Chapter 12: Organization of Congress (p.329)

I. Organization of CongressA. Leaders of Congress 1. Speaker of the House – Paul Ryan a. recognizes who speaks b. assigns bills to committee c. appoints members to select committees

2. President of the Senate

a. Is the current Vice-President

b. It is a Constitutional position, not an elected position.

c. Only powers is to recognize who speaks and vote in case of a tie.

3. President Pro Tempore of Senate

a. Presiding officer in absence of VP

b. Given to majority party leader with most years of membership

• ORRIN HATCH

4. Majority/minority leaders Senate: Harry Reid D/Mitch McConnell House: R/Nancy Pelosi D

a. Quarterback whose job is to get a bill over the goal post. Plans strategies to get all party’s bills through

b. First to speak on any billc. Grants favors with extra office space,

helps with choice committee assignments

5. Majority/Minority Whips a. Liaison between leaders and members b. Keeps tracks of votes c. Takes care of “pairing” – members of

opposite party pair up when missing a vote

6. Committee Chairmen a. Decide when committees meet b. Assign staff, money research c. Call witnesses

II. Committee Structure A. Where most of the work is done and

where most bills die B. Each committee same ratio of the party

make-up in both houses. The majority party rules each committee is chaired by the majority party.

C. Seniority Rule: Chairmen of committees are mainly chosen by seniority. The majority member who has served longest gets to be the chairman.

4. Pros and Cons of Seniority RulePros1 Guarantees experience2 Prevents intraparty

fighting 3 Smooth transition of

power

Cons1. Best person does not

get the position2. New ideas have hard

time getting heard3. Chairmen come from

single-party districts

Cons1. Best person does not

get the position2. New ideas have hard

time getting heard3. Chairmen come from

single-party districts

John McCain: Chairman Armed Services Comm.

III.PRIVILEGES OF CONGRESSA. Free from arrest going to and from

Congress and during a session of Congress.B. Speech and Debate Clause: Cannot be

sued for anything said in Congress or committee. Article 1, Section 6, Why?

C. Franking privilege: Means free use of the mail. Why is that necessary

C. Compensation• Pay

– Fixed at $174,000– Speaker of the House-

$223,500– Senate president pro

tem, majority and minority floor leaders – $193,400

• Federal tax deduction• Travel allowances• Pay little for life and

health insurance• Funds to hire staff• Offices provided in one

of the buildings near the capitol