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Congress Organizes

Congress Organizes. Chapter 12 Section 1. I. Congress Convenes A. Opening Day in the House 1. On opening day of a new term, a clerk calls the chamber to order & checks the role of newly elected representatives.

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Congress Organizes

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  1. Congress Organizes Chapter 12 Section 1

  2. I. Congress Convenes A. Opening Day in the House 1. On opening day of a new term, a clerk calls the chamber to order & checks the role of newly elected representatives. 2. The members-to-be choose a Speaker, who takes the oath of office & swears in the rest of the members. 3. The House elects a clerk, sergeant at arms, doorkeeper, postmaster, & chaplain, & then adopts rules & organizes committees. Speaker of the House: John Boehner ( R ) Ohio

  3. Opening Day in the Senate-As a continuous body w/ only one-third new membership each term, the Senate does not undertake extensive organizing. Instead, newly elected & reelected members are sworn in & vacancies are filled. C. The President’s State of the Union Message-In this constitutionally mandated speech, the President reports on the state of the nation, outlines the shape of the administration’s policies & plans, & also may recommend specific legislative actions. Regan January 25th 1984

  4. II. The Presiding Officers • The Speaker of the House is the most influential member of the House of Representatives & has 2 duties: to preside over all sessions & to keep order. • The Speaker is allowed to debate & vote on any matter. 1. If he/she chooses to vote, a Speaker pro tempore must be appointed temporarily. 2. The Speaker rarely votes except to cause or break a tie. In the case of a tie, the Speaker is required to vote.

  5. According to the Constitution, the president of the Senate is the V.P. of the U.S. 1. The president of the Senate recognizes members, puts questions to a vote, & so on, but may not vote except to break a tie. 2. In the Vice President’s absence, a president pro tempore, (Senator Daniel Inouye[D] Hawaii) who is elected by the Senate & is a member of the majority party, presides.

  6. House Minority Floor Leader: Nancy Pelosi ( D ) California III. Floor Leaders & Other Party Offices A. The Floor Leaders 1. The floor leaders in both the House & the Senate consist of a majority & a minority floor leader, chosen by party colleagues. 2. The assistants of floor leaders are called “whips.” B. The Party Caucus-These are closed meetings of each party in each house and deal w/ party organization, selection of floor leaders, & committee membership. Majority Leader: Harry Reid (D) Nevada Minority Leader: Mitch McConnell {R} Kentucky House Majority Floor Leader: Eric Canter ( R ) Virginia

  7. Committee Chairpersons A. The committee chairpersons decide when their committees will meet, which bills they will consider, whether they will hold public hearings, & what witness to call. B. Seniority Rule 1. By unwritten custom, most important posts are awarded according to length of service. 2. Criticism of the Seniority Rule-Critics of the seniority rule maintain that the rule ignores ability, discourages young members, & encourages constant reelection of “stale” members; defenders say that the rule ensures experience in key posts & minimizes conflict within the party.

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