1. Congress in Action
Chapter 12

2. Section 1
Congress Organizes

3. Congress Comes Together
A new term begins on January 3 in odd numbered years
Clerk of the House calls members to order
Speaker of the House chosen
Member of the majority party
Swears in other members

4. Congress Comes Together (cont.)
House also elects clerk, sergeant-at-arms, chaplain
In the Senate, new and reelected members are sworn in
Members of both houses are assigned to committees

5. Presiding Officers Vice President is President of the Senate
Only votes to break ties
Who is the current President of the Senate?
In the VP’s absence, the President pro tempore takes his place
Currently Orrin Hatch (R-UT)
4th in line to be President
Speaker of the House is John Boehner (R-OH)
Keeps order
Breaks ties
3rd in line to be President

6. Who are the party officers?
Chosen at the party caucuses (meetings)
Floor leaders (party leaders and organizers)
Majority leaders:
House: Kevin McCarthy (R-CA)
Senate: Mitch McConnell (R-KY)
Minority leaders:
House: Nancy Pelosi (D-CA)
Senate: Harry Reid (D-NV)

7. More Party Officers Assistants to the floor leaders are called whips
House Majority Whip: Steve Scalise (R-LA)
House Minority Whip: Steny Hoyer (D-MD)
Senate Majority Whip: John Cornyn (R-TX) Senate
Minority Whip: Dick Durbin (D-IL)
Encourage party members to be present for key votes and to vote with the party

8. Representation by State, 113th Senate

9. Representation by State, 114th Senate

10. Representation by District, 113th House

11. Representation by Seats, 113th Congress

12. Representation by Seats, 114th Congress

13. Who are the committee chairmen?
Committee chairmen: lead standing committees in Congress
Schedule meetings
Set agenda
Lead discussion
Seniority rule: members who have served the longest get most important jobs