The Congressional Committee System
Chapters 10-12, “The United States Congress”
Name: ___________________________
Why look at committees?
When the President signs a major piece of legislation into law, what Americans see are the much-hyped and well-attended ceremonies. What they don't see is
the road the bill traveled. That road starts in the committees and subcommittees of Congress where members hold hearings, draft, debate, and revise legislation
— and where each word is carefully crafted. It is during these meetings — sometimes held behind closed doors — that the real action takes place and special
interests and consumer groups pay closest attention; because it is at this point during the legislative process that they can change America's public policies.
In short, congressional committees are the “legislative trenches” — and the bigger the bill, the higher the stakes, the more generous the campaign donations to
members of the committee with jurisdiction over the issue.
That's one reason these congressional committee assignments are so important and competitive. Lawmakers who win seats on the lucrative banking, tax-writing,
or commerce committees quite often enhance their campaign war chests from industries seeking to influence legislative outcomes. Many newly elected members
tend to start getting donations from special interests based on their new appointments.
* There are 4 main types of committees:
1. “Standing” committees are permanent committees identified as such in both the House and Senate.
2. “Select” or “Special” committees are established generally by a separate resolution of the House or Senate, sometimes to conduct investigations and
studies, and, on other occasions, to consider measures. Often, select committees examine emerging issues that don’t fit clearly within existing standing
committee jurisdictions, or which cut across jurisdictional boundaries. A select committee may be permanent or temporary. Instead of select, the Senate
sometimes uses the term special committee.
3. “Joint” committees are permanent committees that include members from both the House and the Senate, which generally conduct studies or perform
housekeeping tasks rather than consider measures. For instance, the Joint Committee on Printing oversees the functions of the Government Printing Office
and general printing procedures of the federal government. The chairmanship of joint committees usually alternates between the House and Senate.
4. “Conference” committees are temporary joint committees formed to resolve differences between competing House and Senate versions of a measure.
Conference committees draft compromises between the positions of the two chambers, which are then submitted to the full House and Senate for approval.
Directions: Use the following website to conduct your research concerning the following Congressional committees:
http://www.opensecrets.org/cmteprofiles/
House “Standing” Committees
Committee
Appropriations
Armed Services
Budget
Education and the Workforce
Judiciary
Rules
Ways and Means
Chairperson
Ranking Member
What types of issues and legislation does this committee deal with?
Senate “Standing” Committees
Committee
Appropriations
Armed Services
Banking, Housing and Urban
Affairs
Finance
Foreign Relations
Veteran’s Affairs
Homeland Security and
Governmental Affairs
Chairperson
Ranking Member
What types of issues and legislation does this committee deal with?