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