Guide to Congressional Hearings

Congressional hearings are the principal formal method by which committees collect and analyse information in the early stages of policy making. Whether legislative, oversight, investigative, or a combination of these, all hearings share common elements of preparation and conduct. This book provides a guide to conducting Congressional hearings. It covers formal procedures and rules, and common committee practices. It discusses hearings preparation, such as scheduling, invitations to witnesses, and publicity and media considerations; and procedural elements, such as quorums for taking testimony, oaths and questioning witnesses.