Working in Committee PDF

Working in Committee Seniority Rule: Committee chair positions are often given based on seniority, though other factors also play a role. Bill Process: Bills are assigned to committees, where the chair can either take no action or refer them to subcommittees. The subcommittee...

Working in Committee Seniority Rule: Committee chair positions are often given based on seniority, though other factors also play a role. Bill Process: Bills are assigned to committees, where the chair can either take no action or refer them to subcommittees. The subcommittee process includes: ○ Hearings: Testimonies about the bill. ○ Markup Sessions: Amendments to the bill. ○ Report: The subcommittee votes on whether to return the bill to the full committee, which can further amend it before sending it to the House or Senate. Debate in the House Rules Committee: Determines the priority of bills and whether they are debated under a closed rule (limited debate and amendments) or an open rule (extensive debate and amendments). Speaker of the House: Works closely with the Rules Committee and has significant influence over it. Debate in the House and Senate Power of Recognition: The Speaker and Majority Leader control who may speak on the floor. Debate Time: In the House, debate is limited to one hour, while in the Senate, debate is usually unlimited. Debate in the Senate Filibuster: Senators can speak indefinitely to delay a bill. A vote of cloture (60 votes) is needed to stop a filibuster. Holds: Senators can secretly place holds to signal their intent to filibuster. Voting in Congress Amendments: Often added to bills to gain support or kill the bill, leading to "Christmas Tree Bills" or "pork barrel" spending. Voting Methods: Includes voice vote, standing vote, and roll call vote, with roll call being the most common. Voting "PRESENT" means choosing not to vote on the issue. Conference Committee  Purpose: After the House and Senate pass different versions of the same bill, a conference committee, usually composed of veteran members from both chambers, works out a compromise. Nickname: These committees are sometimes called "the third house of Congress." Process: Once the committee reaches a compromise, the final bill must go back to both the House and Senate for a final vote of approval. The President's Actions Options: When a bill reaches the President, they have three choices: 1. Sign It: The bill becomes law. 2. Veto It: A formal rejection of the bill. 3. Do Nothing: If the President neither signs nor vetoes the bill within ten days, it becomes law. Veto Override: If the President vetoes a bill, Congress can override the veto with a two-thirds majority in both chambers, which is difficult to achieve. Chapter 11, Section 2: Legislators and Their Constituents 1. Getting Elected to Congress: ○ Qualities: Candidates should be charismatic, good public speakers, relatable to their district, and able to raise funds. ○ Expectations: Bring economic benefits to their state/district ("bring home the bacon") and have a genuine desire to serve. 2. Requirements: ○ Formal: Minimum age (25 for the House, 30 for the Senate), residency in their state, and years of U.S. citizenship. ○ Informal: Background in local/state politics, law, business, or education. 3. Representation: ○ Minorities and women have seen increased, but still underrepresented, participation in Congress. 4. Roles of Congress Members: ○ Delegates: Represent the specific wishes of their constituents. ○ Trustees: Make independent decisions they believe are best. 5. Incumbency Advantage: ○ High reelection rates due to name recognition, office resources, and proven track records. Chapter 11, Section 3: The Organization of Congress 1. Structure:  ○ Bicameral system: House of Representatives (more responsive to public opinion) and Senate (stable, elite group). 2. Leadership: ○ House: Speaker (e.g., Mike Johnson), Majority/Minority Leaders, and Whips manage party strategy and debates. ○ Senate: Similar roles, with Vice President as the tiebreaker. 3. Committees: ○ Serve to divide work, filter bills, and study issues through citizen and expert input. ○ Types include Standing, Select, Joint, and Conference Committees. Chapter 11, Section 4: The Work of Congress 1. Powers of Congress: ○ Taxation, borrowing money, regulating commerce, coining money, declaring war, and the elastic clause for implied powers. 2. Checks and Balances: ○ Oversight of the executive branch, confirmation of appointments, impeachment processes, treaty ratification, veto overrides, and constitutional amendments. 3. Taxation and Spending: ○ Tax bills originate in the House; taxes include income and payroll. Congress controls government spending (appropriations). 4. Declaring War: ○ Formal declarations are rare; the President often deploys troops without Congress formally declaring war.