1. Organization of Congress

2. Congress Convenes
Opening of new H.O.R. term: leadership is elected, nonmember officers chosen
Rules are adopted, committee chairs chosen
Senate only 1/3 up for election, smoother organization
Within a few weeks of term beginning President gives state of the union
States policies they will peruse & suggest legislative action for Congress

3. Opening Day in the House
No organization till first day of session
Speaker is formally elected
Election of nonmember officers
Bother matters decided by majority party
Rules are re-aboted with little to no change
Member of Permanent Committees are appointed by floor vote

4. State of the Union Message
Article II Sec. 3 mandates Pres. Give State of the Union
In late Jan. Early Feb. when HOR is organized
Major political event, sets Pres. Domestic and Foreign policy agenda for year
Message not just to Congress but American people

5. Congressional Leadership
Speaker of the House:
Decides who speaks on floor
Applies rules
Refers bills to committees
Names committee members
President of the Senate
V.P. of U.S.
Put questions to vote
Can only vote if tie
Party caucus, especially majority establishes leadership of Congress

6. Party Business Congress is a law making & political body
It is the nation’s central policy making hub
It has a partisan makeup
Party caucus meets before Congress convenes in Jan.
Deals with party leadership, floor leaders, in majority case committee leadership
Committee Chair decides meetings, bills for discussion

7. Seniority
Unwritten custom that important posts will go to most senior party members
Rule most strictly applied to committee chairperson
Many criticisms of rule
Defenders argue a powerful experienced member will head each committee
Republicans have instituted rule that no one can serve longer then 3 terms as chair