<P> Investigative hearings share some of the characteristics of legislative and oversight hearings . The difference lies in Congress's stated determination to investigate, usually when there is a suspicion of wrongdoing on the part of public officials acting in their official capacity, or private citizens whose activities suggest the need for a legislative remedy . Congress's authority to investigate is broad and it has exercised this authority since the earliest days of the republic . The first such hearings were held by the House of Representatives in 1792 following St. Clair's Defeat in the Battle of the Wabash . Its most famous inquiries are benchmarks in American history: Credit Mobilier, Teapot Dome, Army - McCarthy, Watergate, and Iran - Contra . Investigative hearings often lead to legislation to address the problems uncovered . Judicial activities in the same area of Congress's investigation may precede, run simultaneously with, or follow such inquiries . </P> <P> Confirmation hearings on presidential nominations are held in fulfillment of the Senate's constitutional "advice and consent" responsibilities under the Appointments Clause . Each Senate committee holds confirmation hearings on presidential nominations to executive and judicial positions within its jurisdiction . These hearings often offer an opportunity for oversight into the activities of the nominee's department or agency . While the vast majority of confirmation hearings are routine, some are controversial . </P> <P> The Senate, as required by the Treaty Clause of the Constitution, must consent to the ratification of treaties negotiated by the executive branch with foreign governments . In October 1999, for example, the Committee on Foreign Relations and the Committee on Armed Services held hearings on the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty . Also that year the Committee on Foreign Relations held hearings on ratifying tax treaties with Estonia, Venezuela, Denmark, and other nations . </P> <P> Field hearings are Congressional hearings held outside Washington . The formal authority for field hearings is found implicitly in the chamber rules . Senate Rule XXVI, paragraph 1 states that a committee "is authorized to hold hearings...at such times and places during the sessions, recesses, and adjourned periods of the Senate" as it sees fit . Otherwise, there is no distinction between field hearings and those held in Washington . In the 106th Congress, for example, the Committee on Commerce held a field hearing in Bellingham, Washington, on a liquid pipeline explosion in that city, and the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources held a field hearing in Albuquerque, New Mexico, on a bill to review the ability of the National Laboratories to meet Department of Energy standards . While field hearings involve some matters different from Washington hearings, most of the procedural requirements are the same . However, funding for committee travel must meet regulations established by the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration . </P>

How are congressional hearings used by members of congress