1. The Committee System

2. Power of Committees
Most of the actual legislating in Congress is performed by committees and subcommittees
Committees have final say on actual legislation and determine whether a bill will be called to the floor for a vote
Committee Chairpersons control the scheduling of hearings and which subcommittees will act on legislation

3. Standing Committees
Standing Committees – Permanent bodies established in each chamber of Congress.
Most important because all bills are referred to a standing committee
Each one covers a specific area of specialization and is divided into subcommittees

4. Select Committees Present in both Chambers of Congress
Created to accomplish a specific task
These Committees are not permanent – once task is accomplished these may be disbanded

5. Other Types Other types of Committees Joint Committees
Consist of members from both chambers of Congress
May be permanent or temporary depending on area of expertise
Conference Committees
Consist of members of both chambers of Congress
Purpose is to achieve agreement on pieces of legislation between House and Senate
Bill cannot be sent to President until it is passed in both houses in identical form

6. Need to Know Terms Logrolling – trading votes on legislation
Pork Barrel Legislation - Government spending for localized projects secured primarily to bring money to a representative's district
Rider Amendments - Additional provision added to a bill, usually having little connection with the subject matter of the bill
Markup – Committee amends and rewrites proposed legislation

7. Terms cont.
Holds - Senator informs floor leader that they do not wish a particular bill to reach the floor for consideration
Unanimous Consent – If no Senator objects to a proposal it moves forward
Pocket Veto – President neither signs nor vetoes a bill and after 10 days bill is dead

8. Congressional Gridlock
Government is as divided as ever
This makes it difficult to achieve consensus and to work together to govern effectively
It has become more difficult to pass legislation and perform other basic functions due to the sharp partisan divides between parties
Merrick Garland
Brett Kavanaugh