CongressionalCongressionalOrganization, Organization,

Staff & Staff & AgenciesAgencies

Compiled from Compiled from information in Chapter information in Chapter

13, Theme D13, Theme D

Leaders in CongressLeaders in Congress HOR Click here! Click here!

– Speaker of HouseSpeaker of House– Majority & Minority Majority & Minority

LeadersLeaders– Majority & Minority Majority & Minority

WhipsWhips– Policy/Steering Policy/Steering

Comm.Comm. How do they get How do they get

their jobs?their jobs? Who are they?Who are they? What do they do?What do they do?

Senate Click here! Click here!– Pres. Of SenatePres. Of Senate– Pro TemporePro Tempore– Majority & Minority Majority & Minority

LeadersLeaders– Majority & Minority Majority & Minority

WhipsWhips– Policy/Steering Comm.Policy/Steering Comm.

How do they get their How do they get their jobs?jobs?

Who are they?Who are they? What do they do?What do they do?

Class simulationClass simulation

Divide into political parties (R/D only Divide into political parties (R/D only please!)please!)

Determine majority party.Determine majority party. Act out Senate.Act out Senate. Act out HOR.Act out HOR.

Party PolarizationParty Polarization

Are Republicans too conservative Are Republicans too conservative & Democrats too liberal?& Democrats too liberal?

What do you see as the root What do you see as the root causes of this polarization?causes of this polarization?

What are the drawbacks of this What are the drawbacks of this polarization?polarization?

What are the benefits of this What are the benefits of this polarization?polarization?

CaucusesCaucuses Define the term.Define the term.

– Association that advocates for a certain goal.Association that advocates for a certain goal.– 6 Types:6 Types:

Intraparty, Personal Interest, Constituency: Intraparty, Personal Interest, Constituency: National, Constituency: Regional, Constituency: National, Constituency: Regional, Constituency: Demographic, Constituency: EconomicDemographic, Constituency: Economic

Why Form or Join a Caucus?Why Form or Join a Caucus?– to build social ties to build social ties – to coordinate and promote legislative to coordinate and promote legislative

agendas agendas – to look good to individual or corporate to look good to individual or corporate

constituents. constituents.

CaucusesCaucuses The Number of Caucuses has grown The Number of Caucuses has grown

despite threats to end the practice in despite threats to end the practice in the HOR.the HOR.

Let’s look at a few lists:Let’s look at a few lists:– http://

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caucuses_of_the_United_States_Congress

– http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/07/19/the-most-surprising-congr_n_649168.html#s115285&title=undefined

Form caucuses within the class to Form caucuses within the class to discuss writing bills for tomorrow.discuss writing bills for tomorrow.

Assignment: Due Tomorrow!Assignment: Due Tomorrow!

Read pp. 346-350.Read pp. 346-350. Take notes on committees, staff, and Take notes on committees, staff, and

support agencies.support agencies. Finish your research phase.Finish your research phase.

Congressional CommitteesCongressional Committees Most of the work of Congress takes place Most of the work of Congress takes place

in committees.in committees. Real power in Congress lies with Real power in Congress lies with

Committee Chairs.Committee Chairs. Types of Committees:Types of Committees:

– Rules (HOR)Rules (HOR)– Standing (permanent)Standing (permanent)– Select (study issues & problems—temporary)Select (study issues & problems—temporary)– Joint (members of both houses—temporary)Joint (members of both houses—temporary)– Conference (Write a compromise bill)Conference (Write a compromise bill)

Congressional CommitteesCongressional Committees 20 standing committees in the HOR20 standing committees in the HOR

– http://www.house.gov/committees/

17 standing committees in Senate17 standing committees in Senate– http://www.senate.gov/pagelayout/reference/e_one_section_no_teasers/http://www.senate.gov/pagelayout/reference/e_one_section_no_teasers/

org_chart.htmorg_chart.htm

Each party usually has proportional Each party usually has proportional representation on every committeerepresentation on every committee

Each lawmaker sits on at least 1 committee; Each lawmaker sits on at least 1 committee; most sit on 2, especially in the Senate. most sit on 2, especially in the Senate. Most sit on 1 major and 1 minor committee.Most sit on 1 major and 1 minor committee.

Congressional CommitteesCongressional Committees Chairs are chosen by party caucusChairs are chosen by party caucus

– Usually most senior—not always, thoughUsually most senior—not always, though– Usually hire staff, set the agenda, recognize Usually hire staff, set the agenda, recognize

members to speak.members to speak. Reasons to be appointed to the right Reasons to be appointed to the right

committee:committee:– Become policy specialists in particular areasBecome policy specialists in particular areas– Helps members get re-electedHelps members get re-elected– Gives lawmaker power over othersGives lawmaker power over others– Provides free press/exposure to Provides free press/exposure to

constituentsconstituents

Congressional Congressional StaffStaff

Committee Staff

Personal Staff

Assigned to staff a committee

Work for a member of Congress

Legislative

Assistant (LA) Administrati

ve Assistant (AA)

Caseworkers

•Explain the following charts and the jobs of each of the types of staff.

Congressional Support Congressional Support AgenciesAgencies

Take notes on each agency:Take notes on each agency:– Library of Congress & CRCLibrary of Congress & CRChttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ylFlAQZ0piUhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ylFlAQZ0piU

– Congressional Budget OfficeCongressional Budget Officehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LF0mAPmH9pEhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LF0mAPmH9pE

– General Accounting OfficeGeneral Accounting Officehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x6DOljeuBhohttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x6DOljeuBho

– Government Printing OfficeGovernment Printing Officehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XkYVRVmbIAkhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XkYVRVmbIAk