Chapter 11 CONGRESS

Constitutional Foundations of the Modern Congress The framers of the Constitution were ambivalent about democracy and concerned about the possibility of government tyranny. They wanted an energetic government, with the legislative branch as the center of policymaking. Yet they also limited Congressional power bicameralism bills of attainder ex post facto laws habeas corpus separation of powers checks and balances

Representation in Congress Apportionment Established through the Great Compromise Based on population in the House of Representatives and on equal representation of the states in the Senate Election of legislators

Federalism In our federal system, some powers and responsibilities are granted to the national government, some are shared, and some are reserved for the states. It is inevitable that conflicts will occur between state governments and the national government. Federalism also infuses localism into congressional affairs.

Representation and Democracy Styles of representation Edmund Burke described two principal styles of representation in 1774. Delegate theory Trustee theory Senators (who have longer terms of office) usually have more latitude than representatives to assume the trustee style.

Race, Gender and Occupation in Congress African Americans Hispanics Others Occupation dominance of law, business, and banking lack of blue-collar representation Is it important that Congress be demographically representative of the American people?

The Electoral Connection Electoral districts reapportionment redistricting gerrymandering majority-minority districts Money and congressional elections sources: individuals, PACs, parties, candidates

The Electoral Connection Incumbency extremely high re-election rates advantages franking privilege casework pork Implications for democracy

How Congress Works Congress remains the most influential and independent legislature among Western democratic nations. Centrifugal forces

Political Parties in Congress At the opening of each new Congress, parties in the two houses hold caucuses to organize their legislative business and select their leadership. Party composition of Congress Party voting in Congress Party discipline

Congressional Leadership The political parties work through the leadership structure of Congress. Leaders of the majority political party are also the leaders of the House and Senate. Leadership in the House Speaker whips Leadership in the Senate

Congressional Committees Most of the work of Congress takes place in its committees and subcommittees. Why Congress has committees Types of committees standing committees subcommittees select committees joint committees conference committees Committee assignments Committee and subcommittee chairs

Rules and Norms Reciprocity Senate House bills scheduled by unanimous consent filibuster & cloture House more rule-bound more hierarchical

Legislative Responsibilities: How a Bill Becomes a Law It is extremely difficult to make law because it is relatively easy to block bills from becoming laws. Only about 6 percent of all bills that are introduced are enacted into law.

Introducing a bill Committee action Floor action Conference committee Presidential action veto pocket veto

Legislative oversight of the executive branch Reviewing the performance of executive branch agencies to ensure that laws are being properly administered and that power is not being abused An important legislative responsibility of Congress Primarily managed by the committees and subcommittees Hearings are an important part of the process.

Congress, Public Policy, and the American People Congress as Policymaker Frequent criticisms of Congress Yet, the evidence is mixed Congress and the American People Americans tend to approve of their own representatives and senators, but have low regard for Congress as an institution