Congress House of Representatives Senate House of Representatives

Congress House of Representatives & Senate

House of Representatives l House of Representatives 435 Members l Speaker of the House-John Boehner (Republican) Ohio l Speaker of the House is second in line to be President after the Vice President l Republicans control the House l Democrats are the minority party in the House l Nancy Pelosi (Democrat) Minority Leader

House of Representatives l Term for Representative-2 Years l Members of the House-Called Representative l Members of the House are more concerned with the district they represent l And interests of the People. l Kevin Mc. Carthy-Majority Leader (Republican)

House of Representatives l Salary for House of Representative$174, 000 l 435 Members l Republicans 247 l Democrats 188 l 50 % plus 1 would be 218. If all Republicans vote along party lines they don’t need the democrats to agree.

Senate l Members are called Senators l 6 Year Terms l Majority Leader-Harry Reid, l Upper House l President of Senate-Joe Biden (Vice President of the U. S. ) l Minority Leader-Mitch Mc. Connell (Kentucky)

Senate l l l 100 Senators in the Senate Minority Leader-Harry Reid Nevada (D) Majority Leader-Mitch Mc. Connell Kentucky ® Two Senators from each state regardless of the population of the state. 1/3 of the senators are up for re election in November 2016.

Senate President Pro Tempore-Patrick Leahy (Vermont) $193, 400 Senate approves Presidential appointments Senators look at focusing on the interests of the state l Majority Party in the Senate is the Republican party l Minority Party in the Senate is the Democratic Party l l

Congress l Census-Tallying of people living in the U. S. l Presently we have 324 million people l This total does not include the illegals living in the U. S. (7 to 20 Million) l Census is used to determine how many representatives each state has in the House of Representative l Each state is guaranteed 1 Rep in the House.

Senate l Assistant Majority Leader (Democratic Whip) Richard Durbin Democrat, Illinois l Assistant Minority Leader (Republican Whip) Jon Kyl Republican, Arizona

Senate l Senators are assigned to committees. l Seniority-Years of Service

Senate Comm. l Standing Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Appropriations Armed Services Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Budget Commerce, Science, and Transportation

Senate Comm l Energy and Natural Resources Environment and Public Works Finance Foreign Relations Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Judiciary Rules and Administration Small Business and Entrepreneurship Veterans' Affairs

Senate l Special, Select, and Other Indian Affairs Select Committee on Ethics Select Committee on Intelligence Special Committee on Aging

Senate l About The Committee System Due to the high volume and complexity of its work, the Senate divides its tasks among 20 committees, 68 subcommittees, and 4 joint committees. Although the Senate committee system is similar to that of the House of Representatives, it has its own guidelines.

Senate l Joint Committee on Printing Joint Committee on Taxation Joint Committee on the Library Joint Economic Committee Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction

House of Representatives l l l Representative is the name often given to a member of the House of Representatives Congressman is another name for a representative Speaker of the House-John Boehner from Ohio The Speaker of the House is second in line to succeed the President, after the Vice President. Majority Party in the House-Republicans Minority Party in the House-Democrats

House of Rep l Elected to a two-year term, each representative serves the people of a specific congressional district by introducing bills and serving on committees, among other duties.

House of Rep l Republican Leadership l Majority Leader l Rep. Eric Cantor l Majority Whip l Rep. Kevin Mc. Carthy l Conference Chairman l Rep. Jeb Hensarling

House of Rep l l l l l Democratic Leadership Democratic Leader Rep. Nancy Pelosi Democratic Whip Rep. Steny Hoyer Assistant Democratic Leader Rep. James Clyburn Democratic Caucus Rep. John Larson

House of Rep l Agriculture l Appropriations l Armed Services l Budget l Education and the Workforce l Energy and Commerce l Ethics

House of Rep l Financial Services l Foreign Affairs l Homeland Security l House Administration l Judiciary l Natural Resources

House of Rep l Oversight and Government Reform l Rules l Science, Space, and Technology l Small Business l Transportation and Infrastructure

House of Rep l Veterans’ Affairs l Ways and Means l Intelligence

House of Rep l Joint Economic Committee l Joint Committee on the Library l Joint Committee on Printing l Joint Committee on Taxation

House of Rep l Nancy Pelosi-2007 was the first female to be elected as Speaker of the House.

Majority Leader l The role of the majority leader has been defined by history and tradition. This officer is charged with scheduling legislation for floor consideration; planning the daily, weekly, and annual legislative agendas; consulting with Members to gauge party sentiment; and, in general, working to advance the goals of the majority party.

Minority Leaders l The minority leader serves as floor leader of the "loyal opposition, " and is the minority counterpart to the Speaker. Although many of the basic leadership responsibilities of the minority and majority leaders are similar, the minority leader speaks for minority party and its policies and works to protect the minority's rights 27

Seniority l The senior majority party member on a committee still usually wins the role of chairperson, but it is no longer guaranteed.

Legislative Powers l Expressed Powers-Specific powers of Congress. Example: Raise and support Armies. l Implied Powers-Powers that Congress has but are not explicitly stated in Constitution. l Elastic Clause-Clause 18 has allowed Congress to stretch its powers to meet new needs.

Tax Bills l All tax bills and other measures to raise money must start in the House of Rep. l Senate must approve the bills for them to become laws with the approval of the President. l Bills to spend money must also begin in the House.

Bills l Authorization Bills-Create projects like the space shuttle program l Appropriation Bills-Actually provide the money for each program or activity. l No government agency can spend money without approval from Congress.

Powers of Congress l Only congress can declare war l Senate must approve treaties l Regulating commerce with other countries is another power granted to Congress

Powers of Congress l Using page 149 make a chart showing both the selected expressed and implied powers l Money Powers l Commerce Powers l Military and Foreign Policy Powers l Other legislative powers. l Use paper provided in the room and this is due by the end of the period.

Powers of Congress l Constitution allows Congress the power to propose Constitutional amendments by a two thirds vote of both houses. l Congress is in charge of counting electoral votes in presidential elections. l No Majority l House picks President l Senate chooses Vice President

Congress l Senate has the power to approve or reject the president’s nominees for: l Supreme Court Justices l Federal Judges l Ambassadors

Impeach l House as the sole authority to impeachaccuse officials of misconduct in office l Senate acts a jury and decides by a two thirds vote whether to convict and remove the person from office.

Congress l Incumbant-Someone in office running for another term. l Tabled-Set aside l Constituents-People a person in office voted for and that you as an official represent. l Override Veto-2/3 vote by both houses l Partisan-Republican, Republican l Democrat, Democrat

Congress l Foreign Relations-Relationship with U. S. and another country. l Next Presidential Election l November, 2016 l Commerce-Trade l Seniority-Many years of service l Filibuster-Wasting time to delay a vote in the Senate

Congress l Rider-Add something in a bill that has nothing to do with the bill knowing the bill will pass. l Census-Taken every 10 years. l House of Rep. would be interested in the census. l Veto-Power of the President to knock down a bill he/she does not like.

Limits on Power of Congress l Writ of Habeas Corpus-Court order that requires police to bring a prisoner to court to explain why they are holding the person. l Bills of Attainder-Laws that punish a person without a jury trial. Congress has prohibited Bills of Attainder l Ex Post Facto Laws

Qualifications for House l 25 Years of age l Live in state you represent l U. S. Citizen for at least 7 years before being elected.

Qualifications for Senator l 30 Years old l Live in state you plan to represent l U. S. Citizen for at least 9 years before being elected.

Members of Congress l Franking Privilege-Senators and Representatives can send job-related mail without paying postage. l Members of Congress have low cost life insurance l Have certain immunity rights that give them some protection as Senators and Representatives.

Lobbyists l People hired by private groups to influence government decision makers

Pork Barrel Projects l Government projects and grants that primarily benefit the home districts or state.

Bill to Law l Turn to Page 160 l Use the information on p. 160 to fill in your chart l Why is it so hard to pass bills

Voting on a Bill l l l Filibuster-Talk a bill to death Cloture-Under this procedure, no one may speak for more than one hour Veto-Refuse to sign Over Ride Presidential Veto Private Bills-Concern individual people Public Bills-Apply to nation as a whole Riders-Complete unrelated amendments added to a another bill.

Bill to Law l Voice Vote-Yea or no l Standing Vote-Those in favor stand to be counted. House uses a computerized voting system to produce a permanent record of everyone’s vote. l Roll-Call Vote-Vote as your name is called l Constitution requires that the senate and house pass a bill in identical form before it becomes a law

Presidential Action l Veto-Refuse l Pocket to sign Veto l Line Item Veto where the President can take out a line he or she does not like.

The current salary (2011 -2012) for rank-and-file members of the House and Senate is $174, 000 per year. l The Constitution grants the House several exclusive powers: the power to initiate revenue bills, to impeach officials, and to elect the President in case of an Electoral College deadlock. 2 The House meets in the south wing of the United States Capitol, with the Senate meeting in the north wing of the same building. l

Committees l l l l Subcommittees-Deal with more specific issues Select Comm-Created to do a special job for a limited period Standing Comm-Permanent comm. Joint Comm-Include members of both houses Senators/Representatives are assigned to the various committees. Leaders of the political parties make committee appointments. Conference Comm-Trying to figure out details.

Senate Committees l Agriculture, Nutrition, Forestry l Agriculture, Energy, Marketing, Inspection, Plant and Animal Health, Price Support, Rural Development, Conservation, & Forestry) l Appropriations-Money Distribution among the committees l Armed Services-Oversees weapons programs and military operations

Senate Comm. l Budget-Responsible for wring the overall budget plan for the year. l Commerce, Science, Transportation. All matters relating to technology, transportation, Communications, and Consumer Affairs Energy and Natural Resources-It oversees research, regulation, and use of all energy resources

Senate Comm. l Environment and Public Works-It is responsible for air and water quality, flood protection, drinking and wastewater systems, Nuclear Safety, Global Warming, and wildlife protection. l Finance-Handles issues of public money, health care, and social security l Foreign Relations-It helps shape U. S. Policy around the world.

Senate Comm l Health, Education, Labor, Pensions-It oversees health care, schools, employment, and retirement programs l Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs-It oversees health care and government management

Senate Comm. l Judiciary-It deals with legal matters ranging from criminal justice to antitrust and intellectual property law, Human Rights, Immigration, Border Security Terrorism l Rules and Administration-It handles Senate Rules

Senate Comm l Small Business and Entrepreneurship. Promotes small businesses l Veterans Affairs-It oversees veterans’ health care and benefits.

House Comm l Agriculture-Farm Production to ensure fair prices, helps farmers financially, helps food producers sell goods overseas. l Commerce-Promotes trade, economic growth, prevents unfair trade practices. l Defense-It oversees everything regarding America’s military

House Comm l Education-It is in charge of federal education programs including: Student loans, migrant training, vocational training, and programs with people with special needs. l Energy-Responsible for the research and development of energy technology. , use of nuclear energy, and pricing and distrubtion of oil

House Comm Health and Human Services, l Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, Social services for children. l Homeland-Was created in response to 9 -11 and its function to protect the nation against threats to the homeland. l Housing and Urban development-Community development, administer fair housing laws and provide affordable housing for the needy. l

House Comm l Interior-It works to protect the natural environment. l Labor-Protect worker’s rights, improve working conditions l State-It helps the President with international affairs and in carrying out U. S. Foreign policy, negotiates treaties with other countries.

House Comm Transportation-Sets national transportation policy including highway planning development, aviation, mass transit, and railroads. l Treasury-Oversees and reports on the financial state of the government and economy. IRS is under this department. l Veteran Affairs-It provides benefits and services to former service men and women. l

House of Republican Leadership l Majority Leader l Rep. Eric Cantor l Represents Republicans on the House floor. l l l Majority Whip Rep. Kevin Mc. Carthy l Assists leadership in managing party's legislative program l

House of Rep. l Democratic Leader l Rep. Nancy Pelosi l Represents Democrats on the House floor. l Democratic Whip l Rep. Steny Hoyer l Assists leadership in managing party's legislative program.

Committees Senate l the Senate divides its tasks among 20 committees, 68 subcommittees, and 4 joint committees.

Senate-Democrat Leadership l l l l Senate Organization Chart for the 113 th Congress. The Virtual Reference Desk provides resources about Senate Leadership, committees, and officers. Constitutionally Mandated Officers Vice President Biden, Joseph R. , Jr. President Pro Tempore Leahy, Patrick J. (D-VT), Political Party Leaders Majority Party Majority Leader Reid, Harry (D-NV) Majority Whip Durbin, Richard J. (D-IL)

l l l l Committees The House’s committees consider bills and issues and oversee agencies, programs, and activities within their jurisdictions. Agriculture Appropriations Armed Services Budget Education and the Workforce Energy and Commerce Ethics Financial Services Foreign Affairs Homeland Security House Administration Judiciary Natural Resources

House of Rep Committees l l l Oversight and Government Reform Rules Science, Space, and Technology Small Business Transportation and Infrastructure Veterans’ Affairs Ways and Means Intelligence Joint Economic Committee Joint Committee on the Library Joint Committee on Printing Joint Committee on Taxation

There are twenty-three committees in the House (including "select intelligence") and twenty-three in the Senate. l Currently, there are 20 current standing committees of the House Standing Committee-Permanent Comm. Joint Committee-Members of house and Senate Conference Comm-Not Permanent committee l

l Riders-a rider is an additional provision added to a bill or other measure under the consideration by a legislature, having little connection with. . . The original bill.