Congress Day to Day

Leadership In both Houses, there are floor leaders The party with the most members is known as the majority party The party with less members is the minority party Each party has a “leader” and a “whip”, who is the leader’s assistant

Party Leaders The party leaders try and get their members to work together They control who gets on important committees, where much important work is done They also control who speaks and what issues are dealt with

Committees There are several types of committees in Congress A Standing Committee specializes on a specific topic A Subcommittee operates under a standing committee on a more specialized topic Conference Committees work out compromises between the House and Senate when they pass different versions of the same bill

Congressional Immunity A member of Congress can say whatever they want on the floor. They are protected from slander suits They cannot be arrested while doing their job This allows free debate on important issues

In 1856, Senator Preston Brooks of South Carolina beat Senator Charles Sumner of Massachusetts during a debate on slavery

Congressional Accountability Members are not totally above the law however When a member commits a serious crime or is involved in a scandal, they can be disciplined Expulsion is when a member is removed from office Censure, or formal disapproval, is given when a member does something illegal or unethical, but not serious enough to kick them out Congressman Jim Traficant (OH) was expelled in 2002 for corruption

Congressional Powers Congress has 3 basic types of powers Expressed Powers: those specifically listed in the Constitution Implied Powers: taken in the name of the necessary and proper clause Nonlegislative Powers: powers not related to making laws

Expressed Powers Maintain the military Collect taxes Coin money Declare war Create federal courts Set up a postal system Regulate Washington, D.C. Regulate immigration and naturalization Many more

Implied Powers Create the Air Force Regulate broadcasting Create the Space Program Build and maintain highways Much more

Non – Legislative Powers Impeachment: to accuse government officials of wrongdoing, put them on trial, and if necessary remove from office Investigations Approve presidential appointments: anyone who the President picks for a government job must be approved by the Senate Approve the Budget: The Congress must approve the President’s plan for spending money for the upcoming year

Impeachment Impeachment starts with investigation The House of Representatives votes on whether to impeach, or accuse The Senate then holds a trial to decide if the official is kicked out of office Only 2 U.S. Presidents have been impeached, Andrew Johnson and Bill Clinton. Neither was removed from office All executive and judicial officials are subject to impeachment, not just the President