Thursday, November 3rd, 2022

● Today we will do an in-depth study

the leadership positions in the
House and the Senate.
 The Majority Party vs. The Minority Party
• Congress is organized by political parties.
• The party that has the most members is considered the majority
party.
• The party with less members is known as the minority party.
• In the House, that would mean controlling at least 218 of the 435
seats.
The Midterm
• Democrats: 220 election on
• Republicans: 212 Tuesday may
• Vacant: 3 cause a change in
– In the Senate, 51 of the 100 seats. the majority and
minority parties!
• Democrats: 48
• Independents: 2
• Republicans: 50
• Because the two chambers are controlled by the same party
(The Democrats) we are in an era of unified government.
Q #2 from homework: Why are political parties
important for allocating power in Congress?
 Party Leaders get to determine
The leaders of both chambers
committee membership. (The
are elected by the majority
Majority Party Gets the most
party. (It is always a straight
Members on every Committee)
party-line vote!)

Q #2 from homework: Why are political parties

important for allocating power in Congress?
The Majority party
gets to determine who Parties provide a “team” that
the chair of each allow members to work
committee will be. (you together towards common
will discover the chair goals.
has a lot of power!)
 Assignment
1. Video/Kami: Congressional Leadership
a. Includes a detour into a padlet.