Committee

Definition

A committee is a small group of people appointed or elected to perform a specific function or address a particular issue on behalf of a larger organization, such as a legislature, government, or other governing body. Committees are often used to research, investigate, and make recommendations on matters that require specialized knowledge or in-depth analysis.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Committees in legislatures, such as the U.S. Congress, play a crucial role in the legislative process by reviewing bills, holding hearings, and making recommendations to the full chamber.
2. Committees allow for specialized expertise and focused attention on complex issues, which can lead to more informed and effective policymaking.
3. The composition of committees, including the number of members and their party affiliations, can significantly influence the outcomes of committee deliberations and the legislation that emerges.
4. Committee chairs hold significant power in setting the agenda, scheduling hearings, and controlling the flow of information and debate within the committee.
5. Committees can also serve as a check on the executive branch by conducting oversight and investigations into the activities and policies of government agencies.

Review Questions

• Explain the key functions and importance of committees in the legislative process.
  • Committees play a vital role in the legislative process by reviewing and analyzing bills, holding hearings to gather information and testimony, and making recommendations to the full legislative body. This allows for specialized expertise and focused attention on complex issues, leading to more informed and effective policymaking. Committees also serve as a check on the executive branch by conducting oversight and investigations into government activities and policies.
• Describe how the composition and leadership of committees can influence their outcomes and the resulting legislation.
  • The composition of committees, including the number of members and their party affiliations, can significantly impact the outcomes of committee deliberations and the legislation that emerges. Committee chairs hold significant power in setting the agenda, scheduling hearings, and controlling the flow of information and debate within the committee. The partisan balance and leadership of a committee can determine which issues are prioritized, what evidence and perspectives are considered, and the final recommendations made to the full legislative body.
• Analyze the role of committees in providing a check on the executive branch through oversight and investigations.
  • Committees in the legislative branch can serve as an important check on the executive branch by conducting oversight and investigations into the activities and policies of government agencies. This allows the legislative branch to scrutinize the actions of the executive branch, identify potential abuses or mismanagement, and take corrective measures if necessary. Through this oversight function, committees can hold the executive branch accountable and ensure that the laws and policies enacted by the legislature are being properly implemented and enforced.

Related terms

Subcommittee: A smaller group formed within a larger committee to focus on a specific aspect or task assigned to the parent committee.

Standing Committee: A permanent committee that is established to handle ongoing or recurring issues within an organization.

Ad Hoc Committee: A temporary committee formed to address a specific, one-time issue or task, and is dissolved once the task is completed.