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The Legislative Branch

The Legislative Branch. The Committee System & Support Agencies. The Committee System. Most work of Congress takes place in committees There are (at least) 35 standing committees and many subcommittees Each headed by a committee chair

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The Legislative Branch

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  1. The Legislative Branch The Committee System & Support Agencies

  2. The Committee System • Most work of Congress takes place in committees • There are (at least) 35 standing committees and many subcommittees • Each headed by a committee chair • Chairs are chosen by the majority party and have the most seniority • (Not absolute)

  3. The Committee System • Not at first Congress • Standing Committee: permanent comm. w/responsibility for a particular area of policy • Ex: specializing in agriculture, commerce, foreign policy, budget • They have legislative, investigative, and oversight powers • Under these are subcommittees • comm. necessary b/c of # of bills proposed, ease workload, key power c.

  4. The Ways and Means Committee What is the purpose of the Ways and Means committee? Is it large?

  5. Decentralization • Protects and enhances the interests of individuals, but at cost of a slowlyacting Congress. • 1970’s • Decrease in power of committee chairs, increase of those in subcommittees, sub. chairs, individuals • Result: secret ballot, may chair no more than one standing comm.

  6. Oligarchy or Democracy? • 1995: House Republicans gave committee chairs more power re. appointment • This gave them more control over legislation (oligarchic) • Reversed the House reforms of the 1970’s (democratic), members no longer needing seniority • less democratic! • 1995 reforms made leaders rely upon party members

  7. Are Committee chairs too important? 2008 House Finance Services Committee Chair, Rep. Barney Frank (D-Mass) talking with reporters about the proposed $700B “Bailout Bill”

  8. Types of Committees • Subcommittees: Are part of standing, continue from one session to next. • Ex: Under Ways & Means- Health, Human Resources, Social Security, Trade • Select Committee: temporary (may be renewed). To study one specific issue & report findings • Tend to look at big problems to public -ex. Watergate, Autism

  9. Types of Committees • Joint Committees: composed of members of both houses, perform advisory or coordinating functions • Ex: Conference Committees: formed temporarily to work out differences in H & S versions of bill

  10. Which do you think are the heavyweight committees in the House?

  11. Why are committees important? • The real work of Congress is done • Most bills are “killed” here • Getting on right committee is crucial! • Ex: to serve constituents, wield power, increase re-election chances • For House: Rules, Ways and Means • For Senate: Finance, Appropriations, Judiciary Things heat up in the Senate Judiciary Committee when scrutinizing nominees for the SC

  12. Committee Power • Usually, the full chamber of Congress votes to confirm decisions by committees • 90% approval chance, they are experts in field, yet many amended • Only 10% of bills reach the floor, most will be diein comm.

  13. Committee Membership • majority party holds majority # seats • Key power centers • House members often serve on two, Senate often four • Biggest changes occur when party loses control of H or S (2006!) Diversity see with Dems.

  14. Changes in Legislation • 1994 the Republican majority passed term rules on H Comm. Chairs (6 yrs.) and reduced # of comm. and staff.

  15. Support Agencies: • Growth of Executive gave Leg. Branch a distinct disadvantage • Solution: three agencies • GAO: largest. Overseeing executive agencies spending of money, responsibility has broadened • CRS: oldest and part of Library of Congress, reference, providing reports and summaries of bills

  16. Support Agencies: • CBO: newest, provides Congress with projections of the economy + govt. expenditures and revenues • Now Congress a stronger policymaking body The Ford Building: Location of CBO

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