Joint Committee on Printing

The Joint Committee on Printing, created by the act of August 3, 1846 (9 Stat. 114; 44 U.S.C. 101), is one of the oldest joint committees of the Congress. Composed of five Representatives and five Senators, the panel oversees the operations of the U.S. Government Publishing Office (GPO), whose support is essential to the legislative process of the Congress. The GPO also serves by law as the principal printing organization for Federal agencies, and so the Joint Committee generally oversees compliance by Federal agencies with laws, rules and regulations designed to minimize printing costs to the American people.

Joint Committee of Congress on the Library

Created on January 26, 1802 (2 Stat. 129), the Joint Committee of Congress on the Library is the oldest continuing joint committee of the U.S. Congress. The Committee has oversight of the operations of the Library of Congress, as well as management of the National Statuary Hall Collection, the U.S. Botanic Garden, and works of fine art in the Capitol. Membership consists of the chairman and three other Members of the Committee on House Administration, the chairman of the House Appropriations Legislative Branch Subcommittee, and the chairman and four other Members of the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration. The chairmanship of the Committee alternates between the House and Senate with each Congress.