Final answer:
A committee is a group of people tasked with performing specific functions within an organization, often seen within legislative bodies like the U.S. Congress, where they play a crucial role in the review and shaping of legislation.
Step-by-step explanation:
The group of activities or tasks assigned to a single organizational unit is called a committee. A committee is a body of persons delegated to consider, investigate, and report or act on some matter. In the context of the U.S. Congress, committees are essential to the legislative process. They handle the detailed examination of proposed legislation, hold public hearings, and are akin to specialized departments in the executive branch, like standing committees in the House and Senate.
Organizing work through committees allows for specialization and legislative delegation, whereby legislators develop expertise in specific policy areas. This expertise is crucial in understanding various issues and analyzing potential solutions to legislative problems. Moreover, committees often hold significant power in shaping legislation and are sometimes more likely to halt a bill than pass it, illustrating the critical role committees play in the congressional process.