1. Quiz What is one reason that Congress created standing committees in the first place? What is one thing that Reed’s Rules did?

2. Parties in Congress

3. Historical development of leadership in Congress Ad hoc committees and floor debate Reed’s rules

4. Reed’s Rules 1. Speaker can choose not to entertain motions that just intend to delay action 2. Speaker can establish there is a quorum even if members refuse to vote

5. Historical development of leadership in Congress Ad hoc committees and floor debate Reed’s rules Creation of Rules Committee in House Fall of Czar Cannon Subcommittee Bill of Rights & 1970s reforms Republican revolution

6. Conditional Party Government The strength of party in Congress varies with the degree to which the majority party is ideologically unified and opposed to the views of the minority party. Members of a party are more willing to accept strong leadership if they are more agreed on their collective agenda.

7. How has party unity in Congress changed over time? Why is it difficult to have ideologically unified parties in the US? Changes in Ideology over time

8. How are parties organized in Congress? Caucus/Conference = all members of the same party in House or Senate –Elect party leaders –Elect/confirm committee chairs –Elect whips

9. Effects of more ideologically unified parties? Stronger leadership Lack of civility?

10. Mechanisms for enforcing party unity Carrots? Sticks?

11. Party Unity in the House

12. Party Line Votes

13. Issues that prompt more party unity Deal with interests of legislative parties Presidential proposals Issues that clearly divide voters on party lines

14. Is party unity in Congress a good thing?