Congressional Committees: Crash Course Government and Politics #7

Summary

This Crash Course episode delves into the intricacies of the US Congress, highlighting its committees as essential for efficiency and expertise development. It explains the roles of standing, special, joint, and conference committees, emphasizing their legislative and oversight functions. The video also touches on historical reforms, especially under Newt Gingrich, which centralized power and altered committee dynamics. Additionally, it discusses congressional staff's role in legislation and the caucus system's impact on identity building and coordination among legislators.

Takeaways

• 🏛️ Congress is complex and important, with the House of Representatives and Senate divided into committees for efficiency.
• 📚 There are standing committees that handle the day-to-day business, with the House having 19 and the Senate 16.
• 👥 Congress members serve on multiple committees, each led by a chairperson who often represents the committee in the press.
• 🌐 Special or select committees are created for specific issues beyond the scope of standing committees, with varying degrees of permanence and authority.
• 🔗 Joint committees consist of members from both houses and oversee tasks like managing the Library of Congress.
• 📝 The main reason for many committees is efficiency in legislation and allowing Congress members to develop expertise on specific topics.
• 🗳️ Serving on a committee helps Congress members build their brand for re-election and claim credit for their work.
• 🔑 Committee chairs have 'Gatekeeping Authority', controlling which ideas become bills and manage the bill-writing process.
• 🔍 Committees also have oversight power to check on the implementation of laws through hearings and staff scrutiny.
• 📈 Changes under Newt Gingrich in 1994 increased the power of the Speaker, reduced subcommittees, and altered seniority rules for committee chairs.
• 👩‍💼 Congressional staff is crucial, with individual staffers assisting legislators and specialized staff agencies providing research and assessment.

Q & A

What is the main reason Congress is divided into committees?

The main reason Congress is divided into committees is to make the legislative process more efficient by allowing smaller groups to handle specific tasks, which makes it easier to write and review legislation.

What are standing committees, and how many are there in the House of Representatives and the Senate?

Standing committees are relatively permanent committees that handle the day-to-day business of Congress. There are 19 standing committees in the House of Representatives and 16 in the Senate.

What is the purpose of special or select committees?

Special or select committees are created to address particular issues that are beyond the jurisdiction of standing committees. Some are temporary, while others, like the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, are permanent. Some have only advisory authority, meaning they cannot write laws.

Why do congressional committees allow members of Congress to develop expertise?

Committees allow members of Congress to focus on topics relevant to their constituencies or personal interests, enabling them to develop expertise in those areas, such as a Congressperson from Iowa serving on the agriculture committee.

What is 'Gatekeeping Authority' in Congress?

'Gatekeeping Authority' is the power that committee chairs have to control which bills or ideas get considered and potentially become laws. This authority allows them to decide which issues make it to the agenda and which do not.

What happens when a bill 'dies in committee'?

When a bill 'dies in committee,' it means that it did not receive a majority vote in the committee, preventing it from being reported out to the full House or Senate. In this case, the bill is essentially discarded.

What is the function of Congressional staff?

Congressional staff assist members of Congress by researching and writing legislation, handling casework for constituents, and performing personal functions, such as managing calendars. Staff agencies like the Congressional Research Service and the Congressional Budget Office provide unbiased research and assess the financial impact of bills.

What were the key changes to the committee system under Newt Gingrich's leadership in 1994?

Under Newt Gingrich's leadership in 1994, the power of the Speaker was increased, the number of subcommittees was reduced, and the seniority rules for appointing committee chairs were changed. Committee chairs were no longer automatically the longest-serving members; instead, they were chosen through votes, with the Speaker having significant influence.

What is the purpose of caucuses in Congress?

Caucuses in Congress are semi-formal groups organized around particular identities or interests. They allow like-minded members of Congress to gather, discuss ideas, and coordinate legislative efforts. Examples include the Congressional Black Caucus and the Republican Study Group.

How do committees help Congresspeople build their identity for reelection?

Serving on a committee or being a committee chair helps Congresspeople build their public identity and establish a record of accomplishment, which they can use to appeal to voters during reelection campaigns, especially when Congress passes fewer laws.