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Order Code 98-241 GOV
Updated March 13, 2007
CRS Report for Congress
Committee Types and Roles
Valerie Heitshusen
Analyst in American National Government
Government and Finance Division
Structure of the Committee System
Congress divides its legislative, oversight, and internal administrative tasks among
more than 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. For more information on legislative process, see
[http://www.crs.gov/products/guides/guidehome.shtml].1
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, but divergences have emerged over time. 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
and across chambers.
Following organizational meetings at the beginning of the 110h Congress, there were
20 standing committees in the House with 97 subcommittees, and two select committees.2
The Senate has 16 standing committees with 72 subcommittees, as well as four select or
special committees with no subcommittees. In addition there are four joint committees.
1 This report was originally written by Thomas P. Carr, formerly an Analyst in American
National Government at CRS. The listed author has updated this report and is available to
respond to inquiries on the subject.
2 One of the select committees the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence has
four subcommittees. In March 2007, the House created (in H.Res. 202) the Select Committee on
Energy Independence and Global Warming.
Congressional Research Service , The Library of Congress
Prepared for Members and Committees of Congress](ViewImageLocal?handle=hein.crs/crsmthaagya0001&div=1&collection=&method=preview&ext=.png&size=3)