Chapter 5: The Organization of Congress "Learning About the Senate"

Introduction

In this chapter students have learned about the structure of Congress, the qualifications for congressional membership, and the role of congressional committees and supporting staff and agencies. In this lesson students will take a closer look at one of the houses of the United States Congress—the Senate.

Lesson Description

Students will visit the United States Senate Web site to learn more about this house of Congress. They will read a brief history of the Senate, examine the role of committees in the Senate, and learn the structure of Senate leadership.

Instructional Objectives

1. Students will be able to explain the basic structure of the Senate.
2. Students will be able to describe the hierarchy of Senate leadership.

Student Web Activity Answers

1. The two-house Congress was established as a result of the "Great Compromise" between large and small states at the Constitutional Convention in 1787.
2. The three kinds of committees are: Standing—permanent bodies with specific responsibilities spelled out in the Senate's official rules; Special and Select—created for clearly specified purposes; Joint—used for legislative and administrative coordination.
3. A filibuster is used to delay debate or to block legislation. The record for the longest filibuster is held by J. Strom Thurmond, who filibustered for 24 hours and 18 minutes against the Civil Rights Act of 1957.
4. The minority and majority leaders serve as spokespeople for their parties on the issues. They are chosen at the beginning of each Congress by members of their respective party conferences.
5. Students' seals will vary.