1. The Legislative Branch House of Representatives

2. Rules Guide to conducting business Printed every 2 years Define actions an individual representatives can take Geared to move legislation quickly Leaders of the House have more power than the leaders of the Senate

3. Committees House is so large, they divide up Accomplish work more efficiently Representatives have more influence Representatives specialize in a few issues Focus on that the people they are representing want

4. Leaders (Purposes) Organizing & unifying party members Scheduling the work of the House Making certain that lawmakers are present for key floor votes Distributing & collecting information Keeping the House in touch with the president Influencing lawmakers to support the policies of their political party

6. Speaker of the House Most powerful leader Presiding officer of the House Member of the majority party Powers –Influence proceedings –Appoints some committee members –Schedule bills for action –Refer bills to proper committee Follows Vice President in succession of the Presidency

7. House Floor Leaders Majority Leaders (Speaker’s top assistant) –Plan party’s legislative program –Steer important bills through the House –Make the chairpersons of the many committees finish work on bills important to the party Whips (assistant floor leaders) –Watch how majority party members intend to vote on bills –Persuade them to vote as the party wishes –To see that the party members are present to vote

8. House Floor Leaders Minority Leader and Whip –Same as majority –They have no power over scheduling work in the House