Transcript Unit Four – Lesson 22

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Functions of Congress
 Committees
o Jurisdiction over particular subjects, appoints subcommittees
o Appointments to committee extremely important
o Careful deliberate work of Congress
o Work on proposed legislation, in detail
 Rules
o Size of committees
o Jurisdiction of committees, kinds of bills
o Limit number of committees each member can serve on, seniority
o Form and structure of debates in committee and on floor
• House – debate must be germaine
• Filibuster – Senate only, debate is unlimited
- Cloture can end a filibuster (60% vote)
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Committee Assignments:
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Hearings:
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Deliberations:
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Report: A written report is given to members of the house on a bill to be considered.
Floor Vote: Bill is placed on the calendar for debate and vote in the full house.
Referral to the other chamber: When a bill passes in one house, it then goes to the
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Subcommittees give bills rigorous scrutiny. Many
compromises made for bill to get a hearing.
Public hearings are scheduled to gather information. Experts are called in the
give testimony.
“Mark Up Sessions” called to make changes (needed & political). Full
committee then decides if the bill will pass up to the full house.
other house where the entire process is repeated. It must pass in exact for or go to a
conference committee.
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Conference Committee:
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Referral to the president:
Members from both houses that worked on the bill will meet
to reach a compromise. If they can reach an agreement, the bill is sent back to both houses
for an up or down vote
and signing the bill.
The president has 3 options with a bill. Veto, Pocket veto,
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The Executive Branch:
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Constituents:
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Interest Groups:
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Lobbyists:
Article II, Section 3: State of the Union &
recommendations for legislation. Executive agencies suggest bills that will help them
carry out their functions
Those members represent call, email, write letters, etc with concerns
and/or ideas for government action
Groups seek to get legislation passed that will support their
specific agenda. They hire LOBBYISTS to influence legislators
Paid to influence legislation for their clients
o Well Informed – Much of the information legislatures use in researching bills comes from
lobbyists. They must be accurate or legislators will not continue to meet with them
o Knowledgeable – Need to know their own issue and also the legislative process. They
need to be able to work with the key players/committees
o Organized: Must be able to explain their issue to legislators and clients. They must be able
to communicate with others to keep their issue in the spotlight
o Cooperative: Must be able to build coalitions with others to create workable majorities
Bill
making it illegal to charge passengers to
check their first bag on the airplane + one
carry-on without fee
(Senator Mary Landrieu – D – Louisiana)
o Assign to a committee
o Hearings: Who would we call to give testimony?
o Deliberations:
o Report to whole committee?
o Report to whole house?
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Be it enacted that to encourage students to perform better in school, students will be paid for the
final grade they earn
Section One: The final grade a student earns in a trimester or semester course will receive the
following amount:
A = $25
A- = $20
B+ = $15
B = $10
B- = $5
Section Two: The money earned will be placed into a student account. The student can use that
money for any school related expense. These expenses may include but not be limited to: ASB
card, sports, dances, senior pictures, senior cap and gown, class fees, yearbook.
Section Three: Any money left over can be applied to that student’s tuition to college or technical
college.
Section Four: Any money not spent within a year of graduation will return to the fund for this
program.
Section Five: The cost will vary in each district. Each school will look at average grading over the
past three years to estimate the cost for their school. That figure will be added to the maintenance
levy proposed the next election cycle
Section Six: This law will take effect after the passage of the next levy. If the levy does not pass, the
school is exempt from this law.
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Making College More Affordable
Raising the Minimum Wage Nation Wide
Tax Payer Funded Child Care (0-5 yrs old)
Raising MPG Standards in Cars/Trucks
Gay Marriage – Nation Wide
Tax Cuts & Spending Cuts
Tax Raises & Spending Raises
Other (your idea – with teacher approval)
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Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry
Senate Committee on Appropriations
Senate Committee on Armed Services
Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs
Senate Committee on the Budget
Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation
Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources
Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works
Senate Committee on Finance
Senate Committee on Foreign Relations
Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs
Senate Committee on Indian Affairs
Senate Committee on the Judiciary
Senate Committee on Rules and Administration
Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship
Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs
Senate Select Committee on Ethics
Senate Select Committee on Intelligence
Senate Special Committee on Aging
United States Senate Caucus on International Narcotics Control
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Fact Finding
Discovering or Influencing public opinions
Overseeing administrative agencies
Probing into questionable activities of public officials
Securing partisan political gain
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The power to investigate began being used in the 20 th century
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o Kennedy Assassination, Watergate, Challenger explosion, Whitewater
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If they find sufficient evidence, Congress can move for IMPEACHMENT.
o Only 17 federal officials have been charged with impeachment
• 2 presidents – both acquitted (A Johnson, B Clinton)
• 13 Federal judges – 7 found guilty
o The threat of impeachment very powerful
• SC Justice Abe Fortas, President Richard Nixon both resigned when it looked as if
they would be impeached