1. Standing committees
Separate subject matter committees in each house of Congress that handle bills in different policy areas.
2. Joint committees
Congressional committees on a few subject-matter areas with membership drawn from both houses.
3. Conference committees
Congressional committees formed when the Senate and the House pass a particular bill in different forms. Party leadership appoints members from each house to iron out the differences and bring back a single bill.
4. Select committees
Congressional committees appointed for a specific purpose, such as Watergate investigation.
Separate subject matter committees in each house of Congress that handle bills in different policy areas.
2. Joint committees
Congressional committees on a few subject-matter areas with membership drawn from both houses.
3. Conference committees
Congressional committees formed when the Senate and the House pass a particular bill in different forms. Party leadership appoints members from each house to iron out the differences and bring back a single bill.
4. Select committees
Congressional committees appointed for a specific purpose, such as Watergate investigation.
After the bill leaves the committee room, members of the committee usually serve as "floor managers", helping party leaders hustle votes for it. If the legislation passes, committees stay busy in legislative oversight, the process of monitoring the bureaucracy and its administration of policies. |
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One of the primary objectives of incoming member of Congress is getting on the right committee. Just after their election, new members communicate their committee preferences to their party's congressional leaders and members of the state delegation. Those who have supported the leadership are favored in the selection process, but generally parties try to grant members' requests for committee assignments |