Class Notes - How Congress is Organized
1. Overview of Congress
Purpose of Congress:
o Congress is the legislative branch of the U.S. federal government and
is responsible for making laws.
o Established by Article I of the Constitution to serve as the voice of
the American people in the federal government.
o Congress helps balance power by providing a check on the executive
and judicial branches.
Bicameral Structure:
o Bicameral means that Congress has two chambers: the House of
Representatives and the Senate.
o This division is designed to balance the interests of both larger and
smaller states and to provide different perspectives in lawmaking.
2. The House of Representatives
Structure and Membership:
o Composed of 435 members who are elected based on the population
of each state.
o Each representative serves a 2-year term, so the entire House can
change with each election cycle, ensuring it remains closely connected
to the people’s will.
Key Responsibilities:
o Introduces and votes on laws (also called bills).
o Initiates revenue bills (bills related to taxation and spending), a
power exclusive to the House.
o Has the power to impeach federal officials (begin the process of
removal from office).
Leadership Roles:
o Speaker of the House:
Elected by House members and usually from the majority party.
Serves as the highest-ranking officer in the House.
Responsibilities include presiding over sessions, setting
legislative agendas, managing House proceedings, and
representing the majority party’s interests.
o Majority Leader and Minority Leader:
The Majority Leader represents the party with the most seats in
the House and helps guide the party’s legislative agenda.
The Minority Leader represents the party with fewer seats and
serves as the spokesperson for the opposition.
o Whips:
Each party has whips who assist the leaders by ensuring
members are present for votes and follow party guidelines.
Whips help maintain party discipline and coordinate the party’s
legislative strategies.
3. The Senate
Structure and Membership:
o Composed of 100 members, with each state represented by two
senators, regardless of its population.
o Senators serve 6-year terms with elections staggered every two
years, providing continuity and stability.
Key Responsibilities:
o The Senate shares legislative responsibilities with the House but has
unique powers, such as:
Approving treaties made by the President (requires a two-
thirds vote).
Confirming presidential appointments (e.g., federal judges,
cabinet members).
Serving as the jury in impeachment trials (after the House has
initiated the process).
Leadership Roles:
o Vice President of the United States:
Serves as the President of the Senate but only votes in case of a
tie.
Does not actively participate in daily Senate activities.
o President Pro Tempore:
Usually the longest-serving senator from the majority party.
Presides over the Senate when the Vice President is absent.
o Majority Leader and Minority Leader:
The Majority Leader has significant influence over the Senate
agenda, determining which bills are discussed and voted on.
The Minority Leader represents the opposition and helps
organize the response to the majority party’s agenda.
o Whips:
Similar to the House, Senate whips assist with organizing votes
and maintaining party discipline.
4. Committees in Congress
Purpose of Committees:
o Committees divide Congress's workload, allowing members to focus on
specific areas of policy, such as education, defense, or finance.
o Each committee reviews and refines proposed bills, holds hearings, and
conducts investigations.
o Committees make the legislative process more efficient by allowing
specialized examination of complex issues.
Types of Committees:
o Standing Committees:
Permanent committees that focus on specific policy areas (e.g.,
Education, Armed Services).
Each chamber has its own standing committees.
Example: The House Armed Services Committee deals with
defense-related legislation.
o Select Committees:
Temporary committees created for specific purposes, often to
conduct investigations or address particular issues.
Disbanded after completing their tasks.
Example: A select committee might investigate a national
security incident.
o Joint Committees:
Committees with members from both the House and Senate.
Typically address issues that affect both chambers (e.g., Joint
Committee on Taxation).
o Conference Committees:
Temporary committees formed to reconcile differences in House
and Senate versions of a bill.
Members from both chambers work together to create a unified
version of the bill for final approval.
5. Congressional Sessions and the Legislative Process
Congressional Sessions:
o Congress operates in two-year periods, each referred to as a Congress
(e.g., the 118th Congress).
o Each Congress is divided into two sessions, with the first beginning in
January of an odd-numbered year.
o During sessions, members debate, amend, and vote on proposed laws.
How a Bill Becomes a Law:
o Introduction: A member of Congress introduces a bill.
o Committee Review: The bill is sent to a relevant committee for
analysis, possible amendment, and vote.
o Floor Debate: If it passes in committee, it goes to the House or
Senate floor for debate and voting.
o Other Chamber: If it passes in one chamber, it moves to the other
chamber to repeat the process.
o Conference Committee: If the House and Senate pass different
versions, a conference committee reconciles them.
o Presidential Approval: If both chambers approve the final version, it
goes to the President to sign into law or veto.
Summary
1. Congress is divided into two chambers: the House of Representatives and the
Senate.
2. The House of Representatives has 435 members based on state population,
and members serve 2-year terms. Its leader is the Speaker of the House.
3. The Senate has 100 members, with each state represented by two senators
serving 6-year terms. The Vice President is the Senate's President but only
votes to break ties.
4. Both chambers have standing, select, joint, and conference committees to
handle specific policy areas and make the legislative process more efficient.
5. Congress operates in sessions, and bills must go through a multi-step
legislative process before becoming law.
