Committees and Leadership in Congress Chapter 12

Starting a New Term The House must reorganize b/c new members are taking seats The members then elect their leader (Speaker), who then swears in all members Then they adopt work rules and appoint members to permanent committees The Senate has no need to reorganize b/c two-thirds of its members stay the same

At the beginning of each new Congress The Role of Political Parties in Organizing Congress At the beginning of each new Congress (every two years), a party caucus is held to elect officers, review committee assignments, discuss party policy, impose party discipline, set party themes, and coordinate media. Committees are controlled by the majority party. The majority party sets the agenda.

Speaker of the House The majority party’s leader Most powerful person in Congress Follows the VP in Line of Succession Presides and keeps order Has regular member duties as well (debate, vote) Major role in committee assignments John Boehner (R-OH)

The President of the Senate Vice President – role is more formal than active Can oversees sessions, but cannot debate Votes only in a tie Not chosen by the Senate Does not have regular member duties Could be from the party out of power Most authority rests with party leaders Joe Biden (D-DE)

President Pro Tempore Presides in the absence of the VP Elected by the Senate itself Leading member of the majority party – usually its longest serving member Not as powerful as the Speaker Daniel Inuoye (D-HI)

Floor Leaders Most powerful members after Speaker Parties’ chief spokespeople Selected during party caucuses Help pass laws their party wants Harry Reid (D-NV) Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) Senate Minority Leader Eric Cantor (R-VA) House Majority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) House Minority Leader

Richard J. Durbin (D-IL) Whips Assistant floor leaders Serve as a liaison Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) House Majority Whip Richard J. Durbin (D-IL) Senate Majority Whip

Committees in Congress The bulk of the work of Congress (especially the House) is done in committee (small groups). This helps to handle the extremely heavy workload. Very important in shaping public policy

Importance of Committees Most bills receive their most thorough consideration in these bodies Decide the fate of most bills Members of both houses regularly respect the decisions and follow the recommendations of committees

Committee Chairmen A majority of each committee’s members come from the majority party, including the chairperson Head the standing committees that do most of Congress’ work Usually committee’s longest standing member from the majority party Decide when to meet, which bills to consider, and more, but not as powerful as they once were

Seniority Rule Unwritten custom (the general rule, but there are exceptions) Provides that the most important posts will be held by those members with the longest records of service Strom Thurmond (R-SC) Strom Thurmond (R-SC)

Congressional Caucuses (Informal Organization) A group of members of Congress sharing some interest or characteristic. Most are composed of members from both parties and both houses. Goal is to promote the interests around which they are formed.

Standing Committee Permanent Formed to handle bills in different policy areas Specialize in one subject Handle all bills that relate to that subject Majority party holds a majority of seats on each committee

House Rules Committee One of the most powerful Determines when and under what conditions the whole House will debate and vote on bills Can speed up, delay, or even prevent action on a bill

Other Important Committees House Ways and Means Committee & Senate Finance Committee – write tax codes which are subject to the approval of both houses Appropriations Committees – decides how government money will be apportioned to federal agencies

Select Committee Usually temporary Set up for a specific purpose, such as an investigation Example: The committee that investigated Watergate

Joint Committee Can be temporary or permanent Includes members of both houses (so that the houses do not duplicate work)

Conference Committee Temporary Works out a compromise bill when the House and Senate have passed different versions of the same bill