1. Congress in Action Chapter 12

2. CONGRESS ORGANIZES Section 1

3. Convening Congress Currently the 114 th Congress Second Session Congress convenes on the 3 rd of January every year.

4. The House of Representatives Opening Day Swearing in Members Selection of Officers Adoption of Rules Selection of Committee Members

5. The Senate Opening Day Swearing in Members Selection of Committee Members

6. Leadership in Congress Presiding Officers – Speaker of the House – President of the Senate President Pro Tempore Floor Leadership – Majority/Minority Floor Leader – Majority/Minority Whip

10. Leadership in 114 th Congress Speaker of the House John Boehner (R. Ohio) Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R. California) Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D. California) President of Senate Joe Biden (D. Vice President) House of RepresentativesSenate President Pro Tempore Orrin Hatch (R. Utah) Majority Whip Steve Scalise (R. Louisiana) Minority Whip Steny Hoyer (D. Maryland) Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R. Kentucky) Minority Leader Harry Reid (D. Nevada) Minority Whip Richard Durbin (D. Illinois) Majority Whip John Cornyn (R. Texas)

11. Speaker of the House John Boehner (R – Ohio) Presiding Officer of the House 2 nd in line to the Presidency Leader of the majority party in the House Can take floor to debate legislation or vote.

12. President of the Senate and President Pro Tempore U.S. Vice President Presiding Officer of the Senate 1 st in line to the Presidency Tie Breaking Vote Serves when President is absent Elected by Senate 3 rd in line to the Presidency Joe Biden Orrin Hatch

13. House Majority/Minority Floor Leaders Party Officer Picked by Party Members Spokesperson for the Party on the floor Tries to accomplish party goals Kevin McCarthy Nancy Pelosi

14. Senate Majority/Minority Floor Leaders Party Officer Picked by Party Members Spokesperson for the Party on the floor Tries to accomplish party goals Harry Reid Mitch McConnell

15. House Majority/Minority Whips Floor leader’s assistant Liaison between party leadership and party members. Steny HoyerSteve Scalise

16. Senate Majority/Minority Whips Floor leader’s assistant Liaison between party leadership and party members. Richard DurbinJohn Cornyn