Congressional Leadership - House of Representatives Speaker of the House: John Boehner, 8 th Ohio Principal leader of majority party - voted in. –Chairs.

Congressional Leadership - Congressional Leadership - House of RepresentativesHouse of Representatives

• Speaker of the House: John Boehner, 8th Ohio

• Principal leader of majority party - voted in.– Chairs Steering Committee (assigns Reps and

influences who will be a chair)– Guides party to achieve its platform via

prestige, persuasion and bargaining• "has perfected the art of disagreeing without being disagreeable.“

Congressional Leadership - Congressional Leadership - Speaker continuedSpeaker continued

• Presiding Officer of House– Decides who will be recognized– Relevancy of motions– committee assignment of bills, creation of new

committees (select and conference)– influences which bills will be brought up for

vote, quorum counts– Patronage

Congressional LeadershipCongressional LeadershipSpeaker continuedSpeaker continued

• Elected in 2011 to 61st Speaker

• “During his solemn victory speech, Boehner broke into tears when taking about "economic freedom, individual liberty and personal responsibility...I hold these values dear because I've lived them...I've spent my whole life chasing the American Dream".

• Salary - $223,500

Congressional LeadershipCongressional LeadershipHouse of RepresentativesHouse of Representatives

• Majority Leader – Eric Cantor, VA – 7th

• Develops issues and policies for Republican party

• Schedules legislative agenda (selects bills for consideration and timing)

• Salary 193,400

Congressional LeadershipCongressional LeadershipHouse of RepresentativesHouse of Representatives

• Majority Whip: Kevin McCarthy, CA 22nd• Helps party leader keep up w.

thoughts of his party members• Rounds up members for impt votes• Corrals votes to achieve Republican agenda• Pressure! • http://www.majoritywhip.gov/whipcast Can follow

what’s going on in House with app.

Congressional LeadershipCongressional LeadershipHouse of RepresentativesHouse of Representatives

• Minority Leader - Nancy Pelosi, CA - 5

• Leader since 2002 - Salary $193,400

• Responsible for setting up Democratic agenda and heading the opposition to the majority party

• Spokesperson for party• Net worth $58 million likes Armani and Tahitian pearls

Congressional LeadershipCongressional LeadershipHouse of RepresentativesHouse of Representatives

• Minority Whip - Steny Hoyer, MD – 5th• Mobilizes the party vote on important legislation,

• Acts as a liaison between Members & the Democratic Leadership,

• Coordinates strategy within the Caucus.

• Publishes Daily Whip to keep members updated. http://www.democraticwhip.gov/floor-resources/the-daily-whip

Congressional LeadershipCongressional LeadershipSenateSenate

• President of the Senate = Vice President of the United States, Joe Biden

• Presiding Officer of Senate, rarely in attendance. Tedious chore

• Known for gaffes• ‘There's never been a day in the last four years• I've been proud to be his VP‘

• Can cast tie breaking vote.• Salary: $230.700

Congressional LeadershipCongressional LeadershipUS SenateUS Senate

• President pro Tempore – Patrick Leahy, D-VT (40 years in Senate, age 73)

• Honorific position usually given to Sen. of Majority Party w. most seniority

• Presides when President is not there

• Often hands it over to junior Senator

• Chair of Senate Judiciary Committee

• Lives on a tree farm in Middlesex, VT

• Legally blind in one eye

• Voted against Patriot Act reauthorization (2006)

Congressional LeadershipCongressional LeadershipUS SenateUS Senate

• Senate Majority Leader – Harry Reid, NV

• Most powerful person in Senate

• Schedules business usually in consultation w. Minority Leader

• Legislative strategist, Quiet insider and consensus builder but accused of self-enriching decisions

• Gets to be recognized first in debate

Congressional LeadershipCongressional LeadershipUS SenateUS Senate

• Majority Whip – Dick Durbin, Il

• Organizes party for important votes

• Encourages party line voting

• Sends out info on daily legislation

Congressional LeadershipCongressional LeadershipUS SenateUS Senate

• Minority Leader – Mitch McConnell, KY• Heads the opposition. Tries to accomplish the

legislative goals of Republicans• Influential in calling filibusters. http://mcconnell.senate.gov

Congressional LeadershipCongressional LeadershipUS SenateUS Senate

• Minority Whip – John Cornyn, TX.

• Guides legislation through Congress by trying to secure key votes. Elected for 113th Congress.

• Known for “Big, bad John”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tt05KC3Add8