bell ringer summarize how the “political machine” and the media were depicted in mr. smith goes...
TRANSCRIPT
Bell ringer Summarize how the “political machine” and
the media were depicted in Mr. Smith Goes to Washington.
In regards to how the media was portrayed, do you think the media is more, less, or just as involved in politics today?
Organization of Organization of Congress Congress
Today we will ….
Objectives
Examine the organization of congress.
Identify the types of committees and their purposes.
Agenda
Vocabulary Guided notes Committee folders Ticket out the Door
Vocabulary Standing Committee: permanent committee in
the House and Senate Select Committee: special committee set up
for a specific purpose for a limited time (House and Senate)
Joint Committee: composed of members from the House and Senate
Seniority Rule: an unwritten rule in the Congress that allows important positions of leadership to be held by those with the longest records of service in Congress.
Two Houses of Congress
House of RepresentativesSenate
Bicameralism
Why is Congress divided into two houses? Because our founding fathers saw
bicameralism as a way to diffuse (spread) the power of Congress, which prevented it from overwhelming the other two branches of government.
NJ Plan & VA Plan!
Congressional Terms
Each term of Congress lasts 2 years. The beginning of each 2 year term is “noon of the 3rd day
in January” of every odd numbered year. So the Congressmen we elected in November 2014
didn’t start until January 3rd, 2015. While each term is 2 years, there are no term
limits in Congress. This means the same Senator or Representative can
stay in Congress for life as long as he/she keeps getting reelected.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QORVqG3rN5Y&feature=related&safety_mode=true&persist_safety_mode=1&safe=active
Salary and Benefits Senators and Representatives make $174,000 per
year.
Speaker of the House makes $223,500 per year
Minority/Majority floor leaders in both houses make
$193,400 per year
They also receive special tax deductions
They receive travel allowances to go back and
forth to Washington
Franking Privilege: Allows them to mail letters
and other materials postage-free by substituting
their signature instead of the postage.
The Politics of Pay Two limits on congressional pay
President veto power Voter backlash
Check for understanding How long is the term for the Senate? the
House? How do you think the lack of term limits and
the franking privilege contribute to the incumbency advantage?
Speaker of the House Chosen by the majority
party Directs business on the floor
during meetings Calls on and recognizes
members wishing to speak Appoints members to Select
and Special committees Can vote but usually
doesn’t, must vote to break a tie
John Boehner (Ohio) (“bay-ner”)
The Senate The Founding Fathers hoped
that the smaller Senate would be a more enlightened and responsible body than the House.
They thought the House would be too often swayed by the immediate impact of events and by the passions of the moment.
“The World’s Greatest Deliberative Body”
The Senate
The Senate is a “continuous body” This means that all of its seats are
never up for election at the same time.
6 year terms give Senators some job security
Since they represent an entire State, they have a huge constituency, which means the people and interests the Senators represent.
President of the Senate Vice President Only constitutional duty
Joe Biden
President Pro Tempore Selected by members
of the Senate Leading member of the
majority party Serves when the VP is
absent Orrin Hatch (R-Utah)
Check for understanding What is the leader of the House called?
Who leads the Senate?
Who takes over when he is not present?
Party Leadership in Party Leadership in Congress Congress
Floor Leaders Both houses of Congress are organized along
party lines After the Speaker of the House and President
Pro Tempore, the majority & minority floor leaders in both houses are the most important officers in Congress
Chosen from their members to represent and coordinate the party
Try to steer what happens on the floor to the benefit of their parties
Party Whips Go-betweens between party leaders and party
members Round up members when important votes are
to be taken
Major Roles Congressmen Play Legislators (law
makers) Representatives Committee members Politicians
Representatives of the People Senators and representatives are elected to
represent the people (that means YOU) Delegate or Turstee?
Cast hundreds of votes each session. Some big, some small.
Check for understanding Who elects the Floor Leaders?
What does the Whip do?
Committees
Congress
Senate
House
Senate Committees
House Committees
Joint Committees
Types of Committees
1.) Standing committees
2.) Select or Special Committees
3.) Joint Committees
Standing Committees
Permanent Most are subject-related (Judiciary, Foreign
Policy, Armed Services) Majority party holds majority membership Review, research and revise bills May hold a hearing where they are informed
by experts, question witnesses, view exhibits or photographs, examine material evidence, or observe demonstrations in order to gather information about a bill
Select/Special Committees Temporary Usually set up for a specific purpose & a
limited time Oversight function – to keep things from
going wrong in govt. Investigations
Remember this story?
Joint Committees
Made up of members from both houses Permanent Debate & report on matters concerning
Congress, as a whole Example: Joint Economic Committee
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Committee Chairpersons
Chosen by majority party
Chairpersons are selected by seniority rule
Rule states that the majority party member who has
the most consecutive years in congress has seniority
Duties
Decides when committee will meet
What bills to consider
Whether there will be a public hearing or witnesses
Manages bill when it is reported to whole body
Check for understanding President Woodrow Wilson once noted that
Congress in its committee rooms is Congress at work. Explain the meaning of this statement in your own words.
Comparing the Chambers of CongressHouse of Representatives The Senate
Larger body (435 members) Smaller body (100 members)
Shorter term (2 years) Longer term (6 years)
Smaller constituencies (elected from districts within States)
Larger constituencies (elected from the entire State)
Younger members Older members
Less prestige More prestige
Most work done in committees, not on the floor
Work is split more evenly between committees & the floor
Strict rules, limited debate Flexible rules, nearly unlimited debate
No power over treaties/presidential appointments
Approves/rejects treaties & presidential appointments
ClosureTicket out the door – Senators & Represenatives #70