2. Purposes of Committees
O Divide the work among many small groups
O Determine which bills are considered further
O Help the public learn about important issues
3. Kinds of Committees
O Standing Committees
O Deal with permanent issues
O Economy, Education, National Security
O Subcommittees
O Specialize in areas related to the Standing
Committee
O Banking – Capital Markets, Insurance,
Monetary Policy, Oversight
4. Benefits of Serving on
Committees
O Increase chances of re-election
O Can influence national policy making
O Can influence other members of Congress
5. Important Committees
O House of Representatives
O Rules Committee – sets the rules
O Ways and Means – writes taxes
O Appropriations – budget, spending
O Senate
O Foreign Relations – foreign policy
O Finance – tax, trade, health
O Appropriations – budget, spending
6. Assignment to Committees
O Political parties assign members to
committees
O Committee chairpersons are the most
powerful members of Congress
