Congressional Leaders

The 113rd Congress

The Senate• Age does not determine seniority in the Senate or the House of

Representatives.• As of April 12, 2013, 2 senator are is in his 80s, (Dianne Feinstein, Ca.—80 +

115 days)!) 20 are in their 70s, 37 are in their 60s, 30 are in their 50s, 11 are in their 40s, and 1 is in his 30s (Chris Murphey, Ct, 39).

• The median age of currently serving Senators is 62 years, • The median age of taking office for currently serving Senators is 50 years,

346 days

46 -- Republicans;52 -- Democrats2 -- Independent

(caucus with the Dems)

Senate LeadershipThese leaders serve as the chief spokespeople for their parties. They

manage and schedule the legislative and executive business.

President(comes and goes, votes in a tie2nd in line for President)

Joe Biden, (D)Since January 20, 2009

President pro tempore(Senior Member-Honorary position, 4th in line for President)

Patrick Leahy, (D-Vermont)Since December 17, 2012

Majority Leader(The “real” leader in the Senate for the majority

Harry Reid, (D-Nevada)Since January 4, 2007

Minority Leader(The “real” party in the Senate for the Minority.)

Mitch McConnell, (R)Since January 4, 2007

The House of RepresentativesStructure Seats 435 voting members 6 non-voting members (Puerto Rico, Philippines, American Samoa, Washington D.C., The Northern Marianna Islands, Virgin Islands and Guam)

232 -- Republicans;200 -- Democrats 3-- Vacant (illness/family)

The HouseOn January 3, 2013, – nine members were in their 80s,

– Ralph Hall, Tx is the oldest… (1924)

– 32 members in their 70s, – 137 in their 60s, – 141 members in their 50s, – 82 members in their 40s, – 32 members in their 30s

– Patrick Murphy-Florida youngest… (1983)• Was 29 when elected.

–Median Age: 57

Diversity• African-American Members: 42 in House; 2 in Senate• Hispanic-American Members: 35 in House; 3 in Senate• Asian-American Members: 11 in House; 1 in Senate• Native American Members: 3 in House; 0 in Senate

• Of the 20 female Senators, • 16 are Democrats• 4 are Republicans

• Of the 80 female Representatives, • 61 are Democrats• 19 are Republicans

– (two are sisters from CA.)

House LeadershipThese leaders serve as the chief spokespeople for their parties. They manage and schedule the

legislative and executive business.

SpeakerJohn Boehner, (R-Ohio)Since January 5, 2011

Majority Leader

Eric Cantor, (R-Virginia)Since January 3, 2011

Minority Leader

Nancy Pelosi, (D-California) Since January 3, 2011

Order of SuccessionIf something happens to the

President…

Who dat?

John Kerry, Secretary of State

After that, it goes to the Cabinet members in the order the office

was created..• The Presidential Cabinet are his

“specialty” advisors (the experts)– Dept. of State—foreign affairs– Dept. of Treasury—financial matters– Dept. of Defense—military matters– Attorney General—legal advisor

– Etc…• Commerce—trade• Housing and Urban Development• Education

These were created by

Washington to help him in the

beginning

Thirteen have been added since for a

total of…….

If we ever got down to the last one—we’d be in trouble!!!

• It would mean that EVERYONE else was already gone!!!

• Once the VP becomes President, he names a new VP so the order starts over—it doesn’t skip anyone.

• We’ll talk more about this when we get to the presidents.

• THESE ARE ALL APPOINTED—NOT ELECTED IN CONGRESS. THEY HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH LAWMAKING—THEY’RE ADVISORS!

FirstsAfrican AmericanHiram R. RevelsMississippi-1870

WomanJeannette Rankin

Montana-1917-19/ 1941-43

Firsts

HispanicOctavio Ambrosio Larrazolo

New Mexico-1928-29

Asian-American

Dalip Singh Saund—(India)-California 1957-63

Asian-AmericanHiram Fong-1959-77

(Chinese American) Hawaii

Asian-AmericanDaniel Inouye-1959-2012

(Japanese American) Hawaii

Native American

this one is tricky since many people would have Native American Blood

Charles CurtisKansas

1892-1929

Would then serve as Vice President under

Herbert Hoover.

First to acknowledge his Native

background. Was 1/8 Kaw-Osage

(was the only bachelor (widower) to serve as Vice-President!)

Openly GayServing

Gerry Studds-Massachusetts 1983-97Elected

Tammy Baldwin-Wisconsin-2013

First Official Congressional Tardy Checker

Ms. Ready!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Shouldn’t you turkey’s be working?!?!?