1. Congressional Leaders
Use the information from the slides to complete the graphic organizer

2. Presiding officers in Congress
Each chamber has officers that preside, or serve in a position of authority, over meetings
Presiding officers in Congress
Speaker of the House-House of Reps.
President of the Senate-Senate
President Pro Tempore-Senate

3. Responsibilities of Presiding Officers
Manage daily meetings and sessions
Preserve order in the chamber
Appoint members and chairs of committees
Refer bills to committees
Sign legislation
Set rules for proceedings and debate
Official spokesperson for their chamber

4. Paul Ryan (R) Wisconsin
Speaker of the House
The most powerful representative and the highest-ranking legislative official in the USA
Selected from the majority party in the House of Representatives.
In line to become President after the VP
Paul Ryan (R) Wisconsin

5. President of the Senate
Presiding officer of the Senate
Always the current Vice President of the United States
Doesn’t participate in debate; only votes when there is a tie
Currently Joe Biden (D)

6. President Pro Tempore Mostly a ceremonial and honorary position
Presides over sessions in the Senate when the Vice President is absent
In line to become President after the Speaker
Orrin Hatch (R) Utah

7. Floor Leaders
Floor leaders serve as the leaders of political parties in both chambers and are chosen from either the majority or minority leader
Responsibilities include:
Serve as spokesmen of their political party
Begin debates in their chambers
Help guide bills through Congress
Develop calendars
Negotiate with other political parties
Assist the presiding officers

8. House Floor Leaders House Majority Leader Mouse Minority Leader
Kevin McCarthy (R) California
Nancy Pelosi (D) California

9. Senate Majority Leader Senate Minority Leader
Senate Floor Leaders
Senate Majority Leader
Senate Minority Leader
Mitch McConnell (R) Kentucky
Harry Reid (D) Nevada

10. Assistant Floor Leaders
Political parties in both chambers select assistants to the floor leaders known as Whips
Responsibilities of Whips include:
Assisting the floor leaders
Ensuring attendance by members of party
Counting votes
Persuading members to vote in support of their political party

11. House Assistant Floor Leaders
Majority Whip
Minority Whip
Steve Scalise (R) Louisiana
Steny Hoyer (D) Maryland

12. Senate Assistant Floor Leaders
Majority Whip
Minority Whip
John Cornyan (R) Texas
Dick Durbin (D) Illinois