Committees in Congress Flashcards
Standing comittee
Permanent specialized commitee
Select committee
Temporary committees organized in each house for some special purpose. These committees usually carry out an investigation for the purpose of writing special legislation.
Conference committee
Are temporary and include members from the committees of the two houses who were responsible for writing the bill. These committees try to negotiate compromise bills. Once a compromise bill has been negotiated, the conference committee disbands.
The leader of each committee is called the
“chair” and is the most experienced
Expressed/Enumerated powers
powers specifically named in the constitution
Implied powers
powers not specifically named in the Constitution, but we find “necessary and proper” to carrying out the Enumerated powers
Joint committee
Are made up of members from both the House and the Senate. These committees are normally used for communicating to the public for investigations but generally do not send bills to the floor for votes.
Limits on Congressional Power
First amendment freedoms
Cannot suspend Writ of Habeas Corpus cant put people in jail without charge
Cannot pass a bill of Attainder: can’t put someone in prison unless convicted in a trial
Benefits of Congress
150,000 annual salary
Free trips to home state
Franking privilege-send work related mail for free
Each member of Congress has approx a 100 person staff who helps them gather info, deal with the press, write letters/bills, deal with the public
Library of Congress
Collect information on new bills as requested by members of Congress
General Accounting Office
Reviews spending of Federal; agencies and makes recommendations on changes
Three Jobs of Congress
Lawmaking
Casework: help constituents deal with the Federal Government
Helping their district or state get federal money for projects at “home”-pork barrel projects
