1. What happens in Congress

2.  Jan 3 rd  House of Reps. has to reorganize because all seats were up for election. ◦ No sworn in members ◦ No rules ◦ No organization  Speaker is chosen in a Caucus – (Conference of Party members)

3.  The speaker of the House is by tradition a senior member of the majority party. He is sworn in by the Dean (member with the longest record of service)  The constitution only states there will be a speaker.  Job is to ◦ Preside and keep order ◦ Recognize speakers ◦ Interpret rules ◦ Refer bills to committee ◦ Rules on points of order ◦ Puts a question to vote ◦ Determines the outcome of votes taken ◦ 2 nd in line for Presidency ◦ Usually abstains (chooses not to vote) must in case of tie  Current Speaker is John Boehner

4.  No reorganization needed because it is a continuous body.  According to constitution, the president of the senate is the Vice-President.  The Vice-President’s job is to: ◦ Recognize members ◦ Put questions to a vote ◦ May only vote to break tie.  A President Pro-Tempore takes over if the Vice-President is absent and is a member of the majority party.

5.  When Congress is organized a Joint Session is called. This is when the President will deliver the STATE OF THE UNION ADDRESS.  Quorum – Number of people that must be present in order to carry out official business.

6.  President reports on the ◦ State of the nation ◦ Outlines policies ◦ Plans ◦ Specific legislation

7.  A member from the majority and minority party in each house. They are legislative strategist.  Floor leaders are assisted by Whips. ◦ They line up party votes.

8.  Decide when Committees meet.  Which Bills they consider.  Decide whether to hold meetings in public.  And What witnesses to call. ◦ Subpoena – an order to appear. ◦ Junket – A fact finding trip taken by congressmen at taxpayers expense. SENIORITY RULE: By unwritten custom, the most important committee post are awarded by seniority. (disadvantage: it ignores ability, advantage: it ensure experience in key positions)

9.  Standing Committees – Permanent groups to which all similar bills are sent. The Speaker and the Vice Pres. are responsible for assigning bills to the appropriate committee. (22 in H.O.R./17 in Senate) Members of the House of Reps. may serve on 1 major committee – The Senate may serve on 2. Subcommittees – Divisions of existing committees formed to address specific issues.

10.  House Rules Committee – Manages the scheduling of bills for consideration by the full house. ◦ In the Senate the majority floor leader controls the appearance of bills.  Majority floor leader is Harry Reid  Select Committees – Special groups set up for a specific purpose and for a limited period of time (Watergate, Benghazi)  Joint Committee – Composed of members from both houses. Some are permanent, while others are temporary. Organized to deal with issues of common concern.  Conference Committee – temporary committees organized to resolve differences in similar bills passed in both houses. ◦ NOTE: In order for a bill to become law, it must pass both houses in the exact same form.

11.  Bill – Is a proposed law. ◦ Public Bills – apply to entire nation (Obamacare) ◦ Private Bills – pertain to a certain person or place ($85,000 to rancher who lost sheep from Yellowstone Grizzly Bears).  Only a member of congress can introduce a bill.  Over 5,000 bills are introduced a year.  Less than 10% ever become law.  Most die in committee. ◦ Pigeonhole – Taking no action on a bill and it dies in committee. ◦ Discharge Petition – A tool used by a majority vote to blast a bill out of committee.

12.  Bills originate from members of congress, the executive branch, special interest groups, private citizens. Anyone can write a bill, but again only a member of congress can introduce it.

13.  Riders – is a provision not likely to pass on its own merits that are attached to an important measure certain to pass.  Hopper – box on the side of the clerks desk where bills are introduced.

14.  Joint resolutions – deal with temporary or unusual matters and have the force of law.  Concurrent resolutions – deal with common concerns and does not have the force of law.  Resolutions – deal with matters concerning only one house.

15.  Two most common ways of voting are by Voice and Electronic.

16.  House of Representatives: Debate is strictly limited, members must stay on the subject at hand  Senate – Debate is not strictly limited – Senators may speak on the floor as long as the wish. (limit 2 per legislative day). Do not have to stay on the subject at hand. ◦ Filibuster – An attempt to talk a bill to death. Strom Thurmon holds record – 24 hrs 18 min. Longest by a group was 3 weeks. ◦ Cloture Rule – Tool used to end a filibuster – limits debate in the senate. Must be submitted by 16 Senators and passed by 60.