How Congress Is Organized: Structure, Committees, and Terms

2. How Congress Is Organized? C & E

3. EQs • How is Congress organized? • What role do committees play in Congress?

4. Key Terms • bicameral • census • constituent • gerrymander • majority party • minority party • standing committee • seniority

5. Key Concepts • The Legislative Branch

6. Senator Jon Kyl

7. Terms of Congress • Leg. Branch intended to be most powerful branch • 535 people • Make laws for nation • Est by Article I • Each term starts Jan. 3 every odd #’d year • Lasts for 2 yrs • 2 sessions (1 each year) • Can hold special sessions in time of crisis • joint session occurs when both houses meet together • Ex: State of the Union address

8. How are different terms of Congress identified? Each “new” Congress is given a number to identify its two-year term. For example, the first Congress met in 1789, and the 107th Congress began meeting in 2001.

9. A Bicameral Legislature • Great Compromise est. bicameral legislature • House of representatives & Senate • House of Representatives • 435 members • Based on population • Census determines number of people in state & # of representatives each state should have • State divided into districts with roughly equal # constituents – people represented • Try to prevent gerrymander • oddly shaped district designed to increase the voting strength of a particular group. • The House focuses on concerns in district

11. The Senate • 100 members • 2 from each of 50 states • 6 year terms • Staggered elections of only 1/3 of Senate

12. Congressional Leaders • Majority party • The pol. party to which more than ½ members belong • Minority party • The pol party with less than ½ • Each pol party chooses leaders • Members of majority party in House select the Speaker of the House

13. Speaker of the House • Selected in a caucus – closed meeting • Most powerful leader in the House • Steers legislation, in charge of floor debates, & influences most other house business • Next in line to be president after VP

14. How does the Speaker of the House exercise influence? Speakers today often influence through persuasion. They talk with many members of Congress, listen to requests for favors, and in return expect the representatives to support important issues.

15. President Pro tempore • The presiding officer of Senate = VP • Called President of Senate • Little power • Votes only in case of tie • The actual chair of Senate is President Pro tempore • Means “for the time being” • Pronounced pro tem • 4th in line to presidency after VP, & Speaker of House • Held by someone from majority party

16. Floor Leaders • Each party elects floor leaders • Majority leader is leader of majority party • 1 for House & 1 for Senate • Minority leader – leader of min party • 1 for House & 1 for Senate • Each party leader is assisted by a “whip” • There are both majority & minority whips in the House & Senate

17. Committees • 4 Types • Standing committees • Permanent • Senate has 17 • House has 19 • Ex: education, veterans affairs, & commerce • Select committees • Created to do special job • Limited time period • Disbands when work is finished • Joint committees • 4 total • Include members from both House & Senate • Economic, Tax policy, Lib. Of Congress, & Gov’t Printing Office • Conference Committees • Helps House & Senate work out details of proposed law

19. Committee Assignments • Traditionally based on seniority • Years of service • Who has been in Congress longest usually get the preferred committee spots • Majority party gets to choose committee chairperson • Usually maj. party person who has seniority in that committee • Chairperson decides on who will serve on subcommittees, when committees meet & what will be discussed • Movement in politics to get away from seniority system

20. What are the main arguments for and against the use of the seniority system in choosing committee members? Some people think the seniority system prevents fights over committee jobs and ensures that chairpersons will have experience. Others complain that talented people may be overlooked in favor of those who simply have been around for a while.

21. Assessment A __ 1. a legislature consisting of two parts, or houses __ 2. in both the House of Representatives and the Senate, the political party to which fewer than half the members belong __ 3. a person from a legislator's district __ 4. years of service, which is used as a consideration for assigning committee members __ 5. in both the House of Representatives and the Senate, the political party to which more than half the members belong A. bicameral B. constituent C. majority party D. minority party E. seniority D B E C

22. Ex: Education, veterans affairs, & commerce Members of both houses Joint Committee 4 committees Senate has 17 Ex: economic, fed. Tax policy, Library of Congress, Gov’t Printing office Standing House has 19 Committees Temporary committee Do a special job Select committees Members from both houses Disband when finish work Conference Committee Work together on proposed laws Ex: assassination committee