Chapter 10: Congress

Functions of Congress To serve their constituents Serve entire nation These two functions often conflict

Bicameralism Congress is divided into two legislative houses House members are elected every two years Senators are elected every six years

Lawmaking Principal function of Congress is to make laws Bills mainly originate from the executive branch, or through interest groups Budget issues, health care, gun control, war, etc

Logrolling Act of compromise between members Can support a member's bill in exchange for that member's support on a future bill Often involve support for earmarks...pork

Representation Members of Congress must represent the desires of their own constituents and those of the country May be in the best interests to shut down a military base to reduce defense spending, but what is the base is in your district?

Representation approaches Trustees--> place emphasis on interests of the entire society; Must be willing to vote against constituents if necessary Instructed delegates--> should mirror the views of the majority of the constituents that elected you "Politico"--> combination of both perspectives

Casework Provide helpful services to constituents Explaining bills, promoting businesses, etc

Congressional Oversight Process of how Congress follows up on laws Make sure they are being enforced correctly Also evaluate effectiveness of government organizations such as FEMA

Powers of Congress Constitution is both highly specific and vague about powers of Congress First seventeen clauses of Article 1, Section 8 specify the enumerated powers Powers expressly given to Congress

Enumerated Powers Most important domestic power is right to collect taxes Most important foreign policy power is the rut to declare war

Powers of the Senate Ratification of treaties Accept or reject presidential nominees of ambassadors, Supreme Court Justices The Senate is the more powerful chamber of the House

Constitutional Amendments Provides for more congressional powers Certify election of President or choose if no candidate receives majority of electoral vote Determine who will be acting President or VP in case of death

House-Senate Differences House is much larger than the Senate, More rules are needed to govern activity in the House due to its size Senate can debate longer, House must impose time limitations on debate

Debate and Filibuster Filibuster is the use of unlimited debate as a blocking tactic Cloture shuts off discussion of a bill 16 Senators must sign a petition, and after two days 3-5 of Senate (60 votes) must vote in favor of it

Are Filibusters necessary? Now, you just have to announce a filibuster exists Now need 60 votes to invoke If a party can elect 60 or more Senators, they can block anything they want

Senate Prestige Easier for Senators to get media exposure House members have a harder time, often have to serve long enough to be on leadership committees

Congressional Elections Hard to find opposing candidates in districts where one party is very strong Candidates typically resemble the voters of the district in ethnicity or religion Average cost of winning a Senate campaign is 6.5 million; 1.1 million for House

Presidential Effects Congressional candidates will sometimes be voted in on the President's "coattails" Party controlling White House normally loses seats in Congress in the midterm elections because the coattail effect ceases to apply

Apportionment of the House House seats are re-allocated every 10 years after each census (reapportionment) Redistricting takes place also Supreme Court ruled in 1964 that both chambers of a state legislature must be designed so that all districts are equal in population

Gerrymandering Boundary drawing tactics that reshape districts to maximize its electoral strength Gerrymandering Clip

"Packing and Cracking" Use computer software to "pack" voters supporting the opposing party into as few districts as possible This process "cracks" the opposing party's supporters into different districts Districts are also changed to increase power of minority voting groups

Perks and Privileges

Privileges The Franking privilege permits members of Congress to mail newsletters, surveys, and other correspondence to their constituents without paying for postage Free from libel charges when making allegations or statements in connection with official duties

Committees Most of the legislating work is done by committees and subcommittees Thousands of bills get introduced every session, impossible for one single member to be fully informed

Types of Committees Standing committee--> most important, permanent; see list on page 353 Select committee--> limited time only, for a specific legislative issue or purpose Joint committee--> consists of members of House and Senate Conference committee--> joint committees who work on wording of bills that have passed both Houses

How a Bill Becomes a Law Bills must be introduced in the House or Senate Often times, similar bills are proposed in both chambers Bills are then referred to committees for study, discussion, and rewriting

Debate Once out of committee, bills are debated Bill must pass both chambers If anything has changed, conference committee will write a compromise bill, which now must be reap proved by both Houses

Presidential Action Once all steps have been completed the bill is sent to the President President can sign or veto proposed bill