Key Congressional Committees

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Why This Matters

Congressional committees are where the real legislative work happens—and understanding them is essential for AP Government. You're being tested on how the committee system shapes policy outcomes, creates checks on executive power, and determines which bills live or die. The committees you'll study here demonstrate core concepts like legislative gatekeeping, oversight authority, the power of the purse, and bicameral differences in function and influence.

Don't just memorize committee names and jurisdictions. Know why certain committees hold more power than others, how the committee system reflects the Constitution's design, and what role each plays in the broader legislative process. When an FRQ asks about congressional power or legislative effectiveness, these committees are your go-to examples.

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Budget and Revenue Committees: The Power of the Purse

The Constitution grants Congress control over federal spending and taxation—arguably its most significant power. These committees translate that constitutional authority into actual policy, making them among the most influential in Congress. Membership on these committees is highly sought after because they control the money.

House Ways and Means Committee

• Exclusive jurisdiction over tax policy—this is where all revenue bills originate, as required by the Constitution (Article I, Section 7)
• Oversees major entitlement programs including Social Security, Medicare, and unemployment insurance, giving it influence over roughly 60% of federal spending
• Considered the most powerful House committee because tax legislation affects every sector of the economy and every American

Senate Finance Committee

• Senate counterpart for taxation and revenue—reviews all tax bills passed by the House and can propose amendments
• Jurisdiction over international trade including tariffs and trade agreements, linking economic and foreign policy
• Oversees both Medicare and Medicaid, giving it authority over the largest federal health care programs

House Appropriations Committee

• Controls discretionary spending by allocating funds to federal agencies through 12 subcommittees covering defense, education, transportation, and more
• "Power of the purse" in action—no federal program can spend money without this committee's approval
• Key player in government shutdowns since failure to pass appropriations bills halts government operations

Senate Appropriations Committee

• Works with House counterpart to finalize spending bills, often adding amendments that reflect Senate priorities
• Reviews executive branch budget requests and can increase or decrease funding for specific programs
• Influences policy through earmarks and spending conditions—demonstrates how Congress shapes implementation, not just authorization

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Procedural Gatekeeping: Controlling the Legislative Agenda

Some committees derive power not from policy jurisdiction but from controlling how legislation moves through Congress. The House Rules Committee is the clearest example of this gatekeeping function—a concept frequently tested on the AP exam.

House Rules Committee

• Sets the terms of debate for every major bill, including time limits, amendment rules, and procedural requirements
• Called the "traffic cop" of the House—determines which bills reach the floor and in what order, giving it enormous agenda-setting power
• Tightly controlled by majority party leadership, making it a tool for advancing the Speaker's priorities and blocking minority opposition

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National Security and Foreign Policy Oversight

These committees exercise Congress's constitutional role in declaring war, raising armies, and conducting foreign relations. They represent a critical check on executive power in areas where presidents often claim broad authority. Oversight hearings from these committees frequently make national news.

Senate Armed Services Committee

• Authorizes defense spending and military programs—distinct from appropriations, authorization sets policy priorities and spending limits
• Confirms military nominations including generals, admirals, and the Secretary of Defense, exercising advice and consent power
• Conducts oversight of Pentagon operations and military readiness, holding hearings that can shape public debate on national security

House Armed Services Committee

• Partners with Senate counterpart on the annual National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), one of the few bills that passes every year
• Reviews military personnel policies including pay, benefits, and rules of engagement
• Exercises oversight of defense contracts and weapons programs, checking potential executive branch waste or abuse

Senate Foreign Relations Committee

• Exclusive power over treaty ratification—treaties require two-thirds Senate approval, making this committee a constitutional gatekeeper
• Confirms ambassadors and key State Department officials, giving it direct influence over who represents U.S. interests abroad
• Oversees foreign aid and diplomatic policy, conducting hearings that can support or undermine presidential foreign policy initiatives

House Foreign Affairs Committee

• Authorizes foreign aid and international programs—while lacking treaty power, it controls funding authorization for diplomacy
• Conducts investigations into foreign policy decisions, using oversight hearings to hold the executive branch accountable
• Reviews international development and humanitarian assistance, shaping how the U.S. engages with global challenges

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Judicial and Constitutional Oversight

The Judiciary Committee plays a unique role in protecting constitutional principles and overseeing the federal court system. Its jurisdiction includes some of the most politically charged issues in American politics.

House Judiciary Committee

• Initiates impeachment proceedings—all impeachment resolutions begin here, making it central to Congress's ultimate check on executive power
• Jurisdiction over constitutional amendments and civil liberties legislation, including voting rights, immigration, and criminal justice reform
• Oversees federal courts and DOJ, conducting hearings on judicial nominations (though Senate confirms) and law enforcement practices

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Quick Reference Table

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Self-Check Questions

1. Which two committees share jurisdiction over taxation and revenue, and what constitutional provision explains why tax bills must originate in one chamber?

2. How does the House Rules Committee function as a "gatekeeper," and why does this give the majority party significant power over the legislative agenda?

3. Compare the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and the House Foreign Affairs Committee—what constitutional powers does the Senate committee have that the House committee lacks?

4. If an FRQ asks you to explain how Congress exercises "the power of the purse," which committees would you discuss, and how would you distinguish between their functions?

5. Why are the Armed Services Committees considered important for oversight of the executive branch, and how do confirmation hearings demonstrate the Senate's advice and consent role?