Congressional Leadership - House of Representatives

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Congressional Leadership - House 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.

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Congressional Leadership - Speaker 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

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Congressional LeadershipSpeaker 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

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Congressional LeadershipHouse 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

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Congressional LeadershipHouse 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
• whats going on in House with app.

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Congressional Leadership House 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

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Congressional LeadershipHouse 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

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Congressional LeadershipSenate

• 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

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Congressional LeadershipUS 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)

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Congressional LeadershipUS 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

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Congressional LeadershipUS Senate

• Majority Whip Dick Durbin, Il
• Organizes party for important votes
• Encourages party line voting
• Sends out info on daily legislation

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Congressional LeadershipUS 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

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Congressional LeadershipUS 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?vtt05KC3Add8