2/15/16
Congress
Unit 2
Congress, Presidency, and The Bureaucracy
•  If “PROGRESS” is defined as the
advancement of society.
What is “CONGRESS”?
•  Legislative Branch
•  Main Function is to “Make Laws”
“Congress”
•  Bicameral System
Mr. Ahlberg
•  Made up of “two houses”
–  House of Representatives
–  Senate
Notes #1
Differences
HOUSE
•  435 members
SENATE
•  100 members
•  Distributed based on
state population
Requirements:
•  2 per State
Requirements:
25 year old
30 year old
7 year citizen
9 year citizen
•  2 year term
Special Powers:
•  6 year term
Special Powers:
•  Initiate impeachment
•  Revenue bills (Taxes)
•  Tries impeachment
•  Approve presidential Appts.
•  Approve treaties’ (2/3 vote)
Congressional Powers
•  Constitutional Powers
•  Article I, Section 8 (Delegated Powers)
•  Necessary and Proper Clause (Elastic Powers)
•  Non-Legislative Tasks of Congress
•  Review work of Federal Agencies (oversight)
•  Confirm members of President’s Cabinet
•  Appoint nominees for positions in Federal Courts
•  Represent their constituents
•  Congress’ power to determine national policy usually
increases as the President’s popularity decreases (and
vice versa)
Congressional
Leadership
Limits on Congress
•  Congress may NOT:
•  Pass Bills of Attainder
•  Pass ex post facto laws
•  Suspend Writs of habeas corpus
•  Grant titles of Nobility
•  House of Representatives
Majority Party
Minority Party
MINORITY
LEADER
MINORITY
WHIP
SPEAKER
OF THE
HOUSE
MAJORITY
LEADER
MAJORITY
WHIP
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House Leadership
•  Speaker of the House
•  Chosen by the Majority party in a special election
•  Has influence over committee assignments
•  Controls which bills go to committees
•  Directs floor debate
•  Floor Leaders
•  Sets party’s policy and agenda
•  Directs party members actions
•  Party Whips
•  Keeps party members in line and garners support
for proposed legislation
Senate Leadership
PRESIDENT of the
SENATE
Majority Party
Minority Party
(VICE PRESIDENT)
PRES.
PRO
TEMPORE
MINORITY
WHIP
•  Vice President of the U.S.
•  Only votes if there is a tie
•  President Pro Tempore
•  Senior member of the Majority Party
•  Presiding officer when the VP is away
•  Senate Majority Leader
•  Has the real power in the Senate
•  Controls the Legislative Agenda
•  Works with other Leadership on committee assignments
•  Acts as a Power Broker
Types of Committees
•  Standing Committees
•  These are permanent committees that specialize in
various areas
•  Standing committees are divided into sub-committees
•  There are 16 in the Senate and 19 in the House
•  Some committees are more prestigious than others
–  EX. House Ways and Means (handles all tax/revenue bills)
–  The Leadership in each house, along with the committee
chairs decide who will be on the committees
(MOST
POWERFUL)
MAJORITY
WHIP
Congressional
Committees
Senate Leadership
•  President of the Senate
MAJORITY
LEADER
MINORITY
LEADER
•  Most work in Congress is done in Committees
•  Majority Party holds the most seats on each committee
•  Members often serve on more than one committee
•  Committees will
–  Debate bills
–  Investigate bills (can call witnesses/experts to testify)
–  Change or Amend bills
•  Most bills die in committee (only 5% make it out)
•  Committee Chairs
•  Are always the senior member from the majority party
•  Controls membership and debate
Types of Committees
•  Joint Committee
•  Made up members from both houses
•  Used to avoid duplication
•  Select Committee
•  Temporary committee formed to deal with a
special issue
•  EX. House Watergate committee
•  Conference Committee
•  Used only if the House and Senate pass different
versions of the same bill (work out compromise)
•  Temporary group of members from both Houses
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