Question

What factors determine which committee will deal with a bill?

Answer 1

Committee play most important role in organizing and shaping the laws. Each year around more than five thousand bill go to the committee and less than ten percent go to the floor for consideration. There are four types of committee; Standing, Select, Joint and Conference. Committee also have subcommittees. After elections the representative and senators are assigned to standing committees. Due to the volume of the work, the Senate divides the task among Permanent committees, joint committees and temporary committees. The standing committees have legislative jurisdiction. The subcommittee also tackle the specific areas of work under the full committee. Routine housekeeping responsibilities are dealt by the select and joint committee. The content of the bill decides which committee will deal with which bill.

Answer 2

Depending on its subject and content, each proposed bill is sent to one or more related committees. For example, a bill introduced in the House allocating federal funds for agricultural research might be sent to the Agriculture, Appropriations, and Budget Committees, plus others as deemed appropriate by the Speaker of the House.