House of Representatives

Rules

Thomas Jefferson stressed rules when vice president, writing the manual

Article 1, section 51 “each house may determine the rules of its proceedings”

-speak to presiding officer

-don’t question opponents’ states or motives

- maintain decorum (polite behavior)

Complex rules

Geared towards moving legislation quickly through floor (bills usually lasts less than a day)

Print rules every 2 years (past rulings r used as a guide)

Committee Work

Lets reps have more influence

Gives reps time to study and shape bills

Members serve on committees that are important to constituents

Party affiliation

Parties sit across aisle

Majority party…

-selects leader of their house

- controls legislative flow

-appoints committee chairs

Incoming majority party can change lots

House leadership goals

Organize and unify party members

Schedule work

Make certain lawmakers r present for key floor votes

Distribute and collect info

Keep house in touch with the president

Influence lawmakers to support their party

Speaker of the house

Leader of majority party and presiding officer of house

Caucus (closed meeting) of majority party chooses at start of session, entire house then approves

-can choose which members to recognize first

-appointed some committee members

-schedules bills for action

-refers bills to proper committee

-follows vice president in line of succession

Relies on persuasion

Most important work done in house is on the days of

Tuesday thru Thursday

Majority leader

Speakers too assistant

Help plan party’s legislative program

Steer important bills thru house

Ensure committee chair persons finish important bills

NOT a house official (IS a PARTY official instead)

Majority and minority whips

Assistant floor leaders

Majority whip

-watches how majority party members intend to vote, persuades them to vote per party wishes

-ensures attendance (along with deputy whips)

Minority party whip

-elects leaders

-can’t control work schedule

How Bills Move Thru Committees to Vote

-reps drop bills in mahogany “hopper” box

- speaker sends it to appropriate committee

10-20% go to full house for vote

Put on house calendar

House rules committee

“Traffic officer” directs flow of legislation

Can say how long a bill can be debated and revised

Committee chairperson can ask for bill to move ahead others

Concurrent jurisdiction

Concurrent jurisdiction

Sections of a bill will be sent to 2 or more committees

Quorum

Minimum number of members needed for official legislative action

Regularly 218

100 members in a Committee of Whole (to debate and amend legislation) (can’t pass a bill that way)