Making laws
hearing
A committee session for taking testimony: on a bill, on oversight of an agency, on a nomination, or as part of an investigation.
In full
Hearings are how committees gather information and how the public watches Congress question the executive branch. Legislative hearings examine a proposal, oversight hearings examine how a law is being carried out, confirmation hearings examine a nominee, and investigative hearings examine alleged wrongdoing. Witnesses may appear voluntarily or under subpoena, and testimony is generally under oath.
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A plain-language explanation for civic education, not legal advice. When in doubt, the official source named above controls.