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Committees

Committees. …… and Congress at Work. Congress Convenes. January 3 rd , at noon. (Odd # years). House of Representatives: A clerk calls to order and checks for newly elected Representatives. Are they there?

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Committees

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  1. Committees …… and Congress at Work

  2. Congress Convenes • January 3rd, at noon. (Odd # years). • House of Representatives: • A clerk calls to order and checks for newly elected Representatives. Are they there? • Members to be: Choose the Speaker of the House. S/he will take an oath of office and then swear in the rest of the members….

  3. What else happens on Opening Day? • The House elects….. • A clerk • A Sergeant at Arms • Doorkeeper • Post Master • Chaplain • Adopt rules and organize the Committees?

  4. So, we know about the House… now what about the Senate?!? • Not as extensive as the House. • Why? They are a continuous body. • Only 1/3rd new/re-elected members each term. • New or re-elected members are just sworn in • Vacancies are filled

  5. Presidential: State of the Union Message • Mr. P outlines the administration’s plans and policies. • May make a few suggestions and recommendations on legislation. • Why does he do this? Because it’s in the Constitution! Mandated Speech in Article 2, Section 3.

  6. Speaker of the House • Nancy Pelosi • Has 2 duties: • Keeps Order • Presides over all sessions. • Allowed to vote and debate on any matter…. • Rarely do… except when there’s a tie… then they are required to. • The most influential person in the House.

  7. Pelosi in Action… • Nancy Pelosi and the Health Bill…

  8. President of the Senate • Mr. VP Joe Biden • In the Constitution that the President of the Senate is the VP of the United States. • Votes in case of a tie. • Recognize members. • If absent-President Pro Tempore presides over the Senate…. (they are voted on by the Senate and a member of the Majority Party).

  9. Biden in Action… (not sure what though…)

  10. Floor Leaders..... • In the House and Senate have a majority and a minority floor leader… and their chosen by party colleagues. • Whips???? Assistant floor leaders. Make sure party members are voting the way they are supposed to be… “Whip” into good, obeying party members • The Party Caucus: Closed meetings of each party in each house… they deal with: • Party organization • Selection of Floor Leaders • Committee Membership

  11. Committee Chairpersons • Decide….. • When their committees will meet • Which bills they will consider • Whether or not to hold public hearings • What witnesses to call upon

  12. Seniority Rules • Unwritten rule or “custom” • Most important posts are awarded according to terms of service…. • Are you serious?!?

  13. Seniority Rule • Criticisms…. • Ignores Ability. • Discourages young members. • Encourages constant re-election of “stale” members. • Defenders… • Ensures experience in key posts. • Minimizes conflict within the party.

  14. Standing Committees • The permanent groups to which all similar bills are sent. • House has 19 standing committees; Senate has 17 standing committees. • House members can only serve on one. • Senate members can serve on two. • Speaker of the House and President of the Senate decide where to assign a bill. Which appropriate committee? • Example: For any taxes  Ways and Means

  15. House Rules Committee • Police Authority of the House of Representatives. • Manages the flow of bills for the full house by scheduling their consideration. • In the Senate… Majority House Leader takes on this role.

  16. Select Committees • Special groups… set up for specific purposes… for a limited period of time. • Members appointed by Speaker of the House or President of the Senate. • Usually chosen to conduct special investigations. • Example: Senate Watergate Committee 1973. • What was that guys name again? Which President? • O that’s right…. Nixon!

  17. Joint Committees • Members of Both Houses make these committees up. • Judiciary, Budget, Small Business, Veteran’s affairs. • Typically permanent groups that serve on a regular basis.

  18. Conference Committees • A bill has to be passed in identical form by both the Senate and the House….before it can go to the President. • A bill can pass in different forms during the first phase. • Conference committees are created to iron out the differences on the bills. • Compromise bill is created.

  19. How a Bill Becomes a Law… Bill Simulation Activity

  20. Bill Simulation Steps • Assign Roles • 4 total committees • 2 for House • 2 for Senate • Two readers (1 for bill one, 1 for bill two.) • Speakers for bill one—3 • Speakers for bill two—3

  21. Simulation Continued • Bill is read to class • Split into four groups • Talk about the bills for 2-5 minutes. • Conduct hearings • Speakers testify about the bill. • Committee members ask one question of each speaker. • Vote on whether or note to proceed with the bill. • Mark up time. • Meet for 5 minutes to revise the bills to your liking.

  22. Simulation Continued • Reconvene • All house members come together • All Senate members come together. • Each side introduces their versions. • Floor consideration (yay/nay) • If bill doesn’t pass… it dies. • If it does pass… on to the Conference Committee we go. • Conference Committee • Nominate/vote on members (two from each group). • Work out the differences on the passed bills.

  23. Simulation steps continued • Vote again • Conference Committee has one bill. • If it passes, it goes to the President who can: • Veto • Pass • Pocket Veto • Ignore it 10 days, and it automatically passes.

  24. How a Bill becomes a Law…(House style) • 1st reading • Goes to a committee and then a subcommittee. • Reviewed • Back to full committee • Report favorably • Amend it • Unfavorably • Totally redo it • Pigeonhole (refuse to report it) • Placed on the calendar for floor debate

  25. House… passing a bill • Read a second time • Floor debate…. With a very strict time limit. • Voting • Voice vote • Standing vote • 1/5 quorum asks for a teller vote • Role-call vote • Read a 3rd time and signed by Speaker • Sent to Senate President

  26. A Bill in the Senate… • Bill read • Given title • Referred to a Committee. • Called to floor by Majority Leader • Floor Debate…. Unlimited • Filibuster… only in the Senate • Cloture Rule…. Take 4/5 to end a filibuster • Conference Committee: smoothes out differences between the House and the Senate • Goes to Mr. P

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