Selecting House Committee Chairs

The committee system of the US House of Representatives was originally intended as a temporary measure to discuss legislation on behalf of the Committee of the Whole. Throughout the 19th century, the committee system expanded and developed along with the size of the federal government. After this period of growth, the committee system was streamlined and restructured with the Legislative Reorganization Acts of 1946 and 1970.

Traditionally, though not exclusively, committee chairs have been selected by seniority, so that the longest-serving Members of the committee from the majority and minority parties become the chair and ranking member, respectively, of the committee. The committee chair serves as the leader of a committee, with responsibility for setting the course and direction of the panel for committee members and the House and for managing a large professional and paraprofessional staff. The senior committee staff should ensure the chair's goals are carried out effectively.

The steering committee for each party (the House Democratic Caucus and the House Republican Conference), or the specific party entity responsible for committee assignments, traditionally is constituted during the early organisation meetings. Party rules govern each party's process for selecting committee members and designating committee and subcommittee chairs or ranking minority members. If one or more committee chairmanships are contested or open, the majority party's steering committee may conduct interviews of candidates for chair during early organisation meetings.

Committee chairs are selected by seniority

The selection of committee chairs in the House of Representatives is traditionally based on seniority. The committee chair is usually the ranking majority member in order of seniority (order of appointment). Seniority on a committee is not based on the longest-serving member of the House but on their order of appointment to that committee by their respective party caucus.

The selection of committee chairs is a two-step procedure. First, the Democratic Caucus and the Republican Conference recommend members to serve on Committees. Second, the majority party recommends a Chairman, and the Minority Party recommends a Ranking Member. Finally, the full House can approve the recommendation of the Party Caucuses.

The number of members who serve on a committee, along with the party ratio of a committee, is determined by the Majority and Minority Leaders of the House, with the exception of the Committee on Ethics, which is limited by the Rules to five majority members and five minority members.

The committee system was originally intended as a temporary measure

The committee system of the U.S. House of Representatives was originally intended as a temporary measure to discuss legislation on behalf of the Committee of the Whole, a device in which all Members are considered part of one large committee.

Throughout the 19th century, the committee system expanded and developed alongside the growth of the federal government. Many select committees, which had previously formed to consider a particular item before disbanding, became standing committees.

After this period of growth, the committee system was streamlined and restructured with the Legislative Reorganization Acts of 1946 and 1970.

The committee system is as old as the House itself, having been patterned after the English House of Commons, the colonial assemblies, and the Continental Congress. Although during its first quarter-century, the House relied primarily upon select committees and the Committee of the Whole, the first standing committee dates from 1789.

The committees of the House play a prominent role at every stage of the legislative process. As a general rule, proposed legislative measures are referred to committees before receiving consideration in the House itself.

A committee may report a measure with or without amendments (which may rewrite the measure entirely), report adversely, or fail to report the measure at all. The role of the committee does not terminate with the reporting of the bill to the House. When a bill reaches the floor, members of the committee reporting it are entitled to priority in recognition for the purpose of offering amendments, and general debate is generally under the control of the chair and ranking minority member.

The committee system expanded in the 19th century

The committee system of the U.S. House of Representatives was originally intended as a temporary measure to discuss legislation on behalf of the Committee of the Whole. However, throughout the 19th century, the committee system expanded and developed alongside the growing size of the federal government.

During this period, many select committees, which had previously formed to consider a particular item before disbanding, became standing committees. The expansion of the committee system was driven by the need to address the increasing complexity of federal laws and the growing number of states in the Union. The Senate, which had relied on temporary select committees since 1789, established its first permanent standing committees in 1816. The House of Representatives, which had established its first standing committee in 1789, created a standing Committee on Agriculture in 1825.

The expansion of the committee system in the 19th century also reflected the growing role of the federal government in areas such as internal improvements, such as canals and roads, and the disposition of public lands. The establishment of new standing committees allowed for the first time for the dedicated and continuous attention to important legislative matters.

The growth of the committee system continued into the 20th century, with the number of standing committees in the House of Representatives reaching 59 during the 57th and 58th Congresses (1901-1905). This expansion was eventually followed by a period of streamlining and restructuring, with the Legislative Reorganization Acts of 1946 and 1970.

The committee system was streamlined in the 1940s and 1970s

The 1970 Act was the product of more than 5 years of work, spread over three Congresses. The Act focused more on rules governing committees, not the committee structure itself. The Act was designed to give greater voice to the minority Members on committees and to make sure that a chair could not always override the wishes of a majority of the committee. The Act also required each committee to adopt written rules, which could not be inconsistent with House rules, and select a regular meeting day to conduct its business. It also required a majority of a committee to call a special meeting without the assent of a committee chair, and the ranking majority member to preside over the committee in the absence of the chair. The Act also opened Congress to public scrutiny, modified committee and floor procedures, and enhanced Congress's research and budget capabilities.

The committee chair sets the agenda

The committee chair plays a crucial role in setting the agenda and guiding the committee's work. They are responsible for scheduling meetings, preparing and distributing the agenda, and ensuring the committee's effective functioning. Here are some key aspects of how the committee chair sets the agenda:

Scheduling Meetings:

The committee chair is responsible for setting the date, time, and place of committee meetings. They decide whether the meetings will be held in person or remotely and choose an appropriate location if needed. The chair also collaborates with other committee chairs to schedule cross-committee meetings.

Preparing and Distributing the Agenda:

The committee chair, often with the support of relevant staff members, prepares the agenda for committee meetings. The proposed agenda is distributed to committee members in advance, along with any relevant working papers or documents. This advance distribution allows committee members to prepare for the meeting and stay informed about the topics to be discussed.

Guiding the Committee through the Agenda:

During the committee meeting, the chair conducts the proceedings and guides the committee through the agenda items. They ensure that the committee effectively addresses each item and facilitates a smooth and orderly discussion.

Ensuring Continued Activity:

An effective committee is one where activities continue between meetings. The chair plays a role in encouraging and facilitating this continuity by distributing relevant materials, scheduling conference calls, and planning future committee meetings.

Annual Reporting:

Towards the end of the year, committee chairs are typically required to prepare a written annual report. This report outlines the significant activities, issues, and accomplishments of the committee during the year. It serves as an important tool for keeping the broader organization informed about the committee's work.

Communication with Higher Bodies:

Committee chairs also act as liaisons between the committee and higher bodies, such as the Board of Directors. They are responsible for reporting on the committee's activities, progress, and current issues. This communication facilitates a two-way exchange of information and enhances overall organizational effectiveness.

Frequently asked questions