• In the United States Congress, the determination of committees and their jurisdictions is primarily made by the Speaker of the House in the House of Representatives and the Majority Leader in the Senate. These leaders, in consultation with their respective party members, assign representatives or senators to specific committees based on their expertise, interests, and seniority.
• Additionally, the rules and procedures of each chamber play a role in determining committees and their jurisdictions. The House of Representatives, for example, has the Committee on Rules, which has the authority to determine the rules and procedures for considering legislation. This committee also has the power to grant or deny amendments to bills, which can influence the jurisdiction of other committees.
• It's important to note that committee assignments and jurisdictions can change from one Congress to another, as they are subject to the political dynamics and priorities of the majority party in each chamber.