Puzzle—Find The Committee Chairmen
8/6/1909
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This cartoon underscores the prominence of House and Senate committee chairs on Capitol Hill. Legislation begins as bills proposed in either the House or Senate. In either chamber, the newly introduced bills are typically referred to committees, under the leadership of chairs. The committees study bills, and when they are convinced that a bill is worth pursuing, they refer it to the whole body for further work. This cartoon depicts an era when committee chairs had a great deal of independent authority over their committees. Since the 1970s, successive Speakers of the House, Senate Majority Leaders, and party caucuses have reduced their autonomy.
This cartoon was drawn by Clifford Berryman, one of Washington, DC's best-known cartoonists in the early to mid-1900s. Berryman drew for the Washington Post and Evening Star newspapers. His cartoons touched on a variety of subjects including politics, elections, and both World Wars.
This cartoon was drawn by Clifford Berryman, one of Washington, DC's best-known cartoonists in the early to mid-1900s. Berryman drew for the Washington Post and Evening Star newspapers. His cartoons touched on a variety of subjects including politics, elections, and both World Wars.
This primary source comes from the Records of the U.S. Senate, 1789 - 2015.
National Archives Identifier: 6010808
Full Citation: Puzzle- Find The Committee Chairmen; 8/6/1909; (G-032); Berryman Political Cartoon Collection, 1896 - 1949; Records of the U.S. Senate, 1789 - 2015, Record Group 46; National Archives Building, Washington, DC. [Online Version, https://www.docsteach.org/documents/document/puzzle—find-the-committee-chairmen, May 16, 2024]Rights: Public Domain, Free of Known Copyright Restrictions. Learn more on our privacy and legal page.