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Types of Committees

Standing Committee

Standing committees are permanent legislative panels in the Senate and House of Representatives. Standing committees usually consider bills and issues and recommend measures for consideration by their respective chambers. They also oversee agencies, programs, and activities within their jurisdictions. It is the most common type of committee. The Senate has 16 standing committees out of 20, and the House has 20 standing committees out of 21 total. 

Examples

House Appropriations Committee, House Budget Committee

Senate Judiciary Committee

Select Committees

Select committees usually investigate an issue. The committee usually expires upon completion of its designated duties. 

Examples

House Select Committee Surrounding the 2012 Terrorist Attack in Benghazi

Senate Indian Affairs Committee

Senate Aging Committee

Joint Committees

Joint committees are mainly standing committees that contain members of both houses.

Examples

Joint Economic Committee 

Joint Committee on Taxation

Conference Committees

When different versions of a bill pass in each house of Congress, their differences must be resolved in a Conference Committee

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Taxes and Public Policy

Campaign Finance