Introduction to the Policymakers Who takes action in response to a problem in our country? Our policymakers, Congress, the president, the federal bureaucracy, and the federal courts, all respond to the issues of "We the People." In our system of government there are many voices to be heard and no one policymaker can act alone. The challenge for policymakers is to work together to make the best decisions for the country’s health and prosperity.

Congress: Introduction Congress’ primary function is to act as our central policymaking branch of government. The 535 members of Congress represent their constituents back home and enact the policies, through legislation, to conduct the business of government. Being a member of Congress is not an easy job. The men and women who represent us not only act to check the power of other branches of the government, but also must balance power between constituents and special interests, incumbents and new members, Democrats and Republicans, majorities and minorities as they seek to make the policies that benefit the nation as a whole.

Differences Between the House and the Senate A. Size, Terms, and Qualifications House of Representatives -435 members -two-year terms -a representative must be at least 25 years old, an American citizen for 7 years, and a resident of the state from which elected 2. Senate -100 members -six-year terms -a senator must be at least 30 years old, an American citizen for 9 years, and a resident of the state from which elected

B. Election Members of the House have always been elected by eligible voters. When the Constitution was ratified, the House of Representatives was the new government’s only body directly represented by the people. Senators were originally chosen by the state legislatures. The Seventeenth Amendment (1913) mandated that senators be elected by voters in each state.

C. Special Powers House of Representatives - initiate revenue bills - brings charges of impeachment against the president, and all civil officers of the United States - chooses the president when the electoral college is deadlocked 2. Senate - ratifies treaties negotiated by the president - possesses the sole power to try or judge impeachment cases - confirms judicial appointments, including US attorneys, federal judges, and US Supreme Court justices - confirms executive appointments, including cabinet heads, the director of the FBI, and the US Attorney General

Organization of Congress What is the role of Congress in our government? You should be well-aware of their legislative function at this point in the course.

The Function of Congress The primary function of Congress, shown here being addressed by President Barack Obama, is to review and either pass or reject new legislation. The powers of Congress are specified in Article I of the Constitution. Congress has many powers including the power to make budgetary decisions, impose taxes, regulate commerce, declare war, raise a military defense, and, in accordance with Article Four, To make all laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into execution the foregoing powers vested by this Constitution. The clause, necessary and proper, implies that Congress may execute powers not explicitly mentioned in the Constitution. Amendments to the Constitution have granted Congress authority over voting rights, due process, and other legal agendas.

Bicameral Congress The United States Congress is a Bicameral Congress, or two parts. The two parts of Congress are the House of Representatives and the Senate. Both chambers must consent to enact legislation. The Senate has the sole responsibility of approving presidential appointees and ratifying treaties. The House of Representatives has the sole responsibility of Impeachment and all bills to raise revenue must originate through the House. Congressional member receive an annual salary of $160,000 to $250,000, depending on their position. They also receive an allowance for office expenses and travel.

Turning Proposals into Law Bills and other proposals are introduced to Congress, often at the request of special interest groups. Congress then sends the bill to committee where it is considered for amendment, rejection, or passage. One of the oldest standing committees is the U.S. Committee on Energy and Commerce, shown here meeting in 2002. Both the Senate and the House of Representatives must agree on a bill for the bill to continue through the process. After a bill is passed by both the House and Senate, the bill is submitted to the president, who will sign it, making it into a law, or the president might choose to Veto a bill, rejecting it.

The Incumbent Advantage Many members of Congress have embraced new technologies to help them remain in communication with their constituents. Visit the website for the representative or senator who represents you. Find examples of how he or she is using advertising, credit claiming including casework, pork barrel spending, and earmarks, and position taking to ensure his or her reelection. Extra Credit: Why did Elizabeth Dole lose her bid for reelection? Consider the advantages of incumbency and how those advantages failed to lead to her reelection.

Reapportionment and Redistricting A very important factor in House races is the way that Congressional districts are created. State legislatures typically redraw districts every ten years after the census results determine the population of each state. In reapportionment the 435 seats in the House of Representatives are assigned to the states based on the population relative to each other in order to maintain a constant 435 seats. States that grow in population stand to receive more seats, and states that lose population stand to lose seats.

Pair / Share Why does it matter how many representatives a state has in the House of Representatives?

Model Response States that gain seats, gain more influence in the House and also gain more influence in the presidential election since the number of electors assigned to a state in the electoral college is equal to its number of representatives.

Pair / Share Why do politicians try to create districts favorable to them?

Model Response There are a variety of reasons but the most obvious is to gain political strength and clout for their party at the expense of the other party. Also by drawing districts favorable to their party they can protect their own incumbent members of Congress or they can destroy the chances of the other party’s incumbents from being reelected by redrawing the lines of their districts.

Critics have long claimed this process unfair and indeed prior to the 1960s such practices were used to dilute the power of minority voters, primarily African-Americans, by splitting their neighborhoods into different districts. When redistricting, the Supreme Court has established that states must: Make districts of roughly equal population Lines must be continuous and contiguous Not dilute minority voting strength Not only consider race when creating districts Districts must be compact Communities of interest must be protected

League of United Latin American Citizens. v. Perry In 2006, the Supreme Court ruled that states can redistrict at any time, not just after each census. Research this case and write a commentary about what it was about!

The redistricting game www.redistrictinggame.org

The House and The Senate When the Constitution was written, the founders created a bicameral legislature to help balance the power within the legislative branch. James Madison wrote two important Federalist Papers outlining the strengths created by the differences in the two houses. The Federalist Papers For extra credit find Federalist #52 and #62 online and complete a t-chart comparing the Senate and the House of Representatives based on Madison’s observations.

Congressional Leadership Who are the leaders in the House and the Senate? Much of the leadership in Congress is really party leadership and party loyalty is one of the major factors in determining who the congressional leaders are.

Speaker of the House The only legislative office mandated by the Constitution is today selected by the majority party. John Boehner was elected by the Republicans in his party in 2011 to serve as Speaker of the House. The Speaker: presides over the House when it is in session; plays a major role in making committee assignments; plays a major role in appointing the party's legislative leaders and the party leadership staff, and exercises substantial control over which bills get assigned to which committees. Who is the current Speaker?

House Majority Leader The House Majority Leader is the Speaker of the House's principal partisan ally and his most important job is to round up votes from his party to support or defeat bills on behalf of the party’s position. He also schedules bills in the House. Without his support, bills that are introduced in the House will never be scheduled to go anywhere. Who currently holds this position?

House Minority Leader The minority leader is, Democrat Nancy Pelosi of California, organizes the opposition to the majority party.

President of the Senate The president of the Senate is more commonly known as the Vice President. His only appearances there are most often to serve as the tie-breaking vote. Who is the current person holding this office?

Senate Majority Leader Who is the current Majority Leader? From what Party?

Senate Minority Leader The Minority Leader acts as the leader of his party and works to secure votes for legislation important for the party. Who is this person today?

Question How effective are Congressional leaders in motivating their fellow party members to vote in their party’s interests?

Model Response Power in both houses is decentralized, and the leaders are selected by the members of their parties which serves to keep them from becoming too influential. The more policy agreement there is within a party, the more likely the congressional leader will be able maintain party unity.

Section Review Congratulations on completing this section! In this section you learned about: Constitutional basis of congressional power Advantages of incumbency Reapportionment and redistricting Differences between the House and the Senate Role of congressional leaders and committees How a bill becomes a law Influences on members of Congress Now it’s time to review what you’ve learned in this section. Please check your understanding of the topics above before proceeding to the next section by completing the Study Guide: Congress