Congress review

Organization of Congress

Senate:

• Majority leader = most powerful

  • elected by their party

• Minority leader also elected by their party

• President pro tempore = honorary role

• Vice president acts as weak presiding officer

• whip = keeps party leader informed on members opinions

House:

• speaker = presiding officer, leader of party, most powerful

  • decides who can speak, what is relevant, which committees handle bills

  • appoints special and select committees

Qualifications for Congress

House:

• 25+

• citizen for 7+ years

• inhabit state where elected

Senate:

• 30+

• citizen for 9+ years

• inhabit state where elected

(Some) Powers of Congress

House:

• origin of revenue bills

• impeach federal officials

• elect president in event of electoral college tie

Senate:

• confirm pres. appointments

• ratify treaties

• try cases of impeachment