1. Opening Activity Using your phones look up: -A Congressional Committee
1. What is the aim of this committee?
2. What members of Congress are part of it?
3. How might this benefit this Representative or Senate members?

2. Congressional Committees
5.4

3. Objectives
Discover why different committees are necessary in the House and Senate
Explore why chairpersons are considered the most powerful members of Congress

4. Purposes of Committees
I. Purposes of Committees: 1. Divide work amongst smaller groups a. specialization of work ex.) Committee on Agriculture 2. Allows for debate & terms a. listen to supporters & opponents 3. Help public become aware of issues ex.)Events Surrounding the 2012 Terrorist Attack in Benghazi

5. Key power centers in Congress
Standing committees
Joint committees
Select committees
Committees

6. Kinds of Committees
II. Kinds of Committees A. Standing Committees (permanent) 1. Controlled by majority party a. membership mirrors reps B. Subcommittees (part of ) 1. Focus on Specialization a. ex. ) Livestock and Foreign Ag. C. Select Committees (temporary) 1. Study One Specific Issue ex.) Gun Control

7. Temporary committees Standing committees Joint committees
Select committees
committees

8. This is an example of a subcommittee
Human Resources
Ways and Means
National Security
Veteran’s Affairs

9. Kinds of Committees
D. Joint Committees 1. Both Houses ex.) Joint Committee on atomic energy E. Conference Committee 1. Conferees a. resolve differences in the wording of bills that have passed through both floors i. Conference Report -Voted on again

10. Act as study groups Standing committees Joint committees
Select committees
committees

11. Committee set up if the House and Senate have passed different versions of the same bill
Joint committee
Select committee
Conference committee
Standing committee

12. Standing, select, joint, and conference are all types of Congressional
Sessions
Agencies
Hearings
Committees

13. Choosing Committee Members
III. Choosing Committee Members “Why does it matter?” -looking good for constituency -gaining power/foothold in Congress A. Assignment to Committees 1. by request B. Chairperson’s Role (chosen by seniority) -Decides the when/who of meeting -Control Committee budget -Control floor debates

14. This has guided the selection of committee chairpersons
Presidential appointments
Majority leader’s rule
Seniority system
Party elections