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Due to the high volume and complexity of its work, Congress
divides its tasks among approximately 250 committees and sub
committees. The House and Senate each have their own committee
system, which are similar. Within chamber guidelines, however,
each committee adopts its own rules; thus, there is
considerable variation among panels.
Standing committees generally have legislative jurisdiction
and most operate with subcommittees that handle a committee's
work in specific areas. Select and joint committees are
chiefly for oversight or housekeeping tasks.
The chair of each committee and a majority of its members
come from the majority party. The chair primarily controls a
committee's business. Each party is predominantly responsible
for assigning its members to committees, and each committee
distributes its members among its subcommittees. There are
limits on the number and types of panels any one Member may
serve on and chair.
Committees receive varying levels of operating funds and
employ varying numbers of aides. Each hires and fires its own
staff. Whereas most committee staff and resources are
controlled by its majority party members, a portion is shared
with the minority.
Several thousand measures are referred to committees during
each Congress. Committees select a small percentage for
consideration, and those not addressed often receive no
further action. Determining the fate of measures and, in
effect, helping to set a chamber's agenda make committees
powerful.
When a committee or subcommittee favors a measure, it
usually takes four actions.
- First, it asks relevant executive agencies for written
comments on the measure.
- Second, it holds hearings to gather information and
views from non-committee experts. Before the
committee, these witnesses summarize submitted statements,
then respond to questions from Members. (Other types of
hearings focus on the implementation and administration of
programs [oversight] or allegations of wrongdoing
[investigative].)
- Third, a committee meets to perfect the measure through
amendments, and non-committee members sometimes attempt to
influence the language.
- Fourth, when language is agreed upon, the committee
sends the measure back to the chamber, usually along with a
written report describing its purposes and provisions and
the work of the committee thereon.
The influence of committees over measures extends to their
enactment into law. A committee that considers a measure
will manage the full chamber's deliberation on it. Also, its
members will be appointed to any conference committee created
to reconcile the two chambers' differing versions of a
measure.
Source: The Committee System in the U.S. Congress,
Congressional Research Service, Library of
Congress. August 29, 1994.
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