Chapter 12 Section 1 Organization of the Legislative Branch

Objective You will be able to identify the key positions within the Legislative branch and what they do

Basics This 1 st day of a new term (every 2 years) is January 3 of every odd numbered year – Why is it every odd numbered year?

Speaker of the House Most power in the legislative branch – 3 rd in the line of succession Always chosen from its own members of the majority party – Doesn’t have to be this way Duties – To preside over all sessions – To keep order No one can speak without being recognized Interprets and applies rules Refers bills to standing committees

President of Senate Not a member of the Legislative Branch Not very powerful Sometimes not a member of the same party as the majority of the Senate – WHY Cannot speak/debate—only breaks a tie

President Pro Tempore Serves in the Vice Presidents absence Usually given to the longest serving member of the majority party Not very powerful 4 th in line of succession

Committee Chairman Member who heads the standing committee in each chambers – Standing committees are permanent committees that deal with specific topics – Chosen from the majority party Make basic logistic decisions for the committee

Party Caucus Closed meeting of the members of each party Deal with party organization maters – Like choosing leaders

Seniority Rule This is an unwritten rule about who gets the most important committee posts – The best goes to the longest serving member Like how the Pro Tempore is chosen – Most strict in choosing Committee chairs Criticism – Not based on ability and discourages younger members Defense – More experienced members=gets more respect