4-4: Organization of Congress

Big Idea: Constitutionalism   Enduring Understanding: The republican ideal in the U.S. is manifested in the structure and operation of the legislative branch. Learning Objective: Explain how the structure, powers, and functions of both houses of Congress affect the policymaking process.

House of Representatives Structure Formal—strict rules Debate restricted Speaker of the House Presiding officer Decides who is recognized Assigns bills to committees

House of Representatives House Rules Committee Controlled by the Speaker Selects which bills are worthy for consideration Sets guidelines for debate Closed rule Open rule

House of Representatives Ways and Means Committee Jurisdiction on revenue measures Members cannot serve on other committees House Leadership Speaker Majority Leader Minority Leader Whips

Senate Structure Vice President Senate Leadership Smaller and less formal Operates on informal understandings Vice President Senate Leadership President Pro Tempore Majority Leader Minority Leader Whips

Role of Political Parties Advantages of Majority Party Holds committee chairs Selects Speaker Assigns bills to committees Holds majorities on each committee Controls the Rules Committee Sets the agenda Trend toward hyperpartisanship

Committee System Importance Committee Chairs Dominant role in policymaking Committee Chairs Member of majority party Schedule meetings and hearings Hire staff Recommend which members sit on the committee

Committee System Standing Committees Focused on particular topic Permanent Promote expertise Starting point for all bills Most killed in committee Subcommittees Members try to get appointed to committees which enable them to provide casework Oversight

Committee System Select Committees Joint Committees Ad-hoc Usually conduct investigations Joint Committees Members from both houses Overlapping policy areas Conference Committees Resolve differences in bills

Congressional Staff Roles Congressional Research Service (CRS) Provides pros and cons of proposed policies General Accountability Office (GAO) Audits money spent by executive branch Congressional Budget Office (CBO) Supplies likely economic costs of proposed policies