opening day in the house to understand the leadership and organization of congress
TRANSCRIPT
Opening Day in the House
When the House First meets for the new term, none of the members are sworn in, there are no rules, and there is no organization
The clerk of the House of the preceding term presides, and chairs the 1st session
Choosing a Speaker
The majority party’s caucus has chosen the Speaker of the House before the first session begins
- the election on the floor is a mere formality
- Speaker of the House is both the elected presiding officer of the House, and the
acknowledged leader of the majority party
Speaker’s Duties
To preside and keep order
Names the members of all select and conference committees
Signs all bills and resolutions passed by the House
Speaker’s Role
Can vote, only to cause or break a tie
-Can debate any matter on floor, but must appoint a Speaker pro tempore
The Speaker Takes Charge
Once sworn in, the Speaker will in turn swear the other members in
The Democrats will then take their seats to the right of the center
The Republicans to the left
The House then adopts rules that will govern the term, and members are selected to fill the 22 permanent committees
Opening Day in the Senate
The Senate is a Continuous Body, it has been organized since 1789
Hence, they do not have the organizational problems of the HouseThey simply wait for the House to notify them that they are readyOnce this is done, they notify the President that they are ready to receive any communication he may be pleased to make
State of the Union
Within a few weeks, the President will deliver the State of the Union Address to a Joint Session of Congress
The Head of the Senate
The Vice-President sits as the head of the Senate
He has presiding powers
Can only vote to break a tie
Cannot take the floor to debate
President Pro Tempore
However, the VP is usually busy, so the Senate elects a member to serve in his absence
This person is usually a leading member of the majority party (but not always)
Senator Patrick LehayD-Vermont
Floor Leaders
The floor leaders are legislative strategists that try to carry out the decision of their party’s caucuses and steer floor actions to their party’s beliefs
They are assisted by party whips that check with party members and advise them of support
Committee Chairmen
The bulk of work is done in committee
Thus, a committee chairman holds a strategic post
When not meet
Which bills to address
Whether to hold public hearings
Whether to call witnesses