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Committees

Due to the high volume and complexity of its work, Congress divides its tasks among approximately 250 committees and subcommittees. The House and Senate each have their own committee system, which are similar. Within chamber guidelines, however, each committee adopts its own rules, so there is considerable variation among panels.

For more information on how the Senate Committee system works, link to Committees on the main Senate Web page.


Senate Standing, Select, Special, and Joint Committees

            Committees Home Page
            Origins & Development: Senate Committees
            Frequently Asked Questions about Committees

    Membership

            by committee
            by member
            Committee/Subcommittee membership
        Committee Chairs
            Senate Committee Chairs, 1789-

    Hearings & Meetings   Schedule

        Committee Hearings
            Research Guide: How to. . .find committee hearings
            Congressional Committee Materials Online (GPO Access)
            Nomination Hearings for Supreme Court Justices

    Congressional Reports

            Research Guide: How to. . .find committee reports.
        GPO Access:   Main Page,   Search,   Browse
        THOMAS:   Committee Reports 104th Congress-Present

    Committee Creation & History

            Bibliography on Committee Histories (pdf)
            When Did the Senate Create Permanent Committees? Dec 10, 1816
            When was the Senate Appropriations Committee Created? Mar 6, 1867
            When was the Senate Banking Committee Created? Mar 15, 1913
            Senate Eliminates 42 Committees May 27, 1920
        Special and Select Committees
            Teapot Dome Investigation Apr 15, 1922
            Nye Committee (Senate Munitions Committee) Sep 4, 1934
            The Truman Committee Mar 1, 1941
            Kefauver Crime Committee May 3, 1950

    Historic Spaces

            The U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee (pdf)
             The U.S. Foreign Relations Committee (pdf)

House Committees

            Committee List
            Committee Meetings

Related Links

            Joint Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies