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Organization and Leadership of Congress

Learn about the structure and leadership roles within Congress, including the Speaker of the House, President of the Senate, committee chairmen, and majority/minority leaders and whips. Discover the privileges and compensation provided to members of Congress.

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Organization and Leadership of Congress

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  1. Chapter 12: Organization of Congress (p.329)

  2. I. Organization of Congress • Leaders of Congress 1. Speaker of the House – Paul Ryan a. recognizes who speaks b. assigns bills to committee c. appoints members to select committees

  3. 2. President of the Senate a. Is the current Vice-President b. It is a Constitutional position, not an elected position. c. Only powers is to recognize who speaks and vote in case of a tie.

  4. 3. President Pro Tempore of Senate a. Presiding officer in absence of VP b. Given to majority party leader with most years of membership • ORRIN HATCH

  5. 4. Majority/minority leaders Senate: Harry Reid D/Mitch McConnell House: R/Nancy Pelosi D

  6. a. Quarterback whose job is to get a bill over the goal post. Plans strategies to get all party’s bills through b. First to speak on any bill c. Grants favors with extra office space, helps with choice committee assignments

  7. 5. Majority/Minority Whips a. Liaison between leaders and members b. Keeps tracks of votes c. Takes care of “pairing” – members of opposite party pair up when missing a vote

  8. 6. Committee Chairmen a. Decide when committees meet b. Assign staff, money research c. Call witnesses

  9. II. Committee Structure A. Where most of the work is done and where most bills die B. Each committee same ratio of the party make-up in both houses. The majority party rules each committee is chaired by the majority party.

  10. C. Seniority Rule: Chairmen of committees are mainly chosen by seniority. The majority member who has served longest gets to be the chairman.

  11. 4. Pros and Cons of Seniority Rule Cons • Best person does not get the position • New ideas have hard time getting heard • Chairmen come from single-party districts John McCain: Chairman Armed Services Comm. Pros 1 Guarantees experience 2 Prevents intraparty fighting 3 Smooth transition of power Cons • Best person does not get the position • New ideas have hard time getting heard • Chairmen come from single-party districts

  12. III.PRIVILEGES OF CONGRESS • Free from arrest going to and from Congress and during a session of Congress. B. Speech and Debate Clause: Cannot be sued for anything said in Congress or committee. Article 1, Section 6, Why? C. Franking privilege: Means free use of the mail. Why is that necessary

  13. C. Compensation • Pay • Fixed at $174,000 • Speaker of the House- $223,500 • Senate president pro tem, majority and minority floor leaders – $193,400 • Federal tax deduction • Travel allowances • Pay little for life and health insurance • Funds to hire staff • Offices provided in one of the buildings near the capitol

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