Question

A type of committee generally called to investigate an issue for possible future legislation or to perform a special function that is beyond the authority of a standing committee is known as which of the selections below?

Answer 1

Assuming the selections were:

1. conference committee
2. special or select committee
3. joint committee
4. committee of the whole

The answer is: special or select committee (2).

Select committees of the United States Congress are usually the result of a resolution outlining their duties and powers on a particular matter. They expire once their designated work is done. Although their purpose is mostly investigative, some of them can draft legislation.

Special congressional committees are a type of select committees. Among them are the Senate Special Committee on Aging or the House Select Committee on the Climate Crisis.