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The 110th Congress is characterized by a Democratic majority with 232 members, led by Speaker Nancy Pelosi. The leadership structure includes Majority Leader Steny Hoyer and Majority Whip James Clyburn. The Republican minority is led by John Boehner and Minority Whip Roy Blunt. Congress operates through various committees, allowing specialization in areas like Agriculture and Education. Each committee has majority control, influencing which bills progress. Additionally, caucuses, such as the Congressional Black Caucus, play a role in party dynamics and decision-making.
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110thCongress Leadership & Structure
Party Make-up • Party Divisions in the HR • 232 Democrats • 201 Republicans • 0 Independents • 2 Vacancies • Who has the majority?
Leadership All the leadership positions are held by the majority party
Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) Roles Presides over HR Determines committee assignment Sets rules Generally, most powerful person in Congress House of Representatives
Majority Leader From majority party Sets tone for party Steny Hoyer (D-MD) Minority Leader Is the leader for the party out of power John Boehner (R-OH) Floor Leaders – HR
Majority Whip From majority party James Clyburn (D-SC) Minority Whip From minority party Roy Blunt (R-MO) Whip - Ensures party members are voting accordingly, in attendance, keep in party line
Your Rep from District 35 Maxine Waters (D-CA)
Senate President of the Senate Vice President of the U.S. Dick Cheney (R-WY): Breaks ties in S
Senate Leadership • President pro tempore • Majority Party • Temporary president • Presides over Senate Robert Byrd (D – WV)
Majority Leader Most powerful position in Senate Harry Reid (D-NV) Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) Senate Leadership
Majority Whip Richard Durbin (D-IL) Minority Whip Trent Lott (R-MI) Senate Whips
Barbara Boxer (D) Dianne Feinstein (D) Your CA Senators
Structure • Congress divides into committees in order to become an expert in certain areas • Committees – divides work into specific categories (for each house) • Agriculture • Education and Labor • Judiciary • Veteran’s Affairs • Library (of Congress)
Cmte • Chairperson • Majority party • Seniority Rule • Majority • Longest on cmte • Majority party has proportional number of seats Chairman of the House Committee on Agriculture Collin Peterson (D-MN) If a bill sponsored by a Republican goes to a cmte in the 110th Congress, what chance does it have of passing?
Standing Cmte • Permanent • Exclusive Cmte – HR ONLY: • Appropriations: gives out the money • Ways and Means: all tax bills start here • Rules • Major • S: Judiciary, Foreign Relations
Subcommittees • Each cmte divides up into smaller cmte’s that can specialize even further • House Committee on Agriculture • Subcmte on Conservation, Credit, Energy & Research • Subcmte on Department Operations, Oversight, Nutrition & Forestry • Subcmte on Horticulture & Organic Agriculture • Subcmte on Livestock, Dairy, & Poultry
Select / Special Committees • Temporary or permanent on specific topic • Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence • Special Committee on Aging
Joint Committees • Cmte made of both HR & S • Library • Economic • Taxation • Printing
Where’s Hillary? • Armed Forces • Environment and Public Works • Health, Education, Labor and Pensions • Special Cmte on Aging
Caucus: a group of like-minded representatives • Party Caucus: determines party leadership and direction • Others: • Congressional Black Caucus