Committees GOVT 2305 Module 12 Committees The detailed

Committees The detailed work of Congress takes place in committees. Committees allow Congress to

Standing Committees A standing committee is a permanent legislative committee with authority to draft

Committee Membership When senators and representatives are first elected, they request assignment to standing

House Committees O O O O O Agriculture Appropriations Armed Services Budget Education and

Most Popular Committees House Senate O Appropriations O Budget O Ways and Means O

Majority Control In 2016, these are the House committee chairs, all Republican. What’s notable

Chair Selection Democrats Chairs and ranking members are chosen by a secret vote of

Chair Selection Criteria O Seniority O Relationship with colleagues O Reputation as a team

What You Have Learned O What role do committees play in the organization of

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Committees GOVT 2305, Module 12

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.

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

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.

House Committees O O O O O Agriculture Appropriations Armed Services Budget Education and the Workforce Energy and Commerce Ethics Financial Services Foreign Affairs Homeland Security O O O 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

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

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

Chair Selection Democrats 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. Republicans A party committee makes initial committee assignments and nominates chairs or ranking members with confirmation by the party caucus.

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

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