1. Committees and Leadership in Congress
Chapter 12

2. Starting a New Term
The House must reorganize b/c new members are taking seats
The members then elect their leader (Speaker), who then swears in all members
Then they adopt work rules and appoint members to permanent committees
The Senate has no need to reorganize b/c two-thirds of its members stay the same

3. At the beginning of each new Congress
The Role of Political Parties
in Organizing Congress
At the beginning of each new Congress
(every two years), a party caucus is held
to elect officers, review committee
assignments, discuss party policy,
impose party discipline, set party themes,
and coordinate media.
Committees are controlled by the
majority party.
The majority party sets the agenda.

4. Speaker of the House The majority party’s leader
Most powerful person in Congress
Follows the VP in Line of Succession
Presides and keeps order
Has regular member duties as well (debate, vote)
Major role in committee assignments
John Boehner (R-OH)

5. The President of the Senate
Vice President – role is more formal than active
Can oversees sessions, but cannot debate
Votes only in a tie
Not chosen by the Senate
Does not have regular member duties
Could be from the party out of power
Most authority rests with party leaders
Joe Biden (D-DE)

6. President Pro Tempore Presides in the absence of the VP
Elected by the Senate itself
Leading member of the majority party – usually its longest serving member
Not as powerful as the Speaker
Daniel Inuoye (D-HI)

7. Floor Leaders Most powerful members after Speaker
Parties’ chief spokespeople
Selected during party caucuses
Help pass laws their party wants
Harry Reid (D-NV)
Senate Majority Leader
Mitch McConnell (R-KY)
Senate Minority Leader
Eric Cantor (R-VA)
House Majority Leader
Nancy Pelosi (D-CA)
House Minority Leader

8. Richard J. Durbin (D-IL)
Whips
Assistant floor leaders
Serve as a liaison
Kevin McCarthy (R-CA)
House Majority Whip
Richard J. Durbin (D-IL)
Senate Majority Whip

9. Committees in Congress
The bulk of the work of Congress (especially the House) is done in committee (small groups).
This helps to handle the extremely heavy workload.
Very important in shaping public policy

10. Importance of Committees
Most bills receive their most thorough consideration in these bodies
Decide the fate of most bills
Members of both houses regularly respect the decisions and follow the recommendations of committees

11. Committee Chairmen
A majority of each committee’s members come from the majority party, including the chairperson
Head the standing committees that do most of Congress’ work
Usually committee’s longest standing member from the majority party
Decide when to meet, which bills to consider, and more, but not as powerful as they once were

12. Seniority Rule
Unwritten custom (the general rule, but there are exceptions)
Provides that the most important posts will be held by those members with the longest records of service
Strom Thurmond (R-SC)
Strom Thurmond (R-SC)

13. Congressional Caucuses (Informal Organization)
A group of members of Congress sharing some interest or characteristic.
Most are composed of members from both parties and both houses.
Goal is to promote the interests around which they are formed.

14. Standing Committee Permanent
Formed to handle bills in different policy areas
Specialize in one subject
Handle all bills that relate to that subject
Majority party holds a majority of seats on each committee

15. House Rules Committee One of the most powerful
Determines when and under what conditions the whole House will debate and vote on bills
Can speed up, delay, or even prevent action on a bill

16. Other Important Committees
House Ways and Means Committee & Senate Finance Committee – write tax codes which are subject to the approval of both houses
Appropriations Committees – decides how government money will be apportioned to federal agencies

17. Select Committee Usually temporary
Set up for a specific purpose, such as an investigation
Example: The committee that investigated Watergate

18. Joint Committee Can be temporary or permanent
Includes members of both houses (so that the houses do not duplicate work)

19. Conference Committee Temporary
Works out a compromise bill when the House and Senate have passed different versions of the same bill