Chapter 13 Part Two The Congress and Its Work Instructor: Kevin Sexton Course: U.S. Political Systems Southeast Missouri State University

Daily Operations of Congress Article I of the Constitution Deals in general with the Legislative Branch. While it is the longest of the Articles in the Constitution, it does not give specifics on how Congress will operate. Rules by which Congress operates Have been written by each chamber of Congress. Each chamber has a rules committee, and that body makes the rules by which each chamber operates. i.e. The Filibuster is not a Constitutional rule. The members of the Senate voted to have it and can vote to end it.

How Congress is Organized The two factors that affect the organization and operation of Congress the most, are not Constitutionally-based. Political Parties Committees

Leadership Organization of Congress Two types of leadership in Congress: Constitutional: Those positions that are mandated by or listed in the Constitution. Speaker of the House of Representative President of the Senate (V.P. of the United States) President Pro Tempore of the Senate Political These positions are selected by, and based on party affiliation. Majority and Minority Leaders Whips

Speaker of the House of Representatives Constitution says the member of the House of Reps will elect a Speaker that will act as the leader of the House of Reps. This makes the Speaker the Constitutional Leader of the House of Reps. BUT The party in the House of Representatives with the most members, will have their member always win. (SPEAKER HAS ALWAYS COME FROM THE MAJORITY PARTY.) THIS GIVES THAT MAJORITY PARTY A GREAT DEAL OF POWER IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES!

President of the Senate Vice President of the United States is the President of the Senate. Only votes in the case of a tie. Does not preside over the Senate on a regular basis. Usually on there during “Official Functions” State of the Union Speech Swearing in of Members of the Senate President Pro Tempore serves as presiding officer of the Senate most of the time. No real power or authority in this position, most honorific (usually Senior member of the majority party)

Party Leadership Majority Leaders: Minority Leaders: 2nd in command in the House of Reps. Conduct day to day operations of the “floor” in the House. Does the political negotiating on behalf of the Speaker (it would be inappropriate for it to appear that the Speaker was being outwardly partisan) Leader in the Senate. Conduct day to day operations of the “floor” in the Senate. Minority Leaders: Does the same things as the MAJORITY LEADERS. But, they do it for the party that is not in control of the chamber.

Party Leadership Whips: Each party has one in each chamber. They act as the communication link between the party leadership and the party membership in each chamber. Used to be used much more as a coercive person or “arm twister.” The complexity of the Congress has led this position to become an office. Each party has a Office of the Whip with up to 25 members.

Party Caucus & Conferences Members in each chamber take part in their party’s caucus (Democrats) or party conference (Republicans). These groups: Elect Party Leaders Ratify Committee Leaders Debate and Formulate Party Positions on Issues.

Other Influential Groups In Congress Members of Congress sometimes cross party lines to create groups known as caucuses. These caucuses are formed by members to pursue common interests. examples Coastal Caucus Rural Caucus Child Care Caucus There are over 100 caucuses on Capitol Hill.

Major Operational Differences Between the House and the Senate The major differences between the two chambers is due PRIMARILY to the sizes of the two chambers. Major Differences: Senate has unlimited debate. Debate in the Senate is (usually) controlled by a UNANIMOUS-CONSENT Agreement.

TO CONTROL ACTIONS OF THE SENATE) Filibuster Tactic used in the Senate to prevent the consideration of a Bill. Talking indefinitely Making dilatory motions or amendments. Preventing or ending a FILIBUSTER: Agree before hand that they will not be used, as part of an unanimous-consent agreement. CLOTURE 2/3rds or 60 Senators must vote to end it. (BOTH OF THESE PROCESSES ALLOW A MINORITY TO CONTROL ACTIONS OF THE SENATE)

Committees in Congress The vast amount of work in Congress is completed at the Committee and Sub-Committee level. WHY? Committees allow for: Sharing of the Work Load & Specialization

Types of Committees Standing Committee Select Committee Permanent committees, designed to deal with issues that continue from one Congressional Session to the next. Select Committee Temporary committee created to deal with a specific issue, it goes away when the issue has been addressed. Conference Committee A committee created to work out the differences between House and Senate versions of the same bill. Disbanded after the bill has been dealt with.

Importance of Committee Assignments to Members of Congress Members of Congress want (or need) to be on a committee that deals with an issue relevant to their CONSTITUIENTS. After all, what good would it do the 8th Congressional District if JoAnn Emerson was on the Marine Fisheries Committee? How many ocean species do we have in the 8th Congressional District.? She wants to be on a committee that effects her district, like the Agriculture Committee or like her current assignment to the Appropriations Committee. WHO MAKES COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS? AND WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT. THE NEXT SLIDE WILL ANSWER THIS QUESTION.

Committee Assignments in Congress Political Parties have a great deal of power in the process of what gets done in Congress. But, they still have a difficult time controlling the individual actions or their members. After all, it is the voters that elect the individual members of Congress. If members do what the party wants all the time and never what their CONSTITUIENTS want, they will never be re-elected. In order to have some real control over it’s members, a party needs to have a tool to effect how a member can or does represent his/her constituents in Congress. THAT TOOL IS COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS.

COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS Party Leaders in Congress make the committee assignments. This gives them some level of control over their members. i.e. – a member that never does as his party asks, will probably get a committee assignment that will not allow him/her to do much for his/her district. (go back to the example I gave about JoAnn Emerson)

Structure of Committees Representation on all committees is equal to party representation in the chamber. i.e. – If 65% Republican of the Senate is made up of Republicans and 35% Democrat, then all the committees and subcommittees in the Senate will be made up of 65% Republicans and 35% Democrats. Committee and Subcommittee Chairs will be from the majority party. Chairs are usually the senior member of the majority party (not a guarantee anymore). Strom Thurmund

The Primary Job of Congress: MAKING LAWS The following slide has a diagram showing the basic process that a piece of legislation goes thru on it’s way to becoming a law. Keep in mind that: A bill must be introduced into and pass through each chamber in the exact same format before going to the president for action. A bill must make it through the complete process within one Congressional Session or it must start at the beginning of the process before being reconsidered. Anyone can suggest a bill, but only a member of Congress can introduce a bill for consideration.

When the President Gets an Enrolled Bill Once a bill has passed out of BOTH chambers and been sent to the president. When the president receives an enrolled bill he can take one of the following actions. Sign the bill and the bill becomes a law. Veto the bill. Not sign the bill and the bill dies. (with less than 10 days left in session of Congress) Not sign the bill and the bill becomes a law. (with more than 10 days left in session of Congress)

$$ Appropriations Process $$ The process of assigning money to carry out actions Congress has authorized as part of a law. This process produces spending bills, and parallels the law making process. Spending bills must also pass both chambers of Congress in the exact same format. Conference Committees are also used to reconcile these spending bills.

Your Member of Congress When Americans are asked how they feel Congress is operating the response is usually that they think Congress is made up of individuals that cannot be trusted and are barley competent. WHY then do we keep re-electing members of Congress time after time. Because people believe that Congress is made up of a bunch of incompetent, unethical people. But, MY member of Congress is doing a good job for me. What is wasteful spending in another state or district, is needed funding in my state or district.

Trustee or Delegate? How should your member of Congress represent you in Washington? TRUSTEE members of Congress are elected to use their own judgment in how they vote and act on the behalf of those who elected him/her. DELEGATE members of Congress are elected to very closely follow the wishes of those who elected him/her when they vote or act as your representative.