POL-111 Congress

Standing Committee

permanent, legislative authority

Select Committee

temporary, no legislative authority, investigatory

Joint Committee

can be temporary or permanent, study issues that impact both chambers

Conference Committee

temporary, legislative authority, reconcile differences between House & Senate versions of a bill

gerrymandering

purposeful drawing of districts to advantage a political party or some other group

pork barrel

public works projects and grants for specific districts paid for by general revenues