[19991228]RS20421_众议院工作队的使用.pdf

Congressional Research Service The Library of CongressCRS Report for CongressReceived through the CRS WebOrder Code RS20421December 28, 1999The Use of Task Forces in the HouseWalter J. OleszekSenior Specialist in American National GovernmentGovernment and Finance DivisionSummaryTask forces, long used by both House parties, come in various sizes and shapes.Typically, they are created by the majority and minority leadership to accomplish diversegoals. Renewed attention is being given these informal entities because of their recentlarger role in House politics and policymaking. On the one hand, leadership task forcesare flexible devices for addressing problems that do not fall neatly within committeesjurisdictional boundaries. On the other hand, a system of standing committees is wellsuited for providing continuity and expertise to congressional policymaking and foroverseeing the administration of laws. In short, there appears to be a role for both in theHouses committee system.During the 104th Congress, wider use of party task forces was an important andsomewhat controversial initiative of Speaker Newt Gingrich. A proponent of“adhocracy” in the Information Age, the Speaker employed t