The Legislative The Legislative BranchBranch

CongressCongress

► A) Purpose: To A) Purpose: To make the Lawsmake the Laws

► B) Structure: B) Structure: Bicameral Bicameral consisting of 2 consisting of 2 HousesHouses

► C) Location: C) Location: Washington D.C.; Washington D.C.; U.S. CapitalU.S. Capital

►D) Term: 2 years or D) Term: 2 years or 6 years6 years

► E) Composition: E) Composition: Senate-100 Senate-100 Members;53 Members;53 Democrats, 45 Democrats, 45 Republicans, & 2 Republicans, & 2 IndependentsIndependents

House of House of Representatives- Representatives- 435 Members; 232 435 Members; 232 Republicans & 200 Republicans & 200 Democrats; 3 Democrats; 3 VacanciesVacancies

House of RepresentativesHouse of Representatives

A)A) Number of Members: 435Number of Members: 435B)B) Qualifications: 25 yrs. Old, 7 Years U.S. Qualifications: 25 yrs. Old, 7 Years U.S.

Citizen, Living in the Area you representCitizen, Living in the Area you representC)C) Term of Office: Elections take place Term of Office: Elections take place

every 2 yearsevery 2 yearsD)D) Representation-what is the importance Representation-what is the importance

of the census, reapportionment and of the census, reapportionment and redistricting=>Draw new lines based on redistricting=>Draw new lines based on population every 10 years with the population every 10 years with the censuscensus

► Lawmaking/Debate Lawmaking/Debate Rules:Rules: http://www.house.gov/

► Leadership: Leadership: ► Speaker of the Speaker of the

House John Boehner House John Boehner (R-OH)(R-OH)

►Majority Leader: Majority Leader: Eric Cantor (R-VA)Eric Cantor (R-VA)

►Minority Leader: Minority Leader: Nancy Pelosi (D-CA)Nancy Pelosi (D-CA)

What is A “Whip”? A What is A “Whip”? A whipwhip is a role in is a role in party politics whose whose primary purpose is to ensure control of the formal decision-primary purpose is to ensure control of the formal decision-

making process in a parliamentary making process in a parliamentary legislature. Whips are party . Whips are party 'enforcers', who typically offer both inducements and 'enforcers', who typically offer both inducements and

punishments to party members. In modern times, most whips punishments to party members. In modern times, most whips are concerned primarily with ensuring a desired attendance for are concerned primarily with ensuring a desired attendance for

an important vote. The usage comes from the hunting term an important vote. The usage comes from the hunting term whipping inwhipping in, i.e. preventing hounds from wandering away from , i.e. preventing hounds from wandering away from

the packthe pack ►House Majority House Majority

Whip: Kevin Whip: Kevin McCarthyMcCarthy(R-CA)(R-CA)

►Minority Whip: Minority Whip: Steny H. Hoyer Steny H. Hoyer (D-MA)(D-MA)

SenateSenate► A) Number of Members: 100A) Number of Members: 100► B) Qualifications: B) Qualifications: No No

Person shall be a Person shall be a Senator who shall not Senator who shall not have attained to the have attained to the Age of thirty Years, and Age of thirty Years, and been nine Years a been nine Years a Citizen of the United Citizen of the United States, and who shall States, and who shall not, when elected, be not, when elected, be an Inhabitant of that an Inhabitant of that State for which he shall State for which he shall be chosen. [U.S. be chosen. [U.S. Constitution, Article I, Constitution, Article I, section 3, clause 3]section 3, clause 3]

► Term in Office: 6 years. Term in Office: 6 years. National elections take National elections take place every even-numbered place every even-numbered year. Every four years the year. Every four years the president, vice president, president, vice president, one third of the Senate, and one third of the Senate, and the entire House are up for the entire House are up for election (on-year elections). election (on-year elections). On even-numbered years On even-numbered years when there isn't a when there isn't a presidential election, one presidential election, one third of the Senate and the third of the Senate and the whole House are included in whole House are included in the election (off-year the election (off-year elections).elections).

►Lawmaking Debate Rules:Lawmaking Debate Rules:http://rules.senate.gov/

  

F. Senate F. Senate LeadershipLeadership

► President Pro Tempore: is President Pro Tempore: is the second-highest-ranking the second-highest-ranking official of the official of the United States Senate and and the highest-ranking the highest-ranking senator. The senator. The U.S. Constitution states the states the Vice President of the United States serves serves ex officio as as President of the Senate, , and is the highest-ranking and is the highest-ranking official of the Senate even official of the Senate even though he or she only votes though he or she only votes in the case of a tie. During in the case of a tie. During the Vice President's the Vice President's absence, the President absence, the President pro tempore is the highest- is the highest-ranking official in the ranking official in the Senate and may preside Senate and may preside over its sessions. The over its sessions. The President pro tempore is President pro tempore is elected by the Senate and elected by the Senate and is customarily the most is customarily the most senior senator in the senior senator in the majoritymajority party party

► Senate Majority Senate Majority Leader: Harry Reid Leader: Harry Reid (D-NV)(D-NV)

President Pro Tempore: President Pro Tempore: Patrick Leahy(D-VT)Patrick Leahy(D-VT)

Vice President: Joe Biden

► Republican Republican Leadership: Minority Leadership: Minority LeaderLeader

Mitch McConnell (R-Mitch McConnell (R-KY)KY)

►Democratic Whip: Democratic Whip: Dick Durbin (D-IL)Dick Durbin (D-IL)

► Republican Whip: Republican Whip: John John

Cornyn (R-TEX)Cornyn (R-TEX)

Salary and BenefitsSalary and Benefits

► The current salary The current salary (2011) for rank-and-file (2011) for rank-and-file members of the House members of the House and Senate is $174,000 and Senate is $174,000 per year. per year.

► Congress: Leadership Congress: Leadership Members' SalaryMembers' Salary (2011)(2011)Leaders of the House Leaders of the House and Senate are paid a and Senate are paid a higher salary than rank-higher salary than rank-and-file members. and-file members.

► Senate LeadershipSenate LeadershipMajority Party Leader - Majority Party Leader - $193,400$193,400Minority Party Leader - Minority Party Leader - $193,400 $193,400

► House LeadershipHouse LeadershipSpeaker of the House - $223,500 - $223,500Majority Leader - Majority Leader - $193,400$193,400Minority Leader - Minority Leader - $193,400 $193,400

► Members of Congress receive Members of Congress receive retirement and and health benefits under the same plans available to other federal employees. They under the same plans available to other federal employees. They

become vested after five years of full participation.become vested after five years of full participation. Members Members elected since 1984 are covered by the elected since 1984 are covered by the Federal Employees' Retirement System (FERS). Those elected (FERS). Those elected prior to 1984 were covered by the prior to 1984 were covered by the

Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS). (CSRS). As it is for all other As it is for all other federal employees, congressional retirement is funded through federal employees, congressional retirement is funded through taxes and the participants' contributions. Members of Congress taxes and the participants' contributions. Members of Congress under FERS contribute 1.3 percent of their salary into the FERS under FERS contribute 1.3 percent of their salary into the FERS retirement plan and pay 6.2 percent of their salary in Social retirement plan and pay 6.2 percent of their salary in Social Security taxesSecurity taxes. Members of Congress are not eligible for . Members of Congress are not eligible for a pension until they reach the age of 50, but only if a pension until they reach the age of 50, but only if they've completed 20 years of service. Members are they've completed 20 years of service. Members are eligible at any age after completing 25 years of service eligible at any age after completing 25 years of service or after they reach the age of 62. Please also note that or after they reach the age of 62. Please also note that Members of Congress have to serve at least 5 years to Members of Congress have to serve at least 5 years to even receive a pension. even receive a pension.

►The amount of a congressperson's The amount of a congressperson's pension depends on the years of pension depends on the years of service and the average of the highest service and the average of the highest 3 years of his or her salary. By law, the 3 years of his or her salary. By law, the starting amount of a Member's starting amount of a Member's retirement annuity may not exceed retirement annuity may not exceed 80% of his or her final salary. 80% of his or her final salary.

PrivilegesPrivileges

►Franking PrivilegesFranking Privileges►Allowances to pay staffAllowances to pay staff►TripsTrips►Telephone/InternetTelephone/Internet►Health CareHealth Care►Free from arrest-Lawsuit while workingFree from arrest-Lawsuit while working

► Under the Constitution, members of both houses enjoy the Under the Constitution, members of both houses enjoy the privilege of being of being free from arrest in all cases, except for in all cases, except for treason, , felony, and , and breach of the peace . This immunity applies to . This immunity applies to members during sessions and when traveling to and from members during sessions and when traveling to and from sessions.sessions.[34] The term "arrest" has been interpreted broadly, The term "arrest" has been interpreted broadly, and includes any detention or delay in the course of and includes any detention or delay in the course of law enforcement, including , including court summons and and subpoenas. The . The rules of the House strictly guard this privilege; a member may rules of the House strictly guard this privilege; a member may not waive the privilege on his or her own, but must seek the not waive the privilege on his or her own, but must seek the permission of the whole house to do so. Senate rules, on the permission of the whole house to do so. Senate rules, on the other hand, are less strict, and permit individual senators to other hand, are less strict, and permit individual senators to waive the privilege as they see fit.waive the privilege as they see fit.

► The Constitution also guarantees absolute freedom of debate in The Constitution also guarantees absolute freedom of debate in both houses, providing, "for any Speech or Debate in either both houses, providing, "for any Speech or Debate in either House, they shall not be questioned in any other Place." Hence, a House, they shall not be questioned in any other Place." Hence, a member of Congress may not be sued for member of Congress may not be sued for slander because of because of remarks made in either house. However, each house has its own remarks made in either house. However, each house has its own rules restricting offensive speeches, and may punish members rules restricting offensive speeches, and may punish members who transgress them.who transgress them.

► Obstructing the work of Congress is a Obstructing the work of Congress is a crime under under federal law, , and is known as and is known as contempt of Congress . Each house of Congress . Each house of Congress has the power to cite individuals for contempt, but may not has the power to cite individuals for contempt, but may not impose any punishment. Instead, after a house issues a impose any punishment. Instead, after a house issues a contempt citation, the judicial system pursues the matter like a contempt citation, the judicial system pursues the matter like a normal criminal case. If convicted in court, an individual found normal criminal case. If convicted in court, an individual found guilty of contempt of Congress may be imprisoned for up to one guilty of contempt of Congress may be imprisoned for up to one year.year.

► Another privilege is the use of the Another privilege is the use of the Library of Congress. One of the Library's . One of the Library's missions is to serve the Congress and its staff. missions is to serve the Congress and its staff. To do this, the To do this, the Congressional Research Service provides detailed, up-to-date and non-partisan provides detailed, up-to-date and non-partisan research for senators, representatives, and research for senators, representatives, and their staff to help them carry out their official their staff to help them carry out their official duties. The duties. The franking privilege allows members allows members of Congress to send official of Congress to send official mail to constituents to constituents at government expense. Though they are not at government expense. Though they are not permitted to send election materials, permitted to send election materials, borderline material is often sent, especially in borderline material is often sent, especially in the run-up to an election by those in close the run-up to an election by those in close races.races.

► A legislator in either house is a "A legislator in either house is a "member of Congress," though usually only ," though usually only representatives are referred to in speech as a representatives are referred to in speech as a congressman, congresswoman, or congressman, congresswoman, or congressperson, because senators are almost congressperson, because senators are almost universally referred to as senator.universally referred to as senator.

CommitteesCommittees

► Purpose of Committees: Purpose of Committees: Divide WorkDivide Work Filter out good from badFilter out good from bad Inform the publicInform the public Legislative sub-organization in the Legislative sub-organization in the

United States Congress that handles a specific that handles a specific duty (rather than the general duties of Congress). duty (rather than the general duties of Congress). Committee membership enables members to Committee membership enables members to develop specialized knowledge of the matters develop specialized knowledge of the matters under their jurisdiction. As "little legislatures," under their jurisdiction. As "little legislatures," committees monitor on-going governmental committees monitor on-going governmental operations, identify issues suitable for legislative operations, identify issues suitable for legislative review, gather and evaluate information, and review, gather and evaluate information, and recommend courses of action to their parent body. recommend courses of action to their parent body.

Types of CommitteesTypes of Committees► Standing Committees-Standing Committees- are permanent panels identified are permanent panels identified

as such in chamber rules (House Rule X, Senate Rule as such in chamber rules (House Rule X, Senate Rule XXV).XXV).

► Because they have legislative jurisdiction, standing Because they have legislative jurisdiction, standing committees consider bills and issues and recommend committees consider bills and issues and recommend measures for consideration by their respective measures for consideration by their respective chambers. They also have oversight responsibility to chambers. They also have oversight responsibility to monitor agencies, programs, and activities within their monitor agencies, programs, and activities within their jurisdictions, and in some cases in areas that cut across jurisdictions, and in some cases in areas that cut across committee jurisdictions.committee jurisdictions.

► Most standing committees recommend funding levels—Most standing committees recommend funding levels—authorizations—for government operations and for new authorizations—for government operations and for new and existing programs. A few have other functions. For and existing programs. A few have other functions. For example, the example, the Appropriations CommitteesAppropriations Committees recommend recommend legislation to provide budget authority for federal legislation to provide budget authority for federal agencies and programs. The agencies and programs. The Budget CommitteesBudget Committees establish aggregate levels for total spending and establish aggregate levels for total spending and revenue that serve as guidelines for the work of the revenue that serve as guidelines for the work of the authorizing and appropriating panels. authorizing and appropriating panels.

► SubcommitteesSubcommittees- are formed by most - are formed by most committees to committees to share specific tasksshare specific tasks within within the jurisdiction of the full committee. the jurisdiction of the full committee. Subcommittees are responsible to, and Subcommittees are responsible to, and work work within the guidelines established by, their within the guidelines established by, their parent committees.parent committees. In particular, standing In particular, standing committees usually create subcommittees committees usually create subcommittees with legislative jurisdiction to consider and with legislative jurisdiction to consider and report bills. They may assign their report bills. They may assign their subcommittees such specific tasks as the subcommittees such specific tasks as the initial consideration of measures and initial consideration of measures and oversight of laws and programs in the oversight of laws and programs in the subcommittees’ areas. subcommittees’ areas.

► Select Committees-Select Committees- are established generally by are established generally by a separate resolution of the chamber, a separate resolution of the chamber, sometimes to conduct investigations and sometimes to conduct investigations and studies, and, on other occasions, also to studies, and, on other occasions, also to consider measures. Often, select committees consider measures. Often, select committees examine emerging issues that don’t fit clearly examine emerging issues that don’t fit clearly within existing standing committee jurisdictions, within existing standing committee jurisdictions, or which cut across jurisdictional boundaries. A or which cut across jurisdictional boundaries. A select committee may be permanent or select committee may be permanent or temporary (all current select committees in the temporary (all current select committees in the House and Senate are considered permanent House and Senate are considered permanent committees). Instead of select, the Senate committees). Instead of select, the Senate sometimes uses the term special committee (as sometimes uses the term special committee (as in the in the Special Committee on AgingSpecial Committee on Aging). ).

► Joint Committees-Joint Committees- are permanent are permanent panels that include members from panels that include members from bothboth chambers, which generally chambers, which generally conduct studies or perform conduct studies or perform housekeeping tasks rather than housekeeping tasks rather than consider measures.consider measures. For instance, the For instance, the Joint Committee on Printing oversees Joint Committee on Printing oversees the functions of the Government the functions of the Government Printing Office and general printing Printing Office and general printing procedures of the federal government. procedures of the federal government. The chairmanship of joint committees The chairmanship of joint committees usually alternates between the House usually alternates between the House and Senate.and Senate.

Committee of the whole — used by the — used by the House of Representatives, but not the , but not the modern modern Senate

►A A Conference CommitteeConference Committee is a is a temporary joint committee formed to temporary joint committee formed to resolve differences between resolve differences between competing competing HouseHouse and and SenateSenate versions versions of a measure. Conference committees of a measure. Conference committees draft compromises between the draft compromises between the positions of the two chambers, which positions of the two chambers, which are then are then submitted to the full House submitted to the full House and Senate for approval. and Senate for approval.

►This is where many of the current This is where many of the current Budget Bills sit.Budget Bills sit.

Choosing members to Choosing members to CommitteesCommittees

► Party Chairperson is very influential in choosing Party Chairperson is very influential in choosing committee members. committee members. SenioritySeniority system also system also plays a “plays a “BigBig” role in selection. Decision on ” role in selection. Decision on which areas individual members choose to which areas individual members choose to specialize may be influenced by their specialize may be influenced by their constituency and regional issues of importance constituency and regional issues of importance to them, as well as prior background and to them, as well as prior background and experience of the member. Senators will also experience of the member. Senators will also try to differentiate themselves from the other try to differentiate themselves from the other senator from the same state, so that areas of senator from the same state, so that areas of specialization do not overlap. specialization do not overlap.

Committee HistoryCommittee History► Since World War II committee sizes have increased Since World War II committee sizes have increased

resulting in more assignments per Member. resulting in more assignments per Member. Expansion of sizes has been attributed to Members' Expansion of sizes has been attributed to Members' successful bids for additional assignments and the successful bids for additional assignments and the needs of party leaders to maintain an adequate needs of party leaders to maintain an adequate supply of desirable seats to give out to colleagues. supply of desirable seats to give out to colleagues. The average size of a House standing committee The average size of a House standing committee has increased from 25 to 40 Members since the has increased from 25 to 40 Members since the beginning of the ``modern Congress'' in 1947. beginning of the ``modern Congress'' in 1947. Seats on all House committees and subcommittees Seats on all House committees and subcommittees have increased from approximately 1,300 in 1947 have increased from approximately 1,300 in 1947 to 2,600 in 1993, and the average number of to 2,600 in 1993, and the average number of assignments per Representative doubled from assignments per Representative doubled from about three to six. The 112about three to six. The 112thth Congress figures of Congress figures of 3,100 slots and seven assignments per 3,100 slots and seven assignments per Representative were considerably higher. Again, Representative were considerably higher. Again, the stricter limit on subcommittees per committee the stricter limit on subcommittees per committee and the demise of four select committees largely and the demise of four select committees largely account for the lower figures of this Congress. account for the lower figures of this Congress.

Senate CommitteesSenate Committees

► Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry► Senate Committee on AppropriationsSenate Committee on Appropriations► Senate Committee on Armed ServicesSenate Committee on Armed Services► Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban AffairsSenate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs► Senate Committee on the BudgetSenate Committee on the Budget► Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and TransportationSenate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation► Senate Committee on Energy and Natural ResourcesSenate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources► Senate Committee on Environment and Public WorksSenate Committee on Environment and Public Works► Senate Committee on FinanceSenate Committee on Finance► Senate Committee on Foreign RelationsSenate Committee on Foreign Relations► Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and PensionsSenate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions► Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental AffairsSenate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs► Senate Committee on Indian AffairsSenate Committee on Indian Affairs► Senate Committee on the JudiciarySenate Committee on the Judiciary► Senate Committee on Rules and AdministrationSenate Committee on Rules and Administration► Senate Committee on Small Business and EntrepreneurshipSenate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship► Senate Committee on Veterans' AffairsSenate Committee on Veterans' Affairs► Senate Select Committee on EthicsSenate Select Committee on Ethics► Senate Select Committee on IntelligenceSenate Select Committee on Intelligence► Senate Special Committee on AgingSenate Special Committee on Aging► United States Senate Caucus on International Narcotics ControlUnited States Senate Caucus on International Narcotics Control

House CommitteesHouse Committees

House Committee on AgricultureHouse Committee on AppropriationsHouse Committee on Armed Services

House Committee on the BudgetHouse Committee on Education and Labor

House Committee on Energy and CommerceHouse Committee on Financial Services

House Committee on Foreign AffairsHouse Committee on Homeland Security

House Committee on House AdministrationHouse Committee on the Judiciary

House Committee on Natural ResourcesHouse Committee on Oversight and Government Reform

House Committee on RulesHouse Committee on Science and Technology

House Committee on Small BusinessHouse Committee on Standards of Official Conduct

House Committee on Transportation and InfrastructureHouse Committee on Veterans' Affairs

House Committee on Ways and MeansHouse Permanent Select Committee on

IntelligenceHouse Select Committee on Energy Independence

and Global Warming

Joint CommitteesJoint Committees

►Joint Committee on the LibraryJoint Committee on the Library►Joint Committee on PrintingJoint Committee on Printing►Joint Committee on TaxationJoint Committee on Taxation►Joint Economic CommitteeJoint Economic Committee

► http://www.govtrack.us/congress/http://www.govtrack.us/congress/committee.xpdcommittee.xpd

Interest GroupsInterest Groups

►A group of people with common goals A group of people with common goals who organize to influence government.who organize to influence government.

LobbyistLobbyist-Interest group -Interest group

representative; representative; LobbyingLobbying--Direct contact made by a lobbyist Direct contact made by a lobbyist in order to persuade government in order to persuade government officials to support the policies officials to support the policies their interest group favorstheir interest group favors

Super-PAC’s!!!!Super-PAC’s!!!!

►An organization formed to collect An organization formed to collect money and provide financial support money and provide financial support for political candidates.for political candidates.

► http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pMvG54GjtRIhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pMvG54GjtRI► http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vz3wZnIKdOghttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vz3wZnIKdOg