27G describe the structure and function of the Congressional

Committee System, including the seniority system and assess the

importance of the committees to the lawmaking process

By: John Gruhn and

JJ “The Jetplane” Jackson

• A Congressional committee is a legislative sub-organization in the United States Congress that handles a specific duty (rather than the general duties of Congress).

• Congressional committees monitor on-going governmental operations, identify issues suitable for legislative review, gather and evaluate information; and recommend courses of action

• 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, and report measures for full chamber consideration; monitor executive branch performance (oversight); and investigate allegations of wrongdoing.

The Seniority System• The seniority rule was established in the

late 1800’s

• It is provided so that the most important post, in both formal and party organization, will be held by those party members with the longest records of service in Congress.

• The rule is strictly applied to the choice of committee chairmen .

Criticism of the Seniority Rule•

The Seniority system ignores ability, rewards mere length of service, and works to discourage younger members.

• Also, critics say that the Committee head comes from a “safe” constituency. So in many ways the seniority system does more harm than good.

Lawmaking process

• The importance of committees to the lawmaking process…..

The importance of committees to the lawmaking process is that the congressional committee makes the laws.

Lawmaking process continued..• The process of congressional

committees and law making begins with a two-year Congressional session. Representatives and Senators sponsor public policy proposals that are introduced in the House of Representatives and Senate as numbered bills (or acts).

• Representatives and Senate as numbered bills (or acts).

• Some bills are referred to House of Representatives and Senate Committees, or Joint Committees.

• Committee action can produce the following types of documents,Committee Prints, Committee Hearings, and Committee Reports.

Lawmaking process continued…

• Some bills are debated by the members of the House of Representatives and the Senate. This debate is recorded in the Congressional Record.

• Some bills are passed by both the House of Representatives and the Senate. This is the role that congressional committees play in the law making process