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1 (February 14, 2002)

handle is hein.crs/crsmthaagxx0001 and id is 1 raw text is: Order Code 98-241 GOV Updated February 14, 2002 CRS Report for Congress Received through the CRS Web Committee Types and Roles Thomas P. Carr Analyst in American National Government Government Division Structure of the Committee System Congress divides its legislative, oversight, and internal administrative tasks among approximately 200 committees and subcommittees. Within assigned areas, these functional subunits gather information; compare and evaluate legislative alternatives; identify policy problems and propose solutions; select, determine, and report measures for full chamber consideration; monitor executive branch performance (oversight); and investigate allegations of wrongdoing. The 1946 Legislative Reorganization Act (60 Stat. 812) sets the framework for the modern committee system. The Act organized the Senate and House committees along roughly parallel lines, although over time divergences have emerged. Within the guidelines of chamber rules, each committee adopts its own rules addressing organizational, structural, and procedural issues. As a consequence, there is considerable variation among panels. At the beginning of the second session of the107h Congress, there were 19 standing committees in the House with 88 subcommittees, and one select committee with four subcommittees. The Senate has 16 standing committees with 68 subcommittees, as well as four select committees with no subcommittees. In addition, there are four joint committees. The total number of approximately 200 committees and subcommittees reflects a decline of nearly 100 panels since the 102nd Congress level. This reduction can be attributed to reforms that abolished panels, restricted the creation of subcommittees, reduced committee budgets, and limited Members' assignments. Types of Committees There are three main types of committees-standing, select, and joint. (Party committees, task forces, and congressional Member organizations-informal groups- are not addressed here.) Standing committees are permanent panels identified in chamber rules (House Rule X, Senate Rule XXV). Because they have legislative jurisdiction, standing committees consider bills and issues and recommend measures for consideration by their respective chambers. They also have oversight responsibility to monitor agencies, programs, and Congressional Research Service o*o The Library of Congress

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