Congress

The Basics Bicameral Legislature 2 Chambers: House of Reps. and Senate Both chambers must ratify bills to pass Sessions The time frame when Congress operates Begin Jan. 3, usually adjourn Dec. (20th Amendment) Each "Congress" lasts 2 sessions Both chambers must agree to adjourn

Committees What? They do almost everything. Standing Committees Semi-Permanent; propose & adjust bills; most important Subcommittees Select Committees Temporary; research & report Joint Committees Temp. or Perm.; both chambers; similar to Select Conference Committees Temporary; both chambers; to agree on bills

Oversight Select Committees to make sure the Executive is enforcing laws Legal right to investigate Call witnesses subpoena Perjury & Contempt Impeachment The House impeaches The Senate conducts trial w/ Chief Justice 2/3 vote from senate

Caucus Semi-formal group for political organization Caucus Powers Party Special Interest State Caucus Powers Majority Party House: Chooses Speaker of the House Senate: Chooses Majority Leader

Members of Congress Mostly Lawyers 1950s Incumbent Salary more women and people of color career politicians Incumbent In 2000 only 6 of 339 lost reelection Salary 27th Amendment: Pay raise after election Approx.. $174,000 Censure: Formal disapproval of actions

Decision Making Constituency: You and I! Interest Groups: Represent people or no re-election Polling Interest Groups: Lobbyists Legislation, offer data, case studies PACs: Raise money to support their candidate Party: Usually vote together Whip

Majority Rules Two-Party System Decides leaders based on party majority/minority. Both Chambers have: Majority Leader & Whip Minority Leader & Whip Committee Chairs

House Leadership Speaker of the House 3rd most "powerful" position in country Chosen by Majority Caucus Powers: Appoints committee members Schedules Bills Refers them to committees Chooses Leader and whip Rules Committee

Powers of the House Power of the Purse Impeachment Taxes; Executive Spending Impeachment Presidential Tie Breaker

Gerrymandering

Senate Leadership President of the Senate Majority Leader Vice President President Pro Tempore "Pro Tem" Presides over Senate Majority Leader Most powerful position Controls Bills on Calendar Whips and Minority Leader Same as House

How it works Calendar Unanimous Consent Filibuster Cloture Resolution Schedule of floor-ready Bills Maj. Leader Negative Power Unanimous Consent 100% agree to hear specific Bill Holds: Notification of dissent Filibuster Minority can block vote Cloture Resolution Kill Filibuster with 60 Votes

Powers of the Senate Conduct Impeachment Trials Ratify Treaties (2/3 Vote) Approve Presidential Appointments

What Congress Does Before we start Resolutions Joint, Simple, Concurrent Private Bill: Special cases Public Bill: General law Rider

Committee Hearings Markup Report Bill Get Advice Interactive Change Earmark Report Bill Move on or die

Floor Calendar Debate and Amend Closed Rule Open Rule Voting No Changes Allowed Open Rule Amendable Voting Quorum: Majority of Members Committee of the Whole (House)

Final Steps If it passes in one Chamber... Start Over! Begin process again in other chamber Conference Committee If changes are made, compromise or die President Approve Veto: Start Over! Pocket Veto: Dies