Name_____________________________
Period______
Date__________
Mr. Mitchell
(Chapter 12, Section 1)
I.
Congress Convenes:
A.
Congress begins a new term every 2 years (Jan. 3 rd of every odd numbered year).
B.
Opening Day in the House:
1.
435 Members of the H.R. (2 year terms).
2.
Members choose the Speaker of the House (usually majority party).
3.
Next, elect various officers: clerk, parliamentarian, sergeant at arms, etc.
C.
Opening Day in the Senate:
1.
100 Members of the Senate (staggered 6 year terms).
2.
Continuous body because only 1/3 members replaced each term.
3.
No large organizational problems at the start of the term.
D.
State of the Union Message:
1.
Once organized, Congress informs the President they are ready for a joint session for State of the Union address.
II.
Presiding Officers:
A.
Speaker of the House:
1.
Chosen by the House of Representatives as presiding officer and acknowledged majority leader.
2.
Preside and Keep Order: a.
To speak, the Speaker must recognize. b.
Interpret and apply rules. c.
Names committee members. d.
Must sign all bills and resolutions. e.
Must vote to break a tie (but can vote other times). f.
Speaker is 3 rd in line of presidential succession.
B.
President of the Senate:
1.
Vice President is President of the Senate (even if from minority party).
2.
Plays a much less powerful role than the Speaker of the House.
3.
Cannot take the floor to speak/debate and only votes to break a tie.
4.
President Pro Tempore (president pro tem): a.
Actual presiding officer of the Senate (in V.P.’s absence). b.
Elected by majority party. c.
Usually its longest serving member. d.
4 th in line of presidential succession.

Name_____________________________
Period______
Date__________
Mr. Mitchell
III.
Party Officers:
A.
Party Caucus:
1.
Closed meeting of the members of each party in the house
2.
Mostly selects floor leaders and committee members.
B.
Floor Leaders:
1.
Majority and Minority floor leaders are the most important officers in
Congress after the Speaker.
2.
Legislative strategists.
3.
Majority floor leader controls the order of business on the floor of his/her chamber.
4.
Whips assist floor leaders by determining party support for bills and pushing for votes on important bills.
IV.
Committee Chairman:
A.
Members who head standing committees in each chamber.
B.
Chosen from the majority party from the party caucus.
C.
Seniority Rule:
1.
Unwritten custom that the most important posts be held by the longest serving members.
2.
Applied most strictly to the choice of committee chairmen.
D.
Criticism of the Seniority Rule:
1.
Ignores ability.
2.
Works to discourage younger members.
3.
Means committee heads often come from “safe” constituencies and may be out of touch with current public opinion.
4.
Steps recently taken to diminish the power of the Seniority Rule.