1. Committees
GOVT 2305, Module 12

2. Committees
The detailed work of Congress takes place in committees. Committees allow Congress to divide legislative work among a number of subgroups while giving individual members the opportunity to specialize, developing expertise in particular policy areas.

3. Standing Committees
A standing committee is a permanent legislative committee with authority to draft legislation in a particular policy area or areas.

4. Committee Membership
When senators and representatives are first elected, they request assignment to standing committees that they believe will help them win reelection, gain influence in national politics, and/or affect policy.

5. House Committees Agriculture Appropriations Armed Services Budget
Education and the Workforce
Energy and Commerce
Ethics
Financial Services
Foreign Affairs
Homeland Security
House Administration
Intelligence (Permanent Select)
Judiciary
Natural Resources
Oversight and Government Reform
Rules
Science, Space, and Technology
Small Business
Transportation and Infrastructure
Veterans' Affairs
Ways and Means

6. Most Popular Committees
House
Senate
Appropriations
Budget
Ways and Means
Energy and Commerce
Transportation and Infrastructure Committee
Appropriations
Budget
Finance
Judiciary
Foreign Relations
Armed Services

7. They are all white males.
Majority Control
The majority party has a majority on every committee and every subcommittee and a member of the majority party chairs every committee and subcommittee.
In 2016, these are the House committee chairs, all Republican. What’s notable about the group?
They are all white males.

8. Chair Selection
Democrats
Republicans
Chairs and ranking members are chosen by a secret vote of the party caucus, which is all of the party members of a chamber meeting as a group.
A party committee makes initial committee assignments and nominates chairs or ranking members with confirmation by the party caucus.

9. Chair Selection Criteria
Seniority
Relationship with colleagues
Reputation as a team player
Conformity to party issue positions
Ability to raise money and willingness to contribute to party committees

10. What You Have Learned
What role do committees play in the organization of Congress?
What are standing committees?
Which party chairs each committee? How is committee membership determined?
How are chairs chosen?