Congressional committees serve an essential role in the effective operation of legislative bodies. Here are some of the purposes that congressional committees serve:

• Specialized knowledge: Committee membership enables members to develop specialized knowledge of the matters under their jurisdiction.

• Monitoring governmental operations: Committees monitor ongoing governmental operations, identify issues suitable for legislative review, gather and evaluate information, and recommend courses of action to the Senate.

• Gathering information: Through investigations and hearings, committees gather information on national and international problems within their jurisdiction in order to draft, consider, and recommend legislation to the full membership of the Senate.

• Evaluating presidential nominees: Committees evaluate presidential nominees for executive and judicial posts and provide oversight of federal government operations.

• Organizing legislative work: Committees help to organize the most important work of Congress, including considering, shaping, and passing laws to govern the nation.

• Dividing work: Committees divide the work of Congress among members, allowing them to focus on specific areas of expertise.

• Considering bills: Committees consider bills and issues and oversee agencies, programs, and activities within their jurisdictions.

Committees can be permanent or temporary, and they can be established with narrow or broad jurisdictions. Members are assigned to committees based on their expertise, seniority, and the needs of the committees. Committee assignments are one of the most important decisions for a new members future work in Congress.