House of Representatives Committee System in the United States
U.S. House of Representatives: The Work of the House The Committee System
Introduction to House of Representatives Committee System
Because of its large size, nearly all of the House’s most important legislative decisions are made by specialized committees and subcommittees. Most are permanent legislative committees (usually called standing committees) with control over a particular subject area, such as agriculture or the military. Legislative committees and subcommittees hold hearings on pressing issues, direct research staffs, and draft legislation. The committees then make legislative recommendations to the House as a whole. In most cases, the House supports the recommendations of its committees. A committee may choose not to act on a bill, which effectively scuttles the proposal. Legislative committees also oversee the executive agencies related to their area of specialization.
The House also establishes joint committees to collaborate with the Senate. Joint committees include members of both the House and the Senate. They are created to investigate specific problems, but lack the authority to report out (recommend) legislative action. The House sometimes creates special investigative committees, usually called select committees, to delve into specific problems, such as corruption in a government agency. Most select committees also lack the power to report out legislation.
The number of committees and subcommittees changes somewhat from year to year. In 1997, for example, the House had 19 standing, or permanent, committees, which in turn had nearly 90 subcommittees. Key House panels include the Appropriations Committee, which recommends annual spending amounts; the Ways and Means Committee, which considers revenue measures; the Commerce Committee, which oversees the regulation of many industries; the Budget Committee, which prepares the annual budget; and the Rules Committee, which helps the Speaker schedule bills by issuing special rules governing amendments, debates, and voting procedures. Other committees handle such topics as natural resources, national security, foreign affairs, and education. On average, each House member sits on two committees and three subcommittees.” (1)
Resources
Notes and References
Guide to House of Representatives Committee System
About Voting
Voting Rights, Voter Participation, Election Redistricting, Electoral College (including Electoral College Selection, Counting the Votes, Electoral College Origins, Electoral College First Years, Electoral College History and the 12th Amendment, Disputed Elections of 1824 and 1876, Electoral College and the Influence of Political Parties, Winner-Take-All System, Debate Over the Electoral College and Electoral College Reform), Electorate Age and Electorate Constitutional Provisions.
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