Unit 3: Structure and Functions of the Federal Government Three branches compose the basic structure of the federal government. Public policy is created through the making of laws, the execution of the laws and the adjudication of disputes under the laws.
Content Statements Law and public policy are created and implemented by three branches of government; each functions with its own set of powers and responsibilities. The political process creates a dynamic interaction among the three branches of government in addressing current issues.
Congressional Leadership U.S. Senate Leadership Position Description & Job Duties Method of Selection U.S. Vice President President Pro Tempore U.S. House of Representatives Leadership Position Description & Job Duties Method of Selection Speaker
Legislative Branch Section 4: Organization of Congress
Terms and Sessions Every 2 years, all House of Reps and 1/3 of Senators New term begins Jan. 3 Each Congress is numbered 1 st was 1789-1790 112 th was 2011-2012 Each term divided into two 1-year sessions Quorum (majority) must be present to conduct business
Term Limits none for Congress For get new people in Against want consistency Incumbents current officeholders, they usually win re-election
Congressional Leaders *Majority party holds most seats *Minority party holds fewer seats
U.S. Senate U.S. House of Representatives U.S. Vice President Speaker President Pro Tempore Rank-and-File Senators Rank-and-File Representatives
Congressional Leadership How do congressional leaders maintain order and facilitate the legislative process?
U.S. Senate U.S. Vice President Joe Biden U.S. House of Representatives Speaker President Pro Tempore Rank-and-File Senators Rank-and-File Representatives
President of the Senate Joe Biden - U.S. Vice President (D) Does not debate bills or address the Senate Votes only if there is a tie Presides over official electoral college vote Presides over Federal impeachment cases (except President Chief Justice presides in these cases)
U.S. Senate U.S. Vice President Joe Biden (D) U.S. House of Representatives Speaker President Pro Tempore Daniel Inouye (D) Rank-and-File Senators Rank-and-File Representatives
President Pro Tempore Daniel Inouye (D)
U.S. Senate U.S. Vice President Joe Biden (D) U.S. House of Representatives Speaker President Pro Tempore Daniel Inouye (D) Harry Reid (D) Rank-and-File Senators Rank-and-File Representatives
Senate Harry Reid (D) Most Senior Senate Official Day-to-Day manager of business in Senate Primary spokesperson for his party
U.S. Senate U.S. Vice President Joe Biden (D) U.S. House of Representatives Speaker President Pro Tempore Daniel Inouye (D) Harry Reid (D) Mitch McConnell (R) Rank-and-File Senators Rank-and-File Representatives
Senate Mitch McConnell (R) Most Senior Official For Minority Party Set party Agenda and Strategy
U.S. Senate U.S. Vice President Joe Biden (D) U.S. House of Representatives Speaker President Pro Tempore Daniel Inouye (D) Harry Reid (D) Mitch McConnell (R) Dick Durbin (D) Rank-and-File Senators Rank-and-File Representatives
Senate Richard Durbin (D) Persuade Members to vote on party lines Ensure bills have enough support to pass whip up support for party
U.S. Senate U.S. Vice President Joe Biden (D) U.S. House of Representatives Speaker President Pro Tempore Daniel Inouye (D) Harry Reid (D) Mitch McConnell (R) Dick Durbin (D) Jon Kyl (R) Rank-and-File Senators Rank-and-File Representatives
Senate Jon Kyl (R) Persuade Members to vote on party lines Ensure bills have enough support to pass whip up support for party
U.S. Senate U.S. Vice President Joe Biden (D) U.S. House of Representatives Speaker John Boehner (R) President Pro Tempore Daniel Inouye (D) Harry Reid (D) Mitch McConnell (R) Dick Durbin (D) Jon Kyl (R) Rank-and-File Senators Rank-and-File Representatives
Speaker of the House John Boehner (R) Presides over the House of Representatives Sets the agenda for legislation Primary Spokesperson for his or her party Most Senior official in House of Representatives
U.S. Senate U.S. Vice President Joe Biden (D) U.S. House of Representatives Speaker John Boehner (R) President Pro Tempore Daniel Inouye (D) Eric Cantor (R) Harry Reid (D) Mitch McConnell (R) Dick Durbin (D) Jon Kyl (R) Rank-and-File Senators Rank-and-File Representatives
House Eric Cantor- (R) Leader of the Majority Party Second most senior official in House of Reps. Recently day-to-day manager of business on house floor
U.S. Senate U.S. Vice President Joe Biden (D) U.S. House of Representatives Speaker John Boehner (R) President Pro Tempore Daniel Inouye (D) Eric Cantor (R) Nancy Pelosi (D) Harry Reid (D) Mitch McConnell (R) Dick Durbin (D) Jon Kyl (R) Rank-and-File Senators Rank-and-File Representatives
House Nancy Pelosi (D) Most senior official of minority party Leader of Minority Party Set party agenda, message, and strategy
U.S. Senate U.S. Vice President Joe Biden (D) U.S. House of Representatives Speaker John Boehner (R) President Pro Tempore Daniel Inouye (D) Eric Cantor (R) Nancy Pelosi (D) Harry Reid (D) Mitch McConnell (R) Dick Durbin (D) Jon Kyl (R) Kevin McCarthy (R) Rank-and-File Senators Rank-and-File Representatives
House Kevin McCarthy (R) Persuade Members to vote on party lines Ensure bills have enough support to pass whip up support for party
U.S. Senate U.S. Vice President Joe Biden (D) U.S. House of Representatives Speaker John Boehner (R) President Pro Tempore Daniel Inouye (D) Eric Cantor (R) Nancy Pelosi (D) Harry Reid (D) Mitch McConnell (R) Kevin McCarthy (R) Steny Hoyer (D) Dick Durbin (D) Jon Kyl (R) Rank-and-File Senators Rank-and-File Representatives
House Steny Hoyer (D) Persuade Members to vote on party lines Ensure bills have enough support to pass whip up support for party
The Legislative Branch Section 5: The Committee System
Committee System Questions 1. What is the purpose of the committees? 2. What is a standing committee? A subcommittee? A select committee? A joint committee? A conference committee? 3. Members of Congress who have served the longest often head key committees and have an important voice in passing legislation. Do you think this seniority system helps Congress to operate more effectively? EXPLAIN!
The Committee System Congress in the Committee is Congress at work -Woodrow Wilson
Purpose of Committees Committees ease Congressional workload by dividing work among small groups.
Purpose of Committees Committees allow members to discuss and select the most important bills Congress will consider.
Kinds of Committees Standing committees deal with certain issues continuing from one Congress to the next. Judiciary Committee
Kinds of Committees Subcommittees handle special subcategories of standing committees work, and also continue from one Congress to the next. Social Security
Kinds of Committees Select committees are special committees created in both houses of Congress for one term to study a specific topic. 9/11 Commission
Kinds of Committees Joint Committees members from both Houses. Taxation Conference Committees temporary committees set up to resolve differences in the House and Senate version of a bill.
Choosing Members Assigning members to various committees is a key decision in the organization of Congress.
Choosing Members Membership on certain committees 1. Helps members build reputations and increase their chances for reelection. 2. Gives members a chance to influence important national legislation. 3. Enables members to influence other members since those committees deal with issues that are important to all members.
Choosing Members In both houses, parties assign members to the standing committees Party leaders and chairpersons of the standing committees are the most important members of Congress.
Choosing Members Standing committee chairpersons make key decisions about the work of their committees, though their power has decreased.
Discussion Question Members of Congress who have served the longest often head key committees and have an important voice in passing legislation. Do you think this seniority system helps Congress to operate more effectively? EXPLAIN!