Congressional committees

House committees
In the 111th Congress, there are twenty-one standing House committees, four joint committees (comprised of members from both the House and Senate) and one special committee. House Rule X governs the process by which committee chairs and members are selected, as well as the jurisdiction and oversight responsibilities of each respective committee. Members of each standing committee are elected by the full House within seven days following the start of each Congress. The elections are based on nominations submitted by the respective party caucuses or conferences. Membership on a committee is contingent upon a member remaining a part of the caucus or conference who nominated him/her; parties may remove a member from a committee if he/she leaves the party. Members are restricted from serving on more than two standing committees or four subcommittees of the standing committees (with limited exception). Committee chairs, similar to members, are elected by the House on the basis of nominations put forward by the majority party caucus or conference. In the case of a permanent vacancy in the elected chairmanship of a committee, the House elects a replacement through the same process. Members cannot serve as committee chairs of the same committee for more than three consecutive Congresses (six years). Each standing committee may appoint, by majority vote, up to 30 professional staff members to be compensated from the funds provided for the appointment of committee staff by primary and additional expense resolutions. Each professional staff member appointed is assigned to the chair and ranking minority member of the respective committee.

Senate committees
Committee list