Congress3 2014 With Narration (1)
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Transcript of 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.