The presiding officer of the House of RepresentativesChosen by and from the majority party in the

houseTo preside and keep orderFollows the Vice-President in order of

succession

Vice-President’s only jobPresiding officer of the SenateCannot debate or take the floor to speakMay only vote to break a tie

Serves in the Vice-President’s absenceElected by the SenateLeading member of the majority party

Usually longest serving memberFollows Speaker in line of succession

Closed meeting of each party of each houseMeets before Congress convenesDeal with party organizationsSelect nominations for party leaders

Picked by their party colleaguesLegislative strategistsTry to steer floor action to their party’s favorChief spokesman for his party in his chamberMajority leader is more powerful

Majority Leader of theUnited States SenateDemocratic Leader

Harry Reid

Minority Leader of theUnited States SenateRepublican Leader

Mitch McConnell

Senate Leadership

Assistant to floor leadersChosen by party caucusServes as a liaison – a two way link between

the party’s leadership and its rank and fileWork to count up votes on particular mattersMakes sure members are present for

important votesMajority Whip of the United States House of Representatives

Jim Clyburn

Minority Whip of the United States House of Representatives

Eric Cantor

House of Representatives Leadership

The most important posts are held by those party members with the longest records of service in Congress

Head of particular committees within the Congress

Permanent committeesBoth Senate and House have Standing

CommitteesAgricultureBudgetEducation and the WorkforceFinancial Services

Reference page 181

“Traffic Cop”Bills go through this committee before it goes

to the floor13 members

Special CommitteesFor a specific reason and limited time

Members of both housesEconomicThe LibraryPrinting Taxation

Created to iron out differences on a billTheir job is produce a compromised bill that

both houses will accept