select committees
Specialized congressional groups
Select committees are legislative bodies appointed to investigate specific matters or oversee particular areas of government.
Unlike standing committees, which are permanent, select committees typically dissolve after completing their assigned task.
In the US Congress, select committees examine issues like intelligence or aging.
In the UK Parliament, they scrutinize government departments: The select committee grilled the minister on budget overruns.
Formal examination of facts
- probeThorough examination or tool
- scrutinyClose, careful examination
- examinationMethodical assessment or review
- fact-findingSeeking verified information
evidence · cross-examination · interrogation · witness · testimony · hearing · indictment · deliberation
National legislative assembly
- senateLegislative governing body
- assemblyConstructing from components
- subcommitteeSubset of larger panel
- ranking memberTop minority party representative
hearing · testimony · witness · subpoena · report · recommendation · bipartisan · caucus
Ongoing observation of something
- auditFormal accounts examination
- complianceAdhering to requirements
- watchdogGuard or monitor
- accountabilityObligation for one's actions
review · inspection · transparency · checks and balances · reporting · evaluation · standards · ethics
For this purpose specifically
- intelligenceMental ability, cognitive capacity
- appropriationsDesignated funds for purposes
- judiciaryLaw-interpreting government branch
- financeProvide money for
foreign affairs · ways and means · budget · armed services · agriculture
investigation
Formal examination of facts
- probeThorough examination or tool
- scrutinyClose, careful examination
- examinationMethodical assessment or review
fact-finding · evidence · cross-examination · interrogation · witness · testimony · hearing · indictment · deliberation · findings
parliament
National legislative assembly
- senateLegislative governing body
- assemblyConstructing from components
- subcommitteeSubset of larger panel
ranking member · hearing · testimony · witness · subpoena · report · recommendation · bipartisan · caucus · whip
monitoring
Ongoing observation of something
- auditFormal accounts examination
- complianceAdhering to requirements
- watchdogGuard or monitor
accountability · review · inspection · transparency · checks and balances · reporting · evaluation · standards · ethics · regulation
ad hoc
For this purpose specifically
- intelligenceMental ability, cognitive capacity
- appropriationsDesignated funds for purposes
- judiciaryLaw-interpreting government branch
finance · foreign affairs · ways and means · budget · armed services · agriculture
- Congresssenator, representative, senators, House, bill
- British GovernmentHouse of Commons, House of Lords, Westminster, Whitehall, Downing Street
- committeessubcommittees, subcommittee
- parliamentparliament, bills, votes, vote, debate
- Senatesenate seat, Senate floor, senior senator, Senate chamber, confirmation hearings
- UK GovernmentWestminster, Whitehall, Downing Street, Home Office, Foreign Office