Congress Organizes Chapter 12 Section 1. Congress Convenes Opening Day in the House Opening Day in the House On opening day a new term, a clerk calls

Congress OrganizesCongress Organizes

Chapter 12Chapter 12

Section 1Section 1

Congress ConvenesCongress Convenes

Opening Day in the HouseOpening Day in the House On opening day a new term, a clerk calls On opening day a new term, a clerk calls

the chamber to order and checks the role the chamber to order and checks the role of newly elected representatives.of newly elected representatives.

The members-to-be choose a Speaker, The members-to-be choose a Speaker, who takes the oath of office and swears in who takes the oath of office and swears in the rest of the members.the rest of the members.

The House elects a clerk, sergeant at The House elects a clerk, sergeant at arms, doorkeeper, postmaster, and arms, doorkeeper, postmaster, and chaplain, and then adopts rules and chaplain, and then adopts rules and organizes committees.organizes committees.

Test QuestionTest Question

On the first day of each new term, On the first day of each new term, the Housethe House

a. has a short, routine day.a. has a short, routine day.

b. has few members to swear in.b. has few members to swear in.

c. elects a Speaker to preside.c. elects a Speaker to preside.

d. writes new rules of procedure. d. writes new rules of procedure.

Opening Day in the Senate-As a Opening Day in the Senate-As a continuous body with only one-third new continuous body with only one-third new membership each term, the Senate does membership each term, the Senate does not undertake extensive organizing. not undertake extensive organizing. Instead, newly elected and reelected Instead, newly elected and reelected members are sworn in and vacancies members are sworn in and vacancies specific legislative.specific legislative.

The President’s State of the Union The President’s State of the Union Message-In this constitutional mandated Message-In this constitutional mandated speech, the President reports on the state speech, the President reports on the state of the nation, outlines the shape of the of the nation, outlines the shape of the administration’s policies and plans, and administration’s policies and plans, and also may recommend specific legislative also may recommend specific legislative actions.actions.

The Presiding OfficersThe Presiding Officers

The Speaker of the House is the most The Speaker of the House is the most influential member of the House of influential member of the House of Representatives and has two duties: to Representatives and has two duties: to preside over all sessions and to keep order.preside over all sessions and to keep order.

The speaker is allowed to debate and vote The speaker is allowed to debate and vote on any matter.on any matter.

If he of she chooses to vote, a Speaker If he of she chooses to vote, a Speaker pro pro temporetempore must be appointed temporarily. must be appointed temporarily.

The Speaker rarely votes except to cause or The Speaker rarely votes except to cause or break a tie. In case of a tie the Speaker is break a tie. In case of a tie the Speaker is requiredrequired to vote. to vote.

According to the Constitution, the According to the Constitution, the president of the Senate is the Vice president of the Senate is the Vice President of the United States.President of the United States.

The president of the Senate The president of the Senate recognizes members; puts question recognizes members; puts question to a vote, and so on, but may not to a vote, and so on, but may not vote vote exceptexcept to break a tie. to break a tie.

In the Vice President’s absence, a In the Vice President’s absence, a president president pro temporepro tempore, who is elected , who is elected by the Senate and is a member of the by the Senate and is a member of the majority party, presides.majority party, presides.


The president of the SenateThe president of the Senatea. is elected by the Senate and is the a. is elected by the Senate and is the

leader of its majority party.leader of its majority party.b. is replaced, when absent, by the b. is replaced, when absent, by the

president president pro tempore.pro tempore.c. serves in place of the Vice President c. serves in place of the Vice President

of the United States.of the United States.d. debates and votes on all measures d. debates and votes on all measures

in the chamber. in the chamber.

Floor Leaders and Other Floor Leaders and Other Party OfficersParty Officers

The Floor LeadersThe Floor Leaders The floor leaders in both the House and The floor leaders in both the House and

the Senate consist of a majority and a the Senate consist of a majority and a minority floor leader, chosen by the party minority floor leader, chosen by the party colleagues.colleagues.

The assistants of the floor leaders are The assistants of the floor leaders are called “whips.”called “whips.”

The Party Caucus-These are closed The Party Caucus-These are closed meetings of each party in each house and meetings of each party in each house and deal with party organization, selection of deal with party organization, selection of floor leaders, and committee membership.floor leaders, and committee membership.


When the Senate’s Republican caucus When the Senate’s Republican caucus wants party members to vote for a wants party members to vote for a bill, the person that determines how bill, the person that determines how many votes can be counted on is many votes can be counted on is the ?the ?

a.a. senior senator.senior senator.

b.b. policy-committee chairpersonpolicy-committee chairperson

c.c. floor leader.floor leader.

d.d. whip.whip.

Committee ChairpersonsCommittee Chairpersons

The committee chairpersons decide The committee chairpersons decide when their committees will meet, when their committees will meet, which bills they will consider, which bills they will consider, whether they will hold public whether they will hold public hearings, and what witnesses to call.hearings, and what witnesses to call.


Committee chairpersons may do all of Committee chairpersons may do all of the following EXCEPTthe following EXCEPT

a. choose all members of their a. choose all members of their committees.committees.

b. decide whether or not to hold public b. decide whether or not to hold public hearings.hearings.

c. manage the debate on bills approved c. manage the debate on bills approved by their committees.by their committees.

d. determine when their committee will d. determine when their committee will meet.meet.

Seniority RuleSeniority Rule

By unwritten custom, most important posts By unwritten custom, most important posts are awarded according to length of service are awarded according to length of service (based on seniority).(based on seniority).

Criticism of the Seniority Rule-Critics of the Criticism of the Seniority Rule-Critics of the seniority rule maintain that the rule ignores seniority rule maintain that the rule ignores ability, discourages young members, and ability, discourages young members, and encourages constant reelection of “stale” encourages constant reelection of “stale” members; defenders say that the rule members; defenders say that the rule ensures experience in the key posts and ensures experience in the key posts and minimizes conflict within the party. minimizes conflict within the party.

Committees in Committees in CongressCongress

Chapter 12 Chapter 12

Section 2Section 2


The main reason the Congress The main reason the Congress creates committees is to?creates committees is to?

a. a. divide the workload.divide the workload.

b.b. educate new members. educate new members.

c. c. introduce new bills.introduce new bills.

d. d. create party power bases.create party power bases.

Standing CommitteesStanding Committees

Standing committees are permanent Standing committees are permanent groups to which all similar bills are sent.groups to which all similar bills are sent.

Today there are 20 standing committees Today there are 20 standing committees in the House and 17 in the Senate.in the House and 17 in the Senate.

The Speaker of the House or the The Speaker of the House or the president of the Senate is responsible president of the Senate is responsible for assigning bills to the appropriate for assigning bills to the appropriate standing committees.standing committees.


The standing committees to which The standing committees to which House bills are first sent may notHouse bills are first sent may not

a. a. refer bills to subcommittees.refer bills to subcommittees.

b.b. amend or rewrite bills. amend or rewrite bills.

c. c. schedule bills for debate.schedule bills for debate.

d. d. refuse to report out bills.refuse to report out bills.

The House Rules The House Rules CommitteeCommittee

This committee manages the flow of bills This committee manages the flow of bills for action by the full House by scheduling for action by the full House by scheduling their consideration.their consideration.

How and when bills reach the floor is up to How and when bills reach the floor is up to this committee.this committee.

Because the Senate has less formal Because the Senate has less formal organization, the majority floor leader organization, the majority floor leader controls the appearance of bills on the controls the appearance of bills on the floor.floor.


The House Rules Committee may do The House Rules Committee may do all of the following EXCEPTall of the following EXCEPT

a. set conditions for considering a bill.a. set conditions for considering a bill.

b. speed up consideration of a bill.b. speed up consideration of a bill.

c. prevent consideration of a bill.c. prevent consideration of a bill.

d. attach amendments to a bill.d. attach amendments to a bill.

Select CommitteesSelect Committees

Select committees are special groups set Select committees are special groups set up for specific purposes and for a limited up for specific purposes and for a limited period whose members are appointed by period whose members are appointed by the Speaker or the president of the the Speaker or the president of the Senate.Senate.

Occasionally, a select committee conducts Occasionally, a select committee conducts especially important investigations, for especially important investigations, for example, the Senate Watergate example, the Senate Watergate Committee of 1973.Committee of 1973.

Most select committees Most select committees conduct investigations.conduct investigations. have a specific purpose.have a specific purpose. try to bring public attention try to bring public attention

to the matter.to the matter.

Joint and Conference Joint and Conference CommitteesCommittees

A joint committee is one composed of A joint committee is one composed of members from both houses and is organized to members from both houses and is organized to deal with issues of common concern; some are deal with issues of common concern; some are permanent, such as the Joint Committee on the permanent, such as the Joint Committee on the Library of Congress, others are temporary.Library of Congress, others are temporary.

Conference committees are temporary Conference committees are temporary committees, organized to resolve differences in committees, organized to resolve differences in similar bills passed in both houses and to similar bills passed in both houses and to produce a compromise bill acceptable to both produce a compromise bill acceptable to both houses. They act as a “third house of houses. They act as a “third house of Congress”.Congress”.


Conference committees act as a Conference committees act as a “third house of Congress” when they“third house of Congress” when they

a. use investigative powers similar to a. use investigative powers similar to those of the House and Senate.those of the House and Senate.

b. screen, debate, and vote on bills.b. screen, debate, and vote on bills.

c. appoint presiding officers.c. appoint presiding officers.

d. produce a new bill that replaces d. produce a new bill that replaces differing House and Senate versions. differing House and Senate versions.


Either house of Congress may Either house of Congress may respond to charges of price-gouging respond to charges of price-gouging in the cable TV industry by using in the cable TV industry by using its?its?

a. a. investigative power.investigative power.

b.b. lawmaking power. lawmaking power.

c. c. judicial powers.judicial powers.

d. d. oversight power.oversight power.

How a Bill becomes a How a Bill becomes a LawLaw

The HouseThe House

Chapter 12 Section 3Chapter 12 Section 3

Creating and Introducing Creating and Introducing BillsBills

Most bills do not originate with members Most bills do not originate with members of Congress but in the executive branch, of Congress but in the executive branch, in special interest groups, or with private in special interest groups, or with private citizen.citizen.

All revenue-raising bills begin in the All revenue-raising bills begin in the House; all other bills may be introduced House; all other bills may be introduced in either chamber.in either chamber.

In the overall process of lawmaking, In the overall process of lawmaking, congress does congress does NOT NOT create any bills. create any bills.


In the overall process of lawmaking, In the overall process of lawmaking, congress does NOTcongress does NOT

a. create any bills.a. create any bills.

b. introduce many bills.b. introduce many bills.

c. c. vote on tax bills.vote on tax bills.

d. d. participate in conference participate in conference committees.committees.

Types of Bills and Types of Bills and ResolutionsResolutions

Bills-These are proposed laws presented to Bills-These are proposed laws presented to Congress. Public bills apply to the entire Congress. Public bills apply to the entire nation; private bills pertain to certain nation; private bills pertain to certain persons or places.persons or places.

Joint Resolutions-These deal with temporary Joint Resolutions-These deal with temporary or unusual matters, have the force of law, or unusual matters, have the force of law, must be passed by both houses, and must must be passed by both houses, and must be signed by the president.be signed by the president.

Ie. constitutional amendment pg. 335Ie. constitutional amendment pg. 335


To propose a constitutional To propose a constitutional amendment, Congress usesamendment, Congress uses

a. a. a public bill.a public bill.

b.b. a joint resolution. a joint resolution.

c. c. a concurrent resolution.a concurrent resolution.

d. d. a resolution.a resolution.

Concurrent Resolutions-These deal Concurrent Resolutions-These deal with common concerns of both with common concerns of both houses, do not have the force of houses, do not have the force of law, and do not require the law, and do not require the President’s signature.President’s signature.

Resolutions-These deal with matters Resolutions-These deal with matters concerning either house alone; they concerning either house alone; they usually are concerned with house usually are concerned with house rules and do not require the rules and do not require the President’s signature.President’s signature.

The First ReadingThe First Reading

The first reading of a bill consists of The first reading of a bill consists of the assignment of a house number, a the assignment of a house number, a short title, and entry into the House short title, and entry into the House JournalJournal and the and the Congressional RecordCongressional Record for the day.for the day.

The Speaker then refers the bill to the The Speaker then refers the bill to the appropriate standing committee for appropriate standing committee for consideration.consideration.


When a bill is introduced in the When a bill is introduced in the House, it is FIRSTHouse, it is FIRST

a. a. given to the Rules Committee.given to the Rules Committee.

b. read aloud in full.b. read aloud in full.c.c. given a number and a title.given a number and a title. d.d. debated by the full House.debated by the full House.

The Bill in CommitteeThe Bill in Committee

Most committee work is done by Most committee work is done by subcommittees which investigate, debate, subcommittees which investigate, debate, and recommend the fate of particular bill.and recommend the fate of particular bill.

After subcommittees complete their work, After subcommittees complete their work, the measure returns to the full committee.the measure returns to the full committee.

Most bills in the House die in the Most bills in the House die in the committee.committee.

The full committee may report the The full committee may report the bill favorably to the full House.bill favorably to the full House.

The full committee may refuse to The full committee may refuse to report the bill, or pigeonhole.report the bill, or pigeonhole.

The full committee may report an The full committee may report an amended bill.amended bill.

The full committee may report the The full committee may report the bill unfavorably.bill unfavorably.

The full committee may report an The full committee may report an entirely new bill.entirely new bill.

Rules and CalendarsRules and Calendars

Before reaching the floor of the House, a Before reaching the floor of the House, a bill must be placed on one several bill must be placed on one several calendars, or schedules, for deliberation.calendars, or schedules, for deliberation.

(This only happens if reported out of a full (This only happens if reported out of a full committee)committee)

In order to be debated on the floor, each In order to be debated on the floor, each bill must receive a rule, or approval for its bill must receive a rule, or approval for its appearance on the floor (unless the bill is appearance on the floor (unless the bill is privileged of the rules are suspended).privileged of the rules are suspended).


How and when the bills reach the How and when the bills reach the floor of the House is decided by thefloor of the House is decided by the

a. a. Ways and Means Committee.Ways and Means Committee.

b.b. Rules Committee. Rules Committee.

c. c. Appropriations Committee.Appropriations Committee.

d. d. Judiciary Committee.Judiciary Committee.

The Bill on the FloorThe Bill on the Floor

Most important bills are considered Most important bills are considered in the committee of the Wholein the committee of the Whole

Debate-Strict rules limit the length of Debate-Strict rules limit the length of each individual’s debate.each individual’s debate.

Voting-A bill requires formal House vote Voting-A bill requires formal House vote on it and on various amendments that on it and on various amendments that might be attached to it.might be attached to it.

Voice votes are the most common.Voice votes are the most common. A standing vote may be demanded if any A standing vote may be demanded if any

member thinks the Speaker has erred in member thinks the Speaker has erred in judging a voice vote.judging a voice vote.

One-fifth of the quorum may demand a One-fifth of the quorum may demand a teller vote.teller vote.

A roll-call vote may be demanded by A roll-call vote may be demanded by one-fifth of the members.one-fifth of the members.

““teller” votes are not used in the Senate teller” votes are not used in the Senate pg. 340pg. 340

Final StepsFinal Steps

An approved bill is engrossed, read a An approved bill is engrossed, read a third time, voted on again, and third time, voted on again, and signed by the speaker.signed by the speaker.

A signed bill is sent to the president. A signed bill is sent to the president.

The Bill in the SenateThe Bill in the Senate

Chapter 12 Chapter 12

Section 4Section 4

Introducing the Bill in Introducing the Bill in SenateSenate

Bills are introduced by senators, given Bills are introduced by senators, given a number and title, read twice, and a number and title, read twice, and referred to committee.referred to committee.

Senate proceedings are less formal Senate proceedings are less formal than those of the House, have only than those of the House, have only one calendar for bills, and are called one calendar for bills, and are called to the floor by the majority floor to the floor by the majority floor leader.leader.

The Senate’s Rules for The Senate’s Rules for DebateDebate

Floor debate is almost unlimited in Floor debate is almost unlimited in the Senate. (The House has limited).the Senate. (The House has limited).

The Filibuster-The filibuster is a tactic The Filibuster-The filibuster is a tactic used by a minority to “talk a bill to used by a minority to “talk a bill to death” on the Senate floor (prevent death” on the Senate floor (prevent action on a bill).action on a bill).

The Cloture RuleThe Cloture Rule This is the Senate’s check on the This is the Senate’s check on the

filibuster and limits debate, but filibuster and limits debate, but requires a petition signed by at least requires a petition signed by at least 16 senators and approval by at least 16 senators and approval by at least three-fifths of the full Senate.three-fifths of the full Senate.

Many senators hesitate to use the Many senators hesitate to use the cloture rule for fear that it will limit cloture rule for fear that it will limit free debate and it will undermine free debate and it will undermine the effectiveness of the filibuster the effectiveness of the filibuster technique.technique.


The purpose of a filibuster is toThe purpose of a filibuster is to

a. a. invoke the rule of cloture.invoke the rule of cloture.

b.b. prevent quorum calls. prevent quorum calls.

c. c. speed up action on a bill.speed up action on a bill.

d. d. prevent action on a bill.prevent action on a bill.


In the Senate, a filibuster may be In the Senate, a filibuster may be ended with a vote that invokes ended with a vote that invokes

a. a. the rule of cloture.the rule of cloture. b.b. the “two-speech” rule. the “two-speech” rule. c. c. the unanimous consent rule.the unanimous consent rule. d. d. senatorial courtesty.senatorial courtesty.

The Conference The Conference CommitteesCommittees

If House and Senate versions of a bill If House and Senate versions of a bill differ, a joint conference committee is differ, a joint conference committee is appointed to achieve a compromise appointed to achieve a compromise bill acceptable to both houses.bill acceptable to both houses.

Appointees are usually the senior, Appointees are usually the senior, most powerful members of each most powerful members of each committee and the compromise they committee and the compromise they reach are usually acceptable to both reach are usually acceptable to both houses. houses.

The President ActsThe President Acts

A bill passed by both houses goes to A bill passed by both houses goes to the President for his action.the President for his action.

The President may sign the bill, veto The President may sign the bill, veto it, allow the bill to become law by not it, allow the bill to become law by not signing it within ten days of receiving signing it within ten days of receiving it, or pocket veto the bill by not it, or pocket veto the bill by not acting on it before Congress acting on it before Congress adjourns. adjourns.


Which of the following options is Which of the following options is NOT available to a President who NOT available to a President who has just received a bill passed by has just received a bill passed by Congress?Congress?

a. a. sign the bill within 10 dayssign the bill within 10 days b.b. sign the bill after 15 days sign the bill after 15 days c. c. veto the billveto the bill d. d. use a pocket vetouse a pocket veto

Documents

Congress Organizes Chapter 12 Section 1. Congress Convenes Opening Day in the House Opening Day in the House On opening day a new term, a clerk calls