The other party elects the minority leader. Each party also chooses an assistant leader called a whip. The whip estimates forthcoming votes and tries to persuade party members to support the party's position. In addition, each party chooses a policy committee, which helps schedule bills for consideration and largely plans the legislative strategy of the party. Senate committees, which consist of members of both parties, do most of the actual work of the Senate.
Senators serve on four types of committees.
Standing committees, the most important type, deal with bills concerning specific legislative subjects. The Senate has 17 standing committees, the most powerful of which include Appropriations, Armed Services, Foreign Relations, and Judiciary. Select committees, also called special committees, are temporary groups formed for investigations or other special purposes. Conference committees and joint committees consist of members of each house of Congress. Conference committees resolve differences in bills that have passed in both houses.