue and report their findings to the Senate or House.

Issues they may study include:Matters of great public concernOverlooked problems (hunger)Problems of interest groups (small business

owners) Usually last one session but can be

renewed

JOINT COMMITTEE Made up of members of both the House

and SenateMay be temporary or permanent

Act as study groups with responsibility for reporting their findings back to the House and Senate

Do not have authority to deal directly with bills or to propose legislation

JOINT COMMITTEES Joint Committees DO have the authority

to study controversial issues such as atomic energy, defense, and taxation.

CHOOSING COMMITTEE MEMBERS Important!

Can make a career! May increase chances for reelection Allows lawmaker to influence national policy May allow an individual to influence other

members of Congress.

HOW DO THEY GET TO COMMITTEES? Political Parties assign members to

committees (in both the House and Senate)

Newly elect members may request an assignment or a veteran lawmaker may request a transfer.

(Can only serve on a limited number of standing and subcommittees.)

CHAIRPERSONS ROLE Some of the most powerful members of

Congress. Decide:

When committees will meetWhich bills they will consider and for how

longDecide when hearings will be heldWhich witnesses will be called to testify for

or against a bill. May hire committee staff members and control

the budget Manage floor debates that take place on their

bills.