Congressional Structure and Function

Congressional Structure and Function

• Senate: Each state has 2 senators, serving 6-year terms.
• House of Representatives: Members are apportioned by population, serving 2-year terms. Currently, there are 435 members.
• Bicameral Legislature: The US Congress is a bicameral legislature, consisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives.

Leadership and Committees

• House Leadership: Speaker of the House, Majority Leader (second in authority).
• Senate Leadership: Vice President (presiding officer), President pro tempore (selected by the majority party to preside in the Vice President's absence). Majority Leader presides over the House and smooths passage of majority-backed bills.
• Party Caucus: Members of a given party gather to select party leadership at the start of each term.
• Conference Committee: Reconciles differences in bills passed by the House and Senate.
• Special/Select Committees: Temporary committees for specific purposes.
• Whips: Count votes and ensure party discipline; keep close contact with members, count votes and preparing summaries for bills, act as a communication link within their party.
• Congressional Research Service: Provides nonpartisan summaries of bills to track progress.

Congressional Processes and Powers

• Apportionment: States are awarded congressional seats based on population.
• Bills becoming Law: A pocket veto can happen or a bill can be reintroduced during the next session.
• Appropriations: Congress grants federal funds to agencies and programs.
• Impeachment: A simple majority in the House leads to impeachment charges, but the Senate trial requires two-thirds majority to remove an official. Andrew Johnson and Bill Clinton were impeached but not removed.
• Discharge Petition: A way to force a House bill out of committee for a vote.
• Filibuster: A tactic to delay or block a vote on a bill; cloture (60 senators' approval) can end one.
• Reconciliation: Procedure limiting budget debate to 20 hours to curb filibusters.
• Logrolling: Members agree to support each other's bills in exchange for mutual support.
• Constituent Casework: Assistance to a constituent in obtaining a social security check is an example.
• Pork: Directing federal funds to a specific district may aid the district of a member of Congress.
• Delegate Model: An elected official who votes how constituents want.
• Trustee Model: Legislators are entrusted to use their judgment on behalf of constituents.
• Incumbency Advantage: Incumbents have a significant advantage in reelection.
• Committee Influence: Staff members can influence a member of Congress to vote on a bill affecting their district.
• Bill Path Examples: Describe the path a bill would follow in either the House or Senate.
• Hold: A senator notifies leadership that they want to be consulted before further action on a bill or an appointment.

Congressional Voting Behavior

• Party Unity: A significant measure of partisan cohesion and discipline (e.g., Republicans meeting to select leaders and objectives).

Approval Ratings

• Congressional Approval: Fluctuates based on public perception of effectiveness and partisan gridlock.

This quiz covers the essential components of the U.S. Congress, detailing the structure and functions of both the Senate and the House of Representatives. Learn about terms, leadership roles, and the importance of committees in legislative processes. Test your understanding of how the bicameral legislature operates and its key players.