Commonly known as the 'traffic cop' of the House, the powerful Committee on Rules determines the rules and procedures under which specific bills will be considered on the House floor. It sets debate times, determines which amendments are in order, and structures the legislative process.

As the chief tax-writing committee in the House, the Committee on Ways and Means has jurisdiction over all taxation, tariffs, and other revenue-raising measures. It also oversees major entitlement programs like Social Security, Medicare, unemployment benefits, and parts of welfare services.