1. Date: February 23, 2016 Topic: The 114 th Congress Aim: How is the 114 th Congress organized? Do Now: Multiple Choice Questions.

2. WHAT DO I DO ALL DAY? WHAT DO I DO ALL DAY?

3.  Congress begins a new term every two years.  On or about January 3 rd of the odd-numbered year.  Current Congress  114 th Congress of the United States.

4. 188 DEMOCRATS/247 REPUBLICANS

5. JOHN BOEHNER RESIGNS! JOHN BOEHNER RESIGNS! ERIC CANTOR LOST! ERIC CANTOR LOST!

6.  Paul Ryan – represents Wisconsin’s first district.Paul

7. Date: February 24, 2016 Topic: The 114 th Congress Aim: How is the 114 th Congress organized? Do Now: Multiple Choice Questions.

8.  Recognizing members who wish to speak.  Ruling on questions of parliamentary procedure.  Appointing members to select or conference committees.  Directing business on the floor.  Exercising political and behind the scenes influence.

9.  Exercises substantial control over which bills get assigned to which committees. I am so powerful I can crush you like a worm!

10. THE HOUSE, HISTORICALLY, TENDS TO BE MUCH MORE DIVERSE THAN THE SENATE.

11.  Next to the Speaker, they are the most powerful.  Legislative strategists (as well as the Speaker)  tries to steer floor action to their parties benefit.  Work to schedule bills and round up votes.  There are majority and minority leaders in both the House and Senate.

12.  Assistant floor leaders in the House and Senate.  Serve as a link between the party’s leadership and the rest of its members.  Make sure all members of the party are present for important votes.  Pressure members to support party leadership.  Inform members when important bills will come up for a vote.

13.  Harry Reid (D) Senate Minority Leader Senate Mitch McConnell (R) Senate Majority Leader 

14. Richard Durbin (D)  Senate Minority Whip John Cornyn (R)  Senate Majority Whip

15.  Kevin McCarthy (R) House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthyKevin McCarthy Nancy Pelosi (D) House Minority Leader 

16. STENY HOYER (D) House Minority Whip  Steve Scalise (R) Scalise  House Majority Whip

17.  Wall Street Handout Friday 2/26

18. 44 Democrats/54 Republicans/ 2 Independents