1. Unit 2: Interactions Among Branches of Government
Lecture & Discussion 2: The Policy-Making Process

2. Enduring Understanding
The republican ideal in the United States is manifested in the structure and operation of the legislative branch.

3. Objective(s)
To explain how the structure, powers, and functions of both houses in Congress affect the policy-making process.

4. Do Now
Read “How a Bill Becomes a Law” and respond to the prompts:
What is meant by the statement “the founders believed that efficiency was the hallmark of oppressive government.”
Identify hurdles that bills face to become law.

5. A. Influences on Policy-Making
Congressional Leadership
Democrats and Republicans in both houses of Congress are organized by party leaders
party leaders are elected by the full party membership within the House and the Senate

6. How many Congressional party leaders can you name?
Ryan (R)
Pence (VP)
Hatch (R)
McCarthy (R)
Pelosi (D)
McConnel (R)
Schumer (D)
Scalise (R)
Hoyer (D)
Cornyn (R)
Durbin (D)
How many Congressional party leaders can you name?

7. A. Influences on Policy-Making
Presiding Officers
Speaker of the House
presiding officer of the House is chosen by majority party who influences legislation by:
assigning bills to committee
deciding which bills brought up for vote
choosing who speaks on floor
determining what motions are relevant to debate

8. A. Influences on Policy-Making
Presiding Officers
President of the Senate
Vice President of the United States who is not chosen by nor a member of the body casts vote in the event of a tie
President pro-tempore
an honorific position chosen by majority party to preside over the body in the absence of the Vice President

9. A. Influences on Policy-Making
Party Officers
Majority Leader
principal leaders chosen by majority party in each house to steer legislation by:
being “chief spokesperson”
keeping the “rank and file” members in order
leading debate for majority

10. A. Influences on Policy-Making
Party Officers
Minority Leader
principal leaders chosen by minority party in each house to develop minority position by:
directing minority causes
negotiating with the majority leader
leading debate for minority

11. A. Influences on Policy-Making
Party Officers
Whip
an assistant chosen by majority and minority parties to help steer legislation in each house by:
“checking the pulse” of party members
rounding up members for important votes
keeping a nose count of how votes are likely to go on controversial issues

12. A. Influences on Policy-Making
Congressional Committees
most important organizational feature of Congress is set of legislative committees
immense congressional power lies in chairmanship of committees

13. A. Influences on Policy-Making
Committee Leadership
Committee Chairperson
the head of a committee chosen by majority party who influences policy making by:
establishing the committee’s agenda
determining which bills and/or legislative actions are to be considered
convening the committee to perform its duties
performing oversight of executive actions

14. A. Influences on Policy-Making
Types of Committees
Standing
a permanent body that considers and is responsible for legislation within a specified area
Select
a group appointed for a limited time and purpose
Joint
a group on which members of both the House and Senate serve

15. B. How a Bill Becomes Law

16. mark-up: riders, “pork”
House (HR1) Senate (S1)
standing
committee
standing
committee
sub
committee
sub
committee
mark-up: riders, “pork”
pigeonhole
X-Mas Tree Bill
standing
committee
standing
committee
House Rules
Committee
closed or “gag rule”
floor of
Senate
floor of
House
cloture motion or Rule 22
filibuster

17. If versions of bill are same if versions are not the same
floor of
House
floor of
Senate
override
with
2/3 vote
If versions of bill are same
if versions are not the same
override
with
2/3 vote
conference
committee
veto
veto
compromise
bill
presidential action
bill becomes a law

18. B. How a Bill Becomes Law
Directions: Review the flow chart to answer the prompts.
Describe the data presented in the flow chart.
What does the data imply or illustrate about the lawmaking process.