1. Unit 5 Legislative Branch 5-1 : C and D Mopping up Procedural differences (C) and Introduction to Committee’s (D)

3. This is the House Floor This is where Congress people vote! This is NOT where most of the work is done though…

4. Committee System Organization and specialization of committees is very important in the House due to size – Used to get information, advice from experts on what should be included in a bill Used to get information – Subcommittees allow for even greater specialization Institutionalized system created in 1816 – More committees added over time This is where and how the work is done in Congress This is where having the MAJORITY is huge! If the House of Representatives are controlled by the Republicans, then the CHAIRMAN of EVERY committee is a Republican, PLUS the majority of the members on EVERY committee is Republican

5. Committee Meeting in Action Holding Hearings Marking up and amending bills

6. Committee System Standing Committees – Continue from one Congress to the next—bills referred here for consideration – Powerful – Discharge petitions Joint Committees – Includes members from both houses of Congress, conducts investigations or special studies Conference Committees – Joint committee created to iron out differences between Senate and House versions of a specific piece of legislation Select (or special) Committees – Temporary committee appointed for specific purpose, such as conducting a special investigation or study

8. Committee Membership Members often seek assignments to committees based on – Their own interests or expertise – A committee’s ability to help their prospects for reelection Pork/earmarks: legislation that allows representatives to bring home the “bacon” to their districts in the form of public works programs, military bases, or other programs designed to benefit their districts directly Access to large campaign contributors

9. Committee Chairs These individuals have tremendous power and prestige.power and prestige – Authorized to select all subcommittee chairs – Call meetings Call meetings – Recommend majority members to sit on conference committees – Can kill a bill by not scheduling hearings on it – Have staff at their disposal Have Seniority still important in the Senate Seniority