Committees
Where most bills are studied, amended or left to wait. 10 questions, each answer with its official source.
Test Yourself FirstWhat does it mean when a committee marks up a bill?
It debates, amends and votes on the bill's text
At a markup, committee members go through the bill, offer amendments and vote on whether to report it to the full chamber.
What does it mean when a committee reports a bill?
It sends the bill back to the full chamber with its recommendation
Reporting a bill sends it, often with amendments and a written report, to the full chamber for possible floor action.
Who usually chairs a congressional committee?
A member of the majority party
Each party's conference or caucus recommends its members for committees, and the chamber elects them. Chairs come from the majority, and the top minority member is called the ranking member.
Which House committee writes tax legislation?
Ways and Means
House Rule X gives the Ways and Means Committee jurisdiction over revenue measures, which must start in the House.
Which Senate committee handles tax legislation?
Finance
Senate Rule XXV gives the Finance Committee jurisdiction over revenue measures generally, along with programs such as Social Security and Medicare.
Which House committee sets the terms of debate for most major bills?
The Rules Committee
The Rules Committee writes special rules, which the House adopts by majority vote, setting how long a bill is debated and which amendments are allowed. Its jurisdiction is in House Rule X.
Which Senate committee holds hearings on Supreme Court nominees?
Judiciary
Senate Rule XXV gives the Judiciary Committee jurisdiction over the federal courts and judges, so it handles judicial nominations before the full Senate votes.
How many signatures does a House discharge petition need to force a bill out of committee?
218, a majority of the House
House Rule XV lets a majority of the total membership, 218 when all seats are filled, sign a petition to bring a bill to the floor that a committee has held for at least 30 legislative days.
What is a joint committee?
A committee with members from both the House and the Senate
Joint committees, such as the Joint Economic Committee, include members of both chambers. They usually study issues or handle housekeeping rather than report bills.
What is a subcommittee?
A smaller panel of a committee that focuses on part of its work
Most standing committees split their work among subcommittees, which can hold hearings and mark up bills before the full committee acts.
Other Topics
- How Congress WorksHow a Bill Becomes LawFrom introduction to the president's desk
- How Congress WorksThe House435 voting members, elected every two years
- How Congress WorksThe SenateTwo senators per state, six-year terms
- How Congress WorksFloor Votes and Roll CallsHow members vote and how votes are recorded
- How Congress WorksThe Filibuster and ClotureExtended debate in the Senate and how to end it
- How Congress WorksVetoes and OverridesThe president's no, and how Congress can overcome it
- How Congress WorksThe Budget and AppropriationsHow Congress decides what the government can spend
- How Congress WorksImpeachmentHow Congress can charge and remove federal officials
- How Congress WorksTreaties and NominationsThe Senate's advice and consent