1. WHERE MOST OF THE WORK IN CONGRESS IS DONE

2.  Helps the House and Senate work effectively  Ease the workload of representatives  Allows members to specialize on issues their committees consider  (impossible for lawmakers to know everything about everything)  Where lawmakers work out compromises  Help the public learn about legislative (hearings)

3.  Standing Committees  Permanent: Carry from one session to the next.  House and Senate each create their own  Can be added or eliminated  Power in committees is relative to majority party!

4.  Political Party explanation continued: In House IF:  60% of members are Republican …60 % of members of each standing committee are Republican  Committee with 10 members has how many Republicans serving on it????

5.  Specialize in a subcategory of the standing committees responsibility  Usually continue from one session of Congress to the next but the majority party may make changes  104 th Congress limited standing committees to no more than 5 subcommittees.

6.  Temporary committees created to study one specific issue and report their findings to the Senate or House.  Issues they may study include:  Matters of great public concern  Overlooked problems (hunger)  Problems of interest groups (small business owners)  Usually last one session but can be renewed

7.  Made up of members of both the House and Senate  May be temporary or permanent  Act as study groups with responsibility for reporting their findings back to the House and Senate  Do not have authority to deal directly with bills or to propose legislation

8.  Joint Committees DO have the authority to study controversial issues such as atomic energy, defense, and taxation.

9.  Important!  Can make a career! May increase chances for reelection Allows lawmaker to influence national policy May allow an individual to influence other members of Congress.

10.  Political Parties assign members to committees (in both the House and Senate)  Newly elect members may request an assignment or a veteran lawmaker may request a transfer.  (Can only serve on a limited number of standing and subcommittees.)

11.  Some of the most powerful members of Congress.  Decide:  When committees will meet  Which bills they will consider and for how long  Decide when hearings will be held  Which witnesses will be called to testify for or against a bill. May hire committee staff members and control the budget Manage floor debates that take place on their bills.