Congress

The House vs The Senate

House vs Senate

Both bodies have there own set of Rules.

The House has more rules because it is bigger.

The House also has it’s own leaders.

Speaker of the House

Speaker of the House: John Boehner (R) The most powerful member. Always member of the majority. Usually has seniority. Moderate view on political issues

Speakers Responsibilities

Presides over house debates. Determines who speaks and for how

long. Influences committee assignments. Assigns bills to committee. Committees can determine if bill will

pass or not.

Majority Leader

Eric Cantor (R) Chief strategist and spokes person for

majority party. Supports speaker Shepherds legislation thorough the

house.

Minority Leader

Nancy Pelosi (D) Organize opposition to majority party. Sometimes speaks for Presidents

legislative program if Presidents party is minority.

Party Whips/Assistant Floor Leaders

Kevin McCarthy (R) Steny Hoyer (D) Recommended by the party leaders.

Whips Responsibilities

Find out opinion of party members on pending legislation.

Make sure members show up for voting.

Substitute when floor leader is absent.

Assisted by assistant whips (bill managers)

Clerk of the House

Top administrative official Maintains records concerning pending

legislation, lobbying activities, and campaign spending.

Parliamentarian

Expert at rules of Debate.

President of Senate Joe Biden (D) V.P. is automatically assigned the position. Little authority. Supposed to preside over debates. Usually assigned to other party members. Last deciding vote in a tie. Officially counts electoral college votes.

President Pro Tempore

Daniel Inouye Presides over Senate when V.P. is not

there. Usually senior ranking senator in

majority party. Can serve in committees, be

committee chair, and vote on everything.

Majority Leader

Harry Reid (D) Real leader of Senate. Develops strategy for majority party. Chosen by senate party caucus. Does not have many formal powers.

Minority Leader

Mitch McConnell Leads opposition to legislation efforts

of majority party. Can become majority leader if an

election changes balance of power.

Senate Whips

Richard Duibin (D) Jon Kyl (R)

Whip Responsibilities

Swaying party members Mobilizing support Making sure members vote.

Secretary of Senate

Top administrator Keeps record of lobbying activities

Parliamentarian

Standing Committees

Most important Pretty much permanent committees Deal with bills about a particular

subject. Subdivided into subcommittees

Most desired Committees in Senate

Foreign Relations Finance Armed Services Judiciary Appropriations (decide on Gov’t

spending).

Most desired committees in the House

Rules Ways and Means (taxes) Appropriations (decide on Gov’t

spending). Appropriation- setting aside money

for specific purposes. Appointment to one of these

committees increases a persons political leverage and influence.

Select Committees

Created for specific purpose and limited time.

Consider issues outside jurisdiction of standing committees.

Usually cant draft legislation.

Conference Committees

Formed by members of both House and Senate.

Reconcile Senate and House versions of the same bill.

Committee assignment to standing committees

Democratic Steering Committee (Senate)

Democratic Steering and Policy committee (House)

Republican committee on committees (both House and Senate).