Congress by the Numbers

FAQs

CongressByTheNumbers.com

 

 

What’s My Congressman’s Number? – how much Members of Congress are voting to spend

Also see

 

Capitol Switchboard: 202-224-3121

Items received at the Library of Congress, Washington, DC, photo by Carol Highsmith, Library of Congress LC-HS503- 1741Items received at the Library of Congress, Washington, DC, photo by Carol Highsmith, Library of Congress LC-HS503- 1741
Items received at the Library of Congress, Washington, DC, photo by Carol Highsmith, Library of Congress LC-HS503- 1741
House versus Committee of the Whole


House


Committee of the Whole

Established by Constitution (Article I, Section 2)
Established by House rule for consideration of a specific measure

Mace raised
Mace lowered

Speaker presides
Chair of Committee of the Whole presides (appointed by Speaker)

One-hour rule
Five-minute rule for amendments; special rule from Rules Committee dictates procedure, after adoption of rule by House

Quorum of 218
Quorum of 100

One-fifth of members (44 with minimum quorum to trigger a recorded vote
25 members to trigger a recorded vote

Motion for previous question in order
Motion for previous question not in order; motion to limit or end debate may be offered

Motion to recommit in order
Motion to recommit not in order

Motion to reconsider in order
Motion to reconsider not in order

Routine business of House in order
Routine business of House not in order
Differences between the House and the Senate At-a-Glance


House


Senate

Larger – 435 members
Smaller – 100 members

Districts based on population
Two Senators from each state

Shorter term – 2 years
Longer term – 6 years

All stand for election every 2 years
6 year terms are staggered, 1/3 stand for election every 2 years – “continuing body”

At least 25 years of age when seated
At least 30 years of age when seated

Originates revenue legislation
Executive business (Treaties by 2/3, nominations)

Four calendars (Union, House, Private, and Discharge)
Two calendars (Legislative and Executive)

Less procedural flexibility / more restraints
More procedural flexibility / fewer restraints

Rules adopted each Congress (every 2 years)
Rules continuously in effect

Stronger Leadership – power less evenly distributed
Weaker Leadership – power more evenly distributed

Role of Rules Committee and special rules to govern floor consideration
Unanimous consent and complex unanimous consent time agreements to govern floor consideration

Scheduling by Speaker and majority-party leadership, with limited consultation among members
Scheduling by majority-party leadership, with broad consultation among all members

Germaneness of amendments generally required
Germaneness of amendments rarely required

Presiding officer has considerable discretion in recognition; rulings rarely challenged
Presiding officer has little discretion in recognition; rulings frequently challenged

Debate always restricted
Debate rarely restricted

Debate-ending motions by majority vote (218 representatives)
Cloture invoked by three-fifths vote (60 senators)

Quorum calls permitted in connection with record votes
Quorum calls permitted almost any time and used for constructive delay

Narrower constituency – House District
Larger constituency – entire state

Elections generally less competitive
Elections generally more competitive

Specialists
Generalists

Less reliant on staff
More reliant on staff

Less media coverage
More media coverage

More partisan
Less partisan

Adjourns at end of day
Recesses at end of most days

Salary: 2009 – 2022: $174,000
2008: $169,300
2006 and 2007: $165,200
2005: $162,100
For more information, see Pay and Perquisites of Members of Congress
Salary: 2009 – 2022: $174,000
2008: $169,300
2006 and 2007: $165,200
2005: $162,100
For more information, see Pay and Perquisites of Members of Congress

 

 

 

 

 Quick DC Links – Washington Essentials
 

URL:
CongressByTheNumbers.com

 

 





For more than 40 years, TheCapitol.Net and its predecessor, Congressional Quarterly Executive Conferences, have been teaching professionals from government, military, business, and NGOs about the dynamics and operations of the legislative and executive branches and how to work with them.

Our custom on-site and online training, publications, and audio courses include congressional operations, legislative and budget process, communication and advocacy, media and public relations, testifying before Congress, research skills, legislative drafting, critical thinking and writing, and more.

TheCapitol.Net is on the GSA Schedule, MAS, for custom on-site and online training. GSA Contract GS02F0192X

TheCapitol.Net is a non-partisan small business.

Teaching how Washington and Congress work ™

Select publications from TheCapitol.Net