1. The Legislative Branch: Committees and Leadership Unit 5: The Legislative Branch

2. Organization of Senate by Party Vice President of the United States Symbolic “President” of the Senate. Only votes in case of 50-50 tie. Vice President of the United States President Pro Tempore Called the President Pro Temp. Really only starts and ends meetings. No real power. Most senior member of the majority party President Pro Tempore Senate Majority Leader Elected by their fellow party members. Schedules Senate business, often in consultation with Minority Leader. A skilled bargainer may have influence over the outcome of Senate business as well Senate Minority Leader Elected by their fellow party members. Is the leader of the party and keeps them focused on the agenda set by the party. Senate Majority Leader Senate Minority Leader Senate Majority Whip Elected by their fellow party members. Charged with keeping count of votes and influencing members. Senate Minority Whip Elected by their fellow party members. Charged with keeping count of votes and influencing members. Senate Majority Whip Senate Minority Whip Republican Committee on Committees Committee in charge of organizing committee assignments Democratic Steering Committee Committee in charge of organizing committee assignments

3. Current Senate Leadership

5. Organization of the House by Party Speaker of the House Elected by the entire House (but must have support of the majority of the majority party). Has much more control over the House than the Senate leadership has. 1)Decides who gets a chance to speak on the floor 2)Rules on motions made from the floor 3)Influences which Committee a bill is referred to 4)Influences the calendar and which bills are voted upon 5)Appoints members of special and select committees Speaker of the House House Majority Leader Elected by their fellow party members. Has less power than the same position in the Senate due to Speaker’s role House Minority Leader Elected by their fellow party members. Is the leader of the party and keeps them focused on the agenda set by the party. Takes blame for defeats in the House House Majority Leader House Minority Leader House Majority Whip Elected by their fellow party members. Charged with keeping count of votes and influencing members. House Minority Whip Elected by their fellow party members. Charged with keeping count of votes and influencing members. House Majority Whip House Minority Whip Democratic Steering and Policy Committee Chaired by party leadership. In charge of setting legislative agenda and committee assignments Republican Committee on Committees Committee in charge of organizing committee assignments Republican Committee on Committees Republican Policy Committee Sets legislative agenda and schedules.

6. Current House Leadership

7. Show Daily Show Clip

8. The Committee System Take into account all the areas the Legislative Branch must act on….. Would it be possible for a person to have the depth of knowledge to make reasonable, intelligent decisions on all of these areas? Due to this the Legislative Branch has organized itself into Committees that specialize in different areas of policy Committees are mixed between both parties, with the majority party in the Legislative body having more members per committee

9. Roles of Committees Consider Bills/Legislative Proposals Before bills are debated by the full body, they are studied and “marked up” in committee. The committee “reports” it out to the full House or Senate for a vote. 94% of all bills DIE in committee Conduct Investigations They look into areas of “concern” that fall under their area of expertise (MLB Steroid Hearings) Oversight of Executive Branch They investigate the operations and actions of Executive Branch Agencies (“Fast and Furious”, “9/11 commission”)

10. Types of Committees 1)Standing Committees: Committees that are permanent parts of Congress. 2)Select Committees: Committees assembled for a specific period of time to accomplish a specific task (Senate Watergate Committee) 3)Joint Committees: Committees put together that consist of members of both the House and Senate (9/11 Committee) * Conference Committee: A special joint committee put together to hammer out differences between bills passed by the House and the Senate

11. Important Committees Appropriations (House and Senate) Budget (House and Senate) Judiciary (Senate) Rules (House) Ways and Means (House) Spending Allocating resources to departments Holds hearing on appointments of Judges Sets the rules for debate on bills Taxes and Revenue Bills

12. Let’s See How Close You Were Paying Attention to Jonathan Bill becomes a law race (by groups)

13. Legislative Tactics Caucuses: Groups that share interests. Can be big and formal (Democratic Caucuses) or small and informal (Soccer Playing Caucuses). May form voting blocks in legislature Committee System: Can speed or stall a bill Filibuster and Cloture Pork Barrel and Log Rolling Riders: Additions to bills through amendments designed to either help or harm a bill’s passage Lobbying Conference Committees: May affect wording and final intent

14. Influences on Congressional Voting Constituents: Members, especially those in marginal districts, have to pay close attention to their constituents’ views and wishes Other Lawmakers and Staff: Most senior members often influence newer members; committee members who work on legislation often influence other members; staff research and advise members Party Influences: Each Party’s platform takes a stand on major issues. Loyalty is rewarded in the party (“primary” those who aren’t loyal). More influential in the House President: Puts pressure on members Lobbyists and Interest Groups: Often provide members with information on topics and possible financial support