3.4 CONGRESSIONAL

ORGANIZATION

1

B.2 ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS

1. Evaluate the legislative process and the various influences/interests involved.

2. Describe the organizational structure and leadership of the legislative branch.

COMMITTEESWhile watching Crash Course, “Congressional Committee,” answer the questions.

COMMITTEES Groups of Senators/Representatives meet to:

Hold hearings Discuss/debate bills Make changes to bills (amendments, riders)

IMPORTANT COMMITTEES

Party that controls that house, controls EVERY committee!

Important ones:

Rules

Ways & Means

Judiciary

Defense

Education

* Committee Chairmen can “control” which bills make it to a vote or not

LEADERSHIP &

ORGANIZATION

# 5 Congress Assembles Every year (20th Amendment: Section 2) January 3rd

LEADERSHIP &

ORGANIZATION

The House gets organized Formal meetings at the beginning of each term Determine committee membership and standing officers

The Senate Less to organize It is a continuous body has fewer organizational issues to

address at the start of each term

#6. Think about it: Why is the HOUSE more difficult to organized than the Senate?

LEADERSHIP &

ORGANIZATION

#7: Once Congress is assembled and organized, WHAT HAPPENS NEXT????

The President presents a State of the Union: an update on the union and goals and policies he wants to see Congress pass in the next year

LEADERSHIP &

ORGANIZATION

While watching Crash Course, “Congressional Leadership,” answer the questions.

LEADERSHIP &

ORGANIZATION

House of Representatives #3 Speaker of the House: Paul Ryan (R)

NOW: Nancy Pelosi (D) H-Majority Leader: Kevin McCarthy (R)

NOW: Steny Hoyer (D) H-Majority Whip: Steve Scalise (R)

NOW: Jim Clyburn (D) H-Minority Leader: Nancy Pelosi (D)

NOW: Kevin McCarthy (R) H-Minority Whip: Steny Hoyer (D)

NOW: Steve Scalise (R)

LEADERSHIP &

ORGANIZATION

Senate #2 Vice-President: Mike Pence (R) President Pro-Tempore: Orrin Hatch

(R) now Chuck Grassley (R) S-Majority Whip: John Cornyn (R)

now John Thune (R) S-Majority Leader: Mitch McConnell

(R) S-Minority Leader: Charles Schumer

(D) S-Minority Whip: Dick Durbin (D)

LEADERSHIP &

ORGANIZATION

Sum it up: Who represents YOU!

IL Representatives 11th District: Bill Foster (D) 14th District: Randy Hultgren(R)

Lauren Underwood (D) Illinois Congressional Senators: Dick Durbin (D) Tammy Duckworth (D)

LEADERSHIP &

ORGANIZATION

IL Representatives 11th District: Bill Foster

(D)

LEADERSHIP &

ORGANIZATION

IL Representatives 14th District: Lauren

Underwood (D)

LEADERSHIP &

ORGANIZATION

IL Senators1. Senior: Dick Durbin (D)2. Junior: Tammy Duckworth (D)