CONGRESSIONAL LEADERSHIPCH 12.1

Presiding Officers Constitutional Leaders of Congress

HOUSE: Speaker of the House The House (always a leading member of

the Majority Party)

CHOSEN BY:

CURRENT: John Boehner

HOUSE: Speaker of the House Preside & keep order Recognize members wishing to speak Put motions to vote Appoint members to committees

JOB:

POWER: Acknowledged leader of the majority party Can break or cause a tie vote 3rd in line to be President

SENATE: President of the Senate

Vice President of the United StatesIS THE:

CURRENT: Joe Biden

SENATE: President of the Senate

Preside & keep order Put motions to vote Cannot debate or vote

unless to break a tie

JOB:

POWER: Far less powerful than the

Speaker of the House because technically not a member of the Senate

SENATE: President Pro Tempore

Temporary President of the Senate (In VP’s absence)

IS THE:

CURRENT: Daniel K. Inouye

The SenateCHOSEN BY:

POWER: 4th in line to be President

Party Officers Both houses of Congress are organized

along party lines These are not Constitutional positions-

but are reflective of the partisan nature of our politics

FLOOR LEADERS (aka: Majority Leader & Minority Leader)

Party caucusCHOSEN BY:

CURRENT: HOUSE:

SENATE:

Majority Leader: Eric Cantor

Minority (Dem) Leader: Nancy Pelosi

Majority Leader: Harry Reid

Minority (Rep) Leader: Mitch McConnell

FLOOR LEADERS (aka: Majority Leader & Minority Leader)

Legislative strategists (try to steer floor action to their party’s benefit)

Chief spokesman for their party in their chamber of Congress

JOB:

POWER: The Majority leader is

more powerful because they influence votes and the order of business

WHIPS(aka: Majority Whip & Minority Whip)

Party caucus (With Floor Leader approval)

CHOSEN BY:

CURRENT: HOUSE:

SENATE:

Majority Whip: Kevin McCarthy

Minority (Dem) Whip: Steny Hoyer

Majority Leader: Dick Durbin

Minority (Rep) Whip: Jon Kyl

WHIPS(aka: Majority Whip & Minority Whip)

Assistant floor leader and liaison to party members

Keeps track of and influences how party members intend to vote

Makes sure party members are present to vote

JOB: