Congressional Organization, Staff & Agencies Compiled from information in Chapter 13, Theme D

Leaders in Congress HOR Click here! HOR Click here! HOR –Speaker of House –Majority & Minority Leaders –Majority & Minority Whips –Policy/Steering Comm. How do they get their jobs? How do they get their jobs? Who are they? Who are they? What do they do? What do they do? Senate Click here! Senate Click here! Senate –Pres. Of Senate –Pro Tempore –Majority & Minority Leaders –Majority & Minority Whips –Policy/Steering Comm. How do they get their jobs? How do they get their jobs? Who are they? Who are they? What do they do? What do they do?

Class simulation Divide into political parties (R/D only please!) Divide into political parties (R/D only please!) Determine majority party. Determine majority party. Act out Senate. Act out Senate. Act out HOR. Act out HOR.

Party Polarization Are Republicans too conservative & Democrats too liberal? Are Republicans too conservative & Democrats too liberal? What do you see as the root causes of this polarization? What do you see as the root causes of this polarization? What are the drawbacks of this polarization? What are the drawbacks of this polarization? What are the benefits of this polarization? What are the benefits of this polarization?

Caucuses Define the term. Define the term. –Association that advocates for a certain goal. –6 Types:  Intraparty, Personal Interest, Constituency: National, Constituency: Regional, Constituency: Demographic, Constituency: Economic Why Form or Join a Caucus? Why Form or Join a Caucus? –to build social ties –to coordinate and promote legislative agendas –to look good to individual or corporate constituents.

Caucuses The Number of Caucuses has grown despite threats to end the practice in the HOR. The Number of Caucuses has grown despite threats to end the practice in the HOR. Let’s look at a few lists: Let’s look at a few lists: – ngress ngresshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caucuses_of_the_United_States_Co ngress – surprising-congr_n_ html#s115285&title=undefined surprising-congr_n_ html#s115285&title=undefinedhttp:// surprising-congr_n_ html#s115285&title=undefined Form caucuses within the class to discuss writing bills for tomorrow. Form caucuses within the class to discuss writing bills for tomorrow.

Assignment: Due Tomorrow! Read pp Read pp Take notes on committees, staff, and support agencies. Take notes on committees, staff, and support agencies. Finish your research phase. Finish your research phase.

Congressional Committees Most of the work of Congress takes place in committees. Most of the work of Congress takes place in committees. Real power in Congress lies with Committee Chairs. Real power in Congress lies with Committee Chairs. Types of Committees: Types of Committees: –Rules (HOR) –Standing (permanent) –Select (study issues & problems—temporary) –Joint (members of both houses—temporary) –Conference (Write a compromise bill)

Congressional Committees 20 standing committees in the HOR 20 standing committees in the HOR – standing committees in Senate 17 standing committees in Senate – Each party usually has proportional representation on every committee Each party usually has proportional representation on every committee Each lawmaker sits on at least 1 committee; most sit on 2, especially in the Senate. Most sit on 1 major and 1 minor committee. Each lawmaker sits on at least 1 committee; most sit on 2, especially in the Senate. Most sit on 1 major and 1 minor committee.

Congressional Committees Chairs are chosen by party caucus Chairs are chosen by party caucus –Usually most senior—not always, though –Usually hire staff, set the agenda, recognize members to speak. Reasons to be appointed to the right committee: Reasons to be appointed to the right committee: –Become policy specialists in particular areas –Helps members get re-elected –Gives lawmaker power over others –Provides free press/exposure to constituents

Congressional Staff Committee Staff Personal Staff Assigned to staff a committee Work for a member of Congress Legislative Assistant (LA) Administrative Assistant (AA) Caseworkers Explain the following charts and the jobs of each of the types of staff.

Congressional Support Agencies Take notes on each agency: Take notes on each agency: –Library of Congress & CRC –Congressional Budget Office –General Accounting Office –Government Printing Office