The Three Branches of Government
Standing Committe
These are permanant legislative panels that are always serving in congress. Examples of these committees would be the appropriation committee and ways and means committee.
Conference Committee
Conference comittees were put into place to put compromises on bills after the house and the senate pass similar bills. These committees consist of members from both the house and the senate. Unfortunatley this ussually results in pork barrel legislation. Then after this committee the bill goes to the president who then has to decide wether or not to veto the bill.
Select Committees
These Committees are for policy speciality areas and are given membership on that basis. A senator who has a background in law enforcement or perhaps the FBI would be given a seat in the national intelligence committee.