CAS PO 331 Lecture Notes - Lecture 9: Pork Barrel, Cloture, Quasi

• School: Boston University
• Department: Political Science
• Course: CAS PO 331
• Professor: All

Document Summary

Leaders of the congress has power to control collective action. Time and effort to devote to each issue. Authority of the leader can change depending on the unity of the party. Party leaders are agents of the party to coordinate. Leaders do not have equal powers in the house and senate. More powerful in the house than the senate. The bigger the group, the harder the collective action so the leader would have a bigger role. Leaders can serve as intermediately to the president. Speaker of the house has the most formal authority. Can wait to put a legislation on the floor until there is enough support and coalition. Historically, seniors of the majority party are chairs but that is not the case. Makes sure that the entire party votes a certain way together. Knows what is necessary to build a majority. Minority leader is the most important member of the minority party but has very little power.