• A group of representatives
or senators assigned to
become experts in a
particular policy area
• Each rep or senator sits on
more than one committee
• Leadership assigns
members to committees
– Seniority
– Personal expertise
– Political need
• Partisan committee with
members from each party
• Consider legislation within
their policy area
• Most subdivided into
subcommittees, which are
focused on a particular
sub-policy area
• How many committees are
in the House? Senate?
• Who serves on these
committees?
– In house, only house members
– In senate, only senate
members
• How long do they last?
Permanent committees
• Serve either a temporary
or permanent purpose
• Some act in an
investigative role, issuing
periodic reports (ex – Joint
Economic Committee)
• Others perform / oversee
more routine, non-partisan
duties (ex – Joint Cmmte
on Printing or Library)
• How many are there? Four
• Who serves on these
committees?
– BOTH house and senate
members
• How long do they last?
From Joint Economic Committee
Website (link here)
– Permanent (Existing
cmmtes)
OR
– Temporary (Joint Committee
on Atomic Energy: 1945-77)
• Panels set up for a specific
purpose, usually for a limited
time
• Must be renewed each
Congress, unless a
“permanent select cmmte”
• Most are formed to
investigate a current matter
(ex – Senate Select
Committee on Presidential
Campaign Activities)
• List of Special Committees
• Who serves on these
committees?
– House OR Senate
members, but not both
• How long do they last?
– Usually until they issue a
report
– OR when Congress ends
(unless permanent select)
• “Traffic Cop” of House
• Unique to House
• Process
– After bill leaves a standing
committee
– Rules Committee sets the
“rules” for floor debate
(time of debate on bill; allow
amendments; etc)
• Who serves on the
Rules Committee?
– Appointed by Speaker,
Minority Leader
• Gives lots of power to
Speaker
• How many are there?
One
• How long does it last?
Permanent