Congressional Organization, Staff & Agencies

Leaders in Congress HOR Click here! How do they get their jobs? Speaker of House Majority & Minority Leaders Majority & Minority Whips Policy/Steering Comm. How do they get their jobs? Who are they? What do they do? Senate Click here! Pres. Of Senate Pro Tempore Majority & Minority Leaders Majority & Minority Whips Policy/Steering Comm. How do they get their jobs? Who are they? What do they do? Have students get on sides of Democrats and Republicans. Determine the majority party. Have each side choose their leaders. Get new seats by “seniority” system. (Use their birthdays)

Party Votes in Congress

Demographic Divide in the House

Party Polarization Are Republicans too conservative & Democrats too liberal? What do you see as the root causes of this polarization? What are the drawbacks of this polarization? What are the benefits of this polarization?

Caucuses Define the term. Why Form or Join a Caucus? Association that advocates for a certain goal. 6 Types: Intraparty, Personal Interest, Constituency: National, Constituency: Regional, Constituency: Demographic, Constituency: Economic Why Form or Join a Caucus? to build social ties to coordinate and promote legislative agendas to look good to individual or corporate constituents.

Caucuses The Number of Caucuses has grown despite threats to end the practice in the HOR. Let’s look at a few lists: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caucuses_of_the_United_States_Congress http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/07/19/the-most-surprising-congr_n_649168.html#s115285&title=undefined

Congressional Committees Most of the work of Congress takes place in committees. Real power in Congress lies with Committee Chairs. Types of Committees: Rules (HOR) Standing (permanent) Select (study issues & problems—temporary) Joint (members of both houses—temporary) Conference (Write a compromise bill)

Congressional Committees 20 standing committees in the HOR http://www.house.gov/committees/ 17 standing committees in Senate http://www.senate.gov/committees/committees_home.htm Each party usually has proportional representation on every committee Each lawmaker sits on at least 1 committee; most sit on 2, especially in the Senate. Most sit on 1 major and 1 minor committee.

Congressional Committees Chairs are chosen by party caucus Usually most senior—not always, though Usually hire staff, set the agenda, recognize members to speak. Reasons to be appointed to the right committee: Become policy specialists in particular areas Helps members with re-election and earmarks Gives lawmaker power over others Provides free press/exposure to constituents

Legislative Assistant (LA) Administrative Assistant (AA) Congressional Staff Explain the following charts and the jobs of each of the types of staff. Committee Staff Personal Staff Work for a member of Congress Assigned to staff a committee Legislative Assistant (LA) Caseworkers Administrative Assistant (AA)

Congressional Support Agencies Take notes on each agency: Library of Congress & CRC https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kat7ZsN82SM Congressional Budget Office http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LF0mAPmH9pE General Accountability Office http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x6DOljeuBho