U.S. Congress Leadership: Policymaking Structures & Processes 2.2 Part 1

What is the role of the Speaker of the House?

Recognizes members, organizes members for floor speeches, exercises great influence in committees, guides bills through lawmaking.

What is the function of the House Majority Leader?

Directs the debate from their side of the aisle.

What does the House Minority Leader do?

Directs debate for the minority party.

What are the responsibilities of the Whips?

In charge of party discipline, keeps a tally of votes, communicates leadership options, urges party members to vote with the party.

Who is the President of the Senate?

The Vice President.

What is the role of the President Pro Tempore?

Presides over the Senate during the absence of the Vice President, signs legislation, takes the oath of office.

What does the Senate Majority Leader do?

Sets the legislative calendar, organizes debate, guides party caucus on issues.

What is the role of the Senate Minority Leader?

Organizes members for the minority party and guides discussion/debate.

What is the current breakdown of Democrats and Republicans in the Senate?

53 Republicans - 47 Democrats.

What is the current breakdown of Democrats and Republicans in the House?

214 Republicans - 214 Democrats with 2 vacancies.

What are the only Congressional leaders named in the Constitution?

Speaker of the House, Vice President (President of the Senate), President Pro Tempore.

What is the first action each house takes at the start of a congressional term?

They caucus and elect leadership/organize.

Who determines the choices for Speaker and other leadership positions?

The entire party membership within each house.

What do congressional leaders do once elected?

Oversee setup and organization of Congress, assign members to committees, help establish party goals.

What is the only House leadership position mentioned in the Constitution?

House Speaker.

Who is the current Speaker of the House?

Mike Johnson.

What are three responsibilities of the Speaker of the House?

Recognizes members, organizes members for floor speeches, exercises great influence in committees.

What is the next level of leadership below the Speaker?

Majority leader and minority leader.

What are three things the Majority and Minority leaders do?

Direct debate from their side of the aisle, act as spokesperson for their party, help guide discussion.

What is the name of the leadership position below the floor leaders?

Majority and minority whips.

What are three responsibilities of the Majority and Minority whips?

Keep a tally of votes, communicate leadership options, maintain party discipline.

Who is the chief legislator in the Senate?

The majority leader.

What are three things the Senate Majority Leader does?

Sets the legislative calendar, organizes debate, guides party caucus on issues.

Who casts the tie-breaking vote in the Senate?

The Vice President.