United States congressional hearing

A United States congressional hearing is the principal formal method by which United States congressional committees collect and analyze information in the early stages of legislative policymaking. Whether confirmation hearings (a procedure unique to the United States Senate), legislative, oversight, investigative, or a combination of these, all hearings share common elements of preparation and conduct. Hearings usually include oral testimony from witnesses and questioning of the witnesses by members of Congress. Most congressional hearings, even committee hearings, do not require sworn witness testimony, although such is typically required by committees for investigative and confirmation hearings. Refusals of subpoenas to testify or produce requested evidence for an investigative or confirmation hearing, or violations of rules during delivery of testimony under oath (i.e., Perjury) may trigger criminal charges for Contempt of Congress.

George B. Galloway termed congressional hearings a goldmine of information for all the public problems of the United States. A leading authority on U.S. government publications has referred to the published hearings as "the most important publications originating within Congress." The Senate Library in a similar vein noted "Hearings are among the most important publications originating in Congress."