Leadership of Congress

Speaker of the House

Who is the presiding officer and most powerful member of the House

assigning bills to committees, controlling floor debates, appointing party members to committes

What are the 3 major duties for the Speaker of the House?

Majority Leader

Who is the major assistant speaker, helps plan party’s legislative program, and directs floor debates in the House?

Minority Leader

Who has the same duties as the majority leader but for the opposite party in the House?

Whips: Direct party members in voting, informing members of impending voting, keep track of vote counts, pressuring members to vote with that party

Who help floor leaders and how?

Vice President

Who is the President of the Senate

May not debate and votes to break a tie

Role of the Senate President

President pro tempore

Who is the Senior member of the majority party in the Senate?

Figurehead

what is the purpose of the president pro tempore?

majority leader

Who is the most influential member of the Senate and often party spokeperson

Same

Does the minority leader of the Senate have the same or different powers as in the House?

Yes

Do the whips in the Senate have the same functions in the House