Congress-_Leadership_in_Congress_Notes.pptx
Leadership in Congress
House of Representatives
Total members: 435
Qualifications for election:
Minimum age: 25 years
Citizenship: Must be a U.S. citizen for at least 7 years
Residency: Must be a resident of the state they are representing.
Managing House Members
Given the number of representatives, successful management requires effective leadership roles.
Speaker of the House
Selection:
Chosen by a vote of the majority political party caucus.
Importance of the Role:
2nd in line to succeed the President of the United States.
Responsibilities of the Speaker:
Presides over the House’s business.
Determines who may speak during sessions.
Aids in committee assignments.
Decides which bills are sent to respective committees.
Collaborates with political parties to select other House leaders.
Current Speaker of the House
Suggested to look up current details via phones/iPads.
Majority Leader
Selection:
Elected by the majority political party.
Role:
Acts as an ally to the Speaker.
Serves as a potential stepping stone to the Speakership.
Responsibilities of Majority Leader:
Helps schedule bills.
Works to garner votes for legislative proposals.
Supported by majority whips to count votes and influence undecided members.
Current Majority Leader of the House
Suggested to look up current details via phones/iPads.
Current Majority Whip of the House
Suggested to look up current details via phones/iPads.
Minority Leader
Selection:
Elected by the minority political party.
Role:
Represents the minority party to the media.
Prepares to assume leadership if the minority party regains majority.
Support from Minority Whips:
Minority whips count votes and influence undecided members.
Current Minority Leader of the House
Suggested to look up current details via phones/iPads.
Current Minority Whip of the House
Suggested to look up current details via phones/iPads.
House Leadership Summary
Key Positions:
Speaker of the House
Majority Leader
Minority Leader
Majority Whip
Minority Whip
Senate
Total members: 100
Qualifications for election:
Minimum age: 30 years
Citizenship: Must be a U.S. citizen for at least 9 years
Residency: Must be a resident of the state they are representing.
President of the Senate
Also Known As:
Vice President of the United States.
Constitutional Role:
Leads the Senate.
Votes only to break ties.
Current President of the Senate
Suggested to look up current details via phones/iPads.
President Pro Tempore of the Senate
Responsibilities:
Acts as Senate President in the absence of the VP.
Typically the longest-serving member of the majority party.
Importance:
Mostly ceremonial role, 3rd in line for presidency.
Majority Leader of the Senate
Selection:
Chosen by the majority political party.
Responsibilities of Majority Leader:
Schedules legislative bills.
Influences committee assignments.
Works on securing votes, assisted by majority whips.
Current Majority Leader of the Senate
Suggested to look up current details via phones/iPads.
Current Majority Whip of the Senate
Suggested to look up current details via phones/iPads.
Minority Leader of the Senate
Selection:
Elected by the minority political party.
Responsibilities of Minority Leader:
Represents the minority party to the media.
Prepares to assume leadership if the minority regains majority.
Current Minority Leader of the Senate
Suggested to look up current details via phones/iPads.
Current Minority Whip of the Senate
Suggested to look up current details via phones/iPads.
Senate Leadership Summary
Key Positions:
Vice President
Majority Leader
President Pro Tempore
Minority Leader
Majority Whip
Minority Whip
Leadership Comparisons
Task: Notecard Exercise
List two differences and two similarities between House and Senate leadership.
Venn diagram may be utilized for comparisons.