Which type of committee is primarily formed for a specific purpose and is dissolved after the task is completed?

• A. Standing committee
• B. Joint committee
• C. Select committee
• D. Conference committee

Answer: (C)

A select committee is primarily established to address a specific issue or task and is disbanded once that task is completed. This type of committee allows Congress to focus on particular areas of concern, such as investigations or studies on certain topics.

Select committees often have a temporary nature, and they provide a platform for detailed examination of issues that may not fall within the usual jurisdiction of standing committees. For example, a select committee might be formed to investigate matters like campaign finance or to assess urgent national issues.

In contrast, standing committees are enduring entities that handle ongoing legislative responsibilities, joint committees consist of members from both chambers usually for routine matters, and conference committees are specific types tasked with reconciling differences between House and Senate legislation. Each of these has a different structure and purpose that distinguishes them from the temporary nature of select committees.