key term - Committee

Definition

A committee is a group of members within a legislative body, such as Congress, that is assigned specific responsibilities to help organize the workload and facilitate the legislative process. Committees play a crucial role in reviewing, amending, and recommending legislation, making them integral to the structure, powers, and functions of Congress. They also reflect congressional behavior by shaping policy decisions and influencing how laws are created and implemented.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. There are several types of committees in Congress, including standing, select, joint, and conference committees, each serving different purposes.
2. Standing committees are permanent and focus on specific areas like finance or foreign relations, while select committees are temporary and investigate particular issues.
3. Committees hold hearings to gather information from experts and stakeholders, which aids in decision-making and crafting legislation.
4. Members of Congress often seek positions on committees that align with their interests or the needs of their constituents to maximize their influence.
5. Committee chairpersons have significant power in determining the agenda, which can shape the legislative process and the focus of congressional efforts.

Review Questions

• How do committees influence the legislative process in Congress?
  • Committees influence the legislative process by reviewing proposed bills in detail, allowing members to discuss, amend, and shape legislation before it reaches the entire chamber. This division of labor helps streamline the legislative process and ensures that legislation is examined thoroughly before being voted on. Committees also hold hearings to gather information from experts, which informs their recommendations and decisions regarding proposed laws.
• Discuss the differences between standing committees and select committees within Congress.
  • Standing committees are permanent bodies established to handle specific areas of legislation consistently over time, such as finance or judiciary matters. In contrast, select committees are temporary and created to address particular issues that may not fall under the purview of existing standing committees. While both types play critical roles in the legislative process, standing committees provide ongoing oversight and development of legislation, whereas select committees focus on one-off investigations or special topics.
• Evaluate the role of committee chairpersons in shaping legislative outcomes in Congress.
  • Committee chairpersons play a vital role in shaping legislative outcomes by controlling the agenda for their respective committees. They decide which bills to prioritize for discussion, manage hearings, and guide the markup process for proposed legislation. This power enables them to influence which policies advance through Congress and how those policies are developed. As a result, committee chairpersons can significantly affect the legislative landscape based on their priorities and political strategies.

Related terms

Subcommittee:

A smaller division within a committee that focuses on specific areas of legislation or issues, allowing for more detailed examination and discussion.

Markup Session: A meeting held by a committee or subcommittee where members review a bill and propose changes or amendments before sending it to the larger legislative body.

Conference Committee:

A temporary committee formed to reconcile differences between the House and Senate versions of a bill, ensuring that both chambers can agree on final legislation.