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CONGRESS: The Legislative Branch

CONGRESS: The Legislative Branch. CHAPTER 7. HOUSE LEADERSHIP. SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE : (required by Constitution) elected by majority vote MAJORITY LEADER : chosen by majority party to represent its goals and policies

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CONGRESS: The Legislative Branch

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  1. CONGRESS:The Legislative Branch CHAPTER 7

  2. HOUSE LEADERSHIP • SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE: (required by Constitution) elected by majority vote • MAJORITY LEADER: chosen by majority party to represent its goals and policies • MAJORITY WHIP: assistant to MajL, agenda setter, group communicator, issue planner • MINORITY LEADER: leader of opposition party • MINORITY WHIP: assistant to MinL, liaison to minority party members

  3. SENATE LEADERSHIP • PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE: constitutionally the VP. Monitor debates, mostly breaks tie • PRESIDENT PRO TEMPORE: constitutionally serves if VP unavailable (ceremonial) • MAJORITY LEADER: elected by maj. Party to lead procedures, set agenda (leads Senate) • SENATE WHIP (majority): same as House • MINORITY LEADER: leads the interests of minority party • SENATE WHIP (minority): same as House

  4. LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEES • CONTROL THE CONGRESSIONAL AGENDA AND GUIDE LEGISLATION FROM ITS INTRODUCTION TO ITS SEND-OFF • "little legislatures" determine whether a bill will reach the floor and be called for a vote

  5. COMMITTEES • STANDING COMMITTEE : • Permanent, work on annual items • Responsible for issues from agriculture, armed services, energy, homeland security, ways and means • JOINT COMMITTEE: • Members of both chambers

  6. COMMITTEES • SELECT/SPECIAL COMMITTEE: • Temporary to address emerging issues (unless it’s a permanent select) • Set up to investigate or research issues beyond authority of standing committee • CONFERENCE COMMITTEE: • Differences emerge from House and Senate debates • Includes major sponsors from both chambers • Compromises on the version differences • Creates united bill

  7. STANDING: • Appropriations Committees recommend legislation to provide budget authority for federal agencies and programs • Budget Committees establish aggregate levels for total spending and revenue that serve as guidelines for the work of the authorizing and appropriating panels • JOINT • Joint Committee on Printing oversees the functions of the Government Printing Office • Joint Committee on the Library: devoted to the affairs and administration of the Library of Congress, the library of the federal legislature

  8. SPECIAL/SELECT: • Indian affairs, ethics, intelligence, aging • Aging: studies issues related to older Americans, particularly Medicare and SS • CONFERENCE: • Process enabling most bills to become law • Negotiate a compromise bill that both houses can accept • Made up mostly of chairs from both houses committees

  9. COMMITTEE PRACTICES (111th ) • Majority party has majority of seats on the committees and names the chair • Assignments: • House members: 2 standing • APPROPRIATIONS • DEM – 37 • REP - 23 • Senate members: 3 standing • FINANCE • DEM – 13 • REP - 10

  10. WHY DOESN’T ANYTHING GET DONE? • Consent of a bill takes too many people: • Majorities on the relevant committees and subcommittees of EACH chamber (and chairs) • Appropriations committee of EACH chamber (and chairs) • House Rules Committee • Chamber majorities • Majority party leaders • President

  11. CONGRESSIONAL CAUCUS

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