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Committees and Leadership in Congress

Committees and Leadership in Congress. Chapter 12. Starting a New Term. The House must reorganize b/c new members are taking seats The members then elect their leader (Speaker), who then swears in all members Then they adopt work rules and appoint members to permanent committees

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Committees and Leadership in Congress

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  1. Committees and Leadership in Congress Chapter 12

  2. Starting a New Term • The House must reorganize b/c new members are taking seats • The members then elect their leader (Speaker), who then swears in all members • Then they adopt work rules and appoint members to permanent committees • The Senate has no need to reorganize b/c two-thirds of its members stay the same

  3. The Role of Political Parties in Organizing Congress At the beginning of each new Congress (every two years), a party caucus is held to elect officers, review committee assignments, discuss party policy, impose party discipline, set party themes, and coordinate media. • Committees are controlled by the majority party. • The majority party sets the agenda.

  4. Speaker of the House • The majority party’s leader • Most powerful person in Congress • Follows the VP in Line of Succession • Presides and keeps order • Has regular member duties as well (debate, vote) • Major role in committee assignments John Boehner (R-OH)

  5. The President of the Senate • Vice President – role is more formal than active • Can oversees sessions, but cannot debate • Votes only in a tie • Not chosen by the Senate • Does not have regular member duties • Could be from the party out of power • Most authority rests with party leaders Joe Biden (D-DE)

  6. President Pro Tempore • Presides in the absence of the VP • Elected by the Senate itself • Leading member of the majority party – usually its longest serving member • Not as powerful as the Speaker Daniel Inuoye (D-HI)

  7. Floor Leaders • Most powerful members after Speaker • Parties’ chief spokespeople • Selected during party caucuses • Help pass laws their party wants Harry Reid (D-NV) Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) Senate Minority Leader Eric Cantor (R-VA) House Majority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) House Minority Leader

  8. Whips • Assistant floor leaders • Serve as a liaison Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) House Majority Whip Richard J. Durbin (D-IL) Senate Majority Whip

  9. Committees in Congress • The bulk of the work of Congress (especially the House) is done in committee (small groups). • This helps to handle the extremely heavy workload. • Very important in shaping public policy

  10. Importance of Committees • Most bills receive their most thorough consideration in these bodies • Decide the fate of most bills • Members of both houses regularly respect the decisions and follow the recommendations of committees

  11. Committee Chairmen • A majority of each committee’s members come from the majority party, including the chairperson • Head the standing committees that do most of Congress’ work • Usually committee’s longest standing member from the majority party • Decide when to meet, which bills to consider, and more, but not as powerful as they once were

  12. Seniority Rule • Unwritten custom (the general rule, but there are exceptions) • Provides that the most important posts will be held by those members with the longest records of service Strom Thurmond (R-SC)

  13. Congressional Caucuses (Informal Organization) • A group of members of Congress sharing some interest or characteristic. • Most are composed of members from both parties and both houses. • Goal is to promote the interests around which they are formed.

  14. Standing Committee • Permanent • Formed to handle bills in different policy areas • Specialize in one subject • Handle all bills that relate to that subject • Majority party holds a majority of seats on each committee

  15. House Rules Committee • One of the most powerful • Determines when and under what conditions the whole House will debate and vote on bills • Can speed up, delay, or even prevent action on a bill

  16. Other Important Committees • House Ways and Means Committee & Senate Finance Committee – write tax codes which are subject to the approval of both houses • Appropriations Committees – decides how government money will be apportioned to federal agencies

  17. Select Committee • Usually temporary • Set up for a specific purpose, such as an investigation • Example: The committee that investigated Watergate

  18. Joint Committee • Can be temporary or permanent • Includes members of both houses (so that the houses do not duplicate work)

  19. Conference Committee • Temporary • Works out a compromise bill when the House and Senate have passed different versions of the same bill

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