Congress3 2014 With Narration (1)

8/12/2019 Congress3 2014 With Narration (1)

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Congress

Pt 3

Leadership positions andCommittees


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I. Political Parties

Crucial in Organization of Congress


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II. Organization by Party

A. In The Senate

1. The Vice President:

official presiding officer

has the tie-breaking vote. 2.The President Pro Tempore:

Mainly honorary position

most experienced senator from majority party.


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3. Majority leader (selected by the party withthe most seats). (D- Harry Reid NV)

4. Minority leader (selected by party withminority (R- Mitch McConnell KY)

a. Jobs of the Majority Leader

schedules business of senate has right to speak first in floor debate

Real leader of Senate

b. influence of majority leaderExs.

influences committee assignments

Tries to keep party together


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5. The Whip (Majority and Minority)

rounds up members for important votes Forecasts vote on upcoming bills


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III. The House1. Why its different:

more members.

Leaders have more status.

2. Speaker of the House

two major roles

serves as majority party leader.

presides over all house meetings John Boehner (R-OH)


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3. Powers of the speaker

Decides:

Who speaks on the house floor

if debate on the floor relevant (germane)

When business is completed Other powers:

Influences committee assignments

Creates select committees


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4. Majority Leader:

Assists the speaker

5. Minority leader:

leads the minority party in the house 6. Whips:

Same job as in Senate


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House

Speaker

MajorityLeader

Whip

Senate

Majorityleader

Whip

IV M i h S h f


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IV. Measuring the Strength of

Party Leadership

Main indicators:

How much of party votes together

How much of agenda gets accomplished


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V. Role of Congressional Caucuses

A. Congressional Caucus Defined:

Group of congressmen united by a common characteristic or

interest.

exs:

Ideology

ex. Blue Dog Dems: more conservative Democrats)

Ex. Tea Party Caucus: anti-tax conservative republicans

Race

(exs. Congressional Black Caucus, Congressional Hispanic

Caucus)

Interest Groups

B. Why join a caucus?

Connections

Information

status


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I. Committees

A. Defined Official lawmaking groups within the

House & Senate.

specific duties study & edit bills

Report bills back to the full house or senate

B. Importance Helps efficiency in Congress


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House

ArmedServices

AppropriationsWays and

MeansAgriculture

Senate

ArmedServices

Appropriations Judiciary Agriculture

II Wh itt l t


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II. Why committee placements

matter to congressmen:

#1 helps them build their expertise and

their careers and status.

#2 helps them serve their constituency.


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III. Three basic types:

A. Standing Committee:

permanent committee, deals with a permanentissue.

reports bills for debate.

B. Select or Special Committee:

appointed for a limited specific purpose

C. Joint Committee:

made up of members from both House and

Senate.


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V. Membership:

Proportional to party membership in

chamber

Majority party has extra seats on each

committee


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VI. Leadership:

A. The ChairmanLeads each committee, is always from the majority

party.

B. ranking officer

Leads the minority party.

the seniority rule

Choosing leadership based on experience in the

committee.


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VII. Congressional reforms to

committee system:

A. Problem

Seniority rule gave older members too muchpower

B. Dems Reforms ended seniority rule (still a tradition)

Limited number of committees one person couldchair.

Created more subcommittees


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C. Effect of Changes:

Decentralized leadership, chairmen had less

power Congress slowed down

D. 1995 more changes

Republican controlled Congress changed rules

for efficiency Exs. reduced number of committees and

subcommittees

Put term limits on chairmen and speakers


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INFORMATION

I. ROLE OF CONGRESSIONAL STAFF

large personal staffs assist congressmen

Policy advice

Help serve constituency


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II. STAFF AGENCIESsupply specialized knowledge to all congressmen

(bi-partisan).A. Congressional Research Service

Researches bills

Gives pros and cons of policyB. Congressional Budget Office

Predicts how bills will affect future budgets

C. Government Accountability Office Monitors government spending

Monitors success of government programs.

Documents

Congress3 2014 With Narration (1)