<Tr> <Td> </Td> <Td> This article needs additional citations for verification . Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources . Unsourced material may be challenged and removed . (February 2015) (Learn how and when to remove this template message) </Td> </Tr> <P> In the United States Congress, standing committees are permanent legislative panels established by the United States House of Representatives and United States Senate rules . (House Rule X, Senate Rule XXV .) Because they have legislative jurisdiction, standing committees consider bills and issues and recommend measures for consideration by their respective chambers . They also have oversight responsibility to monitor agencies, programs, and activities within their jurisdictions, and in some cases in areas that cut across committee jurisdictions . Due to their permanent nature, these committees exist beyond the adjournment of each two - year meeting of Congress . </P> <P> Most standing committees recommend funding levels--authorizations--for government operations and for new and existing programs . A few have other functions . For example, the Appropriations Committees recommend legislation to provide budget authority for federal agencies and programs . The Budget Committees establish aggregate levels for total spending and revenue that serve as guidelines for the work of the authorizing and appropriating panels . Committees also provide oversight of federal agencies and programs . </P> <P> The Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946 greatly reduced the number of committees . The membership of each committee is adopted at the beginning of each Congress, usually by adoption of a formal resolution . Each committee is assigned its own staff to assist with its legislative, investigative, and research functions . Several committees divide their work into sub units called subcommittees . </P>

Who controls the standing committees in both houses of congress