Question

What problems do the party and committee system address in Congress?

Answer 1

Standing commitments, which go on from one Congress to the next, are probably the most important sort, because they accept and form the vast majority of proposed legislation. Standing committees may be merged or abolished, but for many years most of them have been around. Active panels are also conducting hearings, such as reviewing President Bill Clinton's Whitewater transactions by the Senate Banking Committee.

Joint committees have similar functions as select committees, but they are comprised of both House and Senate members. They are set up to conduct business between the houses and help focus the attention of the public on major issues. Several joint committees deal with routine problems, such as managing the Congress Library.

Conference committees are formed particularly when different versions of the same bill need to be reconciled between the House and the Senate. A conference committee is comprised of House and Senate committee members who were initially considering the legislation. The amended bill will be submitted to both Congress houses for their approval once the committee decides on a compromise.