Senate committees are smaller groups within the U.S. Senate that focus on specific areas of legislation and oversight. Each committee is responsible for reviewing proposed laws, conducting hearings, and investigating issues related to its designated topic, such as finance, foreign relations, or judiciary matters. This structure allows senators to specialize in particular fields and manage the legislative process more efficiently. There are two main types of committees: standing committees, which are permanent and handle ongoing issues, and select committees, which are temporary and address specific concerns. Additionally, there are joint committees that include members from both the Senate and the House of Representatives, promoting collaboration on shared legislative goals.