The Legislative Branch: Committees and

LeadershipUnit 5: The Legislative Branch

Organization of Senate by PartyVice President of the United States

Symbolic “President” of the Senate. Only votes in case of 50-50 tie.

Vice President of the United StatesPresident Pro Tempore

Called the President Pro Temp. Really only starts and ends meetings. No real power. Most senior member of the

majority party

President Pro Tempore

Senate Majority LeaderElected by their fellow

party members. Schedules Senate business, often in consultation with

Minority Leader. A skilled bargainer may

have influence over the outcome of Senate

business as well

Senate Minority LeaderElected by their fellow party members. Is the leader of the party and keeps them focused on the agenda set

by the party.

Senate Majority Leader Senate Minority LeaderSenate Majority WhipElected by their fellow

party members. Charged with keeping count of votes and influencing

members.

Senate Minority WhipElected by their fellow party

members. Charged with keeping count of votes and

influencing members.

Senate Majority Whip Senate Minority WhipRepublican Committee on

CommitteesCommittee in charge of organizing committee

assignments

Democratic Steering Committee

Committee in charge of organizing committee

assignments

Current Senate Leadership

Current Senate Leadership

Organization of the House by PartySpeaker of the House

Elected by the entire House (but must have support of the majority of the majority party) . Has much more control over

the House than the Senate leadership has. 1) Decides who gets a chance to speak on the floor

2) Rules on motions made from the floor3) Influences which Committee a bill is referred to

4) Influences the calendar and which bills are voted upon5) Appoints members of special and select committees

Speaker of the HouseHouse Majority

LeaderElected by their

fellow party members. Has less

power than the same position in

the Senate due to Speaker’s role

House Minority Leader

Elected by their fellow party

members. Is the leader of the party

and keeps them focused on the

agenda set by the party. Takes blame for defeats in the

House

House Majority Leader

House Minority LeaderHouse Majority

WhipElected by their

fellow party members. Charged with keeping count

of votes and influencing members.

House Minority Whip

Elected by their fellow party

members. Charged with keeping count

of votes and influencing members.

House Majority Whip

House Minority WhipDemocratic

Steering and Policy Committee

Chaired by party leadership. In

charge of setting legislative agenda

and committee assignments

Republican Committee on Committees

Committee in charge of organizing committee

assignments

Republican Committee on CommitteesRepublican Policy Committee

Sets legislative agenda and schedules.

Current House Leadership

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The Committee System

• Take into account all the areas the Legislative Branch must act on….. • Would it be possible for a person to have the depth of

knowledge to make reasonable, intelligent decisions on all of these areas?• Due to this the Legislative Branch has organized itself into

Committees that specialize in different areas of policy• Committees are mixed between both parties, with the

majority party in the Legislative body having more members per committee

Roles of Committees

• Consider Bills/Legislative Proposals• Before bills are debated by the full body, they are studied and “marked up” in

committee. The committee “reports” it out to the full House or Senate for a vote.

• 94% of all bills DIE in committee• Conduct Investigations

• They look into areas of “concern” that fall under their area of expertise (MLB Steroid Hearings)

• Oversight of Executive Branch• They investigate the operations and actions of Executive Branch Agencies

(“Fast and Furious”, “9/11 commission”)

Types of Committees

1) Standing Committees: Committees that are permanent parts of Congress.

2) Select Committees: Committees assembled for a specific period of time to accomplish a specific task (Senate Watergate Committee)

3) Joint Committees: Committees put together that consist of members of both the House and Senate (9/11 Committee)

* Conference Committee: A special joint committee put together to hammer out differences between bills passed by the House and the Senate

Important Committees

• Appropriations (House and Senate)• Budget (House and Senate)• Judiciary (Senate)• Rules (House)• Ways and Means (House)

• Spending• Allocating resources to

departments• Holds hearing on appointments

of Judges• Sets the rules for debate on

bills• Taxes and Revenue Bills

Let’s See How Close You Were Paying Attention to Jonathan

• Bill becomes a law race (by groups)

Legislative Tactics

• Caucuses: Groups that share interests. Can be big and formal (Democratic Caucuses) or small and informal (Soccer Playing Caucuses). May form voting blocks in legislature

• Committee System: Can speed or stall a bill• Filibuster and Cloture• Pork Barrel and Log Rolling• Riders: Additions to bills through amendments designed to either help or

harm a bill’s passage• Lobbying• Conference Committees: May affect wording and final intent

Influences on Congressional Voting

• Constituents: Members, especially those in marginal districts, have to pay close attention to their constituents’ views and wishes

• Other Lawmakers and Staff: Most senior members often influence newer members; committee members who work on legislation often influence other members; staff research and advise members

• Party Influences: Each Party’s platform takes a stand on major issues. Loyalty is rewarded in the party (“primary” those who aren’t loyal). More influential in the House

• President: Puts pressure on members• Lobbyists and Interest Groups: Often provide members with information on

topics and possible financial support