select committee

noun

1. a committee, as of a legislative body, that is formed to examine and report on a specific bill or issue.

select committee

noun

1. (in Britain) a small committee composed of members of parliament, set up by either House of Parliament to investigate and report back on a specified matter of interest

Word History and Origins

Origin of select committee¹

An Americanism dating back to 1780–90

Example Sentences

In a select committee, those concerns would almost certainly become realities.

From The Daily Beast

Notably, a select committee would be composed of members of Congress rather than outside experts, and the subpoena power would function differently — but, crucially, it could also be created with only a simple majority vote in the House.

From Vox

There are also drawbacks to a select committee, however — some very real, and some still hypothetical.

From Vox

The select committee would also have stronger subpoena power because GOP Members can’t block subpoenas.

From Vox

Moments later, he sent a letter to Democratic colleagues vowing to find answers, perhaps through a special select committee.

From Time

Roark was a staffer on the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, and focused on NSA oversight.

From The Daily Beast

If these are the kinds of questions that the select committee examines, maybe it will be a worthwhile exercise.

From The Daily Beast

Rep. Frank Wolf, a Republican from Virginia, proposed a special select committee on Benghazi first in November 2012.

From The Daily Beast

A Select Committee on Benghazi will certainly provide these answers.

From The Daily Beast

We need a Special Select Committee on Benghazi to ascertain these facts and ensure that such a disaster never occurs again.

From The Daily Beast

New proposals regarding telephone charges are expected as soon as the Select Committee has reported.

From Project Gutenberg

On the 15th of April, Mr. Roebuck moved for a select committee to inquire into the political condition of the Canadas.

From Project Gutenberg

In accordance with this motion a select committee was appointed; but its labours did not produce any fruit during the session.

From Project Gutenberg

In the preceding session a select committee had been appointed to consider the state of the law in reference to this subject.

From Project Gutenberg

The papers with reference to the civil list were referred to a select committee, consisting of twenty-one members.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• panel