Unit 3: Structure and Functions of the Federal Government Three branches compose the basic structure of the federal government. Public policy is created through the making of laws, the execution of the laws and the adjudication of disputes under the laws.

Content Statements Law and public policy are created and implemented by three branches of government; each functions with its own set of powers and responsibilities. The political process creates a dynamic interaction among the three branches of government in addressing current issues.

Congressional Leadership Leadership PositionDescription & Job DutiesMethod of Selection U.S. Vice President President Pro Tempore Majority Leader Minority Leader Majority Whip Minority Whip U.S. Senate U.S. House of Representatives Leadership PositionDescription & Job DutiesMethod of Selection Speaker Majority Leader Minority Leader Majority Whip Minority Whip

Legislative Branch Section 4: Organization of Congress

Terms and Sessions –Every 2 years, all House of Reps and 1/3 of Senators –New term begins Jan. 3 –Each Congress is numbered 1 st was th was –Each term divided into two 1-year sessions –Quorum (majority) must be present to conduct business

Term Limits—none for Congress –For—get new people in –Against—want consistency –Incumbents—current officeholders, they usually win re-election

Congressional Leaders *Majority party—holds most seats *Minority party—holds fewer seats

U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Majority LeaderMinority Leader Majority WhipMinority Whip U.S. Senate President Pro Tempore Majority LeaderMinority Leader Majority WhipMinority Whip U.S. Vice President Rank-and-File Senators Rank-and-File Representatives

Congressional Leadership How do congressional leaders maintain order and facilitate the legislative process?

U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Majority LeaderMinority Leader Majority WhipMinority Whip U.S. Senate President Pro Tempore Majority LeaderMinority Leader Majority WhipMinority Whip U.S. Vice President Joe Biden Rank-and-File Senators Rank-and-File Representatives

President of the Senate Joe Biden - U.S. Vice President (D) Does not debate bills or address the Senate Votes only if there is a tie Presides over official electoral college vote Presides over Federal impeachment cases (except President… Chief Justice presides in these cases)

U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Majority LeaderMinority Leader Majority WhipMinority Whip U.S. Senate President Pro Tempore Daniel Inouye (D) Majority LeaderMinority Leader Majority WhipMinority Whip U.S. Vice President Joe Biden (D) Rank-and-File Senators Rank-and-File Representatives

President Pro Tempore Daniel Inouye (D)

U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Majority LeaderMinority Leader Majority WhipMinority Whip U.S. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid – (D) Minority Leader Majority WhipMinority Whip U.S. Vice President Joe Biden (D) Rank-and-File Senators Rank-and-File Representatives President Pro Tempore Daniel Inouye (D)

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D) Most Senior Senate Official Day-to-Day manager of business in Senate Primary spokesperson for his party

U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Majority LeaderMinority Leader Majority WhipMinority Whip U.S. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid – (D) Minority Leader Mitch McConnell – (R) Majority WhipMinority Whip U.S. Vice President Joe Biden (D) Rank-and-File Senators Rank-and-File Representatives President Pro Tempore Daniel Inouye (D)

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R) Most Senior Official For Minority Party Set party Agenda and Strategy

U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Majority LeaderMinority Leader Majority WhipMinority Whip U.S. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid – (D) Minority Leader Mitch McConnell – (R) Majority Whip Dick Durbin – (D) Minority Whip U.S. Vice President Joe Biden (D) Rank-and-File Senators Rank-and-File Representatives President Pro Tempore Daniel Inouye (D)

Senate Majority Whip Richard Durbin (D) Persuade Members to vote on party lines Ensure bills have enough support to pass “whip up support” for party

U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Majority LeaderMinority Leader Majority WhipMinority Whip U.S. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid – (D) Minority Leader Mitch McConnell – (R) Majority Whip Dick Durbin – (D) Minority Whip Jon Kyl – (R) U.S. Vice President Joe Biden (D) Rank-and-File Senators Rank-and-File Representatives President Pro Tempore Daniel Inouye (D)

Senate Minority Whip Jon Kyl (R) Persuade Members to vote on party lines Ensure bills have enough support to pass “whip up support” for party

U.S. House of Representatives Speaker John Boehner (R) Majority LeaderMinority Leader Majority WhipMinority Whip U.S. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid – (D) Minority Leader Mitch McConnell – (R) Majority Whip Dick Durbin – (D) Minority Whip U.S. Vice President Joe Biden (D) Rank-and-File Senators Rank-and-File Representatives Jon Kyl – (R) President Pro Tempore Daniel Inouye (D)

Speaker of the House John Boehner (R) Presides over the House of Representatives Sets the agenda for legislation Primary Spokesperson for his or her party Most Senior official in House of Representatives

U.S. House of Representatives Speaker John Boehner (R) Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R) Minority Leader Majority WhipMinority Whip U.S. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid – (D) Minority Leader Mitch McConnell – (R) Majority Whip Dick Durbin – (D) Minority Whip U.S. Vice President Joe Biden (D) Rank-and-File Senators Rank-and-File Representatives Jon Kyl – (R) President Pro Tempore Daniel Inouye (D)

House Majority Leader Eric Cantor- (R) Leader of the Majority Party Second most senior official in House of Reps. Recently day-to-day manager of business on house floor

U.S. House of Representatives Speaker John Boehner (R) Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R) Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D) Majority WhipMinority Whip U.S. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid – (D) Minority Leader Mitch McConnell – (R) Majority Whip Dick Durbin – (D) Minority Whip U.S. Vice President Joe Biden (D) Rank-and-File Senators Rank-and-File Representatives Jon Kyl – (R) President Pro Tempore Daniel Inouye (D)

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D) Most senior official of minority party Leader of Minority Party Set party agenda, message, and strategy

U.S. House of Representatives Speaker John Boehner (R) Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R) Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D) Majority Whip Kevin McCarthy (R) Minority Whip U.S. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid – (D) Minority Leader Mitch McConnell – (R) Majority Whip Dick Durbin – (D) Minority Whip U.S. Vice President Joe Biden (D) Rank-and-File Senators Rank-and-File Representatives Jon Kyl – (R) President Pro Tempore Daniel Inouye (D)

House Majority Whip Kevin McCarthy (R) Persuade Members to vote on party lines Ensure bills have enough support to pass “whip up support” for party

U.S. House of Representatives Speaker John Boehner (R) Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R) Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D) Majority Whip Kevin McCarthy (R) Minority Whip Steny Hoyer (D) U.S. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid – (D) Minority Leader Mitch McConnell – (R) Majority Whip Dick Durbin – (D) Minority Whip U.S. Vice President Joe Biden (D) Rank-and-File Senators Rank-and-File Representatives Jon Kyl – (R) President Pro Tempore Daniel Inouye (D)

House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer (D) Persuade Members to vote on party lines Ensure bills have enough support to pass “whip up support” for party

The Legislative Branch Section 5: The Committee System

Committee System Questions 1.What is the purpose of the committees? 2.What is a standing committee? A subcommittee? A select committee? A joint committee? A conference committee? 3.Members of Congress who have served the longest often head key committees and have an important voice in passing legislation. Do you think this seniority system helps Congress to operate more effectively? EXPLAIN!

The Committee System “Congress in the Committee is Congress at work” -Woodrow Wilson

Purpose of Committees Committees ease Congressional workload by dividing work among small groups.

Purpose of Committees Committees allow members to discuss and select the most important bills Congress will consider.

Kinds of Committees Standing committees deal with certain issues continuing from one Congress to the next. Judiciary Committee

Kinds of Committees Subcommittees handle special subcategories of standing committees’ work, and also continue from one Congress to the next. Social Security

Kinds of Committees Select committees are special committees created in both houses of Congress for one term to study a specific topic. 9/11 Commission

Kinds of Committees Joint Committees – members from both Houses. Taxation Conference Committees – temporary committees set up to resolve differences in the House and Senate version of a bill.

Choosing Members Assigning members to various committees is a key decision in the organization of Congress.

Choosing Members Membership on certain committees… 1.Helps members build reputations and increase their chances for reelection. 2.Gives members a chance to influence important national legislation. 3.Enables members to influence other members since those committees deal with issues that are important to all members.

Choosing Members In both houses, parties assign members to the standing committees Party leaders and chairpersons of the standing committees are the most important members of Congress.

Choosing Members Standing committee chairpersons make key decisions about the work of their committees, though their power has decreased.

Discussion Question Members of Congress who have served the longest often head key committees and have an important voice in passing legislation. Do you think this seniority system helps Congress to operate more effectively? EXPLAIN!