1. 4-4: Organization of Congress

2. Big Idea: Constitutionalism
Enduring Understanding:
The republican ideal in the U.S. is manifested in the structure and operation of the legislative branch.
Learning Objective:
Explain how the structure, powers, and functions of both houses of Congress affect the policymaking process.

3. House of Representatives
Structure
Formal—strict rules
Debate restricted
Speaker of the House
Presiding officer
Decides who is recognized
Assigns bills to committees

4. House of Representatives
House Rules Committee
Controlled by the Speaker
Selects which bills are worthy for consideration
Sets guidelines for debate
Closed rule
Open rule

5. House of Representatives
Ways and Means Committee
Jurisdiction on revenue measures
Members cannot serve on other committees
House Leadership
Speaker
Majority Leader
Minority Leader
Whips

6. Senate Structure Vice President Senate Leadership
Smaller and less formal
Operates on informal understandings
Vice President
Senate Leadership
President Pro Tempore
Majority Leader
Minority Leader
Whips

7. Role of Political Parties
Advantages of Majority Party
Holds committee chairs
Selects Speaker
Assigns bills to committees
Holds majorities on each committee
Controls the Rules Committee
Sets the agenda
Trend toward hyperpartisanship

8. Committee System Importance Committee Chairs
Dominant role in policymaking
Committee Chairs
Member of majority party
Schedule meetings and hearings
Hire staff
Recommend which members sit on the committee

9. Committee System Standing Committees Focused on particular topic
Permanent
Promote expertise
Starting point for all bills
Most killed in committee
Subcommittees
Members try to get appointed to committees which enable them to provide casework
Oversight

10. Committee System Select Committees Joint Committees
Ad-hoc
Usually conduct investigations
Joint Committees
Members from both houses
Overlapping policy areas
Conference Committees
Resolve differences in bills

11. Congressional Staff Roles Congressional Research Service (CRS)
Provides pros and cons of proposed policies
General Accountability Office (GAO)
Audits money spent by executive branch
Congressional Budget Office (CBO)
Supplies likely economic costs of proposed policies