How Congress Is Organized CH 8.3

The constitution doesn’t tell them how to make laws They developed their own way of doing it Bills are prepared in committees Leaders oversee committee work Sessions normally last from Jan. 3 till October

Leadership in Congress House leader – Speaker of the House Senate leader – VP or President pro tem Majority party chooses

Speaker of the House Most powerful member of the House Decides the order of business & who may speak Appoints committee members & refers bills to the committees Influences which bills pass & fail 2nd in line to the President

President of the Senate VP in charge of the session Can’t debate Tie breaker VP normally busy to president pro tem presides

Floor Leaders Majority & minority leaders Next to the Speaker they are most important Guide bills through congress Work w/ committee leaders and party members to accept compromises & trade- offs Whips aid leaders to get party in line & on the floor to vote

Working in Committees Were the work gets done Introducing a bill Only a member of Congress can introduce a bill Drops bill in the hopper Senators introduce the by reading it aloud HR or S and numbered in order introduced

Standing Committees 16 in Senate & 20 in the House Each deals w/ a certain area (education, banking, etc…) Study a bill, hold public hearings, May propose changes Finally decide if they recommend it vote a floor vote

Every committee has D & R members Chairperson from majority party Decide which bills to study Decide when & if committees will meet Decide if hearings will be held

Select & Joint Committees Select – committee formed to deal w/ problem not covered by a standing committee. Joint – House & Senate work together Usually a select committee Conduct investigations

Conference Committees A temporary joint committee that tries to settle differences in a bill for a final vote in both houses.

The President’s Role Sign a bill into law Ignores it for 10 day while congress in session it becomes law Veto it Send it back unsigned 2/3 vote in both houses can override it Pocket veto Hold it for 10 days until session ends so bill dies