What are groups of Congress members assigned to specific issues or bills called?

Committees are integral parts of the legislative process in Congress, specifically designed to manage and evaluate proposed legislation and issues within their designated areas of responsibility. Each committee focuses on particular topics, such as finance, foreign relations, or public health, allowing members to specialize in these areas and work more efficiently on legislation related to them.

The committee system in Congress serves a critical function by breaking down the large workload of legislating into manageable parts. By doing so, committees can conduct detailed analyses, hold hearings, and discuss bills in depth before they are presented to the entire chamber for consideration. This structure ensures that legislation is thoroughly examined and that experts within those fields can scrutinize the details effectively.

While subcommittees, task forces, and panels may also refer to groups that discuss specific issues, committees stand out as the formal entities recognized by congressional rules that wield significant authority, including the power to introduce legislation and direct investigations into particular matters.