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The Committee Civics System in Congress

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Due to the high volume and complexity of its work, Congress divides its tasks among approximately 250 committees and subcommittees. The House and Senate each has its own committee system, which are similar. However, each committee adopts its own rules. Standing committees generally have legislative jurisdiction and most operate with subcommittees that handle a committee’s work in specific areas. Select and joint committees are chiefly oversight or housekeeping tasks. The chair (head of a committee) and a majority of its members come from the majority party. The chair primarily controls a committee’s business. Each party is mainly responsible for assigning its members to committees, and then each committee distributes its members among its subcommittees. There are limits on the number and types of panels any one member may serve on and chair. Each committee receive a different amount of funding for their cause and employees a varying number of aides/assistants. They also have the ability to hire and fire their own staff. Several thousand issues are referred to committees during each Congress. Committees select a small percentage for consideration and those not addressed often receive no further action. There are several different types of committees including; a Joint Committee which includes members from both houses of Congress; a Standing Committee (16 total in Senate and 19 in H. of Reps) which are permanent and specialize in certain subject areas such as Finance, Foreign Relations, Intelligence, Agriculture, Small Business, Homeland Security, and Transportation/Infrastructure; and Select or Special Committees which are established for a limited time period to perform a particular study or investigation. A subcommittee is established for the purpose of dividing the committee’s workload. When a committee or subcommittee favors an issue/bill it usually takes four actions. First, it asks relevant executive agencies for written comments on the issue/bill. Second, it holds hearings to gather information and view from non-committee experts. Third, a committee meets to perfect the issue/bill through amendments. Fourth, the committee sends the issue/bill back to the chamber, usually along with a written report describing its purpose and requirements of it becoming a law. Bills begin and end their lives in Committees. Nearly 8,000 bills go to committees annually and fewer than 10% make it out for consideration.

Standing Committee Foreign Relations

The Foreign Relations Standing Committee has 7 total subcommittees

Subcommittee

Subcommittee

Subcommittee

African Affairs

European Affairs

Near Eastern and South and Central Asian Affairs