Congressional Committees
Purposes of Committees:
** Committees are the key power centers in Congress
1. Allows members of Congress to divide the work among
smaller groups
2. Committees select the few bills that are to receive further
consideration
3. Committees help the public learn about key problems and
issues facing the U.S.
Types of Committees:
1. Standing Committee- permanent groups that deal with certain
types of issues. (In both bodies of Congress)
- Chairperson of standing committee comes from majority
party.
2. Select Committee: Temporary committee that works on a
specific issue and reports back to Congress. Ex: Organized
Crime
3. Joint Committee: Made up of members from both bodies. Act
as study groups to report findings back to House and Senate.
4. Conference Committee: Temporary committee that is setup
when House and Senate have passed different versions of the
same bill. Job is to resolve the differences between the 2
versions of the bill.
Committee Questions: Pgs. 329-333
1. Read Representative Clem Miller’s quote in the
opening on page 329. Explain in your own words what
he thinks about committees and Congress.
2. What impact do Standing Committees have on
proposed bills?
3. How does the political party with majority in each
body of Congress have an advantage on each
committee?
4. What power does the House Rules Committee have in
regard to voting on a bill?
5. Compare and contrast joint committees and
conference committees.
6. Woodrow Wilson once noted that Congress in its
committee rooms is Congress at work. Explain his
meaning.
Discussion Questions:
What are some topics that you think Congress should have a
committee for?
Why do you think committees are used in Congress?
Why would members of Congress seek particular committee
assignments?