1. Committees in Congress
12.2

2. Standing Committees Why are they so important?
Bills thoroughly considered in committee
Committees often decide the fate of a bill
Permanent committees where bills are sent to be considered
20 House, 16 Senate

3. Influential Committees
House
Rules, Ways and Means, Appropriations, Armed Services, Judiciary, Foreign Relations, and Agriculture
Senate
Foreign Relations, Appropriations, Finance, Judiciary, Armed Services, and Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs

4. Rules Committee
Read about the Rules Committee on page 331 of your book
What is the Rules committee often compared to?
Why?

5. Membership Subcommittees Each party chooses its own committee rosters
Majority party always holds a majority of the seats
Subcommittees
What is the role?
Divide up the committee’s work
Each subcommittee deals with specific areas within the committee’s jurisdiction

6. Select Committees Specific purpose Usually a limited time
Investigatory in nature
Select Committee on Aging
Select Committee on Presidential Campaign Activities
Iran-Contra Committee
Select Committee on Benghazi
Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence

7. Joint and Conference Joint committee – both houses Mostly permanent
Joint Economic Committee
Joint Committee on the Library of Congress
Conference Committee
used when houses pass slightly different versions of a bill

8. Review Why are standing committees so important?
What is the function of the Rules committee?
Why is it so powerful?