1. The Legislative Branch Article I of the Constitution

2. Concept 2: Individuals, Groups, and Institutions
Topics will include:
Breakdown of the US Congress
Qualifications/ Terms/ Compensation & Privileges of Congress
The Election Process/ The Impact of the 17th Amendment
The Legislative Process (Bill  Law)
Functions of leadership positions and committees
Influence of lobbyists and interest groups

3. Leadership Positions House Speaker of the House
Head of the House of Representatives
Administers Oath of Office to members
Calls the House into order
Preserves order and decorum within the House chamber and galleries

4. Leadership Positions House Speaker of the House
Recognizes members to speak on the House Floor
Makes rules about House procedures
Senate
Vice President
Decides committee members
Decides order bill are debated

5. Leadership Positions Majority Leader
Leader for the political party that does have the majority of the seats in the House/ Senate
Minority Leader
Leader for the political party that does not have the majority of the seats in the House/ Senate

6. Leadership Positions Party whips
Official in a political party whose primary purpose is to ensure discipline and “party loyalty”
They act as the party “enforcers”

7. Leadership Positions Majority/ Minority Leaders
Enforce party discipline on votes deemed to be crucial (make sure members do not vote in a way not approved by the political party)
Serve as spokesperson for their party’s positions on issues

8. Types of Congressional Committees
Standing Committees
Most common type of congressional committee
Permanent Committee
Handle the vast majority of legislation
Most standing committees have sub-committees handling more specific areas of an issue

9. Types of Congressional Committees
Select Committee
Created for a limited period and for a specific purpose
Joint Committee
Created to deal with a specific issue
Has members from both houses/ chambers of Congress

10. Types of Congressional Committees
Conference Committee
A very common type of joint committee
Committee members are from both chambers of Congress
Compromise on the draft of a bill using the House and Senate versions of the bill