Congressional Committees and Leadership

Both the House of Representatives and the Senate are both divide up into _______________ to make them more efficient.

True of False: Congressmen and Senators serve on multiple committees.

• True

• False

What type of committee is made up of members of both houses?

What are the main types of committees in Congress?

• Standing, Special, Joint, and Conference

• Temporary, Permanent, Advisory, and Legislative

• House, Senate, Presidential, and Judicial

• Small, Large, Old, and New

Why does Congress have different committees?

• To make laws more confusing for people.

• To help members become experts and work better in smaller groups.

• To let only a few people make all the decisions.

• To make sure no new laws are ever passed.

What is "gatekeeping authority" for a committee?

• The power to open and close doors in the Capitol building.

• The power to decide which ideas become bills.

• The power to choose who can join the committee.

• The power to stop all new laws from being made.

What happens if a bill does not get enough votes in a committee?

• It goes straight to the President.

• It is sent to another committee.

• It "dies" and does not become a law.

• It is automatically approved.

Before Newt Gingrich, how was the leader of a committee usually chosen?

• By a special vote.

• By the person who had been there the longest.

• By the Speaker of the House.

• By drawing names from a hat.

What are the two main kinds of helpers that work for Congress?

• Lawyers and doctors.

• Staff assistants and staff agencies.

• Teachers and students.

• Police officers and firefighters.

What are caucuses in Congress?

• Formal meetings where laws are made.

• Groups of people who wear suits and ties.

• Semi-formal groups of Congress members with similar interests.

• Places where Congress members eat lunch.