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From the Government Manual Online via GPO Access
[wais.access.gpo.gov]
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Legislative Branch
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LEGISLATIVE BRANCH
------------------------------------------------------------------------
CONGRESS
One Hundred and Fifth Congress, Second Session
The Senate
The Capitol, Washington, DC 20510
Phone, 202-224-3121. Internet, http://www.senate.gov/.
President of the Senate (Vice President of the Al Gore
United States)
President pro tempore Strom Thurmond
Majority Leader Trent Lott
Minority Leader Thomas A. Daschle
Secretary of the Senate Gary Sisco
Sergeant at Arms Gregory S. Casey
Secretary for the Majority Elizabeth B. Greene
Secretary for the Minority Martin P. Paone
Chaplain Lloyd J. Ogilvie
The House of Representatives
The Capitol, Washington, DC 20515
Phone, 202-225-3121. Internet, http://www.house.gov/.
The Speaker Newt Gingrich
Clerk Robin H. Carle
Sergeant at Arms Wilson L. Livingood
Chief Administrative Officer James M. Eagen III
Chaplain Rev. James David Ford
------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Congress of the United States was created by Article I, section 1,
of the Constitution, adopted by the Constitutional Convention on
September 17, 1787, providing that ``All legislative Powers herein
granted shall be vested in a Congress of the United States, which shall
consist of a Senate and House of Representatives.''
The first Congress under the Constitution met on March 4, 1789, in
the Federal Hall in New York City. The membership then consisted of 20
\1\ Senators and 59 Representatives.
\1\New York ratified the Constitution on July 26, 1788, but did not
elect its Senators until July 15 and 16, 1789. North Carolina did not
ratify the Constitution until November 21, 1789; Rhode Island ratified
it on May 29, 1790.
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The Senate is composed of 100 Members, 2 from each State, who are
elected to serve for a term of 6 years. Senators were originally chosen
by the State legislatures. This procedure was changed by the 17th
amendment to the Constitution, adopted in 1913, which made the election
of Senators a function of the people. There are three classes of
Senators, and a new class is elected every 2 years.
The House of Representatives comprises 435 Representatives. The
number representing each State is determined by population, but every
State is entitled to at least one Representative. Members are elected by
the people for 2-year terms, all terms running for the same period.
Both the Senators and the Representatives must be residents of the
State from which they are chosen. In addition, a Senator must be at
least 30 years of age and must have been a citizen of the United States
for at least 9 years; a Representative must be at least 25 years of age
and must have been a citizen for at least 7 years.
A Resident Commissioner from Puerto Rico (elected for a 4-year term)
and Delegates from American Samoa, the District of Columbia, Guam, and
the Virgin Islands complete the composition of the Congress of the
United States. Delegates are elected for a term of 2 years. The Resident
Commissioner and Delegates may take part in the floor discussions but
have no vote in the full House or in the Committee of the Whole House on
the State of the Union. They do, however, vote in the committees to
which they are assigned.
Officers The Vice President of the United States is the Presiding
Officer of the Senate; in his absence the duties are taken over by a
President pro tempore, elected by that body, or someone designated by
him. The Presiding Officer of the House of Representatives, the Speaker,
is elected by the House; he may designate any Member of the House to act
in his absence.
The positions of Senate majority and minority leader have been in
existence only since the early years of the 20th century. Leaders are
elected at the beginning of each new Congress by a majority vote of the
Senators in their political party. In cooperation with their party
organizations, leaders are responsible for the design and achievement of
a legislative program. This involves managing the flow of legislation,
expediting noncontroversial measures, and keeping Members informed
regarding proposed action on pending business. Each leader serves as an
ex officio member of his party's policymaking and organizational bodies
and is aided by an assistant floor leader (whip) and a party secretary.
The House leadership is structured essentially the same as the
Senate, with the Members in the political parties responsible for the
election of their respective leader and whips.
The Secretary of the Senate, elected by vote of the Senate, performs
the duties of the Presiding Officer of the Senate in the absence of the
Vice President and pending the election of a President pro tempore. The
Secretary is the custodian of the seal of the Senate, draws requisitions
on the Secretary of the Treasury for moneys appropriated for the
compensation of Senators, officers, and employees, and for the
contingent expenses of the Senate, and is empowered to administer oaths
to any officer of the Senate and to any witness produced before it. The
Secretary's executive duties include certification of extracts from the
Journal of the Senate; the attestation of bills and joint, concurrent,
and Senate resolutions; in impeachment trials, issuance, under the
authority of the Presiding Officer, of all orders, mandates, writs, and
precepts authorized by the Senate; and certification to the President of
the United States of the advice and consent of the Senate to
ratification of treaties and the names of persons confirmed or rejected
upon the nomination of the President.
The Sergeant at Arms of the Senate is elected by and serves as the
Executive Officer of that body. He directs and supervises the various
departments and facilities under his jurisdiction. He is
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also the Law Enforcement and Protocol Officer. As Law Enforcement
Officer, he has statutory power to make arrests; to locate absentee
Senators for a quorum; to enforce Senate rules and regulations as they
pertain to the Senate Chamber, the Senate wing of the Capitol, and the
Senate Office Buildings. He serves as a member of the Capitol Police
Board and as its chairman each odd year; and, subject to the Presiding
Officer, maintains order in the Senate Chamber. As Protocol Officer, he
is responsible for many aspects of ceremonial functions, including the
inauguration of the President of the United States; arranging funerals
of Senators who die in office; escorting the President when he addresses
a Joint Session of Congress or attends any function in the Senate; and
escorting heads of state when they visit the Senate.
The elected officers of the House of Representatives include the
Clerk, the Sergeant at Arms, the Chief Administrative Officer, and the
Chaplain.
The Clerk is custodian of the seal of the House and administers the
primary legislative activities of the House. These duties include:
accepting the credentials of the Members-elect and calling the Members
to order at the commencement of the first session of each Congress;
keeping the Journal; taking all votes and certifying the passage of
bills; and processing all legislation. Through various departments, the
Clerk is also responsible for floor and committee reporting services;
legislative information and reference services; the administration of
House reports pursuant to House rules and certain legislation including
the Ethics in Government Act and the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995;
the distribution of House documents; and administration of the House
Page Program. The Clerk is also charged with supervision of the offices
vacated by Members due to death, resignation, or expulsion.
The Sergeant at Arms maintains the order of the House under the
direction of the Speaker and is the keeper of the Mace. As a member of
the U.S. Capitol Police Board, the Sergeant at Arms is the chief law
enforcement officer for the House and serves as Board Chairman each even
year. The ceremonial and protocol duties parallel those of the Senate
Sergeant at Arms and include arranging the inauguration of the President
of the United States, Joint Sessions of Congress, visits to the House of
heads of state, and funerals of Members of Congress.
The Sergeant at Arms enforces the rules relating to the privileges
of the Hall of the House, including admission to the galleries.
The Chief Administrative Officer is charged with the administration
of other House support services, including: payroll, benefits, postal
operations and internal mail distribution, computer and telephone
service, office furnishings, office equipment, office supplies, and the
administration of the House televised floor proceedings.
Committees The work of preparing and considering legislation is done
largely by committees of both Houses of Congress. There are 16 standing
committees in the Senate and 19 in the House of Representatives. The
standing committees of the Senate and the House of Representatives are
shown in the list below. In addition, there are select committees in
each House (one in the House of Representatives), and various
congressional commissions and joint committees composed of Members of
both Houses. Each House may also appoint special investigating
committees.
The membership of the standing committees of each House is chosen by
a vote of the entire body; members of other committees are appointed
under the provisions of the measure establishing them.
Each bill and resolution is usually referred to the appropriate
committee, which may report a bill out in its original form, favorably
or unfavorably, recommend amendments, report original measures, or allow
the proposed legislation to die in committee without action.
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Standing Committees of the Congress
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House Committee Room \1\ Senate Committee Room \2\
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Agriculture................... 1301 Agriculture, SR-328A
Nutrition, and
Forestry.
Appropriations................ H218 Appropriations..... S-128
Banking and Financial Services 2129 Armed Services..... SR-228
Budget........................ 309 Banking, Housing, SD-534
and Urban Affairs.
Commerce...................... 2125 Budget............. SD-621
Education and the Workforce... 2181 Commerce, Science, SD-508
and Transportation.
Government Reform and 2157 Energy and Natural SD-304
Oversight. Resources.
House Oversight............... 1309 Environment and SD-410
Public Works.
Franking Commission:
Majority.................. 140
Minority.................. 1338
International Relations....... 2170 Finance............ SD-219
Judiciary..................... 2138 Foreign Relations.. SD-450
Publications................ B29
National Security............. 2120 Governmental SD-340
Affairs.
Resources..................... 1324 Judiciary.......... SD-224
Rules......................... H312 Labor and Human SD-428
Resources.
Minority.................... 234
Science....................... 2320 Rules and SR-305
Administration.
Small Business................ 2361 Small Business..... SR-428A
Standards of Official Conduct. HT2 Veterans' Affairs.. SR-412
Office of Advice and HT2
Education.
Transportation and 2165
Infrastructure.
Veterans' Affairs............. 335
Ways and Means................ 1102
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Room numbers with three digits are in the Cannon House Office
Building, four digits beginning with 1 are in the Longworth House
Office Building, and four digits beginning with 2 are in the Rayburn
House Office Building. Room numbers preceded by H or HT are in the
House wing of the Capitol Building.
\2\ Room numbers preceded by S are in the Senate wing of the Capitol
Building; those preceded by SD are in the Dirksen Office Building; and
those preceded by SR are in the Russell Office Building.
Congressional Record Proceedings of Congress are published in the
Congressional Record, which is issued each day when Congress is in
session. Publication of the Record began March 4, 1873; it was the first
record of debate officially reported, printed, and published directly by
the Federal Government. The Daily Digest of the Congressional Record,
printed in the back of each issue of the Record, summarizes the
proceedings of that day in each House, and each of their committees and
subcommittees, respectively. The Digest also presents the legislative
program for each day and, at the end of the week, gives the program for
the following week. Its publication was begun March 17, 1947.
Sessions Section 4 of Article I of the Constitution makes it mandatory
that ``The Congress shall assemble at least once in every Year. . . .''
Under this provision, also, the date for convening Congress was
designated originally as the first Monday in December, ``unless they
shall by Law appoint a different Day.'' Eighteen acts were passed, up to
1820, providing for the meeting of Congress on other days of the year.
From 1820 to 1934, however, Congress met regularly on the first Monday
in December. In 1934 the Twentieth Amendment changed the convening of
Congress to January 3, unless Congress ``shall by law appoint a
different day.'' In addition, the President, according to Article II,
section 3, of the Constitution ``may, on extraordinary Occasions,
convene both Houses, or either of them, and in Case of Disagreement
between them, with Respect to the Time of Adjournment, he may adjourn
them to such Time as he shall think proper. . . .''
Powers of Congress Article I, section 8, of the Constitution defines
the powers of Congress. Included are the powers to assess and collect
taxes--called the chief power; to regulate commerce, both interstate and
foreign; to coin money; to establish post offices and post roads; to
establish courts inferior to the Supreme Court; to declare war; and to
raise and maintain an army and navy. Congress is further empowered ``To
provide for calling forth the Militia to execute the Laws of the Union,
suppress Insurrections and repel Invasions;'' and ``To make all Laws
which shall be
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necessary and proper for carrying into Execution the foregoing Powers,
and all other Powers vested by this Constitution in the Government of
the United States, or in any Department or Officer thereof.''
Amendments to the Constitution Another power vested in the Congress is
the right to propose amendments to the Constitution, whenever two-thirds
of both Houses shall deem it necessary. Should two-thirds of the State
legislatures demand changes in the Constitution, it is the duty of
Congress to call a constitutional convention. Proposed amendments shall
be valid as part of the Constitution when ratified by the legislatures
or by conventions of three-fourths of the States, as one or the other
mode of ratification may be proposed by Congress.
Special Powers of the Senate Under the Constitution, the Senate is
granted certain powers not accorded to the House of Representatives. The
Senate approves or disapproves certain Presidential appointments by
majority vote, and treaties must be concurred in by a two-thirds vote.
Special Powers of the House of Representatives The House of
Representatives is granted the power of originating all bills for the
raising of revenue.
Both Houses of Congress act in impeachment proceedings, which,
according to the Constitution, may be instituted against the President,
Vice President, and all civil officers of the United States. The House
of Representatives has the sole power of impeachment, and the Senate has
the sole power to try impeachments.
Prohibitions Upon Congress Section 9 of Article I of the Constitution
also imposes prohibitions upon Congress. ``The Privilege of the Writ of
Habeas Corpus shall not be suspended, unless when in Cases of Rebellion
or Invasion the public Safety may require it.'' A bill of attainder or
an ex post facto law cannot be passed. No export duty can be imposed.
Ports of one State cannot be given preference over those of another
State. ``No money shall be drawn from the Treasury, but in Consequence
of Appropriations made by Law. . . .'' No title of nobility may be
granted.
Rights of Members According to section 6 of Article I, Members of
Congress are granted certain privileges. In no case, except in treason,
felony, and breach of the peace, can Members be arrested while attending
sessions of Congress ``and in going to and returning from the same. . .
.'' Furthermore, the Members cannot be questioned in any other place for
remarks made in Congress. Each House may expel a Member of its body by a
two-thirds vote.
Enactment of Laws All bills and joint resolutions must pass both the
House of Representatives and the Senate and must be signed by the
President, except those proposing a constitutional amendment, in order
to become law, or be passed over the President's veto by a two-thirds
vote of both Houses of Congress. Section 7 of Article I states: ``If any
Bill shall not be returned by the President within ten Days (Sundays
excepted) after it shall have been presented to him, the Same shall be a
Law, in like Manner as if he had signed it, unless the Congress by their
Adjournment prevent its Return, in which Case it shall not be a Law.''
When a bill or joint resolution is introduced in the House, the
usual procedure for its enactment into law is as follows:
--assignment to House committee having jurisdiction;
--if favorably considered, it is reported to the House either in its
original form or with recommended amendments;
--if the bill or resolution is passed by the House, it is messaged
to the Senate and referred to the committee having jurisdiction;
--in the Senate committee the bill, if favorably considered, may be
reported in the form as received from the House, or with recommended
amendments;
--the approved bill or resolution is reported to the Senate, and if
passed by that body, is returned to the House;
--if one body does not accept the amendments to a bill by the other
body, a conference committee comprised of
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Members of both bodies is usually appointed to effect a compromise;
--when the bill or joint resolution is finally approved by both
Houses, it is signed by the Speaker (or Speaker pro tempore) and the
Vice President (or President pro tempore or acting President pro
tempore) and is presented to the President; and
--once the President's signature is affixed, the measure becomes a
law. If the President vetoes the bill, it cannot become a law unless it
is re-passed by a two-thirds vote of both Houses.
Publications The Congressional Directory, the Senate Manual, and the
House Rules and Manual may be obtained from the Superintendent of
Documents, Government Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402.