1. American Government
Chapter 12
Section 1

2. Congress House of Representatives Senate All 435 possibly new
No structure until opening day ceremonies held
Clerk runs opening session, non-elected non-member administrative officer
Senate
Continuous body
Operated without interruption since 1789

3. State of the Union Address
Delivered by President to special Joint Session of Congress
President’s chance to lay out agenda
Televised world-wide
Seen as biggest agenda push to the public

4. Presiding Officers Speaker of the House Head of majority party in HoR
Third in line for Presidential succession
Presides over HoR and keeps order.
Appoints committee chairs
Must vote to break ties
Can only debate if Speaker pro tempore takes seat

5. Presiding Officers President of the Senate President pro tempore
VP of USA
Votes ONLY to break a tie
President pro tempore
Senate majority leader
Serves in the absence of the Pres of Senate
Maintains order in the party

6. Other Officers Floor Leaders Whips Political Strategists Deal makers
Assistant Floor Leaders
Bulldogs/Enforcers of the party line

7. Party Caucus Policy committee of each party in each house
Deciding factor of what agenda the party will pursue

8. Committees Committee Chairperson Seniority
Senior member of the party who will advance the party agenda through legislation
Decide meeting schedule
Hear or pigeonhole legislation
Seniority
The longer your tenure, the more reward in leadership power
Virtually removed in the HoR under Republicans