<u>Complete Question:</u>
Committee chairpersons usually are chosen?
A) by the presiding officers
B) by the whips
C) on the basis of ability
D) on the basis of seniority
<u>Correct Option:</u>
D) Committee chairpersons usually are chosen on the basis of seniority.
<u>Explanation:</u>
Majority of Congress' performance is achieved with the help of committees which allow Congress to split the work between representatives, thus enabling experts to research legislation and contributing to speed up the implementation of legislation.
The Leaders of the Committee are governing party leaders in each house selected by party caucus. They establish agendas, appoint participants to subcommittees, and determine if public hearings should be held by the committee and which witnesses to invite. They handle the bill's floor discussion as it is introduced to the complete House or Senate.
Such Chairmen were typically selected on the basis of seniority structure, with the governing party participant having the longest period of committee tenure appointed as chairperson. Reforms today require the appointment of chairpersons who are not the committee's most experienced majority-party member. Most of them, although, are former committee members.
