The use of committees as crucial centres of policymaking, oversight of federal agencies, and public education is an organising principle of the contemporary Congress. Committees are presumed to be the primary locus through which the work of Congress is organised, and where public policy proposals first receive substantive consideration. By using committees, the Senate enables itself to manage a large volume of legislative, investigative and oversight activity, and support the representational duties of Senators. The focus of the workload and activity indicators presented in this book is...

The 'discharge rule' of the House of Representatives allows a measure to come to the floor for consideration, even if the committee of referral does not report it and the leadership does not schedule it. To initiate this action, a majority of House Members must first sign a petition for that purpose. The rule permits either (1) the committee of referral to be discharged from the measure itself; or (2) the Committee on Rules to be discharged from a special rule for considering the measure. Layover periods required by the rule permit the Committee on Rules to pre-empt a discharge attempt, and...