Alternatives to Traditional Congressional Hearing Formats
When invited to testify before Congress, you might expect a formal hearing atmosphere. Most people are familiar with the traditional hearing format that involves a single committee conducting a formal hearing. However, there are several other hearing formats that are used by congressional committees.
photo credit: Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of StaffOne of the most often used non-traditional formats is the joint hearing. The joint hearing involves two or more committees or sub-committees that collaborate in conducting a hearing involving the same subject. This collaboration makes it possible to pool resources, interests and legislative powers. In most cases, a joint hearing takes place when two or more committees have either joint or sequential jurisdiction over a bill that has been introduced.
In some instances, a joint hearing might occur when the subject matter of a hearing falls under the purview of more than one committee. In this type of hearing, committee members sit together in a combined manner on the dais. Committee staff works together throughout the hearing. In essence, witnesses appear before multiple committees at once when presenting their testimony.
Some committees have also experimented with the use of 
high-tech hearings. Through such methods, witnesses from practically anywhere in the world can be connected to the committee room through the use of either audio or audio and video combined. The benefits of such a remote form of hearing include the alleviation of problems associated with cost and distance. In one instance, such a hearing involved the testimony of an astronaut who was in space at the time of the hearing.
Other congressional committees have also experimented with informal formats, including round tables. The Senate Foreign Relations Committee utilizes this type of format, holding round-table discussions with committee members and witnesses, or visitors, interspersed around the table to create a more casual environment. The Senate Finance Committee also used round table discussions while preparing for the 2009 debate on health-care reform. Such informal discussions made it possible for more witnesses to participate. The lack of formalities and adherence to time limits also made it possible for more discussion and dialogue to take place between committee members and witnesses. While such round table formats have been used only on a limited basis thus far, they may well be used more frequently in the future.
To learn more about testifying before Congress, consider attending TheCapitol.Net’s workshop Preparing and Delivering Congressional Testimony, also available for custom, on-site training.
Reference: Testifying Before Congress, by William LaForge, Section 2.114 Alterantives to Traditional Hearing Formats
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For more information about presentation and testifying training from TheCapitol.Net, see these resources:
- Testifying Before Congress, by William LaForge
- Live courses in Washington, DC:
- Capitol Learning Audio Courses:
- Tips, Tactics & Techniques for Writing Congressional Testimony
- Preparing for Congressional Oversight and Investigation
- Effectively Using Persuasion in Your Oral Presentations: A Trial Lawyer’s Perspective
- Crisis Communications: Hoping That It Will Never Happen, But Glad You Planned For It
- Keys to Effective Presentations: Invigorate Your Delivery and Increase Your Confidence
Tags: congressional testimony, high-tech hearings, joint hearing, round tables, Testifying Before Congress, video testimony
