Officers of Congress

* Officers of the Congress

- Speaker of the House

-> “preside and keep order”
=> sets agenda, names people to committees

-> elected by majority

- President of the Senate

-> Vice President

-> breaks ties

- Floor (Majority/Minority) Leaders (both houses, one per party)

-> “unofficial” leaders of party factions

=> set agendas

- Whips (both houses, one per party)

-> vote counters, member shepherd

- Committee chairmen

-> tons of committees exist to cover specific topics

=> specialization, division of labor

=> placement by seniority and party

-> chairmen powerful in moving or blocking bills