Congressional Caucuses 112th Congress– Approx. 200 Caucuses in the

House Purpose:

Organize based on an issue/demographic Unity Vote/Influence policy

Congressional Caucus for Women’s Issues (75 members)

Blue Dog Coalition (26 members)

Congressional Black Caucus (43 members)

Tea Party Caucus (53 members)

Haiti Response – Caucus (stop at 2:00)

TEA Party

Standing Committees 20 in the House 16 in the Senate

Purpose: Main part of law-

making process. Craft/analyze possible

legislation Investigate/Oversight

Standing in Senate-Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry -Appropriations -Armed Services -Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs -Budget -Commerce, Science, and Transportation -Energy and Natural Resources -Environment and Public Works -Finance -Foreign Relations -Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions -Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs -Judiciary -Rules and Administration -Small Business and Entrepreneurship -Veterans Affairs

Other Types of Committees Select Committee

One chamber Temporary issue

Joint Committee Members of both chambers Can be permanent Issues of concern to both chambers

Conference Committee Joint (House and Senate) End of Law-making process Reconcile differences in similar bills

Committees Steering and Policy Committee

Assign Dems. To Committees

Committee on Committees Assign Repub. To Committees

Appropriations Committee How much money goes to govt agencies.

Ways and Means Comm. (House only) Raising Revenue

Rules Comm. (Important in House only) Rules for debating bills