Exam 3: Congressional Leadership Flashcards
Who is the speaker of the house?
Kevin McCarthy
What is the role of the speaker of the house?
- second in line of succession after VP
- Presiding officer of the House
- chairs floor debate
- assigns members to committees
- negotiates with the minority party and White House
- moves legislation through the House
How is the speaker of the house selected?
selected by HOUSE MEMBERS every legislative session
T/F: The speaker DOES have to be a member of the house
FALSE
the speaker of the House DOES NOT have to be a member of the House
The speaker of the house is typically a member of the
MAJORITY PARTY
Who is the House Majority Leader
Steve Scalise
How is the House Majority leader selected?
selected by members of the MAJORITY party through a SECRET BALLOT
What are the roles of the House Majority Leader?
- helps the speaker develop and implement legislative strategy
- encourages unity among party members
- works to advance the goals of the party
Who is the House Minority leader?
Hakeem Jeffries
How is the house minority leader selected?
my members of the minority party through a secret ballot
What are the roles of the House Minority leader?
- Minority counterpart of the speaker (#1 in party)
- similar jobs as majority leader but is done for the minority
Who are the current House Whips?
Tom Emmer
Katherine Clark
How do House Whips get selected?
selected by members of their party through secret ballots
(similar to house majority & minority leaders)
What is the Role of House Whips?
- WHIP UP the votes of their party by MAKING SURE THE PARTY VOTES THE SAME and members do not stray
What are the positions that can be held in the Senate?
- VP
- President Pro Temp. (pro tempore)
- senate majority leader
- senate minority leader
What is the only power of the Vice President in the Senate?
cast a tie-breaking vote
Who is the current VP?
Kamala Harris
What are the roles of the VP?
- ceremonial role where they only preside over the senate
- cast a tie-breaking vote
T/F: It is rare for the VP to cast a tie-breaking vote.
TRUE
BUT was common when Pence was VP
Who is the current president pro temp
Patty Murray
How is the VP selected?
constitutionally assigned after the general election
How is the president pro temp selected?
Selected by the majority party BUT is usually the longest serving member of the party
in the Senate who is the longest-serving member of a party?
the President pro temp
What are the roles of the president pro temp?
- Presides over the Senate when the VP is not there
- a VERY CEREMIONAL POSITION
Who is third in line of succession?
the President Pro Temp
vice president, speaker of the house, president pro temp)
Who is the Senate Majority leader?
Chuck Schumer
How is the Senate Majority leader selected?
By the Majority party through a secret ballot
(same as majority leaders in the house)
How is the Senate Minority Leader selected?
By the Minority party through a secret ballot
(same as minority leaders in the house)
What is the MOST POWERFUL position in the Senate?
Senate Majority Leader
What is the role of the Senate Majority Leader?
- Controls the legislative process
- Schedules bills for debate with the minority leader
Who is the Senate Minority Leader?
Mitch McConnell
What is the role of the Senate Minority Leader?
- Serves as the SPOKESMAN for the minority party
- schedules bills for debate with the Majority Leader
- facilities negotiations with the majority party
Who is the republican senate whip?
John Tune
Who is the Democrat Senate Whip?
Richard Durbin
