Congress

1. Congress The House vs The Senate

2. House vs Senate • Both bodies have there own set of Rules. • The House has more rules because it is bigger. • The House also has it’s own leaders.

3. Speaker of the House • Speaker of the House: • John Boehner (R) • The most powerful member. • Always member of the majority. • Usually has seniority. • Moderate view on political issues

4. Speakers Responsibilities • Presides over house debates. • Determines who speaks and for how long. • Influences committee assignments. • Assigns bills to committee. • Committees can determine if bill will pass or not.

5. Majority Leader • Eric Cantor (R) • Chief strategist and spokes person for majority party. • Supports speaker • Shepherds legislation thorough the house.

6. Minority Leader • Nancy Pelosi (D) • Organize opposition to majority party. • Sometimes speaks for Presidents legislative program if Presidents party is minority.

7. Party Whips/Assistant Floor Leaders • Kevin McCarthy (R) • Steny Hoyer (D) • Recommended by the party leaders.

8. Whips Responsibilities • Find out opinion of party members on pending legislation. • Make sure members show up for voting. • Substitute when floor leader is absent. • Assisted by assistant whips (bill managers)

9. Clerk of the House • Top administrative official • Maintains records concerning pending legislation, lobbying activities, and campaign spending.

10. Parliamentarian • Expert at rules of Debate.

11. President of Senate • Joe Biden (D) • V.P. is automatically assigned the position. • Little authority. • Supposed to preside over debates. • Usually assigned to other party members. • Last deciding vote in a tie. • Officially counts electoral college votes.

12. President Pro Tempore • Daniel Inouye • Presides over Senate when V.P. is not there. • Usually senior ranking senator in majority party. • Can serve in committees, be committee chair, and vote on everything.

13. Majority Leader • Harry Reid (D) • Real leader of Senate. • Develops strategy for majority party. • Chosen by senate party caucus. • Does not have many formal powers.

14. Minority Leader • Mitch McConnell • Leads opposition to legislation efforts of majority party. • Can become majority leader if an election changes balance of power.

15. Senate Whips • Richard Duibin (D) • Jon Kyl (R)

16. Whip Responsibilities • Swaying party members • Mobilizing support • Making sure members vote.

17. Secretary of Senate • Top administrator • Keeps record of lobbying activities

18. Parliamentarian

19. Standing Committees • Most important • Pretty much permanent committees • Deal with bills about a particular subject. • Subdivided into subcommittees

20. Most desired Committees in Senate • Foreign Relations • Finance • Armed Services • Judiciary • Appropriations (decide on Gov’t spending).

21. Most desired committees in the House • Rules • Ways and Means (taxes) • Appropriations (decide on Gov’t spending). • Appropriation- setting aside money for specific purposes. • Appointment to one of these committees increases a persons political leverage and influence.

22. Select Committees • Created for specific purpose and limited time. • Consider issues outside jurisdiction of standing committees. • Usually cant draft legislation.

23. Conference Committees • Formed by members of both House and Senate. • Reconcile Senate and House versions of the same bill.

24. Committee assignment to standing committees • Democratic Steering Committee (Senate) • Democratic Steering and Policy committee (House) • Republican committee on committees (both House and Senate).