Congress - How it Gets Work Done

Senate Leadership

• Majority leader sets the agenda controlling when bills reach the floor for debate.

• Whips maintain party discipline in the Senate, similar to their role in the House.

Committee System

• Essential for Congress to function; most work happens within committees.

Types of Committees:

• Standing Committees: Permanent committees (e.g., Senate Budget Committee, House Judiciary Committee).

• Joint Committees: Include members from both the House and Senate (e.g., Joint Committee on the Library of Congress).

• Select Committees: Temporary committees created for specific purposes (e.g., Watergate scandal committee).

• Conference Committees: Resolve differences between House and Senate versions of a bill.

How a Bill Becomes a Law:

• Introduction: A member of the House or Senate introduces a bill.

• Amendments: Bills change as they go through committees; riders (germane or non-germane) and pork barrel spending may be added.

• Committee Stages:

  • Hearings: Discussion and debate.

  • Markup: Amendments and revisions.

  • Reporting Out: Committee's recommendations.

• Voting: Bill is voted on; if passed, it goes to the president's desk.

Log Rolling:

• Members of Congress exchange votes to support each other's bills.

Budget Process:

• Congress creates a budget every year, which can be contentious and lead to government shutdowns.

• Government income primarily comes from income tax, other taxes, and tariffs.

Spending Types:

• Mandatory Spending: Required by law (e.g., Social Security).