US CongressBeyond Legislative Process—

Investigative and Oversight Roles of Congressional Committees

Purpose of Select/Special Committes

• ID Purpose, Scope and Types of Select Committees:

• List examples of historical select committees:

• List examples of current select committees:

Additional Role of Standing Committees– Outside of Legislative Process

• Define “ombudsman””

or alternative description……

THIS ROLE GENERATES SPECIFIC TYPES OF RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN MEMBERS (and staff), SIG’s, and Government Agencies

The Iron Triangle describes a relationship formed among government agencies, congressional

committees and interest groups who work together. .

Bureaucracy

Congress (specifically committees)

Interest Groups

All three groups work to satisfy each other’s needs.

Bureaucracy

Congress

Interest Groups

The Iron Triangle also includes “Government agencies” which are part of the bureaucracy.

Write the answers to these questions in your notes:

• Define interest group. Name one function

• Define committee. What is its function?

• What is the bureaucracy? What is it function?

What role does Congress play in the Iron Triangle?

What role do Interest Groups play in the Iron Triangle?

What role does the Bureaucracy play in the Iron Triangle?

Putting it all together…summarize the role that Congress, Interest Groups and the Bureaucracy play

in the Iron Triangle.

Real life examples . . . Small Business Committee

(House and Senate)

U.S. Chamber of Commerce:

Small Business Nation

Small Business Administration

Similar to the idea of the Iron Triangle is an Issue Network…

An issue network is a network of people- interest groups, congressional committees, government

agencies, the media ,think tanks, White House aids, universities- who regularly discuss and advocate

public policies.

So what’s the difference between an Iron Triangle and an Issue Network?

Iron Triangle• Relationships only benefit

the 3 participants by perusing a favorable policy for the interest group

• The policy may come at the expense of the general public

Issue Network• Seek to support public

interests (wide ranging constituency), not private ones

• Could work against Iron Triangles by opposing policy pushed by an interest group and enacted by the government

Iron Triangle Activity

Now, you’ll research an iron triangle. Pick one that interests you:

Choice 1: Military- Industrial ComplexHouse and Senate committees on Armed ServicesDefense Contractors- RaytheonDepartment of Defense

Choice 2: Gun Policy/RightsHouse and Senate Judiciary Committee (Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism)National Rifle AssociationU.S. Department of Justice (ATF)

Choice 3: Social Security/The ElderlySenate Special Committee on AgingAmerican Association of Retired People (AARP)Social Security Administration

Journal 1: Iron Triangle• Part 1- Congressional Committee

– What is the purpose/jurisdiction of the committee? – Look at the members of the committee. Who has the majority? Are there any

particular groups of states represented on the committee that have an interest in this topic?

– What special interests are affected by this committee? • Part 2- Bureaucratic Agency

– What is the purpose of this agency? What does it regulate? • Part 3- Interest Group

– What is the purpose of this interest group? What is its “Interest”? – Go to the website “Open Secrets.” How much money has this organization

given to politicians/PACs? Who have they lobbied?• Part 4- Iron Triangle

– Construct an Iron Triangle based upon the information you researched. Label the triangle and arrows between the corners, showing how the groups satisfy each other’s needs.

Rubric for Iron Triangle ActivityLevel 4:

Ideas are detailed and reflect a complete understanding of the material.Level 3:

Meets all requirements for task (responds to all prompts correctly and completely)

Ideas are easily understood, thorough, and accurate; you include important details

Level 2:Meets most requirements for task

Ideas are understandable, but may be overly general or incomplete; response may contain repetitive or unessential information

Level 1:Meets few requirements for task (incomplete or does not respond to prompts directly)Ideas are hard to understand, or show major misunderstandings; details may be too general, irrelevant or incomplete