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Unit Four – Lesson 22

Unit Four – Lesson 22. Functions of Congress. Committees and Rules. Committees Jurisdiction over particular subjects, appoints subcommittees Appointments to committee extremely important Careful deliberate work of Congress Work on proposed legislation, in detail Rules Size of committees

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Unit Four – Lesson 22

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  1. Unit Four – Lesson 22 Functions of Congress

  2. Committees and Rules • Committees • Jurisdiction over particular subjects, appoints subcommittees • Appointments to committee extremely important • Careful deliberate work of Congress • Work on proposed legislation, in detail • Rules • Size of committees • Jurisdiction of committees, kinds of bills • Limit number of committees each member can serve on, seniority • Form and structure of debates in committee and on floor • House – debate must be germaine • Filibuster – Senate only, debate is unlimited - Cloture can end a filibuster (60% vote)

  3. Majority Rules & Compromisein Congressional Deliberations • Committee Assignments: Subcommittees give bills rigorous scrutiny. Many compromises made for bill to get a hearing. • Hearings: Public hearings are scheduled to gather information. Experts are called in the give testimony. • Deliberations: “Mark Up Sessions” called to make changes (needed & political). Full committee then decides if the bill will pass up to the full house. • Report: A written report is given to members of the house on a bill to be considered. • Floor Vote: Bill is placed on the calendar for debate and vote in the full house. • Referral to the other chamber: When a bill passes in one house, it then goes to the other house where the entire process is repeated. It must pass in exact for or go to a conference committee. • Conference Committee: Members from both houses that worked on the bill will meet to reach a compromise. If they can reach an agreement, the bill is sent back to both houses for an up or down vote • Referral to the president: The president has 3 options with a bill. Veto, Pocket veto, and signing the bill.

  4. Ideas for bills, expert information • The Executive Branch: Article II, Section 3: State of the Union & recommendations for legislation. Executive agencies suggest bills that will help them carry out their functions • Constituents: Those members represent call, email, write letters, etc with concerns and/or ideas for government action • Interest Groups: Groups seek to get legislation passed that will support their specific agenda. They hire LOBBYISTS to influence legislators • Lobbyists: Paid to influence legislation for their clients • Well Informed – Much of the information legislatures use in researching bills comes from lobbyists. They must be accurate or legislators will not continue to meet with them • Knowledgeable – Need to know their own issue and also the legislative process. They need to be able to work with the key players/committees • Organized: Must be able to explain their issue to legislators and clients. They must be able to communicate with others to keep their issue in the spotlight • Cooperative: Must be able to build coalitions with others to create workable majorities

  5. Example Bill – General Idea • Bill making it illegal to charge passengers to check their first bag on the airplane + one carry-on without fee (Senator Mary Landrieu – D – Louisiana) • Assign to a committee • Hearings: Who would we call to give testimony? • Deliberations: • Report to whole committee? • Report to whole house?

  6. Example Bill – In Format • Be it enacted that to encourage students to perform better in school, students will be paid for the final grade they earn • Section One: The final grade a student earns in a trimester or semester course will receive the following amount: A = $25 A- = $20 B+ = $15 B = $10 B- = $5 Section Two: The money earned will be placed into a student account. The student can use that money for any school related expense. These expenses may include but not be limited to: ASB card, sports, dances, senior pictures, senior cap and gown, class fees, yearbook. Section Three: Any money left over can be applied to that student’s tuition to college or technical college. Section Four: Any money not spent within a year of graduation will return to the fund for this program. • Section Five: The cost will vary in each district. Each school will look at average grading over the past three years to estimate the cost for their school. That figure will be added to the maintenance levy proposed the next election cycle • Section Six: This law will take effect after the passage of the next levy. If the levy does not pass, the school is exempt from this law.

  7. Topics to Choose From • Making College More Affordable • Raising the Minimum Wage Nation Wide • Tax Payer Funded Child Care (0-5 yrs old) • Raising MPG Standards in Cars/Trucks • Gay Marriage – Nation Wide • Tax Cuts & Spending Cuts • Tax Raises & Spending Raises • Other (your idea – with teacher approval)

  8. Senate Committees • Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry • Senate Committee on Appropriations • Senate Committee on Armed Services • Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs • Senate Committee on the Budget • Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation • Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources • Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works • Senate Committee on Finance • Senate Committee on Foreign Relations • Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions • Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs • Senate Committee on Indian Affairs • Senate Committee on the Judiciary • Senate Committee on Rules and Administration • Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship • Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs • Senate Select Committee on Ethics • Senate Select Committee on Intelligence • Senate Special Committee on Aging • United States Senate Caucus on International Narcotics Control

  9. Congress’ Investigative Powers • Fact Finding • Discovering or Influencing public opinions • Overseeing administrative agencies • Probing into questionable activities of public officials • Securing partisan political gain • The power to investigate began being used in the 20th century • Kennedy Assassination, Watergate, Challenger explosion, Whitewater • If they find sufficient evidence, Congress can move for IMPEACHMENT. • Only 17 federal officials have been charged with impeachment • 2 presidents – both acquitted (A Johnson, B Clinton) • 13 Federal judges – 7 found guilty • The threat of impeachment very powerful • SC Justice Abe Fortas, President Richard Nixon both resigned when it looked as if they would be impeached

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