1. Government 5.2 Electric boogaloo

3. Organization of the House Each chamber of Congress has a majority and a minority party The majority party selects chairpersons for the committees Majority can change every two years

4. Organization of the House cont. Leadership Positions – Both the majority and minority party selects leaders – Leaders are selected during a caucus (a closed meeting) Majority Party: Speaker of the House - The presiding officer of the House. The position is appointed by the majority party and carries with it great power. Majority Floor Leader - They coordinate party agendas and urge members to vote on key bills. Majority Whip – assist floor leaders

5. Organization of the House cont. Leadership cont. – Minority Party Minority Floor Leader - They also coordinate party agendas and urge members to vote on key bills. Minority Whip - assist floor leaders

6. Lawmaking in the House Bills: formally proposed legislation (law egg) Bills are introduced in the House in the Hopper The Speaker assigns bills to committee The House Rules Committee (most powerful) – They control the scheduling of bills on the calendar When bills return to the floor they are debated – There is a 5 minute time limit per congressman for debate When bills reach the floor for a vote, a quorum is necessary – Minimum number needed for a vote to be official – 218 in the House

7. Organization of the Senate Leadership – President of the Senate: Vice President Presiding officer, only votes in a tie, can not inroduce legislation or debate – President Pro Tempore Substitute for the vice president Selected from the majority party If three people die, they become president – Majority Floor Leader –organizes party agenda – Majority Whip – assists the floor leader – Minority Floor Leader – mainly plays “defense” – Minority Whip - assists the floor leader

8. Lawmaking in the Senate Bills are introduced by Unanimous consent Agreement (voting) After committee, bills return to the floor for debate debate is unlimited in the Senate cloture – if cloture is called then debate can be limited to 1 hour Filibuster - A long speech given as a delay tactic to stall a vote possible in the senate because there is no time limit

9. Committees Four Types of committees 1. Standing Committees – permanent and deals with bills subcommittees 2. Select Committees – temporary and studies an issue (no bills) 3. Joint Committees – made up of members from both chambers. 4. Conference Committees – Type of joint congressional committee that is temporary and is intended to compromise on a bill.

10. Congressional Support Congressmen have difficult jobs that demand a large amount of time and effort They are helped by – Staff and… – Support Agencies

11. Congressional Staff Personal Staff – hired by the congressmen personally – Administrative assistants Work in Washington, D.C. – Legislative assistants Work in Washington, D.C. – Caseworkers Work in the home state or district handle the many requests for help from a member's constituents Committee Staff – hired to work for the committees

12. Support Agencies Library of Congress (LOC) – Largest library in the World – Provides information and resources for Congress Government Printing Office (GPO) – Prints all government documents and bills Congressional Budget office (CBO) – Assists the congress with the budget