8.2 Committee referral and jurisdiction

6 min readjuly 30, 2024

Committee referral and jurisdiction are crucial steps in the legislative process. When a bill is introduced, it's sent to the appropriate committee based on its subject matter. This process ensures bills are reviewed by lawmakers with relevant expertise.

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The Speaker of the House and Senate Parliamentarian play key roles in determining which committees receive bills. They rely on chamber rules and precedents to make these decisions, aiming for fairness and consistency in the referral process.

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Bill Referrals and Committee Jurisdiction

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The Referral Process

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  • When a bill is introduced in the House or Senate, it is referred to the appropriate committee(s) based on the committees' jurisdictions, which are defined by chamber rules
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  • Bills are referred to committees that have jurisdiction over the primary subject matter or agency affected by the legislation
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 - For example, a bill proposing changes to the tax code would likely be referred to the House Ways and Means Committee or the Senate Finance Committee
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  • The House and Senate have rules and precedents that define committee jurisdictions, but there can be ambiguity and overlap between committees
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 - In cases where a bill's subject matter spans multiple committees' jurisdictions, the bill may be referred to more than one committee or be subject to a joint referral
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Determining Committee Jurisdiction

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  • The referral decision in the House is made by the Speaker, on the advice of the House Parliamentarian
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 - The Speaker has the authority to refer bills to committees, but in practice, relies heavily on the Parliamentarian's expertise in interpreting chamber rules and precedents
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  • In the Senate, referral decisions are typically made by the Senate Parliamentarian
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 - The Presiding Officer of the Senate, who is usually the Vice President or a senior member of the majority party, follows the Parliamentarian's recommendations on bill referrals
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  • The House Speaker and Senate Parliamentarian apply their understanding of committee jurisdictions, as defined by chamber rules and precedents, to determine which committees should receive specific bills
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 - They consider factors such as the primary subject matter of the bill, the federal agencies or programs affected, and relevant laws or statutes that the bill seeks to amend
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Speaker of the House and Senate Parliamentarian

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Role of the Speaker in House Referrals

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  • In the House, the Speaker has the authority to refer bills to committees, but in practice, the Speaker relies heavily on the advice of the House Parliamentarian in making referral decisions
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 - The Speaker's referral decisions are guided by the Parliamentarian's interpretation of House rules and precedents defining committee jurisdictions
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  • The Speaker may also consider political factors, such as the preferences of committee chairs or the majority party leadership, when making referral decisions
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 - However, the Speaker generally adheres to the Parliamentarian's recommendations to maintain consistency and fairness in the referral process
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Role of the Senate Parliamentarian

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  • The Senate Parliamentarian plays a central role in bill referrals in the Senate, as the Presiding Officer of the Senate typically follows the Parliamentarian's recommendations
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 - The Parliamentarian is a non-partisan, appointed official who serves as an expert on Senate rules and procedures
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  • The Senate Parliamentarian interprets and applies Senate rules and precedents to determine which committees have jurisdiction over specific bills
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 - The Parliamentarian provides impartial advice to the Presiding Officer and all Senators, regardless of party affiliation
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  • In cases where a bill's subject matter overlaps multiple committees' jurisdictions, the Parliamentarian may recommend referring the bill to multiple committees or using a joint referral
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 - The Parliamentarian's recommendations aim to ensure that bills are referred to the most appropriate committees based on their expertise and jurisdiction
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Major Congressional Committees

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House Committees and Their Jurisdictions

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  • The House has approximately 20 standing committees, which are permanent panels that have legislative jurisdiction over specific policy areas
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  • Key House committees and their jurisdictions include:
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 - Appropriations: responsible for crafting annual appropriations bills that fund federal agencies and programs
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 - Armed Services: oversees defense policy, the military, and national security matters
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 - Energy and Commerce: has jurisdiction over energy policy, health care, telecommunications, and consumer protection issues
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 - Judiciary: handles matters related to civil liberties, immigration, bankruptcy, and criminal justice
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 - Ways and Means: has jurisdiction over tax policy, tariffs, Social Security, and Medicare
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Senate Committees and Their Jurisdictions

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  • The Senate also has around 20 standing committees, each with its own area of legislative jurisdiction
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  • Major Senate committees and their jurisdictions include:
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 - Appropriations: responsible for drafting annual appropriations bills that allocate federal funds
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 - Armed Services: oversees defense policy, the military, and national security issues
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 - Finance: has jurisdiction over tax policy, tariffs, Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid
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 - Foreign Relations: handles foreign policy matters and treaties
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 - Judiciary: deals with issues related to federal courts, civil liberties, and immigration
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Multiple vs Joint Referrals

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Multiple Referrals

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  • Multiple referrals occur when a bill is referred to more than one committee because it spans several committees' jurisdictions
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 - For example, a bill addressing both health care and tax policy might be referred to both the House Energy and Commerce Committee and the Ways and Means Committee
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  • Multiple referrals can complicate and delay the legislative process, as each committee may hold hearings, mark up the bill, and report its own version of the legislation
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 - Differences between the committees' versions of the bill must then be reconciled before the legislation can advance further
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Joint Referrals

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  • Joint referrals are a way to simplify the process when a bill involves multiple committees
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 - Under a joint referral, a group of committees work together as a single panel to consider the bill
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  • Joint referrals allow committees to collaborate on crafting a single version of the bill, reducing the need for later reconciliation between competing versions
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 - This can streamline the legislative process and improve the bill's chances of passing
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  • However, joint referrals may also lead to compromises that weaken the bill or make it less appealing to some lawmakers
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Implications of Multiple and Joint Referrals

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  • The use of multiple or joint referrals can impact a bill's prospects for passage, as it may be more difficult to reconcile differing committee perspectives and recommendations
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 - Committees may have competing priorities or disagree on the best approach to address a particular issue
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  • When a bill is referred to multiple committees, the Speaker or the Senate Majority Leader may impose time limits or specify a primary committee to control the bill's progress
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 - This can help prevent delays and ensure that the bill moves forward in a timely manner
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  • Committees that share jurisdiction over particular issues sometimes develop formal or informal agreements to minimize conflict over referrals in their areas of shared interest
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 - These agreements can help clarify which committee takes the lead on specific topics and reduce the need for multiple or joint referrals

Key Terms to Review (16)

Chairperson: A chairperson is the leader of a committee or organization responsible for guiding meetings, facilitating discussions, and ensuring that the group stays on task and follows established procedures. This role is vital for effective decision-making and organization, especially when it comes to the referral of legislation to committees and managing the workflow of subcommittees and full committees.
Committee of the Whole: A Committee of the Whole is a parliamentary procedure used in legislative bodies where all members of a chamber meet as a single committee to discuss and consider the details of proposed legislation. This format allows for more relaxed rules of debate and can expedite discussions, enabling members to delve into specific aspects of a bill without the formalities typically required in standard sessions.
Concurrent jurisdiction: Concurrent jurisdiction refers to the authority of different courts to hear the same case or legal issue. This concept allows both state and federal courts to have the power to decide cases that fall under certain legal frameworks, making it possible for parties to choose where to file their cases based on various strategic reasons, such as perceived advantages in one court over another.
Discharge petition: A discharge petition is a formal request in the House of Representatives that enables members to bring a bill out of committee and onto the floor for consideration, bypassing the committee's authority. This mechanism empowers the majority of the House to force action on legislation that may be stalled in committee, ensuring that important issues can be addressed without delay. The use of discharge petitions highlights the tension between committee leadership and the broader membership's desire to see specific bills debated and voted upon.
Exclusive jurisdiction: Exclusive jurisdiction refers to the legal authority of a court to adjudicate a particular type of case to the exclusion of all other courts. This means that only one court has the power to hear and decide on specific matters, ensuring consistency and clarity in legal proceedings. In legislative contexts, this concept often applies when certain issues are designated to specific committees or bodies, streamlining decision-making processes and avoiding conflicts of authority.
Gatekeeping: Gatekeeping refers to the process through which information, legislation, or decisions are filtered and controlled by individuals or groups in positions of authority. This concept is crucial in legislative settings as it determines which bills progress through the legislative process and which are stalled or dismissed, influencing the outcome of policymaking and resource allocation.
Hearing: A hearing is a formal session where congressional committees gather information from witnesses, experts, and relevant parties on specific issues or proposed legislation. It is a vital part of the legislative process that allows for transparency and accountability, enabling lawmakers to gather insights before making decisions or recommendations. Hearings can also play a crucial role in investigations, helping to shed light on matters of public concern and ensuring that all voices are heard in the decision-making process.
Investigation: An investigation is a systematic process of inquiry to gather information and evidence regarding a specific issue, event, or situation. This process is crucial in understanding and evaluating the implications of legislation, especially when it comes to oversight and accountability within the legislative framework. Investigations often involve hearings, testimonies, and document reviews to inform decision-making and legislative actions.
Markup: Markup refers to the process by which committees or subcommittees in Congress review, amend, and revise proposed legislation before it is sent to the full chamber for consideration. This stage is critical as it allows for detailed scrutiny of the bill, leading to changes that reflect the interests of various stakeholders and parties involved in the legislative process.
Oversight: Oversight refers to the process by which Congress monitors and evaluates the actions and operations of the executive branch, ensuring that laws are implemented effectively and that federal agencies are held accountable. This function is critical for maintaining a system of checks and balances, as it empowers Congress to investigate, review, and influence executive actions.
Policy agenda: A policy agenda refers to the set of issues, problems, or topics that are prioritized and actively considered for governmental action by policymakers, legislators, and political leaders. This agenda shapes the focus of political discussion, influencing which matters receive attention, resources, and debate within the legislative process. The items on a policy agenda can change based on public opinion, political events, and interest group pressures, making it a dynamic element of governance.
Ranking member: A ranking member is a senior member of a congressional committee who belongs to the minority party, serving as the lead voice for that party within the committee. This role is crucial for maintaining balance and representation during the legislative process, particularly during discussions of policy and committee votes.
Reporting out: Reporting out is the process by which committees or subcommittees communicate the results of their deliberations and decisions, often involving recommendations on legislation to the full legislative body. This step is crucial as it transitions the work done in committee into the broader legislative process, allowing the full chamber to consider, debate, and vote on proposed measures.
Select committee: A select committee is a temporary committee established by either the House of Representatives or the Senate to conduct specific investigations or consider particular issues outside the jurisdiction of standing committees. These committees play a crucial role in addressing urgent matters, conducting detailed inquiries, and producing reports that inform legislative action.
Standing Committee: A standing committee is a permanent committee in Congress that focuses on specific areas of legislation, allowing for detailed examination and discussion of bills and policies. These committees play a crucial role in shaping legislation through their jurisdiction, which determines the types of bills they review, and they are integral to the process of reporting bills to the floor for consideration by the entire chamber.
Subcommittee: A subcommittee is a smaller, specialized group formed within a larger committee in the legislative process. These smaller groups focus on specific areas of legislation or oversight, allowing for more detailed examination and discussion of issues before they are presented to the full committee. The establishment of subcommittees enhances efficiency and ensures that members can concentrate on particular topics relevant to their expertise or interest.
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