<P> A congressional committee is a legislative sub-organization in the United States Congress that handles a specific duty ( rather than the general duties of Congress ) . Committee membership enables members to develop specialized knowledge of the matters under their jurisdiction . As `` little legislatures '' , the committees monitor ongoing governmental operations , identify issues suitable for legislative review , gather and evaluate information , and recommend courses of action to their parent body . Woodrow Wilson once wrote , `` it is not far from the truth to say that Congress in session is Congress on public exhibition , whilst Congress in its committee rooms is Congress at work . '' It is neither expected nor possible that a member of Congress be an expert on all matters and subject areas that come before Congress . Congressional committees provide valuable informational services to Congress by investigating and reporting about specialized subjects . </P>
purposes of committees in the house and senate
enables members to develop specialized knowledge of the matters under their jurisdiction