On what basis are committee memberships assigned?

Member requests: At the beginning of a new Congress, Members request assignments to the committees they prefer. The incumbent Members those who are not new usually keep the committee assignments they have because they have expertise and seniority. Party approval: Each political party uses a committee in charge of committee assignments to recommend assignments. This committee on committees matches the Member requests with available committee seats, prepares and approves an assignment slate for each committee, and submits all slates to the full party for approval. The full party meets to approve the recommendations. Full Chamber approval: Each committee now made up of members from each political party submits its slate to the full Chamber for approval. When a committee member resigns or is assigned to another committee, all of Congress is notified.

At the beginning of a new Congress, Members request assignments to the committees they prefer. The incumbent Members those who are not new usually keep the committee assignments they have because they have expertise and seniority.