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American Government (YR2) > Congress 4 - Congressional Positions > Flashcards

Congress 4 - Congressional Positions Flashcards

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1
Q

Define: Majority leader in the Senate

A

Is the leader of the largest party in the Senate

Elected every 2 years - at start of new congress

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2
Q

Role of majority leader in the Senate

A
  1. Bringing bills for debate on senate floor - Plays a key role
  2. Party’s policies - Hold press briefings
  3. Liaison between the Senate and the White House
  4. Influences who is assigned to the Senate Committees
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3
Q

Define: Minority leader in the Senate

A

Elected by minority group in the Senate

Elected every 2 years - at start of new congress

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4
Q

Role of minority leader in the Senate

A
  1. Work with majority leader to negotiate unanimous consent agreements to bring bills to floor debates
  2. Represent their party to the media in press briefings
  3. Influence who is assigned to committees
  4. Lead opposition in the Senate
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5
Q

Define: President Pro Tempore

A

Unlike the House, there is no speaker in the Senate. Instead, there is the role of the President of the Senate - the Vice President

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6
Q

Role of President Pro Tempore

A
  1. Power to cast the deciding vote in the event of a tie in a Senate vote
  2. The President Pro Tempore is usually the longest serving member of the majority party
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7
Q

Role of the Vice President in Congress

A

VP rarely presides over matters in the Senate.

In his place the Senate chooses a President Pro Tempore who presides over the Senate

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8
Q

Who is the President Pro Tempore

A

Orrin Hatch since 2015

Longest serving Republican Senator

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9
Q

Role of the Majority leader in the House

A
  1. Play a ‘number two’ role to the speaker, working closely with the speaker in setting the legislative agenda
  2. They act as a day-to-day ‘directors of operation’ on the floor of the house
  3. Work with whips
  4. Play a role in representing the party to the Media
  5. Liaison between House and the White House
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10
Q

Role of the Minority leader of the House

A
  1. Unlike the majority leader, the minority leader is the most important member of their party in the House
  2. May take on ‘leader of the opposition’ role depending on President
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11
Q

Role of the House Speaker

A
  1. Presiding officer of the house (Maintain order during debates)
  2. Represents constituents in districts
  3. Party leader - leader of majority in House
  4. Controls legislative agenda
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12
Q

Republicans follow the “Hastert Rule’ - What is this

A

Only allowing debates on bills that have support of the majority of Republicans

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13
Q

How does the speaker of the house control the legislative agenda

A
  1. Preserves order within House
  2. Assigns legislation to each committee
  3. Sets schedule for debates and votes on floor
  4. Appoints majority party members of House Rules Committee
  5. Appoints members of select and conference committees
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14
Q

Example of a party leader taking on a ‘leader of the opposition role’

A

Nancy Pelosi 2018

Nancy Pelosi 2007-9

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15
Q

Arguments that the Speaker of the House is no longer powerful

A

Power depends on leadership style - Boehner less controlling

More recent speakers undermined by divisions within own party (Boehner and Ryan)

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16
Q

Arguments that the Speaker of the House is powerful

A
  1. Significant formal powers
  2. Concentration of power by Gingrich, Hastert and Pelosi
  3. More important when House controlled by non-presidential party
17
Q

Sum up: Gingrich (R) 95-99

A
  • Leader of opposition v Clinton
  • United USA behind ‘Contract with America’
  • Concentrated power in role of Speaker
18
Q

Sum up: Hastert (R) 99-07

A
  • Similar style to Gingrich

- Continues to consolidate power

19
Q

Sum up: Pelosi (D) 07-11

A
  • Pushed party to adopt a more liberal platform
  • Also continued process of centralisation of power
  • Like Gingrich and Hastert - Very Partisan
20
Q

Sum up: Boehner (R) 11-15

A
  • Different model of leadership
  • Re-empowered committees
  • Looked to be bipartisan
  • Had trouble controlling his own party
  • Oversaw govt. shutdown
21
Q

Sum up: Ryan (R) 15-

A

Back to more partisan and controlling model

Undercut by Trump

American Government (YR2) (30 decks)

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