Transcript Committees
Committees …… and Congress at Work Congress Convenes • January 3rd, at noon. (Odd # years). • House of Representatives: – A clerk calls to order and checks for newly elected Representatives. Are they there? – Members to be: Choose the Speaker of the House. S/he will take an oath of office and then swear in the rest of the members…. What else happens on Opening Day? • The House elects….. – A clerk – A Sergeant at Arms – Doorkeeper – Post Master – Chaplain • Adopt rules and organize the Committees? So, we know about the House… now what about the Senate?!? • Not as extensive as the House. – Why? They are a continuous body. • Only 1/3rd new/re-elected members each term. • New or re-elected members are just sworn in • Vacancies are filled Presidential: State of the Union Message • Mr. P outlines the administration’s plans and policies. – May make a few suggestions and recommendations on legislation. • Why does he do this? Because it’s in the Constitution! Mandated Speech in Article 2, Section 3. Speaker of the House • Nancy Pelosi • Has 2 duties: – Keeps Order – Presides over all sessions. • Allowed to vote and debate on any matter…. – Rarely do… except when there’s a tie… then they are required to. • The most influential person in the House. Pelosi in Action… • Nancy Pelosi and the Health Bill… President of the Senate • Mr. VP Joe Biden – In the Constitution that the President of the Senate is the VP of the United States. • Votes in case of a tie. • Recognize members. • If absent-President Pro Tempore presides over the Senate…. (they are voted on by the Senate and a member of the Majority Party). Biden in Action… (not sure what though…) Floor Leaders..... • In the House and Senate have a majority and a minority floor leader… and their chosen by party colleagues. – Whips???? Assistant floor leaders. Make sure party members are voting the way they are supposed to be… “Whip” into good, obeying party members • The Party Caucus: Closed meetings of each party in each house… they deal with: – Party organization – Selection of Floor Leaders – Committee Membership Committee Chairpersons • Decide….. – When their committees will meet – Which bills they will consider – Whether or not to hold public hearings – What witnesses to call upon Seniority Rules • Unwritten rule or “custom” • Most important posts are awarded according to terms of service…. – Are you serious?!? Seniority Rule • Criticisms…. – Ignores Ability. – Discourages young members. – Encourages constant re-election of “stale” members. • Defenders… – Ensures experience in key posts. – Minimizes conflict within the party. Standing Committees • The permanent groups to which all similar bills are sent. • House has 19 standing committees; Senate has 17 standing committees. – House members can only serve on one. – Senate members can serve on two. • Speaker of the House and President of the Senate decide where to assign a bill. Which appropriate committee? – Example: For any taxes Ways and Means House Rules Committee • Police Authority of the House of Representatives. • Manages the flow of bills for the full house by scheduling their consideration. • In the Senate… Majority House Leader takes on this role. Select Committees • Special groups… set up for specific purposes… for a limited period of time. • Members appointed by Speaker of the House or President of the Senate. • Usually chosen to conduct special investigations. – Example: Senate Watergate Committee 1973. – What was that guys name again? Which President? » O that’s right…. Nixon! Joint Committees • Members of Both Houses make these committees up. – Judiciary, Budget, Small Business, Veteran’s affairs. • Typically permanent groups that serve on a regular basis. Conference Committees • A bill has to be passed in identical form by both the Senate and the House….before it can go to the President. • A bill can pass in different forms during the first phase. – Conference committees are created to iron out the differences on the bills. – Compromise bill is created. How a Bill Becomes a Law… Bill Simulation Activity Bill Simulation Steps • Assign Roles – 4 total committees • 2 for House • 2 for Senate – Two readers (1 for bill one, 1 for bill two.) – Speakers for bill one—3 – Speakers for bill two—3 Simulation Continued • Bill is read to class • Split into four groups – Talk about the bills for 2-5 minutes. • Conduct hearings – Speakers testify about the bill. – Committee members ask one question of each speaker. – Vote on whether or note to proceed with the bill. • Mark up time. – Meet for 5 minutes to revise the bills to your liking. Simulation Continued • Reconvene – All house members come together – All Senate members come together. – Each side introduces their versions. • Floor consideration (yay/nay) – If bill doesn’t pass… it dies. – If it does pass… on to the Conference Committee we go. • Conference Committee – Nominate/vote on members (two from each group). – Work out the differences on the passed bills. Simulation steps continued • Vote again – Conference Committee has one bill. – If it passes, it goes to the President who can: • • • • Veto Pass Pocket Veto Ignore it 10 days, and it automatically passes. How a Bill becomes a Law…(House style) • 1st reading • Goes to a committee and then a subcommittee. • Reviewed • Back to full committee – – – – – Report favorably Amend it Unfavorably Totally redo it Pigeonhole (refuse to report it) • Placed on the calendar for floor debate House… passing a bill • Read a second time • Floor debate…. With a very strict time limit. • Voting – – – – Voice vote Standing vote 1/5 quorum asks for a teller vote Role-call vote • Read a 3rd time and signed by Speaker • Sent to Senate President A Bill in the Senate… • Bill read • Given title • Referred to a Committee. – Called to floor by Majority Leader • Floor Debate…. Unlimited – Filibuster… only in the Senate – Cloture Rule…. Take 4/5 to end a filibuster • Conference Committee: smoothes out differences between the House and the Senate • Goes to Mr. P