1. Students will identify structure and investigative powers of Congress
Extra Congress Things
Students will identify structure and
investigative powers of Congress

2. Quorum
The minimum number of members who must be present in order for official business to be done
In the House – 218
In the Senate – 51
Students will identify structure and investigative powers of Congress

3. Leadership House Senate Speaker of the House Majority/Minority Leader
Whips
Senate
Vice President
President Pro Tempore
Students will identify structure and investigative powers of Congress

4. Committees Standing Committees Subcommittees Select Committees
Continue from one congress to the next
Subcommittees
A specialized committee within a committee
Select Committees
Formed for one specific reason
Joint Committees
Committees with members from both houses
Conference Committees
Set up to refine a bill passed in both houses of Congress
Students will identify structure and investigative powers of Congress

5. Power to Investigate
Standing committees and select committees may conduct investigations
Most investigations go unnoticed
Some are more visible like the 1998 Senate Finance Committee hearings on the collection methods of the IRS
Investigation outcomes can vary, but most often they result in new legislation to deal with the issue
Students will identify structure and investigative powers of Congress

6. Witnesses
Witnesses have rights in the process, the same as in a trial because of Watkins v. United States
Congress can issue a subpoena, a legal order to appear or produce requested documents
If a witness does not tell the truth they can be charged with perjury
Students will identify structure and investigative powers of Congress

7. Methods to get them to talk
If a witness refuses to testify or cooperate they can be held in contempt of Congress
Penalty can be 1-12 months in jail and $100-$1,000 fine
Witnesses can be given immunity to reduce the fear of testifying
Students will identify structure and investigative powers of Congress

8. Legislative Oversight
The power of reviewing how effective the executive branch carries out the laws Congress passes
A key part of checks and balances
Oversight is formally defined by the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1970
Gives oversight powers formally to each standing committee
Students will identify structure and investigative powers of Congress

9. Limits on Legislative Oversight
Limited mostly by the lack of attention Congress pays to laws “Pass it and forget it”
Not many votes to be gained from oversight
Language of laws is vague, it makes it difficult to enforce
Sometimes congress takes a liking to the agencies they oversee and allow a wider breadth of powers from the agencies
Students will identify structure and investigative powers of Congress

10. Independent Counsel
1978 Ethics in Government Act allows an outside special prosecutor to investigate government officials
Worry was that Congressional oversight has a potential to be biased and not faithfully execute their duties
Used in the Clinton investigation that resulted in impeachment
Currently being used in the Russia investigation
Students will identify structure and investigative powers of Congress