The Legislative Branch Article I of the Constitution

Concept 2: Individuals, Groups, and Institutions Topics will include: Breakdown of the US Congress Qualifications/ Terms/ Compensation & Privileges of Congress The Election Process/ The Impact of the 17th Amendment The Legislative Process (Bill  Law) Functions of leadership positions and committees Influence of lobbyists and interest groups

Leadership Positions House Speaker of the House Head of the House of Representatives Administers Oath of Office to members Calls the House into order Preserves order and decorum within the House chamber and galleries

Leadership Positions House Speaker of the House Recognizes members to speak on the House Floor Makes rules about House procedures Senate Vice President Decides committee members Decides order bill are debated

Leadership Positions Majority Leader Leader for the political party that does have the majority of the seats in the House/ Senate Minority Leader Leader for the political party that does not have the majority of the seats in the House/ Senate

Leadership Positions Party whips Official in a political party whose primary purpose is to ensure discipline and “party loyalty” They act as the party “enforcers”

Leadership Positions Majority/ Minority Leaders Enforce party discipline on votes deemed to be crucial (make sure members do not vote in a way not approved by the political party) Serve as spokesperson for their party’s positions on issues

Types of Congressional Committees Standing Committees Most common type of congressional committee Permanent Committee Handle the vast majority of legislation Most standing committees have sub-committees handling more specific areas of an issue

Types of Congressional Committees Select Committee Created for a limited period and for a specific purpose Joint Committee Created to deal with a specific issue Has members from both houses/ chambers of Congress

Types of Congressional Committees Conference Committee A very common type of joint committee Committee members are from both chambers of Congress Compromise on the draft of a bill using the House and Senate versions of the bill