The Leadership

Committees

The Bill in the House

The Bill in the Senate

CONGRESS IN

ACTION

PARTY STRENGTH

Speaker of the HouseElected leader of the HouseDe facto leader of his or her party Interprets rules & sets the agenda3 rd in line of Presidential Succession

WHO’S IN CHARGE HERE?

Speaker John Boehner (R-OH)

President of the Senate – Vice PresidentPresiding offi cerCannot debateVotes only in case of tiePresident pro temporePresides in VP’s absenceElected by majority party4 th in presidential succession

WHO’S THE LEADER OF THE SENATE?

Vice President Joe Biden

Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-UT)

Legislative strategists

PARTY FLOOR LEADERS: HOUSE

PARTY FLOOR LEADERS: SENATE

Assistant floor leadersKeep tabs on the rank and fi le membersMajority & Minority Whips in both Houses

PARTY WHIPS

Leaders of standing committeesMajority partySet committee agendas and hearingsMost powerful people you’ve never heard ofSeniority rule

COMMITTEE CHAIRS

The fate of most bills decided here. Some more infl uential than others. Which Committees are coveted?

Does the state you represent infl uence the committee you want?

StandingSelectJoint & Conference

COMMITTEES: CONGRESS AT WORK

STANDING COMMITTEES

Investigate & oversee federal agenciesConsider bills related to their area of policyFirst place a new bill goesMajority party holds more seatsDivided into several subcommittees

WORK OF COMMITTEES

How powerful is the Rules Committee?

“Traffi c cop” of the House

Most bills must go through this before reaching the floor

HOUSE RULES COMMITTEE

Specific purpose & limited timeAppointed by the Speaker or Pres of SenateDesigned to investigate a current matter. Example?

Watergate Committee Iran-Contra Committee

SELECT COMMITTEES

Proposed law All tax bills must start in the HouseTypes of Bills & Resolutions Bill: proposed law (most appropriations) Joint Resolution: force of law; special circumstances

Concurrent Resolution: position on an issue; no force of law Resolution: often trivial matters of one house; no force of

law

WHAT’S A BILL?

The House “hopper” into which all bills are placed.

Most die here (pigeonholed)

“Mark up”: bills are changed and modified (riders)Hearings may be held

Committee OptionsReport favorablyReport an amended billReport unfavorably (rare – why?)Report a substituted bill

THE BILL IN COMMITTEE

If favorable out of committee, bill goes on appropriate calendar.

To get to the floor, must pass Rules Committee (House)

Most bills considered by Committee of the Whole (House)

Limited “debate” now occurs“Move the Previous Question”Vote taken (Voice, Electronic) If passed, sent to other HouseConference Committee

THE BILL ON THE FLOOR

Electronic Voting Machines appear on the backs of chairs inside the House chamber. Members insert a card and then cast their vote.

Similar procedure as HouseRules less formal & less strict. Why?Few restrictions on debate https : / /www.youtube .com/watch?v=tye J55o3E l0 https : / /www.youtube .com/watch?v=Pl3sgK j6oTQ

THE BILL IN THE SENATE

“talk a bill to death” Monopolize the fl oor until Senate drops the Bill No restrictions on content; Can’t stop talking Requires 60 votes to stop (cloture)Silent Filibuster Threat of a fi libuster Is the fi libuster unconstitutional?

ht tp: / /www.wash ingtonpost . com/b logs / the -fi x/wp/2013/02/14/ the -s i lent -fi l ibuste r-exp la ined / h t tps : / /www.youtube .com/watch?v=E1_9nSzG_hk (Rand Pau l )h t tps : / /www.youtube .com/watch?v=GD- lFCsYOPs (Mr. Smi th) (4 :15)

THE FILIBUSTER

Four Presidential Options Sign (becomes law) Allow to become law without signing (no action for 10 days) Pocket Veto (Congress adorns within these 10 days, bil l dies)Veto Refuse to sign Returns to house of origin with Veto Message 2/3 vote of each house can override

http: / /h istory.house.gov/ Inst i tut ion/Pres ident ia l -Vetoes/Pres ident ia l -Vetoes/

PRESIDENT ACTS