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The Legislative Branch. The Committee System & Support Agencies. The Committee System. Most work of Congress takes place in committees There are (at least) 35 standing committees and many subcommittees Each headed by a committee chair - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
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The Legislative BranchThe Committee System & Support Agencies
The Committee System•Most work of Congress takes
place in committees•There are (at least) 35 standing
committees and many subcommittees
•Each headed by a committee chair•Chairs are chosen by the majority
party and have the most seniority• (Not absolute)
The Committee System• Not at first Congress• Standing Committee: permanent
comm. w/responsibility for a particular area of policy
• Ex: specializing in agriculture, commerce, foreign policy, budget
• They have legislative, investigative, and oversight powers
• Under these are subcommittees• comm. necessary b/c of # of bills
proposed, ease workload, key power c.
The Ways and Means Committee
What is the purpose of the Ways and Means committee?Is it large?
Decentralization•Protects and enhances the
interests of individuals, but at cost of a slowly acting Congress.
•1970’s•Decrease in power of committee
chairs, increase of those in subcommittees, sub. chairs, individuals
•Result: secret ballot, may chair no more than one standing comm.
Oligarchy or Democracy?• 1995: House Republicans gave
committee chairs more power re. appointment
• This gave them more control over legislation (oligarchic)
• Reversed the House reforms of the 1970’s (democratic), members no longer needing seniority
• less democratic!• 1995 reforms made leaders rely
upon party members
Are Committee chairs too important?
House Finance Services Committee Chair, Rep. Barney Frank (D-Mass) talking with reporters about the proposed $700B “Bailout
Bill”
2008
Types of Committees•Subcommittees: Are part of
standing, continue from one session to next.
•Ex: Under Ways & Means- Health, Human Resources, Social Security, Trade
•Select Committee: temporary (may be renewed). To study one specific issue & report findings
•Tend to look at big problems to public -ex. Watergate, Autism
Types of Committees• Joint Committees: composed of
members of both houses, perform advisory or coordinating functions
•Ex: Conference Committees: formed temporarily to work out differences in H & S versions of bill
Which do you think are the heavyweight committees in the House?
Why are committees important?•The real work of Congress is done •Most bills are “killed” here•Getting on right committee is
crucial!•Ex: to serve constituents, wield
power, increase re-election chances•For House: Rules, Ways and Means•For Senate: Finance,
Appropriations, JudiciaryThings heat up in the Senate Judiciary Committee
when scrutinizing nominees for the SC
Committee Power•Usually, the full chamber of
Congress votes to confirm decisions by committees
•90% approval chance, they are experts in field, yet many amended
•Only 10% of bills reach the floor, most will be die in comm.
Committee Membership•majority party holds majority #
seats•Key power centers•House members often serve on
two, Senate often four•Biggest changes occur when
party loses control of H or S (2006!)Diversity see with Dems.
Changes in Legislation•1994 the Republican majority
passed term rules on H Comm. Chairs (6 yrs.) and reduced # of comm. and staff.
Support Agencies:•Growth of Executive gave Leg.
Branch a distinct disadvantage•Solution: three agencies•GAO: largest. Overseeing
executive agencies spending of money, responsibility has broadened
•CRS: oldest and part of Library of Congress, reference, providing reports and summaries of bills
Support Agencies:•CBO: newest, provides Congress
with projections of the economy + govt. expenditures and revenues
•Now Congress a stronger policymaking bodyThe Ford Building: Location of CBO