SAMPLE American Government
What body determines the rules of the US Congress? TheConstitutionauthorizeseachHousetodeterminetherulesofitsproceedings.Underthatauthority, theHouseofRepresentativesadoptsitsrulesaneweachCongress,ordinarilyontheopeningdayofthe first session. B. Congressional Committees Congressional committees dothemajorityoftheworkandresearchfortheselegislativebodies.They provide valuable information services to Congress by investigating and reporting about specialized subjects. 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,andreportmeasures for full chamber consideration ● monitor executive branch performance (oversight) ● investigate allegations of wrongdoing. Investigatory functions are important fordraftingandwritingnewlaws,suchastheHousedischarge petitionprocess.However,committeesoftendominatethisprocessduetoitscomplexity.From1995to 2007, only 1 out of73dischargepetitionssubmittedtothefullHousesuccessfullysecuredadecisive vote for a bill. Congressional Committees are divided into areas they are familiar with in their life (military men on military committees). Committees are divided into subcommittees . What is the purpose of the congressional committee? Committees monitor ongoing governmental operations, identify issues suitable for legislative review, gather and evaluate information, and recommend courses of action to the Senate. What role do congressional committees play in the legislative process? Through investigations and hearings, committees gather information on national and international problems withintheirjurisdictiontodraft,consider,andrecommendlegislationtothefullmembership of the Senate. Only a small percentage of bills considered by committees reach the Senate floor. Which congressional committee is influential in the legislative process? TheSenateCommitteeonJudiciaryisconsideredoneofthemostinfluentialcommitteesintheUnited States Congress. Established in 1816 as one of the originalstandingcommitteesintheSenate,ithas broad legislativejurisdictionandplaysacentralroleindiscussingsocialandconstitutionalissues.The committeeisalsoresponsibleforoverseeingtheactivitiesoftheexecutivebranchandisinvolvedinthe initial stages of the confirmation process for all federal judicial nominations.
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