Organization of Congress

Opening Day in the House Speaker is chosen – how chosen? Swear in body Dems on right Reps on left Adopt rules Committee chairs appointed

Opening Day in Senate Not the same as house. Why? Swear in members. All?

State of the Union Address

Leaders Speaker of the House – presides over House and keeps order; refers bills; calls on members; signs bills John Boehner

President of the Senate Vice President – votes on ties only Joe Biden

President Pro Tempore Leading member of majority party Mitch McConnell

Floor leaders Whips – strategist with floor leader Counts votes

Standing Committee Committee - always there – money, armed forces, rules top Subcommittees – specific issues within committees House Rules Committee – establish rules for all bills Most bills die in committee

Select Committee Specific purpose – investigate a matter Asian Carp?

Joint Committee Members from both houses Work on select or standing committee topics

Conference Committee Created to work out differences between a House bill and Senate bill

How a bill becomes a law.

Executive Actions

Steps for a bill to become a law Private v. Public Short Title Assigned to committee Assigned to subcommittee Rules for reading bill – no rule, no reading, no bill Debate Vote in House Similar procedure in Senate Conference Committee President

Senate Filibuster – talk a bill to death Talk until Senate agrees to drop bill Cloture – limits debate – vote two days after call for vote 3/5 in favor – filibuster dies

President’s actions Yes Veto – bill returns to house it came from Don’t sign it, after 10 days it becomes law Pocket veto – if congress adjourns 10 days after receiving it and no signature, bill dies

That’s all!