What type of committee is primarily responsible for examining different bills and is mostly permanent?

Standing committees are indeed the type of committee that is primarily responsible for examining different bills and is mostly permanent. These committees are established by the rules of either the House of Representatives or the Senate and continue to exist from session to session. They have the authority to review legislation related to specific areas, such as finance, judiciary, or foreign affairs. This permanence allows them to develop expertise over time in their designated subject matter, making them crucial in the legislative process as they can conduct detailed reviews, hold hearings, and recommend legislation based on their findings.

In contrast, joint committees include members from both the House and Senate but are often used for specific purposes and are not necessarily permanent. Select committees are typically formed for a particular task or investigation and disband once their objective is achieved. Ad hoc committees, similar to select committees, are temporary and created as needed for specific issues and purposes. Thus, standing committees play a vital and ongoing role in organizing the legislative agenda and shaping policy in a consistent and continuous manner.