Congressional Membership and Appointment Authority to Advisory Commissions, Boards, and Groups

Congress statutorily establishes a wide array of commissions, boards, and advisory bodies to provide it with assistance in conducting various legislative, investigative, and administrative responsibilities. Some of these entities are temporary and created to serve specific functions, such as studying a discrete policy area or performing a one-time task. Others are permanent, serving an ongoing purpose, such as overseeing an institution or performing a regular administrative function. The majority of statutes establishing these congressional bodies provide for Members of Congress, particularly the leadership, to be involved in the appointment process. Leadership involvement generally occurs either through direct service or by appointing or recommending candidates for membership. The choice of a particular mechanism for membership appointment may have implications for the ability of these entities to fulfill their congressional mandates. Several common approaches to membership selection exist, and each alternative schema involves trade-offs. For example, a commission or board composed entirely of Members might permit a high degree of congressional control, but also might not provide expertise that is well differentiated from that obtainable in internal congressional organizations. Bodies composed mainly of qualified private citizens or executive branch appointees may offer broader expertise than Member-only bodies but fewer opportunities for congressional control. Assemblages of mixed membership could provide some of the advantages of both Member- and citizen-only appointment schemes. This report contains a compilation of existing commissions and boards that illustrates the range of alternative membership appointment structures. It includes any statutorily created advisory entity (e.g., boards, advisory panels, task forces) whose membership scheme mandates the participation of Members of Congress, either as potential members or as participants in the appointment process. This report provides information on the purpose, duration, appointment structure, and term of appointment for each entity. Additionally, a series of tables provides information on the involvement of Members of Congress—including House and Senate leaders, committee chairs, and ranking minority members—in the appointment process.