The legislative branch part 2

session

regular meeting of congress

caucuses

private meeting of congressional members by party

president pro tempore

presides over the senate in vice presidents absence

speaker of the house

most powerful officer on the house of represenatives

whip

assists floor leader by counting votes, encouraging party loyalty, and ensuring party members are present for important votes

joint session

members of both houses of congress meeting together

majority party

political party that controls the house or senate

minority party

political party that has fewer members in the house or senate

joint committees

handle housekeeping matters and do not have the authority to consider legislation

twentieth amendment

gives congress the day and time when a term nmust begin every odd-numbered year

Who has the power to call a special session to congress?

the president

Who is customaril elected president pro tempore?

the highest ranking member of the majority party

What are the titles of the two floor leaders for each house of congress?

majority and minority leaders

What decides whether a political party will be the majority or minority party?

majority party has the most elected members in eathern the senate or the house. the minority will has the least elected members in either the senate or the house