1. Goals: To understand the different types of committees To understand committee assignments

2.  After bills are introduced, they go to committees  They decide how to construct legislation  They can also decide if it’s not a good law  Committees are also divided into subcommittees  This way, legislation can be constructed by a few people who specialize in the area  For example, a tax bill will be sent to the Finance Committee

3.  STANDING COMMITTEES  Permanent committee that evaluates bills  SELECT COMMITTEES  Temporary committee appointed for a limited purpose  JOINT COMMITTEES  Committee made of members from both houses  CONFERENCE COMMITTEES  Temporary House-Senate committee whose goal is to find a compromise on conflicting versions of a bill

4. Standing Committees of Congress HOUSESENATE Agriculture Appropriations Armed Services Banking and Financial Service Budget Commerce Education and the Workforce Government Reform House Administration International Relations Judiciary Resources Rules Science Small Business Standards of Official Conduct Transportation and Infrastructure Veterans Affairs Ways and Means Agriculture, Nutrition & Forestry Appropriations Armed Services Banking, Housing & Urban Affairs Budget Commerce, Science & Transportation Energy and Natural Resources Environment and Public Works Finance Foreign Relations Governmental Affairs Health, Education, Labor & Pensions Indian Affairs Judiciary Rules & Administration Small Business Veterans Affairs

5.  Ratio of Dems and GOP in each committee is the same ratio as in each house  Republicans use the Committee on Committees to assign congressmen  Democrats use the Democratic Steering Committee to assign congressmen  Region, personality, and party connections all play a role in committee assignments