Summary
The House’s standing committees have different legislative jurisdictions. Each considers bills and issues and recommends measures for consideration by the House. Committees also have oversight responsibilities to monitor agencies, programs, and activities within their jurisdictions, and in some cases in areas that cut across committee jurisdictions.
The Committee of the Whole House is a committee of the House on which all representatives serve and which meets in the House Chamber for the consideration of measures from the Union calendar.
Before members are assigned to committees, each committee’s size and the proportion of Republicans to Democrats must be decided by the party leaders. The total number of committee slots allotted to each party is approximately the same as the ratio between majority party and minority party members in the full chamber.
Get answers to frequently asked questions about committees from the Clerk of the House.
Committee Websites
All committees have websites where they post information about the legislation they are drafting.
What’s a Select Committee?
The House will sometimes form a special or select committee for a short time period and specific purpose, frequently an investigation.
Did You Know?
Each committee has a chair and a ranking member. The chair heads the full committee. The ranking member leads the minority members of the committee.
Source: US House website
OnAir Post: US House Committees
