1. Congress

2. The Basics Bicameral Legislature 2 Chambers: House of Reps. and Senate
Both chambers must ratify bills to pass
Sessions
The time frame when Congress operates
Begin Jan. 3, usually adjourn Dec. (20th Amendment)
Each "Congress" lasts 2 sessions
Both chambers must agree to adjourn

3. Committees What? They do almost everything. Standing Committees
Semi-Permanent; propose & adjust bills; most important
Subcommittees
Select Committees
Temporary; research & report
Joint Committees
Temp. or Perm.; both chambers; similar to Select
Conference Committees
Temporary; both chambers; to agree on bills

4. Oversight
Select Committees to make sure the Executive is enforcing laws
Legal right to investigate
Call witnesses
subpoena
Perjury & Contempt
Impeachment
The House impeaches
The Senate conducts trial w/ Chief Justice
2/3 vote from senate

5. Caucus Semi-formal group for political organization Caucus Powers
Party
Special Interest
State
Caucus Powers
Majority Party
House: Chooses Speaker of the House
Senate: Chooses Majority Leader

6. Members of Congress Mostly Lawyers 1950s Incumbent Salary
more women and people of color
career politicians
Incumbent
In 2000 only 6 of 339 lost reelection
Salary
27th Amendment: Pay raise after election
Approx.. $174,000
Censure: Formal disapproval of actions

7. Decision Making Constituency: You and I! Interest Groups:
Represent people or no re-election
Polling
Interest Groups:
Lobbyists
Legislation, offer data, case studies
PACs: Raise money to support their candidate
Party:
Usually vote together
Whip

9. Majority Rules Two-Party System
Decides leaders based on party majority/minority.
Both Chambers have:
Majority Leader & Whip
Minority Leader & Whip
Committee Chairs

10. House Leadership Speaker of the House
3rd most "powerful" position in country
Chosen by Majority Caucus
Powers:
Appoints committee members
Schedules Bills
Refers them to committees
Chooses Leader and whip
Rules Committee

11. Powers of the House Power of the Purse Impeachment
Taxes; Executive Spending
Impeachment
Presidential Tie Breaker

12. Gerrymandering

13. Senate Leadership President of the Senate Majority Leader
Vice President
President Pro Tempore "Pro Tem"
Presides over Senate
Majority Leader
Most powerful position
Controls Bills on Calendar
Whips and Minority Leader
Same as House

14. How it works Calendar Unanimous Consent Filibuster Cloture Resolution
Schedule of floor-ready Bills
Maj. Leader Negative Power
Unanimous Consent
100% agree to hear specific Bill
Holds: Notification of dissent
Filibuster
Minority can block vote
Cloture Resolution
Kill Filibuster with 60 Votes

15. Powers of the Senate Conduct Impeachment Trials
Ratify Treaties (2/3 Vote)
Approve Presidential Appointments

16. What Congress Does Before we start Resolutions
Joint, Simple, Concurrent
Private Bill: Special cases
Public Bill: General law
Rider

18. Committee Hearings Markup Report Bill Get Advice Interactive Change
Earmark
Report Bill
Move on or die

20. Floor Calendar Debate and Amend Closed Rule Open Rule Voting
No Changes Allowed
Open Rule
Amendable
Voting
Quorum: Majority of Members
Committee of the Whole (House)

22. Final Steps If it passes in one Chamber... Start Over!
Begin process again in other chamber
Conference Committee
If changes are made, compromise or die
President
Approve
Veto: Start Over!
Pocket Veto: Dies