π― Learning Objectives
- π‘ Students will be able to define the crucial role of Congressional Committees in the legislative process.
- πΊοΈ Students will be able to outline the step-by-step journey of how committees handle legislation from referral to report.
- βοΈ Students will be able to differentiate between the various types of Congressional Committees and their specific functions.
π Materials Needed
- π Whiteboard or projector for key terms and concepts.
- π Handout: "Congressional Committee Workflow Chart" (optional, for visual learners).
- π» Access to internet for supplementary research or real-world examples (optional).
β° Warm-up Activity (5 minutes)
Imagine you're planning a huge, multi-day school event, like a senior prom or a charity gala. Would you try to organize every single detail yourself, or would it be more effective to create smaller teams (e.g., decorations team, food team, entertainment team) each responsible for a specific part? π€ Discuss why this division of labor makes the overall task more manageable and efficient.
π Main Instruction: Unpacking Congressional Committees
ποΈ What Are Congressional Committees?
- π§ββοΈ Specialized Groups: Congressional committees are smaller, specialized bodies of legislators within the House and Senate.
- π― Policy Focus: Each committee focuses on a specific policy area, such as agriculture, judiciary, or foreign affairs.
- π οΈ Legislative Workhorses: They are often called the "workhorses of Congress" because they do the detailed work of crafting, reviewing, and refining legislation.
- π¨ Gatekeepers: Committees act as gatekeepers, deciding which bills advance to the full chamber for a vote and which do not.
π Step 1: Bill Introduction & Referral
- ποΈ Bill Introduction: A member of Congress introduces a bill in their respective chamber (House or Senate).
- β‘οΈ Referral to Committee: The bill is then referred to one or more relevant committees by the Speaker of the House or the Presiding Officer of the Senate.
- π Subject Matter Match: This referral is based on the bill's subject matter (e.g., a bill about farming goes to the Agriculture Committee).
- π Multiple Referrals: Sometimes, a bill may be referred to multiple committees if it covers diverse policy areas.
π Step 2: Committee Hearings & Investigations
- π£οΈ Information Gathering: Committees hold public hearings to gather information on proposed legislation.
- π§βπ¬ Expert Testimony: They invite experts, government officials, interest groups, and citizens to testify and share their perspectives.
- π Fact-Finding: These hearings are crucial for fact-finding, identifying potential impacts, and understanding public sentiment.
- π΅οΈ Oversight Function: Committees also conduct investigations to oversee the executive branch and ensure laws are being faithfully executed.
βοΈ Step 3: Markup Session & Reporting
- π Bill Revision: During a "markup session," committee members debate the bill's provisions and propose amendments (changes).
- π³οΈ Voting on Amendments: Members vote on these proposed amendments, shaping the final version of the bill.
- π« Killing a Bill: A committee can also choose to "table" or "pigeonhole" a bill, effectively killing it by not acting on it.
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Vote to Report: If a majority of the committee approves the revised bill, they vote to "report" it favorably to the full chamber.
π³οΈ Step 4: Committee Vote & Report to the Full Chamber
- π Committee Approval: If the bill passes the committee vote, it is then sent to the floor of the full House or Senate for further consideration.
- π Accompanying Report: The bill is accompanied by a written committee report, which explains the bill's purpose, scope, legislative history, and potential impact.
- ποΈ Calendar Placement: The bill is then placed on the legislative calendar, awaiting its turn for debate and a vote by the entire chamber.
π€ Types of Committees
- ποΈ Standing Committees: These are permanent committees with specific legislative jurisdictions (e.g., House Appropriations Committee, Senate Judiciary Committee). They consider and process the vast majority of legislation.
- β¨ Select or Special Committees: These are temporary committees established for specific, often investigative purposes. They usually do not have legislative authority (e.g., Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, House Select Committee on the January 6th Attack).
- π₯ Joint Committees: Composed of members from both the House and the Senate, these committees are usually formed to conduct studies or perform oversight, rather than to consider legislation (e.g., Joint Economic Committee).
- π Conference Committees: These are temporary joint committees formed to resolve differences between House and Senate versions of a particular bill. Once an agreement is reached, the compromise bill is sent back to both chambers for a final vote.
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Assessment: Practice Quiz
- β What is the primary function of a Congressional committee in the legislative process?
- π Which step in the committee process involves experts and stakeholders sharing their views on a bill?
- βοΈ What critical activity takes place during a "markup session"?
- βοΈ Name two distinct types of Congressional committees and briefly explain their main difference.
- π If a committee decides to take no action on a bill, what is this legislative maneuver often called?
- πͺ Why are Congressional committees frequently referred to as the "workhorses" of the U.S. Congress?
- π¨βπΌ Who is typically responsible for referring a newly introduced bill to the appropriate committee(s)?