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Date: October 16, 2013

Topic: Party Leadership and Committees in Congress.

Aim: How does party leadership and committees play key roles in the legislative process?

Do Now: HandoutLET’S GET MOVING!

Standing Committees – more or less permanent bodies with specified legislative responsibilities.

Ex: House Committee on Homeland Security/Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.

Select Committees – groups appointed for a limited purpose and usually lasting for only a few congresses.

Joint Committees – those on which both representatives and senators serve.

Conference Committees – a type of joint committee where members of senate and house work to resolve differences in the Senate and House versions of the same bill.

Committees in Congress

Specialization – members of Congress tend to specialize in the work of their individual committees.

Division of labor – members of Congress then spread their knowledge to other members of Congress.

Reciprocity/logrolling – a legislator supports a proposal favored by another in return for support of his or hers.

Party Representation on Committees – the committee will represent the chamber as a whole.

Parties will attempt to push their own agendas and determine leadership on committees.

Elements of the Committee System that Impacts Legislative Process

Scheduling – ex: debates. Agenda Setting. Recognition on the floor. Assignment of members on committees – Ex: Senate – Steering Committee (D), Committee on Committees (R).

House – Steering and Policy Committee (D) and Committee on Committees (R)

HOW DO EACH OF THESE IMPACT THE LEGISLAIVE PROCESS?

Influence of Party Leadership on Legislative Process

1.) Hold Committee Chairs 2.) Controls the Rules Committee (No Rules Committee in

Senate) Rules of the House of Representatives are drafted when the

new “House” convenes. Ensures that rules are being followed. Sets the rules of debate (there are limits in the House unlike

the Senate). Debate time? No debate time at all? Amendments to the bill?

The majority party always holds a 9-4 advantage – “traffic cop” of Congress.

3.) Sets the agenda. 4.) Controls the debate. 5.) Chooses the Speaker of the House. 6.) Holds majority on each committee. 7.) Assigns bills to committees.

Advantages of the Majority Party in the House (above numbers).

Differences Between the House and Senate - Reasons a bill might pass in one chamber but not the other.

Sample Checklist to Test Germaneness Does the amendment deal with a different topic or

subject? Does the amendment unreasonably or unduly expand the

subject of the bill? Would the amendment introduce an independent question? Is the amendment relevant, appropriate, and in a natural

and logical sequence to the subject matter of the original proposal?

Would the amendment change the purpose, scope or object of the original bill?

Would the amendment change one type of motion into another type?

Would the amendment change a private (or local) bill into a general bill?

Would the amendment require a change in the bill title?