Joint Committee of Congress on the Library

The Joint Committee of Congress on the Library is a permanent joint committee, meaning it conducts ongoing research and administrative oversight rather than serving as a temporary conference committee. Established in 1802, it is Congress's oldest continuing joint committee. The committee has five members from each chamber, totaling ten members, and does not report legislation to either chamber floor.

The committee's specific mandate includes oversight of the Library of Congress operations and management of the National Statuary Hall Collection, the U.S. Botanic Garden, and works of fine art in the Capitol. However, it does not have legislative authority. The chairmanship alternates between the House and Senate every two years at the start of a new Congress.

Currently, the committee's leadership positions are vacant, though historically the committee has maintained active organizational meetings and conducted business related to committee procedures and rules. The committee's work ensures that Congress's institutional resources—including its library, art collections, and botanical garden—are properly managed and maintained for the benefit of lawmakers and the public.