The Legislative Branch Congress

U.S. Capitol

What is government itself 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 Senate 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

Who Are They?

Demographics of the 112th Congress

Religion - House

Religion - Senate

Gender Gender House (%) Senate (%) Society Men 362 (83%) 83 (83%) 49% Women 76 (17%) 17 (17%) 51%

Race/Gender Race House (%) Senate (%) Society* White 361 (83%) 96 (96%) 78.1% Black 44 (10%) 13.1% Hispanic 25 (6%) 2 (2%) 16.4% Asian 7 (1.5%) 5.0% American-Indian 1 (.2%) 1.2% *Hispanics may be of any race, so also are included in applicable race categories

U.S. House (112th) Number of Members- 435 African-American 43 Asian 7 American Indian 1 Caucasian 360 Hispanic 25

U.S. Senate (112th) Number of Members- 100 Asian 2 Caucasian 96 Hispanic 2

Gerrymandered Districts

MN Congressional Districts

U.S. Senate Bill Nelson(DFL)- Senior Senator Marco Rubio(RFL)- Junior Senator

An unbiased (or cynical) look at the Logic of Congress* 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 Government by and for the people 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 Leadership Authority 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 $174,000+ 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

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 Money bills originate in the House of Rep. The president proposes a budget and Congress modifies it A common way for the government to borrow money is by selling government bonds.

Making Policy A collection of “generalists” making policy on specific topics House Rules Committee Traffic Cop controlling the flow of bills establishing rules for each bill and its schedule can stop a bill from going to the House floor for a vote. Leadership (Speaker of the House/ Majority and “Minority” Leaders) Party caucus and committee assignments Rules Committee members Influence bill assignments to committee

Committees

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.

The Legislative Branch Congress