The Legislative Branch Congress

U.S. Capitol

What is government itself? One of the greatest reflections on human nature. If men were angels, no government would be necessary…James Madison

Article I House of Representatives 435 members 2 yr terms Reapportioned every 10 yrs –Redistricting! See Gerry 25 yrs old, citizen for 7, live in state Organized by party –Leaders & Whips Speaker of House – John Boehner (R) Strict Rules Senate 100 members 6 yr terms 30 yrs old, citizen for 9, live in state Organized by party –Leaders & Whips Majority leader – Harry Reid (D) Minority Leader- Mitch McConnell (R) Loose Rules

Congressional Sessions Last Two Years Begin Jan. 3rd of the year after the election Usually end Nov. before election –Lame Duck Sessions

Powers of Congress Expressed Powers –Tax, Money, Trade, Declare War, Copyrights, etc Implied Powers – “Necessary & Proper” Clause –Paying for things Checks & Balances –Amendments –Impeachment –Appointments –Treaties –Investigatory Powers

Action or Inaction? An unbiased (or cynical) look at the Logic of Congress* *Yes, that might be an oxymoron, but Congress is full of oxymorons

Incumbents Only group of people that have to go to the people and beg for their job year after year Americans view their own Congressional Representatives favorably while overall approval ratings are low Democrats or Republicans Average member of Congress gets a 60-65% approval rating from his or her constituents Government by and for the people

Checks and Balances Executive Branch and Executive Agencies Impeachment, Appointments, Overrides, Judiciary… Appropriation Unique among Nations People are supreme

U.S. Capitol Rotunda

Differences Constitutional Requirements –25 years old, 30 years old –7 years citizen, 9 years citizen –State requirements –Native Born? Leadership Authority –Seldom challenged, often challenged Committee Responsibility –Very important, often overlooked –“Rules” supreme, “Rules” weak Open Forums –Limited, Encouraged

Benefits Salary $165,200+ per year (Leadership more— SOH- $ 212,100 Generous retirement and benefits (health care) Two offices- D.C. and Home District Staff members Franking privileges—work-related mail, FREE Assorted perks; no petty misdemeanors

Voting

Action Happens Because… Desire to Do the Right Thing Party Control of Both Houses Logrolling –1991 “Corn for Porn” “Shadow of the Future” –Prisoner’s Dilemma…Modified Desire for Reelection –Help Constituents –Pork

Inaction Happens Because… Divided Congress Lame Duck Status Partisan Bickering Desire Reelection –Change Vote to Get Votes –Avoid Looking Bad It Was Designed That Way

State of the Union

Legislation Passage Appeasing the Chief Legislator i.e.- President Party influences 50% of the time –House partisanship stronger than the Senate –Compromise? –Bipartisanship? Constituency support –Voting records –Issues SIGS and Lobbyists –Restricted by Congress but…

Making Policy A collection of “generalists” making policy on specific topics If one needs to know how to vote on a bill, ask a committee person and/or party colleague and/or other House Rules Committee –Traffic Cop controlling the flow of bills establishing rules for each bill and its schedule –Leadership (Speaker of the House/ Majority and “Minority” Leaders) Party caucus and committee assignments Rules Committee members Influence bill assignments to committee

Committees

Legislation and Oversight Standing Committee –Separate subject matter committees Joint Committee –House and Senate share membership i.e.--taxation Conference Committee –Two bills must become one/ compromise bills Select Committee –Specific reason Assignments –House- two committees and four subcommittees –Senate- three committees and seven subcommittees

Committees Committees also perform oversight if and when a bill ever becomes law Committee chairpersons—seniority prevails but majority caucuses now can choose chairpersons Caucuses vs. Party Leadership –Legislators can ban together under an “ideological flag” Black Caucus, Pro-Life, Pro-Choice, Gun Control, etc.

Legislative Branch Fast Facts House of Representatives 246 Republicans 188 Democrats 1 Open Seat 88 Women: 346 Men 38 Hispanics/46 African Americans/ 12 Asian Americans/2 Native Americans

Legislative Branch Fast Facts Senate 54 Republicans, 46 Democrats kinda 20 Women, 80 Men