​A congressional committee is a legislative sub-organization in the United States Congress that handles a specific duty (rather than the general duties of Congress). Committee membership enables members to develop specialized knowledge of the matters under their jurisdiction. Committees monitor on-going governmental operations, identify issues suitable for legislative review, gather and evaluate information, and recommend courses of action to the rest of congress. Congress divides its legislative, administrative tasks among approximately 200 committees and subcommittees. Within assigned areas, these functional subunits gather information,  evaluate legislative alternatives, identify policy problems and find solutions, and report measures for full chamber consideration, monitor executive branch performance, and investigate allegations of wrongdoing. (Senate budget committee pictured left)