Final answer:
Congressmen usually get placed onto a committee based on their experiences, interests, and expertise. Both the House and Senate have permanent committees that appoint subcommittees to examine specific proposals. Committee chairs have significant power and control over the committee's budget and agenda.
Step-by-step explanation:
Congressmen are usually placed onto a committee based on their specific experiences, interests, and expertise. For example, House members from states with large agricultural interests may seek positions on the Agriculture Committee, while Senate members with a background in banking or finance may seek positions on the Senate Finance Committee. Members can request these positions from their chambers' leadership, and the leadership also selects the committee chairs.
Committees play a crucial role in the deliberative work of Congress, shaping members' careers and the congressional agenda. Both the House and Senate have permanent committees that have jurisdiction over specific subjects and appoint subcommittees to examine specific proposals within those areas. Committee assignments are highly competitive and are filled by both majority and minority members, generally reflecting the ratio of majority to minority members in the respective chambers.
Committee chairs hold significant power, controlling the committee's budget and influencing its agenda. In the House, rules limit the tenure of committee chairs to six consecutive years. Senators may serve up to six years as chairs of committees and may also serve as chairs or ranking members of other committees.